An Au where Jimin loves this cute stray cat and hates Min Yoongi school trouble maker, without realizing they're the same person.

Tags: Whisker Away Vibes, college Au, enemies to lovers, cat Yoongi, accidents, secret admirer, dances as per usual, cat Au, magic, Jimin pov, Basket bike rides, best friends vmin

"It's harmless," Jimin says, heart racing. "They're probably just shy."

It's a poem, written by a secret admirer, with words that make Jimin's cheeks burn. It's cut into the shape of a heart, though rather poorly.

Taehyung reads over his shoulder. "No way. This is dangerous."

He snatches it out of Jimin's hands. "I'm your calico cat? That's crazy. It's time to report it."

"Give that back," Jimin shouts, reaching for it. Only, Taehyung is too tall.

The hallways is bustling with activity, and Jimin's thankful for it. He wants his letter back.

And he doesn't want anyone being nosy. This school is boring, and the students would find any excuse to tease someone.

Jimin manages to get it back, putting it safely in his locker.

"You're really going to keep it?" Taehyung huffs. "What if he rubbed it all over his body?"

"Only you would think of something like that," Jimin says through the noise.

"I'm a realist," Taehyung replies.

Suddenly the noise level goes pin drop silent. Jimin wonders why, scanning the hallway. Everyone is looking in the same direction.

A boy at the end of the hall.

Jimin's heart pounds like a drum. He moves to the side, pressing himself against his locker to be as small as possible. Every one else does the same, getting out of his way.

It's Min Yoongi.

Every kid in the school know his name.

And his story, what happened last year.

The boy is two years Jimin's senior and prodigious piano player. Yoongi'd been entered into a competition with another boy in the school. A day before the final, the other boy ended up in the hospital.

Everyone saw Yoongi beat him to a pulp, but no charges were filed

Why? How did Yoongi get away with it? His extremely rich father came to the school, then one mysterious donation later, everything was over. Yoongi continued to come to class like nothing happened.

Why is this so important to Jimin?

Well, he's Yoongi's competition this year

It's not like Jimin wanted to. His dance teacher elected him with good intention. The principal also thought Jimin was an excellent dancer and could do their art school justice.

Yoongi walks past, his eyes scanning over the younger before turning the hallway. Then he's gone.

Once the hallway resumes to normal, Jimin walks in the other direction towards the exit. "I have bigger things to worry about Tae. The competition is in one month. I have to prepare."

"Don't worry," Taehyung hums. "I'll keep you safe."

"Safe from what?" Jimin replies.

Taehyung grabs Jimin by the shoulder. "Don't be dense. It's obvious Min is out to get you."

Jimin chews on his bottom lip. "Why? You've heard him play. I don't have a chance. I just wanna make sure I don't embarrass myself at the assembly."

Taehyung shakes his head.

"You're the best dancer in the school, probably the city. You're a threat," Taehyung says. "I've seen Yoongi look at you, when you're not looking. It's so intense. He's probably planning something."

Jimin's stomach lurches. "No way. I'll just steer clear of him then."

Jimin turn around.

"Where are you going?" Taehyung hums.

"Bathroom," Jimin answers. "All this talk has my stomach in knots."

"I'll come with," Taehyung offers.

Jimin shakes his head. "I can take care of myself. Go home."

Taehyung frowns, waving him off. "Be careful!"

Jimin's skin feels too tight, phantom pin picks on his arms. He rushes into the bathroom, searching for an empty stall.

And suddenly he's face to face with him.

Yoongi stares wide eyed. There's no air in the room. Jimin wants to bolt out the door, but his legs won't move.

Yoongi's by the window, one leg out as if to make an escape. He quickly shuffles back in. "I um-- I just wanted to see if I'd fit."

Jimin doesn't know how to respond. "Ok."

Silence.

"I have a blackbelt in Taekwondo," Jimin adds impulsively. "I thought you should know."

A myriad of emotions pass through Yoongi's face before he speaks. "Too bad that won't help you at the assembly."

Jimin feels such a furious wave of emotion, not entire sure what it is. "As long as we both compete fair and square, then I'm fine with it." What is he even saying?

Yoongi's his height, but suddenly he seems ten feet tall. He's so frightening and imposing. "I've always been fair."

Jimin can't help himself. "That's not what other's say."

Yoongi folds his arms. "I don't give a fuck what other people say."

"I think so too," Jimin adds.

Jimin has no idea where all this bravery is coming from. Internally, his blood is spinning in his body so fast he thinks he might faint.

And what does it matter. It's not like Yoongi gives a fuck what he thinks either. Only-

"It wasn't like that," Yoongi says.

"Wasn't like what?" Jimin asks.

"I didn't beat him up because of the competition," Yoongi explains. "I could've played circles around him."

"Then why did you beat him up?" Jimin asks.

Yoongi flushes. "That's none of your business."

Jimin's dying inside, oxygen starved.

"I guess it isn't... as long as you stay out of my way."

Yoongi raises an eyebrow. "That should be easy, considering how little of you there is."

What did he just say?

Jimin's so taken aback. "W-We're the same height."

Yoongi smirks. "Right. In your dreams." Then he's gone.

The older is very agile, hopping out the window. He lands smoothly and rushes down the street. Jimin wants to shout after him, but he's speechless.

The dancer has nothing to say as he turns around and walks to the front entrance.

They're the same height. They are!

Jimin gets on his bike. It's usually fifteen minutes to his house, but he takes a detour.

There's a stray cat at the park that Jimin met last year. He'd given it part of his tuna sandwich, and now the cat waits there every day for him after school. Jimin has treats in his bag.

He'd bring the stray home but the landlord doesn't allow animals. Jimin pedals as fast as he can. He knows the cat will probably wait anyway, but the thought of him being confused as to where Jimin is--

Damn, if only Yoongi didn't take up his time in the bathroom.

The park comes into view, and Jimin pedals even faster in excitement.

That's when he notices something dashing across the street. It's too late to change course.

It's his kitten, seemingly late for their meeting too.

Jimin brakes as hard as he can, and he goes flying.

He skids to a stop on the floor. Ignoring his own injuries, a skinned knee, and bleeding palms, he scrambles up.

"Baby!" Jimin shouts.

The kitten is a little bit away, a lifeless heap on the ground.

"OH NO!" Jimin sweeps him up. He needs to get him to a hospital.

~~~ TBC ~~~

Jimin's pedals as fast as he can, the kitten wrapped up in his jacket, placed in the basket.

There's a pet rescue nearby. They're probably his best bet. Jimin rushes in, leaving his bike on the concrete.

"Please! I need some help!" Jimin shouts. "My kitten! Please!"

There's a familiar face as the desk, a young man with a heart shaped smile. Jimin's not sure exactly what his name is though. He's a student from the same college.

"What seems to be the problem, Jimin?" the man hums, cheerfully.

"I hit my cat!" Jimin cries. "Help me."

It's Jung Hoseok, that's right, the captain of the dance team, Jimin didn't know he had a part time job here.

"I accidentally hit my cat with my bike--"

Hoseok clicks his teeth. "Let me have a--" the man's eyes widen. "AH FUCK, HYUNG ARE YOU OKAY!? FUCK, WHAT HAPPENED!?"

It almost seems like the man is talking to the cat. But that cant be it.

"I'm-- I'm not your hyung," Jimin says. "You know that, you're older. I told you, I hit him with my bike."

Hoseok quickly scoops him up, jacket and all. "R-Right! I'll be right back." He rushes off.

Jimin waits in the lobby. He's so agitated that he can't sit still, pacing back and forth. It seems like an eternity before Hoseok reappears.

"How is he!?" Jimin huffs.

Hoseok's smile seems really forced. "He's fine, just a sprained paw. I wrapped it up."

There's silence.

Jimin stares at the man who stares right back at him. An entire minute passes

"Well, can I have him back?" Jimin asks.

Hoseok nods, laughing. "Ummm, well there's a bill."

"That's fine, I'll pay it," Jimin says.

"How do I know he's your cat. Do you have any paper work?"

There's just something really odd which Jimin can't place his finger on.

"He's a stray," Jimin says. "But I take care of him sometimes. I feed him at the park everyday."

Hoseok makes a face. "EVERYDAY?" then he lowers his voice. "-that floozie... I can't believe him."

Jimin's really confused. "He's a cat. I'm sure he's just hungry."

Hoseok catches himself, going back to his fake smile. "You're right. Of course. It's just that since he's a stray, he'll need shots, and also the medical bill on top of it. This is a rescue, we'll relocate him."

Jimin knows he can't have a cat. If his landlord finds out, he'll get evicted. "I'll adopt him. Give me the paper work."

Hoseok's face is unreadable. "Jimin, don't take this personally. I know you, you're a student. You don't have time or energy to take care of hy- a cat."

Jimin frowns. "Can I at least say goodbye?"

Hoseok's lips are pressed thin. "I feel really bad, but it's policy to keep sick and injured animals in quarantine for their own safety."

Something is really, really wrong. Jimin feels like he's going crazy. "Well, alright."

Hoseok's shoulders visibly slump in relief. "Okay, I'll see you at school then. Thank you for--"

Jimin rushes past him, into the back room.

"Hey! YOU CAN'T GO IN THERE!?" Hoseok runs after him.

Jimin races down the hallway, and turns the corner. "What's going on in here!?"

"JIMIN," Hoseok shouts. "I CAN EXPLAIN!"

Jimin doesn't know what he'll see, certainly not his kitten sitting in a chair, perfectly fine, his paw bandaged.

"E-Explain what?" Jimin asks.

"I-" Hoseok licks his lips. "I mean how will I explain why you're in here? You should go!"

Jimin frowns, looking at the kitten, who reaches up for him, purring softly. "I'm-- I'm sorry, hyung. I just wanted to say goodbye."

Hoseok exhales. "Well, alright, hurry up. Please."

Jimin picks up the kitten, kissing the top of his head. "I'm so sorry that I hurt you."

The cat rubs its cheeks against his, happy to see him. He's not mad at all.

"I should've been more careful," Jimin cries. "I really want to adopt you but Hoseok said it's not a good idea. I hope you find a really nice family, baby. I'll miss you so much! You're the best kitty."

At this, Jimin swears that the kitten turns his head lightning quick, shooting a cold look in Hoseok's direction.

"Alright," the red-head says. "It's time to go now, Jimin. See you later."

He tries to take the kitten away, but he simply won't let go of Jimin's sweater.

"Come on!" Hoseok says more forcefully. The cat hisses and thrashes, his claws pulling at Jimin's shirt. "You're gonna hurt your hand-- paw more."

Jimin pulls the kitten away. "Wait! He doesn't want to leave me! Please, let me adopt him. I'll treat him the best, I promise."

Hoseok seems angry, pointing at the cat. "ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? IS THIS WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO NOW? BE JIMIN'S PET CAT!??"

Jimin stares at Hoseok. Is he crazy? He had no idea that the genius dancer was like this.

"Hyung? He-- he's just a cat. Are you okay? Jimin asks.

Hoseok pauses, straightening out. "I'm-- I guess--" he drops his head. "I'll go get you some starter supplies. Let's hold off on the official paper work for a bit, yeah? How about a trail period."

"Alright, that sounds perfect," Jimin readily agrees. "Thank you!"

Fifteen minutes later, Jimin's all set. He carries his new Kitten, baby, back to his bike, placing the supplies in the basket.

Hoseok seems infinitely worried as he sees them off. "He's a stray, if he disappears, that's normal. Let him go outside if he wants to, okay?"

Jimin waves at him before riding down the street. His apartment is nearby.

"Listen, I'm not really allowed to have a cat, baby," Jimin explains. "So we're going to have to be really quiet as we go in. I don't want my landlord finding out."

Baby meows back at him intelligently.

Jimin laughs. It's not as if the kitten really understands him. Only, he is surprisingly quiet as they sneak in, passing his landlord's door in the hallway, before they reach his apartment.

Jimin quickly shuts the door, setting Baby down. "Good, kitty. Are you hungry?"

Baby doesn't respond, staring at Jimin with wide eyes.

"I should get cleaned up, huh?" Jimin continues, looking at himself. He's all scraped up, and covered in his own blood. He should shower and bandage his scrapes. "Wait for me, okay, baby?"

The kitten nods at him.

Jimin heads to his bedroom and the kitten follows curiously. "You can sleep in here with me, how does that sound?"

Jimin pulls his shirt over his head, and that's when the Kitten abruptly turns around, facing the wall.

"What are you doing there?" Jimin laughs. "Come on."

The cat refuses to move or look at him, as if to give him his privacy. He insists on looking at the wall.

"You're a strange kitty, aren't you," Jimin sighs. "Alright, I'll be right back."

Jimin goes to shower, being as quick as he can. He dresses up in his pjs once he's done.

He pets Baby for a little bit and he purrs softly in his arms. "You're such a good, kitty. It's been a long day. Let's go to sleep."

But when Jimin tries to put the kitten in his bed, to snuggle with, he promptly wrestles out of Jimin's arms. Instead, he paces around the floor.

"You don't want to sleep with me?" Jimin asks.

The cat gingerly climbs onto the desk, meowing at him, his eyes bright.

"No?" Jimin repeats, disappointed. "Alright, let me get you a blanket then." He pulls out a yellow one from the drawer, and folds it into a circular shape.

The cat settles comfortably in his spot. Jimin sighs softly, opening the window a bit to let in the cool air. He remembers that Baby is an outside cat, he might want to go out sometimes.

"Good night, baby," Jimin says, getting into bed. "You can leave if you need to."

The kitten purrs softly in response.

"Come back after," Jimin says. "This is your home now, okay?"

The cat may have some trust issues, which is fair, Jimin did accidentally hit him. "I'll take good care of you, baby. I'll love you and one day, you'll love me too."

~~~ TBC ~~~

When Jimin wakes up, his kitten is gone. He pouts, pulling at the sheets. Then he reasons with himself like an adult. He leaves food by the window for him, just in case he returns. Then he gets ready for school.

He sighs. Why couldn't he fall for an indoor cat?

When he gets there, he meets up with Taehyung, who's waiting for him at the gate.

"Guess what?" Taehyung says, very excitedly.

"What?" Jimin replies.

"Well it's bad news and good news," Taehyung hums. "Good for you, bad cause you'll probably feel bad after hearing it."

"I'm sitting at the edge of my seat," Jimin says, locking his bike up.

Taehyung's momentarily distracted. "What happened? Your ride is all dinged up."

"I hit that cat at the park, took him to the vet, long story short, I have new pet now," Jimin answers quickly.

"You mean that vicious stray?" Taehyung says. "I tried to pet him once and he scratched me. It was deep too, I think I saw bone-"

"The news?" Jimin redirects. "The Good Bad news you're going to give me."

Taehyung puffs out his chest. "Right... Min Yoongi sprained is his hand."

Jimin pauses mid-step. "You're serious."

"He's injured. Can't practice. He's probably out of the running entirely," Taehyung says. "Let me guess, you feel bad, don't you?"

Jimin hates that Taehyung knows him so well. "I wanted to win fair and square. This isn't fair."

"What he did last year wasn't fair," Taehyung says. "It's karma. Besides, it's not like you messed his hand up. He probably went to a bar and got into a fight."

Jimin's pride is bruised. He doesn't want to win by default. He doesn't know why. But he has to prove himself.

"Where is Yoongi right now?" Jimin asks. "I need him."

There's a shadow behind him, a familiar scent of floral body wash.

"You need me, Park Jimin?" a deep voice at his ear.

Jimin spins around, heart beating fast. It's Yoongi, tousled hair with his hand in a brace.

"I need to speak with you," Jimin clarifies.

To this, Yoongi laughs. He seems in a strangely good mood. "Ah, it's about time. Go ahead, I don't have all day. Make it good, you know I hear about fifty confessions a week. You'd want to stand out."

Jimin's seething. This man.

"I would never," Jimin says. "Just the thought of you makes me want to throw up."

Yoongi frowns. "Still in denial then?"

"I want to talk about the competition. I can talk to the principal to postpone it. So you'd have time to recover, practice, and be ready," Jimin says.

Yoongi scoffs. "I don't need the practice to beat you, Jimin. I'll be ready a month from now. Don't you worry."

Jimin's never hated a person more. "Your hubris knows no bounds."

"I have the skills to back it up," Yoongi answers, not skipping at beat. "I don't need your pity."

"Whatever," Jimin says. "If you can't tell the difference between compassion and pity, that's on you. I'll see you--"

It happens so fast, someone comes zooming by on their skate board, a teacher running behind her. "Stop right there, young lady!"

Jimin's in the way--

Yoongi pulls him back just in time, pressing him against the lockers and covering him. The girl zooms past, but just barely.

That was so close.

"Jimin!? Are you alright?" Yoongi's voice has changed, suddenly filled with worry.

Jimin's smushed, heart beating like crazy.

He's fine, though he feels like he's about to faint. Yoongi's hand is behind his head, cushioning it-

"Your hand!" Jimin says, shuffling away. "Are you okay?"

Yoongi'd knocked his sprained wrist hard against the wall. He rotates it and grimaces.

"HYUNG!?" Jimin shouts.

It takes a minute for them both to process what's happened. Jimin's mortified. He'd accidentally called Yoongi his hyung.

"I'm fine, Jimin," Yoongi says, cheeks turning pink. "I'm not that delicate. Though you should stop playing with me. I don't like it."

With that he's gone.

"What was that?" Taehyung says, his mouth open.

"What was what?" Jimin begins walking in the opposite direction. He's going crazy.

"You know what!" Taehyung says. "Y'all secretly dating or something. Please say no. He's trouble, Jimin."

"NO!" Jimin shouts. "NEVER!"

Taehyung gasps, covering his mouth. "That means YES! You like him or something? Please say no!"

Jimin rolls his eyes. "I don't have time for this. I'm going to the studio to practice. I'll see you later."

Taehyung shouts after him, but the words get lost in the crowd.

Jimin pulls open his locker, shoving in his bag, and that's when another note falls out. This one is in the shape of a cat, or maybe a bear. Jimin's not sure. It's badly cut.

It's from his admirer.

'I wish I could, but I can only ever say it in writing. I love you too, Jimin.'

Jimin sighs. He places the letter in his bag safely. He wonders who it could be. He's only ever say the words 'I love you' to a handful of people. He's not sure at all.

Jimin rushes to practice, already late, the bell ringing signaling the start of classes. Who could it be?

When the day is over, Jimin's exhausted. He just wants to go home, cuddle up with his kitty, and watch funny videos on his cellphone.

But when he gets back to his apartment, his kitten still hasn't returned. "Where are you, baby? I miss you?"

Jimin's about to go looking-

Maybe his baby is at the park, when he hears something at the window.

"There you are," Jimin huffs. "I was so worried--"

His kitten skitters in, seemingly fine, until Jimin notices his paw. It's swollen double the size.

"BABY!" Jimin shouts, scooping him up. "WHAT HAPPENED!?"

He's so worried, trying to carry his kitten out. "I'm going to take you to Hoseok." Only the animal will not cooperate, struggling in his arms. He tries to crawl under Jimin's shirt. "Okay, okay, we won't go. Just hold still, let me take a picture of it."

The kitten goes limp.

Jimin's able to take a few snaps, sending them to Hoseok via message. He gets a response almost immediately.

'I see the idiot's gotten himself in more trouble. Put some ice on it, but use a cloth as a buffer. He should be fine.'

Jimin makes a face. That was oddly mean of him.

He does as instructed, holding a cold pack against Baby's paw. The cat makes a few uncomfortable noises.

"I know it's cold," Jimin coos. "It'll make it feel better." He kisses the cat atop his head a few times. "How's that, baby?'

The kitten starts purring softly.

Jimin lays down, holding Baby in a more secure position. He pulls out his phone and plays a few videos. Together they watch the screen. Baby seems particularly interested in videos of other cats.

"Awww," Jimin hums. "Aren't you adorable. I love you so much, my little Baby."

The kitten suddenly thrashes, wriggling out of Jimin's embrace. He sits a distance away, his body stiff and rigid.

"What's wrong?" Jimin says, reaching out for him.

It's almost as if the animal knows what he said and he doesn't like it. He doesn't want the love and affection.

"What's wrong, Baby?" Jimin repeats. "You don't have to be scared. I really love you."

The cat moves further way, and won't come near Jimin now. The boy has no idea why. Well, Baby was a stray, maybe he was abandoned once, and now he's wary of affection.

"Okay," Jimin whispers.

Things like this take time. The kitten will eventually trust him, right?

"It's okay," Jimin repeats. "I'm sorry. You can say over there if you want to. I won't force you to come here."

The cat meows at him, tilting his head to the side. He has such intelligent eyes.

A thunderous knock on the door shakes Jimin out of his thoughts. He stands up. "Who is it?"

"JIMIN!" it's his landlord. "Open up! We have a problem."

Shit! SHIT! His landlord can not see the cat. Jimin's going to get evicted for sure.

"I'm pretty tired, can this wait?"

"NO!" the man shouts. "Open the door!"

Jimin's panicking. He can't let Baby outside. It's freezing and his paw is injured. What is he going to do?

"Stay here and be quiet!" Jimin huffs, shutting the door to his room.

Jimin tiptoes out to the living room and he opens the door.

"What's the problem?"

The man pushes in uninvited. "Mrs. Lee from the second floor swears she saw a cat climbing into your window. YOU KNOW THAT PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED!"

Shit.

"What? Mrs. Lee, you know she has bad eyes," Jimin says. "She's already eighty five, right?"

"Well, then you have nothing to hide," the man sneers. He's like a shark that's caught the scent of blood. "You won't mind if I look around."

Jimin gets in his way before he reaches the bedroom door. "NORMALLY I WOULDN'T, BUT I... I HAVE A GUEST. WE'RE REALLY BUSY AND-"

"Please," the man huffs, unconvinced. "I was born at night, but I wasn't born last night."

He ducks under Jimin's arm, and opens the door. "Where is it?" His expression changes. "Oh..."

Jimin turns around. "I can explain-"

Only, he's not sure what he's looking at-

It takes him a second to process. His kitten isn't on the bed, instead--

It's Yoongi sitting there, wearing a smile, dressed in a leather jacket and a beanie. "Hello."

The landlord flushes. "Oh, I-- aren't you Min Yoongi, set to inherit your father's company?"

"Ah, yes I am," Yoongi says easily. "I see you've heard of me."

"I saw it on the news," the landlord says. "It's worth 2.7 billion dollar US."

"Well, as you can also see, there's no cat in here," Yoongi hums. "No need to evict anyone, yes? Why don't you run along?"

"Of course, sir," the older man says. "O-Okay, I'll just go. I'm sorry to have disturbed you."

Jimin's standing there, his brain not processing. He waits till the front door closes to talk. "Where is my cat!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? EXPLAIN YOURSELF!?"

Jimin's ready to fight.

Yoongi makes a face. "Ah yes, the cat is gone. Sorry."

"What are you doing here? Give me back my cat. Are you crazy?" Jimin says. Nothing makes sense.

"Well, about the cat," Yoongi says, standing. "I have something to tell you."

"What?" Jimin hisses. What could he say?

Yoongi looks at him but says nothing.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BABY," Jimin rushes, opening the window. "HE'S HURT! DID YOU KICK HIM OUT? HOW COULD YOU! I TOLD HIM HE'S SAFE HERE!?"

Yoongi makes a face. "Just calm down. The cat is fine. I have-- I need to tell you something."

Jimin's grabs Yoongi by the shoulders. "How did you get in here? Did you climb through the window!? What is wrong with you."

Yoongi blanches. "About the cat.... the cat is... he's mine. I saw him come in here. I let him out. I told him to go home. So that's it."

~~~ TBC ~~~

Jimin thinks about this. "So your first instinct is to break into someone's house?"

Yoongi's lips are pressed into a thin line.

Holy fuck.

Jimin really bought it. He really believed that b.s.

"I was worried about my cat," Yoongi adds. "He... gets into a lot of trouble."

"You-" Jimin shouts before checking his voice. "I accidentally hit him with my bike the other day, and I took him to the vet. Did you notice he was missing? What's wrong with you? Don't you feed him!? He always eats at the park. And how could you send him out into the cold?"

Yoongi's not sure what to say, since he is the cat. "He'll be fine. It's not even that cold."

Jimin moves so fast, he grabs Yoongi's shirt by the collar, using it as leverage. Then he slams the older against the wall. "You give me back my cat. He's not yours anymore! Asshole."

Jimin's so close, if he were to lean over an inch, they'd be kissing. But Yoongi represses those thoughts.

Yes, as you've guessed, he's Jimin's secret admirer. And while thinking about the dancer makes his head all fuzzy, he also knows Jimin has no feelings for him whatsoever.

"You want him back?" Yoongi says with a smirk. "Why don't you make me?"

Jimin's grip tightens, sending an unwarranted thrill down Yoongi's spine. "Trust me, you're writing a check that won't clear. You don't want to fight me, Min. You won't win."

Yoongi chews on his lower lip.

He imagines the tussle going differently, them rolling around on the ground-- He breaks the hold with the flick of his hand, ducking under Jimin's arm. "The way I see it. You owe me."

Jimin spins around, nose flared. "And how exactly did you come to that conclusion?"

"Your landlord was going to evict you," Yoongi says. "I overhead everything. If I didn't send the cat away, you'd be on the street right now."

Jimin grimaces and folds his arms. He does that when he knows he's in the wrong. "I didn't ask for your help. I don't need it."

Jimin grabs his coat from the hook.

"Where are you going?" Yoongi asks, not getting out of the way.

"I'm going to look for my Baby!" Jimin shouts. "Now get out of my way!"

Yoongi's heart skips a beat. He doesn't back down. In the back of his head he can see it--

Jimin wouldn't give up. He'd search all night and into the morning to find the cat-- which is ridiculous because... Yoongi's standing right in front of him.

"It's useless," Yoongi says. "He will definitely go back to my house where there's plenty of security, unlike this place."

"Get out," Jimin say heatedly. "If I see you here again, I'm calling the cops."

Yoongi sighs, hands raised. "Fine. I'm going. Bye."

He's rushed out into the cold, stuffing his hands in his pockets. How he rues and laments his life choices? Thinking about it now--

He should've just made his escape as a cat, before the landlord came rushing in. It's just that-- it happened so fast and--

Now Jimin hates him... even more.

Yoongi curses into the biting air. He misses his little yellow blanket bed, and Jimin's gentle head pats.

His hears the voice of Hoseok, his best friend, in his head.

'You need to tell him. This isn't right.'

'No way! It's weird. Having one person know my secret is enough!'

'You should at least tell him about last year, why you beat that kid up.'

'He wouldn't believe me anyway.'

Deciding to be miserable but productive, Yoongi hides away for a few days, recovering from his injury, and working on his songs.

He and Jimin just aren't meant to be. He's always known that. He just-- he just wanted have a sandwich and an occasional hug.

Is that so bad?

Yoongi sighs, curled up in his head. He needs to go back to school eventually. He just needs to suck it up and face Jimin like normal.

He turns back into his cat form, tired of being human. Then he wriggles into the sheets and falls asleep, feeling unloved and misunderstood!

He's not sure what time it is when he hears the window slide open. Yoongi's eyes shoot open, heart pounding.

What was that?

He sees a face peeking in curiously. How fucking terrifying, (especiallysincehisroomisonthesecondfloor) He meows loudly, voice shrill.

'Who's there!?'

A soft voice answers, familiar and setting him at ease. "Shh! it's just me, Baby."

It's Jimin. He's really doing this, breaking and entering. How did he managed to get pass all the security and scale the wall?

Yoongi sits up, electricity making his fur stick out all crazy.

Jimin manages to get in without so much a thump. He's quiet and agile. He dashes across the floor and sweeps Yoongi off the bed. He kisses Yoongi's head twelve times, holding him close. "I missed you so much, Baby! I heard you crying. What did that meanie do to you?"

Normally, Yoongi would protest. He's not a meanie, but right now, he just misses Jimin so much, he has no thought to defend himself.

He meows sadly, looking at Jimin with watery eyes. 'Take me away from this horrid place! Please! Please! Please!'

Jimin rocks him gently. "Shhh!"

There's footsteps in the hallway.

"Shit," Jimin curses. "We have to go. Please cooperate, Baby. I'll be quick."

Yoongi wonders what Jimin means when--

Jimin puts Yoongi in his pocket, the pouch of his hoodie, just enough to hold him.

"I'll take you out once we get down."

Jimin's so graceful. He climbs out the window and closes it quietly. He uses the trellis against the wall to climb down. Then he's on the grass. He moves between the search lights like a game. Then he reaches the outer gate, which he hops over in one try.

What does this kid eat?

Jimin's bike is waiting behind a tree. He places Yoongi into the basket, covering it with a yellow blanket. "I know it's cold, Baby. I'll peddle as fast as I can."

Yoongi'd rather stay in Jimin's hoodie, but he can't complain with this either. He meows softly.

They head down the road, but Yoongi notices that they make a wrong turn, then another one. Where exactly is Jimin taking him?

It takes a while before he realizes where they are, once they pass a familiar building. Jimin brought him to school instead of home. Why? That's weird?

Jimin takes him to the dance studio, to the back room where there's a few offices. One of the desks has quite a few quite plushies on it.

"I can't take you home yet," Jimin says. "I'm sorry, Baby. I know you don't like this. I have to keep you here for now until the heat is off"

Jimin opens one of the drawers, which is fitted with a pillow and a little feather toy. "You can sleep here for tonight. I'll come back tomorrow."

Yoongi doesn't want to let go of Jimin's shirt, he clings on.

"Shh! I know! I know! But Yoongi's going to be looking for you."

'I won't come looking for me, I swear! Don't leave me here.' Yoongi says in his cat language.

Only Jimin doesn't understand. "It's just for a few days. I'll come back every day to feed you and play with you, and take you outside! Please? I don't know what else to-'

There's a knock on the door, and Jimin literally jumps. "W-Who is it?"

It's pretty late at night? Who could it be at the office?

"Hey, um, I saw you come in? I don't know the passcode to my room. Can you help me?"

"Ah," Jimin huffs. "Right, the new TA, I forgot."

Yoongi doesn't know if he should hide or not. He ducks his head under the desk, but peeks up, his cat ears showing.

A man walks in, wearing a blue shirt and-- AH FUCK! Yoongi recognizes him. It's the kid he beat up last year, Suhjin. What is he doing here? FUCK!

The idea that he and Jimin are in the same room, Yoongi's stomach churns. THIS IS BAD!

"Jimin, right?" the man smiles easily. "It's nice to officially meet you."

Jimin shakes his hand. "I heard you took a leave for one year. Welcome back."

The man sits down at the desk.

"I didn't want to. I was in the hospital for most of it, couldn't make up the semester."

"Oh," Jimin frowns, charmed by his classically good looks. "I'm so sorry. What happened?"

"Some psycho beat me up in the bathroom," Suhjin answers. "That fucking rich kid, Min Yoongi."

Yoongi meows loudly. He needs to get Jimin out of here, pulling at his sleeve. Jimin's too strong though, scooping him up. "No, you have to stay. Just for a little while."

"Cute cat," Suhjin comments.

This is very, very bad. Jimin needs to get out of here, right now.

"He is isn't he," Jimin coos, kissing Yoongi's squirming body. "He was actually that psycho's, but I'm keeping him."

Yoongi's stomach plummets into his ass.

Suhjin's smile is like acid. "So I take it you two broke up then?"

Jimin stares at him quizzically. "Excuse me?"

"You and Yoongi, you guys broke up, right? And you got the cat?" Suhjin says.

What is Jimin doing, talking to this creep?

"Me and Yoongi never dated," Jimin says. "He hates me."

Suhjin is obviously here for revenge. "That's not what he said last year though."

Yoongi's never know such fear. If he were in danger, he wouldn't care. But this is Jimin, he can barely breath.

"What did he say last year?" Jimin asks calmly.

"I poured my heart out to him," Suhjin says. "I told him that I loved him. And guess what he said?"

"What?"

"Who are you?" Suhjin answers. "I'm sorry, whoever you are. I already love someone else."

Jimin tenses. He's starting to understand how much danger he's in.

"I called you a slut and a tease, and he got angry at me!" Suhjin continues. "But I was right!? Look at you!"

Jimin's jaw is tight. "There's a misunderstanding. Yoongi and I were never together."

"He beat me up because I told the truth," Suhjin huffs. "I only said that if I got rid of you, then he and I could be together."

Yoongi's thrashing.

JIMIN NEEDS TO GET OUT OF HERE NOW!!!

"How could he chose you over me?" Suhjin continues. "I wonder how he'll feel when I mess up that pretty face."

Yoongi sees the glint of something shiny. He doesn't give a shit. Jimin is in danger, so what if his secret gets out.

Yoongi changes then, back into human form.

He grabs a heavy anatomy book on the desk and whacks Suhjin over the head with it.

"What!?" Jimin shocked and confused, looking at his empty arms.

Yoongi grabs his hand, and runs for it. "LET'S GO! NOW! RUN, PARK!"

They go as fast as they can, escaping down the stairs.

They don't stop for three blocks until they're in a convenience store.

"What just happened?" Jimin says, shaking.

Yoongi stares at him. A lot just happened. Is he talking about Suhjin or the fact that Yoongi's a cat sometimes.

"Could you elaborate?" Yoongi says weakly.

"How come you never told me?" Jimin shouts.

Yoongi's heart is racing. "Bout the cat thing or the jealous stabby guy? Both equally valid."

Jimin takes Yoongi by the shoulders, eyes bulging. "HOW COME YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT YOU LOVED ME!?"

~~~ TBC ~~~

Yoongi stands there blinking dumbly. Jimin's fuming.

"It's you, isn't it?" the younger says. "It's you who's been sending me those silly love letters?"

Yoongi's cheeks are bright red. "W-We have more important things to discuss, like how someone's trying to hurt you!"

Jimin presses a finger to Yoongi's chest. "You hurt me! You lied to me!" Then he gasps. "You slept in my room under false pretenses!! AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME HOW YOU FELT."

Which isn't true... Jimin's received 53 love letters, which means Yoongi's tried 53 times.

Yoongi's lips are pressed into a thin line. "About that--" Then he points. "OH MY GOD WHAT'S THAT!?"

Jimin turns to the left. There's nothing there, and when he turns back, Yoongi's turned back into a cat, and he's running towards the door.

"HYUNG! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!?"

The store worker appears, dressed in a blue vest. He has wide, round eyes.

"Stop that cat!" Jimin shouts.

The young man moves in front of the door, hands out. His name tag is a bit crooked, 'Jungkook.'

"Oh my god, it's that stray," the boy says. "Gah!" He leaps away in fear.

His physical presence gives Jimin just enough time to scoop Yoongi into his arms.

"Be careful!" Jungkook says. "That cat looks sweet but he's vicious!"

Yoongi goes limp in Jimin's arms, not fighting or scratching him.

He... He's playing dead.

"Stop it!" Jimin shouts

Yoongi fixes Jimin with the saddest, shiniest eyes. He tries to lick Jimin's face.

"Oh, hey," Jungkook says, deflating. "He's sweet to you. How come?"

Jimin's blushing furiously. He can't tell this stranger about Yoongi's condition. "So you didn't see?"

"See what?"

As mad as Jimin is, he respects Yoongi's privacy. "Umm... Baby is my cat. That's why."

Yoongi likes that a whole lot. He purrs like crazy, trying to crawl into Jimin's shirt.

"Oh!" Jungkook hums. "Oh wow. I thought he was a wild cat. He bit me once! I thought I saw bone."

"I'm so sorry," Jimin says, bowing deeply.

Jungkook shakes it his head. "It's okay. I see why he didn't want to come home with me now. I didn't know his owner was so beautiful."

Oh boy.

Yoongi does not like that.

"Umm, thanks," Jimin says quickly, trying to escape.

Yoongi makes the most furious noise. He swipes at Jungkook, causing the boy to scream and hide behind a column.

Yoongi hisses something along the lines of, 'Ill kill you! KILL!'

"He's just scared," Jimin laughs weakly. "Bye."

Jungkook ducks behind the counter in fear. "Bye!"

Jimin takes Yoongi out of the store. "Turn back right now, hyung! Right now!"

Yoongi goes limp again, pretending to be dead.

"What are we going to do? That psycho knows about your secret!?" Jimin pleads. "Fuck, we shouldn't even be out here. I'm calling a taxi right now."

Once they're at the apartment, Jimin pays the fare and gets out. "Hyung, change back, please! You know how my landlord is-- Do you want me to get evicted-"

The shift is instant, Yoongi's suddenly a human again, with Jimin's hands under his armpits.

"You could live with me."

Jimin's reeling. His life made sense a few days ago. This is madness. His worst enemy just offered him a place to stay if he ever needed it.

"Don't you think your dad would be a little curious why a guy is living in your house?" Jimin says, no idea why he's even entertaining it.

To this, Yoongi scoffs bitterly. "My dad doesn't care about anything I do. He doesn't even know about my cat. I'm just a problem kid he occasionally flies over to deal with, when he'd rather be with his new family."

There's so much packed in that-

"Let's get just get inside."

Yoongi's surprisingly like 'baby' his cat personal. Jimin wonders why he didn't realize it before. The older man moves around the room, as if restating his territory. Then he goes to the table where his blanket is waiting for him.

Only now he's too big to sleep there.

"This isn't going to work," Yoongi says, holding up his tiny blanket. "Where am I going to sleep?"

Jimin's not even sure he can sleep with everything that's happened. "Just sleep in the bed with me."

Yoongi looks away, taking a large step back. "I CAN'T DO THAT!"

Jimin sighs. He figured as much, Baby never slept in the bed with him either. "Why not?"

Yoongi's blushing badly, his ears turn pink too. "You know why, Park. Don't make me say it. Haven't I been through enough?"

Only, Jimin doesn't really know why. "I'll get a sleeping bag."

Yoongi takes that as an okay signal to climb onto the bed--

"No," Jimin clarifies, "You sleep in the sleeping bag."

Yoongi makes these sad, big eyes. "But I'm a guest... and you kidnapped me! You should let me sleep in the bed."

Is he serious?

"Pretty please?"

"Fine," Jimin sighs, settling on the floor after flipping on the lights. "We'll figure out what to do about that guy in the morning."

Yoongi's eyes almost glow in the dark. "I hit him pretty hard in the head. Maybe we can convince him it was a crazy hallucination."

Jimin sighs, shifting over but unable to find a comfortable position. "I feel like my whole life is a crazy hallucination."

Yoongi stares up at the ceiling, moonlight hitting his cheeks. "It's my fault. You got caught up in this because of me."

"At least you acknowledge it!"

"I think I'm getting punished," Yoongi admits. "By Eros."

"Eros?" Jimin's not sure where he's heard that before.

"The god of love," Yoongi says. "Before you came along, before I beat Suhjin up, I used to be the most looked up to person in the whole school. Everyone liked me."

It's hard to imagine Yoongi as popular, now that everyone avoids him, and whispers behind his back.

"I hate that about school," Jimin says. "Politics."

"You know I wasn't kidding," Yoongi continues. "I really did get about fifty confessions a week, chocolates and cakes."

If there's one thing that's difficult to ignore about Yoongi, is that he's stunning.

"I believe you," Jimin says softly.

"I rejected them all, broke so many hearts," Yoongi says. "And that's why Eros must have sent you to me, to teach me a lesson."

"Wow, thanks."

Yoongi's words begin to slur. "When I first saw you dance, it hurt me so much, it really was like getting hit by an arrow. Then I knew how all the people I rejected felt. I couldn't even breathe, you were perfect."

Jimin's pulse spikes. He's never heard anything like this.

"You could've just told me about Suhjin," Jimin offers.

Yoongi sighs. "No one believed me anyway. I was just a messed up kid with a rich dad. Besides, why would someone like you ever like me. I think I'm better off as your cat."

Jimin's heart aches suddenly. He's not sure why.

"Hyung, is your hand better?" Jimin asks.

"Hmm?" Yoongi's caught off guard.

"Your hand, the one you sprained," Jimin clarifies. "Cause of me."

"Oh, yea," Yoongi answers. "It's fine. Doctor Kim said I can start practicing again soon."

"Can I see it?" Jimin presses.

"See what?" Yoongi doesn't follow.

"Your hand, hyung."

It takes a moment, but Yoongi wiggles over so that his hand falls over the edge of the bed. He rotates it. "See, all better."

Jimin grabs it, holding it softly, studying the wrist. It's not swollen anymore.

"Okay, night."

Jimin shuts his eyes, breathing in deeply.

"Jimin?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I have my hand back?"

"No, hyung."

There's a long, drawn out pause.

"O-Okay," Yoongi manages. "Good night then."

~~~ TBC ~~~

Jimin wakes up a bit confused and groggy. Sunlight streams in to his room, and he feels something soft in his hand.

"Yoongi?" Jimin turns over, his arm stiff from being in a strange positional night.

Yoongi's not in his bed. In Jimin's hand, there's a soft, fuzzy black sock.

Jimin screams, tossing the thing away. What the hell?

Some time during the night, Yoongi replaced his hand with a sock, and Jimin didn't notice. Why would someone do something like that?

"Hyung?" Jimin shuts, getting up. Ouch, his spine did not like sleeping on the floor.

Yoongi's nowhere in the apartment. There's no note, although, there is a plate of food wrapped up nicely.

Is this for him?

There's also a lunch box in the fridge.

'For my best roommate.'

How did Yoongi manage to do this without making any sound? Also, why did he do this?

Also, they're not roommates.

Jimin didn't agree to anything. The boy puts on a kettle, takes a seat, and revaluates his life.

Many things have happened in the last 12 hours.

First, Yoongi is a cat. Second, someone is trying to hurt him. Third... well, forget about number three

Two is enough.

Jimin drinks his hot water and eats his food. He puts the lunch box in his bag and then he heads out to school. He doesn't know where Yoongi is, nor can he contact him by phone, since they've never exchanged numbers.

He'll just have to wing it.

He's never been to the music buildings before. There's a series of low rises, and a tall radio tower in the back.

When he goes into the main building, there's someone familiar manning the desk.

"Hoseok-hyung?" Jimin greets him. "You work here?"

How many jobs does this guy have

He's the dance team captain/choreographer, works at the vet, and now he's a receptionist too? When does he sleep?

"Hey, Jimin," the man greets him brightly. "Tuition doesn't pay itself. How can I help you?"

It should... at least for someone of Hoseok's talent and caliber.

"I'm sorry to bother you," Jimin says. "I'm looking for Min Yoongi. Do you happen to have his number on file--"

Hoseok goes rigid at that. "Yoongi? Why would I know his number? He doesn't have anything to do with your cat!"

Jimin stares at Hoseok hard for along ten seconds.

And then, "I know Yoongi is my cat."

To this Hoseok deflates entirely, like a balloon. "Oh my god." He lays his head on the desk. "Did he tell you? What about last year?"

"Yes, I know about Suhjin, and how Yoongi-hyung feels about me," Jimin says plainly. "I'm up to speed."

Hoseok cries out in relief. "Thank you! You know how hard it is for me. Lying to you, it gave me a rash!" The man holds out his arm, which indeed has a flaky red patch on it.

"Do you know where he is?" Jimin asks. "I need to talk to him."

"He's up in the glass tower."

"Glass tower?"

Hoseok points up. "The radio tower, there's seven floors, Yoongi's studio is at the top, but I wouldn't bother. He locked the door and no one knows the code but him. He's been there for hours."

"How do I get up there?" Jimin asks, not intimidated.

"The elevator down the hall," Yoongi says. "But again, if Mozart came back to life and went knocking, he wouldn't open the door. He gets into this creative state sometimes."

Jimin rolls his eyes. "I'll take my chances."

He heads over to the elevators and rides it up.

There's a set of frosted glass doors, with a keypad on the side. He knocks twice.

"Go away!" Yoongi shouts from behind the panel. "I'm busy. Come back never."

"Hyung, it's me," Jimin says. "Open this door!"

There's the sound of something crashing. "I'm coming!"

Yoongi opens the thing in a frenzy. His hair is windswept and his cheeks are pink. "What are you doing here?"

Jimin shoulders past him. It's a small room with a little black couch, and music equipment in the corner.

"You replaced your hand with a sock," Jimin hisses.

"It was a sock fresh from the laundry," Yoongi says, twiddling his thumbs.

"A SOCK!" Jimin huffs. "Your hand for a sock!"

Yoongi sighs. "Look... my hand will always be yours but I just need to borrow it back for a minute."

Oh.

Oh my.

Jimin's heart sputters.