In the Dead of Winter || •PJM• ✔️

Strength

"Are you just gonna stand there gawking?" Y/n asks. Jimin stares out at the front yard with his jaw dropped. He hasn't seen this much life since before the apocalypse. He's not kidding. Even for a small boarding school, the front yard is gigantic. He got a glance at it when they drove here, but this? Seeing it in broad daylight with people filling the place? It's amazing. Jaw-dropping, really.

"Come on, let's get you acquainted with the others," she says, smiling at his amused state. He's probably delusional, but he swears he can see a hint of admiration in her gaze. Regardless, he obeys her, shaking off anything he feels deep down. 

The two make their way to the center. There's so much going on all at once. A couple younger teens running around - probably no older than fourteen, some adults off to the side sharpening knives, more adults reloading and polishing pistols and... shit, assault rifles? Jimin almost whistles. This place is a damn fortress.

She takes his hand, his heart lurching at the feeling of her skin on his. However, she doesn't bat an eye. Y/n drags him over to three people near a large, black cauldron-looking thing. It's gigantic, a pleasant and meaty aroma radiating from it. "Stew," one of the men says, the one man and one woman beside him nodding.

"Jimin, this is Jin," she says.

Jin does a small nod. "The cook of the family."

"Oh come on, I taught you everything you know," the female replies.

"And that's Katherine, our nurse and cook," Y/n explains. "And last but certainly not least, we have our sunshine and mood lifter, Hoseok. Jin, Katherine, Hoseok - meet Jimin."

Jimin shoots them the best smile he can muster. "Nice to meet you guys."

"Nice to meet you too," Hoseok replies with a bounce in his voice and his body.

"You know, with the apocalypse, I never thought I'd have to worry about being awkward again," Jimin says. The four laugh.

"Don't worry, as long as you're useful and not an asshole, we'll like you," Y/n replies.

"Oh gee, I feel so at ease."

"Glad to know I could help. Wanna go over some ground rules?" Y/n asks.

"Sure."

"Walk with me," she says, then, she turns to the others. "We'll be back at supper. Ves around?"

"He's playing with Sky, the usual," Katherine replies. "You can take your eyes off him for one second. He'll be okay, Y/n."

She shakes her friend off. "I'm sure he will be, but I can't help but worry. See you around, Kate."

"See you around."

Y/n takes Jimin, and the pair wander off, the younger girl peeking over at him. "You know, for someone in the apocalypse, that necklace you're hiding under your shirt doesn't look rusted at all," she says. On instinct, he clutches the locket that's tucked away under his new shirt, his thumb brushing over the fabric that covers it.

"It's not iron," he replies. "It's platinum."

"Ah, so it won't even tarnish?" she asks.

"Won't even tarnish."

She eyes the chain that shows on his neck, then shrugs, knowing it's not her place to ask. "Ground rules are pretty simple. You don't take anything without asking. Anything essential, that is. Food, guns, ammo; anything that's locked up. We have three meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Not much in the way of snacks, so we ration them. That's something you ask for. You don't have to ask to shower, we have plenty of shampoo and conditioner, same with razors and scissors. I'll get you a shaving kit of your own, and if you ever need a haircut, I'm your girl."