Archive of Our Own

Jimin had always had a good life. The best life anyone could ever ask for really. He had a good home, caring owners, he lived a pampered life of luxury. The perfect life for a cat hybrid.

The thing with having a perfect life was it sometimes got boring and boredom led to stupid ideas, and stupid ideas led to reckless decisions and a shift in his life that Jimin could never have imagined.

Of course as he sat there that bright spring morning, sun shining through the kitchen window as he ate his breakfast, Jimin had no idea that he was going to do something stupid and reckless. He had no idea what was going to happen to him. At that moment in time all he could think about was persuading his owner to order him snacks.

“We already have snacks in the cupboard Jimin-ah.” His owner said as she sipped her coffee.

“Not these ones, I ate the last of those ones yesterday.” Jimin pointed out.

“Still, I’m not ordering delivery when we have plenty of other snacks in the house already Jimin.” She told him.

“But…”

“No buts.”

Jimin slouched down in his seat. He knew he was pouting, but he didn’t care. It wasn’t often he didn’t get his own way. His owners, the Parks had adopted him as a baby and he’d grown up alongside their three children as many hybrids of wealthy families did. He’d been lucky, and he knew it. They had given him everything he could possibly need. He was mostly left to his own devices now that the children had grown up and moved out. Hybrids weren’t allowed to be out without their owners so he spent most of his time in the house. It was a big old house just outside of a small town. Dense woodlands surrounding them. It took almost two hours to walk around the woods to get to the town, though Jimin knew it wouldn’t take so long to cut through the woods.

Of course they were warned as children never to venture into the woods alone, and if they ever did go in they must stick to the path.

Old Mr Park always told them, “it’s easy to get lost in the trees and if you get lost, you’ll never find your way home.”

Jimin had rolled his eyes whenever he’d told them the story of the little girl who’d got lost in the woods and eaten by a big bad wolf. He’d known it was an old fairytale. The woods couldn’t be that dangerous, otherwise why would there even be a path through it in the first place? But he’d been a good boy and never went into the woods alone. Even when he’d played with the Park children, and they’d dared to venture into the trees, they’d stayed close to the edge, always with the big house in view.

Though he often caught himself staring out towards the trees, their dense foliage full of mystery. He liked to watch the way the trees swayed in the wind, the colours of the leaves as they caught the afternoon sun. Something about that woodland called to him.

*

Jimin was bored. He’d watched his fill of television. He’d even tried reading and playing games but nothing could pull him from his stupor. He was bored and there was nothing to do and no one home to entertain him. As he’d grown older the family had less time for a hybrid. The novelty of having someone who was part cat long gone. He was just someone who existed within the house now. While Jimin couldn’t complain, his life was still easy and comfortable, the boredom really got to him sometimes. Especially on days like this.

He heaved himself off his bed and down to the kitchen, maybe a snack would help. It wasn’t until he was rummaging around in the cupboards that he remembered they had run out of his favourite snack.

“Aish, why couldn't they just order more. I don’t want any of these.” He said to himself as he tossed the bag of corn snacks back into the cupboard and pushed the door closed.

He wandered around the kitchen some, opening and closing cupboards and drawers as though his favourite snack would suddenly appear before he slumped against the counter defeated. Of course he could always go and buy some snacks. He got an allowance, the money sat in his jewellery box, just waiting to be spent. Yes, he could walk into town and buy himself all the snacks he wanted. It was a nice day, the sun was shining. He could do it.

Running back upstairs he grabbed his money and keys before heading to the door to pull on his boots. It was a nice day, but as he walked down the garden path towards the road he already felt tired. It was a long walk into town, his eyes drifted to the woodland to his right. The path through was just beyond their fence, he knew the way. He’d been along that way with Mr Park before. It would take him half the time if he went that way, then he’d be back before he knew it and could start watching that new drama he’d seen advertised with his snacks.

He knew he shouldn’t. It was against the rules. But Jimin didn’t care, he was an adult, he could do what he wanted. His owners were away for a few days on a trip, they wouldn’t even know he’d left the house. They barely noticed when he was around anyway, they certainly wouldn’t notice that he wasn’t. It would be fine. He would just stick to the path and save himself so much time and effort. He turned on his heel and headed towards the fence and the tree line beyond it. Nothing was going to happen. It would be fine.

*

Jimin found the path easily enough, it was right where it had always been. The earth worn from all the feet that had walked along it. He held his breath as he took a few tentative steps into the trees. Their deep green casting the path in an earthy glow as the sun filtered through. Birds chirped overhead, the sound of their wings fluttering as they swooped from branch to branch.

It was fine. There wasn’t anything scary about some trees. He looked over his shoulder to see the big house looming up behind him. He could turn back whenever he wanted, home was just there. Shaking his head, and remaining himself that any fears he had were ridiculous and unfounded, he plowed on. Following the old path that cut through the trees with ease.

He’d been walking for around twenty minutes or so when he looked back again. He couldn’t see the house anymore, the path had led him on a slight curve, the opening which he came in from now hidden behind the many trees. Jimin felt his heart rate pick up a little.

“I just need to stick to the path. Stick to the path and I’ll be fine.” Jimin told himself.

He continued on.

*

The trees grew denser around him as he continued along the path. The sunlight struggling to filter through the thick foliage, almost as though they were closing in around him. It was darker because of it, and Jimin didn’t notice the tree root until it was trapping his foot and sending him tumbling to the ground with a yelp.

“Aish, stupid root.” He moaned, his ankle twinged with pain as he tried to stand up, he must have twisted it. He groaned, using a nearby tree to pull himself up.

Tentatively he put some weight onto it, it held though it was a little painful, not a break, but badly twisted. Regret began to pull at his edges, he should’ve just stayed home. It was too late for that now though, he would just have to carry on and hope he didn’t make his ankle worse. Straightening up he looked to the path, the darkness and the wild underbrush made it harder to make out now, but he found it, though he wasn’t quite sure which way he had came and which way would lead him to town.

“Shit, it doesn’t matter. I just need to get out of these woods.” He said to himself, “either I end up in town or back home. Just need to stick to the path.”

Only problem was, the path he had found wasn’t quite the right one. He hadn’t noticed the second path amongst the bracken, the second path he had fallen into when he’d tripped over the tree root. The second path that was leading him away from the first and deeper into the woods.

*

Jimin hobbled along the path for another twenty minutes before accepting just how lost he was. Even with his injured ankle he knew he should’ve reached the outer edges of the woods by now. The trees should’ve thinned out, not grown closer together. The path was becoming more difficult to follow, the plants and bushes that littered the forest floor growing thicker and harder to pass through. It was becoming more and more evident that he had somehow ended up on the wrong path. He tried turning around and going back the way he had came, but that only disorientated him further. He was truly lost, and as the sun began to set, the darkness only grew along with his fear.

He needed to find away out of the woods, out of the trees. He considered shifting into his cat form, climbing on of the trees to get a view from higher vantage point, but he had never been a strong climber, and with his injured ankle… he didn’t know how bad that would affect him on four paws.

“It’s okay. I’m okay. I’ll just keep going. This path has to lead somewhere.” Jimin said to himself, his voice feeling loud in the emptiness of the trees.

It was only then that he realised how quiet it had become. The sound of birds no longer audible. Even the leaves on the trees didn’t seem to rustle with the breeze, everything was completely still and silent. The only sound his own breathing.

Jimin swallowed hard and tried to continue along the path. His heart thumping hard in his chest as he took each careful step. Another few minutes and the path cleared a little and he found it easier to walk. But with that ease came a growing sense of unease. A feeling like he was being watched.

He tried to ignore it. Tried to focus on the path. But the silence amongst the trees was making him paranoid and jumpy. Any slight sound was putting him on edge. Any slight rustle of leaves. The whistle of wind. The silence felt like it was closing in along with the trees. Closing in and suffocating him.

His heart began to race in his chest, panic coursing through him as he stumbled through the woods, getting more and more lost with every step. His chest felt tight, and when his pants leg caught on a low branch, holding his already injured leg in place, sending him falling towards the ground again he felt like he couldn’t breathe.

Jimin was panicking, fear flooding through him as the trees seemed to close in on him further, bring the darkness with it. His clothes caught on the branch wouldn’t come free, his fingers slipping on the sharp edges of the wood, pricking his skin so that blood pooled at the tiny cut.

It was too much. It was all too much. His panic took over and without meaning to he shifted into his cat form, his clothes pooling around him as he shrank down. He dug into his pile of clothes, burying himself in them, hiding away from the dark trees that threatened to suffocate him.

But in his cat form his senses were stronger, the smells of the forest assaulting his sensitive nose, the sound of every leaf fluttering in the gentle breeze. His head swam, not used to his heightened senses. He rarely shifted now, he had no reason for it. Content in his human form the majority of the time, now, trapped in the tiny body of a small house cat he felt the woods were even bigger around him. But try as he might, he couldn’t shift back, he was stuck. His panic overruling anything else.

He could at least pull his leg free at last, though the pain in his ankle felt even worse after the second fall. He mewled softly, crying out for who he didn’t know. He was alone and scared.

Jimin tried to calm himself down, but his panic paired with the pain and the intensity of his surroundings hitting his senses had him feeling dizzy. So much so he didn’t notice the sound of footsteps closing in on him. Didn’t notice the strangely familiar scent, stronger than all the rest, washing over him. His head swam and the edges of his vision began to darken, the last thing he saw was a white muzzle and pale yellow eyes.

*

The first thing Jimin noticed when he awoke was that strangely familiar scent surrounding him, it calmed his racing heart. He opened his eyes, his head still felt a little hazy, but his heart rate was at least back to its usual rhythm. The forest was dark around him, but still in his cat form he could make out the shape of another animal beside him. It was watching him with pale yellow eyes. Jimin sat up, blinking away the dizziness he had felt. How long had he been out for? Jimin didn’t think he’d ever passed out in his life, but he feared that was what had happened. His panic had overwhelmed him and he’d fainted.

The other animal, Jimin could see now that his eyes adjusted to the darkness, was a cat. A little bigger than himself, but clearly not a house cat. His markings were similar to those of leopards which Jimin had seen on tv, his rounded ears flicking slightly as he watched Jimin.

Jimin sat up, only to feel a shot of pain rip through him from his twisted ankle. He let out a cry, a soft mewl that had the other cat at his side in an instant, he nuzzled at Jimin, his scent calming him. Jimin brushed his face up against the strange cat. His scent was strong and wild, like nothing Jimin had ever experienced. Jimin wondered if he knew that Jimin wasn’t a real cat, that he was a hybrid.

Jimin let out another soft mewl, keening for the other cat’s attention when he pulled away. The wild cat looked to the side and then back at Jimin, he let out a low sound before taking a few steps in the direction he’d been looking. Turning back to Jimin he flicked his tail, and Jimin knew he wanted him to follow him.

Jimin knew it was crazy. This was a wild animal. Jimin shouldn’t be following it anywhere but what else could he do? He was lost and alone in the dark forest. He slowly got onto his feet, the pain in his back leg throbbing. He couldn’t put any weight on it, but after a few careful steps, he managed to get a pace where he could follow the wild cat as it led the way through the dark trees.

It was slow going, Jimin was unsteady on his three paws, but the wild cat was patient, waiting for Jimin every time he fell behind. Jimin wasn’t sure where he was being led to, but he hoped they would reach their destination soon, he was growing tired and he wasn’t used to being in his cat form for so long. His heightened senses were still a little oversensitive, he really wanted to shift back into his human form. All he could do was keep following the wild cat and hope he wasn’t leading Jimin to his death.

*

After around twenty minutes or so he guessed, Jimin followed the wild cat through a low patch of brambles, the branches snagging on his fur and whipping his face painfully. But when they came through the other side he understood why they strayed from the clearer path they had been following.

The wild cat had led them to a clearing. The darkening evening sky visible above them, and sat in the middle was a small cabin. Jimin paused, watching after the wild cat as it headed towards the cabin, only stopping when it noticed Jimin had failed to follow it.

The wild cat let out a chirp, it said ‘come’.

Jimin’s anxiety was building again, he didn’t know what was inside that cabin or who. But he limped over clambering up the steps after the wild cat. He watched as the cat pawed open the door which hadn’t been fully closed and slip inside, Jimin following slowly.

Once they were inside Jimin could see clearly that the cabin was not abandoned like he’d hoped. Someone clearly lived there. Visions of horror movies and murderers lurking in dark cabins deep in the woods had Jimin’s fur standing on edge, he huddled by the door watching as the wild cat moved about. Jimin was amazed to see him jump up onto a table, and using a white tipped paw flick on a lamp, filling the cabin with warm light.

Did the other cat live here? Surely not, it was clearly a wild animal. His instincts told him that much. But as he climbed up to paw on another lamp, it was evident he was comfortable in this cabin.

Now that the cabin was lit, the cat returned to Jimin who remained huddled by the door, his tail curled around his feet. He rubbed up against Jimin, his scent comforting and again, strangely familiar. Jimin couldn’t stop himself from returning the nuzzling. Brushing himself against the wild cat’s soft fur. Jimin knew what was happening, the cat was scenting him and Jimin again wondered if he knew what Jimin was, that he wasn’t just some pet kitten.

The wild cat scented him again, curling his tail around Jimin before padding off towards a door, he looked back at Jimin for a moment before disappearing through it. Jimin wasn’t sure if he was supposed to follow this time, so he stayed where he was. Plus, his leg hurt and he was tired. All he wanted to do was curl up somewhere soft and sleep.

Though any tiredness seemed to vanish in an instant when the door opened and a man appeared.

Jimin jumped in surprise at the sight of him, hissing as pain shot through his leg at the movement. The man hurried over to him.

“Shit sorry, it’s okay, careful careful.” He said, in a deep voice as he kneeled on the floor in front of Jimin.

It took a moment for Jimin to realise what was happening. That this wasn’t some random man, but instead the very same wild cat that had disappeared behind that door moments before. There was no doubt about it, he had the same slightly rounded ears popping out of a mess of long dark hair, his tail striped at the end curled around his hip, and that scent… that one that Jimin kept finding familiar though he didn’t know why.

“It’s okay, you’re okay.” The man said as Jimin slunk back against the door. “You can… you can shift if you want, I um, but you don’t have to.”

Oh.

So he did know that Jimin was a hybrid. Had he seen him stumbling through the forest in his human form? Or did his instincts just tell him that Jimin wasn’t a pure cat? Jimin felt like he should have known the wild cat that the had followed was a hybrid.

Jimin considered shifting, truthfully he really wanted to, but that would mean he would be naked in front of this man. He looked passed the man towards the door he had disappeared behind. The man followed his gaze.

“Oh right, yes. You can change in there. And there is a dresser with some clothes you can borrow.” The man said, understanding immediately. “Can you walk? I know you’re hurt and coming here was probably hard. I can carry you through?”

Jimin shook his head, he was already embarrassed enough about needing help in the first place. He didn't need to be carried. Though he regretted that thought the moment he stood up and attempted to put weight on his injured leg. Pain shot through him, but he sucked it up and limped across the cabin towards what turned out to be a bedroom.

Sure enough alongside a large bed was a dresser made of dark wood. Jimin pawed the door closed, and walked over to the dresser before shifting. Where his panic had stopped him earlier, now it came easily and then he back in his human form. He shivered in the chilled air, without his fur to keep him warm the cabin felt cold. His ankle throbbed as he braced himself on the dresser, rummaging through it for something to wear, finally pulling out a t-shirt and pair of sweatpants.

It was a little awkward pulling the sweatpants on over his injured ankle but he managed not to fall over in the process. They were a little large on him, but they did the job and as he tied the cord of the sweatpants around his narrow waist he felt a little more comfortable.

It was only as he tried to walk back into the main room that he struggled. He couldn’t put weight on his ankle, and he stumbled, only just managing to catch himself on the bed. He must have cried out as he fell as the door burst open an the man appeared at his side.

“Are you okay?” He asked, helping Jimin into a sitting position on the bed.

“M’okay.” Jimin mumbled, embarrassment lacing through him.

“I’m Yoongi by the way, didn't get to introduce myself before.”

“Jimin.”

He felt a flush of heat spread through him at Yoongi's touch as he helped Jimin get into a comfortable position on the bed, and he had to avert his eyes. Yoongi may have been a wild animal, but in his human form he was very attractive and it suddenly hit Jimin as he helped him onto the bed just how handsome he was.

“I’ll get you some ice for your ankle.” Yoongi said, before hurrying out of the room.

Jimin managed to shuffle himself up the bed so that he was leaning back against the headboard. It was comfortable, not too firm, not too soft. With his aching ankle stretched out on the bed before him, the pain eased somewhat.

“You should probably elevate it.” Yoongi said, when he returned with an ice pack. He grabbed one of the pillows from beside Jimin and after a nod from Jimin, he gently lifted his injured leg and slipped it underneath, resting the ice pack over it. He was so gentle and careful with him, it made Jimin feel a little better.

“Thank you.” Jimin said.

“I don’t think its broken, so it should be fine after a couple of days if you take it easy.” Yoongi said.

“A couple of days? I- I need to get home, I don’t even know where I am.” Jimin said, his panic rising up again.

“It’s okay, you’re okay.” Yoongi said, his voice low and strangely soothing. “I can help you get back home in the morning.”

Jimin looked over at him, and he could have sworn there was disappointment in his eyes.

“It’s too dark now, you struggled just getting here. By morning it’ll probably have eased and with the daylight we can get you back to the house easily.” Yoongi added. “Until then you can rest here, are you hungry? I can make something?”

“I’m okay.” Jimin lied.

Truth be told he was hungry. Hungry and tired. But for some reason the thought of Yoongi leaving him alone to make food had him feeling unsettled. What he wanted was for Yoongi to comfort him, to keep telling him that he was okay. To pet his hair and soothe him to sleep. Which was utterly ridiculous, he was a stranger. Jimin had no idea why those thoughts kept coming to mind, why he felt strangely drawn to the wild cat.

“What… what kind of cat are you?” He asked instead.

“They call us asian leopard cats.” Yoongi said, sinking onto the bed beside Jimin’s propped up foot.

“You’re not… domesticated.” Jimin said, almost a little scared to say the word.

Yoongi huffed out a laugh, “well, asian leopard cats are not, but I can assure you that I am house trained.”

"I didn’t mean… shit. Sorry, I didn’t meant offend you.”

“You didn’t, don’t worry.”

“Do you live here, in the forest?”

“Yes.”

“What about your owner?”

Jimin was still worried that some angry forest dwelling man was going to come home to find him on his bed. Though his nose told him that wasn’t the case. The cabin reeked of Yoongi’s scent and only that.

Yoongi raised his eyebrows at him, “I don’t have one.”

Jimin could only nod. He knew what was coming next, he’d met unregistered hybrids before. They looked down on those like Jimin who lived amongst humans, owned by humans. Jimin hadn’t known anything different though, and he hadn’t understood why they had told him to give up his comfort and luxury to live on the streets like they did. It wasn’t like he could get a job or an apartment, most places wouldn’t hire a hybrid. Jimin had a good life, his humans looked after him well, spoiled him even. He could never imagine giving all that up.

“As you said, I’m not domesticated.” Yoongi added.

And another wave of guilt washed over Jimin at his use of the word. He regretted having ever said it.

“Please, I am sorry for saying that.”

“Don’t worry princess, I’m not going to go all feral on you.” Yoongi said, laughing.

Jimin wanted to laugh with him, but he suddenly felt all flustered at being called ‘princess’. He knew it wasn’t meant as a compliment. He knew how Yoongi probably saw him, a pampered and spoiled pet. But for some reason at it had an effect on him.

What if I want you to go feral on me.

Jimin looked down at his hands where they rested on his lap, his face flushing red. Where had that thought come from?! He snuck a glance up at Yoongi through his lashes, he was watching him. His once pale yellow eyes, now a deep brown, almost black as they gazed at him. It made Jimin feel hot all over. He’d never felt like this before, and he’d certainly never had thoughts like that before.
“I’ll let you rest.” Yoongi said, getting to his feet.

Jimin’s head shot up, and he looked at Yoongi with pleading eyes, desperate for him to stay for some unknown reason. Yoongi’s eyes met his for a moment, and there was something in the way that he looked at Jimin that made him almost nervous. And then he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.

Jimin didn’t understand what was happening to him. Why this perfect stranger was having such and effect on him? He could only stare at the closed door for a few minutes, wishing Yoongi would walk back through it. Only to slump back against the pillows in disappointment when he did not. He wasn’t acting rational, maybe he had hit his head when he fell? He reached up, tentatively searching for bumps on his scalp, but nothing.

It didn’t take long for his tiredness to get the better of him, and Jimin dozed off where he sat. Only waking when the door opened and Yoongi appeared carrying a bowl of soup. Jimin’s stomach rumbled at the smell and he couldn’t deny his hunger any further.

“Thought you might be feeling hungry now.” Yoongi said, setting the bowl down on the bedside table.

“Thank you.”

The soup was good, and it quelled his hunger easily. Though it did make him wonder how late it actually was, he had left the house in the afternoon, but it was dark out now. How long had he been wandering around the forest?

“What time is it?” Jimin asked.

“A little after 8pm.” Yoongi told him.

It had been hours. Hours since he’d left the comfort and safety of his home on some fool’s errand.

“I got lost, I was following the path through the forest into town and I don’t know what happened.” Jimin explained, keeping his gaze on the now empty bowl in his lap.

“That path hasn’t been used for years, a lot of it is overgrown now.” Yoongi said, “it’s easy to get lost in this place.”

Jimin nodded, still feeling like an idiot for even attempting to go through the forest. Why hadn’t he listened to those warnings he’d been told all his life? Why had he risked it?

you know why

Jimin looked up at Yoongi. Did he know why? Was there something else that hand drawn him into the trees? Had he been looking for something he didn’t even realise?

That strangely familiar scent reached his nose again, and his stomach tightened.

“Don’t feel bad about getting lost, it was brave enough coming into the forest. And I’ll help you get home, don’t worry.”

Jimin felt his anxiety ease a little, and he realised it was Yoongi’s presence and reassurance that was helping it. And more so, his scent. He was using it to soothe Jimin.

Jimin hadn’t spent much time around other hybrids. He’d been adopted quite young and spent all of his time with the children of his family. He didn’t have the experience of being around others like him and their capabilities. Of course he knew about them. He’d read about them, saw things on tv about it. But he’d never experienced it himself. So having Yoongi’s comforting pheromones wash over him and soothe his worries was nothing like he could’ve ever imagined.

“Thank you for helping me.” He said, hoping Yoongi understood it wasn’t just the physical help he was talking about.

“Get some rest,” Yoongi said, getting to his feet. “You’ll feel better in the morning.”

He took the empty bowl from Jimin, and before he could say anything he was gone again.

*

Jimin had lain there, looking up at the ceiling thinking over the past couple of hours, for what felt like an eternity before sleep finally took him. His head was reeling as he thought about what he had done, what had drawn him to do it and what it all meant. Because he knew now it wasn’t just his want for a quicker route into town that had drawn him into the forest. Maybe at first yes, but what had kept him going, what had drawn him further and further into the heart of the forest was something else. Something more.

He awoke a few hours later, the cabin deathly quiet. His heart was racing and he felt hot, too hot. It had been pain that woke him up, but not from his injured ankle. His stomach cramped and he knew in an instant what the cause of it was. He had gone into heat.

Jimin sat up, ignoring the twinge in his ankle as he moved. A thin coating of sweat seemed to cover every inch of his skin. It was the very start of his heat, he knew it well enough. Soon he would lose control of himself and would be unable to quell his desires. He managed to move without making his ankle hurt any further until he was sat on the edge of the bed, his feet finding the cool wood beneath.

He didn’t understand. His heat wasn’t due for months. Why had it come early? Why now?

you know why

He looked over at the door, at who he knew was beyond it. Everything he’d been thinking about before he fell asleep came to him in utter certainty, it had been Yoongi all along. Yoongi had drawn him into the forest, Yoongi had been what kept him following that path. Yoongi was what was causing him to feel this way. Yoongi was an alpha, and more so, Yoongi was his mate.

Jimin had read a lot about mates over the years. How the natural instincts between hybrid alphas and omegas drew them to each other. How their bond was stronger than anything in the world. He’d never imagined it would be something he would ever get to have. It wasn’t common, especially with how rare hybrids were. Jimin wouldn’t have thought he’d find his mate in a million years, had never thought it was possible. But all the signs pointed to it.

The reason Yoongi's scent had been strangely familiar to him was because it was for him.

Did Yoongi know? Did Yoongi feel the same things he was feeling?

He had to find out. He had to know.

Carefully Jimin got to his feet, keeping his weight mostly on his uninjured leg as he slowly hobbled over to the door. Pulling open the door he was met with soft firelight. The cabin was dark other than the glow that emitted from the fireplace, the windows were open, letting in the summer evening air. But even that couldn’t take away the strong scent of the wild cat that was now looking at him from the arm chair he was sat in. Jimin could see his eyes even in the dim light. The way they gazed at him with such intensity it made his stomach tighten.

“Y-yoongi…” he managed to stammer out as another cramp sent a wave of discomfort through him.

Yoongi was on his feet and at his side in an instant, holding him up.

“Jimin, you shouldn’t be up.” Yoongi said.

“Please, I…”

Jimin clung to him, looking up at him, pleading that he knew what Jimin was asking.

“Okay okay, let’s get you over to the sofa.”

Yoongi helped him limp over to the sofa, practically carrying him and the entire time it took everything in Jimin not to bury his face in his neck. Up close his scent was even stronger, or maybe it was something else that was causing it to be so potent.

“Jimin, you… you’re…”

“I’m going into heat, yes. I’m sorry.” Jimin said as Yoongi helped him onto the sofa.

A low hum seemed to come from Yoongi and Jimin realised it was a growl.

“I can’t…”

“Do you feel it too?” Jimin asked, as Yoongi made to pull away.

Their eyes met.

“Tell me you do or I think I might go insane.”

“Jimin…”

“I’ve never felt anything like this before, but I know what it is. I’m not stupid just because I’m… domesticated.” Jimin said, feeling a little defiant.

“I never said you were stupid.” Yoongi said.

“But you were thinking it.”

“No.”

“You don’t need to lie, I know what unregistered hybrids think of those like me.” Jimin said.

“Do I think it’s bad that you’re kept as a pet by humans? Yes. Do I think any less of you for it? Absolutely not.” Yoongi said, and there was an air of exasperation in his tone. “Are we really having this conversation right now? While you go into heat on my sofa?”

“I don’t know what to do.” Jimin admitted.

“Jimin…”

“You feel it too right?”

“Yes.”

“You’re my mate.”

Yoongi dropped his gaze, looking at his hands which lay atop Jimin’s knees.

“Yes.”

Jimin felt an overwhelming feeling of relief wash over him. Hearing Yoongi confirm his feelings, to tell him that he wasn’t crazy and imagining it. That he felt that same pull.

“You were watching me, in the forest.” Jimin said.

“Yes.”

“How long have you known?”

Jimin had got the feeling someone had been watching him stumble through the forest. But it wasn’t the only time he’d had that feeling. He’d often felt it whenever he’d been out in the garden. The feeling that someone was watching him, he could feel their eyes on him. Though he never saw anyone. He’d just brushed it off as his mind playing tricks on him, forgetting about it the next moment, only to feel it again and again. He’d always thought he was just imagining it, because who could have been watching him? He’d convinced himself it had been nothing, but now… now he wasn’t so sure.

“From the moment I first saw you.” Yoongi said, his voice low.

“And… when was that?”

Jimin held his breath as he waited for Yoongi’s answer.

“Um, when they first brought you to the house.” Yoongi said, not looking at Jimin now.

Oh.

That had been years ago. He was only seven years old when he was adopted, just a child so naive about the world. Yoongi didn’t look much older than him, had he been a child just the same? How had he known Jimin was his mate back then?

Suddenly a memory of the early days at the house came back. Jimin was still adjusting to his new life and he often snuck away in his kitten form into the garden. He liked to walk amongst the flowers, smelling their sweet scents and feeling the breeze through his fur. Then he’d noticed something else in the air, something that wasn’t the smell of the flowers he was sat amongst.

That scent. That familiar scent.

Yoongi’s scent.

He had been there, Jimin remembered it now. He’d saw the small cat amongst the trees. The two white stripes down its forehead leading down to those pale yellow eyes, watching him. Those same ones that had looked at Jimin only a few hours ago.

“I saw you.” Jimin said, “I saw you in the trees.”

Yoongi nodded, his eyes still on his hands. Jimin noticed his tail was wrapped around his leg, and his toyed with it as he replied,

“I didn’t know who you were, but your scent… I could smell it even in the depths of the forest. I was just young then, I didn’t know what it meant. It wasn’t until later that I understood why I kept going back to the edge of the forest, why I kept looking for you.”

Yoongi’s words felt so raw, like a confession.

“Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you come to me?” Jimin asked.

“How could I? You had this whole life, a family, a home. I was just some feral wild cat living in the forest. I barely shifted into my human form back then, I was just a wild animal.” Yoongi said, finally looking up at Jimin.

He felt his stomach clench in another cramp, but Jimin ignored it. The pain in his heart at Yoongi's words so much greater.

“It wouldn’t have mattered to me.” Jimin said softly, reaching over and resting his hand atop Yoongi’s.

“When I realised what it all meant… who you were, what you were. I made a vow to become someone worthy of you.” Yoongi said, his eyes now on their connected hands. “I went to the library in town and studied, I built this cabin, I found work to have money for you, for us.”

“Yet you still hid away?” Jimin said, “why wait?”

“I guess I was scared that you wouldn’t feel it. That it was all in my imagination. And that I still wasn’t worthy of you.” Yoongi said.

“You were worthy of me from the beginning. You’re my mate, I feel it, it’s nothing like I’ve ever felt before, but I know it’s true. You’re the one for me, and you would have been without all of this.” Jimin said, looking around at the cabin.

Knowing Yoongi had built it all, built it for him, for them, it made him heart sing.

Where Jimin had been afraid Yoongi would judge him for being a pampered pet, he had been there fearing that Jimin would see him as a feral wild animal. It mad him laugh, which had Yoongi looking up at him confused.

“I’m sorry, it’s just… we both worried what the other would think of us.” Jimin said, “which is stupid, it doesn’t matter, none of it matters.”

Yoongi was about to say something when another cramp hit Jimin and he clutched his stomach in pain, worry flashing across Yoongi’s features instead.

“Jimin, you really need to get back to bed.” Yoongi said, “your heat…”

“I don’t want to go back in there, I want to stay with you.” Jimin said, “I need to stay with you.”

“But, Jimin… we’ve only just met. I can’t…”

“Yes you can, Yoongi, you trigged this. It was you that made my heat come because my body knows you’re my mate and that we need to…”

His words trailed off, they needed to mate. They needed to be together physically. Jimin had never had sex before, had always suffered through his heats alone, locked away in his room where the humans couldn’t see him. But now, his body was calling to the alpha that sat beside him. He needed him.

“But…”

“Don’t you want me?” Jimin asked, his voice cracking slightly as the fear that Yoongi may not want him like that suddenly hit him.

“Of course I do, I just… are you sure? It’s not just your heat talking?” Yoongi said, and Jimin could smell the uncertainty in his scent.

“I’m not so far gone that I don’t know my own mind, I know what I want and it’s you.” Jimin said.

A low rumble came from Yoongi and Jimin could’ve sworn his eyes darkened. The heat that was already building within him seemed to soar until he felt like his body was on fire. Yoongi’s scent was stronger now, overwhelmingly so.

He knew the whole thing was crazy. They’d only just met, he didn’t even know Yoongi’s last name or his birthday. But none of it seemed to matter. His heart, his soul, it all screamed for him. Their unseen bond pulling them closer together. It wasn’t like anything he could have ever imagined, the feeling so intense it was indescribable.

“If you’re sure?” Yoongi said, voice low.

“I’ve never been more sure about something in my life.” Jimin told him, and he meant it.

He really couldn’t have explained it if someone asked him to, but it was the truth.

Yoongi paused for a moment, just looking at Jimin, his gaze so intense it made Jimin shudder. He knew that it was moving fast, he knew that they would need to take time to get to know one another, but in that moment none of that seemed to matter. His heart was calling out to the man beside him. His soul reaching for him.

Then it Yoongi was reaching for him, his hand coming up to cup Jimin’s jaw, Jimin leaned into the touch, the feeling of his rough calloused fingers against his cheek strangely nice, the heat from his skin like fire against Jimin’s own. They were close now, close enough that Jimin could see the pale yellow of his wild cat eyes ringed around his deep brown human ones.

“If you change your mind…” Yoongi began.

“I won’t.”

Yoongi laughed, Jimin’s response coming out faster than he expected, Jimin liked the sound of it.

“I won’t, please, I want this. I want you.” Jimin said, placing a hand on Yoongi’s chest, over his heart.

Yoongi leaned in, closing the gap between them. Jimin held his breath, his entire body felt like it was on fire and as their lips met while at the same time like he had been doused in cold water, walking him up from a dream he didn’t know he’d been trapped in.

The kiss was gentle at first, but soon turned heated, Jimin clutched at Yoongi’s shirt where his hand had rested over his heart pulling him closer still. Yoongi’s hands found his hips, holding him steady as they deepened the kiss. Jimin had never kissed anyone before, but if this was what he’d been missing out on all along he could only regret he hadn’t met Yoongi sooner.

It felt better than good, the feeling of Yoongi’s soft lips against his, the feeling of Yoongi’s tongue brushing against his own. His stomach tightened in another cramp but he didn’t care, all he cared about was feeling more of Yoongi. And when he pulled back, Jimin let out a whine.

Opening his eyes he found Yoongi smiling at him. He reached up, brushing Jimin’s hair back, grazing the fluffy ears that sat nestled in his blond hair.

“Cute.” Yoongi said softly, his smile making the corners of his eyes crinkle.

“M’not cute.” Jimin whined, but the way his stomach fluttered at the word said he felt differently towards the compliment.

“Do you… still want to…” Yoongi asked, his other hand rubbing along Jimin’s thigh.

“Yes.” Jimin said, he could feel the haziness of his heat beginning to pull at his edges. He wanted to feel Yoongi, to touch him and see him before he got lost in his own desires. “Please.”

“We should move to the bedroom.”

He untangled himself from Jimin’s grasp, and got to his feet. Jimin moved to stand up but before he got the chance Yoongi was scooping him up into his arms, lifting him with relative ease. It made his omega purr.

Yoongi carried him through to the bedroom, settling him down on the bed. The lamplight was low, casting the room in a warm orange glow. Jimin had initially wanted to stay where they had been on the sofa, but now that he was on the bed, Yoongi’s bed he was glad they had moved. He was surrounded by Yoongi’s scent, the bedsheets where thick with it and as he lay back he pulled them closer around him. It wasn’t much of a nest, and he longed to build one, to wrap himself up in the blankets that lay there, but then Yoongi was leaning over him and any worries about a nest where driven from his mind as he kissed Jimin again.

Another whine escaped Jimin as Yoongi kissed him, his hands wrapped around his waist pushing up the too big t-shirt, brushing against the bare skin beneath. Jimin couldn’t stop himself from rutting up against Yoongi, where he knelt with one knee between Jimin’s thighs, desperate for the touch. Yoongi let out a low rumble and Jimin could feel his smile against his lips.

“Please, it hurts.” Jimin said, his heat really starting to take over as his stomach tightened in another cramp.

“It’s okay baby, I’ll take care of you.” Yoongi mumbled into his lips, making Jimin whine again.

Yoongi pulled away slightly, much to Jimin’s disapproval, but he couldn’t complain when he pulled his shirt up over his head. Jimin looked up at him at his now bare chest, taking in his broad shoulders, and smooth expanse of his toned chest, done to his narrow waist and soft stomach. There were a few scars on his pale skin, and Jimin felt a need to kiss them, to soothe any pain that may have been lingering there. His desire to care for his mate soaring.

Yoongi leaned back in, pressing another kiss to Jimin’s lips, a gentle peck which left Jimin wanting more, but as Yoongi’s fingers found the hem of the t-shirt again. Jimin could only lie there, willing his racing heart to ease as Yoongi pushed up the soft material, fully exposing his abdomen. He watched as Yoongi leaned down, pressing gentle kisses over his stomach.

Jimin felt the slick that began to leak out of him at the touch, he squeezed his legs together, forgetting that Yoongi’s knee sat between them, the feel of it between his thighs only making him leak more.

“Fuck, you smell so good.” Yoongi growled into his skin.

“Please.” Was all Jimin could managed to say.

Yoongi sat up again, reaching forward to pull Jimin up so he could lift his t-shirt off, his lips finding Jimin’s again the moment it was pulled free of his head. Jimin gripped his shoulders, the feeling of his skin beneath his fingers sending sparks through Jimin. He whined into the kiss, unable to stop the sounds that spilled from him as Yoongi slid his hands down his back, down over his ass until they settled around it, kneading it and making Jimin spill more slick. Soaking through the fabric of the sweatpants he wore.

“Yoongi.. please…” He stammered, as Yoongi’s lips found his neck.

Jimin leaned away, opening his neck for him. Asking to be marked.

“Not yet baby.” Yoongi whispered into his neck, licking a strip over the sensitive skin there.

“I need…”

“I know, let’s get these off you.” Yoongi said, sliding his hands back up to the waistband of his sweatpants, pulling slightly, making them smack against Jimin’s sensitive skin.

Jimin reached down, fumbling with the knotted cord. His desperation making him clumsy. Yoongi’s hands closed around his, “let me.” He said softly.

Jimin looked up at him, and there was a tenderness in Yoongi’s eyes that he hadn't expected. It made his heart flutter. Jimin let Yoongi untie the knot, taking a moment to calm himself. Taking deep breathes he willed his racing heart to ease. Though that was difficult as he watched Yoongi, his brows pinched ever so slightly as he concentrated on the knot Jimin had managed to pull tighter in his haste to undo the cord, the slightly rounded ears nestled in his long dark hair twitching slightly. Yoongi was handsome in a way Jimin had never seen before. He was full of contrasts. Sharp edges and soft curves. Pale skin and dark hair. Strong and gentle at the same time. Jimin reached up, brushing Yoongi’s hair back where it had fallen in his face and the wild cat looked up at him through his lashes. Jimin’s chest felt tight as their eyes met. He could feel the tension in the cord loosen but Yoongi didn’t move to remove his pants. Instead leaning in to kiss Jimin again, brushing those soft pink lips against his.

The kiss was slower, more sensual, and Jimin tried his best to ignore the need that pulled at him, trying to enjoy it as the haze of his heat pulled at his edges more and more. Yoongi pushed him back, slowly guiding him down until he was laying back amongst the soft pillows.

Then he felt fingers slip below his waistband, slowly tugging his sweatpants down over his hips. Jimin lifted his hips, letting Yoongi ease them down over his ass and to expose the bare skin beneath. Jimin hadn’t put on underwear, it had felt weird to borrow a strangers, but now it left him without another barrier, his hardening cock laid bare.

Jimin felt a rush of shyness and moved to cover himself, but Yoongi stopped him, wrapping his long fingers around Jimin’s wrists.

“Don’t.”

The word made Jimin feel even more flustered, heat spreading through him. Yoongi’s voice was like melted chocolate, and Jimin wanted to drown in it.

Yoongi let go of his wrists so he could pull Jimin’s pants off the rest of the way, being extra cautious of his injured ankle, something Jimin found to be quite endearing. Even in the heat of the moment he was careful with him. He would think back on it later and realise how much it said about Yoongi’s character.

After tossing the sweatpants to one side, Yoongi sat back on his heels and just looked at Jimin. Laying there naked before him, Jimin felt the need to cover himself rise up again, but he withheld, letting Yoongi drink in his body.

“Fuck you’re beautiful.” Yoongi said, hands finding Jimin’s thighs, massaging them slowly, almost teasingly.

“Please…” Jimin whined, as he felt another gush of slick spill from him as Yoongi’s thumbs pressed into his inner thigh.

Yoongi had the audacity to smirk at him, he knew he had Jimin right where he wanted him. His heat pulling at him from all angles. Pain tightening in his stomach again, Jimin spread his thighs a little, as another wave of need washed over him.

“I've got you princess.” Yoongi said, leaning down to kiss Jimin’s stomach, dipping lower and lower as Jimin writhed on the bed.

His head swam, the need to be knotted growing stronger and stronger with every second. His senses were heightened and Yoongi’s scent was overwhelmingly alluring. His body felt like it was on fire, and every touch of Yoongi’s was electric.

“Yoongi… please…” he whined as Yoongi mouthed over his hips, kissing down to just above his waiting cock.

Slick leaked from him, his ass and thighs sticky with it, his cock dribbling pre-come. Jimin was a mess and he felt pathetic and desperate. So when Yoongi’s mouth finally found his length he almost came on the spot. The hot wet heat around him felt so good Jimin moaned, the sound of his voice loud in the quiet of the cabin. He gripped the sheets as a hand wrapped around his length, stroking him as Yoongi’s suckled on the head.

Jimin had never had another person touch him there before, it was overwhelming and he felt the familiar coil of heat tighten way too fast as his climax began to build. He was going to come, he was going to come and Yoongi had barely touched him. He whined, chest heaving as Yoongi worked his tongue over him.

“Y-yoongi…” He sputtered out, seconds before he spilled into Yoongi’s mouth.

The orgasm hit him hard, his body tensing and thighs closing around Yoongi's shoulders as it wrapped him in ecstasy. Arching his back up, finger gripping the sheets tight, crying out as Yoongi took everything with ease.

“You okay?” Yoongi asked, when he finally pulled off.

Jimin could only lay their, breathing hard as he came back down from his high. His body felt lax, like jelly, and he couldn’t help the whine that slipped out when Yoongi moved up to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

“Jimin?”

“M’okay.” He managed to mumble out.

He wasn’t okay. He was… he wasn’t sure how he was. He’d never been touched like that before and it felt better than anything he could’ve ever imagined. And even though he felt a little lightheaded and weak, he wanted more. He needed more.

He felt sticky with slick as Yoongi brushed his hair back from his face. He’d come up to lie beside Jimin, and when Jimin opened his eyes he found the wild cat watching him with yellow tinged eyes.

“That was… I’ve never…” Jimin said, failing to find the right words to describe just how good it had been.

“How’s your pain, do you need anything?” Yoongi asked, sitting up.

And it was only then that Jimin realised the cramps had eased for a moment. He’d never had that during his heats before. Even when he’d relieved himself, they had always clung to him, tightening his stomach and bringing discomfort and pain. Jimin had never known that simply being with an alpha could bring him relief.

“It’s okay, the cramps have stopped.” Jimin said, moving to sit up.

Yoongi’s helped him, moving the pillows so Jimin could rest against the headboard.

“I’ll get you some water.” Yoongi said, making to move but Jimin grabbed his arm stopping him.

“Don’t leave.” He said, embarrassed at how pathetic he sounded.

“I’ll be right back, this reprieve won’t last baby.” Yoongi said, pressing a soft kiss to Jimin’s sweaty temple.

Jimin let him go. Of course he knew Yoongi was right. His heats usually lasted a few days and this was just the beginning. Jimin could already feel the need growing again, despite having just came.

Yoongi returned moments later with some water and Jimin took a few welcome sips. Letting himself relax before the next wave hit. He knew he would need more. His body craved more than oral sex. He needed to be fucked, he needed to be knotted. The thought made him blush, though he shouldn’t really be feeling any embarrassment considering what had just happened and the fact that he was still completely naked.

Being fully naked while Yoongi was not made him feel a little vulnerable, but at the same time he liked it. He liked the way Yoongi looked at him. His tail curled around his thigh, the tip flicking softly as Yoongi moved around the room.

“Yoongi…” Jimin said, and the alpha turned to him from where he’d been stood at the window drawing the curtains Jimin hadn’t even noticed were still open.

“What do you need?” Yoongi asked.

“You.”

Yoongi wasted no time in climbing back onto the bed, he took the glass of water from Jimin, placing it carefully on the bedside table. Jimin reached for him, pulling him into a kiss. Having Yoongi’s hands on him again seemed to bring the next wave on even faster, and he was starting to feel that desperation again. His body was on fire, and only Yoongi’s touch could quell the heat. Jimin shimmied down the bed again, Yoongi moving with him, almost laying on top of him as they kissed. But Jimin wanted more, needed more. He reached down, fingers finding Yoongi’s belt.

He felt Yoongi’s hands come to rest atop his as he fumbled with the buckle, guiding his hands to undo it and slip open his belt, before Jimin reached for the button of his jeans. Unfastening it, and dragging down the zip, his breathing heavy as he slid his hands under the waistband of his jeans, over Yoongi’s hips.

Jimin looked up at Yoongi, he didn’t even know when they’d stopped kissing, his mind too focused on getting Yoongi’s pants undone. Only now he didn’t know what to do, he didn’t really know what came next. He wanted to touch Yoongi, to feel him, but he wasn’t sure how.

Thankfully Yoongi seemed to notice his hesitancy. Sitting back on his heels again.

“Are you sure you want this?” Yoongi asked again, “I can leave if it's too much, if it’s too soon?”

“I want it.” Jimin told him, “I just don’t know what to do, I’ve never…”

“That’s okay, I haven’t either.” Yoongi told him.

“Oh? But… but you knew how to…”

Jimin trailed off thinking about the way Yoongi had used his mouth on him. Jimin had just assumed Yoongi was experienced, he certainly seemed to know what he was doing.

Yoongi huffed a laugh, “it’s amazing what you can learn watching porn.”

Jimin’s eyes went wide.

“I’ve… I’ve never…”

“You’ve never even watched porn? God, what were they teaching you up there.” Yoongi teased. “Really though, don’t worry. We can take it slow.”

“You’ve really never been with anyone?” Jimin asked as Yoongi got up from the bed.

Jimin watched as he took off his jeans, his tail twitching nervously beside him. Yoongi was stood in only his underwear now, and he could see his own fluffy tail flicking back and forth behind him. Jimin had wondered if he had one, but clearly he kept it hidden, unlike Jimin who had clothes specially altered so his tail was free. He hated the feeling of tucking it away.

“Really, there wasn’t anyone else who I wanted to do anything with.” Yoongi said, and Jimin felt a rush of warmth shoot through him as he realised what Yoongi meant.

Yoongi hadn't slept with anyone else, because he only wanted him.

The thought that Yoongi had been keeping himself for Jimin made his stomach squirm. As far as he knew, other free and unregistered hybrids had sex with whoever they wanted whenever they wanted. There wasn’t any limitations for them, not that Jimin had been limited per-se, he just didn’t know any other hybrids and the only humans he knew were like siblings to him. While he had been limited by circumstance, Yoongi hadn’t been. Yet he had still chosen to wait, because he had only wanted Jimin.

“What about your ruts though? You have them right?” Jimin asked.

"I spent them alone, the way I assume you spent your heats alone.” Yoongi told him.

The thought made Jimin feel a little sad. He didn’t like the idea of Yoongi suffering through a rut alone and hurting. He’d heard that ruts for alpha types could be really bad. He hoped Yoongi hadn’t suffered too much.

“You won’t have to spend anymore alone.” Jimin said, and there was a defiance in his voice that surprised even him.

Yoongi raised his eyebrows at him, but said nothing. Instead he took hold of the waistband of his underwear, making Jimin’s eyes drop down. His mouth went dry as he noticed the outline of Yoongi’s hard cock through the material. He licked his lips, and when he looked back up at him, he found Yoongi smirking at him.

“Don’t laugh at me.” Jimin whined, averting his eyes.

“I’m not princess, don’t pout. It’s just cute how desperate you are already.” Yoongi said, and Jimin could make out him moving to take off his underwear out of the corner of his eye.

“I’m not desperate.”

“Your scent says otherwise.” Yoongi said, and Jimin looked up at him as he felt the bed dip as Yoongi crawled back over to him. “Now lay back and let me make you feel good.”

“Not sure how you’re gonna do better than before.” Jimin said, thinking back to the blow job.

But Yoongi just grinned at him, “I like a challenge.”

For some reason that made Jimin feel even more turned on as Yoongi leaned over him, kissing him again. Jimin felt his cock brush up against his thigh as Yoongi pressed himself close. Jimin felt more slick gush out of him, and he spread his thighs a little, opening himself up for Yoongi.

Another cramp twisted his gut as Yoongi kissed him, and Jimin cried out gripping Yoongi’s shoulders, “Yoongi please.”

That desperation he had denied spilling out of him with another wave of slick as Yoongi’s hands slid down his thighs, taking hold of them and spreading them further.

“Tell me if you want to stop.” Yoongi whispered into his ear.

Jimin couldn’t ever imagine wanting to, but he managed to stutter out an “okay” before Yoongi shifted so he was kneeling between Jimin’s thighs, looking down at him like he was a feast and Yoongi was a starved man.

Jimin could see all of him now, his thick cock hard and resting against his stomach. Jimin wanted to touch it, feel it’s heat, but he also couldn’t move. So instead he just spread his legs wider, inviting Yoongi in.
Yoongi let out a low growl as he took in the way Jimin opened himself up for him. Before leaning down and kissing the insides of Jimin’s thighs, peppering soft kisses there as his fingers found his entrance. Jimin’s stomach tightened at the touch, slick pooling there as Yoongi dragged the pad of his finger over his wet hole.

Jimin held his breath, bracing for the push, but it didn’t come. Instead, Yoongi’s lips wrapped around the head of his hardening cock again and he let out a gasp. Hands sinking into the sheets beneath him again. The wet heat of Yoongi’s mouth distracting him from the finger that Yoongi pressed inside him.

“Ohhh…” he exclaimed, at the feeling.

He looked down to find Yoongi grinning at him, his antics having distracted Jimin enough to make him relax. Something Yoongi had planned, and Jimin was actually thankful for it.

“You okay?” Yoongi asked.

“M’okay.”

Yoongi pressed kiss to the inside of his thigh as he worked his finger in an out, his slick making it move with ease. Jimin had only touched himself there during his heats, but it never felt like this. And as Yoongi eased in a second finger, his back arching as his they brushed the bundle of nerves that made him moan pathetically.

Jimin felt so needy, he’d never felt anything like it before. He wanted more, more of Yoongi. It was a desperation like no other. Even during his previous heats, it had never been like this.

“M’ready.” He mumbled, desperate for more.

“Not yet, I don’t want to hurt you.” Yoongi said, easing in a third finger, stretching Jimin’s hole with a strangely pleasant burn.

“Please, I need… I need more.” Jimin whined, thrusting himself down onto Yoongi’s fingers.

“Fuck…” He heard Yoongi breathe, his voice impossibly low and doing things for Jimin he didn’t quite understand.

Yoongi spent another few minutes opening Jimin up, his own begs and pleas falling on deaf ears, but when Yoongi, finally lined himself up, Jimin was glad he’d taken his time. His cock was much bigger than a couple of fingers, and Jimin felt it. He focussed on the feeling of Yoongi’s thumbs rubbing against his hip bones, as he eased himself in, slowly, inch by inch filling Jimin up.

“You okay baby?” Yoongi asked, leaning in to press a kiss to Jimin’s jaw.

“Yeah… I just… feel very… full.” Jimin said, his chest heaving.

His mind was starting to get hazy, his heat taking over, but Yoongi’s scent pierced through it, calming him, his lips found Jimin’s neck, kissing over his scent gland, Jimin tilting his head, making room for him, wanting more. Always wanting more.

Jimin wrapped a hand around the back of Yoongi’s neck, holding him in place as he slowly moved his hips. It was Yoongi’s turn to gasp now, as he clenched around his cock. Jimin’s movements coaxing him to move himself, slowly pulling out only to sink back in.

“Fuck, please, more, more I need more.” Jimin panted, as Yoongi thrust into him again and again.

It felt good, he felt good, too good. He felt like he was going to combust. Thighs wrapped tight around Yoongi’s hips as he thrust in deeply, the sound of their bodies together loud in the quiet of the cabin, breaths laboured, sweat and slick clinging to their skin. Jimin wanted more.

When Yoongi pulled away from his neck, looking down at him, his dark eyes ringed with the pale yellow of his wild cat eyes, Jimin began to feel coil of heat growing, he pulled Yoongi back down, crashing their lips together in a messy kiss. Yoongi’s fingers digging into his hips as his thrusts became less refined.

“Knot.. want your knot, alpha.” Jimin murmured against his lips, making Yoongi growl and thrust into him harder, deeper, hitting the spot that made Jimin’s back arch and his eyes roll back in his head.

He gripped Yoongi’s shoulder hard enough to bruise, as Yoongi fucked into him, the swell of his knot pressing against Jimin’s hole. Jimin’s omega cried out for it in the form of a whine. Yoongi’s mouth finding his neck again as he pressed in, his knot slipping past Jimin’s rim.

All Jimin could do was present his neck for him, Yoongi’s name on his lips as his teeth sank into Jimin’s neck. The mating mark.

Jimin could’ve sworn he actually blacked out for a few minutes, when he opened his eyes Yoongi was looking down at him, looking more beautiful than Jimin had words for.

“My mate.” Jimin said, reaching to trail his fingers down the side of Yoongi’s face.

“Not quite yet, your turn princess.” Yoongi said.

Jimin let his fingers trailed down passed his jaw to his neck, the pale skin awaiting his mark. He’d expected to feel the haze of his heat, but his head was clear and so was his heart. Yoongi leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, before exposing his neck to Jimin, who kissed over Yoongi’s scent gland, licking over the smooth skin, before sinking his teeth into it, mirroring the way Yoongi had with his neck.

His mate, his alpha, his heart.

*

It took two days for Jimin’s heat to break. But unlike his past ones, he was completely present the whole time, that clouded feeling he usually got when his desires and desperation took over gone with every touch of Yoongi’s skin against his. Was this all that he’d needed all these years? Was it because he was finally getting fucked by an alpha the way his body craved, or was it because he was with his mate? Their bond so strong that it replaced any other feelings.

They lay together on the morning of the third day since Jimin had limped to the cabin. His ankle already felt better, or maybe he was just blissed out. He was tired, but happy, body aching with exertion but in the best possible way. Curled up, his head against Yoongi’s chest, the fire crackling in the grate he felt at ease.

“What happens now?” Jimin asked.

Now that his heat was over, and his ankle feeling better, what did they do now? Jimin knew he should go home, but he didn’t want to leave Yoongi. He wanted to stay with him, learn everything about him. Feel his touch and his kisses, listen to his voice. He wanted to wrap himself up in everything that was Yoongi and forget about the world beyond the cabin.

“What every you want princess.” Yoongi said, brushing his hair back from his face.

“You really need to stop calling me that, I’m not a spoiled princess.” Jimin said, pinching Yoongi’s side.

Yoongi laughed, “your scent is telling me otherwise.”

Jimin groaned, pressing his face into Yoongi’s chest. Of course he knew that Jimin actually liked the pet name. He had liked it from the first time Yoongi had called him it.

“I hate that you can tell what I’m thinking because of that.” Jimin said.

“Less what you're thinking, and more what you’re feeling.” Yoongi said, “and anyways, it’s not just your scent that gives you away, your tail is practically wagging like a dog’s whenever I call you that.”

Jimin leaned up on his elbow and scowled down at Yoongi, grabbing his tail which had been laying over Yoongi, the end twitching happily as Yoongi ran his fingers through his hair.

“No fair.” He whined.

Yoongi laughed again, his eyes crinkling at the corners, something Jimin found himself loving.

“Cute.”

“I’m not cute.” Jimin retorted, laying back down, and letting go of the betrayer of a tail.

Yoongi patted his hip softly, “you’re very cute and it’s pointless denying it.”

Jimin’s tail wrapped around Yoongi’s wrist.

“Okay, but you’re cute too.” Jimin said.

“I know, I’m fucking adorable.”

Yoongi grinned at him, and Jimin felt his heart flutter. He had the cutest smile and Jimin wanted nothing more to keep making it appear. Yoongi was right, he was adorable. Everything from his button nose to the fluffiness of his tail, was cute and adorable, but especially his smile when it made the pinks of his gums appear and the corners of his eyes crinkle.

“I have to go home.” Jimin said after a moment.

“Only if you want to.” Yoongi said, rubbing a thumb over Jimin’s tail which was still curled around his wrist.

“My family…”

“I know you have a life there, and I understand that you’ll want to go back to it. But, you have a home here if you want it. You have me if you want it.”

Jimin’s heart was full of affection, even now, as they lay together with their mating marks fresh on this skin, Yoongi was giving Jimin the option to leave or stay. But Jimin knew there was no real decision to be made, his heart and soul called for Yoongi. He could feel their bond, how strong it was. Even just being in Yoongi’s presence made him feel happier than he’d even felt. As though something had been missing in his life all this time, and now he had it he couldn’t ever imagine letting it go. He’d felt it before they had mated, but now, with Yoongi’s mark on his neck, he felt it even more. The thought of leaving him almost painful.

“I want it. I want you.” Jimin said, trailing a finger over Yoongi’s collarbone. “I want to get to know you, to build a life with you. I want to see how strong this bond I feel between us can grow.”

“What about your family?”

Jimin thought about it for a moment, he would miss them for sure. But his time with them was over. The kids had all grown up and moved onto their own lives, it was time for him to do the same. They had treated him well, he’d lived a life of luxury and ease, and he’d forever be grateful for that. But it was time for him to seek his own future, and he was sure they would want that for him too.

“They would want me to be happy.” He said at last.

*

They stayed in the cabin a little longer, Yoongi cooked him a meal and they talked as they ate. Jimin told him about growing up alongside the Park children, of the fun they’d had and how fond he was of them. Yoongi told him about growing up alone in the forest, how he’d taught himself how to woodwork from reading books in the library in town. They talked about anything and everything. And as Yoongi led him back through the woods, Jimin knew that he was making the right choice. He really did want to get to know Yoongi. They knew each other physically, their souls intwined, but he wanted to know his heart and his mind too. He wanted to know everything about the man who was his mate.

The big house loomed up ahead of them and with every footstep Jimin’s chest grew tighter.

“It’s okay.” Yoongi assured, rubbing his thumb against the back of Jimin’s hand.

Not once had he let go of Jimin’s hand the entire journey through the forest and Jimin loved it. He loved having his hand in his, he loved feeling their arms bump together as they walked. He loved every little thing he never thought he’d get to experience.

“Will you come with me?” Jimin asked, as they reached the tree line.

“Are you sure? I… I’m not so good with people.” Yoongi said, worry pulling at his features.

Jimin wanted to kiss it away.

“Yes, they’re my family and I want them to meet my mate. I don’t know if they’ll understand, if they know about those things, but I they’ll see what I see in you.” Jimin assured him.

“Okay, anything for you princess.”

“Aish, you’re really going to keep calling me that.” Jimin whined as they walked the rest of the way up to the house.

“You’re taking me to your castle and expect me to call you something else?” Yoongi teased.

Jimin rolled his eyes at him.

“Come on wildcat, let me show you what domesticity is like.”

Their future together awaited them, and while Jimin didn’t know what that future held, he was excited to find out. He could already feel the love between them growing, their bond something out of his wildest dreams. He wanted a life with Yoongi, he wanted to fall in love with him, something he could already feel himself doing every time Yoongi smiled. He wanted a future with him, even if it meant giving up his life of luxury to live in the forest with a wildcat.