JIN POV:

For the first time in what seems like eons,     (Y/N) shows a glimmer of her old self, joining us for breakfast and for once being able to eat what's placed on her plate, she allows the fussing and coddling to happen but receives it with smiles and soft eyes, posture looser and far more relaxed than any of us had seen it these past few weeks. These past few weeks had been like seeing a ghost of our baby mate and now it's like seeing her truly come alive again.

I don't know what it is that Kookie did or said or where he took her but it's made such a huge difference- a huge difference because now she doesn't seem like a husk of herself, she slowly seems to be rebuilding herself up again.

And I'm so proud of the two of them.

So happy that it almost aches with the way my heart swells with warmth and tenderness when Kookie refuses to let her sit anywhere else, tugging her onto his lap with a soft tender gaze and feeds her from both her plate and his- eyes glittering with immense satisfaction, doe-eyes sparkling as they meet her eyes, posture soft and warm as he curls his arms around her to cradle her in. Even as Tae and Jiminie squabble on either side of Kookie, protesting it's not fair when he doesn't give them the chance to feed her, angry pouts on their faces. That is until (Y/N) feeds them from her own plate, gesture done to appease them as she waits for them to part their mouths and take the proffered food, smiles breaking out instead.

This is what we've been waiting for. For this shred of normalcy to begin forming but even as we all get up to clean the dishes and wash up, (Y/N)'s drying the dishes standing next to Joonie and Tae when she suddenly speaks.

"What happened to the boy?" she asks, quiet question cutting through the din and descending the kitchen into silence.

I exchange a glance with the others, we all knew she'd eventually asked- during the early days after being attacked, she'd cry out in her sleep to beg for the boy to be spared, for the guttural scream to pulled out her throat as she recalled it and when she'd wake she'd twist to search for someone who wasn't there. But we all still were unprepared as to how to go about telling her.

Tae gently tugs the plate she's gripping tightly from her hand, easing the small towel out too before he scoops her into a backhug, giving her the comfort before the truth is revealed.

"He...he didn't make it." Hobi says, voice soft and pained.

She stiffens in Tae's arms before suddenly the strength seems to be drained out of her, body sagging into his hold, Tae's arms tightening- as if had he not been holding her, she'd have fallen to the floor.

"He was so young. He asked me not to hurt him." she whispers, eyes darting down, hands going around to clutch at Tae's hands- seeking out support even as he brings her further into him, holding her tenderly.

"He was young, he was unfairly and cruelly taken." Joon echoes, eyes turning a soft red as he looks at her.

The room thickens with tension, as if the memories are once again awakened in her mind.

"You didn't hurt him; you gave him comfort." Jiminie starts softly but her eyes fly up to meet his, red with grief and sorrow.

"But I didn't...I couldn't save him. Even shielding him did nothing." She utters.

I freeze.

And it's not only my eyes that go to her, that see the bloodied mess of her back flash into my mind again. She had tried to shield the young boy...and he'd torn her back open for it.

The fury and rage that swells up rapidly, the anger that seeps into every nerve cell, every fibre of my being is tumultuous and wild.

I feel my body tremble with it.

A hand comes to touch my arm, soft calm seeping into me.

Yoongi.

But when I turn his eyes are equally red and I see the same rage in him.

"Not now. We'll make him pay but not now. Right now she needs us." he says softly.

I nod.

And then Tae speaks, face showing hesitance whether he should say it but then he pushes on.

"His family were devastated but they were equally as hurting and sorry for you." he murmurs, arms going around her back when she turns to press her face against his chest- a glimpse of watery red eyes before she shakes.

"And he told us to thank you...and to save you." I speak up at last, seeing the way her head turns, expressing confusion.

"You brought him some hope and comfort as he was dying. And that was the last thing he remembered and felt." Yoongi speaks.

And even though I see her hurting, see her in pain for the loss of the boy who died that night, it's closure. Closure she needed, to accept every detail of what had happened so she could process it fully.

And we all find ourselves huddled close in the living room not too long after, reassuring her that when she wants we'll take her to meet him. 

But seeing her in pain, tormented by what's happened just reminds me again and again just how much I have to make him suffer, how much pain he has to receive now.

JIMIN POV:

I lean back into the couch, mindlessly scrolling through TV channels when (Y/N) appears, fiddling slightly with the hem of Kookie's shirt as she approaches.

I turn my attention to her.

"Come here baby." I call to her, seeing the way she drops the hem and rushes the last bit of the distance forward, unintentionally using her vampire speed because suddenly my lap is full of baby mate as she curls around me, letting out a sigh of relief as she settles down- curling around me, legs sprawled across my waist as she tucks her head in close to my neck.

"Better?" I ask.

"Better." she replies.

I feel soothed by having her close like this, have always been soothed by being in physical contact with her. Some part of me just settles when she's near me, that I'm able to physically feel her close- as if my soul is always silently seeking her out, an unrest that's only soothed by her physical presence.

"I need to go back home." She mumbles.

I turn to face her.

"I don't know how long it's been since Gyeomie fed; I'm running out of clothes too. And I'd like to get out for a bit." She says, lips close enough that I can feel her breath fan across my neck, distractedly.

"Of course you can go. Who do you want to come with you?" I ask, turning to face her, looking down into her sweet soft eyes.

She hums, brows furrowing as she thinks. She looks so adorable that I can't help but lean forward to kiss her forehead, feel the furrow disappear when she turns to look at me.

"What's that for?" she asks.

"Because you're too adorable." I reply.

Her eyes widen and then her face creases into a smile.

"No, you're adorable Minnie." She insists.

I shake my head.

"No you." I reply.

And she shakes her head insistently, mouth parting to argue when I lean forward to kiss her, lips silencing her protests and easily relaxing and moulding to mine.

She melts easily and quickly into the kiss, hands coming to fist my shirt as she pulls me closer, teasingly running her tongue across my lips but before I can slide my tongue to meet hers, she shuts her lips- giggling slightly when my eyes narrow at her. But then lets out a muffled groan when my tongue and teeth dart out to tease her, to scrape against her lips and tug her bottom one into my mouth, sucking harshly at it before giving her a sudden nip, tongue immediately darting out to soothe the brief sting, giving it small little licks in apology. I insistently run my tongue across the seam of her lips, relentless in trying to gain access. My arms slide around her waist and shift her so she's on top of me now, legs falling onto either side of my waist and I draw her mouth down to mine, to deeply kiss and taste her sweet lips, her mouth parting in a gasp at the sudden change of position. My tongue immediately delves in, quickly and deeply laying claim to her mouth, running my tongue over each dip and hollow before going to entangle my lips with hers, hand at the nape of her neck as I bring her down lower and closer to me.

She pulls back, lips swollen and glistening- chest heaving with habitual heavy breathing as she looks at me through lowered eyes, a glint of red seen as she straddles my torso. My hands slide to cup her waist, squeezing lightly.

"You're adorable." I say, repeating myself firmly.

And because she's out of breath, because she's trying to grasp onto her control and emotions, she can't reply.

That point goes to me, I think victoriously.

But I don't miss the betrayed look she shoots me- as if she's realised what I've done. I laugh at the huff she lets out, surging upwards so I'm drawing her lips back to kiss them briefly.

"I won't let you ever forget it." I promise when I lean back.

And if she'd had fed, I have no doubt that her cheeks would've been adorably flushed too.

The sight of her soft pale cheeks make me remember that at some point we have to ease her into feeding, before her instincts become starved of it and grow out of control.

Soon. 

Maybe I should talk to the others about this.

(Y/N) POV:

I lean forward to give a peck to Hobi oppa, leaning into his seat where he's turned to face me, hands loosely holding the steering wheel.

He hums happily when I press our lips together, lips gentle and soft as they move in sync, a goodbye kiss. And when I move back, he's sporting a look of fond tenderness.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you up?" he asks.

I nod.

"I'm sure Seokie..." I start but then whatever I was going to say gets cut off when there's a rapping of knuckles on the car window and I turn to see Gyeomie smiling as he peers in, waving at Hobi oppa- who smiles and waves back.

I turn back to him.

"I guess I don't have to. I'll be back later, so have whatever you need to take with you." he says, suddenly leaning in to steal a quick peck, lips suddenly meeting mine and he retreats grinning at me.

"See you later sweetheart." He murmurs, and with that I turn to leave the car, sending him a small wave before Gyeomie throws his arms around me and hurries me forward, lamenting how the apartment is just sitting idly- because he doesn't like staying there when I'm not either and it's just going to waste.

And when we approach our apartment, I can hear voices talking inside- something I'd have never picked up on as a human but Mark oppa and JB oppa's voices come out clearly- tinged with worry and longing.

"Do you suppose Yugyeomie will ever accept our offer?" Mark oppa is saying, voice dropping- sorrow heard clearly in it.

I can hear a slight shuffling and JB oppa's voice comes in soft and tender.

"You know why it's hard for him to say yes. And we told him we'd wait for however long he needed." He reassures him.

I turn to see Gyeomie's face has become shielded slightly, trying to hide the emotions but there's no missing the mixture of longing and worry that seeps through our bond.

I clear my throat, knowing that the other two inside will hear it anyways, busying myself to give him that space as I fumble for my keys, purposely dropping them onto the ground and lowering myself to scrabble futilely for them, fingers failing to clutch at them.

And it's hunched over that the door opens and I see a pair of feet, body crouching down. I raise my head to meet Mark oppa's- both fond and amused.

"Aigoo...at least your adorable slightly clumsy nature hasn't changed." He teases, fingers easily scooping up the keys and helping me up with a pinched look as he hands them over, hand fluttering over my injured shoulder, concern clear in his eyes.

"I'm fine. Hobi oppa said I'm healing well. It's just scarring now." I reassure him, surprised when he suddenly swoops in to press kisses to both my cheeks.

"Anyways...welcome back home! Don't let us bother you, I'll fix you something whilst you catch up with the other two." He says, hand darting out to draw Gyeomie in for a sweet kiss before shepherding the three of us into the apartment, busying himself as he heads to the kitchen.

"No rough-housing." He calls firmly as he leaves, a stern glance shot to me and Gyeomie, lingering warningly on his mate.

I laugh, glaring when Gyeomie nudges me for that, long limbs threatening to sending me tumbling.

"Hey watch it!" I tease as I scurry off to the living room, stepping in and feeling a mixture of both comfort and relief and nostalgia. Because the last time I'd been home, I'd been human. And now even if the layout and the decorations and our personal touches lingered throughout- from the knick-knacks that scattered throughout, it was as if I was returning to some old fragment of my past.

JB oppa tugs me to sit onto his lap and the moment I'm securely wrapped up in his arms, Gyeomie shifts to lie on the sofa, head resting on my lap as he peers up at me, with a loose grin- even if his eyes are slightly tight.

It's the usual amicable conversation that flows out, ranging from anything to everything, heading in all sorts of directions when suddenly JB oppa brings up feeding, mentioning it casually but noting when I stiffen slightly in his arms. Two pair of red eyes turn to look at me with concern.

"Have you not had your first feed yet?" JB oppa asks.

I shake my head slowly, not missing the way Gyeomie glares at me for it.

"Why not? The longer you leave to beginning your feeds, the more unpredictable and stronger your instincts grow to crave it; you should do it before it reaches that. And with how long you've gone without, your body will catch onto it soon enough." He chides me, frowning as he looks up at me.

I didn't know that.

"I'm scared."  I confess, the two words enough to wipe the frustrated worry off his face and replace it with a look of soft sympathy. And he catches my wrist, stopping the hand that had been brushing through his hair slowly.

"I know. But you don't have to be, it makes all the difference. You'll feel so much better, and I know any lingering tiredness, body aches you're still having from healing will go too." He reassures me, words simple and understanding.

I nod.

I will try. Soon hopefully.

But the mention of feeding suddenly brings to mind how long Gyeomie has been going without feeding and I shift in alarm, JB oppa's arms tighten around me at the movement.

"Easy chickie." He murmurs,

"Gyeomie you need to feed." I state.

He looks at me.

"You don't have to; I've been feeding from blood bags and the others. It's not the same but I've been making do." He mumbles, face filled with tender concern.

I shake my head.

"It's always been a thing between us. Why would that change? Unless my blood changes somehow as a vampire..." I mumble, not realising that it could affect the feeding process.

He shakes his head.

"That doesn't change anything." He reassures me.

And with that I bring the wrist he'd been holding and bringing it down towards his lips, feeling them brush against the skin. He takes a breath in, breathing my scent in and then his mouth opens, fangs scraping against the claiming mark.

"Are you sure?" he asks, even though his eyes have turned red with hunger and his fangs have emerged fully.

I nod, shifting my wrist to bring it closer to his mouth.

"Feed Gyeomie." I urge and then feel it, the pinpricks of the briefest pain as his fangs sink into my skin and the accompanied suckling sound of feeding, sucking as his mouth seals over my wrist, throat bobbing as he feeds. His eyes flutter- instincts satiated, and I know because he'd told me once before that feeding helped his instincts feel reassured that the bond was still strong between the two of us. And after a few long moments, he retracts his mouth, lips slightly stained with red as his tongue darts out to brush against the marks, healing them over.

"Thanks mallow." He murmurs.

I turn to face JB oppa, see the red hue of protectiveness and love for his mate.

"I'll leave the two of you at it whilst I go pack." I murmur, shifting carefully so instead it's his hyung's lap that cradles his head and immediately he turns to nestle into it, a happy smile on his face.

And though Mark oppa calls out for me to eat something, I only go forward to pluck a snack from one of the cupboards- grinning when he scolds me for not eating properly or healthily.

And head off to pack.

----

The packing doesn't happen. Because when the door closes I can't stop thinking about the words I'd heard. It's obvious that the Ims want Gyeomie to move into the nest, he's a bonded claimed mate and still doesn't stay with them- it sends their instincts haywire when they see an incomplete nest, one mate missing. And yet he refuses, he stays here...because of me.

And though everyone is understanding and supportive of his reason, it doesn't make me feel any less bad that he keeps turning their offer down because of his insistence to stay with me, because he doesn't want to leave me alone, to have me living by myself with no company. He keeps putting me first, even if it means rejecting the most basic and yet fundamental instincts of being with his coven.

I sink onto my bed, drawing my legs up as I curl in slightly, feeling the soft comforter gentle under my cheek- cool.

I wonder how many times they've offered and he's rejected. How many times he's wanted to say yes but thinks of me and says no?

The thought bothers me, that somehow without realising I'd been holding him back. And I knew that my own mates wanted me to stay at the nest, saw the unwillingness to let me leave, the small sad looks as I told them I was going back,

I sigh, feeling confused and lost. Where do I go from here? How do I tell Gyeomie to follow his heart?

And disturbing this train of thought is a sudden shifting sound, the sound of something moving outside my window- a gentle tapping and sound of movement- something I doubt my human ears would've picked up on.

I curve my head up to look at the window, curious.

And get up to see.

(THERE YOU GO! A LONGER CHAPTER THAN USUAL SOMEHOW BUT OH WELL! WE HAVE THE OTHERS REJOICING THAT THEIR MATE IS SLOWLY BECOMING HAPPIER, SLOWLY BRINGING BACK THOSE SMALL INSTANCES OF INTIMACY AND I WONDER WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN NOW? WHAT WILL THE NEXT CHAPTER BRING? DO I SCREAM NOOOOOO OR DO I LET HER GO TO THE WINDOW? HMMM~ QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS. HOW WAS THE CHAPTER? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AND I HOPE THAT WE ALL SEE THAT SHE'LL BEGIN TO TURN TO THE URGE TO WANT TO FEED, MAYBE THERE'LL BE SOME COMPELLING FACTORS TOO? AND WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST PERSON SHE FEEDS ON? PREFERENCES? STAY SAFE AND TAKE CARE LOVES!)

We all have unique ways of doing the same thing, everyone eats differently, everyone drinks differently, sleeps positioned differently and have different mannerisms for a similar trait. It just goes to show that whilst we're all connected by being the same as humans, all of us are intrinsically different- there is something unique to you that no-one else can possess. You are you, so love your differences!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3