Kitties and Cupcakes : pjm ✔️

Part 5

The two of you headed to the bakery early the next morning to get things ready for the day. Not only was it helpful to have a second person in the kitchen to help, but you enjoyed being with Jimin, the two of you talking and laughing while you worked. When the time came you sent Jimin out to unlock the doors and flip the sign to open and asked him to stay out at the front counter with you instead of hiding in the back this time. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking unsure.

"I know you're worried about how people will react, but since you're an actual employee now I need you out here with me. And look - I have something for you." You reached under the counter and pulled out a name tag you had made for him - a shiny gold pin with JIMIN in black text - before reaching up and pinning it to his apron. "It's official. Anyone who doesn't like it isn't welcome here," you said smiling and patting his arm.

Jimin looked down at the name tag and brushed his fingers over it, throwing his arms around you and crushing you to his chest. "No, Jimin! - Stop!" You squeaked from his embrace. He quickly dropped his arms and stepped away from you looking hurt. "I'm sorry, hey," you reached out and grabbed his wrist, squeezing to get him to meet your eyes, "you can hug me as much as you want at home, okay? I love skinship and affection, really. But when we're here, and the shop is open, you're my employee, not my kitty. Ok?" You gave him a squeeze before dropping his wrist. He bit his lip and nodded as the first customer of the day came in.

Late in the morning, as usual, Hoseok strolled in, this time with two hybrids in tow. The younger boys were talking animatedly as they followed the older in and he greeted you. Jimin's ears flattened to his head and he stepped a little closer to you, smelling the dog. You chuckled and patted his arm before greeting your friend, "Hobi! Good morning!"

Taehyung perked up at the sound of your voice and his long tail began to wag behind him, his friend hanging back nervously. Hoseok chuckled and waved to you as Tae rushed up to the counter to greet you, "Good morning y/n! I'm sooo hungry I might need two cinnamon rolls," he said winking at you. Jimin, who had stepped behind you at the proximity of the dog let out a barely audible hiss at the wink. "Oh yeah!" He exclaimed, noticing Jimin, "Hobi said you had a hybrid working with you now! Oh, but...did you adopt him too?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

"How could you tell?" You chuckled, reaching out to scratch Tae's ears. He closed his eyes and wagged his tail impossibly harder as you did so and Hoseok reached the counter with the bunny hybrid.

"I can tell cause you smell like a kitty!" Taehyung said happily, his eyes closed for the scratches.

"Really, y/n, you adopted him? I'm so glad, you've always wanted a hybrid!" Hoseok exclaimed. "And Tae, be respectful. You know you're supposed to call y/n Noona," he scolded but you waved it away.

"Oh I don't care about that. But I know, I'm so glad I found him," you said, removing your hand from Tae to pull Jimin out from behind you. "It's ok kitten, these are my friends. This is Hoseok, who you met the other day, and his puppy Taehyung, and this must be Tae's bunny friend Jungkook," you said, looking at the shy rabbit. He squeaked in response and hid behind Hoseok, peeking over his shoulder, his long black ears sticking up. You giggled at his reaction, "boys, this is my new kitty, Jimin." You finished, smiling at him.

Jimin waived nervously from beside you. "Come on JK," Tae said, grabbing his friend, "let's go sit down. Oh," he stopped looking at you and Jimin, "Can the kitty come sit with us?"

"I - I'm working," Jimin said shyly.

"Go sit with them, kitten," you said to him, patting his arm. "You deserve a break."

You made up a tray with five cinnamon rolls and coffees and you and Hoseok headed over and since there was no one else in the shop at the moment you sat with them as well. The younger boys chatted and argued animatedly while you and Hoseok sipped your coffees. "So you finally hired someone and adopted a hybrid huh? I'm so happy for you," he said, smiling brightly at you. "Don't you think it will be a bit much though, if the two of you are together all the time like that?" He asked.

You sighed. "It is a lot, I know, but I don't want him to work every day - I think I'll try and hire someone else to do a couple days a week so Jimin can have a few days off. And so he won't get tired of me." You both laughed. "You don't know anyone who might want a part time job that doesn't pay a lot, do you?"

"Actually I think I might," he said, setting down his coffee. "How do you feel about hiring another hybrid?"

You shrugged. "No different than I would about hiring a human. As long as they are hard working and trustworthy."

Hoseok nodded. "I know this guy who plays piano at a club downtown. The last time I saw him he mentioned that he was looking for another part time gig. I can ask if he wants to have a trial run some morning here with you?"

"That sounds great!" You exclaimed before turning to Jimin who had been listening for a few seconds. "Kitten, the bakery is open six days a week - which three would you like to work?" You asked, putting your hand on his.

He pulled his hand away though, frowning. "I told you I would work every day."

You sighed. "I'm sorry kitty, but that won't work. How about you work four days and have two off?"

Jimin thought for a moment before Taehyung interrupted. "Hobi usually takes me to the arcade on Saturdays, Jimin! You should take Saturdays off so you can come with us!" Jimin nodded thoughtfully.

"Alright, you'll be off Saturday and Sunday since we're closed, and how about Wednesday? Then you'll be working Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday?" You asked, looking at him.

"Ok," Jimin mumbled. "I guess four days is ok." You smiled at him. "But what will I do on Wednesday?" He asked.

"You can come over and play with Tae this week if you like," Hoseok offered, and both boys nodded excitedly. The bell on the door dinged and you headed over to help the customer.

The rest of the day and most of the next passed uneventfully. Then Tuesday evening the two of you were snuggled up on the couch, your hands stroking Jimin's head in your lap he turned to look up at you. "Y/n?" He said softly.

"What is it kitten?" You asked, looking down at him.

"I'll miss you tomorrow," he whined, burying his face in your leg.

You giggled. "I'll miss you too silly kitty."

He sat up suddenly, looking at you intensely. "Will you really? You promise? What if the new worker is better than me? Will you still miss me then? Will you still want me to work for you?" You were shocked by the sudden influx of questions but even more so by the tears shining in his eyes.

"Kitten," you sighed, crawling into his lap and cupping his face in your hands. "I promise no matter what I will miss you terribly and I will never replace you. Ok?" You said, staring into his eyes.

"Ok," he replied thickly.

You kissed the tip of his nose and hugged him tightly. "Come on, bedtime."