kerikaaria:

OT7, Hybrid!Members 
(Dog!Taehyung, Gray Fox!Jungkook, there are others but not specified - this is a shortie and it wasn’t important~)

Genre: (PG) Fluff, poly, not romance-centric

Warnings: VERY vague mentions and allusions to animal injuries and abuse

WC: 1.7k

Description: Taehyung couldn’t resist bringing a dog home, and his pack has mixed feelings about it.

A/N: This is a fic written for the lovely @ditttiii​‘s birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE! (It’s too early to be her bday in my own time zone, but it is where she lives, so good enough!) I know the concept of hybrids having pets is unusual and may sound weird, but I did my best to make it cute! I’m also not too sure about the title, so I may end up changing it later lol. Enjoy!

Taehyung had a big heart. Too big, his pack would sometimes say with endearment. It was the reason why having six mates was perfect for him. There was never a shortage of cuddles or affection when he had so many people to give it to him. Even on the rare days that he couldn’t receive those things as often as he’d like, whatever affection he did have the chance to be swaddled in was enough to get him through those oh so longdays.

And while they could feel in their hearts and in the bond that sang between them that seven was their perfect number, that they were full of love and didn’t need any more, it didn’t mean that their family had to stop there. Taehyung had more than enough love to continue finding others who he could care for in non-romantic ways.

Keep reading

Always delivering the perfect amount of fluff ❤️

Description: You’re the first of your kind, and today is your first day meeting your new master and going to your new home. There are so many things to learn, but hopefully he’s one of the easiest. His boyfriend too.

Warnings: None?

Posted: 01/13/2022

Tags: hybrid au, Namkook x Reader, Namkook

Fluff with some angst but also fluff: 3,372

Author’s Note: This is for my baby bird, @ditttiii​, for her birthday. Love you, hon! Hope you have a wonderful day and hope this isn’t too terrible of a read <3

You paced back and forth as you waited for your master. The workers would be showing him in at any moment and then you would leave this room for the first time…ever.

Your creators constantly murmured about you being unique, one of a kind, and they had talked about looking for someone special to be your master. Something about tests before expansion and creation of more creatures like you. Things that weren’t quite human, but also weren’t quite animal.

The door opened and in came one of your creators with a man you’d never seen before.

You tilted your head, curious but anxious.

His eyes were huge as he looked at you. His mouth dropped open. “Whoa…”

You quickly darted your hand through your hair and tugged your ear nervously. You hoped your fur looked clean and fluffy.

He stepped closer, reaching out and then pulling his hand back. “You’re real…wow…uh, sorry, wow! Hi!” He grinned at you.

“Hello,” You whispered, trying to look excited but you were really nervous. You stepped forward hesitantly. You could smell him now and he smelled nice. Had bacon with his breakfast, and was around people wearing fake scents but he didn’t have a fake scent on him, thankfully. The scents on him were strong enough that you were already getting a little dizzy in combination with your nerves.

“My name is Namjoon,” He said, switching his approach so that he was talking softer and waiting for you to approach instead.

Some instinct said that he was a good person. That you could trust him. He had a wonderful sort of aura.

You stepped forward, and smelled his hand to take in his scent specifically. Nice, rich, calming. He was in excellent health. An ideal protector.

You ducked slightly, putting his hand on your head.

He seemed to hesitate, then he gently slid his hand over your hair. He then brought his hand back up to rub over your ears. He stepped closer so he could pet you more easily. “We’re going to go to my home, okay?”

You pressed your lips together nervously, focusing on the warmth of his hand.

“I’ll keep you safe. There’s a lot of new stuff out there, but I have some stuff to help you block some of it out. I made sure that they didn’t have smells, and I got my car and house cleaned professionally so that we’d start with a clean slate. I also have the next two weeks off to help you settle in. We’re going to make sure everything is just right for you.” He spoke softly. “We’ll take it one thing at a time. I don’t want you to get overwhelmed just by stepping outside. I brought you a face mask, and sunglasses. I also brought earplugs and headphones, but I don’t think those will work so well with your ears…”

You liked how deep his voice was, and you stepped close to him.

“Maybe a hat to sort of muffle the sound?” He suggested, closing the last bit of distance and gently pulling you to his chest.

You nosed his chest, then sighed and rested there for a second. “Okay.”

He leaned down slightly and kissed the top of your head. “I should have one in my bag.”

You looked up at him and nodded, letting him pull away a little and guide you outside of your room for the first time.

He bent down to a bag he had on the floor, pulling out a sealed bag with a facemask and sunglasses. You knew what they were because the scientists brought things in to help you familiarize yourself with day-to-day items.

He let you open the bag and put them on, so that aside from their natural scent it would just hold your scent for now. Then he found a hat and held it out for you to sniff before you nodded and he carefully put it on your head.

You liked his scent, so having it close was kind of nice, even as you pulled the face mask up. You took his hand, trusting him to take care of you in the scary world that awaited you.

Noise. Everywhere there was noise once you left the safety of home, good noise and bad, but all together to assault your ears.

His steps were hurried, guiding you to what you identified as a car from the pictures you had seen before. He opened it and helped you in, then closed it again when you were in the chair inside.

It muffled noise quite wonderfully.

You looked around it, noting the smell of him and cleaner, with hints of other smells lying deeply underneath. Unidentifiable at this point, but still in an undertone that was oddly comforting.

“Better?” He asked after he got into the car. He had a slight tinge of worry in his scent and voice.

You nodded.

“Alright, so…home,” He said, then hesitated before he started the car. “Uh, for the record, I only got my license a little while ago, so…sorry.”

You blinked.

He glanced over. “Oh, uh, seatbelt.” He pointed at the strange device beside you that he had already pulled across himself.

You studied how he did it, then did your best to imitate it.

He grabbed it and put the metal part into a thing that made it click.

You stared at the device for a moment, while he tugged on the fabric-type thing which tightened it on you.

Then he leaned back into his own seat and nodded, turning on the car, then nervously driving.

You tried not to get nervous, looking around at the world, which looked so huge and foreign, as it passed by.

Namjoon was obviously uncomfortable driving, but it wasn’t bad in your opinion. Probably because he was being careful.

Not that you would know if he was bad.

The vehicle finally stopped in front of different building. It looked like the house from your flashcards, but also different. It was less square, and didn’t have a yard like in your flashcards. Or that fence thing.

“So, uh, this is it.” Namjoon said, staring out of the car like he was afraid to get out.

“Is it a house?” You asked, curious.

He glanced at you. “Um…yes?”

You nodded. “Your house looks very nice.”

Namjoon smiled again. “You’re adorable. Okay, let’s show you the house.”

If you had thought it was loud outside of your former home, then you were mistaken.

It was loudhere.

The city was loud.

Namjoon hurried to the door of his house and let both of you in.

The door closed and it was quiet again.

“You okay?”

“It is very loud out there,” You whispered, pressing your face into his chest because it was big, warm, and safe.

He automatically wrapped his arms around you, stroking your hair lightly. “It is. Is it quieter in here?”

You nodded. “It is.”

He relaxed a little more. “Good. We can also do some more soundproofing if it bugs you too much. Okay?”

“Okay,” You answered, happy just to stay there. You didn’t normally get cuddling like this. You’d had limited cuddles, usually timed.

He never asked you to move away, or rushed you through the hug. Just held you.

You peeked up at him and found him smiling down at you.

“Okay?” He whispered again.

You smiled and nodded, hugging him tighter.

“Want me to show you the house now?” Namjoon asked, and his voice was so kind and loving.

You sighed and released him. “I suppose.”

He laughed, keeping his hand on your back, guiding you past the entryway (giving you the cutest slippers ever to wear through the house) and showing you your new home.

You paused in front of the photographs. “Who is this?”

Namjoon checked the photo and smiled. “Jungkook. He’s one of my friends, and a coworker. I’ll introduce you, when we’re ready. When you’ve adjusted.”

You nodded. “Part of my socialization program?”

He face twitched. “Um. Yes. Sure. That.”

You smiled. “Okay. Are you two best friends?”

He cleared his throat, looking away from the photos and toward the kitchen. “Uh, yeah, something like that. Um…what should we have for dinner?”

“Which meal is dinner?” You asked, trying to remember the order of meals as your teacher had presented them.

“Uh, the third one. Last one, usually in the evening.”

“Ah, right,” you shrugged, “whatever you cook will be fine with me.”

He froze, looking back at you. “Ah, yeah, about that…my cooking abilities are…minimal. But I’m good at ordering delivery.”

You tilted your head. “Okay. What does delivery mean?”

“Uh, I order food from restaurants and they bring it to me. You know what a restaurant is, right?”

“A business that sells cooked food,” You recited, happy as he nodded, following him to the kitchen. “So you order food?”

“Yeah, most days. If I’m not at a friend’s house. That doesn’t happen as often, which for now is a good thing. How much of this do you know?” He gestured to the kitchen.

You looked it over, then pointed out things and named them. Things like ‘refridgerator’ and ‘cooktop’, ‘cabinet’ and ‘sink’. It appeared that your teachers had used some photos of his home to teach you some of the things you would have to know, though, so that helped a bit.

“Cool, so you know how they work? What they do?”

“Cabinets hold things and so do refrigerators, but refrigerators keep the things they hold cold to delay decay. Cook tops are for cooking on. Sinks are for water and washing,” You recited, a little bored. “Does Jungkook bring you flowers a lot?”

Namjoon jumped and slammed the refrigerator shut, turning to stare at you with wide eyes. “What?”

“Well, he’d brought you those flowers in that photo, yes? And that’s him walking up to the house with flowers right now, right?” You peered out the window, not wanting to go closer but also very curious. It was a very exciting day.

Namjoon, however, seemed frozen.

Jungkook appeared to have a key to the house, and came in with a, “Hey, hyung!”

Namjoon drew in a sharp gasp and hurried toward the entryway. “Jungkook-ah! What are you doing here? I told you that today—”

“Oh…oh, hyung, I’m sorry! I forgot.”

You tried to peek into the entryway, but Namjoon was big enough to block your view.

“We’re trying not to overwhelm her, and you probably reek,” Namjoon groaned. “Not that I don’t appreciate you, and love seeing you, but—”

“Hello?” You called, trying to peek around Namjoon.

They both went quiet, Namjoon turning just enough that you could see Jungkook.

Cute.

Smelly, but cute.

Namjoon hesitated, just for a moment. “Y/n, can you go to your room while I help Jungkook and get this place…less smelly?”

“Is Jungkook-ssi staying?” You asked in the cutest way you knew how (the one that always got smiles from your caretakers).

“Cute,” Jungkook breathed.

Namjoon smiled. “Would you like him to?”

“If he would like to,” You answered, smiling back. You were slowly picking out Jungkook’s scent in a sea of smells, and if you were right about it, it was also a nice scent.

And you so rarely met new people in the lab that meeting two new people in one day was thrilling and different.

But the smells were starting to give you a headache.

Namjoon was looking at Jungkook.

Jungkook glanced nervously between you and Namjoon, then nodded. “I’d like to, hyung. If that’s okay?”

You let your gaze fall to the flowers for a moment, wondering what kinds of flowers they were and which scent they were responsible for and why Jungkook was bringing them to Namjoon. One of your teachers had told you that lovers did that. Were they lovers?

Would they hide that they were lovers?

“Namjoon-ssi, is Jungkook-ssi your boyfriend?” You asked, unable to contain your curiosity.

Both stared at you with wide eyes.

You waited, wondering how long they would take to answer.

In the meantime, your head was really starting to ache from the smells.

“I’ll go wait in my room while you clean,” You said quietly, after waiting for several more minutes for a response that never came and growing increasingly nauseous.

Namjoon’s gaze then shifted to worry. “Here, take a can of de-scenting spray. Just in case.”

You nodded, taking it and scurrying to your room.

You liked your room.

He’d taken the liberty to prepare it for you, and it was so very different from the lab. It was mostly neutral tones, and there was still a lot of white, but the white seemed softer with the natural wood of the furniture itself.

He’d hung a vine plant that was in a pretty blue pot, in a darker shade than the blue of the fluffy blanket and matching pillows on the bed. There was a round chair in the corner by the window in a bright and lovely golden-yellow color, and it had pillows of different colors and blankets.

All of it seemed to be tied together with a pretty rug with all of the colors that was so fluffy.

You were definitely not rubbing yourself against the carpet when Namjoon knocked and entered your room.

He grinned and started laughing a bit. “Y/n?”

“It’s so soft,” You gushed.

He laughed a bit more. “I’m glad you like it. I was worried the room might be too overwhelming for you.”

You shook your head. “It’s pretty! Like the flowers Jungkook-ssi brought you.”

“He was actually bringing them for you. He thought I was bringing you home tomorrow,” Namjoon told you, crouching down beside you.

“Is he staying?” You asked, tilting your head and reaching out to snatch a blanket.

Namjoon nodded. “He’s offered to cook dinner, too. He’s just jumping through the shower to try and get rid of the extra scents. You were looking a little green.”

You stared. “Green? Did I get something on me?” Your hands flew up to your ears.

He laughed. “Uh, no. Sorry. Green, as in…you looked a little nauseous.”

“Oh. I was. But neither of you answered me.” You shifted so you were sitting up with the blanket around your shoulders.

He considered it for a moment, sitting down with you as well. “We…haven’t really…defined ourselves yet. We’ve both been so busy….”

“But you are a couple?”

“Yeah, a couple of idiots,” He muttered, rubbing his face. “How much…do you know about romance?”

“Not much,” You answered easily. “Don’t really know much about anything, really. I’m trying, but it’s hard. Makes my head all spinny, and then I can’t sleep.”

“Well, let’s avoid that. Are you okay, so far?”

You nodded, smiling. “I’m very excited to meet your friend and I really like this room. Thank you.”

“Is the papasan chair okay?” He asked, gesturing to the chair.

You smiled. “It looks very nest-like.”

“You haven’t tried it?”

You shook your head. “I’m going to try it before I sleep so that if I fall asleep in it I don’t have to worry about missing anything.”

He smiled at you for a long moment before reaching out and petting your head again.

You made a high-pitched happy noise and collapsed into his lap.

Ha laughed softly, continuing to pet you. “You remind me of our friend, Jimin.”

“That’s good?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry, he doesn’t hold a candle to you in cuteness.”

You grinned and snuggled closer, waiting for him to continue rubbing your ears.

He complied wordlessly.

You lay there like that for quite a bit, then bolted up when you sensed something.

Jungkook was standing in the doorway, hair still wet and dressed in what definitely struck you as Namjoon’s clothing, smiling and watching you two.

Jungkook held up a hand placatingly. “Sorry, it was just cute seeing you two. I know I’m intruding on your first day in your new home. Just wanted to let you…be there.”

You stared, then tilted your head. “Instead of coming over and giving me more pets?”

His eyes widened. “Um…yes?”

Namjoon chuckled and stroked your hair. “This is the time you would normally be getting your cuddle time at the facility, yes?”

You shrugged. “Think so.”

“Are…are you sure I can touch….” Jungkook’s gaze flicked to your ears, then your tail.

“She already invited you to,” Namjoon pointed out. “Didn’t you?”

You nodded and leaned back into Namjoon’s touch, blissfully happy.

Jungkook approached carefully, sitting beside Namjoon.

You watched him cautiously reach out, waiting for him to pet your tail.

He glanced at you, then lightly stroked your tail.

You smiled as his eyes widened and he went in to continue petting your tail. You still couldn’t figure out why everyone was so excited about your fur, but you always enjoyed their reactions.

People always looked happy when they were petting you.

But according to your creators, you were the first of your kind.

Jungkook readily started petting you after that.

You quickly started getting sleepy in their laps, perfectly adored for what felt like the first time ever.

“She’s so cute,” Jungkook breathed. “She’s going to steal you from me.”

“Sounds like she’s already stealing you from me,” Namjoon joked in a whisper.

Jungkook laughed softly. “Maybe we should just both steal her.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“Maybe.”

You hummed sleepily, wondering what other adventures awaited you in this new, strange world. It was all so new and different and you really didn’t want to miss any of it.

It was loud and smelly.

Namjoon wasn’t loud.

Jungkook smelled like soap. It was nice. You’d never met someone who smelled like soap.

“So, what did you tell her about the flowers?”

“That you brought them for her.”

“Hyung.”

“What was I going to tell her? ‘Oh, yes, my boyfriend who can’t be my boyfriend because he’s pretending to be someone else’s boyfriend for their safety brought me flowers’?”

“Hyung….”

“Am I wrong?”

“No,” Jungkook sighed.

It was all so fascinating.

Did they think you were asleep?

You decided to let them believe that for now.

“We can still date….”

“No, because we’d be too obvious.”

“All of this will end sometime. And then…well…she’d factor in now. You’re her legal guardian, right?”

“They used the term owner and I kind of hate it.”

“Ew. Yeah, let’s stick with guardian. And I know…I know I gave you a hard time about it before, but that’s…anyway, she’s here now. She really knows nothing about…life?”

“She doesn’t even understand why they let her out.”

“Really?”

You shook your head.

They both tensed up.

“Y/n?” Namjoon asked tentatively.

You sleepily pushed yourself up. “You talk so quickly. How am I supposed to understand so quickly?”

“You don’t need to understand right now,” Namjoon said softly, reaching out and gently brushing your hair from your eyes. “I’ll explain it all to you as you’re able to understand. Okay?”

You frowned. “Why is everything so…hard?”

“Some people think that the struggle helps make them stronger, and makes life’s happy moments even better,” Jungkook offered, but the words just made you dizzy. Like you’d been at your lessons for too many hours again, despite your teachers’ warnings.

Why was it so hard for you to learn?

You took a deep breath. “I don’t understand.”

Namjoon nodded slowly, then reached over to the top of the dresser and grabbed the hat he had put on you earlier. He gently placed it on your head.

You looked at him curiously, confused.

He gently tugged you into his lap, holding you just so.

You curled into the hold, letting your cheek rest against his chest and feel the beat of his heart.

“I’ll help you. I’ll help you learn and understand and experience everything life has to offer. You’ve had a big day, y/n. Let’s take a nap, and maybe by then Jungkook will have dinner ready. Okay?”

You slowly nodded.

Jungkook pressed a quick kiss to your forehead. “I’ll make it extra yummy, I promise.”

You definitely wanted more forehead kisses.

But you’d settle for seeing Jungkook and Namjoon happily in love and together.

Yes.

You definitely needed to make sure that happened.

casuallyimagining:

Home (1)

Sequel to Fix You. Read it first.

Hybrid Min Yoongi x Female Reader;
Platonic OT7 x Female Reader; Namseok; Jinkook

Summary:After helping Yoongi get away from his abusive former owner, you’re left to focus on your relationship and how it progresses. That is, until you find six other hybrids who need your help, and their former owner decides he’s going to make your life hell.
Genre: hurt/comfort, angst, fluff
Word Count: 2,564
Rating:M
Warnings (updated per chapter):stalking

Major thanks to @eatjeanjin for beta-ing this and for listening to me complain almost constantly. You’ve been nothing but helpful and sweet, and I’m so grateful for your opinions and assistance.

banners by @mintkims

Previous|Masterlist|Next

The thing about having a black cat as a pet is that it suddenly becomes a major part of your personality. Everything and anything that comes in a black cat variety can and will become your Christmas present for the rest of your life. Dish towels, pot holders, sassy garden flags, ceramic knick-knacks, decorative throws–you’ll own them all.

This is all well and good. Black cats are cute, and statistically, they’re adopted much less frequently. And really, when your cat doesn’t understand that its likeness is mirrored on almost everything you own, it’s simply a personality quirk of the owner.

It becomes a problem, however, when your cat is actually half-human and is very much aware that all of your tea towels bear his likeness and that your parents have taken every excuse to buy you tiny ceramic black cat figurines to decorate your home office. It’s a problem, because not only does he find it hilarious, it makes him a little smug.

Now, you couldn’t go anywhere without him pointing out every black cat item to you.

Keep reading

chapter 28-recovery is a process (and not linear)

Pairing: OT7 x Reader, OT7 x OT7

Details: hybrid!bts, a/b/o dynamics, asexual!reader

Summary: Jimin pushes himself too hard. Jungkook cries.

Warnings: The recognizable names and personalities do not reflect their real life counterparts. (death mention/past non major character, lowkey gender dysphoria, nudity, self doubt/self hate, weight loss/weight gain, eating disordered behavior, lying, body image issues, therapy, psych meds mention, ptsd, trauma flashbacks mention, insomnia)

[Masterlist]
moodboards:seokjinIyoongi I hoseok I namjoon I jimin I taehyung I jungkook
playlist

Hoseok and Jin jogged up just as you were getting out of the car.

“[F/N]! [F/N]! [F/N]!” Hoseok bounced from foot to foot, grinning at you as Jin hunched over, leaning his hands on his thighs, panting. “You’re just in time to see me beat hyung to the gate!”

“Only because I was under the impression we were jogging, not full on sprinting,” Jin complained. He took off his hat. His ears flicked. His hair was damp and messy. It was getting a little long, bangs falling over his eyes. You brushed it out of his face. He sighed, closing his eyes a bit. His tail slipped out from underneath his oversized shirt and tapped against your arm.

“Are you that old, hyung?” Hoseok teased. “Can’t keep up with me?”

“Uh-huh,” Jin said. “Respect your elders. Carry me inside. Get me a cold drink.”

“Okay.” Hoseok leaned over, preparing to lift him. Jin shrieked and pushed him out of the way. Their eyes met and they dissolved into laughter. You smiled. “Ah, it is getting warmer, though. Almost spring.” He pulled off his newsboy cap. “I’m overheating a bit, actually, but gotta keep a low profile, and all that.” He ran a hand through his hair, frowning when he got caught on a tangle. You reached up to help him, but he dodged. “Don’t. I’m all sweaty.” His shirt was soaked through. “I need a shower…” His nose twitched. “You smell like jasmine.”

“Jasmine?” You sniffed your shirt.

Jin reached into the back of Hoseok’s shorts and pulled his tail out. Hoseok jerked forward. “Hyung!”

Jin cackled. “Chill out. I don’t want your tail cramping.”

“Dani hugged me before we left, so it must be her perfume,” you realized. “It’s a bit strong isn’t it? Maybe I need a shower too.” You unlocked the front door. All of you stepped inside, pulling off your shoes.

“Um, maybe the three of us could take one together?” Hoseok suggested tentatively. Jin glanced at him, eyebrow raised, and then looked at you. Your brow furrowed. Hoseok held up his hands. “Ah—we don’t have to, I just thought, it might be nice…”

“I don’t think three people will fit in my shower,” you thought. “And, even if they could… I think it might be a little overwhelming for me.” You chewed at your lip. “I mean, I actually don’t think I’d mind showering with one other person, but, um, I don’t want anyone to feel left out…”

“The two of you should shower together, I don’t mind having a shower to myself,” Jin said. Hoseok frowned.
“Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes.” Jin waved his hand. Hoseok looked at you.

“And you’re sure too? If you don’t want to, or if you’d rather with Jin—“

“I’m sure,” you interrupted him.

“I’ll go get my stuff then!” Hoseok practically bounced out of the room.

“One would think he’s the rabbit, instead of JK,” Jin mused. He pecked you on the forehead. “Don’t have too much fun without me, okay?” He started to move away.

“Your definition of fun might differ from mine, since you were out jogging this early,” you thought, grabbing his arm and pulling him back to you. He groaned.

“That was Hoseokie’s fault. I tried to say no, but he bribed me with breakfast in bed.”

“Hmm. I don’t think you do anything you don’t want to.” You kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a good mathyung.”

“Don’t.” Jin squished your cheeks in his hands, shushing you. “You’ll ruin my bad reputation.”

*

You and Hoseok stood in your bathroom, staring at the running water.

“Is this temperature good for you?” You asked. The water was hot enough so that a subtle steam filled the room, clinging to your skin. Hoseok dipped his hand under the water and nodded. “Okay, so we could get undressed and get in…” Neither of you moved.

“Are you sure?” He asked you again. You nodded.

“Just, if you could…” You played with the bottom of your shirt, your heart thumping in your ears. “Don’t look at me too closely, okay?”

“I promise. And I promise I won’t be annoyed or anything, if you change your mind.”

“I’m starting to get annoyed, with you asking so much,” you muttered. “I’m… I want to. I’m curious, and I think sharing that kind of intimacy with you could be nice.”

“…Me too,” he said quietly.

*

You averted your eyes. The rustling of clothes hitting the floor was impossibly loud as you stepped into the shower. You stared at the row of colorful bottles on your shelf—specialized hybrid shampoo, conditioner, body wash…

“Could you pass me my shampoo?”

You sucked in a breath and nodded, reaching forward for the first bottle. You nearly dropped it, your hands were shaking.

“Sorry.” Your fingers brushed as he took the bottle from you. You pulled back, hugging your arms around yourself.

“Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” Hoseok thought. “If it’s making you this nervous…”

“Everything makes me nervous,” you reminded him. “That doesn’t always mean I shouldn’t do it.”


“I want to understand. Why is it making you so nervous? Is it, like, an asexuality thing?”

You blinked. “That could be part of it. Nakedness is, like, super sexualized where I grew up, but that’s something I’m unlearning, particularly with you guys, because it isn’t always sexual with you, right?”

“Well, yes. But… sometimes it is. I mean, sometimes I look at them and just… wow…”

You smiled. “So do I,” you told him. He made a noise of surprise. “Just because I don’t see you as sexydoesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the way you look.”

“…Yeah?”

“Yes. You’re so handsome. I want to look at you all the time.”

“That’s not…” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, you were talking about what makes you nervous.”

“What, like how compliments make you nervous?” You teased. He giggled. “Hmm. So, there’s like, society’s expectation of nudity, and then, it’s a little overwhelming because I’m not used to it, but mostly… it makes me nervous to be naked in front of you, because my body isn’t…” You took a deep breath, focusing on the feeling of the water against your skin. “Well, it’s not really where I want it to be.”

“That’s…” Hoseok sighed. “I think, unfortunately, we all feel like that sometimes, maybe some of us more strongly or more frequently than others.”

“We don’t have to compare it,” you thought.

“Still… it’ll be a little hard to take a shower together without looking at each other, but… I’m still willing to try, if you are.”


“Let’s try.” You started washing up, Hoseok apologizing when his elbow jabbed at your side.

“Sorry. The angle’s kind of awkward. This really isn’t the biggest shower.”

“Namjoonie said Minho-ssi purposefully took the room with the smaller bathroom, separate from the others,” you recalled.

“Makes sense, given what we’ve heard about him,” Hoseok thought. “Can you pass the conditioner?” You twisted around, trying to pass it to him without looking. “You can look at me, if you want. I don’t mind. I still won’t look at you.” Hesitantly, you turned, still clutching the bottle of conditioner. You didn’t know where to look (so much skin!).

“That doesn’t seem fair,” you thought.

“Sure it is,” he disagreed. “Cause we have different sensitivities. You don’t mind taking care of all the spiders for the rest of our lives, right?” He smiled. His tone was half joking, but…

“I will,” you said, seriously. “You can rely on me. I’ll help you any way I can.”

“Well…” His smile flickered slightly. “There is something I could use your help with, right now. You can say no, obviously, but… it might be easier, if you helped me with my hair. If… I mean, if you’re okay with touching me.”

“More than okay.” You reached up, cupping the side of his face, running your thumb over the stubble lining his jaw. He sucked in a breath, eyes widening. You drew back, squeezing some conditioner into your hand and putting the bottle off to the side. “You can come closer.” Hoseok swallowed and then took a step, his feet just touching yours. You massaged your hands into his hair.

He sighed. “Feels good…” He leaned his head against your shoulder. “Okay…?”

“It’s good.” You could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. He whined.

“Ah, watch the ears, they’re a bit sensitive.”

Hoseok returned the favor by washing your back. He had a firm touch and promises of a massage the next time your back acted up. You laughed when his fingers brushed your side, jerking away from him. His eyes glinted. “Don’t you dare!”

“Okay, okay.” He held his hands up, grinning.

*

You quickly dried off and got dressed as Hoseok stood in front of the mirror in his underwear, shaving and running through an impressive skin care routine. You decided to moisturize as well, as he started blow drying his hair. He caught your eye in the mirror and then turned to look at you fully, switching off the hair dryer.

“That is Jungkook’s,” Hoseok noted, tugging at the baggy t-shirt. “One of his favorite’s, I think.” You smiled sheepishly.

“Well, he left it in here—but you’re one to talk, you were wearing Namjoon’s yesterday!”

“Well, it was his, but he gave it to me cause it got too small on him,” Hoseok explained. “You know, since he’s been working out with Kook more he’s gotten…” He made a vague motion over his chest and then flexed his bicep, wiggling his eyebrows. You laughed. “So don’t drag me into your little t-shirt stealing ring. Between you and Jiminie, none of us will have anything left to wear.” He tapped his chin. “Ah, maybe that was the grand plan…” He sighed dramatically. “Such an inconvenience, to have to see all my sexy mates shirtless.”

“Horrible,” you played along. “I might go blind from all the beauty.” He flushed, laughing nervously. “Hoseokie can’t take a compliment? You don’t want to hear about how good you look? Your skin is such a pretty pink. Your hair looks so soft.”

“You’re a menace,” he muttered. You reached up, running your hand through his fluffy hair. “Ah, stop it.” He held your wrist. “I just got it the way I liked.” You drew back. “Ah, but it did feel nice. Maybe later?” He tugged on a strand of your hair. “Can I dry yours?”

“Um… maybe with a towel? I don’t like hair dryers.”

“Okay.” He started rubbing gently at your head with your towel. “How come you always leave it wet?”

“It dries soon enough. And hair dryers are scary.”

“Scary?”

“A little too loud and too hot,” you explained. He snickered.

“You big baby.” And then he frowned. “Did me drying my hair in the same room bother you?”

You shook your head. “It doesn’t bother me too much when it’s not close to my head.”

“I sort of understand. Since my ears are so sensitive,” he said. “Next time you can just dry my hair for me like this…” You resisted the urge to close your eyes as he rubbed at your head again with the towel. You were glad you were able to keep them open to see his soft smile. “Looks like you’re enjoying yourself.”


“I am. Next time?”

“If you want to…”

You smiled. “Sounds good to me.”


Hoseok and you cooked dinner together. You snuggled up on the coach afterwards, as Namjoon and Taehyung cleaned.

Jungkook flopped on top of both of you.

“I’ve been wondering where this went,” he said, tugging at your (his) shirt sleeve. Embarrassment twisted in your stomach. You pressed your face against Hoseok’s shoulder for a moment and then looked at Jungkook.

“You left it in my room. I can take it off, if you want me to?”

“Why would I ever complain about you smelling like me?” Jungkook said. You smiled at him, the knot in your stomach untwisting.

“You should’ve complained,” Jimin said to Jungkook. “She was offering to take her shirt off.”

Jin rolled his eyes. “Not everyone wants to be shirtless all of the time, Jimin-ah.”

“Notall the time,” Jimin said. “Sometimes, I wear shirts.”

“Yeah. And most of them are ours,” Yoongi thought. Jimin shrugged. “Are you and [F/N]-yah starting a shirt stealing club?”

“Hoseok-ah made that joke already,” you told him. Yoongi reached over to give Hoseok a fist bump.

“You should take Namjoonie-hyung’s next,” Jimin told you in a fake whisper. “Nice and soft.”

“Why not mine next?” Hoseok whined, pulling Jimin into a headlock. Jimin bit his arm. Hoseok let go, pouting.

“I’ve worn your shirt before,” you reminded him. “It was a little tight on me.” Jungkook looked at you, considering.

“Boobs,” he said, eloquently. You looked down at yourself.

“I mean, yes? I’m a girl, I guess, sort of?” The stomach knot was back with a vengeance. Jin simultaneously rubbed your arm and flicked Jungkook on the forehead. Jungkook whined.

“You can have boobs and not be a girl,” Yoongi pointed out.

“I know that!” Jungkook said. “I do lots of chest exercises, but we can’t all have as good boobs as noona and Namjoonie-hyung.”

Everyone laughed.

“Huh.” Hoseok tugged on one of Jungkook’s ears. “I thought your thing was thighs.” Jimin grinned and patted his leg.

Jungkook pinched him, laughing at the indignant noise he made. “I can appreciate multiple body parts and body types, thank you very much. When I saw Namjoon-hyung for the first time, I didn’t know where to look. He’s just so…”

“Huh,” Namjoon said, leaning against the doorway. Jungkook spluttered. Jin whacked him on the back. Namjoon watched them in amusement. “I’m trying to decide whether I feel objectified, or flattered.”

“Por que no los dos?” Taehyung suggested, ducking under Namjoon’s arm, and squeezing next to Yoongi on the armchair. Yoongi grumbled, but there was a small smile tugging at his lips.

“I am looking respectfully,” Jungkook said, attempting (and failing) to wink. He and Taehyung giggled at each other. You exchanged a look with Jin. Namjoon plopped down next to you.

“I feel like I’m missing something…” Yoongi said.

“Memes, grandpa,” Jin told him. “Outdated, American, memes. Are we not Korean, boys?” Jungkook and Taehyung pouted at him.

“Actually, internet culture has given a rise to global—” Namjoon started.

“Does anybody have anything to bring up today for the family meeting, before Namjoon-ah gives us the lecture on memes that he is so clearly itching to give?” Hoseok asked. Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck. “Not that we wouldn’t love to hear it!” Hoseok patted at Namjoon’s chest.

Namjoon smiled a little sadly. “You don’t have to indulge me…”

“No, he’s right. I could listen to you talk about anything,” Jimin said. “Especially when it’s something you’re really interested in.”

Hoseok nodded eagerly. “Oh my God, the passion in your voice? I could melt.”

Namjoon covered his rapidly blushing face. Taehyung watched him fondly. Jin snickered.  

“Ah, but, before Joonie’s much anticipated lecture,” you said. Namjoon groaned and Jin laughed louder. “There was something I wanted to bring up.” Everyone looked at you. “The friend I went to see today, she’s a pretty well known choreographer. She works at the same company as Soonyoung.”

“Oh?” Hoseok titled his head. “I wonder if we meet her during that one dance practice of hers we saw, right before we met you the very first time.”

“It’s possible,” you said. “I mean, you might remember, because she’s one of the only darker skinned people working in that department.”

Hoseok’s brow furrowed. “I can’t remember very well. I remember being impressed with the dancing—enough that Soonyoung-noona noticed and suggested lessons, but so much happened that day, that it’s hard to recall any details.”

Jungkook nodded. “I just remember being really nervous.”

Namjoon grimaced. “Me too.”

“Me three,” you chimed in. “Ah, but I’m always nervous.”

“Less so, these days, I think,” Jin said. You made a noncommittal noise.

“No, he’s right,” Yoongi agreed. “You should be proud of yourself.” You pressed your lips together. Jin poked at your puffing out cheek.

“Did your brunch go well?” Jimin asked. You smiled and nodded. “I’m glad.” Jimin smiled back at you. “You seemed a little nervous about seeing her.”

“A bit,” you admitted. “Since we’ve mostly messaged each other over the years. I haven’t seen her in person since I was eighteen.”

Yoongi’s brow furrowed. “Nine years?”

“Why so long?” Taehyung wondered.

You chewed at your lip. “Well, that’s the last time I visited Korea. I was… Soonyoung debuted, and was doing well… not as well as she’s doing now, but the shows were still pretty crowded… she says she doesn’t mind, but I’ve always felt bad for not being able to support her more.”

“If she says she doesn’t mind, that must be true,” Yoongi said. “Soonyoung-ssi doesn’t seem like the type of person to lie to spare feelings.”

“She isn’t,” you agreed. You blinked. “Ah, but I’m getting sidetracked. I meant to tell you, Dani mentioned that Big Hit, or, at least, the dance department, is opening auditions to hybrids.” Hoseok made a surprised noise.

“What—what do you mean?” Jimin asked.

“Ah, I think there’s information online, but, from what she said… they’re auditions for background dancers. You know, for like live shows and music videos? Currently it’s only open to hybrids who are owned by people who work at the company, or by people who don’t work for other companies in the same industry, because they don’t want there to be a conflict of interest.”

“So… we could try out?” Jimin asked.

You nodded. “I’ll have to check to be sure, but, yes, I think so.”

“…I don’t think I could do something like that,” Hoseok said, after a moment of silence. Jimin blinked.

“What? But, hyung, you lovedancing!”

“Sure I do.” Hoseok nodded. “But my feelings on performing in front of an audience are… complicated.” Jin frowned slightly.

“Does this have something to do with that dance crew you don’t like talking about?”

Hoseok winced.

“Hyung!” Jimin hissed at Jin. “You don’t have to be so blunt!”

“It’s fine.” Hoseok grimaced. “I’m just… Seokjin-hyung’s right. I don’t like talking about it. I have my reasons, but… maybe it’s time I try to… it would help you understand.” He sighed. “I don’t… I don’t even know where to start.”

Taehyung’s brow furrowed. “You said you were called Neuron, and you disbanded after something bad happened,” he recalled. Hoseok nodded. “…Did you have a stage name?”

“It’s ah…” Hoseok tugged at his ear. “A little embarrassing, but… I was thirteen at the time, so I thought it was cool.”

Taehyung grinned. “Well, now I want to know even more.”

Hoseok laughed. “It’s not that interesting. They called me Hope. Hobi, for short, sometimes.”

Jungkook’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“It’shope in English,” Namjoon explained.

“Does that mean you own this house?” Jin joked. You giggled. Jimin let out a long sigh.

“Why did you choose that as your name?” Namjoon asked Hoseok.

“I read this book, on Greek Mythology, about this woman called Pandora. The gods gave her a box, and told her not to open it. So, of course, she did. And fear, and anger, and disease, and all these horrible things came out of the box, but at the bottom… the very last thing that came out of the box was hope.” His bow furrowed. “Or maybe hope was the only thing that was left in the box?” He shrugged. “Something about hope. There was a little happiness, despite all the bad. I don’t know. I liked the idea.”

“…What mean gods,” Jimin thought. “They had to know she’d open the box.”

“They did. They gave it to her to punish humanity,” Namjoon said. “But even still, there’s hope.” He smiled softly at Hoseok. “It suits you.”


“Does it?” Hoseok said uncertainly. “I just wanted to bring a smile to people’s faces. Maybe I should’ve called myself Smile, or something.”

“But then you wouldn’t own this house,” Jin argued, pouting.

“Hyung,” Jimin said. “Once is enough.”

“What happened?” Jin asked Hoseok, his expression turning serious. “What happened to make this such a painful memory for you?” Hoseok leaned his head back, blinking away sudden tears. Jimin scooted closer and hugged him from behind. Hoseok reached up and held his hand.

“Wonho… another boy in the dance trope, he was killed,” Hoseok said hoarsely. Jimin made a muffled noise of surprise against his neck. “He was… we were performing, and his hat fell off, and Hybrid Control… we ran, Taeyeon-noona took my hand and she hid us behind this dumpster. Later we heard, they restrained him so roughly… he didn’t make it.” Hoseok let out a long breath. “After that, the crew broke up. I haven’t seen any of them since. I stopped dancing for a while. I mean, I went clubbing, but that wasn’t the same.” Jimin squeezed his hand. Hoseok kissed his whitening knuckles. “I do love dancing, Jiminie. I’m glad I saw Soonyoung-noona’s practice, and she introduced me to Jiwoo-seonsaengnim and Kwangsu-seonsaengnim … but I don’t think I could ever perform in front of people again.”

“You don’t have to,” you assured him. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“But…” Jungkook’s brow furrowed. “It makes me sad, and angry, that they took that away from you.”

“Me too,” Hoseok admitted.

“I have similar feelings about the piano,” Yoongi said. Hoseok looked at him, curious. Yoongi frowned. “Sorry, we’re talking about you right now.”

Hoseok shook his head. “Tell me. I want to know the things that are important to you. And this sounds important,” he said. Yoongi opened his mouth, but no words came out. Taehyung wrapped his whole body around him. “And maybe… maybe it’d make me feel a little less… alone, to hear about your feelings and experiences.”

Yoongi let out a long breath.

“Take your time,” Taehyung told him. “We’re here to listen, whenever you’re ready.”

“Nobody died, well, at least, no one I knew personally, but after so many years of being forced to perform in front of people who looked at me like a slab of meat…” His nose wrinkled. “It would be hard, to do that again. I could do it, I think, to survive, but it would feel… bad. Sometimes, I almost hated the piano, but I tried my best to keep loving it. Because the idea that those fuckers could take it away from me pissed me off. Because, other than my brother, the piano was the only thing keeping me going.” He sighed. “I mean, I lost both of them, when they sold me to the fights, but by then I was so drugged up I couldn’t feel anything anyway.” Taehyung nuzzled against him. Yoongi patted distractedly at his arm. “Without Soobinie, I would’ve run myself into the ground.” You grimaced.

“…Remind me to cook them a steak, or something,” Jin muttered. “What’s their preference—medium rare? Rare and bloody?” Yoongi snorted. Jimin unwrapped himself from Hoseok, frowning thoughtfully at the ceiling.


“Jiminie? What’re you thinking about?” You wondered.

“I think…” Jimin said slowly. “I want that.”

“A steak?” Jin said.

“Sure,” Jimin said. “Ah, but, I meant… I want to keep dancing for people, even though maybe I should hate it. I want to audition.”

*

Over the next month, Jimin spent most of his time at Jiwoo’s studio. Hoseok was with him more often than not, running through the routine Jimin was going to use for his audition.

“[F/N].” Hoseok nuzzled against your neck. “I was just getting drinks. Jiminie should be done changing by now.” When you entered the room, Jimin was still practicing. He moved the red fan like an extension of his arm, flicking it open like a flaming wing. Then he glanced at you. He leapt, his body seeming to hang in the air for a moment. Hoseok tensed beside you and Jimin was cursing and tumbling into a somersault. “Jimin…” Hoseok ran to him, you close behind. “Why are you doing aerials at the end of practice—huh?”

You elbowed Hoseok. “Are you okay?” You asked Jimin. 


“I’m okay,” Jimin said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know how to fall. The only thing that’s bruised is my pride.”

“It could’ve been a lot worse,” Hoseok said, taking his hands. “You’re overworking yourself… you were shaking.”

“Was I?” Jimin looked down at his hands. “Well, I’m not anymore.” He shrugged. “I’m fine. Just embarrassed. I heard you enter, I wanted to look cool.”

“You are cool,” you assured him. He grinned. “But are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m great!” Jimin gave you a thumbs up. You studied the dark circles under his eyes, the way his shirt hung more loosely off of his frame than it had last month. You sighed.

He started asking you to pick them up later and later at night, to the point where Jin stopped setting spaces for them at the table.

Hoseok had an odd look in his eyes when Jimin said they were picking up food from a convenience store nearby, and not to worry.

Jungkook was wiping down the table when he suddenly stopped and stared at nothing. The rag he was using dripped, dripped, dripped against the table.

Jin nudged his side. “What’s up?”

“Should I have gone with them today?” Jungkook wondered.

“Hoseokie and Jiminie, you mean?” Jin asked. Jungkook nodded. “Hmmm…” Jin picked up the stack of dirty dishes and took them over to the sink.

Taehyung groaned. “More?”

“Please and thank you,” Jin said, giving him a peck. “You’re doing such a good job.” Taehyung grinned and turned back to keep washing, handing them to you to dry. Jin glanced at his phone. “Almost time for our show. I’ll go fetch Yoongi-yah.”

“I can’t find the correct lid for this container,” Namjoon muttered, glaring at the leftovers he was attempting to put away. You grabbed one from the drying rack.

“Try this one.”

“Ah ha!” Namjoon gave you a half hug and then attempted to put the lid on the container. His eyes narrowed. “The container’s too full.”

You snorted. “Someone should just eat some more then.”

“I will gladly make that sacrifice,” Taehyung said, turning and opening his mouth.

Namjoon fed him a spoonful. “Baby bird.”

Taehyung hummed. “I’m a fox, actually.”

Namjoon snorted. You snapped the lid on the container and placed it in the fridge. Everyone made their way into the living room, where Yoongi and Jin were cuddled up on the couch, the TV playing on mute. Taehyung sprawled on top of them. Yoongi complained loudly, but was smiling.

Jungkook walked into the armchair and nearly fell over. Namjoon steadied him. “Jungkook-ah?”

“Maybe if Jiminie-hyung has more help with his routine, he won’t need to practice as much,” Jungkook thought, eyes still unfocused. You tugged him down to sit on the floor with you.

“I don’t think that’s how that kind of thing works, Kook,” Namjoon said, grimacing. “Not that I know much about dancing, but… I know something about losing yourself in determination.”

“What do you mean?” Jungkook asked.

“Well, I was fine when we had residents in the house, because then we were on a routine. But otherwise… I often got lost in my studies, holed up in my room reading for most of the day, forgetting to eat or sleep. Uncle would come in with food and try to encourage me to go for a walk with him.”

“He hasn’t been sleeping,” Taehyung said, straightening up. “Like, usually he has trouble, but at least he’ll lie down a bit. One time he fell asleep holding his phone and it hit him on the face…” Taehyung smiled fondly and then shook himself. “Ah, but recently, he’s been practicing footwork in our room at all hours. And I’m not sure he’s eating either. Jin-hyung’s been packing him lunch, but—”

“But I caught him dumping it out,” Jin said in a clipped tone. “And then he apologized—he tried to assure me that my cooking was delicious—” Jin scoffed. “As if that was what I was worried about.” He looked down at his lap. “…Well, maybe a little.” He looked up again, eyes blazing. “That wasn’t the main point, though!”

“So, he was trying to look after you without realizing that you were trying to look after him,” Jungkook mused. “Sounds like our Jimin.”

“Hoseok-ah told me they haven’t been going to the convenience store for dinner,” Yoongi said. “He was upset because he didn’t want to lie to us, but he didn’t want to betray Jiminie’s trust either.”

You frowned. “So, you spilled the beans instead?”

“Kitten, you know I value honesty,” Yoongi said.

“There’s a difference between honesty and…” You waved your hand in frustration. “We shouldn’t be talking about him like this. I mean, I know we’re all worried, but, talking behind his back feels…”

“If he’s going behind our backs to hide that he isn’t eating again, why shouldn’t we go behind his to talk about how we’re worried about him?” Jin replied.

“Ormaybe,”you said. “We could treat him like an adult, who has the right to make his own choices.”

“Even adults make mistakes sometimes,” Jin pointed out.

“Uh-huh.” You eyed him.

Jin’s jaw worked. “[F/N]-yah.”

“Seokjin-ssi.”

“I think it depends on how bad it’s getting,” Namjoon said, after watching you and Jin frown at each other for a moment. “If Jimin-ah’s health—mental or physical, is badly at risk… then we might have to go behind his back, even if isn’t the most honest way to do things.”

*

Unfortunately, you were unable to come to an agreement. Before you knew it, it was the day of the audition, and no one had talked to Jimin about your concerns.

You and Hoseok sat off to the side while Jimin went through his routine for the last time.

He bowed, panting, straightening up when the judges thanked him and asked for the next contestant to come forward.

Jimin slumped against the wall next to you, gulping in air. His modern style hanbok hung off of his shoulder.

“Jiminie?” Hoseok kissed his bare skin and then pulled the fabric back over his shoulder. “How’re you feeling?” Jimin shrugged.

“Can we leave?”

“Okay.” You picked up his duffel bag. “You don’t want to change first?” He shook his head.

“Just want to leave.” The three of you walked in silence to the parking lot.  You unlocked the car and Jimin quickly hopped into the back seat.

“Not gonna fight me for the passenger seat like usual?” Hoseok teased.

Jimin shook his head. He was gripping his fan in his lap, staring down at it. Slowly, he drew in a shuddering breath, tears falling on the red fabric. “It was awful.”

Hoseok frowned. “It wasn’t.”

“Itwas.I made a mistake!”

Hoseok slid into the seat next to him, wrapping his arms around his mate. “You mean cause you fell?” He asked. Jimin gave him a hard look. “Don’t look at me like that.” Hoseok nipped the side of his face. Jimin’s nose wrinkled. “Jimin-ah, you fell, but you made it look so natural, so beautiful, I would’ve thought you did it on purpose, if I didn’t know your routine so well.”

Jimin blinked. “Really?”

“Really, really.”

“I thought you looked cool,” you said quietly. Jimin smiled a bit, hiding his flushed face against Hoseok’s neck. “Do you want to go out for lunch to celebrate?”

Jimin looked up, his brow furrowing. “Celebrate what?—we don’t know if I got in or not yet.”

“Still, you worked hard for this audition, that’s something to celebrate,” you thought. Jimin made an uncertain noise. “Do you want to go out to eat? Or… we could take a trip to the beach if you want?”

Jimin yawned. “Ah, maybe another time? I’m a little tired, I think I just want to go home and take a nap.”

*

“Jiminie? Taehyungie? Dinner’s ready…” You knocked on their door.
It opened. Taehyung grimaced at you.

“Okay, so, Jiminie may be just a little overtired.”

You frowned. “That’s sounding… I don’t know how to say it in Korean, but, oxymoronic.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow at you. “I don’t know what you just said, but I feel like you insulted me.”

You clicked your tongue. “That’s not… anyway, what does ‘a little overtired’ mean?”

“…Come see for yourself.” Taehyung tugged you into the room and pointed at Jimin’s bed. It took you a moment to recognize the blue-grey cat curled in his white duvet. Your eyes widened.

“Is he okay?”

“Like I said, overtired, I think,” Taehyung said. “I’ll keep an eye on him. Let’s just let him sleep for now.”

“Okay.” You turned.

Taehyung grabbed your hand. “Noona?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t tell the others yet, okay? I just… I don’t want Seokjinie-hyung or Hoseokie-hyung lecturing Jiminie right now, okay?’

You sighed. “Okay, Tae. But come get me if… if either of you need anything, okay?”

“Of course.” He kissed your hand.

*

The next morning, you woke up to someone gently shaking your shoulder. You squinted up at Taehyung.

“Tae? Did I oversleep? Is Jiminie okay?”

“It’s still early, we just couldn’t sleep. He slept a lot already, so maybe that’s why. Oh, and I think he’s a little hungry, but, really, he’s fine,” Taehyung assured you. You rubbed your eyes, noticing cat-Jimin perched on Taehyung’s shoulders. Tae reached up and stroked under Jimin’s chin. Jimin purred. “See?” Taehyung laughed as Jimin head-butted his face. Then he stopped abruptly, his brow furrowing. “Ah, but we can’t keep it from the others any longer, that wouldn’t be fair.” Taehyung bit his lip. “I just thought, ah, maybe we could walk into the kitchen together, extra reinforcements, you know, in case Jin-hyung is feeling huffy.”

*

“Morning!” Taehyung called as you entered the kitchen.

“Taehyung-ah’s awake before noon?” Yoongi teased.

“Yeah, well, Jimin-ah was hungry and he wouldn’t let me sleep,” Taehyung complained lightly. Yoongi turned, studying Jimin for a moment. Then he put down his coffee and moved over to the cabinet, pulling out a can of tuna. Taehyung made a happy noise and gave him a kiss.

Jin picked up Yoongi’s coffee and took a long sip, frowning at them over the rim of the mug.

“Seokjin-oppa…” You said warily.

“Hyung…” Jungkook said, walking into the kitchen and yawning.

“Yes?” Jin, Yoongi, and Taehyung said all at once (Jimin mewed as well). Jungkook laughed.

“Yoongi-hyung—you said you’d send me something for this week’s post, but you never did.”

“Oh yeah.” Yoongi’s brow furrowed. “Sorry, Jungkook-ah—I can work on something today if you want?”

Jungkook nodded, scratching Jimin behind the ears. “That would be great. Thanks.”

“You’ve been very serious about this blog recently, haven’t you?” Jin noted, pushing Jungkook’s hair out of his face. Jungkook made an agreeable noise, taking Yoongi’s coffee out of Jin’s hands and taking a sip.

“It’s fun. I like being able to share people’s stories like this.”

“You’re good at it,” Taehyung said, pulling him into a hug and nuzzling at his neck. Jimin hopped off of his shoulders, onto the counter, and batted at the can of tuna.

You climbed onto the counter to grab a bowl from the cabinet. Yoongi reached over, his hand hovering at your back.

*

After breakfast, Yoongi disappeared to work on his entry for Jungkook’s blog. Hoseok was video chatting with Daewon. You, Namjoon, and Taehyung sat at the coffee table in the living room, looking over some community center work while Jin and Jungkook set up a game.

“I’m just saying,” Jungkook said. “Other games besides Mario games exist.” Jin gasped dramatically.

“Blasphemous! You take that back!”

Jungkook laughed, rolling his eyes.

“And we’re sure we don’t need to take him to the doctor or anything?” Namjoon asked.

“Hmm?” Taehyung looked up from the thank you email you and he were composing to a donor. He watched Namjoon pet Jimin for a moment and then smiled. “Oh yeah, he’s fine. Trust us, okay?”

“…Okay.” Namjoon leaned down to bury his face in Jimin’s fur. Jimin purred. You frowned at your computer.

“Namjoon-ah, did I use the correct word here?”

Namjoon straightened up to look. Jimin hopped onto the table, stepping onto your keyboard.

“Aw, are you annoyed Namjoonie-hyung stopped paying attention to you?” Taehyung teased.

“Jimin-ah, stop being a kitten,” Jin scolded. “You’re going to ruin all their hard work.” He had a point, but…

“How can you scold him when he looks so cute?” You held Jimin up by the armpits, pouting.

“Oh no…” Jungkook held his hand over his chest. “Double cuteness attack. They’re too strong together…” You laughed and put Jimin down on the floor.

Jin snorted. “Jiminie’s always cute. I don’t see why this is any different than usual. You’re just weak, Jungkook-ah.”

“Against kitten Jiminie? Oh, for sure,” Jungkook said. Jimin made a pleased noise and stepped up onto his lap. “You’d have to be heartless not to be.” Jungkook picked him up. Jimin tucked his chin over Jungkook’s shoulder and held on with both paws. You cooed. Namjoon pulled his phone out to take a picture. Jungkook flashed a grin and a peace sign at him.

Jin frowned. “I’m not heartless. I’m also a very cute cat. Therefore, I’m immune.”

“Hmm, sounds logical,” you thought. “Namjoon-ah, you should take pictures of Seokjinie too, since he’s so cute, right?”


“Of course!” Jin laughed loudly, his ears turning red. Namjoon agreeably turned his phone towards Jin. “Wait, no, stop looking at me!” Taehyung chuckled.

*

When Namjoon suggested a walk, Jimin pattered after you.

“I thought cats don’t like rain,” you mused, as Jimin winded around your ankles, clearly insisting on being picked up.

“Jimin-ah does, though,” Namjoon said simply. Jimin rode on your shoulders. Light raindrops plopped against the yellow umbrella Namjoon held over your heads. “Can we stop at the nursery?” You nodded. “I think they’ve got some new stock in, since I was there last.”

“Spring is really here,” you said, looking around the nursery. The moisture clung to the newly blooming flowers in sparkling drops. Jimin hopped off of your shoulders. He moved hurriedly under the shop’s awning, leaving a trail of damp paw prints.  He stuck his nose into a pot of purple flowers and—sneezed! His whole body shuddered. You laughed. He mewed indignantly. “Silly kitty.” You scooped him up again.

“It’s almost a year, since we’ve met,” Namjoon noted.

You smiled. “Should we do something special, to celebrate?”

“If you like,” Namjoon said, shrugging. “Otherwise, spending time with you like this is special enough for me.” Jimin stretched out to head-butt Namjoon’s arm.


“He’s calling you cheesy, isn’t he?”

“Hmm? Suddenly I can’t understand the intricate body language communication of a hybrid in animal form. I guess we’ll never know what he’s saying.”

*

That night, Jimin and Taehyung joined you in your bed. You fell asleep with Taehyung’s arm wrapped around you. You could feel the vibration from his laughter as Jimin kneaded at his stomach.

When you woke up, human form Jimin was cuddled between you. “You’re back…” You brushed his hair out of his face and kissed his forehead.

“More kisses…” Jimin muttered, still half asleep. You laughed and pressed more kisses to his face. He giggled. Taehyung rolled on top of you, making shushing noises in your ear.

“Sleep more,” he grunted. “Not time to get up yet.”

You poked his side. He squirmed and then grabbed your hand. “But, Taehyungie, Jiminie is back.”

“That’s great, still wanna sleep,” he told you.

Jimin snorted. “Some soulmate you are. Don’t even care if I’m a cat or not.”

Taehyung flopped over so that he was on top of Jimin instead.

“Jiminie is Jiminie, no matter what,” Taehyung said, nuzzling against his neck. Jimin sighed, stroking his hair a bit. You tried to wriggle out from the covers, but Taehyung frowned, eyes scrunched shut as he gripped your shirt. “Stay.”

You groaned. “Taehyungie, I have to pee, and I have to drink coffee.”

“Ohhhh, coffee,” Jimin said in a longing voice. 


“Want me to bring you a cup?”

“Yes please.” His green eyes glinted. “You’re amazing.” You laughed as you got out of bed, nearly tripping on a pair of underwear on the floor, glancing at Jimin thoughtfully and then tossing the wrinkled item of clothing at him.

It hit him on the face. Taehyung, squinting one eye open, snickered.

“Ugh, gross,” Jimin said, sitting up and frowning at you. “What’d you do that for?”

“Please wear some clothes if I’m going to be getting back into bed with you,” you requested. “And I’m not sure you can call it gross when you’re the one who left it on the floor in the first place.”

“…I forgot we haven’t really seen each other naked yet,” Jimin muttered, clenching the underwear in his hands, his expression serious.

“You’re both disgusting,” Taehyung groaned. “Abandoning me for coffee. Honestly, if I wanted that, I would’ve slept in Yoongi-hyung’s bed.”

“I’ll bring you a hot chocolate,” you offered.

“…You’re right, Jiminie, she is amazing.”

You laughed again.

*

“Oooh, is that for me?” Jin asked, hugging you from behind as you mixed Taehyung’s hot chocolate.

“It’s for Tae Tae, but I can make you one if you like.”

“That’s okay.” Jin kissed your neck a couple of times before pulling back, studying the tray you were setting up. “You look like you have your hands full. Three cups… is Jiminie back, then?” You nodded, eyeing him warily. “Let me carry this for you.” Jin picked up the tray. You frowned. “I promise I won’t scold him, I just want to check on him, okay?”

“…Okay.”

*

Jin studied Jimin for a moment and then let out a long sigh. Jimin sat up, his body swaying as he glared. Taehyung sat up slowly, wrapping his arms around him, half hanging off of him, half keeping him upright.

“If you’re going to lecture me, let’s just get it over with,” Jimin said hoarsely. Jin put the tray on the bed and then tapped you on the nose.

“Don’t you spill that when you get back into bed, that would be just like you, clumsy kitty.”

“You’re the cat,” you muttered, very carefully getting into bed. Taehyung chuckled at you, voice still rough from sleep. You passed him his hot chocolate. Taehyung took a long sip and then kissed you.

“Thank you,” he murmured against your lips. “Tastes good.”

Jin snorted. “You shameless flirt.”

Taehyung hummed. “This is coming from you?”

“Coffee.” You placed the next mug into Jimin’s hands. He was still squinting suspiciously at Jin, who was hovering.

“…Do you want some soup?” Jin asked suddenly. Jimin blinked at him.

“What?”

“Kimchi jigae—that’s your favorite, right? Or do you want something else?”

Jimin sniffled, rubbing his fist against his face, shaking his head. “K-kimchi jigae sounds good. It sounds really good.”

“Okay.” Jin smiled. “I’ll go make it for you.”

“Wait…” Jimin reached out. Jin walked over and took his hand. “You’re not angry at me?”

“Oh, I am furious,” Jin said. Jimin flinched. “Not at you Jimin-ah. I’m angry… I’m angry at whatever makes you feel like you have to push yourself so hard that you break.”

“But, that’s me,” Jimin said. “I did it to myself, so I probably deserve to suffer a little.” Jin’s brow furrowed. Jimin shook his head. “If I was good enough, this wouldn’t happen.”

“That’s not…” You bit your lip, frowning.

“We all have things we can improve on,” Jin thought. “Maybe something you can improve on… when your body transforms on its own, it’s trying to tell you that something is very wrong. So, it would be good if you could learn how to listen to your body, so you can rest and recharge before it gets to that point…”

“I knew… I saw the warning signs,” Jimin admitted. “I just… I ignored them. I thought if I kept pushing, I could get through it. And, well, I did, but then I… crashed.”

“So, again, maybe that’s something you can improve on,” Jin said. “Because you deserve a healthy body and mind, Jimin-ah.” Jimin made a noncommittal noise.

“You do,” Taehyung told him. “You deserve health and happiness, and no suffering.”

“Is it so hard to believe?” You asked Jimin. Jimin nodded sharply, avoiding eye contact with any of you. Jin sighed again. Taehyung hummed, pressing his face against Jimin’s.

“Okay,” he said. “Even if you don’t believe it, I do. Maybe today is a bad day. There will always be bad days, but I believe there will be good days too. Maybe it doesn’t feel like it right now, but we’re gonna be happy. I believe that.”

*

After drinking your coffee, you got out of bed, despite Taehyung and Jimin’s very convincing arguments that you should stay and cuddle.

You went onto the back porch to have a video chat with your sister. Hoseok came over while she was telling you about her new routine. He seemed interested, and the two of them (with you doing your best to translate) compared skating to dancing until she had to go.

“I forgot, I made coffee, that’s why I came out here,” Hoseok said, handing you a mug. He frowned. “It’ll be cold by now.”

“I don’t mind,” you said, drinking it anyway.

“And Seokjin-hyung’s starting to make lunch,” Hoseok said. “He was wondering if you wanted to help. He’s thinking of trying a new recipe.”

*

Lunch was almost ready when Jimin wandered into the kitchen, stumbling, nearly walking into the counter. His hair was sticking up at all angles, his shirt hanging off one shoulder as he squinted.

“Smells good,” he muttered.

“You smell a lot better!” Jungkook nuzzled at him. Jimin weakly smacked at his arm, yawning.

“In a matter of speaking,” Hoseok muttered, nose wrinkling as he collected the food waste in the compost bin.

“It smelled almost like you were sick,” Jungkook mumbled against Jimin’s ear. “You smell a little better, now that you’ve rested. I’m glad…” He nipped lightly at the arch of Jimin’s ear. Jimin snorted and whacked him again before turning in his arms and rubbing his face against Jungkook’s chest. “You do, like, seriously need a shower though.” Jimin groaned.

“Don’t want to be alone right now,” he admitted quietly.

“Okay,” Hoseok said. “Do you want me to shower with you?”

Jimin looked at you, biting his lip. You raised an eyebrow at him. “Noona, you, ah, took a shower with Hoseokie-hyung recently,” he said slowly. You nodded.

“I did. Did you want me to join you?”

“I, um, I would appreciate the company, but right now, my body’s a little…” Jimin waved his hand. “It’s just cause I’m not strong enough at the moment. Once I’m stronger I’ll work harder—“

“Sometimes, working harder isn’t the answer,” Hoseok said sharply. You frowned. Hoseok took a deep breath. His gaze softened. “We’ve all pushed ourselves too hard sometimes. Maybe that’s how we learn our limits. But… if you want to be a professional dancer, you need to take care of your body. You’re always checking in with us, seeing how we feel—you can do that with yourself as well, you know.”

“In theory… I know that,” Jimin said. “In practice… I’m not so sure.”


“That’s okay,” Hoseok said, squeezing his shoulder. “It takes time to build up these skills.”

“I find things easier sometimes when I break them down into small steps,” you commented. “One thing at a time. Like, if you need to take a shower, focus on that first.” Jimin nodded slowly. “And I think there’s a way I could keep you company while still giving you some privacy, if you want.”


“Yeah?” His ears perked up hopefully. You nodded again.

“But, Jimin-ah…” You bit your lip. “You know I’ll love you whatever your body looks like, right?”

Jimin grimaced. “Maybe. But I think you’d prefer it to look good.”

“I think my preference would be… you’d be healthy, and happy with the way you look.”

Jimin snorted. “Right. Like that’s so easy.”


“I didn’t say it was.”

*

You sat on the toilet, holding Jimin’s phone, humming along to the soft song playing from it.

When the water turned off, you stuck your hand through a gap in the curtains, holding Jimin’s towel out to him. You heard a thump. Jimin cursed. Your heartbeat sped up.

“Jimin-ah… can I open the curtain?”

Jimin let out a long breath. “Yeah…” He was sitting on the shower tiles, hugging his knees to his chest, his towel awkwardly tangled with his legs. “I tripped.” He rubbed the palm of his hand against his eyes, trying to force back the tears. “I’m a mess.”

“We all are, sometimes.”

He frowned. “But… I don’t want to be. I want to be perfect. I want you to like me.”

“I already love you, and not because I think you’re perfect,” you told him. He shivered. “Are you cold? Do you want another towel? Do you want help getting up?”

He sighed. “Alright. Fine. Both, please,” he said quietly. You got him another towel, wrapping it around him before helping him to his feet. “Hoseok-hyung is right. My body is so weak. Even if they did somehow accept my pitiful audition, I fucked up. I pushed too hard, and now I’m too weak, and I won’t be able to dance like this.”

“Step by step,” you reminded him. “You have time. You have months before the results are announced. Focus on what you need right now, at this very moment.” Jimin nodded.

“Step by step. I’m wet, and cold. I should dry off, get dressed.”

Soon enough Jimin was dressed in his comfiest clothes, sitting at the counter eating his soup, teasing Jin with compliments, and laughing when he blushed.

*

A week later, Jimin came out of his doctor’s appointment smiling.

You slipped your sketchbook back into your bag. “Good news? Ah, wait, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want…”

Jimin laughed. “It’s fine. I mean—it’s amazing to have the option to pick and choose what to tell you, but I don’t mind if you know most of it.” Jimin had been pleasantly surprised when Dr. Cho asked if he wanted you in the room or not.

“She said I can go jogging with Hoseok-hyung now, as long as I take it easy, especially at first,” he told you. You smiled at him as you got into the car. “Hey, do you want to stop at that bakery you like before we go home? We can get Jungkookie some of those cookies he likes—and I wouldn’t mind a slice of that cake!”

Your smile widened. “Me too!”

Jimin teased you about your sweet tooth, even after he kissed the sugar off the corner of your mouth.

*

The house was eerily quiet when you opened the door. No one greeted you in the hallway. You fumbled as you removed your shoes, nearly tripping over yourself. Jimin gripped your arm, keeping you upright.

Hoseok and Taehyung were in the living room, curled up on the couch, tightly around each other. Hoseok growled when you stepped closer. Jimin hissed back, pulling you behind him.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Sorry, sorry.” Hoseok rubbed his blotchy face.

“What’s happened?” Jimin asked sternly.

“Jungkookie… I think he had a panic attack?” Hoseok said uncertainly. “That sent Jin-hyung spiraling—we had to separate them—Seokjin-hyung was fighting Yoongi-hyung all the way…”

“Jungkook—he’s crying,” Taehyung choked out. He looked at you. “I—he never cries. We used to tease him and try and get him to, because he never—“

“He cries sometimes, when we do,” Jimin argued.

“…Yeah,” Taehyung said in a small voice. “But that’s… that’s different, isn’t it? I’ve never seen him like this.”

“But, Jin-hyung and Jungkookie…” Jimin said. “Why would you separate them?”

Hoseok sighed. “They were making each other worse.”

You and Jimin hovered awkwardly. Then suddenly Jimin said, “Jungkookie’s not—he’s not alone is he? He shouldn’t—I mean, unless he wanted to—Did he want to be alone?”

“No, no.” Hoseok shook his head. “He’s latched onto Namjoon-ah, I don’t think he could let go if he wanted to. I think that’s part of what set Seokjin-hyung off. You know how protective he gets when he thinks Jungkook-ah is… vulnerable.”

“Jin-oppa wanted to protect Jungkook-ah from Namjoon?” You asked, surprised.

“Jin-hyung has tried to protect Jungook-ah even from us a couple of times,” Taehyung told you. “But, um, Seokjinie is with Yoongi-yah right now, so I think he’s starting to calm down.”

Your phone buzzed. Your whole body jerked, your hand shaking as you reached into your pocket. You somehow managed to not drop your phone as you processed the words on the screen. “It’s Joon… he’s asking me to come out—the backyard?”

“Is Jungkookie okay with that?” Taehyung asked. “We have to ask him if he’s okay with that—if he’s responsive…”

You texted Namjoon back. “Yeah… Jungkook says I can come out.”

“Then I should—” Jimin started.

“Let’s try one at a time,” Hoseok suggested. “We don’t want to crowd him.”

“Alright,” Jimin muttered, frowning.

*

They were under the tree.

“Why—why now?” Jungkook hiccuped. He was lying on Namjoon’s lap, gripping his hand so hard his knuckles were white. Namjoon was rubbing his back, brushing his hair out of his face. One of Namjoon’s ears swiveled towards you as you approached, while the other kept pointed at Jungkook. Jungkook’s ears were drooped. He tugged on one with his free hand, glancing up at you. “[F/N]…” His eyes were even larger than normal, his face puffy and red, streaked in tears and snot.

“Jungkook.” You crouched down, rubbing at his face with your sleeve.

His nose wrinkled. “Now your shirt’s dirty.”

“That’s okay.”

“But, you like that shirt,” he muttered. “A lot. I’ll wash it for you.” Your heart clenched.

“Okay. Thank you. But… later, okay? Right now… can you tell me what happened?”

“Hmm.” He hiccuped again. “I forgot how to breathe.” The pressure in your chest increased.

“Oh. That… happens sometimes.”

“Does it?” He asked. “To you?” You nodded. His chin jutted out. “I didn’t pass out though. I’m still… I’m not completely fucked up, you know.”

“I know.” You sat down fully, trying to keep a little space between you, but Jungkook’s hand jerked out and he pulled you closer so your legs were tangled together. You squeezed his hand. “We’re all a little fucked up. Doesn’t mean I love you any less.”

“…You love me?” His voice cracked.

You nodded. “I do. So much.”

“Me too,” Namjoon added. “Both of you.” Jungkook smiled slightly. And then his smile fell and he looked at you, considering.

“Noona, do you know why?”

“…Kookie, I don’t understand the question.”

He huffed. “Why…” He sat up a bit, leaning against Namjoon’s shoulder, still holding both of your hands. “I remembered some things today. I hadn’t forgotten… not fully… but… I pushed them away, I think. I pushed them down, but today they came back up—why today? It’s been good. Jiminie’s been smiling more. I beat that level I was trying to since last week—and Yoongi-hyung was showing Jin-hyung a new song, it was so romantic, and then I fucked it up, and now everyone’s miserable.”

“You didn’t fuck it up,” Namjoon told him seriously. “If we need to be sad right now, we’ll be sad. We can be happy again later, together.”

Jungkook let out a long breath. “Why today?”

“I’m not a therapist,” you said. Jungkook squinted at you.

“No fucking duh.”

You flinched at his tone. “Jungkook-ah…” Namjoon said, brushing his hair out of his face again. Jungkook grimaced.

“Sorry.”

You shook your head. “It’s fine. I just want you to understand. I’m not a therapist, but I’ve had… a lot of therapy, and one of my therapists told me… when you’re in it, sometimes, when you’re in survival mode, your brain doesn’t have the energy to process certain things. Then you come out of it, and… when your brain thinks you’re ready, certain things might come back.”

Jungkook frowned. “I don’t want it to come back. I want it gone.”

“I don’t know… I don’t really know how that works,” you said. “I think it could become easier to deal with, but… you might have to work through it first.”

Jungkook’s eyes glinted. “I can work hard,” he said. “That’s something I know how to do.”

“I know,” you said. “But this is… be gentle with yourself, please.”

“…I’ll try,” he said. “I’ll try my best.”

“Hmm.” Namjoon moved Jungkook’s hair out of the way so he could nuzzle at his neck a bit. “And we’ll do our best to support you.”

*

It took lots of phone calls and consultations for Jungkook to find a therapist he was comfortable with. There had been one that he said was ‘okay’ and stuck out for several weeks before that therapist encouraged him to see a specialist.

Jungkook was having nightmares (“Flashbacks,” he told you quietly at 3 am, tracing shapes on the back of your hand with his thumb. “Chinho-ssi says they’re called flashbacks…”).

During that time, both you and Jin found therapists as well.

“She gave me a long winded metaphor about a house having multiple support beams so it can be sturdy,” Jin told you, reorganizing his Mario figurines after Namjoon broke one (that, Jin told you, would take an entire session to work through). “I am happy, though, most of the time. Honestly, I am. When I’m sad, I’m sad, but when I’m not… I don’t think about it too much. Not anymore. There are more pleasant things to think about, for which I’m grateful.”

You were back on psych meds again, trying out different ones to see if any would stick. It had been almost two weeks on the latest one. You were sitting at the counter with Namjoon, going over some paperwork when arms wrapped around you from behind, a nose pushing against your neck. You stiffened, and then relaxed at the familiar sound of Jungkook’s inquisitive noises. 
“Noona.” He pulled back, his nose wrinkling. “You smell different.”

“Certain medications can do that,” Namjoon commented.

“Should I stop taking them?” You asked in a small voice. “I can—”


“No!” Jungkook looked horrified. “I wouldn’t ask you to do that! Not if it can help you feel better.”

Your shoulders slumped. You looked away from him. “But, you liked my scent a lot.”

“I still do,” he said. “Even if it’s different, because it’s you.” You continued frowning at your paperwork. “But you know what would make it even better?” You finally looked up.

“What?”

“If it was mixed with mine.”

He scented you liberally every chance he got.

So, the scent issue seemed largely managed, but the medication side effects also included a significant weight gain, the kind you hadn’t had to deal with in years.

You asked Namjoon to hide the scale that had been in your bathroom.

When Jungkook started pestering you about working out with him, you gave Namjoon such a betrayed look that Namjoon had to take you aside and promise you he hadn’t said anything. He hadn’t said anything, but he thought maybe youshould say something to the others.

“Taking care of yourself is hard work,” Jimin said, as the two of you lay with a blanket pulled up over your heads like a shield.

*

It felt like work to admit to Jungkook that it was a little too intimidating to join his workout routine (although he said he was fine with it, you weren’t sure). It felt like wor

purpleyoonn:

Grocery Shopping and the Game of Hide and Sneak 

Summary: Jin and Yoongi decide to take the mc grocery shopping so she can help gather ingredients for dinner. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Jungkook and Taehyung tag along for the ride. 

Genre: absolute fluff. like seriously, nothing but fluff. 

Warnings: not much, just tae kook being little brats and playing tricks on the mc, jin and yoongi. some tears may be shed. can’t promise anything.overload of cuteness. mc pouts and gets away with lots. baby mc power. kook and tae get what is coming to them. slight daddy yoongi. 

Masterlist

From the Little Fox universe

—————————————————–

“Baby, you can’t bring your plushie into the store.” Jin spoke calmly, trying to keep calm in order to not make you cry. 

You hadn’t been to a grocery store since before you were brought into the Little Fox and couldn’t remember what being inside a store was like, so you brought your wolf plushie to hold onto. You had thought no one would bother you if you brought your large plushie in with you, or so Jungkook had told you. 

Keep reading

purpleyoonn:

“The idea of being free was a foreign concept. Being free meant having choices, having opportunities. Being a hybrid meant never being free.”

Summary:Just as you escaped the Little Fox, a bidding house, you find yourself at war with your thoughts, not wanting to go to another shelter. You didn’t expect yourself to find a home anywhere, especially not with the men who found you, and their pack.

Pairing:eventual polyBTS x hybrid reader

Genre:hybrid au!, fluff, angst, poly, mentions of abo, slowburn, eventual smut

Status:Complete

Warnings: insecurities, anxiety, past abuse, past sexual abuse, mentions of rape/noncon, some violence, mentions of violence. Some warnings may be added to the beginning of individual chapters. 

————————————————————

Chapters:

moodboard

playlist 

character profiles

Preview 

Preview 2

Part 1: The Beginning

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5 

Chapter 6 

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Part 2: Roaring Realizations

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18: The Finale

Drabbles:

drabble 1

drabble 2

Grocery Shopping

This Is Halloween 

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

Yoongi is a Canadian Lynx with very cat-like features, especially his eyes and behavior. Scent reminding everyone of warm green tea with a hint of patchouli. He can be rather shy, but also deprecating and stubborn - usually getting what he wants, even if he has to fight (maybe even unfair) for it. His father was a rare breed of a fox, which somehow got into his DNA, now he has a fox tail - his other hybrid features are those of a lynx.
He’s a CEO, but his name isn’t well known because his company sells mostly to the US, so Jungkook doesn’t know him, but soon finds out that he has lots of money and holds lots of power in his job.  He drools over Jungkook and gets flustered around the attractive fitness instructor, so some of his animal-like antics come out whenever he’s shy or nervous. 

He has some patchwork tattoos on his thighs. 

Hybrid features: pointy ears with sand-colored thick fur, thick gray fox tail, canine teeth (not that huge though, just slightly bigger than average), his eyes can change colors - they turn yellowish.

Jungkook (24) is a black flemish giant bunny - his scent is similar to cherry blossoms. He’s tall with well defined muscles, even though he hides his body under loose clothes most of the time. He works at the gym, has several medals in different martial arts and is a professional yoga instructor. He’s ashamed of his hybrid species, so he hides it, because who would find out anyways? Jungkook doesn’t bother fighting with predators, though - if they’re rude, he’s not shying away from them. He’s got back tattoos and both sleeves done, as well as a hip tattoo and some traditional designs on his thigh. Nose and lip ring. 

Hybrid features: droopy ears that he usually ties together with a hairband (obviously with a satin scrunchie so he doesn’t hurt his fur), soft tail, b u n n y  t e e t h and nose scrunch, thumps his foot when he’s nervous or angry, teeth nibbling, he nibbles on his friends or different items.

Editing the second chapter of Baby I’m preying on you tonight.

I’m sorry I know this had been a long wait, I’ll say it for hopefully the last time. New chapter coming soon.

Just a reminder, the ‘baby I’m preying on you tonight’s’ taglist is still open. Please comment if you want to be notified of chapter 2.

Due in the next few coming weeks….

Inu!Bakugo…for@ultimate-astridwriting’s Hybrid collab!

Summary:My part of the hybrid collab. I had so much fun writing an angry Pomeranian Bakugo. 10/10 would do again. I’m not completely happy with it but who ever is? I’m still proud of myself!

Word count:2.2k.

Warnings:Fem!Reader, Bakugo being an ass, sexual content, somnophilia, collars, choking, humping, creampie, name calling (bitch, slut, whore etc.), use of the word cunt.

You sigh as you rummage around in your pocket to produce the key to your home. After a long day’s work all you want to do is get some dinner, take a bath and go to bed but none of those things would be possible would they?

No, not after the spur of the moment decision to adopt a hybrid of all things. The week earlier was one of torrential downpours and near freezing temperatures, the roads making a slushy substance of half-melted ice and salt to prevent the very thing it was being mixed in with. People stayed indoors the best they could when they weren’t at work but life had to shit on you and make your car breakdown in the parking garage. Umbrella rested on your shoulder, rain boots on your feet with your spare in your bag and you trudged through cold, mushy hell back home. The streets were barren as a Walmart on a weekday at 4am, no life passing by you until you crossed an alley between two businesses. A pathetic whimper had caught your attention and your gaze drifted down to a soaked cardboard box. What was in that box you weren’t sure if you should curse or love. A hybrid.

Narrow red eyes stared at you in suspicion, fangs bared at you but the creature didn’t make any attempts to nip at your fingers when they neared to ruffle the spikey head of hair. The hybrid had leaned into your touch before recoiling away as if you had smacked him. The black and orange collar had seen better days, the charm that dangled on the hollow of his neck read “Dynamite” but he didn’t give any indication that was his name when you repeated it outloud. He was barely dressed in anything, a thin t-shirt, shorts with ragged Converse that had more holes than Swiss cheese. Truthfully he looked a few days away from starvation and how could you keep that on your conscience if you left him there? After laying your warm coat over his shoulders you somehow, someway, managed to get him back to your place. Everything went downhill from there in the blink of an eye.

The weak puppy persona was gone the moment warm food settled in his belly and within the hour he acted as if you had crowned him king of the house. Beginning his rambles of curses, demands and biting at your fingers. The worst of it happened when you tried to take his collar off for a new one, one that wasn’t frayed and barely hanging on. “Katsuki” as he spat out his name with enough venom to put a Black Mamba to shame had flipped over a coffee table, ripped up every couch cushion and went so far to chew on the linoleum on the kitchen floor.

No doubt you’d be greeted with the same sight as always. Messy, dirty, unknown stains everywhere and dishes still in the sink waiting to be moved to the washer. Maybe if he wasn’t such a loud ass you could train him but your frazzled nerves were at their wits end. You didn’t know what to do, you were about to throw in the towel and put him up for adoption. Yep, you were disappointed to be proven right. Katsuki reclining on the couch lengthwise, remote in his hand with the most bored expression on his face while idly flipping through channels.

“Fucking finally, you’re home! I’ve been waitin’ for fucking hours for your ass to get back! I’m hungry, get your shitty ass in the kitchen and make dinner.” He barked. Barely giving you any time to hang up your coat and slip off your shoes before his orders began.

“Katsuki…I can’t, not tonight.” Could your voice portray anymore pleading? Apparently not because he didn’t seem to notice, or care.

The fluffy ear at the top of his head only flicked in response, the top lip curling into his signature snarl. “Then what the fuck are you good for? Get your fucking ass in that god damn kitchen and fucking make dinner already.”

All that you were good for? All that you were good for? How dare he! He’s been freeloading off you for a week now without so much as a thanks for saving him from the streets, feeding him, clothing him, keeping him warm and dealing with his bullshit and this is how he repays you?

“I’ve fucking had it with you!” Your voice rose higher than you meant to but at this point you didn’t care, a line had been crossed. “You fucking sit there and ruin my shit and yet I’m the useless one? I have half a mind to kick you out! You can make your own fucking dinner, I’ve had it! I’m done! I can’t take this anymore!”

Despite not having any clunky shoes on your feet still managed to resonate in the small living room while you stormed past the couch. You had expected anything, anything at all. A slap, a punch, a groan, literally anything but you were met with only silence and that somehow pissed out off even more. How could silence be so infuriating?! You didn’t even notice the terror that washed over his face as you screamed at him or the way his chest heaved with the sob or how he trembled underneath your wrathful gaze as you walked away. The bedroom door slamming made short work of that.

“Fuck I’m such an ass..” You mused to yourself already regretting blowing up at him but what would an apology do that wasn’t already broken? So better yet why not send yourself to bed without dinner as some kind of punishment? He’d linger at the doorway to the kitchen, staring at you with those intense eyes if you made dinner anyways so why let him win? He could his own shit for fucks sake!

After a quick shower to dethaw your bones and warm up what was left of your dead soul the softness of your pajamas helped ease the guilt gnawing away like a puppy on its first bone. Laying in bed until sleep eventually overcame you and when he knew it was safe to slip in and sneak over towards your bedside.

Rustling was what woke you. The rustling of clothes and the jingle of something metallic in the darkness of the bedroom. Whatever grogginess you normally suffered when waking up was vanishing the more details were dissected and understood by your half-asleep brain, a process that took an embarrassingly long time. Clothes rustling, the bedsheets moving, heavy pants and something incredibly warm nudging up against the sensitive skin of your inner thighs. Naturally your brain assumed the worst and your eyelids flew open to show nothing; at first. As your eyes adjusted to the pitch black room they found the blazing stare of those vermillion eyes, the bared fangs that belonged to your hybrid.

What the hell was Katsuki doing on top of you?

Noticing that you were awake the snarl turned into a smirk as he huffed, his large chest expanding with each desperate pant. Why did your folds feel so good just as you were waking up?

“Feel that?” How could you not? The feel of a scorching cock bumping up your folds and sensitive clit, wet from the pre leaking from the tip. There was so much of it from what you could feel, too sticky to be your own. His hips had yet to cease moving, no word from your shocked form to still his rutting hips.

“W-what the hell are you doing?” Was the most logical question your brain could come up with in the moment.

“Humping…fucking dumbass.” His warm breath created goosebumps on your cool skin, his head must’ve been so close to yours by the hair tickling your forehead. “Tryin'ta…help ya. Shitty woman..”

“Help? How the fuck is this helping?”

“You’ve been working so hard so I thought maybe…a good fuck would calm ya down, relax ya.” Katsuki’s voice was so desperate, so needy, the humping of his cock on your labia increasing.

He was trying to help? He was going to fuck the frustration out of you? Is that was he was offering? Having sex with a hybrid was common enough to not be considered taboo but you couldn’t help but feel he was trying to worm his way into your good graces. Unless your words had struck some kind of cord with him. “Okay, alright, I’ll let you help.”

“Fuck yeah!”

With that the head of his cock nudged against your cunt, already spread and waiting for him. How long had he been doing this for? The burn of the stretch was delicious, he was just big enough to fill you up but not hurt. Settling right up to kiss the tip of your cervix when he bottomed out. His hands grip at your thigh and hip, pulling his back to slam his cock right back into you. Over and over, over and over, over and over. Practically using you as a fleshlight to get himself off but damn if it didn’t feel good, him bouncing you on his cock so roughly each thrust was sending the headboard against the wall.

“Oh fuck…oh fuck, Katsuki!” Your hands pat around and eventually find his biceps and you cling on for dear life, your nails digging crescent shaped markings into his skin.

“Yeah, yeah…you like this form of stress relief, don'tcha you dirty slut?” Undoing the collar around his neck the frayed cloth of the strap is tied around your neck, the buckle clamping down tightly to constrict your airflow while two fingers slip under it to pull and tug. “You’re my dirty fucking slut! Mine…mine…mine…mine, fucking mine!”

Your fingers trailed down the tiny amount of space between your bodies down to the precious, neglected nub between your legs. Barely able to wiggle your index and middle finger down there from the rabid fucking you were receiving to circle the bundle of nerves and send yourself over the edge. Each clap of your thighs smacking against each other forcing your hate for his behavior ebbing away. If he was going to act like this all the time how could you kick him out?

“F-fuck! Gonna cum…fucking cum..cum for me. Cum with me!” Katsuki snarled as the pressure around your throat increased. Your hand was smacked away from your clit and was replaced with the large pad of his thumb, frantic circles sending your body into a writhing mess of flails and kicks.

The orgasm that had been steadily building from your ministrations had been ripped away and replaced with one quickly approaching to push you over the edge. The white hot pleasure-coil that formed underneath your belly button snapped and all of it coursed through your system in one go. Paralyzing your body for a split second as you squirted all over the hybrids cock, his still rubbing hand sending the liquid everywhere. Coating his thighs, your thighs and the bed underneath you.

“Fucking fuck! Such a whore, such a dirty girl for me! Oh my fucking g-god!” One last slam of his hips and his own body stilled, burying his cock deep inside your cunt to shoot his cum deep in your womb. He stuttered before his body collapsed on top of you, suffocating you in his sweaty muscles.

Bathing in the afterglow, coming down from your high you could’ve sworn you heard something. Mumbling, soft mumbling too indistinct to understand. Katsuki’s head laying on your shoulder, his nose brushing along your collarbone and was he laying kisses here and there? No, you must’ve been seeing things. Still buried to the hilt he turned his head to speak, his fluffy ears perked and his tail gently swishing behind him. The sudden light from your phone illuminated the room, casting light on Katsuki’s face and the sight made your breath hitch in your throat. Clearly he had been crying. Tear stains streaked down his cheeks, brows knitted together and the same lost look he had plastered on his face appeared again.

“Please, please don’t kick me out. I’ll do anything, please…please don’t abandon me. Not again.” His arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer as he hid his face in your neck. Voice breaking, shoulders trembling, the verge of crying all over again quickly approaching.

Your heart broke and you returned the favor by hugging him around the shoulders, a hand carding through his hair to soothe him. Had he been abandoned? Did his previous owners not like him? Was all his aggressiveness some kind of defense mechanism? Was he giving you a reason to kick him out to keep himself from experiencing that kind of pain again? Oh, poor baby. “Never again…just don’t destroy things anymore, okay? Help me around the place a little more will ya?”

“Yes.” Katsuki snuggled on top of you. Finally believing he had a real home with you, a place where he could belong. “….Master.”

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 3 (5.7k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

It’s been two weeks since my fight with Jimin, since I purposefully hurt Yoongi.

I haven’t gone back to class since that day because I’m too busy with work, but I sent a message to the cat every time, not willing to ghost him in the matter since he’s my teacher, something that has no link with the past.

Every time, he sent me the work to do for that day with instructions and examples and told me to send them via email if at all possible, that it was fine if I couldn’t and to remember to take breaks often.

Such nice words even after what I did to him. The sentences I wrote flash back in mind.

I decided to draw a portrait of my late grandmother because I want a way to remember her even when I get older.

And right under, the one that hurt him.

I hope that drink was worth it.

His reaction showed me just how much he regrets his past actions, how badly he is coping with what he did, even after all these years.

I’m both sadistically pleased that he has yet to forget and heartbroken because it must eat him up from the inside just as much as it does to me.

As much as I want to hate him for what he took from me, the one person that truly mattered to me, I’m not made to be mean, it just doesn’t work. Knowing that I’m behind someone’s misery makes me just as miserable. It’s easier to be the one hurting than it is to hurt someone else.

Just how far gone in your own pain must you be to get some sort of satisfaction out of it? Or is it just like it was to me for everyone? Brief and absolutely not helping?

I clean up my lab properly, surfaces wiped until not a trace remains, notes put in the same usual drawer where I can find them easily, one that has a locker over it to make sure no one tries to steal them because they are so personal and important to me.

I feel like I’m getting closer to my goal, the smell is there, but there’s a bitterness to it that I have yet to really understand. I don’t know how to counter it without changing the whole smell and it’s been taking all of my focus for the last few days.

I turn off the lights and close the doors behind me before getting into my car, then turn on the engine, ready to head home when my phone’s alarm starts ringing loudly in the vehicle, enough to startle me since everything has been so quiet since this morning.

I take it out of my bag and sigh when I see the reminder it was set for. 

Grocery shopping.

Right, I knew I would forget so I took measures that I now regret, knowing full well that not going would only make me regret it even more because I barely have any food left at home. My fridge and pantry look like no one’s lived there for ages. 

Unwilling to change my plan that previously was to go straight home but knowing that there’s no way out of it, I put my phone back in my bag and drive out of the parking lot to get on the road.

Food, I need food.

And toilet paper.

And detergent. Damn it, did I prepare a list? I don’t think I did.

The ride to the nearest grocery store is quiet and tiring, but it’s to be expected, I haven’t really slept much nowadays, can’t seem to be able to relax enough for that luxury.

The things I would give just to get to lie down in bed and wake up the next morning, that would feel amazing, alas, it is but an empty wish, result of an action I shouldn’t have done, apologies not given and a perfume that nearly obsesses me.

That and I’ve already been avoiding too many meals. If I skip one more, I fear that the lack of energy I would get in return would keep me from doing the things I really need to take care of and I can’t afford wasting too much time, I can’t get sick.

The struggle of being alive.

I can’t just focus on work, no, I have to take care of myself. Who will care about my health if I don’t?

I huff out softly at the depressing thought and pull into the small grocery store’s parking lot, eyes trying to find a slot closer to the doors to avoid having to walk too much since I feel so tired already.

To my utter disappointment, there’s not a single one where I want it, myself being one of a few having to do an emergency run to the store and so, I end up having to park a little away into a corner, one I usually avoid because driving out from here is such a hassle.

At least no one will be bumping into my car around here, I’ve already had enough from people unable to look around them and I can’t afford one more bump to repair, which in the long run, ends up costing more than I want to admit. 

Can’t really help it though, I don’t want to appear lousy, I have an image to uphold and sadly, a car says a lot about someone’s financial state, so I can’t just leave my car wrecked, not when I have meetings with companies to try and get more investments.

Being a freelancer has its downsides, but luckily I have a really good support system from an old friend who invests quite the amount in my work as well as helping me manage the commercial side of selling perfumes, I have mostly him to thank for being able to keep doing what I do, he’s the one who believes the most in my skills.

I step out of the car and grab my grocery bags from the trunk before heading inside the building, a cart grabbed on the way, then proceed to avoid as many people as I can while making the usual round in the different aisles, eyes looking over the price of different items to see if anything’s worth buying now rather than waiting.

Lucky for me, by the first twenty minutes I walk around, most of the people leave the store, henceforth giving me more space, which is a good thing since it helps me relax a little, I hate it when it’s crowded, it becomes hard to breathe.

It’s not surprising though, by the time I got done with work for today, the shop’s closing time got nearer as well and although it’s a good thing for me because it means less people inside, I also feel really bad because one look at some of the workers and I can tell that they know I’m going to make them stay a few minutes past their shift.

The way they keep glaring at me when I walk past them makes me nervous and tensed, but at this late hour is the easiest for me, I wouldn’t be able to handle coming here during rush hours, I don’t think I could even think straight, I’d end up fleeing the place as fast as possible.

I grab what I need with quick hands and head to the area where the toilet paper is but as I turn left to reach the right part of the shelves, I end up facing someone I didn’t expect to see.

Someone I was anxious to meet again.

“Y/N” he whispers, eyes settling on me in surprise before turning awkward, wings nervously fluttering behind him as he bites on his bottom lip, a tall and wide-shouldered man I don’t know next to him, his face confused until he hears my name, his eyes then widening for a brief second, he must have heard about me from the bird.

I feel my muscles tense and clench, mind already in a fight or flight state but I try to breathe in and out slowly to keep calm.

It’s okay, no danger here. Just a very awkward situation that I would’ve avoided if I’d known he would be here.

Shooting me a kind smile, the older man, who I’m sure is Jin, Jimin’s owner and brother, grabs the cart from the eagle and whispers something to him before leaving us both alone, probably sensing that this is something out of his control that needs to be taken care of.

Which is nice of him, really, but I wish he would’ve taken his hybrid with him.

I can still remember the anger he had towards me that day, his usually honeyed voice tinged with fire as he’d rushed after me demanding answers and he honestly scared me for a moment when he made a move my way, I didn’t like that at all.

Is he still mad? Yoongi apologized on his behalf last week so I know he isn’t keeping a grudge for what I did, but what about this hybrid here?

Disgruntled about the turn of events, I’m not in a mood to face this sort of awkwardness, I decide to keep walking forward, pass by him without saying a single word until I reach the damn toilet paper and I quickly grab the usual one before trying to flee the scene, but Jimin quietly follows behind me like a lost puppy, to my biggest discomfort.

I guess there’s no avoiding this after all. At least he’s not screaming at me, that’s got to count for something. Maybe Yoongi talked to him, does he know everything then? I somehow doubt it, if these two are close, I don’t think the black cat would want to open up about his… dark past self, it’s not like there’s a need for it.

I walk back to an aisle I already did and steal a look at Jimin as I fake glance at some of the products I don’t need, just to try and get a feel of his current mood, he’s so quiet after all, it feels unnatural.

He’s looking down, fists clenched and teeth pressed together in a loud gritting noise, eyes looking preoccupied as he goes through a fight within himself.

So not doing any better than I am, or have been for the past two weeks. That’s… comforting, in its own way.

I sigh and decide to keep walking around, slowly and without any real purpose until he finds the strength to speak what’s on his mind, no doubt the other man left him with me for that purpose, he must have known that Jimin would have something to say to me, whatever it is. 

Except it doesn’t happen, Jimin stays quiet and simply follows me around in complete silence, going as far as nearly bumping into me when I stop to grab a can of diced tomatoes I had forgotten.

He looks sheepish as he helps me stand up with hovering arms, but even then, he doesn’t speak up, his throat closed up on him, it’s starting to make me feel bad.

Am I… scaring him? Should I break the silence first? But what if I don’t want to?  Do I end up with a mute bird behind me until the rest of my life?

When I’m asked to pleasestart thinking about leaving the shop so they can finally close, I head to the cash register by the exit door and face a very displeased sloth when I take out bills instead of paying with my card, as if I need that kind of reaction at the moment.

“I’m sorry” I mumble, feeling pitiful, the situation everything but nice as no matter where I look around me, there are no smiles.

My ability to remain calm here is growing thinner and thinner by the second and I feel the shadow of anxiety creeping up behind me, a cold sweat starting to stick on my skin, I just want to be out of here.

I accept the change they hand me and once my bags back in the cart, I hurry outside of the building and to my car, the eagle still following me like a puppet, it’s like he’s completely lost his ability to make choices for himself, I could probably pick him up and he wouldn’t make a single noise.

I look around the empty parking lot, soul filled with hope, the man who was with him earlier can’t be too far, he can get the boy and bring him home until he feels ready to talk to me, but when I reach my car without seeing any familiar heads, most of the cars gone, no one around that seems to be waiting for someone, I get a bad feeling.

He didn’t leave Jimin behind, did he?

I turn to the hybrid to see him staring at his phone, his jaw dropping open before he shuts his eyes tight.

I’m right, aren’t I?

I exhale deeply and proceed to put the bags in the trunk before opening the passenger’s door.

“Get in” I let out before going around the car to get inside in the driver’s seat, no use staying here whining at the turns of events, I’m not going to let him walk outside at this hour. He sheepishly makes his way to the open door and sits inside as I wear my seat belt.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t know he would leave me like that, he just sent me a message saying that you would take me home, he just assumed, I’m so sorry” he murmurs, eyes still not ready to look at me as I turn on the engine, the loud sound replacing the silence following his words.

“It’s okay, I expected as much when I didn’t see him in the parking lot” I answer simply, not really mad about the situation, it’s just unenviable.

There are a few ways I expected my night to go, from workers shouting at me because I’m too slow to being kicked out by force, but this? This was not in my list of possibilities.

I mentally go over what I bought to see if I can afford a slight detour, I didn’t get anything frozen, nothing that needs to remain cold. I don’t needto get back home right away.

We can’t really stay like this forever, right? I really enjoyed spending time with Jimin and it would be sad if things end that way because of my… dumb little revenge that felt like shit. 

All in all, it does come back to me. I caused this, so I should fix this. 

“Are you in a hurry to get back home?” I ask, eyes fixated on a lamp post in front of us, not quite ready to look at him just yet, not when my nerves are so unstable still, the shopping misadventure one that put me on edge already. 

I hear him shift around a little before he shakes his head. “No… not really”.

I hum and nod. Alright. Change of plans, again.

“Let’s go somewhere then, I know a place, it should be empty at this hour, it’s not too far from here”.

He doesn’t reply, but I do see him nod from the corner of my eye, and that’s enough of a confirmation for me.

After getting out of the parking lot, something I truly despise, and honestly, I’m amazed that I didn’t break into a swearing fit, it’s really just because of my discomfort at having Jimin in my car because otherwise I would have let loose, I drive away from the grocery store and towards my old home, where I used to live with grandma.

There’s a calm park near the river in the area and the view we have from there is nice and soothing, which might be just what we both need to relax. 

The heavy weight of anxiety is still following close behind me because of all the gazes I had to endure earlier. It triggered a sense of danger within me and that’s why I hate being in crowded spaces, the part about always feeling in damn danger.

It’s like when you walk around outside and then hear people laugh, the sound suddenly making you feel like you’re the subject of their amusement. You know it doesn’t make sense, yet here you are, trying to hide in your shoulders as your feet bring you faster to your destination, heart pounding wildly in your chest.

That’s something I struggle a lot with, it always feels like I’m the center of their attention when in reality, most people don’t even notice me, why would they? They have a life to live, things to worry about, why would they focus on someone they don’t even know?

High school is long gone behind me, yet it still follows me wherever I go, like an annoying sickness with no cure.

I briefly turn my head to see him looking outside of his window as the sun goes down, trees going by quickly before allowing us to see an open green grass area with a sky that shows us the last colors of the day.

I slow down and park by the sidewalk before undoing my seat belt and then step out of the car, Jimin doing the same when he understands that this is where I wanted to take us.

He looks around us in a mix of confusion and curiosity and I figure it must be his first time here, I myself haven’t come here in a long time, didn’t think I’d ever step foot here again, to be honest. It brings back memories.

“It’s a nice park here. Used to come often with my grandmother when I was younger, we lived near here. It was a safe space, until even that got taken from me” I explain, the end a whisper as I start walking on the grass to get closer to the edge of the water.

He follows behind, not quite next to me but in a in-between, his eyes burning the side of my head as he processes my words.

“Taken from you?” he repeats, confused, but I simply smile, eyes taking in the water reflecting the sky on its surface. 

The Yoongi he knows today and the one I knew in the past are not the same, I can see that much, I would have to be blind if I refused to acknowledge that reality, so far from me the idea of breaking the friendship he has with the cat.

Jimin doesn’t need to know everything, doesn’t need to know anything at all.

“It’s not important anymore. I just thought that maybe you would feel better if I brought you here, you’ve been fidgety since the moment we met as if you have something to say, yet you followed me around without saying anything. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to” I tell him, eyes gazing at the sky where purple and pink mixes together before fading into a dark blue.

The show of colors in front of me makes my heart settle into a more comfortable pace, pressure around it fading away and making the threat of a panic disappear, it feels nice to breathe normally once more.

I can almost hear my grandma’s laughter when I close my eyes and nostalgia hits hard before I push it back, now’s not the time for that.

We sit down side by side at the edge of the cement, feet hovering over the water and I can feel his gaze on me, but I don’t dare meet his eyes.

What do they look like? Did I overdo it? Did I overstep boundaries?

“I’m sorry for the way I talked to you last time. I… didn’t know anything and attacked you… scared you” he eventually says, the last words coming out heavy, as if he’s pushing them through a lump in his throat.

I shift a little in my spot, not knowing how to deal with his apology, how to react.

“Yoongi told me to not do anything, that it had nothing to do with me but I didn’t listen and when I went back home, Jin also told me that things are more complicated than I know, that it’s better if I don’t get into it and that it’s not your fault.

I just… don’t like the fact that my friend cried and knowing that it comes from what you wrote, I’m uncomfortable about it. Still, it wasn’t a reason to treat you the way I did, so I’m sorry” he concludes, mouth then shut tight as he looks down at the water under his feet.

I look down too to see our reflection, blurry with the way the water moves.

“I understand. What I did wasn’t too nice, I… honestly felt like shit after doing it, but I can promise it wasn’t an insult. It was more of a… reminder. One I shouldn’t have done. You can get mad” I say, a small sigh leaving my body as I finally admit it to someone, that I did something I regret, it feels nice.

During the last two weeks, I had enough time to think about what I did, about why I did it, why I felt like it was the right thing to do at the time. The conclusion that this was a wrong move, no matter how satisfied it should’ve made me wasn’t hard to reach.

Jimin chuckles lightly at my words and I frown, not understanding what’s so funny in what I just said.

“This isn’t going the way I thought it would. I expected… I don’t know… a fight? Anger?” he admits and I hum, I get why he would say that, I kind of expected the same when I first saw him, yet there he was, following me like a chick follows its mother, I let out a small smile at that.

“Believe me, me too, but today has been filled with everything but what I thought would happen so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, the expected is often the last thing that ends up happening”.

We stay quiet for a while after that, but it already feels less heavy, a weight not quite off our shoulders yet, but slowly slipping off.

Jimin speaks up again. “I don’t know what happened in the past between you and Yoongi, but Jin told me to be more understanding, open to the fact that things aren’t always as they seem. He said that Yoongi did things he regrets a lot today and that if I want to know, you should be the one to tell me” he lets out, body leaning backwards as he props his hands on the grass to stare at the sky.

I do the same and look up, knowing that there will be no stars, not with the light pollution we have here.

“I appreciate him respecting that. I can see that Yoongi is a better person today. Truly. I’m trying to erase what I know of him to focus on who he is now but it’s hard, it’s really hard” I murmur, a sad smile on my lips, because is there anything easy in my life? It sure doesn’t feel like it.

Jimin turns to me and I twist my neck to stare back at him for the first time since we entered the park, take in the look on his face, his eyes devoid of anything negative, only kindness and understanding in them, it reassures me, soothes my nerves.

This is the Jimin that I know, the one that supported me and encouraged me for the two first art classes. 

“I hope you can learn to appreciate who he is today. Maybe… you two meeting for this class, maybe it’s not such a bad thing? It gives you both a chance to get over the past, if you would come back again. I’m even ready to quit if you feel uncomfortable going because of me-”

I stop him there with a frown. “Wait, wait. I didn’t stop going because of you” I say, watch as his eyes widen, which takes me aback, did he really believe that?

“You didn’t? I… I was so sure that you stopped coming because… I thought maybe you hated me now, that you didn’t want to see me again because I got mad at you” he mumbles, shoulders slumping as he tries to hold my gaze, unsure of himself.

I sigh and shake my head. “Not at all, that’s not what happened at all. I’m just really busy with work recently and haven’t been able to get off as early as I normally would. I’ve been contacting Yoongi about the classes and he’s sent me every projects and tasks you guys have been doing, so technically, I’m not really behind, I’ve done the class, just… at home” I tell him, watch as surprise flashes in his eyes.

I continue. “And Yoongi has already apologized on your behalf. Didn’t even know what was said between us, he just told me that knowing you, you were probably a little rough, protective about him and said things you didn’t really mean” I add, watch as he blushes lightly before looking away.

“That does sound like something he would do” he mumbles, sheepish about it, it makes me smile softly.

“When are you going to be able to come back to class, then? It’s already been two weeks” he asks next, curious eyes coming back to me.

I shrug. “I don’t know. I guess I could go tomorrow-” “You have to! It’s been so lonely in class without you there” he whines, his posture already more comfortable as he goes back to acting like the Jimin I met two weeks ago, finally. 

“Promise, please” he pleads, puppy eyes locked on mine, wings flapping lightly behind him in anxious anticipation, the sight makes me pucker my lips before I hum.

“I guess I could put work aside sooner and go in person… hopefully people don’t give me too much attention when they see me coming back so randomly” I mumble, suddenly nervous about going back.

What are they going to think? It’s going to be weird, no? I can already see the way they’d look at me, judging eyes on me since they must think that I had quit the course, I did miss two weeks after all.

Oh man, I shouldn’t have taken that class to begin with, should’ve stuck with something online, but then I would be alone all the time and that’s something I wish to get rid of, that’s part of why I decided to go in the first place.

It’s just… how do I make friends when hybrids and humans alike freak me out? Why am I so pitiful? It’s honestly ridiculous at this point, I guess I just bit more than I could chew.

I look down, lips pursed, fingers twisting around each other as I debate on what to do. I need to apologize to Yoongi in person, so there’s that, but what then? Can I really keep this up, just like Jimin wishes I would?

A hand on my shoulder suddenly pulls me out of my internal mess and I turn my head to see Jimin smiling at me.

Right, Jimin.

He doesn’t scare me, doesn’t make me nervous, yet he’s a hybrid. I don’t know what it is about him that makes me feel like that, but he’s not like other people, human and hybrid alike.

Jimin is different, unique.

“It’s going to be okay. We’re all so focused on the class, on our need to learn that we don’t really pay attention to the others except for our desk companions. No one will notice that you were gone and suddenly came back” he assures me, as if knowing exactly what to say to calm me down.

I relax a little and eventually nod, feeling like I can trust him. If he says it’s true, then… it must be, right? 

“Okay… I’ll be there then” I murmur, watch as his smile widens, excitement filling his eyes at the prospect of me being back to keep him company, it helps me to see this as the right choice to make. Who would feel the need to fake being this happy about me coming back to a random art class? Certainly not him.

Jimin looks back up to the sky, his expression glowing as the moon starts rising up to replace to sun and I watch in amazement as his wings stretch behind him, the large feathers hiding the both of us from sight, they’re so big when fully opened like that.

He scratches one part of the membrane before folding them back in and at seeing my disappointment, he stretches the one behind me to make it flap against my back softly, hence pulling a small giggle out of me, it makes him look proud as his smile brightens, eyes creasing happily at me.

He keeps it slightly curled around me, not touching but near and I can’t keep myself from observing with fascination, the length of his incredible feathers, how thick they look, it’s truly impressive.

He couldn’t fly with these wings, not with his human bones, they’re too heavy, but they still look like they’d be strong enough to make him float briefly were he to jump from a higher ground, it makes me want to find out, maybe one day I can ask him without feeling stupid. 

“Your wings are beautiful” I let out in a whisper, notice the way he stills slightly, a shy blush on his cheeks as he meets my gaze.

“Thank you… I don’t hear that often” he admits and I frown at that.

“What do you mean? I’d expect people to stop you all the time to compliment them, they’re so big and pretty, I would love having wings like yours” I say with honesty but he shakes his head quickly, amused by my admission, yet there’s some hint of sadness behind his orbs.

“That’s very sweet of you to say, but on that one, I have to disappoint you. Most hybrids keep away from me because they’re intimidated of my race, bird hybrids aren’t really seen as something good after all. We were hunted in the past because of our large feathers so others assume that it’s bad luck to hang out with us. Not many of my kind left, never met my parents, I don’t even know if they’re alive today” he tells me before sighing softly with a light shrug of his shoulders, as if he’s used to it by now.

I feel my heart drop in my stomach at his words. “I-I’m sorry, I had no idea” I stutter out, which is the truth, I didn’t know such a thing happened before, it’s awful, truly.

He stops me with a wave of the hand and a kind smile. “It’s okay, really. I know it sounds bad said like that but I don’t feel that way, not anymore. I have people around me that care for me and I’m more than happy with what I have now” he assures me with a smile and I nod, wishing I could have his strength.

When I lost my parents to a car accident when I was young, it felt like I lost a part of myself with them. When I was sent to stay with my grandmother, she helped me find the colors within my soul again but when I lost her to a car accident too, one in which I was the only survivor, I became like a blank canvas.

Didn’t know what to do with myself anymore, there was no one to guide me like she used to, it was just… me.

I refused the idea of being adopted with my whole being, didn’t want to act like replacing my family with another one was fine. I was kept at a center for the remaining years until I turned 18 and I’ve been alone since then.

I still don’t know what colors I have within myself, heck, I’m not even sure if I still know how to find out, it feels like so far away now when grandma had helped me at that time.

I feel so lost sometimes, the world around me moving too fast, things changing at the speed of light and I don’t understand anything. The world is a scary place, but what’s even scarier is how I feel just as empty as I did so long ago.

I forgot how to add colors to my blank canvas, so I learned how to add smells instead. I run after memories, odors that link to happy times and cling to them as if my life depends on it.

Jimin suddenly stands up and I look up to see him gazing at me before he offers me a hand. I hesitantly grab it, not used to skin to skin contact with others, but his touch is warm and gentle as he pulls me up to my feet easily.

“It’s getting dark and I don’t want to keep you out too late. You look tired” he says and I give him a small smile, heart warmed by his attention. 

I do feel tired, although exhausted would be a more fitting word. Maybe I’ll finally sleep well tonight.

“Alright, let me drive you home then” I muse softly, to which he nods, thankful by the offer before we both trail back to my car in silence.

I’m not too sure about what happened tonight, but I guess I can allow myself to believe that our friendship is back on track, right? It does feel like we managed to fix what was broken, maybe we even made it stronger, sturdier? 

I owe Yoongi an apology as well, which I will give tomorrow. Getting mad won’t change what happened in the past and I think it’s time I start thinking about forgiving him. I can’t carry that weight with me all my life, that’s no way to live.

Easier said than done, but I need to try.

Jimin smiles at me, a smile I’d grown to miss these last two weeks and I smile back, glad that I went out of my way tonight.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

YOUR CANDY SCENT

2SEOK X READER

HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 6 (4k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

“Give me a hug, baby, you still owe us a world of cuddles, remember that for next time” Jimin urges me as him and Taehyung stand in the doorway, ready to leave to allow my mates and I some alone time for the rest of the night.

I feel a tiny little bit bad because that was not the initial plan, they were supposed to stay for a sleepover, but my mates are just as important and considering how new this is, new and also a very sensitive matter, it makes sense to focus on them for now.

I smile and make my way to him, hum when his arms close around me, face snuggled under his chin where it’s all warm, he squeezes me so tightly and I love it, it’s comforting, a corgi hug, it can only be great.

“You know I love you right? A whole lot” he murmurs to my ear and I nod, lips stretching into a small smile.

Is he saying this because of earlier? It’s not like I grew horns on my head and became a monster, I don’t need their reassurance whenever this particular switch happens, but it’s cute nonetheless.

“I know, Jiminie, and I love you too, a whole lot” I murmur back and he squeezes one more time before letting go of me, just so Taehyung can pull me in his embrace next, his broad chest greeting my cheek as he rests his own on my head.

“You know we’re just a call away so if anything happens, let us know, okay? Have fun with your mates, oh and you can go through the snacks we brought, we won’t mind, although what Jimin said is true, about the cuddles, we’ll have them no matter what, and the sleepover too, maybe Sunday night instead?

Or it can be later too, I know how it is finding out that you’re someone’s mate, it’s hard staying apart, just… don’t forget about us, okay? We were there first” Taehyung rants slightly, I can almost hear the pout in his voice as he tries to make sure that he’s not going to lose me, it makes me grin, heart melting from cuteness overload.

I hug him with as much strength as I can manage. “Don’t worry Tae, no one replaces anyone, never, I’m not that kind of friend, and I’m glad you said it yourself because I was definitely opening those bags soon” I chirp, feel his amused but relieved huff into my hair before he pulls back with a pretty smile.

“That’s why I gave you permission first, to avoid you a feeling of guilt later in the middle of the night when you feel like throwing up” he teases me lightly before letting his eyes fall on Seokjin and Hoseok, the two of them a little awkward as they observe us from a distance, tails tucked behind their legs, fluffy fur peeking out from behind their thighs.

“It was a pleasure to meet you two, I hope our arrival didn’t mess things up for you? The reveal is always something stressful, especially when mated to a human, right? Since we can’t really tell the same way you do” he tells them and I watch as they both straighten up with a quick shake of the head, eyes falling on me as if they believe that them agreeing to his words would ruin both my friendship with my best friends and the new bond between us as mates.

“No, it was actually… helpful. I was a little lost as to how to proceed, so Jimin’s questions helped clear up a lot of things in my mind” Hoseok answers first, words that have the corgi preening with pride, tail obviously hitting the doorway in response to his emotions.

“I was pretty great, wasn’t I? Made you all feel more confident about this new thing between you guys” he chirps, to which Seokjin nods. “You… actually did, yes, thank you”.

Jimin’s eyes widen round before disappearing from an enormous smile taking over his face, tail now smacking both the doorway and Taehyung, it makes me giggle.

Oh, to be this cute.

“Okay stop complimenting him, he’s going to grow a pair of wings and fly through the roof” I let out before pushing my best friends out of my apartment so we can all get a move on, I don’t want my mates to feel like they have to drown Jimin in nice words, even if he was indeed a reassuring presence to have near.

When Jimin first met Taehyung, he didn’t shy away from telling the man he was his mate right away, and Taehyung looked absolutely shocked because he didn’t get any warning beforehand, that just came out of nowhere.

I at least had some context, because I knew that Seokjin and Hoseok were mates, I just didn’t expect to be theirs too because they hadn’t said anything when we first met.

I didn’t know what to do with that information in the beginning, but now I’m very happy about my situation, because… I would have been a little sad at the idea of not being allowed a chance with them.

My flirting with Hoseok wasn’t just because I was bored, he really did interest me, he felt special to me, as did Seokjin.

When I first saw the shepherd for the first time earlier today after coming back from work, his tall upper body completely hidden behind those boxes, colourful tail waving behind him as he tried to wonder what to do, I just had to offer him my help.

Now it all makes sense that we would meet the way we did, that we all live in the same building, it’s like a strange twist of fate, but it feels nice.

Maybe I should thank Namjoon, tell him that by accepting us in, he united three mates together, now that would surprise him, I’m sure that was the last thing he’s expecting to happen by having us rent his building.

Jimin closes the door with a cute wave and then it’s silent again as I stare at it for a second longer before turning to Hoseok and Seokjin.

I force a smile on my face, knowing that my behavior will have an impact on how comfortable they will be. Let’s be brave and lead the way, shall we?

“So” I chirp, grin when they both startle slightly, their nerves not helping them as they wait for me to continue.

“What do mates usually do when they first meet? Our first meeting has passed already but if there is anything special you want to do… or things you guys wished would happen? I’m willing to try!” I tell them, a tilt of the head when Seokjin blushes at my words, hands taking hold of his tail to stroke it nervously.

“I mean… it’s nothing special really, but… I always told myself that if I were to meet my mate one day… I would love to go on a date somewhere fun, maybe the aquarium or something like that? I know that I’m a little awkward at times so having something to focus on that doesn’t require conversing…” he nods to himself, a tight smile on his lips “that felt like the best choice for me”.

I hum, understanding where he’s coming from. “It’s hard meeting new people sometimes, right? But you did so well for me earlier, you have nothing to worry about. Hoseok and I, we’ll be patient with you and we won’t push, an aquarium date sounds lovely, right?” I say, to which the fox nods quickly, ears twitching on top of his head in interest.

Seokjin’s blush deepens at my praise, curled tail swinging left and right behind him as he ducks his head, smile turning more content, that he’s not judged, but instead understood.

And his plan date got approved.

“Thank you… really. Maybe we could… go soon? No hurry though! I don’t want to push, we don’t have to do this first if you have something else you’d rather do before” he stops himself from getting too excited over it but before I can open my mouth to reassure him, Hoseok is faster.

“We can go tomorrow! Y/N has a free day, we can take either car and… go together in the morning? I can take care of the tickets” he offers, hopeful eyes gazing at the two of us to wait for our approval, to which I’m more than happy to nod while Seokjin bites on his lips with a cute happy grin.

“Really? We can go tomorrow?” he muses softly, as if he can’t believe it and when we both nod at him, his eyes start shining with delight, hands meeting at his heart, his ears’ muscles doing that cute thing where they slightly raise up and back happily, he looks so damn cute!

“We can and we will! Now maybe we shouldn’t stay up too late to make sure we’re full of energy because tomorrow, we’re going through the WHOLE site! Penguins, they have GOT to have penguins right? Oh, I’m getting so excited now, I haven’t gone in ages, Yoongi is going to be so jealous” I chirp, hands clapping quickly and Hoseok chuckles while Seokjin tilts his head in curiosity.

“Yoongi? Who’s that?”.

I open my mouth, but again, Hoseok is faster than me, the man’s getting chatty, isn’t he?

“Her older brother. I also have an older sister, Jiwoo, maybe we should… sit down and talk first? We went to eat dinner together yesterday so we know a bit about each other already but… I would love to tell you too, and hear about your family” he offers the dog who seems a little shocked to already be behind in terms of knowledge and memories, tail wilting behind him, ears drooping even more than they naturally are.

I quickly make my way to him to reassure him before he starts feeling bad, I don’t want him to believe that this is going to bother us, I met Hoseok only yesterday, it’s not like we have weeks between our meetings.

I cup his cheeks to make him look at me, his long soft ears covering my hands as he slightly leans into the touch, eyes shutting at the feeling.

“You know how I moved in yesterday, right? Hoseok helped me unpack and we went to a restaurant together so I could thank him, that’s why we had the opportunity to talk and share, but we didn’t go over that much so you’re not that far behind. We can sit down and talk, we want to include you, you’re going to know as much as we can share and feel ready to share in one night, okay?”.

I feel Hoseok step closer behind me before settling a gentle hand over Seokjin’s shoulder, his chest nearly pressed against my back, the proximity has my heart stuttering as much as it makes me beam.

“She’s right, next time, you can come with us, it’s my favorite restaurant and I want to share that with you as well, Ji-yong will be thrilled to meet you, he’s a good friend of mine and a chef there, would you like that?” he asks softly, and we both watch as Seokjin nods slowly, eyes opening, teary and relieved, just how much worry can fit in that beautiful head of his?

“Please” he murmurs with a small nod of the head, something that melts my heart. It’s going to be very important to include everyone for everything, I don’t want our soft pup feeling like he’s left out, not even once.

“Let’s go sit in the living room, we can take it easy, maybe watch a movie later, we do have a mountain of snacks to go through, gifted from my friends themselves” I let out, and when Seokjin huffs a small laugh as he starts feeling better, I grin proudly.

“Until you feel like throwing up? I think we’re going to have to impose a limit on the snacking you do tonight” Hoseok counters and I turn to him with a gasp, betrayal in my eyes, all of it for him.

“Don’t you dare!”. “Oh I will, I’m not having an upset stomach keep us from having tomorrow!”.

I pause, frown, then relent. “Fair enough. I will be careful”.

He smirks and pats my head. “Good girl” he croons and my insides do all sorts of things, lips quivering before I turn my back to him to push Seokjin to the couch, he doesn’t tease me, he is safe.

“The fox sits on the floor”.

And he does, with a pout as I take one corner of the couch, legs tucked in front of me while the shepherd takes the other, his back straight and legs crossed neatly. Hoseok brings the cushion closer to sit in front of us, all small as he curls on top of it even though I bought the big ones.

And so we talk, we share about our friends, our families, the bond we have with our siblings, words that Seokjin absorbs intently, as if he’d been starved of moments like these all his life, and indeed, nothing prepares us for what we hear when Hoseok asks him a question.

“What about you? Do you have siblings? Are you close with your parents?”.

Our dog looks down at that, a little unsure and I start growing tense, sensing that his story might not be filled with joy like ours, it has me on edge, as is Hoseok, his eyes fixated on the hybrid who sighs softly.

“I… don’t really have anyone. I grew up in an orphanage and I never got close to any of the kids. Those I did take a liking to would get adopted right away so…” he stops there before shrugging slightly, fingers drumming silently on his knees as he ponders his words.

“I’ve always been a quiet kid, always keeping to myself and drowning in books, and even there, I wasn’t like any other kids my age who would read romance, fantasy, because I would read How to books. How to draw, how to paint, how to sew, I guess my job was meant to be when I think about it, I’ve always had an interest, although it wasn’t mainly about lingerie back then, I just wanted to create things from my own hands”.

My throat is locked with a lump as I process his words, as I come to realize that Seokjin did not have a happy childhood filled with memories that kids should have.

You can be quiet and have friends, people who enjoy the same things you do, or people who will make you enjoy new experiences without making you feel uncomfortable, it makes me so sad to learn that he never had that someone by his side, because an orphanage is not meant to be forever.

He looks up to stare at us at our silence, sees the distress in our orbs, because we don’t know what to say to that, what is the right thing to say? I’m sorry? We’re not sharing to pity on each other, Seokjin doesn’t need our pity, yet I still can’t help but feel so sad, because does that mean he’s been completely alone until now?

He smiles, eyes seeing through us so easily.

“It’s okay, really. I might not have been adopted, but I had all the time in the world to learn and start what I now live off, a job that I love. It lead me to my huge apartment where I currently live, it lead me to today, where I could finally meet two amazing people who I can call mates, the very sames who are currently by my side and spending time with me.

I’m very happy, there’s no need to be sad for the past, it’s already behind us, I’m sure only good things will happen from now on, and I’m excited to see where our future will lead” he assures us with so much joy in his quiet voice that I can’t help the tears that flow down my cheeks, lips pursing as I try to stop my throat from clogging up so much, chin trembling from a heavy heart.

How can he say something like that so easily? His words both break my heart and fill it with endearment and I promise myself in that very moment, to make sure his future is a happy one, one he will enjoy every seconds of.

“Why are you crying? I promise I’m fine!” Seokjin fidgets slightly when he sees me sniffle and wipe my cheeks before scooting closer to tentatively wrap his arms around me, eager to comfort me when I should be the one doing that instead, even though he isn’t sad at all.

He’s accepted his past so easily and focused only on the bright side of it, on how it lead him to now, something that isn’t doable for everyone. There’s no denying that he must have been sad so often when he would lose the only friends he’d manage to make, when he understood at some point that he would never be adopted.

I lean into his touch, body tightly wrapped into his embrace but it only causes me to let out a sob, because fuck this shit, Hoseok and I both had so much support growing up, how much did he struggle to make it to where he is today?

“I’m so… so very impressed by you, Seokjin, really. You must have worked so hard to get what you have now, you did it all by yourself, you built something amazing and no one can ever take that from you, you’re so strong, my strong pup” I praise him, voice thick with pride for him as I look up to meet his gaze just as his own eyes fill with tears.

“You… really think so?” he gasps out, eyes seeming as if he doesn’t dare believe that I could really mean what I said, it breaks my heart, and when I quickly nod my head, the sight of his wobbly lips as he bursts into tears pulls me in with him as I hug him back tightly.

“I truly mean it, Seokjin. You did so well until now, you didn’t give up and kept going even through the pain, I’m proud of you, so, so proud” I insist as he sobs into my neck, how much he must have longed to hear these words.

Unable to keep away a second longer, Hoseok jumps to his feet to wrap us both in his arms, his own eyes wet with unshed tears, he’s trying to be strong but he can’t deny how affected he is by what he heard.

“Y/N is right, you learned as much as you could and then, you used all that knowledge to thrive and rise instead of falling, you did something so hard with only your dreams and hopes, your strength and beliefs built what you have today, they made you into a fighter, nothing anyone could ever say will take that from you. You’re our impressive mate, I’m so proud” he adds, his own voice wavering slightly and Seokjin’s sobs turn into crying, his heart soaking up every words said.

I don’t know how long we stay there trying to comfort him while calming ourselves, but although very sad, this moment also feels healing, because while he didn’t necessarily seek that confirmation, he still needed it, needed to hear that he did the best he could, that someone can see it, that it wasn’t easy.

“I’m lucky to have such amazing hybrids in my arms” I manage to say with a light tone when I get my tears under control, to which Hoseok huffs good-naturedly. “You’re not hugging me”.

I clear my throat to get rid of the tears stuck in the back and shift a little to include Hoseok into my arms, his warmth added to Seokjin’s feeling so nice at the moment, it’s soothing.

“Now I have everyone” I hum, satisfied when even Seokjin lets slip a small smile through his tears, his breath slowly evening out.

“You guys will maybe judge me for saying that but… chocolate would be fantastic right now” I blurt out after a moment and my words are greeted by light chuckles.

“Chocolate would indeed be a good emotional cheer up to help us recover from this” Hoseok muses as he pulls back slightly to straighten up, his back bent uncomfortably from hugging us.

Seokjin wipes his face with his sweater paws and then gives us a beautiful glowing smile. “I won’t need it, I’ve never felt as good as I do right now, I feel like I could face the world without wavering now”.

I cry out as I hug him again. “My good pup is so strong, isn’t he? But you won’t have to face it alone, you have the two of us by your side now, we’ll share your burden from now on” I muse before stilling at his silence, eyes looking up to see his orbs filling with tears once more.

“No don’t cry! We did enough crying! I think you need chocolate too, let’s go get chocolate!” I fret just as Hoseok leaves us to reach the kitchen with quick feet, and when I hear him look through the bags, I look up just in time to see his widening eyes as he takes in all that my friends brought over.

“We’re definitely not eating all of that tonight”.

My world crumbles and I whine, a fake cry as I nudge Seokjin’s chest with my face, it has him cheering up instantly as he keeps me close, heart and soul content, filled to the brim with love.

“It’s okay, there will be more for tomorrow” he assures me while patting my shoulder softly, and Hoseok scoffs.

“She’s not finishing all of that tomorrow either, they’ve brought enough for a whole month”.

“Party pooper!” I exclaim, unhappy, but the fox remains unfazed as he nods before grabbing ONE bar of chocolate. ONE.

“Gladly, if that keeps you from getting sick. You can whine to your friends all you want, Seokjin and I are splitting off those bags and giving them to you one at a time, there’s no playing with junk food, your teeth will rot”.

I instantly look up at that, puppy eyes falling on him and Seokjin, they can’t possibly go through with this, right? Seokjin?

His eyes avoid mine instantly when I turn my gaze to him, his arms tensed as he keeps patting my shoulders awkwardly.

“… I’m not disobeying a dental assistant on that one” he explains himself and I wail out in fake tears, this is terrible!

“Change your job! Find something else, I can’t with you, this is a nightmare!” I complain childishly, I can’t believe they’re really going to keep me from stuffing myself with junk food!

“Stop whining and eat that”.

Sweet chocolate gets pushed between my lips and I stop acting like a baby immediately, lips pouty as I nibble on the melting treat, eyes sheepish as they meet the fox’s.

He tries to hide an endeared smirk as he ruffles my hair, a piece given to Seokjin too before he takes a smaller one for himself.

“Aigoo, why do I feel like we’ll see that side of you often? Our big baby, I’m starting to understand why they call you that”.

I grumble under my breath at that. He’s got a point.

Seokjin’s soft giggle fills the room and my mood brightens up, head going to rest against his chest with a small sigh.

I guess our crying session also served to break the ice, it feels more natural to be together now. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will be like, at the aquarium.

(AUTHOR)Last chapter for the week! I hope you guys enjoyed Your candy scent so far! It’s going to be a sweet ride!

Join me next week for Wings Unfolded! I’m currently editing the chapters and it’s more than needed so please, give me time!

PREVIOUS|STORY| NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 2 (4.7k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

I can’t believe it’s another failure, damn it.

I put aside my failed test and drop my head on top of the counter, arms stretched around it in annoyance.

I’ve been on this for weeks now, that particular smell on my mind, but no matter what I do, I can’t achieve it. The smell either turns bitter or just plain gross and I don’t know what to do anymore.

My budget tells me I can’t afford to work on this for much longer, but I just can’t get rid of it. That’s a scent no one has really tried to achieve before and I want to be the one to do it. No, I needto be the one to do it, I have to.

I pull myself up with a grunt and grab the flasks to empty and clean in the sink, a sigh leaving me once more.

When my parents died in a car accident when I was young, my grandmother was the one who took over raising me, she was always by my side.

It wasn’t easy for her, she was all alone to take care of a young teen and she even had to go as far as to get a new job to provide for my needs, something I feel really bad about. She worked hard for my parents, she shouldn’t have had to start over for me, yet she never complained, she always smiled at me and hugged me tight when I felt sad.

Whenever I think of her, there’s that scent that comes to mind. Not one that I could smell off her, it’s just a smell that comes alive when I think of all the love I have for her.

Even after all those years, it’s never changed, I think I’ll grow crazy if I can’t make it into reality.

I look at the time on my phone, wondering how much I have left before needing to leave but what I see has me gasping in shock.

It’s almost time to leave for class and I haven’t even gotten started on cleaning up yet, shit! 

Tsking my way through the task at hand, I quickly wipe the surfaces I used and once satisfied with the bare minimum, I rush to my car just in time and start up the engine before driving out of my private parking lot.

I had to add warnings because people apparently just can’t take the hint, something that annoys me greatly. This is my private property, yet they always think they can use it as they please anyway. This is going to cause me problems one day, I can just feel it.

As I drive to school, I think back to Jimin, the bird hybrid.

An eagle.

I haven’t met too many birds in my life, I’m not sure why, but eagles are known to be particularly rare among others.

I’m glad he ended up being adopted by someone great. The respect he has for that Jin, how he considers him more like a brother than an owner enough to let me know that Jimin is happy where he is, well taken care of.

Before the bullying started, I used to have a few hybrid friends. When the subject would come around, they would speak of their adoptive family with tight smiles, but I could see it even though they’d try to hide the truth as much as possible, the few bruises I could find on them didn’t need words.

They weren’t in happy families, most of them abused, which still makes no sense to this day because in my eyes, they were so sweet and quiet. 

It’s no wonder they started getting mean and took the bullies path, no matter what they did, they were never right anyway. 

Luckily for them, it's now becoming slowly more legal for hybrids to own themselves, to be free, but it’s not a popular concept, it will take time to fully adopt.

Hybrids grow up being told that they need humans to be safe, to avoid their race being turned against themselves, why would it change in a single day? 

We live in a world filled with anger, sadness and hurt, where people try to control anything they can, as if doing so would make their life better. It only makes us more pitiful in the end.

Finally pulling into the school’s parking lot, I unconsciously search for Jimin’s car, wondering if he’s here already but to my disappointment, I don’t find it around. I guess I am a little early, I drove a little faster than usual.

Once parked in a lonely corner, I grab my bag and throw it over my shoulders after making my way out of the car, hands gripping tight on the handles as I enter the school, mind naturally working to keep aware of my surroundings to avoid any living beings.

And then enter the bathroom near me when I see a group of teens, feline hybrids walking my way.

Great, very great, Y/N, that’s how you get over your fear, by continuing to avoid everyone you come across.

Some things take longer than others. 

I get out of the bathroom once the voices fade away and turn a corner only to freeze when I come face to face with a black cat, his eyes widening for a fraction of seconds before he tries an awkward smile.

“You’re here… I wasn’t sure if you… you can go to class, people are going to arrive soon” Yoongi says softly, tone almost a whisper, as if he’s talking to a child, it’s messing up with my mind.

Eyes staring at his feet, unable to keep eye contact for too long, I notice that even the shoes he used to wear are gone. Instead of those paintings of skulls and threats he’d kick me with, I now see clean, sparkling, expensive shoes.

Can someone really change that much?

I nod with a light bow and walk around him to head to the classroom, not knowing what else to do. It’s not like I’ll suddenly start conversing with him, I can’t do that, my voice won’t allow me.

When I open the door, I look up to find a few people already seated, humans and hybrids alike spread about the room, all of them minding their own business at their own desk.

Breath stuck in my throat, I duck my neck between my shoulders and hurry to the back of the class just like last time to hide behind my desk, more than happy to find it free. Hopefully no one decides to change their seat out of nowhere in the coming classes.

I open my bag and proceed to set my drawing materials in front of me, my personal sketchbook making it here with me starting today, I can use it to keep working on my perfume projects when there’s nothing else to do.

These days, I’ve been trying to work on a few designs for the bottle that would present my new perfume to the world, but I haven’t really been inspired, nothing I’ve drawn makes me feel… this is the one.

Maybe because it’s so dear to my heart, I can’t seem to ever find anything good enough to my liking.

“Hey, you came!”.

I startle out of my thoughts at the outburst, the sound of the chair next to mine being pulled back loudly, it has my body stiffening, heart beating in a tantrum in my chest, an uncomfortable wave of hot sweat washing over me before I look up to see Jimin staring at me with wide eyes.

“Oh shit, right, I’m sorry, Y/N, I didn’t mean to be so loud” he mumbles softly, golden eyes looking concerned as he takes in the way I exhale in relief, shame filling me at having reacted the way I did once more, I’m really hopeless.

I hold my head between my hands, elbows propped on the table as I allow my heart to calm down, because Jimin is no threat.

“Sorry, I’ll try to warn you next time. I was just so excited to see you” he continues to apologize guiltily and I shake my head, heart going steady before I allow myself to turn towards him again, already tired from my day.

“It’s okay, you didn’t do anything wrong, it’s my fault for being this anxious. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot I was in class for a moment” I assure him, see him purse his lips as his eyes fall on my sketchbook.

“You were working on this?” he asks, already willing to leave behind my humiliation to focus on something else and I nod with a light hum.

“Yeah… I’m working on this perfume and I want to come up with a special bottle, but it’s not going too well. I can’t seem to like anything I draw” I reply as I turn the pages to show him my previous attempts.

His eyes widen. “You don’t like them? I think they all look amazing” he mumbles, fingers grazing the paper as he observes the details. I shrug, while I appreciate it, I still don’t feel like any of them are quite what I want.

The door closes, which means Yoongi is back in class and my body immediately tenses up, instincts already urging me to get away from here even though I know he won’t do anything.

I shut my sketchbook to put it in the corner of my desk, a nervous clear of the throat as I bring my gaze to the window to try and keep calm, leg bouncing in place, it makes a little sound as my heel hits the floor repetitively.

Jimin looks to the front of the class to see the black cat settle at his desk and frowns a little before sitting more comfortably, his eyes glancing at me a few times.

“So, I took the time to observe each drawings during these last days and I have to say I’m impressed with each and every one of you. It’s been fun getting to know you through what you’ve drawn and I just know you’re going to come out of here with your goal attained by the end of this course. I’ll make sure to guide you all through it so be patient with yourself” Yoongi says to start the class and I turn my eyes to see him with a proud smile on his face.

It feels so weird to hear him talk like that, it feels like I’m listening to a whole different person. The Yoongi I know did not encourage, he broke, screamed and hurt.

I rub my temples, a headache already forming, I need to stop focusing on the past, it’s been so long ago already, yet it still stings when I think of it.

I can almost feel the fear that washed through me when he’d hover over me on the ground as if it happened yesterday, it’s… not fun.

I hear the sound of pens and books being moved around and I open my eyes to see that the class has seemingly moved on to the first task already. I turn to see Jimin already staring at me with a small smile, albeit concerned.

“We have to draw something that calms us, something that makes us happy and then explain on the side why we decided to draw what we did. It can be an object, a person, something abstract, anything we want” he explains gently, already knowing that I have no clue what is going on.

I look up to the front of the class to notice that Yoongi’s eyes are on me, his tail slowly swishing through the air behind him, soft gaze before he focuses on the rest of the class.

Did he choose that for me? To help me focus on something that makes me happy instead of focusing on the past?

Am I being that transparent? Or is it just me assuming something yet again only to end up being wrong about it?

Either way, I’m not going to complain, I’ll take anything to calm down at the moment.

I’m not too good at drawing portraits, but I want to try and draw grandma, she was my only source of happiness in life and I sadly don’t have any pictures of her, or of us together. She didn’t like cameras so all I have is my memory.

I wish I could’ve sneaked in just a single picture in the past, but I respected her too much for that, I thought I’d have my whole life with her.

I certainly didn’t expect to lose her the way I did, not for her too.

With that goal in mind, I open a page of my sketchbook and grab my pens before getting to it, the shape of the face, the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, except that the more I draw, the weirder it looks and the deeper my frown.

I’m not doing her justice at all.

Jimin must sense my annoyance because he puts aside his own work for a moment to stare at mine, eyes observant, it makes me want to hide what I’ve done but remembering his tree from last time… maybe he can help?

“Who’s that?” he asks softly, curious as he gazes at the terrible attempt at a portrait of the woman who took my heart with her after passing away.

“My grandmother. I really want to draw her well but…” I motion at the paper. “As you can see, it’s not going too well” I admit with a sigh.

“May I?” he asks gently while pointing at my work, and unsure of what could be done at this point but trusting the hybrid, I nod, watch as he takes my sketchbook to set it in front of him for a closer look.

He stares at it for a moment before humming.

“When drawing a portrait, it can be hard determining what is where, right? Faces are so complex and so different from one person to the other, so it’s not easy to do. Your proportions are a bit off. Something that can really help is if you-” he starts explaining some steps to help me get it right, some examples on the side to give me a visual, which I appreciate because I tend to forget easily otherwise.

His instructions are clear and precise and I come to wonder why he’s even taking this class.

More than learning, I get the feeling that maybe he’s just here because he wanted to, or to socialize maybe, I’m not sure, but he’s definitely not a beginner, that thought gets cemented into my mind the more I get to know him.

“Still, don’t beat yourself up over it, I think it looks very good, it’s easy to see that she’s someone very important to you. Are you going to give her her portrait?” he asks and I give him a sad smile before focusing on my drawing again as I pull it back in front of me.

“I would have loved to give it to her, I think she would’ve been proud”.

His wings flap slightly, ripples going through his feathers as he understands the silent words.

“I… I-I’m sorry, I went too far again, didn’t I?” he stutters apologetically but I wave a dismissive hand, a shake of the head because really, how could he have known? It happened a long time ago anyway.

“You’re fine, you didn’t know” I say, watch as he shifts uncomfortably on his seat with a nod of his head.

That drawing is what we focus on for the whole class, students sometimes going to the teacher for questions and advice, but it overall remains pretty quiet, until I eventually see Yoongi stand up from his desk to walk around the room, probably eager to see what his students are up to.

I tense up whenever he comes close, so much so that even Jimin notices it after a few times, a worried glance sent my way when it happens, he must not understand why I’m reacting that way, hopefully he doesn’t link this to Yoongi.

I wish I wouldn’t be so obvious.

After adjusting my take of grandma’s portrait following Jimin’s advice, I have to say, it looks a lot better than it did at the beginning, it makes me really happy. 

Proud of what I’ve achieved, I turn to him with a smile, one that widens when he takes in my drawing with a pleased glint to his orbs.

“I don’t think I’ve ever made such a realistic portrait before today, it’s all thanks to you, I really wouldn’t have done so well without your advice" I tell him, meaning every words I said.

He beams at me and shakes his head, happy to have been useful. "It was nothing, really. That’s why we’re here, to learn and help each other” he muses before grinning, a happy wave going through his feathers before they still.

While he stands up to bring his drawing to the teacher, just like last time, the end of the class finally near, I look down at mine, realize that I have yet to explain why I drew her, grandma.

I have two reasons. One I’m not too proud of.

Unable to help it, knowing that this is low of me to do but needing to get it out of my system at least once, the easiest way I have to make him regret past words and actions that changed my whole life, I write down two sentences and put everything in my bag before waiting until the class is nearly empty to bring the paper forward, Jimin the only one remaining in the room along with Yoongi.

That surge of memories coming to the surface makes it easier to face his eyes head on when I join him at his desk to hand in my work and when he grabs it, when he takes in the portrait, eyes widening in recognition, I feel time stop when he then reads what I wrote.

His eyes tear up and I watch as he crumples down and brings a hand to cover his face, no doubt tears are falling down his cheeks now. When his shoulders start shaking slightly, I step on the pity that tries to take place in my heart.

That’s what you wanted, isn’t it? To see him regret.

Don’t comfort him, just leave, I tell myself, hands fisting into my clothes as I stare at the pitiful looking man, the black cat finally getting a taste of what he gave me so many times in the past. This is nothing compared to what he made me go through.

“Have a good evening, sir” I tell him before turning around and get out of the class, leaving Jimin behind.

This time, he doesn’t follow me.

Jimin’s POV

Watching Y/N confidently walk to the front of the class has me proud for a moment because even though she didn’t acknowledge it last time, I’m pretty sure she has social anxiety, one that doesn’t come forward when she’s with me, it makes my wings curl up in delight.

But when I notice the slight anger in her eyes, I frown in confusion at the sight, wondering where that sudden change comes from.

What happened? She was smiling just a minute ago.

I watch as Yoongi takes in the drawing, his fur bristling in shame, tail low and weak before he hides his face behind one hand.

I bring my eyes back to Y/N, see how she purses her lips, eyebrows furrowing before she rushes out of class after saying a simple sentence that seems to hold so many hidden meanings, not a single glance sent my way.

Yoongi’s sob brings me back to reality and I run to him, my wings anxiously fluttering behind me as I try to understand what just happened.

“Hyung, what’s wrong?” I ask him, feel his shoulders jump under my touch and he looks up at me, face stained with tears, the sight breaks my heart, I’ve never seen him like that before.

“Jiminie, you shouldn’t stay here, Jin is making your favorite meal tonight, he’ll be mad if you make him wait too long” he states, hands wiping his face clean after he hides Y/N’s drawing under the others.

“Don’t try to change the subject, hyung, why did you start crying after Y/N left?” I urge, not liking whatever is going on right now.

“Did she write something mean to you?” I ask, not believing that she could do such a thing, she seems so sweet, but Jin did teach me to never judge someone too quickly. Not everyone is as nice as they appear, just like not everyone is as bad as they appear. Have I been wrong about her?

Yoongi is fast to shake his head, eyes red and ears wilting backwards. “No, Jiminie, Y/N has done nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing wrong” he tells me with a forced smile but I shake my head, I’m not buying that.

“Let me see what she wrote” I demand, hands going to grab the bit of paper that I know is hers from under the others but he takes the pile before I can and puts them in his bag. “Don’t get into this, Jimin, it’s nothing you need to worry about” he replies with a shake of his head.

“It’s not nothing if she made you cry” I counter with a stump of my foot, my wings beating the air behind me before I rush out of class to find her, I’ll get to the bottom of this myself.

“Jimin-ah, don’t do this!” I hear him shout but I don’t listen and run down the stairs then out of the building.

I see her not too far from her car and hurry up as much as possible. Have I been helping her to hurt my hyung today? I need to know.

“Y/N!” I shout, see her freeze, her forearm raising to her face before she turns around to look at me.

I frown when I see the glassy look to her eyes, was she crying too? Because she did something wrong?

“Jimin”.

The way she says my name makes me doubt everything I know about her, which really, isn’t that much when I think about it.

“Why was my hyung crying? What did you write on your paper? Was it to hurt him? On purpose?” I ask her, see her eyes widen before she takes a step back.

“Your hyung?” she asks, shocked.

“You’re close to that cat?” she asks again, as if she can’t believe it.

I step forward with a frown. “That cat? What’s wrong with him being a cat hybrid? Yoongi is the sweetest person I know” I exclaim, not liking the tone she used, the word almost spat out, but when I see fear wash over her face, I freeze at the sight.

Is she scared of me?

“You don’t know anything about him if you really believe that” she lets out with a shaky breath before hurrying to her car and I watch as she unlocks her door before stepping inside, now out of reach.

What does that mean? What the heck would she know? I’ve known Yoongi for ten years, Jin wouldn’t have a bad person as his best friend, so what the heck is she talking about? 

The sound of the engine reaches my ears and I unwillingly step out of the way to allow her to leave, the sight of the car disappearing in the distance leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

Could she be mistaking him for someone else? I remember her reaction on Monday when Yoongi entered the class for the first time.

I thought it was weird, maybe the new presence just made her anxiety skyrocket through the roof and she needed air, but I’m not so sure anymore.

I make my way to Jin’s car and get inside before making my way back home, thoughts of what happened swirling around in my mind. What am I supposed to believe?

I hit the wheel in annoyance and turn into the driveway once I’m at home.

Getting the keys and my backpack now on my shoulder, I step out of the car and get to the house’s door before walking inside, Jin’s delicious food reaching my nose, but it doesn’t bring a smile to my lips as it usually does.

“Jiminie? Is everything okay?” I hear Jin ask me once he steps out of the kitchen and sees my face, the silence at my arrival enough to alert him that something is wrong.

I set my bag down by the door and drag my feet to the living room where I drop myself on the couch and he immediately comes to join me by my side, worried eyes trying to understand what happened as I try to organize everything in my mind.

“Was Yoongi’s class not fun? Did something happen?” he asks softly, voice careful as he stares at me, but I shake my head.

“Class was fun. You know, that new friend I made, she came today and I was really happy to see her. I really thought we could be great friends, but…” I stop there and sigh, a hand running through my hair, upset.

“Did she do something bad to you?” he asks and again, I shake my head.

“No, but she did something to make Yoongi cry, that’s what it looked like anyway. I just don’t understand. We were drawing something that calms us, that makes us happy and she drew her grandmother. She seems to really like her too so it can’t have been to cause pain. We had to write why we drew what we did on the side, but why would that make him cry if it’s meant to be happy?

I just can’t help but believe she must have written something mean to him, but it doesn’t make any sense. She seems to really hate him, she got anxious and all tense every time he’d walk close and the tone she used when she called him a cat, I really didn’t like that, hyung” I explain, eyes going up to meet his, hoping he could have an answer to this mess.

He seems to ponder for a moment, eyes frowning as realization settles in his gaze.

“That girl… what’s her name?” he asks.

I frown. Why would he need to know that?

“I swear I’m not going to go after her. I just… what’s her name?” he asks again and I bite on my bottom lip before answering. “Ahn Y/N”.

His face falls and he scratches the back of his neck before leaning back into the couch.

“So they met again” he whispers, his words catching me off guard.

“What do you mean? So they know each other?” I ask, see him nod before he turns to look at me with sad eyes.

“Don’t be too harsh with her, Jiminie, no matter the reaction she has towards Yoongi. They… they had a rough time, the both of them. Her probably worse than him” he explains briefly.

“Why? What happened?” I ask, confused but he shakes his head.

“It’s not my place to say. This is between the two of them. Just keep in mind that the Yoongi you know today is just as real as the one he was before. Don’t let the past change how you view him, please” he pleads.

I nod, not knowing how to deal with that information. He talks as if I could hate Yoongi, as if he did terrible things.

Y/N’s words flash back to mind. You don’t know anything about him.

I shake my head, no matter what, Yoongi is like a brother to me, I could never hate him.

“I won’t. Yoongi is family, I won’t change the way I act with him, no matter what it is that he did in the past” I assure Jin with certitude and he pats my shoulder with a small smile before standing up to head back to the kitchen.

I think back to Yoongi’s reaction, to Y/N’s, then Jin’s.

What are they not telling me? What happened in the past?

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 1 (4.6k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

I never knew going back to school would be so intimidating, especially since it’s filled with teens.

Even from up to my twenty-three years old, I still freak out when I have to get close to the younger generation, as if they would eat me up. I guess it's just hard to forget when your teen years are filled with bullying from both hybrids and humans.

I remember feet making me trip, tails flicking under my skirt to expose me, hybrids with night vision having fun locking me up in the dark and laughing as they push me around.

A lot of fun, really.

But, that's not why I’m here, that kind of thing is all behind me now. No, instead I’m here for the after-school classes that are offered here for adults, a small easy course not available to the local students, else I wouldn’t go.

I was tired of not knowing what to do after work, so I thought I could do something that would force me to socialize a little, and who knows, maybe help me get over my trauma.

I can’t handle being near hybrids very well, especially those with tails, or… people in general.

Working in a private laboratory hasn’t really provided with ways to get over my fear, but today, today, that’s all about to change, because I chose a mixed classroom. I’m going to have to stay with both humans and hy-

“Excuse me, you’re blocking the way” a voice says and I jump aside, heart nearly fleeing my chest as I turn around to see a tall man bowing lightly in apology before entering the classroom.

Bringing a hand to my heart, I sigh out softly to calm myself

What a way to make a first impression. Here I was, trying to motivate myself only to fail before I even get to try, I guess some things don’t change by simple sheer will.

Grabbing my bag tightly against my chest, I slowly enter the classroom and head straight for the corner further away from the door at the back of the room.

There are two tables there while all the others have four, so it’s the least worst out of all the choices available to me.

I can handle one person more than I can handle three at the same time.

Probably.

I look up at the board on the front wall to see instructions about the first class that starts today, it helps to give an idea of the planning and how our time will be spent, but mainly,  it gives information about what we’ll need for the future lessons.

I grab my brand-new notebook and pencil case out of my bag and set them both in front of me before opening to the first page, something exciting about filling it with interesting knowledge, I was really impatient about this class.

“Let’s note these down” I mumble to myself as I grab my favorite pen with penguins on it, then proceed to write down word for word what is on the board to make sure that I don’t miss anything important in the future.

It doesn’t take too long before students start coming in to take random seats around the class and I try to keep my breathing slow and steady as I notice ears and tails among the many bodies, something that has my heart squeezing, the sight of humans mingling with the hybrids nothing to comfort me.

Oh man, this was such a bad idea, I can’t do this.

Fingers clutching onto my pen as if it would keep the baddies away, I startle when a body suddenly appears in the corner of my eye only to stop by the desk beside mine.

“Um… is this seat taken?” a very soft voice asks and I slowly shake my head in answer, not mentally ready just yet to look up at the face of the person who owns this beautiful voice.

“… Can I sit here?” the stranger asks again and I nod, my notebook sliding away from the separation between our two desks to make more space, as if that would change anything.

“Thank you”.

The person sits down on the chair next to me and I immediately get to smell a lovely odour coming from them, one I recognize well.

It turned a little, a sweeter tone to it, but it’s unmistakable. “You’re wearing Flower Tones, Viburnum Edition” I say as I point at my neck. “Your perfume” I add.

A soft gasp and a fluttering of… wings?

I look a bit to the side to see magnificent dark brown wings settling back in place, wide and long, they beautifully spread against the stranger’s back.

It’s my first time seeing wings in person as they are rare. They truly are beautiful.

“You recognized it just like that?” the voice asks and I nod, eyes finally looking up to meet the eyes of a young man who seems to be about my age, maybe a bit older? 

His white hair makes his golden eyes pop out even more and for a few seconds, I am in total awe as I stare at this gorgeous man. I have to pull myself out of it by focusing on the pen in my hand.

“I… I make perfumes. The one you’re wearing right now… I made it” I mumble, hear his wings flap softly and when I look up again to meet his eyes, they are bright and excited.

“You do?! That’s so amazing! I can’t believe I’m seated next to a perfumer!” he exclaims, his overly happy mood transmitting to his wings as they barely keep still while he stares at me with fascination.

I blush and wave a hand in dismissal, embarrassed by the sudden outburst directed at me, a reaction I wasn’t expecting.

“It’s nothing much really” I let out to try and keep my head clear, his praise making my heart melt against my will. It’s not everyday I hear someone praise my work with so much honesty, it’s taking me by surprise.

It’s also not everyday I meet someone who wears my perfume at all, it’s making me very happy.

“I wish my job would be that impressive, but I just work at a print shop, take care of the regular everyday requests. Sometimes we do have special ones, like books for example, that has happened, but not frequently” he explains with a little disappointed pout, it makes my heart soften.

I smile at him, wishing he wouldn’t be so hard on himself, but I can understand the urge to compare, we all feel smaller than someone, it’s not always easy to be proud of what we do.

“Is there something in particular you’d like to do in life? Or are you comfortable with what you have? Either way, there’s nothing wrong with working at a print shop, you help keep something alive that is slowly dying. Printing pictures, helping people achieve their goals, that has got to count for something” I tell him, watch as his eyes widen before he nods with a bright smile.

“My owner- well I say owner because he adopted me but really, he’s more like an older brother, says the same. Every jobs matter, no matter how impressive they are. I don’t really know what I want to do in life yet, so I guess I’m pretty content with my current situation” he explains and I hum, happy for him.

“Seems like a good… brother” I muse softly, to which he smiles with a satisfied nod of the head. "He really is".

A comfortable silence takes place between us, something I'd never had the chance to experience with someone before. It’s strange, how being with him doesn’t make me as tense as I would expect. Maybe my fear isn’t as bad as I thought it was, or it’s just something about him.

My inner wondering gets answered too soon when I look up just in time to see who appears to be the teacher enter the room and I freeze like a doe caught in headlights, heart pumping faster with each passing seconds as I stare at the cat ears, the long black tail swaying in the air, it can’t be-

“Welcome everyone, I’m happy to see the class filled the way it is, your interest in my course warms my heart. My name is Min Yoongi, let’s keep it simple since we’re all adults here. I’ll be your teacher for the next few months, every Mondays and Thursdays so I hope to see you all come back regularly” the man says with a smile, a smile that makes me sick.

I close my eyes tight to avoid panicking at the sight of the hybrid, my hands clenching into fists, pen now forgotten on the desk as I try to breathe in and out.

Of all people to be my teacher, it really had to be my worst bully.

Min Yoongi, the cat who would always follow me around to bother me, who would always try to find a new way to annoy me, hurt me, humiliate me - here as my teacher.

A hand on my shoulder and I flinch away, heart in my throat, not comfortable with any types of contact right now, I don’t feel good at all.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to- are you okay? What’s wrong?” the hybrid besides me asks in a whisper but I just shake my head, mind unable to formulate an answer before I end up pushing my chair back to rush out of the room, needing to get away from here right now.

Unaware of the confused eyes setting on me, I slam the door open and look around me to try and find the nearest bathroom, feeling as if I’m going to throw up, it wouldn’t be the first time it happens out of panic.

Luckily for me, there’s one just a few steps down the corridor so I rush there with quick feet and enter the room before hiding in the first stall I come across, head hitting against the cold door as I close and lock it in front of me.

Why did it have to be him? Does he remember me? Is he going to continue what he had to stop after graduating now that I’m within his grasp once more? Are things going to turn back to how they were, back to the nightmare that still haunts me to this day?

That was not supposed to happen. If I had paid any attention to the teacher’s name when I first registered, I wouldn’t have come here, I would’ve remained as far away from here as possible.

Now I left my bag in class and I can’t leave without it, not when my phone, wallet and keys are in it.

I hit my head against the door once more, breath getting out of control as I realize how fucked I am, but then I start feeling dizzy so I sit on the toilet. Now’s not the time to lose your mind Y/N, damn it.

Okay. Calm down, you’re an adult, you both are. He probably matured since then, it’s over, it’s in the past, panicking won’t change anything, you need to go back if you want your belongings, just that small task then you’re out of here.

First, you need to calm down, breathe in. 2. 3. 4. Out. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Again.

Keeping the rhythm as constant as I can, I slowly get my bearings back and once sure that I won’t be sick, I stand up from the toilet to get out of the stall to reach the sink and then throw some water over my face and neck, the cold helping me to focus on something else for a moment.

Just don’t look at him. Grab your bag and get out. Maybe another school offers the same course, or I could ask if the other class for humans has another teacher, the days would change but I’d be away from him, hopefully.

Shaking my head, that’s something I can think about once I’m at home, I step out of the bathroom only to bump into a chest.

Staggering backwards from the impact, hands reach out to grab me by the shoulders to stabilize me and I look up to see the very person I wanted to stay away from. Fuck.

Ready to run away, I make a move to get out of his hold but his fingers squeeze to keep me in place, his face showing round eyes who look just as panicked as I feel.

“L-let me go” I stutter out, heart going out of control again, what is he going to do this time? Just why-

“You’re Y/N right? Ahn Y/N?” he asks suddenly and I freeze, mind filling with fear at what might follow. He remembers me so what’s going to happen now? What will he try first? I try to shake free again but he still won’t let go of me.

“Please, listen to me first” he pleads, voice filled with guilt and I still, his tone sounding almost ready to beg, it doesn’t fit, Yoongi doesn’t plead, Yoongi just… takes.

“I promise you, Y/N, I just want to talk, please hear me out”.

Can I trust that voice? Can I trust what I hear right now more than what I remember from him? Can I afford to trust him like that? What if it’s a trap?

When his hands release me slowly, I take a few steps away from him and keep my eyes locked on the floor, not ready to meet his, but I give him a chance, so I stay. 

He heaves a sigh of relief when he processes that I’m still not running away, but doesn’t quite relax, his tail nervous as it sways behind him.

“Thank you, I… I knew you were in my class but I wasn’t sure if you knew I was your teacher, I figured you didn’t since you never called to cancel. Um… I’m sorry. Really, for everything I did in the past. I know I was a total ass to you, I was terrible and you didn’t deserve any of that.

I was going through a rough time and you just so happened to be an easy prey, but I shouldn’t have done that, I really regret everything I’ve done, Y/N. I promise I’m not the same anymore, so please don’t cancel the class because of me, I know you’d love what we’ll be doing” he says slowly, each words thought out and precise, but they sound sincere.

Did he expect this conversation to happen? I guess he did, he knows me well after all, he had time to test a lot of theories on me.

Feeling the tears about to burst free, I sniffle and rub my eyes, not wanting to cry in front of him, not anymore, I’ve done that enough, but then my eyes notice the way his tail expresses how worried he is as it curls around his own arm and if that isn’t proof that he’s saying the truth, then I can at least believe the vulnerability of his voice. It’s not easy to apologize the way he just did.

Not knowing what to say in response to his apology, I decide to simply head back to the classroom, Yoongi silent as he follows behind me.

Knowing that all eyes are going to be on me as soon as I enter the room, I brace myself and open the door only to find everyone focused on drawing individually at their desk. A few heads look up, yes, but nothing more than in reaction to the sound of the door before they focus back on the paper in front of them.

The only one who looks up and keeps his eyes locked on me is the white haired hybrid, golden orbs concerned as he observes me come back to the desk besides his.

The door closes once Yoongi has entered too and I can feel him staring at me, probably wondering what I’m going to do after all when the back of my head burns as I reach out for my chair before sitting down.

“Are you okay?” the soft man asks and I nod slowly, feeling awkward because of what he saw from me. He must think me crazy now.

“It’s nothing, sorry about earlier” I mumble, see him shake his head, not convinced but knowing that pushing is a limit to not cross, he keeps it simple when he replies. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it”.

I take a quick look around me to try and guess what is going on when he points at the drawing in front of him.

“Yoongi hyu- I mean Yoongi ssi asked us to draw something, anything we want so he can determine our level. He says he does that so he can adjust his expectations depending on how comfortable we are with drawing, it’s also to show us our progress when the course ends” he explains and I nod with a tiny smile before deciding that the best way to get over what just happened is to focus on this task.

That’s why I came here after all, to draw, didn’t I?

With an encouraging nod to myself, I slide the paper already resting on my desk closer to me and then grab my set of drawing pencils before getting to it.

Letting go of my worries to draw whatever comes to mind, I start drawing a flower.

A sunflower, to be more precise, for the simple reason that it’s my favorite, there’s something comforting about it.

Always following the sun, chasing it with all its might, Grandma always had ones growing in her garden, I guess it had an impact on why I love them so much. They just bring a smile to my face so easily.

I try to add as many details as I can, all my efforts pushed into doing good for this first task and once done, I stare at it, take in the things I could’ve done better, it’s not perfect but… it could’ve been worse.

“Oh! Is that a sunflower? It looks almost real, it’s beautiful!“ the lovely hybrid praises as he gazes over and I smile, my tension running out of my body slowly as I finally get to relax a little, my shock from earlier now out of mind.

There’s something soothing about him, it helps me a lot. It’s not stressful being seated next to him.

I eye his drawing too, find there a tree, a big weeping willow tree.

I observe in awe, marveled that he could draw one with such precision and skills, it makes my sunflower look very terrible next to it, even though I did my best. He’s surely not a beginner like me.

"Yours looks beautiful. I love these trees, there’s something oddly comforting and protective about being within one’s curtain of leaves, it’s very well done” I tell him, see the way his eyes crease happily as he hums shyly.

“Thank you” he whispers, happy with the compliment, he must’ve worked hard after all, it always feels nice when someone notices.

When time runs out, we’re asked to write our name in a corner of our paper and to bring it to the teacher’s desk, something I wish I could avoid entirely.

I still don’t really know how to feel about all this, my best bet for now is to stay away from Yoongi while I figure something out, but I can’t really ignore the given task, can I?

Sensing my apprehension, the male hybrid smiles at me and tentatively takes my paper from my hands, obviously offering to bring it with his and I gratefully nod as I let go of it, eyes following his form as he walks to the front of the class to leave our drawings on the desk before coming back just as fast, eyes always smiling no matter what he’s doing.

Once he sits back down next to me, he turns his attention to me, curiosity in his clear orbs.

“I just realized that we didn't even introduce ourselves yet, I saw your name on the paper, Ahn Y/N, right? My name is Park Jimin, it’s very nice to meet you” he chirps while offering me a hand in an act of greetings.

Mind processing that indeed, we had yet to learn the other’s name until now, I softly grab his hand for a small handshake before pulling back to hide my fingers under my thighs, a little awkward, I’m not used to this.

“It’s… it’s nice to meet you too, Jimin” I reply in a murmur, a smile peeking onto my face at the cute little flap his wings do, which betrays his joy even though his face hides none of it.

“Alright, I can see that most of you are already pretty skilled. For those of you finding this harder, don’t worry, we’re here to learn, there’s nothing bad with being a little behind. We’ll follow your rhythm and work on the bases. Now let’s proceed with-” Yoongi starts explaining a few lessons and I try to listen to the best of my abilities, as hard as it is. 

It’s like his voice keeps merging with the past, words that sound similar to others making me fidgety on my seat, it’s one thing being with him in the same room when it’s silent, but it’s another when having to focus entirely on what he’s saying.

Whenever it becomes harder to focus on his words, my ears ringing loudly in my head as my brain becomes confused between the past Yoongi and today’s Yoongi, Jimin is always there to show me what we have to do, no judging, no questions asked, just sweet and reassuring smiles.

I’m really thankful for him, I don’t think I could’ve gotten a better desk-neighbor.

The end of the class happens without anymore problems and I sigh in relief when I see students start leaving the room, hybrids and humans alike, it gives me more space to breathe without feeling that annoying weight over my ribcage.

Yoongi stares at me for a few seconds before excusing himself as well, his feet taking him out of the room and that’s the cherry on the cake, my muscles relaxing instantly, although nothing will beat being back home where it’s safe.

Jimin shoots me a concerned glance, easily seeing the obvious shift in my body at the class emptying before he’s switching to a pleasant smile as he starts gathering his belongings to put in his bag and I do the same, eager to get out of here.

“So, what did you think of today’s first lesson? I’m excited about all the things we’re going to learn, what about you?” he chirps to try and lift the heavy mood as we exit the classroom to head out of the building, a comfortable companionship between the two of us as we reach the stairs.

I nod with a soft hum. “It was interesting, I definitely have a lot to improve, I just hope I find the will to come back regularly” I reply, eyes staring down at the floor when I feel his gaze fall on me in confusion.

“Are you already thinking about possibly quitting? But you’re so good” he mutters sadly, his tone disappointed at the prospect of me not coming back, it has me pinching my lips, unsure of how to react, of what to say.

“It’s not… it’s not because of my skills. I… I mean you could see it, right? I don’t handle very well being surrounded by people” I explain simply, feel his eyes burn the side of my head at the revelation.

“But you seem fine with me. I mean, I could see how nervous you were when I first arrived, but that didn’t last for too long” he wonders aloud, a soft smile spreading on his plump lips at the thought.

His wings stretch lightly behind the two of us before neatly folding back in place at his back, the silence between us making him feel uneasy.

I look up once we reach the last step of the stairs and pull the door leading out open, step aside to allow him through first, which he thanks me for before waiting on the other side for me, a hand going to hold the door above my head as I too step through the doorframe.

I sigh, feet resuming the walk towards the parking lot. “I don’t know, I guess there’s something calming about you? I haven’t really met any bird hybrids until now so maybe it keeps my personal experiences from using you against me, it would be a first” I finally reply to his comment and he bites on his bottom lip as he processes my words.

“Do you have bad memories with hybrids? Is that why you panicked earlier? Our class has many of them, me included, won’t that be hard for you?” he asks, a hand then going to slap over his mouth as his eyes widen.

“I’m sorry, it’s totally fine if you don’t want to reply to that one, I can be too curious sometimes. Jin hyung is still trying to make me learn when it’s time to shut up” he mumbles, his last words pulling a short laugh out of me. 

“He sounds lovely” I muse, happy for the opening to change the subject, which he catches on quickly when he starts laughing.

“He is. He whines a lot but he takes care of me well. I’m sure you two would be great friends if you ever met, he always says those awful dad jokes and whenever we laugh, he thinks it’s because he’s funny, but really, it’s his laugh that ends us. He sounds like a windshield wiper, you should hear him” he jokes with his honey giggle, eyes shining as he recounts memories he shares with that man.

Hearing him talk as we get near the cars fills my heart with warmth and just for that little moment, I’m glad that I stayed after all.

“That’s the car I use. Do you have a ride? I can drive you home if you want” he offers as he stops by a shiny car but I shake my head, a smile on my lips, I’ve been doing that a lot with him, smiling.

“I’m fine, I came with a car myself, thank you for offering though, it’s very nice of you” I answer while pointing at mine, a little further away from his.

It's an older model than his own, but it doesn’t look too shabby. He nods back, eyes curious as he leans lightly to the side to have a look at the one I’m pointing at.

“Well, maybe sometimes we can come here together, I don’t mind fetching you and driving you back” he offers, not about to give up on his idea and I grin, this hybrid’s infectious smile already growing on me.

“Maybe someday? I make no promises though” I tease him before taking a step back. “I guess I’ll see you in three days then” I add with a wave of the hand before turning around to reach my car.

“That means you’re coming back right? No changing your mind!” he shouts as I unlock my door. I don’t reply and simply wave my hand one last time before getting inside, a smile on my lips, heart light and at peace.

Yeah, I can see myself becoming good friend with him.

Park Jimin, the eagle hybrid.

STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

“Jimin, I can’t see anything”.
“Shhh”.

CHAPTERS:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, …

• JIMIN X READER
• HYBRID AU
• M/F
• RATED M

Find my masterlist here

YOUR CANDY SCENT

2SEOK X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 5 (4.4k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

It’s seated in my living room, Jimin, Taehyung and I on the couch while Hoseok and Seokjin personally chose the floor cushions to face us that we listen to the corgi’s questions towards the guys, the hybrid having apparently decided that he was to be the guiding head in this situation.

“Man, I still can’t believe it, Y/N’s one lucky girl for getting these two to herself” he muses with a wink my way and I blush before covering my eyes with a hand, I’ve been feeling so shy since earlier and I’m not used to it.

They didn’t lie earlier, did they? I’m really their mate too? Me?

“Honestly… Y/N has amazed me, from the first time I saw her yesterday. I’m not very expressive, yet that hasn’t stopped her from being incredibly nice with me, she wasn’t intimidated and she made me feel like it’s okay to be myself, I don’t need to force myself to change, so if anything, I feel like we’re the lucky ones” Hoseok counters with visible relief in his tone, his words only serving to worsen my state, heart picking up a beat and shy tingles spreading all over my soul.

Did I really make him feel that way? It’s something that makes me proud, because I take joy out of making people feel good about themselves, there’s nothing wrong with them if that’s how they want to be, opinions should matter only if you asked for them.

“He’s right, I’m a little awkward, yet she’s been nothing else but smiles and warmth with me, she’s… amazing” Seokjin adds, a small chuckle leaving him when I groan in embarrassment.

“Guys…” I whine, hear laughter spread around the room as Taehyung’s arms close around me, it forces a sheepish smile onto my face as I look at them all, why does it feel so perfect with them here?

“Awww, to see her all shy like this is a miracle, Y/N is usually all brave and strong, it’s not often that we get to see her soft side like this” Jimin coos as he ruffles my hair, arms joining his mate’s around me, it’s all warm and cozy, I love it.

“I can imagine… she’s been confident over everything ever since I met her, her cute blushing cheeks are adorable” Hoseok hums, eyes burning a hole into my head until I brave through the arms to glance at him and his grin…

Yeah, he’s really a fox, isn’t he? The tease.

I clear my throat and try to shrug it off, the burning to my skin not helping me get a hold of myself.

“I could say the same about you two! Who said you were allowed to be such fluffy and cute hybrids, huh? Your tails keep wagging when you’re happy even if your face remains passive and those ears! They look so freaking soft!” I exclaim, which only ends up making me feel even more embarrassed because the two hybrids straighten up with pride at my words, orbs alight with delight.

“You really think so?” Seokjin murmurs all softly, ears so tempting with the way they fall slightly over his face, and now that I’m really taking the time to look at him, fuck, his looks are insane! Perfection, he’s perfection, they both are!

“You can touch them if you want” the Australian shepherd offers when he sees the longing in my eyes and I hesitate long enough for Jimin to push me forward and to the floor where Hoseok’s arms catch my upper body in a hurry, eyes widening in shock when he hears the sound of my knees smacking against the wood.

“Y/N, are you okay?!” he asks at my pained groan as I end up face first in his stomach, the rest of my body sprawled over the floor and onto his lap, I feel like the blanket Hoseok effortlessly threw over the couch yesterday.

I grunt out a yes before looking back at Jimin with a betrayed pout, he didn’t need to push me with that much strength, now I can feel a throbbing pain in my knees, damn it.

The corgi smiles back guiltily, he didn’t mean to use that much strength, maybe he can pretend like he plays no part in this if he looks away? Taehyung sighs and shakes his head, not surprised anymore.

His puppy mate is a clumsy one, doesn’t realize that he’s much stronger than his race leads to believe. He’s not as small as he seems to think.

“Sorry about him, he has too much energy sometimes, he just wants to help, even if he ends up hurting more often than never” Taehyung informs my two mates who nod slightly before helping me to a seated position between the two of them and tucked in the middle with their huge bodies on either side like that…

It’s making me feel minuscule!

Seokjin seems to hesitate a little, but after a few seconds, he makes up his mind as he tilts his head down and in front of me, one long ear dangling in front of my face and I swear, it’s calling out to me, begging for my fingers to run through its fur.

“Is it really okay for me to touch it?” I ask, needing to make sure, I wouldn’t want to make him uncomfortable when I see his fingers nervously twist in his clothes but he hums with a small nod and that’s all I need to raise a hand to it, a gasp leaving me when the softness ends up being even softer than I had thought.

“Oh my gosh, this isn’t possible” I blurt out as I bring my other hand to it, needing more of the sensation, it’s incredible! Now if I could just rub my cheek against it, I would be sent to a world of fluffiness.

“Soft right?” the dog hybrid muses, proud of his ears, with good reason, I would be showing off all the time were I him.

See my ears? They’re so soft, the softest in the whole world. You want to touch? In your dreams! Grow old wondering just how soft they were and die without any answers!

A small clear of the throat to my other side and I turn my head to see Hoseok trying to look unbothered as he too leans his head my way, his tail sliding over the floor in anticipation while Seokjin’s audibly hits the floor in consecutive hits, what am I going to do with them?

“You can… touch mine too if you want. But… be gentle, they’re sensitive” he mumbles and I chirp in excitement, one hand remaining with Seokjin’s ear, his face away from me but I can almost imagine his closed eyes and soft features as he enjoys the touch, his hands now completely relaxed in his lap.

At this point, I’m completely forgetting about Taehyung and Jimin who keep gazing at us with gentle grins, how could I ever focus on anyone else when I have these two with me?

“Here I come” I mumble, to which the fox snorts just as I slowly allow my fingers against the fur of his ear, and goodness, it’s just as soft, although maybe slightly more rigid, the hairs just a bit thicker than the dog’s.

“So this is what a fox’s fur feels like” I muse as I run my fingers against the shell of his ear, a bubble of adoration popping in my stomach when it twitches under my touch, Hoseok’s eyes blinking quickly as a shiver goes through his body, this is so cute!

“What did you think it would be like?” he asks, but I shrug, fingers gentle as I slowly go over the fur, careful to not mess it all up. “I don’t know, the only fur I’m used to is Jimin’s, but the two of you, it’s different, it’s nice”.

Seokjin and Hoseok both hum, content to feel my touch, they didn’t know they would like it that much, to have someone caress their ears, ear scratches felt overrated but now… things have changed.

Unsure of when to stop, of when is too much, I eventually pull back to bring my hands back to my lap and it takes the two men a moment to realize that I’m not touching their ears anymore. I don’t miss the drop to their shoulders when they sit back up in their seat, cheeks slightly red, but thankfully, their eyes are happy as they wait for my verdict.

I give them both a thumb up. “A hundred out of ten, would do again”.

Jimin giggles and we snap our eyes to the duo facing us, just now remembering their presence, and oh my god, they saw all that!

“Aren’t you three lovely. I’m starting to think that we should push that sleepover to another day, it doesn’t feel right to take that moment from you guys, you should spend the evening together and get to know each other properly, you obviously don’t need our help” Taehyung coos and… my eyes widen as I come to remember the deal that was made with them earlier.

“Tae! The food!” I exclaim, they first came here to see my place and eat with me, yet we’ve done none of that! What happened to the food!?

Jimin gasps with horrified eyes before jumping up to his feet and to the kitchen where they set the bags. “It’s all cold! No! Damn it, you guys being mates made me forget about my hunger but I’m freaking starving now! Argh!”.

I let myself fall to my back with a whine. “I’m so hungry too! We can’t possibly eat it cold, is the world coming to an end? Whatever shall we do?” I let out with a dose of drama before rolling to my stomach, hip touching Hoseok’s leg as his unimpressed eyes take me in before he sighs.

“You have an oven, a microwave, just heat it up”.

…

I roll to my back and sit up and into a slumped position before looking up at him with a pout through my lashes.

“Since you seem to know exactly what to do here… maybe you could take care of it?” I ask, hands slowly meeting at my chest in a plea and he narrows his eyes at me, a finger going to boop my nose before he stands up with a groan.

“What I wouldn’t do for my mate. Yesterday was the same too, am I going to become a slave? Goodness”.

“The best slave in the entire world! Wait no, that sounded wrong, the most free slave in the entire world! Thank you, little fox!” I chirp with a giggle before turning to my side, hence making me face Seokjin who’s already staring at me, his gaze startles me.

I still, lips parted into a semi-smile, unsure of how I should explain myself. “You see… I’m not… that bad, right? It’s just… I’m lazy?” I attempt, but he doesn’t react and I turn to Taehyung for backup, but the traitorous man simply stands up to join the others in the kitchen and I purse my lips.

Why is he so quiet? Is he mad that I asked that of Hoseok? Technically, the fox is his mate too, right?

“Aren’t you going to ask me to help too?” Seokjin finally breaks the silence and I stare back at him, confused. “Huh?”.

He points at himself, then at the kitchen. “I can help too, aren’t you going to ask?” he repeats, eyes looking almost sad that I’m not, did he want me to plead at him too? What? Or did he want to hear that he too is a… good… not slave?

I turn my gaze to the kitchen where three men are already working together to transfer the food from the plastic containers into my glass ones, Hoseok luckily aware of where they all are since he helped me store them yesterday.

“Well… I think they have enough hands already, Seokjin”.

Nothing prepares me for the disappointed pout that greets my eyes when I turn back to him and shit, how do I comfort him? Do I come up with a task for him to feel useful? But then won’t I feel awful for ordering both of my mates around like that?

“It’s okay, Seokjin, you can keep me company instead, I don’t want to be alone” I assure him, words that have his tail resuming its thumping on the floor, relief flashing across his eyes, he really looks like a cute pup.

Okay, a godly handsome pup. I mean, have you seen these shoulders? He would take everyone’s jobs if he decided to become a model.

I hum as I look around me, eyes trying to find something to keep ourselves busy, and then I remember the catalogue that contains all his hardwork.

“Oh I know! Why don’t we look through your catalogue together? Since you’re here, you could direct me to what would be better for me!” I offer, watch as his face softens into shy contentment before he nods. “Sure, I don’t mind”.

“Great! I’ll be back in a flash, it’s on my bed” I muse before hurrying to my feet and to my room, nearly trip on the way but it’s okay, no one saw-

“I saw that, Y/N”.

Damn it.

“No you didn’t” I retort, hear Hoseok’s huff in response before I disappear into my bedroom, one I haven’t used yet because I seem to have spent last night on the couch with Yoongi, the first one but not the last.

It’s the only room that hasn’t really been decorated yet, and it probably won’t be for a while, it’s not the room I focus the most on, I’ll only sleep here after all. The living room and the kitchen are the most important in my eyes, it’s where we gather, where we spend time together, it has to be comfortable and clean.

I find the catalogue right where I left it and carefully cradle it to my chest before heading back to the living room where Seokjin is patiently waiting for me and when my eyes fall on him, I freeze.

Wow.

I actually need to take a minute to just gaze at him because the way the afternoon sun glows on his honey skin…

My heart flutters a bit too much for comfort.

He notices me standing still and tilts his head, probably wondering why I’m here looking all dumb gazing at him, completely unaware of how beautiful he is. How can you not know that you look godlike? It’s almost as bad as not being able to shut up about it!

I clear my throat, a sheepish scratch to the back of my neck before I join his side on the floor, catalogue given to him because he knows it best.

“Okay, so you mentioned bras earlier?” he asks, straight to the point and I nod as I scoot closer to have a look as he opens it to a particular section nearer to the middle of the book, then flips through a few pages revealing elegant swimsuits before falling on the bras.

Right away, even though this isn’t the shape that would suit me the best, I can see right away how beautiful it is, a few notes here and there to show its best points and downsides, it’s fascinating to see.

He starts showing me different styles, and with each points I bring forward about what I would like, the closer he gets to what I actually need until we reach a section of what feels like would be the most comfortable for me.

“This one, oh it looks perfect, it’s like you’ve taken out everything I hate about bras and kept only what I love” I muse, by now slightly leaning over his shoulder, chin resting on top of it to have a better look at the catalogue, it’s so easy being with Seokjin, he’s so calm, just like Hoseok.

“I’m glad, this one is a huge favorite for the bigger part of my clientele, so we could go with that one then?” he says as he turns his head slightly to observe me from the corner of his eye and I nod. “Definitely, this one is good”.

He hums, then flips through a few pages again until we reach a section for fabric, laces and the likes.

“Now this is a bit like a… build a bra? Just point at whichever ones you like, I’ll remember them and I’ll make you a folder later with your choices. We can talk size and measurements either tomorrow or when you’re ready, what do you think?”.

I nod my head, more of my weight added to his shoulder and he smiles, the tickle of his ear against my cheek and his happy tail waving against my stomach all things I could get used to.

A presence besides us and we both turn our head to see Hoseok sitting close next to me, a small smile for us before his gaze falls to the catalogue, no confusion on his face, it appears he heard everything since earlier.

“I remember Namjoon once said that you make clothes, but he’d never mentioned what kind exactly, I didn’t know you make lingerie” he hums and Seokjin shrinks just slightly before breathing in to calm himself, my scent so near helping him to focus on the calm bubble we had just a moment ago.

“Yeah… it’s what I do” he murmurs, not as confident as he was when it was just me and Hoseok seems to notice it too because he’s quickly adjusting himself so that Seokjin can have a clear view of the fox’s face.

“Hey, it’s cool, really. I heard you two talk since earlier, you seem to know a lot, it’s sweet, I’m sure you help a lot of people with your knowledge. I was just curious to see what’s in there, but I… I can go if I make you uncomfortable”.

The shepherd quickly shakes his head before stopping when he realizes that his ear has been slapping me in the face but really, I’m not complaining, even when it slaps it’s all soft. “You… you can stay, it’s fine. We were just about to look at the fabric”.

Well… I guess I’ll just have to live with the fact that both of my mates will know what I like, yeah? It’s fine, it’s just bras, it’s not like they’ll both actually see them on me.

As if reading my thoughts, Hoseok glances at me, needing one more confirmation that he can stay and when I nod at him with a grin, he relaxes and brings his gaze back to the catalogue, as do I.

And so, together, what I thought might be a little awkward ends up being really interesting because we all end up sharing our thoughts about our preferences, and some of their opinions even end up changing some dislikes I had into approval, although part of me believes it might just be because I would do anything for them, I can already feel that bubble growing in the corner of my heart.

It really doesn’t take me much to accept someone into my heart, should they deserve it and these two have gained a spot in it as soon as I laid an eye on them.

Now I’m realizing that the mate bond probably had something to do with that, but I like to think that I would’ve felt the same even if they weren’t.

They make me feel good, and them needing me is even better. It makes me feel useful and proud, I can watch over them, help them and they won’t reject me, the same way Yoongi takes care of me.

If it makes me feel good being taken care of, then I wish for my mates to get the chance to feel the same way too. They both look fragile and I want to cherish that.

And should anyone try to use that fragility against them… well I won’t remain still and do nothing, that I can promise.

No one hurts my people, not without having to deal with the consequences afterward, even if it includes seeing the grim reaper in person. Bodies will fall before my people do, that’s a promise I will hold until my end, even if Yoongi wishes I wouldn’t.

There are some things even him can’t stop, and as much as he’s aware, he’s hoping that the promise he made me do in the past will hold on for as long as possible.

“Food is ready! It’s at the perfect temperature now, even warmer than when we drive back home at full speed! Me is happy!” Jimin chirps from the kitchen, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts just as Hoseok and Seokjin end their conversation about animal prints, one I didn’t hear a single word of.

I look up feeling a little weird, thinking about how far I’m ready to go for them awakening a glint of the darkness within me and making me feel slightly dazed, a switch turned on and when Hoseok stares at me, I smile, bring a hand to cup his cheek and he stills, eyes widening in surprise.

Right, I would do anything to protect them.

I hum and close my eyes, face going to nuzzle softly in Seokjin’s neck where I feel goosebumps cover the skin under my lips, his whole body tensing under my touch.

Anything, because they’re mine.

Mine to protect and cherish.

A hand to my shoulder and I open my eyes to see Taehyung gazing down at me, he knows, the squeeze to my skin making me let go of both my mates to stand up to my feet before following him out of the living room and to my bedroom when he has yet to let go of me, Jimin’s eyes following us silently before he beckons the two hybrids over to distract them.

Once the door closes behind us, he turns to me, eyes wary as I meet his gaze with a tilt of the head.

“It claimed them, didn’t it?” he asks and I hum lowly, eyes turning to the window before I make my way to it to gaze at the darkening sky.

“Y/N, it’s important. That side of you, it claimed them? Like it did for us?” he asks again and I sigh before nodding once.

“Then you need to let Yoongi know, you remember the promise you made to him”.

I start tapping the edge of the window with my fingers, the only sound that can be heard in the room, a twitch in my eye at having to go through with it.

“What would it change? It’s not like much will happen just because of this, it just means I want to keep them safe” I let out, voice colder than intended but it doesn’t stop Taehyung from getting closer.

“That’s the point, Y/N, it’s how you intend to protect them that matters. There’s no danger right now, you don’t need to be like that” he tries, but his words tick me off.

“It’s always the same. You see me like this and you all get scared, as if I could do something terrible at any moment. It makes me sad that you guys think so lowly of me, you know?” I hum, a brief look at his face to see that he’s clenching his jaw, eyes narrowed.

Tsk. He’s not going to make it easy, is he?

“You’re not the Y/N we need right now, we need sweet Y/N because tonight is supposed to be nice and fun, your two mates are here and they want to get closer to you and to each other, they don’t need to be kept safe. You don’t need to be out”.

I inhale deeply, knowing he’s right. What danger would there be here? The toaster? Still, I frown, not liking how I’m pushed away so easily.

I want to be needed too. Can I not be loved just like my sweet self? Like my confident self?

I’m just a little bit darker than the others, but I’m not dangerous for them.

A hand to my arm, soft and gentle. “We all know that you watch over us, all the time. We are thankful for that, okay? But Hoseok and Seokjin, they don’t know that side of you yet, this is all new, do you want to scare them by going too fast?”.

I shake my head, eyes looking down in disgust, the idea that they could be scared of me… no, I don’t want that.

“Come here, it’s going to be alright, okay? It’s going to be fine, baby” he murmurs as he takes me into a hug and I nuzzle my face into his neck, needing to feel his warmth for myself for once, it happens so rarely.

“You’ll get your time with them, I promise. They’re your mates, they’ll accept every part of you, you just need to go slow and steady” he continues, his voice soothing me and I nod, soul focused on his warmth, on his heart that beats slowly against my chest.

Slowly, I start feeling more like myself, although it also feels like less than myself, and when I open my eyes again, Taehyung smiles at me, hands cupping my cheeks in relief when he sees that I’m back to normal.

“Sorry about that… I was just thinking about how they were getting important to me and the next thing I knew, the switch happened” I mumble, but he shakes his head with a kiss to my forehead.

“It’s fine, let’s join the others, okay? They’ll be wondering what’s going on”.

I nod and follow him out of the room, a sad smile on my lips.

(AUTHOR)

We got a little deep sneak into Y/N’s character for this chapter!

I want to mention that Y/N’s case is not one of switching from one identity to another, she remains the same person, but she has… switches that can flip on and off. It’s like… each personalities come with their own mindset and experiences but also merge with one another.

Confident is her main one, sweet in second, there’s not much changing from there because she’s often like that, but the darker one is always kept back so when it does come out, it’s going to show a lot more in the way she talks and thinks.

Things will trigger those switches, situations will require one more than the other, but she remains always Min Y/N, just… different sides of herself. Hope that makes sense and if not…

Ask me questions lmao!

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

2SEOK X READER

HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 4 (4.4k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

“If you could wait just a moment, I’ll be fast” Seokjin mumbles as he fidgets with his door, a clumsy bow given to me before he slips through the opening in a way that keeps me from seeing the inside of his home and I smile when it closes just as fast behind him.

I hum and lean my back against the outside wall besides the door, eyes turning to the clear sky, the sound of birds chirping from the nearby trees making everything feel so peaceful.

First Hoseok, now Seokjin, these two hybrids are so endearing, there’s no way around it.

I wonder what it is about them, but I find them just so… cute. They’re handsome, very handsome, true, but their behavior makes me melt, the way they look at me, the way their ears and tails twitch, it makes me all soft for them.

While Hoseok is a fox, ears high on top of his head, Seokjin’s are droopy, long appendages that fall off the sides of his face and nearly merging into his hair, they both look so soft to the touch, it’s obvious that they’re taking care of their fur well.

While I wait for Seokjin to come back, I pull out my phone from my bag and unlock the screen to find that I got a message from Jimin, which makes me smile.

Jiminie:

Baby! I want to see your new home!

Tae too! We’re already near, we can bring food?

I grin before typing an answer.

Me:

You know you got me if you say food

Jiminie:

I know, that’s why I brought it up

So you won’t refuse

Me:

You sneaky pup!

You know I would have agreed no matter what!

But make sure you get extra ketchup packets

Like twenty of them

I forgot to buy a bottle at the grocery store

Jiminie:

You’re impossible

We’ll buy one at the store

There’s no way they’re agreeing to that

Twenty? They barely give us enough for our damned fries when we get food

Me:

Can you get bread too?

And milk

Oh and my favorite snack bars too

Please?

Jiminie:

…

I want extra cuddles for the trouble

Taehyung too

Me:

Deal

I’ll even add in a sleepover

If you add chips and chocolate

Jiminie:

Deal

We’ll get popcorn too

You won’t be able to move around without us anymore

Our arms will be glued to you

See you soon!

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Me:

Can’t wait!

❤️

I chuckle and look through my phone some more until I hear the door open again, after which I look up to see Seokjin sliding through the thin opening with a thick book in his arms, his large shoulders looking all squeezed in his attempt to save my eyes from his mess.

“H-here, sorry it took a bit longer, I… it was hidden under fabric” he mumbles awkwardly as he hands it over and I shake my head with a smile.

“It’s totally fine, don’t worry about it. I’ll definitely have a look through this and… are you here often? I could come knock whenever I’m done?” I ask, to which he nods, eyes avoiding mine, hands nervously grabbing his hoodie.

“Yeah, I don’t go out much… you’ll find me here”.

I hum, pleased to hear that, I love when I can find the people I want to see easily.

“Oh, right, I have two friends coming over tonight for a sleepover, we have Fridays off since we work Saturdays so… if we’re ever too loud, just let me know okay? I promise it won’t bother us, I just don’t really know how easily sounds travel here and you’re…

Well you’re an hybrid so I’m betting on your hearing senses being more developed than mine. I know Jiminie is really sensitive to noises, we usually aren’t that loud but you know… just in case” I end up ranting a little, worried that I could annoy him, he looks so soft, I don’t want him to hate me but he stops me with a gentle smile.

“It’s fine, like I said, I didn’t really notice much yesterday, unless you decide to party and jump everywhere, I’ll be fine” he assures me and I nod lightly, hoping for it to be true.

Maybe I should make some tests one day, just to make sure, both for him and Hoseok. Jimin could tell me when it starts being too loud because I have a feeling none of these two would let me know.

“Alright then, I’ll leave you to it, I’ll be sure to come knocking at a regular hour and not in the middle of the night” I tease him, but he simply shrugs. “I mean, I’m usually awake until one or two in the morning, I wouldn’t mind”.

I hum. “Really? Does that mean it’s okay if I bother you when I can’t sleep? Sometimes insomnia hits pretty hard, it’s boring being alone” I ask and I notice the exact moment when his tail goes from slow waving to extra-excited slapping, his face not spilling any of his emotions if not for his reddening ears.

“I-I mean… sure, you can do that”.

I grin and shift to my other foot before scratching my neck.

“Well, Seokjin, it was a pleasure, I’ll have to go though. I need to take a shower before my best friends get here, I don’t want my corgi telling me how much I stink” I muse, watch as his eyes widen in shock.

“Stink? As if, you smell so good-” he freezes, ears going a shade darker before he hurries back to his door.

“I mean, bye! Have fun!” and he’s gone.

I stare at his door for a beat longer before shrugging and then make my way to the door leading inside the building and up the stairs, a short gaze at Hoseok’s door before I enter my home.

From there, I quickly get rid of my shoes and bag and bring the catalogue to my bed before making my way to the bathroom so I can take a quick shower, because if we’re going to be cuddling all night, I don’t want them to hug my sweaty self.

Taehyung is human, just like Yoongi and I, but Jimin is a corgi hybrid so we all try to be careful for him. No intense perfumes, candles are either scents he enjoys, light ones or no scent at all, everything so that he can be comfortable.

Of course, we do get customers who drown themselves in perfume, so for that purpose, we offer temporary scent blockers. As soon as they leave the shop and take it off, their perfume comes back as if it never went away, it’s a great invention, saves hybrids a lot of trouble.

I dry off as soon as I step out of the shower and then hurry to my room to get dressed into cozy clothes, nothing like what I normally wear in the day, these are lazy sweatshirts and jogger pants, and do not forget the trusty fluffy slippers.

It’s very hard to guess who gave them to me when they’re entirely covered with corgi heads. Not obvious at all.

As soon as I walk into the kitchen to make myself a glass of water, I hear a knock on the door and hum happily at the thought of it being my besties.

They were fast, I thought the grocery store would’ve taken them longer, they can never decide on what to get when it comes to snacks.

Not thinking much of it, I walk to the door and open it before standing aside, knowing that they won’t lose much time in making themselves at home but when I don’t see or hear anyone step in, I frown and take a look at the doorway to see Hoseok quirking an eyebrow at me.

Oh.

I give him a bashful smile, fingers going to scratch the back of my neck. “Sorry, I thought you were Jimin and Taehyung, they’re supposed to be here soon” I mumble, hear his hum as he takes in my outfit curiously.

“Comfy night?” he asks and I nod, sweater paws hanging by my sides as I let go of the door to face him instead.

“Yeah, they’re sleeping over since we have Fridays off” I explain before looking behind me, then back at him. “Want to come in and wait with me?”.

He seems to hesitate for a moment, but then he nods and makes his way inside, unaware of how happy this is making me. I really wanted him to meet my people, so I guess it’s going to happen after all!

“Why Fridays in particular?” Hoseok asks as I walk back into the kitchen to finish my water, an offer that he refuses as he stands by the counter.

I lean back against the fridge to give him my attention and hum, lips pursing lightly as I think it over.

“Well… we thought about it a lot in the beginning and we found that there was a choice to make, we couldn’t do all of them after all, as helpful as it would be for the business, we need rest too. Friday nights are usually nights for partying and the likes, right? We could gain from being open, but…

That means we’d lose the chance on working on really fun makeup looks on Saturday, which is the day that most clean dates happen. Shows, restaurants, concerts, beach, anything, you name it, it happens mostly during the weekend and especially on that day.

I couldn’t force all three days on them, Sundays included, they already work so hard during the week, so we all settled on Saturdays even though they’re very exhausting. We get a lot of customers, we start early morning until late in the evening, but when we get off work, we feel really happy with what we’ve achieved, so in the long run, I think it was the best decision to make.

With that said, Fridays and Sundays are off, sometimes Mondays when there’s not enough appointments, then I go alone” I explain, wondering if I’m making sense but when he’s nodding in understanding, I figure I’m not doing too bad.

“I think it was a good decision, I feel like doing only nightclub looks on Friday wouldn’t really go well with the image your shop has, I heard from my coworkers that you got a popular actress today, it’s making them want to try your place too because it’s refined, it has a… luxury feel to it” he informs me and my eyes widen at the revelation, soul bursting with pride at his words.

It makes me feel bashful, that he seems to see my precious shop that way too and so, I can’t help but jump on the opportunity to joke around that offers itself to me, a way to help me avoid replying directly to what he said.

Anyone else, I’d be fine, but Hoseok? Anything he says, my soul absorbs, it makes the impact that much stronger.

“They work above my shop and never even thought of trying our skills until today?” I fake being insulted, a hand over my chest, to which Hoseok snorts, his tail hitting the air in amusement.

“I’ll let them know to be careful when they do go, might end up with a surprise fee of - I can’t believe you ignored me all this time - in the final price“.

I tilt my head at that one, fingers going to my chin to rub in wonder. “… should I?”.

He doesn’t have time to reply when the door knocks again and he motions for me to go get it with a detached look that doesn’t fit the nervous twitch his ears make.

Wanting nothing more than to reassure him that it’s going to be fine, but also aware that words would do nothing except make him more uncomfortable, I head to the door, once more expecting my best friends but I see Seokjin’s face appear on the other side and I feel a smile stretch across my face at the sight.

“H-Hi, I didn’t mean to bother you so soon but… I think I forgot my phone in your car and…” he starts shyly but then his eyes flicker to behind me, confusion flashing across his face as his voice fades out and I turn around to see Hoseok with a similar look on his face.

Right, the two of them hadn’t met before, right? Now’s as good a time as any, why not make use of this moment to introduce them, it would be fun to hang out the three of us together! We can always get his phone later!

“Hoseok, this is Seokjin, the neighbor who lives on the first floor! Seokjin, this is Hoseok, my next door neighbor, this is your first time meeting, isn’t it? What a good timing you guys had for coming here” I chirp, unaware of what’s really going on, their eyes fixated on one another as they try to process the scent that they had never really noticed before, but now realize was always there.

Their POV

“Well I’ll be…” Hoseok murmurs, finally able to understand that scent that he thought just came with the building for all those years.

It was so soft, almost like a whisper, a memory, he didn’t know what to think of it, he just knows that it’s a scent that always comforted him, it was constantly there and he never made a move to search further.

Now he has to admit he feels really dumb for never trying, years lost that he could have spent with a mate, and for what?

“Seokjin, right?” Hoseok asks as he steps closer to the dog hybrid who looks nervous, fidgety, but also eager to get closer, both to Y/N and to the fox hybrid.

The Australian shepherd nods before opening his mouth, then closes it again, heart pounding so hard in his chest that it might as well stop altogether, but he hopes it doesn’t, but that’s not the point, cookies, Hoseok smells like warm cookies.

He could always smell that scent as far as he can remember of being here but… he thought maybe it came with the building, it was never that strong, because whenever he would leave the safety of his apartment, he would always makes sure that no one would be around.

There was no way to know, no way to smell it the way he does now if he had never come across the man before. He shouldn’t have been such a hermit, maybe then he wouldn’t have spent the past years all alone.

“Y-Yeah, and you’re Hoseok?”.

The fox nods and silence comes back in force, awkward and unnerving as they both look down at their feet, not knowing what to say anymore.

“Uh… are you two okay? You look like… I don’t know, is it good? You’re not like… past enemies, are you?” Y/N blurts out, her eyes flickering from one man to the other and they both let out a small smile as they shake their head, relieved for her presence here.

Maybe she can make this less awkward and more natural, she’s good at dealing with them like they’re not projects turned wrong but simply beings who need a little more attention and care than most.

“No, erm… we’re actually just finding out that we’re… well… mates” Hoseok answers simply, the dog’s scent filling his nose, sweet vanilla, he likes it, always has.

Seokjin nods and turns his gaze to the female human, hoping she could guide them from there because he’s really struggling right now with the urge to hide somewhere, his heart is making him feel uncomfortable and his hands are so sweaty he could fill a pool all by himself.

He’s awkward and he hates that he’s like that, she’s the only one he managed to converse with in person in ages so she can help him, right?

Y/N gasps at the twist of events and claps her hands happily with a squeal that surprises the two men, ears twitching on top of their head at the same time and only serving to make her soul melt for them, she can’t believe it!

“Oh my god! Guys, that’s so wonderful! And you met at my place! My home is a matchmaker!” she exclaims before turning serious, hence further confusing the two hybrids who can only stare back in worry, what? What’s wrong?

“There has to be some sort of trophy for that, right? Indirect matchmaker maybe? Because I feel so proud, like you guys have been here for I don’t know how long and then I come around and BAM” Seokjin startles at that “you guys meet? This is so great, oh man, you two should spend the evening together then! Get to know each other, right? Don’t stay here with silly me!” she chirps before proceeding to push both men towards the door, apparently done with helping them.

“Ah- w-wait!” Seokjin gasps out before holding onto the door, not ready to leave yet, he’s not ready to be alone with the fox and if the truth is going to come out now, it has to come out fully, right? Else they might lose the right timing!

Hoseok must believe the same because he too holds onto the doorway like his life depends on it, eyes round as they meet Seokjin’s, how the heck do they go at it? Just blurt it out real quick? Ask her to calm down first? Why is there no stupid manuals that explain what comes with having mates when they grow up?

Seokjin clears his throat, the conclusion easy in their mind.

They have to tell her now before the door closes on them, Y/N too happy to notice that they’re going through an existential crisis, they’re about to get kicked out by their human mate, for goodness’ sake!

“Y-you’re our mate too!” Seokjin shouts before wincing at how loud he was, especially when the sound of bags falling to the ground resonates in the corridor.

Y/N freezes like a popsicle taken right out of the freezer and the boys let out a breath of relief as they allow themselves to let go of their anchors, door and hands no longer threatening to get rid of them, but they do grow aware of a new possible threat that reveals itself to be her best friends, heads slowly turning to find two men gaping at their trio.

“W-w-w-what did you say?” Y/N stutters out as she finally processes what the shepherd said, her eyes wide open, mouth gaping as well, her heartbeat out of control and cheeks a bright red, apples, Hoseok’s mind says, they’re cute like apples.

“Yeah, what did you say? Our baby is what… your mate?”.

Their what now?

Hoseok snaps his head towards the strangers and moves over to stand in front of Y/N who remains completely shocked by the information, Seokjin now by her side and unsure of what to do, what is required when someone is in shock? Does he need to keep an eye on her in case of a heart failure?

“She’s. Our. Mate” the fox repeats slowly, really not liking that HIS mate could be someone else’s baby, oh no.

He glares at the new hybrid who meets his gaze proudly, ears standing tall on his head and Hoseok feels the need to attempt to be taller, back held straight as he looks down on the little corgi, a little snack, nothing less, he can win this.

“So you’re saying that our baby” Hoseok slips out a low growl, but the hybrid pays no mind as he continues with a smirk “OUR. Baby. She has two mates? And not only does she have two, but they’re also freaking handsome? One of them already acting like a warrior as he guards her from the unknown while the other one looks all cute trying to help her without knowing how?”.

The whole group turns to Seokjin at that and the dog blushes a scarlet red before hiding behind his still shocked mate.

“AND not only that, but we get here just in time to be spectator of the whole thing?!” the little dog continues, his voice turning all excited, which confuses Hoseok greatly, eyes turning to gaze at the silent human man who hasn’t said anything until now, his face stoic and observant.

“Fucking GLORIOUS! Get your asses inside, everyone! We need to take care of this now!” the pup exclaims before pushing Hoseok out of the doorway and inside Y/N’s apartment, which ends up making him bump into Y/N who then bumps into Seokjin, which has them all three falling like dominoes, if dominoes could gasp.

The silent man snorts, a hand immediately going to cover his mouth as he looks away but his hybrid friend doesn’t shy away from bursting into laughter as he points at the group like this is the greatest thing he’s ever seen, unbothered by the fact that he caused all this.

Seokjin grunts as he receives everyone’s weight on top of him, arms around Y/N to keep her from being crushed by the fox who struggles sitting up, eyes wide open before he turns around to take in the state of his two mates who he literally crushed to the ground, this is all very chaotic and he doesn’t know how to act anymore, he didn’t hurt them, did he?

“Oh gosh, I’m so dizzy” Y/N mumbles, hands going to rub her temples with a wince and the two hybrids tense, their instincts screaming at them to help her, to beat the dizziness out of her, but how? They can’t literally do that, they don’t do magic!

Calm, she needs some calm and quiet, Hoseok turns to the two friends with a frown and points at the door while Seokjin keeps holding her, unsure of when to let go, what if she hits her head on the wood floor if he does? Oh gosh!

“Out, give us five minutes”.

The hybrid looks like he wants to complain and resist the order, but the human thankfully understands why Hoseok made that demand and pulls the dog with him outside of the apartment before closing the door, henceforth leaving the three mates again once more.

Hoseok sighs and lets himself fall on his back next to his two mates, a hand falling over his face, of all the ways he had imagined to tell her the news last night, this was not it.

Now, he couldn’t possibly blame Seokjin, they were all taken aback and stressed, the longer they would’ve waited to tell her, the harder it would’ve gotten, she would wonder why they didn’t tell her sooner, maybe they didn’t want her, they didn’t know if they wanted a human as a mate, they both didn’t want that to cross her mind, but they both wish it could’ve been…

They don’t know, more romantic, as hard as it would’ve been for them.

It’s too late for that now, but they can at least make sure that she avoids a headache.

Hoseok sits up and stares at Y/N who still holds her head, eyebrows scrunched together. “Where do you keep your painkillers? I’ll go get them for you” he offers and she hums softly before mumbling out a “In the bathroom, mirror”.

Seokjin looks up at the fox with concern as he jumps to his feet and to the right room, not liking that this all caused her such a big headache, he hopes it’s not because she doesn’t want them.

“Are you hurt anywhere else because of the fall?” he asks her softly, to which she shakes her head, eyes opening after a while to find that she’s literally leaning against the dog hybrid, his face so close to hers she can feel his breath against her cheek, it has her heart skipping a beat before she tries to sit up quickly.

Seokjin feels her warmth leave him and he deflates, his worry increasing in his soul, he doesn’t know what she thinks of all this and if he has to wait any longer, he might just run away and back to his cave to hide forever.

“I’m so sorry, I’m fine, just- my head hurts, but it’s not because of the fall. Are you okay? You were right at the bottom, you didn’t break anything, did you? Can you move?” she asks as she kneels besides him instead to help him sit up properly and he relaxes instantly, her touch on his skin doing wonders to his heart.

“I-I’m fine” he whispers, smiles softly when she lets out a sigh of relief.

Hoseok comes back with a bottle and opens it in the kitchen, the sound of water filling a glass reaching their ears before he comes back to kneel besides them, and he can’t help it when he keeps hold of the glass to help her drink up instead, pills pushed between her plump lips, unaware of the shy pink that coats her cheeks once more, but Seokjin notices it and he finds her adorable.

As much as he found her strong and slightly intimidating just a while ago, she was dressed to take control of the world, now that he’s seeing her in a softer outfit, he can’t see her as anything else but a little bunny, he just wants to hold her to him and never let go.

She sips the water to swallow the pills and when Hoseok pulls the glass back, silence surrounds the trio, the three of them in unknown territory, even confidence takes a weaker turn when facing this sort of thing, Y/N can’t help it.

A knock on the door and they remember her friends.

“I’m sure you guys are just sat on the floor trying to guess what to do! You have the perfect example right here, let us in so we can help you, you cute helpless people!”.

Y/N lets out a small chuckle before standing up slowly, hands reaching out to help Hoseok and Seokjin, they both feel their heart flutter as they make a move to grab her soft fingers, their legs doing most of the work to avoid making her force too much.

“I’m coming, Jiminie, you lifesaver” she muses softly, and the two hybrids can’t deny it, it’s a title that seems to fit, just for tonight.

They do need guidance, and apparently, it falls on her friends to help them.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT