Safe With You | Yoonmin

Chapter 38: Autumn Leaves

| Jimin |

RETURNING TO THE POTTERY SHOP felt so surreal after everything that had happened. Strangely mundane after weeks of living in hiding in Hyun-Joo's cellar, then the attack, moving in with Yoongi and tending to the injured alpha as he healed.

But life goes on, and one must pick up the pieces eventually. There is always work to be done.

For well over two months now, Taehyung had been bearing the brunt of the pottery work, but yesterday morning the beta had knocked sharply on Yoongi's doorpost, calling in a half teasing, half panicked voice, “Are you going to nest until springtime, Jimin? Did you forget that I’m helpless when it comes to making tea pots? I need your hands in the shop, before Master Kim sees my failed attempts and sends me packing–”

Though he felt reluctant to leave the warmth and safety of Yoongi’s house and the nest, the thought of returning to work with Taehyung sounded like a breath of fresh air. Jimin had spent many days helping Yoongi around the little house and in the garden, and he was beginning to feel a bit stir crazy.

Yes, he was anxious about venturing out into the village when his wolfbond was not yet fully healed, but he knew that with Taehyung at his side he would be safe.

It was adorable how Yoongi clearly didn’t want Jimin to go, but was doing his very best to look excited and be supportive as he helped Jimin into a pair of fur-lined winter boots.

“If you grow tired, or if your wolf becomes uneasy, tell Taehyung to bring you straight home,” Yoongi cautioned as he straightened Jimin's robe which didn't require straightening in the least. He cast a look at the beta waiting in the doorway. “Please, look after him. Don't let him overwork himself.”

Jimin smiled fondly, rising an inch on his toes to give the alpha a peck on the cheek. “You don't need to worry about us, Yoongi.”

“I’m not worried,” the elder mumbled, but almost immediately he followed up with, “I’ll stop by this evening. To walk you home. Or to Hobi's.”

Jimin chuckled, “I’ll see you soon then. And you take care as well. You no longer have stitches but you should still mind your side. No shifting or jumping. And don't eat Paenji while I’m gone. Promise?”

The alpha made a show of looking disappointed at this last order. “Fine.” He pressed a kiss to the top of Jimin’s head. “Go on then, you two.”

When Jimin and Taehyung reached the end of the path to the main road, the omega looked back over his shoulder and saw Yoongi standing quietly on the little porch, watching them go.  Again he felt a tug of misgiving about leaving Yoongi for the day, but this was quickly erased by Taehyung’s excited chatter and the sights of the village around them. While a few glances where cast their way as the pair skirted along the streets and paths, the majority of the pack took no notice -- so focused was everyone on the work of repairing the fire damaged buildings and making their winter preparations.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the shop together, Jimin saw a squashed, vaguely tea-pot-shaped mound of clay on the worktable. Upon closer inspection, he could make out the clear indention of Taehyung's angry fist right in the center. He raised his eyebrows at the beta. “Which attempt was this?”

“Four,” Taehyung pouted. “I can never get the spout right. But this is a commission from elder Jung Dohyun. He expects it to be complete before the season turns...”

Jimin set to work quickly, tugging his work tunic off its hook on the wall and slipping it over his shoulders. The familiar feel of the hemp material, the hard packed floor beneath his feet, the scent of clay…all of it filled him with a deep sense of calmness. He had missed this more than he realized. Being an apprentice had always given Jimin a sense of purpose and belonging. In here, all his worries could melt away as he focused on sculpting beautiful things from ordinary looking clay.