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Jeongguk sat waist-deep in paperwork on the shag rug in the center of his office, classic rock playing at a moderate volume by his desk. Stacks of sketches and blueprints were behind him as he focused on the model engine set up before him. 

The 34-year-old was well aware that he was supposed to be signing off on manufacturing specs, but there had been an idea nagging at the back of his mind for weeks that he couldn’t ignore any longer. 

Tucking his multicolored wings flush against his skin, he settled carefully on his back and began the minor adjustments to the biofuel cell in their upcoming alternative energy vehicles. The first three production models had been a success, landing Biotech Solutions Inc. a contract with several government-run agencies in transportation and waste management.

The latest model would be marketed toward the everyday consumer, a more compact vehicle than the large trucks that ran nonstop for 13 hours a day. While the engines were durable, they were louder than the consumer ratings preferred, but Jeongguk finally had a solution. 

A knock echoed off the door before it swung open, drawing Jeongguk’s attention from the motor as he slipped off the last belt to reach their patented fuel cell.

"Namjoon, what’s up?" Jeongguk asked as he glanced up at his best friend and business partner. 

The pair had met in university during their first physics lecture. Both found a friend in the other prodigy, Namjoon, aged 18, and Jeongguk, just 17, while their peers were in their twenties. It was challenging to make friends when still legally bound to a curfew and expected to be home for supper, but at least they had one another.

Nights were spent with Namjoon hypothesizing and tweaking calculations while Jeongguk built their mockups for a vehicle that didn't run on fossil fuel, natural gas, or electricity. Their professors laughed, thinking they were trying to do the impossible, but they pushed on.

Six years later, only three months before they finished grad school, they built their first functional prototype. The shell of a periwinkle 2002 Hyundai accent transformed into their greatest success. Even if said “success” could barely run for half a kilometer before running out of power.

The octopus hybrid’s hair was a pale yellow as he leaned against the mahogany desk Jeongguk rarely sat at, the dots on his body slowly flashing a similar yellow. Every line of his extremities and the apples of his cheeks had small irregular dots that changed hue with Namjoons emotions, just like his hair.

"You okay?" Jeongguk asked, sliding out from under the engine and shaking his wings slightly. 

Namjoon nodded, "I'm okay, but Baekho has quit."

"Another one?" Jeongguk raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"This is the sixth assistant this year, Jeongguk, and it's only February."

"If they can't handle the pressure they shouldn't apply for the position," Jeongguk sniffed, wiping his hands on a blue shop rag.

" It's you - not the pressure," Namjoon chuckled, " No matter how many times they remind you, you miss every appointment. And God forbid if you ever have to wear a suit."

Jeongguk sat on the leather couch near the opposing wall, sighing. “They’re too constricting, makes my wings uncomfortable to be bound all the time.”

“I’ve given you my tailor’s number at least a dozen times, Gguk.” 

He threw his hands up in exasperation, “What’s the point of buying a two million won suit only to cut two holes into the back?”

Namjoon massaged his temples, “Comfort? Professionalism? Not scaring off another assistant? Take your pick.” 

“But Joon, that’s what you’re for!” Jeongguk grinned, his nose scrunching, “You’re good with people, I’ll stick to machines.”

Namjoon swept his hair back with one hand, the color morphing into a midnight blue as it passed over his waves. “I’m not picking another PA for you.” 

“I don’t need one.” 

“Your choice. I’m heading out for lunch with the Nagoya branch director; he just got in two days ago. You coming?”

“I’m good, I wanna work on this.” 

“Okay, make sure to eat.” Namjoon clapped Jeongguk’s shoulder before closing the door behind him. 

Jeongguk slid down the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “Another one, gone. What am I supposed to do?” His eyes drew patterns in the texture as he thought. 

His phone chimed, and he pulled the device from his pocket, skimming through the message before breaking into a wide grin. 

“Problem solved.” 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

“Park Jimin, get down here right this instant!” 

One furry ear twitched toward his mother’s shrill voice as he spoke into the phone, “I gotta go Taetae. No. No. Yea. I will.” 

“JIMIN!” 

“Sorry, I’ll see you later, babes. Kisses.” 

Jimin rolled his eyes and flung the double doors to his room open, letting them smack into the walls on either side. “What, Ma?!” 

Silence greeted him, though he knew with their family’s superior feline hearing she would have heard him. Ignoring his call was his mother’s usual way of saying ‘come here.’

“God,” he exhaled, stomping his way down the stairs, “We have maids and servants in every doorway, yet she still needs me to do shit for her?” 

His bushy tail flicked in annoyance from side to side as he stepped lightly across the marble floor toward the parlor, soundless apart from his complaining. 

Once inside, he saw several stacks of paper on the coffee table as well as Xerox boxes lining the back of the sofa. Not only was his mother there, but his father, younger brother Jihyun, and his grandfather. 

Jimin bowed a full 90 degrees toward his grandfather and then parents before sitting on the small armchair. “Is this an intervention?” He joked before his grandfather’s deep baritone snapped back harshly. 

“Shut up, cub.” 

The times the Park family patriarch was strict with them were few and far between, but no one wanted to be the focus of his wrath. Jimin’s mouth snapped shut, and he straightened his shoulders, sitting silently. 

“It has come to our attention that we have allowed you to live too freely.” 

Jimin’s brow furrowed as a stack of papers were pulled from a manila envelope and scattered over the table. Each was a candid photo of Jimin. Some were of him partying, drunk at local clubs and bars while buying rounds for everyone. Others were of him trying on articles of clothing at his favorite designer boutiques.

Receipts followed, dates, and amounts highlighted in bright yellow and circled in red pen. 

“You spent 4.3 billion won the last three months alone, Jimin! And on what? Partying?!” 

“So this is an intervention,” Jimin grumbled under his breath, but it wasn’t lost on Park Hayoon. 

A deep growl resonated in the lion hybrid’s chest as he stalked closer, making Jimin’s ears lay flat against his head as he exposed his neck in submission. While Hayoon was older, he was much larger than his clouded leopard grandson.

“You are cut off. ” 

Jimin’s eyes widened, and he released a high pitched whine of disbelief. 

“Your accounts will all be frozen. You’ll be given basic living necessities, no more. Groceries will be stocked in the house, if you’re hungry, you will cook for yourself. You will tidy your own room. The staff is instructed to ignore your very presence.” 

“But-”

“You are to report daily to Biotech Solutions at 5 o’clock every morning until I have deemed your debts paid.”

“Biotech? 5 am? Grandpa, please-”

“You will be under the command of Mr. Jeon as his new personal assistant. While working, you will be paid a minimum wage salary.”

Jimin was pulling out all the stops now, lips pushed together in a pout and bouncing in his chair, “Haraboji, please give me another chance, I’ll cut back my spending to only 2 billion won quarterly, honest.” 

“ 2 Billion- ” Hayoon laughed humorlessly, running a clawed hand down his face in frustration, “You don’t get it, do you? This is your second chance Jimin. The sweat on my back earned our family’s money. Perseverance, dedication, the bare minimum of kindness - these are all qualities you are lacking .”

“I won’t go! There’s no point-”

In a flash, the lion had his teeth bared and a handful of the leopard’s hair in his clutch, pulling harshly. “If you prefer, I can disown you on the spot.”

“Dad,” Jimin’s father stood from his place on the couch, not moving closer but sending a clear signal. 

“You’re lucky you aren’t my son,” he growled lowly in Jimin ear, claws pricking at his scalp lightly before releasing the blonde locks and glaring into Jimin’s icy blue eyes. Straightening, Hayoon composed himself, tucking in his loosened shirt and brushing the fringe from his eyes.

"You'd be wise to learn something about work ethic from Mr. Jeon. He's earned everything he has, something you would never understand. The Jeons are friends of mine, don't disappoint me again, Jimin. No one wants a scarred model."

With no one daring to speak, Park Hayoon exited the house without a glance back, leaving a shaking Jimin in his wake.

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

At 9:05, Jimin rushed through the sliding glass doors of Biotech Solutions, a far cry from the 5 o’clock assignment imposed by Park Senior. 

His blonde hair was disheveled, and his suit had a small wrinkle where it was tucked into the band of his trousers, a fashion faux pas, really. Then again, the entirety of his plain black work attire was wrecking his usual image. 

Park Jimin took pride, too much so, in his appearance, hence why he was four hours late to begin his unwilling job. It was the first step in his “masterplan”. 

Employers would only allow their staff to be late a handful of times from what he had researched the night prior. A few more days of being so late half his workday had passed would get him fired easily. And at no recompense to his family name. All he had to do was take his time getting ready and time seemed to fly by. 

Simple, really.

While smoothing out the slight crease, he walked directly into a broad chest and fell onto the polished marble floors. The man he had run into had scarlet red hair, fringe hanging over his eyes, and sleeves of his slightly transparent white t-shirt rolled up to expose his tattooed skin. In his hands was a glowing yellow cylinder that the hybrid was cradling like it was his own cub. 

The large doe eyes of the stranger made Jimin consider being kind about the collision until he saw the flutter of blue-green wings tipped in vibrant yellow. 

A prey hybrid, and a bird no less. 

“You should watch where you’re going you overgrown chicken,” Jimin sneered as he got up and brushed his tail off, fluffing the fur a bit. “This suit costs more than you make a year. What are you even doing rushing in the lobby looking like that? Are you some kind of mechanic?”

The redhead’s jaw popped open and his eyes grew wide in disbelief, yet no sound came out. 

“What?” Jimin flashed his canine in a smirk and ran his tongue over the tip. “Cat got your tongue?” 

When he still hadn’t received his well-deserved apology, Jimin huffed and rolled his eyes, chin held high as he turned to report to the assignment manager he was supposed to meet hours ago. 

“Stupid chicken,” he grumbled when he looked back and saw the mechanic had disappeared. 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

 “Now that all your paperwork and basic training is complete, do you feel like you’re ready for tomorrow?” 

Jimin pushed out his lower lip into a pout and shook his head at the woman who had been badgering him all day. “I don’t think I’m ready yet Dahee-Noona. Are you sure I can’t follow you tomorrow again? You’re so good at what you do!”

The matronly wolf ruffled Jimin’s hair and furry ears, making him bite back a growl. He hated when people touched his fur without permission, but he couldn’t afford to get on her bad side, not if he wanted to have her do his work. 

“Tomorrow Mr. Jeon’s schedule isn’t too bad, I’m sure you’ll manage deary!” 

Exhaling, Jimin deflated. “Alright then noona, I’ll see you around?”

“You will! Have a pleasant evening Jimin! Don’t forget to see Mr. Jeon before you leave!” 

Bowing only slightly, he headed back through the lobby toward the row of 6 elevators, to meet the CEO he was working under before going home for the night. Much to his chagrin, they only had Jimin stay later to get his full day of pay. Whoever had written songs about their jobs only being from 9 to 5 were lying to the general public! He had already been there for nearly 12 hours!

As the elevator reached the second to last floor below ground level, Jimin stepped out to an eerily silent hallway. Aside from the fire escape stairwell, there was only one heavy wooden double door on the entire floor reserved for the one and only Jeon Jeongguk. 

Jimin’s tail flicked and his ears twitched, taking in any indicators of danger before he knocked. 

A moment of silence passed before Jimin’s impatience got the better of him and he slowly opened the door, peeking inside. The room appeared to be empty until his eyes caught a certain bird laying on a couch in the corner, fast asleep with the glowing cylinder still in his hands. 

With a click of his tongue, Jimin strutted toward the man, tapping the side of the couch with a polished shoe. “Oi, chicken! Wake up!”

The redhead startled awake, sitting up quickly and nearly dropping the item in his hands before scrambling to prevent its fall. His eyes were bloodshot and hair ruffled, dark circles lined his eyes and his cheekbones seemed hollow. A rare pang of sympathy struck the clouded leopard.

“What are you doing falling asleep? And in the CEO’s office, no less? You’ll get grease everywhere, dumb mechanic.”

“Not called mechanic, technician,” the man grumbled sleepily as he rubbed a loose fist over his eye.

“I could care less whatever you call yourself.” Clicking his tongue again, Jimin pulled out his wallet and threw a few bills, worth more than 6 million won, at the stranger. “Go home, or if you don’t have a home go to a hotel. Rest, wash up,” He paused and pulled out another million won and the bills fluttered onto the man, “Get something to eat, but get the hell out of here. Before we both get in trouble.” 

Snapping his wallet shut, he straightened his blazer and left the room, closing the door behind him with a half-smile on his face. ‘See? I can be kind, old man.’

Back in the lobby, Daehee was making her way out and Jimin groaned internally at having to socialize again. “Did you meet Mr. Jeon?” 

“Not yet, he wasn’t there when I went down to his office.” 

“That’s odd, he’s been staying late recently. Maybe he’s finally made a breakthrough and has gone home.” 

Jimin shrugged, “Maybe. I’ll see you tomorrow noona.” 

Daehee waved at the clouded leopard as he made his way out of the building, distancing himself from the newest source of his misery. 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

When Jimin was back in the lower office, donning one of the three plain black suits his grandfather allowed him for work, he was already in a foul mood. Unfortunately, the Park patriarch heard of Jimin’s little plan and assigned to him a babysitter that woke him with a pitcher of half-ice water at 4 am. 

“The sun hasn’t even risen, yet I’m in this stupid building,” Jimin grumbled as he raised his hand to knock on the door to Jeon Jeongguk’s office. 

“Come in,” a voice echoed promptly, beckoning Jimin inside. 

Leaning on the arm of the same couch, staring at what looked like a white die-cast vehicle model, was a tall man with lilac hair. Small spots trailed over his tanned skin that were flashing in an array of pastel rainbow colors, indicating that he was a cephalopod hybrid of some sort. 

Jimin recalled his encounter at a club with one of the unassuming aquatic predators and his tail twitched at the memory of some very well placed tentacles throughout the night.   

"Can I help you?" 

Snapping out of his thoughts, Jimin bowed shallowly, "I'm Park Jimin, Mr. Jeon's new personal assistant."

"Gguk found a replacement already?"

Jimin's eyes narrowed and his tail swayed quickly, "My grandfather, Park Hayoon, made the arrangement."

"Hayoon? Founder of Pendulum Corp?"

"Yeah."

"Why would someone from such an esteemed family be working as a PA?"

"My reasons are my own," Jimin gritted through his canines, trying not to be too rude. This man was obviously important enough to be in the CEO's office if his casual demeanor and white silk undershirt were anything to go by. 

"Fair enough," the man chuckled, hair fading to brilliant white as he extended his hand, "Kim Namjoon, co-founder of Biotech."

Jimin blinked three times in quick succession before scrambling to take Namjoon's hand. "Co-founder? I thought Mr. Jeon was the CEO?"

Namjoon grinned, showing deep-set dimples in either cheek. "I guess for technicality’s sake, he is. We don't use such strict titles here, though it's a hard habit to break in some of the tenured staff. We prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. Better for productivity in the creative process."

"It's easier to have a clear mind in the developmental process without your boss constantly reminding you of his title," another voice chimed in, slightly higher pitched than Namjoon's and with an almost melodic quality. 

Jimin turned to where the voice came from and his eyes tracked the same bird hybrid he had crashed into and thrown money at the day prior. The redhead was dressed in a pair of baggy black cargo pants with more pockets than Jimin ever thought someone could need and a black short sleeve shirt french tucked into the waistband. 

"You're the chicken from yesterday!" Jimin blurted out, finger pointing accusingly as the man settled next to Namjoon, who's eyes were blown wide.

The man's expression soured and his jaw clenched, accentuating the tendon on the side of his neck as his tongue swept across the inside of his cheek. "I am not a chicken I am a scarlet macaw."

Jimin crossed his arms and snorted, about to make a snide remark until the man cut him off. "I am also, Jeon Jeongguk."

The leopard's mouth popped open and his ears flattened against his skull in disbelief. " You are Mr. Jeon? But that's impossible, y-you're prey!"

He straightened to his full height which was a few centimeters taller than Jimin, glaring at the predator. Jeongguk raised his chin and looked down his slightly too large nose, a characteristic of his animal. "Are you insinuating that a prey hybrid is lesser in any way to predators?" 

Jimin chuckled dryly, "Well of course they are in at least some way, otherwise our ancestors wouldn't have eaten yours."

Jeongguk's wings ruffled in annoyance and Jimin could tell he had offended the man, though he adamantly believed he was simply stating facts. 

It irked him when the few prey he had encountered in his life would get upset by such statements. There had only been two or three prey staff in his prestigious private school and the Park household had only hired one prey hybrid before. An older groundhog variant who lived in a hut on their estate and maintained their gardens. Though she avoided speaking to anyone in favor of tending her plants, Jimin would sometimes practice pouncing on her cabbages in his younger years, earning a small smile from her before she would return to her work.

Other than that, the only time Jimin heard of pre was when older kids at his school would go on about how their disgraced cousins would choose to mate with a prey hybrid and taint their predominantly predator lineage. Instilling in the younger students fear of dishonoring their family name should they partner with someone of a lesser social class. 

Scientists still hadn’t quite perfected a formula for predicting the type of hybrid one’s children would be born as, but prejudice was alive and thriving. All hybrids were descendants of the very first group of human volunteers nearly a thousand years ago. All of the three hundred and five volunteers chosen were given dormant genetics from the same subgroups, prey, and predator equally present. Every child produced for the first five hundred years, even by the same mates, was a genetic lottery. The only way to preserve a predator dominant bloodline was to breed with only other dominant predators. 

Jeongguk reached into one of his pockets and stepped closer, pulling out the money Jimin had given him the night before and tucking it into the pocket on the breast of his black blazer. "You can keep your money," he sneered, "I wouldn't want you to stress over something as trivial as three months salary."

Jimin blinked in disbelief, ears twitching in annoyance. "Three months salary?"

"You didn't believe you'd be making an exorbitant amount as my assistant, did you Park? I’ve heard about your habits."

"What do you know?" Jimin's ears laid flat against his head, the fur bristling on his tail as he took a more defensive stance.

"Your grandfather and mine are old friends. He said his grandson needed some sorting out and threw you to my mercy." A brilliant grin that didn't seem to fit the current exchange graced Jeongguk's face. Jimin felt his razor-sharp canines nick his lower lip in an attempt to refrain from exploding. He needed this opportunity to prove to his grandfather that he shouldn't be disowned and left to fend for himself. "It was a stroke of luck my sixth assistant for the year had recently resigned, leaving the position open and ready for you. I do hope your... superior predator genetics can handle the workload."

Jimin's eyes narrowed as his shouldered straightened, "As a predator, we are adept to accommodation. Any tasks you have should be no challenge."

"Perfect," Jeongguk tilted his head and raised a brow, "You're excused for the morning as I have a project I'm finishing. There's a list left with Mrs. Choi in accounting for you to complete. I expect you to prepare the itinerary for my afternoon meeting with our framework manufacturer. Be here no later than two."

An overwhelming annoyance at being commanded sent waves of hostility thrumming through the leopard before he turned and left the office wordlessly.

Namjoon watched the interaction with curiosity, eyeing Jeongguk as he sat behind his desk and shuffled through the papers he was due to sign the day prior before a loud bang that sounded strangely similar to a fist connecting to the concrete wall outside the office startled them.

Jeongguk let out a chuckle and Namjoon easily spotted the glint of mischief in his eyes, reminiscent of their college days. "What was all that about?"

"He's a spoiled brat who spent too much money he did nothing to earn. Hayoon asked Pop if we could put him in our most difficult manufacturing position, but I needed a new assistant."

"And what could be more challenging than wrangling you all hours of the day?" Namjoon's dimpled smile held true glee, "You don't think you're taking too much pleasure in his misery?"

"You heard him, Joon. He thinks he's better than me because he's a predator. He called me a chicken for fuck's sake!"

"Hmm, he could stand to be knocked down a few pegs."

"My point exactly."

Namjoon extended his hand for a fistbump that Jeongguk returned with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

By the time 2 o'clock rolled around, Jimin was exhausted. There was something about the repetitive work of balancing ledgers that took more out of him than any physical activity he had done. Not that there had been much in his 28 years, but he had modeled for a sexy career calendar last year and the construction outfits alone had been tiring. 

A knock on the office he had been dropped into for the morning took his attention from the sheet in front of him. "Jimin? Aren't you supposed to be with Mr. Jeon for his meeting right now?"

Jimin glanced at the clock and stood slowly, straightening the papers he had been working on that afternoon before strolling to the doorway. "Thank you, Mrs. Choi. I'll be going now."

The woman was perplexed by Jimin's carefree attitude, finding it odd that he hadn't rushed at all upon learning he was late. "You better hurry dear, they don't like waiting."

Rather than move faster, Jimin chose to shoot the woman a dazzling smile that he knew could charm anyone, "I will, thank you noona."

It was nearly three by the time Jimin made his way to the lower levels and into Jeongguk's office. After he left the accounting department, he roamed toward where he previously assumed the cafeteria was, stopping to inspect each carnivorous dish and dissecting its nutritional value before settling on a small serving of rare cooked steak. 

This ridiculous punishment wouldn't stop his true calling, and he needed to stay trim in order to resume his modeling career in earnest.

After he thoroughly chewed each bite and drank enough water to fill his stomach so it would stop growling, he decided it was time to report to the CEO's office. Three quick knocks to the door were left unanswered, a growing trend apparently, that led Jimin to let himself in.

In the center of the floor on a ridiculous looking shag rug, Jeongguk laid, sleeves rolled to his shoulders as he fiddled with what looked like a model engine in white die-cast.

"Mr. Jeon, didn't you say you had a meeting?"

Scarlet hair flared around Jeongguk's head, locks frazzled from his current position underneath the engine, holding the same glowing yellow cylinder from the day before. "I did. Same as I requested your presence by 2."

"I hadn't taken lunch yet, sir ," Jimin grumbled, mustering as much respect as he could be expected to give someone beneath him.

With a sigh, Jeongguk lifted himself from his position to stand in front of Jimin. His wings fluttered quickly, stretching from the pressure of laying on them. It was shocking to see how long they actually were, the wingspan easily doubling Jeongguk’s height "Time management is detrimental to this position Jimin. Not only the management of my time but yours as well. Time wasted is time lost that we could have spent changing the world."

"I don't know how to manage your time if I don't have a schedule to follow."

"Then you should make one, shouldn't you? I rely on my assistants to keep my day flowing smoothly and ensuring I don't neglect any of my obligations. Respect is the foundation of your integrity. If you can't respect and honor someone's time, why should they honor yours?"

Jimin understood what Jeongguk was referring to and scoffed, rolling his eyes, "It's just an hour."

Jeongguk could tell the younger was too stubborn to allow his advice to sink in and decided to try a different method. "We'll see if you feel the same tonight."

"Tonight?"

Nodding, Jeongguk stretched, "My assistants are to stay with me during all hours. I plan on working late tonight."

"How late?" Jimin gritted out, knuckles white at his sides.

Jeongguk bit back a smile at Jimin's expected reaction, "I don't know yet, we'll just have to see. I'll have my driver pick you up before me in the mornings and drop you off once I've finished so that we are on the same schedule."

"That's unnecessary."

"Oh, but I insist."

Exhaling, Jimin pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Now, fetch my suit for our meeting."

"I thought you'd missed it?"

"No, it's at 5. I tried to give you time to get my presentation speech together from the notes I added, but it seems as if you didn't need it. I trust you were able to look through the file while you were in accounting?"

Jimin thought back to the blue file he had adamantly ignored and huffed as he walked out of the office to look for someone who knew where the almighty Jeon Jeongguk kept his suits, grumbling along the way. 

The rest of their first day ended in a blur of raised voices and a flurry of feathers and fur as Jimin tried to force an ill-fitting suit jacket onto Jeongguk’s broad shoulders. While he was smaller than Jeongguk, the CEO had a lighter bone density from his avian genetics and was easily picked up, much to his chagrin. (“Why the hell haven’t you had space for your wings tailored!?” “And put holes in a two hundred million won suit? I think not!”)

He had anticipated Jeongguk listening idly while a slew of cookie-cutter employees presented the latest rendition of their fuel cell, but he was surprised when Jeongguk himself stood at the podium to the side of the projector screen. 

Jeongguk’s notes were concise and his diction enough to pull anyone in, a sudden air of professionalism taking over the room of investors and a prime example of how someone so young was able to efficiently lead such a large company. Everyone seemed impressed by the presentation and no one mentioned the bulk of his wings in his blazer that gave an odd curve to his shoulders, nor that they had been fifteen minutes late. 

The respect Jeongguk commanded from his investors was a delicate balance of power, one that Jimin was sure he could overthrow in exchange for his desired ultimate punishment. Ideas of how he could get the CEO to fire him ran through his mind as he began scribbling his list onto a post-it note, a devilish grin on his lips and ears turned back.

Jimin flopped into his chair, tail curling around his waist for comfort as he groaned loudly into the space that used to serve as a receiving room by the double doors that had become his office. It was only a slight divider between the sitting area of Jeongguk’s office and Jimin’s little desk. Sometimes the Macaw hybrid would insist on leaving the door latched open so that he could keep an eye on Jimin, but it was at least a space of his own. As time passed, the walls became littered with sticky notes in varying shades and reminder cards of appointments that they often missed at first as Jimin got used to the task of scheduling Jeongguk’s day.

It had already been seven long, grueling months since he first came into Biotech Solutions. Seven months of trying to wrangle the co-founder into some semblance of order. Seven months of fetching copies and coffee while cleaning up after the tornado that was Jeon Jeongguk, only to be told the copies shouldn’t be double-sided and the coffee should have been a hot chocolate. 

Since the first day Jimin had to literally wrestle Jeongguk to the ground to try and get his ill-fitting suit on for that evening’s meeting, he knew he was in trouble. The parrot hybrid was dead set on keeping Jimin under his unwilful employment while pressing each and every one of his buttons. 

On more than one occasion Jimin had tried to get himself fired, only for each attempt to backfire. 

The beginning of their full-blown war started when he altered Jeongguk’s presentation speech for Hyundai, referring to the company as Bull Shit Inc and inserting graphs into the slideshow about the average penis size among parrot hybrids instead of the performance of their vehicles. 

It would have been a brilliant plan, had Jeongguk not caught the modifications the night before, and turned it around so that Jimin had used the lines in his formal introduction of their staff to Hyundai’s board of directors. He even replaced the graph with one of the photos from Jimin’s nude photoshoot with his agency Instinct for Vogue. 

Well, he had bodypaint and props where it mattered, but he was still exposed nonetheless. Since that meeting, they kept a score of sorts, but Jeongguk was always in the lead.

What was worse, was that he managed to make the concept photo legitimate as an example of their sleek modernized marketing to appeal based on beauty and functionality. Jeongguk earned two points that day. 

Jimin had gone from simple inconveniences, like organizing his papers incorrectly, to bigger acts like switching Jeongguk’s banana soy milk for whole milk hoping to give him stomach trouble. To Jimin’s dismay, parrot hybrids were omnivores and he had no problem with the change, but the fact that Jeongguk smirked and kept eye contact with him while chugging the bottle was the most infuriating part. No matter what he did, Jimin couldn't get a reaction out of the older hybrid.

The tension between them was palpable for anyone who spent more than three minutes in the same room, but Jeongguk seemed to enjoy it. Jimin had to admit, as he became more accustomed to the presence of the prey hybrid, every prejudice he had learned was wrong. Contrary to what he had learned in his prestigious private schools, offered only to predator descendants at a hefty price, prey were no less than them. Not as far as Jeon Jeongguk had shown.

Jeongguk was strikingly witty, quick to solve problems that would take Jimin hours and apply them mechanically in a matter of seconds. It was admirable, though Jimin would never admit it aloud when Namjoon and Jeongguk would huddle over a model engine. Namjoon would throw out theories that Jeongguk would envision and work into their schematics before they would test them for efficacy. The duo worked like a well-oiled machine to produce the most efficient clean energy engines, the tests of time only strengthening their connection. 

Glaring at the tally marks on the post-it note stuck to the bottom edge of his desktop monitor, The few “battles” he had over Jeongguk all surrounded meetings he had caused the CEO to miss in the first weeks until Jeongguk nearly lost a hundred-billion-won funding deal and threatened Jimin with being demoted to a custodian. 

It wasn’t the threat that was terrifying so much as the three-day silence that followed. Jeongguk’s fury had Jimin sorting mail and absolutely no human contact outside of lunch, not that he went out of his way to talk to anyone. He would have preferred to be yelled at, but the subdued storm raging in Jeongguk’s eyes and vivid disappointment was worse than anything he had felt. 

Since then, Jimin made it his mission to do his job to a point of annoying perfection, never leaving the CEO a minute to breathe that wasn’t scheduled into his daily planner. 

Jimin was stuck between a place of awe and frustration. It irked him that someone who infuriated him more than anyone he had ever met before was able to also pull admiration and the sheer will to protect them.

The first notable shift in their relationship was on a night that Jimin had found the CEO sprawled across the floor, one vibrant wing tucked over his shoulder like a blanket as faint snores fell from his pouted lips. Jimin would never be able to say why, but he had carefully moved the project surrounding Jeongguk and positioned an accent pillow under his neck before draping the couch shawl over his boss and clicking off the lights. 

It would have been simple, glaringly so, to pour a pitcher of water on his face, or to startle him awake with a shout, but a constricting in Jimin's chest stopped him. He thought it hadn’t made a difference after Jeongguk chose to not acknowledge his actions the following day, instead he brought Jimin out to a lunch meeting where the client conveniently didn’t show up. Even better, the restaurant was listed in an interview with Jimin as his favorite in Seoul. It was suspicious, but Jimin figured he was too embarrassed to thank him properly and if he was honest, he wouldn’t know how to react if Jeongguk had. 

He wanted to hate the older hybrid more than anything. More than proving to his grandfather that he wasn’t irresponsible, more than he wanted to dethrone Taemin as lead model for Instinct. However, Jimin found himself leaning in to breathe Jeongguk’s sun-kissed cotton scent more often nowadays and not completely hating it. 

The little trill he almost let out on the rare occasions when Jeongguk would praise his work and the tiny knots in his stomach were uncharted territory. Signs of a feeling that Jimin was adamant he didn’t have for Jeon Jeongguk of all people. 

Tae had warned him there was a fine line between love and hate when he tried to explain what he was experiencing, but Jimin immediately shut down the possibility. He was here to earn his way, even if it was unwillingly, until his grandfather was done with this stupid charade. 

"Park.”

Jimin exhaled loudly at the beckoning call that he had grown to hear in his sleep and made his way through the main double doors and into Jeongguk's office, tail swaying contently as his scent got stronger with each step. "Yes?"

Jeongguk smacked a stack of papers down onto his mahogany desk, without looking up, tinkering with the same purple fuel cell he had been perfecting for months, "These are for you. Pack for the long weekend accordingly, we leave tomorrow."

"Leave?" Jimin thumbed through the papers quickly, eyes catching the words 'Jeju' and 'Technology Retreat' in bold typeface.

"The driver will pick you up at 6 AM. Don't be late. You're excused early to pack."

"Sir, this is too last minute, I can't just leave."

Jeongguk looked up, an eyebrow raised, "Are you worried about taking time off work? Because I can assure you this trip isn't for pleasure. You are my personal assistant, if I require your presence you're to follow." A sly smirk lifted the corner of Jeongguk's lips, "If you're worried about working non-stop, don't. You'll be allowed personal time as well. It's an all-expenses-paid resort for the leaders of the industry. Outside of meetings and the evening gatherings, you're free to do as you wish."

"Gatherings?" Jimin asked, watching as the CEO looked away nonchalantly.

"We're supposed to bring a guest, but I have no interest in hiring a date for the affair. It would just cause rumors to spread that BSI doesn't need to get back to investors. No, everything is much simpler if you attend with me."

"And if I refuse?"

"Why would you? This is what you're used to, right? Fancy parties, elaborate fashion that brings all attention to you? Isn't that something every model relishes? Besides, I think I heard that Lee Taemin would be accompanying Mr. Song, so you’d have a friend there."

Jimin pressed his lips into a thin line, masking his displeasure with his self proclaimed enemy and crossed his arms, "It doesn't seem like I"m gaining anything from being your date. "

Jeongguk sighed, dropping his head momentarily before putting on his neutral business face, "What do you want in exchange?"

"A raise." Jimin smiled sweetly, "A fifty percent raise and two weeks paid leave. I'd say that's worth keeping your company out of a scandal while still having a very attractive man on your arm."

Clicking his tongue, Jeongguk turned away for a moment, mulling over the offer. There wouldn't be any financial impact on him to give Jimin a raise and he knew that the old tycoons used their lavishly decorated escorts as symbols of status. He could care less about what he looked like, but Namjoon convinced him that they needed to network for their company's longevity.

Jeongguk spun back around, "Fine, you have a deal, but only if you agree to behave appropriately during this trip. I need someone I can rely on, not someone working against me. No sabotaging. And it wouldn’t kill you to smile once in a while."

He wasn't expecting Jeongguk to agree, nor was he expecting the raw honesty in his eyes as he asked for Jimin to be his support during this trip. Jimin had never heard of the convention before, but it was obvious by the lengths Jeongguk was taking that this was of utmost importance.

"Deal. I'll be packed and ready tomorrow morning." He turned on his heel with a flick of his bushy tail and walked toward the door, stopping when Jeongguk called out to him before he could reach the threshold.

"Jimin?"

With a hand on the doorframe, he looked over his shoulder to see Jeongguk with a small smile, his front teeth visible.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet, let's see how this weekend goes."

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

 "Ugh, it's too early for this shit."

Jeongguk chuckled at Jimin's groaning as he settled into the backrest of his business class seat. He had whined the entire ride to the airport when he found out Jeongguk didn’t book first class, claiming the luxury was a waste of resources. "We normally start earlier than this."

"Yeah, but I was up late packing. Next time, can you give me more than an afternoon's notice?"

A smile danced on Jeongguk's lips, "Sure. Next time I'll tell you a few days in advance." 

“Thank you,” Jimin watched as Jeongguk wiggled around in his seat, settling briefly before moving again. “You okay?”

“It’s hard to fly with wings sometimes. Ironic, huh?”

Jimin looked around their cubicle and spotted a couple of extra pillows and airline blankets, grabbing them and fluffing the fleece before stuffing both behind Jeongguk, settling against the curve of his lower back. With a gentle hand, Jimin parted his wings in the center and lined the rolled-up blankets along his spine so that he could lean back without weight pressing onto his delicate feathers. 

“Better?” 

“Uh- yea- yes. Thank you.” 

Jeongguk’s eyes couldn’t seem to leave Jimin as he continued to wrap his tail around his waist and adjusted the temperature of the air vents. It seemed that the clouded leopard had a routine, mentally checking off each task to ensure his in-flight comfort. 

“Do you fly often?”

Jimin hummed in affirmation, “Destination shoots are my favorite, though I haven’t had the chance to since I started at BSI.” 

Jeongguk nodded slowly, feeling a pang of guilt that in a way he had kept Jimin from pursuing his career. A snide voice in his head had no mercy though, reminding him that if Jimin valued hard work he wouldn’t even be working for him. 

“I’m gonna take a cat nap, can you wake me when we’re nearly there?” Jimin asked fingers kneading a pillow repeatedly until he was content like a housecat nesting. 

Nodding, Jeongguk watched him turn his back and settle in for the duration of their flight. 

“Oh man, I should’ve brought sunglasses.” 

Jimin chuckled at Jeongguk trying to shield himself from the late autumn sun with his wings. As soon as they had landed, he couldn’t help but ruffle his feathers, flapping a few times in the designated unloading area.

“Hey, can you really fly?”

Jeongguk grinned, “I can, briefly. Can you actually climb trees hanging upside down?”

“You bet. Fastest climber three years in a row at junior high summer camp.” 

Jeongguk threw his head back and cackled at the sudden peppiness in Jimin’s voice as he gave the summer camp’s salute with a mischievous wink and a shake of his tail. Something about the carefree sound made a purr bubble in Jimin’s chest that he cleared his throat to mask. 

They made their way from the golf cart that had brought them to their shared hanok on the property. Jimin had thrown a small fit about having to share, but Jeongguk assured he would stay on his designated half of the small hut and they would only be there to sleep. There were a limited number of hanok on the resort grounds and the closest hotel was half an hour away. 

“It’s only three nights park,” Jeongguk chided when Jimin growled for the third time, “You’ll survive my company for that long, then I’ll be out of your fur.” 

“Just keep your fancy feathers-”

“I don’t control when I molt!”

“-On your side of the room.”

Jimin froze mid-sentence and Jeongguk nearly bumped into him when he saw the raised platform of the ondol and one large mat. There were several comforters piled in the corner, but the platform was hardly large enough for them to walk on either side of the bed mat. 

“Looks like we’ll have to share,” Jeongguk smiled smugly as he crossed his arms and slipped out of his shoes. 

“Nonsense, there’s plenty of room for you to sleep on the wooden floor down here.” 

“And freeze? I don’t think so.” 

“It’s barely the middle of fall, you won’t freeze.” 

“Easy for you to say, you run hot. My wings lose a lot of heat.” 

Jimin rolled his eyes and dropped his bag into the corner, “Whatever. Just don’t touch me.” 

“As if I would ever,” Jeongguk scoffed, unpacking his phone charger and tablet. When Jimin had questioned why he should only pack sleeping and casual clothes, Jeongguk had informed him he had someone on-site taking care of their fashion needs, as it was an important occasion. Jimin had found it suspicious, but if it was indeed an affair for the prestigious, it was understandable.

An alarm rang signaling their introduction meeting was to begin in an hour. Jeongguk strode to the closet, an unexpected touch, and pulled a pair of modern hanbok out for each of them. 

Jimin was handed one that was black with gold silk brocade embroidered onto it, while Jeongguk kept a dark iridescent green, the same shade as a jewel beetle, for himself. “The first meeting is always done in hanbok, I figured you’d prefer a more flattering style.” 

Jimin nodded and accepted the hanbok, which was quite a show of craftsmanship, and slipped into the bathroom to change. When he emerged, Jeongguk was slipping the top of the hanbok over his defined shoulders and attempting to hook the tips of his wings through the holes. Jimin tsk’ ed and rushed forward to help prevent the loop from tightening around the thickest part of his wing rather than cinching at the base as it should have. 

“You need to be more careful with your feathers, Jeongguk,” Jimin chided as he smoothed his fingers along the many spines, “You wanna be featherless before 40, old man?”

“Hey!” Jeongguk squawked, “You’re only six years younger!” 

“Oh geez, way to expose yourself.” 

Jeongguk huffed, giving up as he straightened his hanbok and fluffed his wings so the plumage fell more naturally. When Jeongguk looked up, his breath caught in the back of his throat. 

Jimin’s hanbok fit like a glove. He had tied a neat bow at the side of the top to cinch in his slim waist and the pants were fitted over his thighs, drawing attention to the thick muscle before flaring slightly at the ankle. The material shimmered in the lighting and seemed to cast his usually blue eyes a smokey silver. 

“Wow,” Jeongguk breathed out.

Jimin raised an eyebrow and walked up to the full-length mirror, turning from one side to the other, his tail swaying as a sign of his pleasure. “It’s beautiful, your stylist did a great job.”

Clearing his throat, Jeongguk tore his eyes from the swell of Jimin’s ass and looked toward the closet in faux contemplation. “Y-yeah Taehyung’s great.”

Jimin froze, whipping around and marching up to Jeongguk. “Taehyung? As in Kim Taehyung the model?” 

“Yes?”

Furry ears laid back against his head, Jimin narrowed his eyes, muttering to himself, “That little shit.” 

“Is there a problem?”

“No, not at all!” Jimin beamed, all four of his canines exposed in what was a borderline frightening display. 

“Okay…” Jeongguk drawled, “Let’s get going then.” 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

When the welcoming ceremonies came to a close and everyone had exchanged simple introductions, Jimin spotted a familiar icy blonde figure in his peripheral. Lee Taemin, the highly coveted white tiger hybrid, was Jimin’s sole competition in the field, and he loved to play dirty. 

From breaking the designer heels others were supposed to wear on the runway so they conveniently had to find someone taller, to slipping in between the satin sheets of politician’s beds, Lee knew every little trick to spin the odds in his favor. 

Jimin despised the way Taemin clawed his way up the ranks with no regard for others. Was he gorgeous? Unbelievably so, but his heart made him ugly. 

When Jimin had first joined the industry, Taemin and he had been friends. As Jimin noticed the sudden demand for his friend, he thought he was just using what he had to his advantage. After a few months of working for Jeongguk though, Jimin saw the lack of ethics and effort that went into Taemin’s so-called success. 

During photoshoots, Jimin now saw the acts of sabotage more clearly. He had wanted to quit until Taemin decided to spread a dirty rumor about him behind the changing curtain. He distinctly recalled how Taemin speculated Jimin must be fucking Jeongguk for money and status, claiming the macaw as a sleazy sugar daddy and chastising Jimin for stooping so low as to sleep with a prey hybrid. 

Jimin hadn’t expected the burst of rage that sparked within him at the rumors being spread about Jeongguk. He got on his nerves often, but Jimin still respected him more than anyone he had ever met. Jeongguk was honest and rewarded hard work handsomely among his employees. There was value on your intelligence and efforts, rather than appearance, that Jimin had taken for granted.

All that aside, Jeongguk was more than handsome enough, he didn’t need to resort to money to gain someone’s interest. 

Since that night, Jimin had made it his personal mission to run Taemin off the modeling scene. Jimin had an urge to protect Jeongguk’s reputation as well as assert his abilities over Taemin’s shady backhanded dealings. 

“Jimin? You okay?” 

The leopard’s focused gaze broke and his ears flicked forward from where they had subconsciously laid flat against his head and the muted growl in his chest ceased. 

“Yea-” Jimin’s voice broke into another deep rumble and he cleared his throat before turning to Jeongguk, “Yeah, Sorry.” 

Jeongguk’s eyes trailed behind Jimin and he plastered on a reserved smile, one he had used for all his introductions, making Jimin spin quickly to greet who was approaching them.

“Ah, Mr. Jeon,” a booming voice exclaimed as his eyes met the form of a polar bear hybrid in a blue hanbok that was too tight for his broad shoulders. Clinging to his side was Taemin, and another small growl tried to break free from Jimin’s throat but Jeongguk’s foot settled on top of his and he pressed down with enough force to break his focus from the tiger, but not enough to hurt.

“Mr. Song, it’s been a while. Who’s accompanying you this year?”

With a chuckle, Mr. Song gestured to Taemin who stepped forward, extending one hand gracefully, slender fingers pointing down. “Lee Taemin, the top model for Instinct. Charmed, I’m sure.” 

Jeongguk’s polite smile faltered after his introduction and as he took Taemin’s hand, he gave it a slight shake instead of the expected kiss. The awkwardness made Jimin’s stern look melt away and he beamed as he tried to stop from laughing. 

“You have a lovely smile,” Mr. Song cooed, “Who might you be?”

Jimin bowed respectfully, “Park Jimin. Mr. Jeon’s assistant as well as a model at Instinct. It’s lovely to meet you.” 

Mr. Song seemed enamored by Jimin’s impeccable manners and they continued to chat for a while before Jeongguk excused them to prepare for a meeting. 

As soon as they were back in their hanok, Jeongguk had a mischievous look. “So I take it you don’t like Taemin?” 

Jimin sniffled, tail betraying him as the tip wriggled from side to side, “Whatever do you mean? I like Taemin well enough.” 

Jeongguk crossed his arms and leaned against the wall in front of where Jimin was rifling through his suitcase, “Sure, that’s why you were growling? If you can even call it a growl, it was adorable.”

“You really need to get a grip on that imagination of yours,” Jimin sighed loudly as he pulled his dress shoes from his bag, wrapped in a cream-colored bag, before plucking a suit from his side of the closet. “I suggest you change before we’re late.”

As he disappeared into the bathroom, Jeongguk cracked a smile, shaking his head, “Cute.” 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

After a tiring first day, Jeongguk had in fact slept on the unheated portion of the floor. The night chill seeped into his wings in a way that made them shiver with every exhale and Jimin found it difficult to ignore. He had watched the older man for a few moments, gnawing on his bottom lip as he contemplated what he should do before he opted to drag the extra blankets over. He had intended to just pile them onto Jeongguk, but as his body sensed a source of heat, the parrot scooted closer, pressing his nose against Jimin’s wrist and breathing in his scent as he slept. 

This small act of vulnerability made Jimin flush as he watched  Jeongguk nuzzle into his tanned skin. With a crooked smile, Jimin laid down beside him, one of the several blankets acting as a barrier between them before he scooted closer. Jeongguk immediately clung to jimin and sighed contently, cold nose burying into his clavicle as Jimin curled around him. 

‘For such a powerful man, he can certainly make himself seem small,’ Jimin thought as his fluffy tail draped over Jeongguk’s slim waist, the taller hooking his leg over Jimin’s hip. 

When Jimin woke up, Jeongguk was already awake and dressed. As they made eye contact a flush crept up Jeongguk’s neck to his ears. “Thank yo-” his voice cracked and he cleared his throat, cheeks an even deeper shade of pink. “Thank you for keeping me warm.”

Jimin shrugged as he checked his phone, a blush of his own on the apples of his cheeks, “No worries.” 

“Birds get cold easily but I didn’t think it’d be that bad.” 

Looking up from the schedule, Jimin cocked his head to the side, “So I guess you should sleep on the ondol with me tonight instead of being stubborn, hmm?” 

In lieu of a verbal answer, Jeongguk grabbed his attire for the day and rushed into the bathroom. Jimin nearly missed the slight nod Jeongguk gave in response before the door slammed shut. 

The second night, Jeongguk slept on the intended bed mat, scooting as far from Jimin as possible so that his wings wouldn’t hit him as they slept. When they woke up the next morning, they were a mess of tangled limbs, though there wasn’t the excuse of the biting cold this time. 

Aside from the slight awkwardness of waking up wrapped in someone they were supposed to hate, the first two days passed quickly. They quickly adapted to the routine of cutting profitable deals during the day and making social connections in the evening. 

Jimin had caught a glimpse of Taehyung at the charity gala on the second night, but he was deep in conversation with a woman over one of the photography sets up for auction and he decided it was best not to interrupt. 

He straightened his tie and glanced at the clock on the wall nearing five in the evening. There was an optional final party that night, one Jeongguk had described as a fun occasion, more like the event parties their modeling company had them host after the show. Cautiously, Jeongguk had requested him to attend with him, not as an assistant but as his date. 

“Tonight there’s a… non-essential party and I was hoping you would go? With me?” 

“Of course, should I bring the ipad again? Is there anyone of importance I should make sure you get a chance to speak to?”

 “Ah, you wouldn’t be working.” 

“Come again?”

“I was asking you to accompany me a-as my date?”

Jimin’s gut had tightened in knots and his throat flooded with what must have been a hundred butterflies until Jeongguk had clarified that the date was purely for appearances. Deflating a bit as his stomach turned to stone, he agreed, feigning interest in finding Taehyung. 

“Thank you Jimin, you can get ready ahead of me while I finish this meeting.”  

Jeongguk had dismissed him with a smile just twenty minutes ago and Jimin was stuck staring at his reflection as he considered how he should dress for the evening.

Sighing, he stood and made his way to the closet, hands running over each garment as he rifled through them. One satin blouse, in particular, caught his attention, the silky feeling cool against his fingertips. Plucking the top from the rack, he inspected the deep-cut asymmetrical collar that would easily display his clavicle and ruched sleeves that added a bit of detail without being gaudy. 

Humming, he thought back to the clothes he had packed and he quickly sorted through the stacks until he found his favorite pair of black leather pants. There were several artistic rips, but if it was good enough for Vogue, it was more than enough for some little office party. 

He hesitated when he considered pulling the pants on and thought back to how he had to go commando so there weren’t any visible lines. His ears twitched from side to side as he weighed the pros and cons before muttering, “Fuck it,” and slipping his briefs off. 

They hugged perfectly and he buttoned the white blouse before he tucked the front into the pants, giving his tiny waist more definition. A satisfied yip left his throat as he spun around to see himself from behind in the mirror. The shirt stopped just above the swell of his ass and his tail flicked playfully as he thought of Taemin’s envious face the first time he sported the new designer pants. 

Jimin applied a light layer of makeup, deciding on a smokey auburn eye and lightly tinted lip balm to enhance his naturally feline features. Several pieces of jewelry, including a few silver hoops in his leopard ears, and a spritz of his mild orange blossom fragrance later, Jimin was finally feeling the excitement that often came with dressing up. 

With a dime-sized dab of pomade between his palms, he ran his fingers through his dirty blonde hair, twirling and scrunching where he felt it needed refreshing before he was done. Jimin considered tucking his phone in his back pocket but didn’t want to impede his shape, so he instead opted to leave it in the room. The only person who would potentially need him was supposed to be meeting him there after all. 

Head held high, he exited their hanok and headed toward the resort’s main building where the larger functions had been held. The bustle of people and loud music that could be heard from outside surprising him. So far, the evenings had been full of wealthy investors that looked down on anyone different from them. Jimin himself had been just like them only months ago, but now he was able to see the ridiculousness of it all. 

Jimin’s eyes skimmed the large room for Jeongguk in what seemed to be an actual party. Everyone sported designer labels, but that seemed to be the only giveaway that these weren’t just average club-goers. 

Marble floors amplified the echo of laughter and the tinkling of ice against the glass as the bartender mixed a shaker vigorously to Jimin’s left caught his attention. Leaning against the bar with a crimson beverage in hand was Jeongguk. 

His scarlet tipped hair was naturally waved and looked wet, though from some product or a shower Jimin couldn’t be sure. He was sporting an all-black suit with veins of silver running vertically, catching the light with each movement, and several earrings dangled from his lobes. The jacket of the suit was discarded over Jeongguk’s shoulder so that his wings could move freely and the sleeves of the collared shirt were rolled to his elbows, displaying not only a platinum Rolex but his assortment of tattoos. 

It was almost odd, the brightly colored feathers in stark contrast to the dark vibe Jeongguk was exuding. If Jimin hadn’t caught Jeongguk sobbing while watching Grave of the Fireflies in his office the prior week, he would have thought he even looked dangerous. 

As Jimin approached, he noticed that Jeongguk had an annoyed expression and was talking to a taller man with his brown hair completely slicked back. Two small ears poked out from the top of his head and he had a thin bristly tail that was tipped black. Jimin inhaled and caught the man’s scent, which had a low growl forming in his chest. He could hear the sly coaxing tone of the weasel hybrid trying to get Jeongguk to dance with him and that’s all it took for Jimin to stride forward quickly and wrap an arm around Jeongguk’s waist. 

“I’m flattered, but my date is-”

“Right here,” Jimin purred, his tail coiling around Jeongguk’s thigh in a possessive manner. “I hope you weren’t waiting too long, Kkyu.” 

Jeongguk’s cheeks and ears were flushed red and he made a high pitched sound almost like a whistle. “N-no, I was just talking to Donghyun.”

Jimin hummed, eyeing the scowling weasel as he released pheromones he knew the lesser predator would be able to smell easily. Donghyun stepped back and covered his nose with the arm of his sleeve, “We were just talking, man.” 

Sharp canines made an appearance as Jimin smirked, unamused. “I’m sure you were, though I’m also sure he turned you down repeatedly, and yet you’re still harassing him.” 

“It wasn’t like that,” Donghyun objected, making Jimin raise a brow and amplify his scent further. “Man, fuck this. You’re crazy, trying to start a fight here.” Turning sharply and nearly colliding with a full tray of drinks a waitress was holding, the weasel bolted out of the venue. 

Jimin’s eyes followed his retreating figure and didn’t break focus until Jeongguk tugged at one of his pierced ears. Jimin released his waist and cupped the furry appendage with his ringed finger, hissing through his teeth. “The hell was that for!?” 

“You were posturing!” Jeongguk exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief and amusement. 

“What?” Jimin scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest, “I was not. He was being an asshole and you looked like you could use some help so I scared him off.” 

Jeongguk grinned mischievously, “By acting like my mate.” 

“I-I was not!”

Jimin spluttered a jumble of incoherent protests that made Jeongguk’s smile grow before he pointed to his thigh, which still had Jimin’s long tail wrapped around it.  “Then what’s this?”

His tail quickly uncoiled and instead wrapped around his own thigh to avoid touching anyone else. “It’s part of the act, duh. Now let’s get a drink and find a table, it’s always packed by the bar.” Jeongguk let it go as Jimin tugged him by his hand to the opposite end of the bar where the barkeep was taking orders. 

Both armed with a fresh drink, Jimin led their way through the sea of people toward the tables at the far end of the room. A couple of familiar figures caught Jimin’s attention and he sped up to reach them, tugging Jeongguk along behind him still. 

“Tae!” Jimin shouted over the music, making the tiger’s ear turn their way before he did. 

“Jimin? What are you doing here?” Taehyung beamed, kissing him on each cheek and receiving them in return.

“I’m here for work with Mr. Jeon,” Jimin smiled, gesturing toward the macaw hybrid. “Mr. Jeon, this is Taehyung, my best friend.” 

“We’ve met, but please, just call me Jeongguk. This isn’t a business meeting.”

Taehyung looked between the pair and smirked as he took in Jimin’s attire from head to toe. “I see he’s exactly as you described him. My suggestions were spot on, though if I had known your requests were for Jimin I would have supplied something more revealing. He likes showing off a bit of skin.” 

Reaching forward, he undid the top button of Jimin’s shirt, revealing the deep shadows cast over his collar bones and the three necklaces wrapped around his throat. Jeongguk’s eyes followed the action and Jimin swallowed hard, wondering briefly who was the real predator between them. 

“Much better,” Taehyung patted the seats beside him across from two people, one with round black ears and white hair, the other with grey hair and small white tapered ears, who were in deep conversation. “We’re about to order soju for games, you guys in?”

Jeongguk nodded and Jimin shrugged, “Sure, why not?”

Yoongi and Hoseok, the other two sitting at the table Jeongguk learned, finally finished their intense debate, which they found out was over whether Attack on Titan was secretly a love story between Eren and Armin. Jimin found the idea ridiculous, voicing as such, and the conversation picked back up easily. 

Every time Jimin spoke, Jeongguk’s eyes were drawn to the slight sheen of his lips. Several subjects passed where Jeongguk couldn’t focus on anything but the animated way Jimin would pout his lips into a little beak that reminded him of a baby chick. Occasionally he would catch Jimin making a similar expression at the office when he was putting together a difficult presentation. The first time he had seen it, he had to bite his lip from cooing aloud.  

By the time the waitress had brought their drinks, which Jeongguk insisted on paying for, he had been caught staring at Jimin several times by Yoongi, who gave a knowing smile but didn’t comment on it. 

“-gguk? Jeongguk!” 

“Huh?” 

Jimin smiled, scrunching his nose playfully, “I was asking if you were ready to lose.” 

Jeongguk blinked, “Lose?”

Jimin broke into a fit of giggles and the sound set butterflies loose in his chest. “Please keep up Mr. Jeon, we’re about to play the bottle cap game. You have to twist the cap tail straight and we take turns flicking it. Whoever breaks it off doesn’t have to drink.”

“Uh?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve never played before?”

“Okay, I won’t tell you,” Jeongguk grinned and Jimin started giggling again. Making Jimin laugh caused warmth to bloom into what Jeongguk was sure was the best feeling in the world, and he never wanted him to stop.

"Don't worry, I'll help you learn," Jimin reassured him with a gentle smile and bright eyes. 

Jeongguk was unfamiliar with the drinking games they played, having been underaged during the majority of his undergrad years and too busy with their biofuel cell to party in grad school. At Jimin’s insistence, they adopted a rule that they wouldn’t play any number games due to Jeongguk’s unfair advantage regardless of how he tried his best to act innocent. 

Though Taehyung was the youngest at the table, Jimin insisted on filling Jeongguk’s glass himself, claiming that since he was his boss it was only appropriate. Each time Jimin turned away from him and tipped his head back to drink, Jeongguk’s eyes were drawn to the long column of his neck, unable to keep from imagining how it would look covered in his marks. 

He tried to shake the thought away but was always pulled back in by little gestures jimin would do that he found either terribly endearing or enticing. The fact that someone could be adorable one minute and the definition of seduction the next made Jeongguk's head spin. Or maybe he should blame it on the drinks.

Yeah, that had to be it.

Twelve rounds and at least three bottles of soju each later, everyone was feeling the pleasant thrumming of a heavy buzz under their skin. Jimin had been whining for the last twenty minutes about wanting Taehyung to dance with him but the tiger kept brushing him off in favor of fawning over Yoongi's adorable bear ears. 

Determined, Jimin stood and took another shot before declaring he was going to dance with or without Taehyung. Jeongguk watched from beside him, eyes glossy but still coherent, before he decided to follow him, abandoning his jacket at the table. 

Loud EDM remixes pulsed through the mass of bodies on the dance floor, rattling Jeongguk’s chest as Jimin led him to the center of the crowd. They started innocently enough, jumping and swaying to the beat in quick, excited movements half a meter apart. By the fourth song, the DJ seemed to sense everyone getting tired and switched his tactic. Instead of the tight snare and anticipated beat drop, the next song was slower and sensual in nature. 

Couples began to pair off and Jeongguk seemed unsure what to do. If it was a normal club and Jimin was a stranger, he wouldn’t hesitate to tug him closer, but Jimin wasn’t some nameless body in a packed club. Jimin was someone he saw daily, someone who he relied on to make it through his day as more than the mess he was. 

From the corner of his eye, Jeongguk saw the same white tiger hybrid from the previous days strut up to him. It struck him as odd that Taemin always walked like he was performing and it reminded him of Jimin when they first met. Initially, he had looked down the bridge of his nose at every prey hybrid he met, a false sense of command and importance filling every room he walked into. It had taken time, but Jimin’s improvement was day and night. 

Jeongguk couldn’t help but compare Taemin to the quiet grace that Jimin had adapted over the months. It had taken copious amounts of subtle work to show Jimin that his worth was beyond his genetics and physical attraction. While Jeongguk’s methods were a little unorthodox, Jimin had been stubborn and reluctant. The leopard played dirty and Jeongguk had to play harder or he would be bested at his own game. 

 Lost in thoughts of Jimin, he hadn’t noticed that Taemin had moved closer, trying to dance with Jeongguk while shooting a look at the other feline. Jimin was having none of Taemin’s bullshit because he promptly stepped between them and growled loudly, adopting a defensive stance. Taemin wasn’t so easily discouraged as he moved to Jeongguk’s other side, one hand sliding up his shoulder and covering the side of his neck with his palm over his scent gland. 

Jeongguk flinched away from the touch, and again when Jimin snarled and lunged to rip Taemin’s hand off him, ears laid flat against the top of his head and tail curling around Jeongguk’s upper thigh. Taemin’s ears turned back as he returned the challenge until Jeongguk cut him off. 

“Mr. Lee, I have no interest in dancing with anyone but my date tonight. You should probably attend to Mr. Song.” 

Taemin seemed dumbfounded as his eyes followed Jeongguk’s hand gesturing toward the polar bear hybrid that had watched the exchange. While he was trying to process that he had been rejected, Jimin’s hand slid up Jeongguk’s chest to rub his wrist against his neck, effectively removing any trace of Taemin’s scent. 

The tiger opened and closed his mouth soundlessly, still completely baffled. Jimin’s muffled giggle sparked rage in his eyes and he stormed off, stomping and huffing like a kid who was denied a treat at the market. 

Jimin started to move away, but in a stroke of sudden boldness, Jeongguk dropped his hands to Jimin’s waist and tugged him closer. “Dance with me?”

Lost in Jeongguk’s eyes, Jimin could only nod, smiling when they started to sway gently. Their movements were stiff and Jeongguk was seconds away from regretting asking Jimin to dance when the music transitioned into a Latin song with a deep base. After the awkward initial moments, they seemed to relax enough to dance properly, Jimin leading Jeongguk’s tentative movements. 

Jimin could hear his heartbeat heavily in his ears, head foggy from the liquor and the tingling sensation at the small of his back where Jeonggk’s thumb caressed his bare skin under his shirt sent sparks rushing through him. 

Leaning forward, Jimin traced the column of Jeongguk’s neck with his nose, purring in the back of his throat as he sampled his light scent. Avian hybrids tended to have muted scents, as it was unnecessary for their mating process, but many enjoyed scenting and being scented still. Jimin tried to catch Jeongguk’s further but all he could smell still was sunshine and fresh laundry.

Jeonggk’s breath hitched in the back of his throat as Jimin slotted a leg between his and ground down slowly, hips fluidly following the music while his hands slid over his arms and settled on his biceps. Jeongguk’s feathers ruffled at the unexpected friction and his fingers dug into Jimin’s hips as his tail caressed higher up his thigh, grazing over his zipper. 

Glancing around anxiously, Jeongguk tried to articulate that he wasn’t exactly an exhibitionist. “J-Jimin we’re-”

“Shhh,” Jimin breathed into his ear, “Relax, Jeongguk, no one is watching. They’re all too busy enjoying themselves, and even if they weren’t, they can’t see through us.”

Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, Jeongguk’s eyes shut, focusing only on Jimin’s smooth voice as his intoxicated mind agreed with the leopard’s reasoning. He felt Jimin nuzzle his jawline, pressing featherlight kisses against his skin before ghosting over his lips.

“You take care of everyone else, just let go. Let me take care of you for once.” 

It was the barest of touches, Jimin’s plush lips against his own as he spoke, that made Jeongguk surge forward into a searing kiss. A wave of relief washed over them as their poorly disguised hunger for one another was released. All pretenses of hatred fuelled pranks to gain the other’s attention dissipated into the blinding attraction they had tried desperately to ignore. 

Jimin matched his pace, his ringed fingers tangled in Jeongguk’s crimson hair as he parted his lips, deepening their kiss. Jeongguk broke away to search Jimin’s eyes for the answer to a silent question before he made a soft sound of longing and his lips were back on the younger's.

Jeongguk’s hips rolled up into the tail that was now slowly stroking him through his slacks as he hardened under the persistent pressure. It had been so long since he had been touched like this. So long since he had been able to forget about BSI and just enjoy himself.

He knew somewhere in the back of his mind that he shouldn’t be mixing business and pleasure. He should be pulling away from Jimin, but all he could do was press further against him until their bodies were flush. On a particularly harsh grind, he could feel that Jimin was just as excited and any weak objections his mind conjured flew out the window. He pulled away to catch his breath as Jimin continued his exploration up his neck. 

“Do you want this?” Jimin murmured against his ear, nibbling on the outer shell gently.

“Yeah,” Jeongguk nodded slowly, unable to keep his eyes open as Jimin's tongue laved over the sensitive skin. "Yeah, I want you.” 

Jeongguk's admission lit a fire in Jimin, making him nip at the skin over his scent gland as he gripped his small waist and gave it an appreciative squeeze. “Let’s go back to the room,” Jimin ran his tongue over his lower lip with hooded eyes, stepping back and taking Jeongguk’s hand in his before leading him to their hanok. Jeongguk could only nod and follow after Jimin, nearly tripping over his feet in his haste.

From across the room, the trio watched them hurry out of the building.

“You owe me 50,000 won,” Yoongi chuckled over the rim of his glass as he watched his friend and Biotech Solutions’ CEO head for the exit. 

"Already?!" Hoseok exclaimed, his ringed tail swishing excitedly. 

“Of course already,” Yoongi snorted, “You could cut through the sexual tension with a blunt stick.” 

"I'm pretty sure that's not how that saying goes," Taehyung mused.

The lemur had bet against Yoongi that the couple wouldn't hook up until after midnight, while the panda had bet it would be well before. Taehyung had claimed he could see it going either way, so he stayed out of the wager, but it was clear to everyone at the table that they would undoubtedly be wrapped around each other by the end of the night.

"Here's your stupid money," Hoseok grumbled as he slid a few bills over to Yoongi, who just smiled and tucked them into his chest pocket. 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

Sunlight filtered through the window, glittering over iridescent feathers wrapped around Jimin as he traced delicate fingers over the tattooed arm draped over his waist. He had been awake for the past hour, committing every line of Jeongguk to memory before he had to return to reality. Jimin had assumed when he woke that he would feel the need to slip away before Jeongguk like he often did with his hookups. There was never a time he had slept with someone for anything more than physical attraction, but Jeongguk seemed to have a hold on him he couldn’t shake.

For the first time, his throat wasn’t tight with guilt or his mind littered with disgust at his lack of inhibition. Instead, there was a sense of calm as he breathed in their mixed scents on Jeongguk’s skin. Fresh cotton, sunshine, and morning dew settled on the leaves of an orange grove. 

The combination made him recall an old memory from when he was a child, sitting on his mother’s lap flipping through a photo album. When he asked her how she knew his father was her mate, she replied that their scents made more sense together than apart. Jimin didn’t understand at the time, but laying with Jeongguk, he thought he may have an idea now.

After they had fallen in bed together, Jimin had insisted on caring for the older, meticulously bathing away the remnants of their coupling in a way that was far too gentle for a drunk hookup. Small trills and whistles would escape Jeongguk occasionally as he accepted the grooming, nuzzling into Jimin’s touch and sighing happily. His behavior mimicked a scent drunk canine and Jimin found it absolutely adorable.

A purr rumbled through his chest and for once he didn’t stop it, allowing himself to vocalize his content with the older man in his arms. He relished the moments until he would be swept under the rug, another influential man’s dirty secret, hoping in his heart things wouldn’t be the same. 

The serenity of the moment faltered when Jeongguk began to stir and Jimin froze, pulling his hand away. Jeongguk stretched his arms over his head and let out a loud grunt, before peaking through one eye at Jimin. 

“M’sore,” Jeongguk whined, cuddling closer to Jimin, nuzzling into his side and running the tip of his nose against his temple. 

All tension melted from Jimin’s body as his purrs resumed louder and he turned his head to press a tentative kiss to Jeongguk’s forehead, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rough.” 

Pulling back so he could look at Jimin, Jeongguk smiled, “It was worth it, but if you insist, you can make it up to me next time.” Jimin blinked twice and Jeongguk chuckled, pecking the tip of his nose.

He rolled out of bed and shook out his feathers before throwing on his usual comfortable attire for their flight back and padding to the bathroom, while Jimin was still focused on the words ‘next time.’  Usually, any residual tenderness was dispelled the next morning, but Jeongguk’s unregulated affection confused him. 

The alarm that was set for two hours before their departure rang and he mechanically got dressed as it’s shrill tone echoed in the hanok. They packed their belongings and Jeongguk would occasionally drape himself over Jimin’s back, hooking his chin over his shoulder and pressing soft kisses to any expanse of skin he had access to. 

Jimin’s mind was running a mile a minute as he thought of how easily he had fallen for this man. How simple it would be to wake up next to him every morning, basking in his open affections. Jimin couldn’t be sure if Jeongguk felt the same, or if he was just basking in the afterglow. A part of him wanted to ask, but the other was afraid of what his answer may be.

He finally broke when Jeongguk laced their fingers together in front of everyone while headed to their flight’s terminal. 

“Why are you holding my hand?” Jimin asked, coming to a complete stop. 

Jeonguk seemed frozen, mouth gaping and confusion flooding his eyes, “Should I not?” 

“I don’t-” Jimin exhaled sharply, sliding a hand into his hair and pulling at the roots, unsure how to articulate that he didn’t want Jeongguk to get his hopes up if this was a one-time thing.“Not if this is all you’re going to give me.”  

All hints of the playfulness Jeongguk had slipped away as shock flashed in his eyes, replaced quickly by the blank mask he used with his investors. “I see.” He straightened his shirt and lowered his black baseball cap over his eyes, silver loops tinkling lightly. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Mr. Park. So it would be best if we forget this ever happened.” 

Jimin’s heart stalled and shattered in one swift motion, confirming his fears. Swallowing what little saliva was in his parched mouth, he nodded slowly, trying to regain control over himself. With a surprisingly steady voice, he donned his usual formality, “I understand. If that’s what you feel is best.” 

The chime of a too bright ringtone broke their focus. Jeongguk pulled his phone from his pocket and quickly tapped on the screen, eyes skimming over a message before he clicked his tongue. “I need to stay back to finalize my donation from the auction as well as sign a couple more documents. I’ll have you go ahead since we’re already checked in. Take a couple of days off to rest, I’ll see you Thursday.” 

All Jimin could do was nod as he watched Jeongguk turn without a second glance and quickly make his way toward the exit. 

“Pull it together, Jimin. You knew he wouldn’t want you, you’re not good for anything more than a night of fun,” Jimin whispered to himself as his eyes glossed over, blurring his surroundings. 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

“I’m such an idiot,” Jeongguk muttered to himself as he parked in his parent’s driveway. He wasn’t in the mood for their biweekly family dinner after sulking for days about Jimin’s blatant rejection. He was going to cancel, but his mother said there would be another guest they wanted him to meet and he couldn’t say no to her. 

Inhaling deeply through his nose and breathing out through his mouth, he tried to push thoughts of Jimin aside. Every time he closed his eyes, he could feel the leopard’s caresses, how he had taken care of him so reverently. 

Jeongguk knew that Jimin was most likely unaware of avian mating customs and he tried desperately to isolate the kindness of aftercare from his romantic attachment. But when Jimin had insisted on bathing with him and preening his feathers he instinctually believed he had the intent to mate. Grooming was done for all major life events in his community, from the birth of a child to the passing of your life partner. Their mild scents didn’t stick as easily to their partners and in a way preening served as their own love language, a way to show they were cared for without words. 

“Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

When Jimin said he wanted more than Jeongguk it was the reality check he’d needed. Of course Jimin hadn’t meant to mate him, how could he when he knew so little about prey hybrids? In retrospect, it was painfully obvious that he only wanted to be relieved of his position, finally given an escape from Biotech and Jeongguk. 

He had allowed himself to believe there was ever a chance he would be enough, only to be sent hurtling back into reality. 

“Should I not?”

“Not if this is all you’re going to give me.” 

Shaking his head, he stepped out of his car and walked up to his parent’s home, using his key to enter through the bright blue door. The sound of his mother’s laughter sent warmth through him and he slipped out of his shoes and hung his coat with a small smile. Going off smell, it seemed his father had made his favorites and he padded toward the kitchen.

“Jeonggukie, you’re here!” his mother exclaimed with a grin as he rounded the corner. Setting down the piping bag in her hands next to a poorly decorated cake, she fluttered over to give him a hug. 

Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around the petite woman, carefully avoiding her bright yellow wings. “Hi mom, sorry I couldn’t make it last time, our meeting ran an hour over.” 

Releasing him, she made room for his father to hug him as well. The dark-haired man’s long white rabbit ears tickled Jeongguk’s nose as he rubbed his chin over his son’s shoulder, comfortingly. 

“How have you been Gguk?” 

Jeongguk gave a half-smile and shrugged before swiping a carrot from the crudités plate. “I’ve been… better.” 

Both of his parents looked at him worriedly when a deep voice echoed from the doorway.

“What a lovely home!” 

An older lion hybrid was admiring the decor with appreciative eyes beside Jeongguk’s grandfather, one arm draped over his shoulders. “My son and his wife have a gift for making any space feel like home. Wait until you’ve tried Jihwan’s cooking, he’s an amazing chef.” 

Jeongguk gave a full ninety-degree bow, greeting the elders before his grandfather introduced him. “Hayoon, this is my grandson, Jeongguk. Jeongguk, this is Park Hayoon, Jimin’s grandfather.” 

Swallowing thickly, Jeongguk bowed again, “Pleasure to meet you, sir.” 

“So respectful. I’m glad to meet the man who’s finally taught my grandson some manners.” Hayoon’s eyes scrunched in a way that painfully reminded him of Jimin. “His improvement is astounding, I cannot thank you enough.” 

“He’s a pleasure to work with, Sir.” 

“If everyone is hungry, dinner is ready,” Jeongguk’s mother suggested, ushering them to the table with a serving dish in her hands. As they settled in, Jeongguk couldn't help but notice every detail that was mirrored in Jimin, making his stomach tie itself into knots.

Dinner went well enough, the conversation flowing easily between the eldest men with occasional input from his parents, while Jeongguk picked at his food. 

“Jeongguk,” Hayoon addressed him directly, “I am curious about one thing.” 

“Yes, sir?” 

“Does my grandson owe you any debts?” 

Jeongguk’s eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, “No sir.” 

Hayoon hummed, “Interesting.” Seeing everyone’s curious expression, he explained, “After seeing his improvement and deeming his debts repaid, I offered Jimin the opportunity to train as my successor, but he turned me down.”

Jeongguk blinked twice, “H-he repaid his debts?”

The lion nodded, “Three months ago. I assumed you had hired him after his assignment was complete because he continued to work for you. Did he not tell you?”

Everything sounded like he was underwater as Jeongguk’s mind processed this information. Jimin had been absolved of his debts three months ago. For the past three months, he had stayed of his own volition, going so far as to turn down the chance to succeed Pendulum Corp. 

No one was forcing him to stay with Jeongguk. 

He startled the others at the table when he stood abruptly, “I have to go.” 

“Go?” His father asked.

Jeongguk nodded, “I have something important to attend to. I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you.” With a bow to the table, he rushed out of the house, fingers flying across his phone’s keyboard as he typed an address into the GPS. 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

Jimin was curled up on the couch of his mostly bare apartment, wrapped in a striped comforter that had seen better days. The tv was on lifetime playing romantic holiday movies with the volume barely on, just images flashing on the screen. He had taken to pointing out all the flaws in each pairing while scoffing bitterly as his mind relived the past weekend. 

Occasionally, he thought back to how he wanted to decorate the apartment when he first moved, excited to finally have a space to himself. Now, the off-white walls seemed to exacerbate the fact that he was alone mockingly. 

Rapping against the door pulled his attention from the tv and he glanced at the clock. It was too late to be Taehyung checking on him since he had a photo shoot that evening and he hadn’t ordered dinner so it couldn’t be delivery. 

Holding the blanket around himself, he waddled over to the door and opened it enough to peak out. 

On the other side of the door was a flushed Jeongguk, panting in only a short sleeve shirt, his cherry tipped hair windswept. 

“Jimin.” 

All it took was the sound of Jeongguk’s voice for Jimin to slam the door shut, pressing his back against the wood. His breathing picked up and bile rose up his throat that he tried desperately to force down. 

Jeongguk knocked again and his ears flinched away from the sound. 

“Please, Jimin. I need to talk to you.” 

Jimin closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to stay strong against the desperation in Jeongguk’s voice. He hadn’t wanted him, nothing was different.  

 “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Mr. Park. So it would be best if we forget this ever happened.”

“Jimin-”

“No! Go away Jeongguk!” Jimin cupped his hands and pressed his ears further against his head as he slouched further down, “I have nothing to say to you!”

Jeongguk pressed his forehead against the door, exhaling shakily, “I just need to know one thing, please. I will never bother you again if you don’t want me to.” 

Jimin’s canines dug into his lower lip as he tried to stay strong before deflating. Jeongguk was outside his house at night without a coat, and as hurt as he was by his rejection, Jimin’s heart wouldn’t allow him to leave him in the cold. 

“Fine.” He called out before he unlocked the door and scrambled back to his place on the couch, wielding his blanket like a shield.

A few moments passed before Jeongguk slowly opened the door, eyes quickly taking in the room before landing on Jimin. He settled on the couch a foot away, plumage ruffled from the brisk wind. 

“You should be wearing a jacket,” Jimin mumbled as he picked at a loose string, avoiding the older’s eyes. 

Jeongguk chuckled breathlessly, rubbing the nape of his neck. “I probably should, but I was in a rush.” 

Jimin’s blue eyes flickered over Jeongguk’s face before looking away again.

“Jimin, why did you turn down Hayoon?” 

Of all the questions Jeongguk could have asked, Jimin never thought it would have been this. 

“How do you know about that?”

“He came to dinner with my grandfather and asked if you were indebted to me.” 

Jimin scoffed, “Of course the old man would think I owed you money. Is it so impossible to believe I like my job?” 

“Is that why you stayed?”

“You said one question, Jeon.” 

“But you still haven’t answered either of them,” Jeongguk pointed out with his brows furrowed. 

Jimin remained resolutely silent, face turned away from Jeongguk to stare at the bare wall as his eyes traced the texture to keep his emotions from flowing over. 

“Jimin,” Jeongguk’s hand found his cheek tried to coax him into looking at him, and though he tried to, Jimin couldn’t resist melting into the cold hand pressed against his skin. His eyes met Jeongguk’s and tears gathered on his lash line that he refused to let fall.

“That day, at the airport, you said you wanted me to give you something,” Jeongguk’s thumb caressed his cheek as he took a breath. “I thought you wanted me to let you go, so you wouldn’t have to work with me anymore. I thought… you didn’t want to be around me.” 

Jimin’s eyebrows furrowed but he didn’t speak. 

“Until tonight, I was so sure that I didn’t even stop to ask what you meant.”

A glimmer of hope sparked in Jimin’s chest, “Why would I ask you to fire me when I could have left on my own?”

“I didn’t know you could have, that’s why I’m here. What did you mean, Jimin?” 

The leopard released a shaky breath before pulling away, looking at the movie playing on the screen. The couple was pressed together in a passionate embrace in the town square with snow falling as shoppers passed by. 

“That is what I meant,” he whispered as he gestured toward the tv. 

Jeongguk raised a brow in question as he glanced at the screen. 

“I have always been a hookup or a secret. Everyone treats me as a conquest. The model who took them to bed, but is still unworthy of being in a relationship.” 

He turned to look at Jeongguk, eyes watery. “You were being so openly affectionate and I loved it, but... we were in Jeju. If that changed when we were back home I wouldn’t be able to take it. I-I needed you to give me a chance or to just stop. If I had to be your dirty secret, I would rather have nothing.” 

Jimin closed his eyes and felt the moisture spill over his cheeks, unable to hold back any longer. 

Jeongguk released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and pressed his forehead against Jimin’s, taking his smaller hands in his own. “I should have asked you then. I’m sorry for assuming.” 

Shaking his head, Jimin turned his face away and sniffled, pawing at his tears. “It’s okay, I understand. Besides, it’s easier this way. My feelings aren’t your burden to bear.”

Clicking his tongue, Jeongguk slipped his arms under the smaller and settled him atop his lap, making him squeak and cling to his shoulders for balance. Jeongguk ran his nose across the skin of Jimin’s exposed shoulder with a slight trill, content to take in his scent. “I want to give this a chance Jimin.”

Jimin leaned back to meet Jeongguk’s doe eyes, his tail flicking back and forth as he assessed his sincerity. 

“You don’t have to just because of what I said.” 

“I want to be with you Jimin,” Jeongguk insisted, “I’m sorry I ever made you think otherwise.” 

“Even if other people see?” 

He kissed Jimin’s forehead tenderly before smiling, “Let them watch, I’ve nothing to hide.”

Jimin’s eyes watered more, though it was now from the warmth spreading through his chest. “What about your reputation?” 

“Why would having a handsome mate affect my reputation?”

The grin Jimin gave was dazzling, “Your mate?” 

Jeongguk squeezed Jimin’s hip lightly, returning his smile, “One day, yes. If you’ll have me.”

A purr rumbled through Jimin’s chest as his lips hovered over Jeongguk’s, “You drive a hard bargain, but I think something can be arranged, Mr. Jeon.” 

“Perfect, I’ll have my assistant pencil it in,” Jeongguk smirked when Jimin smacked his chest lightly before pressing their lips together. 

⋖---------------------------------------⋗

2 Years Later

“Jeongguk, the car for your five o’clock is nearly there. I’ve labeled your suit from the others as well as leaving a detailed itinerary for you to follow. Seokjin will be there to help you through, but please stick to the plan. And before you ask, yes you have to wear the suit, no funny business.” 

Jeongguk chuckled into the receiver as he got into the back of the car Jimin sent for him, “Funny business? Me? Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Do you forget I had to wrestle you to the ground and force your blazer on the first day we met?”

“Ah-Ah. The actual first day we met you almost made me drop the fuel cell I had spent months working on and called me a stupid chicken.”

The line was silent for a moment before Jimin stuttered, “Listen, I didn’t know who you were! Back then I was-”

“You were a brat, that’s what you were,” Jeongguk laughed as Jimin spluttered on the other end of the line. 

“That’s beside the point, I’m better now!” 

Jeongguk shook his head fondly, “You are baby. I’m very proud of how much you’ve grown.” 

Giggles of several people were faintly heard in the background, making his grin widen. “Jeongguk stop, everyone’s here already,” Jimin whined and he could practically hear the pout in his voice.

“Okay, okay,” Jeongguk conceded, “I’m gonna go now, but I’ll see you soon.” 

“You better not be late Jeon Jeongguk.” 

“I won’t be, I promise.”

“Text me when you get here.” 

“I will, I love you.” 

“Love you too.” 

As the car pulled up exactly on time, Seokjin escorted him to the back of the building away from a horde of media photographers that had gathered at the front of the hotel hoping for a glimpse of him or Jimin. Ever since Jimin had overthrown Taemin, they were often in the spotlight. There had been a handful of scandalous articles, but they were easily disproven or discredited and their relationship had grown stronger for it. 

While Jimin still managed Jeongguk’s schedule, when he was away for shoots or fashion shows, Seokjin had taken over for him. The first time Namjoon had seen the peacock hybrid, his bioluminescent markings and hair had turned baby pink and continued to do so for weeks. It was a dead giveaway of his crush and eventually, Seokjin asked him to dinner, tired of waiting for Namjoon to make a move.

Jeongguk pulled out his phone and sent a quick text letting Jimin know he had arrived before he was pulled into a suite where Namjoon and Yoongi were waiting. 

Following Jimin’s carefully detailed plan, Jeongguk was ready five minutes ahead of schedule and anxiously lined up at the stained glass door he was to enter through. Jihyun stood next to the door in a plain black suit with a monitor in one ear as he waited for the signal. 

As the first keys of a piano started playing, Jihyun opened the door. In a procession with Jeongguk at the back, they made their way behind the guests to meet at the center of the private garden. As each couple paired off, Jimin was slowly revealed in a light grey suit that matched Jeongguk’s own. 

“You made it on time,” Jimin teased quietly as they interlaced their fingers and made their way down the aisle, all eyes on them. 

Jeongguk kissed the back of Jimin’s hand and smiled at his mate as they reached the altar, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”