TAE POV:

I'm with Joon hyung on the rooftop garden when it happens. When I feel an emotional shift through the bond, a mixture of confusion and hurt that seeps rapidly through it, weighing it down. Joon hyung stops his process of tenderly planting some seeds, gloved hands no longer gently tapping at the soil and flattening it and looks up with a creased frown, eyes first landing on me. I shake my head.

And when I focus on the feeling that transmits across the bond I realise that it's coming from the newest link in our bond, from the still delicate and fragile tether. It's coming from  (Y/N).

I stand up from where I'm kneeling, brush the dirt absently from my knees.

"Taehyungie let me come with you." Joonie hyung offers, standing up too from his spot a few metres away, pulling off his gloves, face showing his intent to come with me and track our baby mate. See what it is that has caused such a sudden emotional response.

"Hyung it's okay, I'll go look for her. You finish planting first and then come." I say, gently nudging him back to the flower bed, where he looks at me with uncertain eyes.

"Go ahead hyung, it won't take you too long. Just finish up and come in." I reassure him.

"Tae-ah, it was meant to help take the edge off for you. Because you said you needed to expel some of the energy that was building inside." He says, face worried and eyes reddening as he looks at me.

I wave off his concern.

"It'll be fine. You've made me take care of all the weeds...and I'm pretty sure you made sure some of them were too firmly rooted in anyways." I say, voicing my suspicions.

That the past hour or so the stubborn weeds I'd come across that wouldn't give way to my fierce strong tugging had Namjoonie hyung's hand behind it- that he'd planted some deeply into the soil so I could get rid of some of the buzzing under my skin, the buzzing that urged me to shift instead.

The itch to shift had lessened, it was a manageable tingling sensation- one that was pushed aside when suddenly (Y/N)'s emotions came through, silently triggering a protective worried instinct.

And so I leave hyung behind as I hurry down the steps, reaching the floor which has all the bedrooms. I go into each and every one, starting off with her room and when I don't find her there, go hurrying to the others- hoping to find her already being comforted by the others, or cuddling with one of them but room after room reveals emptiness and no mate. The panic grows slightly when I reach Yoongi hyung's room at the end of the hallway and I find only him there. He turns to greet me, but the smile is wiped off when he senses the clear distress and moves towards me.

My eyes blindly rove the room, desperately seeking her but she's not there.

"Hey Tae-ah...what's wrong?" hyung asks, voice soft and alert. Clearly sensing the emotions rolling off me.

But I'm too distracted and when it's clear she's not there, clearly not hiding in the wardrobe or cupboards or under the desk, I rush out, distantly hearing him follow me with an urgency, calling out for me. I rush down the stairs to have the same lack of success in finding her and when I finally reach the lowest level, I can only see the others dotted around, Jin hyung reclined in a sofa with Jiminie on his lap and the kitchen where I hurry into to find Kookie and Hobi hyung cooking together, laughing and chasing each other to feed each other morsels first.

The sight is warming but it doesn't make the knot around my chest lessen and I still can't find her.

A tight grip on my arm makes me pause and I'm turned towards Yoongi hyung who's looking at me with red panicked eyes and a worried expression.

"Tae, what is it?" he asks, gentle.

"(Y/N). Where's (Y/N)?" I ask, feeling my breath come out rushed and harried.

His gaze turns soft and confused.

"Didn't you feel the worry through the bond? There's something wrong...something bothering her." I rush to say and then I see it. My worry finally reflected in him as he realises why I've been rushing around.

"She's at her apartment. Hobi dropped her off earlier so she can get some stuff and meet Yugyeom-ah." He adds, but still sounding hesitant and wary now.

The little giggles and chase has halted and Hobi hyung steps forward.

"I can call her." he adds.

I shake my head.

Calling her won't do anything.

I need to see her. Be sure she's fine.

The tingling which had become a dull sensation has come back in full force, pushing against the barriers of my skin, making my body crawl with the need to change.

Jin hyung appears in the doorway, eyes zoning onto me straight away and he hurries forward.

"Taehyungie, if you need to shift, do it. Stop pushing those instincts away sweetheart." He whispers as he holds me close.

"Hyung need to see (Y/N)." I mumble even as the buzzing under my skin continues to grow.

He shakes his head.

"Shift and then see her afterwards. You can't keep suppressing the urge, it's not healthy." He murmurs pressing a kiss to my head.

I meet eyes with Jiminie.

He nods, his warm insistence and concern wrapping around my heart and softening it towards the idea of shifting.

"Let go Tae. It's alright." Hobi hyung adds.

My eyes drift to Kookie's and he shoots me a smile and promising nod.

"I think she'll love you that way too." He adds conspiratorially.

I grin and finally let the buzzing burst past the barriers, let it overcome and consume me. I let the need wash over me and I shift.

(Y/N) POV:

I pad over to the window, curious as to what's making the sound and find myself freezing when I peer outward. Perched on the windowsill precariously, wobbling dangerously is a small bat. I've never seen one this close or on the edge of my window but there's something so soft and endearing about the way it shifts slightly, wings flapping that has me rushing to open my window, hand darting out to protect it from teetering off the edge.

The bat peers up at me, eyes wide and dark and seems hesitant the way it stares at me, as if trying to assess me. I smile down at the small fluffy sight, at the way it's head cocks slightly- the gesture intelligent and intent.

The dark eyes peer up at me, boring into me and yet despite it being the first time I've seen a bat, there's something cute about it, something that's so alluring and entrancing in its tiny body that makes me want to hold it close, to pet it.

I don't even realise that the bat has stopped teetering and then I go to bring my hand in close, hovering close and not yet touching it.

"I won't hurt you." I murmur softly, hoping that it can somehow detect from my tone that I mean no harm, that I don't represent a threat. I'd read that bats were intelligent animals so I hope that it can pick up from my voice that I want to do nothing bad to it, rather I feel the urge to hold it bubble higher and higher.

My hand slowly comes closer, my fingers ever so slightly brushing against the soft silky fur. The bat shifts slightly and I freeze, thinking I've scared it off but then it leans into the touch, gently pressing back into my fingers.

I coo as I pet the bat, other hand coming out towards it and smiling when it hops onto my hand, wings rustling before tucking themselves away, allowing me to draw it into my room, where I sit on my bed again but intrigued and fascinated by the very human and apparent way it's curling happily in my hands, shifting, and settling down.

I gently trail my fingers over smooth silky fur, petting it softly and smiling instinctively at the way the bat seems to enjoy the light touches, making a soft clicking sound almost as if responding vocally to the petting.

It's so cute and I can't help but bring it closer to me, cradling it close and lying down, hair splayed across the bed as I set it down on my torso, the feet small and light as they scrabble for purchase, wings fluttering slightly before it stills, peering at me.

"Ahh, you're adorable. I never knew bats could be so happy to get cuddles." I coo as I run my fingers lightly across its back, daring to slide them across its wings- surprised when it compliantly allows me to touch, to run fingers across the hard muscle until I reach it's ears- soft and furry, giggling when it tilts his head into the touch, gently butting my fingers in a silent ask for more.

The bat has somehow managed to banish all my worries, right now all I can think of is how adorably cute the bat is, the way its happily preening and taking my affection, shifting every time I fuss and coo over it. The bat makes some slight clicking sounds as it moves, trying to get closer from where it is resting on my stomach. It somehow manages to shift to lie, wings splayed wide as its tiny head comes to rest just under the curve of my breasts.

"So, so cute. I wish I could keep you. You're really cuddly." I murmur.

There's something so calming and gentle and soothing about the bat, something that makes my instincts settle at its closeness, something about it that just feels right, feels comfortable and perfect to be cuddling and holding and petting it.

And something about its presence that makes me relax into the bed, eyes fluttering slightly as I gaze down at the bat. 

"You're a better cuddle buddy then plushies I'll tell you." I murmur.

The bat clicks, as if responding to my words. Understanding them.

And I let the drowsiness wash over me and send me gently off to sleep, hands going round to hold the small bat protectively to me.

-----

I shift, something warm and small moving under my hands and blink my eyes open to see that the bat I'd been holding is still there. I smile blearily at it, shifting to sit upright but falling back with a sudden yelp when there's a large warm weight pinning me down onto the mattress, body caged by a larger frame that drapes itself onto me- long limbs wounding their way around me, a head nestled into the crook of my neck.

I turn, alarmed, to meet a pair of familiar eyes looking at me, a mixture of red and brown from under unruly black curls and lower my gaze to see a familiar pair of lips which stretch into a boxy grin, fangs poking through.

"Tae?!" I ask, leaning back slightly to peer at him, but find myself unable to move, his arms tightening around me, pressing our bodies firmly together, his lowering with mine to press me further into the mattress.

"Jagi~ where are you going?" he mumbles, lips brushing against my neck.

"Tae where did you come from? Where you....where you the bat?" I ask hesitantly, unsure whether he's just appeared or it had been him all along.

He raises his head from its resting spot so he can peer down at me which is when I spot a familiar pair of fluffy ears poking out from his riotous curls, the dark shade matching his hair.

"You are." I breathe, hands rising to gently trace the shell of those ears, to gently pet them.

He hisses when my fingers make contact with them, a small groan slipping past his lips and his body seems to slump into mine, pressing each hard line and defined limb onto me. Legs pressing tightly onto me as they part to cage my thighs from either side.

"Don't do that. It's sensitive." He grits out, fangs pushing into the soft skin of his bottom lip, threatening to pierce them. I smile up at him.

"What do you mean? You liked me touching your ears when you were in bat form." I comment as my fingers continue to trace the inner shell, exploratory and curious.

But then his hand comes up to grip my wrist, stilling the movement. I look at him and see his eyes reddening- darker and deeper. The intensity in his look makes me shiver.

"Stop teasing jagi~ don't start something you can't finish." He gets out. He lowers my hand and then seems to realise he's still pinning me down, full body weight pressing me down.

And as a human I don't know whether it would've been too much but right now he feels perfect, a solid warmth that my body is easily able to bear. It feels reassuring and comforting and grounding.

I huff at him.

"Fine. I was just curious. Next time I won't pet you then." I grumble.

He laughs, deep and sweet and melodic.

"I didn't say that either jagi." He says grinning.

I can feel the playfulness between us, feel the teasing. 

"Still...I bet Kookie or Minnie will be happier to let my play with their hair and give them kisses." I say, teasing and watching as his grin freezes and he looks down at me with a sad pout.

"Aww that's not fair. Let me make it upto you." he wheedles, eyes soft as he looks at me.

"How?" I ask.

And then I'm given my answer when he suddenly leans down to press our lips together, the soft plushness of them gentle and coaxing and sweet against mine as he kisses me slowly, slowly tracing my lips with his. His tongue darts out to trace the outline of my lips, running it across my lips and dipping it into where they meet. He kisses me slowly and intently, letting the shape of them imprint against my own, let my mind commit the shape and feel of them to memory. His lips part to gently tug my lip between his, sucking and scraping his teeth over it lightly, the slight sharpness of his fangs felt when he gives a small nip, coaxing a surprised sound out of me. His tongue immediately comes to lave over it in apology, running slowly over where the fangs have left the tiniest indent coaxing a bubbling need out of me as a breathless gasp. I can feel his lips curve into a smile and when his tongue insistently runs across the seam of my lips, I part them to let him in, tongue darting out to brush against his own. He lets out a pained groan and then his tongue brushes against mine with a feverish intensity, hot and demanding as he entangles them, roving over my mouth with long deep strokes, pulling and tugging more and more whimpers out of me, hungrily drinking them down, swallowing them with the way his mouth is hot and firm and sweetly against mine.

He explores my mouth with a burning intensity, mapping it out with his tongue and roving over it with a possessive touch that leaves a streak of delicious tingles behind. He slides his lips off mine, leaning back to look at me with a red gleam of satisfaction and pride.

"Wanna mark you jagi, can I?" he asks, voice deep and thick, the timbre of it making me shiver and melt under him.

His thumb comes to rub at my skin, brushing back and forth as he touches the skin of my neck, the slight glimpse of my collarbones.

I nod, wanting it. Wanting a mark of his claim on me.

"Mark me then Taehyungie." I whisper, seeing the slight vulnerability in his eyes too, as if he needs it just as much as I do. As if he needs the grounding it'll bring him.

He smiles softly as he leans down, body shifting so he's caging me in firmly, the muscles shifting in his legs as they press against my legs, rising so they're pressed firmly against my hips and upper thighs, hands going to cup my face, giving me a slow sweet kiss before he drags those lips down, kissing his way along my jaw before trailing down.

His lips are soft and gentle as they kiss their way down my neck, pressing his lips lingeringly on the mark Kookie has left- the pressure of them making me twist and gasp under him.

His lips stop at a spot on my collarbone, above it slightly and I feel him smile as he starts kissing the area, lips gently pressing butterfly kisses there. His lips are open and then I feel his wet tongue brush over the area, the sensation still light and tender until there's a sudden nip, a harsh tug of the skin as he pulls it between his teeth, sucking hard at it as he continues to pull at the skin with his mouth, lips soft and parted around the spot. And then he lets go of the skin, teeth parting easily from them and then his tongue slowly roves over it, kissing it tenderly as he soothes the slight sting. He leans back to stare at the spot with gleaming red eyes.

He smiles at it, expression one of satisfaction and contentment.

"Thank you. I needed that." He murmurs.

And I figure it has something to do with the fact he'd shifted into bat form, the way he'd sought out cuddles and affection.

"Are you okay? Feeling better?" he asks as he shifts so he's lying on the mattress and tugs me against his side. Our legs lie entangled as he turns to look at me, hand going to cup my face. I turn to press a kiss to his palm softly before turning to him.

"Just had some thoughts. But it's fine." I reassure him.

He shoots me a relieved fond look, before brushing his lips against my forehead.

"You'll be the death of me baby mate." He murmurs as he holds me close.

I smile as I let my hand settle against his chest.

"Tae I need to pack." I say making the bare minimum of effort to move but easily complying when his arms wrap around my waist.

"Later, right now just lie here with me." he says, voice low and soft.

I shift closer to curl into his arms.

"Just a little while longer." I mumble.

But the comfort he brings is so sweet, so fulfilling and so perfect.

Maybe a little more time than that I think as I hug him back, feeling the happy sigh leave his lips.

Just a little while longer, like this- feeling whole and complete with my mate.

(A CHAPTER WHICH I HOPE THREW YOU ALL OFF! EVERYONE WHO WERE GETTING READY TO FIGHT AND PROTECT THE BABY...IT IS OKAY! ALL IS GOOD MY LOVELIES- IT WAS NONE OTHER THAN TAE! I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT BATS BUT I DID SOME SLIGHT RESEARCH AND HOPEFULLY IT WASN'T AN UNREALISTIC READ! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED SHIFTER BAT TAE AS MUCH AS I DID AND KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE PLENTY MORE OF IT TO COME! THIS CHAPTER WAS SOLELY TAE AND (Y/N) AND LIKE THE OTHER CHAPTER WITH KOOKIE- I HAVE NOT A SINGLE REGRET! JUST EXCITEMENT AND NERVOUS TO READ AND HEAR ALL YOUR THOUGHTS AND REACTIONS TO IT! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AS USUAL LOVELIES! AND STAY TUNED FOR MORE HEALING FLUFF AND MARKING AND CLAIMING TO COME! THERE'LL BE MORE OF THOSE COMING DARLINGS! STAY SAFE! AND I CAN'T BELIEVE WE REACHED 200K?! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH MY LOVELIES FOR SUPPORTING ME SO MUCH AND ENJOYING THIS BOOK!)

Sometimes the things we least expect may happen. And sometimes those things may somehow become a source of happiness and joy. We can find love, joy and enjoyment in even unlikely places!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3