#was gonna make a cute slouchy sweater but found a nice cardigan that seemed more versatile

[cultivating-wildflowers]

every time I read a crochet pattern, I have to google how to work basic stitches

[solastia]

The Dragon’s Lair | 4

- A Date With A Dragon -

Pairing: Dragon Hybrid Namjoon x Reader

Word Count: 7,300

Notes: A little warning, there is some smut! Nothing crazy but yeah... also, if you think Namjoon’s outfit sounds familiar, that’s because it should. It’s one of my favorite looks of his. I can’t remember when it was but it’s an airport look, from when they were going to LA I believe. I wanna say 2016? Maybe 2017? When he did the whole sexy professor with the big black glasses thing. I nearly died when I saw him that day. 

For the past couple of weeks, Namjoon has been acting strange. Not so much with you - he still treated you with just as much affection as usual. However, he’s been staying at the hybrid shelter longer every day and coming home exhausted. On top of that were the hushed phone calls you’d hear him trying to have out on the porch, forgetting that the window was usually open a little bit. You couldn’t hear much more than a word here or there, but thankfully it had been enough for you to understand he was talking to Heechul.

You hadn’t much worried about things like there being someone else, but something was clearly up and it did worry you that Namjoon felt like he had to keep something from you. 

Today you found yourself sitting on the porch steps, the winter air biting even through your woolen jacket and beanie. Trying to wait outside in the middle of January probably wasn’t your smartest idea, but sitting around inside had been driving you crazy. 

You watched the road leading up to your farmhouse, waiting for Namjoon to come home. He was even later than usual today. Before these past weeks, he always came riding home around three. Then it became six. Tonight, it was nearly nine and was pitch black outside. The thought of him riding his bike alone in the middle of the night made your stomach clench with anxiety. 

Just when you were about to call up Heechul, the familiar sounds of Namjoon’s bike pedaling up the driveway heralded his return. You released the breath that you hadn’t realized you’d been holding as the tension slowly left your shoulders. He pulled up towards the house, his mouth turning down in surprise and worry when he spotted you huddling on the ice-coated porch.

“Baby, what are you doing sitting out here? You’re gonna get sick,” he rumbled, rushing over to pick you up and carry you into the house. 

“Was waiting for you. I got worried,” you grunt through chattering teeth.

His frown deepens and he looks slightly guilty. 

“Sorry, Star. Got caught up with work.” 

He was avoiding your eyes by focusing on getting you warm. He pulled off your jacket, boots, and hat, replacing them with a large chenille blanket you kept on the couch. He got up and threw a couple more logs into the fireplace before going to the kitchen and pushing the button in the electric water kettle you kept full for him. 

You kept doing your best to catch his eyes but he was being unusually crafty about avoiding looking at you. Your skin slowly began to warm in your little blanket bundle as you watched him make hot cocoa from packets. 

"Namjoon," you begin softly. "Is there something that you need to tell me? I'm just worried. Did I maybe do something to upset you?" 

"No!" he sputters, turning quickly to face you. He nearly knocked over one of the mugs in his haste. "You didn't do anything wrong! Damn, is that what it seems like? I just...wanted to do something nice. I didn't mean to worry you or make you upset!" 

Now you were confused. Your nose scrunches as he joins you on the couch with two steaming mugs of cocoa. 

"Something nice?" 

Namjoon sighs and hands you a mug. "I've been working in the cafe after classes to make extra money. I wanted to...well, I wanted to take you on a real date that I paid for myself." 

You reach out of your blanket cocoon to coo and cup the blushing dragon's cheek. 

"Oh, sweetheart. You are the cutest. I was so worried that something was wrong. You don't have to do anything special like that for me. I'm happiest when it's just you and me lounging around the house." 

"I know," he sighs with a little smile, "but you're my girlfriend now, and you've taken me to plenty of places that are like a date. I want to do the same for you. I want to take you out somewhere and show off that you picked me. Hyung has been helping me make some plans and letting me work to make the money. I was hoping to surprise you with it, but I don't want you to worry."

You smile fondly and set your mug on the side table, taking the one from Namjoon’s hand and doing the same. Then you pull him towards you by his grey oversized sweater and kiss him softly. 

When you pull back, you stroke his cheek with your thumb. His eyes are still closed and his lips are tilted slightly as he rumbles, relishing your touch. 

“You are amazing, and I would love to go on a date with you.” 

His eyes fly open and he pins you with a hopeful and slightly vulnerable look. 

“Yeah?” You nod and he basically glows from happiness. “I still want to surprise you with the plans at least, but Heechul hyung has been helping so I hope you like it.” 

“I’m sure I’ll love it, sweetheart,” you reassure him as you you poke a dimple, unable to help yourself. 

He snorts and cuddles in closer, lending his own naturally high body heat to warm you more. 

“So when are we having this special date?” you ask as you bury your face into his neck. He strokes his cheek against your hair a few times, humming in thought. 

"This weekend.” 

“Sounds perfect. But no more staying late. I miss you.” 

Namjoon blushes shyly and makes a pleased rumbled as he clutches you closer. 

“I missed you too.” 

The days leading to the weekend went agonizingly slow. Namjoon had stayed true to his word and you were happy to hear him riding home at exactly three, bounding into the house to excitedly tell you about his day and demand his cuddles with you and the remains of his hoard of Ryan plushies (somehow the number of them on the bed had been dwindling, not that you were complaining much. That left more room for you to sleep without landing on top of a bunch of them and killing your back). 

Saturday morning had you feeling increasingly frustrated as you still had no idea what the plan for the day was. It was simply going by as normal, with Namjoon not even hinting at this being the chosen day. You knew he was aware you were waiting for him to say something as each anxious sigh you let out was met with a teasing grin from him and nothing more. You finally just went to your office to work out of frustration, hoping he’d let you know with enough time for you to pick a good outfit and get ready. 

Hours went by with you buried in your work. You’d noticed Namjoon come and curl up in the chair with a book for a while like he often did. It was cute how he seemed perfectly content to leave you to your work as long as he could just sit in here with you. He’d left about a half hour ago after receiving a phone call from Heechul, so you assumed they were still conspiring together. 

You had just finished putting together a final design for your latest commission when your phone beeped with a message. 

Joonie🐉: Time to get ready beautiful ;) 

You grin and save your work real quick before rushing to your room. You’d had a few outfits in mind for the day, but you hadn’t quite settled on anything yet. You wished you knew where he was taking you so you could know what would be appropriate. You didn’t see Namjoon on your way through the hall, but one of the guest room doors was closed, so you assumed he was getting ready in there. 

You hum to yourself as you enter your room, closing the door quietly before heading to your closet. Honestly, this whole room was a closet these days, as it had been so long since you’d last slept in here. 

You shuffle through your closet and pull a couple things out, walking towards the bed with the intention of laying them out so you could inspect them. However, you notice a pile of boxes and bags from a very expensive name brand waiting for you on top of the bed. You blink in surprise, mumbling to yourself that Heechul must pay Namjoon very well for him to be able to afford all this. You open the packages slowly and pull out the items carefully. You were worried about ruining something since you’ve really really handled such obviously expensive clothes. 

The style of everything itself was fairly simple, things you’d choose yourself, but the quality of the fabrics was far superior to anything you’d ever worn. There was a thick knitted sweater dress in ivory that looked like it would be so comfortable, like walking around in a blanket. To compliment it was a long grey cardigan that was pretty much the softest thing you’d ever felt in your life. There were also some thick woolen tights and slouchy grey boots to pull it all together. This outfit was definitely one that you could tell Namjoon had put a lot of thought into - choosing something was that you’d look pretty in while still making sure you’d be warm and cozy. In one of the smaller bags, you found a couple of bracelets and a pair of dangling earrings that somehow matched the silver and gold of your scale necklace that you never took off except to sleep. Your entire wardrobe was beginning to lean towards things that complimented the necklace, so matching accessories were an exciting find.

Namjoon and Heechul must have spent a fortune just on these clothes alone, and you didn’t even know what else was planned for the night.  

You shook your head but got ready quickly, knowing Namjoon was probably anxiously waiting for you by now. The outfit felt like you were going to be walking around wrapped by a snuggly blanket and you silently praised Namjoon’s good taste. You touched up your hair and applied a light layer of makeup before sliding on the bracelets and the earrings. All of it, combined with the ever-present beauty of the scale necklace, turned you into the very epitome of winter elegance. 

You grinned and strode excitedly from your room, eager to show Namjoon. He was on the couch when you entered the living room and stood up quickly when you sauntered closer with a smile. His jaw dropped and you blushed and took the chance to look him over. 

Namjoon’s outfit screamed casual yet fashionable, like a sexy professor. You could tell that everything was just as high end as yours. Skintight black jeans topped with a white button-up, a patterned black and grey blazer, and black loafers. He’d even worn his black-framed glasses that made his golden eyes the focus of his face and styled his silver hair so it parted to one side, with a little lock of hair that couldn’t be tamed falling onto his forehead. His fingers and wrists were adorned with many silver and platinum accessories, bringing out the natural ethereal coloring of his silver and gold nails. 

“You look beautiful,” you blurted. His surprised eyes shot back to your face before smiling shyly, his hand coming up to rub the back of his neck as he does sometimes when he’s embarrassed. 

“I was going to say the same,” he chuckled quietly, before reaching out to grasp your hand. 

He pulled you closer and wrapped an arm around your waist, leaning in to rub his cheek across yours. You’d learned a while ago (from Heechul, because Namjoon had been too embarrassed to admit it) that this was actually his way of scenting you. He did it often before the two of you left the house together, and sometimes just because. 

The sounds of someone driving up to the house interrupted his scenting session, and he reluctantly pulled away, but not before planting a quick kiss on your lips. 

“Your chariot awaits, madame.” 

You quirk an eyebrow at his cheesiness and grab your purse before you let him lead you outside and lock the door. You pause at the appearance of the sleek black car waiting for you there. 

“Namjoon, this is Kakao Taxi Black! They are super expensive,” you hiss quietly, so the driver wouldn’t hear as you’re escorted to the car. 

Namjoon smirks, “I know, but just consider the fact that I wanted to get a limo or something. I knew you would throw a bigger fit about that, so this was second choice. Actually, the real second choice was having Soonyoung drive us, but Jihoon caught that cold that’s been going around the shelter.” 

You sigh and let him help you into the back of the car, gulping when you see the prices labeled up front. The driver waits until the two of you buckle up before driving away, apparently having already received his instructions. Namjoon grabs your hand and cuddles closer, nuzzling into your hair. 

“So, can I know where we’re going now?” you whisper, not wanting the driver to listen in. 

“You know that musical you wanted to see?” 

“The one that’s been sold out for like four months? Yeah.” 

“Hyung knows a guy and got us first row seats.” 

Your eyes shoot up to meet Namjoon’s smug grin. 

“Shut up.” 

“It’s true! And then we’re going to dinner at The Lounge.” 

“The Lounge?! What the hell, Kim Namjoon?! How much does Heechul actually pay you?” 

He laughs and kisses the side of your head. 

“Mmm, enough. He also had some of my old scales laying around he hadn’t gotten a chance to use, and apparently, they sell well in certain circles.” 

For fucks sake, the adorable thing had literally sold body parts to afford this way too expensive date. Granted, him selling old shed scales (no matter that they resembled the most magnificent jewels you’d ever seen) was the same as some weirdo buying your nail clippings, but still.

“Are you happy? Or is it too much?” 

The wary tone in Namjoon’s voice as he asked you had you sneaking up a kiss to his cheek. 

“It’s incredible. I’ve never been wined and dined before.” 

He sighs and you can literally feel the tension leak from his body. 

When the driver pulls up to the theater, an employee actually meets you at the car and leads you to your seats. They weren’t just front row, but directly in the center. You’d be able to see and hear everything.  As the two of you settle into your seats, another worker comes by with glasses of champagne. You accept the glass, as does Namjoon, and take a sip before turning to the dragon sitting there with a smug cloud above his head as he watches you. 

“Did Heechul’s guy make us VIP or something? I don’t remember anything about audience members getting champagne.” 

Namjoon shrugs. “Heechul knows lots of people.” 

You shake your head. “Uh huh.” 

You decide to just relax and enjoy instead of questioning everything. You lean back into your seat and grasp Namjoon’s free hand with yours as the show begins. This musical was one that you’d been waiting to see for a while since it was an original. It was probably a little cliche, but you loved romances so you didn’t care.

It was a story about a man that wants to court the local beauty, but her condition is to catch the town’s most notorious stray cat. This condition was given to countless others who all failed because the cat was vicious and could outrun everyone. Instead of rushing through and trying to catch the cat through violent means like the many before him, he instead went painstakingly slow and took his time to obtain the cat’s trust. Every morning, he would set out food and drink for the cat while he talked to it, and every night he would sing at the beauty’s window. Finally, he woke up one morning to find the cat sleeping in his bed. The cat suddenly changed and revealed that it had been the beauty the entire time, and he had won her over with his kindness. You weren’t ashamed to say that you were a sobbing mess by the time the wedding scene came around. Luckily, Namjoon had the foresight to pack several handkerchiefs. 

Two hours and four glasses of champagne later, the show finally ends. You sigh in happiness, so thrilled that you actually got to see it live. You’d thought for sure that the only chance you’d get would be to wait until it hit a movie theater or got put on DVD. 

“Did you like it?” Namjoon asks as he helps you out of your seat. 

You know you must look a mess and you were happy you’d thought to use waterproof makeup. That still wouldn’t help the puffy eyes or red-tinged nose from your crying. 

“It was great! Thank you so much, sweetheart,” you beam and place a kiss on the corner of his mouth. He frowns and leans his face closer to yours to claim a proper kiss. You giggle and do what he silently asks, kissing his lips with a loud smack. 

He loops your arm through his and leads you to the exit, where the taxi is back and waiting. The drive to the restaurant is quiet, both of you perfectly content to just sit close and bask in each other’s presence. 

The driver pulls up to Park Hyatt Seoul Hotel and Namjoon helps you out, leading you through the elegant lobby to the elevator. The restaurant is on the 24th floor, something you already knew even before he pushed the button that led you up there. This was a popular restaurant for celebrations (like proposals, but you knew that wasn’t what you were here for today). There is a waitress literally by the elevator doors waiting to lead you to your table. Namjoon had chosen one of the few more isolated spots in place and he even takes the chair that places his back to the window, letting you get the city view from the ceiling to floor windows that surrounded the place. There is wine waiting already, and you vow to have no more than two glasses as you were still feeling good from the champagne at the show. Namjoon has also apparently preordered the food, something that would have annoyed you with any other date, but not with Namjoon who knew you so well. 

Conversation flowed as easily as it always did with the two of you. You both speak of work, and plans for the farm in spring (you were still determined to buy goats. Maybe some chickens). Namjoon’s plate was filled with meat and noodles as usual, while yours had a bit more variety as it was a few different Korean dishes with a western flair. You politely refrained from saying anything out loud about Namjoon’s long legs playing footsie with you under the table, not wanting to embarrass the man. It was hard though, because he was so damn cute.

By the end of the meal you were full and getting close to tipsy, though not quite. There was a pleasant warmness in the pit of your belly and your muscles felt loose. The entire evening, while definitely cliche, but wonderful and Namjoon’s eagerness to please you made everything a hundred times better. Honestly, you were just as happy with takeout and Netflix and didn’t need all this fancy stuff, but you knew it was just Namjoon trying to show you how much he cares. 

Namjoon rushes over to pull out your chair and help you up, then takes your purse and cardigan from the waitress before helping you into that too. Any excuse he could come up with to touch you, it seemed. 

The two of you left the restaurant hand in hand, but he paused just before the elevators. He cleared his throat and his face was slowly growing a blush that spread from his cheeks to his neck. 

“So...uh. There’s another part of this date if you want it. Hyung said it would be a good idea just in case. Uh...so...” Namjoon fidgets and chews on his lip. You reach up and tug it from his teeth which makes him finally look at you. 

“What is it, sweetheart?” you ask softly. 

“So, uh. This is a hotel. Obviously. Hyung knows a guy and got us the best room here. There’s, like, a hot tub. And those alcohol bottles. Cable...” he trails off, staring at the elevator again. 

You smirk gently, knowing where this is going. “And a bed.” 

“Yeah...” he coughs. “Probably one of those too.” 

“So you’re ready to...”

“I mean...we don’t have to. We could just hang out and use the hot tub. Eat all the snacks and drink all the booze since it’s paid for,” he shrugs, and if it wasn’t for the fact that his ears were bright red, you’d believe his charade of indifference. 

“Take me to our room, Joonie.” 

His eyes finally meet yours, and the golden depths of them are glimmering somehow, the pupils dilating by the mere suggestion. 

“Yeah? Okay. Yeah, let’s go,” he says huskily, gently grasping your hand and pulling you into the elevator. 

He doesn’t let go once, just pushes the button for the floor below the restaurant and keeps holding on. You weren’t sure, but you thought maybe the skin of his hand was raising in temperature, as his palm was practically scalding and making your own sweat. 

Once the doors ding and open, he continues gently leading you towards a room that was so massive apparently only one existed on this floor. Namjoon opens the door and gestures you to go inside, finally letting your hand free. You take the chance to wipe it on your jacket, though you hated defiling the beautiful cardigan. Both of you kick off your shoes and take off your jackets. Namjoon grabs it all and places them in the little closet next to the door. Finally, you pause and look around the room. 

It was beautiful. Mostly white, with some obviously upscale furniture of various types and materials scattered around. You were obviously in what was basically a living room, as there were a huge couch and a massive television as the main centerpieces. You walk a little bit and peek around the corner, spotting a big feathery looking bed covered in white and gold (although the bed at home was bigger and comfier, you were sure. You hadn’t skimped on Namjoon’s bed at all). The bathroom was on the other side and you sauntered over to peek in there, as well. This too was massive, with a walk-in shower the size of your bedroom, a big jacuzzi in one corner that was surrounded by rose petals and candles, and two fluffy looking robes hanging with their names embroidered on them. 

Namjoon comes up behind you and lays his chin on your shoulder, pulling you closer by your waist. 

“Do you like it?” 

“It’s lovely, sweetheart! I’ve only seen places like this in movies.” 

He hums and kisses your neck. That action seemed to remind your body of why you were here in the first place, as the feeling of his lips sent tingles straight through your entire body. 

“You wanna use the hot tub?” he murmurs, his fingers tightening their grip on your hips. 

“Yeah,” you answer breathily. “Don’t have a suit, though.” 

He audibly gulps. “That’s okay. I don’t either.” 

Oh

Namjoon releases you and walks towards the jacuzzi. He looks around for the button to turn it on, pressing it and fiddling with the heat setting. Instantly, the jets begin their magic. There’s a bottle that he picks up near the tub. It’s glass and the liquid inside is a shimmering amethyst hue. It looks like something you’d find in some witches hut right before they turn you into a toad. Namjoon catches you eyeing it as he pours a little bit in. As the oils swirl in the water and release the most captivating scent you’ve ever smelled in your life, he grins sheepishly. 

“A present from Heechul hyung.” 

Because of course it was. And if you knew him at all, you knew what it was probably meant for. 

But any worries you had about magically enhanced possibly aphrodisiac water we erased from your mind as Namjoon turned to face you. He pulled off his glasses and set them on the counter, the clink as they hit the porcelain practically echoing through the room as your senses seemed to enhance as your heart raced. 

He untucked his shirt, his eyes now locked on yours, as if he was daring you to look away. Somehow, your usually shy and fumbling dragon was nowhere to be seen at this moment. You swallowed as you followed the path of his fingers to the top button of his shirt, exhaling shakily as it popped out. The next few buttons followed and you can see bits of his tanned chest peeking through. It wasn’t unusual to see it, as he often went around the house either shirtless or with a tank top that was so open he might as well have been. However, you were seeing it now with the knowledge that you would now get to touch it, kiss it, and much more. 

Finally, he pulled the entire shirt off and tossed it onto the counter. His hands flew to his belt, moving much faster than they had with the shirt. You watched as he unbuckled it quickly and pulled it free from the pant loops, tossing it onto the floor without a care. Then his fingers went to the button on his jeans and you swore the breath left your body. His fingers were slightly shaky as he popped it open and slowly drew his zipper down. He somehow drew the tight jeans down his hips with ease and kicked them away, and finally, you were faced with Namjoon in all of his glory. 

God, he was beautiful. 

His glorious chest tapered into a small waist then down to his long, thick-thighed legs. And his skin! It was normally a beautiful tan, but somehow at this moment it was nearly as golden as his eyes. 

You licked your lips and let your gaze fall to the one spot they’d tried to avoid and you whimpered. He was probably not the biggest in the world, but certainly the biggest you’d ever seen in person. And he was already so hard, the tip of his pretty cock flush and wet. You wanted him in your mouth. 

Suddenly, your clothes that had once felt like being dressed in a cloud were unbearably itchy, and you wanted them off yesterday. 

You tug on your dress and tights, growing frustrated when your hands won’t cooperate. Namjoon strides closer to help and the moment his hands touch you, you embarrass yourself when a needy moan escapes. You’re so worked up just from wanting him so much, and he’s so damn pretty, and it’s been so long...

Namjoon’s nostrils flare when you finally tug your stockings off, and his low rumble is growing louder by the second. 

“You’re wet,” he sighs throatily. “Smell so good.” 

He takes a few shaky breaths before he grabs the bottom of your dress and lifts it off, somehow not shredding anything in his haste. Your under things meet the same fate and you’re suddenly standing in front of him bare as can be. His eyes travel down your body, his mouth open and lightly panting. 

“Beautiful,” he groans. Then he picks you up and nuzzles into your neck as he carries you to the jacuzzi. 

He manages to slide you in without bumping too much, then sits next to you. Honestly, you hadn’t thought you’d get as far as the hot tub with the way that you felt, but apparently, he had other ideas. 

After he gets settled safely into his spot he sighs and picks you up yet again, this time placing you on his lap with his chest to your back. He kisses up and down your neck while he winds his arms around you. You can feel him hot and heavy against your lower back, twitching every time you let a moan escape. 

“Wanted you for so long,” he pants into your hair. “Is this okay?”

His hand is traveling down your stomach and you can guess where he’s going, so you nod, too focused on trying to breathe right to answer. 

When those fingers that you loved so much finally reach your center, you sigh and sink into his lap, laying your head against his shoulder. He tilts your head slightly and captures your lips in a kiss that conveyed every bit of the hunger he’d been holding at bay. It’s awkward at that angle, but you didn’t care, happily letting his do as he pleased. 

His hand was still at work below the water, finally reaching its destination and set his fingers to exploring. He pulled his lips away from yours and moved down, biting and sucking at the point where neck met shoulder as his fingers played below. After a few moments, he finally found your bud and focused on that, rubbing it slow and firmly, all the while mumbling against your neck as he sucked marks onto it that would take a long time to fade. 

“Joon, please. Just get in me already.” 

He groaned, his hips bucking a little against your back. 

“Not yet. Gotta...hyung said to make you cum first.” 

“Oh, fuck...don’t talk about Heechul right now,” you moan as he switches the position of his fingers, obviously having had an idea. His thumb is still firmly working on rubbing circles into your clit, but his other fingers are working on trying to enter your slick hole. 

Suddenly, what he’d left unspoken got through your brain and you grabbed his wrist. 

“Sweetheart, are you a virgin?” 

He buries his head into the small of your back and sighs. 

“Yeah. Not really much of a chance for a dragon to mess around, you know. I never felt right letting anyone else get that close and most of the other hybrids were too scared to try.” 

“But you’re alright now?” 

“Yeah. You’re my mate. My dragon is content, I’m overjoyed. I may not have done this really before, but I did lots of research and I will do my best to make you happy.” 

He was so earnest and cute, which felt like a weird thing to think when you could feel his hard dick digging into your back. 

“Oh, sweetheart. You don’t have to do anything flawlessly. I’m happy enough just being with you. We’ll figure everything else out along the way, alright?” 

He nods and kisses you softly. “Love you.” 

“I love you too, Namjoon,” you sigh happily as he pulls you closer and rumbles against your neck. 

Slowly, he starts rocking you against him, using your body to bring some relief to his no doubt aching cock. His hand is back to work beneath the water and he plunges one thick finger into you slowly. You gasp and try to help him by circling your hips a little. 

You faintly hear the sound of your phone ringing, which seems weird considering how late in the evening it was. You try your best to filter it out and focus on Namjoon’s finger moving in and out of you as he suckles yet another mark into your neck. 

However, it rings again. 

Namjoon growls, his thumb on your clit rubbing faster to try to get you where he wanted you. 

The phone rang again. 

You moan out of frustration as the climax that had once felt so close drifted further from you as you begin to worry about why someone would call you so many times in a row this late at night. Visions of your home being burnt down, Soonyoung or Jihoonie in a fiery car accident, a number of other horrible scenarios until finally you sigh and place a hand on Namjoon’s arm to stop him. 

“Baby, no. They can wait,” Namjoon pouts, nipping at your shoulder. 

“You know as well as I do that no one calls us this late. If they are calling now and not stopping, there’s something wrong.” 

He sighs and pulls his finger out of you slowly while you whimper at the loss, suddenly feeling unbearably empty as you flutter around nothing. 

“You’re right. Go answer,” he says with what is the most adorable pout you’ve ever seen. 

You turn around and kiss the tip of his nose before jumping out and pulling on the robe. Namjoon is right behind you, dripping water everywhere before he pulls his on too. His eyes are still dark and hungry, and he holds onto the back of the robe like he can’t bear to let you stray too far. 

You stride into the living room quickly, Namjoon still at your heels and pull your phone from your purse. You take a quick look at the ID of the still ringing phone and are surprised to find it’s Heechul, especially when you know he’s aware of your plans today. 

“Hello?” 

“Oh, thank fuck. Listen, I’m so sorry, I know tonight was a big deal but we have a bit of an emergency.” Heechul frantically explains. 

“That’s okay. What’s up?” 

“So, we have volunteers and workers all assigned to different sections of the shelter, because as much as I would like to, I can’t be everywhere at once. I try my best to give everyone personalized care, but sometimes I can’t stretch myself that far and I have to put faith in the people that work for me. Well, it backfired this time. Turns out the person I had in charge of the young reptiles was a fucking flake. They didn’t change out the proper bulbs or get the ones that need it ready for hibernation, among other things.” 

“Oh my God, that’s horrible!” 

“Yeah, well, they are now fired and I’m thinking about pressing charges, but for now we have a serious emergency. It’s Mark.” 

“Mark? What’s wrong with him?” 

“The worker had reported that he had the flu, and we all just assumed he had the cold that was going around and didn’t think to look into her claims. Turns out he’s practically dying. He hasn’t had proper lighting or heat in months, and she didn’t feed him enough to get him through his hibernation. He doesn’t actually hibernate like a bear or anything, just sleeps a lot and doesn’t get around to eating or drinking. I’m checking his supplies right now, but I seriously doubt she even bothered to give him the vitamins he needs as a lizard hybrid either.” 

“That poor baby,” you can’t help tearing up, and you feel Namjoon wrap you into a soothing back hug. He can obviously hear everything perfectly. 

“Listen, he’s actually been crying for you. I tried to console him and on my own after we got him a little more stabilized and hydrated, but he won’t stop crying for you. I know it’s not a good night, but could you come in? Maybe bring Namjoon too?” 

“Of course! We’ll be there as soon as we can!” 

You can hear Heechul breath a sigh of relief. 

“Thanks, guys. Once Mark is in the clear, I’ll be sure to make Namjoon stay at home for a while to make it up to you. See you.” 

“See you soon.” 

You hang up and turn to your dragon with an apologetic smile. 

“Is this okay? I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” 

He shakes his head. “It’s fine. Honestly, the fact that you’re willing to run off to a whelp that has nothing to do with you in the middle of the night is just another reason to love you. You have such a big heart.” 

You smile and reach up to kiss him. He pecks you then flips you around and pats your butt as he pushes you towards your clothing.  

“Besides,” he adds as he tugs up his pants. “I honestly wasn’t that sure about this room in the first place. It doesn’t smell like us and didn’t feel safe. This was hyung’s idea because he said all women like this stuff.” 

You slipped your dress back on then looked at him over your shoulder. 

“I don’t need all this, Joonie. I’m happy with just you.” 

He smiles lovingly while he buttons his shirt up. 

“I know. The first time we make love, I want it to be in our nest at home. Where I can protect you and it smells like happiness and love. This place is nice but it’s hard to concentrate when all I smell is bleach.” 

You giggle at his cute crinkled nose and reach out for a hug once you’re both dressed. 

“Still, I loved tonight and I can’t wait for the rest now that I’ve had a taste.” 

His nostrils flare as he stares down at you and whines. 

“Not fair. I’m trying to make this thing go down and you can’t say stuff like that.” 

You laugh fully as you pull on your cardigan and shoes. Namjoon sighs and slips his shoes back on and grabs your purse, carrying it under his armpit like a pro. His other hand is occupied calling the taxi again and letting them know he needed them again. Thankfully, they had one not too far away and they were sending it over. 

The two went down the elevator hand in hand and walked through the lobby without a care for how disheveled they must look. They only had to wait outside for the taxi for a couple of minutes, and Namjoon quickly ushered you into it in an effort to keep you from getting too cold. 

The ride to the shelter was tense as you both worried over the komodo dragon hybrid you’d both sorta bonded with. You remembered little details now that hadn’t seemed so out of place at the time, like how thin he was or how sharp his cheekbones were. How erratic his breathing had been. You’d just brushed it off as how he was supposed to be as a lizard hybrid since you didn’t know any better. Now you felt horrible because you should have seen it and known something was wrong, then you could have helped the poor baby sooner.

Once you arrived at the shelter, Namjoon threw fare to the driver and the two of you grabbed the hands of each other and literally ran into the shelter, with you practically screeching Heechul’s name. 

He finally came out of one of the numerous hallways, for once looking haggard himself. 

“Thank God you guys are here. He won’t stop crying for Y/N.” 

Your heart clenched as you thought of the hybrid you’d only met a few times. Had he really bonded with you that much already? 

Heechul led you through the hall into the reptile wing, and you immediately noticed the difference in lighting to the other rooms you’d been in. Heechul notices your gaze and nods with a frown. 

“Those lights are UV lights. They provide heat and sunlight for our reptiles and they are supposed to be changed every six months. The worker we had was marking them changed when they weren’t. Mark and a few others have been going without proper heating, light, and nutrition for months. I feel like kicking my own ass as well as hers. I should have paid more attention,” Heechul explains furiously. 

You shake your head and reach out to squeeze his shoulder. 

“You already do so much, Heechul. You can’t do everything. Magic whatever or not.” 

He sighs and nods. “I know. Doesn’t make me feel less like shit.” 

He leads you up to a door that has drawings taped all over it. 

“Mark is in here,” he says with a frown. 

The door cracks a little and you can already hear the little sniffles as someone tries to talk to him. It’s obvious the little hybrid is refusing to listen to the worried shelter worker trying to calm him down enough to drink some water. 

You walk into the room and set your purse down, moving to the chair as soon as the worker vacates it. 

“Hey there, honey. It’s okay. Shhh. We’re here,” you croon softly as the tears slowly stop. 

The little hybrid had been facing the wall and was apparently too stuffed up to have smelt you enter, but he turns around when he hears you. He looks terrible - his cheeks gaunt and his eyes looking like he hadn’t slept in hundreds of years. 

“Y/N?” he asks softly, like he can’t believe you’re actually there. 

“Yes, it’s me. And Namjoonie too. We heard you weren’t feeling good and wanted to come to see you. Is that okay?” 

He nods enthusiastically, then reaches his arms out slowly, searching your face for a rejection. 

You coo and slide onto the bed, pulling Mark closer to your chest. This close, you can hear the rattling in his throat and feel that he weighs practically nothing. And his skin! It’s so cold! Like he just stepped out of a freezer. You had to get this poor thing warm fast. 

“There, there, sweetness. I got you.” 

Namjoon is standing at the end of the bed with a fond smile as he watched the two of you. You gesture for him to get into the other side of the bed. 

“Hey, Mark? You know what’s really great when you don’t feel good?” 

“What?” he asks through sniffles, his poor little voice hoarse and crackling. 

“Dragon hugs. They feel so warm and safe. You’ll love it. Can Joonie give you a dragon hug?” 

He pauses to think for a moment, then nods before he cuddles in closer to your chest. Namjoon takes his queue and slides onto the bed on the other side of Mark and wraps himself around the tiny hybrid, enveloping him in safety and warmth. You can feel his little body shivering as it tried to regulate its temperature, but Mark sighs as Namjoon’s excessive body heat is put to good use. Soon enough, he falls asleep and you decide to let him for a little while before you have to wake him to get more food and fluids in him. 

Namjoon meets your eyes over the little hybrids head, absolute love and devotion shining in his eyes. 

“I love you,” he whispers. 

“I love you too,” you smile, reaching over to grab his hand. 

You squeeze his hand and place a kiss on Mark’s head before closing your eyes and following the others into sleep, a feeling of rightness settling into your chest.