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Chapter Text

     A long time ago, in a palace in the middle of the woods of the kingdom of Silla, designed by a foreigner under the orders of a noble family.

     Park Kyundoo and Park Maeoh, the nobles responsible of the palace. Maeoh was the current king's cousin, so their riches were enough to have at least fifty servants and a small army of knights. It made it easier to spoil their little one, Park Jimin.

     They were a happy family, treating everyone with respect and teaching their son to be responsible of himself. The people who worked for the family would be the ones who'd help him when he grew up.
Jimin was a happy boy, he loved the garden and often spent time there with his parents when they could. If the Parks were busy, the servant's children would play with little Jimin. Most of them were older than him, and the youngest one- son of a guard- was always babied by an amused Jimin. The kid was even smaller than him!
Years went by and rough times hit the Park family and their employees. Park Kyundoo had a sort of advisor, the man helped him administrate their money and took care of commanding most of the staff. But the man held ill intentions towards the Park family.

     Seok Hakgosae was his name. He longed for the power of the noble family, being descendant of a middle class merchant household, Hakgosae plotted for years to take over the palace. His rotted ideas taking form in the dead of the family. He would be the one to take Kyundoo's place, as he was his right hand man, and start a new life of greed for himself with riches that would be rightfully his.
One day, unsuspected by everyone in the palace, the man poisoned the food that would be served for the noble family. Unfortunately for him, the youngest Park was out in the forest, accompanying one of the hunters to do his job.

     The deer the hunters caught made Jimin sad. He never wanted to haunt again! What if the deer had a family? He didn't want it's family to be sad... But the hunters said that if they didn't haunt, there would be no meat for the family, and Jimin liked eating meat over those yuky vegetables his mom wanted him to eat. So he felt a little guilty and sad but it was part of life, he guessed.
When they got back to the palace, Park Jimin's heart broke for the first time in his life at his eleven years old.

     The eunuchs and palace servant's were rushing from one side to the other in panic, the family's doctors were frustrated and the just arrived men didn't understand what was going on.
It wasn't until one of the palace women came to retrieve Jimin to tell the hunters the news that everyone's behaviour made sense. Their bosses had been poisoned, and no one knew who was responsible for it. The cooks claimed to be innocent, but so did the rest.
Park Jimin's innocent mind thought it was a joke at first, but when he saw his parents lying motionlessly on their beds it downed on him like buckets of cold water from when he was late to his bath time. Everything seemed to have stopped. His parents couldn't be dead. It wasn't possible, they had promised to stay together forever! Why would they break their promise!? It didn't make sense.
But it was true, and he could only mourn and try to keep going. He had to be strong, that's what his father always told him. He knew eventually he would marry the King's daughter to maintain the purity of the Dinasty. It was his duty and fate.

     So for three other years he tried to conceal his true feelings, hiding away in his room and avoiding those who once were his close friends. He needed to study politics, etiquette, everything a noble fourteen year old should know. It didn't matter if the servant's kids were worried for him. No one mattered anymore, they would leave him eventually.

     Seok Hakgosae was beyond frustrated when he'd found out the youngest Park was safe and alive. His plan was delayed, and he couldn't blame anyone for poisoning the young master, as he had fired most of the workers in the palace with the excuse of treason, only leaving the ones who the young Park trusted the most. He made sure no one ever suspected him. If someone did, he'd make sure they'd never speak again.
He spent three years waiting, polishing his new plan to make it impeccable. He would take the prince to the woods and kill him once they were deep in, making it seem like the lynxes had torn his body apart. Finally he would be able to fulfill his greedy needs.

     A cold summer storm clouded the sky and poured down on the place. Seok Hakgosae was once again frustrated as he was ready to murder Park Jimin that day; everything was set to go alone to the forest but alas, the rain stoped the plan. He was in a bad mood the whole day, and even more so when the pre teen didn't even come out of his room to eat.
Jimin was seriously considering going outside. He always liked storms and it was summer, it wasn't too cold outside. He could have a little fun after studying so hard. It was his fifteenth birthday after all. Maybe, taking care of the garden like the old times would do him some good.

     So getting ready he put on his shoes and headed for the entrance of the palace. However, Hakgosae caught him in the way and started spouting nonsense of having to celebrate his birthday and things Jimin didn't really want to hear. He never liked this man.

     "Young Master, I insist we should at least tell the cook to—" the sound of thunder cut off his words.
Suddenly, a hunched figure appeared inside the room. It was an old woman, white and gray thin hair covered most of her wrinkled face and her bony hands held an orange rose filled with thorns. Blood ran from her fingers, prickled by the thorns, and her toothless smile gave off a creepy vive. Her wet and ragged clothes clung to her skinny figure, making her seem smaller than she was.

     Saying Jimin was scared was an understatement. He couldn't tear his fear filled eyes from her figure. Who was that woman? She definitely had materialized out of nowhere.
Hakgosae, on the other hand, was even angrier. Were the guards so dumb they let in a strange creepy old woman?

     "Who are you and why are you here? State your intentions". The advisor's tone was unfriendly. He just wanted this damned day to be over.

     The old woman only walked in their direction, her eyes never leaving the youngest.

     "Who are you?" Whispered Jimin. He was scared, yes, but he won't be rude to an elder. "Do you need something?" The woman nodded, extending the rose as if showing it's worth.

     "Would you let an old, sick woman sleep in here in exchange of this beautiful rose? I don't need anything fancy, just a warm blanket will do..." Her voice was shaky and Jimin noticed her eyes were a milky colour. He'd never seen eyes like that before.

     Jimin's moral wouldn't let him be mean to this creepy woman. She was old and probably didn't have a home, her state made it obvious. He reached for the rose but Hakgosae's hand held him back. Yelling about how he forbid it to the noble kid, he pushed Jimin back.

     "You are not to allow this-this peasant to sleep here!"

     The boy's fear turned into anger. This man had no right to forbid him anything! His father may have trusted him, but Jimin certainly didn't.

     "You are fired. Get out of here. You are NOBODY to tell me what to do!" The young Park's voice boomed through the room, agressive and unforgiving.

     The man, tired of the kid's behaviour slapped him as hard as he could. Feeling better, being able to release his hate in some way. But Hakgosae wasn't the only one who held negative emotions, and by doing that he unlocked all Jimin had stored in the back of his head. The teen didn't hesitate in countering the hit. He relished in the pained screams of the adult he had resented for letting his parents die like that. It was his fault, he should've done better, because he did a shit job as an advisor.

     The woman felt darkness in both of them and was disappointed of her discovery. No one so young should feel such hate. So she decided to give them both a lesson. The brutal fighting was stopped by a gust of strong wind and a blinding light. In place of the old lady, a beautiful woman stood. Pale skin, long flowy black hair and big brown eyes. Her clothes were no longer ragged, but of fine materials. Her ruthless gaze fell on both men as her true being showed.

     She was a goddess. A furious one.

     "You both have disappointed me greatly... Seok Hakgosae, I curse you with death! You will come with me, and face your punishment". She then turned to Jimin "And you... You will become what your heart is. Dark and angry, you and all five of your most trusted servants will suffer of the curse you brought upon yourself!" Her calm voice radiated the opposite, causing both their hearts fill with fear. "This curse will remain until you turn twenty four... If by then you haven't fallen in love, with that person returning your affections, you and your friends will die!"

     With a roll of thunder, the goddess disappeared the same way she had first come and Seok Hakgosae left with her, the only thing remaining of the man was a scream of fright echoing around the room.
Jimin soon fell on his knees, pain surging all the way down to his bones as they cracked. Screams of agony left him. Hair grew all over him and he could hear in the distance other voices, suffering just like him.

     Years went by and nothing seemed to bring hope, not even the kids who used to play with him that now shared his curse. The six of them roamed the palace, waiting for someone to come and break their damned existences. But the outer world forgot about the noble Park family because of the goddess' enchantment, and the palace was lost in the forest, along with the six now men who lived there. Even if his friends tried to get closer to him, ten years went by, and only a month was left before their inevitable fate. Because even if someone, anyone, were to find them...

     Who could ever love a beast?

Chapter Text

     Tears were threatening to spill from his eyes. It was so beautifully written, the words flowed harmoniously syllable by syllable. The love story he was almost done reading has been a rollercoaster of emotions and Kim Taehyung loved every part of it. Yes, even if he suffered through most of it.

     Dramas were his favourite book genre. It wasn't manly, he knows. Most men his age were busy working or studying, but none of that appealed to Taehyung. He preferred Romance, Fantasy! Stepping into worlds of imagination he would never be able to see in reality.

     With a content sigh he closed his finished book and gently put it down on the table. Wiping his tears he lifted his head up at the deep voice of his father.

     “Taetae, can you please go get some food? I stuck a little note with everything I need on the door”. Kim Hansol was kind and very eccentric. He was a man of technology and always enjoyed trying to make new machines and utensils to work with. All in order to avoid doing the house chores, Kim Hansol's sole motivation was laziness. Ironically enough, that laziness pushed him to be even more active than his son.

     Not that Taehyung was fond of exercise anyway.

     Gathering a couple of bags and putting the book into one of them, Taehyung proceeded to leave the house and head for the town's market.

     He liked his little village, he really did. It was surrounded by forest and had some creeks around from were they got their water. The whole ambiance of the place was peaceful and if Taehyung didn't know better he could say it looked a lot like the fantastic urban places his books described.

     If he didn't know better, because in his books most of the town's inhabitants were friendly. In his... They weren't. Well, to Taehyung and his father at least. He always felt eyes on him and the whispers he knew were about him never stopped anytime he went out of his house.

     That was the only downside for the brunet. They called his father a freak, crazy and referred to Taehyung as a disappointment and a wimp, a waste of beauty. Because Kim Taehyung was handsome, that's what everyone talked about, but no one in town seemed to accept his passion. He should be soldier, a historian! Not a boy who reads women books.

     That's what they said.

     All throughout the morning the man took his time to do the groceries; choosing carefully the vegetables and fruits, and buying dry nuts, his father's favourite snack. The townsfolk treated him with fake smiles and empty complements the brunet knew were only to stay on his good side. No one wanted to see the handsome boy with a frown. Angry forehead wrinkles didn't suit him, he guessed. He was almost done, the only thing left to do was to visit his heart uncle, Mr. Woo.

     Mr. Woo was his dad's best friend and helped raising him after his mother passed when he was six. It was a painful time for both the Kim men but with Mr. Woo's help, Hansol could bring himself up and keep going. It was hard for little Tae too, but he promised his mother he'd never forget the values she'd taught him.

     “Always be kind to people, even if they don't deserve it. You are better than them if you don't stoop to their level. And never forget how much me and your father love you... Also, if anyone wants to fight, you kick their ass, ok?” Those were his mom's last words to him, a fierce but beautiful woman. She died in her sleep after being sick for a long time. He always chuckled fondly at that memory, his father normally tells him his attitude resembles his mother's. It didn't bring pain anymore, just a bittersweet feeling of longing. After all, he was so young when his mom letf them, he barely remembers her face.

     After Kim Hansol could put himself together for him and his son's sake he started learning how to cook and do everything his wife used to do. No one else in town would help them except his friend, so he took everything into his own hands. That's where the machines come from at first. As they helped with the house chores he could spend more time with his Taetae. Taehyung definitely loved his parents. Even if he couldn't see his mother physically anymore.

     Mr. Woo's house was on the other side of town, so he hurried to return the book he's borrowed. He was getting hungry and was sure his father would be the same back home.

     That's what we get for procrastinating the groceries. He thought with a sigh.

     Entering his uncle's house he announced himself.

     “Uncle Woo, I'm here! I've come to return the book you lent me!”. Taking a look at the familiar setting he roamed the home in search of Mr. Woo. As always, the place was an organised mess. Books littered everywhere possible— and maybe impossible too—, cooking utensils spread on the counter, food half eaten on a plate and all the little knick knacks Mr. Woo owned.

     Taehyung loved to play with them when he was little, sometimes he still did. His favourite one was the figurine in the shape of a fox. Foxes were his favourite animals, and he liked when books involved mysterious and wise talking animals or animal like characters. The other figurines of the wooden set were a bunch of different wild animals such as ducks, bears, fishes and birds. Then there was the little bunny and cat rag dolls he used to sleep with whenever he came to spend the night here when his dad traveled to near villages to get materials for his creations. Now he stayed on his house alone, of course. He's a big boy.

     The sound of loud footsteps brought Taehyung out of his head.

     “Ah, Taehyung, my boy!” Mr. Woo greeted him with a wide smile “How was the book? Tell me everything!” The middle aged man sat on his chair, nodding for Taehyung to take a seat on the one in front of him.

     The young man giggled and did as told. His uncle Woo was the one who gave him the books he loved to read. Each and every one of them was unique and enchanting. Once he started he could never stop. It was just so satisfying, magical beings, romance, sword fights! Yes, Kim Taehyung wasn't into sword fighting in real life, but he loved a good action scene in his books. Could you blame him, though? The warriors always fought for honour and justice, they were so admirable. He... may or may have not had a crush on some of them.

     “Oh, uncle, it was fantastic!” he started, feeling a smile crept up on his face “The setting, the action scenes, the romance! It was by far my second favourite! After ‘Forgotten White Roses’, of course. That one is still the best”. Mr. Woo nodded with a light laugh. The middle aged man always indulged Taehyung when it came to books, he never stopped spoiling him.

     “Ah, you young people are always after such perfect romances! It doesn't happen in real life, my boy”. The man started eating the already half gone food Taehyung saw earlier. “Oh, it got cold” he muttered to himself. Taehyung only laughed loudly at his uncle's dejected comment.

     It was true. That book was the epitome of love at first sight and a perfect marriage (with a lot of sadness in the middle but, oh well). It reminded him of his parents love, that's why it was his favourite. Of course the other elements in the book were so delicately spread and the foreshadowing was exquisite. The plot thickened along the story as it went further on and every plot twist was planned thoroughly. Everything about ‘Forgotten White Roses’ was uniquely satisfactory and disheartening at the same time. Taehyung could drone for hours about all his favourite parts and expertly recite every dialogue. He lost count of how many times he re-read it. Probably more than eight times.

     “It's such a good book, I could read it over and over and never get tired of it. What's more, I could– If I was forbidden to read any book but one for the rest of my life I'd pick that one!” The confident tone his voice held made something click in Mr. Woo's brain.

     “Well, son, if you like it that much... It's yours!”
It took Taehyung a minute to process the information given.

     “Mine? As in, it's a gift? Not yours anymore and only mine?”

     Another chuckled was heard from the older man.

     “Yes, boy. A gift, only yours and not mine anymore” he mimicked his astonished nephew's words. That earned him a hug.

     “Thank you so much uncle! I'll take it and go back home!” He paused to explain himself better “I have to go back, dad's waiting for me to cook!”

     “That's good, tell your old man to drop by later, a'ight?”

     Nodding, Taehyung grabbed his first book of his own and after a small wave goodbye left running home.

     He almost made it, he could see the little bridge that lead directly to his little house. So, so close... But she had to stop him. Oh dear, Byulhee had seen him.

     “Taehyung! Dear, wait for me a bit, yes?” Her high pitched voice made Taehyung roll his eyes. That was the last thing he wanted. Nothing could ruin his mood more that having to talk to this noble girl. Not only was she the most wanted woman in town because of her beauty, she also belonged to the richest noble family of the area (a couple of other towns from around included). She always got everything she wanted, with the exception of Kim Taehyung. She couldn't understand why; she was pretty, she was rich, she could give Taehyung everything he wanted, whenever he wanted and more.

     The answer to this, though, was quite simple: Taehyung found out when he was entering his thirteen years of life he liked boys. Of course he didn't tell anyone but his dad and uncle Woo, he'd only get more shit from the townsfolk and his only friend— and old crush— would leave him. His friend did leave him as they grew older, but out of having different hobbies and ideologies. Taehyung was sad for a long time his only friend left the town to become a scholar in the capital, but wished him luck nonetheless.

     “Taehyung, dear, I'm going to walk around town for a while, mind accompanying me?” She was either oblivious or ignored the signs all together. Persistence was something Taehyung liked, but not on Byulhee specifically.

     “Sorry, but I haven't had lunch yet and—”

     “Perfect!” The pretty woman interrupted “We can have lunch together! Let's go, dear”. Byulhee tried to grab Taehyung's right arm but paused, seeing the book he was holding. “Taehyung, dear... Have I not told you to stop reading those silly stories?” Her tone was now tense, trying not to sound condescending but failing terribly “It's not good for you, my daddy says it's bad for young men to read such trivial romance books. They're meant for lonely housewives!”

     Taehyung just wanted to go home and eat. His stomach was begging him to be filled and he wasn't in the mood to deal with the woman at the time.

     “Look, Byulhee, I don't care what your father, you or anyone in this town think of me. Now, if you excuse me, my dad expects me to get home with our lunch food” He started his walk back home but turned to see the woman. Her look of disbelief turning into one of hope at the eye contact he held. “Good day”.
And with that he finally left.

                                                                                💠

      Hansol was finally going to teach his son how to cut down a tree. They were in need of firewood for dinner so they left to look for it in the forest behind their house. They still had a few hours before night fall, so Hansol was sure they'd gather enough for the next week. Taehyung knew he had to learn at some point, but he didn't want to at the moment. He had started to read his book right after washing the dishes.

     “Is it really necessary you teach me this now?” His question was ignored by a dad who had obviously heard. “Dad, I don't wanna do this now!” he dragged the words ‘dad’ and ‘now’ to add a dramatic effect. It worked most of the time.

     “Taehyung, you're a growing young man, and I'm a sick old man. I won't be here to cut firewood for you forever”. It was true, he had been having a chronic cold. His runny nose and sneezes could be heard wherever he went. The brunet knew his father's condition would get worse as he grew older but didn't want to think about losing his dad too. Not yet.

     “Fine, fine... Only to spend time with my beloved dad”. The old Kim wasn't complaining.

     The hours went by and dark shadows started slipping, taking the place of all the lit up spaces in the woods. The Kims were almost finished with the remaining branches. Taehyung was as sweaty as his old man. He hadn't done so much exercise in the longest time. Exhaustion filled both men who were ready to get back home and eat some good chicken meat.

     “A'ight, son, I think we're done here”. The man laughed when his son released the most dramatic sigh he's ever heard “Oh, come on! It wasn't that bad, we had fun!”. In truth, the old Kim wanted to throw the axe away and lie for a while too.

     “That was so tiring... I'm not doing it ever again if I can help it” It was Taehyung's turn to giggle at his dad's exasperated and exaggerated groan. “We did have fun, though...”

     They smiled at each other, happy to be able to spend time together like that. Their content bubble was burst when the low rumble of an animal growl broke the silence. Hansol looked at his son worriedly, shushing him with a finger to his own mouth. Taehyung neared his dad in hopes of not making any loud noise.

     “Son, listen to me...” the older man whispered “I am going to run in that direction, you go home as quickly as you can. And don't look back”.

     “What? Dad, no! Those are lynxes, I'm not going to let you do that” Taehyung didn't like the idea of his father being the bait “You could die!”

     “I will go back home, but you have to go somewhere safe first...” The upset expression on his boy's face made him almost change his mind.

     Almost.

     “I am old, Taehyung, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you with me here”. They could hear the lynxes around them. Two of them. Hansol gave his son the axe he held. Taehyung knew what that meant, but didn't want to let him go. No matter, before he could voice his worries his dad started running in the direction opposite to their home.

     The lynxes immediately ran after him, forgetting Taehyung's excistense.

     He waited and waited, not daring to move from the spot he stood at. One hour had at least passed and Taehyung feared what his father not returning meant. Unable to wait any longer he walked without fear the same direction his father took some time before. No lynxes or dad were seen or heard for a while. Maybe another hour and something had gone by without Hansol in sight. Worry was clouding Taehyung's mind. His dad couldn't be dead. No. He refused to think Kim Hansol had died as lynx food just to save him. After interning himself even more in the forest he heard his father's voice. He was yelling, calling for help.

     “Daddy...” He didn't hesitate to run towards the voice. He followed his dad's calls until he found a strange building. It seemed to be made of iron and other kinds of metals. Everything was grey and looked sad and rundown. Kim Hansol was in there, and Taehyung was going to get him, whatever it took to have his father back home safe and sound. After a minute of searching for the entrance he found a door. Taehyung ignored the inside of the edification, not caring for architecture at the moment. His dad's screams got louder the further down he went in the place. Soon enough he reached what seemed to be a cellblock. His dad was in one of the cages, clothes dirty and dried tears staining his tired face, a frightened expression permanent. The man's eyes widened at the sight of his son.

      “Tae... No! No, son, you need to leave!” he whispered yelled “get out before he gets you! He'll eat our livers and hearts!”

     Livers? Hearts? What!?

     “Dad, what are you saying!?” He reached between the metal bars. “Who is he? Why would anyone eat our organs!?” His dad only shook his head, fresh tears appearing, causing Taehyung to shed some of his own at his dad's clear state of desperation.

     “The Kumiho, Taehyung! The Kumiho! You have to leave, plea–please!” Taehyung's eyes widened at his dad's words.

     “Dad, Kumihos don't exist, they're myths, not real” He started shaking the little door of the cell his father was kept in, trying to open it “Gosh, I'm so glad the lynxes didn't hurt you... Are you hurt? Is everything alright?” Hansol nodded in confirmation. He held his dear son's hands.

     “Taehyung, I'm begging you! Escape while you can, I'm old! I don't need to live anymore—” Taehyung interrupted him harshly.

     “But I do need you to keep living! You're not leaving me alone in this world, and I'm not letting you rot in here!”

     Their argument was cut short when a loud noise of footsteps invaded the cellblock room.

     “Who dares try to free my prisoner!?” An angry voice shouted. Taehyung couldn't see very well, as it was already night outside. “I ASKED A QUESTION!” The brunet started shaking in fear. But his father was held hostage by some scary stranger and he wasn't going to let that happen.

     “Why would you even cage him in the first place!?” His voice dripped confidence even though he felt anything but.

     “HE TRESPASSED MY PALACE, HE WANTED TO STEAL FROM ME!” The voice kept screaming in a sophisticated way he wasn't accostumed to listen. Those words made him even angrier.

     “You're wrong! My father is no thief! He was seeking refuge from some lynxes who were following him!” He could feel his face getting red of indignation. How dare this man accuse his dad of stealing?

     “SILL, I DIDN'T LET HIM IN, AND THIS IS MY PLACE, SO HE BELONGS IN THAT CELL!” Hansol was shaking and crying silently harder than before.

     “Please! Don't do anything to him! He's just worries about his old man, let him go! I beg you!” Taehyung couldn't believe his father's words.

     “I'm not leaving without you, dad!”

     “You have to—” The old Kim's words were cut by a loud coughing fit that lasted a couple of seconds. Taehyung's mind computed something while his dad attempted to calm his aching lungs. He looked back to the figure hidden in the shadows.

     “Take me instead”. Silence enveloped the room.

     “Tae, no! You—”

     The strange man, who was still hidden in the dark interrupted him.

     “You... Would stay in his place?” His tone sounded like he was pondering something. Taehyung on the other hand payed no mind to his dad's pleas and answered confidently.

     “Yes. But you have to let him go!” He looked one more at his old man. “Don't worry, daddy... I'll be fine...” He turned in the direction of the voice now. “Show yourself! At least I want to know who my captor is”.

     The shadow of the man soon moved closed to the dim shine of the moon that came from the only small tall window of the room. Taehyung gasped, the man in front of him was anything but. Whiskers adorned his orange, furry face and pointy ears sat on top of his head. His frown made his fox like face look more terrifying and a pair of yellow eyes bored into his own, causing shivers to run down his spine.

     A Kumiho . A real Kumiho...

     “If you stay here, this man will go free... But you won't be able to leave. You'll have to stay forever”. The Kumiho spoke carefully but firm. Almost as if he didn't want any of this either. But Taehyung's mind wasn't going to be swayed.

     “... Deal” The word left Taehyung as a broken whisper. He sold his life to a Kumiho... But his father would be safe, that's all that mattered. The Kumiho stepped towards them. Hansol was still begging for Taehyung to escape, to leave him there. The creature opened the door with a key and harshly grabbed the old man's clothes, pulling him out of the cell and away from his son.

     “Wait!” Taehyung yelled, the Kumiho turned his way. “At least let me say goodbye. I won't see my dad for the rest of my... stay here. The least you could do is let me say goodbye”.

     The Kumiho pondered his words for some seconds before nodding, giving the humans space to properly part. Hansol immediately hugged his son as tight as he could, crying loudly. Taehyung let himself cry too. He was going to miss his dad so much. One apologized repeatedly for staying and the other one for leaving, the sorrow in their voices noticeable from kilometers away.

     “I love you dad, please don't try anything rash, ok? Tell uncle Woo I'll forever be grateful to him”. The old Kim could only nod, fearing if he opened his mouth he would start crying again. He had to be strong for his son. Soon enough, the Kumiho was dragging Kim Hansol away from his only son and out of his iron palace. Going back to the room he left the son in, he found him sitting, in the same position as when they left.

     “You're a monster”. Was the only thing a broken hearted Kim Taehyung could say.

Chapter Text

     “Master? What the hell happened, what's all this noise? Did you let the prisoner go, I saw him crying at the gates of the palace” Taehyung jumped a little in his spot to look at the person who walked in. Well, it was more of a weird looking cat-like human. He watched as the Kumiho and the cat-human talked, taking in the appearance of the new man, not paying attention to what they're saying. The man had short black hair, which was a strange sight to him, since no one in his town (male or female) used their hair short like that. His eyes were bi coloured, one yellow and the other almost black. He had whiskers, adding to his animal features along with some long pointy nails and a cat like pink nose.

     Wait... If he has cat ears...

     Going along with his thoughts he searched for human ears but found nothing of the sort. The strangest part of this new characters was that both, the cat and the fox were wearing servant and royal hanboks respectively —although it became more weird when he noticed the tails moving behind the men. Lastly he noticed how the cat man looked short. Well, not really, just... Shorter than him. And thinking about it... From sitting on the floor he noticed that the Kumiho was the same height as the human cat.

     “First a Kumiho and now a cat Kumiho? Does that even exist? And they're both... Shorter than me?” He murmured to himself.The two discussing spirit animals finally turned their attention to him.

     “This is the other human?” The cat man deadpanned. Taehyung felt a little offended by the tone the short haired animal used on him, pretty sure it was because he called him short. “Are you sure he could be the one?” On the other hand, what was that?

     “Well, we don't have time to wait for a woman to walk into the castle, now, do we?” The fox answered, his tone annoyed at the other's. Ok, now Taehyung was actually offended. A woman? That's what they wanted? Then don't keep him, he'd much rather go back to his dad!

     “Ok, I'll go tell the others, you take him to—”

     “I know what I have to do!” The Kumiho interrupted the cat man. It was loud but his tone wasn't menacing like when he talked to Taehyung. Honestly, the brunet couldn't believe these two beasts were arguing like two ten year olds over who gets to be the good guy in their game. “Stand up,” the apparently royal fox said, harsher this time “I'll take you to your room”. Without waiting for the other he started walking out of the dungeon with a confused human trailing behind him.

     Room?

     Now, that was something Taehyung would've never expected. Firstly; he was a prisoner... So why the hell would he get a room? Taking a look at his surroundings, which he hadn't payed attention to before. He was too worried for his father to do it. The walls were scratched and dark, and the overall interior of the palace was as scary as the outside. The iron walls were carved, but it was so dark he couldn't make out any of the shapes. After a couple of minutes of walking, Kim got the guts to ask in a decent volume.

     “Am I going to have a room? To myself?” He watched the back of the Kumiho as they walked.

     “Well, you're staying here forever, aren't you? Might as well be comfortable in here”. The beast answered, irritation present in his voice. After that, neither of then talked until they reached the room. The walk was so awkward Kim Taehyung didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Finally, there was a sliding door in front of them, nothing new to Taehyung, it reminded of his own bedroom back home.

     “This is it?” He asked, not turning to see the fox next to him. He was still upset from how badly the creature had treated his poor father (with a lot of reason as far as Taehyung knew). He hoped he wasn't crying at the entrance of the palace still, the man deserved so, so much more than that. Well, now he wanted to cry. Damn it.

     “Yes... I hope you're comfortable in this room”. Taehyung noticed the Kumiho's voice was higher pitched than his now that he wasn't trying to come off as intimidating. Interesting. “ ... If not you can go back to the dungeon, I don't care!” It turned higher when he yelled. The fox man turned so fast he almost fell mid spin and power walked his way out the hallway. Taehyung couldn't help but watch as his figure turned the corner.

     Well, that was odd.

     It was the first thing that came to Taehyung's mind. Shrugging the chill he got of even being reminded of those cold cells as he entered his... New room... For forever. It wasn't bad, just a little messy. Dust was everywhere except on the bed. It looked much like his own room, only this one was colder and empty. Bigger too, he was a little surprised at how well kept it was, cosidering the state of the other bits of the palace he's seen. But it still wasn't home. Good memories didn't exist here, and his dad wouldn't come in to tell him to clean his mess, and Mr. Woo wouldn't visit him with a new book to read or medicine when he got a cold... And his mother's mirror wasn't hanging on the wall like he wanted it to. Slowly Taehyung sat down on the recently cleaned bed and felt tears run down his cheeks. He couldn't believe this had become his life. Alone, in a room that belonged to a scary and grumpy Kumiho and his weird cat servant. It was delirious, yet couldn't be any more true. He really was trapped there for the rest of his years. Thin, small, silent tears became a full on crying boy with a running nose and heavily coated eyelashes. The, until then, silent room was filled with semi-loud cries of sadness and sniffling. He didn't want the Kumiho to hear him, he was too proud for that. It was inevitable, though, his cries became louder without his consent. Sadness filled his heart and it was there to stay, he thought. He wouldn't be happy without his dad, but at least neither of them were dead. After what felt like hours to Taehyung, a knock on the door was heard. Not wanting to see the Kumiho he ignored it, along with the second time a knock was heard. By the third one, he was getting tired of the insistence and left out a soft “Leave me alone, I don't want to see you, Mr. Kumiho”.

     “Um, excuse me, but... I'm not a Kumiho. I'm here with some tea, I thought you might've wanted some”. The voice that sounded outside was somewhat childish even though it obviously belonged to a grown man. “May I come in?”

     Intrigued by the new appearence he muttered an answer in acceptance. It didn't sound like the cat man, this one was somehow friendlier and filled with innocence. The door slid to show a coconut dark brown head, followed by another animal like human. The boy wasn't even out of his teens, it looked. His hair was also short, and Taehyung noticed he had hidden his animal ears flattening them against his head, they looked similar to a bunny's. A Kumiho, a cat and a bunny. Taehyung processed everyone he's seen with animal features. It was a lot to take in. Though, now that he actively looked for the animal features on the bunny's face, he did have a pink nose tip and more fur on his face than Taehyung himself knew he could ever grow.

     I wonder if there's more people like this here...

     The teen was definitely taller than the other two, and it intimidated him a little even though he seemed the most friendly. He was a bunny for gods' sake! Bunnies aren't dangerous.

     “Hi! My name is Jungkook. Yoongi hyung told me you're our new guest so I brought you tea!” The teen smiled showing bunny like teeth, he was definitely adorable. With his strong looking body and big bunny ears... Did he have a small brown pom-pom tail too? That'd be cute.

     “Yoongi hyung?” He wondered out loud. Soon enough he remembered the bunny had talked to him. “My name is Kim Taehyung, by the way” He forced a tiny smile. The boy ignored the obvious fake smile and instead answered his question.

     “Yoongi hyung is in charge of Master's personnel. He is a cat hybrid, and I'm a hare hybrid! And my other hyungs are— I'm sorry, I'm straying off topic, do you want tea?” The boy got louder as he talked, really nervous from meeting a new person after a life of routine and the same five people twenty four, seven.

     Taehyung noticed he mentioned ‘other hyungs’, so now he knew there were more animal–humans. Also, the boy, Jungkook, was a hare, not a bunny. The boy also sounded excited for some reason.

     “Um... Sure, thank you. So... You are hybrids? And your master is a Kumiho? Why do you serve him? Does he have you prisoners too?” Taehyung patted the spot next to him, telling Jungkook to sit with him. He whipped the remaining wetness off his face. There were millions of questions on his mind. How did this palace come to be? Were they treated right? Did the Kumiho threaten to eat their livers and hearts if they tried to leave? He hoped not; having your organs eaten was something he didn't wish for anyone. The hare boy did as told and started pouring some tea in two small cups. He had a small wheeled table where he had everything. Careful of not spilling the pipping hot tea he laughed a little at the human's question.

     “Of course not! Master is very kind to us, he just has some... Anger issues”. In the last part lowered his volume. He handed one cup to the human. His expression made Taehyung want to laugh at the hybrid's state, the boy was so nervous, it was amusing.

     “I could tell, yes”. Taehyung's tone was a mix between anger and sadness, it worried the hare.

     “Well, I'm sure you'll have fun at dinner with him! You'll see”. Jungkook tried to put his master in the human's good side. It was necessary after all, to break the curse. He was really hoping to see his master and friend smile again. It had been too long.

     “I won't see it. I'm not having dinner with him”. The tone was dry. Taehyung looked away from Jungkook's shocked face. He felt a little bad for being so rude to the boy when all he wanted was to make him feel better. But he couldn't help but feel disgusted with the beast that took his father's liberty and then his... It wasn't fair and he didn't want anything to do with it. Even if he was the one to exchange places with his dad. But he wouldn't have had to do that if the Kumiho hadn't kidnapped his father in the first place!

     “Not going? B–but master has ordered a really nice meal for you already!” He never eats with anyone, this is our only chance to become normal again! The hare wanted to add, but he didn't dare to. He couldn't get in trouble, and Namjoon hyung had told him to let master Jimin tell the new guest himself when the time came. He started panicking when Taehyung didn't meet his gaze, only tightened his grip on the tea cup. “Are you sure you don't want to di—?” He was interrupted by the door opening to reveal his Namjoon hyung. He loved his hyung but that wasn't the time to interrupt their little talk. He had to try to convince the guest!

     Taehyung looked at the door and saw tall man— even taller than Jungkook it seemed (did this people get taller and taller!?). The man also had dark brown hair, almost black, and a pair of black bear ears also rested on top of his head. He, much like Jungkook and Yoongi, if he wasn't mistaking the name, was wearing servant's clothes and his hair was short, styled to the side. Like the other two hibrids, his nose was a mix between human and his respective animal features. All of these men seemed to prefer their hair short. He couldn't blame them, they had hair all over their body, it must be tiring at some point. He didn't like it when his own long hair blocked his eyes while he was reading.

     “Hello! Jungkookie, Jin hyung needs you at the kitchen to serve dinner” The tall bear called. A dimpled smile adorning his face when he looked at Taehyung.

     “But hyung—” Jungkook started, buy was interrupted by his hyung. He helplessly pointed at Taehyung with his eyes but his hyung was so dense sometimes it hurt.

     “Come on, I don't want you complaining again. Do as you're told”. The smaller man stood up and left the room quickly, not wanting to irritate him.

     “Hello, My name is Namjoon”. He extended his hand to greet Taehyung.

     “Kim Taehyung”. The human stretched the waiting hand in front of him. “And I'm sorry if I sound rude, but I'm not having dinner with that monster”. It sounded a little bit more aggressive than he wanted it to... Oops.

     “W–what? Why not?” Namjoon paled. This can't happen. He must to go dine with his boss! It's a disaster waiting to happen to leave Jimin waiting. It wasn't helping the man in front of him didn't seem to be willing to be swayed. Oh, how much he'd pay for the long haired brunet to just get on with it and for his master to ve a little more gentle, surely Jimin didn't leave a good impression on this boy for him to be called a monster. His thoughts were confirmed after Taehyung talked.

     “Because he first imprisoned my dad, and now he's priving me of my freedom”. Yes, he was being unforgiving and not nice to this people even though it wasn't their fault, but he couldn't stop himself from talking. It was stressful that everyone who he talked to wanted to coerce him into doing something he didn't want. He was extremely uncomfortable already back in his little town, but in this new setting it was worse and only wanted to go home.

     After a minute or two of pondering his options Namjoon finally spoke. The guest wasn't looking him in the eyes so it was better not to force anything as of the moment.

     “I guess... I should tell master Jimin you won't be attending dinner then.” With a respectful bow the tall bear hybrid left the room, closing the door behind him. It wasn't any use to force their guest, it would only make things worse. He hoped Jimin would relent a little, he was sure to be grumpy, and if the dinner was not going to happen... They'd have to find a way to make him gruntled.

     So that rude ass Kumiho's  name is  Jimin ...

     No more than ten minutes later the was a commotion outside Taehyung's door. The hushed voices discussing rapidly stopped when the growling voice of the Kumiho sounded. Here we go, Taehyung guessed.

     “WHY WON'T YOU HAVE DINNER WITH ME!?” Taehyung was scared for his life, but the unpleasant feelings inside his tummy and heart were stronger as he yelled back.

     “Because I don't want to! You're rude, and I'm not hungry!”

     The hushed voices rose again. It was ridiculous, Taehyung could make out something along the lines of “Be more gentle” and “Don't shout at the poor boy”. He wanted to laugh. These people really thought he'd go out to meet that thing if he was nicer to him. Well, tough luck, Taehyung wasn't getting his organs eaten for dinner. Not today, sir. He heard the fox's voice again, much more calm this time.

     “You will eat with me...” Jimin got tired at the lack of an answer though it hadn't even been a minute. “It's and order!” It didn't matter if he was gentle or not, this man wasn't going to accept him. He was an ugly beast, his darker thoughts let his bitterness become more anger when he heard the muffled voice from the other side of the door.

     “No!” The handsome guest said back. All of his servants —his only friends and the only five servants left— tried to hold him back from breaking the door. It wasn't a good sign. Jimin's rage wasn't a pretty sight and they feared if their guest saw it there would be no room in the future for their master's redemption. Not in Taehyung's eyes.

     “Master, ask him” Yoongi said, hurrying him with a hand movement, softly enough for the human to not hear him. Jimin took a deep breath and let out in the softest, less annoyed tone he could muster (which wasn't much different, but he was trying really hard!).

     “Would you like to join me for dinner?” He looked back at Yoongi who was making a face “... Please?”

     “No, thank you!” All of the servant's sweat droped, except for the cat, he just face palmed. The answer was fast and obviously without any hint of hesitation. They just wanted this useless feud to end. Why couldn't the human give Master Jimin a chance to prove himself? That was the final straw for Jimim.

     “THEN SUIT YOURSELF!” He couldn't take any more rejection that night. If the man wasn't willing to give him an opportunity then he would be the bad guy his guest thought he was. He turned to his servants “IF HE DOESN'T EAT WITH ME, HE DOESN'T EAT AT ALL!” Once again screaming at the long haired man he let his rage out even louder if it was possible “BE A JUDGEMENTAL FUCK AND STARVE!” With that he made his way to his room, trashing the walls as he usually did when angry. The house people looked at each other sadly and one by one left. They were frustrated and disappointed on the interaction they had witnessed. Hope didn't leave them though, not yet. Not when an opportunity like this was handed to them in a silver platter. All left but the cat who intercepted the last servant left beside him.

     “Hoseok, you stay here. See if he gets out and tell me right away”. Yoongi ordered the younger. He wasn't in the mood to guard the door, he needed to rest his aching head.

     “Yes, sir” The mentioned man saluted with a sad smile. His attempt at humour wasn't the best buy it left his hyung with a small smile. The situation has been getting more and more tense in the palace the last few days, before the guest had arrived. All of them knew their time was going to end soon. Even though there were more probabilities of losing everything than breaking the curse, none of the hybrids —who knew their master since they were all kids, and believed he could go back to being kind and fair like his parents had taught him before dying— had lost hope that they could once again become human, and show their master how true love and adoration can make one happy, romantic or not. Even after trying to show him how much they loved him all those years, Jimin still hadn't opened up. But now Taehyung had arrived, and their hope had been renewed. The servant's sad thoughts were rejuvenated at the sight of this handsome newcomer. If he gave Master Jimin an opportunity, if Master Jimin himself gave a shot to the possibility of falling in love the curse would break. They were positive. Especially Jung Hoseok. He had always been the first one to show a bright smile, to tell the others everything would be fine. He took it upon himself to make sure his family was feeling alright and safe. Even when Jimin had distanced himself from them he showed up at his room's door everyday to give or take the plates of food, to remind him to take a shower, to give him a much needed hug. To give him a shoulder to cry on. That's why standing in front of as the human's door he bowed to himself he was going to convince him. Of what he wasn't sure yet. But he wanted Taehyung to see his master's human side, to understand that under all of that scary exterior was a soft, scared man who wanted the best for his friends. And for that he was going to need to get closer to the guest. Slowly, a plan had started to form in Hoseok's head. One that would surely give them a definite advantage. One that would provide all the good options for Taehyung to see he would miss a good man if he kept rejecting Jimin.

     Yes, Jung Hoseok was everyone's hope.

Chapter Text

     It's been an hour since his little feud with Jimin. Apparently that's what the beast was called. He wasn't as scared as before, now knowing that no one in the palace would harm him, and he was certain the Kumiho wouldn't eat his heart or liver. It was funny, though... Foxes were always his favourite animals, but seeing a fox spirit in real life was terrifying. The irony of always wanting something more than what he already had, for his life to change in a fantastic way. It came true. And now, all he wanted was his old, boring life again. It was so pathetically hilarious.

     I know I said I wasn't hungry but...

     But he was really hungry, so much, that he almost regretted having declined dining with Jimin. Almost. His pride wouldn't let him. Also the fact that the Kumiho had called him a “Judgemental fuck” ticked him off. It there was something he learned in his life was to never judge a person before getting to know them. It had happened to him and his father way to many times. And now he was doing it... Still, he had seen enough! That annoying Kumiho didn't treat him like he should. At least some decency of not yelling would be much appreciated. Just by talking one could get a point across.

     Great, now I'm making up excuses to be a judgemental fuck, even if I do have a reason to be.

     The silence around him made him aware of someone's steps pacing in front of his bedroom's door, guarding him from getting food maybe? He waited to see if the pacing hybrid (he guessed it was a hybrid, since so was everyone else here except for Jimin) for a couple of minutes and let out a smirk when he heard someone approach his guard and start a chat with him. He couldn't help but step closer to the door and listen. He never was one to spy on people, but he'd eat a whole cow if he could right now, and this might be his only chance of getting out and find some food. Namjoon mentioned a kitchen earlier.

     “Come on Seokie, you've been there for an hour now, I'm sure he fell asleep!” A light and charming male voice sounded. Taehyung found himself smiling, trusting whoever was behind the voice. It was wierd, he never trusted someone by their voice only. It made him curious as to what kind of creature he was, he surely wouldn't have been a hybrid too. One doesn't start wanting to get closer to a voice without knowing whom it belonged to, much less someone half animal.

     “I can't, Jinnie, Yoongi hyung told me to guard the door” The guard—Seokie— reminded Jinnie.Taehyung found the nicknames cute. It was obvious they had feelings for each other by the softness of the words spoken, they held an enormous affection. Or maybe he was just creating a story out of hunger and boredom. Damn it he wanted some food.

     “Well, I'm the oldest here, and I tell you to come have fun with me!” There was a clear pout in his voice “I miss having alone time with my boyfriend, Kookie and Minnie have been a handful this past few days”. There was a little silence between the men and Taehyung though how cute Jinnie sounded, silently chucked when Seokie gave in to his lover. At least there was people with positive emotions in this place. Well, it looked like everyone in the palace had positive emotions except for the Kumiho. Taehyung hoped these servants we treated properly. After hearing the steps fade away from his door he slid out rapidly, walking careful of not making any loud sounds, trying to find the kitchen. He looked wearily around to make sure no one saw him every couple of seconds. If he was eating secretly he had to make sure to do it quietly. It'd be a bit difficult because, well, the place wasn't dirty at all... But there was a little dust in the air and his sneezes were terribly loud.

     I hope I don't sneeze...

     There were a lot of hallways and the building wasn't build in a conventional way. Everything was connected instead of separated by room and wings. Or well, the wings weren't as a normal palace was. It was fifteen minutes later that he found himself stumbling through the entrance of the kitchen. There he found Yoongi having a chat with Namjoon.

     Well, shit, the plan didn't go according to plan... Quick, act casual!

     “Um... Hi”. He waved shyly and forced a smile. He failed horribly at acting casual “I hope I'm not interrupting something important”. He was already starting to sweat. Ah, he was fucked. There was silence before the cat frowned and started murmuring how he was going to murder someone called Hoseok (Seokie?). That didn't reassure him, he didn't want anyone dead because of him. But it didn't sound like he meant it. Namjoon on the other hand smiled at Taehyung and motioned him to sit at the table with them. His dimples calmed the brunet. It was the second time Taehyung saw them and he confirmed his first thoughts on the man: he was adorable. Hesitantly he crept his way there, and looked at Namjoon who softly started humming to a song he'd never heard before. It was nice, flowing softly in an unfamiliar tune and the rhythm was a complicated one. He'd ask about it if he got the chance.

     Two people Taehyung didn't recognize, but could tell they were the ones at his door before, entered the room, the redhead one instantly joining into the bear's song. He stopped, though, when he saw the only long haired man in the palace sitting at the table. Eyes wide, a little yell cracked his voice.

     “I thought you were asleep!” He pointed a finger at him, looking offended. “You told me he was asleep!” He accused his companion, who was munching on a piece of bread while trying to hug Yoongi. The cat was fighting his attempts but not very convincingly. Taehyung noted the little purse on the bi coloured eye man's lips were containing a satisfied smile.

     “Oops” The other answered, shrugging the problem off. His not so innocent eyes held no guilt, eben winking at Seokie. He was really handsome, though, no doubt the red haired man couldn't resist him. He finally processed what he had heard earlier “boyfriend!?”. It was new for Taehyung. No one in the kitchen seemed to mind them. Maybe they didn't know? If two men in his village were to be in a romantic relationship they would be publicly shamed and probably bullied by everyone, even killed!. This people... Did they accept them as lovers? Even if they both were men? Did Jimin accept them?

     Taehyung's attention went back to Namjoon when he asked him if he was hungry. He was, so hungry. After nodding shyly,  he watched the tall bear hybrid turning to Jinnie and telling him to heat the food he made for everyone, going out of the room after. He went to look for Jungkook, he said. The young hare was the only one left if there wasn't anyone else. Except the Kumiho, of course. He hoped this was everyone, Taehyung wasn't sure if he could take any more hybrid meeting.

     “I'm Seokjin by the way, kid”. Jinnie talked to Taehyung with a smile. Seokjin looked like a friendly guy. His voice still ignited a small want of getting closer to him but not as strong as before. It was extremely odd.

     “I'm Kim Taehyung” He answered a little too fast. He felt embarrassed, but well, he had never seen someone so beautiful in his life! Oh yeah, his ears were definitly red. Seokjin had wide shoulders, and his face was so pretty! His aura in general melted with his feathery voice. Taehyung noticed how, unlike the others, he did have human ears and not a tail, yet his face had blue scales on each side of his forehead and eyes, maybe on his legs and arms too?. His hair was pink too! What stood out the most for Taehyung, though, were the man's lips, so full they didn't even look real. Wait,

     Are those gills on his neck? Never mind, the gills were what that stood the most. But he has a nose... What does he need those for?

     “Believe me, I don't know why I have them either” Seokjin's voice brought him back from his daydream.

     “What?” Taehyung looked up confused

     “The gills, you were looking at them”. He simply stated with a small smile, placing six plates filled with yummy smelling food in them, and glasses with water after. Taehyung couldn't help but blush in embarrassment again. He was caught staring by the same man he was looking at! The food, though, it looked appetising as hell at the moment. When admiring Seokjin Taehyung had forgotten how badly he wanted to eat.

     “Hey, kid, I know Jinnie is a sight to delight on but he's my boyfriend”. The other man —Hoseok— who's presence Taehyung had forgotten smiled playfully at him. Sitting on one of the chairs around the table, directing a little glare at Yoongi at the last remark, who just rolled his eyes and went back to talking with Seokjin after muttering a little share, dumbass. Interesting. “The name's Hoseok by the way. And if you're wondering, my Jinnie is a betta fish hybrid! He's not a mermaid but his voice is still beautifully haunting. “The earned him a playful smack on the arm by his lover. “I am a red panda hybrid!”

     Taehyung smiled back, a real smile, though it was small. It felt genuine. His brain processed the information given. Hoseok had admitted loud and clear Seokjin was his boyfriend, and his glare towards the cat held a warning glint. Yoongi's response was what intrigued Taehyung the most; he seemed annoyed, yes. But almost humourous? Or maybe he was just imagining things. It was becoming a habit.

     “So, there's one cat, one fish, a red panda, a bear, a hare (all of them human hybrids) and a Kumiho” The human counted with his fingers, and his curiosity rose when Hoseok raised another finger from Taehyung's hand.

     “And one human” He smiled a little sad for this kid who looked just a little older than an almost nineteen years old Jungkookie. “You're one of us now, kid. And, just so you know, master Jimin is a fox hybrid, not a Kumiho”. Taehyung felt confused at that. One of them? He didn't think he was part of their group already, they were comfortable with each other, as if they were friends for years. Or did he mean that they all lived together now. It was probably the last one. The part that Jimin wasn't a Kumiho relived him loads too. His organs were safe!

     Namjoon and Jungkook entered the kitchen and sat down with everyone else. Taehyung noticed they were holding hands too. It was cute, though. It didn't share the same romantic air Seokjin and Hoseok (and Yoongi apparently) had around them, it was more of a secret admiration from the hare to the taller bear. If Taehyung had learned something from reading so much romance novels was how to observe and analyze lovers/potential lovers. And the bunny like boy sure had a crush on Namjoon.

     Where were all this hybrids when I had to tell my father I liked men.

     Sure, his old man and uncle Woo support him no matter what, but it sure took them some time to accept it. It was a hard time for Taehyung. He mostly kept to himself and didn't go out of his room much. He was ashamed of being weird. But his father soon told him that none of that was true! If he liked boys then so be it, he'd love him no matter what. Mr. Woo even started teasing him whenever a handsome man was remotely friendly with him. Bittersweet memories, but they held the happiness of being loved for who he was too. That was the most important to Taehyung.

     “Well, Taehyung; be our guest!” With that Hoseok ended the conversations around the table and started to eat.

     It was as yummy as it smelt. Meat and vegetables, his father's was slightly better, but this one was delicious too. He guessed a close second to his dad's cooking was better than nothing. His stomach sure felt better after some bites. Through the meal they all chatted together, telling funny stories and asking Taehyung about his life outside of the palace. He learned that they were all like a loving family, even Jimin didn't sound half as bad as the human's impression of him was. It was strange, really. They talked about each other fondly, even Jimin. The words said —even if sometimes complaining— sounded truthful and Taehyung's emotions towards his confinement to this palace became somewhat conflicted. He never stopped wanting to go home, but spending his dinner with these people made him think maybe staying wasn't going to be so bad. They all seemed so supportive of each other. He learned that Jungkook was a muscly little shit who annoyed his hyungs for fun. He was only eighteen, such a baby. Namjoon was some kind of clumsy “destruction weapon” as Hoseok called him —to which the aforementioned responded by throwing one of his vegetables to the red panda's face—. That had them giggling like children for a good while. How much Jin liked food, and how hard it was for him to learn to cook. His parents were the cooks of the palace before they passed, so as the oldest of them he tried his best to not let everyone starve. The was some food poisoning here and there, but nothing too serious. Yoongi's love for sleeping and hugging Jin —that led to a small but not aggressive back and forth between him and the redhead about who's boyfriend Seokjin was. It ended with Seokjin saying he would be no one's boyfriend if they didn't stop. Taehyung guessed all three of them were in some kind of relationship. He even heard embarrassing stories about their childhood and how Jimin was an adorable round faced kid. They talked a bout him a lot too. Nothing too deep, that was only for Jimin to reveal. But the cute moments the seven had spent together (old and new) were Taehyung's favourite to listen to. Jimin didn't sound that bad either.

     Maybe I was  being a judgemental fuck. ..

     He laughed every time Hoseok started telling a story, he was just too much fun and talked so enthusiastically that everyone was howling with laughter by the time he finished. The red panda was undoubtedly the most charming with his heart smile. The servants learned that Taehyung loved books more than anything —after his father and uncle, of course—, that he was bored and always waiting for something interesting to happen in that damn village of his. And they were glad to be able to make the man smile genuinely for them.

     After debating about it for most of dinner time Taehyung confessed he felt attraction towards men. Weird how easier it is to talk to kind strangers more than people you know sometimes. The hybrids were supportive right away and expressed how glad they were that Taehyung had trusted them enough to tell them. They truly felt honoured and that relived Taehyung a lot. After dinner was finished, everyone but Hoseok, Yoongi and Taehyung had said their goodbyes and gone to sleep.

     “Well, I hope you please forgive master Jimin.” Yoongi said when the brunet got up from his chair. “He tends to panic around strangers and let's his grumpiness get the worst of him. You should also go to sleep, it's really late”.

     “Oh, but I couldn't possibly go to sleep now! After all this talking I feel refreshed... I'll look around the place, you know, to become more familiar with everything”. Taehyung shrugged.

     “In that case, allow us to take you on a tour!” Hoseok rose from his seat, grabbing the cat's arm and pulling him along to their midnight walk.

     “I didn't even say yes, you stupid panda” Yoongi groaned, still letting Hoseok guide him nonetheless. Taehyung chuckled at that, they obviously liked each other as much as they loved Seokjin. “Well, what are we waiting for?” He smiled.

     After a while of talking, the human saw a dark corridor he hadn't seen before and started heading that way, ignoring Yoongi and Hoseok's boring expositionall talk of how the palace was made blah, blah, blah. Interesting, but not that much.

     “What's over there?” He asked, making the two men stop. They looked at each other worried and grabbed one of Taehyung's arms each, leading him the other way.

     “That is the west wing, and we do not go there”. Yoongi stated seriously.

     “Yep, it's forbidden”. Added Hoseok.

     Forbidden?

     “Forbidden? Why, what's there?” If he wanted to go there before, now he wanted even more! What could they be hiding in the west wing? Endless possibilities surfed the brunet's brain. Dead bodies? A room to make alchemy? Puppies? Taehyung loved puppies!

     “Nothing! Absolutely nothing!” Yoongi threw a warning glance at the red panda, who's ears automatically flattened on his head.

     “Why don't we take you to the library?” Hoseok asked, in hopes of distracting their guest from straying where he shouldn't. “There's lot's of books there, you love books, don't you?”

     “You have a library here?” That piqued his interest too.

     “Yes! Let us take you, right this way” Yoongi and Hoseok let his arms go and started walking to their right. A grave mistake. Taehyung followed a little, but in the end his curiosity won over him. Curiosity killed the cat... But satisfaction brought it back!

     Slowly and quietly, the tall boy headed towards the west wing. Everything was silent and kind of dark, since not a lot of candles were lit in there. He walked straight to a sliding door. After opening and going in, Taehyung found himself admiring the room. The walls were scratched and he could make out a ripped painting on the wall in front of him. It was obviously a family portrait, but he couldn't it see well from that far. What caught his interest, though, was just under the painting; on a small wooden table there layed a base with a beautiful but wilting orangey rose. It had four petals still, and the rest were scattered around the base. Almost hypnotized by it, he reached for it only to be interrupted by a loud roar from the door.

     “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?” He turned to see a furious fox. He was shoved harshly far from the rose in the base and looked shocked at the angry hybrid in front of him. His arm hurt from the quick but strong grip. The fox's long nails had scratched him, luckily he wasn't hurt too bad, he was more shocked than anything. Frightened shivers run down his spine.

     “I'm sorry! I didn—” He shook his arms in front of him, trying to calm the screaming fox.

     “DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE?” The anger was pouring out of Jimin's pores. Furious wasn't even close to describe his state.

     “No, I–I didn't mean any harm!” Taehyung retreated towards the door “I was just curious!” He tried desperately to slide the old rusty door open that suddenly felt as heavy as a house.

     “GET OUT!” The beast roared once more.

     Taehyung didn't hesitate, terrified beyond anything he had ever been afraid of, ran as fast as he could out of the west wing and where thought the front door was. He didn't even stop to look at Yoongi and Hoseok, who looked at him pass by with confused faces. He had to get out of there. After exiting the palace's garden, he run through the forest, stopping after a while, tired, feeling the food still in his throat. Taehyung looked up at the sound of a branch breaking and leaves rustle. He could see more than one four legged figures among the trees. Not sure of what they were, since it was the middle of the night, he tried to escape.

     It was the wrong move, as he found himself surrounded by —he now could see them— lynxes, that were far more close to Taehyung than he would've liked. His frantic state made the lynxes near him even more. He was in a vulnerable position, the animals sensed it. He screamed while grabbing a big branch from the floor, swinging it to the animals trying to scare them. It didn't work. Panicking, he tried to make himself look bigger too, hopefully they'd go away? The lynxes started to go forward in Taehyung's direction and the man turned in circles to make sure they wouldn't go for his back. On a sharp turn, he fell on his butt; cue for the predators to attack him. He covered his face with his arms waiting for the bites, but none came, instead he got upset cries from the animals.

     There was Jimin, looking more animalistic than ever before; his arms were exposed and fur was exposed, his eyes had an inhuman look on them, filled with a killer instinct. Whether to protect Taehyung or kill the wolves, the brunet wasn't sure about. Taehyung could only watch as Jimin fought and struggled with the felines by himself, too much in shock to even stand up.

     What is he doing!?

     Jimin managed to knock out two of the five and the other three retreated, afraid to have the same fate as their pack mates. Taehyung locked eyes with the fox, who was also bruised and bitten by the lynxes. Jimin opened his mouth, trying to say something only for the human to watch as the fox collapsed in front of him, his hanbok was all ripped and slashed, and he could see some nasty bloody cuts all over his body. Jimin had saved him, but it was his chance to leave. Escape and go back to his dad and his normal life... He couldn't leave, though. Seeing a dying Jimin who had saved his life just seconds ago he couldn't leave him to his luck.

     “Damn my guilt ridden thoughts. I should learn to be selfish sometimes, even more when I deserve it”. He grumbled to himself, and spent the next ten minutes trying to put the fox on his back to take him back to the palace. The man was heavy for his height. How much muscle was in that tiny body of his? It didn't matter, he had to find his way back to the palace. He just wished Jimin woke up so they could walk together instead of him having to piggy back an unconscious hybrid.

     “How did my life get so fucked up in only a day?”

Chapter Text

     "IT HURTS!" A loud whimper was heard.

     "Well, learn to take it!" That was Taehyung's voice.

     "Well, I'm sorry I'm still in pain, you're being too rough!" Jimin shouted. It was funny how high his voice could go.

     "It's ethyl alcohol, Jimin. It's supposed to clean you fucking wounds! Just stay still!"

     Outside of the room the five servants piled onto each other, trying to see how the long haired brunet was handling their noisy boss. Namjoon made an inappropriate comment a little too loudly and some snickers finally gave them away. The fox's ears were the sharpest out of all of them, after all.

     "CAN ALL OF YOU STOP TRYING TO SPY ON US? DON'T THINK I DIDN'T HEAR THAT REMARK, NAMJOON!"

     Well, shit. Was the collective thought from the five men. Quietly and carefully they all entered the room. It was cozy due to the fireplace near a big sofa and some individual ones layed around it. They were glad their master was better. When Taehyung had brought Jimin back they were both muddy and dirty. They didn't notice the shorter's wounds until Taehyung pointed them out. When they tried to touch the unconscious man he had woken up and lashed out muttering incoherent words. It would've been funny if not for the distressed look Jimin gave them, the terrified expression he wore at the time worried even Taehyung. Jimin was sat on one of the single sofas while Taehyung, kneeling next to him was tending to the cuts the lynxes had made on him. The fox winced once more, sending the human a deadly glare. If looks could kill, Kim would be ten meters underground already.

     "Are you doing better, Jimini- Master?" Jin managed to save himself despite his embarrassed blush. Jimin didn't like being babied, nicknames included. Hoseok cooed at him and squished his red cheeks. He exchanged adoring looks with a cooing Yoongi. Their Jinnie was so cute.

     "I could be better" The aforementioned growled, definitly directed at the human next to him.

     "Oh, come on, you're being a baby". Taehyung's voice sounded annoyed too. The servants sweat dropped at that.

     "Well, if you hadn't run away I wouldn't be like this now!" Everyone else shuddered at the human's cold offended stare. He was as scary as —if not more than— Jimin. The height may have helped.

     "If you hadn't yelled and scared me so bad I wouldn't've run away". His voice was calm but his expression said otherwise. Ah, yes. Scary.

     "And you shouldn't have been in the west wing!" Jimin counterattacked, a smug smirk on his face. He had a compelling argument; Hoseok and Yoongi had said not to go there.

     "Well... You need to control your temper better!" That erased the smirk off the fox's face and Taehyung continued his task with a ghost of a satisfied smile. The rest present exchanged shocked glances at their master's lack of response. He always had the last word. After a while, when everyone was sat in silence (except Yoongi and Hoseok who where bickering playfully over who the betta fish hybrid loved more (it ended when Seokjin saying he loved Jungkook the most, Taehyung had started seeing a pattern there...). A soft voice was heard, almost inaudible:

     "Thank you, by the way..." It was Taehyung. "For fighting off those lynxes..." He looked up at Jimin who had his yellow eyes opened wide in surprise. No one had ever thanked him for something truthfully. Well, besides his friends, but this wasn't the same. It meant he was thanked because he did something important, not because he lent his writing brushes so Kookie could paint.

     "Y-you're welcome..." He though for a minute in silence after that. "And thank you for not leaving me to die in the forest, I deserved it after all I've done to you and your father..." This time Taehyung was the one to look shocked. He had never expected Jimin to thank him, or aknowledge his faults in general. He was also taken aback by the dark tone the last part gave Jimin's thoughts away.

     "You're welcome" He smiled. It was a real, toothy smile. It was shaped like a square! Beautiful. Jimin would treasure it forever. It was the first smile that someone outside of the palace directed at him in his whole life. He liked the warm feeling in his stomach and promised himself he'd try to make the brunet smile a lot more from then on.

                                                                           💠

     It's been two weeks since Taehyung had started living in the palace after that eventful day. Things got much better, he must admit. Everyone was really kind to him, even Jimin! Whom he didn't see that much since he was always out gardening or collecting edible vegetables from the allotment so they could eat. He had started to try to control his anger issues and sometimes they had small chats about unimportant things. It was nice, just talking with Jimin and getting to know him without yelling or arguing. There was definitely a new sense of respect between them. Taehyung found himself more and more intrigued by the fox hybrid. He spent most of his time with Jungkook and Jin, though. And well, often the other three too, since Namjoon was busy mothering Jungkook twenty four seven and Yoongi and Hoseok were constantly competing on who would get Seokjin's attention the most pretending it wasn't an excuse to spend time together. He had finally understood the nature of those three's relationship! Jin had told him that a couple of years ago both Yoongi and Hoseok had told their feelings to him at the same time just to confess to each other right after. It was a funny story, but you have to listen to it told by Jin (with some interruptions by the hare) for it to be entertaining. In the end they decided to try being boyfriends together. It worked so far. Jungkook had confessed to him that he's had a huge crush on Namjoon since they were kids, but Namjoon only treated him like a baby. It made him a little insecure. Taehyung assured him that he was a handsome man (as handsome someone can be when they're half animal, he guessed) and he only had to seduce Namjoon with food because as far as the human knew, food makes everyone happy. Jungkook took his advise by heart so they often spent time baking sweets with Seokjin. Though Taehyung felt for his new friends, as it was pretty obvious his crush was one sided.

     He had lots of fun accompanying each of them individually too; he would train with Jungkook, cook with Seokjin, have deep philosophical conversations with Namjoon at unholy hours, he often joined Hoseok in his 'adventure seeking' times —that were basically going to the garden and search for fallen flower petals for his collection—, and of course help Yoongi prank everyone else in the palace (yes, Jimin too sometimes would be the victim). It was a lot of fun, all of it! Training with Jungkook was mostly him being dead tired and getting gross sweaty hugs from the hare (who was very much a muscle pig) to apologize for going so hard with the exercises. He picked up a sword too! It ended up being satisfying after all those years of rejecting even the thought of it. Taehyung was very proud of the very little muscles he gained in those two weeks.

     The kitchen was always a mess, but cleaning was his favourite part in contrast to Seokjin, who liked everything but that. Jungkook came to visit when he wanted to bake Namjoon something. He always said he was 'This close to seducing Namjoon hyung, you'll see!' (he wasn't). When spending time with the aforementioned bear they always ended up on the floor of the room they went to talk in. Staring at the high ceiling and pondering about the meaning of life. One time it was about what kind of hybrid Taehyung would be if he was one. They ended up saying a tiger, he was fierce, observant and kind to those who deserved it. That was what Namjoon had said and Taehyung agreed, moved by the man's complements. Now, his adventures with Hoseok were his favourite part of the day. The red panda was suspected of having an alarm in his head that went off whenever Taehyung was bored or feeling down. The garden was gigantic so they spent the whole afternoon collecting colorful flower petals and leaves. Sometimes they saw Jimin taking care of the plants too. Doing that reminded Taehyung of the rose he saw before the incident with Jimin two weeks ago. But when he asked about it to Hoseok, Taehyung's personal sunshine became tense and immediately (and not so subtly) changed the topic. Planning pranks with Yoongi was the most intense experience he ever went through in his entire life. The details and strategy individually took at least three hours. That's why most pranks worked before having dinner. Namjoon and Hoseok were the easiest to play pranks on. Jungkook didn't fall easily so those were rare but the funniest to watch go down. Seokjin's were less cruel, but his scared face was so cute! They couldn't resist. And, oof, those three times they got Jimin... Taehyung had a lot of fun. He wasn't so sure the first time, but by the third time he laughed the loudest in a long time. It echoed so badly that not a minute later the other four servants appeared to see Jimin covered in mud from head to toe at the entrance of the palace. He threatened to make Yoongi and Taehyung bathe him but Namjoon again let out an inappropriate comment and the fox left with an even redder face of embarrassment. It got Taehyung a little flustered too, not gonna lie. At some point they all gathered pieces and bits of old furniture no one used and made musical instruments. Granted, they were not professional nor did they sounded perfectly, but just the fact they worked was good enough!

     He didn't spend much time with Jimin though, he was always busy. They talked only when they bumped into each other in the hallways or when he went to fetch his food, since he always ate alone in his room. He wondered if Jimin felt lonely... He regretted not accepting having dinner that time. But he figured he would've rejected the offer if he was in that godsawful distressing situation no matter what. There was one day though that changed the way he interacted with Jimin.

     It was a nice afternoon, and everyone was having fun playing tag outside, while Jimin was plucking out the bad herves for the vegetables and other flowers to grow better in the garden. They've been playing for hours already and Taehyung (surprisingly) and Jungkook (not surprisingly) weren't even tired. Jimin saw his four older brothers sitting under a tree, and how the human and the little hare kept chasing each other. He felt jealous. He wasn't going to deny it, he took a liking (in a crush way, he had a crush, but if he ignored it it didn't exist) to Taehyung. He didn't know when or how it happened but it did, and now he was being bitter about the man not paying attention to him, even if it was his own doing. Slowly he stood up and creeped up near the tree his four hyungs sat under. Namjoon, who had been watching his hesitating master decided to give him a little push. His little brother was really cute when he pouted.

     "Why don't you ask them to play with you too?" Jimin flinched in surprise at the suggestion.

     "What? I-I don't want to play with them! What made you think that?" He panicked. He was panicking. He did want to play. Jimin come on, don't be like that!

     "You sure? I see it in your eyes, come on, Chim". Namjoon then turned to the youngest boys. "Guys, Jimin wants to play with you!" At that Jungkook turned with stars in his eyes and the biggest smile in years. He was going to play with Jimin again! He waited so much for him to be in a good mood to play and now he was! Taehyung was definitely a blessing from above, gods yes! Taehyung looked at how happy Jungkook seemed and smiled at the fox, waving to tell him to come over. Jimin hesitantly walked towards them. He was getting nervous; Taehyung had never smiled that long at him before, it was damaging his heart.

     Am I dying?

     When he was within reach of Jungkook's arm length the hare jumped towards him and yelled 'Tag!' loudly before running away, giggling with the human like little girls who had done something they shouldn't have. Jimin stopped for a moment. The four hyungs watched amused as the cutest eye smile broke the neutral expression they grew accustomed to as the fox started running after the other young men. Seokjin, Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon had started to notice a change on themselves as well as the others. Their animal features had become less evident. They had less hair in their arms and legs, and didn't have whiskers anymore. Jin's gills had become merely bad looking scar lines on his neck and his hair roots were starting to tint black again. Yoongi's irises were both black now and his, Hoseok, Jungkook and Namjoon's coloured nose tips went back to their original skin colour, along with having human looking eyes again. As for Jimin, who was the one that looked the most different, had also changed significantly in appearance. He had a lot of less hair too, and his face was getting cleared of red furr too. It was barely noticeable for eyes other than their own, though. Taehyung wasn't aware of the changes but for them, whom had their features memorized by heart, it was a huge change. It made them happy, they knew what was happening.

     The chase was fun to watch; Jimin was really fast, but Jungkook was faster and Taehyung just barely avoided being tagged since it was obvious (even though he'd been training a lot with the younger hare hybrid) that sports weren't his forte. Seeing that Taehyung was already tired from all the running he did that afternoon, Jimin saw him as an easy target even if he's running for the first time in years, so he headed the human's way. Kim, noticing this, started running again even though his lungs and legs hurt from playing non stop. Jungkook took in the image and went to sit with the other four to rest a bit. He was only a little tired. He also wanted to sit next to Namjoon.

     "Do you think they'll fall in love?" He asked, chuckling at Jimin falling on his butt after Taehyung changed directions. He had taught him well.

     "I think they will... I mean, it is possible even after all they've both been through". Seokjin was the one to answer. Everyone nodded in agreement.

     How the fuck is he so fast?

     Taehyung really needed to know his secret. He had Jimin almost touching his back for a while now. Looking over his shoulder was a big mistake. He felt himself trip over an overgrown bad herve and fell on his face. Everything was silence until he heard a small 'Oh my' from Namjoon followed by a loud laugh. What surprised him, though, was that he hadn't heard this one before.

     "Oh, shit! You should have seen your face!" Jimin. He was the one laughing, and he felt his heart beat a little faster at that. He turned around, sitting in front of the fox hybrid, who had fallen to his knees from laughing so hard. He felt a smile creep up and then he was laughing too. He pushed Jimin to the floor and playfully hit his arm. Jimin was still heaving between laughs, Taehyung didn't think it was that funny.

     "Shut up! It wouldn't be funny if it was you, now would it?" His angry tone was ruined by his own laugh.

     "But it wasn't me, wasn it?" That was the retort to his question followed by more laughter. He huffed, what is he, eight? He looked down at Jimin, who was now using his legs as a pillow. Yes. Taehyung was definitely making him show that adorable eye smile more from then on.

     Later that day Jimin was pacing around his room with Yoongi and Namjoon looking at him with exasperated expressions on their faces.

     "It's not that hard, master, just ask him". Yoongi said for the ninth time that hour.

     "Yeah, come on. It's not like you're asking him to marry you". Namjoon added to the cat's point. Jimin still wasn't convinced.

     "But I want it to be a special gift! I can't just tell him like it's nothing!" He was growing frustrated and nervous, he positively had it bad for the long haired man. Ugh, why is gift giving so fucking hard?

     "Look, Jimin, the only thing you have to do is approach Taehyung and tell him you want to give him something". Yoongi said in a patient tone. "But don't make it sound threatening..." he paused "or suggestive. I doubt you could, anyway". He muttered the last sentence to himself.

     "If you want to make it special maybe make it a surprise? Or tell him it's to make him feel more at home here. That's true". Namjoon picked up where Yoon wanted to take his proposition and chimed in too. The cat was making Jimin panic more. Not good.

     "Are you sure it'll work?" The other two just rolled their eyes.

     "Yes! You've been cleaning the whole room all by yourself just for him for a week! You are not chickening out now". Namjoon declared the conversation over. He grabbed Yoongi's arm to walk out of the room right after.

     Ok... Here goes nothing.

     Meanwhile, Taehyung was in his room, gossiping with Hoseok about how he couldn't stand Min Byulhee at all back at the town.

     "Damn, I wouldn't stand her either!" The red panda said, astonished at how lewd the things Taehyung had to hear where. "I mean, it is a little flattering, but she didn't need to try so hard".

     "I know! The problem wasn't that she tried too hard, though. She is a player and I'm not one for short romances. Y'know, besides the fact I don't like—". A knock on the door interrupted Taehyung's rant.

     "Yes?" Hoseok answered. The door opened a little to show half of Jimin's head with his ears flattened onto his skull. He looked weirdly scared. "Um... Is Taehyung busy? I can come by later if you—".

     "No, not at all. Come in, Jimin". Taehyung smiled at him kindly. Jimin's heart stopped for the nth time that day.

     "Actually, I wanted to take you somewhere I think you've never seen in the palace..." Gosh, he hoped so. If Taehyung had been there before— No! Think positive, Jimin. You can do it! The nervousness and hesitancy in Jimin's voice was so endearing, Kim Taehyung couldn't resist his puppy eyes either.

     "I would love to see it, Minmin". The fox felt tingles in his stomach; the nickname sounded so soft coming from his crush. Minmin was perfect. He didn't really like nicknames but this one made his legs feel like jelly. It sounded so good with Taehyung's deep voice saying it. Hoseok smiled and excused himself, not before giving a knowing smile to his master he left with a pep on his step. "So, where are we going?" Taehyung asked, curiosity taking over him. If his big brown eyes with uneven eyelids could be the only thing Jimin had to see for the rest of his life he'd die happy.

     "I-it's a surprise for you, I cleaned the room this past week so you could see it in all it's glory" Jimin answered, picking the other's attention even more. "No one's been there in years. Save Namjoon, but he never stays. And well, I thought you might like it so... I'm rambling, I'm sorry. I'll stop talking now". Taehyung walked slowly next to Jimin as the shorter man kept muttering about how he was rambling and should stop but didn't. It was endearing. Following him throughout the palace's hallways he realised he had never been in that area before. He tended to go to the same places throughout his stay. After a while he bumped into Jimin's back, who had walked a little faster and taken the lead a couple of minutes before. "We're here. I need you to close your eyes now" The noble said. "Nothing bad. It's just-It wouldn't be a surprise otherwise".

     Kim eyed him suspiciously but complied anyway. He heard the door sliding and the ripping of curtains opening, he grew even more intrigued at these sounds. He felt the sunlight bite his closed eyelids. After another minute he felt Jimin's kind of furry hands (he could have sworn they were hairier before, but not because he'd stared at them wondering how small they were, nope) taking a light hold of his own and helping him into the room. He also noticed he didn't have long claw like nails anymore.

     "Can I open my eyes now?" He asked.

     "Not yet" He could make out a little more rustling in the room and then silence once again. "Ok... Open them now!"

     Doing as told, Taehyung came to see a huge room filled with bookshelves. Hundreds of bookshelves, all next to and on top of each other. He was speechless.

     "I... I've never seen so many books in my life!" He couldn't believe what he was seeing!

     "You... Like it?" Jimin couldn't believe the plan was going according to plan. The plan was planning. Holy shit.

     "Like it? I love it, Jimin!" He couldn't tear his eyes away from all those books. They looked so old but well preserved, the old book smell was everywhere and he was in heaven.

     "It's all yours, then" Jimin's voice sounded so sweet at that moment, if only Taehyung had seen the adoration in his eyes. It took the human a bit to process the other's words, when he did he almost snapped his neck by how fast he turned his head.

     "What? Seriously?" It could not be true, he was dreaming.

     "None of us ever use it. Namjoon stopped coming four years ago, he read all there is here twice and got bored of them," Jimin stated "And, well, you love books... And... I wanted you to have them, these are all yours from now on. You can come here as much as you please, just don't sleep here, I don't want you loosing sight of your health". He chuckled nervous "Wow, that sounded a little—". His rambling was cut by two arms around his waist lifting him a little and spinning him around a couple of times before putting him back on the floor.

     "Oh, gods. THANK YOU SO MUCH!" Taehyung was so happy he didn't realize what he was doing until he felt Jimin's arms around his neck, hugging him back. He stopped half a second and smiled, squeezing Jimin a little before pulling back, but keeping his arms around the shorter boy. It felt nice holding him like that. A little weird, but nice "Thank you, Jimin. I really appreciate it" He directed his wide square like smile to the hybrid again. In turn, Jimin gave him a smile that turned his eyes into crescent moons. They stayed looking at each other for who knows how long, just holding the other with care. Jimin couldn't believe they were so close. He could count the eyelashes on the taller man's eyes. He noticed all the little moles Taehyung had; under his eye, on the tip of his nose... He was otherworldly beautiful. So handsome with those kind eyes. He had one monolid eyelid and the other one a double lid? So cute.

     Taehyung started noticing that just like the hands, Jimin's face had less furr around it. When he first met the so called 'Kumiho' he had more fox like features than now; the man had more of his skin showing and he could make out his black eyebrows and long eyelashes. The red furr only extended at the sides of his face, mixing with his head hair which roots were tinted black now. It looked kinda goofy, but in an endearing way. His lips were also visible now, and they looked just as plump —if not more— than Seokjin's and Namjoon's. After a while of staring too much, Jimin started getting shivers from the intensity of Taehyung's eyes on him and retreated his arms from around the human's neck. He felt self conscious. He knew Taehyung was way out of his league. The taller man was at least ten levels higher than him.

     "Well, I hope you like it... I... I have to-to tell Jin hyung what I want for dinner. Bye" He didn't even wait for the taller man to answer and rushed out in a panicked state, feeling his ears burn. Yes, he was going to speak with Seokjin, but not because of his dinner request only. He missed the fast heartbeat of Taehyung and the fond smile that was sent his way.

     He isn't so bad after all... He isn't bad at all. Taehyung thought to himself. He spent the rest of his time until supper in the library, but no matter how much he read, he couldn't take Jimin's soft and more human looking face out of his mind.

     Another week passed and Taehyung spent most of it with Jimin, after the eventful evening of the day after his gift was given to him, he found out Jimin couldn't read. Well, he could. But Jimin said the letters always mixed in his mind and he ended up getting confused on what it said and he couldn't focus. He tried so hard when he was younger for the sake of his beloved parents but just gave up after some time.

That sprouted questions about Jimin's parents. Taehyung found out how much his newest friend loved them, and they loved him. Apparently, the fox had wanted to make them the proudest he could at all times, but after he lost them, he lost himself.

"I lost my mother when I was a kid too. Sometimes I reprimand myself for not remembering her face completely, but dad is always there to tell me that that doesn't make me a bad son. Just someone who lost a loved one too early". They shared stories of their families and of their childhoods, and Jimin couldn't help but feel guilty over separating the man he had learned to open up his heart to from his beloved father. He went to sleep with a heavy heart that day.

They spent all the time they could practicing reading with each other. Sometimes Taehyung even read for Jimin as a reward for his hard work. Taehyung reviewed all the books he read to Jimin. He was delighted how much the fox payed attention to his every word. No one had ever heard him drone on for hours about his books, not even Uncle Woo or his dad. He missed them a lot too, but with his six new friends he was easily distracted. At least until late at night, when he wished his dad to hug him to sleep.

     Of course he spoke for a whole afternoon about 'Forgotten White Roses'. Jimin looked at him with such admiration it made his heart beat faster and faster. Taehyung noticed other than Jimin, the rest of his friends revealing more human features than before too. It was noticeable. On the last day of the week, very late at night, as all of the others were already in a deep slumber in their assigned rooms, Taehyung asked something Jimin would've only dreamed of until that day.

"I didn't know books could make you forget like this" Said Jimin, not worrying about his loudness since the library was far from the bedrooms wing.

"Forget what?" Taehyung turned to him in confusion.

"Who-what I am". The human was stunned, he hadn't thought that Jimin could've felt the same way about books as himself.

"We have that in common, then," it was Jimin's turn to look confused "back in my village, the people think Im odd... So I know what it's like to feel different, and how lonely that can be" They both fell silent after Taehyung's confession, and what came next surprised the shorter one even more.

     "Hey, Minmin... Would you like to have that dinner you wanted the first day I came?" The long brown haired man's voice was barely a shy whisper, but Jimin's fox ears caught it.

     "Wha-Really? Now? I mean, tomorrow, but really?" He looked at the taller man with his yellow eyes wide "I thought you wanted to eat with the others".

     "You don't have to if you're not up for it, I jus—"

     "NO! I mean, I-I'd love to have dinner with you, Taehyung". Jimin panicked once again (unsurprisingly) and rushed his answer, but Kim understood it anyway.

     "Great! Tomorrow... And, Minmin, call me Tae. It sounds friendlier". Taehyung smiled.

     "Ok..." Jimin sighed inaudibly. Oh, how bad he had it. "Tae". They kept eye contact for a minute before going back to reading. Now both of their faces where flushed and their heartbeats faster.

Chapter Text

     To say that Taehyung didn't wake up thinking of his and Jimin's dinner that night first thing after opening his eyes would be a lie. And he didn't like lying to himself. It was so weird, though. At first he didn't want anything to do with him. But after this three weeks of getting to know him... And yes, Jimin was very irritable but lately he's seen a part of his persona that had him wanting to get closer. Jimin is a great friend and he loves spending time with him.

     I mean, he is a good person, I just had to get to know him better...

     He wondered how the slow change in everyone's appearance could be connected to his arrival. Was it because they were becoming friends with him, so they took more human forms instead of wild animals'? Or was it that it was their magic? They looked scary at first to protect themselves but now that they trusted Taehyung they were more comfortable showing their true selves! Probably...

     Ah right, get dressed, have breakfast. No distractions.

     He started getting ready for the day. The others had provided him with new clothes. He wondered again about how the hybrids had changed. Jimin wasn't the only one. He noticed how Jungkook and Namjoon didn't have their small fluffy tails anymore, Yoongi had much less hair around his face and his whiskers were gone. His eyes were the same colour now too! Seokjin's gills weren't more than fading line marks on his neck and he didn't have scales anymore, his hair just like Hoseok's and Jimin's began slowly turning black, it was almost all black too now. Not to mention Jimin's now visible human features, along with all the hair loss on his arms (and legs, he supposed, obviously he hasn't seen his legs). And ugh, now he couldn't help but think of Jimin's nice looking lips. That time the fox gifted him the palace's library, when their faces were centimeters apart and he stared too much at those lips. Was it weird if he thought they were kissable? It was a strange feeling at the moment. He shook his head to clear it from those thoughts. He finished getting dressed. Trying to stop thinking about his, now self confessed, obsession with Jimin's lips. Oh, if his father heard of this he would be so confused, from that scary creature they met three weeks ago to this Jimin there was an abyss. He remembered his father's perplexed expression when he told him he liked boys and chuckled, there was no way he'd approve of this crush specifically. Wait. No crush. No, no. Jimin is just a friend dumb brain, not a crush, that's weird. Too wierd. Bad brain.

     Oh, gods, how is daddy doing!? I can't believe I forgot about him for a second!

     He felt awful. How could he forget his own dad!? The man was probably worried sick for him and Taehyung was here, having fun with his new friends and getting gifted a whole library. The thought made him worry even more about his old man. He had never stopped thinking about him, of course, it's just he's been distracted by one of his housemates (palacemates?). A knock on the door interrupted his train of thought like all the other times.

     “Can I come in?” It was Jungkook. Taehyung rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat before talking.

     “Yeah, sure!” He sat in his bed, waiting for the younger to sit by him. Jungkook's smile was wicked. That wasn't good. The brat was almost as bad as Yoongi when it came to pranks. Well, I guess they did spend all their lives together.

     “So... You're having dinner with Jimin hyung today. Alone, might I add” He said as soon as he sat down. “Planning something special?” Taehyung blushed. Yep, the hare was a brat. The annoying little brother he'd never had but always dreamed of having.

     “Do not look at me like that, Kookie, it's not what you're suggesting!” Jungkook knew he didn't think of it as a romantic dinner. Taehyung knew Jungkook knew, but that didn't stop him from getting teased.

     “Oh, really? I thought you wanted alone time with Jimin hyung. Even though you guys have been stuck by the hip lately”. Taehyung just knew the hare wasn't going to leave until he told him the truth. “Also, that thing you planned for me and my hyungs to—”.

     “I want to spend dinner with Jimin, the two of us alone. So what? I just want to thank him for the library”. He tried not to break eye contact. It's not that deep. He felt as if he was lying, even when he was not, by the way Jungkook looked at him. “It's to return the library surprise! It won't be the same but... Do you think he'll like it?”

     “He sure will!” The hare assured him “So... Do you like like him?” Jungkookie asked hesitantly “Is that why you want to dine alone with him?” Taehyung chuckled. He didn't want to crush Jungkook's shiny doe eyes, but he wasn't going to lie to make him feel better.

     “I don't like him like that, Kookie, he's a good friend to me”. The younger's defeated sigh deflated his straight posture.

     “What? Why?” Jungkook sounded greatly disappointed. Taehyung didn't know what to do with himself. Why was the younger so set on him having feelings for Jimin?

     “What do you mean why?”. The hare didn't get to answer as the door was slammed open by none other than Seokjin, the handsomest of them all.

     “What's up, my human friend, time for a haircut!” He said smiling, opening and closing the scissors he had in hand. The startled looks he got made him blank, as he didn't understand the tense atmosphere of the room. Before anything else was said, Jungkook hurried out of the room with little care to explain why to Jin. At the questioning stare he got, Taehyung could only shrug and nod his head no, confused by Jungkook's shift in attitude.

     One way or another, Seokjin hyung finally convinced him to get his hair cut short like the rest of them. He felt it was a good change, given he was going to stay here for a long time. A fresh start; that's what his dinner with Jimin would mean today. They had a nice conversation, Taehyung answered the questions Jin had for tonight and they didn't touch on Jungkook's outburst, as the oldest figured he'd talk to him privately having and inkling of what was going on.

                       ____________

     “Damn, I didn't know Taehyung had it in him to invite you to dinner," Yoongi said, sitting on a chair in front of Jimin's bed, playing with a flower shaped pendant Seokjin and Hoseok had given him a while ago "I mean, I thought you'd have the balls to ask him out. Turns out it was the other way around". The cat was honestly surprised and equally satisfied of this turn of events.

     Hoseok chuckled at the comment. His Yoonie was a little dry, but full of love. Actually, he thought it would turn out like this from the very start. Well, maybe not the start, but still! Jimin was too awkward to ask himself. He looked at a nervous Jimin, praising himself for knowing his life long friend.

     “Relax, Chim! I'm sure Taehyung wants this as much as you”. He offered the prince a smile. Yoongi stood near him, resting on Hoseok's side who uncontiously started scratching the cat ears. Jimin always loved and felt jealous of his three oldest hyungs loving relationtip, there was no denying it, their tooth rotting affection was enough to make him want that... But then he actually thought all those times Seokjin, Yoongi and Hoseok had behaved so unbearably in love he wanted to pluck his eyes out. He'd be damned if he ever acted like that with his lover. If he ever got the chance to have one, that is.

     “I thinks so too. He wouldn't have asked me to have dinner with him otherwise, but I'm still nervous about it!”. He paced like whenever he was panicking. He liked Taehyung so much. He didn't want to ruin it by doing something dumb —which he was most likely to do. “We'll be alone too, I don't want to ruin it with my lack of social skills!” Fuck, he really didn't know how to behave like a normal person. You never did, dumbass.

     “Well, he isn't a social butterfly either,” Hoseok said. “He told me he didn't have friends back in his town, so don't worry about it”. Jimin didn't comment he and Taehyung had gotten to know each other a lot through the past week. It was a little embarrassing how dumb he probably looked.

     “He said people called us weird because they didn't understand our way of living life” Taehyung had said, Jimin couldn't stop looking at his lips. He had been talking about his life with his father in the village for a while.

     “What did you do with your parents?” Jimin was very curious about the older man he had... Trapped in his palace in a fit of rage. Holy hell, he was doomed. Thinking back on his actions, he held so much regret. But the past couldn't be changed, he learned to accept it a long time ago.

     “Well, my mom passed when I was six... But we spent time together all three of us a lot" He remembered the old days. He ported a sad smile that made Jimin's insides churn. Taehyung talked about his mother as if she was the most beautiful being he's ever seen, inside and out.

     “I see where you got that from then” Taehyung looked strangely at Jimin. Thingking he said something wrong he stuttered his way into the words he wanted to convey, doing a terrible job of it much to his dismay. But the other man sent him an understanding smile. They talked for hours, Jimin talked bout his parents as well saying everything he felt, everything he's been ignoring up for the past ten years. Taehyung nodded and piped in to tell his own anecdotes and reppressed thoughts from his life. It was a nice bonding moment, they looked each other in the eye the whole conversation, and they finally felt that someone else understood.

     Silence enveloped the room, a confortable one. The three men wanted to point out the other's changes in appearance, but no one wanted to at the same time. It'd be too real if they did. It had become clear to all of them that since Taehyung had entered their lives they all had started becoming more and more human as time passed. It relieved them in a lot of ways. They all knew —the six hybrids— that Jimin was whipped for the human man, but that alone wasn't enough. They needed confirmation from the long haired brunet; they– Jimin needed Taehyung to tell him he was in love with him. It would be impossible to know otherwise.

     “So, what are you planning?” It was Yoongi who asked “You gon' tell him or are you gonna wait for him to do it?”

     Both men looked at the fox, expectantly.

     “I already asked Jin hyung to cook Taehyung's favourite meal, but well, he asked me to dine with him so Jin hyung already had a menu in mind. Maybe I'll see what he wants to do...” Jimin smiled a little “I think he has something prepared for tonight. He plans everything he does and, well, overthinks almost everything”.

     “Well then,” everyone looked at the room's entrance, where Namjoon had just come through a few moments ago without them noticing (unvelievable), with a dimpled smile on his cute face. Everyone silently agreed the clumsy man was by far the most adorable one out of all of them “we better start fixing this mess of a hybrid you have become, master”. Having said that, everyone started brain storming, thinking how to dress Jimin to impress.

     On the other side of the palace, Jin and Taehyung were looking for the smaller scissors Seokjin used to fix everyone's hair every six months for the past ten years (when Jin tried to cut Taehyung's hair with his kitchen scissors, the younger flipped in indignation). Everyone was horrified the first time he cut their hair, but through the years he became as skilled in hair cutting as he was in cooking. Taehyung wanted to know what Seokjin was gonna do with his hair.

     “Well, if we're making you all pretty, the first and most important thing to do is stop that annoying hair of yours to block Jiminie's view of your handsome face” He shouted a little “Aha!” in victory when he found the scissors. He giggled cutely at Taehyung's tomato face. He couldn't handle complements, and much less from a handsome man like Seokjin and said handsome man thought of it as hilarious.

     Wait.

     “How short are you gonna cut it?” He asked, grabbing his long locks “I like my hair like this”. He felt Jin's hands on his shoulders.

     “And we love it too! It's just, your face would be more visible...” The older thought of a way to convince his newest friend to have it cut “And it wouldn't bother you when you read anymore!” Well, the reading thing was a compelling argument for the younger man. “Hair grows, this night isn't going to repeat itself!” Seokjin said, looking at him expectantly. After a while the human gave in and he started their work, Jin giving a delighted squeal after he agreed. “You are going to look so handsome, baby!” His excitement was palpable and Taehyung couldn't help but giggle along. Fuck it, it made his Jin hyung happy.

                      ___________

     The whole day had passed and the four servants made sure the “love birds” as they called Jimin and Taehyung didn't see each other all day. Taehyung also didn't see Jungkook for the rest of the day and it saddened him a little. It filled one of them with nerves and the other was rather amused. Jimin was finishing to fix his red and golden gonryongpo hanbok, his father used it when he had official reunions with his ministers and advisors and his friends thought it's the perfect oportunity to use it. He coulnd't agree more, after all, he'd have a piece of his father with him. Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon told him he looked really handsome. He wanted to believe them so bad, but he couldn't. Not after all those years looking at the mirror and only seeing a monster in front of him. For his own sake, though, he was going to forget the way he looked tonight, who he was. Just for this dinner, just for Taehyung. He nodded to himself and turned to the door that was being slid open. He saw Jungkook there, smiling sadly at him with the whole universe in his watery eyes. He loved his youngest so much, but his concern did rise by the look Jungkook have him.

     “Dinner is ready, master” He accompanied the prince to the kitchen's entrance “You look very good by the way” his little brother smiled at him and left. Odd, Jungkook was ecstatic when he first found out about the dinner. He took a deep breath and entered the room, his hands shaking from his nerves. Yes, he's a tough cookie on the outside, but on the inside he is still a small eleven year old boy, scared of everything. Including himself. He heard Taehyung clear his throat and looked up.

     “Hi”. The taller man said in that deep voice of his sending shivers down Jimin's spine. Man, was he whipped for the human. Silence filled the room. Expectant, nervous and a little bit flustered. They both stared and took in the other's overall appearence.

Taehyung was wearing clothes he has never seen before, maybe one of those mixed outfits Jungkook and Namjoon put their time into sewing when they want to spend time together. Anyways, back to the gorgeous human (or god, holy shit) in front of him. His clothes were royal blue and silver, and how good it looked on him was going to kill him. He noticed for the first time Taehyung's dark soft hair was short! I'm so gonna lose my mind tonight. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed the hair right when he came in.

     “You look gorgeous” He mumbled, then blushed and looked away at how blunt he was. Ah, there was the panick again.

     Taehyung wasn't much better. To say he was flustered at Jimin's cuteness was an understatement. His hanbok was that of a king and, honestly, it fit him so well; his whole aura lately resembled a king's. His hair was parted in the middle and his forehead was visible. Had Jimin painted his lips? Holy shit. Not to mention that he could finally appreciate how truly attractive Jimin was, he looked almost human, the only fox features remaining were his orange ears, his tail and his —much smaller now— claws. His hair was styled and his small waist was hugged by the hanbok's belt. After who knows how long they stared at each other, Jimin sputtered his complement taking Taehyung from his deep thoughts about the change the hybrids around him had gone through, and answered the hybrid with a shy smile.

     “You look handsome too, Minmin”. Jimin was endearing, really. And kinda handsome for being half fox. That was a weird thought. They sat in front of each other, next to the head of the table, not wanting to be too far from the other. Their talk was light, some secret glances and lots of awkward eye contact. Even though they tried to make it seem like any other night they spent together they knew this was different.

     It felt different. For Jimin was mostly entranced by Taehyung, and Taehyung couldn't help his mind from wondering to what ifs and theories of the palace inhabitants as humans. Especially Jimin.

     “So, Jin hyung got you to cut your hair?” Jimin couldn't get over it for his life. Taehyung laughed a little at his disbelief and Jimin felt his neck burning from embarrassment. He really turned his brain's filter off today.

     “Yeah... At first I didn't want him to, but he convinced me with promises of being able to read without my bangs bothering me” He didn't regret his choice, he felt much lighter after all the hair he had was cut. “He also promised I'd look handsome, and I can't pass an opportunity of being called handsome by that man!”. Jimin giggled and nodded in agreement, the half dumpling in his chopsticks falling due his shaking shoulders.

     “Well, I already said it, but you do look very handsome with your hair short” Jimin smiled, feeling content at being able to complement his friend ans crush without it being wierd. “I mean, you were always handsome” Taehyung huffed at that “I mean it! You are the most handsome man I know after Jin hyung!”

     “Woah, coming second to Seokjin hyung shouldn't feel so good” Taehyung joked. Both of them ended up laughing at the dumb List of Handsome Men I Know they made up based on all the people they knew. It led to both sharing a bit more of their childhoods, but this time without the nostalgia and sad smiles they usually had when doing so the other times.

     After twenty minutes the food was long finished and Taehyung stood up, walked around the table and extended his hand towards the fox.

     “I planned something more than dinner for tonight with everyone's help” He helped Jimin stand from his chair and led him towards the make shift ballroom Hoseok and Yoongi helped him set up earlier that day at the garden of the palace. Jimin's favourite part of his home. Jimin looked curious at the humans broad back, seeing his neck for the first time. He felt the need to kiss it. Now is not the time, Jimin. Calm thyself. “We're here!” Kim said turning to see him “You said you loved to dance with your parents when you were little a while ago so... The guys and I tried our best to tune the instruments we made a week ago” He pointed to the five servants in a corner of the room, ready to play music with said instruments. Both were relieved to see the youngest smiling at them.

     “Tae... That's amazing. Thank you!” Jimin couldn't help himself from jumping in place with a big smile. Taehyung cooed at his slightly crooked front tooth. “But... I haven't danced in so long... I don't remember how to do it”. He looked at the ground. Taehyung felt the shorter's sadness at this and tried to think of something. He didn't know any couple dances —or any dances for that matter— he just wanted the hybrid to feel happy.

     Damn it I definitely should have thought this better!

     He figured, whatever, he'd do what he felt right. So he did. He guided Jimin's hands and held them between both men. Awkward, but it'd do for the moment.

     “Well, I don't even know how to dance! Just move your body with the rythm! Isn't that the same thing?” He asked the guys to start playing something. At first it was really upbeat music and they were both spinning and moving rapidly laughing in between, but bed time came for everyone and they let the servants leave to have their very much deserved sleep. Jimin thought it was over and gave Taehyung a small smile, sad that the night had ended, but the now short haired brunet didn't want it to end yet either. Taehyung grabbed the fox's arms, pulled him towards himself and placed his arms around Jimin's slim waist. “The night isn't over for us yet, Minmin” He whispered, so close to the other Jimin could count Taehyung's long eyelashes that delicately kissed his cheeks. Not to mention he felt another shiver in his whole body from that damn deep voice he loved so much.

     “Ok” He whispered back. Taehyung started moving back and forth, never letting go of his waist. Jimin not knowing what to do with his arms placed them in Taehyung's biceps. Well, now he remembered that the human has spent at least three hours a day (if not more) training with Jungkook for the past three weeks. It most certainly payed off. They stayed, swaying in silence for a long time. Just staring at each other, with an imaginary melody flooding in their minds. Jimin slowly separated himself from Taehyung and held his hand, taking him to the front of the garden, near his flower patch. They sat next to each other on the leading steps to the exit.

     “Taehyung... Thanks for tonight. I couldn't have asked for a better night in my life” He said sincerely, looking at Taehyung's eyes. The other was taken aback with how soft Jimin's look was.

     “I had a lot of fun too, you're a great dancer, Jimin”. The man answered. After a minute of eye contact, Jimin felt the strong urge to lean in. But as much appealing as kissing Taehyung was he still held back. He wanted to know. He needed to know. Tonight was the night.

     “Tae, do you... Enjoy living here?” Doubt was evident in his tone. “Living in the palace with the boys, with me?”. Taehyung looked at him confused.

     “Of course I do, you all became dear to me after living here for some time...” He started. Taehyung's hesitation made Jimin shrink a little into himself.

     “But...?” Jimin knew there was a but, so he went straight to the point with it. Was it him? Was he not good enough? Of course it was him. He was never enough.

     “But... I miss my dad so much. I could say goodbye to him, I'm thankful for that. It's just, he was sick before all of this happened and I'm worried something grave happened to him while I'm away...” Jimin was relieved it wasn't because of him, but he felt guilty again. Yes, he'd changed, but he couldn't undo his past actions, and he treated Tae's dad horribly. His eyes lit up when he remmebered something. Maybe he couldn't fix his misdeeds but at least he could do something to make it better now.

     “Stay right here, I'll bring you something” He left to run inside, leaving Taehyung to wonder what it could be. Jimin came back after a couple of minutes with a hand mirror in his hands. “This is a magic mirror. It let's me see what's going on outside of the palace, you can use it to see your father!” He said enthusiastically, handing the mirror to his crush.

     “Really?” Taehyung turned to the object and hesitantly talked to it after Jimin taught him how it worked “I'd like to see my father, please” His small smile vanished when he saw his dad laying in his bed, pale looking with Mr. Woo tending to him. He looked at Jimin worriedly “He's worse than before, Minmin!” His brows contorted in sadness “I don't know how much time he has, but judging by this it's not much...” He felt tears forming in his eyes. He couldn't lose his father too, not right now when he finally felt like things could get better.

     “Then go to him”. It was so quiet he almost didn't catch it.

     “What?” Jimin looked up at him from the mirror. The decision was taken, and Taehyung hurting was not an option, no matter how much Jimin would hurt if he left. This was his fault, all of it.

     “Go to him. I know you promised to stay, but if he is in his death bed like you think you better hurry to see him”. He smiled sadly at the brunet “After all, you've already spent so much time with us...” Taehyung couldn't believe what Jimin was saying. He was free? But why did it feel so heartbreaking and not as happy las he thought it would. It felt like a forever goodbye, but it didn't have to be!

     “Thank you, Jimin! I promise I'll visit soon!” He embraced the fox. “Thank you so much!” He tried to hand the mirror to Jimin but the man stopped him.

     “Keep it. That way you'll remember us...” The fox offered him a sad smile. He nodded, stood up to leave and started to walk towards his home when he heard a soft “Wait” from Jimin. He turned around to see the man's sad yellow eyes. “Taehyung, I...” He waited to hear what the Jimin had to say “I...” The fox sighed, looking down “Take care, ok? I don't want to have to save your ass from the lynxes again”.

    He noticed how forced Jimin's chuckle was. He couldn't help but feel a little dissapointed. He didn't know what he was expecting for Jimin to say, but he knew it wasn't that. He looked at his best friend once more before waving and running to the woods to get back to his hometown. It's not like he was leaving forever, right? He'd visit them all soon. Yeah!

     Jimin stood there, letting the tears freely flow down his face after Taehyung's figure became too small and the light of the lantern he took weren't visible anymore. He had the chance to tell him. And he wasted it. It was probably the only chance he was gonna get and he blew it. But he felt some kind of relief too, after all, he let Taehyung free to live his life as he always wanted. If he ever told Taehyung, he doubted it'd change anything anyway. Tae would have left them all the same. He went back inside after an hour of crying, only to find Jungkook in the hall, waiting for him with a hopeful smile. Jungkook had thought maybe if Jimin confessed his feelings, Taehyung would realise he actually is in love too.

     “So? How'd it go? Where's Taetae hyung?” The boy asked, searching around for his friend, confused at the sight of Jimin alone.

     “I let him go”. The fox mumbled. Jungkook's face paled at the realization. Then he saw Jimin's puffed red eyes. Did something go wrong? He didn't understand at all.

     “What? Why?” This couldn't be happening, not like this. Not now.

     “I love him”. Was the only response he got from his hyung before he retreated into his chambers, still silently crying. Then he understood. Jungkook couldn't believe it. He wasn't going to let either of his best friends —whom he t

hought were very much in love with one another— apart. They'd both suffered enough to deserve their happy ending!

He wouldn't take it, and it was final.

Chapter Text

     It took Taehyung an hour and something to find his way back to the town and one minute more to reach his house. He ran all the way, happy his stamina was much better after all the training he did with Jungkook. He'd have to do that again some time he visited. It was strange, seeing the town's lights and the familiarity he felt... He got used to only seeing the palace and the forest in the past month. It was alienating. He shook his head from his thoughts, his dad. That's the purpose of Jimin letting him go. Slamming the door open, he rushed in to his dad's bedroom and found him laying on his bed, eyes closed.

     “Daddy!”

    Mr. Woo stood up after hearing his voice and called his name in relief. Pulling him into a hug, he made sure his heart nephew was alright. He assured Taehyung that Hansol was fine, he had just fallen into a stress induced fever two days ago. It didn't make Taehyung feel better, but at least his father wasn't going to die. He hoped.

     “This was my fault”. His voice sounded broken. He felt he was the worst son to exist. He spent the past month —one of the happiest and most eventful since his mum had died— having lots of fun while his dad was stressed and in bed worrying for him. He was so selfish. It was something bound to happen, but Taehyung had dumbly thought his father would not worry about him as much after the first week. Of course that wouldn't have been possible! 

     “No, Taehyung, it is not” His uncle's soft voice made him feel even worse “You saved him from a kumiho, it's only natural for him to be worried for his son”. He reassured him, trying to stop the upset tears on his dear boy's face. “We didn't even know if you'd still be alive!”

     “But that's the thing, uncle!” the youngest Kim exclaimed, shaking his head “Jimin is not a kumiho, he is a fox hybrid, he and other five hybrids live together in that palace! And they are the kindest beings I've ever met,” He took Mr. Woo's hands “Jimin has some anger management issues and when we met he was at a very low point in life, but he got so much better at keeping himself calm! He is so kind and lively and cute...” Mr. Woo looked at him confused. His best friend had told him the kumiho that had imprisoned him and his son was a frightening and savage being, with unkind eyes. And now his nephew was telling him it wasn't a kumiho and that it was cute?

     “But I thought– Your father said that thar palace was filled with monsters!” He trusted his best friend, but Taehyung looked so sincere when he talked “How can it be?”

     “There are six of them, they are hybrids. I don't know how that is possible, magic I guess, but they are not monsters! They're my friends”. He loved them. But he didn't add that, it was too heartbreaking. He didn't want to cry about it. He'd told Jimin he'd visit, of course he would! It wasn't goodbye forever. He'd visit them in a few days, he still needed to talk with Jungkook over his upset. He looked at his uncle and saw bags under his eyes.

     He must be so tired...

     “Uncle, just go to sleep in my room, ok? It's really late and your old body won't be of any use if you get mugged, ok?” He smiled a little. He felt bad for Mr. Woo, who had probably stayed awake for a long time caring for his dad. “I will take care of daddy”. The older man nodded and went to sleep, too tired to argue or give a witty comeback. He had a lot to process. Maybe if he slept on it, it would make more sense in the morning.

     That night Taehyung slept next to his dad's bed. Strangely, he missed his room and his bed at the palace.

     “What do you mean he's gone!?” It reverberated through the whole living room. The one with the fireplace, where Jimin and Taehyung first became friendly with each other.

     “That he is gone, that's what I mean. I let him go”. Jimin's voice broke when answered, not looking at any of his friends in the eye. Yoongi stepped up to him, shock running through him, just as everyone else except for Jungkook. They were all equally scared and angry at the moment.

     “Yes, but why?” Again that question. Jimin didn't want to answer it again after he told Jungkook. It was too painful, but his brothers deserved to know. Yoongi grabbed the front of Jimin's clothes and shook him. “We have accepted that we'd die together if there was no more hope, but this– It's insane Jimin, we are here too! It's not only you who suffers!” The cat tried calming himself down but didn't loosen the grip. All the progress of turning human again had vanished as soon as Taehyung was far enough from the palace. Seokjin and Hoseok tried to calm him by hugging the shorter man, prying Yoongi away from Jimin so he didn't hurt him with his long claws that were present again. They were hurt too, but there was nothing they could do about it. Jimin could only stare at the floor, guilty again. Any decision he took would be selfish, is that what the goddess wanted? Probably. She saw how useless he was from the very beginning.

     Namjoon looked at Jungkook who had been quiet the whole time. He knew the answer, but still felt a little disappointed in Jimin. He felt for him, of course. But he knew it's been years of waiting for death to claim their broken selves until Taehyung came along, he felt for Yoongi too. The situation was complex in any angle you tried to look at it.

     “Because he loves him,” Namjoon answered for him, sending a soft look at his master. “Don't you, Chim?” He felt that calling him ‘master’ at that time would be too cold. He's his little brother after all. Jimin could only nod stiffly and give in to the taller man's open arms, being engulfed in a hug by Namjoon. The bear could just rub his back and feel him shaking —crying— between his chest and arms. The rest of the hybrids present looked at each other, tears also starting to run down their faces.

     “I am so sorry. I know it's not only me who is cursed, there is only tomorrow left and the only chance I had of telling him... I wasted it”. His desperate sobs and broken voice made everyone even sadder. “He didn't say anything to me that even hinted at him feeling of love for me either, so I just let him go... The magic mirror showed his father very ill and I couldn't see his sad face because of me... If I hadn't let him leave I'd never be able to look him in the eyes again”. Everyone slowly joined in the hug and they stayed in the same place for five good minutes. They understood but it didn't make it better. "I thought... Since he didn't tell me he loves me, it would be better if he didn't wake up to find us dead after my birthday tomorrow”.

They knew what was going to happen after midnight struck and Jimin's birthday ended. Their time had already passed when Taehyung asked Jimin for dinner. They spent the first day of that week apart preparing for the date, but it wasn't been enough. The clock has already struck midnight, today was Jimin's twenty fourth birthday. By the next midnight, they would die.

     They were all immersed in their own sorrow to notice that Jungkook left after that conversation. He was convinced he could make this right, and he would.

     It's been almost a day since Taehyung had left the hybrids. Left Jimin. When he woke up he panicked, not knowing where he was until he realized he was back home with his dad. The older man had woken up because of Taehyung's noise and they ended up hugging for ten whole minutes. Taehyung had explained everything to his father and uncle, who'd come back with breakfast a little after they awoke.

     How he had become friends with all of them, a little of each of their personalities. Though he spoke of Jimin more than anyone. Maybe it was too soon for his father to understand, but he wanted him to see Jimin for who he really was. He'd take his father when he visited them! That way he could get to know the real Jimin and the rest of the guys. Taehyung bet his dad would like Jungkook and Hoseok the most.

     Maybe I can take dad with me to live there and Mr. Woo could visit us from time to time! It would be much better for all of us.

     Taehyung thought hopeful. With that proposition in mind he headed to the bridge that connected his house to the town, his dad was waiting for him and the ingredients for dinner he had gone to buy. They hugged a lot after and throughout the story telling. Later, Taehyung ended up going out to get food. It was time to star preparing dinner, as the sky became darker by the minute. He didn't go far, he was tugged backward by his clothes and stumbled into a body. He turned around alert only to face Jungkook. But he wasn't like the last time he saw him, he looked just like when they had first met: more like a human hare than a human with hare ears.

     “Jungkook!?” He must have made a funny face because the hare laughed and hugged him tightly. He started mumbling rapidly things Taehyung didn't comprehend because of the fast pace and the frantic stuttering. Pulling away he looked the bunny in the eyes and noticed dark bags under them. “Kookie, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”

     Before Jungkook could answer, though, he was being pulled by his friend into a house. He guessed it was Taehyung's. Inside were two men sitting at a table, drinking tea peacefully. One looked paler than the other, that one was like an older version of Tae. The other man had smaller eyes an a bigger complexion. Both of them had their eyes wide open at the sight of him.

     “Taehyung, who is your... Friend?” the paler man asked. Taehyung stood there, mind blank. He hadn't considered having to introduce Jungkook to his family this soon.

     “Dad, uncle, this is Jungkook. He's the hare hybrid I've told you about and my close friend! He means no harm, I just brought him here to—" Jungkook fell to the floor with a pained grunt. “Jungkook! Are you ok?” The mentioned man shook his head. He just sat there, not wanting his legs to collapse if he got up. The deterioration of the curse had started to work. Jungkook had spent all of last night and today lost in the forest only to find his way to the village as the sun started to set. There were some more hours left before dying. He needed Taehyung to go back and confess soon. The others would probably be in pain too back at the palace. Especially Jimin.

     “Tae–Taehyung, please. You have to–have to come back” He stuttered out while the bigger man and Taehyung sat him on a bed. It was comfortable, but he didn't have time to sit around and wait to feel better. “The curse, our time is running out. Plea–please, you have to come back with me... To the–to the palace!”

     The humans looked at him concerned. They didn't know what the boy meant, Taehyung froze as he had never heard of a curse in his time with them.

     What did Jungkook mean by that? What curse?

     “Kookie, I don't understand,” he sat next to his friend “what curse? Why are you like this? Were you in the forest all night?” The hare only shook his head, not helping Taehyung's frazzled mind.

     “Just come back with me. Please Taetae, I'm begging you” His voice broke more than once, and his pained panting got worse. Taehyung had to take him back to the palace. Namjoon had medical knowledge, he would make him feel healthy again. He looked at his father. When the man nodded he put Jungkook in a hooded cloak. No one in town could see him. Hybrids weren't a normal occurrence there. Hell, magic wasn't a thing there.

     “Ok, Kook. We're going back to the palace, but I need you to walk with your head down and don't talk to anyone, yes?” The hare could only nod. He had started to feel better after the pain wave passed.

     “We can't waste time, hyungie, we have until midnight”. They were heading towards the forest, that way was the palace. After that Jungkook could take off the hood and they'd be safe to run. But of course they had to be intercepted. A crowd of townsfolk were arriving at the front of Taehyung's house for some gods damned reason that escaped the brunet's knowledge.

     “Taehyung, darling! I've been worried about you the past few weeks, you didn't come to town”. Taehyung heard the squeaky voice he couldn't stand talking near him. He looked to see Min Byulhee in all her glory, batting her long eyelashes at him.

     “Oh, you don't need to worry about me, Byulhee. I'm perfectly fine!” He said with a neutral face. He didn't have time for her so he hoped the buttery tone he used was enough to tell her off. “My friend and I are going for a walk and we want to be back to cook for my dad before dinner time. Now, if you'll excuse us”. He tried to avoid a conversation. But he couldn't. Jungkook was getting anxious, trying not to let distressed sounds out. This woman was persistent, as if bent by her will, the crowd got in their way to prevent their leave.

     “Taehyung, your dad is crazy! You can't live with him! He came to the town's bar screaming terrified, saying you've been kidnapped by a kumiho,” she laughed “it was hilarious, that old man is really out of it”. The brunet man was getting annoyed. Why wouldn't she shut up? They really didn't have time for her. “That's why we're taking him to be sent away with the rest of the crazy people!”

     The nerve of this woman.

     “That's bullshit!” Taehyung yelled, angry at the whole town. The nerve they had. He felt Jungkook tense at his shout. “My dad isn't crazy! Byulhee, you know he isn't!” She was influential enough to make everyone change their mind with her dad's help too. He'd rather eat dog food than ask for her help but he was in a situation at the moment and didn't need his father's safety being at risk on top of everything.

     “The town has come to the decision of exiling him. He causes too much trouble for everyone”. That made the man stop. What the hell was she saying? His father never bothered anyone, ever! “I tried hard to change their minds, but they've decided on doing it”. Taehyung didn't want to hear any more of that nonsense. He was done, but before he could reply the woman spoke again. “Taehyung. I'll help you and your dad, but I can't just make everyone stop believing he's crazy. He just needs an important family on his side, like mine! If you marry me, Taehyung; they won't be able to vanish him from here, he will be my family". Her smile was cruel and her eyes held no compassion. Her sweet persona had disappeared as soon as Taehyung rejected her advances once more. And gods damned it did he want to kick her. She even said it in front of the whole village, clearly this was all planned for her.

     Jungkook kept tugging Taehyung's clothes to keep walking. They had to hurry! Tae could deal with this later. He needed to make sure his hyungs were okay.

     “No! I don't like you in any kind of way, why would I do that!?” Taehyung's words were making the people around them get closer. “You can't blackmail me into marrying you! NOT THROUGH MY FATHER!” The handsome boy had reappeared after a month or so of not going to town and now he was making a scene. The townsfolk were interested. He also had a mysterious hooded man next to him. Suspicious.

     “Oh, but Taehyung. You do love me! You just don't know it yet. Once you've seen all of me, you will realise you have loved me this whole time!” Her lustful gaze was disgusting. He felt goosebumps down his spine in pure disgust.

     That was it. Jungkook didn't have any more patience. This woman was overstepping her boundaries and his friend was being cornered by these scary crowd. Besides, his other friends still were waiting for another wave of pain to come and if he wasn't far from this town by that time they'd be in trouble.

     “You stupid woman! Can't you take a hint!?” He started, grabbing Taehyung's right hand. “He doesn't even like you! And you're trying to force him to marry you? Can't you see he is interested in someone else?” He kept telling the woman off, unaware that by flailing his arms around in his rage the hood had come down. A general gasp sounded in the area. It was impossible to not see the hairy face and hare ears Jungkook sported.

     “A monster!” A woman's scream was heard. After that remark everyone was silent. No one dared to move, too scared the hairy ‘beast’ would start attacking them. The pair of friends looked at each other worriedly. The plan wasn't going according to plan. Byulhee spoke up again.

     “So your father was right... This monster kidnapped you? Is he threatening you right now!?” She glanced menacingly at Jungkook.

     “What? No!” Taehyung put the younger behind him in a protective manner. Glaring daggers at everyone around them. “He isn't the kumiho and I wasn't kidnapped, I stayed there on my behalf! Jungkook isn't a monster, he's my friend. And so is the so-called ‘kumiho’!” Everyone was quiet, listening to him. But not believing. Turns out the book boy was as crazy as his father.

     “That monster brain washed you! He's controlling your thoughts!” Byulhee kept victimising him. She was so infuriating! Yes, Taehyung hadn't believed they were good at first either, but he knew better now. He was feeling extremely offended by Byulhee's mean words that kept beating down Jimin and his friends.

     “No! He is lovely, kind and knows how to listen, and he would never actively hurt me to get what he wants. Unlike you.” Taehyung's bitter comment made the woman even more angry. Why would her Taehyung defend a monster? He was not being himself, clearly.

     “Taehyung, darling. As much as I love talking to you, you're saying nonsense. Monsters aren't kind! If I didn't know you so well I'd say you're in love with that thing”. The disgust in her voice made Taehyung's blood boil. Jungkook was still frozen in place. He wasn't expecting all this fuss. He just wanted to get back home with Taehyung. They were taking way too much precious time they didn't have. It's been at least fifteen minutes since they were stopped by this awful, pretty woman, and midnight was barely hours away. The people had started to talk amongst themselves and it made Jungkook even more nervous. Taehyung heard every comment about him being crazy and Jungkook being a freak of nature. He was getting sick of it.

     “What is it to you if I love him or not? It's none of your business!” He yelled “And for the last time you're wrong, Byulhee. I'll prove it to you!” He had the magic mirror in his basket. He hadn't let go of it since he left the palace. “Show me Jimin!”

     Gasps were heard, some screamed in terror and others made disgusted faces. “THAT'S THE REAL MONSTER!” and “WILL IT KILL US?” were heard. He looked at the mirror, opening his mouth to reassure them that his fox wasn't bad. He stopped, though, noticing that the Jimin in the mirror wasn't the one he left last night either. Just like Jungkook, he looked like when they first met. Like a kumiho... He finally found his voice to talk again. Jungkook didn't say anything, just stared at Jimin's state, realising he must look like that too. The gasps and judging stares made much more sense. Their time was really running out.

     “No! He is a kind being, living peacefully in the forest. He is just a fox hybrid, he doesn't eat humans. He is funny and friendly and so caring—!” Taehyung's speech was interrupted by Byulhee.

     “So you really are being controlled by this–this beast!” She yelled “We have to end it before that kumiho eats our hearts and livers!” No one listened to Taehyung's protests. Fear won over them. Fear of something different entering their completely ordinary routines and they began to raise in anger. The townsfolk were frantically gathering all the weapons they could muster. Byulhee took Taehyung's magic mirror from him harshly, demanding it to show her the way to Jimin. Some of the townsfolk grabbed Taehyung and Jungkook and threw them inside of the house, locking them in, blocking every way they could find so the men couldn't escape.

     “NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS, BYULHEE!” The woman just directed him a fake apology, muffled through the door.

     “I love you, dear, but you're either with us or with that beast. You'll thank me when we're married”. She walked away, swaying her hips with her head high and the cruelest smile anyone has ever seen. “Make sure neither of these men follow us”. The doors and windows were covered enough so that they couldn't be forced open couldn't break them open “Too bad I have to make sure that beast is dead on the day before our wedding day, sweetheart”.

     “He is not a savage beast, you are! And I'd rather marry him over you a thousand times! Because just so you know, I'm not interested in women!”. He slammed his hands on the door to no avail. Jungkook had started whining in pain again, and Taehyung couldn't bear hearing his friend suffer 

     “Then I'll tell it that you miss it before I kill it, it's already bad enough it has gaslight you into liking men”. With that, she walked away, yelling instructions to everyone.

     “You guys are wrong! You have to let us go! PLEASE, IT'S A MISTAKE!" He didn't stop screaming at the mass of angry people until they left an hour later. His voice was raspy and his throat hurt from straining it so much. He began to lose hope after another hour of all of the men trying to get out. Jungkook as well as his father had to take turns in resting as they were both very weak at the moment. The hare was getting more desperate each second that passed until finally, Mr. Woo realised something.

     “What's going on!? By the gods, Taehyung, we leave you alone for ten minutes and the town's people turn against you!". His uncle said half serious half joking. Taehyung looked at the old man with desperation in his exhausted face. Now isn't the time, uncle Woo. The man shook his head and rapidly went to grab something from the back of the house. When he came back he had two axes on his hands and Taehyung felt extremely stupid.

     Fucking shit, why didn't I think of that before!?

     In no time they broke down a window, as it was easier than the whole door, and they finally could get out of their prison. Taehyung turned to his family and bid his goodbyes, there was no time to lose, grabbing Jungkook's arm he turned to leave.

     “I'll be right back, you stay here”. He felt his dad's hand on his shoulder. He needed to get to the palace and fast. He'd steal someone's horse, he didn't care anymore.

     “No. We're going too, I'm not about to lose my only son again”. His dad smiled at him and he returned a bright squared smile. Hansol looked kindly at Jungkook, whose eyes were still open wide. “Lead the way, boy. Let's save your family”.

     They stole three horses without a thought, Jungkook riding with Taehyung since he was too weak to ride on his own. No less than one minute later they were racing in the direction of the palace. Hopefully there was still some time left. Jungkook measured the time they had left. He reached Taehyung almost nine in the evening, possibly spending an hour there trying to find Taehyung. Then they argued with that bad woman for a good half an hour too. And they spent an hour and something . The sky was already dark, and the stars shone full power by the time they could get out of the house. By midnight they would all be too weak to fight. It was another hour to the castle by foot, so hopefully on horse they could make it in less time, because  they have approximately forty minutes until midnight if he's not wrong. They needed to make it in less time.

     Gods, please help us. Just this once!

     Jimin was in his room when he heard the door being opened and Hoseok rushing in. His hair was disheveled and his eyes wide in fear.

     “Master, the palace is under attack! What do we do?”

     Under attack, huh? I hope Tae is ok... Probably those crazy town people, I wonder what drove them to come here.

     “Let them in”. He said, not looking at his servant, his voice void of emotions. Might as well die sooner than later. The pain was going to be there anyway. Well, he felt mostly numb right now.

     “But master—” Hoseok's worried tone almost made him change his mind. Almost.

     “Just do it, ok? And hide, I don't want any of you to be hurt, I'll take care of it”. If anyone was going to be killed it was going to be him. His brothers would die peacefully if he could help it. Hoseok nodded with a sad look and left his master alone, worried about what he might do. He informed the others Jimin's orders.

     “I can't find Kookie!” Namjoon let out an anguished whine. Jungkook was still emotionally worn out just like all of them. They couldn't lose him like this! He's been looking for the hare the whole day without seeing a hair of him.

     “Don't worry, I'm sure he's already hiding, Kookie is a smart one. And if he's not, we will not run into the angry mob.” Jin reassured the bear. “Let's hide together in Hoseok's room. His is the farthest from the entrance”. After nodding hesitantly, Namjoon followed the other three. The place was far enough for them to not be found.

     Jimin walked down the halls slowly, patiently waiting to meet with those who were making a mess of his home. He stepped to the entrance hall and saw the mass of people looking for him. He didn't even try to be scary this time, he didn't have the will for it.

     “How dare you wreck my palace?” His voice, neutral and low, it intimidated most of Taehyung's townsfolk. A female voice came from the center of the angry crowd. She walked forward. Her fear was evident, but her arrogance was even more.

     “You stole Taehyung from me! And we're here to avenge him and stop you from killing us all!” a bunch of “Yes” and loud screams filled the room.

     “I didn't steal anyone. He stayed here on an oral contract we had,” Jimin started. She must be that woman that pestered Taehyung to no end. She was beautiful but her ugly words made her look bad. “and now he's free. Didn't you see him? Now leave me alone, I don't have time for all this drama you've created”. He turned and started walking away, leaving everyone in shock. He didn't sign up for this shit and dealing with a petty woman wasn't the last thing he wanted to do before dying. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.

     “He's trying to fool us! Attack. NOW!” Min Byulhee's voice screeched in a high pitched scream. Her order was heeded by at least five men in the crowd, those who weren't in shock or too intimidated by the appearance of the Kumiho. They were all normal people with normal routines, after all. Not warriors, and definitely not brave enough. Jimin was roughly turned around and punched in the face, he let himself be beaten almost out of his senses by those five ‘brave’ men who dared to fight the beast. It was ironic how Jimin's physical pain couldn't compare to the emotional damage he's been through his whole life. He chuckled humorlessly at the thought as he tasted the blood of his busted lip. Taehyung leaving was the most painful thing he ever felt after his parents' death, that was the second time his heart broke. But he was content with the man continuing to live happily with his dad. Jimin couldn't tell how much time had passed. More people seemed to have come back from the shock and were now back to destroying his palace, beating him up. A shout sounded from the entrance.

     “NO! STOP! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!”

     Is that... Taehyung?

     Jimin tried his best to lift his head, enough to see the only person he had ever loved in a romantic way, everything hurt but he still felt butterflies in his stomach at the sight of his beloved. The people were holding him back along with Jungkook, Taehyung's dad and a man he didn't recognize.

     “Tae...” he managed to croak out with pain. He suddenly felt some kind of energy flow through his body. Call it adrenaline, magic or whatever you want; it gave him the strength to fight back, even if he felt weak the closer it got to midnight. He tried getting up to run to Taehyung but the other was faster. The brunet escaped the grip he was being held in and swept two of the men who were distracted to the floor. Everyone stared shocked at the one whom they thought to be a non–athletic, weak man that only read books taking the other three by surprise. One tried to hit him with his sword. He managed to get a hold of the man's wrist and twist it so he dropped it. Quickly grabbing the long weapon he put it between him and the other men. Taehyung would feel proud of himself, but he was too angry.

     “I don't want to hurt you”. He said, voice cracked but slow and clear “I just want you to leave Jimin alone. I promise by my honor I won't do anything to you”. He looked solemn and everyone seemed to believe him, the fighters stopped attacking. They were confused when they really thought what had been happening. Why was this beast taking their punches? Why did the town's beauty insist it didn't mean any harm?

     “Well, I do want to hurt him”. He heard someone talking from behind them. He didn't have time to process what happened. He was on the floor, an immense pain on his body, blood dripping out at an alarming pace. He heard Taehyung's voice again screaming horrified and a maniacal high pitched laugh.

     Oh, I was stabbed. Yeah, that makes sense.

     Taehyung couldn't believe what just happened. How hadn't he noticed Byulhee getting near Jimin with a knife in her hand? He rushed to grab the hybrid lying on the floor after throwing the sword away. He looked up at the laughing woman and sent her a look so deadly she stepped back towards the crowd in fear. Not for long though, because she taunted him. The innocent smile she wore was overshadowed by the blood on her dagger.

     “Oops, I didn't tell him!” She talked, as if she hadn't just stabbed someone. Turning to Jimin she giggled sweetly and said in the softest voice she could muster “Taehyung said he misses you”. Jimin could only stare at her, feeling his brain cloudy as well as his sight. He felt dizzy. Taehyung payed no attention to the woman, he decided she'd wasted his time enough. The poor fox was bleeding so much in his arms.

     “You wicked wench! HOW DARE YOU ATTEMPT TO KILL MY JIMIN!?” His shout made everyone turn to him. This was the most furious he's been his whole life. That poor excuse of a woman had the nerve to stab the man he loved and had the audacity to think she got to get away unscathed. She would not. “YOU GET OUT OF THIS PALACE AND NEVER EVEN THINK OF STEPPING A FOOT HERE EVER AGAIN OR SO HELP ME, I WILL MURDER YOU WITH YOUR OWN DAGGER!”

     The whole town was frozen, shaking in fear. Their handsome wierdo was yelling threats left and right. His face red and veins popping on his neck. Byulhee tried calming him but the man only slapped her hand away harshly.

     “Get out”. His tone was final and no one dared to stray from his order. Seeing him calm was even more frightening than his screaming. This Taehyung had a deadly aura around him as he only stared at the fox in his arms with tears in his eyes. “GET OUT”. He looked like he meant every word he said before. So they left. “Just... Fuck off and never try coming close to this palace again”.

     Their feet echoed through the place, their scared and shocked expressions remained. Soon enough, everything was calm again. It was two minutes until midnight, Jimin's time had almost run out. There was so little time left. Taehyung caressed Jimin's bruised cheeks. Tears falling from his eyes, snot filled his nose. He was a mess. Jimin was a mess too, but for worse reasons. With his best friend in his arms, he realised what he thought earlier. The love of his life. He was in love with Jimin.

     ‘No, no, no. Don't leave me. You're fine, we're fine. You're not dying on me, I forbid it! You hear me?” He pressed on Jimin's bleeding spot making him wince. He had to stop the bleeding. Jimin couldn't die yet. He had to tell him first. And then they would live long lives together and–and. He sobbed again.

     The fox couldn't do more than stare at the gorgeous man tending to his stab wound. He mustered all of his strength and raised his hand to caress Taehyung's tear stained face as softly as he could, just like the human did to him mere moments ago.

     “At least... I got to see you... Once more”. Those were his last words. He smiled sadly and closed his eyes, awaiting his fate. It was too late.

     “No!” Taehyung shook his head, voice laced with desperation “No! You can't die, not now!” The brunet's voice cracked at the end “I think... I know I love you!” It was soft, but not a whisper. Just enough for Jimin to hear it when all the sound was drowning out and his consciousness was slipping away. The fox couldn't even muster the strength to smile at his love. Taehyung stared at Jimin's dead body. It can't be possible, this can't be the end! His thoughts were clouded with denial. Jimin couldn't be dead, he just couldn't.

     The hiding servants made an appearance in the entrance hall to that scene. They were confused at first, it was past midnight yet they still hadn't died. When they saw Jungkook, relief filled their hearts, but when they saw everyone's tears and their master lying on the ground they caught on pretty fast.

     “Oh, no”. Was all Yoongi could muster before silently crying, joining Jungkook who had kneeled next to Taehyung and his friend and younger brother. His family. The mourning lasted the longest minute of their lives before a bright light ignited from Jimin's chest. Confusion reigned in the hall. What was happening?

     At that moment no one saw, but the last petal of the orange rose in Jimin's bedroom fell. And a soft light also ignited within the same petal.

     Taehyung was astonished by what was happening. Somehow the fox's body floated into the air and started emitting a blinding white light. The hybrids should have known what was happening. The curse hadn't been broken, but they were still alive and only Jimin was dead. Everyone was at a loss. 

     Everyone but Jungkook, who had heard Taehyung confess his love. Jimin wouldn't die that night. Finally he could rest assured he was right all along. His exhausted mind coped by being self indulgent that way.

     When the bright light disappeared and Taehyung could open his eyes again he wasn't prepared to see a fully human Jimin laying in his arms. He didn't know what he expected but it definitely wasn't that. He took a good look at his love. No ears, no tail or hair anywhere else than that of any ordinary human. His eyes were a beautiful dark brown and his hair didn't have red undertones to it anymore, but he recognised them after a while, their crescent shape brightened his features. His lips though, Taehyung remembered them well. They looked as soft as they did the night before.

     “Taehyung!” Jimin said, looking at the taller man. He couldn't help himself but to put his arms around Taehyung's neck “It's me, Jimin!” Taehyung wanted to laugh at his happiness. It was his Jimin. “You love me!”

     “I know It is you! I could recognize those pretty lips anywhere”. He blushed after the fox (well, human now) got shy. He was really blunt just then. “And yes, I love you. I realised the moment I knew I would could commit murder for your safety”. He didn't want to wait too much so he hugged his fox-no-more with everything he had. And how he loved being hugged back. Jimin giggled at his unusual love confession, but was elated nonetheless.

     “I love you too” Jimin's confession was made next to his ear sounding the softest he had ever heard him talk. He had a really nice voice without the remnants of the animal like sound he'd gotten so used to. “I realised that time I saw you training with Jungkook and having fun with my hyungs”. He heard Taehyung mumble something about how Jimin's realisation was more romantic, but it was drowned by their youngest.

     “OH GODS, JIN!” Jungkook had his little wholesome moment too. “YOU ARE A HUMAN TOO!”

     “We all are humans, dumbass!” The addressed man answered with his widest smile in forever.

     “You guys look amazing!” Jimin got up and hugged Jungkook and Yoongi, soon enough everyone else joined in. Taehyung looked at them with fondness and pure love in his eyes. These people had become his everything along with his dad and Mr. Woo in such a small amount of time. The time he spent here was a wild ride, but he wouldn't change it for the world.

     “So, are you just gonna stand there like a tree or join in the hug?” Hoseok smiled at him. “I told you the first time we met; you're one of us now” His mouth looked like a heart! So cute. He didn't waste any time in rushing to hug them all. 

     His dad's voice came from behind him. After they had separated.

     “I'm guessing you want to stay here, don't you?” His voice was as soft as the expression on his eyes, filled with love for his child. It made him a little sad but he'd always known his boy would leave the nest at some point in their lives. He'd always thought Taehyung was born for adventure.

     “I um...” Taehyung didn't know how to respond. He wanted to, so badly, but he didn't want to leave his dad to live in that town full of nefarious people.

     “It's ok. I think I'll stay here too, if your friends let me, of course” He said looking at Taehyung's new family who returned their own smiles.

     “Of course, we'd be glad,” Jimin hesitantly walked to them “I also want to apologize for all the chaos I've caused your family and for my behaviour the first time we met“. He looked down, embarrassed “I was going through a lot and I took it out of you for no good reason, I feel so bad whenever I think back on it”. Hansol let out a soulful laugh. The man had been weary at first, but this child wouldn't harm a fly. He hadn't fought back when the angry mob had beaten him up, and his Taehyung loved him, so he couldn't be too bad.

     “Apologies accepted, no hard feelings, my boy. Just take good care of my son, ok? I'll know if you don't, I'll be here”. Jimin nodded stiffly, a little intimidated by the man. He was old but still taller and more intimidating than him (just like Taehyung).

     Taehyung grabbed his hand and led him to the garden, he wanted to talk in peace with Jimin. He let his father and Mr. Woo get acquainted with everyone else.

     “Minmin... What I said is true, you know?” He looked at him in the eyes “I do love you, wholeheartedly”. Jimin looked back, expression filled with adoration.

     “I know. I love you too, Tae. So much”. And he couldn't be happier. He's grown so much as a person thanks to the man next to him, and he'd make sure to pay him back for the rest of their lives if Taehyung let him.

     Much like the night before Taehyung left, their faces are centimeters apart. The only difference here? Jimin didn't hesitate to kiss Taehyung. He gave in to Taehyung and the brunet could finally taste the prince's full, soft pretty lips. To say it felt right would be the understatement of the century. The kiss was soft and slow. Expressing everything they hadn't said yet. Neither of them wanted to pull away but they eventually did. Air is needed to live, after all.

      “I have a question, though”, Taehyung said. Their faces were still so close, his lips grazed Jimin's with every word he spoke, which sent shivers down both their spines. His eyes closed, he felt the shorter man hum for him to continue. “Were you humans this whole time? That's what Jungkook meant by that curse he mentioned?” Jimin pulled away as they both opened their eyes.

     “It's a long story we'll tell you some other time, Tae” Taehyung raised an eyebrow at his new lover's response. “Right now I just want to kiss you again”. And so he did. Taehyung wasn't going to complain.

     Jimin was happy. He became someone who had lost hope in the world and in himself, but he was able to find it again. After great suffering everything got better. Everything can always get better.

     Taehyung was happy too. He finally had the adventure he'd always wanted. It had its ups and downs, but overall his endgame was the best he could have asked for.

     They found love within one another and that in itself was a miracle. They were lost in meaningless routines and dark, consuming thoughts but they found each other.

     Love always finds a way, and this story was no exception.