PET'S POV:
I didn't know I had slept through dinner until the sound of soft, tired breathing roused me from my slumber. It pitch black in the room but I could still see that Jin the doctor was beside me. He was laying with his chest against the mattress, his face squished towards me as an hand delicately rested on my forearm. His fingers were resting against my cast, making it clear that he has been caressing the bandages on my broken arm before he had ultimately fallen asleep.
My heart lurched in comfort and something warm inside me swelled. I've never known what it feels like to be completely calm... I've always been on edge, always waiting for the bad to come.
But tonight, for the first time... I felt safe... for once completely safe. I knew no-one would come barging in to scream at me tonight... because he was holding me... he wouldn't let me get yelled at.
If there is a god... I pray that he would let this man keep me...
and that maybe, I could keep him too.
...
"kitten? I have to go to work now." A sweet voice pierced my consciousness from sleep. Just from the smell alone I knew it was the polar bear, so I had nothing to worry about. A small whinge of dismay from my lips made the man chuckle and stroke my forehead. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon, just rest for now."
"don't go." I really don't know what came over me, maybe it was my brain speaking without thinking in the lull of slumber, or plainly just the need to cling to him a little longer. Either way his reaction calmed any nerves that dared to show.
"I'll miss you too kitten." he chuckled in delight as he patted between my ears "also, I'm sorry you didn't get your chicken last night... but I didn't want to disturb your rest, but don't worry, Jimin-ie will feed you lots of delicious things today! I guarantee it!"
At that I sighed and let out a small smile before I let my rest take over me again.
...
JIMIN POV:
I let the little kitten sleep in till noon, even though my instincts were lashing at me to wake her up and pamper her. As a feline I can't help it, I may be a Deadly Snow leopard, but I still can't help myself when one of my kind is injured.
I knew soon enough Tae and Yoongi would be crumbling to their instincts as well. Once they get sight of her fragile body, they won't even have a choice.
I had spent the morning making food for her. After Namjoon had told us yesterday that the girl loved chicken but barely got any at her old home... well, my mind had gone a little berserk. Infront of me stood a whole roast chicken, just pulled out the oven and still steaming. I bought it this morning for the little kitten... I knew the others would be mad at my intensity... but I couldn't help it!
Even as I stand here now, preparing her plate, my tail won't stop flicking in eagerness. Just the thought of her eating fills me with such a warmth, it's kind of intense to bare.
I had made another soup for the little kitten as well, she needed her hydration as well after all. So, with everything ready, I dashed upstairs, the tray in hand and my eyes dilated with glee.
I knocked on Jin's door softly before walking in.
She was still asleep, her broken body rising and falling with every breathe. I closed the door behind me, even though I knew we were home alone, it still felt right to protect her a little more.
I placed the food on Jin's bedside table before calling for her to wake.
"kitten? It's Jimin... I have your food?" my voice had a little stammer in it as I rubbed my nail into my thumb, fuelling my excitement into something else to effectively calm me down.
I could see her little nose twitching as she sniffed the air, the smell of cooked chicken waking her up as she unconsciously licked her lips. Her eyes fluttered open not soon later, finding where I was and staring me down a little timidly.
"morning." I coughed nervously. "I cooked you chicken." at that her eyes started to frantically search around the room and my smile blossomed. "okay, okay kitten, let me sit you up first." I giggled as I pulled her up, until her back was against the headboard. She let out a few yowls of pain and I winced with her, feeling it all. "sorry."
"No, it's okay." She croaked.
"here." I grabbed the tray and brought it closer. I watched the kitten's eyes grow ten times their size as she examined the excessively huge mound of roast chicken I had brought to her. "Oh yeah... Namjoon Hyung told us you like chicken." I rubbed my neck as I blushed a little. I had basically brought up the whole chicken, just without the bones, apart from the two legs of course. The little kitten before me was drooling, her lips closing every now and then as she anticipated it's taste. "kitten, you're drooling." I giggled and quickly reached up to wipe her lip with my thumb. Her ears instinctively flinched back and she ducked a little into her shoulders, but let me perform my task after I slowed down a little. "come on then, let's see if your tummy can take this okay?" I smiled a kind smile, as I picked up the chopsticks and started to feed the kitten in front of me. "open wide." I sung and then couldn't help but coo when she would accept it.
I watched as her cheeks would puff out while she chewed the meat, her eyes closed in bliss before swallowing. And It wasn't long before the purring started to begin.
However, it was almost like she couldn't hear it over the taste of the food. Her dilated eyes never left my fingers once, following my movement almost like she was in a trance.
"This is so delicious." she finally spoke after her initial hunger had faded. "Thank you so much for this."
"It's no problem kitten, we have to get you all big and strong again." I couldn't stop myself from placing my hand between her ears, petting her gently. Her eyes rolled back and her purring only increased as she tilted herself forward, pushing into my palm. " hehe okay sweet kitten, eat some more for me, yes?" I chuckled, and she quickly did as she was told, her rosy, embarrassed cheeks shining and a little pleasant smile peeking through every mouthful.
I was so content... so warm that I had started to purr as well, making the room rumble with the combined vibrations.
"I-I'm sorry, I-I can't eat anymore." she mumbled almost afraid of my reaction.
"It's okay kitten, it was a lot huh?"
"It's delicious, you should eat some too." she nodded and I broke into a huge grin.
"okay kitten, I will."
when we were done, I took the tray away and walked round to give her some pain killers.
"you really went through hell before you got here huh kitten?" I sighed, looking down at the poor thing as I meddled with her IV.
"it's okay, others have had it worse probably." she shrugged.
"still... it doesn't make your pain any less significant." I reminded her with a smile. "now... toilet?"
"yes please." Just as Jin told me, I scooped the little kitten up as gently as I could into my arms. One arm cradling her back as the other hooked under her legs. I held her close to my chest as I carried her to the bathroom. Setting her down on the toilet seat, my muscles tensed as I made sure not to place her down too harshly. "I-I can't pull them down." her feeble voice wavered as her broken arm pulled at her pants. My heart wept at her innocent inability to even undress herself, and my face broke into a pitiful smile.
"don't worry kitten, I'll help you..." I leant forward to which she tensed a little, becoming stone as I moved between her knees and wrapped under her thighs to lift her up. "hold my shoulders kitten." I instructed softly, to which she followed.
She thanked me shyly after I had yanked them down and I blushed a little as I looked down on her, with her pants around her knees.
"Anytime Kitten." I smiled sweetly as my palm softly brushed against her bandaged knee. "Do you want me to stay with you?" I asked as I rubbed up her thigh a little, trying to comfort her and tell her that she didn't need to be shy around me.
"Umm- no thank you Jimin sir." Her cheeks flushed like mad and I couldn't help but chuckle at it.
"hm hm okay kitten, but call me if you need me? Okay?"
"T-thank you."
...
After she was done with her business, I helped her wash her hands before carrying her back over to Jin's bed. I placed her down and brushed her tail out of the way so she wouldn't lay down on it. At the touch she shivered, not violent or mortified, but sweet and timidly.
I smiled to myself as I came around to sit on the other side of the bed, laying myself down as well, with my palm keeping my head up to look at her.
"so... What do you like to do for fun?" I asked to fill the silent air.
"...I don't know."
"there must be something that makes you smile kitten." I prodded again, hoping there was some light in this little cat's life.
"um... well I like to sit down?" she started a little hesitantly. "on the grass?"
"yeah?" I giggled excitedly. "you like to be outside? What do you do on the grass?"
"I uh- I like to feel it... I take my shoes off and run, but only when Master is at work... I liked ripping the grass up with my toes." she giggled. "it feels funny."
I giggled with her, but after a second or two my eyes couldn't help but drag down towards her bandaged feet. It would be awhile till she'd get to feel that funny sensation again...
"well, once you're healed, I promise to take you outside, and we can play in the garden all day and get as messy as we like!"
"you have a garden?" her eyes lit up and I realized she's never set foot outside this room while conscious yet. She has no idea what the house looks like...
"yep! And! We have a little pool."
" a pool!?" her eyes lit up like flashlights and I could hear the soft thumbing of her excited tail flicking against the mattress.
"and! we have a little porch where you can sit and be comfy." I don't know why it felt so amazing to brag about our house to her, but maybe it was the thought of possibly sharing it all with her one day. The glitter In her eyes when one day she would lower her body into the icy water of the pool, the high pitched squeal of joy as it reached up to her belly button. "I know kitten! how about tonight I take you downstairs? So you can eat dinner with us."
"w-will... the ones I haven't met yet be there?" her little voice wobbled with uncertainty.
"yes, but don't worry, they'll be nice... and anyway, Jin, Hobi and Namjoon hyung will be there." I smirked, offering up my hyungs as some sort of bribe, knowing she surely missed them.
"O-okay." she slightly blushed.
"yaay!" she grinned larger as I threw my arms in the air from excitement. "okay, well, rest for now kitten, then tonight we'll all eat dinner together!" I reached out a hand to touch her forehead but she flinched a little. Following it with her eyes, her fear only softened once my warm fingers tenderly stroked across her skin. I placed my palm on her forehead and hummed when I saw her muscles relax, going completely lax under my hand. It gave me so much pride to think she trusted me, she'd let me touch her... I just hope one day she'll let me hold her.
...
KITTEN POV:
The next time I woke up the light in the room had gone, the windows were no longer a bright white of sun, but the pleasant dark blue or early evening.
I noticed that now I've been resting a couple days, I feel entirely itchy to move about. Something inside of me isn't used to doing nothing for hours and hours, I feel restless sitting here... Unable to move, unable to help.
"KITTEN!!" Jin's shining face glittered at his entrance, throwing himself in the room as if my presence had been craved by him for the whole day. "how was your day darling? Did Jimin treat you well?"
"Of course I did Hyung!" Jimin laughed in the doorway, it was opened wider than usual, letting me see more of the hallway.
"is that right kitten?" I was pulled back to Jin's presence, needily rubbing his thumb on my chin in hopes I would look at him.
"Yes Jin! he was so nice to me!" I answered honestly.
"ah I'm glad to hear that!... I heard you ate louds of chicken today too?" he teased with a delicate poke to my shoulder making me giggle.
"yes, Jimin is a really good cook!" at that, the boy in the doorway blushed.
"Well tonight you will get MY cooking!!" Jin announced grandly, almost like he was jealous of my praise for Jimin... especially with his food.
"Jin's cooking is really good Kitten." Jimin nodded walking closer to us. "you'll really like it!"
"well, let's not waste any more time talking about it." Jin sat up. "come on Kitten, I'll let you watch me make it." he scooped under my legs and behind my back, curling me inwards and slotting me safely against his chest. "Jimin-ie? Can you bring down her IV please?"
"sure thing hyung!" Jimin skipped to grab the stand and push it along beside us.
"N-namjoon said that you'd take it off soon." I spoke unsurely, watching Jimin having to lug it around.
"he did?" Jin spoke in false cluelessness. "well maybe we'll keep it on for a bit longer."
I nodded along, now too occupied by the fact that we were actually leaving Jin's room and heading into foreign ground.
The hallway was light, just the slight bit yellow to add in some warmth. Against the walls were pictures, some paintings and some photographs of people... hybrids.
"who's that?" I asked without thinking, spotting a picture with two faces I didn't know yet...
the first had dark hair, with dark ears and a long, silky tail, eyes dark and sharp. The other, was the opposite, bright smiled and bubbly, his ears colorful with orange, black and white stripes... I could see they were both cats, it formed nervousness in me.
"That's Yoongi and Taehyung, they're downstairs waiting to meet you." Jin sang sweetly as he walked past door after door. I had to gulp when he eventually came face to face with the stairs.
They were grand and large, not massive, but wide enough to copy the width of the two front doors at the bottom, opposing the staircase. The steps were wooden, and lead to a small square hallway at the bottom.
"Here we go." Jimin sang as we took step after step down the clean stairs, all the while I clung to the man holding me in his arms. I knew he could feel the way my heart had started to thud inside of me... I'd even suppose Jimin could hear it too with the way he was looking my way with every breath.
When we finally reached the landing I was buzzing with nerves, Vibrating in Jin's hold, so much so that he had to re-adjust his grip.
"W-what if they don't like me?" My voice wobbled out into the open air, my hands clinging stronger to Jin's broad shoulders as I felt temped to hide my face there.
"They'll love you kitten." Jimin answered almost instantly.
"They will sweetie, you're so lovely." they took a second to pause in the hallway before they took me anywhere.
I could hear taking through the door on my right... but with Jin's words, the chatting stopped.
"but what if they don't?" my lip trembled unsurely.
"then I'll make them." Jimin giggled stepping closer to rub my back where Jin wasn't holding me up.
"we'll be here the whole time Kitten, don't you worry." Jin squeezed my thigh comfortingly, smoothing my nerves with his charming smile. "you ready?"
"okay."
I shriveled into myself as Jin started to move again, through the hallway and into the door on our right.
The first thing I saw was a TV, with a brightly colored carpet in front of it. A couple wires scattered the floor and led to an array of couches wrapping around and shining with soft, fluffy pillows. I followed the wires further to what resided on the sofas, a hand, an arm, a chest, a head... those eyes.
Like a deer in headlights I locked onto these eyes in a frozen panic, they locked onto mine and right away I could tell they weren't comforting. No, these eyes were sizing me up, questioning my existence, my intention, they rejected me, and with the flick of their tail I could tell they weren't happy.
"Hey Trouble." Another presence I didn't know was sitting next to the eyes stood up to walk closer. I took a breath in and smelt Namjoon, It comforted me, but not by a lot.
"Taehyung-ie? Aren't you going to say hi?" Jin pushed with a sweet smile after seeing the way we were staring at each other. Or more likely the way he was glaring at me.
"Hi." His deep voice had a quiver running through me, and my throat lodged. Jimin could sense it and immediately stood between us breaking the eye contact.
"hey, hey Kitten, don't you worry." He shushed me sweetly with his fingers smoothing down the lines of my face. "Tae Tae wouldn't hurt a fly." Even though I trusted Jimin, I didn't believe him... there was something past those eyes... they told me they didn't trust me, maybe even hated me.
My tail had puffed up in fear and my ears were back flat against my skull, I didn't want this cat to hate me... I wasn't a threat to him.
"Kitten!" Hoseok's voice called from the kitchen, which was connected onto this room that seemed to form a big L shape on the left side of the house. The kitchen was in the corner of the L, and as Jin lead me over I could see around the corner lived a large wooden dining table with eight seats waiting.
"Hobi!" Jin called as he carried us over, those mean eyes still following me as we went. "You started without me!" Jin whined.
"I'm only getting the food out Jin!" Hobi giggled. "Here, let me take her while you cook huh?" he suggested, his arms already out stretched and waiting for me.
"is that okay Kitten?" Jin asked and a little apprehensively I nodded my head.
I reached out my arms for him as his curled under where Jin's were and taking my weight in his arms.
"Aigoo cutie-pie." his voice rumbled in adoration as he lifted me from Jin and into his embrace, carrying me bridal style. "let's sit down shall we?"
"but Jin-." I suddenly choked as Hobi started leading me away, back to the comfy seats where those evil eyes were sitting.
"don't worry, you can still see Jin-ie from there little one." the nickname made me tingle a little bit in my heart, getting distracted enough to forget the presence currently plotting my murder, to move past them and sit down with Hobi. I sat in his lap nice and snug as Jimin scurried over with my IV to sit down next to us, at my feet.
"Hyung." Namjoon suddenly called with a confused expression "I thought we agreed the IV should of come off yesterday." he walked around the sofa to the kitchen where Jin had started to wash the vegetables.
"Oh Namjoon-ie, she still needs it for a little while longer." Jin replied like he was scolding a child.
"Hyung." Namjoon warned and my skin crawled. "she doesn't need it anymore." Hobi must have noticed the tensing of my body at this new side of Namjoon I didn't know was there.
"Um guys." Hobi suddenly called, gaining their attention. "maybe you should have this conversation later." he rubbed up and down my back.
"sure Hobi." Namjoon sighed and gave in, walloping back to sit down again, back in his spot next to the evil eyes. "come on Tae Tae stop staring at her, play your game-." But he was interrupted as a new presence abruptly ran into the room, eyes like stars and tail flapping back and forth happily... that was, until they spotted me.
"hyung-ie!!---....... Why are you holding it?" His voice dropped at the sight of me in Hobi's lap, his tail stopping dead and dropped to the floor as his ears stood tall and alert.
"Jungkook-ie that's not nice!" Hobi told him off right away for his wording as he pulled me in closer. He could feel the way I was shaking, nervously picking my fingers at his shirt, tempted to hide my face into it.
"she's not nice!" he fired back and this time it was Jin and Jimin yelling at the same time in my defense.
"Jungkook!!"
"Jungkook stop, you don't know her." Namjoon spoke sternly and I noted how Jungkook's ears drooped a little, but only very little. "come and sit down, she's not a threat to us."
JUNGKOOK POV:
Not a threat?
Not a threat!?
How were they so sure!?
Look at her! She has them completely wrapped around her finger!!! It's gross!!
I could tell Taehyung thought the same as me, but he was keeping it inside.
Her smell was weird, my nose couldn't take it at all, it was so strong and- and- well weird!!!
I'm sure that's why they like her already, she's sprayed some kind of hallucinogenic and put on this whole 'helpless' act to rob us!
No, I wouldn't fall for it! Someone had to stand their ground.
But that smell! They way in filled my whole mind and soul, swallowing me, making saliva form in my mouth, making a tingle run up my tail. I hated it! I couldn't understand it!
This girl was trouble... pure trouble!
Just the way she was being cradled in my hyung's arms had me fuming! Who does she think she is to cuddle him!? They way she is acting so sweet and fragile, the way her ears are pulled back so shy and frightened because of me.
It made me mad! so mad that I could feel my instincts flaring, my tail was stiff and my teeth biting down. I felt an urge to shift, for my safety and my hyungs... but it didn't come out that way... Instead my brain did the first thing I thought I could to warn this 'thing' of hurting what I care most about... my family.
I snarled at her... viciously and then barked loud.
"JUNGKOOK!!" Jin and Namjoon screamed at the top of their lungs, the leader standing up to tower over me.
"What the HELL are you doing!!" Jimin stood up to join his Hyung at keeping me back. Even Taehyung had become stunned by my reaction and pushed himself back onto the couch to make himself small.
I peeked round to catch sight of the girl scrambling in Hobi's arms as he frantically tried to console her.
"it's okay! It's okay Kitten." Hoseok fumbled to shush her as she threatened to hurt her already injured body "shhh shhh." he stroked the back of her head as she buried herself in his neck.
By this time Jin had ran around from the kitchen island to push me against the wall, something black and cold in his eyes.
"Jungkook... You DON'T bark at her!! You understand me?!" Jin's voice was boiling with rage and a overwhelming wave of disappointment. I slumped with a huff, why did he care so much about her?!
"fine."
"No Jungkook." Namjoon's voice bellowed down at me, sinking my feet to the floor and shutting down my rage into a mellow pout. "It isn't fine... you don't bark at people... ever!" he emphasized, the alpha in him demanding I hear him well. "Especially not at our Guests!" he barked right back at me and I felt as small as a mouse.
My throat had become a sliver of what it was before and I could only handle a small nod of understanding.
"Apologise!" Jin was still shaking, less anger and more disappointment in his gaze... and it stung.
"I'm sorry Hyung." I muttered softly, not looking up.
"Not to me, to her." I gulped as Jin pushed me into sight of Hoseok again, the small kitten in his arms shivering with her face curled instinctively to hide in the crook of his neck. Every now and then she would flinch and Hobi would shush into her ear and stroke her side.
It made me twinge... why should he be allowed to touch her like that? I wonder what she feels like?
"I'm sorry." I thrusted out, hearing just how forced it sounded and liking it. I didn't want her to feel comfortable... I wanted her out.
"fine..." Namjoon sighed exhausted. "now come sit down by Taehyung and don't ever pull something like that again." I did as I was told and flopped down next to Taehyung, picking up a controller like nothing happened and pressing join game. "kitten are you alright?" Namjoon moved to check on her and the others followed like a herd.
"aww Kitten it's okay now." Jimin patted her head to get her out of Hoseok's neck.
"Kitten are you okay? Do you want me to hold you?" Jin offered with a soft voice, arms all outstretched for her as she gave in and flung herself to him in desperate need.
I scoffed inside, look at her clinging to him like a baby, so pitiful and soft, she probably stunk from that close up...
I could only imagine how strong she would smell to bury my nose in her neck... the thought made me dizzy so I pushed it away with a frown. She was really too much.
Jin took her to the kitchen after that and sat her on a stool against the kitchen island to watch him cook. It also meant she wouldn't have to look at us, but after awhile Jimin had to come over to stand behind her after she kept on nervously looking over her shoulder at the back of mine and Taehyung's heads.
She watched him cook the whole meal, getting distracted enough that her fluffy tail had started to excitedly flick back and forth in wonder. It was annoying... not cute.... Not cute at all.
"Hobi can you go get Yoongi please, dinner is ready." Jin called as he washed his hands clean before preparing to pick the kitten up to place her at the dining table.
"sure." Hobi smiled and zoomed off upstairs.
"come here cutie.." Jin smiled as he picked the kitten up into his arms again and placed her at the dining table. I guessed he placed her in the seat we had free... which was the seat at the end opposite to where Namjoon sits. I felt like scoffing again, of course she was placed at the mirrored side of the leader! What was she now! A princess!?
"come on guys sit up!" Jin called to the rest of us and we all rose to our feet.
I was about to move to my normal seat when hands suddenly clasped my shoulders and directed me to the seat to Namjoon's right.
"huh? I don't sit here." I raised my head to see Jimin with a stern look in his eye.
"you'll swap or else." he bit out, making me roll my eyes as he ventured over to the seat next to the kitten, a little skip in his step as he went.
"Hello kitten." he almost purred as he sat down.
"hello." she smiled back... her smile... there was something about it that made me blink... her teeth... the shape her lips made...
Taehyung interrupted my thoughts however when he sat down between Jimin and I, conveniently blocking my view. Namjoon sat at the head of the table, nearest to the kitchen as Jin brought over the food in a big pot.
"Here we go!" he smiled big as he placed it down, and just as he sat down the other two entered the room.
Just as I did, Yoongi Hyung stopped in his tracks at the sight of her... or more probably her smell. It wasn't a nice smell... she needed a bath.
His tail was flicking back and forth and his ears twitched like mad, I'd never seen Yoongi hyung so stumped before. Surely he would react the same as I did...
I took a curious peek around Taehyung to catch her reaction, she too had big jet black eyes that locked onto his, her tail was puffy from where it stuck out behind her and her ears were pinned back.
Good she should he scared!
"Hello?" Wait what?! "My name is Yoongi." WAIT...His voice was... soft?
Not hard!?
Not wanting to slash her to pieces this very second?! HUH!?
My face said it all as I watched him walk around the table to take his seat across from Taehyung. I felt like I had been betrayed! How could he act so natural!? So docile?!?
"h- h-" she stuttered over her words, lodged in her throat.
"what's your name?" he hummed as he turned her attention on her.
"pet." she answered right away and everyone seemed to bristle "Oh! No! it's Kitten... well... not really- but- um-" She floundered under the pressure of everyone's eyes, some sorrowful, some understanding and some confused... like me.
"It's nice to meet you kitten." he spoke warmly with a soft blink of his eyes and the girl finally relaxed, blinking back thankfully. He basically just told her he wasn't a threat to her... How could he?!
But more importantly... why did she say her name was pet?
Soft chatter started to flow around the table as Jin plated up our food and Jimin plated up the girl's as she couldn't move.
"Here kitten let me feed you." Jimin insisted, his chair as close to her as possible. He held up her spoon, delivering the warm broth from her bowl to her mouth with a gleeful smile. With time his hand had rested on her thigh, possessively holding her still as his tail did it's best to curl around any part of her he could... which happened to be her ankle.
I scoffed under my breath, jealousy rising like bile in my throat, it stung to see them so touchy.
"Wow! Jin! It's so delicious!" her sweet voice fluttered through the air and that was the final straw for my patience.
"so... why is your name 'pet'?" I abruptly aired loudly down the table towards the kitten, who flinched and looked worried at the sudden noise.
"Jungkook!" Jin snapped.
"it-it's what master calls me?" she answered softly.
"you don't have to answer if you don't want to Kitten." Hobi hyung stroked her hair back.
"master?" I repeated "you have a master?! Aren't they like? Illegal now?"
"Jungkook shush!" Namjoon grabbed my wrist and I quietened down. "Kitten might be uncomfortable with sharing her past."
"It's okay..." her voice fluttered like a butterfly's wing "I want you all to like me."
"I like you anyway Kitten." Jimin smiled as he rubbed her thigh and I couldn't stand it any longer.
"so what happened?! Why are you so hurt?"
"Jungkook! Softly!" Jin gritted.
"Um- I ran away."
"why?" Taehyung suddenly asked beside me, trying to hold up a strong persona but gulping a little as he spoke.
"because he was going to sell me."
Every spoon stopped moving at that revelation, worried eyes scanning around the room.
"sell you kitten?" Hoseok repeated delicately, stroking her arm.
"yep, to this man. I jumped out the window to get away." she put plainly, and even I found my throat dry with nothing to say.
"w-when you first came here..." Taehyung started to talk shakily "you had glass in your feet." I shivered at the unknown fact and snapped to look at the kitten... no-one told me the details...
"and leaves." Jimin added quietly.
"I only had socks at master's home, but they had holes in. The glass smashed when I jumped through the window and it went in my feet when I tried to stand up... I ran through the woods after that."
If that was true... then I certainly felt sorry for her... if that was true.
"that's why you can't walk." Taehyung gulped, fighting the urge to look under the table and look at the damage.
"yes." Jin answered for her "That's why she has to be carried around for a while, so she can heal."
"I'm sorry for the hassle I'm causing all of you." yeah I bet you are.
"No!" Jimin shushed her "No kitten, it's no hassle at all."
"it's true kitten, you are wanted here, I promise you."
Ha! Liar!
...
NAMJOON POV:
I couldn't stop thinking about what she said all through dinner... she was about to be sold...
How many times did I deal with illegal hybrid selling stories... they were rare in this day and age... but not rare enough. I know now that I have a case right in front of me... If she stays or goes, this little kitten needs her rights reviewed... if she even had any at all.
I'd need to tell the shelter when we take her soon... if her owner ever tries to take her back, we'd have to be there for her. Or at least SOME lawyer has to.
"Hyung I want to pick the film!" Jungkook jumped up and down as we all made our way to the lounge just opposite the dining table, behind Kitten's seat.
"do you really think you deserve to choose today Kook?" Jin sassed like an angry mother crossing him arms over his chest.
"I think Taehyung should pick because he's been so good today." Hoseok added to make Jungkook grumble.
Kitten was being carried by Jimin as Hoseok trailed behind with her IV. I watched as her eyes scanned the room on entering, it was a warm and dark room, perfect for watching movies. The soft sofas were perfect for curling up and fluffy blankets were scattered around everywhere. In the corner near the far side of the room was a big TV, perfect for the amount of us to all watch comfortably.
Jimin placed her down next to him on the sofa closest to the TV, furthest from the door.
"would you like a fluffy blanket kitten?" Hoseok asked sweetly.
"I don't know... It makes me feel weird." She uttered quietly.
"weird?!" Jimin panicked, ready to burn the blanket for such an act. "how?!"
"I don't know, what does it feel like?" My heart bristled a little, she probably hasn't felt one before.
"like... a kitten? Wanna feel?" Hobi explained, holding it out for her.
"it's not real kitten is it?" she gulped.
"No, NO, NO." Jimin and Hoseok both panicked at the same time.
"it's fake, baby." the nickname flew from Jimin's lips so naturally that he didn't even notice it till it was out, then he was blushing... and so was she. "I- uh here." he was bright red as he draped her in the soft material, and I watched curiously as her eyes glowed as she petted the fur there.
"I want to watch Iron man!" Jungkook shattered the atmosphere as he slammed open the DVD cupboard and started rummaging.
"Why don't you let kitten choose?" Jin smiled as he sat down next to Yoongi and started stroking his head.
"she won't know what's what." Jungkook whined with the film in his hand.
"he's right." she nodded lowering her head.
"fine, Iron man it is." Jin sighed.
"turn the subtitles on big please." Yoongi called as he snuggled further into Jin's side.
"what's the point if you're just gunna fall asleep?" I snorted as I Taehyung cuddled into my side.
"shush you." he kicked me with his foot.
The film started and Jungkook rushed to sit under Yoongi's feet, his hand sliding near Jin Hyung to silently ask to hold his hand.
As we watched, I lost myself in the film, until I noticed something in the little kitten's expression. Following her curious eyes and singling on the confusion on her face. I thought at first she had just never heard English before... but when a funny moment happened and she was the only person not to laugh... I realized it went deeper than that.
I followed her eyes... they weren't reading along with us...
That's when I realized... she couldn't read.
...
KITTEN'S POV:
I watched the moving screen with wonder, I've seen a TV before for sure.... But I never got to watch it properly, not from this up close.
My eyes were glued to the moving images, captivated completely by the colours and shapes... even if I had no idea what was going on...
Honestly, I felt kind of awkward being in a room with them all and trying to act normal. I mean, one of them barked at me, I hardly felt comfortable in their company. Even after his scolding, at dinner I could feel his scowl burning me with a dreaded detest for my presence. However I would swallow my fear down, I trusted Jin, and if he said that I was safe, then I'd believe him.
He was watching me too, every now and then he would glace over with a warm smile enjoying how I was so fascinated by the moving images on screen. The way my body was stiff and leant forward with my mouth agape in complete devotion to the sparkly pixels before me.
Jimin and Hoseok found it highly amusing, every now and then one of them would chuckle and rub my back. Then they would lean me back to them, pressing the importance of not leaning on my wound.
After what felt like minutes, the film was over and I was so amazed.
"wow." I breathed making the two boys around me giggle.
"did you like it kitten?" Hoseok giggled at my cute expression.
"I really did! Thank you for letting me watch it with you!" I gushed with a big smile.
"Of course Kitten." Jimin patted my head, making my tail twirl behind me... it wanted to wrap around him but I forced it to stay at my side... I didn't want to gross him out.
"you can always watch films with us." Jin promised from the other side of the room.
I was about to thank him when the sound of someone clearing their throat cut through the conversation.
"uh- right." Namjoon stood up. "time for bed."
"owww." A whine from the lanky feline slunk through the air as he leant his weight further into the couch, denying his Hyung's request.
"come on Tae Tae." Namjoon tapped his knee. "we all need to rest."
"He's right, come on Kitten, I need to change your bandages before you sleep." Jin smiled as he walked over
"I'm not tired Hyunggggg." Taehyung whined in loud persistence.
"Then you can help carry Kitten's IV to my office then." Jin concluded, finally scooping me up in to his arms.
The cat called 'Taehyung' looked at me... a weird type of disgust in his eye before he quickly took back his protesting.
"on second thought... I'm really tired-."
"Don't worry Hyung." the man called Yoongi stood up, his hands in his pockets with a sort of 'indifferent' look on his face. "I'll help." he took the IV in his hand, ready for orders.
"Why?" Jimin snorted.
"yeah, I wanted to help!" Hoseok agreed, surprising possessive.
Yoongi just rolled his eyes at them both before giving his answer.
"I'm looking after her tomorrow, it would be good to you know... get used to each other."
"Thanks Yoongi." Jin smiled as he walked me out the room.
"wait for us!" Jimin wailed as he and Hoseok scrambled after the three of us.
Jin led us back through the house, past the kitchen till we arrived by the stairs again. He walked us straight across to the other door on the left of the stairs. Yoongi opened the door for us and Jin walked us in.
Inside was a small, white room. Extremely clean, like a doctors office, and if it weren't for the homey curtains attached to the front of the house... I'd think we were in one. The walls were decorated with white cupboards, full to the brim with different bottle all shielded away by glass.
In the middle of the room was a gurney, lined with blue leather and looking way too comfortable than I imagined one to.
"Here we are Kitten." Jin sung sweetly as he placed me down on the soft surface. "Sorry it's a little chilly in here." he grimaced in apology.
"No, it's okay." I answered right away and watched the black eared feline as he placed my IV to the side of me to quickly cross his arms and lean against the countertops lining the walls.
"This won't take long Kitten Don't worry." Jin smiled as he grabbed the new pads and wound dressings for me. "But we have to keep those injuries dry."
"why?" I asked curiously.
"because they could get infected." He smiled, before looking to the doorway and scowling. "Guys you're gunna let the cold air in."
"Hyung it's warmer in the hallway." Namjoon deadpanned from where he stood behind Hoseok and Jimin, both peaking their heads in to watch Jin work.
"Umm... kitten... could you lift up your shirt please?" I bristle a little, feeling the eyes of at least five different hybrids on me. And it didn't go un-noticed.
"Don't you guys know what privacy is?" I was a little taken aback when Yoongi suddenly bounced off his spot to abruptly close the door and give me the privacy I needed. After that he waddled back to the counter, returning to his original stance of arms crossed and head down.
"T-thank you." I dared to say while lifting my shirt for Jin to start his work. Yoongi's ears flicked with interest at the very flutter of my voice.
"well... those boys don't know what space is sometimes." He half smiled, but it was gone in a flash.
"That is the truth." Jin sighed with a giggle as he started to peel off the soaked through, red pad attached to the wound on my waist.
"Ah-." I yelped in pain but bit in back in embarrassment.
"Oh shh shh I know it hurts sweetie, you're so strong, nearly there." He chided as he focused his hands till the bandage was fully off my skin. "Ah that's better, well done cutie." his hand couldn't help itself when it scooped around the other side of my waist, grazing the uninjured side in a loving stroke to calm me. The wound was almost too much to look at... dark red and sticky... a gash that was deep enough to look endless and a smell of dead blood cells. "Don't look kitten, I'll make it all better."
Yoongi and I both watched as Jin re-dressed my wound, making sure it was clean and dry before sealing it again with a new, clean bandage.
This repeated a couple times for the cuts down my body till he arrived at my feet. Slowly and carefully, Jin undid the layers and layers of bandages that kept my feet secure, all the while Yoongi crept himself further down to Jin... his curiosity to see all my wounds killing him over.
"This will hurt sweetie." Jin warned with apologetic eyes, giving me a bit of time to prepare before he was peeling them off.
I held my breath, but the wails of pain still seeped through till the pads were off. When my first foot was completely visible Yoongi's eyes bulged and his hair fizzled with grief.
"Jesus." he cursed under his breath as he looked at it, seeing the way the pads of my feet had been cut up into shreds. Blood still seeping out, sticky, dark and stinking.
"What does it look like?" I asked worriedly at seeing their expressions... imagining the worst. "is it bad?" My voice croaked.
"no, no." Jin shushed me with a warm hand to my chilly, untouched ankle. "They just need to heal a little more." he smiled as he started to get to work again, drying the wound and making sure it was clean before applying a new pad and moving to the other foot.
"Will they have to be chopped off?" Jin and Yoongi chuckled at my question, a reaction I wasn't expecting from the feline.
"No kitten." Jin giggled. "you'll be fine."
...
YOONGI POV:
Seeing that cat's feet... it put it in perspective for me.
We had all gotten to used to our little home of perfection, and for too long we had been oblivious to the reality of this world. Abuse of Hybrids still happened to this day... and this girl was the proof.
Hoseok had told me about the scars last night... but it didn't really click till now... till tonight.
At the first sight of her I understood.
I understood the pull they were feeling... The smell of her was inescapable. Silky and sweet, with something warm and settling in there, as if the air had filled with the soft song of morning birds. It filled me up, swarmed my body, lulled me in to bristle, to give in to her innocence.
But I've smelt female felines before... many, many times on the street.
This was different... this was addictive.
Even now, watching her injured body being mended before my very eyes all I can think about it how intoxicating it must be to be as close to her as Jin is right now. It made a buzzing in my head, it made me jittery... needy.
I didn't like it...
But that didn't mean I didn't like her... I pitied her, even before I smelt or saw her. The least I can do is look after her well tomorrow, she deserves a good rest.
"All done Kitten!" Jin suddenly cheered. "we can go to bed now, come on." he swooped her up effortlessly and I followed them with my eyes as they moved to escape the room.
"Is she okay?!" Jimin jumped up from where he and Hoseok had been cuddling on the floor together. To my surprise, every single one of them was out there, even Taehyung and Jungkook who hid themselves less that subtly behind the living room door.
"yes Jimin-ie she's healing nicely." he smiled, leaning his head in closer to the small kitten, his nose moving a centimeter from her neck, several silent gulps filled the air as we watched. Every single one of us wanted to know what it smelt like to be that close, even if we all would deny it.
"Hyung, I think it's about time kitten gets her own room." Namjoon hummed with a raised eye brow.
"wha-." Jin's face fell at the thought of not sharing a bed with her.
"come on Hyung, we haven't cuddled in a long time." Namjoon almost whined... he knew that would convince him... and oh look at that, Jin is smirking... yeah we all know how this is gunna go.
I watched Kitten's face pout at the thought of her comforter leaving her, but we all knew this would be good for his health. He needed time away from her if we're ever going to find her a new home.
All of us trekked upstairs behind them, me with her IV still in hand.
"Does she really need that thing still?" Namjoon nagged from besides me.
"one more night Joon, just to be sure." Jin answered as if on autopilot as he flew his Kitten to her new room.
I watched her eyes as we came up on the new door, I watched as they fell to where the door met the carpet, where a small metal letterbox had been build in. I saw the confusion in her eyes as she scanned it over and tried to work out what it was.
"Here we are Kitten! Your new room." Jin giggled as he walked inside.
"for now." Namjoon reminded delicately from behind me.
The room was the smallest out of all the bedrooms in the house. It was warm and plain, simple enough with one queen sized bed, a dresser and a window to look out on the front garden. There was a bathroom attached, placed to the right as soon as you come in. the room itself is shaped like a weird P, so that the head of the bed rests against the wall of the bathroom, making it directly on your right as you walk in.
"It's so cozy." I fought with my instinct to smile at her sweet tone, keeping my face neutral as I watched her scan the room.
"Good!" Jimin giggled as he managed to peek his head around to see her.
"let's get you in bed then cutie." Hoseok ran forward, pulling back the sheets to let Jin Hyung place her down.
"there, there, nice and snug." Jin's smile was warm as he patted down the duvet now swamping the frail girl.
"Thank you, everybody, so much." she blinked sleepily.
"no problem Kitten." Jin rumbled in his way of purring.
"Jin?" she asked again, her voice getting less and less strong.
"yes cutie?"
"why is there a letterbox on the door?" her eyes were practically closed, but she was fighting to find out the answer.
"well... b-because kitten... we used to use this room as a- well... as a safe room for our heats." he coughed awkwardly.
"Come on guys, bed!" I suddenly choked feeling hot in the face, pushing the others to get out already.
"what! no! not yet!" Jimin whined like a kid.
"the walls are the strongest in here." Jin continued. "and the door is strong... that's why we feel so happy you're in here now... you're safe in here cutie." he stroked her head and immediately at the touch she started to purr.
It took every fiber in me not to join in from the pleasant atmosphere... I had to get out of here now!
"Thank you." She whispered, her consciousness like a thread of string in my hyung's fingers.
"sleep now kitten." and just like that, she was out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry if there was any mistakes but I am SOOOOOO tired rn.
Had to go with my mum to drive my brother and his fiance home and now it's midnight... woop woop.
I think this is what Imma do from now on, have a week for sheltered and a week for stay with us... It really helps to clear my head and get's me excited to write again for the other story.
I'm so tired rn, I've been having so many panic attacks this week... im dead.
ANYWAYYYYY I miss yall with all my heart, so I'll have a chat tomorrow with you all.
All my love, stay safe and healthy
BYEEEEEEEEEEEE xxxxxxxxxxxx