Work Text:
Yoongi wakes to the blaring sound of an alarm ringing loudly through the room. He cracks his eyes open and looks blearily over at the clock on the bedside table, panicking when he sees the time and realizes that he's over an hour late for work. He's just about to spring out of bed when two things float to the surface of his sleep-addled brain:
Number one: He has the day off today.
Number two: That's not his alarm.
Yoongi flops back down onto the pillows in relief, reaching over to silence the noise coming from his boyfriend's phone. He doesn't see the familiar spread of golden hair on the pillow beside him, and for a moment thinks that maybe Jimin is in the shower or getting breakfast and just forgot to take it with him.
But then he notices the small lump almost completely hidden under multiple covers, throws, and blankets, the gentle rise and fall of the pile the only indication that something (or someone) is underneath. Jimin does love to sleep in, but it's highly unusual for him to ignore his work alarm like this.
"Jiminie?" he asks lightly, giving the lump a small nudge.
No answer.
Carefully Yoongi lifts up one edge of the heavy comforters, taking in the sight of his sleeping boyfriend curled inward into an almost perfect circle.
"Jimin, it's time to get up."
The man doesn't respond at first, instead shuffling over until he's laying flush against Yoongi, burying his face into the older man's shirt.
"Warm," is the only reply he gets, so soft and small he barely hears it.
Ah. Now Yoongi’s suspicions are confirmed. It's that time again.
Even in a society where hybrids make up over half of the population, snake hybrids are extremely rare. Due to a combination of their unique physical needs along with some still quite prevalent prejudices against them they tend to live in small groups, sticking with their own kind and rarely intermixing with others. Because of this many aspects of their lifestyle and biology are unfamiliar to most hybrids, let alone to humans.
So when Yoongi and Jimin had begun dating several years ago and Jimin had revealed his particular hybrid status, the human had been in for a bit of a culture shock. It was one thing to know that your boyfriend was cold-blooded and had a particular taste for very fresh meat. It was another to take in some of the more... interesting...differences in their anatomy, but he certainly wasn't complaining about that, oh no.
However despite all the research he had done on snakes and the things Jimin had explained to him there were still surprises in store for the human even after they had been together for some time, and this had been one of them. Yoongi still remembers like it was yesterday the utter panic he'd experienced the first time he'd come home one chilly winter evening and been unable to find Jimin, frantically searching the entire apartment and even calling up some of their friends before finally uncovering him wedged into the corner of their closet, fast asleep and completely buried in Yoongi's sweaters.
According to Jimin, the technical term for this behavior is called 'brumation'. He had explained it as something not completely unlike the hibernation of bear hybrids: a period when snake hybrids' metabolism slowed down dramatically and they became much more inactive than usual, occurring most often when temperatures dropped significantly. While not as long-lasting as hibernation it could occur rapidly and without warning, making the snake extremely lethargic and weak. It doesn't manifest the same way for every snake hybrid, but the most common symptoms included seeking out sheltered spaces near a source of heat.
As he had soon found out, in Jimin's mind the most comfortable and safe place seemed to be Yoongi himself. This meant that the snake hybrid sought him out with single-minded focus during his brumations or, if he was out, tried to mimic the same feeling by surrounding himself with Yoongi's clothes and other things that had his scent. It filled the human with his own warmth to see Jimin that way, both at the undeniable cuteness of seeing the small man wrapped up all snug, and from the unspoken understanding of the trust Jimin had in Yoongi, to let him see him so vulnerable and to find safety in him.
Now Jimin is tucked into Yoongi's side, curled so close that they almost feel like one body. His small hands cling to the human's sleepshirt and Yoongi knows it's pretty much hopeless to try and separate from his boyfriend unless Jimin allows it- the gripping strength of a snake is no joke.
Instead he reaches over for his phone, typing out a message to Hoseok.
MYG:
Sorry, Jimin won't be able to come into work today.
JHS:
I figured, considering the weather.
I've closed the studio anyway, so no worries! \^o^/
MYG:
How come?
JHS:
Hyung, have you even looked outside?
Anyways, take good care of our Jiminie! ( •̀ ω •́ )✧
MYG:
Always.
Good, that's done. Next is getting some food into Jimin. If he doesn't eat his body will slow down even more, potentially extending the brumation period indefinitely until it gets warmer outside. Placing his phone on the bedside table Yoongi turns back to his boyfriend, still mostly obscured beneath all the bedspreads with only a tuft of blonde peeking out from the top. He gently prods the younger man, hoping to get him to loosen his hold, but Jimin only wiggles closer and nuzzles into Yoongi.
"Jiminie, please let me go so I can make breakfast."
There's no reply but he knows that Jimin can hear him from the way that he clutches Yoongi's shirt even tighter, sliding his leg around Yoongi's to lock them together.
Nevertheless Yoongi tries again. "Baby, you need to eat something or you won't be able to get up."
"Nooooo," comes the tiny muffled whine. "Need warm. Need hyung."
Yoongi can't help but smile at this adorably petulant version of his normally so confident and assertive boyfriend. It's not like Jimin is never soft, especially when he's with Yoongi. But during his brumation the usually well-hidden needy side of the snake hybrid comes to the forefront, and Yoongi can't deny that he loves to see it.
"I know you're feeling bad right now, so here's what we'll do," Yoongi says, his voice deliberately low and reassuring. "I'll make you some nice dakjuk- you know how much you love that when you're cold. It'll heat you up from the inside and then you'll feel so nice and comfy. And after that we can cuddle together all day, how's that sound?"
"....Mmmhph," comes the reply, his boyfriend clearly fighting an internal battle over the loss of Yoongi's body heat versus the gain of a delicious meal. In the end the hungry side must win out, because Jimin's fingers release their death grip. Instead the snake hybrid grabs Yoongi's pillow and re-tucks himself into a ball around it, pulling the covers back fully over his head.
"Hurry, hyungie," is the only response Yoongi gets before the lump becomes near-motionless once more.
"I will, baby, I will," Yoongi whispers, placing a quick kiss on top of the blankets where Jimin's head is before quickly sliding out of bed and tucking them securely around him.
He makes his way to the kitchen, turning up the thermostat a few notches before promptly pulling out the necessary ingredients and beginning to chop the vegetables while the rice soaks. He glances out the window for the first time and notices the thick blanket of snow covering the outside world. It must have really come down last night because everything in sight is now a gleaming, shimmering white in the winter sun, even the roads completely covered. No wonder Jimin's biology kicked in, his hybrid genes urging him to seek shelter to escape the freezing temperatures.
Yoongi enjoys cooking, especially when he's doing it for someone else, and he soon falls into an easy rhythm as he prepares the meal- slicing, stirring, and simmering. It doesn't take long at all until a lovely aroma fills the kitchen and the creamy mixture is bubbling perfectly, ready to serve. He ladles it into a large bowl and makes his way back to the bedroom, careful to not trip and cover himself in porridge.
Jimin hasn't moved an inch from the spot in which Yoongi left him, still beneath the mountain of blankets and throws. Yoongi sets the bowl on the side table before sliding open the curtains slightly to allow a few beams of sunlight into the room. Then he climbs back into bed, pulling the covers off just enough to slip inside without letting too much heat escape.
"Wake up Minnie," he says softly, sliding down to place a kiss atop the younger man's forehead.
Jimin yawns, his amber eyes blinking cutely up at the human above him. "Food?"
"That's right, come out for a little bit so you can eat."
Jimin stretches, ever so slowly unwinding from around the pillow he was clutching in lieu of having Yoongi. He allows the older man to lift him up so that he's laying against Yoongi's chest, the comforters still covering most of their lower halves. Despite his new position the snake hybrid still seems extremely lethargic, barely reacting even as Yoongi holds the bowl and spoon out to him.
"Do you want me to feed you?" Yoongi asks when Jimin makes no move to take them.
Jimin gives a tiny nod, eyes still heavy from sleep, and Yoongi feels his heart close to bursting with affection.
He places the still steaming bowl in his lap instead, scooping a generous spoonful of porridge and holding it up to his boyfriend's lips. Jimin opens and accepts the food obediently, smiling as he gets his first bite.
"How's it taste, baby?" Yoongi asks gently, getting another spoonful ready. "Is it too hot?"
" 's perfect," Jimin replies happily, leaning to take the next mouthful. "Hyung's food is always so yummy."
Yoongi continues to feed Jimin the rest of the porridge, taking an occasional scoop for himself. Jimin obediently accepts every spoonful and it's not long at all before the bowl is empty. Yoongi only has a moment to place it aside before Jimin is shifting over him again, tucking his face against Yoongi's neck and wrapping his limbs around the elder so they're once more intertwined.
"Still cold?" Yoongi asks.
"Not as much now you're back," Jimin replies quietly, a bit more lucid now that he's eaten. He sighs blissfully as he breathes in Yoongi's scent. "You're sooo warm...love that you're human, always so toasty."
"You always say that," Yoongi replies with a chuckle. It's true though. Even when the snake hybrid isn't brumating Jimin can often be found coiled around his boyfriend, and he takes particular pleasure in finding ways to make Yoongi blush just so he can see the heat rush into the human's pale cheeks.
"You need to go to work soon, don't you?" Jimin asks, even though the way he's clinging to the elder makes it clear he's not exactly eager to let him go.
Yoongi shakes his head. "Nope. I have the day off."
"Good," the younger says smugly, but then jolts up as he suddenly seems to realize something. "Wait, I'm supposed to be at work! What time is it?" He whips his head to look at the clock and moans. "Oh, Hobi-hyung is going to kill me!"
"Wait, wait, calm down," Yoongi interjects, halting Jimin from trying to jump out of the bed in panic. "I already texted him to let him know you'd be out today."
"Oh." Jimin suddenly relaxes, sliding back down into his boyfriend's arms. "Oh, good."
"He said he canceled classes today anyway," Yoongi says, continuing when Jimin casts him a confused look: "I think there's about three feet of snow out there. Nobody's going anywhere until it's all plowed."
Jimin looks out the window, gasping in surprise at the snowy landscape. "Wow," he says in amazement, then shivers violently. "Just looking at it makes me chilly." He snuggles against Yoongi, sighing contentedly. " 'm not letting you go all day."
"Whatever you need, baby," Yoongi responds, feeling Jimin's smile as he rests against him.
Eventually they do get out of bed, though Jimin is wrapped in so many of the covers and throws that pretty much only the mattress remains. It's physically impossible not to coo at how adorable the snake hybrid looks ensconced in his blanket burrito, a fluffy little figure darting quickly from the bedroom to the living room.
"Stop laughing at me," Jimin huffs, his cheeks puffing in a way which absolutely doesn't make him look any less precious.
"You just look so cute that I want to eat you up," Yoongi replies fondly, following behind him with a fresh pot of tea and a plate of Jimin's favorite dasik.
"That's supposed to be my line," his boyfriend whines, making grabby hands at him. "Come back, I'm already freezing without you."
"So needy," Yoongi says, laughing as he obeys and allows himself to be ensconced into Jimin's new nest of blankets. He pours the piping hot tea and passes over a cup, the snake hybrid taking a long gulp without even checking the temperature. Jimin lets out a delighted sound, taking another deep sip before resting his head on Yoongi's shoulder.
"What do you want to watch?" the human asks, passing him one of the dasik before reaching for the remote.
"Doesn't matter," Jimin says, nibbling the sweet treat. "I'll probably fall asleep again soon anyway."
So the elder turns on a home decorating show that Jimin always claims to hate but yet gets sucked into every time Yoongi watches it. Jimin steadily finishes the rest of his tea and polishes off the dasik, humming happily. Warm and fed, it doesn't take long for him to start getting sleepy again. Yoongi sees his eyes start to droop by the time the third episode begins, and he gently takes the empty teacup from Jimin's hands and lays him down once the younger's yawns start growing wider and wider. He tucks the covers up and around Jimin as the hybrid settles with his head in his lap, then pulls over his work laptop to get a few things done, running a hand soothingly through Jimin's silky hair as he naps.
The rest of the day passes peacefully as Jimin dozes on and off, occasionally waking to have another small snack or hot drink before returning to his favorite spot, Yoongi's lap. Eventually Yoongi puts his work away, choosing instead to gaze at the sight of his boyfriend curled up atop him. No matter how long they've been together Yoongi will never get tired of looking at Jimin, whether watching his sinuous and seductive moves onstage, his energetic and encouraging instruction to the students he teaches, or just the way he is now, small and snug on his lap, with his tiny hums as he dreams and the way his lips form a little pout that stronger men than Yoongi would find impossible not to kiss. It just so happens that Yoongi is not a strong man, and so he leans down to give them a peck, the sugar from the dasik making them even sweeter.
Jimin's eyes flutter open, his mouth curving into a pleased smile as he sees Yoongi above him. "So lucky I get to wake up to a view like this everyday."
Yoongi snorts disbelievingly, but he can already feel the heat starting to rise in his face. "If you say so."
"How long was I asleep?"
"Most of the day; It's almost dinner time. I was thinking of making mandu-guk."
"Mmm, sounds delicious." Jimin languidly rises off Yoongi, allowing the elder to stand before latching onto his back, his arms locked around his waist and face in his neck.
"Are you a snake or a koala?" Yoongi quips as they make their way to the kitchen.
"Need my heat source or I'll die," Jimin whines dramatically.
Yoongi rolls his eyes but still allows Jimin to continue holding onto him as he prepares the meal, thankful that soup is still easy to make even while having a very needy hybrid wrapped around you. When he brings the finished bowls to the table and sits down, Jimin immediately plops onto his lap, tugging his bowl toward him and taking a bite without giving it any time to cool.
"Mmmm hyung, it's amazing," he says, his face lighting up as he eats.
Yoongi smiles and waits a few minutes for his own bowl to cool, in which time Jimin has almost finished half of his bowl.
"I'm glad you have your appetite," the human comments. "Hopefully your body won't keep brumating much longer."
Jimin nods. "I should be back to normal by tomorrow, I think you helped stop it before it got too strong this time."
That's good to hear. Neither of them wanted a repeat of last year, when the first wave of cold weather had hit when Yoongi had been out of town and Jimin had fallen so deeply into his dormant state that it took over a week to bring him out of it.
"It's lucky you had the day off," Jimin says. "Otherwise I might have had more trouble."
"Even if I was, I would have left work to come help you. You're much more important to me."
Jimin doesn't say anything, but Yoongi knows that if he could, the snake hybrid would be blushing.
Yoongi clears away the remains of their dinner, then goes to the bathroom to get the hot water running. As usual Jimin perches on his shoulder, watching intently as the human pours in just the right amounts of his favorite salts and oils. Once Yoongi is finished Jimin quickly sheds his clothes and sinks into the scalding water, moaning at the feel of it against his cool skin.
"Come join me?" he asks, looking at Yoongi with imploring eyes when the elder shakes his head. "Why not?"
"Baby, if I get in there my skin is going to burn off. It's so hot it's practically boiling."
"Oh," Jimin says, his mouth falling into that irresistible pout once more. "Stay with me though?"
"Of course," Yoongi replies, sitting down next to the tub. He chats amiably with him about Jimin's new students and his own adventures at work, and once the bath cools down enough for him to actually touch it pours water over Jimin's head and shoulders, enjoying the way it runs in rivulets down his flawlessly smooth skin.
When at last the bathwater has lost all its heat and Jimin reluctantly steps out looking quite drowsy once more, Yoongi wraps him in the fluffiest towels they own and scoops him up into his arms. He's fortunate that his boyfriend happens to be small and slim enough for someone not physically gifted (aka Yoongi) to lift as he carries him back to their bedroom and lays him on the bed, then gathers up all the blankets and brings them over so Jimin can burrow in them again.
"Thank you for everything today," the hybrid says after Yoongi has finally finished and settled in with him, the hybrid tucked against his chest. Jimin's eyes shine with so much love as he looks up at him. "You always take good care of me. I'm so useless; I’m such a burden when this happens. I don't deserve to have someone like you wasting your time on me."
"Don't be silly," Yoongi responds, pressing a slow, tender kiss to his lips. "I love taking care of you. Thank you for trusting me, and letting me be here with you."
Yoongi can see Jimin's eyes begin to water. "Love you hyungie," he nearly wails, leaning up to kiss him over and over. "Love you so, so much."
"Shh, baby, don't cry," Yoongi pulls him closer, kissing away the tears now streaking down his boyfriend's face. “I love you too. Every bit of you, whether you're healthy or sick, happy or sad. Always remember that, okay?"
Jimin nods weakly, still sniffling. "Okay."
Yoongi smiles. "Good. Now let's sleep, and in the morning you’ll be feeling much better and we'll go out and roll around in the snow.”
Jimin’s eyes grow big with a mix of shock and terror. “Really? ”
Yoongi grins. “‘Course not. We’ll stay inside where it’s nice and warm, obviously.”
Jimin huffs but his eyes are soft. “I don’t care what we do as long as I’m with you."
“And you will be,” Yoongi assures him, gathering him closer into his embrace, reveling in the way they fit so perfectly together. “It’s you and me forever.”