the comforts of creatures (7)
creature comforts:
↳ material/bodily comforts, such as food, warmth, or special accommodations, that contribute to physical ease and well-being
→🚪 pairing: ot7 x fem.reader
→🌿 genre: fantasy!au, soulmate!au, hurt + comfort + recovery, angst with a happy ending, fluff, eventual smut
→🍞 word count: 4.9k
→🍨 summary: as you settle in, jin and namjoon take you for a visit into the city clinic. you just hope you're not too far gone.
→🌾 trigger/content warnings: PTSD (low self-worth, anxiety), medical exam/hospitals, sleep deprivation, pets as coping mechanisms (yeontan will live on in this story 😢), everyone trying their best
→📔 a/n: thank you so much for your patience!! hope you enjoy :)
past part ← series masterlist → next part
part 7: if only you knew
This house is bigger than you thought.
You start in the living room, with the large semicircle of couches and the wraparound windows showing the lush greenery outside. There’s an abundance of houseplants and tall, full bookshelves, with comfy looking chairs to match.
Then they lead you through the hall to the various rooms on the ground floor. There’s the infirmary room where Jin took you when you first arrived, and an open yet warm bathroom with a magnificent tub.
At the back of the house, there’s a room completely full of bookshelves and papers, with a desk and a few plush armchairs.
Then there’s a very large room filled with all sorts of strange objects: jars and beakers of all sizes, racks of dried herbs, cauldrons and vials of shimmering liquid, odd plants that you don’t recognize, leather-bound books scrawled with swirling runes. And connected to that room, a sizable greenhouse with crawling vines clinging to the walls.
It’s all so overwhelming, you can’t process all of it.
They lead you up the wide, curling staircase in the main room, and down the long hallway to a number of bedrooms. They all look completely different. One is warm, cozy, and cluttered, while another is sleek and modern and clean.
There’s a room painted all green and gold, plants crowding the space like a small jungle. And a bedroom at the end of the hall that’s almost as large as the living room. There’s a number of bathrooms, all as different as the bedrooms, and a sizable home gym.
They all hesitate at one room, though. It’s near the end of the hall, the door closed. They look at each other, expressions unreadable, and skip over it.
Jin has told you that you’re welcome in all the rooms, but you take it that you’re not allowed in that one.
You already know that you’re going to get lost here, barely remembering what each room looks like let alone where it is. But you doubt that you’ll be here long enough for it to matter.
They tell you that they have a number of pets, and they ask if you want to meet any of them.
Hesitant, all you do is nod, not sure what else to respond with.
It earns a smile from all of them, even Taehyung.
Back in the living room, Jimin leaves briefly and returns with a ginger cat in his arms. Tail swishing, the cat perches in the crook of his elbow as its amber eyes scan the room. Its nose twitches, face upturned to sniff the air.
Then its eyes land on you, and the cat jumps out of Jimin’s arms and scurries across the room.
The men blurt out a handful of warnings, either to the cat or you, it’s hard to tell. But the next second the cat is jumping up your leg and clinging to your chest.
There’s the pinprick of its claws, but you hardly notice it. Because some instinct makes your arms curl protectively around the animal. The rumbling of its purring reverberates through your chest. The cat nuzzles into your neck, paws clinging to the sleeves of your sweater.
A strange feeling floods your brain. Warm and tingly, it makes something burn behind your eyes.
You nuzzle into the cat's soft fur with only the slightest hesitation. Something nags at the edge of your mind, something that you can't grasp no matter how hard you try.
Jimin appears at your side, a near-blinding smile across his stunning face.
"His name is Fish Sticks," he says with a slight chuckle, scratching behind the cat's ears.
You’re fairly certain you would die for Fish Sticks.
The cat doesn’t let go. The rumble of his purring is the most soothing sound you’ve heard in a while.
The men exchange a few words, but you miss them, too focused on the cat and the pleasant feeling that its presence produces. It's almost like this little creature is a beacon of warmth, radiating throughout your entire being.
All of a sudden, you get the sense that one of the men is addressing you, judging from the silence in the air.
A quiet, hesitant noise comes out of your throat, a sound that's questioning and apologetic.
But the man called Namjoon just smiles in response.
"I said that our next step is probably a comprehensive exam at the clinic. Is that alright with you?"
His voice is nothing but calm, eyes watching you with a seemingly infinite amount of patience.
"Joon, she might want to take it easy for a few days," the thin dark-haired man says, you think his name is Hoseok.
"Yeah, there are still a lot of things to get used to," Jimin supplies helpfully, sending you a concerned glance.
You turn to Jin, unsure of what to do next.
"It's entirely up to you, love. Whatever you're the most comfortable with," he says, and his eyes look like pools of honey.
The cat seems to have calmed you significantly, because you look around the room and meet most of their eyes, trying to assess their expressions. They're all a mixture of tension, concern, friendliness, and some unknown emotion that you can't pin down.
"Exam?" you say to no one in particular, an uncertain question hanging in the air.
"Yes, it would just be a standard checkup at my main office. And then a few basic tests, just to see where you're at. I would facilitate everything, and you won't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with," Jin says.
"So, it would..." you start, trailing off.
"It would see if we can possibly restore some of your memories," Namjoon finishes.
You don't know how to feel about that. Memory has become a very strange thing. You don't have many, and you're not sure how many you want to regain.
Another look around the room. Jimin has that same warm, calm expression on his face. You don't know why, but you trust him. The muscular one, Jungkook, is watching you with those wide brown eyes, his face a complete contrast from the rest of his body. Hoseok and Yoongi have stern expressions, but when your gaze meets theirs, it softens. And Jin and Namjoon are waiting patiently for your answer.
These men have show you more kindness that you've ever known. The least you can do is speed up the healing process so you can get out of their hair.
You look at Jin and nod. He smiles and nods back.
You sit in the living room as they all make preparations to go into town. The cat shifts out of your arms but lingers at your side, nuzzling against you every so often.
Jin and Namjoon came to breakfast dressed in suits, looking ready to leave for work. Now they shuffle in and out of the room, packing papers and books into leather cases. The rest of the men disappear into the kitchen or down the hallway.
A few moments later, Yoongi approaches you with a pile of clothing in his arms.
"It's cold outside, you should bundle up," he says, sounding a little shy in spite of himself. He helps you shrug on a wool cardigan and then a rainproof jacket on top, given the dark clouds outside.
He sets down some thick socks and a pair of fur-lined boots by your feet, and he drops to his knees just as you're reaching for them.
Taken aback, you freeze as he gently takes your right foot and slips the sock on, then the left, then the boots.
You're almost too stunned to move, completely shocked by the act of humble kindness. In the facility, some of the guards used to force you to lick the underside of their boots, and now this man, who is almost too beautiful to look at directly, is touching your feet.
He even ties the laces for you, looking up at you with a quiet smile after he's done.
A few moments later, Jungkook approaches and hands you a colorful handheld bag.
"It's a bit of a long drive, so we packed you some snacks in case you get hungry," he says.
Again, you're stunned into silence, the lunch pack hanging limp in your hand.
You mutter out a "thank you." It comes out squeaky.
Jin slings his leather bag over his shoulder and runs a hand through his hair.
"Alright, we're all set. Ready to go?" he asks, holding out a hand.
You swallow down the fear that comes with a new environment, nodding as you take his hand. He rewards you with a radiant grin, leading you to the door.
Just before you reach the front entrance, a voice breaks through the silence.
"You'll come back, right?"
Turning around, you don't realize that it was Taehyung who said it until you meet his strangely desperate expression from across the room. And you realize that he's speaking to you directly.
Something seizes in your chest when you see the urgency in his face, the hidden sadness in his eyes. It makes you want to reassure him.
"Yes," you reply, and this time your voice comes out strong.
It seems to soothe him, for some reason, because his shoulders visibly relax and something unspoken passes between the two of you.
"We won't be gone too long," Namjoon says to the rest of them, opening the front door and letting in a gust of chill air.
The front door is massive, yet it swings open easily. A stonework pathway extends beyond it, winding under a wooden trellis draped with vines.
Entering into the yard, you realize that this is the first time you've been outside since...longer than you can remember. The two men lead you down the walkway to a driveway lined with a handful of vehicles ranging in size.
Jin opens the backdoor to a sleek black car, gesturing you inside. You slip into the backseat as Jin slips into the driver's seat and Namjoon in the passenger's side.
Jin starts the car and pulls out of the driveway, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on Namjoon's knee. The few pale rays of sunlight peeking through the thick cloud cover catches on his watch.
The car weaves through a twisting road downhill, lined with lush trees that create a dark green canopy overhead.
"I'm sure you have questions," Jin says, expertly navigating the vehicle down the steep road in the rainy weather. "Feel free to ask away."
You do have questions, a million of them, but you're not sure where to start. Your curiosity snags on their professional clothes.
“What do you do?” you ask hesitantly, hoping it isn’t too invasive of a question. Little did you know, they would let you live inside their brains like a parasite if you asked.
“I’m a trauma specialist,” Jin answers humbly, as if being a doctor is commonplace. “And Namjoon teaches at Duchanne University. He's working on his second book now, too."
He throws a proud glance in Namjoon's direction, and the other man rolls his eyes with a shy smile that you never could've pictured on his face.
The car is approaching the mountainside, with all its moss-covered rocks and lush trees hanging overhead, and the three of you plunge into a tunnel carved into the dark rock.
There's a few moments of darkness, and then a strange tingling sensation through your entire body. You wouldn't be surprised to find that this cave was laced with magic.
Then, you're emerging from the tunnel with a burst of pale light. Fog rolls over the hills in thick blankets, and you can see the road winding down the mountain.
In one way, it reassures you that this is a safe place, protected by the magic in the caves and the privacy of the forest. In another way, it would make it a lot harder if you ever needed to flee on foot.
"Where are we going?" you ask.
"To a clinic in Burkwood, it's the closest city. If there's anything else you want, we can pick it up there too," Jin says, smiling at you through the rearview mirror.
You can't imagine what else you could possibly want. They've already shown you more kindness and generosity than you've ever known.
The drive proceeds in comfortable silence, the car rocking as it slopes down the winding roads. You have more questions, but you can't seem to think of what to start with. Your body feels heavy, and your eyelids are starting to disobey you.
They mentioned that it was a bit of a long drive, but you are too focused on keeping awake to notice much.
You vaguely register the outskirts of a town that give way to brick streets and old-looking buildings, all enrobed in thick ivy. In fact, the whole area seems to be enveloped in greenery, probably thanks to the frequent rain.
And the rain is picking up now. It makes the sidewalks, littered with fallen leaves, slick with it. Passerbys open up their umbrellas as the lampposts light up to illuminate the foggy landscape.
You're fighting the urge to drift off into sleep as Jin drives on.
Soon, you come to a wide square of cobblestoned streets, lined with grand domed buildings with rich architecture. You can still see people riding their bikes along the rain-slick streets.
Jin pulls over, sneaking a peck on Namjoon's cheek. Namjoon has gathered his bags, his glasses on, and he beams at the gesture.
"See you later, honey," Namjoon says as he glances at both you and Jin, and it's unclear who he's directing the pet name to.
He opens the door and exits with his bag in tow. You watch him walk towards one of the beautiful old buildings and disappear inside.
A short while later, Jin parks the car beside a large sleek white structure, opening the door for you and offering a hand. He stops to look at you before you enter the building.
"There will be a lot of people inside," he begins. "I won't let anyone hurt you. If you want to leave at any point, just let me know, okay?"
You manage a nod.
"Would you like me to hold your hand?" He asks, and this time you shake your head. Because no, that would be pathetic, and you hardly know him.
He justs nods in understanding, offering a small smile before leading you inside.
The smell of disinfectant immediately hits you. Gloves, plastic, metal. Needles. Doctors.
It screams the same thing in your brain: pain is coming.
And Jin was right, there are a lot of people in here. Too many bodies, too many movements and smells.
Before you even realize what you're doing, you've grabbed Jin's hand.
He stops in his tracks, looking at you in shock, and you look almost as shocked as him.
You're about to rip your hand away, but he gives you a comforting squeeze and this time he smiles so warmly his eyes crease.
Somehow, the feel of his skin feels good, despite everything. It grounds you.
The feeling in your chest hitches.
You're able to ignore the countless sights and smells around you with Jin's hand in yours, even as you hear him talking to other people and leading you down hallways.
Probably because the sleep deprivation is making it hard to even keep your eyes open.
You're shuffled through exam rooms, allowing them to check your vitals, answering the questions directed at you, though all you're able to offer is a nod or shake of the head. Jin catches on to it and reframes all questions towards you as ones that can be answered with yes or no.
You're hooked up to electrodes and wires, undergoing multiple scans in different machines.
It makes you wish you were a machine. Things would be much easier that way.
You can see several nurses talking to Jin in hushed tones, glancing in your direction every so often. Jin replies, though you can't hear it, and then the nurses look at you with pure pity in their eyes.
You remember what Jin said earlier. We protect people like us.
Sometime later, after using a considerable amount of your energy to keep from falling asleep standing up, you and Jin are led into a room with x-ray prints all along the walls.
It takes you a long time to realize the scans are of your brain, and that they're talking about you.
The doctor is pointing to different sections of the brain on the scans, but her words are muffled in your ears.
All you can register is the look on Jin's face. It's a mixture of sorrow, pain, and regret.
The only sense you can make of it is to assume that he's disappointed that you won't be out of his hair faster.
Maybe you're too far gone to be fixed. Maybe all the goods part of you died in the facility.
You're silent in the car, staring out at the darkening skies. The clouds have gotten thicker, unleashing a heavy rain. As you return to the old buildings from earlier, people hurry by under their umbrellas.
Namjoon open the passenger door, using his suit jacket as a shield. He greets Jin with a kiss, offering you a smile.
But you don't have the energy or will to even try to mirror it.
As you drive back up the mountainside, trees whizzing past the window wet with rain, you drift in and out of sleep. Jin handles the car so smoothly even through the winding roads, one hand on the wheel with the other resting somewhere on Namjoon.
You don't notice them both sneaking glances at you through the rear-view mirror, glad to see that you're getting some sleep.
When you arrive at the house, the sun is half set. You trudge up the path lined with plants, now lit by outdoor lights, reaching the massive wooden slab that is the front door.
Even in your sluggish state, you can't help but think that you'd like your home to have the same thing, if you had a home. A big sturdy door to keep others out. But this is isn't your home.
Jin and Namjoon lead you inside, and the sound of soft chatter sounds in the distance. You can smell food cooking too.
The house is darker now that the sun has set, lit up by warm ambient lighting from the lamps and elegant light fixtures all around.
You follow Jin and Namjoon into the kitchen area, spotting the bodies crowded inside. The room is bustling with activity, jazz music playing in the background.
Yoongi is standing over the stove, shifting his attention between a great big pot of boiling water, a pan full of bubbling red sauce, and a pan filled with sizzling meatballs. Jimin is chopping lettuce, Taehyung is slicing a loaf of french bread, and Jungkook is shredding cheese.
All of their eyes immediately find yours when you enter the room, Jimin and Yoongi offering a smile, Jungkook and Taehyung looking at you with a hopeful expression.
"Welcome home," Jimin says, eyes crinkling.
It makes a very weird sensation bloom in your lungs. The idea of home is bitter.
Jin and Namjoon set down their coats and briefcases, greeting the others warmly.
You stand there awkwardly, not sure what to do. Yoongi and Jimin pick up on it almost immediately.
"Do you want to come and sit here?" Jimin says (cutting himself off from saying your name), gesturing to the row of stools along the opposite side of the kitchen counter.
You take him up on his offer, eager to have something to do.
The kitchen is flush with heat from the cooking, but you can still hear the rain pounding outside from the cracked window above the sink.
Jungkook pauses his cheese-shredding to provide Jin with a glass of red wine and Namjoon with a whiskey cocktail of some kind, giving each of them a kiss on the cheek as he does so.
You sit there and watch it all unfold.
Yoongi boils the pasta as he watches the sauce and meatballs simmer. Jimin prepares a ceasar salad with grilled chicken, croutons, and freshly shredded cheese (thanks to Jungkook). And Taehyung spreads butter, herbs, garlic, and cheese on the bread slices and places them in the oven.
At some point, Hobi comes down the stairs and into the room, slick with sweat and panting slightly. He sends a radiant smile your way when he sees you.
Soon, the table is set and everyone's gathering around, Yoongi gesturing for you to sit with them.
Jin and Namjoon sit at either head of the long table, you falling into the seat in-between Jimin and Jungkook.
Bowls of pasta and meatballs are served, garnished with fresh herbs and grated cheese. Jungkook helps load a side of salad and garlic bread onto your plate like it's the most natural thing in the world.
This time, you don't hesitate to dive into the food. Everyone notices, but they just exchange happy glances between themselves to avoid making you feel uncomfortable.
The food they make is ridiculously good. The pasta, tomato sauce, and savory meatballs warm your insides, providing ample protein to help you feel stronger. The salad is crisp and refreshing, the bread soft and salty.
The men around you are chatting pleasantly, every once in a while attempting to lure you into the conversation, but you have absolutely no interest in that. Your brain is still sluggish with exhaustion. Right now you’re just glad the food isn’t upsetting your stomach.
You don’t see it, of course, but a steady stream of warmth fills their hearts whenever they look up and see you sitting at the table, eating as much as you want.
After dinner, Hoseok and Jungkook start on the dishes while you follow the rest of them to the living room. The soft jazz is still playing, some of them refilling their wine glasses before they settle on the couch.
They’re still trying to talk to you.
“How’s your stomach?” Jin asks. You nod as if to say alright.
“Did you get some sleep on the drive home?” Yoongi asks. You nod again, even though you know this isn’t your home.
“Would you like to meet more of the pets?” Jimin asks. You nod more firmly this time.
He rushes off to another room with a big smile.
You reacted well to Fish Sticks, so they decide to let the rest of the cats out.
There’s Hepburn, a regal-looking fluffy white cat with iridescent blue eyes. She looks up at you from the floor and rubs against your legs.
Then there’s Grease, a black cat with very large green eyes and fangs that poke out from his mouth. He tries to crawl up your pants, but after a stern word from the men, he settles to just hop around your ankles.
Finally there’s Potbelly, clearly a little bit older and slightly chunky, with a smattering of brown, orange and white fur. He nuzzles against your hand briefly before sauntering away, disinterested.
You react very fondly to all the cats, stooping down to scratch behind their ears.
“Would you like to meet the dogs?” Jimin asks next, watching your face closely for your reaction.
They’re not sure if you encountered any guard dogs at the facility.
Unlikely, because your face only turns more interested, and you give an eager nod.
They bring them out one at a time. The smallest first, Yeontan, a dark fluffy Pomeranian who yips happily at the sight of you.
You notice a very strange expression come across Taehyung’s face.
Then there’s Mickey, a small brown and white dog that approaches you excitedly yet gently. Then Holly, a brown curly-haired dog that tries very adamantly to sit in your lap. Then Bam, a sleek Doberman that jumps and runs circles around your form when he sees you.
“Gentle, gentle,” Jungkook instructs the dog when he almost tackles you.
Then Jimin brings in a fluffy golden retriever, who is yanking desperately on the leash in both Jimin’s hands.
“Toast, calm down, girl!” Jimin says as he gets dragged along.
But when the dog sees you, she lets out a sharp whimper, shooting towards you like a bullet. The leash is yanked out of Jimin’s hands as she barrels into your legs, letting out little whines and happy-sounding barks.
Something makes you sink to your knees and wrap your arms around the dog, some deep and heavy urge that grips you like a clenched fist. You gulp an inhale of the dog’s somehow familiar scent, and tears nearly spring into your eyes.
Everyone around you is about to cry too. Toast is your dog.
She smelled you almost as soon as you entered the house. It broke their hearts to keep her separated from you, since they had no idea how you’d react. She nearly broke the door down trying to get to you.
She’s panting as you pet her head, her tongue hanging out of her grinning mouth, tail wagging rapidly.
If you’d die for Fish Sticks, then you’d go to war for Toast.
You stay on the ground petting her for a while, the boys watching you fondly. At some point, you find your eyelids drooping again, belly full and worn out from all the interaction.
“Are you ready to wash up and settle in for bed?” Jimin asks you, very much fighting the urge to coo at how cute you look while comfortably half-asleep.
You nod and follow him upstairs. He gives you a set of striped pajama pants and matching button-up as you wash off with another wet washcloth, Toast sticking to your side like Velcro the entire time.
Downstairs, everyone crowds around Jin and Namjoon, asking how the tests at the clinic went, barely concealed hope in their eyes.
But they shake their heads solemnly.
“The spell was at nearly full strength. Nothing can be recovered,” Jin says. “But otherwise she’s healthy.”
Their faces fall a bit, but they figured that it would take a miracle for your memories to get brought back. Even if it were possible, the process would no doubt cause you extreme pain, and none of them want that.
Taehyung, though, has tears in his eyes again. He brings his hand up to his forehead.
If only you knew, Tae thinks. If only you knew just how much they love you, how much he loves you.
But he knows that you’re uncomfortable around him. And the awful thought did cross his mind: what if you never love him again?
Jungkook rubs Taehyung’s back as more tears fall. He can see the pain in Taehyung's face, the pain that screams please don't forget me and all the things we shared.
But it can't be helped. All they can do is help you as much as they can.
"She's just...gone," Taehyung chokes out.
Namjoon swoopes in right away.
"She's still her, just a little lost," he says.
"But she recognized Toast," Taehyung mumbles, dejected. Because why didn't you react that way to any of them?
"It's instinctual, muscle memory," Yoongi cuts in firmly. "You can erase the memories, but you can't completely erase the feelings that come with them."
Jin places a hand on Taehyung's shoulder, leaning into him.
"I'm sure she recognizes us, in a sense. She just can't express it because we're...people. Animals are easy, they don't judge. But people...it's people that hurt her," Jin says, rubbing soothing circles across Tae's shoulders.
The younger man nods, wiping his tears. He's gone silent, now. Jungkook helps him up the stairs to get ready for bed.
Later that night, Namjoon brings a half-empty bottle of rosé and two glasses up to his and Jin's shared bedroom.
Jin is fresh out of the shower, wrapped in a bathrobe, hair still wet, a medical newsletter in his hand.
Namjoon puts the glass in his empty hand and fills it up. Jin smiles at him gratefully.
"Quite a day, huh?" Namjoon says as he pours a glass for himself.
Jin looks lost in thought.
"I'm worried about Tae," he says solemnly.
Namjoon pauses, then comes to perch on the armrest of the chair Jin is sitting in.
"He's still in denial. It's a hard pill to swallow," Namjoon says, wrapping an arm around his other half.
"Indeed it is," Jin replies, sipping at his wine.
"He'll come around," Namjoon insists.
"I know he will. It's just..." Jin trails off.
"Yes, love?" Namjoon prompts.
"There's this tension between them that I don't understand," he says. "I think Tae is mourning her old self because he doesn't think her new self will connect with him."
"Hmm," Namjoon says, thinking. "I think you're right. But we'll be there, to help both of them. That's what they need right now, for someone to guide and support them into a new state of being."
Jin downs the rest of his wine, beaming up at his partner.
"I love you, you know that?" he says, grinning.
"Of course I do," Namjoon replied, grinning back.
"Now come on, let's get in bed."
a/n: thanks so much for reading!! i would literally sell my left tit to hear any of your thoughts!
