= A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER =

It's Friday night, so you and Taehyung are busy cleaning up the apartment.

You had started the "Friday Family Food Fest" tradition the previous month, right after Seokjin and Yoongi had both permanently moved to Neo-Seoul. Seokjin managed to nab the job he had interviewed for, while Yoongi says he just wants a fresh start close to his newfound family. Jungkook is still in University, while Namjoon, Hobi, and Jimin are still all happily in their respective jobs.

"They'll start arriving any moment now!" you tell Taehyung, who is in the middle of fluffing up the bean bags that pepper the living room floor. As if on cue, you hear knocks on the door.

You open the door, and it's Seokjin, broad shoulders nearly filling out the doorframe. He lifts up a bag of what you see are fresh ingredients.

"Where do I put these?" he asks by way of greeting.

"The kitchen!" you tell him, "You're early, Seokjin-ah."

Your best friend rolls his eyes at you.

"I literally live down the hall, what do you expect?"

As Seokjin pushes past you into the apartment, you see Yoongi making his way down the hallway towards you.

"Hey," he says, and Taehyung peeks out into the hallway from behind you.

"Yoongi-hyung is early too!" he chirps.

Yoongi sighs.

"I cut my afternoon nap short for this," he grumbles as he heads straight for the kitchen, but he's not fooling anyone. The twin spots of pink on his cheeks betray his pleasure at being there.

You're just about to follow Yoongi when someone knocks on the door again. This time, it's Jungkook. Before you could even say anything, he gushes, "Yes, I know I'm early. I'm just so excited since it's Jin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung cooking tonight!"

"Ah, for some reason, I thought I would be the first to arrive," you hear someone say from behind Jungkook. You both turn towards the source of the voice and see Namjoon standing in the hallway, carrying what appears to be a chessboard.

"You're both just in time!" you say, "Come in!"

After a short while, Hobi arrives.

"I brought some beer!" he announces, lifting a six-pack, "And soju!" he adds, lifting an eco bag clinking with the sound of bottles, "I couldn't decide between the two, so I got both!"

You giggle and help him put the drinks in the fridge.

Jimin is the last to arrive. You open the door, and he immediately apologizes.

"I'm sorry I'm late again! I told my boss I had an appointment tonight, but he---"

"You're not late!" you tell him quickly because the poor thing looks near tears, "Seokjin and Yoongi have just started cooking. Come inside."

"Oh," Jimin says, smiling brightly, "I brought some apology mochi for dessert, but I guess they're just normal mochi now."

You usher Jimin in, who quickly joins Taehyung and Jungkook in the bean bag chairs, snatching up one of the game controllers. You look around in satisfaction at the seven boys scattered around your apartment.

'We're finally complete!'

You decide to help Seokjin and Yoongi out in the kitchen, while the maknaes play video games, and Namjoon and Hobi discuss smart people stuff. You're not great at cooking, but you can play sous chef and just do your best to assist the head chefs.

You're in the midst of tasting the soup when you hear Taehyung call from the living room, "Jin-hyung... aren't you and [Y/N]ie standing a little too close together?"

Jin turns around to glare at Taehyung.

"First of all, it's cramped in here. This is a very small kitchen for three people to be cooking in," Jin says, "Secondly, [Y/N] and I have known each other since we were in diapers." He smiles smugly. "Physical affection is normal for us."

Taehyung directs his gaze towards you, eyes narrowed.

"Wh-what?" you stammer, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Yoongi huffs in annoyance.

"If you guys are just going to bicker, please step out of the kitchen so the people who are actually cooking can do their job."

Suddenly, a cry from Hobi, "Ooh! Jungkookie beat the high score!"

This immediately grabs Taehyung's attention, being the previous holder of said high score.

"Wait, what? Nooooo..."

Taehyung immediately runs to the screen to verify Hobi's statement, while Jungkook does a weird sort of victory dance.

"This kid..." you hear Namjoon mutter, "Isn't he kind of... good at everything?" Out loud, he says, "Jungkook-ah, the HRA is looking for interns... would you be interested in applying?"

The maknae's eyes turn round doe eyes towards the HRA agent.

"Ooh! Will I get paid big bucks?"

Namjoon rubs a palm over the nape of his neck.

"It's, erm, an unpaid internship."

"Unpaid???" Jungkook squeaks in horror.

Hobi laughs out loud at this. "Like most internships are, Jungkookie," he manages to say through his laughter.

Jungkook goggles at Hobi, aghast.

"Welcome to the real world, kid!" Jimin quips.

"Don't call me 'kid', small person!" Jungkook snaps.

"If you call me small, you're calling Yoongi-hyung small too!" Jimin retorts, "We're the same height!"

'Not Yoongi catching strays...'

"Looks like someone's not getting any dinner tonight," Yoongi says, loud enough for Jimin to hear.

"Ah, hyung," Namjoon says, walking towards the kitchen, "do you need help with anyth---"

"Stay out of the kitchen!" Seokjin immediately snaps, blocking the way.

"Uhm, Namjoon-ah," you say, "It might be best if you stay away from... breakable things."

"And very sharp things," Yoongi adds, "like kitchen knives."

"Hey, I am very offended---" Namjoon starts, but as usual, quickly gives up, "Actually, you know what, you're right. I'll stay here."

"[Y/N]iiieeee..." Taehyung says, suddenly popping up beside Namjoon, "Why don't you just play with me?" He pouts. "You're not even cooking."

"I'm helping---"

"You're not, actually," Yoongi corrects you, not even looking up from what he's chopping.

"Ehh?" you protest, "Yoongi, how could you..."

"Sorry, [Y/N]. I love you, but I'm with Yoongi on this," Seokjin adds, "You're just taking up space. This kitchen is tiny enough as it is."

"You too, Seokjin-ah?" you wail, feeling betrayed. Seokjin and Yoongi snicker, and you roll your eyes at them. "Fine! I know when I'm not wanted." You turn to Taehyung. "Let's go, Taetae!"

"Yaaaay!" Taehyung crows, "I win!"

"The high score chart says otherwise," Jimin says teasingly.

"Ugh! Give me that controller!" Taehyung demands, pulling you along with him back to the bean bag chairs. "[Y/N], cheer me on, okay?" he tells you, before grabbing one of the controllers.

"Of course!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dinner is, thankfully, a success. You all eat your fill, and more.

Afterward, the maknaes go back to their video games, playfully trash-talking one another. You hear Namjoon trying to persuade Yoongi into a "riveting game of chess," while Hobi, his former opponent, rifles through the fridge.

"All the beer is gone?" you hear Hobi cry, "I haven't even had a bottle!"

Yoongi looks at Hobi, his face screwing up in thought.

"Come to think of it..." the cat Hybrid says, "I didn't even get a single piece of mochi."

You sense Seokjin stiffening up next to you. You watch as realization dawns on his pretty face.

"Hey, neither did I!" he gasps, "Is this how they repay us for cooking them a 5-star dinner?" He shakes his head, pretending to tear up. "Ah, this makes me so sad..."

You sigh and shake your head, smiling.

'This chaos... is something I've slowly gotten used to.'

"[Y/N]ie, did you see that?" Taehyung calls out, "I beat Jungkookie's high score!"

"I demand a rematch!" Jungkook cries.

"But it's my turn!" Jimin protests.

You can't help but laugh, your heart full to bursting with happiness.

'Who would have thought that one "misadventure" would lead me to this?'

You look around you once more, at these beautiful boys who, just a few months ago, were complete strangers to you, but who are now the most important people in your life.

'A delightfully chaotic family of misfits.'

As your eyes roam around the room, they lock eyes with Taehyung's. He smiles at you, soft and bright, and you smile back.

'A charmed life with one very special panther Hybrid.'

He gets up and walks towards you.

'And the best part?'

He reaches out a hand, and you grasp it.

'This is only the beginning.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N: Hi, everyone! We have reached the end of the main story. I will be publishing "bonus chapters" called Snippets, which will be little moments from your new life with Taehyung. Please note that these Snippets will contain... spicier scenes, so if you're underage, please do not read beyond this point. Again, the main story is over. The next chapters will just be bonuses.
Thank you so much for all your support, I hope you enjoyed reading My Hybrid's Duality. Feel free to check out my other stories, too!

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