JIMIN POV:

I pause outside a café, it seems to double up as a bakery, but the inviting smell of freshly baked goods are silently reeling me in and through the window I can see a young squirrel hybrid carefully placing newly made batches behind the glass display, tail utterly straight and stiff with how much he's focused.

I smile at the sight, endeared by it, and step inside- mouth-watering at the mixture of smells, of sweet, caramelised treats to the fresh scent of tea being brewed. I eye the layered subs that one of the employees are making, a human, deft hands slicing the bread and filling them- colours forming distinct layers. Hmm...maybe I should grab a few for lunch- Namjoon hyung and I always manage to work up a large appetite, and maybe a nice tea to replace the ice americanos he's always chugging down like water. I peer at the menu deciding which one he'd likely enjoy, brows furrowed.

I know no doubt that he's either holed up in his office or out following up leads. It was so incredibly frustrating to be able to see the devastation a child hybrid trafficking ring but have no idea where to begin. 

And I hated seeing someone who was pack, family- bear the brunt on his shoulders because was the officer in charge. It wasn't fair on him. 

It had been half a week and the lack of clues, lack of evidence was so, so frustrating. The fact that there didn't seem to be any way of beginning to narrow down any suspects made me feel hopeless, both my instincts as a fox hybrid and as an officer feeling downcast and disappointed at the inability to assess and protect. The situation wasn't anywhere near that stage.

And it was incredibly early days to hope that Min-Jun was making a rapid recovery and could give any insight, though (Y/N)- the sweet doe-eyed carer had been incredibly forthcoming with even slight details about his health, her voice sounding distinctively happy that Namjoon hyung and I were genuinely concerned. It made me wonder just how many unempathetic people she must've come across in the task force.

There's a group of guys, early twenties at the latest, eyes far too sharp and glinting with intent- roving constantly for them to be relaxed and unbothered as their lax postures suggest, legs sprawled across the floor, out in the way for other potential customers to trip over or have trouble moving past.

Troublemakers. It doesn't take the warning rumbling growl I suppress low in my throat at the sight of them, to let me know they're upto no good, their eyes constantly flit to the front of the counters where the squirrely hybrid is energetically talking to another employee, this one with animated perked-up ears as he easily plates the orders onto two large trays, drinks on one and food on the other.

And when he lifts the hatch to walk out into the café portion where the tables are, heading carefully for the group- I know it's him they've got their eyes on.

"Bingo. His hands are full." One of the boys whisper, lips curving up in a slow smirk, eyes raking over the bunny hybrid who's hands are carefully levelling the two and walking over, eyes more focused on the trays to notice.

But my ears hear it.

Prick up and catch onto the malicious intent I can hear in them, in each syllable. In the way their postures straighten up and stiffen, tensing.

The stance of someone about to attack. To leap forward.

And I see it.

See the way his perked-up ears twitch, wilting in the slightest, nose scrunching unconsciously even as he keeps a polite smile on his face, bending down to set the trays onto the table carefully, back arched over slightly.

See the hand reach out to move closer to the twitching tail, nervousness and fear I recognise- the soft slightly dulled scent of the bunny souring, see the hand move to grip and tug and move out of my chair, barely hearing the way it clatters noisily against the ground, a small screech as the table is bumped into, rushing forward towards that inching hand.

And grip tightly onto the hand, fingers snagging the wrist and holding hard enough to detain, to hold him back, even if my instincts growl with dissatisfaction, whisper to bite and clamp down on that filthy hand that tried to hurt and assault an unsuspecting person.

"Don't you dare." I hiss, voice deepened as I glare at the boy- looking at the surprise and cocky prideful look slip to give way to an ugly look. Entitlement. A quick cursory glance at his clothes give away that he comes from a well-off background, must think money allows him to do whatever he wants without fear of consequences.

I stifle a snort.

Not happening.

"Who the fuc-" he begins, snarling, invisible hackles rising defensively at being caught out, before I cut him off.

"You are all going to be charged with the offence of physical harassment and the intent of causing bodily harm under Article 51 Clause 1 of the Human and Hybrids Rights Act." I state levelly, allowing a bit of that rage seep into my voice, let them know just how pissed I am. Let them see the slight predatory rage that flashes briefly in my eyes.

"But we didn't do anything?" another one of them splutters indignantly, voice going high and slightly hard, going onto the defensive.

"So you weren't about to touch this man's tail? Without permission, without consent. What you were about to do was a crime. That is an act of assault." I grit out, feeling my instincts try to push past, to snarl at them. But I can't do that. Can't misuse my instincts to scare them, they'll be dealt with by law.

The young man who'd been setting the trays down trembles slightly, large hands fumbling to retreat his hands from them. And whilst I could see immediately his physique was an indication of strength, that he could easily deal with them- sometimes you couldn't fight when your instincts from being the stronger force. And it was because of that I'd intervened in the first place. That and no person should be made to feel uncomfortable, feel harassed in their workplace. It was disgusting that people tried to tear down that security.

"You don't have any proof." A third boy tries to say, trying to bluff his way out even as his eyes dart around nervously- flitting from one place to the other, unable to settle; the quickening of his heartbeat an indication that he's trying to put on a false brave front.

It's pitiful.

Why go about ready to commit an offence then fear the punishment?

"I have enough proof. Because I am witness to it, and think you'll find there's CCTV in the shop in precisely five different locations to back me up. So that should cover it." I say, grabbing my phone to send out a code 8, request for backup in two police vehicles.

"Excuse me sir, why don't you take a seat?" I say turning to face the young man, letting go of the wrist- even if my mind growls for me to snap it, hands flitting around the bunny hybrid and gesturing to the table I'd chosen. Perfectly positioned to be able to view the café and bakery and spot anything out of the blue. Also near the door.

So there was no way they were getting out of here and escaping.

I gently usher the startled man into a seat, he drops heavily into it, head bent.

"Are you okay sir...." I begin not knowing how to address him.

But the silence that lingers is shattered by the sound of rushing footsteps and an alarmed cry of 'Jungkookie hyung' before the squirrel hybrid appears besides me.

"Hyung are you okay?" the young squirrel asks, crouching in front of him and taking careful hold of the bunny's hand.. that 

Silence.

I don't realise his distressed state has unconsciously triggered me to start releasing calming pheromones, see it in the way he slumps down- posture loosening slightly.

The appearance of two police cars pulling up has me turning away from the sight, even if a part of me is troubled at leaving the young, distressed male alone.

"I'll be back in a bit. Excuse me." I say with a dip of my head, heading back to the group and exchanging information with the officers escorting the handcuffed boys out.

"I'll head over in a bit to file the report myself. Keep them in a holding cell." I say, watching as the officers nod and drive back to the station I work at.

It's in that time of dealing with the boys that I realise that the soured scent of the young man had spiked, turning slightly harsh and at odds soft too. I turn to head back to see that the man isn't being comforted by the young squirrel but rather a tiger hybrid who'd entered at some point and looks like he's doing his best not to scare him away, whilst fighting the urge to pounce.

"I'm sorry, you are..." I ask the tiger hybrid, voice carefully neutral to not trigger any instincts.

Instead I'm greeting with a beaming boxy smile, eyes bright and face soft despite the threatening aura he exudes as a predator.

"Kim Taehyung. I came in to buy two dozen cookies but found that the pretty employee from last time smelt sad. So here I am!" he exclaims, voice bright and tone matter-of-factly.

As if there was no other rational explanation for trying to help. That he didn't need any more just reason than wanting to cheer up the employee.

It's the first smile that spreads across my lips since I'd entered the café.  A smile because I can see just how much Taehyung actually wants to comfort Jungkook, regardless of their biological instincts.

He really wants to make sure he's fine and the twitching and wilting off Jungkook's ears have settled, perking up slowly as Taehyung insistently stays by his side to crack jokes and remarks, rambling about anything and everything- the squirrel hybrid looking extremely grateful as he gives a small squeeze to Jungkook's hand before heading back to man the counter.

Taehyung is refreshing. A breath of fresh air. That predators aren't scary. That all in all they can be the opposite. When I see how his ears perk up and tail swishes happily behind him when Jungkook smiles and mumbles a thank you, I see exactly what I've always wanted the world to see.

Hybrids as people. That don't allow their animal genetics control them. Hybrids that can become support for each other. And that it doesn't matter who's predator and who's prey.

The sight makes the stiffness in body abate, makes my tail and ears droop- the need to protect ebbing away.

YOONGI POV:

I snarl at the figure opposite me, at the pride she exudes as she sits tall and straight, holding not the slightest remorse for having not bothered to stop when she'd seen a young kitten hybrid dash across the road, and had it not been for me putting my foot down on the accelerator and intercepting her approaching car with my own.

I scowled. That car was now crushed from the side, her speed indicated in the way it had crushed the side of my car, all mangled framework and smoking bonnet.

And even then she'd had the gall to look at me and ask why I'd broken the traffic signal to cause an unnecessary accident.

As if I hadn't had to accelerate and swerve just mere metres away from the poor child.

Said poor child who was currently wrapped up in her mother's protective cuddle, the mother who was looking close to hissing and spitting at the snooty woman.

And the officer in front of the two of us is still trying to get a read on the situation, eyes glancing between the woman's composed, perfect appearance- not a hair out of place and my own casual hoodie and jeans combo- almost calculating, leaning towards the authority the lady exudes.

"Excuse me sir, but are you sure you don't want to  drop your complaint? From what I've heard it sounds like you were in the wrong." He begins, eyes flicking towards the woman, unconsciously seeking out praise and a nod of approval.

Huh.

Pitiful.

If only he had hybrid senses and could smell how her personality reeked for all that she dolled herself up. Her scent was vile, all rancid and horrid despite how much she sprayed perfume- it made my nose burn.

"No. This isn't up for negotiating. And if you do pull up the CCTV from that street, it was an intersection, you'll see what was about to happen. That thing was about to run over a kid." I snarl, leaning forward- pheromones spiking naturally at the thought of a threat to a kid, to a kitten- the poor child was still trembling and mewling in distress in her mother's arms.

"Sir..." he begins slightly exasperated at the same time that the woman turns.

"What do you mean that? If anything is a thing, it's you freaks." She scoffs, shiny crimson lips curling up in a vicious smirk.

If anything humans could be the worst predators.

And her teethy smirk was far more vicious than the most dangerous hybrid baring its teeth ready to attack.

"See. You've just incriminated yourself. Now are you going to get a competent unbiased officer who's not making side eyes at that or do I need to find them myself?" I grit out, patience wearing thin and becoming increasingly frustrated by the hurt soured scent coming from both mother and child.

He nods, stiffly and snaps the file shut to get up and storm off, approaching a shut door.

His demeanour shifts, both straightening up and tightening.

Whoever is inside is someone he wants to be praised by someone he respects.

And yet also fears.

Because he tentatively pokes his head in, speaking lowly to the person inside.

And when the door opens, it's with an unexpected force. My body jerking upright and instincts rising and shifting into neutral mode when the strong dominant pheromones of a wolf seeps out of the office, bringing with the scent the sight of a tall, broad authoritative figure- dark hair looking mussed as if he's been either tugging at the ends of it or running his fingers exasperatedly through it.

"What is it Junior?" he asks, voice slightly stressed and run-down, as if he's operating on sheer determination alone given the way despite he exudes an exhaustion, he's also still carrying himself as tall.

"Sir we've had an incident. A car accident between a human female and one panther hybrid male who's filed the complaint. But neither of them are accepting to be in the wrong." He says, handing the file over when the man holds his hand out for it, flicking it open as he strides forward, gait determined and focused- the prowl of a predator in his element.

His eyes flick up to look at both me and the lady, who straightens up- stiffening slightly.

"What seems to be the problem ma'am?" he asks, voice deep and smooth and levelled.

She sniffs. Scrunching her nose.

"The animal thing drove their car out into my way and broke traffic rules. And now wants to be compensated." She states with an air of disgust and arrogance, eyes flashing with contempt.

I sigh. People like this know exactly how to ruin my mood.

The officer's eyes widen, turning to face the officer.

"Did you pull up the CCTV? Get witness testimonies? Did you inspect the vehicles?" he raps out to the human officer who'd been trying and failing miserably at handling the case.

He gives a timid shake of his head, a murmured 'no sir but...' before he gets cut off.

"You know the procedure for managing complaints, gathering and compiling evidence to determine who's in the wrong junior. Don't act like this is your first case. Just...I'll deal with this now." He sighs, sounding disappointed and let down more than angry at the officer, who he waves off

But before the man leaves, he reaches out to squeeze him briefly on the shoulder.

"Let's do better next time yeah?" he says softly.

The man nods and ducks away, walking with newfound determination.

That's both refreshing and pleasing to see. A wolf hybrid in charge who doesn't scare away his human subordinates and instils a lesson that doesn't lower their spirits.

Impressive.

And his scent didn't spike once during the entirety of it, remained level and simmering dominant pheromones, adding to the air of authority he carried himself with.

The man smiles, a small curve of his lips and dips his head.

"I'm sorry for that. I'm officer Kim Namjoon, and I'll be dealing with your complaint. Now sir, can you please provide your side of the situation too? I need a full picture before I begin drawing a conclusion." He asks, turning to face me with wide eyes, gesturing for us to sit comfortably as he leans against the desk, not seated behind it.

His eyes flicker to the mother and daughter duo, eyebrows rising once I finish saying my part and nods, moving over to crouch in front of the two. There's something decisively...different about his demeanour once I've finished speaking, eyes contemplative and softer, brows furrowed in thought.

"Madam, your daughter is she okay?" he asks softly, voice careful and gentle- trying not to scare the poor kit.

She nods stiffly, arms protectively wound around her daughter and tail swishing- eyes wide as they eye the woman, perceiving the close threat.

"If it hadn't been for the young man, my daughter...she would've been brutally run over. He didn't think once about his car and came to check if she was fine." She says voice wavering with the emotions she's trying to hold back. But there's no missing the sharp hiss as her eyes fall on the woman.

The officer.

Kim Namjoon, he turns and this time there's a slight spike in his scent, a sharpness that makes me hold my breath for a second because he smells dominant and angry.

"Well Haneul-ssi, you've got a witness testimony against you, and the CCTV is now waiting at my desk. And after that I'll be inspecting the photos of the vehicles too. Is there anything you'd like to say? Whatever I might find could incriminate you. And lying to an officer will make the charge worse." He warns as he moves back to behind the desk, fingers clicking and opening up the files he's mentioned.

His face is a stoic mask as he peers at her, silently waiting.

No response comes from her.

He sighs.

And once he's done checking the files like any competent officer should've been, he fills out the rest of the form.

"Haneul-ssi, you are being charged with the offences of reckless driving with the intent to maim or injure, damage done to another citizen's vehicle, lying to a police officer and you have also been using derogatory language with the intent to demean hybrid citizens. I do believe you must have forgotten, but we do not tolerate discrimination towards hybrids- everyone is equal and should be treated as such." He says firmly, nothing but hard steeliness as he gazes at her, putting down the file.

"Your court summoning date will be sent to you. I can't say it's been a pleasure." He says, finally standing up- height tall and imposing as he looks at her with a flinty hard look, ears stiff and perked up, tail slowly moving, eyes roving over her before he steps past.

"Yoongi-ssi, if I may have a word once I am finished helping the mother and daughter." He asks politely as he gestures towards them.

I nod.

I don't know what the smart and ruthlessly effective police officer wants. But given how he'd handled the case so smoothly and professionally- I can spare him my time.

I glance at the clock and sigh.

It looks like food shopping for my clutter would have to wait.

----

What I don't expect is to be greeted with an entirely different, softer demeanour once he steps in to his office after me, looking almost nervously and shyly towards me.

"Uh officer...is there something wrong?" I ask, slightly confused, lips twitching at the way my nose detects a softer rapidly fluctuating scent- plunging from nervousness to excitement.

"Ahh...I just wanted to thank you for not losing control, I know it's hard when it comes to dealing with narrow-minded people. I still see it all the time towards me as an officer." He confesses, lips curved in a wry smile.

I frown.

"You shouldn't have to. No-one should have to." I insist, voice turning hard.

But it rouses a deep smile from him, a smile that draws attention to the deep grooves on either side of his lips, deep dimples.

His tail swishes quickly, ears perked up.

"I knew it was you!" he exclaims happily, looking awed and stunned.

I pause and look at him.

Had I met him before? But no memory comes to mind at the sight of him, nor at his woodsy scent.

I'd remember someone like him.

"It is you! Suga from Honey FM!" he exclaims, practically vibrating with joy at the spot, tail swishing quicker and face lit up. He doesn't look rundown as he had when he'd first left the office.

And I find a true, genuine smile tugging my lips up, quirking up in response to the giddy enthusiasm that I'm greeted with.

"I am." I confirm, watching as he moves closer, eyes wide with excitement and scent soft and giddy.

He approaches closer until he just suddenly stops.

Freezing.

His tail droops slightly, a slower wagging motion, and ears drooping with uncertainty as he peers at me.

Looking smaller despite his large imposing frame.

"I know this is really unprofessional. But I'm not asking as an officer, just as Namjoon. One...can I shake your hand?" he asks looking on at me with barely-veiled eagerness.

I laugh and nod, holding out my hand towards him and smiling when he reaches for it, slowly and then sliding his palm into mine, shaking it firmly.

"What's the second thing Namjoon...not officer Kim?" I ask, letting him know that I don't mind.

That I'm not asking the officer who'd helped me but the person who listens to me and enjoys it.

"Second thing...can we please have lunch together? I have so much I want to say." He blurts out, cheeks pink slightly.

He's so confusing. A mixture of bold wolf one second, and shy cub the next. All firm and authoritative in his tone when he's being an officer, and a shy adorably sweet fan the next.

But he looks so hopeful, so pleased as he peers at me.

"You can say no, I'm sorry I shouldn't have..." he begins, ears drooping and wilting, tail hanging low. Looking every bit the scolded puppy.

I soften at the sight.

"No Namjoon I'd love to." I say.

And I can't stop the laugh when almost instantaneously his ears perk up and tail wags, sending a pile of papers fluttering to the ground as it collides with them.

Somehow he's growing on me.

JIN POV:

When I come home to the bakery, it is to find a fretting Moonbin stress eating the rejects from our bakery- misshapen or batches that don't end up going out because the icing runs and ruins the look as he waits in the front of the café, it immediately sets of alarm bells. Eyes widening as I scan the surroundings, try to see if there's something out of place, something wrong. There's nothing out of place, Moonbin doesn't look hurt either, but the way he gnaws at the biscuits, clutching tightly at the plate almost as if it's a protective shield has my body stiffening, neck extending to crane to see into the back of the shop, unable to see anything.

I feel my wings shift uneasily, unable to settle in their usual resting position against my back because of the fact that the sight before me is silently screaming that something is wrong and yet I can't do anything about it.

And then I freeze, wings ruffling nervously, flapping anxiously behind me.

"Moonbin-ah where's Kookie?" I ask, the emptiness of the café, the glaring absence of his sweet giggles and boisterous voice making my skin feel cold.

Moonbin's hand tightens around the plate, gnawing nervously at the biscuit in his hand. I walk over and gently lower his hand from his mouth.

"Moonbin, I need to know. Where is Jungkook-ah?" I say calmly, trying not to give in to the stirrings of panic.

He looks up at me with wide brown eyes.

"Jungkookie hyung...he nearly got assaulted today." he confesses, voice shaky.

My heart plummets, the ground unsteady under my feet and my other hand grips the back of a chair for support.

Kookie. My baby bun? My darling sweet one?

And alongside the icy numbing horror comes blistering burning rage.

"Who? Who on earth thought they could? And where is Kookie?" I say, shaking with anger.

"Hyung he..." Moonbin begins, shrinking back slightly, startled at my anger. It takes a lot to rouse it out.

And yet sometimes all it takes is for someone to do ill, think ill towards my bun.

"He is right here. Hyung you're making Binnie scared. Leave the poor boy alone." Jungkook says, stepping out from the back, headphones slung around his neck and hands clad in washing up gloves, his fluffy ears perked up- having no doubt heard me in the kitchen through his music.

I rush forward, lifting up the hatch to get to him, arms winding around his waist and tugging him close, eyes roving over him- picking up on the way his cheeks are a tad bit pinker than they usually are and there's red lining his eyes. Not having fallen to leave tell-tale tearstains but he'd been close to crying. My thumb brushes under his eye at the delicate skin, leaning in to press a kiss under both eyes.

"Are you okay bun? Hyung is sorry he wasn't here." I murmur, feathers ruffling and splaying out to their full extent, moving forward to brush against his sides, to wrap him close in a feathered embrace. 

He immediately nestles in even as he mumbles against my chest.

"What's that baby?" I say leaning back slightly.

"It's fine. It never happened because a nice officer stopped them. And then the same tiger hybrid I told you about from last time...the one with the curly hair and nice smile stayed to calm me down." He confesses, cheeks pinkening when I smile at him.

"Ahhhh, the one you said didn't scare you as much right? Despite being a predator?" I confirm and he nods quickly.

I smile at him, pressing my lips to his forehead and then nuzzling at his cheek afterwards, leaving the slightest claim behind on him.

I sigh as I step back.

"But even so I should've been here bunny. Do you know their names? I'd love to thank them in person. They saved the most precious person in my life." I say, arms still around him, wings settling as they drape around him.

He nods.

"They were really insistent that I have their numbers. Not for something like this only...but for anything." Kookie mumbles shyly, hiding his face in my chest when I coo at him.

Happy that he hadn't felt uncomfortable around them, or on edge.

And comfortable enough by the telling flush on his cheeks that he saved their numbers and they likely did his.

"I'm proud of you baby. I know it's not always easy to try and be influenced by your instincts. They must be really different to their animal counterparts in that case." I muse aloud.

There's the sound of a plate being put down and Moonbin approaches, his soft face filling my vision as he hovers behind Jungkook.

There's less of the panicky look coming off him but he still clutches tightly at a cookie in his hand, teeth nibbling at his lip at the moment.

But he meets my reassuring look and relaxes slightly, stiff tail drooping with the tension draining out of him.

"They were actually. I've never seen a tiger hybrid be so determined to hover so close to a bunny that clearly was scared of him at first." He remarks, eyebrows raised.

"But he was actually really nice, he didn't initiate contact and just let out this calming scent." Kookie explains, wiggling his rubber glove hands at me.

"I need to finish cleaning the trays hyung. Why don't you help?" he says shooting a hopeful smile my way.

When he looks at me like that how can I resist?

And if my playful bun wanted to use that as an opportunity to splash me with soapy warm suds all he had to was ask.

I'm more than glad to indulge him, especially when it draws out his sweet giggles.

----

It takes some time for me to settle down and move on. Some time for Kookie to stop startling slightly when large rambunctious groups enter, opting to remain behind the counter or serving the smaller groups, the little nervous twitch of his tail and drooping curve of his ears giving away that for all that he laughs and lives and gets through his day; to some extent the experience has unconsciously rooted inside his mind. But we get through it together, even if some lingering gazes- admiring and wanting on Kookie's figure bounding around the café and happily chattering to the regulars has my wings flapping and trying to straighten up to curl around him, feathers ruffled when he seems to hang back, slightly scared and learned from his close call. Hate that it lingers in his mind.

But what makes me happy is hearing him chatter about the two new friends he'd made, at how he finds that his bunny instincts don't immediately seek to run away- not when he himself loves their personalities, love their humour and bright comforting effect. And before I'd been unable to put faces to the name, it was Jimin-ssi this and Taehyungie hyung that- which he shyly explained happened because Taehyung popped up to visit frequently even if Jimin wasn't coming- eager to make friends with my sweet bun. And Jimin ssi because he'd found it irritated the playful fox hybrid, Kookie always muffled his giggles, sweater paws pressed to his mouth as he recounted tales, and my heart swell and grew with love and fondness that Jungkook was growing to be comfortable around predator hybrids.

It wasn't like his physical build was a handicap, all built muscled and toned limbs that rivalled my own naturally broad frame, he could easily lift me around and manhandle me- often using his rivalling size to tackle me to the bed or floor or wherever he deemed was suitable for cuddles or for playfights- letting out that built-up energy through small tussles which were more for show and for letting his excitable energy to dispel rather than with any other meaning. it was all playful and in good fun. And I loved being surprised. Entering the door to our apartment to find myself pinned against the adjacent wall, or a wriggling bunny diving into the bath with me for an impromptu splashing battle, or sometimes even a bunny who just wanted cuddles and run his fingers through my feathers, gently carding through them and grooming them.

And as days melted into a fortnight, Kookie and I slowly returned to our old normal- my instincts no longer so keyed up and wings no longer batting up at the slightest sad or frightened look Jungkookie sported.

And it's in those days that both Kookie and I are carrying out an assortment of freshly baked bread- baguettes, subs, paninis and loaves when there's the sound of the door opening, a small chiming sound that alerts us to customers. My head turns towards the door to see a bundled-up tiger hybrid walk forward, half of his face hidden in the scarf wounded around his neck, tucked securely into a large jacket.

I can't see his expression but he approaches with purpose, tail swishing more as he reaches the counter, eyes wide and sparkling as his eyes pause on me for a moment, dipping in greeting but straying, clearly in search for someone.

"Excuse me, do you know where Jungkook is?" he asks, voice surprising low and deep when he tugs his scarf down, at contrasts with the sweet childish innocence that shines on his face, ears twitching slightly.

"Sorry but you are..." I ask, sounding slightly hesitant and confused.

He looks taken aback and then grins at me, the shape of his smile quite rectangular, a box almost...why does that thought seem to ring a bell?

But then Jungkookie appears from behind the counter where he'd been crouched, meticulously arranging the breads and packaging some of them up to be sold, hands full of the sealed, packed bakeries when his eyes go wide, adorably large eyes widening slightly more and blinking several times.

"Taehyung hyung...?" he says uncertainly, to his side profile and smiling slightly when the tiger hybrid's head darts to the side, the grin widening and a loud happy call of 'Jungkook-ah'.

My eyes widen.

Taehyung. The friendly tiger hybrid.

And I do another silent assessment of him, taking in the way his hand impatiently pushes away his curls, tail beginning to curl and sway with an excited motion, ears perking up.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you heading off to work?" Kookie asks with the most adorable, confused expression.

Aish this boy. He makes me want to swaddle him in blankets and keep him in my nest, protecting him and doting over him.

He nods.

"I am! Jimin told me that he'd be stopping by so I figured I would too." He explain, turning back to look at me once more, eyes observant and narrowed as they run over me.

And then his eyes almost shyly and bashfully meet mine, posture softening and turning smaller.

"You must be Jungkook's hyung...it's nice to meet you." he mumbles, every bit the adorable soft cub rather than a dangerous tiger with claws. He looks like a baby too.

"You can call me hyung if you want. Any friend of my baby is given that privilege." I say warmly, smiling at the way he nods eagerly, mouth parting with awe as his eyes fall onto my wings, tucked away.

"Wow...your wings are so cool hyung!" he exclaims.

I laugh, feeling myself already softening to him.

And then the door chimes once more, a new customer coming- one that the other two greet happily.

"Jimin!" Taehyung greets, the fox hybrid briskly walking over, all confidence and grace in his faultless gait, every bit the steady-footed predator.

And when I look at the two of them side by side, standing side by side on one side of the counter and Kookie on the other as he walks to stand beside me, leaning into me- I wonder how unlikely the trio is, two predators and a prey hybrid. And yet oh so refreshing and pleasing. Especially given the way the two seem to bristle with bright energy, wanting to lean over the barrier of the counter to draw Kookie close but still respect his difference, take in his posture and read the situation well.

It's as Jimin's eyes are drawn to the way Seo Ah is layering the subs and displaying them carefully behind the display that Taehyung speaks up.

"Was there a specific reason you wanted to stop by Jimin?" Taehyung speaks up, leaning over towards the sweet pastries side, thoughtfully examining them.

"Ahh I was heading off for some work regarding a case. I thought I'd pick up something too. I don't know how long I'll be there." He muses, seeming to debate between choices.

"Is there something specific you want Jimin?" I call, pecking Kookie's cheek before walking over.

"Just deciding what would suit any palette really. Something that can't go wrong. And something children wouldn't mind either." He muses aloud.

I process his words, coming to the conclusion that he must be meeting a child and their parent or something of the sort for a case. 

"Leave it to me. Are you planning on getting something for yourself too? Do you have any preferences?" I ask, pulling on food prep gloves as I get to work, choosing the softest freshest subs and slicing them.

"I like meat. And I think the child would too. The third person I'm not sure about though." He comments looking slightly confused and nervous.

It's sweet.

"Leave it to me. Go back to the other two." I shoo off, wings shaking and fluttering slightly.

He smiles and nods. When he smiles his face softens, cheeks bunching up and exposing the slightest sharpness to his canines, a genetic influence on a normal set of teeth. It's endearing somehow though.

And he moves to the two, fluffy tail swishing happily.

And by the time I've packed the subs and wrapped them up taking them to the front, the three-stop talking- looking adorably as if they'd been caught unaware and unsuspecting.

I snort. For two predators and a prey all with heightened hearing, they somehow fail to realise I'd been approaching.

Though they don't say anything as Jimin and Taehyung pay for their individual purchases, taking the bags from me.

"Thank you hyung." They unintentionally chorus together, laughing when they glance at each other, the ice dissolving a bit more, a step more towards even more friendliness.

"Think about it Jungkook. No pressure, and it's all set from our sides." Taehyung calls as they're leaving turning to shoot a final wave as they reach the door.

Kookie besides me nods.

And we watch as the two leave, talking as they begin walking in the same direction, vanishing from sight.

I hum as I wrap my arms around Kookie, caging him between the counter and me as I prop my head onto his shoulder, tugging him back into me.

"What was that about? All the secrecy? And from your favourite hyung bun?" I ask, teasing as I nose the skin behind his ear.

He shivers, clutching the counter as he tries not to melt, tail twitching and ears drooping with the comfortability of the gesture.

"Hyung we're working." He hisses, sounding scandalised only in the slightest when my lips press to a spot on his neck, a spot I know makes him all pliant and soft and eager for more. A weak spot.

My lips graze over the spot, tongue flicking out to lap at the skin in the slightest, drawing a strangled whimper from him.

"Won't you tell me bunny? Will you make hyung all sad and droopy? My feathers will wilt look!" I say, playfully teasing and nudging.

His head turns to glance at my wings anyways but he laughs.

"Stop that hyungie..." he says squirming and laughing when my fingers dance over his sides.

"Fine fine." He relents.

I spin him around, my front leaning into his as I move forward.

Our lips are a hairbreadth apart.

"Hyung anyone could come in..." he murmurs, even as his eyes flicker to my lips.

"Then better hurry baby boy." I tease, hand sliding to rest against the low of his back, bringing him closer.

He gulps, nibbling his lip as he does whenever he's deep in thought.

I soften.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

He nods quickly.

"The-hyungs-asked-if-we-could-all-go-for-lunch-together." He blurts out in one breath but years of being with him has made me fluent in rushed bunny talk.

"So? What's wrong with that?" I ask.

"Because it's not just us three. They want you to come too, and they want to introduce their hyungs too. They think we'd all get along really well." He says, fiddling nervously with the buttons of my shirt.

Again nothing to worry about.

"Of course bun. Don't be nervous. Why did you think I'd ever say no?" I ask, thumb rubbing at the furrow between his brows.

He relaxes under the touch, pecks the tip of my thumb when my hand drops to rub at his lip that he'd nervously nibbled at.

"I was kinda hoping you would..." he mumbles.

"Why's that? Do you not like the boys? Are they coming across too strong?" I say, worrying for him.

He shakes his head.

"Just a bit nervous. What if they don't like me? What if they're predators and think I'm weak?" he rambles.

I cut him off by pressing our lips together. And then again. And again. Until that worried pout melts away.

"I have no doubt that regardless of their hybrid species, you could bench-press them. And second if any of them for a single second think you're weak and don't like you then you walk right out that door and know my hand will be holding yours." I say fiercely.

There's no way I'll let him ever think low of himself, ever feel down or insecure because of what his animal counterpart is.

Never.

The species don't define you, your animal biology doesn't. He himself defines who he is and how the world seems him as.

And I will never let him forget that.

Never.

And it's not only my arms that wrap around him but my wings too.

Encasing him in a protective warm hug disturbed only by Moonbin's cheery voice.

"Jin hyung is such a lovebird Jungkookie hyung you're lucky!" he says by way of greeting, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed.

Kookie's nose scrunches.

"You act as if you don't love Eunwoo's protective overbearing stag behaviour. You always smell like him." he points out, nose twitching as he looks accusingly towards him.

Moonbin shrugs.

"What can I say? Deer make great mates." He says unabashedly, batting his eyes coyly.

I laugh at the expression.

"Seriously hyungs I mean it. You can't knock something until you've tried it. And Eunwoo hyung is just so...perfect." He gushes, stepping through to the back.

This would be the time to make a wry comment or playfully tease him for oversharing but the sparkle in his shining eyes indicate that he's talking seriously, commenting about his happiness with his mate. And how could the two of us begrudge him that? When we were the same if not worse when it came to our other halves?

-----

Life could take you by surprise. You couldn't knock something until you tried. You wouldn't know if you liked something or not until you experienced it for yourself.

How would I know that agreeing to lunch would bring a surprise I couldn't ever imagine? That it would bring a piece of my past into my present?

And when Kookie and I walk into the tucked away bistro to a table towards the back that both Taehyung and Jimin had texted to say they were all waiting at, we were greeted by the sight of a mixture of hybrid males- each and every one of them distinctively different in species, some curved naturally towards each other. Or that one of the males curved towards Taehyung, heads bent together would rise at our arrival- no doubt detecting our scent, that one pair of ears would curl and twist in surprise, perched on top of auburn locks.

They hadn't been that colour the last time I'd seen them. But the face they belonged to was.

His eyes widen, heart-shaped lips dropping in surprise.

"Hobi?" I say, pleasantly surprised.

"JIN!" He exuberantly greets. As if we hadn't last seen each other years ago but the other day.

And as far as first thoughts go mine was that maybe seeing the other five wouldn't be too bad.

None of them gave off hurtful vibes nor adorned any scornful looks.

No, their eyes held the same flickering internalised worry as well as tentative politeness that melted to give way to friendliness and happy companionship.

Despite all seven of us being different types of hybrids, somehow it worked, somehow the seven of us clicked.

And somehow it didn't feel uncertain and foreign.

It felt comfortable. It felt like we'd known each other before. As if who I was meeting were friends.

(THERE YOU GO! A LONGER CLAWS CHAPTER!! I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS ONE TO BE THE ONE THAT IS UPDATED TODAY BUT HERE YOU GO! I GUESS YOU CAN'T GUESS WHERE THE PLOT TAKES YOU! AS I MENTIONED IN THE LAST CHAPTER, THIS IS THE FIRST CHAPTER THAT WILL SHOW HOW THE SEVEN OF THEM SHIFT TO FORM A PACK! AND THIS IS THAT FIRST STEP! I HOPE YOU LIKED READING THE SMALL INTERACTIONS! WITH MINNIE PROTECTING BABY BUN, TO JOON GOING ALL STRONG WOLF TO FANBOYING EXCITED PUP AND FINALLY OLD FACES REUNITING!! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL HAVE A BIT OF TIMESKIP BUT HOPEFULLY IT'S NOT WEIRD TO READ AND MAKES SENSE! CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR ALL YOUR THOUGHTS AND REACTIONS! TAKE CARE, STAY SAFE AND ENJOY?)

QUESTION...BE IS COMING. ARE YOU READY?

Mine is...HELL NO HAHA! THE TEASER DROPPED TODAY AND I AUTOMATICALLY CLICKED JUST SEEING BTS POP UP WITHOUT PROCESSING WHAT IT WAS FOR UNTIL I SAW THE LITTLE LABEL OF THE VIDEO. THEN I HAD TO BRACE MYSELF TO WATCH IT. I GET SUCH COSY COMFORTING VIBES FROM THE WAY THEY'RE ALL HANGING OUT TOGETHER AROUND A CAMPFIRE- AS IF THE SONG IS A CAMPFIRE SONG YOU KNOW?? ANYWAYS! CANNOT WAIT! AND YET...HOLD UP I'M NOT READY!!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3