Safe With You | Yoonmin

Chapter 21: Discovered

| Jimin |

SPRING CAME AND WENT, AND SOON even summer was drawing to a close. The farmers' first crop of rice, barley, beans, and cabbages had already been harvested, and now the second was beginning to ripen in the sun.

In the mornings and afternoons, the village market buzzed with activity and color. The stalls were filled to the brim with fresh vegetables, flowers, woven baskets and brightly dyed cloth. The air was saturated with dozens of scents. Young pups played tag in the street, racing and dodging between the legs of merchants and customers alike.

Jimin held tightly to Namjoon's hand as they wandered through the crowd, unused to being around so many people at one time. The only thing he could compare it to was the Winter Festival, when hundreds of villagers would gather in and around the Great Hall.

For his entire life Jimin had purposefully avoided the busy marketplace, too afraid of crossing paths with rogue-hating villagers or crude alphas. But now he had Namjoon to protect him, and the alpha had been so excited to take Jimin to the market today.

Courtship was going well. At least, Jimin hoped that it was. Early on, both he and the Namjoon had agreed that they would try to make the best of their circumstances.

Jimin always tried his very best to please Namjoon. Whenever they were together, he would do his upmost to look presentable. The omega would carefully braid his hair, and wear the robes, perfumes and jewelry Namjoon had gifted to him. On his days off, he had even begun helping Namjoon's mother in her house and garden, quietly observing how she managed her household.

And Namjoon was making an effort as well, going out of his way to learn new things about the omega, from the colors he liked -- green and sky blue -- to the dishes he preferred. The alpha had even humored Jimin by making one disastrous attempt at pottery.

But for all their efforts, Jimin couldn't help but notice the sad, wistful look that often rested on the older's face when he thought Jimin wasn't looking. It was painfully clear that the alpha was trying to conceal his heartbreak. The signs were everywhere. Namjoon rarely spoke of his feelings to Jimin, always keeping such conversation light and deflecting any personal questions. Sometimes his eyes shone with humor, or darkened with concern, but never had Jimin seen a glimpse of true affection. Never did the alpha offer him an embrace, a caress, or even a peck on the cheek. In fact, the alpha never touched Jimin unless it was to lead him by hand, like now.

Jimin couldn't blame Namjoon for any of this, but it weighed on his heart knowing that the alpha wouldn't have chosen him for a mate. Would it remain like this even after they bonded with each other? Would they remain unfeeling towards one another, only coming together when forced by a heat or rut? The thought of it left him feeling empty and hollow, caused his wolf to whimper in despair.

"Here we are," Namjoon announced, jarring the omega out of his thoughts.

Jimin glanced up to see that they were approaching a beautiful dining house surrounded by pink and yellow rose bushes. A wooden sign above the door boasted of hot beef broth and savory noodles. Once inside the dim dining hall, and Jimin saw at least two dozen small tables, most of them already crowded with customers. He felt another spike of anxiety at the sight of so many people, but Namjoon led the way to a quiet table in a back corner. Soon enough, they were served with two bowls of steaming broth, noodles, beef slices and spring onions.

"This broth is the best in the village," Namjoon said, gesturing to Jimin's bowl with his spoon. "You'll enjoy it," he encouraged.

The omega took a tentative sip, then he perked up, pupils dilating as he tasted the delicious flavors.