Archive of Our Own

For centuries, the shifters had coexisted divided by species.

The scars of the ancient wars between predators and prey remained in the collective memory, passed down from generation to generation as a warning of what happened when order was challenged. To prevent those conflicts from recurring, the governments of all regions adopted a single standard: the Code of Specific Purity.

The law was clear.

Romantic relationships between individuals of different species were prohibited.

The authorities claimed that this measure protected social stability, preventing biological, cultural, and territorial conflicts. However, as the years went by, more and more voices began to question whether it was truly about protection or simply about control.

Because in a society where each species occupied a predetermined place, the hierarchies were too convenient for those at the top.

The great predators dominated most of the institutions. Tigers, lions, wolves, and other carnivorous species were respected, admired, and, in many cases, feared. Their presence was common in the government, security forces, and circles of power.

The smaller species occupied less visible positions.

Hamsters, for example, rarely drew attention. They were known for their intelligence, adaptability, and business acumen, but they were rarely considered important outside their own circles.

And that's how the world worked.

Each species in its place.

Each individual following the rules.

Without ever questioning what would happen if someone decided to cross the line that separated them.

Because some laws could control behavior.

But never feelings.

Kim Taehyung, 24 years old.

Bengal tiger shifter. Final-year student at the Business School.

Heir to the Kim Corporation, one of the most influential companies in the country. Once graduated, he will directly assume an executive position within the family business, which is why many consider him the future face of the company.

Popular, charismatic, and extremely attractive. Taehyung possesses everything that society considers desirable in a male of the dominant species. His mere presence tends to capture the attention of those around him.

He is currently single, although he is known for enjoying casual relationships with other carnivorous species. For many students, he is unattainable; for others, simply a fantasy.

President of the Basketball Club and one of the most recognized students on campus.

His close circle consists of:

Jeon Jungkook — Black panther shifter. Daring, impulsive, and self-assured. His rebellious image, marked by tattoos and piercings, makes him a figure as popular as he is intimidating.

Kim Namjoon — Lion Shifter. Considered by professors and students as one of the brightest minds at the university. Patient, analytical, and with a natural ability for leadership.

Min Yoongi — Tiger shifter. Cousin of Taehyung. Reserved and observant. Although many consider him cold and introverted, those who are part of his inner circle know his kind, fun, and loyal side.

The four belong to the Business School and are seen as the university elite.

Kim Seokjin. 24 years old.

Golden hamster shifter. Final year student at the Faculty of Arts, majoring in Acting.

Intelligent, funny, and surprisingly extroverted. Unlike the stereotypes associated with his species, Jin has never been a submissive or silent person. He always says what he thinks, even when it gets him into trouble.

His career choice is constantly questioned by a society that considers the arts an inappropriate profession for someone of his kind. However, Jin refuses to give up what he loves.

He possesses a magnetic personality capable of filling any space with his presence. His friends often describe him as admirable, although they also admit that at times he manages to embarrass them with his boisterous laughter or his complete lack of shame.

His close circle consists of:

Park Jimin — Desert Fox Shifter. Art student specializing in Dance. Charming, extroverted, and liberal. He has a natural ability to attract the attention of those around him.

Jung Hoseok — Known to everyone as Hobi. Red squirrel shifter and Dance student. Cheerful, energetic, and capable of lighting up any room with a single smile.

The trio is often criticized because they represent everything that, according to social norms, herbivores or weaker/smaller carnivores should not be: noisy, independent, confrontational, and completely incapable of accepting a submissive role.

For the first time in the history of the National University of Shifters, the University Student Federation (USF) organized an open celebration for all faculties and species.

The news shook the campus for weeks.

Until then, although the laws allowed for academic coexistence, there were unwritten rules that kept each species within their own social circles. Clubs, events, and meetings were usually dominated by certain groups, creating a separation that everyone accepted as normal.

The party aimed to change that.

Without distinction between predators and prey, dominant species and lesser species, all would share the same space.

The small species were excited.

For many herbivore students, it was the first time they would attend a social event where there would be no exclusive areas or implicit restrictions. Some saw it as an opportunity to make new friends. Others were simply curious to experience something different.

The reaction among carnivores was more divided.

Some celebrated the initiative, convinced that it was high time to leave outdated customs behind.

Others, on the other hand, considered it a waste of time.

According to them, the small species were too reserved, too proper, or too boring for a real party.

Social media was filled with debates.

The students debated, criticized, and defended the proposal as the day of the event approached.

What none of them imagined was that the party would end up becoming the beginning of something much bigger than just a simple college nite.

"Do you think I look good?" asked Seokjin as he turned in front of the mirror for the third time.

Jimin let out a laugh from the bed, where he was finishing adjusting a bracelet, while Hoseok watched the scene leaning against the wall.

—Sexy, Jinnie. Do you want to attract the attention of some carnivore tonight? —Hobi joked, giving him a light slap on the butt.

"Hey!" —Seokjin turned to glare at him—. No, and you know perfectly well that they don't catch my attention.

—That's what you say now —sang Jimin.

—I prefer a rabbit.

—A rabbit? —asked Hoseok, raising an eyebrow.

—Yes. They are adorable, polite, and much less troublesome than you.

"What a boring answer," Jimin complained.

—Says the one who loses his mind every time he sees an attractive carnivore.

—Because I know how to appreciate beauty when it's in front of me.

—Jimin, half of the university is "the beauty when you have it in front of you."

—And the other half too —he replied without any shame.

Hoseok burst into laughter.

"I swear you'll get into trouble someday."

—Why? Carnivores are not monsters.

—No, but some are insufferable snobs —replied Seokjin as he finished fixing his hair—. Beside, most of them think that all small species are desperate to get their attention.

—Well... some of us are —murmured Hoseok.

—You're not helping, Hobi.

—I'm just telling the truth.

Jimin jumped up and put his arms around his friends' shoulders.

"Listen." Tonight is historic. For the first time, we're going to a party where everyone will be mixed together. No prejudices, no separate groups, and no dramas.

—No dramas? —repeated Seokjin.

—Well, we'll try to avoid any dramas.

"That sounds more realistic."

—The important thing is to have fun —Jimin continued—. No obsessing over the popular kids from Business, no getting lost with strangers, and no returning early.

"Who appointed you group leader?" Hoseok asked.

—Me myself.

—What a surprise.

Jimin smiled widely at them.

"Let's enjoy the nite and show all those arrogant people that herbivores know how to have fun too."

—I can definitely support that —said Seokjin.

—Then let's go.

When they arrived, everything was about to explode.

There were too many people. The music was booming so loudly that it seemed capable of shattering eardrums. Entire groups occupied the dance floor, drinks circulated without pause, and conversations could barely be heard above the noise.

However, even in the midst of the supposed inclusive atmosphere, the separation remained evident.

The large predators dominated most of the place.

Panthers, wolves, tigers, and lions occupied the center of the party while the smaller species remained on the edges. Every time a rabbit, squirrel, or deer tried to approach, a look of disdain, a low growl, or a release of warning pheromones was enough to force them to retreat.

"What a surprise," Seokjin murmured sarcastically as he observed the scene.

"The big integration party," Hoseok huffed.

"Integration my ass," Jimin added.

After several minutes of enduring that, the three looked at each other.

And they smiled.

A dangerous smile.

They had several drinks, mingled with the crowd, and, without asking anyone's permission, took over the center of the dance floor.

They started dancing.

Without shame.

Without worrying about the looks.

Jimin spun around, laughing. Hoseok dragged several students who were watching from the sidelines. Seokjin raised his arms to the rhythm of the music while encouraging anyone who wanted to join.

Little by little, other students began to approach.

Rabbits.

Squirrels.

Koalas.

Raccoons.

Even some curious carnivores.

The energy began to spread thru the room like wildfire.

And for the first time since the beginning of the party, the divisions began to disappear.

—Hey... —said Jungkook from the other end of the hall.

The Business group had just entered.

Taehyung had barely paid attention to the atmosphere. He had been listening to the same boring conversations since he arrived.

Until he noticed something strange.

The main track was full.

"What the hell happened here?" Yoongi asked.

"I have no idea," replied Namjoon.

Jungkook pointed toward the center.

—Them.

Among dozens of students, three figures stood out clearly.

A desert fox.

A red squirrel.

And a golden hamster.

"A hamster?" Yoongi asked, surprised.

Because the problem wasn't that he was dancing.

The problem was that he was leading the entire crowd.

Laughing so loudly that it could be heard even from there.

Moving as if he didn't care who was watching him.

As if he were completely unaware of the place society had decided for him.

Taehyung found himself watching him for several seconds.

"Interesting..." —he murmured.

"What thing?" asked Namjoon.

The tiger smiled slightly.

"That hamster," said Taehyung without taking his eyes off the track.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow.

—The purple-haired guy?

—Yes.

—Since when are you interested in hamsters?

—I'm not interested.

—Liar —Jungkook and Yoongi responded at the same time.

Namjoon burst out laughing.

—He's been watching him for five minutes.

—I've been watching him for thirty seconds.

—Worse. You already counted them.

Taehyung rolled his eyes.

However, he continued watching him.

Because there was something strange.

The hamster didn't seem intimidated.

Not even by predators.

Not for the looks.

Not even because of social differences.

He was just having fun.

As if the whole world could go to hell.

"I'm going to get something to drink," Jungkook announced.

"Bring something strong," Namjoon requested.

—As if you weren't bitter enough already.

"Go before I hit you."

"I'm going to accompany him," shouted Yoongi.

Jungkook raised a hand in farewell and made his way thru the crowd with a white-haired person following closely behind.

Meanwhile, in the center of the track, Jimin had just finished an exaggerated lap that drew applause from several students.

—That's it! That's how you dance! —shouted Hoseok.

—We're saving this party!

—We're carrying it on our shoulders!

—Because we are amazing!

—Exactly!

Seokjin let out a laugh so loud that several people turned to look at him.

And then it happened.

Jimin, who was dancing backward without looking, bumped into someone.

—Ouch!

A firm hand caught him before he fell.

—You should watch where you're going.

The deep voice made Jimin lift his head.

And freeze.

Black Panther.

Tall.

Tattoos.

Piercings.

Ridiculously attractive.

—Oh.

—Oh —Jungkook repeated.

For a few seconds, they both stood looking at each other.

"Are you going to keep holding me or do you plan to charge me for this?"

Jungkook smiled.

—I haven't decided yet.

—How arrogant.

—What an ingrate.

Jimin narrowed his eyes.

Jungkook smiled wider.

A few meters away, Hoseok watched the scene.

—Jimin has already found trouble.

—As always —said Seokjin.

—And quite attractive problems.

—Also, as always.

Hoseok let out a laugh.

But it disappeared when someone lightly bumped their shoulder.

—Sorry.

A calm voice.

Deep.

Hoseok turned around.

And he found himself in front of a man with dark hair and an apparently indifferent expression.

—It's nothing.

—Fine.

Silence.

—...

—...

"I think this is the most exciting conversation of the whole night," said Hoseok.

For the first time, a small smile appeared on Yoongi's face.

—I'm doing my best.

—It's terrible.

—I know.

Surprisingly, that made Hoseok laugh.

Meanwhile, Taehyung continued watching the hamster.

And it was then that Seokjin turned his head. The hamster felt the back of its head burning.

Their gazes met.

Directly.

For the first time.

It didn't last more than two seconds.

But it was enough.

Because Seokjin immediately recognized who he was.

Kim Taehyung.

The famous Business Tiger.

The guy who appeared in all the university publications.

The heir.

The popular one.

The untouchable.

And, to Taehyung's surprise, the hamster didn't seem impressed.

Seokjin simply raised an eyebrow.

He took another sip of his drink.

And he looked away.

As if he had just looked at any other student.

As if Kim Taehyung weren't someone special.

And for some reason...

That upset the tiger a lot.

Jin didn't know at what point his friends broke the promise to stay together.

At some point between laughter, loud music, and bodies moving without coordination, Jimin had disappeared with the panther guy without even saying goodbye. Hoseok, for his part, was too busy dancing with Min Yoongi to remember that he had arrived with someone else. And the strangest thing of all was that Yoongi, contrary to everything Jin had heard about him, didn't seem uncomfortable at all... rather dangerously close.

—Traitors... —murmured Jin to himself, not really being upset.

He had lost his only two points of reference in less than an hour.

For the umpteenth time, he pushed away another carnivore who had tried to slide a hand onto his waist without permission. Jin's smile was polite, even kind, but his gaze was no longer so.

—No.

That was all it took.

And it worked.

Almost always.

Sighing, he decided to give in to the idea of "being responsible" for the nite and walked straight to the bar.

"Another one," he ordered, without hesitating too much.

The bartender looked at him for a second longer before serving him.

Jin didn't deny it: he was already a bit drunk. Enough for the world to feel lighter, noisier, more fun... and for the idea of his missing friends to not matter to him.

Because there was something more interesting in her field of vision.

A red panda.

Or at least that's what he thot he saw among the lights and shadows.

The boy was watching him.

Not discreetly.

Not casually.

I was looking directly at him.

And Jin, not quite sure why, would return his gaze every few seconds, as if they were playing a game of not being caught.

Her ears had appeared without her fully noticing, slightly raised by the alcohol and excitement. His tail, too, was moving with a treacherous slowness behind him.

"Great," he thot with a slight laugh. "If I'm lucky, I won't spend the nite alone."

He brought the glass to his lips.

But he didn't get to drink.

A hand took it away before.

—Hey—

Jin turned his head immediately, ready to insult whoever it was with all the politeness his state allowed.

However, he remained silent.

Because those blue eyes were analyzing him.

Without hurry.

Without apology.

Too attentive.

Too close.

Kim Taehyung.

The Bengal tiger.

The same one who had been watching him from the center of the ring.

Jin recognized him instantly, although he hadn't seen him up close until now.

"Do you know that this is considered stealing?" Jin murmured, tilting his head with a lazy half-smile.

Taehyung didn't respond immediately.

Instead, he looked down for just a second.

Ears.

Tail.

The slight tremor in his posture.

Then he returned to her eyes.

—You're drunk —he finally said.

—I'm... functional —corrected Jin, offended.

Taehyung tilted the stolen cup slightly, as if he were evaluating it.

—Are you always like this?

—Like what?

—Loud.

Jin let out a short laugh.

—Only when I'm having fun.

For a second, neither of them moved.

The music kept blasting around.

People kept bumping into each other, dancing, getting lost.

But between the two of them, the noise seemed to have faded.

Taehyung took a step closer, enough to invade his space without asking for permission.

Jin didn't back down.

"You should go back to your people," said Jin, vaguely pointing toward where the Business elite was.

—I'm already with them.

—It doesn't seem like it.

Taehyung looked at him again.

As if he were trying to solve something.

As if Jin were an equation that didn't fit with what he had seen all his life.

And then, for no apparent reason, he left the glass on the bar... but didn't step away.

"You don't look like a hamster," said the blonde.

Jin raised an eyebrow.

—And you seem too interested in one.

Taehyung barely smiled.

Small.

Dangerous.

—That's new to me.

And for the first time all nite, Jin felt that alcohol wasn't the only thing making him lose his balance a bit.

"What do you really want, tiger?" Seokjin asked, raising another glass from the bartender and drinking it too quickly for Taehyung to have the chance to snatch it away again.

The alcohol burned his throat, but he didn't care.

Taehyung barely smiled, as if he found the strategy amusing.

—To have fun... dance a little —he replied, shrugging his shoulders—. Is it wrong?

"—With those of my kind? —Seokjin looked at him suspiciously, tilting his head."

"Don't tell me you're one of those who have prejudices, little hamster," murmured Taehyung, with a soft but clearly provocative voice.

"Never," Jin replied immediately. In fact, what you're saying seems strange to me. Your classmates usually reject us, don't they?

Taehyung's smile didn't fade.

—Yes.

Pause.

—But I'm not like the others.

He leaned a little closer to him, just enough for Jin to feel his presence effortlessly.

—If I were, I wouldn't be suggesting a dance.

The blue eyes glanced down at Jin's lips for a second before returning to his gaze.

—What do you say? Do you accept?

Jin watched him in silence for a couple of seconds.

Then he let out a small laugh.

—It's fine.

And he took his hand.

The contact was immediate.

Warm.

Firm.

Too aware.

Taehyung guided him to the dance floor effortlessly, making his way thru the crowd as if the place belonged to him. Jin, on the other hand, quickly adapted: he spun, jumped, laughed, letting the music wash over him without thinking too much.

For minutes, they were simply two bodies moving without distance.

People began to notice.

Whispers.

Glances.

Some of surprise.

Others out of pure discomfort.

It was strange to see a tiger of his status dancing like that with a hamster, as if the rules of the world didn't exist for a few seconds.

But they didn't seem to notice.

Or they didn't care.

Jimin (who had returned disheveled and clearly well-kissed) and Hoseok, from somewhere in the room, whistled excitedly upon seeing the scene, while Jungkook squinted with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Yoongi, watched surprised but amused. While Namjoon, who was dancing with Hwasa, whistled in the same way.

"That's not normal," someone in the crowd murmured.

—Who is that hamster?

—Why is Taehyung with him?

The music changed abruptly.

"Stereo Love" flooded the space with a heavier, more enveloping rhythm.

And then it happened.

The movements became closer.

Jin spun around quickly, and when he finished, his back collided with Taehyung's chest.

The world shrank.

Only music.

Just heat.

Just breaths too close.

Taehyung didn't hesitate.

His hands moved down to Jin's waist, holding him with a confidence that made the hamster pause for a second... before continuing to move, this time slower, more aware.

Jin let his hips follow the rhythm, provocative without fully realizing what he was doing.

Taehyung swallowed hard.

And it was then that he noticed it.

Ears.

Tail.

His own body reacting without permission.

The tiger's ears appeared first, slightly tilted forward.

Then the tail.

Moving barely behind him, completely betraying him.

—...Shit —murmured Taehyung, not taking his eyes off Jin.

The hamster, on the other hand, smiled as if it had noticed everything.

"What's up, tiger?" he whispered without turning all the way around.

Taehyung tightened his grip on her waist a little more.

—You're moving way too well.

Jin let out a low laugh.

—And is that a problem?

Taehyung leaned slightly toward his ear.

—I'm starting to think so.

But the blonde didn't move aside.

Neither of them did.

Seokjin felt the world stop when Taehyung closed the distance between them.

There was no time to think.

There was no room for doubts.

The kiss came suddenly, firm, intense, as if everything they had been holding back during the nite shattered in that moment.

Jin opened his eyes for just a second before letting them fall again.

And he didn't move away.

On the contrary.

His hands instinctively searched for Taehyung's clothes, clinging to him as if the music, the lights, and the crowd had completely disappeared.

The tiger responded immediately, pulling him closer, eliminating any distance that had remained between them.

The noise from the living room became distant.

Diffuse.

Irrelevant.

When they finally separated, both were breathing faster than usual.

Taehyung watched him in silence, as if trying to decide something important.

Then he tilted his head slightly.

"Do you think we should go to a quieter place?"

The voice came out quieter than usual. Taehyung pressed his hardness against Seokjin.

The hamster didn't think it would be so... big.

Jin took a second to respond. Just one.

He nodded.

—Yes... let's go.

Taehyung didn't say anything else.

He just took his hand.

And he led him off the track, thru the crowd, into the cold nite outside.

The air hit their skin, but neither of them seemed to react.

Because the real heat didn't come from the environment.

They arrived at the car in silence.

Taehyung opened the passenger door for Jin without letting go of his hand until the last second.

And when the hamster got in, he looked at him once more before closing the door.

For an instant, he stood still.

As if he could still back out.

But he didn't.

Tomorrow would be time for regrets.

He got into the driver's seat.

The engine started.

And as the car drove away from the party, Jin realized something with dangerous clarity:

that nite had no return.

The journey ended before Jin could fully process what was happening.

He had gone from a crowded dance floor, full of music and bodies in motion, to an almost absolute silence inside Taehyung's car. A silence that was not empty, but laden with everything neither of them dared to say out loud. Jin kept his gaze fixed on the window, watching as the city lights stretched and broke into golden reflections on the glass, as if each streetlight were an idea that faded before he could grasp it.

Taehyung drove with a calmness that Jin couldn't quite trust.

It wasn't tranquility.

It was control.

And yet, every now and then, Jin would glance at him out of the corner of his eye, catching details that had slipped past him earlier at the party: the way he slightly clenched his jaw when shifting gears, the way his fingers remained firm on the steering wheel, as if he needed to anchor himself to something to avoid drifting. It was strange to see him like this, so different from the tiger everyone described as confident, dominant, untouchable.

Finally, the car stopped in front of a tall building, with modern lines and dark glass, which seemed more a statement of power than just a place to live.

Jin blinked slowly.

"Do you live here?" he asked, unable to hide the tone of surprise.

Taehyung turned off the engine before responding, as if he needed another second to decide whether to tell the whole truth or continue hiding behind simple answers.

"Yes," he said in the end. Here.

Then he added, in a lower voice, almost as if it were a detail he didn't usually share with anyone:

"I don't bring many people."

Jin let out a small laugh under his breath, not really believing what the tiger was saying. It was well known that Taehyung was a womanizer.

—What an honor then.

The corners of Taehyung's lips barely lifted, just enough for Jin to not be able to decide if it was a real smile or just a shadow of one.

They got out of the car and the cold nite air hit them immediately, as if the outside reminded them that what had happened inside the club didn't exist outside that moment. The sound of the party had long been left behind, now replaced by the distant murmur of the city, softer, more real.

Taehyung walked ahead without leaving too much distance, but neither too close, as if he were measuring each step carefully. Jin followed him without protest, observing how the tiger's presence seemed to make its way even in an environment that didn't need it: the building's security greeted him with a familiarity that said too much, the elevator arrived almost immediately, and no one asked anything.

Too accustomed.

They knew that Jin was another conquest.

Jin noticed that too.

And he decided not to say anything.

The elevator was both the worst and the best at the same time.

Worse because the space was small, closed, inevitable.

Better because there was no escape.

The doors closed with a soft sound, and the reflection of both was trapped in the polished metal: Taehyung standing, straight, too big for the space, continued to exude pheromones of excitement, Jin was undoubtedly secreting a lot, the alcohol was wearing off, but the tension was rising. The closeness was almost absurd. Each breath seemed more conscious than the last, heavier, slower.

"Are you okay?" Taehyung asked suddenly.

Jin turned his head toward him with a calmness that didn't match the situation.

—That should be my question to you.

Taehyung looked at him then, truly.

Without the social mask.

Without the distance of the popular university tiger.

"I don't usually do this," he admitted.

Jin barely raised an eyebrow.

—Dance?

"—With strangers," Taehyung corrected, without averting his gaze.

There was a second of silence in which the elevator seemed too slow, too aware of what was happening inside.

—mmm —Jin replied at last, softer than he intended.

The elevator announced the floor with a short sound and the doors opened without ceremony.

Taehyung's apartment was silent in a way different from the rest of the world. It wasn't just the absence of noise, it was control of space. Spacious, clean, with enormous windows that showed the city spread out like an ocean of distant lights. Everything seemed designed for someone who didn't need to share their life with anyone, or who simply wasn't used to doing so.

Jin stood still for a second at the entrance, absorbing the place without saying anything.

—Wow… —he murmured in the end.

"It's just a place," Taehyung replied as he hung his jacket on the back of a nearby chair.

Jin took a few more steps, feeling how the silence of the apartment closed in around him. Even the sound of his own breathing seemed louder here. His ears, still slightly visible due to his state, barely moved as they caught the change in the atmosphere, more intimate, heavier, as if his body reacted before his mind.

Taehyung closed the door behind them.

The click was soft.

But definitive.

Jin felt it.

And Taehyung too.

There was no more music.

There were no more people.

There were no possible distractions anymore.

Just the two of them in a space too large to ignore what was happening between them.

Taehyung took a step toward Jin.

Then another one.

No hurry.

Without visible urgency.

But also not with the intention of stopping.

Jin did not back down.

Their gazes met in the center of the silence, and this time there was no party, no alcohol, no crowd to justify anything they were feeling.

"And now what, tiger?" Jin asked, quieter, almost as a challenge.

Taehyung stopped at a distance that was not coincidental.

Close enough for Jin to feel his presence.

Far enough away so that he could still decide.

His blue eyes glanced down for a second at Jin's face, as if he were finishing to accept something that had begun long before that nite.

"Now," he finally said, "let's stop pretending this isn't happening."

And in the silence that followed, neither of them moved, but they both understood the same thing: they were no longer entering an apartment.

They were crossing a point of no return.

"Come here, little hamster," Seokjin could see how Taehyung's tail moved as if he were hunting prey. At that moment, Seokjin didn't care about what was morally right or wrong; he thot about what Jimin would do in his situation, and that helped him not to stop his advance toward the carnivore. They crashed their lips together with euphoria again. He wasn't going to hold back.

"Don't you fear that a tiger might fuck you, little hamster?" said the blonde as he moved down the purple-haired one's neck, who was moaning in pleasure.

—What could be the difference between one of your species and one of mine?— he mocked the other. This made Taehyung laugh.

— You're going to cry...— shit, thot Taehyung. He had forgotten to ask for the name. For God's sake, they were about to hook up and he didn't even know the other person's name.

—Seokjin, my name is Seokjin. Nice to meet you, Kim Taehyung— Jin grabbed the blonde's penis, making the other grunt in pleasure—

—How much do you want it, Jin? Do you want my cock inside you?— in a swift movement, Taehyung picked him up and carried him to his room, to his bed. Jin moaned, he couldn't take it anymore, his hole needed to be filled by the blonde.

"Damn, you're big..." Seokjin exclaimed upon seeing the blonde, naked and hard. It was red, long, thick, and oozing preseminal fluid. — You're going to open everything for me — Taehyung, upon hearing that, couldn't take it anymore and lunged at the hamster, taking it with impressive speed.

—Present yourself, hamster— Jin didn't take long to obey and turned around, raising his butt while holding his cheeks apart even more.

—Put it in, tiger— he brought his ass closer to Taehyung's cock, dripping, needy.

"Wait, I need a condom, we don't want to leave you pregnant, do we?" Upon hearing that, Jin moaned. Oh God, he imagined Taehyung's semen filling him. The knot. He was sure he would have a big litter of puppies if Taehyung filled him to the brim.

—Mmmm do you want me to leave you pregnant?— Jin felt as the blonde entered already wearing the condom. The grip on his waist was precise. Then it began, the thrusts were hard and fast. Jin was sure he would lose his voice.

—Ah… ah, damn, you fuck so good… AH!— Jin was crying out in pleasure.

—mmm how tight, you surely want me to fill you with my semen… to have my children… ah!— The tiger turned him around and placed Seokjin's legs on his shoulders, quickening the movements.

—Yes, yes, yes, get me pregnant!— Jin leaned in so Taehyung could kiss him—

—What a sexy ass, Seokjin. Imagine how it would be to fuck you with your big belly, carrying my puppies—

—Your pe... your penis is destroying me Taee...— moaned Jin.

—I knew you were going to cry, little hamster. You've never been taken like this, have you?— Seokjin denied while the tears kept flowing and his eyes rolled with excitement.

"Let me tell you, I've never fucked a ass as tight as yours, darling," Taehyung spanked Jin in the process.

—I'm... I'm coming— with that, he shot out. Seokjin felt complete.

—You look so cute when you come— Taehyung couldn't hold back anymore and came inside the condom— Damn it... well— the blonde exhaled—Jin, being the hamster that he was, snuggled against the tiger's hard chest and fell asleep immediately. However, Taehyung kept thinking, he could feel his fangs had come out. He had never experienced anything like this before. His animal side almost took control...

Between confused thoughts and the accumulated fatigue of the nite, Taehyung ended up falling asleep.

He didn't exactly remember when he had closed his eyes. The last thing he remembered was the soft smell of Seokjin's shampoo mixed with the clean sheets of his bed and the feeling of a warm presence beside him. It was strange. It had been years since Taehyung had shared a bed with someone until falling asleep. Normally, things didn't work that way. People came and went from his life with ease. 

Some people stayed for a few hours, others for a few weeks. None left a mark deep enough to occupy Taehyung's thoughts afterward.

That's why, when he woke up and unconsciously stretched his arm to the other side of the mattress, it took him several seconds to understand what was wrong.

There was no one.

His fingers only found cold sheets.

Taehyung slowly opened his eyes.

The morning light streamed thru the apartment's windows, illuminating the bedroom with golden hues. The clock on the nightstand showed just after nine. For a few moments, he remained motionless, observing the empty space beside him.

The pillow was still indented.

The blankets were messy.

There were clear signs that Jin had been there.

But he was no longer there.

The tiger finished standing up, brushing the blonde hair from his forehead as he scanned the room with his eyes.

"Jin?" he called without thinking too much.

Silence was the only response.

Frowning slightly, he left the room.

The living room was empty.

The kitchen too.

There was no one on the terrace.

No one in the bathroom.

No one anywhere.

Just an abandoned cup of coffee on the countertop and a small folded note next to it.

Taehyung picked it up between his fingers.

"I had classes early." Thanks for the nite.

— Seokjin"

Nothing else.

Not even a phone number.

Not even social media.

Not even an invitation to see him again.

Not even an attempt to prolong the contact.

Just a simple and polite farewell.

Taehyung stared at the paper for several seconds.

Then a few more.

Finally, he left it on the table.

He didn't understand why that bothered him so much.

He should feel relieved.

Things were simpler that way.

Without commitments.

Without expectations.

No awkward conversations the next day.

It was exactly the type of situation he had always preferred.

So, why did I have the feeling that something was off?

Why did he keep looking at the note?

Why did he keep thinking about the way Seokjin had laughed the nite before?

Why the hell did it matter to him?

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore those thoughts and get ready for class.

An hour later, as soon as he set foot on the university campus, he knew he was lost.

Jungkook was the first to see him.

The panther was leaning against one of the columns of the main building, drinking coffee while checking something on his phone. However, as soon as he looked up and saw Taehyung walking toward them, a dangerous smile appeared on his face.

It was never a good sign.

"Look who decided to show up," he announced.

Namjoon lifted his head from a mountain of notes.

Yoongi, sitting next to him, barely raised an eyebrow.

The three exchanged a glance.

And Taehyung immediately knew that something was wrong.

—No.

—What do you mean no? —asked Jungkook with feigned innocence.

—I'm not going to talk about that.

—We didn't even say anything.

—But they are going to do it.

Namjoon slowly closed his book.

—So it's true.

—What thing?

—That he spent the nite with the hamster.

Taehyung let out a sigh.

—Incredible.

Jungkook was practically glowing with excitement.

—So it was the hamster.

—It has a name.

The three fell silent.

Watching him.

Taehyung took exactly two seconds to understand the mistake he had just made.

Jungkook's smile widened.

—Oh, this is much worse than I thought.

—Shut up.

—No, wait —intervened Namjoon, clearly amused—. Have we reached the point where he calls him by his name?

—I'm not listening to this.

"What's his name?" Yoongi asked calmly.

Taehyung took a seat in front of them.

—Seokjin.

For a few seconds, no one said anything.

Then Namjoon smiled.

—Nice name.

—I'm going to leave.

—You can't.

—Look at me.

—We still have classes.

Taehyung rested his head against the chair.

For some reason, that conversation was turning out to be more exhausting than any final exam.

—So... —began Jungkook—. When do they see each other again?

That question made him stop.

Because the answer was simple.

He didn't know.

He didn't have Jin's number.

He had no way to contact him.

He didn't even know exactly in which building the hamster studied.

And when the silence dragged on too long, the amused expressions of his friends began to change.

"Wait," said Namjoon.

—No.

—Don't you have his number?

Taehyung remained silent.

Jungkook opened his eyes.

Yoongi slowly set his coffee cup on the table.

—You don't have his number —he repeated.

—No.

—Social media?

—No.

—Any way to contact you?

—No.

Jungkook's laughter echoed down the hallway.

So loud that several people turned to look at him.

—It's impossible! —he complained with laughter—. Kim Taehyung spent the nite with someone and forgot to ask for their number!

—I didn't forget.

—Then it's worse.

—Much worse —Namjoon agreed.

Taehyung closed his eyes.

Because, for the first time since he had known his friends, none of them were exaggerating.

And the most irritating thing of all was that he had the feeling that finding Seokjin again was going to be much more important than he was willing to admit.

Taehyung had always been used to the stares.

Since he could remember, people talked about him.

For his family.

For his appearance.

For his money.

For his grades like the prodigious Bengal tiger.

For any nonsense they found interesting that week.

That's why, at first, he didn't pay much attention when he started to notice certain whispers around him.

He was walking down one of the faculty corridors with Namjoon by his side when two students coming from the opposite direction fell silent as they saw him pass by.

Nothing strange.

Or at least that's what he thought.

Until he heard:

—I told you it was true.

—I didn't think she would really go with him.

—Me neither.

Taehyung continued walking.

It wasn't his business.

Surely.

However, throughout the rest of the morning, the situation repeated itself too many times.

In the cafeteria.

In the hallways.

Even inside one of their classes.

Glances.

Whispers.

Interrupted comments as soon as he appeared.

By lunchtime, he was already irritated.

Very irritated.

—You're growling —commented Jungkook as he dropped in front of him with a tray of food.

—I'm not growling.

—Of course you are.

—Your ear just moved.

—Jungkook.

—Yes?

—Shut up.

Namjoon let out a laugh.

Yoongi didn't even look up from his phone.

"They're talking about you."

Taehyung turned his head.

—Us?

—You and Seokjin.

The name immediately caught his attention.

Damn it.

—And what are they saying?

Yoongi raised an eyebrow.

—Are you interested now?

—Just answer.

The tiger sighed.

—Most people think it was a one-night stand.

—Because it was.

—Others believe it was a bet.

That made Taehyung stop playing with his glass.

—A what?

—A bet.

—Who said that?

Yoongi vaguely pointed toward a nearby table.

—Several people.

Taehyung's jaw tightened.

He didn't know why that bothered him so much.

He should be indifferent.

However, hearing strangers talk about Seokjin as if he had been a passing amusement began to generate an unpleasant feeling in his chest.

A feeling he didn't like.

—Idiots.

Namjoon raised his head.

—What?

—They're idiots.

—Well, they don't know what happened either.

—Nor should they speak as if they knew.

Silence fell over the table.

Jungkook was the first to smile.

—Ah.

Taehyung closed his eyes.

I already knew that expression.

—Don't start.

—It's bothering you.

—No.

—It's bothering you a lot.

—Jungkook.

—You like the hamster.

—I'm going to hit you.

—Look how he doesn't even deny it.

Namjoon's laughter echoed throughout the cafeteria.

Meanwhile, at the Faculty of Arts, Seokjin was having an even worse morning.

—No.

—Yes.

—No.

—Yes.

—No.

—Yes.

—Jimin, I'm going to push you down the stairs.

Jimin smiled without the slightest trace of regret.

—That doesn't change the fact that you disappeared with Kim Taehyung.

—And you disappeared with Jungkook.

—We're talking about you.— he laughed nervously.

—We're talking about both of us.

—It's not the same.

—Why?

—Because Jungkook invited me to breakfast.

Hoseok let out a dramatic scream.

—I knew it!

—Hobi!

—I knew it!

Seokjin rested his head on the table.

He needed new friends.

Urgently.

"So? —asked Jimin, dangerously approaching—." What happened?

—Nothing.

—Lies.

—Nothing important.

—Liar.

—Why do you ask if you're not going to believe me?

—Because it's fun.

—I hate them.

Hoseok gave him a few pats on the back.

—We love you too.

Seokjin was about to respond when he heard his name.

It didn't come from his friends.

It came from another table.

—It's him.

—The hamster?

—Yes.

—The one who was with Taehyung?

Seokjin felt something inside him tense up.

Slowly, he turned his head.

The students didn't even try to hide it.

—She doesn't seem like the kind of person someone like Kim Taehyung would like.

—Maybe it was just one nite.

—Obviously, it was just one nite.

—Well, he was lucky.

That was enough.

Jin stood up.

Jimin and Hoseok exchanged a glance.

Because they knew that expression.

And it never meant anything good.

—Seokjin...

—No.

—Jin...

—No.

—Please...

—No.

Too late.

Seokjin walked directly toward the students' table.

The smile on his face was so kind that it was terrifying.

—Hello.

The three of them froze.

—Hello...

—I heard you were talking about me.

Silence.

—Me...

—Don't worry —Jin continued with a perfect smile—. I just wanted to know one thing.

—What thing?

—Why are you acting like I've won the lottery?

The three blinked.

—Well... it's Kim Taehyung.

—So?

—It's popular.

—So?

—He's attractive.

—And?

None of them answered.

Jin crossed his arms.

"Listen." If something happened between us, it's our business.

The girls looked down.

"But if I hear again that I was 'lucky' because someone paid attention to me, I'm going to be offended."

The hamster's smile widened.

"—Because, in case you didn't notice, Kim Taehyung isn't the only attractive one at this university."

Jimin dropped his head onto the table.

Hoseok was trying not to laugh.

And the students seemed to want to disappear.

When Seokjin returned, he dropped back into his seat.

—I feel better.

—You're a problem.

—I know.

—A huge problem.

—I know that too.

However, when his friends started talking about something else, Jin stopped listening.

Because, no matter how much he tried to ignore it...

He thot again about blue eyes.

In an arrogant smile.

On a nite that was supposed to not matter.

And that was precisely what bothered him the most.

Because the more he tried to forget it...

The more she tried to forget him, the more present Kim Taehyung seemed to be in her mind.

The rumors did not disappear in the following days.

In fact, they seemed to multiply.

Taehyung was seriously beginning to regret attending that damn party.

"Do you know what's the worst?" he complained as they walked toward one of their classes.

—What thing? —asked Namjoon.

—That everyone thinks they know what happened.

—That happens when you're famous.

—I'm not famous.

Jungkook let out a laugh.

—Of course you are.

—It doesn't matter.

—Then stop growling every time you hear Seokjin's name.

—I don't growl.

—You just did.

Taehyung was about to respond when something caught his attention.

Jungkook had just received a message.

And he smiled.

Not just any smile.

A ridiculously satisfied smile.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes.

—What is that?

—Nothing.

—Let me see.

—No.

That only increased their suspicions.

—Jeon Jungkook.

—Kim Taehyung.

—Who is texting you?

Jungkook immediately put away the phone.

Too late.

Taehyung had managed to see a name.

Park Jimin.

The tiger stopped dead in its tracks.

"Why is Jimin writing to you?"

Jungkook also stopped.

Namjoon started to smile.

Yoongi decided to look the other way.

A clear sign that he knew exactly what was happening.

—Jungkook?

—Because we talk.

—Since when?

—Since the party.

—And you didn't tell me?

—You never asked.

Taehyung opened his mouth.

He closed it.

She opened it again.

—Do they talk often?

—More or less.

—More or less?

—Every day.

Namjoon let out a laugh so loud that he had to lean against the wall.

—Oh, this is getting interesting.

Taehyung completely ignored his friend.

His attention shifted to Yoongi.

—And why are you so quiet?

—Because it's none of my business.

—That means it does concern you.

Yoongi sighed.

—Hoseok wrote to me first.

Silence.

Taehyung watched both of them.

Then he looked at Namjoon.

Then he looked at them again.

—Are you telling me that you two talk to Seokjin's friends?

—Yes.

—Regularly?

—Yes.

—And am I the only one who has no way to contact him?

—Correct.

Jungkook's smile was absolutely unbearable.

Taehyung felt like strangling him.

—Give me his number.

—Whose?

—Jimin.

—No.

—Jungkook.

—No.

—Jungkook.

—No.

—Jungkook.

—No.

Namjoon was already laughing openly.

Yoongi was trying to appear indifferent, but even he seemed amused.

"Why not?" Taehyung grumbled.

—Because it's not my number to give.

—Then ask for Seokjin's.

—No.

—Why?

—Because if you want to talk to him, go find him yourself.

—What kind of advice is that?

—An excellent one.

—It's a stupid thing.

—It's romantic.

—It's not romantic.

—It is.

—No.

—Yes.

—No.

—Yes.

Taehyung closed his eyes.

He was surrounded by idiots.

Absolute idiots.

However, that nite he ended up thinking about Jungkook's words more than he wanted to admit.

If he really wanted to see Seokjin again...

He would have to look for him himself.

The next day, for the first time in his entire university life, Kim Taehyung set foot in the Faculty of Arts. He discovered that Seokjin studied there because of Yoongi, who was tired of hearing him complain.

And the chaos began immediately.

Because a popular tiger could go unnoticed in Business.

But in the Arts...

Everyone noticed.

And in less than five minutes, half the faculty was already sending messages.

"Kim Taehyung is here."

"What is he doing in Arts?"

"Did you come to look for someone?"

"Did you come looking for Kim Seokjin?"

And the worst part was that Taehyung still had no idea where the hell Seokjin was.

At the same time, completely unaware of the chaos he was causing in the building, the hamster was trying to survive a particularly boring class.

The room was full of students scattered among the seats, listening to an explanation that had been repeating the same idea with different words for at least twenty minutes. Jin, sitting next to Hoseok, had stopped paying attention a while ago.

His notebook was open.

Empty.

His pen rested between his fingers.

And his gaze was lost somewhere in the window.

—You're thinking again —Hoseok whispered.

—I'm listening.

—Liar.

—I'm listening.

—The professor just asked a question.

—So?

—Three people responded.

—So?

—You didn't find out.

—I didn't notice.

Hoseok smiled victoriously.

"I knew it."

Jin was about to respond when his phone vibrated.

Then it vibrated again.

And another.

And another one.

Frowning, he unlocked the screen.

Jimin: 15 messages.

Jimin: 16 messages.

Jimin: 17 messages.

—What the hell...?

He opened the conversation.

And almost dropped the phone.

"DO NOT LOOK NOW."

"DO NOT LOOK NOW."

"JIN."

"KIM SEOKJIN."

"DO NOT LOOK NOW."

"I SWEAR YOU WON'T LOOK."

"IF YOU LOOK, I'LL HIT YOU."

"WHY IS HE HERE?"

"WHY IS HE IN THE ARTS?"

"WHY IS HE LOOKING FOR YOU?"

Jin blinked.

Once.

Two times.

Three.

—What's going on? —asked Hoseok.

"I think Jimin has lost his mind."

—That's not new.

Before I could respond, another message arrived.

"IT'S TAEHYUNG."

Jin stood still.

"..."

"TAEHYUNG."

"..."

"KIM TAEHYUNG."

"..."

"HE'S IN THE BUILDING."

The blood seemed to stop for a second.

—Jin?

—No.

—What happened?

—No.

—What happened?

—No.

—Kim Seokjin.

Jin slowly turned the screen toward Hoseok.

His friend's face went thru several emotions in less than three seconds.

Confusion.

Surprise.

Incredulity.

And finally, absolute emotion.

—OH.

—No.

—OH.

—Don't start.

—OH!

Several people turned to look at them. The teacher gave them a warning look.

Hoseok immediately lowered his voice.

Or at least he tried.

—Is Kim Taehyung here?

—It seems so.

—Looking for you?

—I don't know.

—He's looking for you.

—I don't know.

—He's looking for you.

—Hoseok.

—He's looking for you.

Jin rested his forehead against the table.

That was ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Only a few days had passed.

A few days.

And he was already unable to hear the name of the tiger without feeling something strange in his stomach.

His phone vibrated again.

This time it was a photograph sent by Jimin.

Jin opened the image.

And he immediately regretted it.

Because it was indeed Taehyung.

Standing in the middle of the main Arts building.

With his hands in his pockets.

Surrounded by students who pretended not to watch him while clearly watching him.

Even in a simple photograph, he seemed out of place.

Too tall.

Too attractive.

Too... Taehyung.

"CURSE."

"ARE YOU SEEING IT?"

"HE'S ASKING ABOUT YOU."

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?"

Jin closed his eyes.

—I'm going to kill Jimin.

—First, you'll have to find him.

—I will find him.

—He is hiding behind a plant.

—How do you know that?

—Because he's sending me photos too.

Jin let out a frustrated groan.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the building, Taehyung was beginning to regret everything.

He had covered three floors.

Asked in four classrooms.

Ignored about twenty students.

And dodged another ten coffee invitations.

—Are you looking for someone?

The question came from a deer girl who seemed unable to hide her curiosity.

Taehyung sighed.

—Yes.

—To whom?

For a second, he considered making up an excuse.

But it was already too late for that.

The whole building seemed to know he was there.

—Kim Seokjin.

The reaction was immediate.

The girl's eyes widened.

Then she smiled.

Too much.

—Oh.

—What does that "oh" mean?

—Nothing.

—It means something.

—Maybe.

Taehyung was beginning to understand why Jin lost patience with people.

The girl pointed to a hallway.

"I think he has class over there."

And before I could thank her, she was already frantically messaging someone.

Probably to the entire campus.

The tiger continued walking.

Seokjin ended up getting up from his seat after enduring forty messages, six photographs, and two missed calls.

And now they were both heading exactly to the same place.

Without knowing that they were about to meet face to face for the first time since that nite.

The hallway was crowded.

Students entering and leaving classrooms, groups chatting while leaning against the walls, professors trying to make their way thru the usual chaos of the Faculty of Arts.

Seokjin walked thru there with the phone clenched between his fingers and a growing sense of nervousness that was starting to irritate him.

It made no sense.

Absolutely none.

It was just Taehyung.

A student.

A tiger too popular for its own good.

So, why did he feel his heart beating so hard?

—Because you're an idiot —he murmured to himself.

—Did you say something?

—Nothing.

Hoseok walked beside him with a suspicious smile. He had followed him when Seokjin left the class.

—You're nervous.

—I'm not nervous.

—Your ears are sticking out.

Jin froze.

He immediately brought a hand to his head.

Damn.

It was true.

The small golden ears had appeared without her even realizing it.

—It means nothing.

—Of course it does.

—No.

—Yes.

—Hoseok.

—Yes, you're nervous.

Jin was getting ready to respond when he turned a corner.

And he collided directly with someone.

The impact wasn't strong.

But enough to make him lose his balance.

—Ah!

An arm caught him before he could fall.

Firm.

Fast.

Instinctive.

For a second, Jin didn't even look up.

Until he recognized the smell.

And his whole body tensed.

No.

It couldn't be.

Slowly, he raised his head.

Blue eyes.

Blonde hair.

Surprised expression.

Kim Taehyung.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The noise in the hallway seemed to disappear.

And then something worse happened.

Jin's tail appeared.

Directly behind him.

Completely betraying him.

—No.

Hoseok brought both hands to his mouth.

—Oh, this is wonderful.

—Shut up.

The hamster's tail twitched nervously.

His ears remained completely visible.

And the more aware he was of them, the worse the situation became.

Taehyung observed the scene.

The ears.

The tail.

The evident nervousness.

And something dangerously resembling a smile appeared on his face.

—Hello.

—Hello.

Silence.

—...

—...

—This is awkward.

—A lot.

—Good.

—Good.

Hoseok took two steps back.

—I think I'm going to disappear.

—Don't you dare.

—Goodbye.

—Hoseok!

Too late.

The squirrel had already blended into the crowd.

Traitor.

Absolute traitor.

Jin turned his attention to Taehyung.

And it was then that he noticed something.

The tiger's ears.

Small.

White with black.

Barely visible among the blonde hair.

But they were there.

Seokjin blinked.

Then he blinked again.

And a slow smile began to spread across his face.

—What?

—Nothing.

—Kim Seokjin.

—Nothing.

—Why are you looking at me like that?

Jin's smile widened.

—Your ears.

Immediately, Taehyung brought a hand to his head.

Too late.

The embarrassed expression that appeared for a fraction of a second was enough.

"It doesn't mean anything."

Now it was Jin's turn to laugh.

—Of course.

—No.

—Yes.

—No.

—Yes.

—Seokjin.

—Yes, tiger?

Taehyung watched him for several seconds.

And for the first time since he had arrived at the Faculty of Arts, the tension disappeared from his shoulders.

Because there he was.

Real.

Laughing at him.

As if the days of rumors, questions, and constant thoughts had never existed.

As if they had simply picked up a conversation that had been interrupted.

"I was looking for you," the blonde finally admitted.

Jin's smile faltered.

Just a little.

But Taehyung noticed it.

And he also noticed how the little hamster's ears tilted slightly forward.

Attentive.

Interested.

Happy.

"I know," replied Jin in a lower voice.

—Do you know?

—The entire faculty and university know.

For the first time, Taehyung seemed genuinely embarrassed.

And that made Jin have to stifle another laugh.

Because maybe...

Just maybe...

The tiger had been thinking about it as much as he had.

"Do you want to talk in a more private place?"

Before Taehyung could respond, Seokjin had already grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and was starting to push thru the crowd of students.

The tiger let himself be dragged along.

And that alone was strange.

Normally, it was he who guided others.

Not the other way around.

The stares followed them the entire way.

Whispers.

Phones being discreetly lifted.

Messages being sent at alarming speeds.

Jin was sure that, by that point, half the university already knew that Kim Taehyung had shown up at the Faculty of Arts asking for him.

And the other half was probably inventing theories.

When they finally arrived at a small café located a few blocks from the campus, both of them were able to breathe a little more easily.

The place was almost empty at that hour.

Only a few scattered students studying or working on their laptops.

After ordering something to drink, they took a table by the window.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Taehyung was absentmindedly watching the street.

Jin was watching Taehyung.

And the more he did, the less he understood what was happening.

Finally, it was he who broke the silence.

—Why were you looking for me, Taehyung?

The tiger looked up.

"Who says I was looking for you?"

Jin had to stifle a laugh.

—Really?

—What?

—Literally half the faculty heard you ask about me.

Taehyung's expression barely changed.

Just a second.

But it was enough.

—And Jimin sent me about forty messages informing me of the event.

—Forty...

—Forty-three to be exact.

The blush that appeared on the tiger's ears was minimal.

But it appeared.

And Jin had to look away to avoid starting to laugh.

"Whatever," Taehyung huffed. It wasn't that big of a deal.

—Then tell me.

—What thing?

—Why were you looking for me?

This time the silence lasted a little longer.

Taehyung absentmindedly fiddled with the glass that had just been placed in front of him.

Something unusual for someone as straightforward as him.

He finally sighed.

—Because I wanted to see you again.

Jin blinked.

The answer had been so simple that for a moment he didn't know what to say.

—Is that all?

"—Is that all? —Taehyung repeated, raising an eyebrow—." I crossed the entire university to find you.

—I know.

—I got lost three times.

Jin's smile appeared on its own.

—Did you get lost?

—Arts is designed by a psychopath.

—That's true.

—Thank you.

They both ended up laughing.

And for an instant, the tension disappeared.

Only for an instant.

Because the question was still there.

Floating between them.

—Even so... —murmured Jin while resting his chin on his hand—. It's not common for a carnivore to seek someone of my kind. Much less someone like you.

Taehyung frowned.

—Someone like me?

—Popular. Rich. Future heir to one of the most important companies in the country. Tiger. You know... all that.

—Ah.

—Aren't you worried that they talk about you?

The answer came so quickly that it almost surprised Jin.

—No.

—No?

—I don't care.

Jin watched him closely.

Taehyung held his gaze without wavering.

"My family raised me for many things, Seokjin." But not to believe in that nonsense about superior and inferior species.

The smile that had been playing on Jin's lips gradually disappeared.

Because that didn't sound like a pretty phrase to impress him.

It sounded sincere.

Completely sincere.

—Oh...

—What?

—Nothing.

—Say it.

—It's just that... I was expecting a different answer.

—Well, you were mistaken.

Jin looked down at his cup.

And for the first time since she had known him, she found herself thinking that maybe she had misjudged Kim Taehyung.

Maybe very wrong.

The tiger sighed and leaned slightly forward.

"Look, I'm going to be honest because I don't like beating around the bush."

That immediately caught Jin's attention.

—Alright...

—I'm attracted to you.

Silence.

—...

—...

—Is that all?

"Is that all?" Taehyung repeated incredulously.

—I thot you were going to say something worse.

—Worse?

—I don't know. A dramatic statement or something like that.

—Seokjin.

—Yes?

—I'm trying to be serious.

—I'm sorry.

Seokjin didn't feel it.

Not at all.

The amused smile on his face was too obvious.

Taehyung ended up shaking his head.

—My friends convinced me to look for you.

—Your friends?

—Yes.

—The same ones who refuse to let you live in peace?

—Exactly those.

—How considerate.

—I tried to get your number.

Jin raised an eyebrow.

—And how did you plan to do it?

—By asking.

—To whom?

—To Jungkook and Yoongi.

Jin's expression changed immediately.

—Wait.

—What?

—Do Jungkook and Yoongi have contact with my friends?

Taehyung looked at him as if he had just discovered something obvious.

—Didn't you know?

—Know what?

—Little hamster...

The tiger's smile became dangerously amusing.

—Haven't you really noticed?

—What do you mean?

—Jungkook has been flirting with Jimin for days.

Jin opened his eyes.

—What?

—And Yoongi practically lives talking to Hoseok.

—WHAT? THOT IT WASN'T SERIOUS...

Several people turned their heads toward them.

But neither of them paid any attention to them.

Because, for the first time since they had arrived, Taehyung was laughing openly.

And Seokjin had just realized that his two best friends were traitors.

The revelation about Jungkook, Jimin, Yoongi, and Hoseok ended up taking up a good part of the conversation.

Mainly because Seokjin still didn't believe it.

—No.

—Yes.

—No.

—Yes.

—Jungkook didn't tell me anything either.

For several minutes, they were exchanging absurd theories about their friends, laughing more than either of them would have expected upon entering that café.

And it was precisely in one of those moments that Seokjin realized something.

He was comfortable.

Dangerously comfortable.

Because the image he had of Kim Taehyung before that party and the man sitting in front of him seemed like two completely different people.

The Taehyung I knew from rumors was arrogant, unattainable, the typical heir surrounded by admirers.

The one in front of me now was seriously arguing about which of his friends was the most meddlesome.

And that was a problem.

Because the more they talked, the harder it became to maintain distance.

The conversation gradually faded away.

Not in an awkward way.

They both simply seemed lost in their own thoughts.

The afternoon was beginning to fall behind the café's windows.

The streets were filling up with students heading home.

And for the first time since they sat down, the weight of reality reappeared between them.

It was Seokjin who broke the silence.

"Have you thot about how strange this is?"

Taehyung rested an arm on the table.

—What thing?

—Us.

The tiger did not respond immediately.

—Yes.

—People are already talking.

—I know.

—And they will probably keep doing it.

—I know that too.

Jin fiddled with his cup.

"I don't want to become one of those college rumors."

Taehyung watched him closely.

—Me neither.

—So...

The hamster hesitated.

Because he wasn't sure how to phrase that.

Because a part of him wanted to walk away before complicating his life.

But another part, much stronger, remembered the days he had spent thinking about the tiger.

He remembered the disappointment he felt upon waking up and finding no way to see it again.

And that was already an answer in itself.

—Then maybe we should leave it here.

The words came out.

But they didn't sound convincing.

Not even for himself.

Taehyung let out a small laugh.

—You're a terrible liar.

—What?

—You don't want to leave it here.

Jin looked up.

—And how do you know?

—Because I don't want to do it either.

The silence that followed was different.

More sincere.

More vulnerable.

For the first time, none of them were hiding behind jokes.

"I don't know what's going to happen," admitted Seokjin.

—Me neither.

—Things could get ugly.

—Probably.

—My kind doesn't usually do this.

—Neither does mine.

Jin smiled slightly.

—That's a lie.

—You know what I mean.

—Yes.

Taehyung's blue eyes remained fixed on him.

Steady.

Calm.

As if he had made a decision.

—I'm not saying we're a couple.

Jin's ears twitched slightly.

—Fine.

—Because I barely know you.

—Thank you for your honesty.

—But I want to get to know you.

That made Seokjin stop breathing for a second.

It wasn't a grand confession.

It wasn't a declaration of love.

It was something much more dangerous.

Because it was real.

Simple.

Honest.

"—Get to know me?" he repeated.

—Go out with you.

—Dates?

—Does that scare you?

—A little.

—Me too.

Jin ended up laughing.

And to his surprise, so did Taehyung.

—Then let's do it slowly —murmured the hamster.

—Slowly.

—No promises.

—No promises.

—And if we find out that we don't work...

—At least we tried.

The words hung between them.

And for the first time since they met, neither felt the need to hide their smile.

Because they weren't promising a future.

They weren't defying the laws.

They weren't talking about love.

They were just making a much simpler decision.

To see each other again.

And for both of them, at that moment, that was already enough.

The days passed with a naturalness that, at first, neither of them could quite believe.

Taehyung and Seokjin began to see each other more frequently than they had planned. Messages that started off brief ended up turning into long conversations that stretched into the early morning. Simple outings —grabbing a bite after class, wandering aimlessly thru the city, sitting in cafes away from the campus noise— became part of a routine that neither had announced out loud, but that both sought silently.

And as time went by, the entire university began to notice.

The rumors, far from diminishing, turned into something constant.

The looks multiplied.

The comments too.

Not just about the two of them, but about all the unlikely combinations that seemed to have formed almost at the same time: Jungkook with Jimin, Yoongi with Hoseok, Namjoon with Hwasa.

It seemed that the rigid separation between species was crumbling right before their eyes.

The carnivores reacted more aggressively, especially some groups that did not accept seeing "important" figures associated with herbivorous species or weak carnivores. The looks toward Jin became more insistent, sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes directly hostile. However, each attempt at pressure met the same response: the carnivores nearby protected them without hesitation, as if this new dynamic had already been accepted by a larger circle than it seemed.

On the other hand, among Jin's kind, the reaction was different. There was surprise, yes, but also something akin to admiration. As if seeing them together represented a crack in a norm that no one had dared to openly challenge before.

During the first month, Taehyung and Jin insisted that they were taking it easy.

And, in a way, it was true.

Until it stopped being so.

Because there was a breaking point that neither of them planned.

A particularly complicated nite, marked by the uncontrollable heat/mating of Jin and the way Taehyung reacted without thinking twice to help him, the dynamic between them changed irreversibly.

After that, keeping a distance was no longer a real option.

His friends were the first to notice, although none needed too many explanations to understand it.

—Taehyung's libido matches that of that little hamster —Jungkook commented with complete nonchalance on one occasion, causing Namjoon to choke on his drink.

"That's not necessary information," Yoongi replied, although the slightest smile on his face betrayed him.

Jin, for his part, could only cover his face with his hands when Jimin decided to add:

—They don't even try to hide it anymore.

And it was true.

Because, although no one said it out loud, there was no longer a clear line between "getting to know each other" and "being too close."

They were simply there.

One in the other's space.

"Oh God, don't even mention it." I was traumatized the last time on the trip to the beach— Hoseok complained while snuggling against Yoongi's chest.

"—Tell us, Hobi— Jungkook shouted excitedly."

"Hoseok, shut up," Seokjin threatened him while his ears moved nervously.

—I'll just say Taehyung's car— the others began to laugh hurriedly, mocking the couple.

"I don't know what you're laughing about, Kook, just a few nites ago I found you in a compromising situation, didn't I?" Taehyung laughed, watching as the panther and the little fox fell silent immediately.

"Oh my God, you are such perverts," said Namjoon, sighing.

—My God, they are depraved— said Namjoon, sighing.

—Ah… mmm, slow down…— murmured Jin as he tried to hold onto the toilet seat while Taehyung thrust against his backside.

—You're taking it well, baby, you're dripping. Didn't I fuck you this morning? And you're already so desperate for my cock?— The blonde pulled out his cock, mocking Jin.

"—Don't bother me, Taetae, just put it in, please…— The hamster moved his butt."

—That's why our friends make fun of us, you're so greedy. You should be a bitch, my semen-swallowing bitch— The blonde charged with force and speed. Jin screamed, and immediately the tiger covered his mouth with his hand so they wouldn't be discovered. How had they ended up in that situation? They had gone to dinner at a luxurious restaurant, and in the middle of the meal, Taehyung had spilled a bit of wine on his shirt, accentuating his well-formed chest. Jin, unable to hide his excitement, released pheromones, and the blonde could smell his partner's arousal. Moreover, his ears and little tail had come out. So, Taehyung took him to the bathroom and they ended up fucking.

—Ummmm, fffmmmmm…— Jin moaned against the tiger's hand, gripping Taehyung's penis tightly. That was a sign that he was about to cum.

"—Take it all, that's it... good boy— Taehyung murmured while licking the hamster's lobe and unloading all his semen inside his boyfriend."

—So good, Taetae…

Seokjin murmured the phrase with a soft laugh, still slightly breathless from the closeness between them. He didn't need to say much more. Taehyung understood it just the same. Between them, it was no longer necessary to explain everything with complete words, as if the time they had spent together had created their own language.

The tiger only looked at him for a second before bringing him closer again, resting his forehead against his with an unusual calmness.

—You are impossible —murmured Taehyung.

—And yet you're still here.

That was the only answer needed.

The following days felt strangely normal.

Too normal, even.

Until they stopped being so.

Seokjin was the first to notice.

At first, he thot it was stress. Then fatigue. Then something I didn't want to name too quickly because it implied too much meaning.

But when the confirmation came, there was no room for doubt.

The silence in the room was absolute.

Jin sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the result over and over as if it could change if he stared at it long enough.

—No… —he whispered, shaking his head—. No, no, no…

His hands started to tremble.

It wasn't just fear.

It was impact.

It was too many emotions at the same time trying to occupy the same space.

The bedroom door swung open suddenly.

—Jin! Jimin said you were…—

Hoseok stopped dead in his tracks.

He understood it instantly.

He didn't ask any questions.

He just approached and sat down beside him.

"—Breathe —he said softly—." You are not alone in this.

And for the first time in a long time, Jin didn't argue.

The tears came later.

Not just because of the fear, but because of the way her world had just changed without asking for permission.

Taehyung took less time to find out.

And it took him even less time to understand it.

When Jin called him, his voice already said it all before he uttered a single clear word.

—Taehyung…

The tiger stood up immediately.

—Where are you?

—In my building.

—I'm on my way.

—It's not necessary...

—I'm going.

There was no discussion.

When he arrived, Jin was sitting on the stairs of the Arts building, with his gaze down and his hands clasped on his lap.

Taehyung stopped in front of him.

For the first time since they had known each other, there were no jokes.

There were no provocations.

Just silence.

"Tell me," Taehyung asked, quieter than usual.

Jin took a deep breath.

And he looked up.

—I'm pregnant.

The world didn't stop.

But it changed.

Taehyung didn't speak immediately.

He blinked once.

Then another.

As if his mind were trying to reorganize reality into something comprehensible.

And then, without saying a word, he knelt down in front of him.

—Are you okay?

The question was simple.

But it said it all.

Jin let out a broken laugh.

"I don't know."

The tiger took his hands.

Steady.

Without hesitation.

"I'm with you," said Taehyung. I love you and this is the result of our love, Jinnie...

And that time it wasn't a pretty promise.

It was a decision.

The reaction at the university was immediate.

And chaotic.

The carnivores reacted first, with surprise, disbelief, and, in some cases, hostility. Some didn't understand how a tiger from the Kim family could be involved in something like this. Others simply did not accept the news at all.

The herbivores, on the other hand, reacted with a mixture of astonishment and something akin to hope. As if that confirmed that the rules that had limited them for so long were not as absolute as they had been told.

—A tiger and a hamster...?

—Are you serious?

—Are they going to have a child?

—This is impossible…

But it wasn't anymore.

Because Taehyung didn't let go of Jin's hand for a single day.

And Jin, although he was still afraid, stopped facing that fear alone.

For the first time since the beginning of it all, the stigmas stopped mattering as much as what was already growing between them.

And the only thing that was clear was one thing:

they had crossed a point of no return.

The growth of Jin's little belly was faster than either of them had anticipated.

At first, they thot it was just a normal variation within a mix of species. Something curious, perhaps a bit unexpected, but manageable. However, subsequent medical examinations completely changed that idea.

The doctor's silence lasted too long.

Too long even for Jin.

—There's something you need to know —he finally said, adjusting his glasses with professional calm—. It's not just one baby.

Taehyung blinked.

"How is it not one?"

The doctor reviewed the results once more before responding.

—There are four.

The air in the room became heavy.

"Four..." —Jin repeated in a low voice.

—Yes. And from what we can see, all males.

The silence that followed was absolute.

Taehyung stood completely still, processing the information as if his brain had disconnected for a second.

"—That... that's not normal —he murmured, more to himself than to the others."

The doctor shook his head calmly.

—In the species of hamsters, it is completely possible. Between two and five offspring per pregnancy is the most common.

That phrase didn't help at all.

Taehyung took exactly two seconds to panic.

"Four?" he repeated again. Four babies?

—Taehyung… —Jin tried to intervene, but the tiger was already pacing back and forth in the office.

—No, no, no, this… this wasn't in any plan.

—There was never a plan —whispered Jin.

But Taehyung wasn't really listening to him.

Until he felt the doctor's hand on his shoulder.

—Breathe. It's completely normal. And the babies and your partner are fine. That's what matters.

The silence that followed was different.

More real.

Heavier.

But it was no longer pure fear.

It was responsibility.

Since that day, overprotection became something inevitable.

Taehyung practically never let Jin do anything alone. He accompanied him everyplace, watched every step, argued with anyone who tried to get too close too quickly, and, although he tried to hide it, he always ended up watching him as if the whole world could fall apart if he wasn't paying attention.

Jin, for his part, complained... but not as much as he said.

—I'm fine —he would repeat sometimes.

—You're not "fine" —Taehyung would respond immediately.

And that's how it always was.

The friends didn't help much either.

Jungkook would panic over the slightest thing.

Jimin was in a constant state of excitement over his own twin pregnancy.

Hoseok alternated between tenderness and absolute terror.

Yoongi was the only one who remained calm... most of the time.

Namjoon, on the other hand, had taken on the role of "official documentarian," recording absolutely everything as if he were documenting a historical event.

Over time, the families also came closer.

Taehyung's family was the first to accept Jin with unexpected warmth. What had started as surprise and a certain initial stiffness ended up transforming into genuine affection. It was enough to truly get to know him for them to understand why their son couldn't stop looking at him the way he did.

Jin's family was more cautious at first.

Too many rules.

Too many expectations.

Too many doubts about a tiger.

But when they met Taehyung... those doubts started to fade away one by one.

Not because he tried to impress anyone.

But because it was impossible to ignore the obvious: he didn't look at Jin as if he were a problem.

He looked at him as if he were his home.

And that was enough.

Over time, they both decided to move in together.

Not as a grand announcement.

But as something natural.

As if the world, little by little, had stopped making sense without sharing the same space.

There were only a few months left until his graduation when it was already normal to see Kim Seokjin walking around campus with a big belly, surrounded by his friends and always accompanied by Kim Taehyung, the Bengal tiger who never seemed too far from him.

The stares still existed.

The whispers too.

But they no longer carried the same weight.

Because now there was something stronger than the stigmas.

Something that even the oldest rules could not ignore so easily.

The day of the delivery was chaos from the very first second.

Not because something went wrong.

But because everyone was there.

Jin had spent the last few weeks transforming more frequently into his hamster form, curled up in his small shape on the bed, sleeping like a round little ball while Taehyung watched over him in silence, making sure everything was okay even when he said nothing.

When the moment arrived, the house was filled with voices, quick footsteps, and poorly concealed nerves.

Taehyung didn't let go of Jin's hand for a moment.

Jungkook was on the verge of fainting, repeating "I'm going to be a father too" "Jiminnie is going to cry from the pain... I love him so much" as if that explained his level of panic.

Jimin was crying while laughing, completely beside himself with panic at seeing Jin give birth to the babies. Jimin was next in line soon.

Hoseok tried not to look too much, but he couldn't take his eyes off either.

Yoongi kept Hoseok calm with a surprisingly firm hand on his back.

Namjoon, true to his style, recorded absolutely everything with an almost academic concentration.

And then silence came.

The first.

Then the crying.

Then another one.

And another one.

Taehyung didn't let go of Jin's hand even when his own voice broke.

Because he didn't know how to explain it.

I didn't know how to contain it.

I didn't know how to express what I felt when I saw that.

I only knew that I was crying.

Without trying to stop.

Four little lives had come into the world.

Three little Bengal tigers.

And a little hamster.

When he was finally able to hold them, Taehyung looked at them as if the entire universe had changed shape within his hands.

Jin, exhausted, watched him from the bed with a weak smile.

"Are you still breathing?" he whispered.

Taehyung let out a broken laugh thru tears.

—I'm not sure.

And for the first time in a long time, the world didn't seem divided by species, rules, or stigmas.

Only in a family that, in some impossible way, had found its own place amidst all of that.

Two years later

The whole family was gathered.

The garden of the house was now an organized chaos of laughter, scattered toys, and little feet running in all directions. It was the little ones' birthday: Ji-hoon, Sieun, Haeun, and little Seoha.

Four tiny laughs that effortlessly filled the air.

They ran in their animal form, still clumsy, still small Bengal tigers, chasing each other (Seoha on top of one of her brothers) and pouncing on Jungkook and Jimin's children, who responded with the same wild energy they had inherited from their parents.

The little panthers were not far behind.

The result was a whirlwind of little tails, paws, and adorable chaos that made it impossible to keep up with them.

From the terrace, the grandparents watched the scene with different expressions.

Jungkook and Jimin were trying, unsuccessfully, to maintain some order among the children, although every two minutes they ended up laughing more than correcting.

Yoongi held his four-month-old twin daughters with absolute calm, as if the chaos of the world did not apply to his immediate perimeter.

Hoseok and Namjoon, on the other hand, were completely absorbed in a heated discussion about the evolution of contemporary rap, as if nothing more important were happening just a few meters away from them.

"I tell you that the old school had more soul," Hoseok insisted.

—And I tell you that you are romanticizing the past —Namjoon replied with complete seriousness.

—That's exactly what someone who doesn't understand art would say!

—That doesn't make sense.

—Yes, it does!

At some point in the argument, they both completely forgot that they were surrounded by running children and families celebrating.

And in the midst of it all, there they were.

Taehyung and Seokjin.

Sitting together, slightly away from the noise, observing everything with a tranquility neither of them would have imagined years ago.

Jin rested his head on the tiger's shoulder.

"Do you remember when all of this was... impossible?" he murmured.

Taehyung let out a small laugh, wrapping an arm around him.

—It was impossible for the others.

—Not for us.

—Never for us.

The wind gently stirred the leaves in the garden.

The children's laughter continued to fill the space without pause.

And for an instant, everything seemed simple.

Normal.

Correct.

As if the laws, the stigmas, and the ancient divisions had been nothing but background noise in a story that had already chosen its own path.

Jin looked up at the sky.

—Society must be turning in its grave seeing us like this.

Taehyung smiled without taking his eyes off the children.

—Let them roll around.

Jin laughed.

—You are still you.

—And you are still with me.

The hamster closed its eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth beside it.

—Yes…

From the grass, one of the little ones shouted for their parents, interrupting the calm with an urgency that was impossible to ignore.

—Appa!

Taehyung and Jin responded at the same time, almost without thinking.

—Let's go!

And they stood up together.

Because in the end, no matter the rules, the species, or the entire world watching... that was the only truth that had survived everything: love did not see species or power.