Footsteps on the staircase slowly pulled Jin from slumber; his sleeping mind subconsciously recognising the noise as one that didn't belong amongst the usual creaks and groans of the night-quietened house and prompting his protective instincts to wake, just in case one of his dongsaengs was in distress.

He waited, not bothering to open his eyes as he listened to decipher if the soft padding steps were coming up or going down.

They grew fainter- down then.

There were bathrooms on the upper floor, so it was likely that one of the younger members was raiding the fridge for a midnight snack.

Jin used deductive reasoning (no easy feat just after being woken at 2am) to guess that it was most likely either Jimin or Kookie. He could very barely make out Hoseok's darkly shadowed form in the bed across the room, and if he listened carefully, he could just make out Yoongi's soft snuffling snore from the room across the hall. Taehyung very, very rarely got up during the night and the footsteps were simply too soft to be Namjoon-ah.

He fought against the pull of sleep as he waited for the footsteps to return, yawning widely in the dark, not wanting to fall back asleep until whoever it was made it back to where they were meant to be at this hour of the night.

Five minutes later he was startled back to full wakefulness by a soft thump from the lower floor, almost directly below him…the bathroom?

Not even the toilet, if for some reason one of them had decided they absolutely had to use the downstairs facilities rather than the two available on the upper floor.

But an actual bathroom; shower, bathtub, mirror, sink.

Every reason Jin could think of that involved suddenly having to shower or bathe at 2am left him wide awake and somewhat worried.

He shrugged off the covers, swinging his legs off the bed to sit up. His skin immediately goose-pimpled against the frigidly cold December night air, and Jin hissed softly, tucking his fingers under his arms as he searched for his slippers with his feet. Slipping the left on, he dragged the right from beneath the bed and shoved his foot in, standing with a little shuffle to warm his legs. He dragged the top blanket off his bed and wrapped it snuggly around his shoulders.

The light above the staircase was always left on at night (an unspoken team decision after the third time Joonie-ah had woken the entire house tripping down the stairs in the dark), and Jin used the soft glow to navigate his way along the hallway and downstairs, blanket trailing after him.

His most likely suspect was Jimin, and if that's who it was, for the reason he suspected, Jin was not going to be happy.

Jiminie was meant to come and wake him if the younger was having trouble sleeping; as trying to deal with it on his own had only led to Jin finding a violently hysterical Jimin seated on the floor of the kitchen one night a few weeks past. The younger so beyond exhausted that he'd been near delusional with mental fatigue; rocking back and forth, muttering interspersed with giggling and uncontrollable tears.

Jin had later found out that Jimin hadn't be able to sleep at all for nearly four nights, and had been spasmodic at best for weeks before that, managing only a couple of hours a night at best. The stress and pressure of their everyday lives so heavy during that last month's rush to get their newest album finished in time for the scheduled release, the younger boy unable to just turn off at the end of the day, spending hours and hours and hours lying in bed, hashing and rehashing all the things he still needed to finish, needed to practice, needed to perfect.

Jin had swept him off the floor in a bone crushing hug, never minding of the tears and snot as Jimin buried his face in Jin's chest and just cried. It had taken a warm shower, fresh clothes, warm milk, Jin's bed and two hours of a gentle hand carding through his hair and sweeping up and down his spine before Jimin had finally been able to sleep that night.

They'd had words the next evening (Jimin had slept for nearly 16 hours) at a team meeting, everyone aware of what had happened. They were all horrified that Jimin hadn't been sleeping and very concerned, but Jin and Namjoon particularly, were furious that Jimin had let it go that far, had let himself get into such a state.

Hadn't come to them.

They would have understood Jimin not bothering to mention a night or two of little sleep, but weeks?

Jimin had tried to defend himself, eyes welling at the disappointed anger that was directed at him, but tears stubbornly held back, gaze pinned to a spot on the wall over Namjoon's shoulder. Everyone else was exhausted as well- Jungkook had been sleepwalking again and Tae was so tired he could barely get out of bed. He hadn't wanted to bother anyone, everyone else was exhausted too.

It had softened Namjoon and Jin's expressions and demeanours, and Tae and Kookie had almost been in tears themselves, but hadn't floated as a reason. Jin explained that any one of them would have been more than happy to give up half an hour or an hour extra to help Jimin fall asleep, if it meant Jimin got some sleep.

For the want of a simple half-hour more wakefulness for just one of the others (and it didn't have to be the same person each night), they could take care of Jimin too.

The tears had come then, Jimin too drawn out and sensitive to fight the flood of emotion at their tenderness.

If possible, Namjoon and Jin had been even more furious with themselves for not noticing. They'd realized that the younger was tired, was struggling, but they all had been; they're schedule had been just brutal. They hadn't seen just how terribly Jimin had been struggling, though.

They'd vowed to never let it happen again.

Jimin had spent practically every night for the whole next week curled up beside either Hoseok or Jin, depending on their own schedules; a gentle hand soothing away thoughts, the presence of someone else seemingly enough to allow him to shut down and sleep.

And once the album dropped, and the pressure eased, he'd immediately relaxed back into his usual sleep habits, stress induced insomnia not a problem without the stress.

But they'd extracted a promise that Jimin would come to one of them if (when) the problem reoccurred.

And lately? Lately the stress had been piling back up as they prepared to go on tour again.

So, Jin was not going to impressed in any way shape or form if he found Jimin in that bathroom, hands shaky with fatigue as he tried to draw his own warm bath at 2am.

Only, when Jin stuck his head in the half open door, it wasn't Jimin on the floor of the bathroom.

It was Taehyung.

Taehyung, dressed in only a thin pair of sleep pants, spread-out flat on his stomach on the cold tiled floor, head, shoulders and one arm disappearing beneath the sink cabinet.

Jin stared.

Sleepwalking? Only, Jungkookie was their resident sleepwalker. Granted Tae spoke in his sleep; Jin had overheard midnight conversations between Jimin and sleeptalking Tae, the older of the pair giggling ridiculously as Tae babbled nonsensical replies to anything he was asked.

But Jin had never caught him sleepwalking.

He stepped closer, about to speak, when he heard the quiet voice from beneath the sink.

Tae was whispering, very softly, his voice honey warm and just as sweet, as he murmured into the dark cavity.

Jin shuffled forward a few more steps and crouched down by the still oblivious Tae's side, head tilted as he listened to what the other was saying-

Singing.

"-ft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur. Happy kitty, sleepy kitty. Purr, purr, purr…" Tae shuffled a little further forward, and his voice was even softer as he spoke, "...hey pretty kitty, what are you doing under here? Aren't you cold? Come on baby… everything will be fine…come here, puss puss, TaeTae will-"

Jaenjang. Jin dropped his head into his hands.

How long had Taehyung been hiding a kitten in their bathroom?

Tae was wiggling backwards, sliding out from beneath the cabinet with one arm outstretched before him, which he drew to his chest as he moved to a kneeling position and looked up-

And came face to face with Jin crouched less than a foot away, blanket draped over his shoulders, the look on his handsome face distinctly unimpressed.

Tae's eyes dropped to the white ball of fluff in his hands and then flew back to Jin, his tongue slipping out to wet his lips, before he pasted on his most charming (I'm adorable, love me!) smile, and said innocently, "This isn't what it looks like."

Jin raked his gaze over Taehyung, noting the blue tinge to his pale skin, goosebumps raised all over. He was shivering, fingers red with cold where they cuddled into the kitten's fur, which, speaking of, Jin also noticed the slightly raised thin red scratches furrowing across Taehyungs collar bone and chest, and down one arm.

"Kim Taehyung," he started and Tae visibly tensed (whole name treatment! Jin was erring on the side of irritation rather than amusement-), and Jin sighed, shaking his head and dropped his 'sceptical and disapproving' face for a much more fitting 'too tired to deal with this right now' face.

"Tae. It's two am. You're going back to bed. I'm going back to bed." Jin stated, pushing to his feet and looking down expectantly.

Taehyung stared back, before dropping his gaze to the kitten and looking back up, eyes wide and distressed, "But Jin-Hyung-"

"Don't you 'Jin-Hyung' me, Kim Taehy- " Jin started to retort-

And then the kitten uncurled slightly and Tae dragged it up under his chin, and suddenly Jin was being tag-teamed by two pairs of huge guileless eyes-

He caved like cheap tent in the middle of a windstorm.

"Aish, you brat…here," Jin pulled one of the plush towels from the rack behind him (dark green. Surely, Joonie-ah would understand a sacrifice for the greater good?) and bunched it up in the end of the bathtub creating a soft warm nest, "Put the kitten to bed, and then you're going to bed, and I'm going to bed. It'll be nice and safe and warm, and you can explain in the morning…"

Taehyung looked between the kitten, the towel bed and Jin, obviously still torn; but gave in quickly when he noticed the little bit of exasperated amusement on Jin's face beginning to fade back into irritated exasperation.

Nodding quickly, the youngster swivelled to kneel by the bathtub, bending over as he settled the kitten into its new bed. Jin shook his head at what seemed to be a ridiculously drawn out process, but he could feel the beginnings of a grin tug at his lips when he over-heard Taehyung's muttering, "-great! The best, I promise. Don't let the sour face fool you. He's a total softie. You'll see-"

Jin's lips were quirked upwards (just a little) when he dropped a second fluffy towel (Pink.) over Taehyung's quivering shoulders, but it morphed into an outright smile to match the pleased one Taehyung threw over his shoulder.

"Aish, come on Tae-baby, that's enough. The kitten will be fine." Jin pulled Tae to his feet, unable to handle the cuteness any longer- was it really necessary to croon that lullaby again?

Taehyung wrapped the huge towel more firmly around himself and smiled at Jin over a wrinkled-up nose…, "Bedtime, Jin-Hyung!" and pulled Jin out the door, whispering "Goodnight pretty Kitty!" and turning off the light as he went.

It only took Jin three steps into the loungeroom to work out that Taehyung had the kitten snuggled up against his chest under the towel.

He gave it up as a battle not worth fighting. He'd need all his energy to win the war tomorrow morning when he had to insist that Tae couldn't keep the fluffball.

Besides, if it peed in his bed, well…

Jin had always been a big believer of 'You've made your bed…'


Jin had had to wake early enough the next morning to feel justified turning a dark look at the wall in the general direction of Taehyungs bedroom.

But it was no use coveting lost sleep, and so he forced himself to leave the warm haven of his sheets and blankets, and hurry into the bathroom at the end of the hall.

Several minute later he exited, freshly showered and slightly more awake for it, his disposition improved with the liberal soaking of hot water and warm clothes.

Strangely enough, he could also smell bacon.

Which was awesome on its own merit, but also meant that one of the others had decided to start breakfast- as far as Jin knew, it wasn't his birthday, and hell hadn't frozen over, so he decided it must have been a blue moon last night.

Regardless, he was already appreciating not having to cook for once. (His hurry down the staircase toward the kitchen was to eat the glorious smelling breakfast, not to ensure that Namjoon wasn't anywhere near the stove).

Namjoon was manning the toaster, and Jin relaxed (slightly). Yoongi was at the stove, bacon and eggs sizzling in the pan before him.

The pair were so caught up in intense conversation that they hadn't even noticed Jin's entrance.

"-if it's somewhere in the house, we're going to have to find it this morning before we leave…" Namjoon was saying, fiddling absently with the dials on the two toasters as he spoke over his shoulder, "I can't believe you-"

Yoongi snorted grumpily, throwing in a glare for good measure as he cut the younger rapper off, "For the last time! It was snowing and cold! The poor little thing was miserable and half frozen, I couldn't just leave it out there! I might be heartless, but I'm-"

Namjoon barked a laugh, taking his own turn to cut Yoongi off, "Hey- I wasn't going to say that, I think it was cute!"

Yoongi scowled, swatting at Namjoon with the spatula as he bit back, "Oh, because that's so much better! Shut up! Let's just focus on the problem- the damn thing is gone."

"Well, that's what I was going to say – I can't believe you didn't, I don't know, stick a sign on the door or something…'Don't open: Kitten visiting'…" Namjoon grinned, pulling out the toast as it popped and loading in more slices.

Yoongi sighed, "It was midnight! No one should have needed to go to that bathroom! That's why I was first up this morning, I was going to deal with it-"

Jin, having been following the conversation with something akin to great enjoyment, finally decided to put his two dongsaeng out of their misery, "Ah, you're talking about our little furred visitor to the downstairs bathroom last night? Don't worry, it's not a problem…Tae found it."

Jin possibly could have considered his words a little more, as Yoongi immediately dropped the spatula and spun towards him, a horror-struck look on his face as he exclaimed, "Tae found it?! Taehyung!? Our Taehyung!? Hyung!- how is that not a problem?!"

Jin looked non-plussed for a second, prompting Yoongi to throw his hands up and exclaimed, "It belongs to the girl next-door! And I'm not going to be the one telling Tae he has to give it back!"

And with that, Yoongi stomped out of the kitchen.

Jin sighed.

Looked like he was cooking breakfast that morning after all.


Jungkook, Jimin and J-hope had appeared in the kitchen several minutes later, all three offering a morning greeting as they plopped down into seats at the table, although that was were the similarities ended.

J-hope was showered, fully dressed. He appeared bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for the day.

Jimin was at least dressed, although he looked distinctly bleary eyed. Jin eyed him with concern until the boy smiled back at him through a yawn and assured quietly, "I'm okay, hyung-nim. It's just too early..."

Jin nodded, relieved and turned to their youngest.

Jungkook might as well have been sleepwalking for how little difference there was. Still in his pyjamas, with only the addition of a dressing gown and slippers, the maknae had mumbled out his "Good morning" through a series of tiny yawns, before dropping into the chair and pillowing his head on his crossed arms, eyes closed. Namjoon had smiled fondly, ruffling the already atrocious bed hair as he wandered past to set plates on the table, teasing, "Is our Kookie-ah not awake yet?"

Kookie mumbled something unintelligible in return that set all four of his hyung to laughing.

Yoongi had chosen that moment to stalk back in, still scowling. He leant against the kitchen bench, and breathed deeply for a second before he spoke, "…He's all snuggled up with it. It's curled up in the crook of his shoulder, and it's all fluffy and purring and they're both asleep, and its Way. Too. Adorable. I had to take photos! This is all your fault hyung!"

Jin and Namjoon had cracked up, and Jungkook, suddenly much more awake, sat up, demanding an explanation.

Jin had obliged, and then required to see the photographic evidence.

Twenty minutes later, breakfast was ready and everyone started in, with the exception of Taehyung who'd yet to appear.

This wasn't surprising, as Tae usually slept like the dead, and when he was overtired or stressed…well, if Jimin was inflicted with insomnia, then Taehyung was the opposite.

It didn't seem to matter how much, or how deeply he slept, he woke up exhausted anyway. As if his body just wasn't getting enough rest to keep up with the emotional and physical drain.

Getting him out of bed of a morning lately had been near impossible.

It was part of the reason Jin had been so shocked to find Tae out of bed so early that morning. He still didn't know how the brat had known to go looking for the kitten (some inherent baby animal radar?). And now that he knew Yoongi was the culprit, Jin was also very glad he hadn't had the energy to accuse or get angry with Tae for hiding the kitten last night. He didn't know if he had the stomach to deal with broken-hearted Tae… adding hurt-feelings Tae on top of that?

Jin would like to walk away with his own heart intact, thankyou very much.

Jin was just about to go and attempt to drag their second youngest out of bed when Taehyung walked in on his own accord.

If Jin hadn't already what was going on, he'd have become suspicious right then.

For one, Tae was wide awake and dressed, which was like…expecting Namjoon to not break things. He was also wearing an overly large jacket, which while not unusual (the opposite would have been more alarming), also seemed to contain some very odd lumps and bumps in the chest area.

For another, his smile was way too innocent.

It practically screamed trouble.

And for once it just made Jin smile. He found he quite liked being one step ahead of Kim Taehyung's machinations.

It seemed that Taehyung had already pinpointed the number one resistance to whatever plan he'd hatched to allow him to keep the kitten… Min Yoongi.

Who, apart from not really liking cats (Kittens were different, but unfortunately Kittens had this unfortunate habit of suddenly becoming cats), was also allergic to their fur.

Taehyung all but skipped into the kitchen (so, so suspicious), and slid into the only remaining seat, between Kookie and Jin, his grin infectious as he called out his morning greeting, shooting a sidelong glance at Jin, gauging…was Jin in the mood to aide and abet?

Jin blinked back innocently, and didn't say anything.

While Taehyung was distracted, the other five shared a quick glance, weighing options and possibilities…and then as one, made the decision to pretend they had no idea anything was amiss.

This should be hilarious.


They'd been wrong.

It hadn't been hilarious, it had been adorable.

Taehyung had lasted all of five minutes, bouncing in his chair and nibbing on a piece of bacon, too excited to listen to Jin's attempts to get him to actually sit and eat something properly.

Yoongi had gotten up thirty seconds later and 'left to go to the bathroom'.

As soon as the rapper's back was turned, Taehyung had latched onto Kookies arm and half dragged him under the table, stooping over to conceal what they were doing. Excited frenzied whispering had buzzed from their side of the table and Jin had been hard-pressed to not laugh at how ridiculously obvious it was that he was up to something.

Across the table, Hobi was biting the sleeve of his jacket, his eyes wide and wet with mirth.

Jungkook suddenly cooed, loudly and Taehyung clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle him, glancing up quickly to check no one had noticed.

Everyone else determinedly pretended to be thoroughly absorbed with their breakfast and whatever inane conversational topics they could grab onto with little thought. Taehyung grinned and went back to whispering to Kookie who, aish- now had his hands in Tae's jacket, his face halfway to following, whispering and poking at what was no doubt a fluffy ball of kitten.

Jin was suddenly very, very glad that their maknae already knew the kitten belonged to someone else…he didn't think he could deal with the two of them pleading to be allowed to keep the thing.

Jimin couldn't stand it any longer, and he shuffled his chair (a loud, bouncing, scraping process) around the table until he was on Kookies other side.

Jin heard the terrible stage whisper, "What are you two-"

Taehyungs snapped his head up with a huge delighted grin, and if Jin had ever doubted the honesty of the friendship between the pair (he hadn't) he never would again…Tae just looked so completely elated to be able to share his treasure with Jimin… it was beyond charming.

Jimin himself wasn't much better, with his matching blinding smile and little dimple appearing at Taehyungs sheer excitement. Then he saw the kitten.

And holy wow – their maknae line would dominate the world if the trio ever decided they wanted to.

Jimin though, was ever the voice of reason…especially if that also caused trouble.

"Namjoon's never gonna let you keep it." he muttered, hand shoved deep inside Tae's jacket beside Jungkook's, the kitten having obviously retreated further down to curl up on Tae's stomach.

From directly behind them, Namjoon suddenly leaned over, his head appearing between Taehyung and Jungkook's shoulders, "Keep what?"

For all that he was in on the playacting, Jungkook almost jumped out of his skin, and Jin couldn't help breaking into loud laughter.

Taehyung looked up at him, betrayed, before slowly turning his head to meet Namjoon's expectantly waiting face, mild smile more predatory than the most shark-like grin.

Tae gulped visibly, and then smiled like he thought Namjoon had hung the sun, "Jooonie-hyung…"

Namjoon bit back a bray of laughter…this kid was sheer manipulation. Thing was…he was so damned good at it that Namjoon might have been tempted to fold if he hadn't known.

"Yes, Taehyungiiie…" he drawled back, smiling when Tae's grin faltered slightly at the returned cuteness. Yeah brat, two could play at this game.

Taehyung looked around the table, noticed he had everyone's attention anyway, and went for the kill.

Pulling the kitten out, he let its legs dangle as he pressed his face into it's fur, eyes peeking out over the top of its head.


J-hope was halfway across the table, not even attempting to remain in his seat as he petted at the tiny kitten that was purring up a storm between Taehyungs long fingered hands.

Jimin and Jungkook were both were scratching behind one ear each; the poor little thing didn't seem to know which way to turn its head, but seemed to be in heaven regardless.

Namjoon had the camera open on his phone.

Jin was attempting to work out just how to tell Tae that he definitely couldn't keep it. (More like working up the heart).

And then Yoongi sneezed in the hallway just outside the door.

Taehyung panicked and hightailed it straight out the door into the front yard.

Yoongi walked back in and with a smirk, asked "So what did I miss?" Namjoon knew full well the rapper had been standing just on the other side of the door the whole time.

The rest of the kitchen dissolved into laughter.

Yoongi hurried to add, "Seriously though. I'm not telling him.'

Jin sighed and bit the bullet, they had to leave soon anyway, and he knew Tae was probably already trying to work out how to sneak the kitten into the studio (all the better to start wearing down Min Yoongi, naturally).

He got to his feet and crossed the room, stepping out the still open front door and down the steps into the yard.

He heard a thrilled squeal and looked up just in time to see a delighted dark-haired child throw herself at Taehyung's legs, wrapping her arms around his knees tightly as she beamed up at him, exclaiming, "You found her! You found her! Snowbell! My snowbell!"

Tae, looking equally delighted, carefully dropped to a crouch and offloaded the tiny kitten into eagerly awaiting hands, looking altogether too charmed by the tiny girl.

The girl didn't pause to chat, turning around and racing back toward her own house, her voice well ahead of her as she yelled, "Eomma! Eomma!"

Suddenly she stopped, spun back around and called- "Thankyou!" And the she was gone.

Taehyung cracked up, falling backward to flop into the snow, an enchanted grin on his face, and Jin remembered…if there was one thing their Taehyung adored more than baby animals…it was baby people.