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sweetestofchaos · 1 year

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TOTW Chapter 1

paring: ot7 x oc!hybrid rating/genre/au: PG-16, Angst, Fluff, Parent AU, Hybrid AU, Non-Idol AU warnings: Mentions Of Death, Crying, Feelings Of Loss By A Child, Child Abandonment, Child Neglect (not graphic), Hybrid Trafficking, Alpaca!Seokjin, Pied-Bellied Shield Tail Snake!Yoongi, Human!Namjoon, Human!Hoseok, Human!Jimin, Human!Taehyung, Kangaroo!Jungkook, Quoll!OC wc: 7.2K

“Home isn't where you're from, it's where you find light when all grows dark.”― Pierce Brown

a/n 1: Okay, it’s here...finally. It took me a while to figure out a few minor/major things, but now that I have them, this bad boy can start taking off. Thank you so much for reading and I hope that you enjoy Imani’s crazy journey with BTS as they learn each others heart. If you would like to be added to the taglist just let me know!

a/n 2: @quirkybtsarmy and @namjinsmoonchile are my wonderful betas for this chapter. Thanks for working with me!

taglist: @elliedearest

series masterlist 🌻character profiles

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The room is filled with soft murmurs and sniffles from humans and hybrids alike, as they stand in line to pay their respects. A man with dark brown hair stands silently off to the side farthest away from the casket holding onto a small hand. Beside him, a little girl, no older than four stands dressed in all black with tears rolling down her face. Two little black ears are folded downward towards her head, nearly hidden in the thick mass of curls while her spotted tail wraps around her calf limply.

Person after person pats the little girl’s head and offers words of comfort making more tears spill down the girl’s face. The man beside her sighs and crouches down to her level, “I know it hurts. I’m hurting too. We’re almost done, okay? Hold on just a little longer and then we can go home.” The little girl nods her head at the man’s words, and he pets her head, gently scratching around the base of her furry ears.

“Oh, Vincent!” A larger older woman throws herself at Vincent once he stands, nearly knocking him to the floor. “Lisa was such a good woman. I can’t believe she’s gone!” The woman wails and Imani whines softly in her throat at the woman’s words. She’s gone…momma isn’t coming back.

“O-okay, Edith. It’s okay.” Vincent rubs the older woman’s back with a sigh. “We’ll get through this together.”

Edith pulls herself away from Vincent and wipes at her eyes, “I know you will dear. You’ve done such a fine job helping Lisa, raise her…daughter. I never would have pegged you as the family man.” Edith turns her eyes to Imani and frowns. “Raising a hybrid on your own, you are a Godsend!”

Vincent shakes his head, “I’m just happy that Lisa granted me custody of Imani before she-” Vincent clears his throat and places his arm around Imani’s shoulders, pulling her closer to his side. “I’m just happy Imani is finally mine.”

2 months later

Imani fights back tears as she sits in the large blue seat beside Vincent. There are a lot of voices and different smells that make Imani’s heightened senses react badly. She can’t stop sneezing and Vincent has already yelled at her about making a scene in public. A flight attendant walks down the aisle with a smile on her face as she checks on everyone before the flight starts. There are two orange triangles on the top of her head along with a bright orange tail with a white tip. She spots Imani and stops beside Vincent.

“Sir, would you like a pair of noise canceling headphones for her? We spray scent blockers throughout the cabin right before takeoff, so the flight should be more bearable for her.”

Vincent stares up at the fox hybrid and frowns, “Is that extra?”

The smile on the woman’s face drops a little at the question, “No sir. The headphones are free.”

“Yeah, you can give her a pair.”

The fox runs off to get Imani a pair of noise canceling headphones and she even grabs a fresh blanket that is still in its packaging. She remembers her first flight; it was terrifying, and she was much older than the little hybrid. She hopes that the blanket will help comfort the little girl. As the fox hybrid returns to Imani’s aisle, she notices that the man is not beside her. She offers the young girl a smile, “Do you know that man, sweetie?” The fox hybrid questions with a soft smile on her face and Imani nods her head.

“That’s Vincent, we’re going on a twip.”

The hybrid frowns at the news, but quickly slaps another smile onto her face, “That’s nice.” She holds out the headphones and blanket. “These headphones will help quiet everything down and this blanket is super soft. It’s perfect to sleep with or just hold.” Imani stares at the blanket and the woman laughs softly. “Would you like me to help you put the headphones on?” Imani nods her head, and the fox hybrid carefully sets the headphones on top of Imani’s head, making sure not to mash her ears down.

“Better?” Imani gives a thumbs up and the hybrid’s smile widens. She notices Vincent coming back and sighs before she gives Imani the blanket. “Try to get some rest dear, okay?” Imani nods her head, and the fox hybrid leaves before Vincent can tell her to move out of his way.

Soon after Vincent sits down, the flight attendants spray the scent blocker as the plane starts to roll down the runway. Imani squeezes the blanket tightly in her hands as the plane lifts into the air and she whines low in her throat as the plane starts to shake. Ignoring the sounds that Imani makes, Vincent puts his own headphones in his ears and listens to music, closing his eyes and ignoring the world around him. Imani reaches out for Vincent’s hand and flinches when he pulls his hand away from her.

“Vegas baby!”

“Woooo!”

Jimin and Hoseok are screaming out the windows of their fancy rental car while Seokjin drives. Music blares from the speakers and Namjoon sighs, shaking his head at his mates.

“Get in the car, crazies!” Yoongi hisses and he quickly grabs the back of their shirts, pulling them into the car. “Do you want to get arrested?”

“Hyung, they won’t arrest us for shouting,” Jimin laughs and Jungkook nods his head in agreement.

“It’s Vegas, Hyung. I’m sure they’ve seen a lot worse.”

Namjoon glances at the others in the rearview mirror from his seat beside Seokjin, “Does everyone remember the game plan for tonight?”

“Ice cream!”

“Movie!”

“Dinner!”

The three youngest in the group all shout over each other and Hoseok laughs. “Dinner, movie and then ice cream…maybe we can see the water show after if our baby mates aren’t too tuckered out.”

“Hey! I have more stamina than a horse!” Jungkook puffs out his chest proudly and Jimin is quick to cuddle into his side.

“Yes, you do,” Jimin purrs and Jungkook’s whole face heats up making everyone laugh.

“Did you guys decide on a movie?” Seokjin prompts from the front seat and Taehyung nods his head.

“Where are we eating, Hyung?” Hoseok questions turning his eyes towards Namjoon who is scrolling through his phone.

“Made a reservation at Bazaar Meats, thinking we could have something fun.”

The ride to the hotel is filled with laughter and shouting as everyone talks over each other. Las Vegas, the city of sin, the first vacation that everyone is able to spend together in a very long time thanks to Jimin’s dance studio having to participate in a competition here. The dance competition is only four days long, but Jimin will stay behind with his mates for a total of six days and fly back to South Korea on the seventh day. Seokjin smiles as he stops at a red light and watches as people cross the street, men, women, and children of all ages just enjoying the nightlife.

Their plane landed an hour ago and it took a while to get everything together for the rental car, there was a screw up on the dealer's part. Now, once they get to the hotel, everyone will wash up and relax for an hour before they have to leave for Bazaar Meats. Seokjin is thinking that dinner will take at least two hours with a group as large as theirs and the movie will be at least an hour and a half; so, it will be a long night. Seokjin’s fluffy cream colored tail twitches in excitement and he finds himself smiling as the light turns green.

“What are you smiling about, Jinnie hyung?” Namjoon wonders and Seokjin’s furry ears twitch at the question.

“When was the last time we were all together like this, Joon? Huh?” Seokjin’s smile stretches farther onto his face. “This is just really nice, that’s all.”

Imani’s heart is pounding in her chest harshly, her eyes darting around from side to side taking in all the unfamiliar scents that are surrounding her. She wants to leave. She wants to leave this unfamiliar place right now. Artificial light seeps into the slits of her carrier and Imani cries softly, her weak cp-cps filling the air as doors slam loudly in the distance. She can’t see much from inside her carrier, but she can smell Vincent, at least he is still with her. The sound of a door opening catches Imani’s attention and Vincent walks farther into the room before he shuts it behind him.

Everything is silent and Imani can only smell Vincent’s cologne. Imani’s cage is jostled as it’s set down and soon Imani is blinded by bright white lights as Vincent removes the top of her carrier. There is a camera sitting on a tripod and it’s pointed directly at Imani. Her ears press down flat against her head and her tail curls up tightly by her side as she stares at the camera.

“Come on, get out.” Vincent is firm with his words and scruffs Imani by the back of her neck before he picks Imani up and sets her on the tabletop. “Walk in a circle.”

Imani whines, the fur on her little face wet with tears as she tries to backtrack into the carrier.

“Imani,” Vincent warns and Imani freezes. She doesn’t like it when Vincent uses that tone of voice, it’s not a nice voice. Trembling, Imani walks farther into the middle of the table, and she carefully walks in a large circle before he looks up at Vincent. There are three knocks at the door and Vincent grins before he pats the top of Imani’s head. “Good girl, Imani.” Vincent sets the top of the carrier down on the table and slides the small crossbody bag off his body, setting it beside the carrier as well.

“You are staying here now, okay? Listen to what you’re told and be a good girl.”

Imani cries and scurries to the edge of the table trying to latch onto Vincent’s arm but she’s not fast enough. Vincent is out of the room and Imani starts to chirp in distress, not liking being left alone. Hurrying into the carrier, Imani burrows under the blanket that is in there and curls into the smallest ball that she can. She cries and cries, wishing that Vincent would come back and take her home. She wants to go home!

The door to the room opens and the scent of amethyst and smoke fills the room. Footsteps get closer and closer to the table and Imani growls in warning. Leave. I’m scared. I’m scared. Leave.

“Hey…” The voice is clipped but friendly. “Do you want to shift? We can get ice cream…d-do you like ice cream?”

Imani’s eyes twitch at the mention of ice cream and she chirps softly. Someone laughs and the blanket covering Imani is removed. Imani blinks at the bright lights and she sees a woman staring at her with the cross bag in her hands.

“Come on, let's get some ice cream.”

Standing in line at The Milk Bar, Jimin giggles as Taehyung’s hair tickles his chin as the taller mate kisses his exposed shoulder. Taehyung peppers closed mouth kisses to Jimin’s neck and shoulder while holding him gently in his arms. There are so many people around and Taehyung would hate to lose sight of Jimin in the crowd. Giggling, Jimin tries to push Taehyung’s head away from him and being unsuccessful, he huffs and crosses his arm over his chest.

Deciding to try and focus on the menu, Jimin lifts his face, and his eyes meet a set of dark brown eyes. Jimin looks at the little girl standing in front of him, and she has to be the most adorable baby he has ever seen. Her hair is dark and curly, pulled into a large puff of hair; almost hiding the set of black furry ears on her head and she has a matching tail that is curled around her leg. Her outfit is cute too, a deep pink sweater that’s tucked into baggy jeans with white Nikes.

Jimin offers the child a smile and she is quick to duck around her guardian’s legs making Jimin frown. He hopes he didn’t scare the little girl. Before Jimin can dwell on the thought for long, the little girl pops her head back around the woman’s legs and Jimin grins. Oh. She wants to play with him! Wanting to indulge such a sweet child, Jimin lifts his hands to his face and covers his eyes. He pulls his hands away and the girl’s own tiny hands are covering her face. Jimin keeps his fingers in front of his mouth to muffle his laughter as the little girl pulls her hands away and her eyes widen when Jimin quickly covers his face back up.

“What are you doing, love?” Taehyung questions when he notices that Jimin is moving a lot in his arms.

“I’m playing peek-a-boo!” Jimin chuckles and Taehyung looks ahead to see the cutest little hybrid girl ever covering her face like Jimin with a smile on her face. “Do you want to play with us?” Jimin offers and Taehyung grins, nodding his head. Unwrapping his arms from around Jimin’s waist, Taehyung keeps his hands placed on Jimin’s hips and he ducks down behind Jimin’s shoulders.

Jimin’s whole body shakes as he laughs and when Taehyung pops back up to look over Jimin’s shoulder the little girl’s eyes are wide in delight at having two friends to play with. Taehyung notices that the girl’s tail is swaying lightly behind her and the ears on top of her head are pointed in their direction which makes Taehyung grin.

“Hello, baby!” Taehyung is unable to stop himself from talking to the little girl; noticing that the young woman she is with is paying the little girl no mind as she blabbers away on the phone.

“Helwo!” The little girl chirps and Taehyung is in love, what a sweet little voice.

Hearing the little girl’s voice, the woman stops talking on the phone and turns around with a glare on her face. She frowns at Jimin and Taehyung before she grabs hold of the little girl’s hand and pulls her to stand in front of her.

“What did I say, huh? Don’t talk to anyone.”

Taehyung frowns hearing that, and he notices that the little girl’s ears drop and her tail wraps tightly around her calf. Jimin laces his fingers with Taehyung’s and leans back into his chest, “It’s okay TaeTae. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Jimin knows that Taehyung’s feelings are hurt, and he frowns slightly seeing that the little girl is now upset as well. “Oh! It’s about to be our turn. Get the guys!” Jimin pushes Taehyung away from him and Taehyung walks over to the others that were sitting farther back to keep out of the way. Jimin watches Taehyung walk away and when he turns back around the little girl is no longer standing in front of him and Jimin sighs. Well at least he was able to brighten up her night a little bit.

The others come to Jimin’s side, and he smiles leaning into Yoongi’s side while everyone places their order. Yoongi hands Jimin his ice cream and Jungkook bounces on the ball of his feet, his long tan tail bobbing with his movement.

“Hyung! Hyung c-can we walk to the fountains? I wanna walk and eat my ice cream!” The tan ears on top of Jungkook’s eyes twitch as he waits for any of his older mates to answer him and Yoongi looks around at everyone before he raises an eyebrow at Seokjin. Seokjin’s ears twitch as a cool wind blows and he nods his head while licking at the ice cream on his spoon.

“Are you okay walking and eating Kookie?” Namjoon jokes and Jungkook’s nose scrunches up before he laughs at Namjoon who drops the spoon in his hand.

“Are you okay walking and eating, Hyung?” Jungkook teases and everyone laughs while Namjoon’s ears darken in embarrassment.

Shaking his head, Seokjin grabs Namjoon another spoon before they all start to walk to the Bellagio Fountains which according to Hoseok’s phone is only twelve minutes away. Walking hand in hand with Seokjin, Yoongi keeps his eyes trained on the people around them. There is a nice mixture of humans and hybrids walking around, a few people gawk at Jungkook because of his tail. A Kangaroo hybrid is extremely rare. There are only fifteen of them in the world currently, Jungkook’s family making up four of them. They weren’t always rare but before the hybrid care act was passed, most of them were bred for the fighting rings and either died in the ring or had to be put down for being feral.

Reaching the fountains, Yoongi and Jimin snap photos as Jungkook, Taehyung and Hoseok pose in front of the water. Namjoon and Seokjin pose together and Yoongi smiles, he’s glad that he took off work to come to Las Vegas. Looking up from his phone, Yoongi notices Taehyung is looking off in the distance and before he can say anything, Taehyung is pulling Jimin by the wrist away from the fountains. Maybe he just had to use the restroom.

“T-Tae what are you doing?” Jimin whines, his heeled boots clicking loudly on the pavement as he tries to keep up with Taehyung’s wide strides. “Tae?” Jimin tries to pull his hand free from Taehyung’s grasps but it’s no use.

“Jimin, look. I-isn’t that the little girl from before?” Taehyung turns Jimin’s attention to a small hybrid girl dressed in the same pink sweater and baggy jeans, the only difference in her appearance is that there is no smile on her face, and she looks close to tears. Also, the woman from before is nowhere to be found, a large man twice the size of Namjoon and Jungkook combined is standing with the girl. He has no hair and there is a large spider web tattoo on the back of his neck.

“Tae…” Jimin squeezes Taehyung’s hand feeling his heart throb painfully at the sight of the little hybrid.

“Get Yoongi Hyung, quick!” Taehyung lets go of Jimin’s hand and Jimin hesitates.

“W-what are you gonna do?” Jimin worries and Taehyung offers him that wide smile. “Tae-”

“Go, we have to make sure she’s okay.”

Jimin nods his head and hurries off towards his mates, praying that nothing bad is happening to that sweet child. Taehyung straightens his tie and runs a hand through his hair, pushing it from his forehead briefly before he squares his shoulders and walks over towards the larger man. He notices that the man is on the phone and Taehyung easily stands in the man’s blind spot. The little girl looks at him and he smiles softly at her.

Tears start to fall from her eyes and Taehyung gulps; clearly something is wrong here. Taehyung tries to get a good look at the man and his blood runs cold when he overhears the man mention the HBM, the hybrid black market. Taehyung tries to remember what he’s heard about the HBM from the news and there should be some kind of mark on the man signaling that he’s a part of the group.

In the distance, Taehyung can see his mates coming his way and he makes the split decision to save the little girl. Taking a deep breath, Taehyung waves the little girl over with a tight smile and she runs into his arms crying. Her cries draw the man’s attention to Taehyung and Taehyung quickly scoops the little girl up in his arms.

“Hey!” The man snaps and the girl starts to wail loudly drawing even more eyes onto the three of them.

“What’s going on?”

“Taehyung?”

“What’s wrong?”

Yoongi easily puts himself between Taehyung and the man while Seokjin wraps his arms around Taehyung trying to help soothe the little girl. Jungkook and Namjoon stand on either side of Yoongi glaring at the man while a crowd starts to form.

“Give me my kid back.” The man demands and Jimin speaks up with a shake of his head.

“She’s not yours! You stole her!”

Shocked gasps ring out and people are starting to record the whole thing while others call the police.

“W-What?” The man is shaking, his eyes wide with rage as he tries to reach past the guys. Yoongi hisses and the man flinches away staring at Yoongi confused. “Y-You’re a hybrid?”

“I can smell them on you,” Yoongi growls, keeping his words vague, and the man is starting to sweat. This wasn’t part of the plan…damnit!

Sirens go off and the man curses before he makes a break for it. Jungkook and Yoongi take off after him along with three officers. People are shouting for the man to stop, and two other officers walk over to the rest of the group.

“Can someone explain what’s going on?”

“Is anyone hurt?”

Namjoon steps towards the offers and scratches the back of his neck, “We think the man that ran away is part of the HBM.” Namjoon motions to the little girl in Taehyung’s arms who is still crying. “We don’t know where she was taken from…but we saw her about fifteen minutes ago with someone else.”

Taehyung hands the girl to Seokjin and Seokjin coos as her little hands grab fist fulls of his fluffy cardigan. Seokjin rubs his chin lightly against her head, scenting the little girl quietly as he starts to rock her in his arms. Taehyung stands beside Namjoon and explains everything he saw and heard to the cops. By the end of his explanation, the cops are shaking his hand.

“Would you all mind coming down to the station? We need to handle this in a timely manner so that these sickos don’t get away.”

“Yeah, we can do that…” Namjoon looks at Seokjin who is still holding the little girl in his arms, sound asleep it seems while he rubs her back. The girl’s tail is loosely wrapped around Seokjin’s wrist and it’s getting more and more limp. “What about the girl?” Namjoon questions and the cops look at the two hybrids.

“Is he an omega by chance?”

“Yes, he’s the pack omega.” Namjoon answers and the cops nod their heads.

“It’s not protocol, but would he mind riding with us? One of you can come along too.”

“I’ll go!” Taehyung volunteers and Namjoon levels him with a good look before he nods his head.

“Stay with Hyung, we’ll be right behind you, guys.” Namjoon kisses Taehyung’s temple and hugs him tightly. Jimin and Hoseok kiss Seokjin’s lips before they turn their attention to Taehyung and kiss him as well. Namjoon cups Seokjin’s cheek and smiles, “Be safe.”

The officer's walkie talkies go off and everyone listens as they are informed that the man from earlier has been caught thanks to the Kangaroo hybrid, but he’s been hurt.

“What?!” Seokjin’s face goes pale and Jimin is quick to help support the little girl in Seokjin’s arms. “My…my Kookie is hurt?”

“Hey, Jin…” Namjoon shakes his head. “Focus, okay? Yoongi Hyung is with him, he’s okay. I’ll stay behind here and wait for the others. Hoseok, head to the station with everyone else. I’ll give you a call the moment I get word of Kook’s condition.”

“I can do that. Jimin, what are you gonna do?” Hoseok questions and Jimin chews on his bottom lip. He wants to check on Jungkook, but he can’t leave Taehyung or the little girl.

“I-I’ll go with them,” Jimin reaches for Taehyung’s hand and the two lace their fingers together. “But Joon, shouldn’t you come with us? You’re better at English than the rest of us.” Jimin points out and Hoseok has to agree. He can understand a lot, but he knows he would struggle to answer some questions that the cops might ask.

“Shit, right…Um Hobi do you mind staying behind?”

“I’ll keep you posted,” Hoseok reassures everyone as Namjoon digs in Seokjin’s pocket and tosses the keys to Hoseok. Hoseok watches everyone else follow behind the cops to their cruiser. Seokjin and Taehyung sit in the back with the little girl while Namjoon sits in the front seat of the other cruiser with Jimin in the back seat. Hoseok sighs and runs a hand through his hair. So much for a relaxing vacation.

Seokjin is a blubbering mess as he listens to the loud chirps and cries of distress from the little girl in the room down the hall. Since none of the guys are family members, the doctors on staff made them leave and the little girl has been calling for help ever since. It’s breaking Seokjin’s heart, his natural animal instincts going crazy as the others hold him back from breaking down the door. Seokjin is crying in Taehyung’s arms while Namjoon and Jimin are explaining everything to the cops. Hoseok is keeping his eyes on Seokjin while Yoongi is watching over Jungkook as a doctor patches up a few cuts on his face. Jungkook was able to catch up to the man and they got into a fight, Jungkook being a Kangaroo gave him a huge advantage, but Yoongi thinks it’s because Jungkook is a personal trainer more than anything.

“Aren’t they done yet?” Seokjin snaps trying to get out of Taehyung’s arms.

“Hyung,” Hoseok warns softly and Seokjin glares at him.

“She’s scared!” Seokjin growls and Yoongi hisses under his breath. Seeing his pack omega so upset makes his alpha uneasy plus he can smell mildew and rancid water seeping from the door that the hybrid girl is in. She isn’t scared, she’s absolutely terrified. The cries stop suddenly and Seokjin jumps to his feet, pushing Taehyung away from him. Yoongi goes to his side and grabs Seokjin’s wrist, pushing his own fresh dried laundry scent out to help soothe the older omega. Seokjin’s eyes narrow as he walks closer to the door, his calming lavender and vanilla scent burnt and bitter.

The door opens and two doctors step out, their faces drawn into a neutral mask of indifference as they spot Seokjin and Yoongi. The one doctor is a calico cat hybrid, and she can smell the unpleasantness of Seokjin’s displeasure.

“She shifted the moment she woke up, so we weren’t able to check her human form very well. She’s sleeping for now. We chose to sedate her so that she wouldn’t hurt herself in her panic.” The doctor keeps her eyes locked with Seokjin as she speaks. “She’s malnourished, but thankfully there are no other signs of physical abuse.”

Seokjin lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, and Yoongi squeezes his hand tightly, “What’s her story?” Yoongi questions slowly, doing his best to make sure the doctors understand his English. He may not know the little girl but she’s just a child and he will do anything to help make sure she’s safe.

The hybrid doctor smiles softly realizing that they must not be from the States. She speaks slowly, “We can’t say for sure. Not until her blood results come back from the lab…but I would say a female Quoll between the age of three and five based on her size.”

“What happens to her now?” Seokjin mumbles, feeling a headache starting to form from all the adrenaline rushing through his body starting to fade.

“That’s up to the cops. Most children her age that are part of the HBM are usually bred for it or sold into it. That bunch knows better than to kidnap anyone nowadays. The laws supporting hybrids have made sure of that.”

Seokjin frowns at that news. He would much rather the young girl have been stolen from a loving home than to have been sold to the black market. Yoongi bows to the doctors and Seokjin follows along making the doctors both stare at them with wide eyes.

“Thank you, doctor.” Yoongi stands and pulls Seokjin back to the group, seeing that Namjoon and Jimin have joined them again.

“What did the doctors say?” Taehyung asks, his dark eyes swimming with a million questions.

Seokjin slumps down into his seat beside Taehyung and Yoongi sighs, “She is a rare breed. A Quoll and they aren’t sure of her age because she’s malnourished. They think she might be three or five.”

“Oh, pup…” Jungkook whispers, his bottom lip quivering as he thinks of all the horrors that little girl must have faced all on her own.

Namjoon clears his throat, gaining everyone’s attention, “The cops said that she was sold to an orphanage that has ties to the HBM. They are going to investigate her family to see what happened.”

“What happens if she has no one?” Jimin worries and everyone stares at each other.

“Pack Alpha…” Taehyung stares at Yoongi with wet eyes and Seokjin joins him followed closely behind by Jimin and Jungkook.

Yoongi narrows his slitted eyes and Namjoon sighs while Hoseok chuckles. “Fine…let’s put it to a vote.”

Taehyung, Seokjin, Jimin and Jungkook’s hands all shoot up while Hoseok raises his hand with a shake of his head. Namjoon looks at his mates and thinks over everything that would change if they were to adopt a hybrid child. It’s always been something that they’ve all talked about, Seokjin is the only one that can carry a child but none of them are the same breed, so it doesn’t matter…plus the success rate of a hybrid and human couple having a child is less than forty percent.

None of them want to put Seokjin through that kind of emotional trauma. Namjoon thinks of the guest room on the nesting floor and what it would be like to hear a child’s laughter fill their home. Namjoon smiles fondly and raises his hand. Yoongi nods his head and licks his lips, his forked tongue tasting the hope in the air.

“Joon, go talk to the cops, let them know we would like to start the adoption process right away if we can.”

“Really?” Taehyung’s voice is filled with tears and Seokjin starts crying again while Jimin and Jungkook tear up. Hobi grins as he holds Jungkook and Yoongi nods his head, smiling at his pack.

“We have the room and we’ve all talked about adopting before…now seems like a good time, right?”

Namjoon and Jimin stay in Las Vegas while the rest of the pact head back to South Korea. Everyone was on edge about leaving but Seokjin thought it best to get a head start on child proofing. Jimin wanted to help too but he still has to take care of his dancers and finish the competition. Namjoon makes sure to keep the guys updated with any new information and so far, he has learned a lot about the little hybrid, Imani. The child has had a rough few months from what the police have told Namjoon.

Her father died two years after she was born, and her mother was killed in a hit and run two months ago. Imani’s godfather was found to have signed over his right to Imani and sold her to the orphanage for a large sum of money. Vincent Ortiz is currently on the run with his face on the news, often. Namjoon knows that there is an extremely slim chance that he will ever meet the man, but if he ever does…he might just kill him.

Imani Kim is a four year old Quoll that is biracial. Her mother was an African American woman named Lisa Jackson, and her father was a Korean American hybrid man named Heechul Kim. The police searched around Imani’s old neighborhood and found bits and pieces from the ajumma next door, about Imani’s life with her mother. Imani knows a little Korean, mostly the basic words like Eomma, Appa and a handful of simple phrases. Namjoon thinks it’s nice that Lisa was so determined to keep Imani’s father’s culture alive. Not that Namjoon has heard Imani speak at all, the poor girl refuses to shift into her human form.

Now, Namjoon is sitting down with a child social services case worker to determine if Namjoon and his pack would be suitable parents for Imani. The case worker is an older man in his late sixties that reminds Namjoon of the old man that played with puppets, Mister Roger but with a thick gray goatee and handlebar mustache. The man’s name is Nathaniel, and he goes by Mister Fentin. Mister Fentin is an omega Dunnart hybrid which puts Namjoon at ease since the older man is also in the Dasyuromorphia family like Imani.

“Mister Kim?”

Namjoon is pulled from his thoughts at the sound of Mister Fentin’s voice, and the older man smiles kindly, wrinkles crinkling in the corners of his golden-brown eyes.

“Mister Kim…would you like to see Imani today? All the paperwork has been filled out on your part. This interview is just about over unless you have any more questions for me?”

Namjoon glances at the glass window beside him where Imani is currently climbing up a rope to reach a fake tree branch. Since she refuses to shift, the staff in the current orphanage have kept Imani in the hybrid enclosure to keep her safe and content.

“What if she doesn’t like me?” Namjoon finds himself wondering out loud and Mister Fentin offers Namjoon a soft smile.

“Imani has been through a lot. She is dealing with a lot of stress which is why she won’t shift, I believe. Her animal counterpart is protecting her the best way it knows how.” Mister Fentin starts to tidy up the papers on the table and stands to his feet once everything is put away neatly in a binder. “In her current state of mind, this is the best way to introduce you. Did you bring the article of clothing that I told you about?”

“Yes.” Namjoon is glad that Seokjin was smart enough to leave him with the cardigan from the night they meant Imani.

“Good. From what I’ve read, I think having the scent of your partner will help smooth things along. Imani felt safe with the omega…alpaca?”

“Yes, Seokjin is an alpaca. He’s the pack omega.”

“Wonderful! I would also like to confirm something with your pack omega’s scent as well.” Mister Fentin explains vaguely and Namjoon nods his head. “Come now Mister Kim, I’m sure Imani will like you just fine.”

Namjoon follows Mister Fentin out into the hallway, and they stand in front of the door leading into the hybrid playroom. Mister Fentin places his hand on the doorknob and looks at Namjoon over his shoulder, “Slowly count to thirty and then come inside the room. Have that article of clothing ready in your hands.” Mister Fentin opens the door wide enough to slip inside and the moment the door shuts, Namjoon starts to count to thirty.

Namjoon’s hands feel sweaty, the dampness seeping into the cardigan that Seokjin left behind and Namjoon worries that his scent will overpower the alpaca’s. What if Imani wants nothing to do with Namjoon? What if she only wants Seokjin? Namjoon frowns at the thought, sure he can fully understand why that could be the case, but he hopes that Imani will give him a chance. Done with counting to thirty, Namjoon takes a deep breath to try and slow his rapidly beating heart. He reaches for the door handle and twists his wrist, slowly opening the door. Stepping inside the room, Namjoon shuts the door behind him, and he sees Mister Fentin sitting in a chair beside the door with an easy smile on his face.

Namjoon lets his eyes sweep the room and he can’t find Imani at all. Namjoon glances at Mister Fentin and the older man chuckles seeing the confused twist to Namjoon’s brows. He offers no advice as he stares at Namjoon and Namjoon licks his lips. Okay. It’s okay, he can do this. Namjoon wracked his brain trying to remember what he did the first time Yoongi ever shifted and he shakes his head. No. No, that won’t work. The first time Yoongi ever shifted, Namjoon damn near had a heart attack at the sight of the black snake hanging from one of his plants. What would Seokjin do? Namjoon looks down at the cardigan in his hand and bites the inside of his cheek. Nesting! That’s what omegas do and it’s a comfort to everyone.

Namjoon walks into the middle of the room and kneels on the floor, taking extra care not to drop Seokjin’s yellow cardigan as he removes his own tan one. Carefully, Namjoon tries to mimic the nest that Seokjin has made a million times in his bed. It’s hard to do with only two things, so Namjoon looks around and finds four pillows of different sizes that he incorporates into the nest too. It’s not the best-looking nest, Namjoon doesn’t have to be a hybrid to know that.

From somewhere in the room a soft clucking is heard before Namjoon notices a small set of black ears peeking out from a boxed perch on the wall. Slowly, Imani lifts her head and stares at Namjoon on the floor below. She sniffs the air again to make sure her nose isn’t mistaking. The scent of lavender and vanilla, it isn’t as strong as she remembers, but it’s in the room.

Again, Imani starts to cluck, calling for the owner of the lovely scent. She stares at Namjoon, taking him in fully. There aren’t any ears on top of his head, just a mop of perfectly brushed slate blue hair and there is no tail in sight either. Imani cries, hiding back inside the perch and Mister Fentin watches as Namjoon scratches the back of his head.

“Why don’t you try talking to her, Mister Kim? Maybe a song? Her m-o-t-h-e-r was a singer after all.”

“She was?” Namjoon is surprised by that bit of information. He’s never heard of Lisa Jackson, at least he doesn’t think he has.

“Oh yes. Missus Lisa was a well-known opera singer on the east coast.”

Namjoon tucks that nugget of knowledge in the back of his mind for later. He glances up at where Imani is hidden and decides that a song couldn’t hurt. Clearing his throat, Namjoon sighs, “Imani? My name is Namjoon…I’m a friend of Jin. He’s the man that was wearing the yellow cardigan. He gave me this because he thought you might like it.” Namjoon can see movement from inside the perch, but he stares straight ahead at the wall. “Mister Fentin tells me that you like singing. Can I sing a song for you? My voice isn’t the best but it’s always fun to sing, right?”

Mister Fentin smiles at Namjoon’s words and writes a few notes inside his binder. Namjoon thinks of a song that Imani might know and one comes right to mind. The theme for the dance competition that Jimin’s currently a part of is broadways and one of the songs is from The Greatest Showman. Namjoon sighs and starts singing, trying his best not to care that he’s singing in front of Mister Fentin too.

Some people long for a life that is simple and planned

Tied with a ribbon

Some people won't sail the sea 'cause they're safer on land

To follow what's written

But I'd follow you to the great unknown

Off to a world we call our own

Imani’s ears twitch as Namjoon sings. His voice is rough, he must not sing very often but it’s not something Imani dislikes. His voice is low, but Imani’s ears are stronger than a human's. She can hear Namjoon clearly. Pulling herself up on the ledge of the perch, Imani stares at Namjoon and listens to him sing. Her nose wiggles as she sniffs the air again, breathing in the scent of lavender and vanilla, it calls to her. Imani chirps before she walks across the little wooden bridge to the next perch, taking her time to paddle down, lower, and lower towards the floor. On the last perch, Imani jumps off and lands on the padded mat that is supposed to resemble grass.

Hand in my hand

And we promised to never let go

We're walking a tightrope

High in the sky

We can see the whole world down below

We're walking a tightrope

Never sure, never know how far we could fall

But it's all an adventure

That comes with a breathtaking view

Walking a tightrope

Namjoon’s heart is pounding in his chest with each step that Imani takes closer and closer to him. She’s so small, probably only six inches in length at most, not even large enough to cover his forearm. He’s pretty sure that Imani will fit in the palm of his hand, no problem. The blood rushing behind Namjoon’s ears is so loud, loud enough to muffle his own voice…is he singing too loudly? Imani stops at the edge of the makeshift nest and the scent is so much stronger here. Imani noses at the nest and whines as one of the pillows falls. Namjoon slowly reaches out and picks Imani up, she weighs nothing to him, and sets her in the middle of the nest, quickly fixing the knocked over pillow.

Imani walks around in a circle five times before she settles down in the nest, against the wall closest to Namjoon. She rests her head on the edge of the nest, her snout tucked tightly against Seokjin’s cardigan as she stares up at Namjoon. Namjoon’s voice wavers as he stares down at Imani, how can she be so small? Namjoon knows from research that Imani will get a little bigger. If anything, she’ll grow at least another foot or so at the most. Imani huffs out a breath and a large smile pulls at Namjoon’s lips, his dimples sinking into his cheeks as he stares at Imani fondly.

“Would you like for me to keep singing?” Namjoon questions softly and Imani barks lightly, shuffling closer to Namjoon, her nose almost touching his knee though Seokjin’s cardigan. “Okay…I’ll keep going.” Namjoon continues to sing ‘Tightrope’ and Imani finds herself drawn more and more to him. She crawls out of the nest and climbs onto Namjoon’s right thigh, chirping lightly when Namjoon starts to scratch behind her ears. She hums low in the back of her throat and closes her eyes; the sound is close to a purr but not as smooth. Namjoon’s smile softens as Imani presses her snout into the fold of his shirt that touches his waist, and he can feel the warm puffs of her breath as she breathes in his scent. Imani settles more in Namjoon’s lap, he smells like ocean rain, one of the purest scents that Imani can remember smelling.

Against the wall Mister Fentin scribbles away in his binder with a knowing smile on his face. What a wonderful thing it is to witness the effects of a parental imprint in person.

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#bts hybrid au #bts parent au #bts fluff #bts x black!oc #tw crying #tw child abandonment #totw ch 1 #soc bts

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