Fix You

Six.

Warnings: discussion of physical abuse, discussion of sexual assault

Yoongi didn't want to be there. You could tell, because he wouldn't shut up about it. Admittedly, you had guilted him into coming. But it was a hybrid farmer's market. It was literally one of the most wholesome events in the city.

"You can't just stay holed up at home all the time," you playfully scolded for what felt like the hundredth time since getting out of the car.

He hummed. His fingers were laced in yours and he held on tight, almost as if he was afraid you'd get too far ahead of him in the sparse crowd. It was starting to get chilly out--one of the final markets of the year--so while the vendor stalls were all full, there weren't that many patrons just yet. "I would have liked to try," Yoongi murmured, adjusting the leather jacket he was wearing. He had borrowed it from you a few weeks before and it had since made its way into his permanent wardrobe.

"You're allowed to enjoy things, kitty." You laughed at the small purr that stuttered out of his chest in spite of his protests.

You didn't remember when you had started calling him 'kitty' again, only that he seemed to like it. Ever since you had let him scent you, things had changed between the two of you. He was more affectionate, less skittish, and maybe just a touch more protective over you. It wasn't uncommon for him to curl up in the wing-backed chair by the window in your office with a book while you worked, or for him to fall asleep with his head in your lap while you watched a movie.

Honestly? You liked the change. Confidence looked good on him.

Though, based on how hard he was gripping your hand, crowds--no matter the size--were the exception. You thought the market was nice, and that he would like it. And he did seem like he was enjoying looking at everything. But he definitely didn't like when the other patrons got too close.

There were vendors of all sorts at the farmer's market, and they all catered to hybrid needs. Some of them were even hybrids themselves. You watched as Yoongi explored the stalls, his tail at attention, his ears swiveling this way and that with all the new sounds. He seemed to find something interesting at nearly every stall, pausing briefly to examine items while the stall's owner was distracted with other customers.

"It's honey almond scented," he said, excitedly parroting the words of the soapmaker's sign back to you as the creator helped another customer. He handed you the bar to smell. "It's safe for hybrids because it apparently has a neutral ph."

"What does that mean?" You handed him back the soap.

"I don't know!" He grinned at you, all teeth and gums. "But it's cool, right?"

"Very." You returned his smile, squeezing his hand. "How much is it?"

"What?" Yoongi shook his head and sat the bar back on the display. "Oh no, I don't want it. I just think it's neat." You stared at him, unblinking, and he shifted uncomfortably. "You don't have to. I still have a lot of soap at home."

"Yeah, but that's all liquid soap. You don't have any bar soap. And none of them smell like this," you said enticingly, picking the bar back up and holding it to your nose. It really did smell nice. It was delicate, not too overpowering. Perfect for a hybrid's sensitive sense of smell.

"You folks ready to check out?" the soapmaker questioned jovially, approaching the two of you on the other side of the counter.

Yoongi continued the small staredown you were having for a moment longer before sighing. You smiled and squeezed his hand before holding out the bar of soap for the vendor to take. "How much?"

----

You hadn't realized that your clients, Khai and Sage, were going to be at the farmer's market. They had set up a little booth near the food trucks where they were selling sandwiches and soups. You recognized some of the signs they had hung up as being your designs.