Safe With You | Yoonmin

Chapter 25: Solace

| Jimin |

THE FIRST THING JIMIN NOTICED as he drifted toward consciousness was the blissful warmth that surrounded him. He soaked it in, sighing in contentment as he basked in comfort. A familiar scent greeted him - the scent of citrus and sunshine and grassy fields.

Yoongi.

Jimin knew that he must be dreaming again. Yoongi wasn't here. The alpha couldn't be. He was far away, on a journey with Jungkook and Seokjin to the Min Pack's village. This was his imagination -- or perhaps the poison -- playing tricks on him again.

Or maybe this was another trick of his wolf. He could still feel its presence, lurking ominously in the shadows, just waiting for Jimin to drop his guard so that it could drag him back into inky dark oblivion. Maybe this pleasant illusion was all a ploy to lull Jimin into a sense of security and submission, so that his wolf could suppress him again.

The citrus scent only grew stronger, making Jimin's head spin. He nuzzled closer, breathing in the comforting scent. It felt so real, as if Yoongi was actually there, holding him. Soft hair brushed against Jimin's cheek and his eyes welled up with tears of confusion.

"Jimin?" murmured a gruff voice.

It sounded just like Yoongi... but Jimin knew that the moment he pulled away and opened his eyes this wonderful dream would disappear. He would wake up in his cold, dark stone cell within the temple, entirely alone and at the mercy of the elders. A surge of dread coursed through him at the thought and he stiffened.

Someone grabbed Jimin's shoulders, gently pushing him up and away from the citrus scent. He mewled pitifully in protest.

No, please not yet!

"Shhhhhh, it's alright," the familiar, deep voice crooned and Jimin melted in relief as the strong arms stopped pushing and enveloped him once more, pulling him back into the cocoon of warmth.

A hand came up to rest on the nape of Jimin's neck, kneading the tender muscles and brushing up into his hair. The touch was gentle, yet it was enough to bring the omega to full awareness. The fog cleared from his mind as his senses awoke, one by one, assuring him that this was real. He was wrapped up in soft blankets, he realized - held snuggly in Yoongi's embrace, practically lying on top of him, head burrowed in the crook of the alpha's neck. He felt so weak... and tired. But the struggle with his wolf had ceased, for now.

"He's awake?" asked a different voice. Taehyung.

"I'm not sure. I can't see his eyes," Yoongi whispered. "Jimin? .... Jimin, can you look at me?" The alpha didn't let go but he shifted position, easing Jimin down into the space beside him in the nest.

Jimin's eyes fluttered open and he blinked dazedly up at the silhouettes of two people leaning over him. His best friend's beaming face came into focus first.

"You're back!" Taehyung exclaimed, and Jimin flinched at the sudden, loud sound.

Yoongi growled at that, low and protective. His hold on Jimin tightened ever so slightly. "Don't startle him, Tae," the alpha chided and the beta immediately deflated, ducking his head.

A hand brushed Jimin's face and he found himself drawn into Yoongi's eyes, warm and concerned and searching.

"You're...here?" He breathed out in wonder.

"I'm here," the alpha answered.

"You're... r-real?" Jimin whispered, just to be sure.

The alpha's dark eyes flooded with pain and sorrow, but his scent remained calm, reassuring. "I'm real," Yoongi promised. "This is real. You're safe."