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The earliest memory that Jimin could recall was when he was 5 years old. Unpresented and chubby cheeked, playing outside in the courtyard of his family home. His extended family wasn't rich or powerful, just big. And they had been fortunate enough to have land to stay close, like a pack from olden times.He remembers the sun being out and shining brightly, despite it being late in the year. The bitter cold bit at the tips of his ears that stuck out from under his hat. His chubby hand gripped a stick as he drew in the dirt.He heard voices, a woman he recognized as one of his aunts, and then the panicked voice of one of his older cousins.He didn't pay attention to all of their words, but he remembers his attention being caught when he heard the distinct sound of crying.He whipped his little head around to the direction the voices were coming from, over a stone wall.He heard his cousin crying, pleading, “Please, mom, please, mom, where am I supposed to go? I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!”He couldn't hear whatever his aunt was saying, he didn't know if she responded at all, he only heard the sobbing replies of his cousin.“I didn't choose this, mom, PLEASE-”Jimin remembers feeling uneasy and fearful, he stood, about to head over to the other side of the wall, when suddenly he felt someone grab his arm.“Come on, Jiminie-ah, come inside, don't listen to that.” He calmed from the startle as he realized it was his own mother. She pulled him towards their front door as she spoke.“Mom, are they okay? Is Haekyun-hyung in trouble? Did he do something bad…?” Jimin couldn't understand why, but the sound of his cousin's voice made him want to cry.“...don't worry about your cousin. You won't ever have to worry about that. You are my good boy and you won't ever have that happen to you, okay?” His mother’s voice was sweet and calm, her peony scent a source of comfort and soothing.Suddenly Jimin didn't need to worry, his tears evaporating from his eyes like morning dew from the grass.His mother was right. She was always right. And he could always trust her. Nothing bad was ever going to happen to him.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Jimin awakens with a jolt. He feels a sweaty chill all over his body.A dream.A memory.Something in the middle.He struggles to calm his breathing, recognizing that he's awake. He takes a few deep breaths, listens to his surroundings.The sound of a rickety fan, a nearby train rumbling past, shaking his entire one room apartment. He stares up at the ceiling, water stains and chipping paint stare back.He blinks a few times, and heaves himself to sit up. His thin sheet pools at his waist, the cold apartment air chilling his sleep warm skin.Jimin slumps forward, leaning his forehead on a hand. He doesn't remember the last time that dream made me wake up in the middle of the night. He dreams about it so often, he thought he was used to it.He turns to peek at the time.3:57AM.He keeps looking at the clock, hoping, wishing, praying that the time will somehow change back, even by 30 minutes.He doesn't feel tired like he needs more sleep. He just wants more time to lay, without moving.Jimin releases a deep sigh and rubs his hands through his hair.‘Yuck’ he thinks, ‘kinda greasy’ he doesn't have time to shower, not that he has warm water to shower with anyway. And a cold shower this late into the year would just give him a bad chill that lasts all day, if not turn into a full blown cold.He shakes it off and gets out of his tiny, metal frame bed that creaks with every shift of weight.The process to get ready isn't a long one, normally. But today it feels like there are extra heavy weights attached to Jimin's back. Sluggish doesn't even start to cover how he feels.As part of his morning routine, he turns on his ratty electric kettle he found 3 years ago on the street. He has no coffee packets or tea bags to make. But he does still enjoy the warmth of the hot water. Holding a warm paper cup on his way to work is a better method to keep his fingers warm than shoving them into the thin pockets of his worn work pants.He finishes his miniscule routine and heads out the door.It could be worse, Jimin thinks to himself as he locks the door, a cold wind flows gently through the open hallway. It's already 4:21AM, he reads his wrist watch, putting a little extra speed into his walk.He hurries his steps, he doesn't live far from the warehouse, but he doesn't want to risk being late. He's had this job for a couple of years now, the barely present upper management seems to gloss over him well enough. And his direct supervisor likes that he does his work, so he knows Jimin by name.But he knows he can never be too careful.All he needs is a small slip up. Being a beta he’s learned that people, alphas and omegas alike, don't need much of a reason to fire the likes of him. The likes of a beta.It's not illegal, per say.But it's certainly not unheard of. It's actually more common, Jimin came to find out in his earlier years, to be pushed out of your job, apartment, community, family...Being a beta isn't as uncommon as people would like to think.As they would make it seem.No one is holding beta pride parades that's for sure. But it's not like you can't find another beta here or there, if you know what to look for. If you are a beta.Growing up in a society where betas are seen as somehow lesser than. He’s viewed as being damaged, deformed, they’re all a bad batch. Not strong enough to lead, a disgrace to be in a position of authority. Too gruff to be a proper nurturing child barer, not appealing enough to the higher rank. It’s known that it's pretty rare for betas to have strong scents, or any scent at all. They just come off as weird and unsettling.Just some thing neither alpha or omega, a shameful existence that has no place.Some think it's a curse from god, like a punishment to the parents, to have a child present as a beta. They cry and plead on their knees, sobbing asking ‘why, why did I get cursed with a beta child?’‘Why did my child have to be a beta’ Jimin can still hear his own mothers sobs… Others think it's a gene that's dying out; a sort of vestigial sub gender.It's a more clinical approach, one that Jimin doesn't know how he feels about. Some days he thinks he could agree with it, some days he hears people talk about betas like they are some subcategory of humans.And although betas stay subdued most of the time, hardly heard of and seen even less, occasionally there will be a big fuss.Jimin remembers, a few years back, some kind of ‘beta march’ had happened, it was originally peaceful. But rumor was that an opposing group came along to antagonize and initiated an altercation. It was messy, but ultimately it blew over, both from the news and public eye.Jimin still remembers hearing a stranger on the train during the first few days of news coverage saying that all betas should be preemptively ‘dealt with’."Just get rid of ‘em when they’re young, right? Why doesn't the government do something about those things? " The man on the train spoke like betas were an infestation.Kinda like the way people spray pesticides for bugs. To eradicate them.Like every person woke up and hated betas. Dealing with them, living near them. Just knowing betas existed was enough to hate and be disgusted by them.Jimin tries to ignore all sub gender discussions at any cost. A ‘dont ask, don't tell’ kind of thing.He knows there are about a handful of betas working along with him at the warehouse. He can tell by the way they cover up and keep to themselves. Never expose any kind of scent gland. The exact same way he does. He makes sure to wear a high collar, or to keep his hoodie zipped up.Not that it would matter, Jimin doesn't have a scent. He supposes it's a good thing more than a bad thing. He can get away with pretending he's always wearing scent blockers, without having to budget for them. Something about it still leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.Scent plays such a heavy role in social settings, no scent means you’re different. And different is wrong.A lesson Jimin learned early in his life, but maybe not early enough.Jimin bundles his aged corduroy jacket closer to himself. He's almost to the warehouse, he wonders what he’ll be put to today.Certain workers get rotated around from station to station. Packing, loading, driving and delivery. Jimin has done it all, but typically prefers to stay inside the warehouse. He's not too keen on deliveries, where he has to risk interaction with strangers.On his first day of delivery training, he was paired up with an older alpha, Chonghun. He wasn't really friendly, he didn't even introduce himself or ask Jimin’s name. But he also wasn't rude or cruel to Jimin. He counted it as a blessing.Their first delivery was to a place Jimin doesn't even remember the name of. He didn't want to cause any trouble, obviously. He just wanted to get his first delivery over and done with.Upon their arrival, Jimin had been put to unload the truck, hauling the crates back and forth. He was just on his last unloading.Suddenly he felt the back of his jacket being grabbed and he was yanked back.“What the fuck is this?” Jimin heard the growl from a very angry alpha.Before he knew what was happening, the grip on him had been released and he stumbled, nearly falling to the floor, but caught himself on his hands.He quickly stood himself up and straightened his jacket, keeping his head down, eyes locked on the floor.“How can you even trust these things…I didn't know anyone gave them jobs anymore.'' The alpha spits out like acid, directed at Jimin but he knows he isn't actually being spoken to.“What's the problem, huh?” Chonghun asked as he came back to the loading dock.“You guys employ these things?” The alpha smelled pissed.Conghun paused for a moment, “What, you don't want the order, huh? After we just unloaded it?” Chonghun asked, his voice gruff as he wheezed out his words.The older alpha took a shallow breath before he spoke, “Lemme explain something to you, I can take the whole order back and bring you a new one…” he gestured to all the full crates and then towards the truck.“But the kid is still on this route and he is still gonna have to be the one to unload it. You think I'm gonna do double the work, huh?” Chonghun seemed like he wasn't the kind of alpha to waste time saying things he did not mean.“I’ve been on this route long enough to know this isn't your business. Your father respects hard work…and I know you aren't gonna dirty your pretty hands on this, huh, alpha? So.” he used the title but even Jimin knew it wasn't from respect.Despite the clear physical advantage the customer had, he backed down. Jimin wondered what kind of alpha Chonghun had to be to not side with another alpha over a beta of all things.“Either you get over yourself and accept this order, which you've already signed for.” Chonghun taps his pen on the clipboard he's holding with the signed invoice. “Or you can pitch a fit like a fuckin brat. Go ‘head. Make a fuss.”Jimin still remembers the way he could feel the sweat dripping down his back. Not even from the work of unloading, but from how nervous he was. He was almost certain he'd lose his job. Best case was he would be sent home without pay for the entire day.The alpha remained silent, but his burnt and rotten smelling scent gave away how pissed off he was.Jimin still remembers the grotesque sound of the alpha snorting up mucus right before he spat at Jimin's feet.The alpha turned away and slammed the steel backdoor shut.“Get in the truck.” was all Chonghun said.Jimin felt his hands shaking so badly as he hopped up into the passenger side. He struggled to click his seatbelt.Jimin thought he should say something, thank the older alpha for stopping what surely would have turned into something much worse.Chonghun got into the driver’s seat and started the engine, he spoke.“People don't like betas for many reasons. None of them are good ones. But people hate what they don't know, what they don't understand. ”Chonghun was an older man, probably in his 50s, with a well grown belly and strong looking hands. His facial stubble was fully white, and his eyebrows matched in color, they were long overgrown and nearly covered his eyes.If he didn't know Chonghun, he would have thought him to be a kind old man, maybe even a doting grandfather.“..thank you…” Jimin didn't know what else to say. He didn't know why Chonghun was telling him this. They still had three more stops to make. Jimin didn't want to ask and risk creating a bad atmosphere.“I know your life hasn't been easy. I can only assume as much.” He takes a deep breath, looking forward out the front windshield.“All I want to say is…if someone….Don't let them make you feel bad for surviving. You’ve come this far, you've put in the work. Don't feel bad for surviving all this time.”There is a moment of silence in the truck, it quickly ends as he starts the engine and drives them onto their next stop.Jimin doesn't really know what to think in that moment. He mumbles another ‘thank you’ with a quick nod of his head.The rest of the day goes by quickly and quietly. Jimin is expecting bad news once they reach the warehouse.The manager calls for them, but Chonghun goes in first, alone.Jimin sits still in anxiety, fist clenched tightly until he hears Chonghun coming back.Jimin quickly stands and looks at him in expectation, either that he's already been fired or is about to be called into the office to be fired.Chonghun doesn't even spare him a glance.“You’re off deliveries, kid. You'll be with Gongyoo, in packing, tomorrow.”Chonghun is nearly out of the warehouse when he says;“See you around, Jimin.”⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Jimin doesn't forget the people who have been good to him. Decent at least, it happens so rarely.The ones who mistreat him, yell at and beat him, all of them, any one of them. They’re a dime a dozen.But people like Chonghun are incredibly rare and unexpected. Jimin will never forget that day. He works diligently, feeling like maybe there is a god looking out for him every once and a while.He doesn't see the older alpha again after that day, no real excuse for their paths to cross.Some time passes before news spreads about the death of longtime employee Wong Chonghun.Jimin remembers feeling very isolated. More than ever before. He doesn't even understand why, it's not like he was close to Chonghun. Jimin does his best to find out where he can pay his respects.Shortly after that, management puts Jimin back onto the regular rotation, deliveries included.Which is fine, Jimin now works twice as fast and makes sure he's hardly seen by customers waiting at their loading docks.Jimin is in and out, no time to spare. No time for confrontations.Today should be no different as he walks up to the old cracked time clock, the seafoam green tinted a dingy color over the years. It makes a horribly loud noise when he punches in.He's walking to the main office where a middle-aged woman by the name of Minhee sits in a dirty office chair. She’s an older omega who’s pleasant enough.He gets in line behind two others, sees them get their assignment. He approaches.“Morning.” Jimin nods his head..“Jimin.” she greets in a flat monotone. She must be in a good mood. She gives him an equally flat look as she hands over the small slip of paper with his assignment for the day.Deliveries.He glances at the list of customers for today. Names, addresses. Among the list, he notices one he doesnt recognizeJust before he walks away, he asks, “New customer?” he blinks.Minhee clicks her tongue and turns to read the information for his assignment.“Yup. They ordered a decent amount. Don't cause any trouble, yeah?” Minhee dismisses him by handing another slip to the person behind him.Jimin doesn't bother responding or asking any more questions. New customer, old customer. Doesn't matter. He will be in and out and no one will have a chance to notice him. By the time Jimin is ready to go, the truck loaded up, he's pulling out of the lot a little before 7am.He double checks the info slip. He knows the best routes for the regulars, but isn't sure about this new place. Or how traffic will affect the travel times. He hopes these people won't give him trouble over it.Like he guessed, the regulars go smoothly, no troubles, nothing out of the ordinary.Jimin is driving away from his second to last stop before the new place,when he comes upon some traffic. He doesn't mind it at first. But before he realizes it, he's been stuck in traffic for 45 minutes. It starts to make Jimin anxious.He discovers there was some huge pile up, causing the massive delay.By the time he sets out for his last stop, he's running about two hours late. Jimin can feel the tremor in his hands as he turns into the property.The business he's delivering to looks closed, he panics for a moment before he pulls around to the back and sees a few people and some other trucks and pallets everywhere.They look to be moving in, a new business. He sees a few people standing in the back, looking rather upset.‘Shit.’ Jimin cursed to himself. He takes a deep breath and nearly leaps out of the truck after parking it.“Hello, I'm so sorry for being late. Please excuse my tardiness…” Jimin bows a full 90 degrees.There's silence from the three others as Jimin stares at the concrete, waiting for the verbal lashing, perhaps even a physical one.“Ah…you…you can stand up, c’mon, it's not that serious.” he hears someone say, chuckling.Jimin feels a hand on his shoulder. Jimin hesitantly lifts his head, pulling up his gaze.The man who spoke to him is to his right, he's a tall man, very handsome.As Jimin takes in his features, he can immediately smell that this man is an omega, his scent is like strawberries. Jimin thinks that it matches his pretty face.He smiles politely at Jimin, who can only nod, keeping his face neutral.“Normally I wouldn't forgive tardiness so easily, but we hit a bit of a problem today so it kinda worked out that you showed up late.” One of the others, a thinner man with a large smile speaks and then laughs, but then his face becomes slightly more serious. “Just don't make it a habit. We need to be able to rely on a set schedule, yeah?”Jimin once again bows, not as deep but he still feels on edge about being late. He doesn't need a reason for these people to complain about him“Yes, I'm so sorry. The traffic was really…it won't happen again.”Jimin doesn't even know why he says that, he can't promise anything and certainly doesn't want to give them anything to hold over him.Something about the second man just seemed very commanding. There's no discernible features, nor can Jimin scent out the man, but he takes a guess that he must be an alpha.“Hoba, don't give this guy any more reason to be anxious, look at him, he's practically sweating bullets.” the omega says.“If you're ready, I can unload the truck now.” Jimin recognizes that they seem to be relatively decent people, but doesnt want to push his luck.The suspected alpha squints his eyes under the direct sun, but nods anyway. “Yeah, yeah let’s get the stuff inside.”The omega has already headed inside. The one called ‘Hoba’, following not far behind.Jimin is just about to turn back to his truck when he realizes that the third man who stood further back than the rest, has been staring at Jimin this entire time.Jimin can't afford to dissect what that could mean. In the split second it takes Jimin to notice him and turn around, he takes in the male.On the taller side. Dark hair, not short but not long either. Dark eyes, a couple of facial piercings, Jimin supposes they match the sleeve of tattoos. It gives him an edgy look.All of that contrasts the unusually youthful face of the man. Round eyes, a rather round nose. He looks like he could be around Jimin's age.The breeze picks up and Jimin is downwind.There's a sandalwood scent, something almost peppery? He's definitely an alpha. Jimin lowers his gaze immediately.He gets to his truck, pulling out his gloves and the paperwork. He shuts the door, turning to head to the back of the truck to start unloading, when he nearly collides with the same alpha.He starles Jimin, who immediately gets hit in the face with his scent, stronger than before, something clean, maybe even sweet like a flower. It’s tantalizing in his nose. He breathes through his mouth.“Sorry…I’m just about to unload the truck…” Jimin has to look up at the man, for how much taller he is. Jimin really takes in his features now, realizing how handsome he is.The man remains quiet. Just staring at Jimin, eyes wide, pierced lips parted.Jimin nods politely as he ducks around the man to the side. He isn't sure what his deal is, but the sooner he gets the truck unloaded, the better.Jimin opens the truck and puts his gloves on. The man comes around from the side, looking at Jimin again.Jimin is feeling a little uneasy now. Why is he acting so strange? Can he tell Jimin is a beta?Is he going to make an issue of it?It doesn’t seem to Jimin like he’s being aggressive. But he can't shake the anxiety of a possible altercation.Jimin picks up the sheet where he needs a signature, “Will you sign for this, please?” Jimin holds out the clipboard with both hands.The man looks down at it, and seems to break from whatever weird trance he was in. Jimin can see a flush appear across his face.“O-oh, yeah I can…” the man practically darts for the clipboard with both hands as he grasps for the attached pen.Jimin can't help himself from watching this man closely. He can't get a read on him. He's kind of clumsy, it seems. Very handsome. Does he know Jimin is a beta? Does he not know? Is he trying to scent him out?He can't afford that. As soon as he hands the clipboard back, Jimin practically snatches it back and rips off the copy meant for the customer. He hands it to the man and all but jumps up onto the back of the open truck, pulling himself up with his arms.He stands in the middle of the opening, “Please, excuse me…” Jimin gestures that he needs room for the ramp to drop down.The sweet scent of lilies wafts around Jimin as the younger man seems to realize and jumps back.Jimin unceremoniously drops the ramp and immediately starts loading crates onto the dolly.He's just off the ramp when the man speaks up, “A-ah, I can help….” his voice is soft as he holds the paper in his hands, folded over. Jimin notices the way his fingers rub along the folded crease, repeatedly.“I’m meant to help you.”Jimin squints his eyes, the sun’s brightness bearing down on both of them. He's not really sure what he's supposed to say. Technically, company policy is that he has to unload the product himself.But he isn't sure if this is some kind of trick question. Let the man help and get ratted out, or offend the man by turning down the help. Jimin has had all kinds of people pull all kinds of tricks on him throughout his life.He cant take the risk on this seemingly benign man.“Thank you, I've got it though. I just needed your signature.” Jimin turns to roll the dolly forward, out of the corner of his eyes he sees the man slouch.“...thank you, though…” Jimin addresses one last time before he walks away, towards the opening to the building.The thin alpha from before is standing just inside. From here Jimin can see the exposed brick walls that line a hallway.“Where would you like me to put these down?” Jimin asks, dolly pivoted and ready to roll anyway Jimin pushes.“You can follow me through here, we want ‘em in the walk in.” the alpha waves Jimin to follow him as he walks down the hall.“I’m Hoseok, by the way. I’ll probably be the one you speak with most often. My mate and partner Jin, was the other guy you spoke with. This is our new baby!” Hoseok enthusiastically introduces himself, and the building.“Jin had always been into the food scene, and we finally had our ducks in a row and got this place together.”He talks animatedly as he opens the walk in fridge. “Okay, right here. I can't promise it'll always be so spacious for every delivery. If there's ever not enough room, you can uh…” Hoseok looks around and pops his head out of the fridge again.“Ah, right here, on this wall. That should be ok for any overflow.”Jimin is nodding at all of the directions as he carefully sets the crates of glass bottles down in a corner as neatly as possible. He unstacks the top two crates and starts a new tower.“Thank you Hoseok-ssi.” Jimin acknowledges him and moves the dolly out. “I’ll have the rest of this put away shortly.”Hoseok smiles, and Jimin has never seen a smile so bright and heart shaped before. It almost puts Jimin at ease. An alpha has never been so…kind.“Yeah no problem, thank you,…?” Hoseok trails off, looking directly at Jimin.Jimin realizes with a start he's being asked his name, “Ah, Park Jimin…” he bows again.“Ahaha, Jimin, okay! No need to be so formal, this is a pretty relaxed place. Thank you again.”Just then theres the sound of something falling over further into the building, “Ah…ok let me go see what that was, moving in and all” Hoseok laughs as he walks down the hall, he calls over his shoulder before he disappears around the corner,“If you need anything else, just ask Jungkookie!”Jimin remains there for a moment, looking out the large dock opening he walked through, before he gets back into work mode.‘I guess that's ‘Jungkookie’ ‘As he walks out, he doesn't see ‘Jungkookie’. Better for him. He can get this over within the next ten minutes or so and be on his way.He's finished unloading and secures the dolly back into the truck as he turns to hop out, instantly noticing the man standing at the back entrance. He's just staring.Jimin is really unsure of what the staring means. He isn't convinced it's malicious…but Jimin can't just assume it's friendly. Maybe he's just a weird guy? Jimin raises his hand in a reserved gesture of goodbye.He jumps into the truck and drives away, unaware of the enthusiastic wave from the man.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Jimin’s day ends as soon as he returns, no issues thankfully. He gets home and eats whatever he has left. Rice mainly. He gets paid soon, around the same time all of his bills are due.He doesn't have time to waste thinking about the pleasant scents that wafted from the alpha from earlier. He doesn't have time or reason, for that matter, to wonder why he kept staring. Why did he offer to help Jimin?Jimin would normally fall asleep planning out how to make his meager paycheck stretch the most. Instead, he falls asleep to the images of sandalwood forests and a valley of lillies. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The following weeks at work are uneventful as he is continually cycled through stations. He doesn't get assigned the new customer again, never really expects to honestly. Why bother continuing to think about those people, who were uncharacteristically kind?No, Jimin can't afford to think about some chance encounter with people he will never see again, especially not when word breaks that hours are going to be cut soon.Jimin feels the awful churn of anxiety in his gut. He knows the drill. Hour cuts are bad for everyone, but worse for betas. Alphas and omegas ‘have families to care for’, so they are given the lion's share of the already dwindled hours.Jimin doesn't know what he’ll do when he sees that he’s only got 2 days on the upcoming week's schedule.He pulls the worn coat tighter around his shoulders and walks home in the golden hues of a setting sun, its fading warmth the only good thing that comes for free in his life.To his surprise the following day, he sees the address of that new customer. Jimin shoves the shorter than usual list of deliveries into his pocket.He can't explain the small ping of…something. He doesn't know what that feeling is. He shrugs it off and heads to the truck.Thankfully, or perhaps disappointingly, Jimin makes the delivery and only encounters Hoseok. No ’Jungkookie’.“Jimin-ah!” Hoseok, the friendly alpha and co-owner from before, happily strides down the ramp and comes right up to Jimin.“I was wondering what happened!” he speaks so animatedly, signing the delivery sheet without even checking it.Jimin takes the paper while giving a confused look, “What happened?” Jimin wonders if there was an issue with a previous delivery.“Yeah, we were expecting…well I was expecting to see you for all the deliveries, but we got someone new every time.” Hoseok pouted, “Messed up the delivery every single time. One time one of those guys left my product out in the rain, didn't even try to let us know he was here…”Jimin sees the anger in Hoseok's furrowed brows. “No, so far only you completed the delivery the way it should be done. I appreciate that! I'm thankful you’re back, I know it'll be done right. You’re a hard worker, I can practically smell it on you.” the alpha smiles again.Jimin’s anxiety spikes at the comment but tries to play it off by bowing and immediately starts to unload the delivery. He can't help the feeling of letting this man down with the bad service from his fellow delivery persons. Before he can stop himself, he apologizes.“I’m sorry that it hasn't been done correctly. I can tell you that the delivery routes are always assigned randomly…I never know when I'll get you on my route for the day…”Jimin doesn't know why he keeps speaking, “Actually…” he pauses once he gets to the bottom of the ramp, dolly full of a stack of crates.“To be honest, you might see me even less…they’re cutting back on hours so I-” Jimin catches himself, feels the rush of embarrassment flood his face. He's over sharing with this person who is basically a stranger.“I-I meant just so you know what you can expect. If it's really bad, you should call. I would put in a complaint but they wouldn't listen to me.'' Jimin walks the dolly into the same place as before.As he walks through, he sees the back of house is now fully stocked, he sees all the shelves full of wares and supplies.By the time he rolls back down the truck, Hoseok is still standing there, a thoughtful expression on his face.“Why don't you come work for us?” Hoseok offers the idea up like it was nothing. His face is bright and tone even, his scent is welcoming, genuine.It's not a scent Jimin typically encounters being directed at himself.“Wha–what?” Jimin was frozen in his spot, gloved hands holding the dolly tightly.“Yeah, come work with us! We were looking for another set of hands, and I feel like you'd be a good fit. You don't need any experience, we’ll train you. What do you think?” Hoseok remains all smiles.“Hoseok-ssi, thank you but I can't-'' Jimin didn't know what to say but he certainly knows he can't accept, even if the fear of nearly no hours at his current job threatens his ability to feed himself.He actually really likes Hoseok, though he barely knew the alpha. He got a very comforting feeling from the man, some kind of subconscious feeling.But there are so many questions, even if Jimin was to seriously consider. Surely…surely Hoseok was smart enough to put two and two together that Jimin is a beta.How could he ever take the offer when he knew it could be an issue to employ a beta? Their business was new, not established. Any kind of trouble could end their dreams before they even got the chance to begin.Jimin took a deep breath, ready to turn it down officially,“Look. Jimin, I don't want to overstep here. But we know…" Hoseok was suddenly very serious. His scent had become rigid and not as welcoming as seconds before, somehow Jimin understands it's not directed at him.“I know that you must be facing some extra cuts at work,” he continues.“Maybe not a direct action against you…but I know how it goes with labor cuts…especially for betas.” The last part is said softly.Typically, when people call Jimin out on his subgender, it's like a dirty secret. Whispered and said with some level of disdain. It's either disgust or pity.Jimin never knows which one makes him more upset.Disgust makes Jimin want to bare his teeth and curse everyone and everything. Like he could even choose his own fate. But pity is so much worse in the way he can't stomach the idea of getting anything out of pity.Call it pride. Call it his own hubris. Maybe it reminds him of the last look he ever saw in his mothers eyes before he had to leave.But somehow, Hoseok, an alpha of all people…he can tell this isn't an act of pity. It's a genuine offer.“If i'm being upfront…'' Hoseok seems to hesitate for a minute, like he doesn't want to say the next part. “I know from experience that these kinds of things…” he trails off, a hard look on his face. He squints his eyes from the sunlight, looking away from Jimin for a second.“Honestly speaking,” he takes a half step closer towards Jimin. He would normally have the instinct to keep a healthy distance from an alpha. But once again, like no other person, Jimin instinctually feels like Hoseok can be trusted. It's a wild and unfamiliar feeling for Jimin, but one he thinks he wouldn't mind getting used to.“This kind of thing, Jimin.” Hoseok shakes his head, “Trust me when I say that you would be treated with respect, no prerequisites. Whatever that means to you.” Hoseok taps the copy of his invoice in his hand as he releases a heavy breath.“Please think about it. I would never want to make you feel uncomfortable. I definitely think you’d be a good worker and if you want the job, just come by.” he reaches out and pats Jimin on the shoulder.“Hope to see you again, sooner rather than later.” Hoseok smiles and then walks away and into his building.Jimin is left standing there, feeling stunned. He blinks himself out of his thoughts and packs the dolly away. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jimin sits, wrapped up in the little blankets he has, all of them thin and worn over the years of use. The small electric heater hums as it struggles to heat even the small area around it. Jimin stares at the small bowl of cold rice that sits on the wooden crate he uses as a table. It's all he has left for this week. It's Wednesday.He sits with no emotion on his face and practically no thoughts in his head. Only the decision to eat the rice now or try to ration it until Monday.Today he wasn't scheduled, so that means there's nothing to distract himself from the hunger and maybe worse, no work to keep him busy and warm.He has no money to go sit somewhere, like in a heated cafe, and nowhere else to go.He takes a deep breath and releases it.It's been about three weeks since Hoseok offered him work. Jimin initially refused because he couldn't imagine it being something that could work.And surely, the work cuts at the warehouse wouldn't get so bad.Jimin has worked only five short shifts in the three weeks since. He overheard, though, on the last day he had worked, an alpha complained about being overworked.‘Too much work, like c’mon…I'm only one man!’ His words rang in Jimin's head, nearly matching how much his stomach cramped from only eating small servings of whatever he had left around in his house.Jimin tried to remind himself that no matter how good it seemed, the job offer wasn't something he could really rely on. Hoseok doesn't seem to be a cruel man, but who knows how it could turn out.“Trust me when I say that you would be treated with respect, no prerequisites. Whatever that means to you.”Hoseok’s words come back to Jimin just as his stomach cramps again, he can feel a headache blooming at his forehead.Jimin considered if something as useless as pride could be stopping him from accepting. He didn't think he had any of that left.Through the years, since the ripe age of 15, Jimin has been surviving on pure strength of will. But even now, a decade later, rather than being better off, maybe he's worse off than ever before.Maybe pride and fear grow like weeds in the shadows of hardships, pretending to be a tree trunk of self-sufficiency and strength.With cold, purpling finger tips, Jimin reaches for the bowl of rice.He swallows it down, as well as his fear and pride in one big gulp.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Jimin is thankful for his good memory, as he realized that he would not have otherwise been able to get the address from work to get to the bar.He had waited until the winter sun was near its peak before he started his journey. He needed the warmth to make the trek, only having his feet to carry him.He hoped that Hoseok still had something to offer him. He wasn't under any pretenses that he was going to get the best paying job, thankful for anything.Jimin just needed to be able to eat again. He had caught his reflection in the window of a shop he passed by, immediately he noticed how sunken in his cheeks looked, hair flat and dull.He let out a puff of breath, the fog of it on the window. Jimin quickly tried to comb his hair to be a little more presentable, but swung his head around at the clearing of a voice.“Do not loiter or solicit near my business.” Some haggardly omega sneered at him, wrinkled hands holding a broom, but not to sweep away trash, but rather Jimin.He figures she didn't think there was a difference.Without a word, Jimin gives a quick bow and walks away. He doesn't even feel annoyed anymore. What's one more stranger to shoo him away like vermin?He quickens his pace, his desire to be out of the public at such a busy time grows the more people he passes.Jinmin sometimes wonders what his scent is.He could never smell his own scent, never sure if that was normal or just a beta thing. So much of his formative years were spent isolated and uneducated. Sometimes Jimin is surprised he knows anything at all about subgenders.He figures he must smell like something, how else could it be explained that strangers would instantly clock him for being…different. Wrong.He often thinks his scent must be particularly foul, even if it's not because he's a beta. No one else has ever told him what his scent is, but it's never been a good reaction.Jimin wonders if he might get the chance to ask Hoseok what he smells like. He chuckles humorlessly to himself at the thought, because no.No, he doubts he would ever get to be so friendly, even if it is Hoseok, the friendliest person he has ever seen or met.Jimin makes it to the bar, instantly noticing the new signage on the front. In elegant and sleek lettering its says ‘Epiphany’s’As he approaches the building, he can smell food cooking. It smells so good his mouth waters and his stomach rumbles.He hopes that it doesn't make any noise when he goes inside.He reaches the front doors, but it's locked. He notices there are no visible lights on and as he puts his face up to the cold glass, no one is inside.He immediately starts to feel anxious. Maybe he showed up at a bad time, but this is about the same time he would make deliveries.He backs up from the front of the brick building and looks around for any sign that someone is here. He rings his cold hands in front of him. What if he wasted this trip? What if Hoseok didn't even have a job to offer anymore.It was probably just a kind gesture. He never really expected Jimin to take him up on it. Probably just wanted to be nice or whatever, no one really ever hires betas of course, of course it was stupid, so stupid so-“Jimin-ssi!”Jimin whips his head around to his left, startled from his spiraling thoughts.Just at the corner of the building, in a thick brown jacket and clunky boots, the handsome alpha from before…Jungkookie, was it?“A-ah, hello…” Jimin feels awkward now, as he offers an equally awkward bow and approaches the man.“What are you doing here?” The alpha meets him more than half way, long legs taking him further and faster, clearly in a good mood. His toothy smile reminds Jimin of a rabbit he once had as a child.“I’m here…to see Hoseok-ssi, if he’s available. But if the place is closed I can just-" Jimin gestures to the locked doors behind himself, eyes squinting from the bright winter sun and brisk air that blows in his face. He's sure he must look really ridiculous to the handsome young man in front of him, who looks like he could grace the cover of a magazine with the way his hair whips around like he's on a photoshoot.“No! No, of course yeah he’s here, we’re all here. Cmon, come to the back, we’re not open open, we don't open ‘til about 1…” He’s so eager and happy, based on the way his scent blooms with fresh lilies and soothing sandalwood.He quickly moves behind Jimin and starts to walk, giving a gentle push to his shoulders.“Hobi-hyung said he had offered you a job and that he hoped you’d come back. Honestly speaking, I was starting to wonder if you'd ever come back…” he keeps speaking, his tone and inflection changing as he talks.It's such a 180 from the first time Jimin encountered him, he barely spoke and seemed uncomfortable. But here now, the alpha practically exudes comfort and familiarity.Jimin feels the warmth of his hands on his shoulders as he is gently directed towards the back, where he also smells the aroma of food get stronger.Jimin is so caught up in the whirlwind of this alpha he doesn't even realize how he just lets all of this happen. Jimin isn't one for physical contact or coming close to people, for obvious reasons.But as they finally walk inside the familiar back entrance and pass the only hallway Jimin has ever seen from his previous deliveries, he notices how unphased he feels. He's brought back to the real world when he sees Hoseok pop up from a large table with four other men sitting around.A spike of anxiety shoots through Jimin's body.“Jimin-ah!” Hoseok gives a giant signature smile and rushes over. “It's so good to see you, we wondered when you would come back!” he claps Jimin on the shoulder, shaking him a little.“I see that you ran into our Jungkookie.”“Yeah, he uh…Jungkookie told me the place wasn't open yet so he led me back here…so he, uh, he helped…me…” Jimin speaks softly and then tapers off as he notices a shift between the three of them as he speaks. In an instant he realizes that he used a very familiar name for the younger alpha, he feels the heat of shame build in his chest and up his neck to his face.“Oh I didn't know you two were already so close, huh Jungkookie?” Hoseok teases and laughs, covering his face as he playfully shoves the younger man.Jimin notices the bashful smile on his face.“Can you guys hurry up, my food is going to get cold and I am not eating cold chicken. Just sit down. Jimin-ah, please join us.” the omega from before, Jin, yells from his spot at the table full of delicious looking food.Hoseok giggles as he turns back, “Yeah c’mon, you came at the perfect time Jimin.”Before Jimin can follow, he feels a tug on his arm. He stops and looks towards the alpha.“D-dont worry about the, uh, nickname, it's fine. I don't-'' he starts to say, his voice somewhat shy.“Right, of course…I’m so sorry.'' Jimin feels his voice shrivel up and die in his throat. Why is he making such a fool of himself?“No, it's fine really. I feel bad because I never actually introduced myself. I’m Jeon Jungkook, ahah, obviously.” He extends his hand for a formal greeting, rolling his eyes playfully at the reintroduction of his name.Jimin glances down at the hand as he realizes that he never introduced himself. He hesitantly reaches his own out, hand immediately dwarfed.“I’m uh, my name is Park Jimin.” He feels the warmth of Jungkook's hand engulf his cold and dry hand. He briefly wonders how rough his hand must feel.“Let’s go sit, Jin-hyung isn't above eating all the food before we can sit down…'' Jungkook laughs as he gestures for Jimin to go to the table.Jungkook leads him to the table where Jimin sees the rest of the men, and notices there is only one open seat.“I really just came to talk about, uh, the possibility of working…here. I really don't mean to intrude or an-'' Jimin tries to wiggle out of sitting among so many strangers.He feels a little nervous at the idea of sitting among so many strangers, he doesn't know how any of them will treat him. The anxiety of having to be on guard is so draining already, no to mention his weakened mind from not eating.There's a muffled squawk from the head of the table where Jin is sitting, mouth so full his handsome face is made almost comical with his puffed out cheeks.To his right he sees Hoseok has taken his seat again, next to him sits another man, and then the only empty seat which must have been Jungkook's.“Are you turning down my hospitality? You’ll work with us but you won't eat with us??" Jin accuses from his seat.“Hyung, I’m sure Jimin is just being polite…” Hoseok says.Jungkook quickly steals another chair from a nearby table, “Jimin-sii, you can sit here.”Jungkook pulls the chair to the other end of the table and motions for Jimin to take a seat.With a nervous gulp, Jimin gingerly sits down, now at the opposite end of the table of Jin.Jimin sees three other men who he has never met before, a taller looking man with dimples sits between Hoseok and Jungkook. On the opposite side of the table sit the other two, a leaner man with ash blonde hair that he can vaguely smell to be an omega, and a dark haired man with a sleepy look on his face.The ashy haired man leans over, “I’m Taehyung.” He smiles, boxy and wide. “Hyung mentioned you’re gonna work with us?”Jimin nearly splutters out an answer, “Oh w-well I mean, he was kind enough to offer one a while ago, but I'm not sure-”“Another hire??? Jin-hyung…please, as your accountant I'm not sure it's financially feasible to hire another person so soon-” The tall man says, tone exasperated and whiny.“Whose idea was this? Hobah’s?” the sleepy man asks, “We need the help, we’ve been slammed since we opened…”“Be that as it may…”“I'm tired of being overworked, hyung!”“Between running the bar and serving the customers, there's no way we can survive like this any longer.”“Hyung is right, we don't have enough hands!”“You gotta spend money to make money, Joon.”“We don't even have money to spend, yet, my whole point!!!”Jimin sits quietly with his hands clasped tightly in his lap, unsure of what to make of everything as everyone starts to talk all at once and over each other.“Yah!” The table goes quiet as Jin calls for silence. Jimin can't stop himself from flinching, noticing how everyone immediately looks at Jin.Jimin isn't sure he's ever seen a group of mixed company respond to an omega like that. Maybe if it was all omegas, but not with full grown alphas. It's surprising for Jimin.“Hoba.” Jin speaks again, laying his right hand down on the table for Hoseo, who immediately takes Jin’s hand.“Did you offer the kid a job?” Jin is looking directly at Jimin as he asks, his eyes sparkle, a beautiful smile on his face.“I did.” Hoseok confirms. “I know we are a little tight on the employee budget…” Hoseok glances around at the others before pausing on Jimin.“But we do need the help. I don't think Jimin is going to be another flake. I can tell he's a hard worker. It's an investment, hyung.”Jin stays in a quiet contemplation, mindlessly rubbing his thumb over Hoseok’s hand.There's a certain sparkle, a curious glint in his eyes, his handsome face not giving away any kind of clue as to what he's thinking.‘These are the most unconventional people i've ever met...’“If Hoba says it's what we need, then it's what we need.” Jin passes his judgment at once.An audible mix of reactions breaks from all at the table.Jimin notices the grief coming over the tall man with dimples, who after releasing a heavy sign turns to him.“It’s not personal, please dont think it is. I'm just in charge of the money….the money we don't have…” he pauses to take a gulp of his beer.“Cheers, though. Welcome aboard.” His smile is genuine and his dimples even more pronounced, “I’m Namjoon.” He raises his glass in a half cheer and goes back to his food.Jungkook leans over and speaks softly, “Namjoonie-hyung is our accountant. He's a ‘numbers nerd’, as Yoongi-hyung puts it.” He snickers as he gestures to the dark haired sleepy man, which Jimin takes to mean that he is ‘Yoongi-hyung’.“I guess that settles it then, Jimin-ah!” Hoseok cheerfully addresses Jimin. Jimin is still trying to catch up with everything happening at once.“You can start today!” Jimin feels a mix of relief, confusion, and so much more all at once.“Just…just like that?” Jimin asks incredulously. “No interview…or…or even questions…?” Jimin looks around the table, surely someone here would be more curious or concerned.By this time everyone has started eating the delicious smelling chicken. Jimin makes sure not to look directly at anyone’s plate, he worries he may drool.Yoongi speaks up, directly at Jimin, “What's to ask?” he questions around a cheekful of food.“Can you show up on time?”“...yes.”“Can you listen to directions?”“...yes.”“Can you do basic math?”“...yes.”“You’re hired.”“Jin-hyung already hired him, hyung” Taehyung corrects him with an eye roll, lips smacking around some side dishes.Yoongi gives him a side eye before he goes back to his own food.Jimin looks back to Hoseok, who's munching away on his food. “As grateful as I am, I just didn't ....expect to be hired so instantly…I um,” Jimin hesitates.He definitely isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, as they say. But he can't stop the trepidation of how too good to be true this whole thing is.He steals himself and figures it can't be any worse than not having any work at all.Jimin is about to stand from his seat, give a formal bow of thanks and take his leave. Obviously this is some kind of…pack meal or, friends at least, something that Jimin isn't part of.Suddenly there's a plate full of the most heavenly smelling fried chicken, being placed in front of him by Jungkook.“A requirement for working here…” Jin speaks up again, a kind smile on his face.“We have family meal before every shift. I don't take no for an answer or any critiques on my food. As if there's anything to critique.'' He playfully scoffs, but makes a head gesture for Jimin to eat.Jungkook leans over and stage whispers to Jimin, “Just go with it, of all his faults, hyung’s cooking is not one of them. The food is perfection.” he gives a crooked smile and flinches when he feels a ball of tissue tossed at his head.“You ungrateful brat, I feed you and you talk shit, at my table?!” Jin yells, Hoseok and the others laugh at their joke argument.Jimin watches on in a wonder, silent and in disbelief.He sees the way all six of them interact, clearly they’ve a group that's been together for a while. A pack? Just friends? Maybe just an employer with his mate and their friendly employees.Whatever the case. Jimin feels like he's watching some kind of holiday special he would see playing on TV as a child.Everyone is so…happy. Kind. there's no pretense of expectations or predetermined roles…subgendered or otherwise.It feels peaceful. But Jimin can't stop the feeling of only being a spectator.He recognizes that these people are far kinder than the average person. But it is just work. He doesn't intend to put himself in any kind of compromising position.But still…he feels his stomach grumble, a shockingly painful cramp from being empty for so long. He's thankful the loud conversations cover the noise.He glances down at his plate again and says a silent prayer of thanks before vocalizing it, “Thank you for the food.” He speaks so softly that he doubts any of the rowdy bunch even hears him.Across the table, however, Jin and Hoseok share a knowing look as they turn back to look at Jimin as he takes a careful first bite, before he begins to eat more intensely.They notice Jungkook watching Jimin from his spot, before he adds a few more pieces of food to Jimin's nearly empty plate.Hoseok meets Jin’s gaze, as they share a look, the same thought crosses the mated pair’s minds.Jimin is going to fit in fine.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐They really weren't kidding when they told Jimin he could start right then and there.They finished their ‘family meal’, which still made Jimin feel very out of place, but honestly speaking after eating a real meal after who knows how long, Jimin felt a little more…alive.He felt his shoulders relax and the dizzy, uneasy feeling melt away from his mind. Jin had given him a large to-go container full of leftovers that he claimed he was “just gonna toss ‘em out anyway, I never look back darling, I'm always looking forward.” Yoongi had scoffed when he heard Jin say this, telling him it was ‘just food’, afterwhich Jin trailed after him, hot on Yoongi’s trail.Hoseok had quickly come up then, told Jimin where he could store his things until he went home.“You picked a great day to come by, the middle of the week is pretty slow so you'll be able to ease into things. Let's take a quick tour, yeah?” Hoseok spoke as he led Jimin behind the bar.Jungkook also came around from the back, carrying three crates of glasses for the bar. Jimin watched quietly as Jungkook moved around with those crates like they weighed nothing. From personal experience Jimin knew how heavy they are.Jimin tried to ignore the impressed feeling he got. So what? Jimin could also haul crates…“This is obviously the bar, usually JK is our sole bartender, but Yoongi-hyung will help out if he isn't helping Jin in the kitchen. They manage it by themselves pretty well. Kookie will also help Tae when he gets slammed, taking out plates and picking up dishes. I myself help where it's needed, a little bit of a ‘jack of all trades’, if you will.” Hoseok winked at Jimin as he leaned an elbow on the bartop.Just then Namjoon walked back, papers in hand. “Hoba, signature please.” His wire rimmed glasses made him look very professional to Jimin.“Of course, anything for our best accountant!” Hoseok seemed to always be full of joy.Namjoon raised a brow, but smiled anyway, “I’m your only accountant. Who else would willingly enter into this madhouse?” he said with a knowing look on his face, before he turned to Jimin.“It’s not really that bad. We’re doing pretty well for a brand new business in this area. I hope you stick around to see us really take off. With Jin-hyung and Hoba, there's no way I could let them fail.” he grinned and walked away, signed papers in hand.“We’re pretty much a pack here.” Hoseok speaks softly, pulling Jimin's attention back towards him.Hoseok has a thoughtful look on his face.“I mean, we aren't like…a legal pack, but we uh,” he pauses, “We stick together, we always have. It used to just be me and Jin…then we came across Namjoon, who brought Yoongi, who had Tae trailing along right after him. Each time we got a new member we just…absorbed them into us. We are a pack, a family. This business is just as serious as that.” Jimin listens quietly, trying to imagine having something similar. He wouldn't even know the feeling from his own memories of his blood pack.“We didn't start out this close. We all have our differences. Different backgrounds and experiences. Some of us…” Hoseok glances at Jungkook.Jimin wonders if it was a silent clue or an unconscious action.“Some of us had a hard time finding a place we really felt like…like we belonged. But we kinda figured out that we belong together. Jin had always wanted to have his own place, he didn't put much stock into the idea though. It took a lot of work for us to get this place started. It means more than just a paycheck.”Hoseok looks directly at Jimin. “It represents a lot of hard work and survival. I'm not gonna pretend to know anything about you, but I hope you can find this place to be more than a paycheck to you, too.” he finishes off, tone serious but optimistic. “Not to be cheesy or anything!” he suddenly burst out laughing. “We aren't all that serious in mood, most of the time it's a real fun place.” he claps Jimin on the shoulder.“Let's get you a tour of the kitchen.”Before Jimin can even think about it, he asks. “How did you guys find Jungkook?”Hoseok pauses. “Huh?”“You said that each one of you guys trailed after the other, but you didn't mention jungkook. Did he, I mean…” Jimin suddenly feels like maybe he shouldn't be asking what isn't his business, it's his literal first day here.“Oh!” Hoseok glances over Jimin’s shoulder for a brief moment, before he looks back at him.“I think,” he grins, “I’ll let Jungkook tell you that story.”Jimin feels a foreboding wave of curiosity wash over him.“C’mon. It's not a big place, but we better get you through the basics before we toss you into a full dinner service.” Hoseok waves him to follow as he walks towards the back, into the kitchen. And that's how it is for the next few weeks or so. Learning new things, working almost every day he can. For the first time in a long time, he feels something akin to hope. He tries to manage his expectations about everything in his life, but the blossoming sprout of hope for something better is hard to deny, even for Jimin.His job at the warehouse proved to be no problem, as they gave notice of layoffs the next time Jimin walked in. He was actually walking in to resign. He supposes it all worked out in the end.Maybe the hope growing in Jimin wasn't unfounded.Jimin, however, still had a thick layer of nerves every time he came back to Epiphany’s. Always full of trepidation and fear of it being too good to be true.He eventually learns the ins and the outs, he learns about the staff of Epiphany; head chef and owner, Seokjin. A beautiful omega who did not agree to the traditional ideals of being a ‘house-omega’. While in culinary school, he met and fell in love with bright and happy-go-lucky alpha Hoseok, affectionately known as Hobi. The two took their time before mating, finishing their degrees and then promptly turning their backs on some friends, family, most of societal norms, Hobi stating he can be in charge, but doesnt really want that title. He got a lot of flack for it growing up, but he remains an easygoing person, and alpha.“I'm more than happy to let hyungie call the shots.” he grinned like the cat who got the canary as he made kissy noises before giving a peck on Jin’s cheek. Jin turned the brightest shade of red that Jimin has ever seen on a person.“Don't let that fool you kid, he can definitely be a hardass, so keep on your toes.” came the gruff advice from Yoongi, the smaller than average alpha. He had his own trials growing up, running around as a little spitfire always challenging the status quo in not so subtle ways, like being with longtime alpha boyfriend Namjoon.Kim Namjoon, local genius and ‘numbers nerd', another affectionate nickname that said alpha is less than fond of. But it's made clear that as unhappy with the moniker as he is, he's more than happy to let his smaller half have his way. Namjoon expresses his love through frustrated sighs and crying while he ‘crunches the numbers’ to make the money flow for Epiphany. He loves his job, he swears.Hot on all their heels was Taehyung, a gorgeous omega who followed Yoongi around as a kid during their childhood. He lost touch for a while and through a funny series of events, ended up making friends with Jin while in college. Turns out he knew everyone all at once and it never crossed his mind until he had to cancel plans with Yoongi to meet up with Jin-hyung, both of whom wanted to introduce Tae to the other, only to find out it was all one group of the same people.Jungkook’s connection, as Jimin understands it, is less light hearted, but from what he can gather, it has a happy ending. No one will say how he became acquainted with everyone, and it hasnt come out of Jungkook's mouth past “the hyungs found me, and I never looked back!”He always says it with such a cheerful smile, nose scrunch and all, but something about it. It doesn't reach his eyes, not all the way. Not like when he's doubled over at some kind of joke Hobi told, or a weird prank pulled by Taehyung.Jimin doesn't dare delude himself into thinking he knows any of them well enough to decipher their micro facial expressions to tell such a detail, and certainly least of all Jungkook.But still. Jimin has a feeling.Beyond the interpersonal relations of his new found coworkers, acquaintances, friends ? He has taken to the work like a fish in water. He struggles with the menu for a little, but can drop off plates as directed and cleans up perfectly, according to Hoseok.“Jimin, I know you haven't known me long enough yet, but I hate things being messy. Your work ethic is a dream come true!” Hoseok practically cried tears of joy one night.“Hey! Are you saying that I never clean right?!” Taehyung wailed in protest. The antics between all of them were so funny, even Jimin who did his best to remain even toned and unphased at all things couldn't help but crack a smile. A small chuckle leaked from his lips before he had a second thought.He quickly reschooled his face, hoping for some reason no one saw that.“I saw that.” Jimin feels like a ton of bricks got dropped on him. He glances up to see Jungkook close, putting away several bottles of liquor.Jungkook chuckles softly to himself, as the others continue their banter unawares to the likes of Jimin and Jungkook.“Ah, I just…” Jimin tries to start explaining himself.“It’s okay, hyung. You don't need to explain yourself over every little thing. I promise you aren't going to get in trouble for smiling, let alone existing. Besides, you have a pretty smile…”Jimin isn't sure how to respond, but he does notice how Jungkook goes rigid from embarrassment as the tops of his ears turn red. It matches the flush across Jimin's face.Jungkook clears his throat, “D-do you want to help me with closing up the bar?” he asks without looking up from his working hands.“There's still a lot I want to teach you, ah, I mean…” suddenly Jungkook seems to fumble with his otherwise steady hands, tipping over a bottle of polish for the bar top.“I just mean, sh-show you! As in, about the bar!” Jungkook seems to stumble over his words so much it's too funny for Jimin to not laugh. He can even smell the embarrassment in the alpha’s scent. The sweetness of it becomes sharper and almost tart.Jimin in any other situation would be embarrassed to admit he can practically taste it on his tongue. But right now, his amusement bubbles up and over, spilling out into little fits of giggles.He tries to hide his noises behind his hands, turning away from Jungkook to spare them both from further embarrassment.Jungkook, for all his trying, can't clean up the spill he made and gets distracted from the mess when he looks over to see Jimin turned away, the pleasant little sounds of his laughter send little trills of happiness up his spine.“Hey, c’mon, don't laugh at me, hyung,” he pouts. “If you’re gonna make fun of me, at least do it to my face.” He turns Jimin around by his arm so that he can see how pink Jimin is from his giggles.Jimin quiets down his laughter, regaining his composure as he brushes his hand through his hair. The last few weeks it's gotten longer, the decision to cut it low on his to-do list.Jungkook is immediately taken aback, the sight of Jimin, pink in the face with happiness, cheeks fuller now than the sallow and dull face from just a few weeks ago. Jimin looks so ethereal in this moment. His black hair has a sheen to it, his hands no longer pale and cold looking. There is a glow now.Something more than physical strength is coming back to him, Jungkook realizes. He wants to tell him. Tell Jimin how much better he's looking, how much they enjoy him being with them, as much as he seems to enjoy being here.But he holds it in. He recognizes what a fragile thing it is, how fleeting it must typically be for Jimin, to feel this kind of basic comfort and joy. He knows it all too well.Instead Jungkook hopes to continue making this a place where Jimin can not just exist, but live.“Hyung, you’re just laughing at me, not even helping.” Jungkook pretends to turn away and go back to work. “Just go help Tae if you’re not gonna help.”“Ah, no, hyung will help, I’ll help I promise.” Jimin reaches forward, grabbing Jungkook's arm to pull him back. In hindsight, Jimin doesn't know where the confiance to be so forward came from, but he would never admit it was because of how comfortable he feels here. How at ease he feels with Jungkook, all in such a short time.“I won't leave until we finish closing down the bar.”Jungkook turns back to look over his shoulder, a smug look on his face. “You promise?” He has such a youthful look to him, something that sparkles in his pretty brown eyes. Jimin can't pinpoint what about it is so endearing.The close proximity between the two is so sudden Jimin doesn't even have time to feel self conscious.“Yeah, I promise.” The breathy tone is lost on his own ears but Jungkook picks it up instantly.Just as instantly, the subtle aroma of apple blossom fills his nose, sweet and refreshing, with a hint of citrus.It's so alluring and he wishes he could get more of it, but that would be too far, too soon to ask to scent Jimin. They’ve only known each other for a few weeks at best, he's not even sure
Jimin considers them friends. He can hope, but he knows better as he resists the idea.Maybe one day.He continues to stare over his shoulder, into Jimin’s eyes. There's an expression on his face he can't seem to understand. He wants desperately to know what it means, to learn all things Jimin and be closer with him.Jimin doesn't know why, but he feels an internal battle. He can recognize the comfort and stability that grows here, at this job, with all his new friends. With Jungkook.And a part of him really is comfortable, sincerely and genuinely comfortable and happy and he so desperately wants to lean into that…But another part of him feels bone-deep fear of the looming threat of rejection. Abandonment.Worse than that, worse than just being left alone, but rather being hated. Being the target of regret and disgust. Jimin isn't sure he could handle another experience like that. Being torn from something so inviting and warm.He feels his hands shake, body unsure if he should lean forward into the embrace and risk falling flat on his face. Or should he turn away, keep his distance so he can see exactly what is coming his way and dodge the pain?Maybe not dodge it. He never escapes unscathed. He just ignores how painful every lash of rejection stings.In this moment it's not up to Jimin to decide, fate gives him another reprieve.“Hey!” Yoongi's strong voice pulls both of their attention away from each other. “Are you guys done with the bar?? Some of us want to go home!” His agitation is not directed at anyone in particular, but it stirs Jimin into action. He quickly picks up a task, shame flooding his system and face in the form of a heavy blush.If Jungkook notices his change in behavior he doesn't mention it.“Hyung is all bark and no bite. He never scolds me. He's just grumpy ‘cause Namjoonie-hyung wasn't in today. He misses him!” Jungkook whispers until the last part where he makes sure Yoongi hears it.“And if I do? What of it? You think I'd rather be single, like you? Yeah, I want to go home to my man. Bite me, Jungkook.” Yoongi yells across the front of house as he walks past them into the kitchen. Jimin smiles at the crabby behavior, he finds it kind of sweet.Jungkook sulks for a moment mumbling under his breath about it not being his fault he’s single.There's a lull between the two, now alone at the front while everyone else finishes in the back.“What about you, hyung?” Jungkook pipes up again, making Jimin swirl his head around to face him. They now stand on opposite sides of the bar, Jungkook facing the seating area and Jimin facing the mirrored wall.“Are you…” Jungkook wavers, like he doesn't know how to ask, ”Do you go home to anyone or…?”Jimin looks at him, he can't even tell what kind of look is on his face. He mulls the question over in his mind, as if there could be any answer beyond a quick and simple ‘No.’It's funny how sometimes simple and innocent questions can make you start to spiral.
Sometimes even having a normal conversation is made difficult because of how much you can over think in the milliseconds it takes to form words.Jimin chooses to keep things simple. No need to complicate or create an uncomfortable environment. He smiles,“No. Not me.”It looks like Jungkook wants to ask a follow up question, so he quickly adds. “Who has time these days? I spend all my time working now, so you know there's…there's no time. For that.”“And you?” Jimin looks back down at the clean glasses he stocks, hoping to turn the conversation back to focus on Jungkook. He prays Jungkook will leave it be or not even notice Jimin's reluctance to talk about himself any further.Jungkook pauses, a thoughtful look on his face before he smiles, “Nah.” he gives that scrunched smile again.Something in Jimin’s chest feels like it flips.“Like hyung said, I'm single.”Jimin feels a little silly for how that makes him feel. Why does it matter, why does this new information make something stir in him. Jimin tries to brush it off, out of his mind. He does his best to act natural.“What? How can that be, you’re such a catch.'' Jimin laughs, he tries to make it sound like a joke, but what's funny about it?Jungkook is a catch. Why would Jimin say that? Now it just feels like he's being extra weird.Oh God.What if he makes Jungkook uncomfortable? Who in the world would want a stranger, a beta no less, saying something like that to them??? He sounds like a creep!Jimin hopes that the panic he feels isn't evident on his face. He needs to act fast. He gulps,“I-I mean, just that…Surely someone….Y-you know…” Jimin doesn't even know. He can feel the sweat start to form all over his body. Is there any way to leave this topic without making it worse?“What about Taehyung!” Jimin feels like a man possessed. By some sort of horrible demon, apparently.Jungkook, who has turned his full attention to Jimin by now, blinks in confusion.“Taehyung?” his brows furrow, “What about hyung?” Jungkook glances over to where Taehyung has taken a seat at one of the tables, rolling utensils.“He’s just.” Jimin vows to never speak again. He breaks the vow immediately.“He’s such an attractive omega, he's very handsome and pretty.”Slowly a smile creeps onto Jungkook’s face, turning into laughter. “Hyung?? Taehyung-hyung???” Jungkook laughs so much, he’s bent over in two.Jimin feels a new wave of embarrassment wash over his whole body. He's going to quit. Go hungry or whatever, he can't work here after this.Jimin waits patiently for Jungkook to reclaim his composure, wiping away a tear. He takes in one last gulp of air before he rights himself.“No…nonono…not Taehyungie…Nah.'' Jungkook smiles to himself for a moment, before he flicks his eyes up to meet Jimin.Jimin feels pinned to his spot.“Tae is definitely pretty, for sure. I have eyes,"Jungkook pauses. He glances again at Taehyung who has become distracted by his phone it would seem.He turns back to Jimin, “Just not for him. Taehyung is one of my best friends, more like a brother really.”Jungkook feels like he cant stop himself from moving forward, he feels drawn to Jimin. He unconsciously lowers his voice as he inches closer,“Anyway, he's really not my….type.” he’s crossed the distance between them.“Pretty omegas aren't your type…?” Jimin speaks so low that it's almost a whisper.The way he has to look up at Jungkook from this short distance makes him feel so small.Not insignificant, but small. It's not a feeling Jimin is familiar with.“Pretty? Yeah. Omega? Not so much, not really actually…” Jungkook doesn't know why he feels confident to be so close.“Oh.” Jimin has a realization come over him.“Oh?” Jungkook repeats.Jimin nods, “Are you…are pretty alphas your type?” Jimin asks confidently. The build up of nervousness he felt, suddenly deflates. He wonders why he even felt like that. Silly.Jungkook stands stock still, words caught in his mouth.He chuckles, taking a step back. Jimin doesn't understand. He runs a hand through his hair.
“Are you laughing at me??” Jimin asks incredulously.Jungkook gives him a smile. He decides to drop it. Another time.“Do you really like it here, with us?” Jungkook wonders out loud, a change in topic.“Of course, Jungkookie. I'm so grateful for everything.'' Jimin blinks in surprise, but gives a cheery smile.Something warm blooms in Jungkook’s chest at the use of his nickname.“Oh, grateful…doesn't mean you like us.” Jungkook, as happy as the familiar name makes him, still pouts like a kid.“Yeah I like you guys, all of you…you’ve made me feel….” Jimin hesitates, and then in a very quiet voice, “It feels like I'm welcomed here, like I'm wanted here.” He stares at his hands for a few moments before he raises his eyes up to meet Jungkook’s.The vulnerable look in his eyes is so pain ridden, Jimin looks like he could break at any time.“Hey, next week we have plans to go out after work, are you gonna come with?” Jungkook gives Jimin a reprieve by ‘suddenly’ remembering their group plans.Jimin wants to immediately accept, he feels a part of him jump at the invitation, warmth and joy flooding his body, but at the exact same time he feels fear and doubt grip him.It's like the weight of his past rests over his shoulders. Jimin wonders if everyone actually wants him there…if Jungkook wants him thereSomething unspoken lingers in the air. Jungkook isn't sure if he should give it a voice, or leave it for Jimin to say.“I want you to come along.” Jungkook’s sure and steady tone surprises even himself, which matches the wide eyed look on Jimin's face.He repeats himself, “I want you there, Jimin.” There's a beat of silence between them.“W-we all do! We all love…you’re doing really great. We’re happy to have you here.” Jungkook finishes in a soft tone. “We all would love for you to come with us, I'm officially inviting you.”Jimin can't help the smile that spreads across his face. Something about this place, all of them, especially Jungkook…it just makes it easier to relax and actually feel…happy.He's so used to having to make himself invisible. Pretend that he doesn't notice how ignored he is, how someone always has something bad to say or how he's always excluded.His smile is so wide, his eyes turn into crescents, Jungkook cant ignore the way seeing Jimin smile makes him feel.“I, um,” Jimin feels a little giddy, “Yeah, I’ll come along.”Jungkook can't help the way he feels a renewed sense of excitement. He can even feel his alpha respond at the chance to get to spend more time with the pretty beta.“Okay, I’m locking up!”Jimin and Jungkook both whip their heads around at the sound of Jin walking out of the Kitchen, Hobi close behind.“Are the kiddos ready to go, Yoongi-yah?” Jin asks as he folds his chef coat over his arm, winter coat buttoned up to his neck.“Tae-ah has been ‘ready to go’ for the last hour. As for those two, well…” Yoongi gives a look over at the two at the bar like he knows something they don't.“I don't think they did any work.” he scoffs.“Untrue, hyung!” Jungkook blurts. “These crates were full of glasses when we started!” he tries to defend.Jimin looks over to their still very full crates. He realizes they spend all their time…talking. He should feel guilty at slacking off, but instead just feels happy about ...something. He chooses to pretend he doesn't know.“You,” Jin points at Jungkook with a crooked finger, “Will come in early and finish that tomorrow.”“Jimin,” Jin calls.Jimin pops his head around Jungkook’s back, from where he can practically hide behind.“Yes, chef-nim?” he dutifully answers.“C’mon, we’re dropping you off.” Jin doesn't leave any room for debate, but that doesn't stop Jimin from protesting.“Chef-nim you don't have to-''Jimin really doesn't want to make them go out of their way. He's well aware that none of them live in the same area he does, such a run down place. If he feels embarrassed by it, he chooses to believe it's all for not being a burden.“Ah-ah-ah, what did I say, Jimin?” Jin looks pointedly at Jimin, who purses his lips in response.“...not to call you chef-nim outside of work hours.'' He feels like a child being scolded.“And what hour is it?” Jin asks.“...not work hours.”“Yeah, not work hours. So it's either ‘hyung’, or ‘your handsomeness’, or if you absolutely must. ‘Your royal gorgeous handsomeness’.” Jin says it so straight face that Jimin isn't sure he's joking.“The horrible part is that he isn't joking.” Comes the deadpan voice of Yoongi.“Jiminie, just accept it and let's goooo, I'm tired.” Taehyung comes over to Jimin and rests his head on Jimin's shoulder.In the past weeks, Taehyung has become a particular fixture next to Jimin, as he had taken an immediate liking to Jimin. He said they were ‘same age friends’ and that it was ‘very special’. Jimin had never had any friends. He couldn't reject it, he didn't know how. As time has gone on, he finds it to be another welcomed comfort he has gained from this place.“Can I get a ride home too?” Jungkook asks no one in particular, but Jin still answers.“You have your motorcycle, and my car is full! Stop making up excuses just to have more time with J-”“Hyung!”“Jin-hyung-”“Hyung…!” a chorus of voices all call out at once, effectively stopping Jin in his vocal tracks.His mouth snaps shut as he looks around at all of them.,Jimin isn't sure what just happened, as he looks around. Jin has a smug look on his face as he stares at Jungkook who stares back with a face paler than the snow fall this morning.Taehyung and Hobi share mildly panicked looks with each other, and Yoongi, Jimin realizes, is busy texting Namjoon.It’s quiet for a tad too long. Jimin thinks he should break whatever weird tension was suddenly cast over them.“Hyung-nim I accept the ride home, let's leave before it gets any later. Thank you.” Jimin gives a bow, a hard habit to break.Jin’s eyes land on him and he sighs, “You just can't help yourself, huh Jiminie…Let’s go. Hoba.” Jin reaches over and ruffles Jimin black hair before taking hold of Hoseok’s hand.Yoongi rolls his eyes and gives a crooked smile to Jimin, “You work here willingly?” He smirks as he pushes open the door.Taehyung follows him out, pulling Jimin along with him with linked arms. He speaks animatedly about next week’s plans, asking Jimin what he plans on wearing. It sends a pang of embarrassment that he doesn't really have anything…nice, to wear, but just lets Taehyung continue talking about his own outfit choices.“I'm thinking of wearing this long coat…its velvet with a beautiful faux fur collar. It'll be even colder next week so you know it'll be perfect…”Jimin was listening, he swears. But at some point he slowly tuned Taehyung out as he caught a glimpse of Jungkook, the last one out of the building.Jimin had learned early that Jungkook drove a motorcycle. He hasn't asked about it, not like he had a reason to. He didn't have an interest himself, and he just didn't think he had any reason to ask that wouldn't make it seem…he just didn't ask.But even with knowing about the bike, he had never actually seen Jungkook get on or off or even ride his bike.He would be lying if he said he wasn't curious. Just regular curiosity. No other reason.But now here as he sees Jungkook lock up the door, Jin and Hobi close by just to be safe, he can't take his eyes off of Jungkook.Jungkook who is fully zipped up in his moto jacket, pristine leather shiny and well fitted. Jungkook always wears thick denim pants, typically they are a loser fit, but today Jimin realizes, they're a slimmer cut, accentuating his well toned legs, his clunky boots no longer look silly to Jimin. Jungkook looks extra tall and intense from this distance.He sees Jungkook pocket the store keys as he pulls out his own personal keys. He approaches his bike and grabs his helmet. He gives his head a little shake, to shift his hair back as he pulls the black helmet over his head. Right then, he turns his head in Jimin’s direction.Jimin startles at being caught staring and he turns back around so fast he almost gives himself whiplash.He tries not to look back but fails, looking back over his shoulder, hoping that Jungkook has turned away.To his dismay or his delight, Jimin can't decide, Jungkook is still looking at him, this time with his black visor pushed up.Though they are across the parking lot from each other, Jimin can feel him staring right into his own eyes, the street lamp light making his eyes sparkle.Jungkook maintains the eye contact as he mounts his bike, resting his full weight on the seat. He pulls on his gloves and then gives a small wave of his fingers.As a final blow to Jimin, Jungkook throws up a finger heart at him.Jimin quickly looks away at the intense burst of heat in his chest. He tries to subdue the smile, the pure giggle he feels rising from out of him. He can't believe Jungkook just did that. A chill runs up his spine, but he only feels hot.“Jimin.” Taehyung’s stern voice brings him out of his internal meltdown.Taehyung clicks his tongue, “Were you even listening to me??” He lightly shoves Jimin away out of disbelief, when a sudden gust of freezing air whips around them.Taehyung shivers and pulls his fuzzy coat even closer around him. “Yah, Jiminie I don't know how you can even stand there like that with that paper thin jacket…look at you, you're-” Taehyung puts his large delicate hands on Jimin's face, expecting cold cheeks and shivers.“You’re…you're burning up! What the hell are you sick-” Taehyung’s beautiful face contorts into concern for a moment before he glances over at Jungkook's direction. Jimin sees the confusion melt off, replaced by a knowing smirk.Taehyung’s eyes dart back to meet Jimin’s.There is silence between them for two seconds.“I wasn’t staring at him-”“Are you lovesick?”The two of them speak at the same time and make the other stop mid sentence.“What?” They ask in unison.Jimin snaps his mouth shut. The cold air blows around them.“Jimin.” Taehyung says his name like it's a scolding.“Let's go, Jiminie!” Hobi calls from the driver's side of his car, Jin already sat in the passenger side.“Yeah Tae-yah, get in the car.” Yoongi calls Taehyung as his car keys jingle in his hand.The silence between the omega and the beta isn't meaningless.Jimin sees the look in Tae’s eyesIt looks like he’s saying ‘We aren't done here.’ For emphasis, he raises a pointed finger at Jimin's face.Sure enough, “Jimin, we’re gonna talk about this. But I'm cold down to my bones. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He gives a look that says it's non-negotiable.Jimin takes the opportunity to sprint over to the back of Hobi’s car and gets in.Its warm from the heater,“Ready?” Hoseok asks from the driver’s seat.Jimin glances through the window, back at Jungkook who sits in the ready position to take off, the exhaust from his bike making white clouds around his black bike.Jungkook waves again, then revs his bike as he sees everyone safely in the cars.“Yeah.” Jimin mutters, looking away from Jungkook.He's glad it's dark and he's alone in the backseat. He doesn't know if he could explain the heavy blush that covers his face. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The following weeks grow in business, the restaurant nearly packed every night and especially on weekends. Jimin feels the simmer of confidence in himself as he gets better at being a server. Eventually Yoongi teaches him how to make a few simple drinks, so now he can get his own drinks for his tables.He feels excited that he has a job where he's not left alone. His coworkers look out for him, they help him out when there's a big order to take or dishes to bus.Best of all, he hasn't gotten any trouble for being a beta. No one has made any comments, no one has been unordinarily rude to him or said anything bad. Every night he starts with a nervousness that it'll all go south when a customer realizes that he's a beta, but it hasn't happened yet.Jimin doesn't try to make himself think that it'll never happen, but it's nice not having been harassed. Especially since none of the staff, i.e, Jin or Yoongi, let customers get away with rude behavior. Jimin feels confident that as long as he does his job right, they’ll have his back.Despite all his new found confidence and slow growth into his role, the moment a rowdy table causes a scene, Jimin can't stop the fear that builds in him.A group of three guys and a few girls had come in not too long after their dinner rush had started. They seemed like they would be a loud bunch but nothing that they didn't see on the regular.They got seated and Jimin quickly came up to them, starting off with their drinks. They already had the smell of beer on them, but they seemed well enough. No reason for Jimin to alert Yoongi or Jungkook to not serve them drinks.It started off pretty normal, but one of the men, Jimin noticed, kept staring at him. His gray eyes drilled holes into him no matter who he spoke to in the group.It wasn't unusual for Jimin, but it did put him on edge. It only served to make him more uncomfortable when he was bringing a few drink refills, when another customer bumped into Jimin's back, causing him to spill one of the drinks all over his shirt.To Jimin's surprise the table didn’t get upset, the clumsy customer apologized and Jimin was able to excuse himself, Hoseok sliding in to get a new drink.Taehyung saw it happen and came to Jimin's rescue, “Hey, I have a sweater you can use, that's gonna be wet for a while. Change real quick!” he smiled as he handed over a light cream colored sweater. Jimin had no objections and quickly pulled it over his head in the back where customers couldn't see. He was immediately enveloped in the soft floral scent of roses and honey. It was nice, if not strong. Jimin didn't think twice about it.He fixed his apron back on and returned to his work.When he finally came back to the table, it was with all of their food order. He carefully placed each plate down, moving around the table to each person.As he got to the last person, the man from before, he was able to take in his scent, obviously an alpha. But still, he stared at Jimin so intently.When Jimin came around to his side to set down another plate, he didn't see it, but rather felt the alpha lean in closer, and Jimin swears he heard the man take a sniff.Jimin immediately felt sweat start to bead on his forehead, nervous at the thought that he was about to be discovered.But when he pulls back to ask if everything is good or if there's anything else they need, he sees the alpha giving him a sleazy smile.Thankfully they thank him and he's able to leave without any trouble, for now.The night continues, different tables being needy or cheap. But now, that table from before, they keep calling him over to ask for more and more drinks.Every time he's called over, the alpha makes sure to call him to his side of the table and makes up some bullshit question about a drink so that Jimin has to come near him.It happens about three times, the entire table clearly drunk, all of them laughing and shouting. But the alpha, though his face is flushed, seems to be in control of his actions, all of them deliberate.Jimin is leery of the whole table but feels extra on edge when he can smell the alpha putting out his gross scent.On the last time Jimin gets called over, he's standing at the side of the table, trying to keep a safe distance when the alpha just outright asks him,“So when do you get off tonight?” he smirks, his skin greasy.Jimin isn't sure he heard correctly, “Excuse me, what was that?” He makes the mistake of taking a step closer.The alpha reaches out and grabs Jimin's wrist, sending a chill of disgust up his spine, he immediately goes ridgid before he tries to pull his hand away. The alpha holds tighter.“Why dont you let me pick you up after work, hm?” He smiles to show his teeth.“N-no thank you. Please let go of my hand.” Jimin feels revolted at the touch and does his best to be firm without trying to be rude. This alpha is openly hitting on him, a beta? In public, among friends?Jimin glances over at the rest of the table, a few seem bored, happy to ignore the harassment while the others seem to be just as disgusted as Jimin, but it's directed at jimin.On of the girls speaks up, “This is fucking stupid, are you really trying to pick up this tramp of an omega?”Jimin is still pulling his hand away, grip unrelenting from the man when he looks up at her in confusion. Omega?Jimin doesn't know what's going on here, but he's done. These people need to leave. Jimin only hopes that it's without any kind of scene.He glances around, looking if anyone can see or hear what's happening.“Shut up Haeun. This pretty little tramp is coming home with me, right?” The alpha jerks Jimin forward by his hand, before he moves to grab Jimin around his waist, making him flinch.“You need to let go of me right now.” Jimin recovers from the jolt, and narrows his eyes at the alpha, still trying to move away and out of the alpha’s grasp.He glances up again to see if there's anyone he can call. His eyes meet Jungkook, who smiles at him at first, but it quickly fades when he sees the distressed look on his face. The words to call for help feel stuck in his throat. He looks back down at the alpha who tightens his hold.Jimin doesn't have time, he grabs the man's arm and twists it back making him release his hold on Jimin.The alpha yelps in pain before shooting up out of his seat, his friends jump out of their seats.“Jimin!” he hears Jungkook shout his name.Glasses and chairs go flying and the commotion causes the place to go silent as it draws all attention.Jimin can't afford to take his eyes off of the man, but he hopes that someone is about to back him up. His hind mind feeds him the thought that maybe he won't be backed up. Maybe they'll blame him…“What the fuck did you do, are you out of your stupid head?” The aggressive alpha stalks forward, reaching out to grab Jimin by the front of Tae’s sweater, twisting it in his ugly, meaty paw. As he stands, Jimin can see that he is taller and wider than he looked while seated. But the anger at being touched is too much for him to back down.“Stupid bitch, I'll show you to disrespect an alpha.” he changes his hold and grabs Jimin by the neck,Jimin wastes no time on words he's heard a million times, he reaches up grabbing the man's arm, one hand on his elbow the other at his hand and twists his arm and hand off of his neck, putting as much force as he can into the movement, flipping the man over and onto his back.He hits with a dull thud, face contorted in pain. The other customers scream and scatter away, more plates and glasses shatter as they are displaced from the tables.Jungkook is cutting through the tables of customers when he hears the sound of a large object getting slammed down. He rushes up to Jimin’s side and stares in awe at the scene before him.Both he and Jimin turn as they notice the other men about to make a move, Jungkook grabbing Jimin's forearm to move him back almost on instinct. His alpha feels very agitated at Jimin needing to defend himself from a threat.“I suggest all of you sit your asses down.” Jimin sees the rest of their friends come up in an instant. Yoongi is even holding a wooden bat.The rest of the customers at the table look hesitant to listen but ultimately decide to just sit down, not wanting to fight outnumbered, two to seven.At the calming of the immediate threat, Jungkook looks at Jimin's face, making eye contact.Only then does Jimin realize how heavy he's breathing, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Jungkook’s face is severe but his eyes wordlessly ask him if he's okay.Jimin doesn't understand how he knows what Jungkook is asking him, but he nods his head, and steps even closer to Jungkook. He wants to hide himself away.Jin clears his voice among the chaos and clamor, “To all my wonderful customers, I am so sorry for this disturbance, please allow me to discount your meals and drinks today. Unfortunately we will be closing early, please I hope you can understand.'' He bows so effortlessly that it doesn't even feel like he's the one apologizing.There are murmurs and some talks amongst the customers but thankfully no one says anything else. The people all get their discounted bills taken care of and quickly leave.Jin threatens the rest of the group, Jimin doesn't even know how but Jin manages to get them to pay for their bill and extra for the damages.They hurriedly drag the offending alpha out and scurry away.The minute the door closes behind them Taehyung switches off the ‘open’ sign and locks the door, they all practically collapse into random chairs, a heavy sigh of relief that it's over.Jimin feels fidgety over the whole ordeal. The high of endorphins has left his system and he feels tired and a horrible pit in his stomach. He caused trouble, and worst yet he lost Hobi and Jin money from tonight. He feels like mind starts to spiral, what will happen? Is this going to change how they feel about his employment, about him overall? Will they dock his pay? Will they cut his hours, is he going to get fired?? He doesn't have anything saved up yet, it's not been long enough, he’s barely catching up on bills, does he have enough food to last him until he can find something? Maybe if he begs on his knees the warehouse will take him back or-“Jimin” Jungkook's voice breaks through, snapping Jimin back into focus. He crouches down in front of where Jimin sits hunched forward, hands clasped together so tight his knuckles are bloodlessly white.“Jimin, are you okay, what happened?” Hoseok asks, standing a few feet away. Deep concern is etched into his brow.Seokjin approaches Jimin, standing above him with a face that Jimin can't decipher.“Y-yeah I’m fine…Hyung, I'm so sorry. I’m sorry, hyung, I don't-'' Jimin immediately apologizes to Hobi and Jin looking around at the damage. He doesn't even want to know how much loss Epiphany took tonight.He stands up in a split second and bows. Jungkook stays crouched, shocked as he looks from Jimin to the rest of them.Jin is the first one to speak after an awkward silence falls over the restaurant.“Jimin-ah…tell us, what happened?” Its the softest voice he's ever heard directed at himself. It reminds him of his mother.Jin places a hand on Jimin's shoulder, then pulls him to straighten and sit back down.Jimin gulps. Feels like he's being interrogated, but his second thought is that no one looks angry, just confused.“That guy was being weird all night…and then towards the end it got worse, until he finally grabbed me and-”“He did what?” Namjoon asks incredulously.“He touched you…?” Jungkook asks eerily calm, eyes dead set on Jimin. He doesn't know what to make of it, but something inside him tells him the dangerous look is not directed at him.“He put his hands on you?” Yoongi nearly growls, “And we let that piece of shit walk out of here?” Yoongi glances at the locked door.“If we ever see him again, we’ll go bat shit on his ass.” Taehyung says while making the throat slitting gesture. He nods at Jimin, eyes wide.Jin flings his apron onto a table as he slumps his shoulders. “Jimin…” he has a look of concern. He pulls Jimin to stand up again, and then into a warm embrace.He pats his back, “I’m so sorry you were harassed, I pray it never happens again. But knowing the general population of alphas, “ Jin pauses to give a half serious glare at the present company alphas,“Why are you looking at us, you’re dating one!” Jimin hears Namjoon’s offended voice.“If this happens again, tell us. Tell me. I will never let you get disrespected or harassed as long as I live. I don't care who or what it is. You did the right thing.” Jin pulls back, a reassuring smile on his face.Jin steps back and turns to assess the damage of the shop.Jimin doesn't really know how to feel. He has his fair share of harassment, but never something like this. And he was never….comforted. Never even acknowledged really.To be not only comforted but also reassured that he wasn't in the wrong? Jimin feels like he has to pinch himself.He doesn't even realize it but Jungkook is now holding his hand, standing so close he can smell the agitation and on edge bitterness coming off of him, like murky water. He looks up at Jungkook.He's looking down, holding tightly into Jimin’s hand. He can't make out the look on his face, but with how close he is, how clear his scent comes off of him, he doesn't need to. In fact he can tell that everyone is on edge.“I don't even know what happened, it seems like from one minute to the next that guy was suddenly hitting on me and then he grabbed my hand. I'm sorry I flipped a customer…do you think they’ll call the police?”“If they know what's good for them, they won't.” comes the steely reply from Hoseok.“Let’s get this place cleaned up.”Taehyung comes over to Jimin, he glances at Jungkook, who makes no reaction.“Jiminie, are you sure you’re alright?” Tae's voice is laced with deep concern.“Yeah…I'm really confused…he called me an omega…” Jimin reveals, confused.Jungkook lifts his head, “He what?” it's the first thing he's said.“An omega? Was he that drunk?” Taehyung meets Jungkook's eyes over Jimin's head.“I don't know what he thought he was smelling, but it wasn't me…” Jimin decides it's not worth the headache.Taehyung’s eyes suddenly went wide. “My sweater!” he looks down at Jimin, grabbing his arms.“Jimin, my sweater smells like me! I'm so sorry!” he laments and then pulls Jimin into a hug.“He probably thought you were an omega because of my scent. You had to fight him off, I'm so sorry.” He whines into Jimin's shoulder.Taehyung pulls away from the hug, “But Jimin. That was actually so cool the way you flipped that guy. Your size betrays your strength!” Taehyung practically gushes over Jimin, looking over his body and then back at his face, stars in his eyes.“That was really impressive, hyung.” Jimin turns at the sound of Jungkook's voice.“I didn't know you knew something like that.'' Jungkook is speaking so low, like he wants it to be between just the two of them.“There’s so much I'm curious about when it comes to you.”Jimin feels dazed by Jungkook’s words. His actions, everything, confuses and excites Jimin. He doesn't know what to make of it half the time. Something deep in his chest yearns to lean into the kind words and physical closeness, but a louder more controlling portion dictates that he can't.The rest of the evening is spent cleaning up the broken glass and other mess on top of the regular closing duties.It's not long before things are set right again, but Jimin notices that Jungkook stays close to him the entire night. When Jimin is picking up turned over chairs, so is Jungkook. When Jimin is taking away dishes, so is Jungkook.When Jimin tries to pick up the bigger pieces of broken items, Jungkook won't even allow him.Jimin laughs at himself at the behavior, but can't stop himself from a light hearted eye roll when Jungkook asks for his help with closing down the bar. He makes some claim about how he needs help with the bottles.Jimin scoffs, but helps anyway. He can't say he minds being so close to the alpha. A certain level of fondness has been growing on Jimin. He tries to ignore it, but it never lasts long. Always gravitating towards the man.Jimin lets the feeling settle in his chest and tries to ignore the prickles of fear that threaten it.Thankfully the group of seven somehow managed to get the place cleaned up in a decent amount of time. There’s talk of opening later than usual tomorrow, to give everyone time to rest a little after the disturbance, but Jimin is quick to insist that if that’s for his benefit that there is no need.Jin gives him a sweet smile and tells him that if he shows up earlier than 1pm, he’s fired.Jimin deflates, he wants to argue but doesn't want to call Jin’s bluff.They all grab their items, putting on their coats and hats. Taehyung looks like a teddy bear with his dark brown fuzzy coat and matching hat. Jimin laughs and calls him a baby bear while he carries his corduroy jacket over his arm while the group exits out the front.The older ones exit first, with Hoseok holding the door open for the rest. Jimin leaves behind Tae, with Jungkook right on their heels.“Tae-yah, let's go. I’m not waiting around!” Yoongi calls as he shivers to his car, keys jingling. Namjoon laughs, a puff of his breath visible in the cold night air. Tae gives Jimin a side hug and surries after the two alphas.“Bye hyungs, bye Jungkookie!!” He calls as he makes it to Yoongi’s car.Jimin waves, a flush to his face from the temperature change of the warm building to the freezing night.“Jinnie, lets goooo” Hobi sing-songs as he finishes locking up the store front. He links arms with Jin.Jimin turns to Jungkook, “Goodnight. Get home safely.” He gives a head nod and turns away, suddenly feeling a little shy. He feels nervous and wants to get home. He can admit to himself that he's had an eventful day and deserves some rest.Jungkook abruptly reaches out, holding Jimin by his upper arm. “Jimin, wait-”Jimin freezes in his tracks, he feels awkward as he turns back to Jungkook with a questioning look.“Hyung, I-I mean,” Jungkook seems to reluctantly pull his hand away.He pauses and practically gulps out of nerves. “Is that all you’re wearing?” He asks like it wasn't what he was originally going to say.Jimin blinks, he looks down at himself. “Yeah? What's wrong?”“Hyung” Jungkook chastises, “It’s thin as a sheet, you can't be serious. You’ll freeze to death…” Jungkook looks very concerned and near panic at the mere thought of Jimin being cold.“Jungkook-ah, it's not that cold, I wear this jacket all the time, besides the walk isnt even that long and I'll be quick-” Jimin is trying to calm Jungkook's nerves, but is interrupted mid-sentence.“Walk?!” Jungkook nearly yells in disbelief. He huffs out a puff of breath into the air, brows furrowed over his usually kind looking eyes. Right now they’re set with a determined look.He immediately takes his own thick coat off and drapes it over Jimin's shoulders.Jimin feels all his nerves on edge in an instant, blood rushing to his face.“N-no! Jungkook, I can't take your coat. It's the middle of winter, no. Thank you but no- "Jimin tries to take it off his shoulders but Jungkook holds it down, hands landing on Jimin's shoulders.Jungkook squints his eyes and clicks his tongue. “Yeah, it is the middle of winter and you're out here, in this thin ass jacket, I can practically see through it.”“Besides, I’m not giving it to you…” Jungkook levels his gaze with Jimin's embarrassed face.“You’ll wear it, and then give it back when I drop you off.” Jungkook releases his hold, standing up straight.“You’re crazy if you think I'd let you walk home, alone, in the cold. Especially after tonight.”Jimin can't stop the humorless huff of laughter than falls from his lips, “As if it's not just as cold at home, its fine-”“Jungkook, listen, I can't take your coat, what will you wear?” Jimin feels like he's being coddled or something. His chest feels like it puffs up at the mere thought of being taken care of. He shoves the idea aside.“I’m wearing thermals. It's fine. Trust me, please, Jimin. Just use it, let me take you home.” he sighs like it's a big favor of Jimin to let Jungkook help him.But Jimin knows that's a lie, it's a burden.Jungkook obviously feels pity for Jimin. Just a poor, ill-fated beta. Jungkook is just a really nice alpha. A really kind hearted person. Jimin doesn't want him to think so poorly of him, even if it is out of kindness.It doesn't serve Jimin any favors to risk getting used to something, someone, like Jungkook. This job, the friendships he’s building…it's enough.But he falters. This coat is still warm, and it smells of sandalwood and lilies. Sweet and warm. Jimin doesn't know what to do with the information that not only is this literally the coat off of Jungkook's back…his very warm back. But it's been worn enough to have the alpha’s scent embedded into the very fibers. And Jungkook is willingly offering it to him…maybe Jimin can allow himself this one time…Jimin wants to say ‘No, thank you’, or ‘I wish I could, but I can't’, or ‘I really can't accept this’Except that he really doesn't want to say any of that. He wants to happily and enthusiastically accept it and pull the coat closer and keep it even after Jungkook leaves him at his ratty apartment. He wants to be able to smell these fresh lilies every day. Every moment he gets a little hint of sandalwood while they’re working, he feels some part of himself, deep down, far back in the recesses of his mind, come alive. Joy sparks. Something feels good, and right.But he has to be strong. It could be something good. But what if it's not? And worse yet, what if it is all taken away from him? He isn't sure he could survive that devastation.“Jungkook, I'm really thankful for the offer…” Jimin starts.Jungkook rolls his eyes, as he shoves his hands in his pockets, the lights from above catch on his lip piercing and the shine of his hair. Jimin sometimes still gets stunned by how handsome one man can actually be…“Jimin, I’m actually not taking no for an answer, not on this.” he has such a cocky look on his face. It snaps Jimin out of his internal struggle just enough to be mildly annoyed at the bratty behavior.Jimin scoffs, small hands reaching up to hold the coat by the lapels, “You know. You might be an alpha, and I'm only a lowly beta…” Jimin has a snarky tone,Jungkook’s face immediately blanches at his words, “I would never-” he tries to defend himself.“But I am still older than you. You should treat me with some respect. Brat.” It's Jimin's turn to roll his eyes, an unimpressed look on his face.A car honk draws Jimin’s attention. “Jimin!”He turns, Hoseok and Jin wave from their car. Jin leans out, handsome face illuminated by a street lamp.“Get in, kiddo. We’re taking you home.”“Oh, hyung…I’m giving Jimin a ride…” Jungkook tries to explain, thumb over his shoulder gesturing to his bike parked on the side.“Not on my watch, Jk.” Jin calls, “You think Jimin wants to be alone with an alpha, of all people, right now?” Jin gives Jungkook a pointed look.Instantly Jungkook changes his posture. He nods understandingly.Jimin whips his head around to look at Jungkook. He appreciates what Jin is doing, but Jimin needs to let Jungkook know he isn't declining because he’s an alpha.“Jungkookie, no, it's not that, I promise. Your alpha doesnt make me nervous, if anything I'm really comfo-” Jimin tries to explain in one breath.Jungkook smiles, letting out a low hum, “It’s okay, hyung. Let the old couple take you home. I’ll feel better as long as I know you’ll be safe.”“Please get home safely. G’night hyungs,” He waves to the couple in the waiting car and then focuses on Jimin again. “G’night Jimin-hyung.” he smiles, with a polite bow, heading to his bike.Jimin feels stuck in his spot for a moment before Hobi honks, “Get in Jimin!”Jimin ignores the feeling of his own smile growing as he hurries into the back seat.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That night, Jimin dreams of a warm sunny valley, lilies covering the field from left to right, as far as the eye can see.The breeze dances around Jimin, making his hair whip around wildly. He can feel himself smiling, laughing, enjoying himself.He spins and spins, never getting dizzy. He stops when he sees a figure in the distance, someone sitting down in the field as they wave at him. They're too far away to see properly, but Jimin feels drawn in.He needs to see who it is. He quickens his pace, growing closer and closer. the person seems to be barely getting any clearer to jimin, when he suddenly smells sandalwood. Something clicks in Jimin's mind, he breaks out into a full blown run. He can see dark hair, the shiny glint of metal.Suddenly he hears his name being called, the figure who seems so familiar stands up, calling him closer, by name.As Jimin continues to run forward, he feels like he's sinking in quicksand. He jolts as he hears loud and roaring thunder behind him, he turns to look over his shoulder.Rolling clouds of grays and black grow and barreling towards him. He tries to run faster, he feels his feet sink deeper and deeper.The figure in front of him slowly stops waving, they stop calling his name all together.Before he can realize it, the figure turns away from Jimin right as the clouds engulf him and he sinks under.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Jimin feels thankful for the chance to sleep a little later than usual. He doesn't particularly like his bed or his apartment, but the chance to just be still.He suddenly recalls his dream. It's a little unsettling. Not difficult to understand. He hates the thought that he can't even dream of happiness anymore. Life has taken that from him, too.He tries to ignore it. Forget about it and just relax with his extra free time. He looks around his barren apartment. It's calm. It's nice.It's made even nicer by the warmth of the soft coat that smells of one specific alpha. Wrapped around him still, the collar up close to his face where he could smell it all night. Despite the dream, he doesn't remember the last time he woke up feeling this rested.Jimin was brave enough last night to keep the jacket on even after he got home.He had taken it off when he needed to change from his work clothes, but did not fight off the urge to wear it again. He briefly wonders if Jungkook will mind….well it's not like his scent got on it. It should be fine.Jimin eventually gets up, around 10AM, mills about his room and starts his kettle. These days he does have coffee packets. He smiles to himself as he smells the sweetness of the packet dissolving into the hot water.He absentmindedly wonders if Jungkookie likes coffee, does he like it sweet? Jimin doesn't stop smiling the whole morning.He figures he can allow himself this simple pleasure. Just here, while hes alone and nothing can bother him.It's about noo when he decides he should start getting ready. Maybe after another level of the game on his phone. It's free with ads. It's okay.By the time he does break away (after another 5 levels), it's about 12:45.He doesn't worry about it this time, unlike he usually would.Hyung said not to show up before 1PM, it'll be fine.Jimin is about to walk out the door when he spots his own jacket. He's got Jungkook’s coat on already, feeling quite toasty.He will think back to this moment later.His jacket remains hanging on a rusty nail in the wall as Jimin locks his front door. His footsteps echo down the vacant hallway as he makes his way to Epiphany’s.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The walk to work was short today, somehow more pleasant. Even though he’d experienced another act of aggression last night, something in Jimin felt at ease.Pulling the coat closer to himself, he felt shy to admit what caused it.It was another clear day, cold, not much wind. He made the trek in what felt like record time.Jimin was not the type to be blindly optimistic, but today felt like it would be good.The moment he laid eyes on Epiphany’s, that feeling vanished.He wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but by the way he saw people standing around, police cars, and his friends, he knew something was wrong.He rushed the rest of the way, breaking into a sprint as he came up to everyone.“What happened?!” He felt the air leave his lungs as he got closer and saw the state of the restaurant.All the front windows were shattered, the tables and chairs were a mess, some destroyed. There was graffiti of disgusting slurs against omegas and crude drawings all over the brick walls.He searched for answers among his friends' faces. Only then did he realize that Hoseok and Jungkook had bruises and cuts on their faces.Jin was quietly sobbing into his hands, a dark aura hanging over Hoseok as he stood next to him, holding his mate.Yoongi couldn't seem to stop pacing, hands shaking as he lit a cigarette. By the pile of buds on the ground at his feet, this wasn't his first one.Namjoon stood, a defeated look on his face as he held an equally distraught Taehyung, patting his back.Jungkook sat right on the ground, knees pulled up. Jimin could see his knuckles, bloody and cut.He rushed over, nearling falling to his knees, “Jungkook, what happened???” Jimin could feel the tears pooling in his eyes.Jungkook seemed to be snapped out of whatever trance he was in. He blinked a few times before he took a deep breath and focused his vision on Jimin.His eyes immediately filled with tears as he leaned over and pulled Jimin into a hug.“Hyung.” His voice was raspy and broken. “They destroyed everything.”Jimin was trying to take it all in, holding Jungkook as he silently shook in his arms.“Jimin…I’m glad you’re alright…I don't, uh…” Hoseok spoke, lip crusted over with blood.“What happened, who did this?” Jimin was so confused, obviously the two injured alphas had fought someone???Namjoon cleared his voice.“The guys…from last night.” he rubs his face. “They came back, um. Some time, I don't know. Kook-ah and Hobi were already here. They broke the windows…smashed our shit. They came out from the back and fought off a few of them. They had gasoline.” The look in Namjoon's eyes is far off and nearly vacant. Like he isn't really present.Jungkook pulls back, face streaked with tears. “Hyung and I, we bar-barely stopped them…everything is s-s-soaked in gas. They were gonna burn us down!” he sobs, falling back into Jimin's shoulder.Jimin is speechless. He feels like he got the wind knocked out of him.He keeps looking around at his friends, and the cold empty building that used to be their restaurant.He looks at Jin, who’s staring up at the clear blue sky. He can see the silent tears rolling down his face.“Jin-hyung…”“The police were called, and they thankfully arrested the men before they could flee. They’re going to be charged…but the damage is done…” Namjoon says, as he reaches out for Yoongi, pulling him into his side not occupied by Taehyung who sniffles, shoulders hunched, beautiful face contorted with sorrow.Seeing all of these people. All of the closest people in his life, so broken and defeated. They had just gotten started. How could something like this happen?What a stroke of bad luck…And then Jimin realizes. It is a stroke of bad luck. He is bad luck. He brought this on them. He is the one who got into the altercation. He’s the one they were addressing with the disgusting slurs and drawings on the walls.If he hadn't come to work here, none of this would have happened.Jimin looks up again. “Hyung…what are you going to do?”Jin looks over at him, brows furrowed, arms limp by his sides.“I don't know, Jimin-ah.” a morose smile breaks across his face.“Maybe my chicken isn't as good as I thought. Maybe I need a new recipe. ”It's quiet between the seven of them, before a broken sob, and a scoff come from Yoongi. He wipes his eyes as he turns to glare at Seokjin who is already crying again, but he smiles through it.“Hyung, I wish you would shut the fuck up sometimes.” Yoongi’s voice squeaks on the curse.Jin smiles as he turns towards the rest of the group. “C’mon guys.” He opens his arms like he intends to hug all of them.Namjoon walks forward, Tae and Yoongi carried along. Hoseok is at jin’s side almost instantly.Jungkook smiles as he gets himself up, dusting off his hands. Jimin feels like maybe things will be okay, but then he sees how Jungkook limps on every step.Jungkook joins on the other side of Taehyung, as he turns to look at Jimin.“Hyung, c’mon” He smiles, his pretty eyes sparkle when the sun hits his face, but jimin can see how his eyebrow is swollen, light blood smeared on his face. And he has a limp.Jimin can't handle it. He can't handle the thought of all of Jin and Hobi's hard work, nearly gone up in flames over one incident.Jimin should have just grinned and beared it. What's one more harassment? In the face of seeing two of his friends bloodied, Jungkook is limping for Gods sake.He can't imagine how any of these people, kind and generous as they are, not see that he caused this?Had he never come here, this would have never happened. His is the exact thing he feared.Good people suffer for just being kind to him.He stands on his own shaky legs, but the look on his face must give it away.Suddenly Jungkook limps a step closer, “...Hyung?”Hobi peaks over his head, “Jiminie, c’mere. We’re gonna be okay.”Tears fill Jimin's eyes. He can't do this. He can't stand to bring any more misfortune to these people, who are the closest thing to family Jimin has had in a very long time.He can't let Jungkook get close to something that will only cause him strife.He takes a step back. His hands anxiously fist around the oversized coat he still wears.“I’m so sorry.” Jimin feels even more pathetic as he can muster up the strength to speak at an audible level.His tears fall over his cheeks as he turns and runs away.The group of six called after him.Jungkook is the first to try to run after, but is stopped by a heavy hand of Yoongi.“Kook, you can't run like this. We’ll get him later.”It makes sense to Jungkook’s logical brain, but the part of him ruled by his alpha is so much harder to convince.Part of his family, part of his pack, is in distress and worse yet, out of their sight.His shoulders sag as his scent shrivels up.He watches Jimin run away, still wearing his coat. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Time passes very slowly when you’re waiting for something to come.It passes even slower when you have nothing to wait for.Jimin doesn't really know how many days have passed since he ran away from Epiphany’s,From what he does consider, in his heart of hearts, to be his new family.He can only roll over from side to side on his rickety bed so many times before he gives up on sleep.He considers it to be an extra level of self inflicted torture to be wearing the coat of the one person he misses the most, who also got hurt as consequences of his actions.He sits on the ground, back to the side ofhis bed, staring out the dirty window. It looks to be midday. The sun is shining beautifully, not a single cloud in the sky.
Jimin wonders if this is what it's always going to be like. Really.Truly, for the rest of his life? Will he always have to keep his distance? Does he exist solely as a burden to the people around him?Maybe his life was empty and cold before, but at least he knew he wasn't causing anyone real trouble.Real pain.The image of all his friends sobbing, Hoseok hurt, Jungkook limping.God. Why did he have to get hurt? Jimin turns over, letting himself fall onto his side, the tears flow freely. He isn't sure when he is and isn't crying anymore. He's so tired, his eyes sore and puffy.He considers that maybe his own hubris is once again stopping him from getting better. He couldn’t stand the thought of anyone reaching out to him. Give him false comfort and hope that it was all okay, that anything good could come of him staying there, with them.With Jungkook.Grief. Regret. Sorrow.It’s all Jimin feels. He feels cowardly to have run away, and worse yet, turn off his phone. He’s hiding instead of facing the consequences. He doesn't even know what any of the others will say.If they would actually turn him away. They can take the risk of something like this happening again. If they can even start back up.“I ruined everything.” he croaks out, brown eyes dull, voice small and dispirited.He continues to lay there, staring up at the empty sky. He feels himself grow colder and colder, even with the borrowed coat around him.He thinks that maybe the only thing keeping him from losing himself completely is the lingering scent of Jungkook.He laments at the mere thought of the alpha. He huffs out a humorless noise, not a laugh or a chuckle. An exhale.He closes his eyes. He feels so foolish. On top of everything else…he really thought…He raises a weak hand to cover his mouth, as if his body has the strength to produce any more sobs.He rolls forward, forehead brushing against the scratchy fibers of the rug beneath him.Why did he think…why did he ever allow himself to think he could have something as beautiful as love?His own mother…his own mother didn't even want him. He feels his body shake as he fists his cold hands, he wants to expel these feelings, these thoughts.He wants to scream and cry and rip himself apart.For all the stupid thoughts and misplaced hope, he curses himself.All he wanted in this life was to belong. To be loved, to be wanted.Before he even realizes it, he’s crying, screaming and wailing into the floorboards.He feels shame, its almost laughable, he thinks bitterly to himself.Just a few days ago, seems like only hours ago really, he was on his way to what he thought would be…happiness.He actually thought…He grabs at his own hair, pulling hard as he yowls, his cries so full of the pain he’s tried to ignore his entire life.He cries long enough that the sun goes down, and the cries some more after that.He falls asleep again at some point. When he wakes up, the sky is just barely gaining light from the next day.His mind quickly reminds him of what he's done. The trouble he has caused.Jimin feels his skin crack from how dehydrated he is, all the tears playing no help.Jimin eventually finds the strength to sit himself up. He figures he might as well shower.He feels weak, stumbling over his own feet as she shuffles to get water to drink.He guzzles down a glass, and then another. He’s on his way back to his bed when he passes the mirror his has hanging by the front door.
He would normally feel too disgusted to even look at himself, but when he sees his reflection.It's like a man he does not know is staring back at him.Something like a shell of a man. He stands there for he doesn't know how long.So long that when there's a sudden pounding sound, it startles him, he drops the cup in his hand.He looks at his door, it wasn't a knock on his door, but he can faintly hear voices in the hallway. He pays no mind, bending down to pick up his cup.Just then there's more pounding, this time on his door.THe anxiety that shoots through his chest is quite the jump start to how lethargic he's felt these last few days.He hesitates. He doesn't ever get any visitors. The landlord shouldn't be paying him a visit either. He curses the cheap door for not having a peephole.“...who is it?” He asks, brows furrowed. He balls up his fists inside the sleeves of the coat. He doesn't know what's on the other side of the door but it can't be anything Jimin wants to deal with right now.There is no reply. Another round of heavy knocks.Jimin sways in his spot. He’ll open the door and tell them go away or reschedule or something. He cant do this right now.He approaches the door, when theres another set of triple knocks.“Okay! Please now's not a good time-”Jimin swings the door open, ready to firmly if not rudely tell the person on the other side to awayJungkook stands before him, in all his magnificent glory, his face the embodiment of restlessness.“Jimin.” He exhales the name like a prayer, both hands leaning on the door frame. Jimin can't even believe what's before his eyes, thankful at least that all of the wounds from before have healed. Jungkook looks perfect again. His scent is some weird concoction of relieved and anxious and bitter with sadness and something else that Jimin neither wants or needs to know about.“I cant-” Jimin quickly grasps his door with both hands and tries to shut it on Jungkook, fear fueling his actions.“Hyung!” Jungkook yelps, quicker than jimin shoves his heavy boot into the door.Jimin didn't notice, and after expecting the door to shut, had quickly retreated from in front of the door.Jungkook hurries to enter, “Hyung, please, wait. Let me talk with you, please. Are you okay?” His tone is so worried, he gently closes the door and tries to approach jimin.“Jungkook, wait!” Jimin feels panic flood his system, he holds his hands up to keep jungkook away.He doesn't even understand his own actions. The source of the only thing keeping him from the edge is before him now and he doesn't want him here.He cant handle it, he cant face the man who he cares so deeply about.“Jimin, it's okay, hyung, let's take some deep breaths?” Jungkook tries to calm the situation down.Jimin feels frantic, he doesn't even know why. He just can't imagine what Jungkook could be here for? To tell him he's fired? To tell him that they hold him responsible for everything?Maybe he's here for his coat. It must mean a lot to him. Jimin takes it off, of course he can't keep it. Another delusion he fooled himself into believing.He hastily takes it off, and holds it out, away from himself. “Here…I'm sorry I kept it for so long.”Jungkook glances down at the coat. Something flashes in eyes, but Jimin misses it. He's too busy looking down. He can't meet Jungkook's eyes.Jimin continues to hold out his arm. He doesn't dare rush Jungkook to take the coat and leave, not after everything. He will patiently wait for him.Jungkook reaches out, taking a step forward, taking a hold of the coat. Slowly. So slowly, he takes it from Jimin.He holds it for a moment. It's silent between them. He takes a step closer.“Please…please can you…” Jimin struggles to ask him to leave. He can't look at him, he's too ashamed. But perhaps he's more ashamed of the treacherous part of him that wants to beg Jungkook to stay. To come closer,
‘Stay with me, please. Please don't leave me.’The alpha takes another soft step forward. The old floorboard creek.“Please…'' Jimin is shaking, he can't get the words out, he can only plead.“Please, please…pl-please….” he practically blubbers.it's pitiful, it's ugly.Before he can register it, he's being held. Gentle. Calming. Warm.Lilies and sandalwood overwhelm his senses, and it's like a dam breaks. He grips any part of Jungkook that he can reach, any piece of him that he can hold.Jungkook’s hands hold him close, steady. One hand cradles his head, the other arm wrapped around his waist.“I’ve got you, hyung. I’ve got you Jimin.” he whispers, voice wet with his own tears.Jimin sobs violently into his chest. He can't even hold himself up, he feels his legs give out, but instead of holding him up like a rag doll, jungkook slowly lowers them both to the ground.He gently rocks Jimin smoothing over his back, making sure to put out as much of a calming scent as he can.As soon as he walked in, he was assaulted by how deeply despairing Jimin’s apartment smelled. The usual crisp apple blossom scent turned fermented, sour and acrid.He dare not say anything. He just knows he needs to be here with jimin. He regrets letting the rest of their friends convince him to wait this long. He knew, his alpha knew, he should have found jimin the same day.He stops his own bitter thoughts from distracting him. This is a time for Jimin. He won't fail him again.After perhaps 15 minutes, Jimin settles into sniffles and hiccups. Jungkook does not move, refusing to let any space come between the two of them, until Jimin is ready.Jungkook leans down and kisses jimin’s head.Jimin shifts, body shivering from his anxiety. He gulps. “...what…what are you doing here?” he keeps his gaze downcast.Jungkook doesn't know how to respond to that in a way that won't make him sound crazy.‘I was out of my mind, stir crazy, near insanity, restless, the hyungs had to practically restrain me from coming here, I would have fought them had I waited any longer’Jungkook doesn't think now is the time for that intensity. He settles for the tip of the iceberg.“I was really worried about you. We all are.” Jungkook has not removed his hands from Jimin. He doesn't plan to, but knows he might have to, if Jimin rejects him now.“Worried.” Jimin scoots back more. Away from jungkook. His alpha wants to protest. He ignores it, for now.“Worried about what.” Jimin's tone is flat. He doesn't understand exactly what's going on. But he's determined to make Jimin know, at the very least, that he's not alone.“We’re worried about you, hyung! You ran off and we wanted to give you time but then we couldn't contact you and everyone…I was really worried something happened. Those guys wanted to burn the restaurant to the ground. I didn't know if they had done something to you, even if they had already been arrested. I was just…I care about you.”“How’s everyone…and Epiphany’s?” Jimin is holding his own arms, tight to his body. His eyes look distant.“Everyones fine. They want to see you. Didn't think you wanted to see us…The shop is still under repairs, but it looks like we’ll be back next week." Jungkook tries to get a better look at Jimin's face that he's hiding.Jimin licks his chapped lips. “Am…am I fired?”Jungkook blinks, “What? Of course not. Hobi-hyung and Jin practically want me to drag you back to them today, if i can.” he kind of laughs, he wants to lighten the mood.Jimin makes a face. “Do they…am I forgiven?” Jimin finally looks up, lips pursed, clearly on the verge of another outburst of tears.“Forgiven, for what?” Jimin is faultless in Jungkook’s eyes. He doesn't know what he could possibly need to be forgiven for.“All of this…the restaurant, the damage, Hobi-hyung and you, getting hurt…it's all my fault. It's my fault. If I didn't work there none of those things would have happened, they wouldn't have lost so much money, who knows what will happen now…For fucks sake you were limping, Jungkook!”Jimin’s voice keeps rising, scent burning up and becoming so bitter all over again.
“All because I’m a fucking beta! I’m useless and worthless and fucking bad luck. I've never done anything good, I'm a burden and a nuisance. I can't do anything right! I caused you guys so much trouble!” his voice cracks more than once.Jungkook flinches, but only at how much pain he can hear in Jimin's voice.Jimin scoots further away again“I’m just a waste, I've never done anything good in my life, and now officially I've caused too much trouble.” Jimin curls into himself on the floor, holding his knees tucked in as he sniffles.“I could never think of you like that…” Jungkook speaks softly as he sits across from Jimin in the middle of the room.“Y-yeah. Well…you'd be the first.” Jimin hides his head in his knees.“Jimin, please, I-” Jungkook tries to start again.“What do you want, Jungkook?” Jimin interrupts him, voice muffled from his hidden face.“I knew something was wrong the day you ran away, I would have followed you but I admit, the limp wouldn't have gotten me very far. But that isn't your fault. I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Jungkook inches closer to Jimin.Jimin lifts his head when he feels the closeness of Jungkook, feels a warm hand on his shoulder, smells his scent coming from it. It feels like a comfort, after everything."Please, Jimin."Jimin feels a new wave of tears and sorrow wash over him."Please, what?" He asks in a tired tone. What does someone like him have to offer? He has nothing.Jimin can't imagine what he could give Jungkook.Sweet, caring, amazing Jungkook. Who sits on his shitty apartment floor, trying to comfort him despite everything, looking like an onyx haired angel.Eyes wide and bright, full of emotions Jimin could never dream to understand."Please let me…." Jungkook starts but before he can finish, Jimin's eyes spill over with new tears.Jungkook cannot stop his own actions as he pulls Jimin into his arms again, encasing him in what Jungkook hopes is a comforting hold. He wraps his arms around tight this time. Hoping that this gesture will get his message through.He wants to reach Jimin, take hold of his hand.He sees the turmoil, the heartache he has endured. Jimin is living in a house on fire. Jungkook knows and wants to help him get out, before the fires of his own despair consume him."Please Jimin, let us help you, let me help you. I know-"Jungkook speaks urgently into Jimin's dark hair. He feels Jimin sobbing silently into his neck, arms shaking loosely where they lay at his sides.Jungkook feels hot tears of his own sting in his eyes, "I know this life has been cruel to you. I know you have been fighting to survive on your own this whole time, but please, please, let me show you that you don't have to trudge through this life alone anymore."Jimin sobs something unintelligible.Jungkook blinks his own tears away, "Hyung, what was that?" He asks softly, gently pulling Jimin away from his chest.He looks down at Jimin's face, blotchy red and puffy.Jimin still has tears running down his face as he tries to wipe away some of his bubbling snot and tears. He looks so broken and so small. Nothing like the bright and strong man that he had come to know just in the last few months."I'm w-" He sucks in a stuttered breath, "wor-worthless and-" more tears fall."And I don't have anything to offer you, or any of the o-others. I'm just-" Jimin pauses, his face souring as his thoughts formulate"I'm a mistake, I shouldn't even exist. I will only cause you trouble, Jungkook." His brows crease and his voice gets angry as he speaks. “I can't even take care of myself. I-I’m a burden at best, and a curse at worst.”Jungkook has had an idea about how Jimin's subgender must have played a serious role in how he views himself. They all know how betas are treated, hidden away by their families, or kicked out all together. Jungkook can't imagine that kind of rejection. He ran from his family. He chose that life. Jimin was forced out. Abandoned.But his subgender never mattered to any of them, especially not Jungkook. Who among them could understand or sympathize more with Jimin than Jungkook himself."Hyung I," Jungkook begins his sentence with full determination, but a fledgling of doubt grows in his chest for a split second."Do you know how the hyungs came to find me?"Jimin blinks the new tears from his eyes, sparkling brown surrounded by the irritated red skin. Even in his deepest moments of anguish he still shines so beautifully to Jungkook.Confusion laces his tone, "What?"“I always say that I found them, but really, they are the ones who found me.”He rearranges his legs under him, still holding Jimin."I don't-'' Jimin sounds congested from his crying, "You don't ha-have to tell me this…” Jimin knows Jungkook probably hasn't told this story for a reason. Jimin sways slightly from where he sits, crumpled from his previous tears that had dried up in the partial distraction.Jungkook gives him his signature smile, eyes and nose crinkled, teeth on display. An adorable sight."I'm not the alpha people assume me to be." He says with a smile.Jimin stares up at him, of course he knows that. Jungkook is not like any other person he’s ever met, alpha or not. Of course Jungkook is better than what anyone could assume of him."Growing up, I was always a shy kid, a little timid. Bit of a crybaby. Weak, some might say. I guess my family thought I would outgrow it, or whatever…" Jungkook’s tone is even.“When I did present as an alpha, well I didn't really change. I was still ‘soft’. And I didnt change when my family threatened me or beat me or almost kicked me out, or any of the other horrible things they did.” There's a knowing smile on his handsome face. He's telling Jimin these horrendous things about his life, but he's smiling.Jimin sucks in a sharp breath. "What?"Jungkook smoothes his hands down Jimin's arms, trailing until they meet his small and limp hands that lay at his knees.Jungkook stares down at them, takes hold of them gently, and can't help but smile at the sheer size difference between their hands. Jimin’s fit perfectly inside his own. He marvels at the softness that still lingers despite years of hard labor that Jimin has had to endure.“I guess I…” Jungkook pauses, his tone is soft, thoughtful.“I guess I wasn't what my family wanted. What they had already decided I would be for them. They wanted a specific type of son, an alpha, and when I wasnt that, and when I couldn't even pretend to be…I wasn't welcomed anymore.”“Actually, they wanted to keep me around, but force me into what they thought I should be. Some terrible beast of an alpha. But that's not who I am.” Jungkook shrugs, like the abuse he's speaking about is normal.“How did…how’d you survive that?” Jimin asks, while looking at Jungkook, feeling very confused and hurt. Hurt for Jungkook, but also feeling his own pain, like a chronic flair up. They’re more alike than Jimin could have ever imagined.Jungkook lifts his eyes, laughing slightly.“Well, probably a lot like how you did.” The genuine smile on his face is accompanied by the way he gently plays with Jimin’s fingers. Jimin realizes that his hands aren't so cold anymore.“I kept running away, but they would send people after me. Finally I guess I ran far enough away, and I thought I had got them off my tail for a while. Long enough for me to feel comfortable staying in one place.”“Long enough for me to get a job at some diner, that's where I met the hyungs!” Jungkook's face lights up at the mention of their friends.“They came in so often, talked to me here and there. Enough for them to, I dunno, start to care?” Jungkook chuckles,“I hadn't had anyone care about me, like actually care about me, in so long…'' Jungkook suddenly lifts his head, looking towards the ceiling.“God it's embarrassing” he laughs at himself.“Anyway, I guess I had stayed in one place a little too long. People showed up for me, broad daylight too. They caught me on a break, when I refused to go with them, I told them I had nothing to do with that family anymore, they jumped me.”Jimin feels the fear and anxiety shoot through his chest at the mention of harm befalling Jungkook.Jungkook senses the change in Jimin's faint scent, apple blossom turning a bit rancid.“I guess the hyungs saw it or something because then out of nowhere, this group of like four burly alphas were being pulled off of me by Yoongi and Namjoon-hyung. I remember Hobi-hyung pulling me away, my eye was already so swollen and busted, but I distinctly remember seeing Namjoon holding one guy by the arms and Jin-hyung was kicking the shit out of another, when I think back on it, it's so funny!” Jungkook laughs, his whole body rocking forward, as he lets out some cackles.Jimin can't form words, in such disbelief. His own anxieties and worries put on pause.He never would have guessed that Jungkook had that kind of past. Abuse? Beatings? For such a wonderful person like Jungkook? He was even an alpha. Jimin felt anger at the people who would even think to mistreat such a young, innocent child like Jungkook. Real pain, anguish floods Jimin's heart at the image of a baby Jungkook, being punished for being himself.Jungkook laughs again, pulling Jimin back into the present.“Hyung, why are you angry?” He reaches up and combs his hand through Jimin's hair.“I’m okay now. I have the hyungs, I have you.”“I’m angry that you were hurt like that, at such a young age. How could anyone hurt you?” Jimin looks up into his eyes, “You were beaten for just being you. It's sick.”Jungkook nods, “The same way you were hurt, right?” he asks softly.Jimin flinches back, “...I’m a beta…so its-”“It’s what, different? To disown a kid at what, 14 or 15 years old? Because of their subgender? Like we had anything to do with how that would turn out?” Jungkook asks.“Am i a bad alpha because i’m not following in my family’s path for me?”“No!” Jimin is quick to defend, “You’re such a good person…you’re a good alpha.” Jimin listens to himself but still can't reconcile it.“Jimin, I know this isn't something that I can fix for you. But I want you to know at the very least, that we all really love you and don't base your worth on your subgender. And we want you to give us the chance to prove it to you.” Jungkook holds Jimin's hand in his own, giving it a squeeze.“It doesn't matter that I'm a beta?” Jimin feels so exposed to ask it so directly.Jungkook scoffs, “No! Hyung, my god, no it has never been-” he sighs, running a hand over his face.He gently takes Jimin's smaller face into his hands, “I know how we all feel, but I'm only going to speak for myself.”Jimin blinks, the warmth from Jungkook's hands so comforting, he feels a kind of bliss over take him. He can smell how sincere the alpha is, blooming lilies and soft sandalwood.“It has never mattered to me. From the first time I saw you, I just…I wanted to get to know you. And then when you started working with us, I did get to know you and you were even better than I could have hoped.”“You’re a hard worker, and you’re so kind. It took a little time for you to warm up to us, but when you did I just…I wanted to do anything I could to see you smile and laugh with us. Every time you got that much more comfortable with us, I started getting faint hints of your scent and my alpha…I just. I felt like a puppy, ahaha, just…so excited. So happy to see you again and again.”“That night when you were harassed, I thought I was going to kill someone…but then you flipped that guy, my mind, I was so,” he laughs and blinks in disbelief.“It was so impressive. I was still pissed as hell at that asshole,” he clenches his teeth, scent spiking for a moment,“But I had just learned a new part about you. And I want to keep learning about you, I want to grow closer to you. I feel so…feels like things make sense to me now. And I hope," Jungkook looks shy, eyes cast down.“I hope that you’ll let me become even closer to you.”Jimin could neither foresee or stop the tears that spring to life in his eyes, hot over his chilled face. They’re happy tears.He surges forward, pulling Jungkook into his embrace, up onto his knees.All the pain that he ever felt, all the times he was alone. For the years spent running and feeling aimless, having nowhere and nothing.He knows it's not perfect now, there's still so much to experience and learn and unlearn, for that matter. But right now, he realizes he isn't alone.He has all of them. He has a family now.He has Jungkook.Jungkook who is like the winter sun. The biggest source of warmth, a comfort that no matter what, Jimin knows will be there.Jungkook brings him immeasurable relief from the cold of the world.He pulls back, taking Jungkook's head in his hands, barely taller than him as he stands on his knees before a seated Jungkook.Jungkook gives a half smile, something like an apologetic laugh comes out of his mouth, his big eyes teary.“Will you come back?” Jungkook speaks softly, a nervous edge to his voice.Jimin had wanted to protect the rest of them, protect Jungkook, from his own misfortune. The bad luck that follows him, like thunder after lighting.But then it was more than that, it was shame. How could he face any of them? And now he's been isolated for so long. How could he imagine showing his face again? But Jungkook had come looking for him…Something he was unfamiliar with this entire time stirs in his chest. His beta is happy.It’s pleased to know that the alpha they have been yearning for for so long, has come to collect them, bring them back to their pack.Jimin could laugh. Bittersweet and bright. It feels overwhelming.“Yeah, I'll come back.” he sniffles and whips his stray tears, “Do you think Jin-hyung will be mad at me?” Jimin slouches at the thought of getting yelled at.Jungkook opens his mouth to deny it, but thinks. “He wouldn’t…well, just know that it comes from a place of love, ok?” Jungkook nods.Jimin giggles, eyes pulled up into crescents, “Love.”“Yeah, you know we love you.” Jungkook looks Jimin in the eyes, very seriously.Jimin hears what he's saying and it feels like for the first time ever he's understanding what he's saying.“Do you?” he asks in a whisper, suddenly afraid to ask for clarification.Jungkook doesn't allow a lull between them to let the fear grow.“I do.” he nods. He gulps, “I love you. Will you let me prove it to you?”Jimin feels the fluttering in his chest, the bloom of heat on his face, he can even feel his beta stir around, an eagerness to accept the love and claim of another. He covers his face, trying to hide the blush and smile.Jungkook immediately takes his hand into his own and away from his face, “Don't hide, I want to see your pretty face…please, hyung?” Jungkook lowers his head, turning it to the side to see Jimin's ducked face better.Jimin raises his head, meeting Jungkook's beautiful eyes. “You’re so…” Jimin feels strangely petulant. He pouts as he tears up again, the admission from Jungkook is almost too much for him. He shoves at Jungkook's arm.Jungkook makes a fake wounded sound, holding his shoulder, “I confess my love and you wound me. Hyung is so cruel.” he furrows his brows, handsome face twisted in mock pain.Jimin is frowning, but giggles anyway, the way this alpha is so sweet and playful. Jimin feels like it's some kind of dream.“You’re saying th-these things so…so forward. Have you no shame?”“There is no shame in loving you.” Jungkook sits up straight, “and I don't believe in abstaining from what I want.”Jimin doesn't know how to feel, his brain is short circuiting, what is he supposed to say to that? He's hearing everything he’s ever wanted from the only alpha he’s ever wanted. He’s not given a chance to respond as Jungkook continues, leaning further into Jimin's space.He can smell how the sandalwood comes through, smokey and thick like he's never smelled it before.“I want you, Jimin.” He is so close now, their foreheads touch and Jimin can feel his warm breath fan over his own burning face.“I want you, however you’ll let me have you, please.” Jungkook's voice sounds like honey, dripping from his lips, he nuzzles his nose against Jimin’s.Jimin feels like he's floating, he can't even form words, can't think past the fuzzy feeling of pure content and happiness.“May I kiss you?” If they weren't face to face, Jimin isn't sure he would have heard the request.He finds his voice, “please”Rather than a fast movement like Jimin expected, Jungkook slowly takes Jimin's face into his hands again and slowly, so slowly, leans all the way forward.He kisses Jimin's left cheek, and then his right cheek. Soft, like petals, warm like sun rays, slightly ticklish like the flutter of butterfly wings.He leans back again and looks at Jimin with the sweetest smile, eyes relaxed and swimming with adoration. He leans in again and kisses gently, the top of Jimin's head.Jimin can feel the way his beta preens at the tender treatment. He feels like he could cry out of happiness.Jungkook delicately angles Jimin's head and finally leans in all the way, kissing him on his slightly dry, plush lips.Jimin leans in, feeling desperate at the contact. The kiss is soft and Jimin enjoys it but cannot fight the hunger that grows in him. The closeness he craves, pushes forward, deepening the kiss.Jungkook smiles at the eagerness and breaks the kiss for only a moment, pulling an unexpected whine from Jimin.His eyes widen out of embarrassment and shock from the noise he just made. Before he can react and pull away, Jungkook reaches around him, pulling him forward all the way until he's seated in his lap.Jimin feels like the air from his lungs has been sucked out, and yet, he can't stop himself from settling in immediately.Jungkook has his arms wrapped around Jimin’s waist, hands across his back. He looks at Jimin with half lidded eyes, smug and smirking.“Stop. What's with that look…” Jimin feels so embarrassed.Jungkook chuckles, “What look?” He plays dumb.“That look on your face, like you…” Jimin trails off.“Like I what?” Jungkook readjusts Jimin in his lap, hands now smoothing down his back to rest right on the curve of his ass cheeks.
“Like I got what I wanted?” he smirks again, and then leans in to nuzzle his face into Jimin's jawline.“You’re such a brat.” Jimin continues to ignore the butterflies growing in his stomach, the scent of his alpha so pleased, with just a hint of pride in there. Jimin doesn't know what to make of it.“Hyung.” Jungkook moves to Jimin's neck, “Jimin-hyung…” he keeps murmuring his name.Jimin gulps, feeling more and more subdued by the scent Jungkook is releasing.Jungkook presses little kisses to each side of Jimin's neck. “...wh-what?” Jimin practically slurs out.“Tell me, I want to hear you say it.”Jimin’s eyes flutter shut, he feels too bashful to form words, let alone whatever Jungkook is asking.Jungkook suddenly stops his ministrations, retracting himself from Jimin’s immediate space bubble. He pulls back and looks at Jimin's flushed face.“Unless you’re not ready. There's no pressure or anything, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” Jungkook’s words tumble out of his mouth, one right after the other, a clear shift in his behaviorSuddenly a nervous haze falls over Jungkook's scent and it's no longer the sultry, smooth scent laced with deep notes.Jimin can immediately feel his mind clear up as he blinks back into reality.“No, no, don’t-” Jimin realizes his lack of a response has made the alpha second guess how he feels. The tug in his chest to make it right is almost a panic.“I mean,” Jimin has to gather all of his courage and break from the anxiety that holds him back. It isn't easy, but it feels right. He has a feeling that if he falls, Jungkook will catch him.“I like you too. A-a lot.” Jimin rests his hands on Jungkook's steady shoulders. He feels like everywhere he touches on this man is so warm and inviting.The look on Jungkook’s face makes Jimin feel like he still hasn't said enough, he feels guilty for not being able to say he loves Jungkook. He just. He thinks he does. He's almost sure he will fall in love. But he can't bring himself to say it without being 100% certain. He isn't going to say something he doesn't mean.“I-I’m sorry, I know…I know it isn't what you want to hear, but I think I just need time…I dunno, if…that changes things for you…” Jimin feels uneasy, unsure of what is expected of him.“Nothing will change the way I feel about you, hyung. My feelings are…independent of yours. If you need time…or space, I'll give you whatever you need, whatever you want.” Jungkook is so serious when he speaks, but still so sweet.“You just have to tell me.”It's still so unusual for Jimin. He feels his heart melt all over again.“I don't want…space…please.” Jimin asks like it's something he doesnt deserve.Jungkook smiles as he pulls Jimin back into a hug, tucking him under his chin. He rubs circles on Jimin's cold back. Jimin willingly goes, face buried right into Jungkook's neck. His senses flood with everything Jungkook.His body instantly relaxes, snuggling closer, as close as he can get where they are seated on the floor of his crappy apartment.“My baby hyung.” Jimin hears Jungkook chuckle to himself. “I’ll take care of you now.”Jimin feels himself falling back into the foggy comfort from minutes before. It's the best feeling in the world. He's never felt comfort like this, can't recall the last time he was so at peace.He doesn't realize he's falling asleep.“Hyung '' Jungkook whispers, he can feel the full weight of Jimin as he starts to doze off, not that he's heavy in the least.He gets no more a response than a quiet hum.Jungkook feels like his cheeks are going to permanently hurt from how much he's smiling today, the feeling of pure unbridled joy, he feels so settled while he finally gets to hold his beta. He feels how at ease his alpha is, releasing all kinds of pheromones that convey ‘happy, content, proud, mine’“Let's get you into bed, we can take a nap.” he says to himself, then in an impressive use of strength pulls himself up, all while holding Jimin steady.His alpha has a stray thought to make sure Jimin eats twice as much as usual, he doesn't like how light his beta feels.He walks them over to Jimin's bed, but as he stares down at the meager iron frame, he makes a mental note that as soon as Jimin wakes up, he's moving him out. There's no way he can let Jimin keep living like this. He will figure it out, even if it means moving him into his own place.His alpha practically vibrates with how good of an idea that is. Jungkook has to reel himself in,‘If hyung is okay with it…but I’ll convince him’ He smiles to himself as he gently sits down and lays back, Jimin all the while unphased, seemingly deep in sleep already.He settles into the thin bedding, despite how uncomfortable it is, he feels more at ease as the worn in scent of apple blossoms fills his nose.He takes in a deep breath of it. There's underlying bitterness, and it makes his heart clench and his wolf become uncomfortable at the hint of discomfort in their beta.He doesn't have the full picture, he doesn't know everything about Jimin. But he knows enough to know he loves him. He wants to be with him. He wants to help him step out of the shell of his past experiences.There's so much that Jimin hasn’t been able to experience, but Jungkook is determined to see him happy. He wants to smell the apple blossom scent of the beta, unadulterated.He smiles to himself, rubbing his hand up and down Jimin's back under the cover he pulled over them.He glances down and sees Jimin's totally relaxed face.He takes another deep breath and nods to himself.Jungkook can slow down, there's no rush. He has a long time to care for his beta.“Let your heart rest now, I’ve got you.”