JIMIN POV:

I wait eagerly for Kookie and (Y/N) to appear from their lessons, bouncing lightly on the balls of my feet as I wait. The other students bustle past, the hive of chatter and noise loud and incessant to my eardrums. But alongside it come snippets of conversation, of gossip. And I huff at the eager hushed words, unimpressed but then my ears catch onto a familiar name. (Y/N). Why are they talking about my mate? And then I heard Kookie's name being thrown into the mix- and a mixture of curiosity and displeasure wells up in me, to hear my mates being the subject of mere gossip for the sake of satiating the students' curiosity.

And when the two of them navigate their way through the horde, they both sport varying expressions but the tightness to their faces are the same. They know they're being talked about and whether Jungkookie has been more exposed to it, it doesn't mean I miss the vulnerability in his eyes, mingling with the concern and protectiveness for (Y/N) who's curling into him unconsciously.

I glare at the few that hover to watch the two of them approach me, their faces loosening a bit as they smile and I turn to place an arm around the both of them; eyes beginning to redden in anger and protectiveness for them. The hushes quieten down slightly, abate at the fury rolling off me but the stares continue to follow us out. But I hadn't missed that some of those stares- especially the ones that had come from the human students had been apprehensive, concerned, and nervous to disgusted and enraged.

And I realise that (Y/N) is bearing the brunt of attention- for being associated with us. Because of the image we hold in their eyes. 

But if that means we have to change their perception of us then so be it. Because there's no way I'm willingly parting from her.

And the grateful smile she shoots me makes up for it- a smile that tells me it's fine and that she's thankful that I'd been there, thankful and pleased by the way my arm continues to remain around her as I take the two of them to a nearby bistro. Because she's not shying away, and I don't think I'm mistaken by the way she doesn't tense up- after our time together, being near her, some sort of physical contact happening reassures me, is natural for me.

And I'm glad it seems to be the case for her too.

----

It's incredibly gratifying seeing two of my younger mates order with an excitement, see the two of them lean towards each other- as if the other's presence lures them in, enjoy seeing the way the smile comes to (Y/N)'s naturally- isn't forced, strained or a pained grimace. I relish and silently celebrate the way Jungkookie has become so comfortable around her- even though a few months back I would've dismissed the idea that one day he would be so at ease with a human. If Jungkook can do it- someone who suffered the most recently by humans, his history the one that remains alive in our minds, then we can too. He becomes a hopeful symbol for me that one day I can share that casualness with her too.

But what surprises me is that when the food arrives, not only does she proffer her plate to Jungkookie but to me too, nudging it in my direction and telling me to try and taste it- in her honeyed warm tone.

I am more than eager to comply, trying her food with gusto- soul leaping in elation and only soaring higher when she giggles when I nod my head excitedly to her question of whether it tastes good.

It's a sound I realise I had inadvertently silenced for some time, and one that I didn't know I'd yearn for but did. 

Looking at the way her eyes sparkle or the way her cheeks often sport a rosy flush, the way her hair tumbles over her shoulders in thick silky waves and she talks- I realise that I'm captivated, have been for a long time and will be for eternity. Because I see her and find myself at peace- I see her slotting in so easily, it's a wonder I didn't notice the (Y/N)-shaped hole in our lives before. We were all waiting for this moment.

I scoop up some of the food on my plate, bringing the forkful towards her mouth, the other hand cupped under it to prevent spillage as I bring it to her lips, smiling when she parts them with only a moment of contemplation, leaning in to close them around the mouthful, fork sliding away from her sealed lips easily. 

She lets me feed her; in the same way I turn to feed Kookie- in the same way I do to the others. She lets me bring her into that habit and smiles at me for it- eyes silently conveying just how pleased she is. 

And as we talk between bites, I realise just how much I've got to learn about her, how much I want to pamper, spoil, and coddle her. And how much I want to spend time and effort on courting her, the way she deserves to be. 

I look at her and see her slipping into the role of our baby mate- the one I know will have wrapped us all around her fingers and we'll be too happy to oblige. She doesn't even need to try. All she needs to do is be herself.

(Y/N) POV:

Being fed by Jimin is an experience. 

One I know has engrained itself in my memory and branded itself across my mind. When he'd fed Jungkook, I had felt a pang of wistfulness as well as noticing the normalcy of the act- the way Jungkook hadn't even had to make eye-contact to know who it was, just parted his lips and allowed himself to be fed- habitually protesting it seemed when Jimin clucked him under the chin and wiped an errant crumb off him but there had been no heat in his whine- just a fondness as he allowed Jimin to baby him.

What I hadn't expected was for him to offer the next mouthful to me, with eyes that watched with nervous anticipation and hope- looked at me as if expecting me to turn away, there was such a softness in his eyes, a yearning I had felt in my own soul that I opened my mouth and allowed him to slide the fork in, lips closing around it- the pleasure that came with being fed overriding the actual acknowledgement of the food he'd just fed. I couldn't take my eyes off him, entranced with the way his face seemed to transform when I'd accepted it, face alight by a joy I was feeling by him making that move to choose to feed me in the first place.

And it doesn't happen once, nor twice. The rest of the meal is spent by him feeding the two of us and in turn the three of us sharing instead- a light ambience as we talk, the lingering eyes, the softness of their lips as they smile and the joyous, exuberant laughs that filled the air.

It soothes me to see that Jimin isn't as stiff as he had been some time ago- that he's not allowing himself to be held back, that his past decisions don't exist as a barrier, an awkwardness that would've otherwise made spending time together slightly stiff, though not unwelcomed.

He's trying. And that's all I need.

But when he and Jungkookie are walking me to the book café I work at, his hand comes to intertwine with mine and I easily and gladly relinquish it to his warm, firm grip- the presence and weight of his hand in mine one I'd grown accustomed to and am more than grateful to have back. I didn't think that our forced proximity would've made me feel comfortable with him the way I do now- the light touches, the ease in physical tactile affection is one I've grown to associate with him, something I wish to keep sharing with him.

For me Jimin has somehow down the path begun to spell comfort for me, one that's always provided with physical reassurance- and I wonder whether the pain of our incomplete bonding had ended up being a blessing in disguise.

I wave the two of them off at the door, laughing at the cute pout Jungkook pulls when he tries to enter with me but is trapped between his hyung's arms- who's laughing amusedly as he tugs him back, reminding him of how it's turn to cook tonight but the cute smile he throws over his shoulder as he leaves, hand waving energetically is more than enough to restore that slight dip of mood as the two walk away- the slight sorrow that comes with parting ways for now.

But soon the busy bustling atmosphere washes away any lingering thoughts and compels me into action- to rush to tie an apron around me and get immersed in completing the customer orders and then in organising the latest delivery of books- the sight of the mangas reminding me just how much Taehyung and Jungkook would enjoy them- bringing a smile to my face as I sort through them.

But my sorting is interrupted by a sweet, high voice calling out curiously.

"Unnie, why are you smiling at books?" Hye-Jin's voice calls out, catching me off-guard as I whip my head to the side to see the young girl looking down at me curiously.

I smile at her, patting the space next to me- she plops down with a careless grace, limbs tumbling haphazardly onto me- sitting on my lap instead and content to snuggle as she looks up at me with inquisitive eyes.

"Well Hye-Jin I got given a wonderful surprise." I whisper mock-conspiratorially to her. The red bleeds into her eyes quickly, curiosity mounting as she claps her hands together excitedly.

"Ooh what is it unnie? I love surprises!" she demands, wriggling on my lap in her excitement.

I lean down to whisper to her, even though I know she could hear me otherwise.

"The universe gifted me my mates." I confide to her, and the loud squeal that follows makes me laugh.

She twists in my lap, hands reaching out to clasp either side of my face.

"Really?! Do I know them? Can I meet them? Are they nice to you?..." she begins rambling, questions tripping off her tongue in her eagerness- bouncing and becoming restless on my lap.

My hand traps her from either side- stopping her from toppling over in her energetic movements, stilling her only momentarily.

"Some. One day. And yes." I answer her questions.

Then her eyes narrow.

"Some? How many do you have unnie?" she asks, wide eyes boring into mine.

"Seven." I reply and her eyes widen even more.

"Seven! Wow unnie...you'll get lots and lots and lots of love from them." She says brightly, hands falling so she can clasp onto my arms as she burrows in for a hug, squeezing slightly. My hands go to reciprocate the hug, books lying forgotten as I hold her towards me.

"I can't wait..." I whisper into her silky hair.

And only mere moments later she scampers off to tell her parents and siblings, yelling out a promise to be back for cuddles later as she darts through a small crowd of students- all of them cooing as they part for her running figure to pass through.

I smile fondly at her disappearing figure.

Hye-Jin is a sweetheart. And she's going to be in for a surprise when she realises who my mates are. Well one or two of them anyways.

TAE POV:

I eagerly volunteer to be the one to go take    (Y/N) home tonight; not having seen her for an entire day and besides hearing my fellow partners-in-crime gush happily about their time spent with her, with even Yoongi hyung sporting a satisfied look- I know this won't do. And rush out before the hyungs can begin protesting, sliding into the car and driving off- all whilst thinking of how I've been horribly betrayed by three of my mates- who've managed to snag some quality bonding time.

And as I park near her work place- the bright welcoming sign and cheery exterior greeting me, I find my steps quickening to get inside to her, to rush in and surprise her.

I stop as the door closes behind me, the soft jingle of chimes loud in the haste I'd opened the door with and I stop for a moment to scan the interior- eyes searching for a familiar figure.

And then my eyes widen and send me into a tizzy when I see her curled up on an armchair, face ever so inviting and soft and sweet as she looks back at me. And that's all I focus on, all I can see and this overwhelming need to go to her and hold her close- that I can't spend any more time away from her. I rush forward, feet threatening to trip over in my haste, arms going out to scoop her close- to finally breathe in the comfort she's able to provide through scent alone and heart leaping with the fulfilment my soul will feel when oddly something stops me. Something with force and it comes in the shape of a small hand- that reaches out to stop me in my tracks.

I look down confused, brows furrowed when they land on a little girl. The same girl I had first seen (Y/N) with- the vampire.

Recognition pushes away my confusion and I smile down at her, sinking into a crouch to look at her in the eyes.

"Hello! I'm Taehyung!" I say, waving at her.

She looks at me unimpressed, stoic expression on her face.

And without turning says to (Y/N) behind her in a shocked stage-whisper.

"Unnie it's that vampire from that time. The one who tried to hog my cuddles with you." she says, voice accusatory as her eyes narrow onto me.

I shake my head quickly, hands waving in defence.

"I wasn't trying to steal your unnie away promise." I rush to appease, somehow the sight of the girl curled up on (Y/N)'s lap making me feel that getting on her good side is important.

She scrutinises me quietly, pressing herself back into (Y/N).

"Unnie he's staring." She complains and (Y/N)'s huff of laughter breaks my desperate eye-contact with her, rising to look up at (Y/N) who shakes her head fondly and smiles down at me.

I grin back at her, lips coaxed up naturally in response to the sight of a smiling mate.

And then she says something and somehow I'm led to believe she has a mischievous side- something I store away for later.

"This is one of them Hye Jin-ah." She says and the little girl in her arm does a double take and this time the eyes are penetrative and scrutinising- looking me over intensely.

But then a smile breaks out, exposing a toothy smile.

"He's pretty. Treat her well Mr. Taehyung." She turns to say seriously to me, eyes narrowing onto me.

I nod quickly. And just like that she slides off (Y/N)'s lap though not without planting a kiss to her neck and sliding off easily.

And as she walks away I can't believe that I'd ever confess to myself that I feel jealous of a little girl. For being able to kiss my mate's neck so easily, inhale her sweet scent so easily and unabashedly, unrestrainedly. 

But when (Y/N)'s warning eyes turn to me, it elicits a teasing smile of my own, the thrill of a challenge rising up in me.

Everyone believes vampires love to hunt.

But they have no idea how much satisfaction comes from chasing after a mate.

And I can feel my fangs begin to emerge and know my eyes are a bright red as she scrabbles off the armchair, backing away.

"Taehyungie don't." she warns, torn between smiling and stopping me.

But then her body turns, twisting so she can run.

Taehyungie do is what the curved figure of her rushing figure persuades.

And so I do. Giving in to the thrill of a chase.

(THERE YOU GO! I COULDN'T HELP HAVING ALL OF THE MAKNAE LINE FEATURE- THEY WERE DEMANDING TO BE FEATURED AND SO ALL THREE OF THEM DID! AND AS FOR THE CHASE- I WILL OF COURSE BE GOING INTO DETAIL AND FEATURE IT NEXT- I CAN'T MISS TAE RUNNING AROUND HIS GIGGLY MATE CAN I? THAT WOULD BE A CRIME! HOW DID YOU FIND IT? LET ME KNOW MY LOVES- CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR YOUR HAPPY REACTIONS I HOPE! AN ASTONISHING 80K READS, NUMBER ONE FOR THE BTSXREADER TAG AND NUMBER 10 FOR BTSFANFIC?!! THAT'S SO AMAZING- THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE OF MY WORK! STAY SAFE LOVES!)

If you want the rainbows in your life, you must learn to deal, cope, and live with the rainy days as well as the sunny.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3