JIN POV:

When the bedroom nudges open, it's with an uncoordinated stumble, light pouring in from the hallway, wings restlessly shifting and folding as I blink my eyes open; hazy and heavy with sleep and peering towards the direction of the room door. Head rising off my pillow as I watch Yoongi trudge in, eyes narrow slits and ears folded, tail curling lethargically as he lets the door fall shut. Pads over towards the bed with an stumbles, sleepiness to each step before clambering on. Hands drawing up the sheets as he sidles in and curls close to me.

My hand stretches out the small distance to brush against his face, watch as he blinks sleepily at me, shuffling closer.

"Everything okay kit?" I mumble, dragging the sheets over him when he curls closer to me, fingers carding through inky strands of hair, brushing gently across drooping ears.

He hums, a small, rumbled purr at the touch.

"Just wanted to sleep with you." voice heavy and weighted with exhaustion and fatigue.

He must've come here straight after his show and silently I feel his tail curl and brush over my calf, settling there for now.

"Sweet kit. Rest now." Arm settling over his waist and the small distance between us tinged with the heavy sleepy scent of citrus, closed by the rumble of his purr as he drifts off and with it, drags me back to sleep too.

When I awake, our bodies are much closer and his tail's moved to curl around my waist, ears twitching in sleep and a cheek squished against the pillow, pink lips pushed into a squished pout and scent soft; undoubtedly lingering in the pillows and sheets.

When I stir, his tail unconsciously tightens, curls around my waist and keeps me anchored to him, his hand that had settled in the space between us stretches out silently to curl against skin, body gravitating closer, fingers splaying across my waist and tugging.

Unconsciously trying to keep me close and in response my own wing flutters and pans out, curling over to brush over him and cover him. Tucking him up against me in a winged embrace that cocoons my panther.

Continue to bask in that hazy sleepiness of drifting in and out, hand brushing his hair away, trailing the tips of my fingers gently over the soft fluffy ears that flicker and twitch, deep, even breathing turning into soft rumbles that build low in his throat; steadily turning into purrs that slip past his lips. And when my hand comes to settle over his chest; fingertips chasing the strong steady thud of his heart, I also feel the deep rumble against my palm, feel it grounding and soothing and weighted.

Let my fingers come to rest against his sternum and feel the loose slump of his body, feely my wing shuffle and flap to cover him better, eyes drinking in his features smoothened and softened in sleep.

He might be a prowling panther, quiet and curious and alert, but like this; cheeks puffy and hair tousled and body anchoring mine, he's a kit.

My kit.

And when his eyes blink open a while later, sleepy narrowed slits peer unfocusedly at me, nosing at the inside of my wrist when I cup his jaw; nuzzling and curving to rub his cheek against my palm. Scenting gently.

"Morning hyung-ah." He mumbles, voice a rough low rumbled tone.

Nose brushing across the inside of my wrist, fingers looping around to keep my hand tilted towards him, slow sweeps as he layers on the sleepy heavy weight of his citrus onto my skin, chasing my own scent; the natural weak trail of pheromones layered with the vanilla I rubbed into skin.

"Morning kit. Sleep well?"

He hums.

"Your sheets smell really nice. Vanilla and cotton— like you and Kookie." He sleepily says, hand drawing the sheets around him with the intent to burrow deeper, lips curling into a loose smile, the tips of his fangs peeking out from under the soft pink.

"That's the idea—just like yours will smell like three happy cubs. All sweet and soft." I murmur, gently scratching at the base of his ears, relishing in the flutter of his eyes and the exhaled purr; almost inaudible and silent, swallowed into the sheets and the pillow he nuzzles into comfortably.

"Your pillows though—something else. They're clouds... I want one." he insists, reaching behind him in a blind fumble for one, nosing to inhale the scent before curling his arms around it. Folding his body around it.

I brush my fingers through the soft fur of his ears.

"You can have one kitty. No hoarding my soft pillows... " I warn fondly.

Watching him nod, face burrowing against the pillow, hand still looped around my own.

"S fine. Tae likes holding people more than pillows anyways... gets lonely at home alone sometimes." He sleepily confesses.

My heart aches, twists with pain for my packmate, watch his lips curl into an unconscious pout and without thought lean to peck it.

To watch his eyes blink open more alert, pleasantly startled.

"So why don't you go out and about more. Find more inspiration for your show, do something just for you. Think about just Yoongi. And what you want to do." I murmur, tilting his face up, brushing a kiss across the apple of his cheek, thumb brushing across his cheekbone.

Smiling when he tilts in to the touch.

"After Kookie and (Y/N)'s post-rut and post-heat are over. Don't feel like leaving them." Tail unfurling from around my waist, a ticklish trail as it slithers off.

"Neither do I. But when the pack's sweet preys are all settled- how about you let me take you out? Let me take you on a date." I murmur quietly, the comforting lull of morning and the dredges of sleep entangled in the sheets and the way our bodies remain tilted close.

His hand leans over, brushing over my shoulder; the graze of skin against skin making my feathers flutter, wing jolting when the tip of his finger curiously trails over the hard rim.

"I'd like that hyung."

I would too.

But what I'd want more is a hug from a sleepy pliant enough panther that'd bristle and fuss and squirm away otherwise, rolling over to pin him to the mattress.

Laughing at the squirm and wriggle as he tries to hiss and get free but his own face alight with amusement and fondness, tail slithering to curl around my calf, half-hearted hisses petering off into deep rumbly purrs as he settles under me, ears flickering and eyes narrowed into playful slits.

His shirt rucks up in the small teasing tussle, revealing the smooth expanse of pale skin. My hand brushes across his waist, marvelling at what I'd expected to be softness to be a mix of soft tender skin and toned definition hidden under it; feel his muscles shift and bunch, finger curiously brushing over his hipbone and grinning when it makes him jolt under me.

Feline slits examining me as he watches my hand trail, curious. He doesn't make the move to make me stop, fingers curling around his waist and settling over him.

"Stay like this for a while kit. Before we start another day... let me have this." I say softly.

And his answer comes in the tightening of his tail and the brush of his nose against my cheek, hand splaying across my nape and dragging me down with a quiet grumble even if the curve of his lips suggest otherwise.

Settling together, bodies entangled and arms curled around each other, breathing in the scent of each other; the sheets rustling with the flap of my wings as they flare to cover the both of us.

"You can always have this. You'll regret wishing for it when you find me here a lot." He mumbles, the scrape of his fangs and the curl of his smirk; playful against my throat.

My heart flutters, quicker than the beat of my wings at his words, at his playful riling and tease and the warmth of his tone. At seeing him go from asleep, to blearily peering at me, to eyes flashing with joy.

To having this with him.

To sharing this with him.

"I doubt that. I've never regretted a wish. I'm not about to start now."

Never.

Never him.

Never a single person in this pack.

I didn't regret nudging Kookie into helping (Y/N) with her heat.

Didn't regret seeing and knowing my mate was in good hands just as much as (Y/N) was.

Didn't regret the way the pack dynamics were growing and certainly didn't mind a feline under me.

Hobi had been the first.

But he wasn't the last.

I still had a tiger to wrestle and pin after all.

-------

There's nor hide nor hair of either Kookie or (Y/N) all through breakfast, despite the longing and often glances everyone shoots towards the doorway, as if their approach; noiseless and scentless will have escaped their heighted senses, would've escaped the perked up ears that remain tall and standing to attention. There's no sight of them as breakfast is cleared and the dishes cleaned, no sight of them even as they slip off to shower and change out of rumpled pyjamas; Jimin and Namjoon lingering for long enough that Tae and Yoongi had already returned; cheeks flushed and scents intertwined, Tae's brimming energy dampened... expelled a notch or two, sporting a vibrant red mark at the crook of his neck and eyes shining, tail curling and swaying with satisfaction.

They only go at Hobi's teasing nudge as he straightens up from cleaning the table, ears twirling, that if they don't go—they might come back to (Y/N) and Kookie already hogged. It makes them finally drag themselves away; a harried impatience that maybe... just maybe if they were a tad too slow, they wouldn't be here in case either of them needed them. It's endearing and just as much a mirror of my own restlessness to see them slump when Kookie and (Y/N) don't appear, my own wings restlessly flapping and twitching; feathers ruffling and mind wondering whether something had happened, whether the heat and rut hadn't ended, whether an accidental cycle had been triggered or whether something wrong with either of them.

It's a restlessness that makes the others antsy and me unable to sit around waiting any longer.

Wings flapping in warning when I hear a keening whine and the rough scamper of padding footsteps, splaying wide to their full breadth to block the path of the impatient, harried alpha wolf.

"Give me a few minutes Joon, let me check on them in case something's happened." I murmur, hand curling back to brush against his hip, head twisting to peer over my shoulder and watching his ears fold, drooping even as he nods and steps away.

"In case they're in another cycle—your scent is too..." I begin, voice aching and trembling with the threads of uncertainty and worry.

Not sure why where they were when I'd last seen them coherent and satiated and slumped together; breathless murmurs and intertwined bodies. Had rechecked after dinner and had found them just as cognizant and aware; lucid and conscious, voices soft low slurred blurs of words and sound, tilting to peer at me from where (Y/N) had had her cheek pressed against his chest and lips curling into the softest hazy smile. They'd been out of rut and heat.

I'd heard them say so.

And yet they hadn't appeared for breakfast, hadn't had dinner and that need to feed and nurture was stirring with painful unease, instincts thrashing without that outlet, without that satisfaction and fulfilment of them.

Find that nervous twist ease out when the door to her room is already ajar, the scent of cotton and anise aired out by the weakest scent diffusers placed around the room; they'd definitely not been there during their shared cycles. And I realise that whilst in the throes of their biological instincts to breed and be bred, the last thing they'd have wanted or would've balked and rejected would be their scents lessening; the proof of their arousal and want to be dimmed or washed away.

But now... now nestling and settling into the post hazes of their rut and heat, the scent would be too much... too intense and too likely to push them into another wave or cycle because their bodies would be able to detect the scents, intertwined and merged together from days on end lost in each other's bodies and touch and pheromones and could spike again.

But if they weren't here then where were they?

I close the door to her room, trapping the majority of their cloying scents inside; leaving her nest untouched and undisturbed, wings fluttering at the sight of the familiar articles of clothing that had vanished a fortnight prior.

Follow the ever present scent of anise and cotton, eyes searching the empty kitchen, undisturbed, the bathroom; where the steam of the shower or bath is still present; condensation on the mirrors, towels tossed into the laundry basket. Trace their path to find them in the other living room, the sight of them making my body still and wings sag with inexplicable relief. A pressure lifting off my shoulders to find the two of them safe and together.

Heart softening, lips stretching wide at the sight.

Padding forward quietly to peer down fully at the two of them pressed into the couch, bodies slumped in sleep.

Take in Kookie's body pinning (Y/N)'s under his on the sofa cushions, sprawled over her; a heavy weight that pins her underneath him, the large t-shirt she's drawn onto her frame one of my own, one of her legs curled around his; keeping him anchored close and her head tucked against his bare shoulder, his nose burrowed against her scent gland. Undoubtedly chasing the scent of her and him imprinted deeper than skin even unconsciously. Watch the loose possessive drape his broad body makes and the curl of her fingers against his shoulder, the heavy droop of his ears sprawled over her own and their low deep breathing, cheeks still pink and hair still slightly damp.

Safe.

Safe and settled.

See the way his chin rests on her shoulder, unconsciously nuzzling against her and rubbing his scent across the bare expanse of skin, shoulders too baggy to stay settled on her smaller frame, even as he continues to nose at her gland, the sprawl of muscle across her own form swallowed up under his.

Almost automatically I move for a blanket, knowing just how cold the weather was becoming but stop, fingers gently skimming across the flushed curve of (Y/N)'s cheek and feeling the residue heat still lingering under her skin, under Kookie's, when my hand brushes across his shoulder, moving back.

Too warm to want any blanket or covering.

And Kookie's body was cover enough.

Safe.

The thought allows me to slowly draw away, albeit unwillingly from the sight, to head back to the others, wings fluttering restlessly with the urge to sink down beside them and keep them close.

Find frazzled expressions greet me that smoothen in relief at the expression they see on my face.

"They're in the other living room. Didn't go too far from their nest." And watch the spark it flares, Jiminie the first to break away and duck past my flapping wings to rush forward, poofy tail swishing and brushing against my calf as he hurries away.

His own sudden snap triggers a chain reaction; the others hastily brushing forward and trailing down to the other end of the apartment, lingering at the doorway where Minnie's already hovering over the sofa; ears perked up and tail swishing with contentment.

A small chirp at seeing how settled they are, even if the longing and yearning is clear in his eyes as he watches Kookie nuzzle and scent in sleep, intent on burrowing as closer as he can as if he wants to press through and merge together, sink into the warmth of her body. As if even being draped over her isn't enough still.

There's a loose smile curling across the felines and Joon looks proud. Tail thumping quickly and swishing happily between him; audibly cutting through air, cheeks pinking when it flicks across Tae's side and he gently pokes it with a fangy grin. There's also a heavy weight in their eyes, taking in the broad muscle of Kookie's bare back, eyes appreciatively trailing, taking in the thin red lines curling across his shoulders and his back. Raked in by (Y/N). Marks colouring the broad expanse of skin.

"You can go in... they're asleep. Not going to be bombarded... I think they just ended up falling asleep." I murmur, nudging Joon forward, knowing just how much he'd been pining, how much the lack of the energetic rush of Kookie dashing around had made his tail droop and how he was harbouring unexpressed feelings for (Y/N) too.

Watch as the others pile in, unsure whether leaning over to check, gentle fingers brushing through damp dark strands of hair, gently scratching at the base of floppy ears and flitting painstakingly gentle across drooped folded ears before sprawling across the carpet and other couches.

It's so unused, the living room, that I'm almost surprised they did end up drifting to settle into the couch. There's barely any scent that lingers in this room, barely any trace of anyone and I watch the way Yoongi absently paws and kneads at the cushion, curling around it- that he's gong to layer his scent into, adding citrus to weave through the fibres of the fabric, tail curling and swishing quietly as he sprawls closest to the couch.

Watch as Jiminie clambers onto the arm of the couch, hand brushing carefully and gently over their ears, light touches, his tail swishing from where it drapes over the side, mint blooming gently. Sweet and protective.

What draws me away is the gentle tug around my waist, turn to see Tae peering at me with perked up ears and an endearing boxy grin; fangs peeking out.

"Come cuddle hyung?" imploringly sweet.

I let his tail tug once more, tilting forward and moving with him to the opposite couch, barely settling across it, wings tucked securely against my back that I sink lower when a weight sprawls over me.

Settling happily over me, wriggling to find a comfortable angle before a nose nudges at my cheek, head tilting to rub the soft apple of his cheek against my own with a pleased rumble and nose ducking lower to brush against the line of my throat. A hand curling around my nape to keep my throat arched and tilted for him, nails gently raking over my nape to sink into my hair, a chuff exhaled against skin and pressed against my body as he noses at my skin to rub berry in, pheromones seeping out steadily.

My head tilts, unknowingly presenting the column of my throat, to peer at the others, watch as Hobi tugs Joon close; the two of them leaning against the couch, flanked between the upholstery and Yoongi's sprawled form.

A pack.

That's what I'm seeing.

A pack curling together and piling close to feel that instinct; the collective need to be together, to hover and remain closer to the others.

The sounds of deep chuffs, rumble against my body, but the purrs that unconsciously slip past Yoongi's lips and exhaled against Joon's throat as Hobi scents thoroughly.

The tension and unease that had prickled and prodded everyone since waking has eased out, smoothened away with the comfort of scenting, with the comfort of seeing and asserting to themselves that both Kookie and (Y/N) were okay.

And so when there's the smallest movements, my eyes catch onto it immediately.

See the small shift as Kookie's legs move, body moving on top of hers, a sleepy groan as his face moves away, rises to blearily blink at the first person he catches in his sight. Tilts towards the hand that moves from (Y/N)'s folded ears to scratch gently at the base of his, the glossy brown drooping further as he tilts into the touch.

That endearingly sleepy low hoarse call of 'hyungie' as he encourages Jimin's petting, arms pushing himself up and off (Y/N) enough that her own form curls up, shifts unconsciously to chase that weighted warmth, shrinking and pressing back against the sofa, the hand that had been pressed between them and curled into the fabric of the shirt tightening.

"Hi bun bun. Good nap?" Jimin asks, voice soft and fond.

His eyes droop and flutter, body tilting forward, caging (Y/N) under him even as he chases more of the rubs and scratches he gets to the back and base of his ears, nodding sleepily.

"Good... didn't mean to fall asleep." He mumbles, cotton tail twitching, body tilting to sprawl once more, nape exposed as he tilts to the curl of fingers that drift lower, scratching lightly, resting on the bared back of his head.

"But just too comfy." I call, see his face turn and ears perk, nodding as his nose scrunches.

Eyes flitting from me to (Y/N) still asleep under him.

"She's really... something."

Voice soft and contemplative.

Hand brushing over her ears and drifting to rub a slow, light circle onto her gland; anise steadily seeping out, pheromones still strong enough that even across the short distance I can detect it.

A protective cradle of his body as his arm curls around her, worming around and tugs her close, sprawling slightly onto the side but their bodies still pressed closer.

But the tone of his voice, the hazy comfort and relief is palpable, felt clearly.

The slump of his body is without tension in his spine, legs entangled as he draws her over him instead, hands curling around her and nuzzling at her temple, light sweeping drags before hooking his head over hers.

Chin rubbing over the crown of her head, ears folding at Jiminie's continued ministrations; his eyes fixated onto the sight, wistful and achingly wanting.

But content to be close just like this.

"Must've tired her out bun. She hasn't stirred with all the scents." Yoongi remarks, but even if his words are light, his eyes still scan and drift. Silently searching for something amiss, something that might need addressing, a worried frown tugging at his lips.

We'd all seen how much pain it brought her to walk after her heats, how much her body protested and ached and how much she needed that haze, that safeness, that protective tending to. Knew that whether it was a heat she'd endured alone or a heat she'd come out of with a partner—she needed a much more delicate transition into her post heat, she needed that stiffness and pain tended to.

Kookie's cheeks pinken even as he cradles her closer, tighter.

"I put bath salts and oils in to help her stiffness... and then she was just tired and soft."

Soft.

Hazy soft. Scent soft. Post-heat soft.

The softness that tugged and yanked at instincts and helpless to avoid or resist.

A softness that I know Kookie would only ever have gladly indulged in, relishing being able to be a prey and look after her, that her biology bent and submitted to his even if their scents were equally gentle.

That he relished and thrived in that protection and comfort she sought from him, their bond and friendship one of the first to build and bloom into something fiercely strong.

Joon coos, a low rumbled growl laced into his words, hand gently skimming to curve around Kookie's calf and squeeze gently.

"Took care of little fawn so well. Good bun."

I don't think anyone in the room expects the deep flush to Kookie's cheeks or the way his ears fold, hiding behind them.

No-one expects the way his leg jolts before he burrows his face into the crook of (Y/N)'s shoulder; his scent rich and bursting out.

And the bundled fawn in his arms shifts then, sleepily stirring; head tilting automatically at the nosing at her throat, ears flickering and hazy satiated eyes blinking across the room. Taking in Jiminie whose tail seems to poof and puff with excitement, eyes creasing into crescents as he smiles at her, thumb brushing across her cheek.

And words slurring as she speaks, still fogged with sleep and that afterhaze of her body trying to shift and transition into post heat.

"Why's Kookie smell like that... is it Joon?"

And the keening whine and startled expression on Joon's face is what shatters the haze of the nap.

And jolts the two of them into more awake and coherent states; Kookie desperately hiding against her as her eyes drift in and take in the entire pack.

Lips parting silently as her eyes still on Joon.

Sees the flush pink on his cheeks and the startled expression he sports, hand tightening around Kookie's calf.

"Oh."

Oh indeed.

(Y/N) POV:

There's this warm haze that comes to settle, weighing down on me and blanketing me, post-heat coming to settle with this fog of cotton. Cotton that brushes against my skin, curls around me, holds me as I settle against him.

Hear the murmurs of voices and the curl of mint brushing against heated skin, ears flickering at the low hum of his voice and blindly curling towards it, eyes blinking slowly and the looming figure swimming into sight. Lips stretching loosely at the sight of full lips parting to reveal fangs.

"Okay baby?" voice a soft brush against my ears.

I nod, feel the tug of sleep, body slumped across Kookie's, hand curling around his bare shoulder, nosing at skin even as I feel fingers ghost along my ears, card through my hair gently. Legs sprawled over his lap and leaning against the arm of the couch, tucked up against him.

"Okay... more than okay." Voice slurred and body drawn between sinking against Kookie once more or tilting towards the soft, sweet mint.

Lungs shuddering around the freshness of his scent.

I slowly try to raise myself away from his chest, feel the arm around me tighten and the nuzzling at my temple pause, a small keening grumble that makes a smile tug at my lips.

Distantly I remembered waking in the living room to the scent of the pack curling around the two of us, remembered the haziness of trying to blink sleep away, their faces and forms blurs I couldn't focus on initially, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes and peering at the pack sprawled around the living room, dotted across couches and the carpet.

Remembered the inexplicable safeness of waking up cradled against Kookie; his scent lathered over me and the smell of our entangled scents, pheromones merged.

Remembered curling closer to the cotton, sinking back into the haze of being protectively tucked against him, remembered his arms scooping me, head tucked against his shoulder and hand curling around his arm as he slowly walked over to the other end, sinking down into scented cushions and the familiarity of the pack scent that was in every fibre of the other living room.

Remembered the heat of his body still brushing against mine, head tilting when Kookie's shoulder came to settle over the bare curve, nosing and rubbing his chin back and forth to layer his claim on thicker and heavier.

Remembered the soft rumbled timbre of voices and my body unwillingly being shifted to curl across his lap instead of sprawled bodily over Kookie.

The small nudge to eat, eyeing the food with exhaustion, tired from the thought of having to eat, content to rest my head against Kookie's shoulder, fingers tracing idly across bare skin, across the tight swell of muscle of his arm, mouthing lightly at his gland, rewarded with the burst of cotton and the tightness of his hand gripping my waist even as he paused eating to tilt his throat for me, ears flopping with the scenting, thumb reaching to brush across the brown fur.

Felt his nose brush against my temple, lips pressing to my cheek, hand curling tighter to band across me, my own hands fiddling with the fork I'd been toying with, piercing a piece of fruit at Tae's wide-eyed eager encouragement, seeing him grin when I finally took a bite.

Slowly chewing, body feeling lethargic as I tried to make a dent in the food, whilst Kookie's arm remained wrapped securely around me, digging in with enthusiasm that for an instant in that hazy tired state I wondered how he'd managed to muster up.

And curled on the couch with Kookie; set across his lap, the second day after my heat had broken, I still found myself chasing the residue heat burning under his skin, found myself pressed against it, legs being rubbed gently, a constant motion that soothed even as Kookie's other hand anchored me to him, tilting towards Minnie's touch, feel his hands card carefully, peering at the two of us.

Distantly recognise the untucked shirt and the tie he tugs off him, tail swishing behind him as he undoes the top buttons of the collared shirt, revealing the column of his throat, the smooth skin that peeks out enticing.

"Not uncomfortable are you... you should lie in bed, especially if you're still sore." He frets, crouching down to brush a kiss across my cheek, pecking the tip of my nose lightly.

I shake my head, tilting into his palm as he cups my cheek, thumb brushing across my skin as he looks at me.

"Comfy here... 's the pack scent." I mumble, eyes peering at him, leaning slightly away from Kookie to chase the sweet mint, feel my back twinge and eyes flutter as a small whimper slips out.

Feel Kookie's hand tighten protectively, inked arm curling tighter and see the frown tug at Minnie's lips, parting to speak and protest, the tips of his ears folding and drooping.

I shake my head, hand reaching to grip Kookie's reassuringly.

"Feel safe here. Don't want to go." I insist.

His lips curl up even as his hand slips away to brush against the low of my back, knuckles rubbing at the base of my spine to try coax away the slight tug at my muscles.

"Need a pain relief patch." He asserts quietly, lips brushing against mine gently, cradling me to him before he unfurls, drags himself to his feet, tail swishing restlessly.

My hand reaches out for him, trying to tug him back and watching the pained flash before he leans over, nosing at my ears.

"I'll be right back sweetheart. Promise." he soothes, slowly drawing back, tail poofy and brushing across my hand as he hurries from the room, a low murmur of his voice in the hallway merging with someone else's.

I lean back against Kookie, shifting to get comfortable again, feel his hand move to reach for a cushion, setting it against the low of my back so when I lean back slightly, it doesn't make my back ache.

Smile gratefully, pressing a kiss at his jaw, nose brushing across the sharp curve of it before ducking my head under his to nose lightly at his gland, feel the sputter of his scent richly pour out, cotton bursting out, ears drooping over my shoulder, tilting into my touch, bodies pressed close.

Hear the flutter of wings and the almost noiseless padding of footsteps, the rumbled chuff as Tae clambers onto the space immediately beside Kookie, nosing at our cheeks in greeting, ears flickering and tail curling behind him.

Eyes alight and curls damp from a shower, reaching for my hand to draw to the dark curls, head drooping into the touch and leaning close; berry seeping out heavy and sweet, sandwiching Kookie against the couch and leaning closer so his scent brushes over our noses.

"S no fun waiting. I was lonely." He grumbles with a plaintive whine that peters off into a deep rumbled growl, approval at the light trail of nails against his scalp, lips brushing against the inside of my wrist, eyes wide and imploring, hand curling across my thigh to give a gentle squeeze.

"Poor pretty kitten..." I coo, head swimming pleasantly with the intertwined cotton and berry that brushes against me, instincts curling and sinking into a softer fog of pheromones; protective and gentle.

He nods balefully, the pouted sigh brushing and tickling at the inside of my forearm, mouth pressing light pecks to the small scent glands on the inside of my wrist.

"No love for the poor stripey kitten." He adds voice serious and dismayed.

And though I know he's teasing, it still draws a keening sound from my throat, scratching at the base of his ears and watching his face transform from settled bliss to worry, ears flickering and peeking upwards, straightening and my hand slips away from his hair. See him loom closer, nudging at my cheek with his nose, the curve of his cheek rubbing against mine as he makes a softer rumble, soothing and grounding.

"Don't be sad—just teasing. Just missed you." he says earnestly, looking chagrined as he peers at me, eyes wide and soft, my hand reaching to poke the corner of his lips, watch him tilt his mouth to peck the tip of my finger, nipping lightly.

I smile, wanting to draw him closer, hand tugging at his wrist until he obliges, leaning to pin me against the arm of the couch, body sandwiched by his tilting forward to pepper kisses across my cheeks, cradled by Kookie whose hand's slipped under the hem of the loose shirt to brush circles into my waist, rubbing lines up and down across my hipbone.

"Missed you too." I say, squirming slightly at the ticklish sensation even as I feel my body relaxes, feel the small puffs of breath grazing and brushing against skin as he continues to nuzzle and scent.

Curled loosely around Kookie before he draws his attention to his cheeks, peppering and lathering him with the same attention, chuffs reverberating against skin and nipping playfully at floppy ears, the cotton a soothing scent that has my spine curving as I let my head come to rest against his shoulder.

Startle slightly at the large hand that brushes across my shoulder before the rich earthy musk reaches my nose, head tilting to see Joon smiling, waving a pain relief patch as he kneels on the carpet.

"Minnie told me you were hurting." He says softly.

Eyes flitting up to the pinned barrier Tae's body makes over the two of us, gently poking the swishy stripey tail.

"Just a moment cub." Watching as he leans back, ultimately clambering off the couch, eyes drifting to Kookie next whose arm, banded around me, draws me away from the couch's edge, draws me against him and carefully positions us to lie flat, my body splaying out across his, head tilting back to see Namjoon approach; stance a broad protective wolf.

Feel the painstaking gentleness of my shirt being tugged up and the large splay of his hand rubbing lightly at my back, hear the hitch of breath and the proud burst of cotton, eyes flitting down to see Joon's eyes fixing over the purpling fingertips across my back, across my hips.

Coloured with Kookie's claim.

With the weight of his hold, with the bruising pressure he'd kept to keep me from bucking and thrashing, to keep me presented as his body slammed against mine.

Hear the rumbly growl that shudders through the air, Tae's tail curling and eyes fixated on the sight.

But where I'd feel heat burning my cheeks, there's weighted appreciation in his stare, makes my spine arch unconsciously even as I clutch at Kookie, hear the small bubble of laughter and feel it from under me.

"S not funny." I protest, words cutting off with a sharp inhale, body shuddering under the firm press of his hand, nudging me to loosen under his touch, going boneless at the way my biology immediately surrenders to the touch, sagging on top of him.

"Just a minute little fawn." Joon's voice rumbles.

And then there's the careful brush of his hand as he applies the medicated patch, smoothening it over, knuckles rubbing gently before he draws the shirt down.

The bliss that seeps across my body makes my ears droop and fold, the medication immediately absorbed into skin, numbing the stiffness to give the relief I was craving, experimentally shifting and sighing when there's no discomfort, mumbling a thanks and receiving a squeeze to my calf and a rumbled growl in return.

It's hard to string together words, to do anything beyond letting my body be drawn impossibly closer to Kookie's, legs entangling with his and hands panning across the smooth taut definition of his torso, hazily mapping the marks I'd left behind, relishing the small hisses or grunts when my fingers press down, body jolting before sagging at the touches, hand curling tighter as it rests on my nape, keeping my nose burrowed against him.

See from where I'm tucked as Yoongi and Jin flit about, eyes drifting and lingering; smiles loose and light, the flap of wings a gentle lull and the curl of Yoongi's tail as it swishes behind him, eyeing my legs and wondering.

"Legs sore?" he asks with a frown twisting his lips.

I shake my head, I'd barely moved and the salve Jin had rubbed in had seemed to numb the ache, soothed them away and left me pliant and limp and curled against Kookie in the nest.

He seems to reach a decisive conclusion alone.

"I'll massage them later." And my nod has the tips of my ears grazing against Kookie's jaw.

"Thank you..." I mumble.

Whether that's to Yoongi, to Kookie for helping me through my cycles, for being there through every step... for being someone I could trust readily with myself at my most bare and vulnerable, whether it was to the entire pack; for everything, for supporting and being there through every hitch.

But the words slip out and the aching openness in Yoongi's eyes; warm and tender silently reach out, tell me it's okay.

And the weighted emotion in them for some reason my eyes sting, tears brimming unexpectedly, a small sniffle as I look at him. Hating how far he looks, how long it seems to be since I heard his voice, it'd always been so present during my heats, it'd been the only few things to settle me, to allow me to drift off with that protective cocoon that the deep rumble of his voice brought.

My head ducks away, curling closer to Kookie, tears seeping out from under shut eyelids, shaky sniffles muffled against his throat, feel his hand tighten and his head turn with concern.

Feel the gentle press of his nose and the quiet murmur of my name.

So steeped with concern, feel the brush of citrus before I realise Yoongi's hurried forward.

Head curling more securer to hide when his hand brushes across the top of my ears, cupping my nape where Kookie's hand has fallen away.

"Sweet girl... what's wrong?" voice low and crooning.

The low softness, the gentle tenderness he speaks with makes my eyes sting, swiping quickly at my eyes, trying to hide the evidence of how overwhelming safe and protected I feel, body curling to try go smaller.

"Oh sweetheart... look at me, baby what's wrong?" Yoongi coaxes, gentle and imploring and I blink past blurry tears, peeking past Kookie to see him kneeling in front of the sofa, pressed close, leaning forward over him.

I shake my head, embarrassed by the shaky sob that I try stifle, tears soaking Kookie's throat, face gently tilted back and dark eyes searchingly examining me.

"Does something hurt? Is something wrong? Did we miss something? I can call Moonbin and check--" he says quietly.

I shake my head quickly, breath shaky at the way his thumb brushes tears away, catching them onto the pad of his finger, touch painfully gentle.

Cradling me close, body looming over as he runs his eyes across me.

Trying to ascertain what's wrong.

"Just—I..." I begin, words stuck on my tongue.

"Overwhelmed?" Jin asks, wings tucked against him, setting a tray down on the coffee table.

Face filled with empathy, eyes knowing.

I nod.

"I—missed the pack." I admit.

And it's an ache and wat that has brimmed out heavier and stronger ever since coherency has settled.

Because whilst Kookie had been everything... had taken care of me, had found just as much satisfaction and satiation as he'd given... the glaringly dull scents of the pack in the nest had made me push away, mumbling against Kookie's neck that I wanted to go to the living room.

And it feels silly saying it.

But his face softens with understanding and inexplicable affection, brushing a kiss across my brow, skimming over my eyes that flutter shut, against the tears on my cheeks.

"Sweet, sweet fawn. We missed you too." He soothes.

Smiling when my fingers lock around his wrist, nosing at the inside of his wrist, stinging tears forced back as I look at him.

"Really?"

"So much... I don't think I've seen the oranges pine so much. Felt like we were punishing them and ourselves." He admits, cheeks tinging pink.

My smile wavers as it stretches, tentative and shaky.

"Its because we're pack. And scented clothes are different to the real thing." Jin murmurs, hand brushing across the back of Yoongi's ears. His gaze soft.

Pack.

They were all pack to me.

Whether or not I'd said it explicitly, whether or not it was verbalised, the way I felt between them, the way the others felt like to me was pack.

They felt like pack to me.

They had become pack to me.

I nod, feeling the press of lips to my temple, to the tips of my ear, head tucked under Kookie's as he nuzzles soothingly, chin rubbing across my crown.

Blink past the tears at the soft sensation, the quiet scampering of paws and watch as an orange bundle wriggles past Yoongi, a keening chirp as Minnie's poofy tail brushes across his legs as he clambers on, pawing at my damp cheek with a forlorn expression in dark eyes.

Feel my heart settle, biology soothed when with the soft paws the scent of caramel comes and Hobi's voice reaches me; that heavy weight dissolving because finally. Completed pack.

Laugh shakily at the gentle pawing at my cheek, the brush of his nose at my jaw as he chirps, trying to scent away the temporary sadness, tail drooping and ears wilted.

"M okay Minnie." I promise, hand rubbing gently at his paw, see his eyes hold mine, piercing and narrowed before he chirps gently, the brush of his tongue against my jaw, ducking lower to rub his ears across my skin before he scampers off. Treads away to reach his paw out, stretching out on his hindlegs as he paws at the hem of the shirt imploringly. Ears flickering and eyes focusing on me as he paws at the fabric with a low swish of his tail.

Yoongi's lips tug up wryly.

"I think one orange has had enough of waiting." He says as he moves back, a final kiss pressed to my lips; soft and sweet before he lets Minnie have more space to tug.

Pawing dolefully at the hem until Kookie shifts the two of us, curling to the side so I can lie flat on my back and he's curved over me, his back pressing to the back of the sofa.

I lift the hem up, the loose fabric tugged upwards and the loud chirp is thrilled.

Hopping up onto the sofa and clambering onto me, paws treading across my thighs before his head ducks under the raised fabric to shuffle and scamper up, paws slipping and pressing to skin as he climbs up.

I watch the lump under the shirt wriggle, paws pressing gently and tail swishing and grazing against skin, my hand drifting to cup it, watching as the lump wriggles about, before his face peeks out from the wide loose neckline, chirping happily, small black nose booping my jaw, ducking to rub his ears thoroughly against my jaw.

His paw peeks out too, patting at my throat, rumbly chirps that has my head tilting down, hand reaching out to scratch at the base of his ears, rubbing at the soft fur.

Feeling the rumble bubble past, eyes blinking happily up at me, wriggling around and head tilting into the touch, tail swishing with contentment.

"Orange baby." I murmur.

See his head come to rest against my collar, fangs scraping gently, nibbling softly, rumbled chirps as he droops, soft weight sagging and coming to rest, tail swishing; the tip of it peeking out.

Feel his paws scamper before folding, head resting against my collar as he continues to scent, nosing at my skin, rumbled and settled.

Hand curling over the fabric to keep him tucked against me.

Watch with content as he ducks under to settle, curling under the fabric with a muffled chirp.

Feel that heaviness slip away entirely because I can see the pack, can see the others, see Joon as he leans against the couch, peering at the sight with warm eyes and a sweet, dimpled smile. See Hobi crowd close to brush pecks, the twirly tips tickling both our cheeks in turn, eyes soft and hand brushing over my ears.

"Now the pack's complete."

And as I feel Minnie curl and wriggle under my shirt, nosing across skin and pawing gently at it; as if to assert and check for pain or discomfort, peeking out occasionally; chirping happily when I kiss the tip of his nose, pepper kisses across the rumpled fur that I smoothen out with my fingers, scratching under his chin and watch his eyes haze with satisfaction, tail quickening and swishing as he keens.

Pack's complete.

With Kookie's leg sprawled and hitched over my own, his head resting against mine and hand slung low over my hips... with the others all in sight, cradling drinks and talking quietly... it's through that comforting haze I know with certainty.

Pack.

--------

I feel the weight across me shift, stirring slightly, hand curling tighter across the narrow waist, head tucked against Kookie's shoulder, sleepily reaching for him. Trying to draw him back and closer.

Chasing the instinctual safety of being pinned and caged under his body, for that numbed haze being pinned brought- falling into a deeper sleep easily, caged against the soft cushioning of the bed and the silks gratifyingly smooth against skin that seemed abrasive and pulsed with heat still.

Hear the rustle of feathers as Jin shifts, sensing the stirring of his mate, eyes blinking blearily.

Lips curving slightly as his hand smoothens over the back of Kookie's head, rubbing at flopped ears as he tilts to the touch.

Blinking slowly and ears perking slightly, arms that had been wrapped around me shifting, unravelling to curve around my hips as he drags himself off. Swaying over me, legs caging mine in and sleep mussed hair and ears falling forward as he focuses on me.

Leans down to nose at my cheek, chinning sleepily across my bare shoulder, a soft kiss pressed to the curve of it, to where his teeth had sunk in and bitten down a claim.

"Morning." He mumbles.

I shift against the sheets, smooth and soothing against skin where the shirt had rucked up, soft and cool against the remnants traces of heat still pulsing weakly under skin.

Turn my head when he nudges at my throat with his nose, head falling back to present it to him, feel the hum against skin when he scents. Light slow drags and touches.

"Early rising bun." Jin murmurs, hand drifting to brush across his spine, tilting closer as he pecks my temple, nuzzling sweetly.

An instinctual gesture that grounds and soothes me more than it satiates any biological want for him.

Remember being tugged and drawn back to their bedroom instead, watching as Kookie tugged and smoothened the sheets out, cotton tail twitching as he focused, plumping up already neatly arranged cushions and tugging blankets around to form a circle, a barrier before scooping me up from where Jin had curled his arms around me, holding me cradled against him, wings unwrapping so his arms could curl around my body; the touch so familiar and yet knew.

So used to his strength pinning and taking, pushing down then cradling and lifting, tucking me against him as he clambered into the nest he'd made and setting me down gently, legs barely stretching out before he was sprawling in the gap between them and sprawling over me, only raising his head to impatiently stretch a hand out towards Jin, to call him to bed. To the nest.

Ultimately the entire room was Jin's nest, and within the nest there was another nest; it was seeing layers of protection and love meld together, it was double the safety and security and my body sank easily into it, drifting to sleep under the cotton and vanilla. Such light scents that held the weight of every promise to look after, nurture and keep safe.

"S noon hyung... not early rising if the alarms never went off." He mumbles, rubbing at his eyes, ears drooping as he yawns, nose scrunching as he ducks down to muffle it.

He's endearingly soft like this, the muscles and toned body on display, thighs spread as he raises himself up off me softened by the way his face scrunches, ears flopping around him and sleepily tilting to peck Jin's lips before twisting to fall beside me, across the sheets.

"I don't think I've slept so well post heat. My legs always hurt more when I'm not pinned... you did what Woo does." I mumble, a smile curling across my face.

The thought of my packmate back at our apartment, probably and likely smothering Binnie by keeping close to him, nuzzling his scent across him, antlers grazing skin.

Whilst I missed and yearned; the gnawing ache has either grown bearable or one my mind and heart and biology has becoming accustomed to; that ever present prickling urge to see them, be near them battling with the rationality... that this. Stepping away meant the threats stopped.

I paid for their safety with my distance. And I'd found greater and deeper comfort and belonging than I'd ever expected.

I'd found mates, courting partners... I'd found a pack and place to belong.

A pack that wanted to brandish their claim on me. A pack that swore to protect not because I was under police protection but because I was theirs just as much as I called and claimed them as mine.

I turn my head to look at Kookie, see the sleepy pleased smile stretch across his face; nose scrunching as he smiles, ears flopping as he tilts his head to mine.

"Anything for my packmate... for my herdmate." He says pointedly with a delighted crease to his eyes, my hand brushing back the loose curls of his hair, eyes drifting to his lips; remembering how they'd felt against my own, slower and unhurried and shuddered exhales against each other and how they'd felt bruising and harried, frantic as they peppered across my skin at some points and lingered to suck dark marks onto the crevices of my body at others.

I smile.

"Koo bun... the first of my new herd." I whisper.

Feel the flutter of wings graze against skin as Jin turns, props himself up to peer at us.

Finger skimming lightly across the tip of my ear down the length of my cheek and tilting my cheek to the side so he can press soft kisses that tickle and make me squirm and my scent bloom happily. Strong enough Jin detects it and his wings flutter with pride.

"And me? Where do I fit sweetheart?"

"The only one whose wings make my heart patter of course." Instincts preening with delight at his huffed laughter.

At the almost teasing brush of his wing against my side, tickling my hip.

"A sweet talker... I haven't had the honour of being so charmed." He croons.

On my other side Kookie laughs, cotton seeping out.

"Cos you do all the charming... looks like tables turn... Jin hyung's ears go pink when he gets flustered, that's how you know you're doing a good job at wooing." He confides loudly, rolling away with my body tugged to his as a barrier when Jin splutters, moving to swipe for him across me.

"Traitor!" he yells as Kookie stumbles off the bed, laughing even as his foot gets caught in the sheets, arms still stable around me.

Jin's face of betrayal flickers with an instance of worry, steadying him by curling a hand over his ankle and unravelling the sheet from him.

Pinching him lightly.

"I thought we left those days behind in the sweet courtship." He remarks, wings bristling as he drags himself out of bed, drawing the cushions into the neat formation that Kookie had arranged them into, smoothening the sheets as he shoots a glance at us.

"Who knows hyungie~ you still get red when I call you pretty in bed." Head ducking behind me, soft giggles brushing against my skin as he nuzzles at my cheek tenderly.

Posture looser, steady and settled and eyes carrying only the bare threads of sleep, more alert than the two of us were.

His eyes blink slowly, lips curling into a warm tender smile as he looks at me, nuzzles sweetly against my temple, ears brushing lightly.

"Bath?" he asks.

My hand curls around his arm, head tilting to the touch; inviting and soft.

"Bath." I echo.

And though Jin doesn't stay with us, he's the one who draws it up. Hands plugging the tub, meticulously pouring oils and salts into the hot water, steam curling around his wet arm as he tests the heat, wings flapping with pride once he's done, stepping up and withdrawing away.

"Hyung-ah do you want me to groom your wings...?" Kookie asks, perched on the rim, arms still curved around me, the two of us watching as his wings flare in response.

Revealing the glossy shiny form of each feather; an inky black that glows, warm and heavy.

"It's my time to fuss bun. So you and our sweet fawn... into the bath." He ushers, drying his hands as he smiles.

There's always something infinitely sweet and fulfilling about Jin's smiles. Something about them that winds around my heart and just gives the teensiest squeeze, makes me feel warm and soothed and loved.

And there's that ever present love and warmth as he leans down to cup our cheeks in turn, nose brushing against mine before pressing a kiss to the tip of it, to my cheeks before his eyes crease, looking indulgently happy. As if he basks in this radiant joy of seeing us.

But slips away with a promise of starting breakfast, wings rustling as the door shuts behind him.

There's no embarrassment or shame in feeling Kookie's hands grip the hem of the shirt and draw it up and off my body, nothing but trust and this deep intimacy and awareness that this is safe, that he's my safe space. Let him draw down the underwear, hand skimming across my legs, slowly undressing me and lowering me into the water before he tugs off his boxers himself.

There's this spark that simmers, eyes trailing over the marks I'd left of my own behind, eyeing the broad muscled frame with this aching want; post-heat settling that seemingly insatiable need for him, to be bred... and replaced with this urge to just curl close.

Feel my body sink against his immediately as the water sloshes and he settles down behind me, head coming to rest against his shoulder and damp hand coming to curl around his jaw to draw him closer.

That hazy safety of coming out of a heat with my instincts so thoroughly and deeply satiated that I felt my body go limp and pliant and trusting as his arms wind around me to draw me impossibly closer, chest pressed to my back, strands of hair tickling as they graze my cheek and neck.

Sinking into the scented water, his hand curling around to knead at the low of my back is entirely too familiar to spending post-heat curled against SJ, slow hazy scents and the gentle slosh of water as our bodies relaxed and settled close.

I feel his knuckles rub at the base of my spine, a small groan of relief as my head falls back, pausing in scenting as he continues his ministrations, feel the smile against my cheek when he ducks his head to press a kiss there, coaxing out the stiffness, the scented water leeching away the stiffness that still lingered in my body.

It's always so odd almost to think of how run-down and wrung out I feel after a heat and how SJ... and now Kookie are loosely sprawled. Content and satiated in a way that seems to have made Kookie settle in his own skin, sprawled back as he draws me closer, turns me as I face him, legs curling around him as he straightens. Locked against him as I let my head droop against his shoulder, fingers carding through his hair, coaxing him closer.

Unable and unwilling to bear the slightest distance, feeling the lull to my body as he continues to rub and trace shapes and lines onto my back, chin rubbing across my shoulder, tucking me to him.

"Thank you (Y/N)." murmured against my shoulder, soft and quiet. Slurred slightly with that same hazy contentment.

I brush a kiss against his shoulder, nosing at the thin red lines I'd left behind.

"Thank you Koo. Took care of me so well." I mumble, hand curling around his nape; lips brushing gently against his scent gland, feel the water slosh against us as he jolts before his hands curve to tug me closer, drawing me against him, chests flush.

Feel his hand gently tilt my chin up, eyes warm and nose brushing against mine, lips grazing gently, warm and soft and safe. Safe. Safe.

Hand cupping my cheek as his head tilts against mine.

"I'll always take care of you. My sweet prey." He promises.

And in the haze of that safety, that feeling of comfort, of this... this is the person who helped me, who protected and tended to me at my most vulnerable. The words sink in deep, threaten to make my eyes prickle because he means so much, because I don't know whether his words are just as a prey to another prey... as a heat partner. Or whether I'm allowed to let it sink in, nestle in my heart and give me a deeper comfort than perhaps it even means.

But regardless... regardless I take the comfort, mind lulled at the soft thorough scents, squirming when he suddenly splashes me, blinking water away before reaching to push his shoulders down, watching him tilt back with alarming quickness, hands grabbing onto me in the last moment to dunk us both down; his laughter spluttered and hair and ears plastered to his side, my ears folding as our bodies are suddenly submerged in the large tub, grappling for purchase as I try to straighten, hand pressing across his chest, laughs ringing out across the bathroom.

"Kookie—" I protest, squirming and trying to straighten, body slipping and tugged back towards his, his hands brushing back sopping strands of hair to cup my cheeks, eyes bright with laughter and warmth.

"What?" grinning and water clinging to skin, to his lashes, dripping down the column of his neck, the wide curve of his lips felt across skin as he drew me closer, mouthing lightly at the marks he'd left behind, blinking water out his eyes when I splashed back.

"Nothing... nothing at all." I reply, voice going breathless at the sudden twist as he twists, back pressing against the rim of the tub, body pinned by the weight of his body, thighs straddling mine and hands brushing against skin under water, kneading at my thighs and watching my eyes flutter, head tilting back as a keening cry tumbles past my lips, at the relief it makes thrum across my body.

Argument dying at the way he lets the small tussle end with me pinned under him, water lapping at our bodies as he painstakingly lathers my hair up, cups my ears to protect suds and water from going into them before rubbing them clean. Lean against him at the slightest tug, arms curling around him when he coaxes me forward, the slow thorough pressure of his hands easing away aches and washing me off threatening to make me droop against him.

It wasn't fair just how awake and alert he was and how ready my body was to drop and tilt.

Swaying against him, tilting body hoisted and set down on the counter as he dries me off, hands careful against the throbs I could still feel blooming against skin, that ache that was sinking into my lower hips and thighs even as he gently rubbed salve in. Smile when he tilts his head, hands on either side of me as he leans forward to let me towel his hair dry, catching the stray droplets of water and dabbing them up, carefully rubbing the towel through his hair until they fell, damp strands that would curl around his ears and face as they dried. Gently rub the towel over his ears, smoothening over the rumpled glossy brown fur.

Eyes gleaming with playfulness as I look at him, brush back his hair, fingers gently scratching at the base of his ears and watch them flop, tilting eagerly into the touch, head bent.

"Don't you always have to brush them away?" I ask.

See his large eyes peek at me as he nods, a wry smile tugging at his lips, my fingers curl around the base of his ears, head tilting in thought.

I could do something about that.

And when he leans away, I move to rummage through a drawer, tugging out a pink satin scrunchy triumphantly.

Watch his head tilt in curiosity as he watches me lean, gathering up his floppy ears and carefully loop the scrunchy around them, securing it at the base and watch as his ears flop on either side; giggles streaming past my lips at the sight, at the way they bounce with an experimental wriggle, peering past me to look into the mirror.

A wide grin spreading across his lips when he purposely shakes his head to make them flop and bounce from where they've been gathered into a ponytail, the pink satin scrunchy keeping them together.

Hear his laughter ringing out in response to my own, shaking his head side to side to see them wriggle about.

"Reckon Jin hyung will buy me scrunchies?" he asks thoughtfully, hands curling around my thighs to hoist me up against him, my laughter slipping out as I brush my fingers across his ears and watch him shake them just to let them flop and brush against my hand.

I don't know about just Jin... but the others look endeared at the laughter streaming past Kookie's lips when they find us in the living room, letting me brush my fingers over his ears, legs wrapped around him and checking the scrunchy is secure and loose enough.

They look smitten and besotted at the sight, fingers gently rubbing at his ears and cooing at the look, tugging at the tip of his ear just to see it flop.

"If Jin doesn't...I will." I promise.

Another stream of giggles muffled against his shoulder as I watch Tae poke and bend to nip; the jolt of the light scrape of fangs making his ears perk upright before tilting to the touch.

The pink scrunchy is his.

TAE POV:

Where the pack had altered their work shifts around so that at least three of us were always at home during Kookie's rut and (Y/N)'s heat... when their post-rut and post-heat come to settle, the whole pack stays.

There's something more vulnerable and instinctually pack about looking after them, at being there for them once the feverish want has quietened and the heat has begun to seep from their skin.

Something about protecting and tending to them that makes my body restless, rushing to help wherever I can, to tend to them whether that's helping Jin hyung whip up batches of food, even if most of that time is spent ushered into a stool or perched on the counter acting as chief taster and tugging hyung close enough for a nuzzle or to tilt my cheeks to him for a peck, stripey tail curling through the air.

Try to help, thriving in collecting nesting materials, in gathering blankets and cushions and pillows to pile onto the living room floor, where Kookie and (Y/N) had chosen to settle, to draw the comforting fog of the pack scent close to them. Taking thorough care in scenting the cushions I held and piling them to form a barrier, drawing the thick comforters across the carpet; furniture pushed aside to make a grand scale nest with Hobi hyung. Distracted by the soft mound of nesting materials, rolling around the comforters and blankets and throws to lather my scent onto them; deep rumbles bubbling in my chest when my nose picked up the earthy mint combo on some of them, the citrus and caramel of my own feline mates and the ever gentle scent of cotton and vanilla. Found anise corded through in some of the pillows and found myself unconsciously kneading and pawing at them, content to flop and burrow my face against them, tail curling as I lay across the semi formed nest.

Drifting into a semi-nap, half aware of the others moving about, of the silence broken by the content rumbled purrs as Hobi hyung continued to arrange the nest around me, hand skimming to brush against my nape, to draw the curls back to nuzzle at my skin, fangs scraping gently at my cheeks, eyes blinking at him, reaching to pet the twirling tips of his ears before trying to drag him closer.

Insisting that scenting whilst cuddling was the sure-fire way to get scent everywhere; had hyung not studied that in those textbooks he cradled so preciously?

"I'm not sure that's what Seong-ssi means when she writes about nesting—Tae!" laughing as I tug him forward, body tilting forward and tail curling around his thigh, tugging him closer and burrowing my nose against his throat. Peppering kisses across his throat, trailing my lips to his jaw, fangs nipping when I feel him wriggle, hands steadying himself from caging me, from being flush to my body.

"Nesting is first and foremost a safe space. And I want it safe for them—all cosy with our scents." I parrot before dragging him closer, laughter and rumbles exhaled against his skin and leg curling around his calf to drag him down bodily.

"So you do listen to me revising." He exclaims, sounding far too happy and focused on that, teeth sinking into his throat to distract him, relishing in the shudder as he groans, arms buckling as he slumps down, body folding downwards against me, tongue smoothening over the sting, nosing at the rich burst of nutty caramel.

"Intellect is attractive hyung... but right now... shush." I growl against his skin, teeth nipping, mouthing at his gland and feeling my ears flicker and fold, rubbing at the underside of his jaw as I nuzzle closer, twisting so he's sprawled across the thick comforters and duvets; eyes shining and flashing with amusement before tilting his throat to me.

Letting me suck a mark into his throat, too easily and readily, and the moment my lips slip away, eyeing the darkening mark with a burst of pride, his legs curl and just as easily flips, tugging me upright with him and laughing when I try fall back, try to sink back into the cushions.

"Not going to make a good nest for our sweet preys? Going to make them rest on a couch where no-one can scent or hold them?" he remarks, voice curious and lilting.

I shake my head quickly.

Couldn't have the preys compelled to be comfier on a smaller space, to be only limited to indulging in each other's scents.

My eyes scan the room for them habitually, failing to find either at the moment.

"Yoongi hyung's got (Y/N). Her legs were cramping." Hobi hyung murmurs, smoothening a hand over my spine.

My head jerks up, eyes widening and a keening sad rumble pushing past my lips.

"Is she okay?"

His hand scratches lightly at the base of my ears, lips twisting into a frown even as he nods.

"You know how her legs ache after a heat... but it did get bad enough. She wasn't settling even with Jiminie draped over her and she was just... restless." He says; eyes flickering and the tips of his ears drooping and folding at the thought.

His scent takes a burnt tinge to it and I have to hurriedly draw hyung away from worry; the nest couldn't smell of worry, it would go against everything a nest was meant to be.

It wasn't going to settle either Kookie or (Y/N) if they could detect the pheromonal indication that Hobi hyung was fretting, unapologetically tugging his tail and leg knocking against his, tail curling to swat at his backside to have him yelp and screech; a startled hiss as he turns, pheromones jolted away from the burnt edge it was threatening to take on.

Eyes narrowing.

"No sadness in the nest. I'm sure if Yoongi hyung and Minnie are with her... she'll be fine." I say firmly, assured and confident in my mates, confident that neither of them would let her be distressed; not when the mere thought was making my own instincts restless, there's were undoubtedly thrashing with that harried need to soothe, settle, protect.

I was sure she would be fine, but still my mind wandered, still strayed and as Hobi hyung continued sorting the nest; a hard determination burning in his eyes, stubbornly reordering and fussing and scenting the cushions thoroughly, I slip away.

Pad off to find and check up on both of them.

Slip away and find Jin hyung with his arms wrapped around Joon hyung in the spare living room, wings curved around the two of them, gently threading through hyung's hair and scratching his ears as he scans files, eyes roaming behind thin wired glasses, brows scrunched with focus.

See and watch as Joon hyung sighs, a deep rumbled growl of dissatisfaction; tail thumping restlessly as he moves to the next, rubbing at his temples and wings fluttering to curl tighter and securer around him, murmuring gently and coaxing him sweetly. The damp, cloying scent of clogged earth and rain turning lighter, fresher as he leans back into the touch.

But where was Kookie then?

I murmur the question to hyung as I lean into his extended arm, curling around me to drag me closer, a nose brushing against my jaw, a rumble exhaled against skin as Joon hyung reaches out to scent me, thoroughly rubbing his scent onto me whilst Jin hyung cups my cheek and draws me close to brush a kiss to my cheeks, tail curling happily at the peck to the tip of my nose.

"He's with (Y/N). I think they're in your bedroom." He murmurs, voice lacking that jolt of panic at the thought; clearly assured and settled with the knowledge of where the rest of the pack was split off, soothed and confident in it.

Pack herder in a similar yet different likeliness to Joon hyung, nurturer and fusser and caregiver in his own right, in his own way his biology called for a more fiercer protection.

But his confidence, his soothing tone meant he was aware.

If Jin hyung was settled... then surely everything was okay.

That (Y/N)'s aches and cramps were from earlier. Not now. She was fine now.

But when I slip away... pad off towards my own bedroom; the scents seeping out immediately make my ears perk, swishing happily as I reach for the handle, ears folding at the tang of pain threaded through the anise.

Slip into the bedroom, moving forward quietly towards the bed.

Eyes drifting over the sight.

Watch as Yoongi hyung's hands, glistening with massage oils knead at the back of her thighs, murmuring low and softly to her as he continues to ease away stiffness, working out knots and aches as his hands slip up to her hips, brushing tenderly over her skin, over the marks left behind with a .gentleness that my heart twists at even as I just watch.

The tight knot easing when I watch and sense her scent soften, face cushioned on Minnie's lap; his hands gentle as they card through her hair, rub and scratch lightly at her ears, curl around her nape as he curves over her. A protective curve to shield her, his voice mingling with hyung's as they help soothe her pain.

See Kookie curled beside her, their hands entangled and their noses touching; sharing the same breath, gentle nuzzles to her temple, nose rubbing against hers, ears still tied in the endearing scrunchy (Y/N) had used. Had giggled against him, eyes bright and scent soft and gentle and curled against his chest.

There's dried tearstains on her cheeks, tip of her nose slightly pink; evidence of the pain that is now slowly being worked out, Yoongi hyung's fingers pressing and easing deep circles as he massages her legs, sprawled across his own, voice soft as he soothes her.

Coos at her and promises to make the pain go.

"Fawn fairy---" I mumble, dejected and wishing I could do something... anything to help her, watch as fluttering eyes blink at me, drifting away from Kookie to focus on me, lips wavering in the slightest as she smiles.

Mumbles back.

"Pretty kitten." The nickname making my lips quirk as I cross the distance, kneel on the mattress, curving over Kookie to cup her cheek, heart aching and brimming as she tilts into the touch, a shaky exhale and low groan when Yoongi hyung presses down, hands massaging her the low of her spine, shirt tugged up by Minnie's hand, mint blooming protectively. Sweet and sharp all at once.

"Not feeling the best huh." I murmur, ducking down to nuzzle at her temple, before pressing a light kiss to her lips, leaning back to do the same to Kookie, feel his scent splutter out, cotton seeping out as he curls close.

Sandwiching her against him as much as he can.

"Much better actually." She admits, voice achy and raw in a way that makes me wonder how long she cried, how many tears were soaked up and brushed away by Minnie's hands, how much her scent must've been broadcasting her pain for it to still linger despite the way she slowly turns to putty, sinking against the bed, both predators tending to her whilst Kookie remains pressed close.

Unwilling to leave.

"Should you still be hurting so much?" I wonder, fingers light as I tilt her chin to press another peck to her lips, feel hers linger as she leans into the touch.

Feel the small tug of her lips curving up, feel it pressed to my own.

"Kookie must've done quite the number." She mumbles ruefully before her eyes crinkle gently, shushing his concern before it mounts, three other scents spiking.

"Not your fault bun... my legs always hurt. it's just a silly biological response." She brushes away.

"Not silly... my poor baby." Minnie murmurs tenderly, legs shifting, clearly restless to draw her against him, watch as her hand curls around his waist.

"Koo's the baby." She protests fondly, forehead resting against his, her eyes fond as she cups his cheek, brushes a strand of hair to tuck behind his ear.

"Pretty bun." Relishing in the pink tint to his cheeks even as he presses a kiss to the inside of her wrist.

"Prettier fawn."

Soft small giggles as they stare at each other, her eyes fluttering in silent relief when Yoongi continues to massage.

"Both the prettiest preys... feeling better sweet girl?" Yoongi hyung says decisively before his hands smoothen across her calves, working out the final knicks and stiffness.

Looking at her with concern.

She shifts experimentally, sighing with relief as she nods, moving to draw herself away, to free his lap when his hands draw her back, Minnie's hand curled possessively over her nape.

Hyung's gaze smoothens out, worry bleeding away now that he knows she's not in pain or distress, now that he's certain that her pain has been tended to.

That he's done a good job as a mate. As a panther.

Voice a deep rumble as he croons.

"Who said that meant you were going anywhere?"

And my own voice rumbles happily.

Peace and order restored to the world, pack righted on its axis as I watch her smile, drooping readily against Minnie's lap.

I curl behind Kookie, leg thrown over his and pressing against his back, arm snaking to curl against his torso.

Nip playfully at his nape to see him wriggle.

"You can't go out yet! The nest isn't done! And as a good mate I can't let you see it incomplete." I say insistently, content to kitty pile across them, see Minnie's face soften and beam, fangs peeking out over his full bottom lip.

"Left Hobi to it alone? Stripey menace." Yoongi hyung teases, hand brushing over, flitting and checking to assure and satiate his instincts that the pile on the bed is all an overlapping entangled mess of limbs; scents steady and happy. Minnie slipping to sandwich (Y/N) in the same way, my tail curling over their waists to playfully prod at his poofy tail draped across her thigh that she absently pets.

"No.... I helped." I insist, watch as he slips out with a rumbled purr, padding quietly towards the door, eyes lingering on the pile we make on the large bed.

"Guess I better help complete the nest. So I can get some fawn and bun time without toppling over." He teases before vanishing, door left open; the intertwined weight of all our scents drifting to seep into the room and settle.

A weighted blanket of pheromones that scream protect, protect, protect.

And as my hand remains curled around Kookie, nose buried against his nape and tail draped over the two; occasionally prodding Minnie's own poofy one... I know this is pack.

This is home.

And this is what I'll guard. This is what I want everyone to experience.

I nose at Kookie's shoulder.

Can't wait for you to court each other bun.

Can't wait to be courted by you and swan hyung in turn.

Can't wait for us to be a mated pack one day.

Every scent is a promise and an eager anticipation for more. For everything with them.

-------

The nest is a success.

Such a success that (Y/N) and Kookie end up falling asleep there, bodies entangled and his arm curled protectively around her; ink curling around her rucked up shirt and her head tucked under his.

So much a success that I find Joon hyung curled up next to them, shifted and ears flickering in his sleep when I pad out the next morning, rubbing sleep from my eyes and double checking to make sure I haven't mistaken hyung for a large brown cushion or throw, sinking down beside him and rubbing my fingers through glossy shiny fur, hear and feel the rumbles against my fingers, his ears flickering and folded in sleep; scent heavy and rumbling with happiness at the touch, sleepily chasing it, ears shifting and wriggling and tail quietly swishing.

Laugh quietly when I watch him stir, sleepily peering at me, before his tail quickens its thumps, paws trying to grab my hand, tucking it under his head and settling to lather it in small licks and nuzzles, head drooping with my hand caught between his paws and rumbling happily.

"What a sweet alpha... on protection duty?" I whisper, lowering myself down so I can peer at him, watch his eyes fixate on me.

They're sharp and alert and contrary to how I found him, it's as if awareness sunk in quickly; that likely he'd simply let me run my fingers through his fur and had been awake since the moment my scent registered to him.

He rumbles in answer, head dipping to nose at my palm, tongue brushing against it as he nuzzles.

"Guarding bun and pretty fawn or scenting them so their alpha's claim is all over them?" I prod, nosing at his ears that perk, rumble happier and louder, falling silent when it makes them stir, scents softening in response to the naturally dominant predator pheromones.

See his tongue loll in a very wolfish grin, fangs bared as his head turns to look at them, leaning away to nose at Kookie's cheek, nosing at his hair and nuzzling at the curve of his jaw. Nuzzle even lighter against (Y/N)'s cheek that's pressed to his chest, ducking to scrape his fangs lightly across her jaw, lathering it over with a grooming lick.

Lean back and settle.

Paws folded over my hand that he continues to fiddle with, pawing at my palm, leaning to nose at the inside of my wrist and head tilting to peer at me.

A small questioning rumble, tilting his head to me to nose at my cheek that leans in almost immediately.

"It's not early... force of habit I guess. But no work for me... I'm a stay at home tiger mate for the post heat and rut." I say with satisfaction.

He keens in agreement, nosing ducking to graze my jaw, the cold sensation making me squirm and flail away, his rumbled puffs sounding amused and thrilled.

A satisfied wolf.

"Did you like my nest alpha?" I coo.

He rumbles, head dipping to nudge at my wandering fingertips to scratch his ears.

Keening in agreement.

I stay like that until Joon hyung decides enough is enough because he straightens, clambering over me before beginning to nudge me towards the others with a paw, tail thumping with contentment when he takes a new spot guarding the three of us, trotting about the apartment, ears alert and nose raised as he detects the scents; fresh and soft before coming to scent us in turn.

A cycle of patrolling the living room, the barriers of the nest and gently nudging back stray pillows with his nose and paw patting them into place before vanishing down the hallway.

His keening whine as he paws at the door, a soft click as it's opened and Yoongi hyung's sleep-laced rough voice as he murmurs to him.

Hear the padding of footsteps and paws split off, the sleepy laugh and Hobi hyung's voice whilst Yoongi hyung peeks from the doorway and spots us.

Smiles all rumpled and puffy with sleep, dredging in and absently rubbing at his hair and straightening it out.

"You woke early." He remarks.

I shrug, eyes drifting over the way Kookie's arms have folded protectively, her face buried against his bare chest, his hand looped around and resting on her back.

They're enticing just as much as they're endearing.

Something about them that just reaches in and tugs at me.

"Don't feel tired. Got some alpha love too~" I crow happily, leaning back when Yoongi hyung sits down on the couch, leaning in the bracket his legs make, his tail curling to tease at my neck, ticklish and soft.

Groomed and soft and glossy.

I pout at my own tail.

It's not as shiny as it could be.

"Will you groom my tail later?" I ask.

I feel a kiss press to the back of my head.

"After showering." He promises.

And true to word, once everyone's had breakfast, Yoongi hyung makes true of his promise, grooming my tail all glossy and soft as he rubs soft oils into it once it's sagged limply after coming down from the high of pleasure still pulsing through my body.

Going limp from where it had curled around his thigh, hands splayed across wet tiles and legs spread as he curled close and pinned me, fangs at my throat and throaty rumbles and promises as his hand curled around me and his body thrust forward to cage mine; pinned to the tiles and body jolted forward and keening as I fell apart with his name and scent on my tongue.

Let him thread my arms through a dressing robe, drawing boxers over my legs and hands gentle, fingers drawing my chin up, smile pressed to my lips as he kisses the pout my mouth makes.

"You didn't leave marks." I protest.

Squirming when his hands grip my hips and drag me bodily forward, letting his mouth linger against my own, tail flicking teasingly.

"Sorry kit... my bad." He whispers.

"You have to make it up to me. You and Hobi hyung." I bargain, chasing the soft pressure of his lips, fingers curling around his nape to drag him closer.

His fangs nip lightly at my bottom lip.

"As if we'd ever say no to wrecking our pretty cub." Hands yanking at the ties of the bathrobe and tying it into a loose knot around my waist.

Eyes and smirk predatory.

"Then we'll cover you with claims." He promises before dragging a towel through his own hair, leaning against the counter, head cocked.

Tail curling.

"I've got work but once everything settles.... You're ours. And that applies to every inch of your skin." He drawls, stoking a flare of heat at the promise.

Nodding as I move away, eyes lingering as I draw the door open.

"It's a date."

But it's almost as if everything conspires to banish that thought before it can blooms and lingers, eyes coming to still, feet freezing and tail curling with anticipation.

Watch Hobi hyung sprawled across the nest with (Y/N) tucked between his legs as he talks to her, brushing fingers over her hair and ears, nosing lightly every now and then at the crown of her head. I sigh, eyes rolling fondly at the sight of the textbooks scattered nearby.

Some things never changed.

Eye the open space, the wide nest and the way (Y/N)'s legs are sprawled too, leaning against his chest and drawing idle circles into his legs.

Those hands could be put to better use I decide as I amble in, hand tugging on the loose tie and letting the gown fall open, shucking it off; feeling their eyes stray with curiosity, feel them linger with appreciation as I abandon the dressing gown on the sofa and sprawl in the nest, head resting on her stomach and peering up at her as my hands brush against her calves.

"Hi."

See the wide roundness to her eyes relax slightly, head tilting and a smile curving at her lips.

"Hi pretty kitten." Hand reaching away from Hobi hyung's thigh to brush through my hair, the touch gentle and soft.

But for some reason hearing her call me kitten, feeling her touch just as gentle has me pouting, tail curling with challenge and silent thrumming tease that begins to bubble in my veins instead.

Grip her calf and give a tug, watch her posture slip slightly, hand curling instinctively around Hobi hyung's thigh to steady herself, startled eyes and parted lips, head turning to brush a kiss across her calf and feel her leg jolt before relaxing.

My eyes drift over her, drinking in the inched up shorts, the thin strappy top that does nothing to hide her curves, clothes ridden up and revealing all the marks Kookie had thoroughly marked into skin, see the map her body becomes; a canvas for where his hands and mouth roamed and lingered, appreciation in the way the marks have darkened into purple, dotting the inside of her thighs, around the curve of her waist and low on her hips. There's marks colouring her shoulders where his teeth sank in and her skin pink and flushed; still seeping with residue heat, pink fawn reclined against Hobi, his hands looped around her torso as he was talking to her.

Silently let my nose brush across the inside skin, mouthing lightly at the fainter red marks, pride thrumming that our Kookie had done that, fangs aching to sink in and darken them. Teeth nipping and tongue brushing gently as I mouth at her skin, soft and supple, head dipping to brush against her thigh and a deep rumble of satisfaction when she squirms, jolting at the touch.

"Look so pretty all marked up... just makes me want to bite." I murmur against her skin, mouthing at the marks, hitching her leg open wider; splayed for me as I continue to nuzzle at her skin, smell her scent turning softer and sweeter, the tautness in her leg as she protests loosen in the slightest.

She jolts when my fangs pinch, nipping at the darker mark that had been hidden by her shorts; purpling fingertips and nip, tongue brushing against them, heat searing my spine at the breathy exhale that slips past her lips.

"Our pretty sweetheart." Hobi croons, a hand slithering from her stomach to tug her other leg wider, my hands curling around them and tugging, ears perking at the keening cry as she wriggles, breath shaky as I continue to mouth at her marks. Careful to not let fangs break through the soft skin as my hands grip tighter; feel the moment she goes taut before sagging when my fingers move to inch across her inner thighs; palms splayed directly across her thigh glands.

Sensitive buttons to push.

And I had every intention of playing them.

Fingers trailing to trace slow wide circles, random lines and squiggles; movements sporadic and surprising enough that it makes her jolt everytime my fingers pause to sink in, digging in with pressure and mouth watering with the burst of anise; heavy and floral and sweet blooming and tasted on the tip of my tongue. Let my mouth follow the same track as I rub my knuckles across her thigh glands, curling across the back of them and nails trailing; hear a shaky sob as she keens, legs jittering at the stimulation, pheromones secreted out, the weight of her responsive scent making a growl rumble low in my gut, tugged out from the deepest depths; my tiger biology keening with satisfaction at the way her legs jolt and tremble under my touch before sagging, stop straining against my fingers. Letting me scent and nuzzle at her thigh glands, kneading at the soft giving flesh and feeling her body shudder as she cries out.

"Tae please—" she whimpers out, hands scrabbling and sinking into my hair, tugging and when I let my eyes flick up it's to catch the quick bob of her throat, head fallen back against Hobi's shoulder; see the tremble of her lips and the arch of her spine, pushed down by Hobi hyung's hand, his eyes dark and hungrily drinking in every expression, every shift, fangs unconsciously pooled over his lip. Feel her squirm and writhe and twist at every brush of fangs and lips, jolt at my nose grazing across her legs.

"Please what little prey? More?" I coo, nosing at her skin, mouthing at her glands just to feel the visceral buck as she sobs, breathless and pleading, feel her legs sag and splay wide as I continue to scent, slowly lathering my scent onto her and chasing the heavy haze that begins to drench her pheromones with this weight that's reflected in the unfocused daze in her eyes. Blinking slowly and sluggishly, fingers curling looser in my hair as her legs turn to putty. Keening cries and trembles turning into the occasional jolt and shaky trembles of breath that spill past her lips, pupils dilated and blown wide and her body sagging against Hobi hyung. Cradled against him, tracing circles on the low of her stomach; the brand of my scent imprinted onto the syrupy sweetness of her own anise.

My own body inches up higher, murmuring praise to our sweet little fawn, hand curling to grip her parted leg, squeezing her thigh before hooking her leg around my hip, anchoring it there as I settle in the crook of her thighs, eyes committing to memory the sight of the pink flushed high on her cheeks and the glassy haze in her eyes; surrounded and consumed by the weight of my scent claim, of my pheromones curling around her until it's all she can feel, mouth at her stomach and feel the clench of muscles before going limp and pliant.

"Our sweet baby... let us take care of you." I croon against skin, fingers skimming across the bruises to grip before slotting myself entirely over her, body sandwiching and pinning hers to hyung's, chasing out her scent gland where anise steadily trickles out in heavy rivulets.

Eyeing the puffy gland with aching fangs.

"Sweet prey... give perfectly don't you. Submitted so well to Kookie... perfect prey... perfect mate." I murmur, voice dropping lower, laced with a growl that can't be contained to the words, slipping out when my mouth first closes around her gland and she gives a weak jolt before her head tilts to the side, Hobi hyung's hand brushing against her jaw, murmuring how prettily she presents.

Nose at the swollen gland, tongue brushing over it, lapping at the sticky sweet scent, mouthing wetly at her gland and sucking.

Her body shudders, arching suddenly against me, pushed down by the weight of my own body, eyes glassy and drooping back, ears folded and body splayed between us.

Draw her other leg around me, gripping tightly as I continue to suck her gland, feel the physical throb of the puffy, overstimulated tissue as it continues to secrete scent, feel her fingers go lax in my hair and fall to loosely rest against my nape.

I preen at the sight of her body pliant and her pheromones sweetly filling the room and curling around our scents, pushed into a pheromonal high, lips parting silently, tilting to mine and the soft barely audible whimper against my lips, against my mouth that parts to brush my tongue against hers has my body shuddering as I lower myself more onto her, burrowing against her soft body.

Tongue curling around hers, groaning against her lips when she doesn't fight for brush against brush, fingers weakly scrabbling at me as my tongue sweeps across her mouth, chasing and exploring and head buzzing with the thrill of taking care of her so well.

Of how easily and readily she was pushed into the high; scent drunk on my pheromones and body sagging against Hobi hyung's.

Sandwiched between the two of us as his touch continues to rub soft circles, my hands curled around and pressed into soft flesh and keeping her anchored to me.

I didn't have her during her heat.

But that didn't mean I wouldn't have her like this, so sweetly pliant and giving.

That this wasn't just as intimate and special and cherished as I nuzzle gently at her cheek, her hazy eyes blinking slowly, lips shuddering with wavery rasps of breath.

This was just as treasured and precious.

Instincts brimming with the ever present urge to keep her safe, to covet this, to keep this for us.

This beautiful, sweet fawn of ours.

Gave so much and deserved to take just as much and more.

And I'd hand it all to her.

Plate it up for her.

I'd give her the world for completing the one within the walls of this apartment. For being part of the fabric and glue and tether to our pack. For making us complete. For completing me.

My sweet fawn.

(GAHHHH! THE CHAPTER WAS NOT MEANT TO GET THIS LONG BUT IT DID—NEVER APOLOGISING COS I JUST LOVE CLAWS TOO MUCH! Midiiplier  ARGHHHHHHH HOPE I DO ALL OUR SHARED SCENES AND THOUGHTS JUSTICE AND HOPE THAT IT'S JUST GAH! EVERYTHING! WE HAVE SO MUCH HAPPENING! POOR BABY FAWN WAS EMOTIONAL—THIS IS THE FIRST HEAT WITH THE PACK... WHERE THEY TENDED TO HER AS A PACK AND WHERE THIS IS WHERE HER MIND AND BIOLOGY GOES...THIS. THIS IS WHAT I'VE WAITED FOR. AND SHE'S FINDING IT. LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! I'M ALWAYS ROOTING ON ACTION TIGER FOR BULLDOZING HIS WAY THROUGH IT ALL! WE ALL NEED THE OTHERS TO BE LIKE TAE! CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER~ SUPER EXCITED! TAKE CARE!)

QUESTION... NEXT THING ON YOUR TO DO LIST?

Mine is... dash to pack my bag and hop into the shower before doing a mask!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3