Guardian

8

Namjoon wasn't sure whether or not to call from the back door. Despite his bravado, he didn't think he could face Jimin with Taehyung's words running through his mind.

Which was a shame, because his fur was matted with blood, and he needed help.

Namjoon sat stock still at the back door, staring at it and wishing it would just open for him. In all their time together he had managed to avoid fights. The worst Jimin had dealt with was his soaking wet tantrum months before. Now... now what?

The injury wasn't bad, he told himself. It was just the danger of infection. What if he forgot and ran himself through the dirt? The rainy season was coming, too, and-- could he really face Jimin this time?

Namjoon shifted and mewled as his injured ear twitched. It hurt. He didn't know what he expected Jimin to do, either-- take him to the vet, maybe. And he might be at college. It was still bright out.

Namjoon's paws ached. He sighed, flicking his tail and scanning the area. Maybe he could walk to Yoongi's house instead. But Yoongi might assume something was wrong with Jimin. Namjoon's injured ear twitched at a sound behind him and he mewled again, turning to check on the sound out of habit.

It was that damn cat.

Namjoon hissed, fur puffing up along his spine and tail. He had left the fight because he didn't care about the territory. But he wouldn't leave Jimin's house. He couldn't. He didn't want to leave Jimin alone like that.

His hissing turned to yowling as the cat prowled closer, matching his snarl. Namjoon rose slowly on his legs, trying to make himself bigger, but the other cat just matched it, extending a paw in preparation to slap him.

Namjoon beat it to the punch, whipping a paw out and hitting it square in the face. The cat lunged and Namjoon meowed angrily, rising up slightly on his hind paws to rake his claws across its face and going in for a bite when he felt pain explode close to his already-injured ear.

He didn't care. He wasn't leaving.

The back door slammed open and Jimin shouted "No!" startling the two of them apart. The bigger cat backed up as Jimin approached, ears pinned to its head, and took off into the underbrush. Namjoon stayed on his feet, watching it go, and didn't look at Jimin.

He flinched when Jimin dropped to a knee beside him, setting down the book he held and reaching out to wrap his hands around Namjoon's middle. Jimin cooed, perhaps trying to soothe him, but there was no need. Namjoon let him pick him up and carry him back into the house, doing his best to keep the pained mewls to a minimum.

Jimin deserved that much.

Namjoon sighed. The last time Jimin joked about him fighting he was just a little muddy. Now Jimin set him down on the counter, fingers dancing cautiously through his fur, and frowned at his ear, sighing.

"Might have to take you to a vet..." he muttered. "Fuck."

Namjoon sighed. It had been a long time since he considered shifting to a human, but when he looked up and saw the worry and frustration in Jimin's eyes all he wanted was to find a quiet place to do so. His wounds would shrink or disappear if he shifted, and Jimin didn't deserve to worry about them. He could come back later.

But... he didn't want to be human. Didn't want to risk anyone seeing him naked in an alleyway while he tended to his wounds. And beyond that, he wanted Jimin. Having Jimin run his fingers through his fur, considering the wound but not scolding him for fighting, was the most soothing thing Namjoon had felt since they met.

Would Jimin hate him if he found out he was human before?

The thought flickered quietly through Namjoon's mind, but it left him shaken. Before he could stop himself, other words flickered in that he had tried so very hard to forget.

Weird. Disgusting. Creepy.

Namjoon stiffened, and Jimin removed his hand, frowning and backing away. Namjoon looked at him, followed him with his eyes, and imagined his face twisted in disgust or-- or maybe falling in disappointment and betrayal.

Out. Get out. Get out. Getoutgetoutgetout--

"Joon!"

Namjoon rocketed off the counter, rebounding off the wall and scrambling for the door. Through some stroke of luck, Jimin had left it open-- no, he left the glass open. Namjoon slammed into the screen door at full force and shot back, tumbling across the floor and racing under the couch.

"Shit, Joon, come back. C'mere. It's okay."

Namjoon yowled low in his throat, watching the part of Jimin he could see from under the couch with wide eyes. Jimin flattened himself on the floor, watching him. "It's okay," he crooned. "Come here... come here..."

Namjoon wanted to cry. He pressed himself against the floor, heart pounding, ears pinned to the back of his head. Jimin continued to coax him, but he didn't move.

It had been so long since he had a panic attack he didn't recognize it at first. By the time he knew what was happening it was too late. Reality was swallowed, his heart constricted, and he lost track of everything happening around him as his mind zeroed in on the imminent threat of death because that was what it was-- death.

When he came back to himself he was wrapped in a blanket, ear covered in some sort of plaster and a cone around his neck as Jimin rocked him gently in his arms.

Yes, crying seemed like a nice option.

"Oh? Are you feeling better?" Jimin asked as Namjoon squirmed around. Namjoon paused, eyeing him, and felt his heart plummet at the worry still shimmering in Jimin's eyes. He hated himself for losing control, for going under like that just when Jimin needed him to remain calm. It was dark outside. He had a cone on. How long had Jimin held him, how many places had they been before he snapped out of it?

And why did it have to happen while he was in cat form, when cat form had been his safe place his entire life?

Namjoon tipped his head to nuzzle Jimin and found his way blocked by the cone. His surge of misery must have shown on his face, because Jimin cooed softly, reaching in the run a hand gently over the top of Namjoon's head.

"It's okay. You'll survive two weeks, right?"

Namjoon wasn't sure.

But the second the cone came off, he was going to give Taehyung scars to remember. 

I survived my first week of college! Prices are insane and apparently you're not supposed to buy books until the professor confirms the syllabus??? But I've seen a lot of friends I don't get to see a lot and the classes are cool, plus my homework is pretty doable. Also: the class I was the most nervous about is shaping up to be one of my favorites? The professor is so nice and makes sure we understand stuff and overall is just super careful to make sure we're aware of everything important. He was also really chill about my stopping by early to pick up my supply kit, waved to make sure I saw him and everything instead of waiting and seeing if I would notice him. Judging by some of the stuff I'm dealing with with other professors, he's gold. Pure gold. What a blessing. And as long as I stay on top of the work the updates shouldn't be messed up! Yesss! 

I hope you're having a good night, and remember to hydrate! Because I forgot! A lot! *awkward laugh* I purple you!