< A/N: To my readers who are not female-identifying, please just change "maternal instincts" and "good girl" to whatever you feel fits you most. >

By the time you get back home, your mind is still racing. You tell Taehyung you have a headache, and quickly retreat to your room.

As you pass by him, you catch a glimpse of his face, and you know you're not fooling him with your excuse, but you still choose the coward's way out.

You lay in bed and stare intently at the ceiling, as if you could find answers there. If you were honest with yourself, what bothers you the most isn't even what you saw in the picture... but the fact that Taehyung doesn't seem to know why it needs to be kept secret.

//Start Flashback//

As you return the polaroid to Taehyung, you notice that your hands are shaking slightly.

"Are you okay?" Taehyung asks, concern furrowing his brows, "Your face is so pale all of a sudden."

"Hey, it's okay," Jungkook tries to comfort you, "I understand how you feel."

"Why... is everyone acting like this is such a big deal?" Taehyung mutters, almost to himself, "Even Hobi-hyung..."

You and Jungkook exchange startled looks.

"Hyung..." Jungkook exhales.

"I probably knew why, once..." Taehyung says, "But that part's gone too, along with all my other memories." He shakes his head. "And Hobi-hyung won't even tell me."

\\End Flashback\\

You wonder if the reason Hobi isn't telling Taehyung is the exact same reason he hasn't told him about V: to protect him. But you also wonder if that really is the right thing to do.

You shake your head, as if the motion will physically shake the thought out.

'Hobi knows best, right? I shouldn't interfere in such things.'

Like Hobi said, all you need to do is focus on providing a loving home for Taehyung, and Hobi will take care of the rest. Besides, it's not like you don't already have enough on your plate, with Seokjin arriving tomorrow and meeting Taehyung ---in fact, learning about his existence ---for the first time.

You yawn.

'I should sleep now. Tomorrow's going to be a long day, I need my battery at full charge.'

You shut your eyes tight, but thoughts continue to chase on another in your head, and it feels like forever before your tired mind finally succumbs to slumber.

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You wake up still feeling tired. You check your phone and, true enough, Seokjin has messaged you.

'That gives me just enough time to get a ride to the station from work.'

You text him back.

'Wait... Is Seokjin actually being sweet???'

'Ugh, of course! Why did I even think he could be sweet for once?'

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Breakfast is already on your brand new table when you step into the living room ---which is now, you suppose, a 'living-room-slash-dining-room'. Taehyung sits cross-legged next to the table, and he looks up at you with concern. You immediately paste a bright smile on your face.

"Can you believe we're finally eating on a real table, Tae?" you exclaim, taking a seat across from him.

"How are you feeling this morning?" he asks, ignoring your question.

"Much better," you answer, "just a bit nervous about Seokjin's visit."

"Oh, that's right!" Taehyung perks up, "We're making naengmyeon for dinner tonight, right?"

"Actually... I'll be picking Seokjin up from the station right after work," you tell him, "Do you think you'll be able to make the naengmyeon on your own?"

"Of course!" Taehyung chirps, "Leave it to me!"

"Thanks!" you say, "I don't know what I'd do without you! By the way, Taetae---"

"Waaaa!" Taehyung suddenly cries.

"Huh? What?" you ask, alarmed.

"You've never called me Taetae before," Taehyung states, wide-eyed.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I don't know why--- I-it just came out of my mouth---" you stammer.

"No, no!" Taehyung says, "I like it. I really like it. It's cute!"

"Oh." You feel your cheeks getting warmer. 'Why did I suddenly call him that???' You clear your throat. "A-anyway, I just wanted to apologize for last night... I overreacted."

"No."

"Eh?"

"No," Taehyung repeats. "You don't need to apologize," he continues, looking very serious, "Never apologize for feeling a certain way. Your feelings are valid. Don't ever let anyone make you feel otherwise."

"Taehyung..."

"There's still a lot of things I don't understand, things I can't remember..." Taehyung says, looking conflicted, "But I trust Hobi-hyung." He smiles. "And I trust you. So for now, let me worry about that. You'll be seeing your best friend for the first time in a long while. I want you to be able to focus on that and fully enjoy his visit, okay?"

"Taehyungie..."

'That's right... Why do I keep forgetting that I'm not alone in this? I'm now surrounded by people I can depend on.'

The smile returns to your face, but this time, it's genuine.

"Yup, you're right!" you tell Taehyung, "I'll also do my best!"

You and Taehyung both pump your fists.

"Fighting!"

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After work, you head straight to the cafe you and Seokjin agreed to meet at.

'Seokjin's train should be here at any minute.'

You order a drink and seat yourself at the table just outside the entrance. You nervously wait for Seokjin, barely touching your drink. In your mind, you go over how you're going to tell him about Taehyung, and all the possible ways the conversation might go.

After about 10 minutes, Seokjin finally arrives. Just as he said, he spots you at once, and you wave him over with a huge smile, overjoyed at finally seeing your best friend again after months of being apart.

Seokjin walks over, and you're stuck with the impression that he somehow looks larger than life. His shoulders look broader than ever, and you wonder if he's grown the tiniest bit taller.

Or perhaps you just missed him too much.

As he sits across from you, you notice envious looks from the other cafe-goers, and you just barely keep yourself from rolling your eyes at them.

'Shouldn't I be used to this kind of attention by now?'

"Hey, brat!" Seokjin says by way of greeting, "It's been a while." He gives you a once over, and says, "You're looking great! Looks like city life has been treating you well."

"Wow," you exclaim in a sarcastic tone, "an actual compliment from the great Kim Seokjin? Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming."

Seokjin cackles.

"Don't get used to it. Look at how swollen your head's gotten just from that one comment."

"Oh my," you play along, "We need to take care that it doesn't get as swollen as yours!"

"If my head's swollen, it's only because of all the excess beauty it needs to contain," Seokjin remarks drily. You roll your eyes. You missed the banter between the two of you.

"Anyway," you say, "how was your trip?"

"Pretty exhausting," he huffs. "I feel like I developed three wrinkles from being on the road for so many hours. Ah, that reminds me!" He cranes his neck to look at the menu board. "Is the food any good in this cafe? I'm starving."

"Oh, if you're hungry then it's better to head over to my place right now," you say, already reaching for your bag, "Taehyungie cooked dinner for us. It's your favorite, naengmyeon."

"Taehyungie?"

You freeze at Seokjin's puzzled expression, realizing your slip-up. You place your bag back down. Here it goes.

"Th-that's right," you laugh nervously, "I forgot to tell you." You try your best to adopt a casual tone. "Actually, I... a-adopted... a Hybrid."

"You... what?" Seokjin gives you a blank stare. Then, his brow furrows. "Ahh... I get it. This is a joke, isn't it?" Suddenly, he bursts into loud, squeaky laughter. "Ahhhh, so funny! Look, I'm laughing so hard!" The people who gave you envious looks earlier are now eyeing Seokjin with wariness. You wait for Seokjin to stop his fake laughter, then look him straight in the eye.

"No, Seokjin-ah. I'm serious."

Seokjin takes one look at your expression and immediately turns serious as well.

"Ah. I see."

The look on his face worries you. It's not often that Seokjin is serious about anything. This conversation is not going well.

"Seokjin-ah..."

"Was it... was it really that hard for you, being out here alone?" he asks, "Were you that lonely?" He leans forward, expression earnest, almost beseeching. "You could have talked to me, you know? I would have dropped everything to come to you."

"I-it's not that at all, Seokjin-ah," you tell him, "It's... it's hard to explain..."

"Is it your maternal instincts?" Seokjin presses, "Did you just suddenly decide you want a child?"

'Oof.'

"That's, uhh, another thing... He's... not a child."

"You got a teenager?" Seokjin exclaims, "Haaaa, [Y/N]-ah... teenagers are a pain in the ass!"

"N-not a teenager either!" you quickly clarify.

"What is it, then? A baby? An infant that can cook? [Y/N], what's happening here?" Seokjin demands, incredulous.

"An adult!" you blurt out, "Taehyung is an adult Hybrid!"

The look on Seokjin's face is priceless. Had it been a less serious conversation, you would have snapped a picture of him.

"What?" is the only thing he can say, mouth agape.

"Just... just meet Taehyung first, before you make any judgments. Once you meet him, maybe... maybe you'll understand. Please, Seokjin-ah," you plead, "please just meet him and give him a chance."

Seokjin sighs.

"Look, [Y-N]. I've known you my entire life. We grew up together. I'm probably the one person who knows you the most, and if there's one thing I know for certain about you, it's that you're a level-headed person. So I'm going to trust that you had a good reason for doing what you did." Seokjin stands, shrugging on his bag, "Let's get going, then. I'm curious to meet this Hybrid of yours."

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"Welcome home, [Y/N]ie!" Taehyung greets warmly as you and Seokjin enter the apartment, "And Seokjin-hyung! [Y/N]ie told me a lot about you! Welcome to our home!"

"Wow, this kid!" Seokjin gasps, "Calling me hyung on our first meeting!"

You gulp. Could it be that things are already off to a bad start?

Seokjin peers into Taehyung's face. Taehyung doesn't even flinch, just keeps smiling at Seokjin good-naturedly.

"I don't say this a lot, but..." Seokjin straightens back up, "you're almost as pretty as me."

"Huh?" Taehyung looks so baffled that you decide to interfere.

"Taetae, don't mind him. He makes jokes a lot..."

Seokjin looks at you, pouting.

"Who said that was a joke..."

"Ah, hyung!" Taehyung exclaims, "I made you naengmyeon. [Y/N]ie says it's your favorite."

"Oh, you made it yourself?" Seokjin quirks an amused eyebrow. "Okay. Let's test these cooking skills of yours."

"Alright!" Taehyung chirps, unrattled, "Please take a seat and wait for me to serve you!"

You realize that you forgot to warn Taehyung that Seokjin cooks... and is actually good at it.

'Not that telling him would have magically improved his cooking anyway...'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Seokjin takes his first mouthful of the naengmyeon, and the look on his face is... indescribable.

"Taehyung-ssi... Is this your first time making naengmyeon?"

"Yes! I got it from [Y/N]ie's cookbook," Taehyung says proudly.

You had bought that cookbook in your first week at Neo-Seoul, hoping you could learn to cook for yourself ---the first step to becoming the "strong, independent, cosmopolitan" you aspired to turn into by moving into the city. However, it quickly became apparent that cooking is not your strong suit. You don't even know if the naengmyeon recipe Taehyung used is any good, since you've never tried cooking it yourself.

"It's not that bad for a first attempt," Seokjin says, and you do a double-take. Is Seokjin being nice to Taehyung?

"Haa, I'm glad!" Taehyung breathes, relieved, "I was worried it would be inedible!"

"If you keep practicing," Seokjin tells him, "you'll improve over time. Maybe I can teach you a thing or two when I move here to the city."

"Hyung!" Taehyung exclaims, eyes sparkling, "That would be great!"

"I feel bad for [Y/N]ie having to eat food like this all the time," Seokjin mutters.

"Yah, Seokjin-ah!" you snap, feeling defensive, "Taetae's cooking is actually pretty decent most of the time!"

"'Pretty decent'? 'Most of the time'?" Taehyung cries, aghast, "You always said it was really good! You were..." he gasps, "lying to me???"

"N-no! What I meant was, uhm---"

"Uh oh," Seokjin sing-songs, "you've been caught!"

"No, that's really not..." you struggle for words, "I mean..."

Seokjin and Taehyung both burst into laughter.

'Ugh! These boys!' You sigh. 'They're laughing at me, but at least they seem to be getting along.'

You look at the beautiful boys before you, the two most precious people in your life, and you feel your heart fill up with so much joy.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After eating and cleaning up, you worry about sleeping arrangements.

"Hyung, you can have my futon," Taehyung offers, "I'll sleep on the couch."

"Ah, no," Seokjin declines, "I'm okay with the couch. That's what [Y/N] and I agreed on anyway."

"No, hyung! You're our guest, so please---"

"No, I'm really good with the couch---"

"But the futon will be better for your back---"

"Wait, are you calling me old---"

"No, it's just that Hybrids are naturally tougher---"

"Seokjin-ah!" you shout, exasperated. Both Taehyung and Seokjin turn to you in surprise. You pinch the bridge of your nose. "Just take the futon so we can all sleep!"

"Fine, fine!" Seokjin tosses his head. "My beauty sleep is important, after all." He turns to Taehyung with a smile. "Taehyungie, would you help me set up?"

"Of course, hyung!" Taehyung says with a big smile, "We can even brush our teeth together!"

"Why would I want to do that..." Seokjin mutters, shaking his head.

"Looks like you boys have everything covered," you cut in, "I'm off to sleep now."

"Goodnight, brat," Seokjin says, reaching out to ruffle your hair, "Thanks for hosting me for the weekend."

"Goodnight, [Y/N]ie," Taehyung echoes, looking like he wants really badly to ruffle your hair just like Seokjin did, but holds himself back, "Sweetest dreams!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You get ready for bed, listening to faint sounds of good-natured teasing and laughter coming from the living room. Feeling light and happy, you burrow deep under your blanket and close your eyes...

...only to open them a second later.

Or so you thought. Your bedside clock, reading [ 00:00 ], tells you otherwise.

"It's midnight."

Your bones nearly jump out of your skin. You look up to see a pair of amber eyes glowing at you in the darkness of the room. You sit up, clutching the blanket to your chin.

"Taehyung!" you loud-whisper across the room, "What do you think you're doing, creeping into my room at midnight?"

Your eyes adjust to the darkness, and you see that of course it's not Taehyung at all, but V.

"V!!! What are you doing in my room?" you demand, trying to keep the shake out of your voice.

"Sorry, but I couldn't stand the smell out in the living room," V answers drily, not sounding sorry at all.

"Huh? Why?" you ask, puzzled, forgetting your fear for the moment, "Did something smelly spill?"

"No. It's your friend."

"Seokjin???" you sputter disbelievingly. V simply nods. "Hey! Seokjin doesn't stink!" you defend your best friend, indignant, "In fact, he smells quite nice!"

"That's not what I meant at all," V scoffs, "The living room used to smell like you and me." One side of his mouth draws up in a sneer, revealing a gleaming canine. "Now, it has his scent mixed in with ours. I don't like it."

You facepalm.

"V... It'll be really bad if Seokjin finds you here, though."

V quirks an eyebrow at you, and you distractedly think that it always, always looks so damn attractive on him.

"Oh? Do you expect him to come in here?"

"Th-that's not---" you sputter, "I meant---"

"I'll be gone before sunrise," V cuts you off curtly, "I promise."

You sigh.

"Fine," you grunt, "Just don't make any noise." After a moment's pause, you add, "And don't even get ideas about doing anything weird!"

The only response V gives you is a smirk.

'Not. Comforting. At. All.'

You tuck yourself back into bed, trying to fall asleep again, but you find that your mind is now fully awake. A part of it is highly alert to the presence of a certain panther Hybrid lurking in your bedroom, while another part keeps rehashing the events of the past few days.

"Hey, V?" you whisper, knowing his Hybrid ears will pick up the sound.

"Hm?"

"Did you... recognize Jungkook?"

"No," V answers in a quiet voice, "I told you, my memories only go back as far as Taehyung's do."

"I see."

You burrow deeper into your blanket and try to make yourself sleep again, but give up after a few more minutes. You sit back up.

"Hey, V?" you say again, this time looking at the Hybrid.

"Hm?"

"Did you understand why Hobi wanted Taehyung to keep what's in the photo a secret?"

"Of course."

"Then why... doesn't Taehyung know?" you ask, even more confused now.

"Taehyung's pretty naive," V answers with a hint of bitterness, "He would rather believe that the world is a kind and fair place than face the harsh reality."

"Is that why Hobi wouldn't tell him the truth? To protect him?"

"I think so."

"What should I do?" you ask him, a plea in your voice, "Do you think I should tell Taehyung?"

V only shrugs.

"I just... I don't know." You huff in frustration. "I kind of feel bad keeping Taetae in the dark..." You draw your knees up to your chest and wrap your arms around them, hugging them closer. Silence settles around you and V once more.

"Hey, V?" you say, after a long moment.

"Hm?"

"I... I can't sleep."

"So I've noticed," he says, amusement coloring his voice.

"S-since you're already here, why don't you m-make yourself useful?" you stammer, burying the lower half of your face behind your knees. The moment you started to feel the heat crawling up your neck, you felt grateful for the cover of darkness... until you remembered that V has night vision. So you try to hide as much of your face as you can without being too obvious about it.

"How may I be of service?" he asks, tone playful.

You gather your courage. You've already gone this far, there's no point in turning back.

"Could you..." you clear your suddenly dry throat, "Could you sing me to sleep?"

In a flash, V has moved across the room to where you are, stopping just shy of the edge of your bed.

"H-hey!" you cry, alarmed, "What do you think you're doing?"

"You asked for a lullaby, not a concert." Before you could protest further, V seats himself at the base of the bed, the part you're not occupying. He's so close that you can feel the warmth radiating off of him in waves. Leaning towards you, he reaches an arm out...

...and with two fingers, pushes on your forehead, causing you to fall back and lie flat on the bed once more. You throw him a puzzled look from where you lay.

"What?" he says in answer to your look, "Don't tell me you sleep sitting up?"

You draw your gaze away from his face and stare resolutely up at the ceiling instead. The situations you manage to get yourself into...

"Now," V says in an even lower voice, "be a good girl and close your eyes."

You follow V's instructions, trying to ignore the feelings that V saying 'good girl' has elicited in you. Soon after, the deep baritone of his voice wraps around you...

~ She looks like a blue parrot, would you come fly to me?
I want some good day, good day, good day... good day, good day... ~

...a blanket of comfort and safety.

~ Looks like a winter bear, you sleep so happily.
I wish you good night, good night, good night... good night, good night... ~

Your thoughts empty out until there is nothing but V's soothing voice.

~ Imagine your face say hello to me.
'Til all the bad days, they're nothing to me. ~

You feel yourself float gently into the place of dreams.

~ With you, ooh, ooh , ooh , ooh... winter bear.
Ooh, ooh, ooh... sleep like winter bear.
Ooh, ooh, ooh... sleep like winter bear. ~

"G...night... V..."

"Sweetest dreams, little one."

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A/N: Next chapter, yet another Bangtan Boy is making his debut appearance in the story!

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