Guardian

12

Namjoon sighed, rousing his energy again and shaking his head. Jimin's hand froze, fingers curling against his scalp before he pulled it away.

"What are you talking about? Y-you didn't feel safe here, with me... didn't I do something wrong?"

Fuck. Namjoon felt the air rush out of his lungs and closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. Jungkook was right. He didn't know how to move his mouth to talk anymore. But he forced himself to reach out, taking Jimin's hand and squeezing it tightly.

Jimin's breath hitched. Namjoon reached out with the other hand, wincing as it caught on the back of Jimin's neck instead of resting against the back of his head like he wanted it to. No matter. He pulled Jimin down, and Jimin seemed to understand, crawling slowly over him and slipping under the blankets to press their bodies together.

"I really am sorry," he said. "For not understanding."
Namjoon shook his head, frowning and pressing a finger to Jimin's lips. Jimin let out a startled chuckle but nodded, scooting closer.

"Is this really alright?"

Namjoon nodded, burying his head in Jimin's shoulder. It wasn't the same as being in form(stupid tall body), but Jimin was still warm and strong, holding him firmly as they lapsed into silence.

They lay there together for a long time, long enough to doze off and wake up again to the sound of birds outside the window. Jimin was first to stir, sitting up and stretching before reaching out to touch Namjoon's shoulder. Namjoon turned to face him, running his eyes over his face, and sighed, burrowing into the blankets instead.

"Can you walk?" Jimin asked.

Namjoon shook his head, heat rushing to his ears as Jimin lifted the pillow off his head and tugged on his arm.

"I can help you. C'mon."

Namjoon nodded, shoving himself into a sitting position at the edge of the bed and staring at the ground while Jimin sat beside him, pulling one of Namjoon's arms over his shoulder.

"Holler if it hurts, yeah?" Jimin said.

Namjoon nodded, and Jimin grinned-- his first since Jeohoon had entered the house the night before. Namjoon stared transfixed at him long after he turned away, wondering how someone could be so kind. First crying because he thought Namjoon was afraid of him, then offering to help him walk, then smiling at him... it was new.

He liked it.

"3, 2, 1, up!" Jimin said, standing and helping Namjoon stumble upward. Namjoon wavered, but Jimin slid a hand around his waist, steadying him, and laughed as Namjoon leaned on him, dropping a head on his shoulders to hide his red face.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," he said. "Walking on two legs is pretty damn hard sometimes."

Namjoon decided Jimin must be an angel in disguise. There was no other reason for the gentle, cautiously teasing way he helped Namjoon to the table, sat him down, and went about getting breakfast together as if Namjoon wasn't a human and not a cat. He even went so far as to feed Namjoon when Namjoon's hands turned to paws again with nothing but a suppressed giggle at the food spilling off the edge of Namjoon's plate.

When they were done eating, Jimin helped him to the couch and sat down with him, gently guiding his head down to rest on his shoulder and running a hand through Namjoon's hair.

"I thought we should try to talk," he said softly.

Namjoon lifted his head, frowning, and Jimin sighed, chuckling and cupping his face in one hand. "Don't look at me like that. I just wanted to be sure-- do you want to stay here? At least for a little while?"
Namjoon's eyes widened. He couldn't believe his ears. Was Jimin inviting him to stay? Wasn't it supposed to go the other way around? Wasn't he supposed to kick him out? What--?

"If you don't, that's okay!" Jimin said hurriedly, then let out a gasp of surprise as Namjoon threw himself at him, rubbing his face mindlessly in Jimin's neck as they toppled over onto the couch. He butted his head gently against the side of Jimin's neck and Jimin laughed, tangling his hands in his hair.

"That tickles, silly kitty."

Namjoon chuckled, nuzzling Jimin one last time before lifting his head to smile at him. Jimin smiled back, reaching up to cup Namjoon's face in both hands.

"Is that a yes?"

Namjoon nodded, and Jimin's face split into the most dazzling smile Namjoon had ever seen. He could have sworn Jimin glowed with joy.

"It'll be worth it," Jimin said. "Cat or human, I don't care. Just stay here, yeah?"

Namjoon nodded again, then slowly lowered himself onto Jimin and buried his face in Jimin's shoulder to hide his crumpling face. Fuck, he didn't want to cry again...

"Oh, Joon," Jimin sighed, tangling his hands in Namjoon's hair again. "I'm so fucking sorry."

Namjoon was tired of the apologies. Jimin had-- Jimin had given him his underwear and helped him walk and offered him a place to stay. Namjoon didn't see what merited an apology there. He nuzzled Jimin's shoulder, sniffling, and Jimin patted his back, sighing and wrapping his arms around Namjoon's waist.

"I'll be here," he said. "I'll be here, I promise."

Namjoon didn't understand it, but he was too comfortable to protest.

Being close to Jimin felt good. 

What was I supposed to do, leave you to suffer?! 

I'll go to bed now, promise. 

I purple you! Please be happy!