In The Soop

by ot7mikrokosm

Summary:

When Jimin travels into the Taebaek mountains for his best friend's wedding, he founds himself snowed in with a near stranger as a winter storm hits.

 

Based on a Choices story

Chapter 1

The trees stretched endlessly across the snowy mountain. Somewhere, an axe split a log. It was a sound Jimin couldn't ignore--strong, powerful, precise--as he drove through the mountain pass, his windshield wipers struggling to keep up with the snow falling around. "Why is Taehyung so extra?" He muttered out loud to himself. "A wedding in the woods during a blizzard? I literally had a nightmare about this once." The car skidded briefly on a patch of ice and Jimin tightened his grip on the steering wheel. The fuel gauge dipped dangerously close to empty, the warning light blinking. "Great, I'll have to stop soon. And on top of all this, Seoyun is the best alpha. Kill me now." He scoffed. "Best alpha. More like worst alpha." He laughed at his own joke but quickly sobered up when he remembered he was alone in his car. "Okay, not my best work. But true, nonetheless. But Taehyung needs me there. He's always there for me. One storm won't stop me from being his Maid of Honor. Though this storm is pushing its luck."

Finally a gas station came into view like a lifeline. Snowflakes whipped at Jimin's face as he stepped out of the car, his phone buzzing in its mount. He leaned back in to grab it, seeing Taehyung's name and picture flashing on the screen. He took a deep breath and answered, trying to keep his voice light and breezy. "Hey, Bridezilla. Are you freaking out yet?"

"I'm stressed!" Panic filled every ounce Taehyung's voice. "Please tell me you picked up my dress from alterations."

"Of course I got the dress." Jimin assured him. "It's in my backseat. Perfect condition."

"Thank god!'" Taehyung sighed in relief. "I almost ordered a backup gown off of the dark web."

Jimin paused for a second. "Taehyung, for the last time, ordering something off of Temu is not the dark web."

"Bad quality polyester clothes are as dark as it gets!" Taehyung insisted. "Luckily since my Maid of Honor is on top of things, I don't have to resort to that." Taehyung fell quiet for a moment. "So Seoyun's here. She's already asking about you and honestly, I didn't want her here either but Namjoon…"

There was a shuffle on the line and the alpha in question took over. "Hey, Jimin." Namjoon greeted him. "Sorry but Seoyun wants to talk. She says it's time."

Jimin scoffed. "Time for what? Time to have a coronary embolism while I'm driving?"

Namjoon sighed. "Look, you can wait to talk with her until after you get here. I just think you need closure-"

"Six months of silence after our breakup is all the closure I need." Jimin deadpanned.

"Just consider it, okay?" Namjoon pleaded.

Taehyung took the phone back. "Jimin, I know this sucks but promise me there won't be problems between you two."

"I promise." Jimin said. "I'll behave. Don't worry."

"But I always worry about you."

Jimin could hear the pout in Taehyung's words and a soft smile appeared on his face. "No need. I'm not going to let anyone fuck up your big day. Especially not Seoyun."

"Thank you." Taehyung said. "You're the best Maid of Honor."

"You're damn right I am." Jimin laughed.

"Be careful on the road. There's a storm coming. Love you!"

"Love you too." There was a heaviness in Jimin's chest as the cal ended. He didn't want to talk to Seoyun. He just wanted to run away. Maybe he should just disappear into the woods.

At that moment, Jimin noticed a neon sign that read JINNIE'S. Figuring he could use a hot cup of something strong, he padded from the gas station over to the bar. The heavy door creaked as he pushed it open, snow swirling around his boots. The omega behind the bar looked up and gave him a warm smile. "Hey, hon. Did you blow in from Seoul?"

"What gave me away?" Jimin asked with a giggle. "The sports car? I guess four-wheel drive would have been nice."

"Sports car in a mountain storm?" The omega shook his head. "Sweetheart, you're either brave or plain dumb."

Jimin blinked. "Let's pretend the answer is brave."

The omega laughed. "Well, welcome to my little hole in the wall. I'm Seokjin."

"So I'm guessing you're Jinnie?" Jimin asked.

"That would be me." Seokjin confirmed. "And who might you be?"

"I'm Jimin." He introduced himself. "I'm just passing through.

"I'm glad you are." Seokjin said. "Why don't I get you something warm so you don't lose your toes." He slid a steaming mug in front of Jimin. "First drink's on me. Welcome to the Taebaek Mountains."

Jimin took way too big of a gulp and almost spit it out. "Wow, that is strong."

Seokjin grinned. "As a lumberjack." As Seokjin returned to his duties, Jimin relaxed on his stool.

The door swung open once more and a gust of icy wind blew into the bar. "Oh my god, that is freezing…" Jimin trailed off as he turned toward the door, lips parting slightly at the sight of the alpha that had just entered with his arms full of firewood. He was quite possibly one of the most attractive alphas Jimin had ever seen in person and it made the omega question if he had somehow stumbled into a drama.

"Min Yoongi, you shut the door right now before we all freeze!" Seokjin scolded the alpha.

Yoongi chuckled sheepishly and quickly closed the door behind him. "Cut me some slack, Seokjin. My arms are kind of full here-" A log slipped from Yoongi's arms, knocking over Jimin's drink sending hot liquid onto the omega's sleeve. "Shit, my bad! I'm so sorry!" Yoongi hurriedly deposited his wood and grabbed a napkin, his calloused hand brushed Jimin's as he fumbled to clean him up. "Seokjin, another drink for…uh…" He glanced at Jimin, waiting for the omega's name.

"Jimin." He smiled a bit. "Park Jimin."

Yoongi's lips curled into a smile too. "Then another drink for Park Jimin. On me."

"Well that's kind of you." Jimin said.

"Least I can do after soaking you." Yoongi said.

Jimin ran his eyes over Yoongi, taking him in. He wouldn't mind if Yoongi continued to soak him. "Please sit down." Jimin gestured to the stool next to him. "This seat's all yours." Yoongi hesitated before sitting down. "So are you from around here? Wherever here is?"

Yoongi nodded. "Born and raised. These woods are my home. You just passing through?"

"On my way to the Heartwood Lodge for my best friend's wedding." Jimin said. "Maid of Honor so no pressure or anything."

"And you stopped here?" Yoongi asked. "In a blizzard?"

"I needed a breather." Jimin said. "And maybe I’m trying to dodge my ex who's the best alpha."

Yoongi raised his eyebrows. "Sounds complicated.

Jimin gave a tiny shrug. "Yeah, well it'll be worth it when Taehyung's walking down that aisle."

"Sounds like he's lucky to have you." Yoongi said.

"I like to remind him of that fact." Jimin said. "Often. But Taehyung's the best. He deserves the most perfect wedding. Even in a terrifying blizzard."

Yoongi glanced at the window then leaned forward on the bar. "I never introduced myself. I'm Yoongi."

"Yeah, Seokjin said." Jimin smiled, holding his hand out for Yoongi to shake. "Nice to meet you, Yoongi."

The alpha's hand was strong and warm in Jimin's. His eyes lingered on Jimin for a beat, deep and curious. "I'm staring, aren't I?" He suddenly asked. "Sorry, I don't meet new people very often. Unless you count talking to my chickens every morning, I don't do much chatting."

"I don't mind." Jimin giggled. "I enjoy the silence. I don't get much quiet in the city."

"Well I don't get out much." Yoongi said. "Clearly I need to brush up on my social skills. Living in the woods does that."

"All alone in the woods…" Jimin murmured. "Don’t you get lonely?"

Yoongi nodded. "Sometimes. But you can be just as lonely surrounded by people. Out here, life's simple. People make it complicated, in my experience."

Jimin raised an eyebrow slightly. "But sometimes life is more fun when you make it complicated."

Yoongi looked at Jimin for a beat as if he were mulling that over. "Well this is the most fun I've had in a while so you may be right."

Seokjin appeared in front of them with two toasty toddies. "Look at you, Seokjin. More talkative than usual."

"I, uh, guess I am." Yoongi reached up to tug at his ear.

"And here I thought you were a one song on the jukebox kind of alpha." Seokjin teased him.

Jimin glanced at the jukebox and nodded toward it. "Do I get to hear a song? Or are you going to leave me hanging?"

Yoongi smiled. "One song won't hurt."

Jimin followed Yoongi over to the jukebox where the alpha scrolled through the tracks before picking a song. "I love this song!" Jimin gushed. "You've got great taste."

"I do try." Yoongi chuckled. "Seems like we've got similar tastes."

"Yep, we taste great." Jimin agreed before realizing what he said. "I mean, our taste is great."

Yoongi pulled a coin from his pocket, tapping it against his palm as he looked at the jukebox. "Moment of truth. Is this gonna be my one song on the jukebox tonight?"

"Oh definitely." Jimin nodded. "But only if I get a dance out of it."

Yoongi fidgeted with the coin, glancing between Jimin and the jukebox. "I'm not exactly smooth on my feet."

Jimin smiled. "That's fine. I'm a great lead."

A tiny smile appeared on Yoongi's face as he leaned back slightly, still holding the coin. "Alright but don't say I didn’t warn you." He put the quarter in the machine and selected the song. He hesitated, his hand hovering just above Jimin's before finally taking it. "Hope you really don't mind leading because I genuinely do not know what the hell I'm doing."

"No one knows what the hell they're doing." Jimin said. "We'll make it up as we go."

Yoongi's steps were clumsy, his boots scuffing the floor as he tried to keep up with Jimin's rhythm. "I wanted you. I’m no-"

"Idol?" Jimin giggled and Yoongi nodded. "Lucky for you, knowing how to dance isn't an entry level requirement to wooing me." A tiny smirk tugged at Yoongi's lips as he spun Jimin once, catching the omega slightly off guard before pulling him back in. The alpha's movements grew smoother, his confidence building with every step as they swayed back and forth. "So what's your story behind this song?" Jimin asked. "Why'd you pick it?"

Yoongi shrugged. "My parents used to play it every Sunday. It was their song. They'd turn it up loud, dance in the kitchen, real love story kind of stuff."

Jimin smiled. "My parents played it when I was growing up too. I guess a piece of their love stayed behind. Songs are like little time machines."

Yoongi's hand settled firmly at Jimin's lower back, sending a shiver through the omega. "Little time machines. That's sweet. You have a way of describing things." Jimin held Yoongi's gaze for a beat longer than he probably should. The alpha really was unfairly gorgeous for someone Jimin would probably never see again after that night. "You mentioned earlier that knowing how to dance isn't a requirement for wooing you. What is an entry level requirement?"

"You'll have to stay tuned if you're interested." Jimin said.

"Trust me, I am." Yoongi smiled.

Jimin hummed thoughtfully, letting the music and Yoongi's arms sway him. "If you really want to get in my good graces, I appreciate talking until the sun rises. I usually breeze right past small talk. A good conversation is the way to my heart."

"Hopefully I'm not turning you off with my complete lack of social graces." Yoongi said.

"You're being too hard on yourself." Jimin said. "I haven't counted a single awkward silence."

Yoongi's cheeks flushed. "Maybe you're just that good a conversationalist. Even I can't help but talk to you." Jimin smiled warmly at Yoongi's words washed over him. He was such a nice down to earth alpha. Nothing like the finance bros and crypto junkies Jimin was used to meeting. Jimin would be intimidated by Yoongi's rustic charm if the alpha weren't so soft spoken and respectful. He had even been careful not to put his hands anywhere too risky not that Jimin would have minded if he did. "Uh, Jimin? You're spacing out a little. I hope I didn't say something off-"

"No!" Jimin quickly shook his head. "No, you didn't say anything off at all. I just don't get to enjoy moments like these very often. Quiet chill moments. It's nice."

Yoongi nodded in understanding, letting his arms tighten around Jimin's waist comfortingly. "In that case, I'm glad. I get the feeling you need a break more than most people."

"That's an understatement." Jimin snorted. "But I feel really good right now. Really comfortable."

A soothing silence fell between them as they swayed to the music together. Their eyes locked and for a moment it felt like it was just the two of them. "You're pretty good at this, you know." Yoongi murmured.

"So are you." Jimin said. "For someone who doesn't dance."

"Maybe you've convinced me to turn over a new leaf." Yoongi's hand supported Jimin's back as he effortlessly dipped the omega, the world tilting for just a moment. Jimin wasn't immune to the comfort feeling weightless and secure in the alpha's arms. There was a brief pause as Yoongi pulled Jimin back up, the alpha seemingly mulling something over before choosing his words carefully. "You know, I don't usually let people in. It makes it harder when they leave."

Jimin let his hands settled on Yoongi's biceps as the alpha spun him again, the song bleeding into a new one. "Maybe you've just been letting the wrong people in."

Yoongi's hand lingered as he stepped closer, the space between them almost nonexistent. "And maybe you're the exception."

The sound of a throat clearing reminded Jimin they weren't the only people in the world. "I'm sorry, y'all, but I'm gonna have to close up shop early." Seokjin said. "The storm's getting worse."

Yoongi glanced at Jimin then toward the door. "I'll grab us one last round. Don't go running off, okay?"

Jimin smiled. "Promise." As Yoongi headed toward the bar, guilt started creeping into Jimin's stomach at the thought of Taehyung's wedding. He should have been focusing on that, not whatever was going on with Yoongi. He had to get out of there.

Yoongi returned with two more hot toddies. It was clear from his expression that he could tell something was off with Jimin. "What happened in the two minutes since I walked away?"

"N-nothing happened." Jimin said. "Everything's fine. Completely fine." He fumbled a little as he grabbed his things from off the bar, suddenly wracked with nerves. "I need to hit the road. Maid of Honor duties and all. But thanks for everything."

"No problem." Yoongi said, still watching Jimin in concern. "Let me at least check your car before you head out."

As Jimin grabbed his coat, Seokjin called out, "Don't worry, hon! You're in good hands!" Something twisted in Jimin's chest as he glanced at Yoongi waiting by the door for him.

Chapter 2

The icy wind stung Jimin's face as he headed to his car. Yoongi followed him, his concern written all over his face and filling his scent. "Coming down fast now." Yoongi said. "You sure that car's ready for this?" Jimin glanced at his car. Sleek, impractical, and already half buried under the snow. "Those chains look like they'll hold about five minutes tops. And the storms only getting worse." He stepped closer, his attention shifting from the car to Jimin. "Hey, you good? You seem off."

Jimin shook his head slightly. "I just have a lot on my mind." He looked down, clutching his car keys like they were the only thing holding him together. "It's more than we can solve with a quick chat outside a bar but thanks for asking."

Yoongi frowned. "It's not always about solving things. Sometimes venting is helpful. But I won't pry." He glanced at the chains on Jimin's car, shaking his head slightly. "We really should change these chains though."

"I don’t get it." Jimin said. "The alpha at the auto shop-"

"Took advantage of you." Yoongi said. "Never should've sold you these flimsy things." He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. "I've got a better set in my truck. I'm happy to show you how to put them on." Jimin looked at his car, the brittle chains looking even worse under Yoongi's scrutiny. "It's up to you. New chains could make all the difference though." Jimin bit his lip before turning to Yoongi and nodding. Yoongi headed to his truck before returning with a set of reinforced chains, kneeling by Jimin's front right tire. "These will do the trick. Watch closely, you'll need to know this for next time." He gestured for Jimin to join him as he secured the first chain. "You wanna lay your chains behind the tire with the yellow end first. Then you're gonna secure the chains over the tire and connect the yellow cables to the blue ones."

Jimin watched as Yoongi worked, holding his phone flashlight up so the alpha could see what he was doing. "I shouldn’t be surprised that you know what you're doing but damn."

Yoongi chuckled. "Trust me, it's muscle memory at this point. Now see that red hook?" Jimin nodded. "You'll wanna connect that to a gold link on the side of the tire." He effortlessly did so. Jimin blinked in confusion when Yoongi straightened up and pointed. "You're on the other one."

"You want me to do it?" Jimin asked in shock and worry but Yoongi just looked at him expectantly. "What if I fuck it up somehow?"

Yoongi's face softened when he heard the anxiety in Jimin's voice. He gently placed a hand on the omega's shoulder. "If you do something wrong, I'll put you back on track, I promise."

Jimin frowned. "But you're this mountain alpha. I don't want to look dumb in front of you-"

"Hey, there's no such thing as looking dumb when you're learning something new." Yoongi assured him. "You've got this, Jimin. And if you make a mistake, so what? It's your first time."

Taking a deep breath, Jimin grabbed the chains and moved to kneel beside his other front tire. He looked between the yellow and blue ends of the chains, trying to recall Yoongi's instruction. Eventually he took the yellow cables in his hand and laid the chains behind his tire. Yoongi hummed. "Is that right?" Jimin began to panic. "Did I fuck up already-"

Yoongi cut him off. "You did it right, don't worry. That was a good job noise."

Relief filled Jimin. "Maybe next time your good job noise can be you saying the words 'good job'."

"Noted." Yoongi smiled.

Once the chains were behind the tire with the yellow cables first, Jimin managed to secure them. He connected the yellow and blue cables, feeling more confident than before. "Okay, this isn't as hard as I thought it would be." He said only for his mind to draw a blank on the next step. He vaguely remembered something about the red hook but not where it was supposed to go. He stared at the chains for a long moment before hesitantly connecting the hook to a gold link.

"Nailed it." Yoongi grinned. "See? Even a self-proclaimed city person can put chains on a car."

"That really wasn't nearly as complicated as I thought it was going to be." Jimin said as he stood up.

"In my experience, most things aren't as scary as we make them out to be in our heads." Yoongi said.

Once all four wheels had the chains hooked up and secured, Jimin climbed into the driver's seat and pulled forward a few meters to test them. Yoongi retightened the chains for him then patted the side of the car as Jimin climbed back out. "You're all set. Ready to take on the storm."

Jimin eyed the fresh chains on his tires, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment. Sure, Yoongi had shown him how to put the chains on, but Jimin had still done it himself. "I know it's a small thing but I'm glad I know how to do it. Thanks, Yoongi."

"No problem." Yoongi said. "I'm happy I was able to help. And hey, it's not a small thing if it keeps you safe. You should be proud."

Warmed by the praise, Jimin glanced back down at his tires. "Funnily enough, I am proud."

Yoongi nodded, suddenly seeming a bit awkward. "So what now? Do we call it a night?"

"Yeah…" Jimin said quietly, an ache forming in his chest at the thought of leaving the alpha. "I guess this is goodbye."

"Looks like it." Yoongi murmured.

There was a certain tension between them. A longing for more time to get to know each other. But Jimin settled for stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Yoongi. Yoongi tensed for a brief moment before pulling Jimin closer. "I’m glad that I met you tonight." Jimin whispered.

Yoongi pulled back to look at Jimin, his jaw tight but his eyes soft. "I'm glad I met you too." He let go of Jimin slowly, his hand brushing Jimin's waist as he stepped away. "Take it slow. The chains are only as good as the driver."

Jimin smiled. "Lucky for me, I'm a pretty good driver." Yoongi paused as if considering something, then he nodded, reaching out to open Jimin's door for him. Jimin climbed into the car, Yoongi shutting it behind him. Jimin gripped the wheel as he drove off, glancing in the rearview mirror to see Yoongi giving him a wave before disappearing into the distance.

Yoongi was nice. Too nice. There had to be some kind of catch. Jimin briefly wondered if the alpha was a lumberjack serial killer. Then he was mortified to realize he actually found that kind of hot.

"Rerouting…" Jimin's phone suddenly announced.

"Great." Jimin muttered as ice slammed against the windshield, the wipers fighting to keep up. He glanced in the backseat to double check that Taehyung's wedding dress was laying neatly. Taehyung deserved a better Maid of Honor than him. Jimin was a hot mess.

Jimin's phone suddenly began ringing and he looked at it on its mount to see DO NOT ANSWER flashing as the caller ID. "Oh fuck you, Seoyun." He hit the end call button with more force than necessary, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

The storm raged outside but nothing drowned out the way Jimin's pulse spiked at the thought of his ex. His eyes snapped back to the road as he rounded a curve ahead. His hands were shaking. The wheel suddenly yanked hard in Jimin's grip, the car fishtailing dangerously as he fought to regain control. He tried not to slam on the brakes, not wanting to make things worse for himself. "Stay calm." He mumbled to himself. "Yoongi said to take things slow-" His stomach dropped as the car hit a patch of ice. The tires slipped and Jimin felt his control slipping with them. The car lurched hard to the side, his body slamming against the door with a thud. The chains gripped just enough to slow the slide, but the snowbank hit like a punch, jolting Jimin so hard it rattled his teeth. The impact sent his head snapping back against the seat, the world spinning before everything went quiet.

***

Jimin gasped awake. His chest ached and every breath felt sharp and shallow. He pressed a hand to his ribs. They throbbed but nothing felt broken. Snow piled higher outside the car. Jimin's fingers felt numb, and his head spun as the cold crept in. He fumbled for his phone with numb fingers to call 119 only to find that his phone was dead. "You've got to be kidding me." He muttered as he tried to turn his phone on to no avail. He stared at the empty road ahead, realizing he had no choice but to stay put. He huddled in his seat, wrapping his coat tighter around himself. Each breath clouded the glass, frost creeping across the windshield and erasing the world outside.

A shadow suddenly appeared, the person peering in through the window. "Help!" Jimin called out. "Please!"

The door creaked open and there was Yoongi, holding his hand out. "You're okay." He said softly. "Let's get you out of here." Yoongi held Jimin close as he led him through the storm. Jimin's mind was hazy, his thoughts vague. "Don't quit on me now, Jimin. Stay with me."

"The dress." Jimin said. "I have to…to get Taehyung's…" He didn't even get to finish that sentence before darkness took over and he lost consciousness again.

***

Jimin was back in the bar close to Yoongi. Real close. "You keep looking at me like that, Jimin, and I might get the wrong idea." Yoongi smirked.

"The wrong idea?" Jimin bit his lip. "What does that look like?"

"Something like this." Yoongi's face drew closer. Jimin's heart hammered as he felt Yoongi tugging him towards him. His lips brushed against Jimin's, slow and sure. It was everything--perfect, magnetic, sloppy wet-"

Jimin's eyes snapped open, heart still racing as a warm slobbery tongue dragged across his cheek. "What the fuck?" Jimin bolted upright, blinking at the tiny dog wagging his tail. "You're not Yoongi." Jimin looked around, seeing wooden walls and warm blankets as his car accident rushed back to the forefront of his mind along with Yoongi rescuing him. He double checked his body for any major injuries but only found a few bruises. Reassured, he turned back to his new furry companion with a smile. "And who might you be?" He squinted to read the name on the dog's collar. "Well, hello Holly." Jimin scratched behind his ears much to the dog's enjoyment. "Where's your dad? He's the one I'd prefer to be kissing." He paused for a beat. "I'll deny it if you tell him I said that." Holly tilted his head like he knew who Jimin was talking about, then he jumped off the bed and bolted for the door.

Climbing out of the bed, Jimin followed Holly into the living room and stopped in his tracks. "Alright, Yoongi, I see you." He said aloud, nodding in approval. "An alpha of mystery and matching throw pillows." He took in the cabin he was in, finding it very idyllic. Like something out of a nature magazine. He ran a hand along the back of Yoongi's couch and was impressed by how soft it felt.

A sharp sound suddenly came from outside and Holly's ears perked up. Curiosity led the way as Jimin stepped out onto the porch where he found Yoongi in the front yard chopping wood. It was a sight he could definitely get used to seeing. Yoongi split the wood clean, steam rising off his body in the cold air. His movements were smoothly practiced, and he hadn't spotted Jimin yet. Jimin stayed silent, leaning against the railing on the porch, his eyes glued to the sight before him. His gaze drifted from those broad shoulders all the way down Yoongi's body and back up.

Yoongi's eyes suddenly snapped over to Jimin. "Enjoying the show?" He asked in amusement.

"I, uh, just…" Jimin felt his face growing hot. "Wow, those are some nice strong…arms…logs! I meant logs!"

"Logs, huh?" Yoongi smirked.

Jimin nodded. "Yep, that's a nice big strong, uh, log."

Yoongi chuckled, clearly enjoying Jimin's crash and burn recovery. "Well thank you. Got more where that came from." He smiled, dropping the axe into a fresh log. "Want some coffee?"

"Please." Jimin said eagerly. "I'm a fiend for caffeine."

Chapter 3

Holly trotted behind Jimin as he followed Yoongi into the kitchen, the dog clearly pleased with himself. "I see you met Holly." Yoongi mused. "He's usually not much for strangers."

Jimin smiled. "He's so cute. We're buddies now."

"He's got good taste then." Yoongi said.

Yoongi poured two cups of coffee and handed Jimin one. Jimin took a sip, and his eyebrows shot up. "This is really good. What is this? Artisanal mountain brew?"

"Instant coffee." Yoongi said.

Jimin nearly choked, staring at the cup like it had betrayed him. "You're kidding."

Yoongi shook his head. "It may taste better because you like the alpha who made it." He leaned against the counter with a smirk.

A sharp gust rattled the windows, sending a chill through the thin shirt Jimin was wearing. "Wow, that's cold. And here I thought nature was supposed to be welcoming."

Without a word, Yoongi crossed over to a chest by the wall, rummaged through it for a moment, then handed Jimin a fleece lined jacket. Jimin nearly felt himself going feral at the mahogany, pine, and sweat scent lingering over the fabric. He tugged the jacket on, the soft lining brushing his skin, and it was like Yoongi was holding him. Yoongi gave Jimin a quick once over, not even trying to hide that he was checking the omega out. "Looks good on you."

"Better than it looks on you?" Jimin asked.

Yoongi smiled. "Way better."

"Then it's official." Jimin hugged the jacket around himself. "I'm keeping this."

"Fair." Yoongi chuckled. "It's all yours."

Jimin bit his lip as memories of the night before came back to his mind. "So last night. The crash. How bad was it?"

Yoongi sighed. "Your car's in bad shape. We can try to tow it once the roads clear. You gave me a scare out there."

"I don't know what would have happened without you." Jimin said.

"Just glad to see you up and moving around." Yoongi's eyes lingered on Jimin as if he were assessing something. "How's your head feeling?"

"It feels better." Jimin said.

"Glad to hear it." Yoongi said. "Tougher than you look."

Jimin smiled. "You're damn right I am."

Yoongi cleared his throat. "By the way, I put all of your things in the bedroom-"

A surge of panic coursed through Jimin at the mention of his things. "Oh my god, Taehyung's wedding dress!" He rushed into the bedroom and found Taehyung's dress hanging in the closet along with the rest of his things. "Okay, disaster averted. Yoongi's a lifesaver." He grabbed his phone from the nightstand to see that he had no service. "Oh, come on!"

"You good in here?"

Jimin looked up to see Yoongi leaning against the doorframe. "Just rethinking my life choices." He flopped onto the bed. "I have to get to the lodge. Taehyung's counting on me. He's my soulmate. Platonic, anyway."

Yoongi shook his head. "Sorry, not happening. Storm's picking up. Cell tower's out. You're not making it today. Might be stuck here until tonight, maybe longer."

"I can't just wait around and do nothing!" Jimin exclaimed.

"You could always help me with chores." Yoongi suggested. "Pass the time."

Jimin bit his lip as he considered the offer. "I could use the distraction." He eventually said, standing up from the bed. "After everything that's happened, doing something with my hands sounds like the kind of normal I need."

Yoongi smiled. "That's the spirit."

***

Yoongi stood by the chopping block, testing the axe blade with his thumb as he glanced at Jimin. "You look like someone who's never held an axe."

"I've held plenty of…knives." Jimin said. "In kitchens."

"Axes aren't so different." Yoongi said. "Just bigger." He rolled his shoulders, positioned a log, and split it cleanly with one swing. "Admit it. That impressed you."

Jimin cocked his head. "It was decent."

Yoongi chuckled and held the axe out for Jimin to take. "You're up next."

"Wait, you want me to chop wood?" Jimin asked in disbelief.

"Hell yeah." Yoongi said. "You'll be splitting logs in no time. Plus we need the wood to stay warm tonight." He leaned in, close enough that Jimin could feel the alpha's breath on his neck. "Don't worry, I'll guide you. Hands on. What do you say?"

Jimin bit his lip and nodded. "Lead the way." Yoongi knelt at the woodpile and brushed fresh snow from the stacked logs while Jimin hugged the alpha's jacket tighter around himself. "Thanks again for the jacket. It's saving my life."

Yoongi glanced over, his eyes dragging slowly down Jimin's body. "Glad I can keep you warm." He straightened up. "First rule of chopping wood--respect the axe."

"Any advice before I embarrass myself?" Jimin asked.

"Smart move." Yoongi said. "Feet steady, grip firm, and don't overthink it." He placed the axe in Jimin's hands, their fingers briefly brushing. The weight of the tool surprised Jimin and his grip shifted awkwardly as his arms dipped. Yoongi stepped behind Jimin, his hands sliding over the omega's to adjust his grip. "Hands steady. Feet apart. Let the axe do the work."

"This feels like a trust exercise." Jimin said.

"That's because it is.' Yoongi said. "Don’t worry, I'm right here if you miss." His chest pressed lightly at Jimin's back as he guided the omega closer, raising the axe with him. "Aim for the center of the log. Now on three. One…two…three!"

Together they swung, the weight and momentum carrying them both forward as the log split cleanly in two. 'Would you look at that?" Jimin smiled.

"Not bad." Yoongi said. "Didn't think you'd get it on your first try."

"Guess you shouldn't underestimate me." Jimin said.

Yoongi smiled. "You're right." He stepped back. "This next one's all yours. No help this time."

Jimin hefted the axe and swung, the blade striking perfectly in the center and splitting the wood evenly. "Hot damn, I did it again!" The force made Jimin stumble, but Yoongi caught him before he fell.

"I got you." Yoongi said softly as he briefly wrapped his arms around Jimin to steady him.

"Easy peasy lemon squeezy." Jimin said, making Yoongi laugh as he tugged the axe free with a firm pull.

"Now you're just showing off." Yoongi said.

Jimin turned to face Yoongi. "You're turning me into a country rascal."

Yoongi laughed again. "Don’t quit your day job just yet but you might have potential." They stood there for a moment, surrounded by split wood and comfortable silence. "You know, most people wouldn't even try this."

"I'm not most people." Jimin said.

Jimin followed Yoongi toward the shed but the image of the alpha swinging that axe--strong, sweaty, unfairly hot--was still burned into the omega's brain. "Focus, Jimin." He muttered to himself. " You need to find service." Yoongi flashed Jimin a smile as if he knew exactly what the omega was thinking. Jimin snapped his eyes away, pulled ou this phone, and held it up in search of a signal. "Come on! How am I supposed to avoid my boss' texts without a signal?"

"What do you do for work anyway?" Yoongi asked.

"Marketing." Jimin said. "I make trendy stuff look trendier. And you? Professional woodcutter?"

Yoongi chuckled. "Something like that."

"That's gotta be hard work." Jimin said.

"It is." Yoongi nodded. "But I don't mind hard work. I tried living in the city after university and all that traffic? Now that was hard work."

"You went to university?" Jimin asked in slight surprise. "What did you study?"

"Exercise science." Yoongi said. "You?"

"I was a theatre major with a concentration in dance." Jimin said. "Not sure if it shows."

Yoongi smiled. "Trust me, it shows."

Jimin gasped. "Rude!"

Chuckling, Yoongi motioned for Jimin to continue following him. "Let's walk and talk. I've got chores to finish."

Jimin walked behind Yoongi, holding his phone to the sky in frustration. "Taehyung's probably imaging me in a ditch! Which was almost true!"

"He'll understand." Yoongi said. "It's not like you crashed on purpose."

"You don't know Taehyung." Jimin said. "He once tracked down an ex-boyfriend using only his dental records and a coffee loyalty card."

Yoongi raised his eyebrows. "He sounds intense."

Jimin snorted. "That's putting it lightly. We've been through everything together. Braces, puberty, our BigBang phase."

"I don't even know what that is." Yoongi said.

"Regardless, I have to be there for him." Jimin said. "Plus it'll make Seoyun absolutely miserable to see me show up looking this good."

"Seoyun?" Yoongi asked curiously.

"A huge jackass." Jimin said.

Yoongi paused for a second, clearly connecting the dots. "Seoyun? That's the alpha?"

Jimin nodded. "She dumped me over text six months ago and now we're stuck in the same wedding party."

Yoongi shifted slightly as if he was taking stock of the situation. "That's rough. But hey, you don't have to deal with it alone. If things get weird, you've got me around. Whatever you need, I'm here for it."

"I appreciate that." Jimin said.

"So I've got some chickens that still need feeding." Yoongi changed the subject. "You wanted to help, right?"

"Chickens?" Jimin asked excitedly. "Where?"

Yoongi chuckled and brought Jimin over to the coop. "Ever collected fresh eggs before?"

"Not unless you count in a grocery store." Jimin said.

"Well you're in for a treat." Yoongi smiled. "Once you taste one of these, store bought eggs will never compare."

Holly barreled into the coop like a tornado, scattering the flock in all directions. Feathers flew as chickens squawked, Holly gleefully chasing them with his tail wagging like it was the best day of his life. "Holly, quit messing with my poor hens!" Yoongi scolded the dog before turning to Jimin. "Looks like we got a chicken chase on our hands. Think you can help me round them up?"

"Of course I'm up for it." Jimin said. "They don't call me Park Chicken Chaser Jimin for nothing."

"No one calls you that." Yoongi shook his head. "It's way too long." He pushed his sleeves up to his elbows. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

Jimin looked around until he found the stores of feed, reaching into the bag to get a handful. "Classic bait and switch." He informed Yoongi as he crouched low and held out his hand. "Here, chick-chick-chickens! This is your five-star buffet right here!" The chickens paused, their little beady eyes locking onto the prize. One darted over, then another, until Jimin had a whole gang of feathered freeloaders.

Yoongi smiled. "Looks like you've got the magic touch."

"What can I say?" Jimin shrugged. "Chicks love me."

"I can see why." Yoongi's gaze lingered on Jimin just a beat too long.

Once the chickens were back int eh coop, Jimin took a moment to admire Yoongi. The alpha moved through the flock like their unofficial leader and the chickens seemed to orbit around him like he was their personal sun. "The chickens really trust you." Jimin mused.

Yoongi glanced up, pausing for a moment like he hadn't noticed before. He stroked one of the hens on the back. "Guess they do."

A sudden flurry of movement caught Jimin's eye as a rebellious chicken made a break for freedom. "Oh no you don't!" Jimin lunged, arms wide, only to slip on an icy patch and crash into Yoongi, landing on top of the alpha in a tangle of limbs.

Yoongi's hands rested lightly on Jimin's waist, and for a moment, neither of them moved. "Well that's one way to catch a chicken." Jimin burst into laughter, still lying on top of Yoongi as snow fluttered around them. "You're pretty good at keeping up. Not what I expected from a city type."

"And what did you expect?" Jimin asked.

"Someone who would run screaming at the first cluck." Yoongi said. "But you fit in out here. You've surprised me." As the laughter faded, Yoongi reached up to brush a feather from Jimin's temple. "Hold still." He whispered, his hand lingering there as his eyes darted to Jimin's lips. Jimin did hold still, his heart racing as Yoongi's eyes kept flicking between Jimin's eyes and lips. Then the alpha eventually said, "Guess we should get back to the chickens." His hand fell from Jimin's cheek, and a small smile tugged at his lips as Jimin climbed off of him. Once they were both on their feet, Yoongi cleared his throat, looking at the ground as if he were a little nervous. "We should, uh, lock these chickens up before they plan another jailbreak."

"You better keep an eye on me too." Jimin said. "I'm trouble, remember?"

Yoongi's cheeks reddened slightly but his grin was wide, his confidence returning. "Oh, I know you're trouble. Lucky for you, I like trouble." He effortlessly gathered fresh eggs from the coop, carefully cradling them in one hand.

"So what now?" Jimin asked.

"Now we eat." Yoongi smiled.

Chapter 4

Holly bounded ahead as Yoongi and Jimin entered the cabin and began whimpering by his food bowl. "Don't worry, buddy." Yoongi said. "You're next." He filled Holly's food bowl, and the dog practically inhaled the kibble.

"He's a total vacuum cleaner." Jimin laughed.

"Runs in the family." Yoongi mused.

Jimin couldn't help but be a bit intrigued as he tilted his head. "What's your family like?"

"My mom's a teacher." Yoongi said and Jimin's eyes widened. "She worked hard to make sure we were taken care of even when things got tough."

"You're not gonna believe this." Jimin said. "But my mom's a teacher too."

Yoongi raised his eyebrows slightly. "Then you know what it's like. When the city got rough, we moved here. Eomma's from Daegu but my dad grew up around here."

"Where is he now?" Jimin asked.

The smile on the alpha's face faltered and he hesitated before answering. "My dad passed when I was 13. That's when I started stepping up and helping where I could."

Jimin frowned, feeling guilty for bringing it up. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Yoongi gave a tiny nod, his gaze distant but warm. "My dad would've liked you." Jimin felt his cheeks flush as his chest fluttered. Yoongi didn't even seem to realize the effect his words had on the omega as he gestured toward the counter where a knife block rested. "Grab a knife. You chop, I'll stir."

Jimin pulled a knife from the block and carefully mimicked Yoong's movements. "Chop wood, chop herbs. I'm basically a survivalist now."

"Same skill set." Yoongi shrugged. "Guess all that axe training paid off."

"I feel kinda unstoppable." Jimin admitted.

As Yoongi began cooking the egg and herb mixture in a frying pan, the aroma made Jimin's stomach growl. "That smells incredible." Jimin said, practically salivating. "Way better than takeout."

"Fresh eggs help." Yoongi said. "And good company."

Jimin smiled as he leaned against the counter. "My mom used to say all you need is good company. She always made meals special. She's play fancy restaurant with us, serving dinner like a waiter."

"Sounds like she made things fun even when it wasn't easy." Yoongi mused.

"She did." Jimin said with a tiny nod as Yoongi divided the cooked eggs between two plates. "Not bad for two strangers with a stove."

"Who said we're strangers?" Yoongi asked. "Thought we'd be friends by now."

Jimin smiled. "You're right. Friends." He accepted a pair of chopsticks from Yoongi and dug into the eggs. The warm savory flavors made him pause. "Oh my god, this is incredible!" He nearly moaned. "I might move out here and cook with you full time."

Yoongi chuckled. "Don't tempt me with a good time."

Soft shadows filled the room as the sun began to set outside the windows. "Getting dark early." Jimin said, reaching out to flick the light switch. The bulb sputtered before sparking, then everything went dark. "Did I do that?" He flicked the light switch repeatedly in a panic. "I didn't mean to! I swear, I just-"

"Unless you control the weather, I'm gonna say no." Yoongi reached toward a nearby shelf and pulled down a candle. Within seconds he had it lit, the soft glow lighting the room.

Jimin didn't want to think about Seoyun, but he couldn't help but compare the two alphas in that moment. While Yoongi seemed to be completely calm, Seoyun would've flipped out. She hated accidents. Especially the ones she blamed Jimin for. "You're not mad?" Jimin couldn't help but ask.

Yoongi furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Why would I be?"

"I…" Jimin trailed off, blinking a few times. "Honestly, I don't know." All Jimin knew was that Seoyun would have berated him for hours over the lights going out of it coincided with him flipping the switch. The tightness in his chest eased a little as he wrapped his arms around himself.

"Storm probably knocked the power." Yoongi said. "It's okay. We'll get it handled."

Jimin peered at Yoongi curiously. "Does anything ever rattle you?"

"Crowds." Yoongi said without hesitation. "Groups of people. Always have." He leaned back, fingers tapping the counter lightly. "In university, I avoided sports teams, clubs, all of it. Too many people in one place. I loved learning but the groups just weren't for me."

"Makes sense why you'd choose this kind of life." Jimin said. "But you're fun to be around." His lips quirked up as he shot the alpha a teasing look. "Maybe you're not such a lost cause after all."

Yoongi let out a laugh. "Guess that's saying something considering you're such a socialite."

Jimin feigned being offended. "That's one way to say I talk too much."

Yoongi stepped away from the counter, his focus shifting toward the nearest window where snow swirled outside. "I need to hook up the generator."

"I'll help." Jimin offered, moving to follow the alpha.

"You sure?" Yoongi asked.

Jimin nodded. "Can't learn if I don't try, right?"

Yoongi smiled. "Then let's go."

Holly ran ahead as Jimin followed Yoongi toward the shed, the dog stopping to sniff at a patch of ice. Moments later, Jimin's foot slipped on that very spot. "Shit!" He cried out as he began to flail.

Before Jimin could hit the ground, Yoongi reached out and grabbed his arm to stabilize him. "You always this graceful?" Yoongi asked with a hint of a smirk.

Jimin looked at Yoongi with wide eyes, his heart pounding in his chest, and he knew it wasn't just from his near fall. "You've saved me twice in 24 hours."

"You're running out of lifelines." Yoongi gave Jimin's arm a playful squeeze before letting him go and motioning toward the trail ahead. "Let's keep moving. Hill's not gonna climb itself."

They trudged through knee high snow. Jimin's teeth chattered as they finally reached the small shed behind the cabin. "Fuse might've blown." Yoongi said. "Gas line could be clogged. Either way, she's stubborn." Jimin felt that. Yoongi crouched by the generator while Jimin angled the flashlight for him to be able to see. "Alright, let's get this bad boy running." The generator hummed to life and Yoongi stood, brushing snow from his gloves. "Told you we'd get it handled."

Jimin smiled at Yoongi. "Guess I’m not as out of my element as I thought."

"After the day you've had?" Yoongi asked. "You've pushed through and that counts for a lot. Now let's get you inside."

As they returned to the cabin, a sudden crash startled Jimin. A low creak echoed from deeper in the cabin, cutting through the howl of the wind outside. "Did you hear that?" Jimin asked, inching closer to Yoongi. Yoongi nodded as he moved protectively in front of Jimin. Jimin's heart pounded as Yoongi scanned the room, and he grabbed onto the alpha's arm tightly.

Yoongi stepped forward, bringing Jimin along as he headed further into the cabin. They entered the bedroom to find utter chaos. Snow whipped through a shattered window, the floor covered in shards of glass and twigs. Jimin's stomach dropped at the sight of Taehyung's wedding dress that he'd spread out on the bed earlier to let air out drenched in snow and debris. "Taehyung's gonna kill me." Jimin whimpered as he let go of Yoongi's arm and rushed forward. "This can't be happening! It's ruined!" He ran a hand through his hair. "I had one responsibility. Taehyung told me to look after his dress, and I couldn't even do that!"

"First off, this isn't your fault." Yoongi assured him. "Second, we can fix this."

Jimin looked at Yoongi incredulously. "It's soaked, shredded, and covered in glass! How is this fixable?"

Yoongi crouched to investigate the damage before straightening up. "We've got two options. We can work on it together or I can go into town tomorrow and talk about it with Seokjin."

"What does Seokjin know about wedding dresses?" Jimin asked.

"He also runs the local cleaners." Yoongi informed him. "Trust me, he knows his stuff."

Jimin sighed. "I don't know. It's such a mess. I'd feel awful giving him more work."

"You wouldn't be." Yoongi said. "Seokjin loves a challenge. And honestly, he's probably the only person in town who could help us." Jimin glanced at Taehyung's dress as he considered Yoongi's words. Yoongi rifled through his closet and pulled out a wooden box, opening it to reveal thread, needles, and scissors. "Or we can tackle it here. Make it extra special. I'm sure Taehyung will love the dress that much more because you hand stitched it. But it's up to you."

Jimin hesitated, glancing between the dress and the sewing kit. Eventually he nodded. "Anything that helps."

Yoongi set the sewing kit on the bed as Jimin sat next to him. Yoongi's hand brushed Jimin's briefly as he grabbed a spool of thread. "Learned this at camp." He told Jimin. "Fixing tents, gear, wedding dresses. Basically the same thing."

"Sure." Jimin nodded. "Except Taehyung paid a gazillion won for this dress. No pressure or anything."

"A gazillion?" Yoongi smiled as he threaded the needle as if he had done it a thousand times. "Maybe I should patch it up and sell it on eBay."

Jimin laughed, giving Yoongi a playful shove just before the alpha started stitching. "Okay but seriously be careful."

"Would you just trust me?" Yoongi asked in faux exasperation, remaining focused as he worked through the tear with precise stitching. After a moment, he handed the needle to Jimin. "Your turn." Jimin hesitated, the needle feeling awkward in his fingers. Yoongi leaned closer, gently taking Jimin's hand in his. "Like this…" He guided Jimin through the simple stitch. "There you go. You've got it."

Yoongi's scent as well as his warmth calmed Jimin's nerves as he slowly stitched the dress. "Didn't peg you for the arts and crafts type." Jimin mused.

"Survival skills." Yoongi said. "They're more versatile than you'd think."

"Sure." Jimin laughed. "Next you'll be teaching me how to start a fire with only two sticks."

"You're already hot enough." Yoongi replied without missing a beat, making Jimin's cheeks burn. "Let's focus on this dress." He took the dress and needle from Jimin to take over for a moment.

"You've got a real knack for this." Jimin said, dropping the teasing tone. "Maybe you were a dress designer in a past life."

Yoongi snorted. "Doubt it. I don't think Paris Fashion Week could handle me."

As they reached the final stitches, Yoongi's hand steadily guided Jimin through the motions once more. Jimin glanced over at Yoongi, catching the way the alpha's gaze lingered thoughtfully on the dress. "You should add something personal." Yoongi suggested. "Something just for you and Taehyung.

"Like what?" Jimin asked.

Yoongi shrugged. "You tell me. You're the expert on Taehyung."

Jimin bit his lip as he spotted a spool of purple thread in the sewing kit. Following his gaze, Yoongi grabbed the thread and handed it to Jimin with a quiet nod. Jimin rethreaded the needle, nowhere near as quickly as Yoongi had, and carefully stitched a tiny purple flower onto the inside hem of the dress. "Back in kindergarten, we'd pick flowers for each other before class." Jimin informed Yoongi. "They'd always get squished in our backpacks, but Taehyung called them our friendship flowers."

"Friendship flowers." Yoongi hummed. "Sounds like Taehyung to make something simple feel special." As Jimin finished the flower, he leaned back to admire it. Yoongi's gaze softened as he looked at Jimin's work. Jimin brushed the fabric lightly with his fingers. The flower may have been lopsided, but it was still perfect. "He's gonna love it. Stuff like this, small but meaningful, it stays with you."

"I hope so." Jimin said quietly, setting the dress down gently.

Yoongi suddenly took Jimin's hand in his. "You're bleeding."

Jimin glanced down to see a tiny bead of red forming on the tip of his finger. "I must have pricked myself and not even noticed."

"Hold on." Yoongi said softly as he inspected the tiny wound. Then he lifted Jimin's hand and pressed a gentle kiss to his finger. "Good as new." His eyes met Jimin's with a faint spark of amusement.

"If that's your version of first aid, I might start getting hurt more often." Jimin said quietly as his cheeks grew warm yet again.

Yoongi smiled. "Anytime you need me, just say the word." Jimin couldn't tell if he was joking or not. Yoongi stood up from the bed and gently picked up the dress. "I'll have Seokjin clean it up for us. Once it's good as new, he can ship the dress or run it to the wedding himself. But the worst of the damage is fixed and now it has your mark on it. That'll be real special for Taehyung."

Jimin reached out to run his hand lightly over the fabric, smoothing it out as a way to calm himself. "Thanks, Yoongi. For everything."

Yoongi met Jimin's gaze with an openness that caught the omega off guard. "Anytime. You know that, right?"

The alpha's words lingered, their weight settling warmly in Jimin's chest. "I think I'm starting to see that."

Yoongi carried the dress out of the room and returned with a broom and dustpan, moving to the broken glass scattered across the floor. "Careful where you step." He warned Jimin. Jimin stepped off to the side, watching as Yoongi efficiently cleared the shards and patched up the window. He couldn't believe how much Yoongi had done for him in such a short amount of time. Yoongi barely even knew him. "And we're all good." Yoongi emptied the dustpan into the trash and knocked on the board he'd placed over the broken window to make sure it was holding. "It's not pretty but it'll keep the cold out for now." He then swapped out the damp bedding with fresh sheets.

Jimin cleared his throat awkwardly. "I can take the couch. This is your house."

Yoongi shook his head. "Not a chance. You've had a rough couple of days. The least I can do is make sure you get a decent night's sleep." Jimin sat on the edge of the freshly made bed, once again caught off guard by Yoongi's kindness. Yoongi leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. "This hasn't been easy--new place, bad weather, and all this. Most people would've lost it, but you haven't."

"I guess that's the least I can do." Jimin said with a slight laugh. "It's not exactly impressive that I've avoided having a meltdown. I need to be on my game."

Yoongi studied Jimin closely as if he were trying to see what was beneath the omega's words. "Maybe. But you didn't take that step, did you?"

A tiny smile tugged at Jimin's lips. "I guess I didn't."

Yoongi pushed off the wall and stepped closer. He placed his hand on Jimin's shoulder for reassurance before pulling back after just a second. He then gestured toward the bed with a smile. "Get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day." He left Jimin alone in the room and Jimin fell back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Notes:

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Series this work belongs to:

• Part 108 of Fics Based on Choices Stories