Cotton Tail // BTS Hybrid AU //

Chapter One

You knelt amongst the garden your grandma used to help out with when you were much younger. The sun baring down on your back in the summer, barely a breeze as you knelt there pulling up weeds and making sure the flowers and vegetables were growing well. The sound of a branch snapping made you jump and you turned quickly to the old apple tree in the far corner.

You saw nobody in sight but you couldn't knock the feeling that somebody was watching you. You shook it off and went back to work, humming quietly as you did so. You heard breathing, and you were positive this time. You turned around, small shovel in hand ready to hit whomever it was. You froze when you saw a male froze mid-step, his eyes wide and his nose twitching.

"Shit." You heard him mutter before he raced off towards the back fence of the garden and he tried clambering over it. You followed wearily, wondering three things.

One, why was he wearing such a woolly hat in the middle of summer?

Two, why was he running as if you just told him you would cut off his pride?

Three, What was he doing in your garden?

"Yah!" You spoke shakily, your hands shaking holding the small shovel in your hand. He turned to you slowly. "Why are you in my garden?"

"I- I smelt the vegetables and..." He trailed off, his eyes darting around looking for a means of escape.

"So you're not here to injure me?" You spoke quietly. He shook his head rapidly and you dropped the shovel sighing in relief. He flinched as it hit the ground. "It's too hot out here, come inside and have a drink?"

Now that you had gotten the fact he wasn't here to hurt you out your head, and he looked thirsty and hungry, you were going to be nice and not throw the shovel at him.

He nodded slowly and you walked ahead, leaving the gloves by the soil you were working with before heading inside, sighing in relief at the sun finally being off your back.

He gingerly sat on the stool at the breakfast bar and watched as you poured two glasses of the homemade strawberry juice. You put it in front of him and sat the opposite side of him.

"Why are you wearing such a thick hat in summer?" You asked, gesturing to the black hat. He looked around.

"Oh. No reason." He looked about and his eyes landed on a photo. "Who's that?" He gestured to the hybrid stood next to you in the photo. You looked down sighing quietly.

"An old friend of mine." Your voice was quiet. He nodded slightly, deciding just to leave the topic and not press you further. He could sense your mood change due to him bringing it up. "Anyway, do you have a place to stay?" You asked him. His ears twitched beneath his hat watching as you forced a smile to your face.

He sipped his juice before shaking his head.

"You're more than welcome to stay here with me until you have somewhere to stay if you want." You smiled and his wide brown eyes met yours and you offered the kindest smile you had.

"A-Are you sure? You don't even know me and I can't help much around the house-" He started rambling causing you to laugh.

"Well you seemed very intrigued with the garden earlier, so if you stay here and want to help out you're more than welcome to help me out there." You smiled softly, washing your glass before putting it on the dish rack. He watched your every move.

"Aloe Vera, have you got any?" He spoke quickly making you jump slightly.

"Yeah..." You trailed off taking the little jar of aloe vera from the fridge. He took it from your hands, opening it and sat you down. You were beyond confused until his hands were against the part of your exposed back. You flinched but sighed as the cold aloe vera was being gently massaged into your skin.

"You're burning." He spoke softly. "Stay in for the rest of the day to prevent more damage."

You turned your head slightly, looking over your shoulder at the mysterious man who snuck up on you whilst gardening, yet is so shy.

"Thank you." You whispered softly, and you swear you saw his hat move slightly as a small smile planted itself on his lips.

"It's no problem."