#chapter: 3

[every-sakura]

[star-my]

Vixen ~ Three (Final)

➼ Pairing: Jimin x OC (Shin Ara)

➼ Length: 6k

➼ Rating: pg-15

➼ Content: Arranged Marriage AU, CEO AU, Mafia AU | TW: Vague Threats of Violence; Kidnapping; Non-Graphic Violence (Fight Scene); Minor Discussion of Human Trafficking (not by BTS/SKZ members)| Ara and JK are so sibling-coded; Jimin ships Vixen and JK

➼ Thanks to @moonleeai for betaing! I had this posted at noon and closed tumblr but when I came back now somehow it disappeared into the cloud?? I'm so annoyed ;-;

➼ Taglist: @bangtan-famiglia-net@kookthief@otome-wandering@sarcasticbambi

➼ Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and in no way represents any member of BTS, SKZ, or any other K-pop group mentioned in any way beyond the face and name claims the author made for this work.

➼ Chapter 1 (13/10/23) ➼ Chapter 2 (14/10/23) ➼ Ao3 ➼ Masterlist

ARA, AGE 25, (PRESENT DAY)

A hand flopped around on the wooden table, finally locating the device making that infernal racket far too early in the morning.

“It’s too early for this,” Ara groaned, sliding the call button on her phone. “Yeoboseyo?”

“Princess? It’s Jimin. Sorry if I woke you…” Ara heard a sharp inhale as her husband realised the time. Still, he pressed on. “Um…you know how Park Wonshik adopted me after I was kidnapped?”

“Ye-ah,” she replied slowly, trying to figure out what was going on. Why was he sounding so awake after helping her break up the trafficking ring early this morning? He probably hadn’t slept yet, she realized. Hence, his too-early call.

“So, the police broke up this ring last night and saved a bunch of kids. They called me and asked if I’d mind talking to them, tell them that things are gonna be okay, y’know?”

Ara made some sort of agreeing noise, heading to the bathroom to gargle some mouthwash and maybe comb her hair and hope that putting her hair in order would simultaneously put her brain cells in order.

“So…one of my dad’s old friends was there and suggested maybe…we could foster one or two of the kids who are in need of a home until they get all the paperwork sorted out. A couple of the kids agreed to testify, so they’ll also need to stay close until the trials are over. What do you think? We have really good security, so they won’t need to worry about a repeat kidnapping, and I know we’ve got space and love. You mentioned wanting to help trafficking victims when I was telling you about my childhood…but…”

The longer her silence stretched out, the more Jimin rambled. He was so cute.

“Yeah, that sounds like a great, practical way to help,” Ara agreed after spitting her mouthwash out. “Just let me know how many you kids you drag back so I know how many rooms to get ready.”

“Thank you, jagiya.” Muffled conversation crackled through the line as Jimin paused to speak with an officer. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ll call later, alright?”

“Okay. Love you!”

“Love you!”

Ara put her phone down on the counter and stared at her reflection in the mirror. 

~~~

At 2:33 PM, Jimin arrived home with an eleven-year-old girl in tow. The police officer and Child & Family Services officer quickly checked the premises and living situation, then left, leaving Jimin, Ara, and the girl.

Ara smiled, crouching down to her height. “Hi, I’m Shin Ara. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hello, Mrs. Shin. My name is Kim Nabi,” Nabi bowed politely. “It is nice to meet you as well. Thank you for letting me live with you.”

Her shiny hair teased the tops of her shoulders as she moved. 

“I’ll show you to your room, then,” said Ara, motioning at the stairs. “I know you saw it already during the tour, but you can get settled now. My room is right across the hall, so my bodyguard will be close by if you feel unsafe. Have you met Jungkook yet?”

Nabi shook her head, then gave a small smile full of delight as she really took in her room.

Ara and Jimin’s gazes met as they exchanged smiles at her satisfaction.

The walls were a pale periwinkle reflected in the pale blue duvet, the trim white to contrast the wood furniture.

“I hope you like it,” joked Ara. “There are a couple of outfits in the closet, but I thought maybe you’d like to go shopping for some things your own style while you’re here. Jungkook and I will take you whenever you’re ready.”

Ara pulled the stuffed rabbit from the top shelf of the closet and held it out to Nabi. “I thought you might like a friend to talk to while you decide if you want to talk to me or someone else about what happened. I’ve told quite a few secrets to Cookie here, and he’s kept them all remarkably well. He also gives a pretty nice hug,” she smiled conspiratorially.

“Thank you very much, Mrs Shin, Mr Park,” Nabi bowed again.

“You’re welcome, Nabi. I know things have been tough, but you’re a very brave girl,” said Jimin. “We want you to feel safe and at home here. I remember how I felt after I was brought here by my adoptive father. If you want to scream, cry, maybe hit a couple of things, go for a run– whatever you’re feeling, we’re here for you.”

“Thank you,” Nabi said again.

Jimin kissed Ara’s cheek goodbye and left to finish his assistance at the police station.

Ara looked at Nabi, laid a soft hand on her shoulder, and said, “I think you’d like to be alone right now to settle in, but if you want company, my room is across the hall, and the door’s open. If you need anything, just walk in or give me a shout, ‘kay?”

Nabi nodded, and Ara crossed the hall to call Jungkook and explain the situation.

~~~

Ara softly knocked on Nabi’s door for the third time. When there was still no response, she twisted the knob and peered in.

Nabi was sound asleep in her bed, hugging Cookie tightly to her chest.

“Nabi, it’s ten to seven. Jimin-ssi will be home any minute, and supper will be ready. I’m sure you’re pretty hungry by now. Jungkook wants to meet you, too, so can you wake up and get up by seven?” As Ara talked soothingly, Nabi stirred and gradually opened her eyes. Ara opened the door a little wider to let the hallway light shine in, as Nabi had drawn her blackout drapes.

“Hello, Ara-unnie. I’m up now.” Nabi yawned and stretched, then slid off the bed.

“Did you have a good nap? I hope you’ll sleep tonight!” Ara stepped just outside the doorway so she wouldn’t stifle Nabi, who yawned again.

“Yes, I slept well, thank you.”

The two headed to the top of the stairs, where Jungkook awaited. 

“Nabi, this is my bodyguard and best friend, Jeon Jungkook. Jungkook, this young lady is Kim Nabi.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Nabi,” Jungkook’s bunny smile shone through as he grinned at the girl.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you as well, Jungkook-oppa.”

Jungkook grinned even wider at Ara. “I’m her oppa already!”

Ara punched his shoulder gently. “Don’t let it go to your head; I told her she could call us that.”

The foyer door opened, signalling Jimin’s return home. He headed to the powder room to wash up, then joined the little group in the living room, brushing a kiss to Ara’s cheek on his way in.

Jungkook pretended to gag, wincing as Ara pinched his arm.

Nabi was quiet during dinner, her gaze bouncing between the three adults talking and laughing around her but not volunteering much. They drew her in when they could, but weren’t surprised that she didn’t immediately become a chatterbox. She’d been through a lot and was probably still deciding how much she could trust them. 

Ara did manage to get her to commit to going clothes shopping the next day, but that was it.

A large yawn cracked Nabi’s face as Jimin asked Jungkook to see him in his office after supper, so Ara said goodnight to the men and followed Nabi upstairs, just in case she forgot where something was or needed help.

Two nights later, Jimin was back at Vixen’s HQ, meeting with the woman herself. He’d showed up unexpectedly, interrupting her spar with Hyunjin, so she wasn’t in full Vixen gear like all the previous times he’d met her.

She’d donned the mask, but her hair was free, a neat brown-black braid falling down her back, a few wisps curled to her sweaty face and neck. 

“If you tell anyone you’ve seen more of me than my lieutenants, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to break our agreement,” she waved a finger at him.

“I won’t,” promised Jimin. More of her meant arms and feet, since she was only in a black tank top and workout leggings, her jacket having been tossed aside as she heated up.

Jimin noted interestedly that the gold eyes and red mouth was an indispensable part of Vixen’s persona, as they were still visible.

(As two of her most notable character marks, Ara made sure the lipstick and contacts were first in and last out when she switched between Ara and Vixen. He’d just proved her point—though he didn’t know it—that you should always be prepared for the unexpected; you never know when someone would drop in, either ally or foe.)

“So, you took care of the three men?” she asked.

Jimin nodded. “JK and I made sure they won’t be trafficking in the future…or committing any other crimes.”

She nodded approvingly. “Good.”

The tones of Vixen’s cell phone rang and she bent over, fishing the phone out of her pocket. Answering it, she turned around but didn’t move away; Jimin eavesdropped as best he could. “Vixen.”

There was a pause as her contact spoke.

“What? Stall him! Flag him down and tell him I have a visitor! Engage blade if necessary.” With an aggravated sigh, Vixen ended the call and pinched her nose, muttering something about stupid training, then turned with a smile that was clearly false.

“I’m going to need a minute, would you mind waiting in another room?”

Jimin complied, following her to a small room that reminded him of a cabin. She pointed to the twin bed and shut the door behind her. Jimin didn’t feel like a captive since there was a window large enough for him to crawl through, and there didn’t appear to be any bars or lasers to stop him from doing so if he wished. But he didn’t wish to; he was here for a reason, afterall.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway as someone came jogging up to Vixen. The tread was heavy, likely male, and the visitor greeted her in a male’s voice.

“Hey Vix, I found out where he keeps the goods- why are you frown- ouch! VIX-mmph!”

That male voice sounded awfully familiar. Jimin frowned.

“Shh! I’m gagging you because he’s. next. door!” hissed Vixen harshly. “If you’d checked outside before you snuck in, you'd have seen his car!”

Jimin strained his ears as the whispers softened and moved down the hallway. However, he’d managed to drop a bug on Vixen’s back as he followed her, so he pulled out his receiver and shamelessly eavesdropped.

“I came over the roofs tonight so I didn’t see. I’m sorry, VIx, that was careless; I should’ve known better. I’ll check 360 degrees next time, yakseokhae.”

That was definitely JK.

“Good. Yeesh, oppa, you almost gave everything away! I had Han ready to rush you with his knife to slow you down!”

Oppa?! Why was Vixen so close to JK?

“Sorry, Vixen. But I found out where he keeps the goods, and I’m getting mine tomorrow, so I need to make sure the others won’t be visible when it’s done.”

…the blacklight tattoos each member got when they were inducted into Bangtan? He’d thought JK was a reliable asset to Bangtan, so he’d invited him to get it. JK was obviously Vixen’s spy in Bangtan, but why?…most of JK’s time was spent on his bodyguarding duties with Ara.

Unless…Vixen was going to take out Ara to hit Bangtan and Grey? But both of them were allied with her, that didn’t make sense. And he knew JK would never hurt or let anyone or anything hurt Ara.

Clearly, more investigation was required.

“When are you going to tell him, anyways, Vix? Hasn’t it been long enough for you to trust him?”

Vixen sighed. “It’s a big secret–half my life. It takes time to open up.”

“I understand. I’ll be there when you’re ready. I’ll leave now…”

Jimin heard JK discover the bug when he hugged Vixen goodbye. 

There was a pause, crackling as the bug was moved, then a dramatic inhale.

“Vix, what’s this?”

“That’s not one of ours…that’s Jimin’s. I thought I felt his fingers on my back, but I didn’t have time to check.” Vixen cursed, and then all that Jimin heard was static as JK crushed the bug under his boot.

The door swung open, JK standing protectively beside Vixen, who crossed her arms and stared at Jimin.

“Fine. You discovered it. Jungkook is my spy in Bangtan. He helped me start Stray Kids, and he’s an honorary member, since he’s technically affiliated with Gray. I’m not plotting anything against you. Happy?” “Why do you care about Bangtan’s tattoos?” Jimin stared back at her.

“Because Stray Kids have blacklight tattoos too, and I didn’t want to out JK’s and my relationship because you picked a spot close to his previous tattoo to add yours. It’s moot now, I guess.”

“Relationship?” He glanced between the two.

“We’re just friends,” they said in unison, then looked at each other. “What he/she said.”

Jimin sighed. Sure. Just friends. Whatever you say.

“Okay, prove it. Do you have a blacklight around?”

Hyunjin entered with the light and JK unbuttoned his shirt, slipping it off one shoulder. The Stray Kids symbol glowed blue at the joining of his neck and shoulder. Along his left arm were eight small bands of moon phases, as well.

Vixen held the blacklight to her shoulder, and the vivid blue symbol appeared on the front of her left shoulder, slightly larger and thicker than JK’s. “Happy?”

“Alright, I believe you.” Jimin took the light from her and waved it over his left collarbone, showing Bangtan’s symbol in glowing purple-blue. “You can choose where you put it, but somewhere that allows for easy access is a good choice for easy ID,” he told JK before turning to Vixen. “Bangtan’s tattoos are secret for a reason.”

She nodded companionably. “Same with Stray Kids, hence, blacklight. JK and I won’t say anything.”

JK nodded as Jimin looked at him. “ I won’t say a word, boss.”

“You’re affiliated with three families, JK. Which one are you most loyal to?”

JK swallowed, his big eyes a bit rounder than normal at Jimin’s subtly threatening tone. 

“Yeah, JK, tell me who you’re loyal to,” Vixen buffed her nails against her shirt as she leaned against the doorway, the very picture of nonchalance.

“...I am equally loyal to them. My primary loyalty is to your wife.”

After several tense seconds, Jimin smiled approvingly and patted his shoulder. “Good.”

Vixen nodded at him for his diplomatic answer, then left to continue her spar with Hyunjin.

Jimin and Jungkook rejoined, watching the spar just as VIxen put Hyunjin in an armlock. He tapped out and Jungkook danced into the ring. “Still mad at me for my slip up, Vix?”

“No, we’re good. Foxtrot spar?” She added one of her many code words with him, requesting the use of martial arts plus blades.

Jungkook nodded, and the spar began.

Jimin leaned forward, closely following the pair’s movements. Their sheer grace and long practice of martial arts gave them the facade of a deadly dance, clearly used to practicing together.

Silver flashes gleamed as their knives slashed and parried, tucked away the next second for strikes and kicks.

Finally, JK saw an opening as Vixen slowed from fatigue, her previous spar with Hyunjin lowering her endurance. Caught in a chokehold, Vixen tapped out.

Bowing, the pair ended the spar. Jimin clapped, impressed. “You both fight very well.”

“Thank you,” they said in unison, leaning down to grab a water bottle, opening it, and chugging at the same time.

Jimin rolled his eyes. Totally “just friends”.

Two weeks later, two days before the beginning of the trials, Ara took Nabi to the mall to take her mind off the upcoming event. Nabi now had a varied wardrobe, but Ara was looking for formal dresses for them for a future party..

Nabi had settled in surprisingly quickly, becoming more talkative and outgoing as the days passed, though she was still a quiet child.

She had only been on the street a week since her mom died when she was kidnapped. No one knew who or where her dad was.

Ara had contacted a counsellor for Nabi to see when she was ready to talk about it, and she and Jimin had agreed they’d love to foster with intent to adopt. When Nabi was ready, they’d talk about it. So far, she seemed to love the house, and she often followed Jungkook around like a duckling when he wasn’t with Ara.

Jungkook casually browsed through the men’s section of the formalwear store while he kept an eye on other customers. Ara took Nabi to the womens’ changerooms to try on a couple dresses each. Stepping into the room beside Nabi’s, she froze at the reflection of the man in the mirror with the gun painted at her.

“Follow me quietly and you and the kid won’t get hurt,” he growled.

Tentatively, Ara turned around, hoping Nabi would stay in her changeroom.

Alas, that was not to be, as Nabi stepped out. “Unnie, my zipp-” she stared at the man and Ara calmly, though her eyes were wide with shock. Slowly, she crept behind Ara, keeping an eye on the man.

“Come quietly and you’ll both be fine,” threatened the man. They headed out the back way to the van idling by the door. 

Getting in, Ara felt the dull throb of a needle prick as everything faded to black.

~~~

Jungkook headed to the fitting rooms anxiously. Twelve minutes had passed with no sign of either Nabi or Ara. Normally, Ara asked for his opinion on formal fits; while he supposed she may have decided to ask Jimin’s opinion instead, he was still a little worried.

As soon as he saw the silver and jade hairpin Ara had worn that day on the ground, the needle pointing to the back exit, he knew something was up. Pulling out his phone, he began making calls.

~~~

Slowly blinking her heavy lids, Ara tried to focus her thoughts and make sense of everything. As she gradually became more clear-headed, her memories returned.

Pretending to still be unconscious, she strained her senses to check her surroundings.

So far, she could tell that she was likely in a warehouse (how original) in the industrial area by the Han River, with the smell of water and the faint industrial noises surrounding her.

Nabi was in the chair behind her, back-to-back, either still out or merely pretending, like herself.

Ara couldn’t sense any hostile presence around–evidently, they were still supposed to be under the drug’s influence for a while longer.

Carefully, she pressed her watch button in and twisted it, sending an emergency GPS ping to both Chan and Jin.

Clearly, the kidnappers didn’t expect much of a chaebol heiress; since she was untouched, her eight knives, two GPSs, and five impromptu weapons were still on her. Well, at least they were respectful. This meant she was likely not going to be harmed, at least at first, and they didn’t know she was Vixen. 

She could work with that.

“Nabi-ah, are you awake?” If she was, Ara would have to wait for her prince(s) in shining armour (unless the kidnappers tried something before then), but if Nabi was still out, Ara could fight her way out and then claim a rescue…

She felt Nabi’s hands brush hers, then– “I know you’re Vixen. Can you get us out of here before oppa comes?”

 How- how did this child– Jimin still didn’t know!

“I’ll try.” She wiggled a knife free and passed it through their bonds to Nabi. “Go for blood if you’re in trouble. Now is not the time for guilt or gentleness. Use your teeth and elbows if you have to. Aim for fleshy parts like eyes, groin, or disabling their arms and hands.”

“Got it,” Nabi whispered back. “You’re so cool, unnie.”

Ara smiled inwardly, then began tugging the knot of the rope around her hands loose.

Once she had undone the ropes, she slyly slid one of her knives from her thigh free, using it to cut Nabi loose. “Sit tight unless you’re attacked, okay? On three, I’m going to get our captors’ attention. I already sent a distress signal, so Jimin and Jungkook will be here soon,” she added to reassure her foster daughter.

On three, she ripped the blindfold off and stood up, sliding the knives tucked into her heels out and kicking them off, choosing to fight barefoot.

A quick slash up the side seam of her skirt, and she was ready to fight.

The kidnappers had noticed that she was awake, and five men dressed in black ran into the room. 

Good, no guns, yet. The illegal weapons left traces very difficult to clean up and explain away.

Silently she charged the row of three, using the first’s momentum to tumble the second and third like dominoes.

While they were still reeling, Ara began slicing at the fourth and fifth, incapacitating them by aiming for their thighs and shoulders.

One, Two, and Three regained their balance, and Ara hurled one of her blades into Two’s shoulder as she danced around Three, hitting pressure points to take him out.

On her way to One, she yanked the knife out of Two’s shoulder, jabbing it at his waist and thigh.

One appeared to be better trained than the others as he aimed for a pressure point on Ara’s neck. Unluckily for him, she grabbed his wrist, forced him to his knees, and kicked him in the groin.

Spinning back to Two, she hit his neck to temporarily paralyse him, watching him slump before repeating the motion on One.

Sighing, she brushed her hair out of her face, wishing she hadn’t dropped her hairpin at the store as a clue for Jungkook. He’d have found her soon enough through the CCTVs, and she could see better without her hair flying around if she’d kept it.

A second batch of five emerged from the hallway she assumed led to the boss’s control room, but this time the group was armed and better prepared.

Ara supposed the first group were the disposable, bottom-tier underlings who underestimated her.

Dropping into a crouch, she grinned ferally. Worked every time.

Two and Three charged her at the same time, so she simply crouched there, then uncoiled at the last second. Using Two’s knee as a springboard, she wrapped her legs around Three’s neck, sending Two sprawling and choking Three out.

On her way to meet One, Four, and Five, she gifted Two a knife to the thigh, dangerously close to the femoral artery. Oops.

Just before she hit One and Four, she dropped to her knees and slid by, taking their legs out. Rather badass a move of her, if she thought so herself.

Five grabbed her by the hair–rude, but smart— thankfully, it was long enough she could twist to face him and swipe at his knees, then grab his wrist and twist him around.

He released her hair, and she swiftly knocked him out, then headed back to the still-conscious Two, Four, and One.

A quick insurance stab to their dominant arms, and all ten opponents were incapacitated, if not unconscious.

Ara spun to the door, dropping into a defensive stance and re-gripping her blades tightly, only to relax in relief when IN and Felix showed up. 

“Oh, good, you’re the first ones here. Nabi knows– I’ll figure out how later– but as of right now, Jimin doesn’t know, so you two took out those assailants, okay? I watched you rescue me when I woke up halfway through the fight,” Ara quickly aligned their cover stories.

Clearly, she should tell Jimin about her…nightly business ventures, but now would not be the time.

“Yes, ma’am,” Vixen’s bodyguards saluted, then began dragging the kidnappers into a row and tying them up.

Ara reclaimed her knife from Nabi and sat back in her chair, holding hands with the girl.

“Jimin-ssi should be here very soon and we can go home, okay? You were so brave; I’m proud of you. It’s okay now, so I understand if you’re a little scared or overwhelmed. Do you want to talk about it?”

Nabi shook her head. “I wasn’t scared; I knew you’d keep us safe, and Jimin-oppa and Jungkook-oppa would come for us.”

‘’How did you know I’m Vixen, Nabi-ah? And I gather you figured Jimin and Jungkook out too.”

Nabi grinned, turning in her chair to face Ara. “Jimin-oppa doesn’t wear a mask. I recognized him from the night when you all rescued us. That pink hair is kind of distinctive. I thought Jungkook-oppa worked for Vixen, but then I saw him with Jimin at the police station. I didn’t know till you woke me up for supper the first night; the way you talked to me and approached me was just like Vixen. And then I saw you with Jungkook-oppa and you were close to him like Vixen was.”

“Is that why you were watching us all so closely?” Ara had a revelation. “I just thought you didn’t trust us yet.”

Nabi nodded proudly. “I was trying to figure out who knew what about who.”

Ara smiled at Nabi and smoothed her hair down. “You are a very clever girl– you’re the first person to figure out that Shin Ara and Vixen are the same person. Everyone else who knows, I told. Have you figured out what everybody knows by now?”

“I think so…you and Jungkook-oppa know each other and Jimin-ssi, and he knows Jungkook-oppa but not you?”

Ara nodded, “Good job, Nabi-ah. Jimin’s family and mine are allies, and Jungkook works for both of them, Gray and Bangtan. He also works for my –Vixen’s– family, Stray Kids. Jimin-ssi and my appa both do not know about me being Vixen, but I think I should tell them now, don’t you?”

Nabi nodded. “Secrets should be kept few and far between.”

“Wise wor-”

Their talk was interrupted by a group of armed men bursting in, guns in hand.

Ara and Nabi blinked back at Jimin’s wide gaze. “You’re safe!”

He holstered his gun and anxiously looked them over. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked, pulling Ara into a hug, then Nabi. “What happened?”

“We’re fine, Jimin. Nabi is probably a bit more anxious than she lets on, but we’re fine,” Ara ran her hand down his chest soothingly, feeling the rapid thumping of his heartbeat.

Jimin pulled back to examine Ara's face. “Why is there blood on you?”

“Oh, it's not mine, it’s…theirs…” Ara waved at the neat row of captives guarded by Felix and IN. “They took those guys out and rescued Nabi and me. Jungkook called them, saying we were in trouble.”

Ara had to have some last fun as Vixen, before she unmasked. Unable to resist, she asked in a loud whisper, “Why are there so many of you and why did you have a gun?!”

Jungkook coughed loudly to cover his laughter at Ara’s acting. Felix and IN exchanged grins, turning their backs to ‘guard the prisoners’.

The rest of Jimin’s squad of six looked awkwardly around, invested in the drama and wondering how their boss was going to get out of this jam.

Panic flashed through Jimin’s eyes. “Uh…why don’t we get you home and have a doctor look at you, jagiya. You must have been so scared, Nabi-ah. Let’s go home, hm? I think Mrs Lee was stress-baking up a storm.”

Jungkook slipped out to start the car and told Jimin quietly, but loud enough for Ara to get the message, “I called Dr. Hyunjin– he’ll understand. I have Lady’s men ready to help; I called her guys after you and Jin-hyung.”

“Thanks, JK.” Jimin escorted his girls to the car, leaving Jungkook to drive home while he fussed over them in the backseat.

Ara waited till Nabi showered and Hyunjin okayed her to do anything, much to her husband’s chagrin.

Nabi went straight to bed, and Hyunjin told Ara and Jimin that she was healthy, with no side effects from the drug used to knock them out, and was only stressed, though less so than he’d expected.

Ara was touched by Nabi’s faith in her and her guys. 

Hyunjin said good night and all the attention was on Ara. She willingly took a shower, conceding to that after adamantly refusing Hyunjin’s checkup.

Finally, so Jimin would stop worrying, she agreed to give him five minutes to reassure himself that she was indeed feeling 100%.

Ara perched on the counter in her ensuite, her towel wrapped around her neatly and another on her head to keep her hair from dripping in her face.

Cupping Jimin’s face in her hands, she looked him in the eyes.

“I’m sorry for worrying you, yeobo.”

“It’s not your fault, jagi,” Jimin protested immediately.

“Not the kidnapping, no, but the worrying, yes. There’s something I need to tell you. Please don’t freak out, okay?”

Jimin nodded warily, his eyes full of questions.

Ara grimaced, then said. “I know you’re Park Jimin, Head of the Bangtan mafia.”

His face jerked out of her hands. “What? No, I’m not– where did you–”

“Sh, I know, Jimin.” She cupped his face again. “I know Appa is Shin Jungok, head of the Gray mafia. I know my oppas work for you and him as mafiosos. I know your friends aren’t just your friends, they’re also mafia. I know my friend Minho is mafia. The reason I know all this is because…I’m mafia. I’m Lady Vixen.”

Jimin pulled his face away again to stare at her, his jaw slack and his eyes wide.

“I know I was never supposed to know who you all are, but I have since I was twelve. I started planning Vixen then; Kookie helped me. When I was seventeen and Kook was my full-time bodyguard and we could sneak around, I became Vixen.”

“I…don’t believe you.”

Ara hopped off the counter and exited the bathroom, heading for her closet. She changed into jeans and a blouse, then slid her shoes on. “Follow me if you dare.”

Jimin took her hand, confused and curious, as Ara led him to Jungkook’s bike in the garage.

They hopped on, Ara revved, and they sped off, Ara making evasive manoeuvres and pulling over randomly to ensure no one would follow them.

Ara casually strolled up to Vixen’s HQ, D9, and entered her fingerprint, eight-digit code, and eye scan after a moment’s pause.

She headed straight to the back, to Vixen’s room, waving briskly at the sparring members of her mafia gathered in the main room, and pressed on a panel in the wall.

The panel popped out and Ara reached in, removed a small package, and slipped her contacts and fangs in. A small tube of lipstick sat on a shelf, and Ara carefully applied a coat. The mask went on, the jacket was zipped up, and her boots laced up.

Dumbfounded, Jimin watched as his wife did a slow twirl in front of him, a smug smirk on her face. The entire transformation took five minutes.

“You’re really Vixen.”

“Yup.”

Hyunjin popped in with the blacklight again and Ara confirmed her SKZ tattoo on her shoulder. “Thanks, Jinnie. Can you ask the others to come see me in a minute, please?”

In the minute they were left alone, Ara sat behind her desk and kicked out a chair for Jimin to sink into. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know sooner–for worrying you without reason. I was actually the one who knocked out the guys; Innie and Lix got there after. That’s why I was bloody.”

Hyunjin reentered with IN and Felix, handing Jimin a bundle.

He unwrapped it to discover six knives and two stilettos, which caused him to turn to Ara in confusion.

She smirked. “I never go out unarmed. I also have a GPS in each watch and a few of my larger jewellery pieces. I could also have utilized the belt on my skirt and my necklace as weapons, if I so wish. Unfortunately, I had to leave my hairpin behind, but I often wear my hair up in pins because they double as an excellent weapon in a pinch…especially if they’re modified. All this is to say, I’m sorry for worrying you earlier, and I can take care of myself, so please don’t worry if something like this happens again.”

Jimin stared at her, taking in this whole other side of his wife he’d overlooked before. “Wow, you really are a vixen.”

She tossed him a wink, a proper one, as Seungmin, Minho, Chan, Changbin, and Jisung entered. 

“Sup, Vix? Oh…”

“Yep, I told him. Thought he might like to know some of my most trusted men, so he can reassure himself about everything.”

Once her men gave a succinct explanation of their path to Stray Kids and left, the couple were left alone, silence blanketing Vixen’s office.

Jimin leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. “You’re really something, jagiya.”

The faint sound of people sparring elsewhere in the building filtered through the air while he collected his thoughts.

“I want to be angry that you hid all this from me, but I can’t really without being a hypocrite. Thank you for telling me now.”

Ara sighed in relief. “Thank you for accepting this part of me. Shall we agree to keep no more secrets?”

The two shook hands solemnly. “No more secrets.”

“Oh, by the way…Nabi figured you out the first night she stayed with us because you don’t wear a mask, and also because of your pink hair. She found me out because Vixen and Ara approached her the same way.”

Jimin sputtered and Ara giggled.

“We have a future menace to society and the underworld on our hands.”

Park Jimin and Shin Ara exited the courthouse, their bodyguards shielding them and their new daughter from the paparazzi.

Once the trial was over and the traffickers harshly sentenced, Nabi relaxed more and was able to enjoy life.

She’d readily agreed to Jimin and Ara’s proposal and was delighted to become a Park.

Secretly, she was dying to know which Family she’d join when she grew up, but wisely didn’t say anything about it.

Now, the papers were signed, sealed, and filed, and Kim Nabi was officially Park Nabi.

In honour of the occasion, Bangtan and Stray Kids had collaborated again to open Black Swan, a restaurant that would be Nabi’s future, if she so desired.

Bangtan and Gray had also collaborated to open Blue and Grey, the last bar in the Blue string owned by Jungok.

He’d been thoroughly shocked to find out his little girl had known for a long time about his secondary business, and how she had twisted his most trusted men around her little pinky (Jin and Namjoon had been glared at for weeks after Ara spilled the beans), but he was proud of her ambition and success, even though he wished she had stayed on the legal side of things.

~~~

Jimin crawled into bed beside Ara and flipped off the light, turning to pull her to him.

“How is everything going? You’ve been pretty busy lately,” she murmured, cuddling into his body heat.

“It’s calming down now, thankfully. The worst part is seeing you less.”

“Flatterer,” she said, but Jimin heard the smile in her voice. “I miss you too, when you’re busy like this.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, enjoying her angelic appearance as the moonlight fell across her face. They lay there, cuddling in silence for a while, until a thought struck Jimin. He’d been getting used to talking to Ara about his mafia issues, knowing that she’d understand him better now.

“Yoongi is looking for a wife.”

“Oh?” Sheets rustled as Ara pulled away a bit, turning to look at him.

“Yeah, for some reason he wants a wife who’s not in a gang. You know anyone?”

Ara made a noise of surprise. “Really? Hm…I might! You know how I’m allying with that gang, Seventeen, temporarily? I might find a way. I’ll look into it.”

TO BE CONTINUED…in Godmother: Tigress

A/N: Thank you all so much for reading my story! I hope you have a beautiful life<3

Some fun notes about the universe, if you're interested:

-> 22924514 = Vixen in Alpha-numeric code. It's Vixen's code for D9. D9 is a STAY easter egg.

-> Jimin and Jungkook were both part of the same trafficking/rescue situation. They weren’t together, though, and their memories are fuzzy and black out from that time. Eventually, they realise they have a connection and bond over it.

[telltheworld-phff]

Chapter 3: Workaholic

A/N: I want to thank each and everyone of you who took your time to read this history that’s already so dear to my heart. I wasn’t going to update today, but I am so happy and thankful for all of your kind messages, that I decided to give you another glimpse of Harry and Carol’s banter and humour. Thank you all for everything. See ya next chapter.

Carolina arrived at the Intercontinental's penthouse at 4:55 in the morning. With a tired and sleepy face, she bought a coffee at the nearby Starbucks. Coffee would be the only thing that would be able to keep her awake in that ungodly hour of the day. She hated waking up early. And she almost broke her alarm when it rang that morning (middle of the night, really). She took advantage of the office quietness to take a deep breath and accept that she barely had slept the night before until she had to be up again. Edward arrived a few minutes later and soon both of them started working together. 

At 6:50, Harry entered the office and saw the three people there working. And they all had done so much in a little time. "Good morning, Carolina.", he said after running a few things with Edward. "Morning, Harry", she said happily without taking her eyes off the computer in front of her. "Wow... are you an early riser?", he asked and she noticed his sleepy voice. "Want my honest answer?" "Yes?" "No. I don't like waking up early. But I had to be here, so I did.", she offered with a simple shrug and a smile to the prince looking at him for the first time that morning. "Well, that makes two of us. But you handle it so much better than I do. I'd never be able to produce this much in so short time... in the morning." "Edward and I were discussing about making the statement a little bit more fun. Not the writing, but the layout. Using the Invictus logo and the like." "That's a good idea. Instead of just giving them a plain white piece of paper." "Yeah. But I'd like to ask you if you would accept the layout I did" "You are making layouts now? What about the translating?", he asked startled already thinking that the material wasn't ready. "Oh. That's done and checked.", she laughed at his reaction. "I just didn't print them because, you know, you need to approve the layout.", she had a smug smile on her face. "Let me see it then", he turned around and stood behind her in front of the computer and saw all the visual design for the material he would use in the meetings of the day. And as she said, it was much more fun than serious. Quite like him. "Well. I like it. You can print on this layout you've made." "On it.", she hit some keyboard keys and soon the printer started working.   "You're good at it, Carolina. Lots of experience?" "I have worked in offices since I started working at 16. And in college we learned about visual designing and layouts and programming.", she answered looking at him while he sat on the chair in front of her desk again. "Where do you work now?", he seemed curious. "I am unemployed right now.", she had a deep breath and then looked at him again. "I'm sorry." "It's alright. I am trying though." "I am sure to give the best recommendations ever. You deserve it.", "Well, thank you. I'd love to have the recommendations but I'd hate to be only asked to have interviews just because I worked with Prince Harry."

He was stunned by her words. She didn't want to get a job only because she had worked with him. She clearly wanted to get a job by her own means and skills. Which she totally could and in that moment Harry wondered how in the hell was this girl unemployed. "Well.. in that case I'm gonna have to ask Edward to write you a recommendation letter that doesn't tell that you worked for me, only the amazing job you have been doing."

He could actually see when she blushed at his compliment. This girl was getting more and more interesting by the minute. They stared at each other for a few seconds that lasted like hours, before she snapped out of it and got up to get the printed files, before they even came out of the machine, just to have an excuse to be a little farther away from him for a few minutes. The way he was looking at her as if he was reading or studying her made her insecurities come rushing to the front of her mind and she didn't like it at all. She started to organize the files in folders and separating them to handle them to Edward "Thank you, Harry", she said after a few minutes not really looking him in the eye.

Harry wanted to push his luck a little bit. It was strange for him for someone as intelligent as Carolina to be as insecure as she was. But since it was work place and that he'd probably never see her again after he came back home, he opted for a change in subject. "So, tomorrow I have a free night. Where do you think I should go?", he opted for a change in subject. "What are you looking for? It's Friday night", she was sorting out the papers to put them in the right order. "Somewhere I can listen to brazilian music, have good drinks and maybe eat something." "Well, then I guess I can recommend my favorite place. Villa Country." "What's that?" "It's a night club. They play live sertanejo music which is a brazilian rythm. The place is nice, it can give you security, they have really good food and of course, alcohol." "Well, that sounds fun.", he said thinking about for a moment. "Can you give Edward the address?" "Well, if you want I can call someone there to say they're going to have you. So they'll make sure you have privacy, you know?" "Whoa... that's very thoughtful...", he stopped to think how did she know that and then said: "How do you know I need it?" She bit her lip involuntarily and laughed a little trying to focus on the files in their folders before having to look at him and answer: "Well... you're a prince. Of the most known Royal Family out there. You probably want to have fun without having lots of pictures taken and making headlines tomorrow. And you've got a very heavy security team with you." "Are you a royal watcher by any chance?", he said jokingly not really believing that she would be one. "Yes, I am", she answered clearly.

And then he burst out laughing. He looked at her and laughed. He did try to stifle his laughter but he couldn't help it. This girl was like a box of surprises for him and she was the kind of gift that only keeps on giving. "Well thank you then.", he was able to say after composing himself. "Please make that call for me and give Edward the details." "Just because you're nice, and because I'm going to pretend I didn't see you laughing at me like a crazy person, I'll ask them to put you on their best box. The one near the stage." "You do know the place well..." "I do. And I know everyone there. The owners included.", she finished her task and handed it to Edward that was watching the interaction between them with curious eyes. "You do?", he had his eyebrows raised and his jaw was almost opening in surprise. "Why so surprised?", she crossed her arms in front of her body. "Nothing... I mean. You're so serious and smart and I don't think you'd be the kind of girl who'd get to a stage to know owners of night clubs." And it was her time to burst out laughing. He really didn't know her. "No one is all black and white, Harry. All the fifty shades, remember?" He was silent for a moment, thinking about what he had just listened. "Thank you, Carolina.", he said heading to the door to get ready for his day full of engagements, but stopped before reaching it. "You know, Carolina is a beautiful name. But it's a mouthful. You got a nickname?" She thought it was a weird question to ask in a work place, but answered anyway. "Carol. You can call me Carol". "See you later, Carol.", and then he left the room.

Having spent part of her time in the morning working on the side project and delivering it by the deadline Edward had given her, Carolina's work became even more packed and she was all day immersed on the files that she had put aside during that morning. She didn't notice her colleagues leaving, she didn't notice it was already night time and she didn't notice when someone entered the room. "Why are you still here?", Harry approached her desk looking around and noticing she was alone. "Sorry? I wasn't paying attention. What did you say?", she looked at him and slowly but carefully rubbed her eyes to not smear her make-up. "Why are you still here? It's 8 o'clock." "Oh! Already? I didn't see the day go by", she stretched out in her chair. "Have you at least eaten something? You got here by 5!", he seemed worried. "I had some biscuits during the day...", she reopened a dictionary to look for another word. "What are you doing here anyway? You were supposed to be back at 10." "Decided to call it a day earlier. But Carol, that's it. You're going home. You need to sleep and rest." "I haven't finished my tasks and I kind of am behind it." "Well, you won't stay overnight. And I am your boss. I'm telling you to go home, have dinner and rest. You can finish it tomorrow.", he said in a serious tone that made her take her eyes off the computer and look at him. She didn't try to protest. "Ok. I am on my way.", she said but everything in her said otherwise. "Hurry up, I'm not leaving until you do.", he crossed his arms. "Why don't you just go?", she had an annoyed tone. The hunger, the stress and tiredness already taking it's toll on her body. "Because I have a feeling you'll stay here if I walk out right now. So I'm waiting for you to turn it all off and go home.", He sat on the chair and stared at her. 

Carolina finished what she was doing and even tried to earn some time to see if he was going to leave her alone but Harry started to take away every grammar book and dictionary that was withing his reach. She was annoyed by his attitude but just bookmarked the page she was reading and turned off the computer. She organized all the files and books that were spread on her table and got up. She stretched out again feeling tired and saw that she had some missed calls on her phone. She sent a quick text to her mom and noticed then that Harry was looking at her the entire time. "What?", she said after a while, a bit flushed because all of his staring. "I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me.", he said simply. "I beg your pardon?" "Dinner. Edward already went to bed and I don't want have dinner by myself. And since you're still here, with your workaholic habits mind you, I'm inviting you." "Is that appropriate?", she was confused and thinking about all the protocol information she had read over years of Royal watching. "Yes. We're just having dinner. You haven't eaten and I am starving. So what do you say? "Well... why not?", she shrugged and got her purse. "We can have dinner in the hotel's restaurant or we can go out. You know the neighborhood better than I do." "There's a little restaurante one block from here. It probably won't be crowded right now." "Let's go, then.", he said walking to the door and opening it for them.

Harry called his RPOs and they walked to the restaurant she had indicated. Fortunately for them, not a single paparazzi was outside the hotel and the night was perfect. She led the way to the restaurant. It was a steak house that looked like between a texas saloon and a fancy brazilian steak house. It was a bit dim litted and a soft music played in the background. They sat at the last table, the one with more privacy, but no one there seemed to recognise him. And he was thankful for that. That didn't happen very often. They could overlook the street, but whoever walked by couldn't see them. They placed their orders and both were quiet at the beggining. It was that kind of awkward silence. Up until he started to fire questions at her. "So how old are you really?", he asked while sipping on the wine he ordered. "Didn't they teach you it's not polite to ask for a lady's age?", she arched an eyebrow at him. "They did. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...", he flushed a bit and was starting to feel uncomfortable. "22." "Sorry?" "I'm 22. I'll turn 23 in October.", she sipped on her iced tea. "Wow. You're young." He had thought she was a bit older, in her late twenties. "You thought I was older?", she arched her eyebrow again as if were daring him to answer the question. "No! I mean... I.... It's not that I thought you were older. You look young. But you behave like someone my age, you know? You've got this serious aura around you." He tried to explain. "Well... I get that a lot" "Yes! So, since you're 22, what are you doing right now?" "Well, I'm studying journalism and looking for a job.", she answered quickly. Every single job interview had that question. She was already used to it. "Why did you chose journalism?", he seemed interested. "Because I can have lots of different work fields inside the same profession, I can speak English and other languages and hopefully in the future I will be able to travel...", she answered while seeing the waiter approach their table with their food. "Where do you want to go?", he asked while having a bite of his steak. "Everywhere, to be honest. If I could I'd visit every country in the whole world.", she laughed. "Have you ever been anywhere?", he asked after swallowing a few bites. He really was hungry and the food at this restaurant was delicious. He wouldn't have entered it if he was walking around the neighborhood by himself, but he was so glad he did. "No, I haven't", she answered after a moment, while cleaning her mouth with the napkin. "I mean, I've traveled around Brazil alright. I know the South pretty well, South East and some parts of Northeast, but I've never been abroad." "Why not?", she asked sincerely. "Well, for starters I can't afford right now.", she answered without getting shy about their social standing difference. "And because I don't think my English is good enough to help me out there." "Well, I can say that your English is pretty good. Even with your accent I can understand you just fine. And to be honest having a perfect English don't get you out of troubles that are bound to happen when you're in another country. I speak English since I started talking and I still ended up naked in Vegas" They both burst out laughing at that. She took a while to stop laughing remembering the pictures and the headlines that incident brought to the papers. "Thank you, I guess", she said cutting another piece of steak and eating it, opting to have her mouth occupied to not start laughing again. "So you're 22 year old workaholic, a future journalist who has a wanderlust and that lives in São Paulo." he said as if filing the information in his memory. He smiled and then said: "What's your favorite food?" "Meat Strogonoff", she answered without thinking. "Your favorite movie?" "Breakfast at Tiffany's", she had a sip of her iced tea. "But to be honest I have a list." "Tell me" "Well I really like the Harry Potter series. My favourite movies are the Prisoner of Azkaban and Deathly Hallows part 2. I also love Pride and prejudice and Dirty Dancing" "Wow" He said "That's a lot of movies and I don't think I have watched all of them." "You should! They're really good.", she had another sip of her iced tea. "Your favorite singer? Male and female.", He asked after a while. "Frank Sinatra and Adele. But I'd also add Adam Levine and Beyoncé." "Your favorite Prince?", he asked copying her smug smile of before. She arched an eyebrow and answered clearly: "Carl Philip." He was surprised and stopped eating and let his fork fall on his plate and making an annoying noise. He looked at her and slightly turned his head, she was having fun at him. "I am wounded right now. Because Carl Philip didn't take you to have a dinner. Did he?" "Are you jealous?" She was laughing at him. "Of course not. As if... And he's not even that pretty in person. I've seen him, I know it. There's no prince out there better looking than me." "Cocky!" She said after finishing her meal. "I am merely stating the facts. I am the best looking prince out there." "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Harry." "Whoa... someone's got a sassy attitude right now." He rolled his eyes. "But Carl Philip, really?" He looked sceptical. "And in second place?", he raised his eyebrows a few times. "Haakon..." She said nonchalantly. "Come on, Carol. Help a wounded man here, you know?" "I am helping you, I'm answering all your questions, Harry", she said before adding: "Maybe just not the way you'd like me to." They were quiet for a time, both smiling now and then. "You know, I never thought I'd have dinner with you. And you don't loook like a Prince." she said after a while. "Meaning?", he asked curiously. "Well... I always thought that although down to earth you'd have a bit of pomp. I thought you'de be all proper and stiff and not the kind of person who'd invite an employee to dinner after a long day." "Well, to be honest with you, I don't like much of the pomp and circumstance. That's why I loved the army. I could be just Harry. Not Prince Harry. I didn't have to be proper and formal... and as you put it: stiff. And I know people tend to get nervous around me, so I try to be as "normal" as possible whenever I can." "That really helps." "Were you nervous when meeting me?" "No. Because I didn't know I was actually meeting you. They said you wouldn't go in the headquarters." "That's another thing most people just assume. That I won't get involved with the people I work with. That I don't know what happens and what I want to be done." He had the last sip of wine. "It really surprised me to see you really working and not just having something briefed and told you a few minutes beforehand when you'd have to make an appearance." "That's just me...", he called for the waiter and before he arrived at the table, he looked at her and asked: "Dessert?" "I think I am going to pass. I really need to go home and sleep a bit. Sorry." "There's no need to apologize. Tomorrow you can be here by 10." "But I have things to finish...", she started protesting. "But you're tired, you worked 14 hours today. And 11 the day before. It's too much. And I know that brazilian law allows only 8." "Thank you, then.", she had a deep breath.

Harry paid the bill -after she protested about wanting to split the bill - and together with his RPO's they made their way back to the hotel. They were walking carelessly and slowly. Harry was admiring the city night and pointing things once in a while. They bid each other good night when they were in front of the hotel and Carolina walked the blocks to the nearest subway station and started her commute to home, already dreaming of her bed and finally sleeping.

Carolina’s outfit for her fourth day of work

[strikingforbrothers]

Chapter 3: The King and I

“Bloody vines.” Beast hated the plant things, how some of them had a mind of their own it seemed like whenever they attacked. He was the strongest the jungle group had, having been raised from birth to be an angry killer. So it was now when they decided to test him out, to see if he could be useful to the Cause. Beast hated it, even the name they gave him to never let him be fully part of the group. Just a weapon. Eventually he grew to begrudgingly accept it, because it was the only purpose he knew. 

He looked around and jumped up to the wall, climbing the first stone. This wall was older and had more spots to hold onto, though he didn’t know the layout of the building. His mission was to record it all, as well as take out any one he came across. The less Elesians there were, the easier it would be for the Cause to fight. He climbed and climbed until finally he reached the open window. 

Slowly he peeked inside, saw that there was no one there and jumped in. It looked like a bedroom, a grand one. Someone important slept here, he was sure. The ones in the jungle had the biggest space to sleep in the higher up the hierarchy they were. Shit.

A man was sleeping in the bed. Older, if the gray hairs and wrinkled face said anything. It could be easy to get rid of him. Sure the man had a good chest and shoulders from what he could see, and shape of that ass underneath the sheets...no. Those were not the thoughts he was supposed to have. The Cause beat it out of him all the time whenever they caught him staring. Beast was never allowed to have any affection, because it would make him soft. Still it was tempting and quietly he approached the body, grabbing what looked like a knife from the nearby table. 

[every-sakura]

[every-sakura]

[every-sakura]