JIN POV:

The breathless need in (Y/N)'s voice makes my heart ache. Especially when I see the way her feet freeze, stuck where she stands, looking at Kookie with wide eyes, leaning forward unconsciously, expression imploring for the haven, the sanctuary he offered with Binnie's scent heavily layered all over his glands, seeped into skin.

I hadn't missed the way her eyes had searched, frantically, with such hope and need and want. Had seen them dim when she realised that neither of them were here. It was a tough situation just to be on the observing end, so I could imagine how hurt she was, how much she was hiding it.

Had seen that her turning back to return to the bedroom was her way of allowing herself to crumple behind closed doors.

But Kookie wasn't having that.

Intercepting her path easily as he rushed to block her way off to the room.

"Jungkook I just want to..." (Y/N) begins, voice weary and fatigued.

Monotonous almost.

But he's undeterred.

"Head in? Sleep? Get some work done? That all can wait." He chirps, eyes lit up with burning energy.

Sleep. To curl up alone? The thought made my stomach twist.

Or getting work done. To pour over the heavy files and cases she was lugging with her, to while away her night by being hunched over streams of words.

I winced when I imagined how stiff she'd be afterwards.

She blinks up at him, eyes fluttering slowly.

It doesn't go unnoticed by me that he's completely unshy, unhesitant as he says it, large eyes bright with determination.

Her lips curve but the radiance of her smile don't reach her eyes, it's empty, hollow. Stilted.

"Why's that?" she asks.

Head tilted with curiosity. Challenge perhaps too.

And then Kookie tilts his head, arches his throat to her, inviting and promising, soft glossy ears flopping on his cheek and the other dangling as he looks at her.

"Binnie really was sad that he couldn't make it. But he left after an extremely long scenting. Wanted to make sure his noona got it." Voice soft and gentle.

Offering her exactly what she'd been missing the most instinctually. Offering her the scent of her packmate.

Not mentioning just how eager he'd been to take the scenting, giggling as Binnie had wound himself around Kookie and latched on, thoroughly coating his scent on the glands that had become more prominent and puffier. He didn't mention that he'd tugged Binnie back and insisted he scent more heavily, mentioning that (Y/N) would need it. And the squirrel hybrid had latched back on, diving in to nuzzle against the glands with more aim and purpose, nuzzling and leaving his sweet hazelnutty scent to cling to him.

Not mentioning that he'd offered himself up as a way to pass on one packmate's scent to the other when he'd seen the glossy sheen in Binnie's eyes; frustrating and hurt at not being able to meet (Y/N).

And when he speaks, her posture caves.

Tilts forward towards Kookie.

Eyes wide with hope and tentativeness.

"Want a cuddle?" he offers.

And her answer is a plea. Soft and breathy.

Caving in.

"Yes...please."

And silently tugs her forward, hand curved around her wrist and leading her to the living room, weaving through the cluster of bodies dotted around the hallway.

And despite the worry and longing flitting across faces Yoongi turns away, murmuring about giving the two privacy as he steps to move away, tugging a rather reluctant Hobi and Tae with him- lips quirked slightly.

"You can see her tomorrow kits. Poor (Y/N)'s instinctually exhausted." Voice a soft low calm murmur, fingers rubbing soothingly at the slight glands on their wrists as he leads them away, their bodies curving in towards him.

Joon tugs Jiminie along, a dimpled fond grin at the look of longing and petulance on his lips, orange puffy tail swishing and eyes zeroing in on the sight.

"Come on Jiminie, she's in perfectly capable hands. Kookie and Jin hyung have got her." he says softly, tugging along a fox hybrid who drags his feet along, morose and dejected but giving in, allowing Joon to lead him away with a parting dimpled smile thrown to us over his shoulder as he wishes us a goodnight.

And when I follow after the two into the living room, it's in time to see Kookie gently tug the bags away from her, easily hoisting them away and setting them aside, moving to get to the couch and tugging (Y/N) alongside him.

She goes willingly, allowing herself to be drawn close and tugged onto his lap. This time there isn't that hesitancy because of how much she craves it, because of how much must radiate off Kookie's skin, rich and heady. Enticing to a separated packmate.

This time there's unbridled need in her eyes as she moves to get comfortable, his arms drawing her close into a seated embrace, smile widening when her posture loosens and relaxes with the slightly grounding touch. With the protective cradle his arms form around her.

"Take it however you want to." He whispers, voice a soft sweet open invitation.

Not fussy about how she decides to take the scent, how she tries to settle herself.

And like last time her hands carefully curve over his shoulders, drawing herself close as her fingers brush gently over his scent gland. Breath hitching when Kookie's head lolls, tilting back at the bare touch, already so sensitive and glands so thoroughly simulated. Her fingers lightly swipe back and forth over the prominent gland, over that part of raised skin as she chases Binnie's hazelnut scent.

But it's not enough, I can see it and the two of them can sense it with the way Kookie's hands curve around her back to tug her closer, a soft murmuring reassurance that it's okay as his head rests against the back of the sofa, tilted back and arched for her to scent.

And slowly (Y/N) moves forward, fingers curling into his shirt and head hovering close to the gland, breaths shaky as her body's overwhelmed with the nutty scent, leaning to lightly nose at his gland, head dropping forward as she shudders. 

Then finally. Finally. Every thing that holds her back from scenting properly snaps, dissipates. And it's as if the strings have been cut and she's finally giving in. Finally and wholly giving in to what her instincts are pleading her to do because she nuzzles at his throat, nosing at his gland with touches that linger, with her head slowly drooping more and more onto his shoulder to rest as she nuzzles to chase after Binnie's scent.

But there's no way his own light scent isn't seeping out, no way that his own light cottony scent isn't mingling with Binnie's as she scents him, his posture loosening as he slumps against the sofa.

As (Y/N) gets more and more droopy, curling into him, head coming to rest on his shoulder as she leans to nose across his gland, finger rubbing circles to coax it out, Kookie's posture loosens with hers but his ears rather than flopping with contentment are perked upright and standing tall to attention, giddy shining eyes meets mine as he silently enthuses his adoration for the sight.

I know even if I can't see his tail that it's twitching, wriggling behind him, can hear the slightest of sound of his tail flicking against the sofa upholstery as she relaxes, turning boneless in his arms steadily, curved onto him in their seated embrace, breathing turning settled and deep, calmed down.

See that whilst it's helping (Y/N) on such a deep, instinctual level of giving comfort, it's doing something for the usually wriggly bunny now so still as he holds her, carefully cradles her. See the way his eyes gleam with pride and satisfaction for being able to help her, see it in the scrunch of his nose and the dazed, relaxed toothy smile he shoots me, silently tilting his head invitingly for me to join them on the couch.

I carefully pad over and slot myself beside Kookie, settling down next to him and smiling when his head immediately comes to settle against my shoulder, tilted fully for her now, ears drooping with satisfaction at having me close and also helping (Y/N).

"You're doing amazing bun." I murmur,  hand reaching to rub my fingers soothingly across the back of his ear that curves onto my shoulder, flops against it.

"Like helping her...it's settling." He mumbles, hand rubbing up and down the curve of her spine, head tilted to see her droopy figure, the way her eyes glaze with both fatigue and that rush of pheromones pouring out, heady and making her all droopy.

There's something so unguarded and relaxed about (Y/N), with the way she curls into him and allows herself to be hugged and held, arms curled around his neck now, lighter scents as she noses at his gland. Content to rest her head there and breathe lightly, eyes fluttering every now and then. 

Kook's head rises off my shoulder to briefly nose along the top of her head, a nuzzle to her temple before his head drops, slightly slow and careful as he nuzzles back, leaning towards her throat to leave a bit of his cotton scent behind.

Somehow, which I didn't think possible, but (Y/N) droops more heavily into him, now fully curved and pressed into his side in a seated embrace, my hand moving to squeeze her calf reassuringly, soothingly as I watch her droop. 

See the way her limbs become loose.

And when Kookie's head turns to me, it's with shining proud eyes, happiness rolling off him in strong waves, potent enough that I can smell his comforting cotton scent.

This moment soothes me. Soothes me to see Kookie help a friend out, to help a fellow prey to be instinctually satisfied and soothed.

It soothes me and all those growing bubbling needs to cocoon (Y/N) in my wings and wrap her up, away from the hurts she was constantly seeing and experiencing because of the case.

It made me want to cover the horrific reality of the world from her, encase her in black wings and keep her safe.

And even as they shift and rustle behind me, with that need that remains, they're not as restless because I see her calming down, see her glazed eyes flutter and remain shut for longer.

"Let's get her to bed. She's exhausted and in a pheromone high." I murmur quietly after a long period of content silence.

My eyes drift to her, to her cheek smushed against his shoulder, breathing even and light, not yet asleep but almost there. Her ears had long ago relaxed, stilled. And more and more had any bit of lingering control had vanished. Now fully pressed not him.

"I don't want to wake her. She hasn't been this settled and calm since she's come. You did a good job by carrying Binnie's scent bun." I add. Eyes softening at the way his ears twitch and droop, a small smile on his lips.

And gingerly he leans away, hands go to carefully support her, standing up with her still in his arms as his other hand goes to the back of her knees, at the low of her thighs to keep her scooped close against his chest, her arms still remaining curled loosely around his neck and head resting against him.

Taking slow, infinitely careful and light treads towards the doorway, out towards her room. And after I've quickly scooped up the bags, figuring she might need the blankets, hand dropping before clutching more tightly at the heavier bag crammed full of files.

She'd been carrying it as if it was nothing, as if they were light.

And hurry to move towards the bedroom door to gently open, to let Kookie pass through with doe in his arms, carefully moving to get to the bed.

I quickly put the bags down into a corner, eyes for the first time drifting over the inside of the room since it had been used, frowning at the almost clinically clean feel to it, everything seemed untouched and used, eyes drifting to the bed and heart aching, softening.

Out of the entire room, the bed was clearly the one that was used, lived in, see the odd jumper scattered around the pillows, folded near the foot of the bed with the blankets. Surrounding herself with her packmates' scents and clothes, to soothe her and help her sleep.

My heart ached because it was clear just how much she missed them, because there was something nest-like about the bed as I hurried to draw the blankets out, hands reaching to put the folded clothes to the side as Kookie bent to lower her down.

And just as his arms unravel from her, moving to rise up, he makes a small soft startled noise when her arms that were loosely slung around him tighten fractionally, draw him down closer, head bent over hers.

See the moment when her face turns, pressing a soft chaste kiss to the side of his jaw, a sleepy slightly incoherent mumble that I still pick up on.

"'hank you...Kook." And then (Y/N)'s head's falling back, sinking against the pillows, arms still looped around his neck as she blinks dazedly at him, gaze unfocused and hazy. Still overwhelmed with that pheromonal rush. So trusting and gentle, loose limbs as she sinks against the bed but holds him there for a few moments longer, his body curved in a protective arch over her until her eyes flutter shut, a small sigh of breath escaping.

"...thank you....hate...sleeping alone." A barely there mumble as her head curves into the pillow, hands falling away.

I move round to draw the blankets over her as Kookie lightly catches her hands, encircles them with his as he brings them down to rest on the blanket, peering down at her with a look of sorrow and empathy, cheeks flushed pink as his hand goes to touch his jaw.

Gaze soft on her as we quietly leave, lingering before the door shuts behind us.

But the pinkness remains, that rosiness that comes from being pleased to having helped her and as he walks in front of me I get to see the twitch of his soft cottontail, constant and ears bouncing around his face as he makes a beeline for our room instead, turning to shoot a bunny grin as he opens the door.

He moves to dart for the bed, to splay himself across the sheets and sink into them is stopped when I dart to capture his wrist and twist him, body falling back into the mattress and my body going to settle over his, blinking down at him and seeing the way his eyes, surprised and large, relax and crinkle, sighing as I settle over him.

"You did so well bun. My smart, loving, caring bun." I murmur, punctuating every word with a kiss to his face, to his cheeks, the tip of his nose, to the corner of his mouth, to the small unique smatter of marks that make him, him. 

He giggles as my lips dance across skin, teasing ghost of touches, not pressing down onto skin and letting them linger there. My wings flap, extending out behind me as I hover over Kookie, legs pinning his down as I push myself up onto my hands, turn his jaw with my nose to press a smatter of kisses there.

Fingers brushing over the rosiness, over the curve of jaw and cheek.

"Did my bunny get all flustered with a sleepy peck?" I tease.

Feel him squirm under me as his nose scrunches.

"No! Just...surprised." He retorts.

I lean forward to press my lips to the curve of his cheek, nuzzling.

Smiling when I feel his hands stretch out to tease across the edge of my wings, brushing tenderly across the black feathers.

"I love your wings. Especially like this." He mumbles.

My lips trail to the corner of his mouth, slotting them together with his for a sweet kiss, lazy and unhurried as his lips part under mine, breathy and a small noise of need slipping out from him. My tongue slides across his bottom lip, delving in to brush my tongue against his. Languid slow strokes through his mouth, tongues lazily meeting, moving to get closer as I feel his head rise, curving into the kiss and fingers winding around my neck to draw me down, tugging at the strands of my hair with a muffled groan.

I lean back, eyes roving over every inch of his face, drinking in the sight of the flushed cheeks, rosy slick lips and hooded eyes. See the way his ears curve around his face, droopy and relaxed. Smile at the hurriedness to his breath.

"And I love you, especially like this." I whisper back, smile widening when the flush deepens.

I move to get off him, to roll away to grab our pyjamas, a jolt coursing through my body at the low keening sound of neediness he makes.

"Hyung~" he wheedles.

I turn to face him, hand tugging at the drawers.

"Yes bun?" I call.

He groans and slumps back, reading the mischief in my face with petulance of his own.

"Nothing. You're just mean." He grouses.

My hand uncurls around the drawer handle and I move to splay next to him, curving around him, leg thrown over his hips.

"I'm actually a little bit more in love bun. Because what you did for (Y/N) was so sweet. And it made me realise how lucky I am for you. Now...the quicker you get into pyjamas, the quicker I can kiss you to sleep." I say, smiling against his neck.

The resounding wriggles and attempts to worm out under me, body making a frantic dash for the drawers is the only answer I need.

Rising up after him to follow suit.

For kisses I would very gladly give and very gladly take.

(Y/N) POV:

It's a floating haze as I curl into the blankets, floating on a rush of hazelnut, sweet and nutty, head buzzing with pheromones. It was a constant haze of sleep that I drifted in and out of. Eyes fluttering open and shut randomly. I couldn't tell how much time passed as my eyes tried to focus in the dark before the tug of pheromones took me down under once more. Didn't know why it was I kept being tugged to consciousness and what exactly it was that lulled me back. Distantly I remembered my hand stretching out, fumbling and searching sheets for my phone. Remembered seeing the dim light of my phone tell me the time, sleepily fiddling with the screen to tap onto the radio app, tuning in to the late-night show.

A haze in which I listened to a deep, smooth voice pour out, filtering through my hearing as I heard Suga, heard Yoongi, speak, a constant wave of sleep I was riding, hand clutching the phone as I listened. And it was to his voice that my head sank back into the pillows, soothed and content, the world falling away once more but this time to the deep rumble of his words.

And waking was just as hazy. A floaty feeling as the room slowly swam into focus, groggy eyes blinking and turning to see that the phone was still clutched in my hand. That at some point whilst being awake I'd reached over to connect it and when I swiped, it unlocked to show the radio's homepage. That as I blinked at it,  I became suddenly alert, bolting upright, blankets falling around my waist as I stared wide-eyed at the screen.

Letting out a groan.

I look at the comments I'd supposedly left behind in the late hours of the night. But I didn't recall writing them, didn't recognise exactly what it was I was trying to say in the half gibberish, half coherent.

See the keyboard smashes I must've done half asleep, trying to type out a response but it had gotten across as garbled.

My head drops forward, eyes clenching shut to banish away the sight of my mortification, cheeks warm and curling around it.

It seemed like a mercy and blessing that Yoongi didn't know I was a fan. Didn't know that I listened and commented.

At least he wouldn't know who it was who'd left them behind. Left behind horrendous sleep-drunk and pheromone high messages.

And move to get out of bed, it was still early but I wasn't tired anymore despite having stirred on and off.

Padding out and catching sight of the bag holding the case files, move over to bend down and search for some of the particularly difficult cases the centre had been dealt.

Gathering them close to my chest and moving towards the door.

Last night was a haze after being tugged onto Jungkook's lap, a haze of pheromones seeping off of him and out of him, his cotton scent merging with hazelnut. But there were brief snippets I remembered through that dizzying fog, remembered a tentative nose scenting my throat, growing more assured even as the touch remained light, remembered being taken to bed and of that unwillingness to let go.

Though my cheeks warmed as I deposited the folders and files to the bed, heading to wash up first, I didn't regret anything. Didn't regret giving in to that safety and contentedness.

My feet linger when I gather the notes back up, wandering whether to head to the other side of the flat or not, whether it'd be too early and whether I'd potentially be disturbing anyone's rest.

But still hesitantly padded forward, quietly moving through the apartment and hoping I wasn't crossing any boundaries. Wasn't going to wake anyone even if time and time again the boys had told me I was welcome across the entirety of the two apartments.

I reach the large kitchen table without incident, slipping into a corner seat and placing the files down, feet curving around the legs as I began to open them.

Began to pour over the details of the cases, jotting notes and observations, noting strategies and ways of helping Ji Ah. And as I read I began to have hope that I'd be able to help her, help her to trust and learn to heal.

It was endless case after case that I read up on, zeroed on every detail, smiling every so often when I plucked at a post-it note, all sorts of cartoon animals that Binnie and Eunwoo must've stuck onto each file and random page. Little messages of encouragement scattered randomly in the sheets, or a random kiss and love you on top of others.

Even if the boys hadn't been able to stay long enough to meet, they'd made sure to leave notes around for me to find. A habit that went way back when all our work schedules were yet to align, when we missed one another at breakfast or other meals.  And even now, even with this distance around us they didn't stop, they reminded me of the small things.

The small, simple actions that brought so much joy. My eyes linger on one particular note, steadily piling up, fingers curling around the light-coloured paper.

Take a break. Time to grab a snack and drink now. We know you've been working for too long. Binnie and Woo xx

They knew me well, but in all honesty I wasn't aware of how much time had passed, no clock nearby to tell me how much had slipped through my fingers as I'd read and read.

And after a few long moments, I set the sticky note down to join the small stack, mentally taking note to call them or leave a message for them.

It's obligation to my packmates that I get up and pad over for some water, feeling as if they'd somehow know if I didn't.

And when I sit back, my fingers curl around the glass, the chill of it seeping out as I keep reading, hand turning the pages as I sip.

The gentle lull settles once more. Mind becoming focused and sharp on each detail, zoning out on everything around me, reading over details, making a mental checklist for what sort of things to experiment with, therapy tips and counselling strategies not only for Ji Ah but Min-Jun too.

It's as I'm examining a particular case file over where a selection of teenagers had been found together, a mix of different levels of traumas and hurts, seeing how they'd been helped.

I remembered that case, it was one of the earlier ones I'd been assigned to as a trainee caregiver, five years back or so when the teenagers had arrived. Angry, resentful, snappish. Pushed to instinctual responses quickly. And had rejected ideas of therapy, ideas of being counselled because to them it felt as if a label was being pinned on them.

A label of being broken. Of needing to be fixed.

I still remembered how viciously I'd been flung away, body aching and a cry tearing out until the girl's head had risen, angry raging eyes blinking with surprise when she saw someone only a few years older.

It was such a trying case.

Had been one which had made me feel so failed as a trainee, made me felt as if I wasn't cut out for a job where the sheer brutality of what people went through made me want to curl into a corner and cry, when I'd felt myself unable to stop shaking and crying after my first case, my first assigned child.

Always returning home shaky and body thrumming restlessly, tears slipping free no matter how hard I scrubbed at them.

I recognise the old notes I'd written, recognise the old, younger me in them, smiled at the optimism I'd written them with, bright peppy notes to encourage myself to keep going.

I'm so engrossed in the notes that I lose awareness of my surroundings, fingers tracing over the ink past me had left behind.

Head snapping up and body stiffening as it jerks up when a loud, rumbly deep sound fills the air, shatters the silence.

Tail flicking against the back of the chair, ears perking up, heart racing at the sound, every limb locked up, beginning to pulse with the rush of adrenaline trying to propel me into flight, trying to propel me away from the sheer predatoriness of the sound. Rippling through the air with a deep powerful timbre. 

Loud and demanding.

My fingers curl around the papers, body stiff and legs jittery, trembling with that instinct to run, run, escape.

Slowly my head turns around, almost apprehensively when a disarming sight has my body slumping with relief.

A rumply, pyjama clad ruffled tiger. Taehyung stands at the entrance to the kitchen, stripey tail curling slowly behind him and ears all fluffy and to attention, lips curved wide in a smile.

The rumbly sound continues, deep and originating from deep down of his chest, a low vibrating roll of sound pouring past his lips as he stares at me, eyes flashing with pleasure and ears twitching.

My body curves forward, relaxing as I stare at him.

Not a predator....well not a threat.

He was just chuffing.

Chuffing was good. It was a happy sound.

Startling sure. But a sound of utter contentment.

And he gravitated closer now that our eyes had met, bounding over with light energetic treads, tail curling and swaying behind him, the rumbly sound still continuing, a deep vibrating sound that grew louder, grew more noticeable as he moved towards me.

He flashes a boxy fangy smile once he reaches me, standing behind me as he looks down at me.

"Morning (Y/N)!" he trills, rumble quietening and deep smooth voice flowing out.

"Morning Taehyung." I say with a smile, curious about what had him chuffing.

Head tilted as I peer at him.

Watching as his grin widens, silently vibrating with excitement behind me.

"What had you chuffing?" I ask.

His smile brightens. Lights up.

"You know about it! Sometimes people stare at me weird if I chuff in public..." he says a bit morose, my hand reaching out to pat his arm. Feeling a bit sheepish for startling. 

"Of course! Tigers chuff when they're happy. It's something to share, not hide away. So what's made you all happy this early?" I ask.

"You." he says simply.

I blink up at him. Confused.

I point to myself. 

"Me? Why?" I ask.

He leans in close then, head bending down to be at a closer level to me, the orange and black of his stripey ears so close, so vivid from this lack of proximity, eyes bright and shining. Fangy grin.

But even as disarming as he looks, it still makes me jolt the first instance when he leans in towards my neck and gives a small sniff, humming with pleasure as he moves back.

"I can smell Kookie on you! I'd recognise that cotton scent anywhere." He says with a pleased look.

My fingers flutter and curl around my throat, fingers brushing against the edge of it, a spark of sensitivity when my nails brush it.

It had been a while since they'd been scented.

I didn't know what to make of the information that light scenting had it feeling so sensitive, not wanting to dwell on the painful reminder that I'd gone so long without scenting that the barest of it had it puffy.

His eyes drift to my fingers, where they curl around my throat, making a small, affronted noise.

"Now why would you do that? I could smell something sweet too. I'm guessing you?" he asks, trying to pry my fingers away with long fingers that curl around my wrist and tug lightly.

I let him draw my hand down, nodding.

It was the barest of my scent.

But it remained. Remained in the smallest of amounts.

"Are you a morning bird then Taehyung?" I ask.

He shakes his head, a pleased smile on his lips.

"A morning cub as Yoongi hyung says! After all my grandmother taught me that morning is the best time to go to the fields in, when everything's all golden and glowing!" he shares before leaning to peer over my shoulder, seemingly distracted by something..

When he suddenly looms over me it makes me get a face full of sweet berry scent, ripe and bursting berries, rolling off him in strong constant waves, mellowed around the edges by dredges of sleep, by something sweet and warm that I recognised as Hobi's caramel scent. It made for a rush of scents to suddenly make my head spin for a moment.

I twisted in the seat to see what he'd been peering at, expecting him to be looking at the file I was looking at, not intently scanning the sticky note I'd just placed on the top. The message from Eunwoo and Binnie.

Unblinking as he looks at it.

Then his eyes move to scan the table, at the papers scattered in front of me. Landing on the glass of water.

"So where's the drink and snack?" voice deep and confused.

I point to the glass.

"There." Simply stated.

He taps the sticky note.

"But there's been no movement for at least nearly an hour and a bit. I've been awake." Eyeing me sceptically and with a knowing glint in his eyes.

I blink at him.

"I got up for the water. It still feels slightly weird to go through this kitchen." I say, gesturing to it. 

This kitchen in particular because the other one I'd associated with Jin and Jungkook and our daily meals together. A part of cohesiveness as we moved around each other.

This kitchen was still new and foreign.

Something I'd seen their pack in together.

Something that felt slightly wrong to broach.

But Taehyung makes up my mind for me, tail brushing against the leg of my chair as he rounds the table to get into the main space, staring at me from opposite the table surface.

"Let me get the snack then! You should do better and listen to your packmates (Y/N)." he says with mock exasperation as he bustles around the kitchen, ambling towards the fridge and rummaging for something.

Emerging victoriously with a punnet of strawberries that he proceeds to rinse and cut the stalks off, putting them into a bowl from the chopping board.

Presenting it with a flourish, stripey tail swishing with eagerness as he sets it down in front of me.

A smile breaks out across my face at the way he enthusiastically watches me, waiting for me to bite into a strawberry, sweetness exploding across my tongue.

I give him a thumbs up and he sits down in the opposite seat to me with a satisfied look, seeming to preen when my fingers reach for another berry.

"I'll do what....Woo and Binnie want you to do." He says, reading upside down as he peers back at the sticky note, making sure he's done what it says.

It makes me feel fond and warm.

"You're sweet Tae." I say softly, nickname slipping out.

But he perks up. Noticing it immediately.

Tail swishing quicker.

"You said it now! No takebacks." He beams.

I nod with a smile.

A few minutes pass in silence, silent save for the rhythmic swishing sound of his tail cutting through the air as it curves and sways.

"Can I look at the notes?" he tentatively asks.

I peer up from the case file, expecting his gaze to be to the large cluster in front of me but like last time his eyes are focused on the small stack of coloured sticky notes, gesturing to them.

I peel them off the table and hand them over, somehow knowing he'll be careful with them.

I didn't want to quite let them go. It felt like forever since I'd last seen a message left behind for me by either of them.

Made me feel close and connected to them still.

My eyes drift to observe him instead, see how he carefully handles them and reads the little messages, ears twitching and a smile on his lips as he reads the notes.

"Your packmates are the fussing, teasing bunch. They sound lovely." Tae murmurs, head rising to meet my gaze over the table.

I smile, nodding as I reach for another berry. Sweet juice bursting when I bite in, staining my lips and catching the corner of my mouth.

My hand moves to reach for a napkin when suddenly Tae moves forward, thumb catching the juice that stains my lips, curving under my bottom lip before his thumb retreats, tongue flicking against it as he draws it into his mouth. Sucking the juice clean from the pad of his thumb.

And then still. Blinks at me as if in surprise, only now realising what he's done. Making me feel and realise as if the action had been purely unconscious and instinctive, something he did out of habit.

Tail slows down as he stares wide-eyed at me.

"I'm sorry! It was an automatic thing...I...I find it hard to hold back immediate responses." He rambles.

Sounding sincerely apologetic and contrite, ears wilting and drooping, head bowed as his fingers clutched at the sticky notes.

Looking morose and dejected.

My heart aches for the fact he seems to be used to apologising for instincts, for immediate responses.

First the chuffing and now this.

It felt like he was walking on eggshells around those who weren't pack.

And whilst I wasn't a packmate, I wanted to be a friend, wanted to be someone different than the outside world who still saw only the stripes and fangs.

"It's fine Tae. Really...it's fine." I reassure.

Watch as the tentativeness melts away and tail swishes quicker.

See the slight stiffness melt away, easily slipping off his posture.

And then there's the sound of padding footsteps, light and barely audible, but the voice alert me as to who it is. Yoongi and Hobi. Down the hallway and through the apartment, the others begin to wake too, stirring.

"Morning (Y/N)~" not the bright trill of Hobi that greets me but rather a soft, smooth gentle voice.

One that's never failed to make me feel immediately calm. Posture loosening and softening at the deep smoothness of the voice.

I see Tae visibly light up, perking up at the sight of his packmates. And turn to see Yoongi entering the kitchen, a soft smile directed towards me, black ears twitching and perked up.

"Morning Yoongi, morning Hobi." I say, just as Tae chirps 'hyung' out for the two of them.

Hobi bounds in behind Yoongi, darting into his path to cut across him as he rushes forward, ears twisting and face lit up with a grin.

"Morning dear." A bright enthused greeting, eyes twinkling as he watches my own twitch.

"Smart play on words sunshine." I say before reaching for my glass, watching as his face brightens even more.

Plopping down beside me.

"Hyung we need to make a large breakfast. From now on I'm in charge of substituting for (Y/N)'s packmates." Tae declares brightly.

Causing two pair of eyes to fall on me, curiosity as well as openness in them; a readiness to accept and follow along, a warm richness in their browns.

"In that case better get started. So (Y/N)....how do you like your eggs in the morning?" Yoongi asks.

There's a flash of amusement in his eyes as well as tenderness.

And it doesn't matter that this isn't the first time his eyes have focused on me.

But still just like the first time, I feel warmth making my stomach flutter. I feel something gentle and protective and kind in them.

Suga was Yoongi and Yoongi was Suga.

Day and night.

And yet for me the two of them were so irrevocably intertwined and it felt too hard to see one without remembering the other.

TAE POV:

(Y/N) gathers up the papers in front of her as the others filter in to the kitchen, drawing them close to her to form a neat pile, slipping out the chair to set them aside. I watch as Joon hyung and Jiminie's eyes track her movements, something akin to worry and guilt flashing briefly in their eyes as they trudge towards the kitchen table.

Namjoon hyung moves towards the kitchen, moving to help Yoongi hyung and Hobi hyung but Yoongi hyung's tail flicks out warningly, stilling the eager rush of footsteps.

"At the table please pup. I haven't quite forgotten the close encounter with your apron and the stove." He says without turning, though his lips are quirked into a secretive smile as he makes the eggs whilst Hobi hyung mans the toaster, buttering them as they pop out.

"Come sit with me hyung." I say, patting the seat next to me with a grin and watch as he shuffles close, looking like a scolded puppy, tail hanging low.

But he perks up when I immediately lean in, closing the distance between us by diving in to scent, nosing at his cheek and chasing after his foresty scent, rich and heavy- weighted down with sleep. Lean to nuzzle and dive closer to the scent gland on his throat, pleased when he lets out a rumble and tilts his head in silent invitation for me to lean in closer.

"You're a sweet cub Tae." Joon hyung's voice mumbles and there's the touch of a nose grazing across my jaw, of sweet fresh mint teasing across my nose in a light caress as Jiminie scents and moves to the others in the kitchen, a brief squeeze to my waist before he moves away.

I press a kiss to his gland, lips stained with rich earthy musk and the scent of leaves in full bloom, leaning away with the intertwined scent of him and Jiminie clinging to me as I move away, seeing the way his eyes flash with pride and love.

And beam when he leans in for a quick peck to my cheek, his own the faintest pink.

My eyes turn and see (Y/N) fiddling with her glass, head bent as if lost in thought but before I can ask her what it is, the doorway is filled with the sight of an energetic bunny, who's eyes quickly fall on (Y/N) and sags with relief, calling over his shoulder for Jin hyung who follows behind.

"Found her hyung!" and then he's moving forward, slightly jostling Hobi hyung with his haste to get to her and winding his arms around her from behind, mumbling something in her ear.

Her hand squeezes his intertwined ones, a small smile on her face that's apologetic and gentle.

Murmuring a thanks that has his ears perking up and toothily grinning, a flash of that sweet giddy smile when he raises his head and allows Hobi hyung to tug him close.

There's an ease in the way Jin hyung's wings settle against his back as he comes close, scooping (Y/N) up into another hug which she leans immediately into. An ease and familiarity with each other, a closeness that's between the three of them.

Maybe it was all those meals together.

Maybe I needed to do something similar.

But I hoped that in our mural sessions that we too would grow closer. There were such stories connected to her, stories from the children, from my packmates. Such things I couldn't wait to learn about her, from her. 

I couldn't wait to work alongside her and the children in redecorating the play centre, in making a mural of all the different hybrids that the centre looked after.

I couldn't wait to become friends with (Y/N), the person behind the esteemed title of fawn fairy.

And as I looked at her, I couldn't help but remember last night, couldn't forget the flash of need and instinctual longing inside me when I'd watched her curve towards Kookie, watched her eyes flutter and focus on his throat.

It had stirred up all those instincts to be part of that, to join them in scenting, to drag my other packmates into a pile, limbs intertwined and lazily, slowly scenting, revelling in that satisfaction of being pressed close, of that warm haze that went beyond the heat of bodies seeping into one another.

Instincts that had flared and pulsed strong when I'd entered the kitchen and found Kookie's cotton scent clinging to a curved figure. Had walked in and found (Y/N) sitting with such a relaxed, droopy posture that it had elicited a deep rumble from far down my chest, glad to see her slowly becoming more and more at ease and delighted to having walked into the sight of her on this side of the apartment, legs curved around the chair legs.

But maybe one day. One day she'd trust me enough as she trusted some of the others and I'd be given that unrestrained right to draw her close into hugs, to nuzzle and scent her too.

One day I'd have what the others had.

I just hope that one day arrived soon enough.

-----

But this too is more than enough, walking beside (Y/N), Jiminie flanking her other side as we made our way to the centre. This too was enough to see her smile directed towards me with just as much warmth as it did towards Jiminie. 

It was more that enough, however, to have her turn to face me when we entered the centre, reaching out for me before I hurried away.

"I need to check up on Ji Ah and Min-Junie, so it'll take me a few hours but I'll make sure to turn up and help with the mural. You're doing the wall stripping and outlines right?" she asks.

I nod, tail swishing, both touched and pleased that she remembered, that she had kept time aside for me, to help me.

It seemed as if the fawn fairy's magic was through small, thoughtful words as well as action.

"Uh huh! Is Min-Junie going to be joining us too?" I ask, eyes wide with enthusiasm.

I watch her face soften, see the small twinkle in her eyes as she gives a tentative nod.

"If he's up for it then of course! I'll come with a baby bear in tow. Because....he really likes you Tae." She leans in to confide with a soft whisper, scent light and a tinge of floral that my nose barely catches the edge of.

My heart quickens at her words. Giddy that the same baby bear that Hobi hyung had lamented over disliking him, being terrified of him had taken a liking to me, had been shocked and then ecstatic when I'd first walked in.

A delighted call of 'berry' as he wriggled in   (Y/N)'s lap, pointing to me with unrestrained joy.

I'd like that. I'd really like that.

I nod, watching her lean back.

"I'll see you later then (Y/N). The kids will be really happy a certain fawn fairy will be joining." I say.

Her cheeks pink and she laughs, head ducking down and away as she steps back.

"Not as delighted as Min-Junie will be. Have a great day Tae, I'll catch you later." She says, turning away.

Stepping away and heading towards her office.

And as I watch her leave, I imagine that I'd be seeing the same rosiness to her cheeks when she met me later, the same delight in her eyes and the same freshness to her voice.

Didn't know that hours later, near two hours after lunch, that she'd come into the large play room, eyes shadowed and lips stiff, trying to quirk up into a smile but not quite getting there. Didn't know that I'd see her not leading in Min-Jun by the had but bundled close to her, his latched-on position seeming to be more for her benefit than his, hands curved in a protective hold around him.

I slowly get up, watching as the children's attention go towards the door, loud exclamations of noise as they spot her, quietening down when they spot the figure she clutches close to her chest.

I move towards her, carefully weaving through the buckets of paint and children to get to her, hand reaching for her elbow.

"Are you okay (Y/N)?" I ask softly.

Her eyes blink up at me, not as bright as they'd been this morning, a burning flame that was now a flickering ember, sputtering in and out.

From this close I can feel her scent, seeping out of her in trembling weak waves. The earlier light floral tone turned decayed and harsh. Whatever had happened in the past few hours had been enough to push her pheromones to break through the barrier scent blockers provided. Told me that whatever had happened wasn't good. But also that now wasn't the time to unpack it all. 

See it being confirmed when she gives a silent nod, breath rushing out as she forces her body to calm, posture loosening as she shrugs off the heaviness, tries to roll out the stiffness from her shoulders.

"I'm fine. Fine. Can you take Min-Junie for a few moments? I'll just get a pair of overalls to put on." she murmurs, eyes still slightly distracted, still flickering with hurt.

I nod, carefully peeling off the latched-on bear from her, drawing him into my arms and watch her take a few steps back, turning to leave, turning away from me, from the room.

Leaving without another word.

A few moments stretch out into minutes, countless minutes as we wait, busying myself from helping the children in taking down the posters and countless pictures that decorate the walls, stripping it bare to restart, to paint a new layer of history into it.

But when she returns, it's with whatever light scent of distress I'd caught on her now gone. Hidden away by a fresh thick layer of scent-blockers. Calm and composed once more, face slightly pink as if she'd rubbed at it, had splashed water on it if the damp strands of hair around her face were anything to go by.

Smile a bit looser even if her fingers curl around the hem of her shirt, tugging at as she enters. But it brightens, turns natural when the cluster of children around her are a clamouring of voices and sweet pulsing scents, happiness pouring off each of them.

And when her eyes meet mine over several small heads, it's with a look of gratitude in it, a silent show that she knew that I'd known but hadn't pushed or pried.

A gentleness in her eyes that hadn't left even when they'd been dazed. Something that remained connected to her, this aura of tenderness, this natural nurturing ability that had the children turning to her, drawn to her.

It was something that drew me close, Min-Jun calling out happily for her.

I saw her slowly became more relaxed around the children, realised that just as much as she ached and pained with some of the things she had to witness, it was seeing happy, healing children that were the very balms to those pains.

That this centre brought her pain but it also gave her the remedy for it too.

When she moves close, I see that the overalls are loose on her, meant for a broader frame, hanging past her wrists and gaping slightly at the neck where the shoulders sag and droop off her own.

She looks swallowed up by the fabric, see that she's rolled up the trouser legs too.

It's cute.

She looks cute.

"Couldn't find your own ones?" I ask.

She gives a small shrug, the very corners of her lips turned up.

"Don't have my own. I borrowed it from Yugyeom-ah." She says, bending down to sweep the piles of posters into her arm, moving to carefully tuck them away into the large higher up drawers that the children couldn't reach.

I watch as her hands gather up bits and pieces, gently sweeping the kids around with a flurry of her arms as she spins them, a twirly hug before they're set down on the other side. Marking a clear path to get to the large stretch of wall, turning to face me with a tilt of her head. Smiling before her eyes go to the children.

"So who wants to be the one to help strip this all away?" 

A chorus of 'me' ring out, Min-Jun wriggles against me as he follows suit, yelling out his assent too.

I quickly let him down and watch as he rushes forward until his feet come to a still. Dithering behind the large cluster of children uncertainly, posture indicating how new it was for him to be thrust into this boisterous environment.

See him hover and wonder what to do even if it's clear he's longing to rush to her.

And then a sweet panda hybrid separates herself from the cluster, carefully edging close until her chubby finger comes to poke his cheek, giggling at his slightly startled presence before he relaxes, registers a fellow bear hybrid.

I watch as Hye-Min giggles and holds her palm out, wriggling her fingers at him.

"You want to get to (Y/N) unnie right?" she asks.

He nods quickly. Mind made up as he puts his hand in hers and she gives it a squeeze, wrapping it up with hers, interlaced hands swinging together as she tugs him along.

(Y/N) was right. Hye-Min would take good care of him.

I could see it already.

And when the walls are utterly bare and each child has been tugged into my arms or (Y/N)'s to be helped into paint aprons, each hand clutches at a brush, vibrating with energy as they stand impatiently before open cans of white paint.

A small nudge to my side as (Y/N) bumps her hip against mine.

"Go for it tiger. Let leash the children." She says with amusement dancing around her tone.

My lips curve up at the words. At the tone.

Infinitely different to the way she'd been as she'd entered.

I knew whatever had passed had merely been glossed over temporarily, that even if it had been pushed to the back of her mind, it hadn't been banished from thought.

But if she wanted to ignore it for now then I could do that to.

"Go on then! Paint the walls white!" I call, my words causing every bit of restrain to snap as brushes dipped into pots, dripping onto the protective covering the carpets had been securely hidden away under.

There's a rush of footsteps and brandished, dripping brushes as hands move with eagerness across the walls, a much calmer   (Y/N) stepping away with a laugh to move to paint another side of the wall.

My feet hurry behind her, stepping into stride with her so we can paint together, her controlled even brushstrokes contrasted with my quick, eager ones. One unhurried and one hurried. One small hand and one large.

But as we paint I realise that we're covering over another layer of past paintings and figures immortalised into the walls. 

My hand falters as I'm about to paint over a very faint outline of a bright-eyed doe, eyes drifting to the physical one beside me, her pace unhurried and focused.

"(Y/N)...we're painting over an old set of paintings." I state.

She pauses, a small sound of confusion before she's leaning into my side to peer at the painting, hand clutching the paintbrush still.

She makes a small, startled sound, a muffled sound suppressed by her lips pressed together, eyes drifting over the painting.

"It's from years ago. Look how faint it is." She points out, finger reaching out to trace over the round cheeks of the doe girl, tracing the outline of her with a thoughtful silence.

Uncaring of how the pad of her finger gets coated with white.

"But still. It feels like we're covering up their history to make way for the children's present." I say, feeling a twinge of something that felt like guilt and confusion.

She shakes her head.

Turns to face me.

"Don't think of it like that Tae. Think of it this way. We're adding another layer of history for whichever children will come tomorrow. It's not covering or erasing anyone's past, it's adding to the stories the walls will hold." (Y/N) says, voice firm but gentle.

Strong and soothing. At equal parts soft and calm and learned and experienced.

Both empathising with my words but also helping me see them in a more positive light.

I nod along.

"That sounds better. Another layer of history." I murmur.

Her hand is gentle as it guides mine to paint strokes of white up and down, the faint outline of round cheeks and a bright grin hidden away.

A slate wiped clean.

A fresh start for the children of today.

A chance for them to get to write their own stories into the wall.

Of painting themselves into the very foundations of strength and support that the walls of the centre represented.

"Another layer of history." Murmured back, voice softer, a barely audible whisper.

As if sharing the secret to the walls, sharing it to the figures of the children painted underneath.

(THERE....WE...GO?? SO THE MURAL PART OF THE WHOLE THING DOESN'T FINISH HERE OF COURSE!! THERE'LL BE LOTS MORE SNIPPETS OF THEIR MURAL COMING TO LIFE HAPPENING! AND~ WE SEE THAT TETE HERE IS ACTUALLY A VERY PERCEPTIVE TIGER! I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED IN A FEW HOURS TO MAKE POOR BABY FAWN ALL SHAKY?? WHAT'S HAPPENED TO JI AH?? BECAUSE THE POOR DARLING REMAINED BEHIND THE SCENES TODAY!! WHAT ELSE~....WE HAD....THE SCENTING SCENE!! HOW DID YOU FIND IT?? JINNIE IS WATCHING FOR NOW BUT BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY HE'LL BE VERY ACTIVE IN CUDDLES SOON ENOUGH!! AND TAE!! WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF HIM BASICALLY?? HE FEATURED A LOT THIS CHAPTER! Midiiplier MY DARLING DID YOU SPOT THE LITTLE REFERENCE I LEFT BEHIND FOR YOU TO FIND?? AHHH IF NOT, THEN I GUESS I'LL GIGGLE ALONE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE SCENTING SCENE TOOK THE ENTIRETY OF JIN'S POV BUT NO REGRETS- HE LOVED SEEING HIS BUNNY KOO BE SO PROUD TO HELP AND IT MADE HIM FEEL GIDDY TOO! HMMM...THE PLOT WILL THICKEN NEXT CHAPTER, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE HINTS MENTIONED! ENJOY?? TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE MY LOVES!)

This is also just a reminder that this book is tagged as mature, and it's safe to say this book will be perhaps the highest on mature rankings for the ones I've written, there'll be lots of themes of trauma, grief, suffering, animal primal needs merging with human, a lot of references to violence and sexual topics so please, please, please...if you are my younger readers, I'd highly recommend you read with caution or not read at all if those things are too much.

QUESTION....SOMEONE IMPORTANT TO YOU? NOT NECESSARILY FAMILY...A PERSON IN YOUR LIFE THAT MEANS A LOT?

Mine is....this feels like a great time to introduce Midiiplier , she's my darling, my sweet secretary who's put up with SO MUCH rambling, ranting, outbursts...EVERYTHING from me, so truly an angel! But if you see her in the comments, she's just being sneaky, laughing cos she KNOWS things and honestly just plotting away! She's a sly one but love you Midiiplier ~

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3