Chapter Text
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A long veil of mist covers endless barren fields when a downtrodden stagecoach trundles towards the grim desolate town in the north.
Not a single stray of sunlight can get through the thick layer of clouds bundling over the horizon, the fresh air is cold and moist from the passing rain.
With a blank gaze planted on that dull landscape, Park Jimin can’t stop mulling over the reason that brought him to this godforsaken place.
He knows he's worthy – having been cheated on by his betrothed hasn’t changed that fact.
The reason he left is that he couldn’t stand all the scornful glances, amused whispers in the salons.
All the annoying questions asked by his mother’s upper-class guests, drilling the topic over and over again.
The youngest son of the house of Park has been abandoned shortly before the wedding? Such a scandal! There must be something not quite right with him if his fiancée has fled in such haste, giving up on such a good match.
Clan Park is well renowned in the entire city, its history stretching over centuries.
Jimin knows that if he hasn’t escaped, he’d always bear the label of the one who was jilted at the altar.
Seokjin's job offer appeared like a godsend.
All the letter said was that the village he’s governing is in dire need of a tutor.
The accommodation and all necessities would be provided by the village dwellers, although not entirely free of charge. The person who accepted this offer would receive a small remuneration, more than enough to cover those expenses.
Staring at the latter, Jimin didn’t waste a minute, packing up his bag without a wait.
Recalling that event, Young Master Park smiles to himself dimly, recalling his mother’s expression when he told her he was leaving.
Insensitive to his reluctance in finding another mate, she'd just invited another alpha to introduce him to when he stormed off with his packed suitcase.
'Where do you think you're going??' His mother asked, dragging the heavy fabrics of her fancy dress after him.
'To visit the Kims.’ Jimin answered emotionlessly, before adding firmly,
‘You won’t keep me here, mother.’
The woman stood there in shock, her round eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
Jimin had never acted this way before, always keeping the proper conduct, respecting the elders.
That’s why the omega's unheard-of behaviour took her breath away.
'People will talk.' She finally tried to reason, her voice sounding somehow choked up.
A cough behind her reminded her of another person’s presence, and she promptly sent a fake bright smile in his direction.
'Just accept Alpha Do's courting...' Mrs Park then gritted out to Jimin, trying to smile and keep a calm front.
Sending her one last emotionless gaze, Jimin took his things and left.
Thinking of it now, Jimin partly regrets his behaviour. He’s never treated his mother this way, and a part of him will always love her.
He just couldn’t stand the humiliation of living among those snakes.
The journey to Seokjin's village is to last a full week, the stagecoach is going extremely slow.
At some point, Jimin regrets that he didn't decide to go by horse.
His suitcase would be too cumbersome though, too difficult to attach to the saddle. Thence, there was no other choice for the young master but to squeeze in the stifled space with other passengers.
It’s the third day of the journey when Jimin realizes he hasn’t even warned Kim about his arrival, which means there will be no one to pick him up at the nearest town.
Thankfully, Jimin manages to stop a messenger and pays him twice the standard price to deliver the letter with utmost priority.
With his fancy attire, Jimin attracts the attention of other passengers, but it’s not that he has a choice – the clothes he picked are the most modest ones he owns. They’re still too exquisite for someone from a lower class, instantly exposing his social status.
Another thing is the omega’s scent.
Young Master Park has a beautiful fresh and sweet scent of an unmated omega, one he himself is proud of.
In these circumstances though, he keeps covering his scent gland, ignoring all the lewd glances directed at him.
The alphas change frequently on the way, mostly upper and middle class, but all without exceptions can’t hide their enchantment.
Day five, Jimin realizes he shouldn't have gone on such a long trip all alone.
He wakes up from a nap to see someone trying to leave with his suitcase.
Other passengers are asleep when Jimin asks what the man is doing, and the thief instantly leaps off the coach.
On instinct, Jimin goes after him, fumbling with the suitcase which he manages to pull from the thief’s hands.
In the process, he gets punched by the other omega though, his cheek quickly getting swollen.
That's how Jimin arrives at the town, all covered in dirt and dust, with a darkening bruise on his cheek and a set of tired, lifeless eyes scanning the surroundings.
Wondering whether the messenger has managed to deliver his letter, Jimin dully heads towards the meeting point where he hopes to find Seokjin.
The central point of the market is busy in the evening, old squeaking carts coming and going, the marketplace full of villagers who came to visit after a long working day.
In this crowd, it's impossible to decipher who it could be or even if there’s anyone waiting for him.
When the sun begins to set, Jimin starts to lose hope, regretting that he hadn’t stayed a few days in his hometown to get everything sorted out before such a journey.
It’s already dark when the dirty carriage arrives at the emptied out city square, and Jimin immediately recognizes it’s here for him.
The man is clearly a miner. Black hair matches a black like coal costume, contrasting with pale skin, still partially covered with mine dust.
Those deep black eyes are unreadable as he looks around in search for him.
The miner spots him a few seconds later, that sharp gaze examines the blonde boy up and down.
'Park Jimin?' Resonates a deep, raspy voice.
Jimin would recognize the alpha tone everywhere.
'Y-Yes.' the omega replies, clearing his throat.
Although Jimin wants to sound firm and independent, his body doesn’t listen to him, making him seem weak and feeble.
The miner’s face doesn’t change at that, but the gleam in his eyes shows disdain, as if doubting that such a "persona" as Jimin would really agree to teach in this middle of nowhere.
'Mr Kim sent me to pick you up.’ the alpha says in that deep raspy voice.
‘Here's your letter.'
Jimin automatically reaches for it, eyes lingering on the pale man's calloused hands with long beautiful fingers which he takes immediate liking to.
Since it's too dark, Jimin has to put the letter near his eyes to see if it's really the one he sent a few days ago. He quickly decides it is, Seokjin’s neat handwriting confirming that the miner is indeed here for him.
Jimin folds the letter and reaches for his luggage but he finds it’s too late, the miner is already lifting the heavy suitcase like it weighs nothing, carefully placing it in the cart.
Jimin can’t help but stare at it in amazement. This cumbersome thing that has brought him so much trouble in his journey is mostly filled with clothes and books, the latter being a larger part of it.
He can’t have come to teach empty handed after all.
Having secured the cart in place, the miner easily gets on and Jimin realises he’s already waiting for him.
Feeling a bit silly, Jimin without a wait gets into the carriage.
Born and raised in the upper class, Jimin has never travelled in a carriage for the working folks before.
He stands it bravely though, holding onto the sharp wooden edges in his fancy white gloves, the vehicle keeps bouncing on the uneven road.
In this pitch darkness, Jimin’s eyes keep travelling to the alpha’s broad back, wondering where the miner's sulky rude attitude comes from.
Normally, Jimin would start some kind of conversation, but now he can clearly sense that the other man is having some kind of problem with him.
The miner doesn’t look at him even once, staring straight ahead as if unbothered by the fact he’s in the presence of a Young Master.
Jimin can’t help but pout, looking away and not looking at him until they arrive at the destination.
Because of the night time Jimin can’t see a lot, only a few households lightening up the dark nightscape.
When the cart rolls through the central part of the village, Jimin sees the curtains moving, the people must be curious about the newcomer.
Jittery and anxious, Seokjin is waiting outside his tall two storey mansion, his face pale from the cold.
The tension disappears the moment he spots the cart with Jimin in it, the omega’s exhausted smiling face peeking from the side of the carriage.
'What did you think, Jimin?’ Seokjin asks as he hastily heads in his direction.
‘Coming such a long way alone, have you any idea how worried I was??'
Ignorant to the scolding, Jimin keeps grinning when he reaches to Seokjin and lets the taller take him in his arms. Pulling him onto the ground, the tsller hugs him tightly.
Diving into the pleasant scent of his childhood friend, Jimin finally relaxes, all the tension in his body replaced with the feeling of safety.
'I had to leave as soon as possible, Jin.' Jimin explains into his chest before he pulls away.
From the tone of his voice, Seokjin instantly picks up that something is wrong.
He quickly leads the omega into the warmth of the house, helping him get rid of his dusted golden jacket.
With the light of the grinadoles enlightening their faces, Seokjin only now notices the dark wound on the omega's flushed cheek.
With a tired flat tone, Jimin tries to explain what happened to him while his friend raises an alarm among the staff, telling them to bring all the necessities this instant.
In the chaos of the servants bringing ice and ointments Jimin observes the black-haired miner calmly putting the luggage on the ground, making sure the buckles are alright before he straightens up.
Observing the pale man like that, Jimin bites his lower lip, ignoring all the commotion around him.
In the man’s slouched firm shoulders, in his coal black eyes, he can somehow sense the solitude radiating from the miner.
Before the alpha can sneak out unnoticed, a strange want blooms in Jimin’s heart, and he can’t help but say,
'Thank you, Mr-...'
He doesn’t know his name, and so he doesn’t finish.
That's when Seokjin’s attention averts from Jimin’s bruised cheek and focuses on the other man.
‘Thank you for picking him up, Yoongi.' Seokjin sighs at the miner.
'I can only trust you like this.'
The miner doesn’t say anything to that, just nods curtly, about to leave, when he’s stopped again.
'I'd like to talk to you tomorrow.' Seokjin says quickly, making the mysterious man halt.
‘Would you mind coming here after work?'
Glancing at them, Yoongi nods again, his black eyes so beautiful that Jimin can’t help but stare at them, mesmerized.
He's caught staring as Yoongi's gaze suddenly pierces right through him.
Before Jimin manages to react, the pale miner is gone though, leaving Young Master’s heart beating way too fast.
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