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The collision doesn't happen, though.

Jeongguk supports himself on the sand in time to avoid accidentally crushing Jimin. The tips of their noses gently touch like an Eskimo kiss, with their lips only a few millimetres apart. The blood pumps high in their ears as their breaths mingle and their eyes open and gazes lock.

Jimin's breath catches in his throat as coffee-brown eyes look back into his, back and forth. The world seems to continue to stand still, granting them a moment of silence. This carefree moment, and the proximity of the human, trigger a longing in Jimin to stay longer like this. But not everything lasts long.

Their eyes widen abruptly, caused by excited shrieks from nearby toddlers. The bubble around them bursts, and they become aware of their surroundings and position. Jimin's cheeks terribly flush, and he squeaks in shock when he suddenly becomes aware of the pleasant warmth on his thigh. A few millimetres higher and Jeongguk would have touched his butt cheek.

Jimin tenses in utter disbelief as he realises that it wouldn't make him uncomfortable. Just like how his hands have found their place on Jeongguk's chest, but he doesn't feel the need to push him away. Rather than that, it makes him flustered with how close they are.

Jeongguk, too, finally seems to wake up from his reverie, causing him to awkwardly clear his throat and move away from Jimin faster than the latter can blink nor would like him to. Jimin watches Jeongguk scratch his head in embarrassment and support himself on the towel with both arms behind him. His gaze glides to the sky before he closes his eyes and breathes in calmly.

Jimin's hand, which has become frozen in mid-air, falls flat beside his body while his other hand goes to his pounding heart in his chest, and his widened eyes stare into space. What would have happened if they had kissed? For a little moment, he thought that it wasn't just their noses that would touch. What if it had happened? Would Jeongguk have pulled back? Would he have allowed their lips to linger on each other?

At the absurd thoughts, Jimin shakes his head in disbelief and silently straightens up. Jeongguk would certainly have interrupted the kiss and looked at him a little strangely. Would he even consider dating a hybrid partner? Probably not.

Jeongguk doesn't even really know anything about hybrids, after all. And then there's the thing about him being a rock star. It has never been mentioned in his presence whether they're allowed to date or not. So what if—

Jimin brings his thoughts to a jolting halt. Why the hell is he thinking about such things when he has just gotten out of a relationship? Jimin shouldn't care whether he is allowed to date or not. But in the back of his mind, he can't help wondering if Jeongguk does date, would it be someone like him? Would he date a hybrid like me?

"Did you know that the butterfly and the rhododendron flower were from me?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Jimin sees Jeongguk tense up and look at him as if he's just dropped a bomb. Jeongguk's eyebrow piercing shines through the few rays of sunlight that penetrate the tree leaves. Jimin can't remember before he knew Jeongguk, ever really paying attention to something like that or thinking it really suited someone. Moreover, he can't say it adds attractiveness to Jeongguk's looks if he looks attractive either way.

"You mean the flower and the butterfly I found in my kitchen? Wait, hold on a second. Is that why you hid under the sofa?"

Jimin nods. "Haven't you read about red pandas eating rhododendron flowers and insects? At that time I wanted to thank you for letting me stay, but I didn't know how, so I caught you a butterfly and sneaked a flower from the terrace and then you—"

"—I just threw it away... Min, I'm sorry. If I knew—"

"It's fine. Thinking about it now... it was a weird present, but I couldn't just shift and write a letter." Jimin dismisses Jeongguk's apologetic look with a hand wave to show him it's not important anymore. "You couldn't have known. I just wanted to tell you because I couldn't get your confused expression out of my head."

"I really thought Minsu or Youngjin put those there because they were drunk, but it makes so much more sense now." Jeongguk chuckles nervously and shakes his head. Awkward silence settles, and Jeongguk panicky searches his surroundings, thinking of a new topic. "Tell me more things about hybrids. What's it like to be able to transform?"

Jimin hums thoughtfully as he thinks it over, his hands going down to the wet spots of his trousers and moving them properly so that they can dry in the warm sun.

Jeongguk asked an interesting question that he hadn't really thought about before. He's just accepted it and grown up with being a hybrid. "It's different. My body tingles when I transform, and my bones change. I can't really describe it, but transforming also allows me to see the world through different eyes. Since I can walk around as a red panda for quite a long time, I don't have any problems with it hurting at some point."

"That's interesting. Does that also mean that when a hybrid is born, it could be born in both hybrid form and human form?"

From the way Jeongguk asks and the questions he asks, he proves how little he knows about hybrids after all. However, Jimin doesn't mind answering all his questions. It can only make them grow closer. "It depends on the parent who gives birth to it in which form they are. But many hybrids give birth in human form as it is more practical, and one can go to the hospital and receive immediate help."

"Ah, so women tend to go to the hospital." Jeongguk looks at him intelligibly, and the corners of his mouth form into a smile. He gives the appearance of understanding... Except, Jeongguk misunderstood Jimin about getting pregnant.

"It's not just women who can get pregnant," Jimin mumbles softly, rubbing his hands down his pants and licking his lip. He's starting to get embarrassed about the direction the conversation is going, but Jeongguk is curious, can he forbid him to learn more? Jimin is certain he's the only one in Jeongguk's circle who can teach and tell him more about hybrids. Jeongguk would otherwise know more about them.

The latter snaps his head towards him, he peers at Jimin with bulging eyes and an incredulous stare. His muscles tense under his white sweatshirt, and Jeongguk looks as if he's weighing up whether what Jimin just heard he really said or whether Jeongguk just imagined it.

Jeongguk's mouth falls open, but the words don't roll off his tongue, and his gaze settles on the glittering water for a few seconds to gather his words. "When you say that not only women get pregnant, does that mean..."

Jimin would prefer to crack a smile at his astonishment if he wasn't too nervous to wait and see what Jeongguk's reaction would be. After all, he needs to know that if they ever get together—

Hold on. Why the hell is he thinking about that? Jeongguk is attractive, and maybe he has a little crush on him, but they haven't known each other long enough to make such a decision. Jimin is not only amazed but also flustered at what he has just admitted. But honestly, who can resist Jeongguk? It's no wonder there are so many fans who admire him.

Jimin recently looked up the band on YouTube when Jeongguk wasn't there and came across the short YouTube shorts that often focus on Jeongguk. He looked stunning on stage with makeup and outfit while playing the drums. One of his favourite videos must be one where Jeongguk had tied his dark purple hair into a bun before the song began and he caught the drumstick in the air. The sounds of Minsu's guitar and Youngjin's bass just unceremoniously jolted him out of his thoughts.

"It means female and male hybrids can get pregnant, depending on their dynamics. If one is an alpha, they can't get pregnant, but if they're an omega, it's possible. Omegas have a uterus connected to the rectum. They can get pregnant regardless of their gender."

"Does that mean you can bear children too?" Jimin takes in a sharp breath, blushing furiously at his bold question. He's sputtering and struggling to find the right words. Jeongguk must be just realising what he has just blurted out. The clear shock of bewilderment turns into a nervous and apologetic expression. "Forget I asked you that. It was rude of me to ask you like that, and it isn't any of my business. I wanted to ask if you're an alpha or an omega, but thinking about the question doesn't make it sound less rude."

"I ehm—" Jimin fidgets with the blue towel he's sitting on, biting his lip as he's filled with nervousness. Blood is pumping up to his ears, warming his cheeks even more. Jimin is sure he must look red as a tomato by now, and that he wants to mentally slap himself since his mind keeps racing with pictures of red panda cubs doesn't help one bit.

"You don't have to tell me if you feel uncomfortable. We can just change the topic." There it is. Jeongguk shows him a way out of his conversation. He makes it so easy for him not to come out with the answer and saves him from letting the atmosphere go down even more.

But why does Jimin insist on giving Jeongguk the answer and anticipate his reaction?

"It's not making me uncomfortable." It's just so embarrassing. Will the truth weird Jeongguk out? Will Jeongguk accept it?

Nervously, Jimin runs his tongue over his lip and moistens it. Meanwhile, his heart begins to beat faster, and he swallows hard. Slightly lost in thought, he looks around nervously and wipes his hands, sticky with sweat, on his trousers. He hasn't imagined how he will ever say this to Jeongguk, yet this may not be the most ideal situation for it.

"I am an omega," he whispers, voice wavering through the lump that has formed in his throat, afraid Jeongguk won't respond as he hopes. The lack of eye contact doesn't ease his anticipation and anxiety, but the fear makes him refuse to look into Jeongguk's eyes and decipher the emotions that cross his face. He gasps when, after seconds of silence, Jeongguk suddenly turns his whole body towards him, and his eyes sparkle with an unknown emotion that Jimin cannot read.

"So you can bear children too," Jeongguk says with admiration in his voice and unnoticed, the tension in Jimin eases, relief washing over his face with the slumping of his shoulders. A shaky laughter passes his lips as the uncomfortable squeezing of his chest subsides.

"I can bear cubs..." Jimin admits and spares him with the details of what it means to be an omega. He feels neither already nor confident to talk about it.

Jeongguk turns back to the water, and his lost look shows that he is just trying to process the new information. "I really had no idea," he mumbles, lost in thoughts. A silence follows, accompanied by the sound of the sea.

Jimin wants to remark that it is uncomfortable, but it is not really, as the sea breeze blows through his hair and makes his ears twitch under his bucket hat to be released. He's about to simply take the hat off, so his ears can breathe, but he can't just hide his fluffy ears, or can he?

"You can take your hat off, you know. It won't bother anyone, and if it does, I'm here." Jeongguk peers at Jimin's hands, which are just in mid-air after he has taken them off his bucket hat. Jimin gently smiles at him and nods. "Your ears are always showing, aren't they? Is that why you're unsure?"

As if reading his mind, Jeongguk speaks the words that were on Jimin's mind. "I can't just hide them, and I only walked around showing them in my town because I was used to it."

"I see. Bigger cities scare you more because it's new to you. Let me put it this way. Nowadays, hybrids are accepted in society, you just don't see them much because, like you, they are afraid to come out. Some grow up with them, some don't. What I'm trying to say is, you shouldn't be afraid, and you should be proud of who you are. There will always be people who don't accept you, but I will be here by your side if anything happens. So you can take your hat off if you want. I can only imagine how warm it must be underneath."

"Alright," Jimin finally murmurs and, albeit a little hesitantly, takes off the bucket hat, sighing with relief before looking around a little uncertainly. He breathes a sigh of relief when no one is looking.

Time passes more quickly after that. Jimin ventures to the water again, beaming with joy, and Jeongguk also joins in to dip his feet in the cool water. Jimin, as cheeky as he can be, sees an opportunity and seizes it without further ado as Jeongguk stands on the edge of the shallow water with his hands on his hips and his eyes closed. His hand reaches out to the water, and only seconds later, the work is done. Jeongguk's trousers and white top have many small water spots after Jimin has splashed him.

"Just you wait!" Jeongguk didn't have to be told twice about the water fight and launched at him, careful of the electronic devices he had previously put in his pocket and now placed on the edge in their view. It soon became clear that they had to go to the hotel to change if they wanted to continue exploring the city.

And so they change into different and thinner clothes as it has gotten warmer. They spend the whole lunchtime and afternoon exploring different things like the 5-colour Spring and the National Reserve and talking about all kinds of different things. Back downtown, Jimin convinces Jeongguk to wander around some market and look for some ice cream since he wants to cool down. The drummer gladly agrees, which leads them to walk down a few streets until they reach what looks like a shopping mall connected with a market.

Jimin is about to take a curious look around to see what's there when he sees the various market stalls. Subconsciously, Jimin grasps Jeongguk's hand and tugs on it, making the latter grin.

The soft cry of a child, however, interferes with his plan. Jimin's ears twitch, and he looks around in worry. A few metres away, Jimin spots a small boy looking lost and distraught, with tears rolling down his cheeks and trying to wipe them away with his hand while he holds ice cream in his other hand. Jimin's heart tightens at the sight as memory is evoked.

He was lost. In the middle of the crowd, he had lost sight of his father. No matter where he looked, everyone looked the same. At the tender age of four, Jimin bumped into every adult on the pavement and tucked at their clothes, crying, hoping when the person looked down at him, it was his father. But they weren't.

The tears blurred his vision and made it hard to concentrate on getting out of the crowd. The fear of not finding his father again and not finding his way home caused panic in him. No one helped him at first, not even when he called for his father. He sobbed more, scared and distraught, thinking his father went home and left him there.

His breath was uneven when someone abruptly tugged on his shoulder, causing him to hold his breath.

"Papa?"

Jimin was disappointed when a woman with an apron squatted down in front of him and wiped away his tears with a gentle expression. "I'm sorry I'm not your dad. How about we get out of the crowd, and we go find your dad then, hm? I have a market stall right there near the end of the street. It might be easier to find your dad then, okay?"

Not knowing whether Jimin can trust the stranger, he initially took a step back, but her friendly charisma made him hesitantly agree. After all, he just wanted to go home.

As promised, they walked to her market stall, where she pulled up a chair and helped Jimin to stand on it. There were other people at the stall, but Jimin paid no attention to them as the kind woman took him in her arms and again wiped away his tears.

"What does your father look like?"

Jimin described him as best he could with his few years. It was a very vague description of a person, but with the questions the woman had asked him, it was easier to describe him. Confidently, she smiled at him. "Don't worry about it. We'll go and look for him if he doesn't find you here, okay?"

Jimin kept his eyes open, but with each passing person, he became sadder again. His lower lip began to tremble as a slightly broader person came into his view, making him look at the person with a hopeful gaze.

"Papa?"

"Daddy?"

Jimin snaps out of his daydream and now kneels in front of the boy, just like the woman had done back then. "Hi, little one. Are you lost? Did you lose your parents? Can you tell me what your father or mother looks like?"

Jimin's voice is soft and holds caution as he talks to the frightened boy. The latter's brown hair covers his forehead, and his nose wrinkles cutely as he sobs. Jimin would also like to take him in his arms and comfort him, but he is unsure if that would be best.

"Let's dry your tears."

Jimin takes a tissue package from Jeongguk's backpack. Slowly and carefully, he kneels down to him and uses the tissue to dry the boy's wet and rosy cheeks. "Can you tell me your name? My name is Jimin and this is Jeongguk," Jimin introduces himself and then points to the drummer next to him.

"Jae." The boy hiccups and looks at them with his big round eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Jae." Jimin beams and motions to the melting ice cream in his hand. "How about you eat your ice cream, and go look for your parents? Or maybe we can stay here until they find you?"

Jimin gives Jeongguk a questioning look and gets an adoring smile in reply. "We can stay here. Do you want me to get you an ice cream in the meantime?"

Jimin shakes his head in refusal. The boy is more important. Hopefully, the parents will look for him and come soon. Jimin, meanwhile, tries to cheer him up and finally succeeds. Jimin sees that his posture is more relaxed, and he has stopped crying. He smiles, and Jimin grins in satisfaction. His face falls quickly, though, as a hand reaches out and touches his hybrid ears. It is a load off his mind when he sees that it is only Jae who's looking at and touching the ears with awe.

"Do you like my ears?" Jae shyly nods and eats his ice cream before his hand goes back to Jimin's head. Usually, Jimin doesn't like when someone touches his ears (Jeongguk doesn't count), but he makes an exception for this cute little guy. He reminds him of himself at that age.

"Jae! Don't just touch other people. That's not polite."

"Daddy?" Jae looks up, squeaking. Once he realises, it's indeed his father, tears shimmering in his eyes and his bottom lip trembles. He's close to crying again, and Jimin wants to reassure him and help him calm down. Knowing it's now the father's responsibility, Jimin stands up. Admiration flickers in his eyes, and he's overcome with a notion of nostalgia when Jae hides his face in his father's neck, knowing this feeling all too well.

"Thank you for looking after him. We were just at the market, and when I turned around, he was no longer there. Thank you so much, and sorry that he touched your ears."

"No problem, really. If I had had an issue with it, I would have said something. I know he's just curious. It's fine. Have a wonderful day!" Jimin bows goodbye politely and turns back to Jeongguk, who just looks at him wordlessly and with an unreadable expression. Jimin shyly downwards his gaze to the pavement. Unable to read him makes his palm sweaty. It's nothing negative that Jeongguk thinks, no?

"You're wonderful with kids," Jeongguk remarks as they stroll along the market, looking at one market stall after another. For some odd reason, it makes Jimin's stomach flutter.

"You think so?" Jimin raises his eyebrows, silently questioning if that's what Jeongguk really thinks. Jimin's chest swells when he hears sincerity in Jeongguk's response.

“You seem to have a knack for them. I admire that. Not everyone can handle kids.” Jeongguk lifts his shoulders in a gentle manner, and a smile graces his face that reaches his eyes. Pride blossoms in Jimin's chest, and he longs to ask what Jeongguk's perception of children is, but the intense and prolonged eye contact between them halts him from asking the question.

Jimin is unsure what the other is thinking, and he's unsure if there's a hidden message behind his gaze. Before he can blink, Jeongguk breaks eye contact and changes the subject with a clearing of his throat. “How about some ice cream?”

Jimin wonders what this was all about. It made not only his mind frazzled but also his blood pump up to his ears when a jittery feeling overcame him. One moment he feels super proud to see admiration flickering in Jeongguk's eyes and in the next Jeongguk is making him feel strange. It can't surely be more than a crush, no?  

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Next up I will work on silent truth. Since it will have mature content stuff it has been difficult for me to find a beginning etc