YOONGI POV:

I pad over quietly to the other end of the apartment, feet noiseless as I move down the hallways, instincts feeling slightly unsettled by the lack of appearance of the three of them. Logically I know that (Y/N)'s in good hands; that she's being looked after by both of them. But a restless part of me still wants to confirm, to make sure that none of them need anything and that she's not hurting.

A part of me, that had vehemently denied to Tae in attempt to keep him from bounding over with me, wants to see if she's still shifted; heart still soft and tender with fondness for the beautiful little fawn that had wobbled further into my life, had curved up and nestled into a little circle; secure and snug in the growing warmth and love I felt for her. The image of her carefully scooped up and cradled by Jin hyung, black wings curled around her as he'd walked from the living room was still fresh in my mind.

And as my fingers curl around the door handle, it's excited anticipation that thrums in my veins as I quietly push the door open, peeking in to the room; curtains still drawn, eyes falling to the sight of the bed.

There's the sound of deep, even breathing as I pad in, quiet slipping in and immediately encompassed by the scent of soft cotton, vanilla and light slumbering anise, the pheromones a heavy blanket that settles in the room, clinging to each particle of air with its sleepy enticing haze.

A bit of tension bleeds out my posture, relaxing unconsciously on knowing they're still sleeping, padding forward, lips curving up when I see Kookie's face smushed against the pillows, ears flopped in sleep and half draped across his cheek. I spot a black wing second, curved across the bed as Jin hyung sleeps, blanketing away the sight of (Y/N) as she had been last night.

And as I move closer, I see Jin hyung's body shift slightly, wings rustling as he wriggles in sleep, eyes blinking open. He seems to sense me rather than hear me move close, head turning on the pillow and tousled dark hair shifting as he peers at me through lowered lashes, lidded eyes tracking my movements.

He silently holds a hand out for me, lips stretching into a sleepy smile as I pad over, fingers sliding against his palm as I round the side to him, sinking down on the edge of the large bed when he gives a small tug to my fingers.

"Sleep well kit?" he mumbles, wings rustling and shifting as he rolls over slightly to peer at me, eyes warm and hazy with sleep flickering in the soft brown of his irises.

I nod, tail curling and swishing behind me as I look at him.

"I served my function as a body pillow for Tae." I say with a wry smile, eyes flickering over to the space between the two when my fingers involuntarily tighten and tail stills, ears flickering as I feel my eyes widen.

Stilling at the sight between them.

Because there isn't a shifted fawn curled between the two of them. There isn't the sight of the curled up circle of soft brown that had fallen asleep between Jimin's legs yesterday and clambered onto Jin hyung's lap. There isn't a fawn there.

But the unshifted, sleeping, bare figure of (Y/N)'s body curved under the sheets. My eyes catch sight of marks colouring the curve of her bare shoulder, clear where teeth had sunk down, bruised marks colouring her skin, gland swollen and puffy and red, scent seeping out in sweet light trails.

I hear the rustle as Jin hyung turns, a soft intake of breath as he realises what's happened. That she'd shifted back in her sleep, body bare and curled under the sheets. My eyes drift to the sight of an inked arm curled around her over the sheets, tucking her close against Kookie who's nose twitches in sleep, head unconsciously drifting closer, the sheets tugged away from his body, leg curled over her, puffs of breath exhaled where his head rests against the back of hers.

"She shifted back." Jin hyung murmurs quietly to himself and when my eyes flicker to his it's too see sleepy eyes pool with soft tenderness, gaze going warm as he sees how Kookie's tucked up close to her, his arm settled comfortably and banding across her hip in a loose embrace.

She looks soothed and settled. Face void of any discomfort and features smoothened out in sleep, hair unbound and splayed across the pillow, ears still and curved slightly, cheeks pink with a healthy rosy flush and hand stretched out towards where Jin hyung was; as if through the night she'd unconsciously sought him out in the same way she had shifted. Instinctually sensing him as safe, as comfort and security and warm protection.

"Well now I'm glad I told Tae to stay back." I say quietly, lips tugging as I thought about how unabashed he would've been, how easily he would've commented on the pros of sleeping bare, with the high chance that he'd have tugged at his own shirt and wriggled close.

Instead I watch Kookie's nose scrunch when a tendril of (Y/N)'s hair brushes against his face, ticklish and teasing and the movement slight as she moves in her sleep. I watch his nose scrunch, brows furrowing against the sensation, head shifting closer and tucking hers under his. And unconsciously he nuzzles against the crown of her head, chin rubbing as his head dips, rubbing the scent of soft cotton onto her.

"Bun's chining. What a sweetheart." Jin hyung murmurs, voice fond as he looks on, the two of us unable to tear our eyes away from the sight of glossy brown ears flopping and bouncing slightly as he rubs his scent onto her; cotton and anise merging and her scent going impossibly softer, a light exhale of breath against the pillow as she shifts.

The movement however makes the sheets slip, rumpled covers sliding across skin and dipping to reveal the curved swell of her breast, sheet dipping low to reveal the top of her cleavage and just as quickly as my eyes slide to fix firmly on Kookie's face, Jin hyung's wing flaps, flaring and curving around to cover her up, sliding over to tuck her away.

But at the same time there's a shaky shuddered breath and (Y/N)'s scent loses some of that sleepiness, soft, sweet anise seeping out and a small incoherent mumble as the sheets rustle.

"Stop moving." Kookie mumbles, grouses into her hair, lips brushing across the back of her head before he seems to realise. Sleep tugging at his eyes, ear flopping as he lifts his head and peers at the sight of her body curved and pressed into his hold, bodies intertwined and separated only by a silky sheet.

He meets Jin hyung's eyes and then mine, alertness tugging at drowsy eyes, coaxing them open as he reaches the conclusion quickly. Silently tugging the sheets up more securely around her, fingers grazing against skin, brushing against her shoulder and stilling when it makes her shift once more.

"Is Yoongi here?" She sleepily mumbles, my heart clenching and melting at the sound of her voice, hazy and drowsy and asking about me. Picking up on my scent even through the sleepy cocoon that their merged scents make.

"He is sweetheart. Sleep well?" Jin hyung murmurs tenderly.

She makes a small hum in affirmation, twisting before she stills, a soft gasped "oh" of surprise slipping past her lips and I watch as her head twists, taking in her surroundings before wide doe eyes peer at me; drowsiness mingling with surprise, embarrassment flickering in her eyes.

Something Jin hyung spots and is quick to shoot down, wing curling more protectively and aloe soothing murmur as he puts her at ease.

She clutches the sheets to her chest as she wriggles slightly, Kookie's huff of laughter muffled against her hair as he noses at the back of her head.

"It's okay, I'll get you something." He reassures, wriggling away with a look of disgruntlement at having to slip away from her warmth and scent flashing across his face. But then he reaches a quick decision and tugs the hoodie off his own frame, muscles taut and broad toned torso coming into display as he shucks the fabric off. My mouth dries at the sheer definition and corded muscle, eyes trailing over an inked arm, colour trailing and curling around a bulging bicep and thick forearm. He hands it over to her, hair and ears rumpled, messier and tousled as he gives her a small smile, fabric held out as an offering.

Her eyes flicker with relief and gratitude, something else sitting heavily in them, lips wryly curved as she reaches for it and sits up. My eyes drift over her bare shoulders and the slender column of her throat; decorated with a smatter of marks laying claim to every inch of smooth skin. Her scent gland is swollen, puffy with the constant stimulation it had received and somewhere on her a thin layer of peach scent remains, still skin deep in her. The sheets dip slightly, revealing the swells of her breasts as she tugs the jumper on one-handedly until Kookie reaches over to help, carefully drawing it over her and freeing her hair from it as she tugs the hem down, silky covers falling away as he rubs a line across the back of her ears and fiddles with the hood to set it back. The sheet falls away as she tugs, revealing the curve of her waist and hips; similarly and thoroughly marked, fingerprints imprinted as bruises on either side and my scent threatens to spike, eyes fluttering shut as I try to ease back the flickering want that pools at the sight.

"Thanks Kookie." She mumbles, head dipping and ears flickering as she curves her face towards the neck of the fabric, body unconsciously relaxing further at the soft light scent of him encompassing her.

"Still sleepy or are you up for some breakfast in a bit?" I ask, leaning forward to press a kiss to her cheek, catching the slight flutter of her eyes shutting as she leans in, chasing the sensation. I press another kiss to her other cheek, thumb brushing in a slow sweep across the high of her cheek and under her eye, remembering that under her skin small glands pick up the scent, the tiniest layer of citrus on her.

"I'm up. I didn't think I'd sleep so well." She murmurs, a yawn caught between the sleeves of the hoodie as she muffles the sound, eyes scrunching shut and ears flickering as she ducks her head away.

Jin hyung doesn't bite back the coo, a pleased smile on his face as he sits up, lips curved with satisfaction.

"Well I'll make a start with Yoongi... you two come out when you're ready." He says easily, body sliding out from under the sheets, wings flapping and rustling as they straighten, shaking themselves out as he pads over to the door, head cocked with invitation and eyes filled with a knowing gleam when I follow.

"Don't worry kit, you can scoop up little fawn later." He promises.

And it's that that urges me to pass through the doorway, mind filled with the image of her head drooping back against Kookie's shoulder, sheets pooled around their waists as his arm slides around to support her. A proud, pleased smile stretched across my face.

-------

The sound of slow shuffling has my head peeking out the doorway with curiosity, eyes alighting on the sight of (Y/N) wobbling in with Kookie draped across her back, inked arm banded across her torso as he holds her. Sleepy slow drags of their feet as they make their way to the living room. I watch, a frown tugging at my lips when I see her legs jitter, knowing from last time that they'll be sore and stiff to the touch. But before I can say anything, Kookie's arm stills her, ink trailing across skin as he bends and scoops her up, cradling her to his bare chest as he pads over to the couch. Unceremoniously dropping himself onto it with a seemingly careless grace but the movement doesn't jolt (Y/N) once and he settles her on top of him. Her body curves, pressing to the back of the sofa, curled across his front, head resting under his.

The two of them look content, comfortable in each other's presence, curled together as he begins to scent, chin rubbing back and forth across her head, head dipping to press soft kisses and nuzzles to her temple and jaw, hand tilting her face up so he can continue scent-marking her. Her ears flicker and brush against his jaw, hand stretched out as it trails over his shoulder in an experimental touch.

It's enough to soothe and settle me, retreating back into the kitchen before realising my back presses against Jin hyung's chest and that he'd silently appeared and hovers over me to take in the same sight.

"They're adorable. Make my wings flutter." He whispers, voice hushed and low, warm breath curling around my ears and making them flicker with sensitivity.

And then his arm curls around my waist, lips pressing to one ear and then the other.

"You make them flutter too."

And then his arm is tugging me back, twisting to face the kitchen once more but not before I see the satisfied curl to his lips that widen with laughter when my tail flicks at him, a swat that has his wings flapping.

It's as I'm helping hyung dish up that another pair of footsteps sound through the hallway, loud and rushed and excited. The scent that accompanies it is sweet and spiked with excitement, an undercurrent of nutty caramel lacing through with it.

"You didn't come back to bed." Is the rumbled accusation at my back before lips press to my nape, an enthusiastic smatter regardless of the huff in his voice as his tail curls around me.

"Sorry cub... I wanted to make the most of (Y/N) being awake to feed her." I say.

He stops his greeting nuzzles, lips grazing at my neck, a hum against it before he straightens.

"She's not here...." He mumbles.

I laugh, reaching back to trail a finger across the stripes wrapped around my thigh, giving a small poke.

"I couldn't have her waiting around sitting when she could be lying down. Check the living room." I nudge, watching as his grip loosens and tail unravels, body spinning to peer at the doorway, clearly having rushed past without realising.

But he tugs me with him, arm curling around my waist to nudge me towards the doorway with him, a muffled coo of delight. His tail whips and swats against my leg in his excitement, flickering back and forth.

"Look! Hyung... two babies." He squeals before rushing forward towards the sight.

I'm putting the food down onto the table that splits the kitchen and living room off, peering at the sight before I follow suit.

Watching the slow trail of fingers map and trace out every curl of ink on his skin, slow and unhurried, her eyes flickering open and shut as she peers at them with unfiltered curiosity at each inscription, each word, each letter, each image. And I watch as Kookie's eyes fix on her, watching her exploration with a smile tugging at his lips, shifting under her slightly as her hand curls around skin.

"They're all so pretty..." she mumbles, lips moving, cheek smushed against the hard plane of his chest, bare legs entangled with his. Marks decorating the soft skin of her thighs.

And her eyes blink, drifting from examining the inked sleeve to peer at Tae who bounds over, bending over the two to give them a greeting nuzzle, lips pressing kisses to their cheeks and nosing at skin; humming happily at their merging scents.

"Don't you think so Tae?" she asks, murmuring as she continues to trail featherlight touches all across his arm, tilting to peer at the ink that curves around the top, near his shoulder. And when Tae's finger joins, marvelling at the warmth of his skin under his touch, Kookie's eyes flutter, ears shifting as his head falls back onto the cushion, his other arm tightening around her.

"Pretty bun. Pretty fawn too." He whispers, body sinking down to kneel beside the couch, fingers ghosting lightly across both of their ears, a gentle rub as his eyes train on the way their expressions shift, softening and turning hazier. (Y/N)'s eyes fluttering under the touch, a small soft exhale as her fingers tighten around Kookie's arm, anchoring herself to him.

And by the time the others have ambled in, scents spiking with interest and softening into something warm, protective and tender at the sight of the two of them curled together on the couch, Tae's come to rest his head against the side of the couch, stripey tail flicking back and forth and posture guarding and shielding without realising.

"Breakfast (Y/N)?" Jiminie asks, hovering over the two, voice soft and low, tail fluffy and swishing back and forth. His scent is a calm mint. It's lost that spiky edge that it's had since she'd entered pre-heat. His scent is calmer. As if his instincts, his unsettled biology have settled. Have lost that fretty, anxious edge.

And his arms are careful as they draw her up after her sleepy nod, uncaring of any pretence she might've put up that she could walk before he's carrying her over to the table, carefully sidling into a chair with her still curved against him, arms caging her protectively to him, nosing at her nape.

Joon looks delighted when Kookie, still rumpled and torso bare clambers into the seat beside him, nose scrunching as he yawns, ears drooping as he leans against him, a low rumbly growl as he puts food on his plate first and a kiss to his jaw that has both their cheeks pinkening slightly.

But breakfast ends up being a sweet fawn drifting in and out of drowsiness, head resting against Jiminie's shoulder and food picked at; nudged at her lips by his own hand as he brings it to her mouth to feed her, head turning as she curls away.

And the mint takes on a fretty tinge, worried as he noses at her cheek, a small keening sound when she shifts but doesn't make a move to eat more, to eat enough to even begin to substitute for all the energy her body's burned through this heat.

The fretty notes in the pack's pheromones only recede when some time later Hobi brings her a bar and hot drink, smiling over her shoulder at how her breaths turn shaky and slow, deep gasps as I massage and ease the tension out her legs. When the others see her body losing the tension and stiffness as I knead at her calves, skin glistening with massaging oils that I rub and press at her legs with.

"Come on sweet girl. Drink up for me." I whisper, nudging her to take the mug, lips grazing her temple.

Her head rests on my shoulder, mouthing lightly at my throat, lips a warm pressure against my neck, shuddered exhales swallowed against skin. It's distracting, the warm curl of her breath brushing against my throat, hands unconsciously tightening on her legs, fingertips pressing against the giving flesh of the back of her thighs, a stuttered whimper muffled against me that has my tail flickering, ears catching the sound even as my fingers loosen, body going lax against me.

I coax her up, yearning her warmth as it leans away, swaying slightly with fatigue, watching as her dilated pupils blink and try to focus, fingers curling around the mug.

"Good girl. Small sips and then try eat." Jiminie coaxes, eyes wide and imploring, contently curled beside the couch with Tae, half rising before she's taking a sip, hand nudging him down and Tae's arm curling tighter and leaning into him; effectively keeping the restlessness at bay.

"You're too good at leg massages Yoongi." She murmurs quietly to me, sounding partly accusatory which makes my lips quirk.

"Are you complaining?" I whisper, tail curling around her as she straightens slightly, clutching at the mug.

Her eyes flicker to me, warm and giddy, as she shakes her head.

"I've never felt this good in my own body post-heat. You've got talented hands Yoongi." She admits, her words stirring up pride and satisfaction at tending to her, at making her feel better in her post-heat even if I couldn't have helped her through her heat.

And there's no blame in her eyes just as there's no judgement in my own. It would've been too soon to ask to help her with her heat, not when we were still in the courting phase and getting to know each other more. Not when feelings were involved and I wanted to do things right with her. Not when I wanted to learn her and not be consumed by instinct and biological need; that would've inevitably overshadowed it in the throes of her cycles.

"So thank you panther love." She says once she's finished the mug, body drooping almost immediately as she curves back against me. My hands continue to knead the back of her calves, heart warm and soft when I realise her scent's begun to take on my own, anise and citrus layering together.

My thumbs rub circles, putting pressure into the movement as I ease away knots, feeling her relax against me.

"You're welcome sweet love."

(Y/N) POV:

Settling into post-heat feels like sliding into a warm, heated bath, muscles loosening and body going limp and content as it comes to settle in the water. It's filled with a constant haze of comfort and soothing scents; brushing against my aching body in light caresses.

I wake to the feeling of sheets brushing against my skin, deliciously cool and gentle against my limbs, stiff as they stretch and shift before I realise that I've woken up bare and unshifted, body held close to another, arm draped over me and a leg settled over mine. I wake to the scent of citrus; light and the thinnest trail that curls around the fog of cotton and vanilla, eyes blinking awake to see a black wing curled over me, feathers grazing skin as Jin shuffles, skin erupting with goosebumps, body shivering at the light, teasing sensation.

And yet I don't feel embarrassed, don't feel out of place as I sit up, sheets gathered to my chest, eyes caught and unable to tear away from the sight of lithe toned muscles, broad shoulders and bulging arms as Kookie shucks off his hoodie and tugs it over my head instead, hands threading my arms through the sleeves, sleepy eyes blinking at me with tenderness.

And neither do I feel anything but comfort and contentment when I find myself draped across his chest, fingers sleepily tracing every line and curve and letter of the ink that curls around his entire arm, from shoulder to the tips of his fingers. And underneath me, I can feel every shift of his body, arm tightening when his body tightens, an involuntary shudder slipping out as my fingers press experimentally to some tattoos higher up his shoulder. His breath comes out as a shaky exhale, hidden into my hair, ghosting along my ears, relaxed body going tense before easing up once more.

Post-heat settles like a blanket coming to curl around me; warm and soft and so, so safe- a feeling I find that brims out curled up in Yoongi's arms, every ache and pain being eased away with careful hands kneading at skin, coaxing out deep relaxed sighs as I sink back against him. post-heat is soft, soft kisses pressed tenderly to my skin, lips meeting warm plush giving ones as Yoongi lowers me down onto his bed later, carefully cradling me, settled between my legs as he coaxes my mouth open with his own, tongue roving through my mouth, unhurried and deep and coaxing out a needy whimper, swallowed whole by him, swallowed under the resounding deep satisfied growl that slips out his throat. His hands are everywhere, cupping my cheeks and tilting my face up towards him, lips warm and unhurried as they map mine, his hands trail and skim across my sides; featherlight touches as they tease and tickle, lips sliding away, a huff of laughter before they press to my jaw when I squirm under him, hands curling around his forearms to tug him closer.

"Stop teasing Yoongi. Just..." I say, hands tugging and sucking in a sharp breath when his hands clamp around my hips, a firm fierce pressure that tugs at me as he carefully lowers himself down, mouthing gently at my throat and collarbones, tongue flicking against skin before he curls around me, drawing me to lie facing him.

"Just spend forever holding you? Because that could easily be arranged." He promises, eyes glittering and dark and promising, nose brushing against mine as he presses a soft kiss to my lips. Our scents curling together and a comfortable silence falling around us as his tail curls around my hip. Shattered by the eager bustle of the other two as they rush to clamber into bed, sweet nutty caramel warm as it teases at my own scent.

"Trust me when I say hyung would do it in a heartbeat dear love." He croons, hand curling around my waist and body pressing against mine.

My cheeks pinken, head twisting back to see dark eyes teasing and warm, head propped up on his arm as he peers down at me, stripey ears flickering into vision before Tae's rumpled curls appear and he peeks over too.

Tae catches my eye, a boxy fangy grin stretching across his face as he looks at me.

"Trust me when I say I would too. It'd be my pleasure." He says, voice pitched lower, a rumble that seems to build in his chest as he says it, head tilted in a deceptively beguiling gesture.

His words are suggestive and dripping with insinuation, voice low in a way that has my spine locking to fight the shiver that dances across it, feeling the weight of his words like a caress, a teasing burning trail of fingers that scorch skin, causing the simmering heat under my skin to spurt slightly.

"You take pleasure in flustering people cub." Hobi retorts, nudging him back and laughing when he gets dragged down with him, sinking back into the mattress.

Yoongi's tail tightens, a warm soft pressure as he nuzzles the side of my cheek, dipping to press a final kiss to my throat before he curls beside me.

"Sleep then love." He murmurs.

My hand curls around his.

"Will you be here when I wake?" I ask.

He gives a nod, a smile on his lips, visible despite the low dim lighting.

"I don't even want to leave to do the show, but I'll be back." He promises.

I blink up at him.

"Want me to wait up? I've missed a week's worth of shows... where I've actually managed to focus that is." I mumble, drowsiness tugging at me with the enticing intertwined scents of the three of them, the light hold on my waist and the tail curled around my thigh inviting and coaxing, promising safety and company, soothing the slightest bit of my instincts that feel frazzled at the thought of waking up alone, of being left alone as my post-heat begins to settle.

He shakes his head, eyes taking on a disapproving flash before he registers my words, leaning in.

"You listened to me when you were in heat?" voice low and soft.

Eyes flickering with awe and affection when I give a shy nod, head ducking at the soft coo I feel behind me, fingers around my waist giving a small squeeze.

"It helps me sleep. It always has."

Hobi's lips press to my nape, a soothing fleeting touch.

"Does post heat make you such a charmer? Cos now I'm wishing I was Suga." He whispers, voice soft and lulling me towards sleep.

I smile.

"You don't need to be. You're special to me in your own way Hobi." I whisper, voice slurred by sleep, eyed fluttering open and shut as I focus on Yoongi, watching as his shadowed face looks at me fondly, amusement flickering in his eyes as he watches me, slender fingers coming to trace my face, ghosting along my eyelids as they shut for him.

"Sleep little fawn. You won't wake up alone."

"Stripey promise." Tae whispers, tail curling over and poking my side and wrapping loosely around my wrist as the bed dips and he shuffled forward, plastered closer to Hobi.

And I fall asleep to the promise, wrist warm from the touch, tail not once unravelling and still loosely laced when I wake, head pressed to Yoongi's chest and a hand snakes around my stomach from under the hoodie.

Feeling far too warm but also far too content to fuss.

———

"Will you take me to the centre Joon?" I ask two days after my heat's ended, body only feeling the slightest of aches that remain, marks still colourfully adorning skin with how thoroughly SJ had been I'm leaving them across every inch of skin his mouth roved over.

His eyes peek out from over the file he'd been engrossed in, pinched brows smoothening out as he looks at me.

"The centre? You're not due back for work from your heat leave yet." He points out.

It makes me smile that he's aware, that he's attune to my schedule, to my biological cycles and carefully monitoring them. There's a fussiness hidden in them, disguised terribly with how his scent turns heavy and rich in its foresty dew.

And it makes the circle on my lap unravel slightly, head rising and a questioning chirp cutting through the air, tail swishing slightly on my lap and drawing my attention back.

My fingers rub at the back of Minnie's ears, smiling as his head tilts into the touch, fur still rumpled from his only recent emergence from under my t-shirt, antsy on-edge fussiness soothed and mint scent sweet and refreshing once he'd clambered out, nose disappearing from my collarbone as he'd shuffled out.

"The head supervisor's been keeping me up to date. Ji Ah's been getting restless and she's drawing back in to herself, so I want to give her a quick visit. I need to pick up a few forms too for appointments for when I'll head back." I say, fingers sinking into orange fur as my fingers trail across his back, continuing the pets and light scratches, watching as Minnie's eyes flutter, a content chirp slipping out.

But he seems to shake it off, dark eyes flashing in a manner that feels oddly chiding and reprimanding, pawing at my hand and curling away, nosing at my wrist and fangs scraping gently at my glands as he sniffles before straightening up, gaze focused on me. And soft paws clamber onto me, stretching out as his head buts against my jaw, nose grazing skin and snuffling and scenting before it dips to press against my throat. The chirp that slips out afterwards is low and rumbly, a warning chirp as his tail swishes back and forth quickly.

Dark sharp eyes shoot a baleful look to Joon over my shoulder, a discontent chirp cutting through the air and nosing at my cheek, ears twitching as he peers at me. My hands automatically rise to curl around him, to steady and support him as he blinks at me before my body startled slightly at Joon's head dipping from where he'd been sitting behind me, legs caging me in, his nose pressing to my nape.

"You do still smell really soft (Y/N). Like post-heat but just as vulnerable as your scent would be in heat... it's making my instincts a bit fidgety." He admits, his hand reaching over to rub at Minnie's fur, a sweeping motion that gets him a grateful lick to his palm.

"It's like... your body is broadcasting how delicate your biology is feeling. That's what's making Jiminie a fussy fox." He points out.

My lips quirk, cooing as I lean forward to press kisses across his face, smiling at the chirps that's are a mixture of contentment and disgruntlement, fur brushing ticklishly against skin as his nose presses to my cheek.

"Fussy fox. I'll be in and out the centre. And this way I won't have to fuss until I have to go back to work. Better this way no?" I ask, fingers trailing over flickering ears, laughing when his head tilts back to snap chidingly at my palm, eyes narrowed when I dart my hand back.

It causes him to clamber back down, turning around on my lap until he's facing away and plopping down into a circle, curled up and ducking his head away under his tail as he settles. A muffled chirp as he lies facing the other couch where Jin watches with thinly veiled interest and amusement, eyes long since drifted away from the TV to look.

His wings rustle as he shoots me a playful wink, grin wide as he leans forward to peer at the tucked up circle on my lap.

"Why's pretty orange hiding? Was Joon being a big bad wolf?" He asks, lips twitching at the loud protesting chirp that sounds from under the fluffy tail, ears flickering in disagreement. Behind me, Joon's chest tumbled as he lets out a protesting keening whine.

Jin slides off the couch and kneels beside the orange circle, finger poking teasingly.

"Is little fawn making my orange love sad?" He asks, voice a trill.

That gets out a muffled, keening chirp, ears wilting and tail rustling before his head rises slightly, undoubtedly giving Jin wide, baleful eyes.

It has Jin fussing and cooing, leaning over as he presses plump lips to the tip of a black nose that promptly dives under as he hides, ears flattening forward when it gets a warm bubble of laughter out.

"Don't be a bristly pup, it'll make your fur go stiff." He chided warmly.

Leaning in to whisper.

"Guess that'll mean Tae's the one with better orange fur." He confides.

Minnie's head pops out, a loud chirp as his head rises and ears flicker, peering intently at Jin and leaning forward to nose at his wriggling fingers, nipping slightly.

Jin leans back on his haunches.

"Don't be a fusspot, we've all got responsibilities we can't push away. And I'd like a relaxed fawn for the rest of her post-heat thank you. Joon... pup go with her, get the girl some fresh air too. And let sweetheart see her baby meerkat." Voice full of authority despite the honeyed warmth of it that has my own body melting and Joon's scent softening as his tail thumps against the sofa.

And Minnie unfurls. Straightening up before he pounces onto Jin who catches him easily, scooping him close and laughing as he's attacked with a smatter of nips and licks, ears rubbing against his jaw as he curls his head under his chin, nosing at his throat to scent instinctively. His tail swishes back and forth in a rhythmic pattern, the tip of it draped across the top of Jin's thighs as he snuggles, chirps muffled against his throat before he begins to wriggle, paws scrabbling on carpet as he pads away, body straight and ears perked up; vanishing out of sight with a final swish of a fluffy tail.

The sound of padding rushed footsteps reach our ears a while later, as I'm padding down the hallway to grab my things, reaching for my coat when the smell of mint returns.

And with it comes a tousled Minnie, a huffy pout gracing plump lips as he shoots me a hard, resigned look.

"Can't a fox just get some quality cuddle time in?" He says with a sigh, hand reaching past mine to pluck his own coat off, tugging it on as I do the same.

I give him an apologetic shrug, lips quirked.

"No-one said you had to come. I was taking Joon." I say, threading my arms through the sleeves, back to him but I can sense as he stills and his mint turns dangerously soft.

"Just cos I missed out on cuddles doesn't mean I'm missing out on time with you." He says, my heart skipping a beat at the casual ease and admission of his words.

"You spent the good part of hours tucked up and curled on her stomach." Joon says, voice accusatory and full of laughter, reaching for a scarf that he carefully winds around my throat, hiding away my swollen scent gland and effectively hiding away the strongest source of my scent at the moment.

His eyes drift over the two of us, narrowed with a sharp glint I recognise as the officer and predator part of him; carefully asserting to himself that we're all covered up, carefully adjusting the scarf once I've drawn the zip of coat up.

"You should be fine this way. No scent being broadcasted. And you're just going to the centre so no worry about someone taking the wrong action... but Jiminie's with you." He rambles.

Jin's wings flap and not-so-accidentally flicker and whip against Joon's side, cutting off the nervous stream of observations as he fussed.

"They're fine. You're making Jiminie into an even more fretty cub." He points out, head tilted as he looks at us, smiling warmly.

And it's him who ushers us out, a quick peck pressed to both our cheeks before he's nudging Joon back, eyes fond as he rolls them and promises to keep the fussy pup at bay too.

But the other fussy pup clambers into the driving seat, scent ruffled slightly as he begins to drive, navigating the darkening streets with ease even as his jaw remains locked unconsciously. Stiffened and body poised for a threat that logically he knows can't appear, but heightened senses because of my softer scent.

The heating begins to stifle, warm and heavy and making my body feel uncomfortable, the flickering remnants of heat in my body magnifying the discomfort it brings. My fingers press down on the window's button before Jimin realises; a delicious cool sharp burst of air whipping around my face, refreshing as it trails down my lungs, liquid cold as it bats away the heat that my body's feeling trapped by.

The car jolts slightly, window shut just as quickly, alarm in Jiminie's voice when he finally stops at a traffic light.

"(Y/N)... what?" He questions.

I tug at the scarf, pulling it away from my throat and just catching the pinch of distress that colours his features, tugging at the zip to draw it down and open it slightly.

"It's too hot. I'm feeling swaddled and sweltering." I complain.

His body curves slightly, immediately twisting the heating off and setting it onto a cool setting, a cool stream of air pulsing through and battering at the heat, trying to curl it away.

"Give it a few minutes... I'm sorry, I didn't want you catching a winter cold." He apologises.

"The window..." I begin.

His hand on the wheel tightens, knuckles whitening before his head turns, the street lighting pouring in around his face, encompassing it in shadows and casting a glow on his features.

"I closed the window because your scent broadcasts how fertile and biologically vulnerable you are. And no... I don't want to broadcast how soft and irresistible you smell." He says, voice laced with a growl that sleeps into his tone.

His words and tone make my body shiver despite the influx of heat that still seems to press at me from every angle.

"Ah." I manage to get out, eyes drifting away, head ducking away to hide the slight heat in my cheeks, a silence falling the final stretch of the journey. Not uncomfortable of stifling... but rather as if something crackles and brews in it, every particle of air charged with tension.

My hand curls around the door handle.

"I shouldn't be too long. I'll try be as quick as I can." I say, opening the door as I move to step out.

"No rush. Want me to come in?" He asks.

I dither. Shrugging as I face him, head dipped to peer at him through the open car door.

"Up to you. You won't be allowed in Ji Ah's ward really..." I say apologetically. But he shakes his head, ears flickering as he leans back.

"No worries. I'll be here then." He says.

And I nod, stepping away with a small smile before twisting to face the centre's entrance, unconsciously drawing the coat tighter around me and tugging at the end of the scarf, not wanting to lose the scents layered over my skin but body too sensitive at the moment to apply scent blockers, knowing it'd irritate me having something stifling and blocking away the scents even temporarily.

Stepping through, I don't waste time in hurrying to Ji Ah's private ward, stepping through and seeing the moment she senses me, body twisting on her bed before her forlorn expression brightens and she straightens, eyes widening and flashing with delight.

The teddy she habitually cradles to her and shields falls away as she pushes herself up, clambering off the bed and arms curling around my legs as she burrows herself close, head pressed to my stomach as she hugs me.

"I've missed you too sweetheart." I say with a smile, unable to stop myself when she peers up at me silently imploring, hands hoisting her up into my arms and carefully cradling her to me, the feeling of her legs wrapping around me tightly tugging at my heartstrings.

She presses a kiss to my cheek, eyes scanning me and head tilted in silent contemplation.

Her hands make a flickering motion, fingers wriggling before she pats at me to set her down, a final squeeze before her arms unravel and she reaches for her trusty notebook.

Heat?

I give a nod.

"You're a sharp one love." I hum, reaching for her notebook, eyes quickly flickering through the other pages; body sagging with relief when there's nothing that indicates at a traumatic relapse, or a loss of communication.

And then she points to her throat, mirroring where the gland is on my own, hers a small raised bump and mine when my hand flutters up; exposed and red and swollen. I sheepishly tug the scarf up higher, hitching it over.

"Too strong?" I ask.

She shakes her head immediately, shooting me a double thumbs up as her face creases with a bright smile.

"Eaten dinner?" I ask.

A nod.

"Snacks?"

A quick nod and wide smile.

"Time for bed?" I ask, not missing the pyjamas she wears or the way her eyes flicker with silent, not so hidden tiredness.

Another nod, sheepish as she trails to her bed, clambering in but eyes watching me, patting the space beside her hopefully.

I nod.

"I'll stay till you sleep."

And with her eyes settling on me trustingly, they also soon flutter shut into deep sleep, hand loosely curved around the teddy.

———-

My ears catch onto the sound of grunts, low and frustrated as I pass the training rooms, body coming to a halt because I'd recognise every sound made from that person.

And when I peek in I see SJ's body darting around, light on his feet, fists darting out as he jabs at a punching bag, body twisting with lethal grace as his leg shoots out, poise and power in every move and skin glistening with a thin sheen of sweat; the scent of peaches tart and filling the closed off room despite how big it is. It only attests to how long he must've been here.

"Your form is off Seo Junie~" I call, watching his posture straighten as his head turns, look of focused determination melting away for an easy grin as he looks at me, antlers tilting as he cocks his head.

"Already back?"

I shake my head, waving the thin cluster of papers as I lean against the doorway.

"Paperwork... I'm heading back." I say.

He frowns even as he nods, hands tugging at the tape wrapped around his fingers, unravelling it and pushing hair away that falls past the hand across his head.

"Your scent's soft. You're not alone are you?" He asks, body bending down to grab the bottle of water.

"Nope! Min's in the car." I say easily, watching as he downs the water, throat bobbing before he pours the rest over him; an attempt to cool the antsy heat still pushing at his skin, knowing he'd been here to try burn it off. Shaking his head, droplets spraying as he breathes heavily, watching me with a crooked smirk.

"Foxy lover~ interesting." He murmurs.

Ambling over and holding his arms out for an embrace, and despite being sticky with sweat I step forward, curving forward as I press close, pure pheromones rolling off him, the tang of tartness to his scent not consuming the ever present sweetness and laughing when he tugs me closer and winds his arms around me.

"You're making me all gross!" I laugh, pushing at his chest.

"Shame there's no bath for me to scoop you into. And it's not the time for a shower tryst." He teases, eyes twinkling with mischief and playfulness when I splutter.

"How ruts don't just drain you of arousal I don't know." I gripe.

He shrugs.

"Can't blame my biology when it was so satisfied and look... who's here but the same person?" laughing as he dodges a swat, voice turning slightly serious, soft as he speaks.

"I'd have thought he'd have come in. If he's as smitten as I think." He muses.

I shrug.

Even if it hurts that I don't see the smitten fox, I don't see my own feelings mirrored and pooling in him.

"I'm the lovesick doe. Guess I'll pine from afar." Peering at him when his hands land on my shoulders, head ducking to peer at me eye to eye, no escaping the knowing glint in them, or the tender affection there, mingling alongside exasperation.

"We don't pine. We make them pine.We chase after what we want. You want foxy...you go and get him. And blow his mind once he's grovelled enough." He chides.

"Or runs away more like." I mumble when I think of how many times I've teasingly rushed away from him, darting in and out of reach and playfully taunting and teasing his fox instincts. It hadn't taken too long for me to realise that the chasing, the thrill of wanting to know whether he would catch me was a biological assertion. Seeing if he was willing, seeing if he was quick, if he'd indulge in the chase. It hadn't taken too long to realise that biology was trying to assert if he was a good match as a mate. It hadn't taken too long to realise my biology was tugged to him just as much as I was.

It was too hard to deny that I longed for him as a mate. That I wanted everything with him.

"Go to him. Tell him. Kiss him senseless. Blow his mind. That can go in any order." He teases, brows raised as he watches my expression shift. I lean forward, stretching upward slightly to brush a kiss to his cheek.

"Maybe I will." I say as I turn away.

"Love you sweets! Go get your fox!" He calls.

My smile stretches wide.

"Love you too buck baby!"

JIMIN POV:

My fingers drum nervously against the steering wheel, body restless and fidgety as I wait in the car. Somehow it's worse. Worse than if I'd gone inside with her and had ended up waiting beyond the door, this feels like an aching distance stretches out between us. Mind thrashing with a restlessness about letting her go, body making the decision for me as I switch off the car and step out, hurrying through towards the centre.

But when I'm in, I don't know which direction to turn to, ignoring the curious eyes of the supervisors and employees still on shift, nose twitching as it tries to chase down anise through the scentless air, ears flickering at how disorienting the lack of scents is. My feet carry me through hallways, catching thin trails of soft, soft anise and yet when I reach a turn, it's clear I've reached the wards; spotting one of the officers we've placed.

"She's already gone." Voice soft and quiet.

I nod, body already twisting, hurrying to trace the path back to her office, tail swishing and scent broadcasting a spikiness that has the others stepping away, pace quickening. But the door to her office doesn't give and the lights beyond the walls aren't on.

My instincts fret, turning and rolling over, a keening whimpered whine building at the back of my throat as I try to wonder where else she could be before a moment of clarity sinks; the memory of peach taunting and teasing at my mind before I'm moving towards the training rooms, remembering from Joon and (Y/N) that they were on the far end of the centre.

The scent of tart peaches slams into me when I push one of the doors open; overwhelming sweetness tinged with a sharp tang and the sight of a tousled, sweaty buck turning to look at me. Something flashes across his face, a smirk tugging at his lips as he reaches for a towel, dabbing at his skin as he looks at me.

"Officer... is there something you needed?" he asks, words drawled out, voice smooth and unaffected.

I take a step in, mint spiking at the soft curl of anise that seems to have permeated through the heavy fog of sweet peaches.

"Where's (Y/N)?" I ask, ears flickering at the challenge that flashes in his eyes, lips coy as he grins, antlers tall and proud as his posture straightens.

"Where's sweet little fawn? And why don't you know that pup?" he asks, voice goading.

It makes my mint flare out, pushing against the threat and challenge he poses.

Still remembering every taunting, goading word when he'd came over and when he'd left; how proudly he carried himself, stance tall and drenched in syrupy anise, drowning in the scent of their arousal and desire intertwined intimately. Remembered how it pushed and poked at my biology, how he was tearing and yanking at every defence and leaving them gaping wide for him to saunter in, push past easily to crowd himself against (Y/N); body curling around hers as he coaxed out a whimpered plea from her lips before stepping through to her room, reminding me how much I was failing in taking and chasing after my own wants.

His words still echo, resonating and curling through my mind now as he speaks.

"You don't need to make sure the stag leaves your pack-space pup, I've done my job~" as he straightens, bag hoisted over his shoulder as he twists to peer at me.

My body leans against the wall, eyes narrowed slits as I watch the smug, satisfied countenance on his face.

"Sorry... it's instinct to make sure unwanted presences leave the nest." I retort, eyes flashing at how he rolls his shoulder, the gesture making his neck arch; drawing my eyes to the colourful marks on his throat and the bold, possessive claim on his gland that's reddened and puffy with stimulation.

"Don't worry I've left her claimed and bred. Your job is to take care of her life and protect it. Mine is to take care of her body and mind, to leave her drowning in pleasure. I did my job, your turn to do yours." He says.

His words make my gut twist, anger curling around my heart; body straightening as I glare, tail swishing quicker behind me as my ears pin back.

"Don't you—" I begin angrily, words cut off by a lazy drawl, low and smooth and so infuriating.

"What? You drew the lines, now get used to your place." Voice hardening, steely and fiercely protective.

His words leave my instincts thrashing and howling with a need to defend, to growl out that she's my mate, she's everything my biology craves, wants and needs and more.

But words don't come out and the sigh he gives is almost pitying and defeated.

"And here I was... wishing that pup had a bit of fight in him. That he was willing to blur lines and cross them."

"I asked where she is buck." I repeat.

His eyes flicker with meaning, head tilted, finger brushing over his gland in a way that seems casual and a brief touch but his fingers press to it, a crooked tilt as he looks at me.

"Well... I don't know where she's gone after leaving me dizzy with her scent. But when you find her... tell her she knows where I am if she needs some fun, or someone to take care of her." he says, twisting away and cutting off the question, bending to scoop up his things.

Dismissive and cutting me off.

Brushing past me with the scent of anise much clearer, merging with the scent of crackling pheromones; still sharp with post-rut, still fiercely aggressive and protective. And under it all, her scent still lingers; merged with his after their shared week.

It makes my tail bristle.

"It's a pity that for all that (Y/N) says you're an officer, a brave fox... that for everything, you're painfully blind too. You're all docile and tamed when it comes to desire. Don't you know it's the predator that wins the hunt and gets the prey? The pup who runs with his tail between his legs doesn't."

And then he's stepping away, a small click that engulfs the training room in darkness, my eyes adjusting to see the same space he'd been in with her.

His words make my instincts twist, painfully aware of how much avoidance I'd done, how much I tiptoed around the fact, how much I tried to repress or hide just how much in love I was with her.

But I didn't have any reason to be.

And if I let things go, if I let things continue the way they were, lines were going to blur and for all the wrong reasons.

And when I hurry back to the car, it's to find (Y/N) leaning against the door, head tilted up as she peers skyward, ears flickering with the cold and scarf tugged tightly around her throat, fingers curled around the paperwork.

The sight is so disarming, so beautifully mundane and so sweetly enticing, feet hurrying to her, seeing the way her head tilts forward, wide doe eyes sparkling with warmth and mouth parted to speak before I reach her, arms curling around her to tug her close and head curling around her shoulder as I hug her.

Her arms wind around me, tight and welcoming and her body is giving, leaning against the car as I crowd her space, a small huff of laughter brushing against my ears as her legs part slightly, accommodating as I step into the space, arms cradling her close as I nose at her cheek, breathing in her scent. Utterly and wholly her with the light wafts of anise and the sweetened, gentler pheromones that she must've been giving off whilst she waited.

"Did you miss me that much that you went to find me and then rushed back?" she asks, voice a soft whisper.

"Yes." Before I burrow my face close, pressing a kiss to her jaw, ears flickering as they brush against her skin, hearing the small sound of surprise even as her head tilts slightly.

"You're a needy fox today. It's cute." She murmurs, fingers brushing through my hair as I lean away, instincts satiated for the time being at having scented away the peach, mint curling around her softly. And when I take in a pink nose and cheeks flushed with cold, I hurry to open the door, ushering her in, head dipped down to peer at her. It's no little amount of satisfaction to see the slight wobble to her legs, jittery as she steps into the car, head ducking down.

And when I'm in the driver's seat, the ignition a low hum as the car starts, I can't help the truth that slips out. Neither do I want to hold it back or keep it from spilling anymore. Eyes catching hers.

"You seem to tug it out of me a lot. With you I want to be greedy." I say softly.

Ears flickering as she peers at me.

"Why? Why aren't you greedy then?" she prompts. Voice soft but eyes searching and confused, hurt and want flickering in them.

My hands clench and unclench, fingers trembling on my thighs, breath shaky as I exhale, steeling myself up, gathering my wits as I look at her.

Wondering how it is with one look she makes me unravel. How without even trying she tugs at my instincts, constantly wanting to protect her and hold her.

Why wasn't I greedy?

"Because I want everything with you. Absolutely everything. I want you. But the time never felt right... and I never wanted to let my biology speak for me." I admit, voice wavering slightly.

Her eyes soften, posture tilting forward slightly.

"And if I wanted it too? If I wanted the fox to claim me just as much?"

Heart aching at her words, hand drifting up to cup her cheek, thumb brushing over skin and watching with a crumbling resolve as she tilts into the touch, fingers curling around my wrist.

"Then trust me when I say I want nothing more." I reply. She leans in closer, eyes turning confused as her nose wrinkles, ears flickering with confusion.

"Why do you smell like SJ?" brows raised slightly.

A small growl slips out at the mention of him, eyes flashing with warning and tail swishing, ears pinning back; his name enough to make that feeling of a threat, of a competitor well up, blood roaring with the need to be there for her instead.

"Because he and I had words."

"About?" voice breathless and hitched, almost something alarmed in them.

My finger crooks her chin up, tilting it towards me as I peer at her.

"About how I don't like his hands on what's mine. About how I don't like how he was the one with you for your heat. About how I'd do anything to replace that peach with mint." I murmur, watching her eyes flutter, lidded slightly and pupils dilating at the growl that steeps my words, warning crackling in them and seething protectiveness.

"But you... you smell like SJ too." I whisper.

Her scent flares, giving and revealing the truth to the words, giving her away before she can hide it.

And then her eyes turn warm, soft inviting pools that tug at me, lips curving up.

"I do. Because I had words... about how much I wished a fox would take what he wants. And how much I want his mint as a brand." She confesses, voice hitched with a gasp when my mint pools out at that admission, curling around her as I lean forward, breath ghosting across her lips.

"I want nothing more. Nothing but you." before my lips graze hers, a soft brush against the warm plushness, leaning forward and hand curling under her chin to tilt her face to mine before my lips press to hers.

It's the lightest of touches, so entirely new and yet so intimately familiar, lips pressing to hers with an ease and comfort that always seems to have existed, pressing to them over and over to commit the feel of them to my own, to map the shape of them out with my own and to have the ghost of them remain, wanting her touch to imprint itself to me. Her lips part in a shaky exhale that teases against my lips, pressing back firmer, want in the push of her hand coming to curl around my nape, coaxing me closer, her fingers sinking into strands and tugging, imploring. Her mouth slots against mine, warm and heady and inviting and the scent of sweet anise curls around me in a tender embrace, a small sound muffled against my lips as hers part, tongue flicking against the seam of my mouth, tracing and mapping out the shape of it for her, slow and exploratory; unhurried in its pace, the touch almost teasing and toying. My mouth parts for her, fingers tightening around her jaw when her tongue flicks away from reach, curling back when my own reaches for hers, lips pressing tightly even as I flick my tongue back and forth across the dip of her lips, pleading and coaxing for entrance. A growl slips out, reverberating against sealed lips, the sound unconsciously making her lips part, her head tilting forward and scent sweetening further, tongue brushing past her lips to curl towards hers. The sound she makes, a whimpered moan at the back of her throat when my tongue roves through her mouth, exploring each dip and nook, committing to memory each shudder and shaky sigh. My mouth moves unhurriedly against hers, suddenly at ease as if we have all the time in the world, the rest of it fading away until only her scent, only she remains. The feel and taste of her intoxicating, a taste that my mouth hungrily leans in for over and over. My teeth drag at her bottom lip, fangs nipping at the giving flesh and ears perking at the sound of the startled hitch, tongue flicking across the small sting, soothing it away, fangs sinking in slightly to coax out another sound before tearing my lips away, breath shuddery as I look at her. Take in the sight of flushed cheeks, pinkened from beyond the cold and eyes fluttering open as she looks at me, lips swollen and slick.

It takes everything in me to not surge across the distance and pin her against the door, mouth aching for another taste of her, fangs pooling over my lip as I take in her flushed expression. Unable to stop myself from that final taste when I lean back to press a kiss to dark rosy lips, humming against them.

"Dangerous words (Y/N). If you tell me to take... I won't know where to stop." I murmur, thumb pressing to her bottom lip, the flesh warm and giving, swiping at it.

"Dangerous words if I wanted you to stop." She replies.

My thumb presses down, scent spiking.

Leaning away even if I want nothing more than to curve close and press myself to her.

"Still dangerous considering we have to get home. But when we do you're all mine." I say, hand curling around the wheel.

My foot slams on the brake when whilst reversing when lips press to my jaw, nose brushing to scent lightly. Lips moving as she whispers.

"Won't have it any other way."

-----

My body brackets (Y/N)'s as I lean over to open the door, lips curving up at the way her body tenses, ears flickering as I type in the code and we're barely over the threshold, impatiently watching her toe off her shoes before my arms curl around her from behind, twirling her around to face me, body bracketing hers against the wall, noses brushing as I peer at her.

Eyes drifting over her as if they'll never have enough to committing every shift, every flicker to memory, wanting to burn the sight of her across my soul; head tilted as she looks at me.

"Are you hungry?" I ask.

She shakes her head.

My lips curve up, hands sliding down to skim across her waist and hips; giving a brief squeeze before my hands slide down to her thighs, curling around them before I hoist her up, body pinning hers to the wall as I cradle her to me, her legs curling around me, mouthing at her jaw.

"Good. Then I don't need to feel bad about hogging you."

Before I'm walking through the hallway, hands squeezing her thighs when her ankles lock around my waist, warning when her nose brushes at my temple; light, soft gentle scents if it hadn't been for the way her lips follow the trail her scent leaves, pressing gentle lazy kisses to skin.

It makes my pace quicken, ignoring the call for us that seeps through the hallway, her giggles muffled against skin when I shut the door to her bedroom behind us, lowering her down onto her bed, watching as she raises herself on her elbows, eyes gleaming with happiness and something heavy flickering in them as she scrabbles up the sheets a bit. It's then that I realise that her bed has been turned into a nest, blankets curved and draped around the edge to form a space for her in between. It's then that I realise that the scents that cover the scents aren't just her packs but a hoodie I know to be Kookie's, another that looks like Tae's and a cushion I knew was one of the most scented ones in the living room; it was one she'd clung onto in post-heat, falling asleep against me with the cushion tucked close to her chest, nose buried in the scents. Her nest has bits of us in it.

The thought that to her our scents mean instinctual comfort to her, that she sleeps better, feels safer with them tugs at my heart and I hover at the edge of her bed; dithering and her eyes shift with confusion.

"Can I... am I allowed into your nest?" I ask, knowing how much of a safe space it was, knowing how much it tied in to biological needs of safety and protection.

Relief flickers across her face as she nods, shuffling back further, legs unconsciously parted in invitation and I dive at the opportunity, clambering on to bully my way between them, hands planted on either side of her face as I look down at her.

"Your nest is beautiful. And I'm honoured you let me in." I whisper, her face tilting as she leans upwards to brush a kiss to my lips, a ghosting touch before she moves back.

"Considering you were the first scent I wanted to nest with... I'm relie—" before my lips surge back, kissing her fiercely, lips pushing and hungry and wanting against her own, her words ringing in my ears, tail curling and swishing as I hover over her. Mouth melding to hers at the truth, at my scent being the first one for her, a muffled keening sound slipping out against her lips as I curl closer, body lowering to pin her to the bed as I kiss her; feverish and needy, a groan slipping out at how readily her lips respond to mine, a hand sliding up my chest to rest on my shoulder, leg hooking around my calf to anchor herself to me, her plush warmth chasing my mouth, lips parting in a shudder when my arms bend, lowering myself further to her, hips brushing against hers, the soft fabric of her scarf tickling at my throat even as my mouth continues to chase hers. Her fingers brush against the front of my throat before the zip of my coat is being eased down, lips sliding away to track her fingers trailing lower as she opens my coat, a slow glide before it opens and I'm shucking it off, hands reaching for her own coat. Her eyes burn a line of heat across my side as I glide the zip down, knuckles brushing against the heaving swells of her breasts, across the centre of her stomach that clenches and tightens under the touch before I'm reaching for the scarf, carefully unwinding it to tug it away, leaving the slender column of her throat bare. Her body rises to tug her arms free, the column of her throat arched, marks a dark red that's still to fade as she pushes the fabric aside impatiently.

I growl out at the sight, tail swishing at the sight, head dipping to nose at her throat, mouthing lightly at her gland and feeling her body tense, hand fisting at my shirt even as her head falls back, mouth open in a silent oh, eyes fluttering.

"When these marks are all gone... I'm going to take my time layering your skin up with my own claim." I promise, fingers trailing over the crook of her neck, skimming over a smattering of colour. My fingers press, watching as her eyes clench shut, breath shaky.

"Or maybe I'll go over them, wipe that touch away and mark you properly." I muse, lips brushing where my fingers had been.

Her hand tightens its hold, knuckles brushing against my torso.

"Turning all predator on me?" she asks shakily.

My eyes drift to hers, taking in the way she blinks hers open, eyes flickering with fire.

I lean away slightly, as much as the tight grip on my shirt allows for.

"And if I am?" I whisper.

Her lips turn teasing, a quirked lilt that's provoking and taunting.

For a moment I wonder just how far her and SJ go. How the small tics even resemble each other.

"Then you have to chase your prey, you have to win the hunt Jimin. I don't give in... I don't submit. You have to make me." she croons, voice dripping with tease, my hand sliding down to grip the hand that tugs at my shirt, leaning forward.

Close enough that I feel the flutter of her eyelashes across my skin when she blinks.

Lips moving to graze the shell of her ear.

"Oh sweet fawn... as if that isn't exactly what I wanted to hear. I want to make you give. I want to spend all my time learning how to make you give. But right now... right now all I want is to treasure this." I say, voice going soft, eyes drifting over her, hand cupping her cheek as I press a trail of kisses from her ear to the curve of her jaw, to the corner of her lips before sealing them once more, light and easy. A natural comfort seeping between us at the touch, an ease and familiarity; even though I could spend forever committing to memorising every detail, every touch, every taste and press of her lips against my own.

And with every shaky sigh she exhales, with every shift of her body under mine, with every touch that reciprocates and tugs and beckons me to her, I fall over and over in the feel of her, fall to lean into every touch, every kiss, that carnal constant hunger continuously gnawing at me, never abating no matter how many times I capture her pink, kiss-swollen, bruised lips with my own.

It's still never enough.

It's never enough even if I finally have her, finally know that my feelings are mirrored in her, are reciprocated. Are returned.

And as I fall forward, body tugged to hers, cradling her close as I nose at her skin, Joon hyung's words echo in my head. Merging and mingling with SJ's.

And I realise that sometimes all you needed was a push.

------

A push and then some.

My eyes drink in the sight of (Y/N)'s body arching on the sheets, twisting and whimpering as my mouth closes around her sensitive gland, fangs scraping against the sensitive, swollen tissue, tongue flicking against it; mouth coated with syrupy anise as my hand pins her hips down, mouthing at the gland as my lips trail to press kisses across her throat, teeth grazing at her collarbones. My other hand curls around her wrist, pinning it to the mattress despite every wriggle and twist to get it free.

The thin fabric of her cami rides up, revealing the glimpse of her stomach, coloured with marks and finger bruises that peek out from the waistband of her shorts as she pushes and twists to move away from the touch, breathing ragged as her hand fists into my hair, trying to tug me away.

"Min..." she whimpers out, voice trembling.

My lips pause, head rising, nose and lungs full of her soft scent pooling out, seeping through the air and tugging me constantly to her.

Eyes flickering and dilated as she peers at me, trembling fingers tugging at my hair, a bite of pain that morphs into pleasure as she breaths shakily and looks at me, her ears flickering on the pillow.

"Where was this hiding officer? And why did it take so long to snap?" words curious and instigative and yet fragility underlying it.

"Because I was stupid and so, so scared that you never felt the same. But I want to make up for every instant of lost time." I whisper, voice low and rough, her body trembling as it twists under me.

The grip in my hair eases, sliding to curl around my nape, gently coaxing me forward.

But her lips are anything but, a fierce unrelenting pressure as she mouths at my gland, nipping and unhurried as her tongue brushes across it, my shoulders buckling over her, pushing her body down into the bed with my own, tugging me forward as she continues to mouth at my gland and tug mint out. Her body shifts restlessly until my weight settles over hers, carefully pinning her there, hands clamping onto her hips, thumbs brushing across the skin of her waist, sweeping circles as my head drops forward, a growl slipping out and pressed to her hair as she sinks her teeth against my gland, a stuttered gasp when it makes my hips buck up.

"And that... that's for being so oblivious. For an Officer you really don't see what's right in front of you." she murmurs against my skin before her hand unfurls and she falls back, chest heaving; cheeks flushed and eyes glassy with the pheromonal high that we've been pushing each other into, scent-drunk on the scent of mint in the same way my body swims with floral notes.

I nuzzle against the side of her cheek with my nose, peppering apologetic kisses across her jaw.

"I wanted to kiss you when you came back after spending the night with SJ, I wanted to press endless sorrys to your lips for being so hot-heated, for exploding when I had no right to. I wanted to kiss you when your scent started shifting into pre-heat the last time, I wanted to coax your scent into heat myself too. But I never wanted to cross lines that you weren't ready to step over." I mumble to her, nose lightly trailing over her neck, scenting her as my fingers rub circles, hands inching up to settle on the dip of her waist.

Her head turns, lips grazing the side of my jaw, my cheek, hand curling behind my ear as she rubs it, soothing and grounding. Forgiving too.

"I've wanted you for so long, I always felt guilty for it. That acting on it would cross lines when you were there to protect me. And that was the only reason I was in your life." she whispers, voice heavy and exhausted, body sinking down even as I feel her gaze on me.

When my head turns its too see regret swimming in her wide doe eyes.

I shake my head.

"Protecting you was always a want. Bringing you home was a choice. Because deep down... I didn't want to entrust your safety to someone else. Deep down you'd already begun to make my fox sway for you."

Her ankle hooks around mine, eyes imploringly soft as she holds her hand out for me, drawing it to her to brush her lips across my wrist.

"Thanks for swaying my way. And... I'll have to pass my thanks to SJ too when I next see him." Her teasing comment cut off with a pealing bubble of laughter when I glare at her, lips jutting out, eyes narrowed as my tail bristles.

"Not if I get to him first."

Mouth tilting back towards her in sweet unhurried, thorough promise to make up for all that time wasted, and to swallow the teasing giggle that turns into a silent plea and call as she leans into the touch.

All the time.

And all the night to familiarise myself over and over with her lips. And the sounds that spilled from them.

(THERE WE GO! SO.... Midiiplier  I WAS SUPER NERVOUS AND IF I TRULY DO NOT GET THE EMOJIS COS IT DIDN'T WARRANT THEM... *TOSS, SCRAP* TIS ALL A FAIL, I'M ALSO REALLY GLAD TO GET THIS OUT TODAY WHEN I JUST STARTED LATE YESTERDAY BUT THOSE WHACKS REALLY DID THE TRICK. TIS A CONGRATULATORY GIFT FOR YOU LOVELY! AND~ PLEASE LET ME KNOW!! WE HAD POST-HEAT FAWN THIS CHAPTER, WE HAD TEASY GOADY SJ AND I ADORE HIM FOR IT AND WE HAD MINNIE AND BABY FAWN!! I CAN'T BELIEVE I SPENT.... 3K WORDS ON THEIR REVELATION AND KISSES... WHEW THAT'S A LOT. SO I REALLY HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT! THE FINAL BIT WAS ADDED COS I JUST COULDN'T STOP WRITING THEM!! THEY'VE PINED FOR SO LONG THAT THEY DESERVED A NORMAL CHAPTER'S LENGTH DEDICATED TO THEIR KISSES! NO REGRETS! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU ALL MADE OF IT! GAHHHH! SO EXCITED! I'VE WAITED FOR THIS CHAPTER FOREVER AND IT'S FINALLY OUT THERE! EEEEEEK! I'M GONNA GO... HIDE. ENJOY, TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE LOVES!)

QUESTION... PERSONAL GOAL?? OR SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO?

Mine is... I want to get a job!! I need experience at ever WORKING and it's really sinking in since I've only got a year left at uni... update! Got that polaroid camera! Whoop!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3