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WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 11 (3.3k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

I am a genius.

My brain is wonderful, I would kiss it if I could, and if it wasn’t so… gross.

An electric stove, one I have dragged behind me for years without ever using it because… what’s the point when you have the real deal, right?

I had completely forgotten about it, but in a moment of eureka, it came back to mind and I knew then and there that it was going to save me a lot of humiliation. I’m never pushing back cleaning my home ever again, I’m not risking it, it’s not worth the stress it’s causing me.

Jimin didn’t question it at all, just let me fetch it in the kitchen while he kept himself busy as he emptied his bag on my dining table, eyes sneaking glances around my home, curious to see what makes it my own space, what decorations I might have added around.

Even now, with the both of us sat side by side, me at the head of the table while he’s at my left, a pot of water currently starting to boil but not enough that we can add in the noodles, I can see his golden orbs still trying to find something, anything.

I smile lightly when he turns his gaze back to me, a little startled when he finds me already staring at him.

“You’re wondering why it’s not decorated, no pictures or anything of the kind, right?” I ask him, watch as he becomes sheepish, he didn’t mean to be so obvious, still, he nods softly although he remains unsure of whether it’s another sensitive topic that shouldn’t be breached or not.

It’s always hard for him to know when to stop, he doesn’t want to hurt people with his nosy behavior, and he’s getting better at stopping himself in time most days, but sometimes, it just… slips from him and the damage is done before he can take it back. He doesn’t want this happening again, not now.

“You don’t have to say anything if it’s personal, I know I kind of forced myself in here, I didn’t come to make you feel bad about anything” he assures me and I smile before allowing my eyes to wander the empty walls, most surfaces empty except for the papers spread over them, mails, notes, things that look more like a mess than anything else.

I never really took the time to pay attention to details since I moved in here, but I have to say, it looks kind of sad, doesn’t it?

“Do you want the long version or the short version? It’s not a very happy story but… it’s part of who I am, if you want to hear it” I offer, and being given the option has his eyes widening, wings flapping nervously behind him before he makes a move to gently swallow my hands within his warm palms, fingers squeezing around my own.

“I… if you’re willing to open up and let me in, then it would mean the world to me. I want to understand more about you, what made you into who you are today… things you liked… the people you loved… anything you want to give me, I’ll take it, as long as you’re comfortable with it, I don’t want you to push yourself” he answers and I hum, comforted by his caring nature, it gives me strength to unlock a door that I had secured a long time ago.

I stare down at our intertwined hands, heart warmed by his touch and mind wondering where to start with my story, the feeling of his gaze on me soft and understanding, it’s never easy to open up like that, I’m sure he can understand that feeling.

“When I ended up completely on my own, I think I was around… fourteen? Fifteen? Anyway, grandma didn’t own much anymore when I reached that age, but she used to have these beautiful paintings and vases before, I can remember spending hours gazing at them when life was still… pure and bright, they fascinated me.

She liked to collect unique items from all over the world when she was young, she would travel a lot with her husband, my grandfather, although I never got to know him, he passed away a few years before I was born. She told me many stories about him, about how he would always get her something special, something with a beautiful story, he loved seeing her smile when he would add to her unique collection.

When he passed, these items followed her until her old age, every single one, they were so precious to her, a way to remember the man she had loved so dearly, but when my parents died in a car accident when I was seven… the cost for the funerals… paying off their debts… that all fell on her shoulders so she had to sell her house and everything within.

She didn’t want me to carry that burden later on so she gave everything she had, it was a huge shock for me because I knew how much love she had for her belongings, the memories they contained, but she would always assure me that she had no regrets, that I was much more important to her than any items in the entire world and that as long as it freed my future of as many burdens as possible, it was worth it.

We survived on the strict minimum after that, a small apartment, secondhand clothes, a lot of rice with a little bit of meat, but even then, she would always give me more than she would allow herself, that’s just how much she loved me. She worked really hard so I could graduate from high school and have a future in whatever I wanted, I owe her a lot.

She didn’t tell me, but she had made an account for me as soon as I joined her so that I could make it to university, it wasn’t enough to cover everything but… enough to make it doable for me, so when I lost her to a car accident too… all I had left was that money, safely guarded and locked until I would turn eighteen.

I was sent to an orphanage and from there, I proceeded to refuse every families interested in adopting me and made it through the remaining years of high school before working towards becoming a perfumer, I didn’t have time or resources to focus on buying decorations. Add on top of that my social anxiety and going to those home decor shops alone was out of the question.

This is the result” I explain before ending with a small shrug, because it does sound slightly amusing to me now that I say it aloud, how much I’ve allowed myself to stay within a tight prison, and for what?

Everything I’ve been doing for the past years has always been out of necessity, never out of enjoyment and I’m starting to wonder why I forced myself to live that way in the first place.

That drawing lesson was the first time I’d done something for me in years, and I got much more than I had expected from it in such a short amount of time. It was the best present I could give myself, the right timing to meet Jimin.

I have to say that meeting Yoongi again freaked me out, but now I’m happy that he’s the lesson’s teacher, because that means we can both heal from the awful past haunting us in different ways, one that connects us closely.

It’s a lot of things changing in such a short amount of time, but I feel like this time, it’s good changes.

It’s not losing, it’s gaining.

Jimin licks his lips, eyes staring at the now boiling water with a frown and I stare at him in silence, wondering what’s going through his mind, how he’s feeling, because the way his feathers are bristling at the moment… it doesn’t seem that good.

“You… you’ve been alone for what… ten years now?” he asks, his voice heavy and almost choked up in his throat, his fingers react accordingly as they lace between mine tightly to hold something from me as he registers that bit of information.

I purse my lips and nod slowly. “Yeah”.

“While I gained a family… you were out there somewhere losing yours?”.

That reality seems to hurt him deeply, eyes filling with tears as he turns towards me and to see him on the brink of crying because of my past, chin wobbling sadly, it has my eyes widening, heart breaking and twisting like someone’s attempting to crush it within their fist.

“I-I’m fine now, Jimin, really, I promise” I try but he either doesn’t hear me or doesn’t bother to react to my words because the next thing I know, he’s turning off the electric stove and pulling on my hand to make me stand up with him before bringing us to the couch in the living room like he’s racing against time.

“J-Jimin” I call out, eager to calm the eagle down but before I can say anything else, he’s stopping us besides the furniture, and when he turns to face me, it’s to end up scooped up in his arms before he’s sitting in a fetal position on one of the cushions, knees raised to keep me cocooned against his chest before his wings tightly wrap around us.

“I’m sorry, just… give me a moment, please” he murmurs in my hair and I still at the desperation heard in his voice before relaxing as I come to understand that it must have something to do with his hybrid instincts, that paired with our newfound closeness, of course he would have such a reaction.

“Should I have said less?” I ask him in a whisper, now locked within his hold, there’s not much else I can do and enjoying this moment when I know that he’s mentally distressed would be selfish of me, so I instead caress his waist softly over his shirt in the hopes to help him calm down.

He shakes his head and squeezes tighter. “No, I’m glad you did, I just didn’t realize that it had been so long and it’s… I don’t like it. How did you do it? Being all by yourself for all those years?”.

I smile lightly at his question, breathe in his scent, the one that matches with his hoodie, get reminded of the way his eyes had glinted when he saw me wearing it even after my shower, my hair still slightly wet from not drying it and his wings fluttering in delight as we’d sat down at the table.

“The same way you breathe I guess? Sometimes it gets hard but… you have to keep going if you want to see the next day, plus, you get used to it. I focused on my studies, on work, and I do get contacted by Namjoon once in a while too, it’s always about work but… you know, it’s still a contact coming from a living being, it helped” I tell him, feel the way he relaxes slightly, but not enough, he’s still so tensed, the poor bird.

“So who exactly do you have in your immediate circle then? Is that Namjoon part of it?”.

I hum as I think it over.

“In my immediate circle? No, not really, but like I said last time, if we weren’t so busy and so far from one another, maybe he could be, we did have our moments during university. Other than him, well there’s Jungkook, he’s a brand designer that works for Namjoon, he helps me come up with the designs for my perfumes but he’s all about work, it’s hard to get a smile from him, he’s a good guy though.

As of now… I guess there’s one person who’s been added into my life pretty recently and I have to say, ever since I met him, a lovely eagle, I’ve started feeling less alone because he somehow ends up finding me everywhere I go. White hair, golden eyes, very handsome guy, does that ring a bell? Would you happen to know him by any chance?” I tease him slightly and he huffs before I feel him smile in my hair.

“I think you’ve found him already” he murmurs into my ear and I was not ready for the melted chocolate that his voice edges towards without warning, the way it gets whispered right against the shell enough to give me goosebumps all over and we both know it’s not because of the cold, not when his large feathers are currently keeping us warm.

“Y-yeah, considering that said hybrid is currently holding me like I’m some potatoes wrapped in tin foil, I think you’re right, I do remember something along the lines of a confession happening recently too? Yeah, it’s all coming back to me now, I think I made him my boyfriend”.

He giggles cutely. “Best decision you ever made?”.

“Oh… I don’t know about that one…” I start, to which he stills with a small gasp, wings fluttering against my back in disbelief, but before he can say anything, I continue with a grin.

“If I really have to choose one, I think the best decision I have ever made was to allow you in my life. Boyfriend or not, having you near was always going to be my best decision. What we have right now is a bonus, an extra, one I don’t intend to get rid of”.

He groans lightly and hides his face in my neck, the feeling of his hair ticklish against my skin, it makes me chuckle when his arms squeeze me even more, his emotions flaring up as his wings slap against my back.

“Who told you you could be so cute? It’s killing me, I can’t let you go now that you said that, it’s impossible” he whines with a light bump of his forehead against my shoulder, it makes me blush with a silly grin, soul soft with the way he always says such things without batting an eye, he makes me feel good about myself so easily.

“I could say the same to you, you’re just so cute sometimes that I can’t help but stare at you with a fluttering heart, my pretty man” I muse, not wanting to be the only one getting these compliments, and at my words, I feel the heat rise in his face, skin becoming burning against my neck, it has me blinking as I process the blush that must be going on.

“Jimin, look at me” I let out, wanting, no, needing to have a look, I want to see what shy blushing Jimin looks like but he whines again and shakes his head, arms keeping me from pushing back to see him, I can’t believe he’s trying to keep me from seeing him like that!

“Jimin, I know you’re blushing, I want to see, just a tiny peek!” I plead but when he shakes his head again, I decide to change my tactic, I will get him.

“Alright then, since my pretty bird won’t help me…”.

I feel him tense, head lifting up just slightly from the fear my words cause him and when my fingers meet his waist in a tickle, he instantly tries to squirm away from my touch, but his wings have a mind of their own as they keep me locked against him so my fingers have full access to his sides, and I make use of that opportunity as much as I can.

“Y-Y-Y/N you can’t do t-that! This is hybrid cruelty!” Jimin stutters out in a shriek, soul already begging for me to stop attacking him but his arms say the opposite when they lower down my back to keep me close, his hands gripping onto the hoodie I’m wearing as he twists his body to flee my fingers, except it only serves to raise his own top, and when I touch directly his skin, he lets out a gasp between his pained giggles, the intensity of my feather touches increasing tenfold.

He screams and flops to his side in a laughing fit, which makes me tumble along with him and my heart bursts with joy when I finally get to see his face and gosh, the red glow to his skin, the tears making it shine prettily, lips permanently stretched in laughter, eyes squeezed shut tight, it hits me all at once, that this is how I want to spend the rest of my life.

I stop tickling him and Jimin heaves a sigh of relief at finally getting respite, eyes shut as he takes this moment to finally breathe properly, little giggles leaving him here and there, his wings are curled up as he stretches them with a satisfied grunt before resting the top one over me again.

It’s fascinating, observing all of his expressions, the way he scrunches his nose cutely before grinning, fingers going to get the tears off his cheeks before he’s opening his eyes to stare at me, orbs softening when he finds me in awe at him.

He moves a hand to my cheek to get the few strands of hair obscuring my face away from it and hums softly, a gentle smile on his lips as he rests it back around my back. “Why are you looking at me like that, tulip?”.

Again with that tulip, he did call me that when he texted me earlier too, I find it cute and I can’t help but wonder if he chose it during our trip at the botanical garden, the thought makes me smile.

“Just realizing how much I love this, spending time laughing, talking, being close like we are… I wish this could go on for a long, long time” I answer in a murmur, eyes locked on his golden orbs, his white hair so soft looking in the low light of my living room, he’s breathtaking.

He remains silent a moment to process my words, to engrave them into his brain, into his heart and soul, he never wants to forget this wish, he wants to make it happen at all cost.

“Then why don’t we? We can do this all the time, anytime you want” he murmurs back, all of him looking so endeared that it makes me feel a little shy about my wish, yet I know that if there’s one person who can make it happen, it’s him.

“That would be nice”.

He nods, pleased with my answer before looking over my shoulder and towards the dining table, eyes widening when he sees the pot on the electric stove, it has me remembering too that we were supposed to eat a while ago.

“Are you hungry?” he asks, almost regretfully so, like he doesn’t want to let go of me just yet, our position one that is so comfortable and warm, it’s a feeling I share because it just feels so cozy being in his arms like this, his soft feathers wrapped around us, it’s perfect.

“Hmm… maybe we can stay like that a bit longer? Like… just an hour or two?” I try, cheeks turning pink because I am absolutely serious about my offer and it’s embarrassing to say, but the way his cheeks puff into a happy grin, eyes creasing before he gently pushes my head to rest against his chest, it easily answers my question.

“Make it two” he decides, one that makes my soul tingle in contentment. I snuggle closer to him, every intake of air I take filled with his musky scent, so soothing and safe and I close my eyes to really enjoy this moment that we get to share.

It feels just like yesterday, except that now, the confused part of my brain doesn’t have to work anymore, because now I know that this is cuddles between two lovers, I can allow myself to fall deeper for him without any worries.

(AUTHOR) This is the last update for this book until the next time! Next week, for those of you reading Iridescent love, expect an update, but I will only fully focus on it for TWO weeks the following week as I will be resting before that!

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WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 10 (3.7k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

Jimin’s POV

Walking in the different gardens and sections of the botanical garden is an experience unlike any others, the different flowers, their perfume, the large range of colours, the green everywhere, it’s all very soothing.

So much so that I’ve noticed on a few occasions how Y/N barely even reacts when strangers walk near us, too taken by the beautiful flowers and ponds to pay attention to her fears and that makes me incredibly happy.

That she gets to focus on something else, that she gets to remain calm even while visiting beyond the familiar walls of her home.

I might not know a lot about her yet, about her past, but I’ve gotten enough hints to know that it was bad, and that today’s fears she carries, they burden her, both physically and mentally.

“So, are you enjoying yourself so far?” I ask her as we exit a very humid building, one kept for the exotic plants that would otherwise not survive in our climate to head outside to where stand tall flower structures representing many different animals.

They look impressive and she seems very excited to see these in particular as she trots over happily, her steps light and free. She did mention seeing one from afar when we arrived earlier, that it caught her attention immediately, she couldn’t wait to reach that area.

She twirls around to gaze at me with a delighted smile and I can only smile back while my wings flutter behind me because it feels so great to see her beaming like that, completely at ease, her giggles filling the air around me as she nods her head cutely, her loose strands of hair caressing her cheek before she tucks them behind her ear.

I’ve been seeing her lose an invisible weight over her shoulders the more we walked around and now, it feels like she could fly if she tried, I love seeing her like that.

“I am! It’s like… it’s like I’m getting years’ worth in energy by walking here, it’s amazing, I love it” she chirps and I hum, content to hear that as I follow behind her to where the structures are, a panel at the entrance of the area informing us that those are projects made by students graduating from their floristry course, to avoid touching at all cost.

She chirps happily and I chuckle, being allowed to see such a bright side to her a wonderful feeling, it’s more than I had expected when I bought the tickets, I wanted her to have a good time, but I didn’t know how much of her anxiety would get in the way, how risky of a move it was, I just knew that I still wanted to try.

I wasn’t really sure how much she would love it here, as someone who works on perfumes all the time, maybe the odours would bore her, or she wouldn’t appreciate them as much since she must work with similar smells all the time, but seeing her eyes blissfully close as she would bend over certain flowers to smell them properly, it made me realize that I do underestimate her on some aspects.

Y/N appears to be very simple, if she loves something, she loves all of it without restraint, and if she doesn’t like it, then she doesn’t, there’s no pretending with her.

I learned that with great amusement earlier when she showed me a particular plant and plainly said - I’m never ever going to use that smell for anything related to perfumes, I would be banned from the industry right away, it smells like squished flies.

How she came up with that comparison is a story that I wish to hear one day, but for today, I’ve been following her pace, taking in her smiles and that’s been enough for me.

Together, we walk around the beautiful garden decorated with floral arrangements that must have taken so much effort and time, I can’t even begin to understand how they could do such a thing and I find myself lost for words when we come across a gigantic eagle, the chest area and wings covered in tulips of various colours among others, flowers I come to realize smell like her.

Is this what she smells like? Tulips?

I turn to her as she gazes up at the bird in wonder, her scent blending in effortlessly with the flowery bird, it makes me feel proud that they used the flower that represents her as my mate for the animal that represents my existence.

Tulip… wouldn’t that be cute for her? I feel like it suits her well.

We keep walking around until we eventually stumble upon a cat structure, which so happens to be covered in tulips as well.

It makes me think of Yoongi hyung and I smile, I’m sure he would’ve loved being here too, I bet he’s never really had the opportunity to visit such places, the wonder I’d seen on his face the first time Jin hyung and I had brought him to the beach something I’ll never forget.

For an animal who’s supposed to hate water, he sure had his fun jumping in the sea, his laughter as he’d splashed us endlessly with his gummy smile causing me to giggle. Man was he cute that day.

“Why are you giggling?” Y/N asks me suddenly and I look down to see her gazing at me in curiosity before turning back to the cat.

I’m sure her thoughts are taking her to him as well, even though the memories she seems to get are not from the same category as mine, something I wish could change one day.

“I was just remembering the day when Yoongi saw the beach for the first time a few years ago. Do you know what was the first thing he did when he saw the endless blue?” I ask her, watch as she shakes her head, unsure of what the cat could’ve done.

“Did he run away?” she tries and I grin, that would’ve been better.

“No, he buried me in the sand. Straight up looked at me and said - Lie down right there and don’t move. Jin, instead of helping me, helped him by filling buckets of water to make sure that I would be stuck in sticky sandy mud. Once he was done… he ran to the water and then proceeded to stay there for the next hour or so until Jin called him for lunch. It was the first time we were seeing him look so bright and happy” I muse, a contentment filling me at the memory.

Maybe we should do something again soon, all of us together, and Y/N could come this time? I would love that, I know Jin and Yoongi would be happy as well.

Y/N snorts before covering her mouth with a hand as her cheeks take on a shade of red and I grin, I’m glad that my misery can make her laugh.

“You wouldn’t laugh if you were the one buried in sand for over thirty minutes. It’s some strange kids I never saw before who saved me when they saw me pleading for help next to a sleeping man, I swear, I would’ve died if not for them” I continue my tale, watch as she giggles before turning back to the structure with a pensive smile.

“I guess us changing for the better is simply the result of spending time with you two” she hums softly, but I tilt my head in confusion, her words puzzling me.

“What do you mean?” I ask her, to which she smiles before turning her gaze back to me, soft and tender, it sends tingles down my spine, a warmth wrapping around my heart because I love when she looks at me like that.

“Being with you… how could I explain… it’s like standing next to the sun. When I lost my grandmother… I lost my personal sun, I became very depressed and upset, it was like I kept bathing in darkness and I thought it would just keep going forever, but after meeting you…

It’s like sun rays have started peeking through the very dark clouds covering my sky and now… now I get to see the blue sky again. Being with you fills my world with so much light, Jimin, that I can’t even focus on the darkness that used to be anymore, you’re my new personal sun, the brightest of all”.

As she speaks, my soul starts buzzing with pride, because it’s such a big compliment she’s giving me right now, as well as stating herself that she’s starting to feel better, at least with me, it makes me so very happy.

I step closer to her and wrap myself around her shoulders from the back, feel her lean slightly against me with a smile, my wings enclosing us in a safe space, this feels so nice, like it was always meant to be.

“I’m glad you feel that way. To know that I can bring you that light, it makes me proud, although I do hope for it to come from yourself one day, because you should always be your own sun, wouldn’t that be ideal? Then there would be no darkness no matter where you are” I ask as I rock us back and forth, and she hums with a small nod of the head.

“Right… I think it might be possible one day, but in the meantime, keep being my sun until I can shine brightly too, and then when I’ve achieved that goal, I could be your sun too, two suns in the same sky, I wonder what that world would look like?”.

I chuckle, wondering myself, wouldn’t it mean the end of the world? How could a planet handle the heat of two suns?

“Maybe you should opt for being a moon instead, we would balance each other out, two suns sounds like a lot of pain for our eyes” I offer instead and a giggle leaves her lips.

“Yeah, that sounds safer, and a little easier”.

We keep gazing at the intricate cat together, thoughts both heading to the man who sports the shiny coat of black fur, colourful flowers hopefully reflecting how he now feels from the inside.

I just want them to stop being in pain, can’t we all be happy from now on?

Your POV

Now back to my home, Jimin at his house and probably napping by now, he did look tired when he stepped out of the car after driving for a total of four hours, I sit in my living room to think back about today, such an amazing day I got to have with the eagle.

An eagle who I can now call my boyfriend because as of now, we are dating. A couple.

It feels surreal, as if I’m speaking of another life, yet it is mine, and he is mine too, I blush with a quiet squeal, I can’t believe it!

When he confessed to me all of a sudden, it shocked me greatly, I wasn’t expecting it at all considering I had just let out a comment out of jealousy without thinking, yet he used that opportunity to his advantage and look at us now.

Just thinking about it has my insides filling with sparkles, but also with a new kind of nervousness.

Did today really happen or was it all but my imagination, a result from my brain being too tired to function properly after what happened yesterday? Have I simply yet to wake up? It would be a terrible realization, a too good to be true dream, I don’t want to lose what I gained today.

Yesterday… man… I could almost pretend like it never happened if it wasn’t for the bandages still around my palms and the low thrumming of pain in my back. Luckily none of both were a problem today and driving back home wasn’t painful at all, so that gives me hope for a good recovery.

Maybe I could remove the bandages, I don’t think they were very necessary to begin with, the wounds are going to heal quickly and getting some fresh air would definitely help.

With that in mind, I decide to head to the bathroom to take care of it now, carefully undo both bandages before nodding to myself at the sight greeting my eyes.

The healing cream has done a good job, it makes cleaning my hands easier and after patting them dry with a towel, I glance at the shower before humming softly, fingers grabbing the edge of the hoodie Jimin had lent me this morning to keep me from wearing the very same outfit as yesterday.

I’ll just take a shower and wear it again, it’s not like it could get dirty that quickly, right? The idea of not having Jimin’s musky scent on my skin anymore feels unpleasant, I’m already getting addicted, my job hasn’t made it any better for me.

With a nod to myself, I remove his clothe and put it aside by the sink before throwing the rest in the hamper, then turn on the shower head to warm up the water before stepping in because there’s no way I’m standing under cold water before it gets to the right temperature.

Once satisfied with it, I step in and close the glass door behind me before allowing my body to soak in the water, the hot liquid soothing the ache of my body and washing away my tiredness in a constant stream.

What time was it when I got back home? Around five? I guess I should start thinking about what to eat for dinner even though I really have no idea what I want, that’s a struggle that never really goes away, does it?

Jimin probably would’ve come up with something in the blink of an eye, he seems like he always knows what he wants. Well, for the most part anyway, he’s still a living being, with troubles and struggles and all that… right?

Anyway, he sure knew where he wanted to take me today considering how he made that decision in the middle of the night, and he was also very clear on his intentions towards me, there was not a single ounce of hesitation in his voice when he mentioned that he wanted to win my heart, that I had first place in his own.

I bring a hand over my heart when it stutters in my chest, a smile growing on my lips as I remember the hugs, his arms around me, the soft feathers caressing my skin, how magic and special it felt, all of it.

Everything about today was perfect and I can only wonder about what tomorrow might bring with him, what new things we will get to experience together, what new memories we will create as we learn more about each other, as we grow closer.

The thought of seeing him again tomorrow for the drawing lessons makes me giddy with excitement even though we just spent nearly twenty hours together and I sigh happily before grabbing the shampoo to wash my hair.

In the morning, I’ll head to the lab early so I can work on making the perfume samples once more and then I’ll start planning my day for Friday, I’ll probably have to stay overnight there if I’m to work with Jungkook and I don’t want to do eight hours of driving in a single day.

Once I’ve reserved an hotel room, I might head back home to start packing the necessities before heading to school with the samples for Jimin and Jin, considering he gets to attend, which I hope he will because being there on my own… it would feel weird.

I really wish to get an honest reaction from the eagle, for him to not go over the top or to say that he likes it when he in fact doesn’t, he shouldn’t feel the need to lie just to please me, I know scents are very personal and different from one person to another.

I rinse my hair and massage my scalp slowly, thoughts now falling on the cat hybrid.

I swear, it’s a whole journey when I’m in the shower, sometimes I’m not too convinced that the steam really comes from the water and not from my brain.

Should I bring a sample for Yoongi too? Would he even want one?

It would somehow make me feel bad to give one to Jimin and Jin but not to Yoongi, what if it makes him feel left out? There’s no reason to have that happening, is there?

If we want to heal from the past, then the future actions need to reflect that goal, and if it needs to start from me… then so be it. I think he could do with a little splash of happy scents to fill his days, I have a feeling he might like the one I just made.

Once done showering, I dry myself off and get dressed in light clothes along with Jimin’s hoodie, the way his body scent washes over me again making me sigh in contentment.

He smells really good, I definitely need to take notes of it to see if I could make it in the lab, just for me.

I wonder what Jimin would say if he knew… I should probably be careful… yeah, let’s not let him find out, not when we just started dating, he would be freaked out.

I make my way back to the living room and drop myself on the couch before grabbing my phone with a lazy stretch, then look at the screen to find a few messages from Jimin, which makes me smile instantly.

Jimin:
Thank you for spending today with me, I really enjoyed our time together
We should do something again soon ☺️
You’ll be coming to class tomorrow right?
Not seeing you after today would be sad
I want to see my girlfriend

I grin and roll to my side before replying to him, thumbs getting all the wrong letters, it’s annoying but I eventually manage to send him a response.

Me:
I enjoyed today too and I agree, let’s do something soon! Also, I will be present tomorrow so don’t worry, you’ll see me there, I want to give you the perfume samples too. Do you think Yoongi would want one?

Jimin:
Oh oh! What’s that!
Already talking about another man with me?
Just after I took my courage in both hands to confess to you?
Right after I said that I miss you?

I gasp and hurry to reply, it’s not like that!

Me:
Ni!
Ml
I meant no!
Od courde not!

Jimin:

All those typos means you tried to reassure me quickly right?
You’re adorable!
I was joking though, Yoongi would be thrilled

I huff in indignation, so he was just teasing me again? Still, I sigh in relief, that’s better than him being really mad, I don’t want him to think that I take what we have lightly, because I don’t.

I allow myself to look at all the little faces he keeps using as I wonder what to write to him. Are these the norms? Is that how texting goes nowadays? Little images used everywhere?

I have to search a little bit to find where they are, and once I do, I blink at the huge amount shown to me before settling with a red little guy, I guess it’ll have to do.

Me:

I look at the screen and hum, pleased. My first ever little guy and it’s the angry one.

But maybe I overdid it, this one appears to be very mad, surely there must have been one a little calmer?

Jimin:
Are you mad?
The technology dinosaur sent me a mad emoji!
Should I come running to make you forgive me?
You know what, I think I’ll do that
You gave me your address before leaving, that was the reason why, right?
Hold on, tulip, I’m coming!

I blink at the screen, eyes widening when he doesn’t send anything else after his last message. Isn’t he going to say that he’s joking? Is he really coming?!

I look around me, panic taking over because my apartment is a complete mess, I didn’t take the time to clean up lately because I was so tired, this is bad!

Jumping to my feet, I proceed to run all over the place, dishes grabbed and put in the already filled sink, damn it, this is worse than bad! It looks like I never clean anything when really, I’m usually pretty neat, what kind of first impression will that make?!

I do my best to do as much as I can before he gets here, vacuuming the floor, removing the dust, windows opened to freshen up the air inside, there’s just so much that swirls within my mind that I lose track of time.

Then, someone knocks on the front door and I freeze, a haunting music creeping in the back of my mind as I turn my gaze to the entrance, this is the moment when Jimin decides that he doesn’t want me anymore. If he sees the kitchen… it’s game over.

I used to hate that specific fact before, but now I’m very glad that my kitchen is in a closed room, the door that I found useless now perfect. I close it behind me and walk to the front door to peek it open, just the slightest bit to see Jimin grinning at me, a plastic bag in one hand that he raises proudly.

“I brought ramyeon, let’s eat it together!”.

I feel my soul attempt to flee my body until I squeeze my heart in a tight grip, don’t leave me yet, I can’t face this alone!

I smile awkwardly and step aside, watch as he enters inside with a happy hum, his wings flapping slightly behind him after sliding across my arms, something sweet that clashes vividly with the rising panic within me.

“We should get the water boiling first, where’s your kitchen? I’ll take care of it” he chirps as he turns to me with bright, excited orbs and I gulp, hands turning sweaty, because my plan is ruined, and this time, no taxi can save the day.

Shit.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 9 (4.2k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

Jimin hums happily to himself as he drives us somewhere, still unwilling to tell me anything as the streets go by, nothing that allows me to recognize where we’re going, I’ve never been around here before.

“You really won’t give me a hint?” I ask again, to which he sighs before glancing for a brief second my way, long enough to see the pleading pout on my face.

“You really want a hint?” he asks and I nod quickly, hoping that maybe he’ll have pity on me after all and soothe my curiosity, I feel like a child who hadn’t left the house in ages because of a sickness and is now allowed to go on a walk in the beautiful green world, Jimin brightens my world with every minutes that he spends by my side.

“Okay, I’ll give you a hint then” he says before grinning, and the way the light catches on his white teeth, gosh, this can’t be good…

“Listen well, Y/N” he muses, his soft velvet voice sliding against my eardrums like a soft caress, I lean slightly towards him, ready to hear the secret hint that he has protected for over two hours now but…

“Where we’re going right now… is huuuuge”.

I slump back against my seat and whine like a kid, feet hitting the carpet in annoyance while the eagle starts laughing happily, his amusement over tormenting me not yet over ever since we left the house, he’s having too much fun at my expense!

“Jimin!” I let out with a big pout, unhappy, I can’t believe he’s making me act that way right now, he also can’t believe it, and he adores this moment very much, he’s not about to stop anytime soon, not today, not in the next thousand years, because he intends to spend his eternity with me.

“We’re almost there! You’ll have to be patient, Y/N, I’m sure you can do it” he chirps, his giggles light and musical, and I love hearing that sound, but right now they- they… pleasantly annoy me.

“You’ve said that one hour ago! Just how far are we going?” I let out, now wondering if I’m just being kidnapped and I’ll never see the light of day again, but then again, considering I have social anxiety… it would keep me from quite a few panic attacks.

Maybe he should kidnap me after all. Easy access to food, no need to put a foot outside ever again… yeah, I can live with that.

Says the girl who just mentioned how happy she is at finally leaving home after years of not taking the time to enjoy life properly.

See what you’re doing to me, Jimin? A mess, that’s what you’re making out of me!

Said man shoots me a slightly concerned glance when he notices me glaring at him with my arms crossed over my chest, maybe he should give a real hint to calm me down?

“Okay… how about that then… that place has a lot of different scents, it happens both inside and outside, there’s a lot to see” he tries again and I lose my frown instantly, mind trying to search for what kind of place it could be.

A lot of different scents? Inside and outside, a lot to see, that doesn’t say a lot, but it is a hint, a better one than the last one he gave me, this actually makes me feel like I could come up with an answer if I try hard enough.

The question is… what kind of scent? Bad ones, or good ones? A mix of both? Oh man, I’ve always been bad at riddles, there’s no way I can think of anything with just that!

“Is it a farm?” I blurt out, and Jimin bursts into laughter before shaking his head with a cute smile over his face. “No, it’s not a farm, I guess I should’ve mentioned that the scents are good ones” he chuckles while I blush, but I’m not willing to admit defeat just yet.

Damn it, just where could we be going to?

“Is it like… a food market then?” I ask with a scratch to the back of my neck, watch as he once more shakes his head with a widening smile.

“No, but it could be fun, maybe another date? We could go at an odd time between lunch and dinner, then we’d have all the choices to ourselves without having to wait in line for hours” he hums, interested at the thought of it, and for him to mention another date when this one has yet to even really start, I can’t deny the flapping butterflies that spread in my stomach and break into my soul, mind unable to believe that he’s serious about doing fun things with me.

Am I not boring him yet? And him calling this a date… what is his actual reasoning behind using that word? Is it a more common word than I’m aware of and spending casual time with a friend is also called a date or am I allowed to read into this?

Oh gosh, I wish I had someone to turn to for this, but everyone I know either has a direct link with Jimin or with work, damn it!

“We’re here” the bird suddenly chirps and I look out of the window to see… a botanical garden site?!

I gape in wonder as Jimin makes us pull into the huge parking lot and near the main building before finding an empty spot while I gaze around us to see that there are quite a lot of cars around, but considering just how big the site seems to be just from the outside perspective, we won’t really meet that many on our adventure, right?

As soon as the car turns off, I undo my seatbelt and jump out of the car to have a better view at the outside garden we can see from here, and oh my gosh, it looks amazing! Is that a flower structure I can see from here?!

It’s gigantic!

I turn my gaze to Jimin when he steps out of the car, eyes shooting stars no doubt, he grins proudly at the sight as he comes to join my side, his orbs taking in the delight spread over my face with joy.

His wings twitch for a hug but he folds them to get rid of the itch, he’s glad I got such a good reaction to his idea.

“So? Didn’t I do good to keep this a surprise?” he coos, to which I nod quickly, feet jumping in place before I hug him tightly, he’s taken aback at first but he responds to it with a pleased hum before allowing me to step back, my eyes going back to the main building because I can’t believe it!

“You have no idea what it means for me to be here, Jimin, no idea! Can we go in now? Let’s go, I want to go as soon as possible!” I chirp, eager to head in and when he nods, I’m running to the front doors like my life depends on it, because being here…

I was supposed to go to a botanical garden like this one with grandma as my graduation present, that was her promise to me, it didn’t matter how good or bad my final grades would be, when the time would come, she would take me to one to congratulate me for making it through so many suffering years.

It obviously never happened, I wasn’t about to go all by myself, not when the wound was still so fresh in my heart, but now? To be here with Jimin? It feels like I’m finally getting my reward for pushing through my hard times, it feels amazing.

When was the last time I got to be so excited to be out like this?

“Wait for me, Y/N! Let’s not get separated!” Jimin screams from behind me just as I reach the building and I look over my shoulder to see him running over with his bag and my own, my eyes widen as I realize that I completely forgot my stuff.

He giggles at my expression and hands me mine before sliding his strap over one shoulder, his phone taken out and opened to an image with two bar codes. I tilt my head at the sight and he shrugs lightly, a shy pink covering his cheeks as he hides his phone behind him.

“I… might have bought the tickets in the middle of the night as soon as I got the idea, I really wanted to bring you somewhere nice” he admits softly, one wing stretching slightly as he rolls his shoulder, driving for so long without a break takes a toll on the body after all, especially with how he had positioned himself, he just had to feel closer to me any way he could but it did end up pulling on his wing slightly by doing so.

My soul swoons for the eagle in front of me instantly, heart skipping a beat as my cheeks start feeling hotter, being on the receiving end of so much good intentions not something I am used to.

Jimin smiles shyly just as a random cloud releases its temporary prison over the sun and when he runs a hand through his white hair to get it out of his face, the strands starting to poke into his eyes with how long they are, the golden sun rays beam upon him to show him off in all of his glory.

His honey skin turns to fire, smooth limbs holding so much power as he stretches with a light grunt, his beautiful orbs absorbing all of the rays’ energy to make them shine like gold, a few hair strands turning to amber, the sight has me freezing, unable to look away even as he tilts his head curiously at me, wings relaxing under the heat of the sun, this man shouldn’t be real.

“I- you- let’s go” I blurt out, tone rising in octaves as I rush to the door, hands covering my burning cheeks at what I did, I just blatantly stared at him like he was a star falling from the sky, a burning star, bright and warm, which he is but damn it, why did I have to be so obvious!

I push past the doors only to freeze when I come face to face with a hybrid, their round eyes staring at me with a strange look on their face, fingers going to wipe their mouth, did they forget a grain of rice? They don’t think so?

I step aside to let them out, then look around me, grow aware of the amount of people talking in the lobby as they too wish to visit the garden site, a few groups buying tickets and others showing their phone or printed papers to an employee, the restaurant area that is filled to the brim, ice cream dripping on the floor as children run around, I had almost forgotten just how bad my social anxiety can get, being with Jimin is so easy now that I thought I’d be fine, but this…

A loud group of mixed students suddenly exits the cafeteria, apparently over with their school trip day and I end up right in the middle of it as they walk around me from both sides to head to the door behind me with laughter, completely unaware of my existence but cornering me nonetheless with no way to leave, it has my breath hitching in my throat, body shaking because this is dangerous, what if one of them tries to trip me, what if they push me, can I handle so many students? I’m not used to pain anymore, I don’t want to start again.

I hold my head between my hands, eyes shut tight, I’m fine, this is nothing, they don’t even see you, you’re fine, I keep chanting to myself, it’s going to be over before I know it, then a bathroom, closed stall, safe-

“I’m here, it’s okay, Y/N, everything’s going to be okay” I suddenly hear Jimin’s soothing voice and the next thing I know, I’m being turned around to face a chest, warm feathers closing around me and keeping me from seeing anything beyond the barrier that his wings create.

Jimin hugs me tightly as he acts like a protection against the group, his eyes glaring at the poor children, he can’t help it, they just had to block the way to the worst person they could choose, the sight of my frozen form in the sea of bodies enough to let him know that things were about to go bad very soon.

I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, shaky and short before gripping onto his sleeves, not seeing a thing and having him so close helping me to keep my mind from telling me to make a run for it, I close my eyes in relief as I rest my head on him.

“They’re almost gone, don’t worry” Jimin assures me with his soft voice, a hand making it to the back of my head, grounding and comforting and I nod, trusting him with my wellbeing, one I know is not in immediate danger but my brain doesn’t know that, it just knows that Jimin is safe.

Enclosed within the safety of his wings, a warm tingling feeling takes over the previous growing panic as it finally starts registering to me just how precious what I’m experiencing right now is, Jimin’s large wings hiding my form from others, it makes him into a knight, the best in the whole universe.

His calm beating heart near my ear is an additional soothing source and by the time silence comes back around us, sign that the students are finally gone, I fully relax, which Jimin feels under his arms, it lets him know that we both avoided myself a major panic attack, thank goodness.

He releases a relieved sigh before looking down at me, his golden orbs meeting mine and he can’t help it when his wings fold tighter around me, the sight enough to have his heart burst with love, just how small and fragile I look to him right now, he would have me right here forever if he could, within the safety of his wings.

“Are you okay?” he murmurs, a smile making it to his lips when I look up at him with eyes ready for worship.

“Do you need more time? We can head to a calm corner and sit down for a moment?” he continues when I have yet to reply, but at the moment, I don’t even know if I could say something that makes sense, so I instead turn my neck to look behind me where I remember the tables to be at and his wings lower just enough to give me a clear view of the large room.

My eyes zoom in on an empty corner and… yeah, it feels like a good idea for now, maybe we could get a cookie or something, just to get a breather before starting our walk around the botanical garden.

“Let’s sit down a little, please” I answer his question as I turn back to him and he nods before releasing me, but not quite fully, one wing still wrapped over his arm and around my back to keep me close while the other remains on standby, ready to give cover if needed.

Together, we make our way to the corner I found and we settle at the table for two, Jimin in front of me and our bags at our feet, it feels weird to be able to sit normally after what happened.

Had I been by myself, I would be locked in the nearest bathroom to try and keep my mind from pulling me into the past, it’s so hard sometimes when all I can remember is the atrocities that would be done to me for entertainment.

But with the eagle, everything is always different, the impact he has on my life… I never would’ve imagined such a thing possible. Meeting him in the drawing class was truly the best thing to happen to me in a long time.

“Do you want something to drink? A snack maybe? I don’t think anyone will come by here so you can stay at the table while I go get us something?” he offers as he looks over at the little restaurants and shops along the wall, I nod slowly when his eyes fall back on me.

“Something sweet would be nice, thank you” I let him know and he smiles, pleased. “I’m on it, wait for me here, I’ll be fast” he muses before standing up to head closer to the area to have a look at what’s available.

I follow him with my eyes, smile whenever his own fall back to me to make sure that I’m still fine, he doesn’t dare make five steps without peeking at me and I find that endearing.

I’m just here minding my own business and smiling as I gaze at him in silence, until I see a woman make her way to him discreetly before tapping on his shoulder to get his attention, a hand throwing her long hair over her shoulder before her head tilts cutely to the side and I’m sitting up straight, what’s that?

Jimin gives her a weird look, confusion and lack of interest clear on his face as he quirks an eyebrow her way, lips moving to tell her something but then she decides to cling onto his arm, probably in an attempt to convince him with the feel of her breast and I fake a gag, one Jimin notices just in time, it has him laughing and giggling before pulling his arm out of her hold, transparent in his desire to be left alone.

He tells her something and I watch as the woman stomps her foot down before heading back to who I assume are her friends where they comfort her in her failure, but if I have to say something about it, it’s good riddance.

The idea that someone could take him from me leaves an incredibly bitter taste in my mouth and it’s not the same as coffee, this one makes me feel sick just thinking about it.

Jimin accepts a tray of drinks with a small paper bag before coming back to the table, completely ignores the heartbroken lady who stares at him like she just got the winning lottery ticket taken out of her hold and when her eyes fall on me, I can’t help but give her a pretty smile and a small wave of the hand.

Take that, he’s already with me!

But not like, with me, right? He’s just… with me, as in… accompanying me for the day. As a friend.

But this is a date, so technically, doesn’t it mean he’s interested in me the slightest bit?

No no, Y/N, don’t fall into this trap, nothing has been said, it can be a friendly date, I’m sure those exist, somewhere in the world, don’t jump to conclusions.

Jimin settles everything on the table and sits back down in front of me with a huff, a chill going through his body as he still feels the stranger’s eyes on him, it grosses him out.

“Situations like that must happen often” I blurt out before freezing, because what the heck, Y/N?

Jimin stares at me, the corners of his lips twitching slightly before he grabs one of the two drinks, a fruits smoothie that he sets in front of me before taking the other for himself.

“What situation?” he asks as he continues setting the table, bag opened to take out the napkins and four cookies, he must be a mind-reader, Jimin, the magical eagle, beware, he likes to tease.

“You know… that situation” I mumble as I sip on the smoothie right away to distract myself as his eyes burn my skin with how intent he’s staring.

“You mean… situations like that girl attempting to flirt with me even after I told her very clearly that I’m already on a date with an incredible woman who I’m trying to seduce?”.

I choke on my drink, liquid going down the wrong pipe making me cough loudly, I’m dying, double attack,this isn’t right, I think to myself as Jimin jumps to his feet to come by my side, a hand rubbing up and down my back to soothe, drink pushed aside to make sure it doesn’t fall and spill.

“W-what did you say?” I gasp out when my body allows me to speak anew, face burning from more than one cause, none of them natural because the word seducejust keeps echoing over and over again in my mind, I must have heard wrong.

Jimin looks down at me, a slight grin on his lips, he’s not buying that. “You know very well what I said, but if I must say it again…” he clears his throat, then bends down to be at my level, face stopping right in front of mine with bright orbs.

“I want to win your heart, Y/N, yours only, so if you ever see such situations happen in the future, which really, don’t happen all that often, know that I am not interested in them. You’re the only one who has my attention, okay? There’s no need to be jealous when you already have first place in my heart”.

Holy shit. Holy shit!

“You’re serious?” I ask him, unable to believe it myself, he’s really interested then? It’s not a friendly date but a… romantic one?

He nods his head firmly.

“Very serious”.

He then smiles, eyes creasing beautifully. “But don’t feel forced to reciprocate my feelings right now, I’m ready to put in the efforts to get you to fall for me, no matter how long it takes” he assures me, he sounds like he truly means it, my heart can’t help but drum wildly in my chest at his confession.

But I mean… it’s not like he has to do much on that matter… haven’t I already fallen for him?

Jimin’s eyes widen as he comes to a standstill and I stare back at him with a similar expression on my face, realization that I said that aloud bringing an end to time, I did not mean to say it like that, he should’ve heard that from me to him, not from me to third person mental Jimin, damn it!

“I… let me say that properly, since it’s already out in the open anyway… I… erm… I do… already have feelings for you so… you don’t really have to… well… try that hard” I mumble again, lips pinched because Jimin has clearly disconnected, he was not expecting to get a positive result to his confession, although he was not expecting a clear rejection either, but this is…

The jackpot. Jimin just hit the jackpot and he’s not losing it, never.

“Then will you be my girlfriend? Will you let me treat you the way you deserve without feeling like I’m going too far? Because to be honest, I was already planning to do that anyway but to not hide it under the pretense of being just a good friend would be amazing, I won’t lie” he blurts out, golden eyes unblinking as they stare at me, and gosh, he would love painting one of his walls with the colour of my cheeks, it would always remind him of my shy expression, he can’t get enough of it.

Hands sweating because I’ve NEVER been asked that before, I don’t think anyone ever even had a crush on me, this is all so new, I still manage to nod my head because for Jimin, I feel like there isn’t much I wouldn’t do.

I don’t think I’m quite processing just yet what I’m agreeing to, that as his girlfriend, it also means he’s going to be my boyfriend, that it’s not only words but a whole new world of interactions, to be not only in the flirting corner but also in the dating one.

Does that mean hand holding? Pecks on the cheek? Cuddling like we did yesterday? I would love that.

The way his face could light up the darkest room right now with how brightly he smiles, it lights up my soul, my heart, every dark corners of my being, and yeah, this feels right, if it’s with Jimin.

He straightens up and then hugs me tightly, wings happily fluttering behind him, it’s adorable and as I hug him back, I feel at peace with the progress that took place between us, this is a change that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

“I’m so happy, thank you for giving me a chance” he murmurs softly against my hair and I nuzzle my face into his neck, his words echoing greatly with how I feel myself.

“I should be the one saying that Jimin, thank you, for everything”.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 8 (3.6k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

When morning comes, I find myself waking up in a fluffy bed, blankets wrapped around me in a comforting manner, a manly scent filling the air around me, it’s all so much to process in such a short amount of time, because I don’t remember how I ended up here.

Wasn’t I with Jimin?

I try to think back to what we did last night, we’d planned to watch a movie together after dinner, but I can’t recall watching it, what did we-

I gasp, body heating up and melting into lava in a time record as I remember cuddling with Jimin, his breath and heartbeat the only things I could hear in the moment, did I fall asleep on him? Oh my gosh!

I roll in the bed, hands covering my burning face, unable to believe it, to believe that this really happened.

How am I supposed to face him now?! I fell asleep on him! Does that mean he had to bring me to bed? Y/N, why did you have to let go like that, damn it!

I sit up and will myself to calm down with a deep breath.

No, it’s okay, it’s fine. Jimin wanted that cuddle session, he wouldn’t let go of you anyway, and he was so comfortable, if anything, it’s his fault if I fell asleep. Yes, that’s it, let’s just put the blame on him, then my pride will be fine.

A soft knock on the door and I look up just as it opens slowly to reveal Jin, his head hesitantly peeking in until his eyes fall on me.

“So you areawake, I wasn’t sure if I heard right when a gasp made it to my ears, are you okay?” he asks me and I blush at his words, a quick nod of the head to reassure him. “Y-yeah I’m fine, sorry”.

He chuckles and opens the door wider to stand in the doorway more comfortably.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s all good. I’m currently working on breakfast if you want to join me, Jimin is still sleeping but he’s a heavy sleeper, he won’t wake up so don’t worry about making noise, you could watch the TV and he wouldn’t budge at all” he offers, words that have me smiling lightly, amused.

“Sure, that sounds good to me. I can help you if you want, I’m used to making food” I say as I slip out of the bed, almost regretfully so, until I realize that sleeping in Jimin’s scent has made it stick to me, my own personal portable comfort, this is better than dragging a blanket around the house, more discreet.

I don’t even know why I want to keep his scent with me, it’s slightly embarrassing and I would be caught dead before admitting aloud that I would totally spray it on my pillows if it was a perfume, but it doesn’t mean that the wish doesn’t exist, Jimin smells very good.

My perfumer brain can’t help but try and see how I could mimic his scent, what ingredients I could use to get close to it, it would definitely be in a range of musk, I can’t believe that someone can have such a smell as their natural body odour, I’m jealous.

Jin shakes his head and steps aside to let me through and out of the bedroom before closing the door behind us. “It’s fine, I enjoy cooking, you can sit at the island and keep me company instead” he says as we walk to the kitchen and I smile, how could I say no to that?

“Can I make you something to drink? A coffee maybe?” he offers once we reach the cooking space where food is simmering and I hum, a deep inhale telling me that the food is going to be amazing once more.

“A coffee would be wonderful, thank you”.

I observe as he works the coffee machine while keeping an eye on his pots, it makes me feel a little bad to not be helping in any way, but the way he smiles at me as if proud that he gets to do something nice to someone else than his usual people, it keeps me from insisting, he really looks like he’s enjoying himself.

“There you go, want some milk, cream, sugar to go with it?” he asks as he walks to the fridge but I shake my head before taking a sip, a hum leaving me when the bitter covers my tongue before being swallowed.

“Nah, I’m good, thanks, I like it dark” I tell him, words that have his eyes widening in disbelief, it has me grinning as I keep sipping in silence.

“Not you too? Yoongi drinks it as dark as possible too, I really don’t understand how you do it, it’s not normal to like it that way, you two must be broken” he whines, and at hearing the cat’s name, I still a little before resuming my sipping.

Broken, huh? Maybe we both are. I did turn to black coffee in the hopes that it would help me cover just how empty I feel in the morning, it grew worse when I lost my grandmother, I could drink ten black coffees in one day just to try and bury the real bitter that would grow within me.

“I guess you’re onto something there, Jin, I don’t know about Yoongi, but I sure felt like a broken piece of flesh for a few years” I hum with a small shrug, it feels like so long ago now, I don’t have any energy to spare for that old pain anymore.

When did spending time with Jimin start affecting my mindset that way? It’s hard to believe that I even felt comfortable-ish with the cat the last time he was showing me some drawing tricks, I could’ve never done that if not for the eagle, he must be filled with healing magic, there’s no other way.

Jin stays silent at my comment, but I don’t expect him to say anything to that, what could he possibly respond?

“Can I ask you a question, Jin?” I let out after a while, eyes fixated on the dark liquid as I feel the man’s eyes settle on me. “What is it?”.

“When you met Yoongi for the first time, how was he?”.

I look up to see the exact moment when his lips pinch tightly, shoulders drooping slightly, the two of them are close, I can’t help but wonder how they made it to that point, where exactly did Yoongi start to change?

“When I first met Yoongi… gosh, he was lifeless, unresponsive to what I would say. Did Jimin tell you that I work in a rehabilitation center? We get a lot of… runaway kids there, some that have turned to drug to deal with rough environments, some who’ve gone through… excessive mental abuse, we help them get back on track. Yoongi was one of those cases, he needed help and I was only too eager to offer it” he starts as he turns his attention back to the stove to make sure the food doesn’t burn.

“He told me about what he did, all the awful things he did to a young girl who didn’t deserve any of it. Said that she was already a victim, so he thought he’d make use of that, that it might ease his conscience, he had so much anger and pain to let out and chose the worst possible way to go at it, but he didn’t know what else to do. It just kept going, again and again, until one day, he chose to drink a bit too much before taking his car, and then he did something stupid, and that stupid thing ended up destroying both him and that young girl.

Picking up the pieces… wasn’t easy. We almost lost him a few times, we couldn’t leave him unsupervised a single second without getting an alarm that someone was attempting a suicide. Yoongi… he didn’t want to be a bad guy, he hated being like that, but that’s a pattern that becomes hard to stop once it starts, he had no one to turn to, no one but himself and that in turn brought him even more pain, to him and to others. He didn’t handle that realization very well”.

I stare at his back as he speaks, as I get to hear for the first time about the other side of the mirror, not the victim’s side, but the assailant’s one.

When Yoongi decided to drive around drunk, grandma and I were also on the road, on the way back home.

Apparently, the black cat recognized our car and… no one really knows what went through his mind that day, maybe he just wanted to scare, he wanted to be a little asshole once more, but he started following us, a bit too close, always too close, it made grandma fidgety, age didn’t make her calmer behind a steering wheel.

One little bump from Yoongi’s car and we were heading towards a tree.

I got lucky, grandma… not so much.

My side of the car was intact, but not the other.

I remember his face when he stumbled out of his car, the pure shock on his face as he took in the wrecked vehicle, the blood, his eyes meeting mine before slumping to his knees, that was the first time I saw Yoongi cry.

It was a busy street so help arrived quickly. I was taken out of the car and sent to the hospital to treat my injuries, all minor, I was lucky, they kept saying, she should’ve been dead too, I don’t know how her side remained untouched.

An angel must have looked over her, it wasn’t her time to go.

The anger I felt at those words, I didn’t want to hear such bullshit, it wouldn’t give me my family back, no one could, and when I heard them pity the poor kid who caused the accident, that he would always have on his mind someone’s death, it made me even angrier, because he didn’t deserve anyone’s pity, it wasn’t an accident, he did it on purpose.

Never saw him after that day, he had just graduated, I guess the timing was good for him, he was just… good to go and I figured his life would keep going while mine turned to absolute hell but…

I guess it wasn’t like that after all, he struggled a lot too.

Jin smiles sadly at me. “He made it through, one step at a time, we fought his demons until he would get stronger, but you know the one thing that really helped him to make it out of the center with the mindset of becoming a better man?” he asks, to which I shake my head, unsure of what could’ve helped him towards such a noble path.

“You, Y/N. It’s thoughts of you that helped him get out of his sickening patterns. He thought that for every good thing he would do, he would also get one step closer to one day being able to make an attempt at showing you how truly sorry he is. That became his sole goal for many years, being worthy of being forgiven by you. Seeing you on that first day of class…” he sighs, as if the day happened yesterday.

“He told me about it recently, that he still can’t tell if he was hopeful or absolutely freaked out that his moment had finally come, his chance at redemption. Seeing your reaction to him… I honestly don’t think he was prepared for that, it shocked him deeply, to see the impact he had done on you, so he’s trying really hard to make things easier for you.

I don’t think you could even imagine just how much guilt Yoongi bears on his shoulders, Y/N, and I’m not saying that to try and convince you that he’s a better man, he can show you that himself, but I want you to know that he’s very sincere in his wish to be kind to you, he’s not that kid anymore, he worked really hard to make it to where he is today and I hope you can allow yourself to see that, to give him a chance”.

I try to process everything that I’m hearing, Jin’s words making me think back to the classes, it is true that nothing has happened so far to make me freak out out of my skin, everything has been very calm, peaceful.

Is that drawing class Yoongi’s way of trying to make it up to me, in the only way he can think of?

“Honestly… I could already see that, Jin. Yesterday, I went to class early and fell on him, we had… a very needed conversation, I think. We spent time together working on my drawing before Jimin came and… there’s definitely a distinction that’s starting to take place between his past self and his current self in my mind. I’m not saying that everything will be fine from now on but…

Being mad at him, sad for myself, I’ve done enough of that. It’s not like doing so has changed anything so far and it won’t start now that I saw him again in person. I want to let go of the past, I don’t want it to keep holding me back, and I don’t want it to hold Yoongi back anymore either. It might take time but… I know we can make it” I assure the man who stares at me with shock that quickly melts into relief and then into tears.

He wipes his eyes at the realization and clears his throat before offering me a wavering smile. “That’s… that’s very good, Y/N, that makes me very happy. You both deserve it, a happy life from now on, you both deserve it”.

—

It’s while I’m alone, still sat at the kitchen’s island while scrolling on my phone that I hear a sleepy groan, one look to my side showing that Jimin is currently stretching the sleep out of his body, it was about time.

It was truly saddening, watching the once warm food get colder and colder with each passing minutes following Jin’s exit, his large waving movements before leaving the house making me grin as I promised him to come back soon.

“Oh man, I feel like I slept an entire century” he grumbles, still half-asleep, fingers rubbing his eyes as he sits up slowly, apparently not remembering just yet about my presence here, it’s quite funny as I push my phone away to observe him run a hand through his messy hair, an annoyed groan as he starts grooming his wings, every feathers looking as if they got poked out of place one after the other.

“Damn I hate this, my stupid feathers always have to act like they have a life of their own” he grumbles unhappily, an itch to his back making him twist around, hopeless in reaching the right spot before he gives up and proceeds to rub his back against the couch, a relieved sigh leaving his lips and then he’s turning his gaze towards the kitchen and-

“AH!” he screams, body jumping to his feet right away, hands covering half of his face as he takes me in, my form obviously staring at him, there’s no denying it even if I wanted to.

“Oh my gosh! Y/N! Why are you so quiet?!” he exclaims, a hand sliding down to his heart, it’s enough to have me giggling at his expression, why does he have to be so cute as soon as he wakes up?

“I didn’t have any reason to be loud” I answer simply, but it’s not what he wanted to hear, he’s not sure what kind of answer he wanted, but it wasn’t this one.

He pouts slightly before clumsily making his way over, his body bumping into mine from behind me before he drops his chin on my shoulder with a sigh, the sound of his wings fluttering and rustling somehow managing to make my heart stutter, it’s… endearing, a sleepy bird.

“You should’ve woken me up… you look like you’ve been awake for a while” he mumbles sheepishly and I hum, one look at the now empty and cold cup of coffee indeed showing that it’s been a little while.

“It’s fine, I’m not one to keep someone from sleeping if they need it. Anyway, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to wake you up, Jin did say that you’re a heavy sleeper, you don’t wake up easily” I muse, smile when he rubs his forehead against the side of my neck with a whine.

“You should’ve tried anyway… I wanted to wake up before you” he complains but I shrug, the movement making him grunt lightly.

“Well you can’t change the past, can you? It’s too late, Jimin. At least you’re awake now, focus on that” I try before chuckling when he sighs before stepping back, his warmth leaving me feeling cold for a moment before my own body heat takes over.

“That’s not fair, but seeing as you currently are using Jin’s favorite cup of coffee, I’m taking it that he kept you company this morning?” he asks as he goes around the counter to stare at the stove and I hum in confirmation, the little information about the cup enough to have my heart warming up.

“Yeah, he wouldn’t let me help him cook though, but we talked quite a bit. I’m honestly shocked that none of it woke you up” I tease him, watch as his pout comes back before he starts heating the stove to get the food warm once more, clearly used to it, Jin must make him food often before leaving for work.

Everything is calm and quiet, but then Jimin is suddenly gasping and running to the living room before having a look outside and…

“Noooooo! He left with the car! Damn it! All my plans! All of them… gone!”.

I laugh when he slumps over the couch in despair, his wings falling by his sides as if all of his energy has left him, a dramatic reaction to something that isn’t that bad. We can just grab a taxi and get to mine at work, it’s no big deal.

“What kind of plans did you manage to make while sleeping?” I ask him, curious because as far as I know, coming up with ideas when fast asleep… he must have very weird dreams.

“While sleeping? No, after I took you to bed, I stayed awake for a while searching on my phone what kind of things we could do today, you know, places that aren’t full of people, I was so proud of what I’d found too! It would’ve been so rom- fun! A lot of fun!” he blushes as he turns his gaze away from me in a pout, I can’t help my heart from melting for him.

“Jimin” I call out, hear his small grumble in answer before glancing my way. “We can take a taxi to my lab. I have a car too” I tell him, leave him time to process and…

“Oh! You’re right!” he chirps, golden eyes bright and alive before he’s back to his feet and rushing to the kitchen to turn off the stove before food starts burning, he’s so easy to please.

“So what are we doing today?” I ask, wondering where his mind took him, the fact that he tried to come up with places that wouldn’t have me constantly on edge because of them being filled with people enough to have my heart falling for him, how many would’ve taken the time?

“It’s a surprise” he grins, proud of himself when he looks over his shoulder to see my gaping mouth, I can’t believe he’s going to keep the suspense running until we get there!

“But you’re going to have to tell me if we want to make it there, it’s my car, remember?” I try but he huffs as he gets two plates to fill with the food.

“It might be your car, but it’s mydate, one I am doing the planning for, so I’ll be the one driving”.

D-d-date?

Is today a date? Is that what it is?

At my silence, Jimin turns his gaze back to me before stilling, the blushing to my cheeks an intensity he had not seen coming, and the happy ripple going through his feathers is enough to tell me that he’s enjoying the sight very much.

“Everything okay? You’re not against this being a date, right?” he croons delightfully, the emphasis he puts on the one word causing my heart to skip a beat, lips pursing when he slowly slides one plate in front of me with a wink before sauntering around the island and to the stool besides mine, uncaring that he’s currently hitting me with combo attacks without a care in the world for my mental safety.

Against it? No, not at all.

What I am against though is the way he filled my plate as if I’m going to be eating for three!

I turn my head to him, ready to share that piece of my mind with him but at seeing the way he’s resting his cheek on his hand, elbow propped on the counter and eyes on me, patient and amused, I shut my mouth and turn slightly so my back faces him.

Yeah, I’m against this too.

I hear him chuckle before the sound of him eating reaches my ears and I sigh in relief.

Will I be able to make it through the day with him?

Because it seems that flirty Jimin has made an appearance and I’m not sure if I’m ready.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 7 (6.3k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

“There you go, all good to go now” Jin chirps as he sets the roll of bandages on the counter after taking care of my hands properly.

It’s not that Jimin did a bad job, it just would’ve been hard to use my hands properly with how thick he’d bandaged them. Now… it’s much easier to move my fingers.

I smile sheepishly at him, a little embarrassed with how things went at our arrival, the way he’d turned frantic at hearing that I hurt myself, he wouldn’t take a no for an answer as he’d led me to the bathroom, hence leaving Jimin completely alone in the living room.

“I’m sorry again about tonight… I really didn’t mean to get here so late, the food even got cold because of me” I mumble once more, needing to let him know that I’m really not trying to pretend like what I did was fine, it wasn’t good manners at all.

He smiles as he puts everything back into the first aid box and into a drawer. “Don’t worry about it, I can see that this afternoon was harsh on you, you don’t get hurt the way you did just by tripping on your laces” he hums and I look down at that, guilty.

“The heat patch on your back should help, but don’t forget to take it easy, okay? That’s a nasty bruise you have there, I won’t tell Jimin because he’s going to act like a hen over you and then you’re going to want to lock him into a room to get a breather, but don’t hesitate to come to me if you need something, I’m… not as bad as him” he informs me with a wink and I chuckle with a light nod of the head, relieved that he’s able to joke around even after seeing the additional wounds that the eagle doesn’t know about.

Seeing how Jin is helps me understand why Jimin is so naturally gentle and caring, he had a really good example to learn from, that much is certain.

“Thank you, Jin ssi, I really appreciate your help… and your discretion” I tell him before standing up from the toilet to exit the bathroom but freeze when his eyes widen in shock at me, my words clearly bothering him in a way that confuses me.

“Dear, please, just Jin, we’re no strangers anymore. Jin ssi… it makes me feel like I’m at work, I don’t like it” he chides softly with a pout and I can’t help but giggle before nodding my head.

“That information is noted, Jin, I won’t do it again” I reply and his smile comes back, one motion of the arm to invite me to walk out and join our lonely eagle when a knock on the door stops me from turning the knob.

I step back when the door opens slowly to reveal Jimin, his body now seemingly clothed in an outfit that resembles mine, same colours, same pieces, it makes me smile at first, but it fades quickly from my face when the door fully opens to show all of him, a sight that has me gulping audibly, eyes blinking quickly at his handsome form.

Jimin… looks amazing, I noticed that from the very beginning, there’s no avoiding it, from his white hair, golden orbs to his beautiful wings, there’s no mistaking his grace but right now… why is my heart beating so fast?

His eyes settle on me immediately, wings flapping lightly behind him before he comes to flank my side, fingers delicate as they take mine within his hold to have a look, and in all of his softness, I feel a heat creep up my neck and to my cheeks, which I can only hope doesn’t show because it would be embarrassing.

“So? Are you satisfied with my work or do you need me to bandage these again?” the human asks, a knowing smile on his face as he observes the hybrid with a quirked eyebrow but Jimin ignores his obvious teasing and hums with a nod of the head, looking like he’s pleased with the final result.

“No it’s fine, thank you hyung, I’m not that good at this so you did it much better, does it still hurt? Is it fine now?” he answers Jin before turning his question at me, worried orbs meeting mine, to which I smile, a small pat to his hand to reassure him.

“I’m fine, don’t worry, Jimin, the skin doesn’t itch anymore, it wasn’t all that bad to begin with anyway, just a little scratch” I tell him, but he pouts, not convinced, lips parting to counter but Jin sighs and stops him before he can.

“Listen to the lady, Jiminie, she said she’s fine so don’t insist! Now why don’t we get out of the bathroom hm? It’s not the best place to have a conversation, I can think of better environments for that” he comments, words that have Jimin pausing, eyes looking around us to process that indeed… we’re still standing besides the toilet.

“Right… then are you hungry, Y/N? Because it’s ready, the food is all warmed up” Jimin recovers with a wide grin, still aware that our hunger is matching, if he’s still starving, then surely I must be too, it makes me chuckle lightly with a nod.

“Hungry is not enough of a word anymore, I’m starting to auto-digest myself”.

That makes Jin laugh, the sound just as special as Jimin had mentioned at first and it both takes me by surprise and not at the same time. “We shouldn’t waste anymore time then! Wouldn’t want your poor friend to wilt in front of us because we didn’t feed her on time!”.

His words make me feel quite shy, but… he’s right, so with that said, we quickly exit the bathroom, Jimin pulling me by the hand proudly until we arrive to a small but pretty dining table, the surface already decorated like I would expect a restaurant to be, utensils, napkins and plates all arranged to look fancy, which somehow clashes greatly with our now sporty looks, but it’s more funny than anything else.

Jin whistles as he follows behind us, eyes falling on the sight in front of us.

“Dang, Jiminie, who are you trying to impress like that? I might assign you to setting the table everyday from now on if you would always do such a good job” he teases the younger man and I smile when the bird blushes furiously, bashful eyes falling on his hyung in a silent request for respite.

“It’s beautiful, Jimin, truly, I couldn’t have done a better job” I compliment him, wanting to reassure him that it’s a pleasant thing to fall upon, and although maybe a little overdone considering the current ambiance, it’s still very lovely.

Lovely, because he cares enough to put in some efforts and that in itself is precious. He could have used plastic utensils and recyclable plates and I wouldn’t have complained, as long as the company is pleasant, but looking at this now, it reminds me of when I was younger, when I would do that for my grandma, a fancy table, even if it would look tacky at most, that was me doing my best.

I wanted to impress her on the nights when she would have to work later than usual, so I’d play my cards right and do an attempt at a fancy night for her, with meals I’d make by following her favorite recipes and the joy I would experience at seeing a wide smile appear on her face every single time, it was worth every unique items in the world.

Jimin turns to me and grins so brightly that his face almost blinds me, his eyes creasing into pretty crescents that have my heart warming up, the way his chubby cheeks stretch so cutely, I can’t handle this, it feels like a personal attack towards my soul, shy tingles spreading through me at the speed of light.

“I’m glad you like it, thank you for acknowledging my hard work instead of saying annoying comments like my hyung does” the eagle dares say, but Jin takes no mind to it as he rolls his eyes playfully before heading to the kitchen to prep the food into different portions and onto the plates.

“Here, come take a seat, Y/N” Jimin muses before pulling out a chair from under the table and I listen to him, a blush deepening on my already warm cheeks when he pushes the chair as I sit, it feels… special, it’s sweet.

He takes the seat at the side of the table besides mine with a proud look on his face, wings relaxed behind him, not fully folded but not quite opened either, they just look a little wider than usual and soon, Jin comes back with the plates, ones he settles on the table with ease before sitting in front of me.

I take a look at the both of them, at their smiles as they tease each other like only family can and I take it all in, a smile of my own taking place over my face, the events that took place earlier feeling like nothing but a distant memory now.

If Jimin hadn’t found me miraculously like he did, I wonder what I would be doing right now? Would I have spent the night sitting on the floor before trying to make the perfume again as soon as I would’ve woken up?

Just how pitiful would I be compared to the happy buzz I can feel right now?

Jimin will probably never understand just how much light he brings into my life, it’s like all the colours I can use for my canvas are finally back where I can see them, and all they need now is for me to take them and start painting.

Maybe that’s what I was missing after all, a source of light.

In the past, I had my grandmother, and now I have Jimin.

“Well, I hope you enjoy the food, Y/N, because it was made with a lot of love” Jin muses once he’s had enough of trying to pluck Jimin’s feathers out, much to said hybrid’s relief as he was about to scream bloody murder, cheeks red in annoyance, because who the heck plucks feathers for fun? His hyung shouldn’t be one of those people!

I turn my gaze to the older man, his words settling heavily onto my heart, they have it squeezing painfully, a lump forming in my throat because those are words that used to be said so often in my past, not just by my grandmother but also by my parents.

I can still remember small, brief fragments of a lost life where my mother would smile at me and feed me a piece of the food she’d be making, and I know she would chuckle when doing so, but I can’t even remember the sound of her voice anymore.

Feeling tears rising up in my eyes, I look down at the food to try and keep them out of sight, not willing to ruin the moment with forgotten memories that have my soul weeping with sadness and longing, but as I take my first bite and chew slowly, my senses get swarmed by the flavor of my parents’ food, dad and mom working together in the kitchen to make an amazing meal, it tastes just the same.

It feels so weird, because I don’t usually think about them, it’s been so long after all, but being here with Jimin and Jin, and eating this food, it’s bringing all these memories back to the surface and I can’t help the tears that flow down my cheeks in response to such an emotional trip down the past.

Dad’s laughter, mom’s hugs, their smiles and endless jokes, their warmth, their eyes when they’d gaze at me with the strongest love to ever exist, the love of a mother, the love of a father, how could I even forget about them when they gave me their all for the short time we had together?

A hand on my forearm, a gentle squeeze and I’m looking up through the blur that my tears form to see Jimin’s worried eyes on me, his lips moving but the sound of his voice lags behind, like everything is in slow motion. “What’s wrong, Y/N? Are you hurting somewhere after all?”.

I set my fork down and wipe my cheeks with the back of my free hand, not wanting to lose Jimin’s touch just yet, it feels grounding.

“No, no… It’s just… Jin’s food reminds me of my parents. It’s… so many good memories that I had forgotten, I’m sorry, I’m fine, I promise, I just didn’t expect to miss them so much so suddenly, it’s been so long after all” I explain, apologetic eyes falling on the man whose eyes soften, tears starting to rise at my words before he’s reaching out to my hand, one I shyly let him hold, Jimin doing the same with my other one, such comfort they give me right now.

If I had known that today would’ve been so emotionally demanding, I would’ve slept one more hour in bed before heading to work.

“Please don’t apologize for that, it’s… an honor to know that my food brought you such precious memories. Whenever you want to get another taste, just say the word, okay? I’ll be more than happy to cook for you if it gives you a way to remember them” the human offers and I nod with a trembling chin, embarrassed that I’m showing them such a weak image of myself tonight but it’s not like it’s within my control.

Jin nods back, a sniffle before he rubs his eyes to keep his cool, orbs shining under the warm light of the ceiling and Jimin’s lips press tightly as they curl downwards, wings flapping softly behind him in face of our emotions.

“Look at you two, stop that or you’re going to make me cry too” he mumbles weakly, his tears already threatening to flow down his cheeks at seeing us both so emotive, yet he fights them with all of his will, wings stretching wide behind him, wanting nothing more than to hug us both with them.

I let out a self-deprecating chuckle at the sight of us crying over food, it’s funny in its own way. “I’m making this whole night one to remember, aren’t I?” I try to joke a little, to which they both laugh softly, a good pat of the hand before Jin lets go of mine while Jimin still holds tightly onto my other hand, not ready to let go just yet.

Feeling the same way, I turn my hand around in his but where he expects me to remove it from his hold, I instead lace our fingers together, much to his relief and I watch with a pleased heart as his lips curve upward as he wipes his eyes with the other.

He squeezes gently, a silent thank you and the sad turns into contentment once more, emotions on a roller-coaster, but who can blame me? These last three weeks have been hard.

“Alright, let’s keep eating before it gets cold a second time, shall we? It would be such a shame, especially if it’s my fault again” I tell them chuckling, and with a nod and a grin from the both of them, we resume our renewed appreciation of the food in front of us, smiles on our lips at the sweet moment that was just shared between us.

—

“Okay you two, I have a big day tomorrow so I’m going to head to bed now. Y/N, should you want it, you’re welcome to stay over, I’ll make breakfast before leaving tomorrow so you can share it with Jiminie, we have plenty of spare blankets and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind letting you use his bed, he can sleep on the couch for one night”.

I look over my shoulder from my seat on said couch next to the eagle to see the man gazing at us with warm eyes, a hand on his hip and a playful smile on his lips.

The mention of Jimin’s bed has my heart skipping a beat, because I’ve never slept in another bed than my own, so a man’s bed at that? Goodness, could my soul take it?

“I can’t possibly impose any further than I have already, I actually live nearby, I can just walk back home” I counter his offer, not wanting to intrude in their daily life after I caused them both so much stress in such a short amount of time but Jimin bumps my shoulder with his, our close proximity making me feel safe and snug.

“Nonsense, close or not, it’s very late right now, it wouldn’t do for either of us to head out. Stay, I can lend you clothes for the night, I don’t mind you using my bed, the couch is really comfortable” he insists, hopeful eyes meeting mine in a beg for more time together and I feel my resolve wither too quickly.

The reason might also be that I don’t really want to leave, not when I’m enjoying myself so much with Jimin.

Going back home after such a fun night… I’m not ready to face my empty apartment again.

“If you’re so sure… then I guess it can’t hurt to stay the night” I tell them both, a smile coming to my lips when Jimin cheers in silent victory while Jin simply chuckles, pleased.

“Don’t worry about imposing, dear, you’re welcome here anytime you want for as long as you want. On that note, I will take my leave, that body of mine won’t rest while staying up as late as you kids do” he muses before waving a hand our way, then walks into a room nearby, door closing behind him.

We’ll have to try and be quiet, I wouldn’t want to keep him from resting properly, but Jimin seems to not care all that much as he claps his hands loudly, excited about the night that offers itself to us.

Seeing him so happy causes me to giggle, heart both excited and a little awkward because it feels weird to be here at such a late hour, I’ve never had a sleepover before after all, but I know that with Jimin, it’s going to go well.

Honestly, anything could be fun with Jimin, he has a way to make me smile without even trying.

“So, what movie are we watching then? Ah but wait, I guess I should first ask you when you need to get to work tomorrow right? I guess we shouldn’t stay up too late then… I wouldn’t want to make working harder for you because I kept you up all night… I just haven’t had any sleepovers in ages, I’m a bit too excited” the bird lets out sheepishly, the end a disappointed mumble but I shrug, unsure myself.

“Well… I’m technically done with my part of the work until Friday, so I could not go and I’d be fine but I do need my car, although the only day I really need to head to the lab is on Thursday so I can make those samples again. What about you? You have work, don’t you?” I ask back but his widening smile lets me know that he might not after all.

“I don’t! A friend asked me if he could take my shift because he really needs it and he wasn’t scheduled for work so I agreed, which means I’m free! We could spend the day together, maybe do something fun! What do you think?! Please say yes!” he pleads, wide and sparkling eyes staring at me, it makes me feel like refusing would be the same as stealing a child’s favorite balloon.

I bite on my bottom lip, unsure. I really want to say yes, but… what if he gets bored of me throughout the day? I don’t know how to be fun for such long periods of time, what if I don’t make him laugh enough? I don’t want to see his smiles turn forced.

Appearing to read me much better than he should, Jimin takes my hand in both of his and holds it tightly, puppy eyes gaining in power, it has my heart wavering, am I sensing a new weakness?

“Please? It’s going to be fun, I like spending time with you” he insists, knowing just the right thing to say to push the balance to his side, it almost feels like cheating, yet he is fully within his rights, the sly eagle.

I purse my lips, eyes narrowed slightly before I give up with a nod of the head, a decision that makes me more happy than it makes me miserable, let’s be honest here.

“Okay okay, you win, we spend the day together, we can think about what we can do during the day tomorrow while eating breakfast” I tell him and it’s like his joy skyrockets through the roof, cheeks turning a pretty pink and arms quickly gathering me in for a hug, so tightly that I actually need to hold onto his shoulders just to take in a breath.

“I’ll be thinking about what we can do all night” he promises and I laugh with a gentle pat to his back, he’s so easy to please, isn’t he?

“Please don’t, sleep, get your energy back and then we can think about it together in the morning, it’s not a race” I counter but he shakes his head quickly, still unable to bring an end to the hug as he tucks my face right into his neck.

“You don’t understand, Y/N. I won’t be able to notthink about it, this makes me too happy, I want us to have fun tomorrow, we shouldn’t waste it doing something boring, I want you to enjoy it as much as possible” he chirps and when he pulls back to grin at me, eyes beaming in delight and promises, I can see that he’s not lying, he really has this dear to his heart.

Seeing him from so close, his arms still around me, wings slightly cradling us into a warm embrace to avoid squishing them in the couch along with the way he stares at me as if I hold the world in my eyes, it makes me become bashful, heart fluttering in my chest.

I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be hugged, but now that Jimin keeps doing it, I could stay here forever, just to feel his body holding me. I didn’t know I could miss something so much, but hugs, physical affection, my soul was actually starving for it, wasn’t it?

I smile at him as I take in this moment, his wish to stay with me warming my heart, he makes me feel like I belong somewhere, finally.

He makes my life not only about work anymore, he makes it feel brighter, moments like meeting him in class, his smiles and teasing pokes things I come to look forward to, it’s nice.

It’s almost scary to think that none of this might be happening right now if he had sat somewhere else on that first day at school, or if he had decided to stay mad at me after what I did to Yoongi. I could be crying in my misery, yet I find myself smiling, heart filled with warmth instead.

“Thank you for sitting next to me that day, Jimin, I’m glad it was you and not someone else” I tell him, unable to keep my heart from blurting out these words and I watch as he pauses, clearly he was not expecting me to say that out of nowhere.

But then he tilts his head to the side, smile softening, one wing brushing against my arm and my heart stutters in a tantrum, and damn it, he must have felt it, right? We’re still so close!

“Why all of a sudden? What makes you feel this way?” he asks, his voice a low drawl, he wants to pull every truths he can out of me, it has me mentally swearing, because of course he would want me to specify why exactly I feel that way.

With his body wrapped around mine, a living prison I don’t want to run away from as much as I want to flee with all of my might, I start growing nervous and tensed, an audible gulp leaving me and he seems to enjoy that much more than entertaining the first idea that was to watch a movie to begin with when he lets slip an amused grin that doesn’t help my heart to settle down.

I just know that my face is starting to take on a deep shade of red and there’s nowhere to hide in our position, he gets to see it all, as well as feeling the way my heart beats wildly against his own, I can’t tell how fast his beats because of mine.

Come on, Y/N, you can do it, it’s Jimin, he’s your safe bird, right?

“W-w-well it’s b-because…” I stop there with a frown, uncomfortable because of all the stuttering I do but Jimin simply hums, eyes locked on mine, patient as he waits for my explanation behind my sudden gratitude, he’s not going to let it go without hearing what he wants to hear.

Deep breaths, it’s okay.

“It’s just… I’m happy to have you in my life, it feels like… like things are b-better now, a lot better, you make me feel not so alone anymore” I mutter the end so quietly that I might as well not say anything at all but he hears me just fine and his face lets me know that he’s going to remember these words for years to come.

“I’m really happy to have you in my life too, Y/N, really happy. Taking that seat was one of the best choices I could make and I’m glad I did, else we wouldn’t be spending this moment together right now. Though I have to confess that the reason why I went to sit next to you in the first place instead of all the other seats was because I could feel that you and I could become great friends.

There was something about you that pulled me in, that made me feel like we had to get closer, so even if I had ended up in another seat, we would’ve become friends anyway, I would’ve made sure of it” he muses proudly before hugging me again, his body rocking us back and forth happily, his chest buzzing with his content hums that echo within my soul over and over again.

“Really? You wanted to be my friend that much?” I can’t help but ask as I turn insecure all of a sudden, because what can I possibly bring him that he brings me? Nothing, that’s what.

He nods softly, his chin resting on my shoulder as my cheek remains squished into his neck where it’s all snug and comfortable, his wings gentle as they slightly touch my sides, Jimin is the softest cuddle bear I have ever met.

“Without a doubt. I really like spending time with you, Y/N, I like getting to learn more about you, you’re easy to be with and you make me feel like I belong. You mean a lot to me already, I would never lie about that” he assures me and I melt in his arms, so relieved to know that I’m not the only one feeling like that.

I never knew tonight could take such a turn, but I’m loving every seconds of it as we stay like that, arms around each other in a tight hug, just enjoying each other’s presence and warmth in the silent house, something that feels right, comforting and soothing.

Soothing, because it fills my heart with a feeling that I hadn’t been allowed to feel in such a long time.

Love.

Jimin’s POV

Beaming.

I am a proud eagle, wings uncontrollably fluttering as they hover around Y/N as I hold her in my arms, as I feel her relax, the tension bleeding out of her muscles as she cuddles into my arms, maybe even without realizing it, in search of more contact.

My heart is a stuttering mess, but in a good way, her scent of flowers that keeps gaining in strength making me obsess over it, instincts zooming in on that particular change and letting it make its imprint in my soul.

I wonder what flower it is? Maybe I should go to a flower shop one day to find out, maybe it could be my nickname for her, it would be sweet, she wouldn’t understand where it comes from but to me, it would be every bit perfect.

I smile at that thought and close my eyes, face resting near her neck, the way I’m holding her so close to my heart, the way she reciprocates, it fills me with a satisfaction that goes beyond what I’ve ever felt until now, something that is stronger than the love Jin made me discover when he took me in, stronger than anything I’ve been allowed to feel ever since I was born.

It’s like every part of my soul now longs completely for the fragile human in my arms, like it just attached itself to her. She’s now my anchor, my everything and it’s both overwhelming and beautiful, my fingers tingling as they feel her under every pads of nerves, tingles that go straight to the center, to the core of my heart, the most emotional, loving organ of my body.

I breathe in more of her scent, the light flowers filling in my lungs and I exhale, content and full of love.

I don’t know how long we remain like that, snuggled into each others, my wings a semi cocoon around us, but when I come back to my senses, the outside is much darker, the moon high up in the sky and the sound of a toilet flushing makes me raise my head from where it was nestled on her head to see Jin stepping out of the bathroom and heading to the kitchen for his midnight cup of water.

He sees my head peeking out from above the back of the couch and is about to say something when I shake my head, a move that confuses him until he comes closer to find her asleep in my arms.

His eyes widen in surprise and he pauses, orbs coming back to mine and unsure of what to say, that wasn’t part of what he had imagined when he’d said she could stay overnight.

“I thought she was in your bed?” he lets out softly and I purse my lips at that, because she should’ve been, I should’ve brought her there when I felt her body soften at some point, mind finally falling asleep to get a break from such a day, but I couldn’t, I was entranced by the feeling she brought upon me, enchanted by her warmth, I couldn’t possibly let go.

“What time is it?” I ask him instead of answering his question, a little confused myself because I have no idea how much time has passed since we started cuddling, I don’t even remember us moving to this particular position, her body now slightly laying on top of mine to rest properly against my chest, snug between my arms and wings.

“It’s a little after one in the morning Jiminie, have you been here like this all night?” he asks and at the look on my face, he must have his answer because he’s sighing softly.

“Bring her to bed first, let’s have a small talk once you’re back” he requests with a slightly stern voice before coming over to help me up with her body now cradled carefully in my hold, one arm under her knees while the other wraps under her back, her head resting on my shoulder.

Nervous about what he’s going to say because I don’t think he believes what just happened to be bad, Jin always wished for me to meet someone who would love me as much as I would love them one day, I do as told and gently bring her to my room where I lower her on my bed and under a few blankets to wrap her up in my scent.

It’s something that makes my wings stretch wide in delight and I find myself just wanting to get in and snuggle back to her before hiding her in my feathers but I resist the urge and fold them neatly behind me before making my way back to the living room after closing the door silently to join Jin on the couch, the lamp by the TV turned on to offer some light to his tired eyes.

At seeing me hesitate to get closer, he pats the seat next to him and smiles just like he usually does, warm and inviting, so I force my feet to get moving and let myself sit besides him, his arm instantly going to settle around my shoulders to pull me closer to him when he senses my nervousness.

I rest my head on his shoulder and his own rest on mine, after which he breathes in slowly before humming.

“How did you find her earlier, Jiminie? She didn’t answer your messages and calls, did she? She told me that you just suddenly came knocking on her lab’s door out of nowhere” he asks right away and although I find the answer nonsensical myself, I know I can tell him everything without any shame.

“I don’t know, hyung. I just followed my instincts, it was like they knew where she was, like they were promising to bring me to her if I would only follow them. I drove around and then, there was her car. I wasn’t sure what to believe, if I was just turning crazy, but then I walk in the building and there she is, right on the other side of that door? I don’t know how this happened hyung, I really don’t know” I explain in a confused tone, because even now, it still doesn’t make sense to me.

His hand squeezes my shoulder further away from him and I know he’s hesitating to ask his next question. “Does she smell like… flowers to you?”.

At that, I can’t help but move my head from his shoulder to stare at him, taken aback, that in itself answers his question easily.

“How did you know? It started off light yesterday but… it’s been getting stronger today, it’s definitely flowers” I admit, soul now suddenly growing nervous. “Why? Is that bad?” I ask him but he’s quick to shake his head, a hand rubbing up and down my arm.

“No, my Jiminie, it’s not a bad thing at all, not at all” he whispers, his voice so soft, it makes me unsure of how to react, why does he look… so relieved?

“Then what is it? Why do I feel like that, hyung? It’s like… like I need her to live now, like losing her would break me” I mumble, wanting to understand that change, why I need her so much all of a sudden, because it’s not just falling in love, it feels stronger than that, it’s… a feeling that crawls up from so deep within my soul and claims her in her entirety.

Jin hums deeply before swiping his tongue over his lips, and then he’s sitting up straight and turning on his seat to face me properly, hands going to grab both of mine in his hold, gentle and reassuring.

“I’m thinking you never had the talk about hybrid instincts, Jimin, not on that matter so I will be the one informing you” he starts and as I get how important this conversation is, I mimic his position, ready to listen to everything he might say properly.

It had never crossed my mind that there could be something I’m not aware of but I’m not surprised that Jin knows. With his work in a rehabilitation center for hybrids, he’s seen and heard many things concerning us.

“When a hybrid falls in love, there are many changes that take place, but some of them need specific conditions to happen. So far, I’ve noticed how you always talk and gravitate around her, how your eyes light up when her name is mentioned, how you’re excited to see her so I kind of expected something like this to happen soon” he informs me before smiling at my embarrassed expression.

“You feel at home with her, don’t you?” he asks, to which I nod without hesitation. “And she told you that she feels the same?”.

I hum hesitantly at that, it feels too private to share, but I know that Jin is not asking those questions to pry. “Not directly… but she did say something along the line, yes” I answer, wondering where he’s trying to go with that.

I get that my feelings for her are growing stronger, it might already be love, honestly I wouldn’t be surprised even if it does take me slightly aback that it happened so fast, but what more could there be to this? Aren’t I just a hopeless romantic for her?

He nods to himself, as if everything makes sense now and pats my hands with a small grin when his eyes meet mine again.

“Jimin, you have emotionally bonded with her. Your instincts have now started seeing her as a mate”.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 6 (5.9k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

Jimin’s POV

Once dressed in a slightly fancier outfit than I usually wear, my need to impress having me groom my feathers for a bit longer than I normally do, much to Jin’s amusement, I join him in the kitchen where he’s currently working on food, a small course that will have her drooling as soon as she puts a foot inside the house.

The smell is already invading my senses, the sight of it making my fingers itchy to grab a bite, mouth salivating for ten persons, he’s really outdone himself this time, I’d almost believe that he too wants to impress her.

Jin turns to me when he notices my hovering form behind him and smiles when he sees my eyes fixated on the food, a gentle hum leaving him before he pushes me back to get more distance between us.

A forbidden love, my poor heart, I promise I will get to you soon…

“Not before she gets here, Jiminie. She shouldbe here soon right?” he asks and I nod, a look at my phone to see that it’s almost time. She said she’d be here on time and she looks pretty trustworthy on that, not like Taehyung who always arrives an hour late.

“I’ll go wait for her outside so she can be sure that she’s at the right address, she does look like she’d worry about knocking on the wrong door even if her name was written on it” I chirp before running out of the house to sit on the stairs where I can have a view of the whole street, wings fluttering impatiently behind me.

I’ve been so excited thinking about this evening all day that I feel like I’ll burst if she takes any longer, and yet, I see the minutes pass by and Y/N is still nowhere in sight, the cars driving by never hers.

I look at my phone to see that she’s fifteen minutes late and knowing how early she gets to class… worry starts filling my soul and I open my wings to fold them neatly, an uneasy feeling taking over.

It’s not like when we fought, when I noticed her not coming by the first time, then the second, and the third, no, this time… it’s really a bad feeling that makes my nerves shake, feet hitting the concrete quickly, I dearly hope for my instincts to be simply overreacting.

I decide to message her after one more minute of silence, thinking that she can reply whenever she can, maybe she just had something to do before coming by and it took longer than she expected, or maybe there’s traffic? I don’t know how far from here she lives after all, it’s possible, right?

Me:
Hey Y/N, is everything okay?
I don’t mean to make you hurry or anything, I was just worried since you haven’t shown up yet
Please answer when you can, I just want to make sure you’re fine

To my surprise, the message is seen right away but when I wait a few minutes for her to send something, it becomes obvious that she’s not going to reply when the screen remains blank. I bite on my tongue and decide to send her something else, my guts telling me that something isn’t quite right.

Me:
Y/N, if you need anything, you know you can tell me right?
It’s okay if tonight can’t happen, just at least let me know that you’re safe
Please

This time, nothing happens, nothing that shows she saw my messages and I flap my wings behind me, not liking this.

Is she just on the road and can’t reply because she’s driving? Then she would definitely call me a worrywart when she gets here and we could laugh it off, that would be the best option.

The front door opens and Jin steps outside, his eyes scanning the street before falling on me in concern when he sees the expression on my face. “Is she not here yet? Are you okay?” he asks and I shake my head, unable to hide my fear as I look up at him.

“No hyung… it’s not like her, I know I haven’t known her for a long time but I just know that she wouldn’t do something like that. I’m worried about her, hyung” I mumble, wings restlessly twitching behind me as I start imagining so many scenarios happening to her.

Is she currently in an uncomfortable situation? Is she in danger? Is she hurt? Was there an accident?

“Alright, I can see the thoughts swirling and invading your mind, don’t do that, Jiminie. Did you try calling her?” he asks, his voice calm as he comes to sit besides me and I shake my head before going to my contacts to call her. I feel dumb for not trying that sooner.

I bring my phone to my ear as the ringing starts and I impatiently wait for her to pick up the phone to let me know that she’s okay, that she’s on the way, that I’m just being a nervous over-thinker, but when no one answers, her voicemail taking over, I bite on my bottom lip and wait for the beep before leaving her a message.

“Hey, Y/N, it’s Jimin… I don’t mean to be too much, I’m just worried about you, you’re not replying to my messages and I mean that’s totally fine, really, I just… please let me know you’re okay when you can, at least let me know if you can’t make it tonight, we won’t be mad, I’m just concerned about you… alright, bye”.

I end the call and look down at the screen with a sigh, heart anxiously beating in my chest, it keeps squeezing in discomfort, a strong feeling in my soul that something is wrong that won’t go away, it’s growing stronger by the second and I don’t know how to take it.

“Okay, why don’t we go back inside while we wait? There’s nothing else we can do for now” Jin offers gently but I shake my head, eyes looking up to observe the street again, as if she could appear anytime now.

I wish so strongly that I’m misreading my instincts, but they won’t stop screaming at me that she’s not okay, not okay, not okay, she needs me.

“Can I take the car, hyung? I’m just going to drive around, look around… I can’t stay seated while doing nothing” I mumble and he gazes at me in silence for a moment before nodding with a small smile.

“You do that then, I’ll let you know if she makes it over during your absence. Just don’t go driving around the whole district to try and find her, I’m sure she’ll be here soon” he says and I nod, hands pushing me up to my feet before following him inside to grab my shoes and the car keys.

“I’ll be back in a while, I’m sorry Jin hyung” I tell him, feeling bad that the evening is taking such a turn but he shakes his head and hugs me tight instead of replying, his calm presence helping me slow down and breathe properly, the nerves not allowing me to have a clear mind right now.

“It’s okay, Jimin-ah, don’t worry. You be safe on the road, don’t go too far, okay?” he murmurs and I hum, my arms hugging him back before I’m stepping out of his hold to go back outside.

I get in the car, eyes falling on my phone again and hoping to have a response to my messages, an incoming call, anything, but there’s nothing, just a blank screen.

I start up the car and get on the road, no real goal in mind but to just drive through every main streets nearby to find… fuck, what am I even looking for? Her standing somewhere with a broken car next to her?

I decide to just follow my guts and go wherever my instincts tell me to go, turns where I wouldn’t think but with every kilometers crossed, my heart beats faster, the conviction that she’s nearby weird but also reassuring because I feel like I’m on the right path to finding her.

I hope it’s not me being delusional… now that would make me feel ridiculous.

I suddenly look left when I feel a strong pull just in time to see a car very similar to Y/N’s in a parking lot and I instantly turn around before pulling into the space beside her vehicle, eyes wide because how the heck did I do that?

How did I find her when I had not a single clue where she was? What if it’s just a very similar car and I’m here breaking a rule because I think it’s her?

My nerves are all over the place as I step out of my car but as I make my way to the other one, when I notice the exact same little things I’d noticed the last time she took me in, the penguin plush floating under her rear-view mirror, the purple phone holder that sticks on the glass, there’s no way it can be someone else.

She’s here.

I turn my attention to the building, unsure of what’s inside, if I’m even allowed in, but unable to resist the pull, I’ve made it this far against all odds, I’m not about to just leave her behind, I walk to the side door and open it, no lock getting in the way. This is… fine, right?

I enter a dark corridor, my hybrid eyesight quickly adjusting even though there’s nothing particularly special to see and manage to make it to another door where I can see some light coming in from under.

She has to be in here, I’m sure of it, it’s like my whole soul is screaming her name and begging me to reach her side. Breathing in slowly and deeply, I knock on the door to avoid startling her too much.

“Y/N? Are you here? It’s Jimin… I’m really sorry for showing up without any warning, I don’t even know how I made it here to be honest but… can I come in? Please?” I let out softly, now getting very insecure about the fact that I somehow found her without her ever telling me about this place.

Would she think me a freak? A stalker? Oh gosh…

“Jimin..?” I hear her voice say, it’s so quiet that I barely hear it but it is indeed Y/N’s voice, it’s her.

“I’m coming in, okay?” I warn her before opening the door to get inside what appears to be a medium sized room, it looks like a lab, a few old scents letting me know that this must be where she makes her perfumes, she was still at work?

A sniffle catches my attention, the sound alerting me as I look around the empty room with a growing panic and I follow it like a bird on a hunt, careful as I walk towards a counter in a far corner where I find her sitting on the floor, her knees to her chest and eyes red, orbs that avoid me as she bends her head down pitifully, the sight has my heart squeezing in pain.

I stop where I am, take a moment to try and understand what could’ve happened to put her into that state, eyes looking around me to see if maybe something broke, if a test failed, anything, but the whole work space is clean and devoid of any tools, except for her phone besides her.

“What happened, Y/N? Why are you… did something happen?” I ask, brain unable to process as I step closer to sit in front of her, needing to see her from closer, I just need her to look at me, I need her eyes on me.

I observe anxiously as she shifts to move her hands out of sight and I frown, something clearly isn’t right but I don’t want to push her, make her afraid, she’s already shaking enough as it is, but I can feel my limits getting nearer, why do I feel like I need to protect her from danger?

“I…” her voice breaks as she tries to remain in control of her emotions but I can see her eyes fill with tears and my soul begs for me to get to her, to take her in my arms, a pull I fight against, let her speak, give her space, she’s not used to physical contacts.

“I thought it would stop, that it would remain behind me but… that was just a hopeless dream, it’s always going to happen, no matter how much I try to stay away from trouble” she lets out with a trembling voice and I swallow thickly as I try to make sense of her words.

Her tears start flowing down her cheeks and she sniffles again before using her sleeve to wipe them away, it allows her hands just enough into the light for me to see her palms stained with blood, a sight that has my wings flapping behind me urgently.

She’s hurt? She’s been sitting her all alone for I don’t know how long with bleeding hands and she has remained uncared for?

This is unacceptable, it has my instincts crashing into me like an overwhelming wave and I scoot closer to get her wrists and have a better look, which she doesn’t resist, already knowing that it’s futile to hide it anymore.

She looks like she washed her hands, but the skin is far from being properly clean, dried blood still covering the surface, indents of small rocks spread about and looking painful, it has me breathing in harshly, eyes looking up to hers in a need for answers.

“What happened to you, Y/N? I can’t help you if you keep quiet, why are you hurt?” I ask again, as softly as I can because I can see that my golden eyes are spooking her with how on edge I feel right now, my soul hurting rivers for her.

“Bullies is what happened, Jimin. It’s always bullies” she whispers, hands pulling out of my hold and back against her stomach where she can cradle them safely, eyes looking away from me, as if her words would suddenly make her look insignificant in my eyes.

My guts twist with anger at the admission and I stand up to search for a first aid kit while I try to digest what I just heard, wings beating loudly behind me, unable to fold them as a rage like I’ve rarely felt in my life floods through my veins, I barely register as a paper gets pulled into the wind and in the air before falling down a few feet away.

She was bullied? Is that how she hurt her hands then? Who are the bastards who did that to her? Where are they now? How dare they hurt such a sweet girl like her when she’s just trying to live her life to the best of her abilities?

Anger flows steadily within me but I force myself to calm down, as hard as it is, wings folding behind me tightly, muscles contracted to make sure they don’t go flapping wildly through the air again as I resume my search, unaware of Y/N’s eyes following my every moves from her corner.

“What are you doing, Jimin?” she asks after watching me go through a few unsuccessful attempts and I breathe in deeply to get my voice soft and calm, because the last thing I want is to add to what she already went through.

I saw last time how she reacts to strong voices and I’m not having her scared of me again.

“Your first aid kit” I answer simply, wondering just where the heck it could be as I try another cupboard. Please don’t tell me that she doesn’t have any because that’s going to have me freaking out even more.

“Oh… it’s in the cabinet in the corner, above the sink” she eventually mumbles and I nod, feet taking me there where I indeed find it, the white box with the red cross waiting patiently and once in my hold, I make it back to her on the floor where I settle it next to me before opening the lid to search through the content.

“Who were they?” I can’t resist asking as I grab a cleaning wipe and the hydrogen peroxide to prevent infections, her palms upwards as she waits for the inevitable with wary eyes, the burn not one she looks forward to.

“A group who used my parking lot without authorization. I just wanted to take a picture of their registration plates to hand over, they would’ve gotten a warning, nothing more, I just didn’t want to deal with them myself but… they found me in the middle of taking a picture and… yeah” she answers quietly while I proceed with the cleaning, her eyes avoiding me as if she’s ashamed for having tried to do the right thing.

“Did they… did they attack you?” I ask, already knowing the answer if her hands are anything to go by, the words leaving my mouth make me want to take them back just as fast, heart burning at the simple thought that someone could do that to her and when she nods slowly, it confirms my worst scenario.

I gather what I need to wrap her hands in clean bandages so that the healing cream can stay, the sight of her now safe skin easing some of my concerns but not quite all of my messy feelings.

“Where are they now?” I continue with the questions, eyes gazing over her hands still in my hold, the sight gives life to a weird burning in my stomach, I hate knowing that she’s in pain.

“They left after threatening me. I just want my damn parking lot to remain clean and safe for my visitors, I don’t get why it’s so hard for others to understand that. There was a human with them, she didn’t do anything, simply stood there and watched with a smirk on her face while her three hybrid friends pushed me around… it sucked” she explains in more details as she starts calming down slightly, opening up once helping her to do it more.

I start looking over the rest of her body to make sure she’s not hurt anywhere else, teeth biting on my tongue as I take in what she just said.

She was attacked because she refused access to a space that belongs to her? Just why are people so entitled to get what they want without a care in the world?

Did they threaten her by saying that they would hurt her again if she tries to get her rules respected then? I wouldn’t be surprised, that’s how they usually do things, when they’re experimented enough.

Denounce me and I’ll make your life a living hell. Easy words to scare someone who’s already afraid. Y/N obviously already had enough of it, it must be scary, not knowing what to do and being all alone to deal with it.

Can I help her? Can I do something without it turning against her? Or is there nothing we can do? Maybe Yoongi and Jin would have a solution to that problem… but would she agree to let them know?

“I’m sorry for not answering your call and messages… I always isolate myself when this happens, I didn’t mean to ignore you on purpose” she apologizes all of a sudden, eyes finally looking up to meet mine, her orbs glistening, filled with regret, guilt, as if I could ever get mad at her, not again.

I can’t resist lifting a hand to cup her cheek, heart melting when she leans into the touch like a starved kitten, her skin cold to the touch, it lets me know just how scared she was, just how long she’s been sitting here without moving a muscle.

Taking her reaction as a good sign, I scoot over to her side and slowly pull her into a hug, wings just wanting to wrap around her but I resist the urge, again not wanting to overdo it, and although she takes some time to react, once her arms are around me, she’s not letting go anymore.

“I understand, you don’t need to apologize for anything, Y/N, it’s okay” I tell her and she nods her head under my chin, thankful before allowing silence to wrap around us.

Hearing her breathing from so close, the warm puffs of air that hit my skin, I can’t help it when my heartbeat picks up the pace, gentle tingles filling my insides, butterflies flapping their wings, I’m really long gone, aren’t I?

We stay like that for a while until she pulls back to look up at me, the loss of warmth making me want to whine before pulling her back in my hold, which I don’t do, obviously, I’m a proud bird, not a baby chick, I can take it, I’m a patient man.

Why does it sound like I’m trying to convince myself?

“How did you find this place, Jimin? Not many know that this is where I work, I know for a fact that I didn’t tell you” she asks and I gulp, unsure of how to reply to that one but I know I need to tell her the truth because remaining quiet would only give her the wrong idea about me, which I don’t want.

“I’m not sure, Y/N… I just had that deep feeling that something was wrong, that something happened to you and when I took the car to drive around, my instincts led me here. It was like I knew that they were leading me to you and when I saw your car, I couldn’t believe it. Does it… bother you that I’m here?” I ask hesitantly, not wanting her to be grossed out by me.

She quickly shakes her head, a small smile making it to her lips and easing my heart. “I’m glad you’re here… it’s… nice to have someone worry about me” she answers sheepishly, almost shy by her words but they make me so relieved that I just have to pull her into my hold again for another hug, one she accepts easily this time.

“Of course I worry about you. You have me now, okay? When something happens to you, please don’t stay alone and let me know, I don’t care where I am and what I’m doing, I’ll be going to you right away no matter what” I let her know and she chuckles, the sound warming my heart and helping to calm my nerves from the whole situation.

“Thank you Jimin, truly, I mean it. For everything” she murmurs and I hug her slightly tighter, nose buried into her neck where her warmth and scent pull me in.

She’s starting to smell like flowers, that’s something I noticed yesterday, I don’t know where it’s coming from, but I really like it, I could breathe her scent in forever and I would never get tired of it.

I feel oddly possessive over it, yet it feels right.

A loud grumbling breaks the moment and we both freeze, cheeks heating up when we realize just how hungry we both are, that timing was pretty… synchronized.

I lean back slightly to gaze down at her with an amused grin. “Hungry?” I ask the obvious, loving the pink on her face, a lovely sight that pleases my soul and she nods bashfully, a bandaged hand going to rub her stomach to try and keep it from crying out again.

“Are you still up for coming to eat with us? Jin made something delicious, you would love it” I ask, hoping she would agree because I don’t want to leave her alone when she’s just starting to show signs of feeling better, if I could, I would keep her by my side all the time from now on.

She purses her lips and looks down at my outfit, then at hers, her eyes speaking thousand of words in a single second.

Obviously, she was at work, alone, in a lab. She didn’t wear special clothes, instead opting for comfy grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt, I honestly would’ve chosen the same pieces for such a day.

She sighs, looking like she’s regretting a choice she made, which really, isn’t her fault considering all that happened.

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes, I almost decided to bring the outfit with me this morning but I thought I would finish early enough to go back home before it’s time to head to yours so I voted against it… I should’ve brought it anyway, I look like shit” she mumbles, disappointed with herself but I shake my head and hold her shoulders to make her look up at me.

“You don’t look like shit, you’re very pretty, Y/N, no matter what it is that you’re wearing so don’t go saying such nonsense again. I want you to be at ease so let’s go to my place together and I’ll get changed into something similar, okay? There’s no pressure with Jin and I, none at all” I assure her and she relaxes slightly before nodding her blushing face, her voice a small whisper as she thanks me.

I help her up with me as I stand from the floor, her phone grabbed between her fingers before she let’s me hold her elbows and when that done, steady feet holding our weight once more, her stomach grumbles loudly again, one that mine follows close behind and we both laugh at the ridiculous noises we’re making.

Clearly staying here any longer is not a good idea, we’re going to starve.

“Do you have everything you need before we go? We should take my car and leave yours here, I can drive you back home later tonight and when you need to get to work tomorrow, I can pick you up and bring you back here” I offer her, watch as hesitation takes place on her face.

“Jimin, I can’t ask that of you, I’ll be fine with driving, I’ll just go slow” she says while looking at her hands but I shake my head with a frown. So many people say those very words only to end up in an accident, I’m not having that happen to her.

“I would really prefer if you allow me that luxury, Y/N. I won’t be able to stop worrying otherwise, your hands should have a night to heal before you use them for driving again” I insist and she reluctantly nods her head with a soft sigh.

“Okay… thank you then, I’ll just grab my bag and we can go” she mutters before walking towards a section of the wall decorated with a few hooks where I can see a few coats as well as said bag hanging, waiting for when she will need them again.

I follow behind her once she makes a sign for me to join her and together we exit the room, a door that she locks before leading the way back outside.

Once out of the building, I can sense her restlessness as she gazes around, unable to not expect the same to happen again, eyes falling on a bag not too far and when I look intently, I notice broken bottles inside, were those perfumes?

“I wanted to give you samples of the perfume I was working on, I finally reached the smell I was going for and I was really excited about sharing it with you but the bag fell and they broke so…” she explains before shrugging slightly, nothing to be done about it right now.

She turns to me and offers me a small smile when she sees my frown.

“Don’t worry, it’s okay, it’s easy to remake with a complete recipe, it won’t take too long. I’ll make another batch for the next class on Thursday and you can give one to Jin then. I wanted to give it today to thank you for the invitation but I guess it’ll have to be a little late after all” she continues with a hum, eyes going back to her hardwork, one that got destroyed in a matter of seconds.

Seeing the way she doesn’t seem so hung up on the fact that they broke, I decide to not bring that part much attention, her brighter mood one I want to keep improving instead of the opposite and so, as we resume our walk to my car, I bring up the positive part that she let slip.

“That’s the perfume the drawings of bottles were for, right? So you finally did it?” I ask her and she grins with a nod of the head.

“It is the one, yes! I ended up with three different designs, I wanted your opinion on them but that’s going to have to wait. The perfume itself was incredibly hard to make, it took a lot of failures before I could make it, I honestly almost gave up along the way but I’m so glad I didn’t, the smell is just as I had imagined if not better, I’m really happy about it” she chirps, her mood growing brighter and brighter as she talks about it.

I smile at the clear joy on her face, it’s so obvious to see how much she loves her job, how much she loves giving life to smells, it’s impressive really, I have no idea how anyone could come up with precise scents like she does but it’s amazing.

The perfume I own that was made by her is my favorite, even more so now that I know she’s behind it, it’s fascinating.

She takes a small break from speaking to sit in the car once I unlock the doors, seatbelt locked over her before she turns her attention back to me, eager to share the process that will now follow, it’s making me curious as I take us out of the parking lot and on the way to my home.

“With that step done, we’ll have to start working on the marketing so I have a meeting with someone I know who helps me a great deal with that, he’s my sponsor but honestly, he does a lot more than that, he takes care of all the complicated matters and allows me to reach out to half of the world, he’s amazing. You’ve probably heard his name at least once on the news, Kim Namjoon, he finances a lot of start up companies.

His company building is a few hours away from here and this Friday is the only time we can meet before he leaves oversea so I’m going to have to leave in the middle of the night, but it should be fun, the sight is great, maybe I’ll get to see the sunrise from the beach” she muses, voice full of praises and completely oblivious to the fact that she’s saying the name of a young CEO who has been making the news lately as if it’s no big deal, something that lets me see just how precious her work is.

“Are you worried about the meeting? It must be nerve-wrecking to be with someone so… well… impressive” I ask her, wondering what’s her view on seeing such an important person but she shakes her head with a smile.

“Not really, I know him well and he knows me well too. We met a few years ago from a class we had together in university, before he made it to where he is now so honestly, he doesn’t scare me at all, he already went through all my awkward phases from when we had projects together. We’re not really friends but I feel like if we tried, it could happen, he’s just too busy” she explains softly, eyes gazing at me before she’s turning her gaze to the outside world, mind getting lost in thoughts.

I hum at her words, unable to not feel a sting of jealousy as she clearly holds a lot of respect for him, much more than I’ve ever seen from her until now.

It’s intimidating and I’m not sure if I should feel anxious or not because I’m not even close to his level, I’m… a nobody, but knowing that even though we haven’t been friends for that long, I can invite her over for dinner and spend time like this with her, it lets me know that I’m already close enough to her, I can make time easily for her and I should focus on that part, on what we can build together.

Thinking about what she can build with someone else would only take away from me what I already have and I don’t want that. Being jealous is not something fun and I want nothing with that. What they have is different from what I have with her after all.

He’s her sponsor, he helps her with her work while I’m her friend, I’m part of her every day life. Leave it at that, don’t over-think about it anymore, it wouldn’t serve any purpose.

“Look at the time… I’m going to have to apologize to Jin for being so late… you even went out of your way to find me, he must be impatient after working hard to make the food” she mumbles suddenly and I briefly gaze at her to see the worry on her face, fingers poking at her bottom lip while biting it in nerves.

I look at her other hand on her thigh, my fingers twitching to reach out and intertwine with hers to reassure her but I restrain myself with a silent sigh. Why is this so hard?

“He won’t be mad, don’t worry, Jin knows that I left and he’s going to be very happy to see you. He might take a look at your hands though once he sees how I bandaged them, he’ll be fretting a little but he’s harmless, I promise. He’ll do his best to put you at ease” I tell her, watch as she nods, still unsure, but once she gets a taste of his personality, she’ll understand that she really had nothing to worry about to begin with.

“And we’re here” I muse as I turn into the house’s driveway, eyes taking notice of Jin already stepping out of the house, his curiosity getting the best of him at hearing the familiar sound of the motor and when he sees Y/N in the passenger seat, a bright smile appears on his face.

I turn to her and see how she shyly waves at him.

“See? Totally harmless, he’s a softie” I tell her, to which she giggles softly with a nod of the head before adding with the most beautiful eye smile sent my way “Just like you are”.

My heart skips a beat at her words, cheeks heating up before I fumble with my seatbelt to step out of the car, not noticing how she keeps gazing at me with endeared eyes as she does the same, door closed behind her before meeting me at the front of the car, my wings fluttering happily at her presence besides me once more.

If only she knew what she’s doing to my heart, she already has a piece of it and she doesn’t even know.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 5 (4.8k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

“It did not look like an elephant” I tell him with a scoff as we exit the class.

I apparently failed the competition because my rendering of a cocky eagle wasn’t good enough, but I have to say, his giggling elephant was even worse.

“Your wings were too small, they didn’t even look like mine” the hybrid counters while we make our way downstairs to head outside.

I roll my eyes. “That’s not enough of a reason to have me losing. Your elephant’s trunk looked like… I’m not even gonna say it. Yoongi had to gather every single wits he had to not burst into laughter” I retort again, which causes the eagle to snap his head my way in horror, his wings flapping behind him in an offended manner.

“He did not-” “She’s right. It was terrible, Jiminie”.

We both turn around to see the cat hybrid gazing at us with an amused smile and Jimin starts whining at his comment, which has me grinning as we make our way outside together.

Since my talk with Yoongi, I feel less uncomfortable with him. Not as comfortable as I am with Jimin, but I no longer see him like a threat and that is good enough for me.

Of course, I can’t forget that day so easily, a day that has my heart pumping blood in a frenzy, a day that makes me wake up crying in the middle of the night, a nightmare that is also a memory, but Yoongi has changed so much that it’s starting to feel like they’re two different people and that’s something I’m thankful about.

If I want to keep Jimin in my life, I need to accept that Yoongi will also be a part of it, maybe not in my immediate environment, but nearby and I don’t want to fight again with the eagle hybrid. It made me miserable and apparently, Jimin felt the same.

“Well, I’ll see you two in a few days on the next class, be safe until then and drive home safely” Yoongi suddenly says, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts and I look behind me to see him heading to his car further away from where I parked.

I share a look with Jimin, wondering where he is parked but he smiles at me and points at his car, which so happens to be right next to mine, it has me smiling back happily, glad that we don’t have to part just yet and so, we keep walking towards our vehicles with an almost nonexistent distance between us, which for some reason, doesn’t make me feel awkward, it’s nice.

The fact that I’m growing used to Jimin’s presence so fast is almost scary, the way he’s walking through my walls as if they don’t exist, and yet it makes me wish he would do it more, because feeling so comfortable with someone, I have but a handful of people who allow me that.

Two in particular. One is my sponsor, and although I like calling him an old friend, he’s not, not really.

Acquaintance would be a better word, we’ve just met so often for my perfumes that… well, we could probably be friends if it wasn’t such a long road for me to see him and if he wasn’t always so busy, and the same goes for the other one.

Still, I can’t deny that Jimin does make me slightly nervous, although not in a bad way, it’s just… feeling his warmth makes me feel shy and my heart all tingly. I guess that’s just the effect he has on me.

We reach our cars and as I walk to my door to unlock it, Jimin remains nearby, body fidgeting on his two feet, ripples waving through his feathers and making him look nervous about something instead of going around his car to get in too.

I leave the key in the lock and turn towards him, wondering what’s wrong all of a sudden. “Everything okay?” I ask, watch as he looks up to meet my eyes with a nod before hesitating again.

“I was wondering… could we exchange phone numbers? I had no way to contact you during the last two weeks and I didn’t like that” he lets out, a question that takes me aback because no one has ever asked me that before, not with the motive of keeping in touch.

He did mention that we are friends now, so I guess that’s what friends do, right? They… share phone numbers? Does that means he’s going to call me and send me messages for fun? It sure would be nice.

I nod and get my phone out of my bag before unlocking the screen, then hand it to him.

“Here, you seem like you know how this works more than I do” I tell him, a chuckle leaving my lips when he beams at the sight of it before quickly snatching it from my fingers, as if afraid that I might change my mind.

“You can’t ignore me for too long when I send you a message okay? I can tolerate one day, two at most, but not weeks” he warns me as he gives it back and I hum, unable to not smile brightly when I look a the new contact created under his name, and is that a… bird? He added a bird to his name.

I quickly press on the message icon to make sure he has my number too only to realize that he’s already done that. I look up to see him dangling his phone from under my nose to show me the contact page under my name along with a tiny flower, it’s cute.

“How did you do that so fast?” I ask, not really surprised, I just don’t know how they manage to work these devices so easily, my nonexistent social life and busy work life both not including using a phone often, I’m a slow user.

“You speak like you’re a dinosaur when it comes to using technology” he laughs, his words meant as a joke but when I don’t react, he loses his smile. “Are you?”.

I shrug a little with a nod of the head. “I am, I never really use it so it feels weird when I do, please be patient when waiting for me to reply”.

He sighs, lips slightly pouty. “So I guess if it takes days for you to reply, I should just assume that you’re still attempting to write a full sentence?” he asks, his voice exasperated, it makes me laugh, much to his disgruntlement.

“Maybe? Who knows” I muse before turning back to my car to fully open the door, then grab the keys, ready to sit inside to get going, but not without turning to Jimin one last time with a smile.

“I’ll see you on Thursday, right?” I ask and he nods his head quickly, plump lips stretching into a happy smile.

“Of course! And I better not hear that work took over again or I’ll be annoying you with thousands of messages until you show up in class!” he claims, words that have me chuckling as he runs around his car to get inside, his threat given, mission complete.

I huff softly and sit in my driver’s seat, then close the door and turn on the engine, the rumbling filling the air just as Jimin’s car’s joins mine, although his is much quieter than the one surrounding me.

Maybe it’s time I start thinking about getting a better car? This one has done its time after all, it was already old when I bought it, but just the idea of spending so much money… I sigh, let’s try to make this one last for as long as possible, we’ll see then.

I suddenly hear a loud honk and when I look outside, it’s to see his passenger’s window sliding down, a hand motioning for me to lower mine so he can say something, and I do, eyes curious as I take in the hopeful look on his face.

“If I invite you to come over for dinner tomorrow, would you agree? My hyung would be there as well, he’s a really good cook”.

I tilt my head at his question and purse my lips.

The man who abandoned him with me, right?

He did seem like a nice guy, not scary, although I’m always awkward with new people, but if I can get used to Yoongi, surely I can get used to that man too.

“Does he know?” I ask, wanting to make sure I’m not going to get in the way of anything, but Jimin grins. “He won’t mind, he’ll be happy to hear that you’re coming, so is that a yes?” he attempts, eyes sparkling.

I chew on the inside of my cheek as I think it over, but undoubtedly come to the conclusion that it can’t hurt. It would be nice to get to know the man who adopted Jimin and took care of him, because isn’t it kind of thanks to him if I could meet Jimin and become friend with him?

“Sure, I’ll be there then, text me the time and address and I’ll be sure to get there on time” I tell him, hear the sound of his feathers rustling against his seat as he jumps a little, unable to resist clapping his hands in happiness.

“Great! I’ll tell him as soon as I get home so expect a message from me soon!” he chirps before waving me goodbye, window rising back up before he drives away, fancy car gone in the blink of an eye.

I do the same with a chuckle and head back home, eager to get to rest in bed after such an exhausting day, it was demanding, both physically and emotionally, and as much as I was hoping to sleep tonight now that everything is settled properly, I have the feeling that having dinner with Jimin and Jin tomorrow will be on my mind all night. 

Am I supposed to bring something? Wine? Or a cake maybe? I can’t possibly go there empty handed. And how should I dress? Oh my gosh, I don’t know, should I search on Google?

It’s with a nervous heart that I reach my home and as soon as I get inside and lock the door behind me, I run to my room before searching through my closet, clean clothes thrown all over my bed to try and make a pretty outfit out of one of them.

Once my best pieces out, I turn to my bed and start taking a better look at each of them to categorize them from passable to too professional.

Doing that makes me realize that I have very little clothes made for the enjoyment of looking pretty without needing to get something out of it.

If my clothes aren’t to secure investments and get deals from companies who could promote my perfumes, then they’re overly comfy and boring looking, made to relax at home before I head back to work the next day.

It’s kind of sad.

Still, after making a few attempts, I end up with one possible outfit, the top slightly on the fancy side, matched with clean, simple pants, I think I can make this work. I’ve never been confronted to situations that are in a middle between every day life and work so it’s making me a little nervous.

I mean, it’s not like I’m having to impersonate someone I’m not, right? Jimin invited me not to look my best but to spend time with me, it’s a casual dinner at his place with his hyung, so this should be fine. Hopefully.

My phone suddenly dings and I look at it, heart skipping a beat when I see Jimin’s name. Did I ever get a text message that wasn’t simply spam or a confirmation that my restaurant takeout was on the way? I don’t think so.

After unlocking the screen, I look over the information he sent me, which surprises me, the unexpected address causing me to hum in interest.

“He’s closer than I thought” I murmur, one quick look at the map showing me that he’s just a couple of streets away, five minutes at most from my home. 

I could almost go to his place on foot, it’s giving me childhood vibes, when I could go to my friends anytime I wanted without having to worry about transport.

When my life was still normal and not a total mess.

It almost feels like a past life, none of those memories happened in this lifetime, did they?

I send him an easy okay and then put my phone back, eyes falling on the outfit again.

I guess that’ll have to do.

—

I stare at the sample of perfume in front of me.

I shake my head, wondering if it’s just my brain messing with me.

I grab my coffee beans for the fourth time and breathe in the smell once more to make sure that when I do smell the perfume again, I get the real deal. 

I tentatively bring the sample closer to my nose and there it is, the smell I’ve been dreaming of for so long.

“I did it…” I murmur to myself, disbelief, excitement, pride, it all mixes together within me, it makes tears rise in my eyes, that not giving up actually brought me to my goal, I finally got the right recipe for it.

I sniffle to try and keep the tears from spilling but can’t resist letting out an ugly sob at the joy I’m feeling, to finally have managed the smell I’ve been working so hard to achieve.

This is exactly what I imagine when I think of my grandma and I can’t believe I finally did it, after so long! 

I make my way to the three possible bottles for it that I have designed, then proceed to pour some of the sample perfume inside to get a bit of an amount for each of them.

They won’t be filled to the brim, but they have enough for a few shots, which is more than what those tiny little samples can give you.

I’m going to give these to Jimin and his hyung so they can tell me what they think, maybe try some on their wrists so I can have an idea of how they turn, I would love to write it down.

If they like it, well… they can keep it, although I don’t know if they’d want to wear it for their every day life activities.

I take one of the three and spray some on my wrist that I then rub against my neck to see how it reacts to my skin.

I give it some time and get surprised when the fruity side gains in strength, but not enough that it takes over the water and woody tones. I quite like it actually, it’s really nice, soft and calming.

I grab my notes and add my thoughts on it, wondering how it might change on other people. How would it be if the water or woody tones were to take over instead of the fruity one? I really want to find out.

With that finally done, we’ll be able to get started on the marketing part of it so I need to hand it over to be made into an actual product with a package and the whole deal, that’s the part that excites me the most after coming up with the perfume itself.

Letting lose to my creativity to make the box and description interesting, it’s really fun and the usual designer who helps me, a young man of my age - Jungkook, is amazing to work with, he has incredible ideas, and one of the few who I can be comfortable with since we’ve worked together a few times, although it’s strictly professional with him.

I’ll have to go to Namjoon and present the product to him in person, he’s been patient enough to wait and he deserves to hear about it as soon as possible.

I grab my phone and contact his number, hoping he won’t be in the middle of a meeting because I don’t think I can remain patient enough to wait with all of my excitement flooding within me.

His secretary answers the phone and after telling him who I am along with the purpose of the call, he directs me to the CEO without too much problems, to my biggest relief.

Nervous and excited all at once, my heart beating way too fast for me to be comfortable, a deep voice eventually lets me know that he’s now on the other side of the line.

‘Hey, Y/N, how are you? I heard you have good news for me’ he asks right away and I grin, posture straightening in pride.

“Namjoon, it’s nice to talk to you again so soon, I’m actually really excited right now, I’m calling you because… I did it, the perfume is finally ready, it’s… exactly as I imagined it, the very same” I tell him, unable to keep my voice from going a pitch higher.

‘Oh my gosh, you did?! Y/N, that is wonderful news! See, I told you you could do it, there’s nothing you can’t do when it comes to perfumes! You just needed a little push!’ he gushes happily, his excitement fitting mine, he was the one who pushed me to keep going after all.

Just last week, I’d called him one night saying that I wasn’t too sure if it would work, I wasn’t confident anymore, everything was getting too much and my self-esteem was rock bottom, but he made me promise to give it my all, and now that I’ve made it, I’m really glad he did.

‘I’m guessing now you want to know when we could meet so I can sample it, right?’ he asks and I hum, the both of us used to the process. “Yes, is there a time when you are free in the coming days? I know you’re busy so I’ll adjust to your schedule”.

He hums lowly and the sound of papers being flipped reaches my ears, he must be looking through his agenda.

‘I would have… on Friday, early in the morning seems to be my only free time, I’m packed before then and next week, I have to fly to Japan so I won’t be available for another two weeks. Around… 7 in the morning, is that too early for you? The only other time I would have would be next month, which would be a lot of wasted time but I really can’t do it any other day.

At least if we meet on Friday, then you can get to work with Jungkook in my absence’ he informs me, apologetic because he knows the long road I need to do to make it to his company building but honestly, I’ll take anything he gives me, I’d drive at one in the morning if I had to, it’s not like I’ve never done it before.

His office is around four hours from here, he’s a few cities away but the path to get there follows along the sea so it’s quite nice, I’m not complaining. It’s nothing a good coffee, a box of fresh muffins and music can’t fix.

“It’s no problem at all, I’ll be sure to be there on time on Friday morning then, it really wouldn’t do to miss a whole month of progress, waking up early is nothing compared to being on standby doing nothing” I tell him with a smile and he chuckles in agreement.

‘Right, as long as you promise to be careful on the road, I don’t want to learn that you got into an accident on your way over here. You know what to do before then, right? We need a list of the ingredients, the story behind it, I’m thinking you want to follow the same style as with your other perfumes so I’ll have someone during out meeting to look it over with us to make sure it fits, is that alright with you?’.

“You don’t even need to ask at this point Namjoon, I trust you and your judgement” I let out and he hums in satisfaction.

‘Alright,I’ll meet you in a few days then, will that be all or did you have anything else to ask me?’.

“Nothing that can’t wait until our meeting”.

He lets out a soft noise. ‘Alright then. Have a good evening, Y/N, see you soon’.

“Yoo too, Namjoon, bye”.

We end the call and I immediately start jumping out of joy before staring at the three different bottles with a tilt of the head.

I guess I could bring all three and ask Jimin and Jin which one is their favorite before my meeting with Namjoon, it’s always good to have the opinion of possible users before making the final choice, he’d love to have that sort of information for when we go over everything.

I look at the time and figure that finishing so early is actually a good thing, it leaves me enough time to go home and relax a little before I need to get ready to head to Jimin’s place, it’s nice, I don’t like being in a hurry.

I put the perfumes in a protective bag then grab the rest of my belongings before making my way outside of my lab and to my car when I find three other vehicles I don’t recognize in my parking lot.

I stop and groan, hating that it’s always the same ones, I just want to grab a rock and scratch their cars so they can get the fuck away from here and never come back again, but then I fear them doing the same thing to mine and I can’t allow that to happen.

That and I’m not brave enough to do such a thing.

I grab my phone to take pictures of their registration plates to hand over to the police so they can issue an official warning for me since I am paying to be allowed to use the term - Private parking - legally, the only thing I can think of that won’t get me in problem.

What I don’t expect is the foot that hits me right in the middle of the back when I bend to have a good view of it, the impact making me fall against the trunk with a grunt.

I hiss at the pain that stretches along the length of my spine, a painful sting that I know I’ll be feeling for a few days and quickly look behind me to see a few hybrids scoffing at my pitiful form, a wolf, a lynx and a fox, the three of them dressed like punks, something that I don’t register as good, my experiences not helping in the least.

A human woman is standing behind them with a smirk on her face, arms crossed over her chest, like she doesn’t give a shit about what’s going to happen to me, it gives me a really bad feeling, this isn’t good.

“What do you think you’re doing, hm?” the wolf asks me with a threatening smile as he comes closer, relishing in the way my body starts trembling, a déjà-vue that I would avoid at all cost if I could.

I try to breathe in to keep calm, but I know I’m not missing much to have a full-blown panic attack when he crouches in front of me, a position I hate seeing when I’m on my back, it’s making me freak out, hands shaking as I try to keep hold of my phone when it starts slipping out of my fingers.

“T-this is m-my property, you can’t just p-park here” I manage to say in a disgusting stutter, my voice so quiet that the only ones to hear me are the hybrids, and when they start laughing, I know things aren’t going to end well for me.

I close my eyes only to see Yoongi’s face flash in my mind, his past self that amused himself over scaring me, over hurting me, I guess the past is never really far behind.

“tHiS iS mY pRoPeRtY” one of them mimics me with an annoying voice and I look down, hoping this could be over already. Just get it over with, you made your point, what’s left to do?

“She’s fucking pathetic bro, look at her shaking like a leaf, it makes me want to shred her into pieces, it’s so fun with leaves, then they start floating in the air, yeah? Do you think the same would happen with her?”.

A hand forcefully shoves me to the ground when I try to stand up to get away from them and I don’t have time to try to lower the shock as the bag filled with my bottles of perfume falls loudly to the ground, bottles breaking audibly just as my stomach falls flat on the asphalt, the impact stealing my breath momentarily.

I gasp in an attempt to fill my lungs again and clench my teeth when I notice my hard work disappearing so easily, shards of bottles piercing through the bag as the liquid spreads through the cloth, the strong smell taking over the parking lot, it smells awful like that and it’s enough to break my heart.

Just when it was finally done…

The fox’s nose scrunches up in disgust and he steps back with a frown, unable to handle the smell a second longer. “Man that shit smells fucking strong, what the fuck?”.

The lynx hybrid kicks the bag away and pivots quickly to use my head as the next target but the wolf stops him with a hand over the shoulder and a shake of the head.

“She’s not worth it dude, let’s just leave, I think she got the message” he lets out boringly before motioning for the girl to join his side, her arms lovingly wrapping around his waist as they walk to one of the car with a chuckle.

He turns to me one last time as I try to sit up, body burning with humiliation, shame and pain.

“If I hear anything about me using this parking lot, next time I might not stop them from going any further, you’d do well to remember that”.

They enter their cars and exit without a single additional word said, leaving me a trembling mess on the ground.

I rest my head against my knees, arms going to hug my legs to comfort myself from what just happened, pain the only thing I can think about right now as it only seems to get worse with each breath I take, adrenaline making me hate every seconds that pass.

That was brief, a simple show of power against someone they know to be weaker.

It was a small threat to let me know what awaits me if I try to defend myself again, to let me know that things will go against me as long as I try to make use of my rights.

They keep control by infecting their prey’s mind with fear, the best way to keep getting what they want without having to worry about a thing.

It’s a pattern I don’t want to fall into again, yet it freaks me out. It freaks me out and I wonder if in the end, maybe I should stop trying to keep my parking lot as my own. Maybe it doesn’t really matter if other people park here too.

I shake my head at that loser’s thought. If I have possible investors wanting to visit my laboratory, I need to have space available at all time, I need this space to remain clean and safe, I can’t just have anyone coming here, especially not when they can be so dangerous.

So what can I do? What can I do to take care of this situation? If they get a warning from the police, they’ll come back and who knows what happens then?

I try to push myself to my feet and hiss at the way my body resists the movement, a look at my arms telling me that I’m bleeding and my bottom lip quivers, the sudden need to have someone caring for me suddenly very strong, but also useless.

Because there’s no one.

I start crying as I make my way back inside the building, needing four strong walls to protect me from this shitty world.

PREVIOUS|STORY|NEXT

WINGS UNFOLDED

JIMIN X READER
HYBRID AU

CHAPTER 4 (5.3k words)

For more information about this story, find it here

I guess a two weeks break does nothing to make this easier, does it?

I stand still like a statue in front of the door leading inside the classroom and then start wondering if it’s really such a good idea to be here after all.

I got here early so the room should be empty, that gives me a chance to get inside without attracting attention, but what if only Yoongi is inside?

Or maybe the door is actually locked because I came by too early and I’m going to have to wait, which means I have more chances of meeting people and I’m not too sure if I want that.

Oh goodness, what have I done? Do I try the door? Do I run away and wait in my car?

“Y/N?” I hear a familiar voice from behind me and my breath hitches in my throat, body tensing up instantly.

I slowly turn around to find Yoongi standing behind me with an apologetic smile, a cup of coffee in one hand, keys in the other.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just surprised to see you here, let me unlock the door for you” Yoongi says, kind and soft eyes meeting mine as he does exactly that, door opening for me before he turns on the light.

“Here you go, no one’s set to get here before a dozen minutes so… just make yourself comfortable, I’ll leave you to it” he assures me, about to get away to leave me my space but my body reacts before my mouth can say a word and I grab his wrist to make him stay.

He turns to me with wide, shocked eyes and I release him quickly, heat taking over my face just as much as discomfort fills my soul. “I-I’m sorry, I… can we talk? I won’t be long” I ask, eyes going to stare at the floor, this is so embarrassing and nerve-wrecking, but I need to do it before I chicken out.

“Of course, come on in, I’ll close the door to make sure no one comes in too soon” he murmurs before stepping aside to let me in, his tail nervous as it sways behind him, I’m not the only one hating this right now.

I make my way to my desk to set down my bag by the window before turning to Yoongi as he comes back from his own, keys and coffee now out of the way, fingers instead clenching and relaxing by his sides over and over again, eyes meeting mine in hesitation, although his orbs are also warm and soft, attempting to be comforting, something I don’t know him for, it’s… a nice change.

“Take your time, there’s no hurry” he states calmly, his voice soft when he hears me sigh, my voice locking up on me as I fidget on my toes, why is apologizing so hard?

My grandmother didn’t teach me to be such a coward when it comes to owning up to my mistakes. If I do something bad, then I need to admit it and then share my regrets over what I did, I need to make it better, even if the act was justifiable.

Acting like a bully is never the way, don’t do to others what you hate happening to yourself, she used to say. 

I breathe in and out slowly. Come on, Y/N, you can do this.

“I want to apologize for what I did last time, about the message on the drawing. I… I thought I could get this sick sense of satisfaction but honestly, it just made me feel terrible and it’s not like doing so can change the past. I was mean to you and I want you to know that I’m sorry, I regret it.

You haven’t done anything to me since we met again to deserve anything like that, it wasn’t right of me to do what I did” I finally manage to say, heart beating wildly in my chest, but it feels freeing to own up to my mistakes, my conscience wasn’t dealing with my actions very well, I’m sure grandma would be proud of me.

It should go well from there, except that the silence that greets my words… it makes me start regretting coming here at all, body twisting uncomfortably under the gaze I can feel on my form, my eyes unable to look up from my feet, what is Yoongi thinking right now?

Maybe he hasn’t forgiven me as I had previously thought? It’s not like he has to, right? What I did was like shoving a burning knife into a fresh wound, it’s not the kind of thing that can be forgiven that easily. 

But what more can I do? I just poured my heart out right now, I can’t do it twice! I wouldn’t even know what else to say!

His feet make a few steps in my direction to get closer before stopping so there’s still a good distance between us, nothing to make me feel cornered and I hear his shaky breath before he clears his throat quietly.

“I… I more than deserved this message, Y/N, I… I messed up your whole life, I made you miserable, I bullied you and I took everything away from you, for the simple reason that I could. I was sick in the head and you were this unlucky prey that became the target of all my anger, you suffered so much because of me.

So you don’t have to apologize to me, Y/N, if anything, I should be the one apologizing, so I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry. I could apologize for the rest of my life and it would never be enough, but I’m still going to do it, until the day I can fully atone for what I did, if it’s even possible”.

His voice is so… sad, more than I’ve ever heard from anyone and when I look up to meet his eyes, I can see so much honesty in his gaze, along with guilt, extreme guilt.

I swallow thickly as I process the reality facing me. We’ve both let the past get such a strong hold on us all these years, that I wonder if we’ve even really allowed ourselves to live our life since that fateful day. We can’t keep going like that forever, it’s no way to live.

“It’s in the past, Yoongi. You’ve changed a lot, you’re not who you used to be, and I… well I’m still working on that, but slowly, I think I can make it there too, to who I want to be as an adult, and I think it starts here. I can’t spend my whole life stuck in the past and you shouldn’t either.

I might not be able to act like it’s fine just yet, but I don’t want to keep a heart filled with darkness anymore, not when I have someone so bright and kind next to me, it makes me feel like I don’t deserve to be by his side” I counter with a dry chuckle and run a hand through my hair with a sigh.

“Are you talking about… Jimin?” he asks softly, ears twitching on top of his head as he processes my words and I blush a little, eyes going back to stare at the floor for safety.

“I mean… you know him, he’s always smiling and trying to help. He got mad at me last time but it was only because he cares about you, he likes you a lot, even I can see that. We talked yesterday and… I think things are okay now… 

I just don’t want to make him sad or mad again, he’s been so nice to me and I wish I could do the same for him, focusing on the past wouldn’t help that purpose” I mumble sheepishly, unaware of the smile growing on the cat’s face, tail faster in the way it excitedly hits through the air.

“That makes me really happy to hear, Y/N, really happy. Jimin cares a lot about you, I know that to be a fact and I was afraid that the friendship between you two would be over before it even really started.

He had been a mess since that day, I guess that explains why he was strangely happy today when I saw him, you two already talked it over” he muses and I start regretting opening up so much about that, heart embarrassed and cheeks going a tone of red.

Is he going to tell Jimin what I just said? Oh gosh, I hope he doesn’t, I would be mortified! 

Distraction, I need to change the subject, anything but this!

I open my mouth a few times before closing it just as fast, his eyes slightly amused at the blush going on in my face, why does it feel like he’s understanding more about me than I know myself at the moment?

“Erm… I… you… do you have time? I actually had a few questions about the last project? If you don’t mind?” I try, teeth going to bite the corner of my bottom lips because I’m unsure it that was the right direction to take, but when I look up at the exact moment when his ears perk up, tail curling up behind him, I register his happiness before I even take a look at his face or hear his voice.

“Of course you can! Ask me anything, let me just get the last class’s plan, I’ll be back before you know it” he chirps happily before rushing to his desk with eagerness, something that softens my heart the slightest bit.

Jimin’s POV

Today, I feel as if the last two last miserable weeks never existed, as if my heart never squeezed in nervousness in my chest, as if I never almost brought an end to a new wonderful friendship with someone who doesn’t see me as a bird hybrid, either as a fascination or as a source of trouble, but who sees me just as… me.

Just as Jimin, that one guy who likes his family a little bit too much, that guy who would get himself into trouble even when it’s not necessary because he thinks that’s what he has to do.

This morning, Jin was pleasantly surprised to see me running around the house with a smile on my face as soon as I woke up, eager to get started with my day, he’d laughed happily and even had to threaten me with a skipped breakfast to get me to calm down a little, the complete opposite of what he had to do just yesterday morning. 

Yoongi looked confused but happy nonetheless when he came by to eat breakfast with us before leaving with Jin to their respective workplaces and my colleagues were simply relieved to see me back to my former good mood that I’m usually known for.

It made me realize just how badly I had handled the situation with Y/N, that it impacted not just me, but everyone around me. That realization has something pleasing to it, because doesn’t it mean that they just care that much about me?

“Jimin-ah, how has it been going with that friend of yours? You look like such a weight has been lifted off your shoulders, did you see her yesterday?” Hoseok asks me as he comes to join me by our lockers so we can gather our belongings to leave for the day, his guess spot on, I guess I’m really an open book with them.

I turn to him with a grin and a firm nod of the head, heart tingling proudly at knowing that we finally could fix our misunderstanding.

“I did! Jin hyung actually left me with Y/N at the grocery store when we went yesterday and then went back home without saying anything, only told me with a text message once he was in the kitchen to ask her for a ride because he had something urgent to do but we all know it was just one of his tricks. I felt so bad to impose myself on her like that but she never complained even though she looked uncomfortable and ended up taking us both to a park I never knew existed.

Once there, we talked about what happened and managed to clear the air between us. She wasn’t avoiding the drawing lessons because of me like I thought, she was just busy with work, she should be there today and I’m so excited about it” I chirp, completely focused on my story while Hoseok smiles at me until I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders.

“Whoa, Jimin-ah, finally made a step to get things back in order, good job” Taehyung claims happily, his stripey tail waving behind him as he stares at me with bright eyes, his voice humming as he opens his locker besides mine to grab his bag.

“Well, technically, I didn’t really make the step, Jin forced it, but I’m glad he did” I counter, hear his laughter as he releases me to have a better look at the smile on my face.

“Maybe, but the result you got wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t open up, which means you also had a say in what happened” he retorts and I tilt my head with a small shrug, wings flapping delightedly behind me.

I guess I did make good use of this opportunity, but it’s also thanks to Y/N who opened the door, literally and figuratively.

“Thanks for saying that, Tae” I muse, a giggle leaving my lips at my own happiness. It feels good to feel good.

Looking at the time on my phone, I realize that I don’t have that much time left before I need to get to the school,so with that in mind, I quickly grab the last of my stuff and wave my friends and colleagues goodbye before hurrying out of my workplace and to the destination I’ve been thinking of all day.

Yoongi should already be back from driving Jin back home from the rehabilitation center since I have the car, which means the door should be unlocked when I get there.

Just thinking about the close bond they have together makes me smile, not many would get out of their way to drive their friend around like Yoongi does, the same way Jin does sometimes when the cat’s car needs to stay at the garage overnight to get fixed.

I get inside the vehicle before driving out of the parking lot and towards Y/N, a happy hum leaving me as I drive through the traffic, something I usually don’t like all that much. It’s funny how I’m more excited to see her than I am to see Yoongi this time.

It must be because I always see him since he spends a lot of time with Jin and as close as we are, I know he’s more of Jin’s best friend than he is mine, which is fine, really, I know Yoongi loves me and I love him just as much, that’s enough to me.

But a best friend of my own? That’s Y/N, if she wants to be that person for me, I wish she could see me as hers too.

We should exchange phone numbers, I don’t want to depend on these classes to see her and talk to her. Not knowing what was happening to her during the last two weeks was nerve-wrecking and I don’t want to go through that again. What if work takes her away from me a second time, and a third time?

I shake my head at that. Here I am, already talking as if we’re dating.

Slow down, Jimin, you’re getting too excited about her being back, you’ll scare her away at this rate. Her not being afraid of you is taking too much space in your brain, take it easy, I scold myself, I don’t want to mess up a second time, once was enough.

I finally reach the huge building and as I pull into the parking lot, I notice her vehicle already parked in an empty area. I look at the time, surprised because it’s still pretty early, but I’m not complaining, that means I get to see her sooner, so I proceed to park right next to her car.

I should always do that from now on, find her car first and then park right next to it, that way I’m keeping her from having to face a stranger when reaching her door, it’s going to be me she’ll see instead of a nobody. Ah!

Still, I hope she’s not too anxious today, she does look like she tends to avoid people on reflex, I did notice a pattern yesterday at the grocery store.

Thankfully, Yoongi doesn’t take verbal attendance when he enters the class, he does it by himself since he’s pretty good at remembering everyone’s faces and names, and by doing so, he makes sure that most people aren’t aware if someone’s present or not, something I know he does entirely for Y/N.

I was serious when I told her yesterday that no one really pays attention to that sort of stuff, she doesn’t have to worry about people staring at her.

I overheard Yoongi talk with Jin in the middle of the night once, was it last week? He’d mentioned that she’s developed such a strong fear of people, humans and hybrids alike, so he’s trying to lower her burden by making it so that attention isn’t given to the people taking his lesson.

That means no class presentation - not for a while anyway - , taking the attendance by himself, giving individual work and him walking around the class to help others instead of waiting for them to come to him at the front, things of the kind.

Those are all small attentions that Y/N might not realize herself, but in the end, all accumulate to improve her comfort while at school. It makes me wonder just how bad her past was to require all those efforts, what part Yoongi played in this ordeal for him to try so hard.

Then he said that he’s hoping that in maybe a few weeks, she’ll be more at ease to start including more people around her because he can’t really destroy the lesson’s experience just to avoid her discomfort, he believes that if he does things at a slow pace, it might help her get out of her protective shell.

He also hopes for me to be a good help to her considering how close we were during the two first classes, that I’m the only one who doesn’t make her close up on herself and shut off from the world.

That revelation made me swell with pride, the idea that he believes I can help her to that extent making me feel important.

I enter the building and walk up the stairs to reach the class, wondering if she’s already inside since I didn’t see her on the way, it’s the only place I can imagine her being at, I don’t think she’d wander around all by herself.

Once I reach the door, I notice from the small window besides it that the light is turned on and so, I push it open to find…

“That’s right, you have to use a darker shade and blend it out, that way, you end up having a great shadow effect without looking exaggerated, the way you did it made it look too pale, it didn’t bring the impact desired” Yoongi explains as he bends over Y/N’s desk while she looks focused on the paper in front of her, brows furrowing and teeth biting on her bottom lip as her fingers follow his instructions.

I freeze at the sight, unsure if I’m seeing right, I must be hallucinating.

What’s that? They’re interacting peacefully? There’s no tears, no anger, no fear?

Curious and excited, ripples shaking through my feathers at the sight, I quietly make my way to my own desk next to hers to have a better view of what’s going on, but there’s no avoiding Yoongi’s sharp senses when his ears perk up at the slightest noise I make and his eyes come to meet mine.

“Hey, Jiminie, how are you?” Yoongi asks, his words making Y/N look up from her work and I’m momentarily stunned by her beauty, hair tucked behind her ears as her wide eyes stare up at me, lips parting and tongue licking her lips-

No, Jimin, bad bird. Don’t go there, you just met her. Gosh. But she does look beautiful.

“Hey hyung, hi Y/N, I’m feeling really great today, how are you two?” I ask as I pull back my chair to take a seat, unable to keep my eyes from sparkling when she smiles at me.

“Hi Jimin, I’m doing alright, Yoongi was showing me a few tricks from the last project because I had some difficulty with it” she comments softly and Yoongi huffs lightly with a shake of his head.

“You did really good, you just needed some guidance with the blending out part. Other than that, we can really see the black and white effect, you managed this by yourself so give yourself some credit” the cat counters and Y/N blushes lightly at the praise.

Wait. She’s blushing?

No no no.

I scoot closer to her, feel the way her body turns stiff at the sudden proximity and I hum as I look at her drawing, try to pretend like I’m not noticing her blush deepening or the way possessiveness flares within me at the idea that Yoongi might make her shy.

I want them to become friends, but nothing more, he can’t take her from me, he already has Jin hyung.

Yoongi snorts, the sound barely noticeable but when I look up to meet his eyes, he’s grinning at me like he saw right through me. I gulp and quickly turn my attention back to her drawing. Crap.

“Well, I have something to do before the students start coming in but you two are welcome to stay here, people should start arriving soon anyway” he excuses himself as he straightens up before making his way towards the door, his tail swaying happily behind him and the next thing we know, he’s exiting the class and leaving the two of us alone.  

Silence swallows Y/N and I and now realizing that I might have overdone it with getting closer to her, I scoot away just a little, watch as her shoulders relax almost instantly.

Yeah, that might have been too much, my bad.

She clears her throat, a hand going to rub the back of her neck and she stares at me briefly before looking back to her paper, her cheeks still a pretty pink, why do I suddenly feel like touching them? They must feel so soft under my lips-

Eyes widening, I shake my head and pinch my thigh to try and bury those thoughts away, goodness, what’s happening to me?

“It looks good” I say to focus on something else, my sudden words taking her aback. I point at the drawing when she turns to me and she smiles sheepishly, eyes creasing prettily.

“Thank you, I had fun doing this one, I just struggled a little when it came to the shadows so Yoongi’s help was great, he’s very good at explaining, I understand why he took on that job” she says, seemingly pleased with the end result.

“You two seemed… alright with each other. Did something happen before I arrive?” I ask, unable to stop myself, I want to understand. Just yesterday, she’d said that she would try but that it seemed hard, but what I saw… that didn’t look hard at all.

It makes me feel divided. Part of me wants to remain the only person she’s comfortable with, I want to enjoy that for a bit longer, but I know that it’s very selfish of me, it can’t be comfortable being scared of everyone all the time, I just… she’s myfriend.

She hums as her gaze turns to her drawing, pens settled down besides it. “I apologized to him, it felt good getting it off my chest after all this time thinking about it. He ended up apologizing as well, then we talked a little about- anyway, yeah, I asked him questions about the project and then you came in” she says softly, looking as if a burden has indeed left her.

I nod, proud of her, that she could go through with it as she wanted. She looks up to meet my gaze and makes a small smile that warms my heart. 

“I’m going to try and cut the strings linking me to the past from now on. I might not be able to forget, I don’t want to forget, but… if I can stop hurting because of it and focus more on the present… I think that would be great, for everyone concerned” she states and I feel my wings flap in pride behind me, as if her willing to make this step is a personal victory of mine.

“That’s great, Y/N, really. I’ll help you reach that goal, together I’m sure we can make it there, to a happy future” I blurt out before slapping a hand over my mouth at the way I just assumed that she would want or even need my help. My tongue really has a mind of its own sometimes.

She turns to me though, eyes looking surprised. “You want to help me?” she repeats, as if she can’t believe it, to which I nod seriously.

“Because we’re friends, aren’t we? What kind of friend would I be to let you face this alone?” I say, watch as her eyes widen slightly and silence surrounds us again. 

I shift nervously on my chair, heart beating nervously against my rib cage. Does she not want to be my friend? Are we not after everything that happened?

I see her eyes start to glisten and fear takes over me, that I might have gone too far. My wings fold tightly behind me as I try to think of what to say to assure her that it’s okay if she doesn’t want to be my friend, even though the words would feel like ripping my heart in half but then she smiles brightly, one I’ve never seen on her before and it takes my breath away, the way it shines like the sun.

My heart calms down at the sight and I feel a strange feeling spread throughout my whole body, warm and comforting, like honey drizzling over my soul and sweetening everything that might be sour and bitter within me.

“I… it’s been so long since I had a friend, I’m sorry, it just makes me very happy. I wasn’t expecting you to say it aloud like that, to confirm that we are, I didn’t… I wasn’t sure” she murmurs and I sigh out in relief, a hand going to ruffle my hair with a nervous giggle as I try to not focus too much on how sad those words are.

“Thank goodness, for a moment, I thought you were going to say that you didn’t want to be my friend” I admit, watch as she shakes her head quickly, eyes widening in shock.

“No! I would never say no to that, plus I’d be crazy to refuse the only person that doesn’t scare me, I like spending this time here with you” she lets out shyly and I straighten up, soul tingling with pride at her admission.

She likes spending time with me?

Her eyes suddenly dart to the door and the warm cocoon that was enveloping us disappears without warning when she tenses up before bringing her attention to her intertwined fingers, legs turning fidgety as one foot starts bouncing on the floor.

Confused, I look up to see a big group of hybrids and humans coming in, loud conversations taking over the class as they rush to their desks with energy, their mood bright and bursting, which makes sense considering that most of them have had time to get closer during the last weeks.

The class has become a much more comfortable space since the beginning so people converse a lot more than they used to.

I bring my gaze back to her, see the way she startles when someone laughs loudly, it makes me want to hide her from her fears, to make it all better for her, but how can I do that when I don’t even know why she’s scared in the first place?

She closes her eyes and starts doing breathing exercises to keep calm, it makes my heart ache, wings restless to wrap around her, if only I could do that, maybe then she’d feel better? 

I guess the only thing I can do for now is to remain by her side and try to not make things worse.

The classroom keeps filling until every desks are taken and Yoongi comes back shortly after, a stack of papers in hands that he proceeds to give to every first desks of every rows so they can reach the back of the class quickly.

Once sure that everyone has one in front of them, he clears his throat to get the attention on him, which brings a slow end to the conversations still going on, something that helps Y/N in calming down, thank goodness.

“I do believe that everyone has a paper in front of them? If so, take a look at it, there are in total four different types of lining to avoid everyone ending up with the same thing. Today’s project should be fun, I want all of you to be inspired by what is already drawn and complete the drawing. Use the lines to get a shape and have fun with the possibilities” he explains with a smile and I perk up because I love these kind of projects, there’s something really fun in giving free reign to my imagination.

I turn to see what kind of lines Y/N has and notice how she’s frowning at them as if they insulted her personally, it makes a smile form on my lips.

“What the heck am I supposed to do with that?” she grumbles to herself and I keep in a giggle at the way she pouts at the paper before patting her shoulder to bring her attention to my own.

“Want to switch?” I offer, watch as she takes in the lines I have, eyebrows furrowing lightly before she nods, mind already getting more ideas with this one.

“Please, that would be really nice of you, but are you sure? Mine looks tricky, I have no idea what could be done with it” she lets out, eyes meeting mine in hesitation.

I grin and switch our papers. “Watch me” I let out, pleased when I hear her chuckle at my confidence.

“Alright, birdie, do your worst then” she lets out, a teasing smile on her face at the childish nickname that slips through and I scoff before poking her side with one wing, her cute giggle I get in response a sweet melody to my heart.

“I’m not a child, youdo your worst, I’m going to do my best” I retort and she laughs, the melodious sound reaching straight to my soul and echoing there over and over again, gosh I love it.

“How about a competition then? Let’s see which drawing ends up being the best” she attempts and I narrow my eyes at her, not expecting this competitive side of her, it’s a nice surprise.

“Deal, this is a war then” I agree and at that, we both start working on our own drawing, focused like never before, a drive to win fueling us, but mostly just a need to enjoy this moment between the two of us.

“I’m so winning this” she mumbles to herself and I laugh. “You wish”.

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