Chapter Text
"Are you sure Jimin-ah?" Taemin looked at Jimin with concerned eyes. "Us omegas need to stick together, how will you survive all on your own? Please, don't go. We'll find another way."
Jimin thought for a minute. Taemin was right, he was actually putting himself in danger. But no, he knew better. "And what? Stay around and put your lives in danger? No way hyung, I can't ask you to do that for me. You've helped me enough. And on top of that, you are expecting. You are starting a family. So just listen to me when I say, don't contact me after today, yeah? I have to go, there is no other way. And I am a strong man, I can pass for a beta, right? I'll try to lay low and pretend to be one. And who knows, maybe I'll find an acquaintance there who can actually help me feel a bit grounded so that I can settle in peace"
"Settle? I thought you were just going for a few weeks, Jimin-ah! How long exactly are you planning to go? When will you come back?"
"Hyung, honestly speaking, I haven't thought about it and I don’t know. I might stay at one place and then go find another. I wasn’t able to pack much either as you can see. I can only promise you that the minute I am safe, I will let you know somehow. But I will keep the contact minimum so don't expect me to contact you frequently, yeah?" Jimin said he zipped closed his duffle bag.
Taemin kept his hand on Jimin's hand which made him stop and look up at Taemin. Taemin had tears in his eyes as he pulled Jimin in a hug. "I wish things were different Jimin-ah, I- I never t-thought that I'll have to part with you. I know you have a lot to fight against but how-how will I move forward from this?"
Jimin didn't show any emotions, this was not the time. He just consoled Taemin by patting on his back for some time. Then he moved back slowly to look back at the older omega. "I'll go now hyung. Please take care, you are responsible for two lives right now. I'll pray everyday for you and your pup's wellbeing. Say bye to Minho hyung for me." Saying this, Jimin swiftly moved out of Taemin's room and rushed to the door without looking back. It was only when he sat on a bus to god knows where and caught his breath, that he realised he was shivering. He was nervous and scared.
He woke up around 4:30 in the morning when he felt the bus hurtling through a very bumpy road. It had been more than 10 hours he’d been travelling. He didn’t know when he slept, he scolded himself for being this irresponsible. He wanted to go to the bathroom very quickly but the bus didn't have any such facility. He cursed the road for being so bumpy, now he'll have to wait for a stop to go pee. He also had to reapply his blockers as it had been so long since he applied them at the bus station bathroom. He was relieved that the blockers were working, he was new to them. Apart from a few looks here and there, which were acceptable because he knows he is easy on the eyes, he wasn't getting over the top attention like he usually gets because he is an omega. This means people must be thinking he is a beta. This is good.
Fortunately the bus stopped at a gas station and Jimin was delighted that he could finally go to the bathroom. He decided to take his bag along because he didn't trust anyone around. He got down and saw that the gas station also had a bus stop at the side. He couldn't locate the name of the place. It looked like a small town. Oh so maybe this was a stop on the route. He had no idea what place this was, but the air was so clean and fresh, maybe because it was early morning or maybe because he was so far away from home that he could finally breathe. Or maybe because the place is nice, he smiled at the thought. He rushed to the bathroom by the gas station. After he was done, he was washing his hands when his eyes fell on a circular kinda note on the wall.
*Required*
Trained teachers for pups of various ages. Contact ##### for an interview.
Could this be a sign? Because he had taught small pups for a year before enrolling full time at the dance school. He took some training back then, could it suffice for the role? He quickly took out his phone and took a photo of the note. He then came out and saw the driver of the bus standing out of the vehicle, stretching. He was a beta so he approached him without any hesitation.
"Ahjussi, does this bus stop here daily?"
The man turned to him and scanned him briefly before speaking. "Yes, it often does. We stop for gas and stuff, and as there are no stops for a while before this town so we can’t help. Not that I mind, I like Mandong. And there is one bus that has this town actually on the route, but it doesn't travel everyday."
"Thank you."
"Are you planning on staying here? Because I remember you asking for the ticket to the last destination on the route"
Jimin widened his eyes at the driver's comment. So much for laying low. "Umm yeah, maybe."
The driver may have sensed Jimin’s discomfort because he softly smiled and said.
"Don't worry, I was just curious about you as you hadn't decided where you would go. But don’t worry boy, my lips are sealed. Mandong is a good place to be. Not many people know about it so you can stay here. Don't mind me, I just look scary, I have a son just like you."
Jimin nodded and bowed. "Thank you, Ahjussi. I appreciate it."
"Go take the right lane, after a few blocks from here, there is a 24 hour departmental store. Start from there because it's really early right now, yeah. I hope you get what you're looking for. Ok now it's time for the bus to leave."
Jimin gulped as he saw the bus leave. For a minute he felt sick, maybe due to panic. He didn't even know the place and he had got down. This could turn real bad real soon.
He decided to follow the driver's advice and took the right side lane and soon enough he got nervous once again when he didn’t see any shop for a while. He started running a bit, if anyone sees him right now they would think he's crazy for running with a bag in the morning. Thankfully he spotted a 24 hour lighted sign and sighed heavily in relief.
He entered the store to find very soft music playing but no one was in sight. He went ahead towards the cash counter and looked around while leaning on it and called "Anybody here?" Suddenly, a boy with a redhead got up from behind the counter like a boxer glove pops up from a fake gift box. He spotted Jimin and waved in an excited tone. “Helloooo!”
Jimin gasped at the sudden appearance and fell down on his butt in surprise. The boy immediately opened the flap door to get to Jimin and brought forward his hand to help him.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, thanks. I just didn't expect anyone to pop up like that." He took his hand to get but froze as he got close to the boy. He was an alpha and Jimin shivered. He immediately jerked away the hand and looked around to see if anybody else was around to help him if he's attacked. The boy was young and seemed nice but Jimin knew better than to trust a stranger alpha, young or not. Unbeknownst to him, the boy smiled and directed him to sit on a stool as he picked up Jimin's bag.
"I'm Yeonjun. Actually I have a paper tomorrow and I've been studying for it all this time, but I got so tired and bored that I needed a nap. That's what I was doing when I heard you. What's your name? I haven't seen you around before."
"I'm Jimin, yes I’m visiting. Can you direct me to a bed and breakfast nearby?" Jimin didn't want to talk any further to the alpha. He suddenly craved a safe room with a bed and a blanket.
"Sure hyung, you don't mind if I call you that right? There is this homestay down the lane. My hyung owns it. I'll drop you, you look tired."
"Drop me! You have a car?"
The boy giggled. "What? I don't even have a license, hyung! But I do own a bicycle. Come, I'll give you a ride."
"But the store?"
"Nobody will know. Why do you think I was sleeping? And I'm not closing the doors, so anyone who comes in the meantime can sit inside and wait. Comeon, you look like you'll faint soon. Let's get you a room before that." Jimin didn’t know whether he could trust the young alpha or not, but there was nobody else to help him so he complied.
Jimin sat behind Yeonjun while slinging his bag on his back as Yeonjun rode the bicycle. Yeonjun seemed to be humming to the same song that was on repeat at the store. He recalled his childhood memory when he used to give his sister a ride like this. He smiled and looked around. He saw a person here and there and was delighted to see people waking up so early. Yeonjun left his bicycle as soon as he reached the place and rushed inside shouting "Hobi hyung, I got you business! I want more classes as payback." Jimin laughed at that, after a long time he’d laughed he realised. He shook his head with a sad chuckle and secured his bag on one side while following the way inside.