Unstitched Wounds

Chapter 11; Gravity

 "Happy birthday to you, Hana-yah!"

Yoongi shuffles through the doorway of Hoseok's quaint apartment, the scent of the human Healer with his wife and child permeating the entire place the second he steps through. If he breaths in deep enough, he can pick up the faintest tendrils of his own scent, along with Seokjin's and Namjoon's from their previous visits.

"Come to Uncle Jinie!"

Whisking the newly-minted one-year-old into his arms, Seokjin gently nuzzles the child until Hana babbles an excited laugh. Her chunky hands grapple at his wheat-hair and her smile still partially gums.

"Thanks for coming! I know that Hana is excited to see her favorite problem wolves for her birthday," Nari says with her hands resting on her hips, eyes fond.

"As if we would miss for the world." Seokjin cradles Hana to his chest, eyes flashing a protective gold. "I still can't believe she's turned one today! You need to stop growing."

Hoseok laughs heartily. "I keep trying to tell her that she needs to stay daddy's little princess, but she continues to grow like a weed!"

"Kids are strangely good at that," Namjoon jokes lightly, shouldering off his leather jacket and kicking off his boots. He holds up a perfectly wrapped present. "Where should I put the gift?"

"Living room on the coffee table, please." Nari gently leads everyone through the threshold with a few hugs and Yoongi trails behind obediently. "Dinner will be served in about an hour, then cake, then presents! I know that you're probably busy, but..."

"No, we took the night off,"Yoongi interjects with a shake of his head. Nari blinks in faint surprise. "We're here to celebrate the little princess turning a year old and not even work was going to pull us away from that."

Nari's expression softens. "Thank you, Yoongi oppa."

Shrugging, Yoongi plops onto the couch and smiles when Seokjin sits on the left of him with Hana still cradled in his arms. He leans over and offers his hand, smiling when her chubby fingers grab it. "Happy birthday."

"I still can't believe it's been a whole year since she was born," Namjoon comments idly as the Healer couple take their seats on the love-seat across from the wolves. "Everything has just been so crazy that it feels like we haven't even had time to breath."

"Yeah, speaking of which, has there been any word on what's going on with the Black Rose's and Jisoo?" Hoseok wraps his arm around his wife's waist with a furrowed brow of concern. "The media hasn't been the most forthcoming with the upcoming Ascension of your pack and Yoongi nominated to take the title of Ascendant Wolf."

Yoongi fights to keep his expression from souring. It isn't as if he has a choice in the title or not. It's all decided by the public and popularity, and unfortunately, he's the most notable in the passing years since Sihyuk's retirement.

It doesn't help that he stands out so much because of his white fur and youthful appearance that is objectively attractive. It makes him an easy target for the media which only boosts his popularity among the human masses.

Clearing his throat, Namjoon takes Hana into his arms and brushes her soft black hair from her face. "If the Council knows something, they aren't letting us in on it. They've been too focused on promoting all the high-ranking Defenders for the upcoming awards and the title this year since Sihyuk won't be in the rankings."

"Which basically means it's a blood bath to take the title," Seokjin adds stiffly, nose wrinkled in faint disdain. "All the packs are hoping for it since they actually stand a chance of winning now."