HOBI POV:

When I wake, it's to the sight of Yoongi hyung's face tucked behind Tae's, his tail sprawled in a protective embrace over Tae's waist, even as his arms are snaked around him, hugging our cub who lies sandwiched between us. I smile, brushing back the curls that have fallen over Tae's face, sheets rucked as they lie around us. Tae looks so incredibly soft and tender like this, not that he isn't a gentle sweetheart during the day, but when he's asleep his face is softened out from the naturally sharp features that unknowingly appear as intimidating to strangers. I lean forward to peck his forehead, rubbing a hand through his hair to scratch lightly at the base of his ears and finding that my smile widens when a deep rumbling sound comes from his throat, an unconscious happy sound as his instincts register the petting and my scent.

I slide out of bed, padding over- feet naturally quiet against the soft carpet as well as the natural instinctual inclination to be silent movers, though whilst they're awake- that vanishes instantly giving way to a noise buoyance, and pull out a change of clothes and head off to shower.

Once the water is warm enough, I strip off carefully standing a distance away from the showerhead so it doesn't directly spray onto my ears- not particularly liking how harsh the water pressure can be and relax as the warm water washes away the grogginess of sleep and the fatigue of staying seated down for long periods of time. I groan as my muscle seem to remain stiffen, mentally taking note to try and drag out one if not both of them to head out with me for a run later on. Tae will be eager, he loves running through fields without direction, eager to just dispel all that build up energy by having fun and laughing, immersed in his own world that he remains largely unaffected by the different gazes; ranging from awed and interested, to happy and bright, to downright hesitant and hostile.

I love that about him. That he never lets people's perspectives bother him, that he doesn't ever feel the need to hide. He adores the hybrid part of him, accepts and embraces it wholly. Which just adds to his personality. And just as I'm thinking about my fluffy cub, said cub, suddenly spins me around, laughing- a deep melodic happy sound as he stands under the shower spray directly, curls and ears turning sodden in an instant, dark inky strands plastered to his face as he beams at me.

"Morning hyung!" he chirps, sounding far too awake than his usual groggy sleepy adorable self that fumbles around the house.

"Morning baby." I say, tugging him out from the direct line of the water and into my arms to hug him and grinning when his tongue laps at my neck, brief kitten licks as he scents me, the wetness of his tongue mingling with the slippery slide of water, feeling the warm huff of his breath as he looks slightly petulant, continuing his efforts.

He leans back moments later, smiling cutely before reaching behind him to pluck shampoo from the shelves fixed to the wall, squeezing an amount onto his hands.

"Can I...?" he asks, hands already reaching out as I nod to gently lather up my hair, avoiding my ears very carefully as he makes shapes and styles out of the sudsy foam, giggling happily to himself. Tae's careful as he gets a small water jug to carefully rinse out my hair, one hand shielding my ears by turn as he washes the shampoo out and repeats the entire action with conditioner.

I smile at his acts of fussing and coddling- he doesn't really take on that role considering both Yoongi hyung and I am older but he relishes in taking care of us in these small ways, or knowing when to situate himself happily, always observant, onto our laps when the air is thick with soured scents whether it be from stress, external pressure, or any other factor.

"All done." He says and without any hesitation, brings his head forward for me to do the same- the reciprocated act of grooming each other in another way, content to let the water wash over him, soaking him as I wash his hair, cleaning the fur of his ears too. He's practically preening as I wash his hair, utterly content to have his ears petted and gently cleaned and fully trusting. It takes time to build such a close bond and whenever I look at hyung and Tae I never fail to be amazed and feel my heart expand with warmth and giddiness- that I got so lucky to have them as family, to be able to call them my own.

And when I towel him off, I see the softness in his face, the warmth and tenderness I wish everyone could see when they saw him. And before he leaves, not having brought clothes with him, I tug him back by the waist pressing a kiss to his lips- a quick peck and letting out a small rumbling purr of satisfaction when his scent seems to brighten up with him, a burst of pheromones revealing just how happy and content he is.

"Run later?" I ask when I lean back, relishing in the sweet hazy look- instincts growling with approval that this is the effect I have on my cub, that I'm one of the few who are able to have him a tall adorable puddle. He makes me instincts war with themselves- one part wanting to show the world my beautiful bold cub and the other wanting to hide him away and keep him wrapped up between me and Yoongi hyung.

He nods, darting back in to steal another kiss, though his veers off chaste and habitual affection as he briefly runs his tongue over the seam of my lips and bolts away, laughter deep and sweet as it fills the air at my startled noise.

I watch his figure disappear as the door shuts, the slam loud enough to have stirred hyung awake if Tae already hadn't with his swarming hugs and kisses.

The day's started off wonderfully I muse as I head downstairs, seeing the two of them already seated at the kitchen island, tails swaying lightly behind them as they have breakfast.

"Hobi hyung come have breakfast. And then the two of you can drop me off to the hybrid centre today." Tae says without turning, voice sounding muffled, probably speaking around a mouthful and true to word when I round the table to plop onto the stool opposite him, I see the way his cheeks are bulging slightly, happily chewing on pancakes and fruits.

I nod, tugging the bowl of soup towards me. Nothing beats starting the day with a warm soup hyung has made, especially when the weather is beginning to turn cold too.

Yoongi hyung sighs, a deep weary sound- more exaggerated than genuine, because even as my ears prick up sharply at the sound of a potentially distressed member of our clutter, but his lips are twitching as he narrows onto our expressions, startled and pausing mid-action to give him our attention.

"Fine I'll go too...but only because Hobi had some research to do at the centre and I'll be left all alone." He says, picking up his empty breakfast dishes to take to the sink and wash, tail swishing contently with the domesticity of the action, of being the main caregiver, of being able to take care of us in the small ways.

And he takes the dishes from our hands as we try and wash them, tail swishing with a warning swat to our legs when we try to take the sponge out of his hands, eyes narrowed and juxtaposed by the sad pout he shoots us. There's no way out of this than to surrender to his charms and I dart in to press a kiss behind one fluffy black ear, nosing along it before moving away.

When it comes to Yoongi hyung and his fussing, it's best if no-one threatens that safe warm space he's created, because he's truly so settled and comfortable but the moment that safety of the clutter is threatened- he rises as the protector.

And as Tae and I bundle up, wrapping ourselves up warm and pulling hoods over our heads to keep our ears nice and toasty, I go through the comments from hyung's radio show last night, feeling a pressure as Tae rests his head on my shoulder and reads with me.

Positive comments are the majority and I feel a rush of pride, strong and thick, as I read how much support hyung gets for being an active voice for hybrid rights, there's a mixture of awe, friendliness, pride and gratefulness in the messages. There's a few negatives and I don't know whether hyung has seen them but I quickly get to work on reporting them, getting them flagged up and removed from being viewed. Hyung doesn't need any negativity, he's always tried so hard to make things as comfortable as they can be for us, for hybrids in general, and I won't have anyone messing with that.

Tae makes a deep angry rumbling sound at some of the comments and yet when the soft padding of footsteps appear behind us the sound vanishes and the two of us spin to see hyung padding over, jacket slung over his arm.

"Ready to go?" hyung asks, eyeing us shrewdly with a familiar, too knowing gaze.

We may all be naturally inclined to be sharper, quicker, and wired to be more observant than the rest, Yoongi hyung never fails to one up us. And with his sharp eyes trained on us, the two of us hurry out in front of him, tails swishing with a nervous energy at being caught out.

Just a usual beginning of the day I think, double-checking my bag for all my materials and hyung grabbing hold of Tae so he doesn't get distracted by every thing his eyes catch on, shielding him by making him walk on the inside of the pavement. A normal day with my clutter.

And yet despite the normalcy of the day, it still feels precious and memorable. Another day of not being alone and of having the two of them by my side.

(Y/N) POV:

"Stop that I'll be late at this rate." I giggle between pecks and nuzzles to my face and trying to escape the strong pair of arms that have caged me in, pinning my own slender ones, in comparison, to my side.

"Stay still bokki." He chides, arms tightening in warning and I sag in his hold letting him to continue to pepper my face with kisses, taking especial care to dot them on the skin under my eyes, lips brushing feathery touches before leaning back looking satisfied.

I run my fingers across the lines of his face, gently rubbing and petting the top of his forehead, fingers delving into the soft strands of hair and brushing against the small antlers that protrude there, watching as the panicky frazzled look abates and his tail drops, sagging and settling down.

"There you go. All better." I say pecking his cheek before extracting myself from his arms.

He looks at me with wide morose eyes, shifting uneasily on his feet even as I can see the wince of pain flickering across his eyes.

I usher him back to the sofa, drawing the blanket over him.

"Eunwoo baby just stay here so I don't get a heart attack. You're just out of rut, let your pheromones calm down a bit and then it'll go back to normal as it always does." I say, smiling sympathetically when he groans when his still sensitive legs shift, sparking pain.

It pains me to leave him here like this but I have to get to work, and this is that part of post-rut where he just needs cuddles and massages and lots of food to build him up again.

But still I dither.

"I can call off work you know." I say, even as my mind flashes back to the phone call I'd received about how important it was I came in today, about an issue that had to be sorted as soon as, couldn't be delayed.

He shakes his head, a genuine but fatigued smile on his face.

"You and Binnie have done enough for me these past few days, I'll manage. You've literally left everything within reach." He says wryly, gesturing to the laden table.

I smile when he points it out.

He shoos me away, roles suddenly reversed from how clingy and protective and hovering he'd been minutes ago. It had been hard enough getting Binnie to escape and for Eunwoo to release his arms around the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed baby and now this.

"I'll be back straight after work. And I'll get some of those essential oils you like too. I'll give you a massage." I promise, watching as his face brightens up at the promise, nodding eagerly, small antlers firm and straight despite the way his hair bounces around his face.

And with a final peck to his cheek I leave, feeling my instincts still swirl around me, a thick heavy wave of them- heightened because of having to attend to Eunwoo, because his rutting behaviour was making the air swell and thicken with breeding instincts.

So stepping outside the house for the first time in little over two days is refreshing, refreshing even as the wind seems to have dropped a few degrees, cool and slightly chilly as it brushes against my face, lashing at my ears. I should begin wearing hats now, it's that time of year where the cooler, windier weather makes it harder for me to detect slight sound changes, harder to assess my environment.

But everything is pushed aside, forcefully, when I arrive at work- the sight of the matronly figure of Mrs Cha, the sweet panda hybrid, rises from her chair and bustles out of her office- her dark circles having seem to have significantly grown since I last saw her. Her sweet combo of cardigans and dresses seeming rumpled, hair askew.

I bow in greeting, straightening up quickly, frowning at the way the usually soft, gentle woman looks harried and panicky.

"Thank goodness you're here (Y/N). We've had an urgent case brought to us yesterday but the poor boy, he just won't settle. He's been worked up since yesterday despite all the different tactics and soothing strategies we've used. Poor dear is in a fright and won't let anyone near him." she says, already holding out a folder out towards me with all the details.

I take it, quickly taking in the important details on the first page, feeling my heart break when I read his age. Four. 

And to be placed for emergency care in a hybrid centre, torn away from his family already and then uprooted again- I can only begin to imagine how distressed and confused and disoriented he must be.

"Has no-one tried using comforting materials to help him relax?" I ask, frowning when I read the detail that he hasn't been able to sleep or feed at all properly.

Another shake of the head.

"You know we have wetnurses too, that their natural pheromones can help calm them down. But it seems like he just won't be soothed. I'm afraid we might have to add sedatives into his food, just so he can sleep and relax properly. He needs to rest too." She says.

Sedatives are always a big decision. Always one we consider when options are running out.

I quickly strip off my jacket and bag, hurriedly placing them behind the front desk, I'll take them later. Right now it's clear that the young child is the priority here. 

My eyes zero in onto his name.

Min-Jun.

And then hurry behind Mrs Cha, following her to where Min-Jun is currently at. And I frown when I notice he isn't in the large infirmary; it means he's not settled enough to be near others.

And when she leads me into one of the private rooms, my heart shatters at the defensive, curled up posture he has, arms wrapped around his frame and head tucked close to make himself appear smaller.

A defence tactic to make himself less of a target to predators.

It makes my heart ache and pain even more because he too is a predator hybrid.

I pad closer, trying not to scare him off by appearing silently.

"Min Jun sweetheart, I'm (Y/N)." I say softly as I move closer, watching as his tawny brown eyes catch onto me, silently track the way my feet move, one step, another.

And a small warning growling sound emits from deep in his throat, trying to scare me away- even as I can see the fragile vulnerability in his own.

"I won't hurt you sweetheart; I just want to make sure you're fine." I say, stopping a safe distance away from him, not to set off his instincts that I've veered off into his safe space.

My legs fold under me, shins touching the ground first before the rest of me follows and I hold out the soft bundle of blanket that I'm holding, soft, worn, soothing because of the natural woodsy scents it carries- something that hopefully sets his instincts at rest. He eyes it with sheer want and longing in his eyes, head rising so he can sniff at the air, at the scent it carries and watch as those same longing eyes shutter, turning to hardened unfeeling tawny orbs. It hurts because someone so young shouldn't ever have to feel that they need to hide their feelings, repress instinctual desires for comfort.

It makes me wonder just what exactly it is the poor dear has gone through. But I don't move, I remain kneeling as I hold it out to him, watching as he continues to stare at me, stiff and unmoving and hesitant. But after a long time, I reach out- shifting closer slightly to place it down within his reach, and the moment I lean back out of his space again, his hands snatch it up, uncurling from around him to draw it around him. Body ravenous for comfort as he draws it around him, hiding within it.

His fingers tremble as he swathes himself in the soft material. Cocooning himself in it, and just thinking about how long he must've gone without comfort, without a maternal touch- especially since he's been taken from his home, makes my heart squeeze in pain.

"Min-Jun why don't you come with me to have some food? We can get you anything you like." I say once I note his posture has loosened slightly in the blanket, relaxing in the slightest.

My own heightened instincts are raring to rush to him, to scoop the little cub up and hold him close, Eunwoo's rut having triggered my own nurturing instincts. And seeing him so hurt, so defenceless and in need of love, makes me feel failed.

But as I move close a slight small distance, having slowly moved closer and closer under his watchful eyes, they widen and his head rises- popping free from the blanket defence and sniffing carefully at the air, ears perking up slightly from the midst of his brown knotted locks. He needs a bath too.

"Sweet..." he mumbles. And it takes less than a moment to realise he can probably catch trails of the scent I'm carrying, a floral fruity mixture in my shampoo and my bodywash- coating my skin with a scent that appeals to bears. 

He shifts closer, crawling with the blanket wrapped around him.

I watch with bated breath as my scent seems to lure him out, tail shifting and rising slightly- unconsciously registering the bear cub hybrid as a threat to my own kind, but I force myself to remain still and calm, heart bursting as he moves closer and closer. Hesitant but still wanting to seek out the source of the scent, comforting and appealing. And then with unblinking eyes watch as he crawls onto my lap, hands scrambling for purchase before he snuffles, about to tuck himself in close.

But then, at the worst possible moment the door opens and a voice interrupts the placid silence, the comfort and safe atmosphere shattered by the presence of a new overlapping set of scents and the alarmed voice of Mrs Cha that gets cut off as the door closes.

Min-Jun's head bolts upright and his hand slashes across my cheek as he desperately attempts to scrabble back, pain and fire flaring across the left side of my face as he retreats back again, hiding under the blanket once more with a deep rumbly growl.

With a burning cheek I turn furiously to see who's entered and ruined the small but monumental improvement and catch sight of a fox hybrid, ears perked up and tail visible from behind him. I meet his eyes and watch as his sharp observing gaze slides off to become something that's scolded and abashed, ears drooping as he takes in the situation, wincing apologetically.

With a sorry grimace he opens his mouth.

"I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't have entered, oh god. Are you okay? Is it okay for me to come forward...or I could leave. I should..." he rambles apologetically.

I sigh, tension draining out of me as I take his worried expression.

"It's okay, what's done is done." I say, shoulders drooping with disappointment.

"I just wanted to check on the child, I'm Park Jimin, I'm working on the case that Min-Jun was a victim of." He says, not taking any steps closer, seeming conscious that his presence has already uprooted all progress and made Min-Jun retreat back again.

I shoot him a weary smile.

"I'm (L/N) (Y/N), one of the primary carers at this centre. And the poor baby bear you just frightened is Min-Jun." I say.

(INTRODUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE! (Y/N) IS FINALLY IN THE SCENE AND THERE WE HAVE IT! POOR MINNIE ACCIDENTALLY PUTTING HIS FOOR IN IT, STARTING OFF WITH A LITTLE ISSUE! AND HOBI!! JUST HAVING THE TIME OF HIS LIFE PAMPERING TAE AND THE TWO OF THEM MAKING SURE THEIR HYUNG DOESN'T GET ANY HATE FOR BEING PRO-HYBRID! AND SOON IN THE NEXT CHAPTERS WE'LL HAVE THE OT7 PACK BEING FORMED AND WITH SMALL SNIPPETS OF (Y/N)'S LIFE SO I WONDER HOW THAT'LL UNFOLD! IT'S MY FIRST TIME WRITING WITH BTS' DYNAMICS NOT SET UP YET SO IT'S A NEW CHALLENGE AND ONE I HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY AND SUPPORT ME WITH! AHHH I AM SO, SO EXCITED FOR THIS FIC!! AND WE ARE ALREADY PAST 1K READS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT MY DEARS! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS, STAY SAFE AND ENJOY!)

QUESTION...A SCENARIO YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE- IN THAT FANTASTICAL PART OF YOUR BRAIN FOR WHERE YOU'D MEET BTS?

Mine is...I've always wished and hoped, and yeah it's a dream won't come true kinda thought, that I'd love to write a book on BTS one day- about their lives as the people behind this global influence that brings positive change and to meet them. But I don't think that'll ever happen. But it's just a dream!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3