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smoothlikealikeasnake · 2 days ago

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Strong Coffee and Sweet Cakes

Chapter Three ‘The Price of Doing What You Love’

Genre - BTS FF, a/b/o dynamics, a/b/o BTS and MC, Ot7 x fem MC/reader, so fluffy, little angst, eventual smut

Warning - mentions of exhuastion, stress, tension, small injury mentions (accidental burns, muscle strains), lmk if theres any more to add!

Summary - A new cafe near the Hybe building will change the 7 members of Bangtan’s lives forever, 7 alphas in a pack? A recipe for disaster. Until a sweet omega starts to stir up their world with a little bit more sugar and slowly their loneliness dissolves

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Author Notes - I’m sorry for how long this took! Issues with saving on my laptop meant I lost the entire second half of this chapter and had no time to rewrite, it’s finally here though and chapter 4 is already in the making!

It can begin to pick up from here, finally met the first milestones I’d say. Yes they are all drawn to eachother but I don’t intend for them instantly to just realise and jump right in so this is maybe a slow burn, although I’ll be incorporating a lot of brief mentioned scenes like the scene with Hoseok asking about Y/n’s friends and a lot of spaces in the timeline (short ones) like the beginning where I show they progressed over a few weeks.

This just makes their relationship more realistic and it’s not going to be an instant change, I’d like to build a lot more on their individual characters too!

Aside from all the problems getting this chapter out, I’m happy with it (I think) please excuse any spelling or punctuation errors 😭

The following few weeks are busy but... Progressive. Your cafe continues to be as busy as ever but you have the special addition of three new customers. Namjoon tries to come in most days, he quickly learnt you work behind the scenes some days and he began to think his whole trying to come in every day was a little forward or pushy - even if you didnt see it that way - internally he knew he wasnt visiting just for the coffee and bakes so he came when he could, naturally rather than making it a part of his schedule. If he felt particularly peckish or really needed a break, hed come to get a coffee, but - only - on the days where you were working Upfront not that hed verbally admit that.

Hed argue that you just made his coffee better but the truth is that he visits for you - even if the coffee and food is amazing. Somehow you just brighten his day, make it a little easier with your expressive care and sweet gestures. The girls had began to tease you, finding a pattern when they were working of Namjoon coming in and then standing frozen like a lost puppy when one of them was behind the counter rather than you - of course he never asked for you - but Soojin did witness him making a small comment about you being back the following day when he returned and so they prodded, teased, pryed but you simply brushed them off. He just enjoys your coffee, right?

Its not like Namjoon ever made a bad impression on one of the others, he was as polite as ever, the only time they ever saw even a little bit of disappointment on his face that stuck was the day he couldnt see any of his new favourite pretzels behind the display and had even asked if there was any and he was just passing over them. Much to his dismay, you hadnt prepared any that day but when you found out, it felt like the end of the world, your heart pounded a little and you made sure there was his favourite pretzels every single day. Even if they werent on display, sometimes Namjoon would come in and whilst hed ordering his coffee, one of the girls will slide over a plate from behind the counter, labelled in your handwriting 'Reserved!' and they'd explain youd set it aside for him.

His brain chemistry felt like it changed when you did that, he froze, his heart began to beat faster, something swelling within him - pride? Joy? pure and utter admiration? An intense desire to give you the world for your incredibly sweet gesture?

Confronting- or rather- gently questioning you about it on his next visit rewarded him with the sight of your cheeks flushing red, a light stutter taking over your usually confident speech and a rather hasty explanation that only brought a wide smile onto his face and a blush of his own, sincerely thanking you and praising you for it only to watch you practically skip away when youd finished talking. This was also the day you exchanged names, your name then passed on to your other two new customers.

These two are less- lets put it straight- adamant. Although they can feel the pull to be around you, they decide to be a lot more subtle than Namjoon, really only visiting when they are craving a - good - coffee/drink of any kind or a sweet pastry. Honestly, your relationship with them progresses at the same rate.

Hoseok finds himself ordering your banoffee pie every visit along with a medium roast americano or- if hes visiting in the early morning you prepare him a fresh fruit juice alongside his coffee, claiming he should have something properly hydrating before his day. Ultimately, its because along with learning eachothers names, youd also worked out a kind of dynamic where youd slowly learn more and more about them and their lives, sometimes theyd tell you what theyd done or are going to do that day, sometimes theyd tell you a story about one of the other members, you love it all, are interested in it all. You happily listen and give input to their every sentence, laughing sometimes, symapthising and borderline lecturing at others. On this journey, you'd discovered that the alpha that originally would appear smiley but felt slightly intimidating and definitely confident, was a dancer, an amazing one at that and he often spent most days doing atleast some form of dance so yiu began to stress the importance of him beginning his day hydrated.

He'd watched in surprise the first day you did it, eyebrows raised and lips parted befre tilting his head in curiosity at your actions. Then he found a little fun in it, the way you breathed in a little more before speaking thinking it would help you get your words out but ultimately finding it didnt since his scent invaded your body and slowed your mind a little, that was... amusing.

Especially intriguing when Hoseok leant forward, resting his head on his hand, in the way you do getting slightly closer to show your listening, only making your eyes widen more and brain falter a little, practically shaking yourself out of your daze to explain. Hoseok wasnt cruel though- he dropped it and got back to his gentle smile when youd finished talking and thanked and praised you for your thoughtfulness but maybe that was just as bad because you went even redder, teetering on the spot and fiddling with your fingers because good lord it felt amazing to hear it from him.

You'd scurried off, if thats the right way to put it, afterwards, his intimidating - and too attractive for anyones good - aura just making it hard to focus for the rest of the day, your mind a little scrambled even when Yoongi came in for his iced americano - having briefly heard about your interaction that morning - and acted all nonchalant and lazy about it until suddenly blurting out that you should sit down, your a little shakey, take a little break before you begin again and then went on about his merry day but it had only driven you further into your madness. What were they doing to you?!

Safe to say you crashed especially hard into your nest that night and - maybe - slept a little better than usual, their words playing in your mind on repeat, transforming into blissful dreams that you scold yourself for in the morning. Seeing Namjoon first thing that morning - when you were just making sure everything was in check before retreating back into the kitchen - had seemed to settle your body, putting you back into calm, focused routine, his clumsy but cute mannerisms and intrigue in your every small word feeling natural, so natural that you slowly left your frenzy during the day and were ready to face either of the two offending alphas that following day if they chose to come in.

They might occasionally be driving you a little crazy but your doing it back to them tenfold. Truthfully, you dont leave their minds, they stay longer than they plan to everytime they visit your cafe, just watching, observing, admiring you. Even if you arent there, sometimes theyll stay just to catch a trail of your sweet, doughy scent, it just sets their day off right you know? Or makes a not so great day into one slightly more bearable.

Sometimes they’d come in and you already knew something was wrong before they’d even walked up to the counter or sat down but before you got there, you’d decipher wether to ask them about it, or to pretend it didn’t happen, and god they appreciate that. You just know, and it’s strange how fast that had all happened and become routine.

Sometimes you’d listen whilst making their coffees, sometimes when it’s less a lot less busy you’ll sit down with them for a short while and you don’t even have to answer, just listening makes it better, the way they can tell your actually listening and in return, not that you expect anything in return, there’s been days where they’ve absolutely done the same, looked at you in pure worry, ushering you to sit down and just say it all

Your unapologetically yourself, scolding them for their habits on some days and on others merely being a light in a gloomy sky for them, like when Hoseok’s running his hand through his hair repeatedly you know he’s stressed and don’t say a single thing about him ordering a double espresso at 5pm

Or when Namjoon clumsily lets a tiny hint of his strong, assertive scent out when his eyebrows are furrowed and he’s deep in thoughts, although it often makes you stumble a little you try not to show it, and if you can’t hide it you make a little joke, something that will make him apologise a little - even if you didn’t want any apology - but equally smile and lighten up even a little

Yoongi tends to just be a bit more silent, more than usual, a slight tension in his face and on those days, you make your way over and just silently accompany him if your given the chance, if not you just linger a little, top up his coffee without him asking, send him a short, telling smile and that’s more than enough for him. If he wants to talk about it, he knows you’ll listen, if not, you’ll silently be there.

Even when they are alone they find themselves smiling like idiots, thinking back about your conversations together, even the shortest ones, the way you scold them without a care anymore if their unhealthy habits show a bit too much, trying to guide them back onto a healthier path. Your every word replays in their heads, your every move, practically documenting your reactions to certain things like praise, their actions, their tone and their scents and you become a fascination theyve never felt before. The sweetest treat they could imagine, even without you trying to be.

Safe to say they do a poor job of hiding it too, jealously lingers from the remaining 4 members of the pack when the three rappers just show up a little less stressed, a little more energetic for practice, a tad happier than the others. Curiosity follows the jealousy and they pry, the three just brushing it off a little, not for the sake of hiding it, more so trying to deny the fact that you are having sucha big impact on them.

Everyone's been acting a big strange recently though. Jungkooks soft things frenzy was shortly brushed off, only to be followed by Jimin suddenly becoming very, very concerned with his clothes. Not how they look- nothing like that, specifically, how they feel. Hed put on a shirt only to cringe and practically banish it if it wasnt soft enough, if it didnt feel right, as right as he could explain. There soon was a pile accumulated of clothes he didnt deem soft and gentle enough, even if his skin was never bothered by it, his mind was, it just wasnt soft enough and thats all there is too it. Right?

They arent the only ones feeling and acting strange, alongside your clearly conflicting and growing feelings towards the three pretty alphas that youd grown to like so much, your instincts seemed to multiply. Their scents? Overwhelming, in the best way, more and more everyday, you just wanted to bottle it up and found yourself searching for any reminents of it on your clothes when you got home even if youd made no contact with them. Then your nest, which has always been your pride and joy, began to feel a little small, its big enough for you but somethings telling you it simply isnt big enough and when youd confided on your six amazing friends over your weekly dinner, theyd shared knowing glances with eachother and gently encouraged you to follow what felt right.

So there you are, gathering even more blankets, duvets and pillows, pushing and pulling to expand your nest a bit but there is something missing and you just cant put your finger on it, something thats making it even harder to sleep properly than usual. It has you huffing through your monday, sighing every second you get alone even if you of course put on a smile for the customers. Something;s missing, but what?

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"We are done! Everything's ready'" - Exclaims of happiness and relief start to flood through the practice room as their choreographer declares everyones learnt the dances and theyd only need refreshers from here on out, so for a little bit, they can take it easier than usual. No recording, no learning, no producing, just refreshing their memories every now and then.

That calls for a well earned celebration, the group plans to go out for dinner and some drinks later that night but in the mean time, everyones hungry, thirsty and exhausted, whats a better time to visit your cafe than now?

The seven are spread out across the practice room, some sitting, some laying down, some downing their water but they sit in a mutual silence, the comfortable kind. A little bit of a break - as far as breaks go for them - ready to begin. Yoongi's the one who suggests it, finally letting on to where the three rappers suddenly disappear to every now and then and the singers only grew curious, heavily intrigued and oh so eager to go.

"Lets go get some coffee" - Its a sudden statement, everyone looking up from their various positions in the room, thinking- right now? when we are all sweaty? More coffee when we dont need it Now and we''ve consumed more than our bodies should be able to handle in the last 2 months?!

"Where hyung?" - Taehyung enquires because clearly its not in this building, Yoongi announced it to make it a sort of trip/ small occasion for them, a group thing - which they hadnt truly had in a very long time.

The idea is appealing, something that brings them nostalgia since they hardly spend time properly together anymore. Its hard too, not just because of schedules but because of the conflict that has accumulated so easily as a result of their off-balanced hormones.

Their concerns about being all sweaty and not exactly the best example of presentable are brushed away as a little light seems to gleem in Yoongi's eyes when they agree. They take a slow walk, relaxed and appreciating the fresh air they are getting after being in the practice room for hours.

"Is it the cafe all of the other groups keep mentioning?" - Jimin enquires, always mingling here and there around the building

"Yeah that one with the fresh bakery display" - Taehyung also adds, humming in interest and delight

"Yeah, the coffee's really good" - Namjoon gives away the fact that he already knows where they are going and that this is the reason theyve been acting the way they have recently

"So the coffee is what has gotten you three all giddy recently?" - Jin pushes, eyebrows raised from curioisty

" theres clearly something else to it unless the coffee is made with actual magic"

"Well, you can be the judge of that yourself cant you?"

"Don't hide it hyung, whats the real reason"

"You'll see wont you'"

"Oh- i see her now" - Jungkook blurts out when he sees the three rappers brighten up the moment you come into view and turn to them, only noticing those three at first.

They all watch as your nose twitches and your steps falter, taking in a breath and immedietly being overwhelmed by the combination of their scents and the pure strength of them, laced wit something that screams 'alpha' even more than usual - their sweat. It only strengthens their initial scents and adds this layer that cant be described, its alluring, something you naturally react to a little and when you get a little closer to greet them they can see your pupils blowing out and breath catching in your throat, having to gulp before speaking.

"Your back! Together this time and- oh!" - You gush happily over the rappers at first and then the pure strength of the scents set in and nearly knock you over when you notice the addition of four new faces. These men are all too attractive for their own good- you gulp at the amount of eyes on you and slightly stutter in your next words, suddenly feeling like you could nest right here, next to the 7 and just surround them and yourself in hundreds of soft things over and over- Or maybe you should Tilt your head to the side and bare your neck or- or- what are you even thinking?! You shake yourself out of it visibly, resetting your smile

"How lovely to meet you all finally! Ive heard so much!" - You gush brightly

"Aish Y/n your revealing our gossiping tendencies" - Hoseok laughs out, teasing and finding it amusing when you falter for a second before catching on

"Dont be silly its hardly gossip just- information" - You throw right back, your tone playful and the vocal line instantly liked how you matched Hoseoks energy so easily.

"Well now i understand why they keep coming back" - Without even thinking, it slips from Taehyungs lips, his deep voice caushing you to shudder and your lips part, his intense, admittedly intimidating, stare only making your brain stop, not quite knowing how to respond when it was so clear he was talking about you.

"Oh- well-" - Your mind hardly co-operates, pupils blown out and cheeks tinted red, looking anywhere but into Taehyungs eyes as they follow you, intense, overwhelming. Sometimes, those kinds of comments would make you nervously laugh and subtely back away but coming from him, there wasnt any underlying negativity, no prying intentions beneath and instead you almost wanted to shuffle closer but you couldnt, nervous and clumsy from it all.

"Taehyung dont fluster the sweet girl" - Jin scolds, nudging him with his shoulder as he observed you struggling to reply but that didnt exactly help calm you, infact it just made your eyes widen even more, beginning to find an out to try and hide the cheesy grin that was forcing itself onto your lips but it was too late and they wanted to coo, the rappers wanting to tease and prod for your reaction but refraining for now.

"Ah- ill just- go to the counter" - You practically run behind the counter to hide your grin and escape the hot air that suddenly enveloped you around them, breathing in the fresh bake scent deeply to try and clear your mind of the haze the 7 alphas scents had started to settle over you.

Namjoon, always attentive and honestly very sensitive to whats going on around him, takes the opportunity to unnecessarily apologise for the addition in their scents/their appearances

"Ah im sorry for us coming here like this" - He Clumsily gestures to himself, rubbing the back of his neck and you understand what he means, looking up at him from behind the counter but you instantly wave him off

"Dont be silly, theres nothing to apologIse for, infact-" - You catch your own words in horror with yourself because why were you just about to blurt out that you liked their scents like this too, your about to slap your hand over your mouth but quickly try to divert from ayone catching on by asking the typical question, even if a few did catch and guess what you were going to say by the few sneaky giggles from amongst the 7.

"What can i get you all?'' - You take their orders one by one, explaining to each of them what the sweets behind the glass display were when their eyes caught onto them, drinks first and then treats.

"A mint tea for me please and- amazing thank you" - Namjoon's practically beaming when you gently shift his reserved pretzel you routinely make sure is available towards the front in question before he can even get the words out, the newer members look over his shoulder in wonder at what has their leader pretty much like a lovesick puppy with his expression and the breathy tone of his voice.

J-hope has a similar interaction, ordering his usual but having grown more confident around you recently, he threw in a wink and positively had your cheeks roasting, quickly diverting your eyes and moving on to Yoongi

"Iced Americano and- whats that dessert?" - He never usually orders anything to eat but your pleasently surprised when he points to the Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

"Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake, its not too sweet, slightly tart from the raspberry mix in but its balanced by the cream of the cheesecake- i think youd like it, would go nicely with your drink too" - Its clear your passionate abou your bakes in the way your well versed in getting the perfect balance in each treat and when you finish off your sentance with a proud nod. The addition of 'too' as you finished completely changed the meaning of your evaluation some of the members noticed, had you not said it, your conclusion could be completely generic based on his drink choice, with it, the drink choice was merely an addition to your initial conclusion tnat Yoongi himself would like it- a minor detail, but one that leaked your increasing interest even if you hadnt noticed it as much yourself. Yoongi happily agrees to try it and yo move on to the 4 new faces, some strange nerves or tingles in your body, the ones you got meeting the other three but more intense this time, probably from there being more of them.

"Ill have a vanilla latte and a slice of that strawberry cake there- its cute" - Jin points to the pristinely decorated strawberry and cream cake, fluffy sweet sponge, ripe strawberries and sugary fresh whipped cream. His overall choice makes you smile because its equally contradicting and perfectly fitting to your first impressions of him- hes intimidatingly handsome, as if sculpted by a god but theres a gentleness and elegance to him naturally

"Sweet tooth?" - You brightly smile, tilting your head in question at him and he could agree but theres something else about Jin,

"Just like sweet things" - He can be a flirt, and he does it well, the wink he gives you is suggestive as if you are another sweet thing to him but the smile he gives is calming, unthreatening to show his comment is merely playful, without ill intent. Doesn't fail to make your eyes widen and have you stuttering onto the next person though

Somewhere under Jimin's words to you, Taehyung quietly protests to Jin's flirting since he got scolded for it but Jin begs to differ, pushing that Taehyung was blatantly forward and intimidating'

"Ill Have aN iced americano too and oh- a slice of that chocolate cake please" - Jimin's sweet voice practically serenades you, along with how he brushes his hair out of his face, sweet, welcoming but devestatingly beautiful. His smile is just as drawing, a full grin with his eyes closing when he catches you stare a moment too long and you really scold yourself in your head because of all things to do you dont want to make any of them uncomfortable.

"A mint tea with hm... One of those croissants please" - Taehyungs voice is shcokingly deep, but its not a cold kind of deep, infact its rather warm, the rasp seductive but effortless and its suiting to his looks. You smile happily at his choice of a tea rather than the coffee you so despise your regulars ordering so often, ahem, the three rappers.

"Uh an iced americano and what are these cakes?" - Despite his bold appearance - the tattoos peaking from his slevve you notice when he points and the piercings adorning his face and ears - Jungkook appears the most timid, shifting on his feet, only briefly meets your eyes and seeming to try and focus anywhere but on you, its strage, curious.

"Coffee, blueberry, lemon drizzle and banana walnut" - For some reason you speak gentler, barely noticeable but Jungkook isn't as bold as the others have been so far, until you see his eyes light up At the last flavour voice perking along with the volume he speaks at

"Ill have a slice of banana walnut cake too then" - You nd and take a final look over incase they want to make any changes, they dont

"Will you be sitting in or taking to go today?"

"We will sit in today" - You nod and insist they get comfortable while you prepare their drinks and food, but then as they look around you realise there isnt a singular space set up for 7 people at once, youd have to move a chair or two and rushed over to where you found them on some couches in a corner of the cafe, cramped and right next to them there was two larger chairs which, added to their space, would accommodate them all comfortably

"Ah! One second ill just bring these two chairs over" - You gesture to the two next to their seating area but you are stopped by multiple protests when you go to push one of them, two people coming behind you to take over

"Dont- we Can do that if your okay with us moving them" - Namjoon quickly calls out, closer than you expected, you could almost feel his body heat behind you and although you wanted to protest and insist you could do it yourself, both the men- Namjoon and Jungkook were faster and had picked up the heavy chairs with ease-

How they managed to do it like its nothing astounds you, in a split moment they were both looking at you in waiting for your instruction of exactly where youd like the chairs placed, lifting the furniture that you would have struggled and broken a sweat to even push.

Ugh, alphas.

Well if they are going to have insane strength then might as well put it to use. After your momentary jaw dropping, you quickly instruct them to put them where you wanted them and it definitely wouldnt seem like you were only moving them to accommodate the seven of them- more looked like you were just having them help redecorate a small part of the cafe with the way they keep looking back to see if you want it just slightly forward, or maybe to the left a little. You arent that picky.

"Aish now sit, you should of let me do it" - You scold, gesturing for them to sit now with a playful scowl, not that you were really complaining that they made it easier but they are customers after all- it just feels like you should be the one to do it obviously. And you dont want to dwell on just how effortlessly they lifted the chairs, pushing away that thought to usher the two alphas to sit and then rushing away shaking your head and setting off to do their orders.

Theres a more lyrical type of music playing today, heavy on the instrumental but equally balanced by the singing and backing vocals, its slightly upbeat but gentle enough to be just right. Your familiar with the tune, a favourite on your own playlist and you find yourself gently humming as you subconciously put together all of the orders, body fueled with energy.

Meanwhile, in a particular corner of the cafe, theres a group finally allowing their body to stop falsifying energy, sinking into their seats and embracing the need to just be tired and lazy sometimes. They dont speak, they dont have too, Yoongi, Namjoon and Hoseok are comfortable just dwelling on nothing, sometimes glancing at you behind the counter and other than that, accepting the comfort of soft chairs and background noise.

The vocal line on the other hand, taking in every little detail around them, the comfortability the three rappers have, slowly creeping into their bodies.

Jin likes the intimacy of the cafe, perfect for an introvert like him, the kind of environment you can seamlessly blend in should you want too and not draw attention to yourself, a luxury for them nowadays.

Jimin’s feeling over all of the pillows and blankets scattered around, after his recent frenzy of texture obsession, its safe to say he approves, each and every one of the fabrics - you - picked out to decorate is just soft enough, hes less frantic, humming curiously.

Taehyung is infatuated with the designs and aesthetics youve chosen, visuals satisfying and intriguing, he isnt as studious of art as Namjoon is but the vintage feel to some of the furnitures deeply intrigues and inspires him. He feels like this is hwt he wants from his own home, decorated just like this.

Jungkook’s taking comedically deep breaths of the air, in his apartment there is a ridiculous amount of diffusors, air filters or all kinds just sattered around- not in any kind of organised fashion just to keep the air clearer. Here? Barely any in sight, yet the air is even fresher, its so refreshing he looks like a puppy trailing a scent.

You come over with the drinks first, too much to do both drinks and treats in a singular round, walking to the table in the middle of all of the sofas and chairs and placing each drink down according to where each of the seven were and what they ordered. Mumbling the order as you place them down but as you move around the table and therefore move around in the middle of the seven, its like your putting some sort of spell on them, your hardly doing anything out of the ordinary, merely serving their drinks but to them, for some reason its like your dancing, twirling around the table for them.

“Honey for the teas, sweetened cream for the coffees, hm… sugar cubes there…” - You watch intently over the drinks you placed down, Yoongi having had taken his from your hands rather than it being placed on the table, checking you have brought out all of the extras, water filled jug just in case too, nothing seems to be missing so far.

“Ah! Spoons.” - You shoot upright, your outburst surprising the men and you bashfully smile, saying youll be one moment, their eyes follow as one moment you spinning around placing their drinks down and the next your off again. Somethings telling them to just reach out and slow you down, tell you that you’ll fall if you keep going around like that, that youll get dizzy moving so quickly but its not their place to do that.

A few moments later your back again, your hairs slightly fallen and pulled from the bun its in, a few strands over your face, probably from how fast you move, in your hand is another tray, the cakes they wanted, and a few small spoons for the additives on the table. You wear a different apron today, its black, like usual, but has a very mild pink hint to all of the stitching, just below your ear is a small patch, the same on both sides, a scent blocker, the effects of such last 24 hours usually, non harmful as they are non-invasive but they work to prevent your scent from being so evident. The boys wear them at award shows and- most places actually. What confuses them is how your scent seems to be just as strong as others are when they havent got a scent blocker on, if not stronger.

“I forgot the spoons” - You say with a little laugh, it must be hard, they think. To adapt your body beyond what its originally capable of handling - your schedule is what they mean. You wake early, go home late, probably ignore how much sleep your body requires as an omega because there arent enough hours in the day for you to keep up with it.

No one would guess that it is the case, with how energetic you appear all the time but from where Jin is sitting, he can see the back of your neck, below the wispy hairs theres small patches of red skin, a rash. He guesses what its from, overexertion as an omega will have your body protesting and showing visible symptoms, rashes being a possibility. They arent harmful, they are simply meant to be a warning, although they can be slightly painful.

From Taehyung’s seat, your hands are right in his view, little scars are on various areas of them and spread over to your arms, healed burns- not the kind that seem continuous or large of any sorts. They are very small, not extreme, healed over and some clearly very old as they are barely visible, from baking. A slip of your hand on a hot tray for a singular second and such, its a regular occurrence, nothing alarming of course, still makes Taehyung frown though.

Yoongi has been noticing for a while the strain on your body as well, when you lean down, sometimes your lips pull as if in slight pain and at times, your movements are delayed, looking unnatural as you your body physically tries to stop you from moving in such ways, stopping for a split second before continuing. Its happened to all of them before, a sign of continuous strain and muscle aches, hes thrown small comments about it your way multiple times now, never going as far to physically stop you from moving in such ways that strain you because its simply not in his right even if he has to push away his instincts to do so.

“Take it easy” “Go sit down for a few minutes at least.”

“Shouldn’t strain yourself like that.” You always wave him off; it’s nothing, you’ll say; you just slept on it funny, you’ll say. He’s since noticed how no matter what, you’ll deny any evidence of your body protesting what you put it through, and he understands, because he does the same. That doesn’t mean that he simply can accept it though, he puts it down to the natural dynamic, but that’s not all there is to it.

He's grown a habit of preventing you from making unnecessary movement when it comes to him; no matter how much you protest, he doesnt let you get a chance to bend down to place his coffee down, always taking it from your hands before you get a chance. It's one interaction in your busy and long day, and he knows it wont make all the difference, but it's one second less of strain, and that's a tiny difference enough to ease his mind, and the flurry of your scent in appreciation is telling too; every time he does it, that's enough of a thank you to nearly have him dozing off in his favourite chair in the cafe.

All your spinning has sort of created a whirlpool of your scent around them by the time you’ve handed out the cakes, a dizzying scent sending their muscles into relaxation mode, slumping in their chairs and that alone causes your smile to widen, standing before them after, clapping your hands together and double checking everything is out.

“Right! That should be it all, can i get you anything else?” - Your answered with polite denial and appreciation for what you have done, countless smiles and a couple sleepy sort of blinks.

You always think it, they work too hard, push too far, while they may yearn for the results and love their lifestyle at most times, their exhaustion is clear, you can practically feel the knots in their muscles with the way they move and sit, some of them still have veins prominent in their necks from the practice earlier, their body not yet calmed down although their scents have settled, still tainted with the remnants of sweat and standing there honestly makes you a little dizzy, mind a little soft but you put it down to the quick movements rather than their scents. Denial is a river in egypt.

—------------------------------------------------------------

“So she owns this cafe?” - Taehyung questions, getting nods from the three rappers, everyones talking between sweet bites of their chosen cakes

“Works and bakes here everyday?” - A frown pulls at Jimin’s lips, concerned for a stranger, his caring nature evident

“It must be tiring, i dont want to make assumptions based on this but- wouldnt it be harder for her too? Since shes an omega.” - All of them perk up at Taehyung’s question because yeah, it biologically would be harder for you, the vocal lines eyes fell on the rappers for answer

“Yeah, it is, you can see it sometimes, how it takes a toll but im pretty sure she loves what she does” - Hoseok gets humms in reply, not blind to the signs of your exhaustion either.

“I like her scent” - 6 heads whip towards Jungkook at his words, teasing smiles and laughs because he has been breathing abnormally deeper than usual since you’ve been here to put their food and drinks down. Hes picky, its a known fact, incredibly sensitive to smells and he can hardly stand most peoples, can hardly stand his own unless he takes incredible care of his routine.

“Wowww, whats got you all appealed, huh Kookie?”

“An omega catching your interest the first time you meet her- thats new” - Namjoon is hardly surprised, truthfully. Jungkook has had his fair share of short-term relationships and a good amount of one or two night-stands. Amongst it all, hes never taken any interest in omegas, tending to be too headstrong or their scents making him sneeze in close proximity or just internally he hasnt taken a liking to them. This is different, most of them are immune to omega-charm, not that youve ever tried to put that on them anyway, you just act as your nature wants you too but theyve taken an incredible liking to you so far.

Like is the wrong word. Jungkook could take heaps more of your scent, breathing so deep you’d think hes running out of air, his pupils slightly dilated. It’s unusual to him, unfamiliar and he doesnt quite know what to do about it but for now, he just enjoys whats around him.

“You cant deny that you three have taken a liking to her too” - Jin comes to Jungkook’s rescue and lets him dwell in his own thoughts about the matter without all the attention. In return, the rappers all get a little embarrassed and defensive.

“Well-” “Yeah maybe but-”

“You can see why, cant you?-”

“Shes not- in a pack?” - Taehyung suddenly speaks up and steals all of their attentions, he says it quietly so no one overhears their conversation but all of them slightly breath in more to evaluate what hes said.

“I dont think so, ive never smelt anyone but her” - Yoongi says, knowing its a question hes had himself. Omegas are partial to scenting, genetically drawn to it when in packs. It’s something they naturally crave but you have never had another’s scent on you, nor any of your friends had yours on them. Alongside that, even if you are clearly close with your friends, they arent your pack, he knows that for a fact from a conversation Hoseok had with you

“Enough about me, is there anything you’re doing tonight?” - Hoseok had ended his usual talk about his day as you were sat across from him, a late friday evening.

“Ah, im going out for dinner with my friends” - You gestured towards Soyeon, currently working as she’d seem you get a little jittery and told you to take a minute to sit down, conveniently just as Hoseok came in. He’d hummed, then answering.

“Your pack?” - You’d shook your head as a no, not said anything further on the matter , kept your smile on and there wasn’t a hint of withdrawal at his question or sadness in your answer so he assumed you didn’t have a pack. Which is true.

“Thats, uncommon…” - The seven arent ones to judge, it is true what Jin says though, it certainly is uncommon.

“Pushing herself the way she does and without a pack for support? Surely thats unhealthy” - Jin continues, knowing that the omegas in his family surely wouldn’t be able to do this, he admires you, but also worries, glancing over at you and when he looks back

“I think her friends are great support, they arent a pack though” - Namjoon adds, pursing his lips and sighing out, he doesnt believe you have any romantic relationship currently either from how you find yourself mildly reacting to their occasional - light - flirting. He’d catch you with flushed cheeks for tens of minutes after, a small smile stuck on your lips even as you try to suppress it.

They end the conversation there, each in their own thoughts, maybe stepping over a few boundaries internally because it just simply didnt sit right, there were small pouts and frowns all around. The possible repercussions of not having a pack in tie with what your body endures everyday makes them cringe. They’d be whining like puppies if they were to take that form, eyes wide and sad but they dont speak on it, because they are currently in no position too.

Its best to just thoroughly enjoy their time there, maybe sneak a few glances at you and overly praise and thank you as they leave, even more so when you get so flushed its comical, from your neck to your ears, red all over. Its safe to say everyone will be back, very soon at that.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many nights you find yourself trailing down the streets away from your apartment, following the same memorised path to the convenience store. There are many reasons, one being that it at least forces you to stay awake that little bit extra rather than crashing the moment you arrive back home and gives you something to subconsciously focus on and aim towards to give you that little bit more time in the day. Another is that after a long day, of course you don't have the energy to be cooking yourself a good meal. You might scold your regulars for their unhealthy habits occasionally, but no one's perfect; everyone has their weaknesses.

Yours just happens to be a particular love for instant ramen and gimbap—quick, delicious, and easy. So what if it's probably not the best to be eating it nearly every day, and you've been scolded multiple times by your friends? Some things are a necessity, or atleast feel like it.

That's how you are now: wired headphones playing your more upbeat playlist to give you some false sense of energy and suppressing your yawns while you drag your feet, hoodie pulled over your body alongside the fluffy pyjama bottoms you're wearing to aid your warmth, a scarf to top it off, and your hair in a messy high ponytail. It's a short walk after all, and you are a regular-—showing up in your comfy clothes is hardly abnormal now.

The bell chimes as you enter, easily navigating towards your favourite aisles but never giving up a chance to mooch around the snacks and absolutely pick up a few; your headphones suppress the few people also around the store—never many here or at this time of night.

“Taehyung likes these ones- i swear all of these are too spicy for him.” - Jimin is lightly giggling and picking up one of the instant noodle bowls for the man hes definitely teasing

“Aish, how does he even live?” - Browsing the options besides Jimin is Jungkook, immediately going for the spicier options and struggling to pick just one.

“I’ll never understand it, and without coffee too!” - Jimin has always been passionate about expanding Taehyung’s palette to the things they enjoy too, such as coffee, and trying to help him build a tolerance to spice, but honestly, he’s long since given up and accepted his quirks, just as Taehyung has done for him.

Jungkook's nose twitches and eyebrows furrow, and he swings his head to the side at the sweet, desserty scent floods his nose again for the second time today, the invisible scent trail hes following leading to you, making your way down the aisle slowly, browsing just as they are.

“Jimin is that?-”

“Ah the pretty cafe owner!” - Gushing already, Jimin averts his attention from the ramen to you, bundled up in your comfy clothes, white fluffy trousers with light pink hearts catching his attention and the effortless pull of your hair in the hair tie- cute. Almost domestic-

You dont hear their little conversation or internal dilemma about you being here but you do smell it after a moment or rather, just as Jungkook noticed yours, you pick up on their scents, unique and distinguishable from those youve smelt before. It has your head turning in their direction and being surprised to find them already looking at you, startled at being caught and breaking out into awkward smiles and gentle waves.

Easily reciprocating their wave, you dont quite know whether to just go back to your browsing for a lovely savoury dinner or to engage with them but Jimin easily answers that when his lips move in your direction, instantly taking your headphones out to listen.

“Ah Y/n! What are you doing here?” - Simple, light, friendly conversation. Easy on your tired state even if their presence alone is equally lulling you to sleep and waking you up; that's not so simple, far from it, infact.

“I'm just grabbing a quick meal; I don't live far. What about you guys?” - You try to hide the tiredness in your voice, avoid seeming like you dont want to speak to them because thats far from the truth your body just struggles to keep up with the schedules you put it through. They catch on to your exhaustion quickly, noting how you subtly rub your cheeks on your scarf in a self-soothing sort of way, nesting when you can't truly nest. Eyes drooping and hands trembling—just one of those regular symptoms of your body's protest against your schedules.

“Us too; i cant pick what to get though.” - Jimin Gesturing to the vast selection rather dramatically draws an amused giggle out of you and before you go back to your own selection, you point towards a small selection of ramens from the same brand

“These go great with a gimbap, especially the spicy ones” - Both the men light up at your suggestion, looking over the different flavours and picking some for themselves. That solves both of their issues with picking a brand.

Its initially just a short interaction, you three go and find your separate foods and you are at the counter paying when they cant help but overhear the lady ringing you up, prodding and scolding in a motherly way to you.

“Look your trembling! Aish ive told you to be careful of overworking yourself, its not good for your body and especially not with these meals!” - The woman, Mrs. Han, who youve grown a nice friendship with since you have moved here, holds your hands so gently youd think they were glass, but to her, you are. She always voices her concerns, never afraid to scold you.

The two boys overhear and frown as they assume this is regular because the older lady is correct, it cant be good for your body. Unfortunately, at that moment there is very little they can really do since they only just met you today.

That doesnt stop their instincts from nagging though, especially Jungkooks, hes younger, truthfully has no experience with omegas closely unlike his hyungs, even if theirs is limited too.

“It was nice to see you Y/n, your recommendations are gonna be great!” - Jimin exclaims brightly as you all stand outside the convenience store, ready to part ways.

“Ah it was nice to see you too, i hope you enjoy the choice aha- Get home safe!” - Just as you give them a final smile and are about to turn to beeline home and burrow into your nest ,fight sleep until you've eaten, you're unexpectedly interrupted.

“Can we walk you home-” - Jungkooks biting and pulling at his lip as he blurts it out, the words seeming to surprise even him, hes avoiding your eyes and you can see how hes fighting his own instinct, its curious. Maybe its out of courtesy, that he doesnt really want to so you train your usual smile onto your lips to reply.

“Oh! Thats alright its not far dont worry-” - Your enthusiastic to help him understand it really is okay for you to go home alone- you do it most days anyway. What surprises you is the furrow of Jungkook’s brows, cheeks pulled in as if hes biting back the words but a singular one escapes and has you pausing.

“Please…” - He doesnt really know why he does it, he just cant not do it, he has to ask, has to try.

“Jungkook-” - Jimin scolds, quietly as if to reel him back in, shocked at his behaviour, its out of the ordinary.

“But- Mmfg- im sorry for being so persistent” - Jungkook tries to carry on but a sharp kick to his foot from Jimin’s cuts him off, shakes him a bit more to the present and he apologises but he doesnt need too, not to you, he hasnt done any harm.

“Its really okay Jungkook” - You smile both confidently and gently, nodding towards him to show its really not a problem, hes not even looking at you, just sort of struggling internally but you can see it, so clearly. Soemthings clawing at your own mind, begging, telling you to accept his request, but you fight it with your own feelings that it would burden them.

“We can, of course walk you Y/n but please dont feel pressured to accept-” - Jimin’s eyebrows are downturned as he speaks, feeling bad about the interaction and Jungkook jumps in as if hes come to his senses too.

“Yeah! Im sure you really dont need us to walk you but-” - Nodding furiously as he speaks, Jungkook tries to save the situation because he realises so clearly you could of even taken offence to his offer- an alpha being persistent about walking an omega home can come off so many different ways: possessive, insisting, dangerous, degrading or even threatening. His mind is spiralling when you cut it all off, look directly at him as if you understand, as if you can see beneath his eyes and directly into his brain, at the turmoil thats so unfamiliar to him.

“Would it make you feel a little better to walk me?” - What possesses you to ask and accept is beyond you- maybe it's your way of giving in to your instinct too.

The way Jungkook avoids your eyes as to not lie to your face is telling enough, and you're quick to understand; it's instinctual. He isn't being possessive or forceful of any kind, but he's concerned, and that's okay; you don't mind easing that.

“Okay, come on, its not too far but i dont want you guys to get back too late; you work hard” - You spin around and usher them to follow your lead, both of them staring at you in shock, Jimin’s mouth agape and standing there a second too long whilst Jungkook actually perks up, quickly catching up to your side because he was the one to insist after all.

“Do you go there often?” - Another round of light conversation, something to cut the silence and maybe distract from the conversation that led up to this walk. Youd been walking for a solid minute now and for some reason, as someone random had walked past youd noticed them tensing a little, you figured it was because they didnt want to be recognised and felt bad about it but then you were swarmed with their scents, booming from them and it had you realising they werent tensing out of being uncomfortable- they were squaring up. Flooding out your own scent with theirs to mask it, subconsciously saying ‘not yours’ to the stranger even if they didnt even look your way

“The convenience store? Most nights” - You firmly nod, surprise evident in both of the boy’s faces- since your job entails you cooking- rather, baking, so often, it makes sense that they are surpised, refocusing on you and their scents mellowing again.

“For dinner?” - Jungkook questions, brows raised

“Mhm, what about you guys?” - Throwing it right back to keep the conversation going, noting how the two boys seem to be walking slower than they naturally would on purpose to meet your own pace and picking it up a little bit despite your tiredness.

“Ah yeah, we go probably more often than we should” - Jimin awkwardly rubs the back of his neck and laughs a little. Jungkook on the other hand, cant get the fact that you get this dinner over cooking out of his head when its what you must enjoy for it to be your job

“Do you primarily bake Y/n?” - Jungkook’s staring at you a little intense, you subconsciously grow a little awkward under his gaze and laugh as you answer.

“Yeah, its not that i cant cook; i can but its tiring after work and well- ironic, i know but i dont like the cleanup of anything savory” - Its an odd preference, liking cooking less just for that simple detail, but its just something you accept for yourself

“Wahh- That makes sense, but don't you mind cleaning up after baking?” - Jimin asks but their joint curiosity is amusing, both looking at you in wonder, wide eyes and transfixed on your words, “Not at all” - Shaking your head with a soft smile, slightly shivering and tightening your scarf around yourself as a gust of wind washes over you three, subconsciously, Jimin and Jungkook stand a little closer on either side of you, their warmth invading your own and suddenly you want to purr- your nest seeming more inviting than ever except, theres visions of their hoodies in your nest and you have to shake yourself out of it, clearing your throat and its as if it doesnt just shake you out of it, shakes them too, noting how close they are standing and taking small steps to the side giving you a little more space- that isnt what you were intending for though.

“I think most of us are the opposite, not for cleanup preference but we can cook, cant really bake” - Your replying to Jimin’s words in your head before you even know it- ‘Well that fits just perfect, i can bake’ But what is making you think this way- its abnormal, ridiculous. Instead, you reply out loud with something more suitable.

“Well everyone has their specialities; cooking is an amazing skill to have”

“Lucky you to have both” - Jimin’s playfully adding in, a hint flirtatious but you look at him in shock and laugh,

“Arent you both blessed with like a multitude of talents alongside cooking? Singing, dancing—should i keep going?” - raising your eyebrows in question and looking at them both only to be amused as they grow a bit shy and avoid your eyes, a kind of warmth on their cheeks and ears that definitely isnt from the cold air, moreso from the praise you give, its different from the compliments they get truthfully on the daily but why?-

“Well maybe but im sure you also have a multitude of talents- tell us” - Pushing back is all Jimin can do to pretend he didnt just react like a middle school boy when their crush looks at them.

“Im a professional waffler” - You say matter of factly, noticing your building coming into view and maybe- just maybe, slowing down a tiny bit to prolong the walk for even a few more seconds.

“Huh?-”

“I Swear thats not even a real thing-”

“Well, i guess youll have to find out another time wont you both” - Their confusion is amusing and puts a far more vibrant smile on your face, giggling for a moment until it fades out when your feet stop.

Looking around the alphas notice theyve come to a stop infront of a building, glass doors only accessible by a passcode leading to a corridor and some lifts, your apartment building and a feeling of disappointment sets within, it had hardly felt like 2 minutes of walking whilst they are sure its been 10.

“This is me, thank you both for walking me” - You dont know why your holding your breath- as if it will give you a few more seconds together

“Ah its no problem at all- infact, thank you for letting us walk you” - Jungkooks sheepishly smiling, this time looking at you with big boba eyes that surely couldnt belong to an alpha-

“Take care of yourselves; less convenience store food!” - Pointing a finger at them accusingly and giving them one final smile before turning to put in the passcode, hearing Jimin’s voice over your shoulder

“The same goes for you, sugar” - You stop dead in your tracks, not used to your nagging being reciprocated nor for the nickname, it feels like warm caramel is melting in your body, slow, sweet and trickling over all of your senses. The burst of your scent around the three of you gives it away and your scurrying into your building and up to your nest faster than you can comprehend, the bag of food you dropped on the counter on the way in, distant in your mind compared to the beating of your heart in your ears-—what is this? It was just a nickname, right?

Its safe to say the two alphas went home with lighter minds and big smiles, searching up what a ‘waffler’ was only to be slightly amused. Along with that, the nickname sticks.

—---------------------------------------------------------—

“What was all that about, huh?” - Jimin asks once theyve gotten far away enough from your building, confronting Jungkooks abnormal behaviour

“Hm?-”

“Pushing to walk her home Kook-”

“I didnt mean too, i swear.” - The guilt that sits on Jungkook’s face proves his words, has Jimin softening and patting his back as they walk

“I know, but why?”

“I dont know; it just didnt sit right to let her walk home alone and i know shes perfectly capable of caring for herself, but-” - Jungkook rushes it out, the words defensive but his confusion with himself is so clear in the uncertainty behind his tone

“I get it; I understand, Kookie, and it made me feel reassured to walk her home too but, a little less pushy next time, hm?” - Admitting Jimin’s own instinctual feelings made Jungkook settle a little, his shoulders falling despite not realising they had been so high to begin with. Neither of them tries to deny the reassurance behind the image of you safe and warm in your apartment- in your nest.

“Yeah…’ll apologise when i next see her.”

Thank you so much for Reading! I really hope your enjoying it so far, like it said in the notes, things start to pick up from here, I’m really enjoying their dynamic and the ideas I have for this story, they are definitely spiralling way further than I have properly planned yet hahah

Let me know what you think! As always, my asks are open! Characters asks, author asks, all of it!

Just lmk if you’d like to be added to the Taglist x

Mwah 💖

ཐི♡ཋྀ

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sapphic-circles · 3 days ago

Text

In the Savage Night (Chapter 20)

Read on AO3

“I feel silly.”

Galinda sat on the pile of shavings in the barn, dressed in a threadbare pink nightgown that, judging by the size of it, was probably from quite a few years ago. She’d been sitting very still and concentrating very hard for what Elphaba would estimate to be about an hour, but all Galinda had turned was red in the face.

“You could take a break,” Elphaba suggested. She sat by the door at Galinda’s request, but she longed to be closer. Galinda was getting frustrated, anyway, and that probably wouldn’t help matters.

“I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong,” Galinda said. “I’m trying to put myself in the mindset of the Wolf, but nothing’s happening. I don’t know how anyone could do this without, you know…getting really angry.”

Elphaba thought for a moment. “Well, how do you switch from Wolf to Human?”

Galinda shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said. “It kind of just happens. But I do want to change back, so maybe that’s it. Maybe my body knows that deep down, even if I’m trying to, I don’t want to transform.” She sighed. “I’m not sure I can convince myself I want it.”

Elphaba got up from her spot by the door to sit beside Galinda instead, knowing it would be at least a few minutes before she really started trying again. “Is there anything you like about it?” Elphaba asked. “I know it’s stressful for you, but, I don’t know…maybe you like having a tail, or being able to hear better than you usually can?”

Galinda hummed. “I do like my sense of smell,” she said. “Sometimes it’s not fun if there’s anything gross nearby, but I can smell things like leaves and river water. That can be nice.”

“There you go.” Elphaba nudged her shoulder and smiled. “What else?”

Galinda’s dimple appeared as she smiled back and kept thinking. “Running,” she said eventually. “Not so much when I’m running from something, but there were a couple times when this was new that I got out of my room on a full moon. I don’t even like running usually, but with four legs, it’s…fun.”

“I can only imagine,” Elphaba said. “So…what would need to happen for you to actually want to transform? I don’t mean trying to trick yourself into thinking you do; I mean, what would your ideal experience as a Wolf be?”

Galinda laughed self-consciously. “I don’t know,” she said. “I guess…I wouldn’t want to be alone. But I’d also need to feel certain that I wouldn’t hurt whoever I’m with, or I’d be stressed out the whole time. I just want it to feel normal, like I’m just the same as I always am except how I look. I want to be able to just walk around without anyone thinking I’m dangerous.” She looked down at her hands in her lap. “That might be easier if I weren’t actually dangerous.”

Elphaba hummed. “Well,” she said, “that might not be possible right now, but…” She took Galinda’s hand. “I can promise I will treat you just the same. I have complete faith in you, Galinda. You just need to find it in yourself, too.”

Galinda took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay,” she said. “I’m going to try again, and this time…” She hesitated. “This time, I want you to stay here right next to me. I won’t hurt you.”

She spoke with a firm resolve, but her hand shook in Elphaba’s grasp, betraying her nerves. Elphaba brought that trembling hand to her lips and pressed a warm kiss to Galinda’s knuckles. “You won’t hurt me,” she repeated calmly. “And I can still get to the door either way. You can do this, Galinda.”

Galinda squeezed Elphaba’s hand tight and closed her eyes. “I can do this,” she repeated under her breath.

Elphaba waited patiently, willing to sit still and watch the little signs of Galinda’s focus all night if she needed to. It was a steady thing: Galinda’s brows drawn together, her breath slow and even. Elphaba didn’t know how long it went on, nor did she care, before Galinda’s breath hitched just slightly and signaled some sort of change.

Elphaba didn’t move or make a sound. She didn’t want to break Galinda out of her concentration, but she still felt her friend anchored in her hand as something in her body shifted and pushed a heavy gasp out of her.

Galinda opened her eyes and trained them on Elphaba, who nodded encouragingly despite the pang in her chest knowing Galinda was already in pain. She reached up to cup the blonde’s cheek, and Galinda leaned into her palm as she sucked in another sharp breath with the sound of popping in her back—her shoulder blade, Elphaba realized, shifting under her skin toward its new position.

“Help me—“ Galinda gasped again. “Help me get my—my gown off. Please.”

“Right.” Elphaba reached down to shimmy the bottom of Galinda’s nightgown out from under her hips, then pulled it up as far as she could get it. She kept her eyes firmly averted from her friend’s chest, focusing instead on her face, and said, “Are you able to lift your arms for me?”

Galinda nodded and haltingly did as Elphaba asked, though she couldn’t move her arms as well as she normally could. Her elbows seemed drawn down to her sides, and it looked even more painful for Galinda to push them up enough to wriggle the clothing off and over her head.

“Thank you,” she breathed.

“Are you okay?” Elphaba asked. “This is all normal, right?”

Galinda nodded, even though her muscles tensed and teeth clenched as another wave of pain rippled through her. She trembled as her body changed, slowly, agonizingly: her feet and forearms lengthening, her face screwed up in discomfort as her snout emerged and her ears shifted toward the top of her head.

“You’re doing so well, my sweet,” Elphaba said. She didn’t want to get in the way, didn’t want to overwhelm Galinda further, but she couldn’t help it—she laid her hand on Galinda’s shoulder where it framed her chest now, and rubbed her thumb soothingly back and forth over it as coarse wheaten fur sprouted from the skin there.

Galinda let out a noise like a whimper, half Human and half Wolf, and Elphaba’s heart ached for her friend. The process was as ugly as it was fascinating, but only because it incited such pain. Every part of Galinda was beautiful, including the in-between parts, but Elphaba wished she could do something to ease the suffering running through the frame of Galinda’s shifting body.

But eventually, finally, the cracking and creaking and whimpering ended, and Galinda collapsed into the shavings, panting and exhausted. Elphaba crept toward her face and hesitantly laid a hand against a furry cheek.

“Galinda?” she said softly, willing her friend to look at her. She’d keep her promise and leave the barn if she needed to, but she hoped she would still see her friend behind those big, dark eyes.

And when those eyes opened to look at her, Elphaba could see clearly the spark of Galinda’s spirit within them. Elphaba let out a breathy laugh and kissed Galinda’s soft forehead. “You did it,” she said. “Galinda, you did it!”

The Wolf lifted her head and seemed to smile as she affectionately butted the side of her face against Elphaba’s.

“Do you feel all right?” Elphaba asked. She wrapped an arm under Galinda’s neck to hug her gently. “I know it must still hurt, but is everything where it’s supposed to be?”

Galinda let out a chuffing sound and nodded, brushing the soft fur of her face against Elphaba’s skin.

“Good,” Elphaba chuckled. She held Galinda’s face between her hands and smiled. “Would you look at that?” she said. “It’s just you. Nothing scary at all.”

Galinda’s tail gave a low wag against the shavings, stirring them into the air, and she stuck just the tip of her tongue out to lick Elphaba’s cheek.

Elphaba laughed and ruffled Galinda’s fur. “All right,” she said. “Do you think you’ll have an easier time sleeping like this? Or do you want to change back?”

Galinda sighed and paused as if in thought, then shifted in the bedding to get more comfortable. She pointed with her nose at her side and looked back at Elphaba, her eyes somehow conveying even more pleading than usual.

“You don’t have to look at me like that,” Elphaba teased. “I couldn’t say no to you even if I wanted to.” She retrieved her blanket from the opposite wall and laid it across the shavings at Galinda’s side, then settled down to lean against the soft mound of her ribcage. Galinda’s heart drummed a slow, steady rhythm beneath Elphaba’s ear, so powerful that she could feel it against her skin like this. As much trouble as she’d had sleeping last night, she doubted she’d stay awake for long with such a soothing sound in the background of her consciousness.

Elphaba’s mind did wander, though, as she waited for sleep to take her. It wandered back to the note Fiyero had left on Galinda’s bedside table, which she’d pretended she hadn’t noticed. But the words on the paper echoed in her memory as she tried to puzzle out what it meant.

Because it seemed obvious to Elphaba, but that didn’t mean her interpretation was true. Wasn’t it more likely that she was reading into it, knowing how recently her affections for Galinda had been fully realized? Of course, if she was desperate, she could believe that Fiyero meant to push the two of them together romantically—but Oz, would it not be presumptuous and rather conceited of her to think that way?

After all, Galinda was Fiyero’s beloved, and Fiyero was hers. Why would he even be receptive to this, let alone encourage it? And it would mean Galinda not only felt something for her in return, but that Fiyero knew about it. He’d left the note for her, not for Elphaba.

So, of course he only meant to give them privacy as friends, or perhaps roommates. They lived together and he didn’t, so he probably didn’t want to overstay his welcome. It seemed so obvious and innocent after thinking about it for a moment rather than relying on her heart to inform her impressions.

It didn’t matter, truly. She hadn’t been meant to see it in the first place, and she should really just pretend she never had. Speculation would do nothing for her, and what Galinda needed right now was a friend, anyway. Maybe not a friend who thought a little too much about how beautiful she was, but one who would simply be there for her, which Elphaba hoped she was doing a good enough job of.

Galinda did seem to be feeling a bit better today. Aside from the unfortunate fluke in the sorcery seminar, she’d been in relatively good spirits—and had managed to transform of her own volition. There wasn’t much they could discuss now, seeing as Galinda couldn’t talk, but Elphaba hoped her friend felt as proud of herself as she did.

And in the morning, when Elphaba woke to Galinda’s own waking movements after what was finally a long, restful night for the both of them, her chest swelled with the fondness that seemed to be smothering her more with every passing day.

Galinda stretched her forelegs and let out a high-pitched, squeaky yawn, which Elphaba couldn’t help but laugh at. Galinda groaned and playfully nudged Elphaba’s shoulder, nearly threatening to topple her over into the shavings.

“All right, all right, I’m sorry,” Elphaba chuckled. “You slept well, my sweet?”

Galinda heaved a blissful sigh and lay on her side to stretch out completely, which Elphaba understood to mean Yes, and I’m still comfy.

“I’m glad,” Elphaba said. “But we do have to be getting back if we want time for breakfast before class.”

Galinda groaned in response, but she hauled herself to her feet to shake the shavings out of her fur before beginning the transformation back.

Elphaba hadn’t thought it would be any different the other way around, but it seemed much easier and much faster for Galinda to return to her Human form. It still looked painful, and it elicited a few yelps and whines before it was finished, but within just a minute or two the last of the changes were complete. Galinda’s familiar figure crouched on the floor, her hair hanging in a tousled curtain over her chest as she paused to catch her breath.

“Here,” Elphaba said, scooping Galinda’s nightgown up from where she’d folded it and set it aside. She turned her back to allow her friend to dress and only turned back around when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Elphaba’s breath caught when she found Galinda absolutely beaming at her, eyes bright with excitement and exuding the most radiant joy Elphaba had seen on her since they met. She froze, stuck staring at the human sunbeam in front of her, until Galinda squealed and threw her arms around Elphaba’s neck.

“Elphie!” Galinda chirped. “That was amazing. I did it; I did it on purpose, and I didn’t feel scared or angry or…and I just felt like me. The whole time!”

Elphaba hugged Galinda back, warm fuzzies spreading through her core at the contact. “You were amazing,” she said. “I knew you could do it. And just imagine how much better you’ll feel with more practice?”

Galinda giggled and nuzzled into Elphaba’s neck. “I’m not a lost cause,” she breathed. “I might have a real future.”

“Of course you have a future,” Elphaba said, her arms tightening subconsciously around Galinda before he pulling back to look her in the eye. “You’re perfect, Galinda. Regardless of what you’ve gone through. You’ve already proven how strong you are; this is just more of the same.”

“It’s you, you know.”

Elphaba’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“It’s you.” Galinda picked a wood shaving out of Elphaba’s braids and smiled as she smoothed them back behind her shoulders. “I was never this brave before I met you. And I’ve never—never felt calm like I did last night as a Wolf. And you stopped my transformation the other night. It’s you, Elphie; I don’t know how, but you just…you make everything better.”

Elphaba’s heart felt like it might come screeching to a stop at any moment. Galinda’s hands lingered on her shoulders, her eyes stared deep into Elphaba’s, and her mirthful smile had faded into something softer, something almost reverent in the way her brow turned up toward the middle.

It took a few heartbeats before Elphaba remembered she needed to form words, and she just barely managed to say, “All I want is to make things better for you.”

Galinda stared at her for a moment longer, wide eyes brimming with emotion. “Well, you do a very good job,” she said. She paused, then swallowed and let her hands fall from Elphaba’s shoulders. “Would you—would you mind grabbing my crutch for me?”

Elphaba’s eyes widened as she realized Galinda had been standing with her weight on one foot. “Oh,” she said, “of course. Sorry.” She turned hastily toward the wall the crutch leaned on and returned with it as quickly as she could. Galinda took it and leaned on it with a relieved sigh.

“Thanks, Elphie,” she said. “Sorry for leaning on you like that.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Elphaba said. But she felt weak in the wake of Galinda’s touch, her heart fluttering like a schoolgirl’s.

It’s not like that, Elphaba reminded herself. Great Oz, when did she become like this? She may have had a short-lived crush or two before she’d grown up, but she hadn’t even realized it was possible to feel so smitten for somebody, and so quickly.

It overwhelmed her so completely that she wasn’t even sure she could keep it to herself anymore, and as she absentmindedly trailed beside Galinda back to the campus proper, she decided she did have to talk about it with somebody—before she ended up spilling her heart out to Galinda herself.

#wicked #gelphie #gelphie fanfic #my writing

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