Chapter Text
*KNOCK KNOCK*
“Come in.”
“Hey, Namjoon.” You smiled, coming in with the box. Seeing you struggle slightly, the male got off his hammock and came over to help.
“Thank you. You can just set it on the ground there.” You handed it to him and closed the door behind you. You placed the face of your watch against the scanner on the door to check in your time here. Namjoon straightened up and gave you a hug first.
“You’re still not wearing a coat.” He noted.
“You know me well enough that I would never conform to their rule. Those white coats scare the hybrids. Plus, they’re for medical staff and I, for sure, am not a doctor or nurse.” You giggled.
“What’s in the box?” He asked.
“Oh right. They’re the new books you requested. You told me you’re trying new genres so I just got an assortment. Go ahead.” You bent down and opened the box.
“Thank you. When I told you that I needed new books, I didn’t think you would get them right away.” He chuckled, digging into the box.
“It wasn’t too difficult to do. I hope you like them.” You smiled, watching him look at the different genres and titles, glimpsing through a few pages to see what he wanted to start reading right away. You took something else out of the box and handed it to him. It was a pair of glasses, Namjoon’s glasses to be exact. He had broken them a while ago.
“Be careful this time, alright?” You chuckled.
“You sound like I broke them purposefully in the first place.” He snorted, putting the wire framed glasses on his face to properly see the words of the book that he had chosen.
“Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something. Come.” You sat down while he got into his hammock.
“What’s up?”
“Remember how if you pass your different clinical assessments, you get to move out of here and into a pod with other hybrids?” You asked. Namjoon nodded his head slowly.
“Can I decline the offer to?” He tilted his head.
“Namjoon, I think you’ll do fine in a shared pod. You’ll get to meet other hybrids. Besides, you’ll be alone for now until another hybrid joins. And I get to be in charge of the pod you’re assigned to.” You smiled, patting the back of his hand. Namjoon still looked unsure.
“I don’t know, (y/n)...” He sighed. You knew Namjoon appreciated living alone and not with other hybrids.
“Why don’t you try it out for a few days? Then we come back and review what your feelings are after.” You suggested. Namjoon thought about ti for a while and you gave him time to think.
“You sure you’re the one still in charge of me?” He asked.
“I am.” You nodded.
“Wait, what about Jimin?” You knew that Namjoon had met Jimin, another hybrid under your care during game day.
“When he’s ready, he will join you in the pod as a housemate.” You smiled. There wasn’t much you could tell him since all hybrid records are kept confidential.
“Okay. I’ll try it out. But only for a few days. If I don’t like it, I’m moving back here.” Namjoon said. You nodded and pinky promised him. Your watch beeped and you checked the time displayed on the screen.
“I’ll be back before I leave for the day. I have another appointment to get to. Enjoy your books.” You patted his head and left. Namjoon watched your retreating back with a soft smile. He was so lucky to have you. You brought so much instant comfort to him when he first came here. He never wanted another rehabilitator to take care of his needs.
Everyone around you wore their coats while you just walked, dressed in your normal clothes. The only thing that told others you actually worked here was the staff tag on your skirt with your name and photo.
“Jimin?” You poked your head in after knocking.
“(y/n)!” The excited calico cat stood up from his bed, almost knocking over his untouched lunch. He ran to you and you caught him in your arms.
“Hello there, Jimin.” You chuckled as you ran your fingers through his hair, rubbing his ears in between his fingers. They twitched slightly, a silent sign that he was getting uncomfortable so you pulled away.
“How are you doing?” You asked.
“Good.” He nodded. He was so excited with you here that he had abandoned his food, or used you as an excuse to do so.
“Have your lunch, Jimin. After that, I have a surprise for you.” You encouraged. You noticed some weight loss on him, which wasn’t good considering that Jimin was already below the weight range for his hybrid type and age. But you weren’t going to bring it up and discourage him now.
“Can you sit with me?” He looked up at you.
“Of course.” You nodded and sat down beside him. It was only recently that Jimin stopped trying to eat on the ground, which was part of his abuse from the past.
“Eat before the food gets cold.” You patted his head. You knew it was already cold, he always tries to avoid eating it.
“Did you eat yet?” He asked, pushing his food around his tray with his spoon.
“I did, thank you for asking. It was a good lunch, even if it was my leftovers from last night. Then right after, I came to see how you and Namjoon were doing today. He got some new books. But what did we say about playing with food?” You spoke softly, reminding him. Jimin’s hand movement stopped, ears drooping slightly in shame.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” You smiled with a shake of your head. Jimin knew you were enough that you weren’t going to leave until you saw him eat. So with a shaky hand, he lifted a spoonful of food and put it into his mouth.
“(y/n)?”
“Hmm?” You hummed.
“Can I... eat with you next time?” He asked shyly, his cheeks turning a light pink as he asked.
“Of course! I’ll gladly eat with you.” You smiled. This was a big step for Jimin. He was openly asking for more social interaction with you and he suggested eating. After a while, Jimin managed to finish his food. They were actually smaller portions than normal but gave him a sense of accomplishment.
“I’ll be right back.” You told him and went out, grabbing the bag that you placed by the door. Jimin came over, blinking and peeking curiously at what you had brought him.
“You said you wanted new sweaters, right?” You showed him the fluffy sweaters that you bought him.
“WOW!” His eyes sparkled as he cuddled the soft material. You giggled, whatever brought a smile to Jimin’s face was able to make you smile as well.
“There’s one more present, Chim.” You said.
“ANOTHER?!”
“Here. I sewed it up for you.” You took out a big yellow blanket. This yellow blanket was something you had given to him when he first came. The blankets here weren’t able to provide him the warmth he wanted so you gave him your own personal one. He loved it and never wanted to separate with it. Even after episodes of accidentally ripping it, you would sew it back for him.
“Thank you!” He jumped towards you, hugging you. You wrapped it around him and he immediately purred, rolling around in it happily. He liked getting tangled up in it.
“I promise to be more careful with your blanket.” Jimin pouted.
“Hey, it’s not my blanket. I told you that it’s yours now.” You ruffled his hair. He giggled, popping his head into the blanket to hide.
“I can sleep better now.” He lifted the blanket. You smiled softly at Jimin. Your heart ached at the thought of someone hurting someone as innocent as him. That goes for all hybrids.
“I’m glad.” You whispered, stroking his head.
“(y/n), can you stay here until I sleep?” He asked, eyes already beginning to droop. You nodded, laying down and cradling him against your chest. You remember the doctor having changed Jimin’s medications, one to help him with his insomnia better.
“Shh.” You hushed. Even as he was wrapped in the blanket, Jimin’s tail coiled around your leg.
“I’m sorry I’m not strong.” He whimpered.
“Hey, where is all this coming from? You’re strong, Jimin. Stronger than you know.” You pulled away slightly so you could look down at him. He clutched onto the fluffy yellow material harder.
“I will never get better.” He shook his head, tears starting to form. You placed your hand over his to release some of his tension.
“Don’t say that. I know you will get better, Jimin. You’re already improving each day and everyone can see that. We all recover at our own time, don’t feel like you’re not doing well. I think you’re doing amazing.” You felt him release his grip slightly and wiped his tears.
“Will I really get better one day?”
“I know you will.” You comforted. Soon, Jimin’s eyes closed and you felt his tail’s grip on you slowly begin to relax. You still stayed by his side for about 15 more minutes before you got up. You hung up his new sweaters.
“Here, thank you.” You gave the nurse Jimin’s empty food tray with a smile before heading out of his area’s ward.
“Still on time.” You checked your watch.
“Jinnie?” You entered the room. Jin looked away from his game and turned to you with a smile. Unlike Namjoon and Jimin, Jin couldn’t come and greet you personally.
“How are you doing? Any pain?” You asked.
“No. I’m doing fine. The doctor increased my pain killers so if I talk funny, don’t laugh.” He chuckled weakly. You headed over and pulled a chair to sit by his bedside. Jin had been involved in a terrible car accident prior to being brought to the institution but he had been very cooperative with the staff here and with you too. He loved chatting with you.
“I won’t laugh at you. The doctor said while your foot is still healing, your collarbone is doing better.” You tried to force a smile. Jin let out a sigh, leaning his head against the pillow.
“At least there’s some good news.”
“I’m sorry.” You said softly, hanging your head low.
“What are you sorry for? You’re already doing so much for me. I’m really grateful to have you as my rehabilitator.” Jin held his hand out to you, which you grasped tightly.
“I just wish there’s more that I could do for you. So you wouldn’t have to suffer from so much pain.” You shook your head.
“This accident, me being brought here, was already a big save from where I came from. So maybe it was meant to be. If I wasn’t in that car accident, I wouldn’t have been saved and I wouldn’t have met you.” He smiled. You wondered how he was still so positive despite his situation.
“We’re still trying to find your owner. But don’t worry, as long as you’re here, you will be safe.” You promised. Jin’s owner was the one that tried to run him over but he escaped after the accident.
“I guess I can rest easy then, with your words.” He chuckled.
“Once you’re better, you can meet the other hybrids. I’m sure they will love to meet you.” You giggled.
“I look forward to meeting them too.” He said as you patted the back of his hand. You held the massage his hands lightly as well as his foot that wasn’t broken.
“Ah, you don’t have to.” He blushed.
“Don’t worry. I just want to help continue the circulation.” You waved him off. Since he couldn’t get up from bed, you were worried that his foot would feel numb so you made sure to massage it from time to time.
“Is there anything you need? You know you can just ask me, right? You don’t have to be shy about it.” You asked him. Jin was still new and usually hybrids were shy with asking their rehabilitators for things that they needed. But you still encouraged Namjoon, Jimin and Jin to speak openly with you and just tell you when they needed something.
“Actually, I heard that there was a new instalment for the game I play that just came out.” He said slightly nervously.
“Sure. Just let me know the title and I’ll get it for you.” You nodded your head. After washing your hands, Jin wrote the name and details down for you on a post it note.
“A-Actually, y-you don’t have to get it! I-I can just a-ask for something else.” He tried to take the paper but you held it away to read the name.
“Jin, seriously, I can get you the game. It’s really no big deal. Don’t worry about it, okay? I’m here to help you with whatever you need. So don’t be shy about it.” You reached over to pat his head.
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. Come, let’s play a game” You sat back down in your seat beside him. The only game you knew how to play was Mario Kart.
“Are you going to let me win again?” Jin teased. He always beat you at the game and you gave the excuse as you letting him win because you didn’t want him to be embarrassed.
“Nope! I’m going all out this time. Get ready.” You smirked and gripped your controller. You stayed with Jin until it was almost time for you to head home.
Before going home, as promised, you stopped by Namjoon’s room. He had fallen asleep in his hammock. You grabbed the blanket from his bed and draped it over his body. You carefully removed his glasses, not wanting him to roll over and break them again.
“Sleep well, Namjoon.” You whispered, putting a bookmark on the page he left open and placing the book on his small table. Casting him one more glance, you turned off the lights and exited the room.
-
“Home sweet home.” You honestly didn’t live far from the institute. It was a rule for employees to live within a certain radius of the institute in case of an emergency.
“Hey, (y/n).” Your neighbour greeted.
“Hey, Seongwoo.” You gave a small smile before putting your fingerprint against the scanner on the door.
“Long day at work?” He asked. Seongwoo was a human but he didn’t work at the institute like you. He was the owner of a nice coffee shop down the street. You went there for your morning coffees before work.
“Mhmm.” You nodded. Seongwoo was really nice and helpful. He was here before you and helped you move in. There were times he even ordered food fo you when you came home late. You just weren’t one for small talk and unnecessary social interaction. Even if people called you an introvert, you didn’t care. You kept to yourself and your work.
“Have a nice night.” You wished with a small bow of the head before heading into your apartment.
The apartment was quite nice. It had two bedrooms, one that you used for sleeping and another that you converted into your office, with a nice view in the living room.
“Good going.” You scowled to yourself. Removing your shoes, you threw them aside and wore your house slippers. You dropped your bag on the armchair. Going to the kitchen, you opened a bottle of sparkling water to drink.
“Dinner.” You rummaged through your fridge.
“Beef and broccoli stir fry it is.” You usually liked to cook, it was a way for you to destress but right now, you wanted to eat, shower and sleep before another day of work tomorrow.
‘Reports of another feral hybrid attack that-’
You switched the channel until you found some random Disney movie playing, chopsticks digging into your bowl of rice to eat your food. You would much rather watch a children’s Disney movie than listen to humans report on stereotypical hybrid crimes that were probably not even true.
“Hello?” You muted the television and pressed the phone between your ear and your shoulder when it rang,
“Hey, (y/n). How are you? Taking care of yourself?”
“I’m... good. Don’t worry, I’m on top of my health. What about you? It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you.” You said. You knew you were being very obvious with how reluctant you were to have this conversation right now.
“That’s good to hear. I’m also doing well. Actually, I’ve been wanting to meet up with you and see how you’re doing. You know... catch up a little.”
“Yeah, uh, my schedule is really packed right now because we have a lot of hybrids coming in. But when things start to clear up a little, I’ll let you know when I’m free.” You said.
“That sounds like a good plan. Better rest up and turn in early. I know you can do it, (y/n). No one else is more capable of doing this than you.”
“Yes, I plan on doing that. It’s been a long day. I’m just doing what I want to do and that’s to be there for them. They deserve it, after everything they’ve been through. I will speak to you soon... grandpa.” You said your goodbyes and hung up. You let out a long sigh, throwing your head back against the backrest of the couch.
“Deal with that later.” You mumbled to yourself. Putting your phone into your hoodie pocket, you brought your used dishes to the sink and washed them.
Once that was done, you went to take a nice shower and dried your hair, getting ready to turn in for the night. You sat in your office before actually going to bed. You ordered Jin’s video game.
‘Today’s Log’
You began to type the reports and notes that you took while meeting with the hybrids under your care today. It was a habit that you had to keep track of their progress. When you finished it, you saved it and headed to bed for the night.