Save Your Blessings

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July 19, Saturday

Jimin was pushing the stroller with Eun-Chong while Taehyung was holding the shopping bag. They were at the mall in Gwangsan buying clothes for the pup. Jimin was visiting for the weekend with KeonHo and Sinmu, the only people his parents would allow Jimin to leave with. Since the sanctuary was so secure, Jimin was allowed to stay in Taehyung's dorm while KeonHo and Sinmu stayed with Namjoon, Jin, and their pup Dal. Jimin would be staying with Taehyung for two weeks. 

They had snuck out to go shopping without telling anyone. Not really snuck out, just kind of left without telling anyone. Jimin was a little nervous, but Taehyung convinced him that he had to overcome his fears and start being more independent, which was why they were on their way to the food court instead of returning to the dorms to eat. It was the first time Jimin was out in public by himself without guards or the group since his kidnapping, but Taehyung didn't know that. 

Taehyung did not know about the kidnapping or the rescue. Jimin did not want anyone to tell him either. He did not want Taehyung to pity or worry about him. He wanted Taehyung to treat him just the way he had always treated him. So his life could go back to normal. All Taehyung knew was Jimin was nervous about being in the mall, and being the type of friend he was, he supported and encouraged Jimin to conquer it. He knew just how much he could push Jimin, and he knew just when to stop.

For now, Jimin was actually having a good time. It would be hard not to be with his best friend and the happy pup. They walked down the middle of the department stores on the way to the food court. Eun-Chong waved at anyone who would smile at him.  Jimin looked down and smiled at the pups cheerfulness. Suddenly a thought of how even Yoongi would smile with this cub, a feeling of guilt swelled up in his chest as he thought about Jungkook and Yoongi missing out. Jungkook deserved to see his son. "You know Jungkook was in Daejeon last month looking for you. You need to tell him about Eun-Chong before it's too late."

"I know. I know. Time just slipped away from me. I can't believe this is our Senior Year! I promise I will return to the pack after I graduate and tell Jungkook everything." Taehyung said as they stood in line, looking at the overhead menu.

Jimin pushed the stroller to the side so people wouldn't push or bump into it. "Maybe you should tell him before that, Tae. He is getting closer, and you are breaking wolf law by not letting him know about the pup. If you don't want to tell him, then let Jin tell him. Just about the pup, Jin doesn't have to tell him where you are or anything."

"And then what. Do you think Jungkook would say it's ok? Don't you think Jungkook would want to see him and take him to the pack house? I couldn't live without my pup; Jungkook can. He is an alpha. It damn near killed me when he rejected me, and I almost lost my pup. The law didn't care about THAT. Just let me finish high school. I need this degree to either get a job or go to college or whatever, but I won't be able to graduate if they take my pup." Taehyung had stopped moving in the line and turned to look at Jimin while he explained. His hands moving to emphasize his meaning.

Taehyung sounded desperate. He grabbed both of Jimin's hands before he continued, "You KNOW Jungkook would take him away from me. I am not trying to keep Eun-Chong away from him forever. I know you don't like it, but this really is the only way I can graduate. As long as Jungkook doesn't know, he won't take my pup. I will need to be able to get a job, especially if they kick me out of the pack. You understand why I haven't told him, don't you, Jimin? I will let him know and hopefully work out some visitation schedule or something. Just after I get through school." 

Jimin actually did understand. He was there the day Jungkook careless rejected Taehyung as his mate. Even though Jungkook changed his mind and was now saying that he accepted Taehyung and wanted his mate, it didn't change the pain he put Taehyung through when he severed the bond. Jimin was the one who held Taehyung as he sweated with fever and sponged him down with a cool rag. It was Jimin who carried Taehyung to the toilet so he could vomit when the pain got too intense. Jimin who cuddled his best friend to make him feel better and pressed his body on top of Taehyungs to stop his spasms and uncontrollable twitching.