Kitty!au fics
Acceptance is the first step
Sehun/Luhan, 2123, R
Luhan sets out to buy the perfect hybrid and gets Sehun.
A/N: Originally written here.
Luhan marches into the pet shop on a Monday. He has walked past this particular pet shop twice a day, every day, for the past year. Since its opening. So he figures that the long overdue visit warrants him slamming his hands down on the front desk and staring the worker in the eye.
“I want a cat.”
The worker slowly unfurls from the defensive position she’d assumed when Luhan had barged inside. “Oh. Um. Okay,” she stutters out, stepping out from behind the desk and pointing to the door behind her. “I can show you what we have and then you can decide if you would like to proceed with the adoption process or wait until later.”
Luhan nods and follows behind. Catboys have only recently hit the public by storm. An idea conceived by a philanthropist, and then bought by geneticists and biological engineers, hybrids were then heavily advertised and subsequently purchased by every upper class citizen. Now they’re a household item, adored by their owners and the perfect solution to the sad life of an unemployed worker. Exhibit A: Luhan.
He had ignored the hype and buried himself in work. Now, a year later, he’s lonelier than ever and the only one in his office without a fluffy-tailed individual back at home and on speed dial.
“I’ll take that one.” Technically, it’s the first hybrid Luhan sees. But he’s happy with his decision when the hybrid turns and his cream ears on his head swivel and his equally milky tail rises in question.
“Um, sir,” the worker begins unsurely, “we have others if you would like to-”
“I have made my decision!” Luhan shout decisively, and then allows himself to be hounded by the woman back into the reception area.
It takes a week before Luhan’s cat comes to stay. Because of regulations, Luhan has to fill out a mountain of paperwork and have his apartment cleared by officials before he can have the hybrid come home with him. He’s screened by a psychologist and then given a certificate of eligibility.
“Animal cruelty is not taken lightly,” a tall, intimidating woman informs Luhan with a stern glare before she steps aside to reveal a smaller, smiling woman who is holding the hand of Luhan’s new cat.
“His name is Sehun,” she says, quietly leading the hybrid inside. “Be good to him.” And then she’s leaving, along with the scary woman, and Luhan’s door falls shut.
He turns to the cat, who is staring at his couch, tail swaying behind him. Luhan is delighted to find that the tail is the same milky-cream one he had spied in the pet shop a few weeks back. “Sehun,” he tries, jumping slightly when piercing eyes turn on him. “Do you want to see your room?”
Sehun blinks. “Yes, that would be good.”
Luhan grins and leads the way to a spare room he’d had cleaned up and remodeled in preparation of his guest. He’d added a bed, a few decorations here and there, and made sure the adjoining bathroom was working. From all the stories he’d heard from his friends, though, he’s pretty sure Sehun will be spending a majority of his time in Luhan’s bedroom.
Sehun sighs. “I suppose this will do.” He steps inside the room and closes the door in Luhan’s face.
“I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong,” Luhan whines, dropping his head onto the table. He’d called all of his friends, demanding to meet in their favorite restaurant because he had an emergency.
“You asked me to skip out on my favorite show because you’re an awful owner?” Tao sneers, eyes narrowed into slits and jet-black ears lying flat atop his head. Next to him, Joonmyun tentatively pets the hair lying at the nape of his neck but Tao stays angry.
Chanyeol laughs. “Honey boo boo should be skipped.”
“You shut your mouth,” Tao hisses. His tail fluffs up and Joonmyun tries in vain to calm him down.
“Guys,” Luhan whines, face smooshed onto the table, “what am I supposed to do?”
“Well,” Kyungsoo starts, face serious, “where did you get him?” He’s tucked under Chanyeol’s arm, face schooled into indifference but his happily swaying tail gives him away.
“On main street.”
Jongdae’s mouth drops. “The purebred shop?”
Luhan blinks. “Is that a bad thing?”
Baekhyun laughs, tail idly flicking Jongdae in the face. “Well no wonder why he’s ignoring you. He’s probably a pampered asshole and your shoddy apartment is too low for his tastes.”
Luhan pouts as Yixing tries to keep his two hybrids from killing each other-Jongdae and Baekhyun had both been shelter cats, and Yixing had almost bought every kitten in the shelter before he found out it was only Jongdae and Baekhyun who didn’t have a home yet-on a good day, the two can sit in the same room without insulting each other. “Hey,” Yixing says once he’s got both hybrids locked in a bear hug, “I’m sure you’re doing a great job.”
“Um,” Jongin murmurs, eyes darting around nervously. He’s a rescue cat, adopted by Minseok more than a year ago, but the feline’s still jumpy. “I’m sure you’re doing great. Maybe he just needs to adjust?”
Minseok ruffles his cat’s hair fondly. “Jongin’s right. I’m sure he’ll come around soon.”
“And besides, he’ll be having his heat sometime,” Tao sneers, tail playfully running up Joonmyun’s arm, “He’ll be begging for you then, won’t let you leave his side.”
Luhan sits up at the reminder. “Oh. You’re right.”
“Go get ‘em, tiger!” Chanyeol cheers.
Luhan, ever impatient, looks it up as soon as he gets home. Prior to having Sehun move in, he’d had grand dreams of eating together at his oak dinner table, but those were al dashed when Sehun refused to leave his room. So, instead, he’s been bringing a full tray to Sehun’s room for breakfast and dinner, leaving a snack outside as lunch before he leaves for work. In a fit of frustration, he’d cut off the food for two days, hoping to draw Sehun out but to no avail. As an apology, Luhan had left a near buffet of food for breakfast on the third day, only to find snack wrappers and empty bags of chips waiting for him. Sehun is a piece of work.
He finds the number of the pet shop on Sehun’s receipt, stored in his filing cabinet. He dials the number and taps his fingers against polished wood while he waits.
“We don’t do returns,” the feminine voice states upon hearing that the cat Luhan adopted was Sehun.
“No! That’s not why I called!” Luhan almost shouts. He doesn’t even know how the woman could come to that conclusion-well, maybe he knows how. “I was wondering. Do you keep track of heat cycles?”
“Um.” She sounds surprised. “We do.”
Luhan sighs in relief. “Then, could you tell me when Sehun’s is due?”
“Oh. Sure. Let me just pull up the spreadsheet.”
Luhan thanks the woman and hangs up as soon as she tells him that Sehun will start exactly a week from now. Luhan decides to deprive himself the ability of foresight and dashes over to the spare bedroom door, knocking lightly.
“What?”
Luhan allows himself to smile at the drowsy voice. Sehun must have been napping. “Could I talk to you for a second?” He hears shuffling and then the door opens a crack, Sehun’s head sticking out.
“Can I help you?”
“Actually, I just wanted to ask you how you wanted to handle your heat because I’m pretty sure it’s coming soon and I would hate to do anything you’re not used to but I know that…” Luhan is aware he’s babbling but he really can’t help it. Sehun’s actually talking to him.
The feline’s ears prick up on his head. “Oh, actually I was going to talk to you about that.” He heads back into his room.
Luhan has to physically stop himself from screaming in excitement. Sehun! Is! Talking! And he might be helping the hybrid with his heat! They’ll have bonding time! Luhan might actually pet him for real! Yay!!!!!!
Sehun returns. “Here.” He hands Luhan a piece of paper.
Luhan scans the list. Vibrator, dildo, anal beads. He looks back up at the cat. “I don’t understand.”
“Those are what I’ll need for my heat. I prefer toys over people.” And then he shuts the door in Luhan’s face-again-and the latter is pretty sure he lets out an audible whimper.
Three days after Sehun’s cycle is supposed to have begun, Luhan caves. He goes through his contact list and whines to everyone that picks up. He stops only when he hears incessant knocking on his door and he answers it only to have Tao march inside.
“I’m done with your shit,” he merely says as Joonmyun follows behind, heading into the kitchen to get a glass of water before sitting down at Luhan’s dining room table. “Where’s the prick?”
Luhan points to the spare bedroom and winces when he hears Tao’s shout of, “PUT THE DILDOS AWAY I’M COMING IN,” and hopes his door isn’t broken by the end of this. He takes a seat across from Joonmyun and starts talking about the weather.
“Tao was really worried,” Joonmyun says after he agrees that yes, it is very sunny outside, “he demanded that we come over. He doesn’t want you and your kitten to have a bad relationship.”
Luhan smiles. “That’s very sweet of him.”
“I agree,” Joonmyun says with a toothy smile, sitting straight just as a door behind them closes. “Everything okay, Taozi?”
“He says he’s fine,” Tao grumbles, collapsing in the seat beside Joonmyun and curling into his owner’s side. “But he’s not going to last much longer alone, not when he has someone so nearby. It’s obvious. I’m going to give him two days before he cracks.”
Luhan thanks the feline and talks with the pair a bit longer before they say their goodbyes and head off to dinner, leaving Luhan alone to cook for both himself and his hermit hybrid and hope that Tao was right.
Tao was wrong. It only takes one day.
Luhan comes home, removes his shoes, and then a body slams into him. He’s alarmed for a moment until he takes in the creamy tail and ears poking out of warm, brown hair and he realizes that Sehun is hugging him. He hesitantly drops his suitcase and slowly lifts his arm to feel the soft fur of Sehun’s ears between his fingertips, gasping when Sehun shivers deliciously around him. “Is something the matter?” He asks, voice hoarse.
“I need you,” Sehun pauses to lick his lips, voice just above a whisper, “to fuck me.”
Luhan stops breathing for a second. This is really happening, he thinks. “Go lay on my bed and take off your clothes. I’ll be there in just a second.” And then, just to chance his luck, Luhan tilts his head to nip Sehun’s collarbone and the hybrid moans. Sehun nods and hastily runs towards Luhan’s room.
Luhan drops his jacket on the table and mentally prepares himself before swiftly entering his room and stopping in place once he sees Sehun sprawled on his plain white comforter. He snaps into motion after Sehun whines for him to hurry up.
It’s only after Luhan tears off his own clothes and settles himself in between Sehun’s pale milky thighs that he discovers that Chanyeol wasn’t joking; hybrids really do self-lubricate. Luhan discovers what it’s like to fuck deep into someone with a silky tail wound around his middle while long legs clamp around his hips. And then, finally, he hears Sehun’s needy mewls that break off into a toe-curling moan right beside his ear as Sehun comes for the third time.
And, best of all, Luhan learns what it’s like to wake up with the sun hitting his face and a lanky body curled around his own, leg thrown over his hip and restless tail flitting in between his thighs. Luhan is delighted until Sehun realizes he’s awake and demands more.
Luhan is cooking dinner one night when he turns around and sees that someone’s seated at the table, playing with his too-big shirt. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Luhan asks with a smile that he fights to keep from a full-out grin.
Sehun merely shrugs. “Dinner will be ready soon, right? So, here I am.” He gestures vaguely to his seat and leans back in his chair, directing his attention to the wall.
Beaming, Luhan steps forward and ruffles his cat’s hair thinking he’s the happiest he’s ever been, even if his cat is a stuck-up, needy brat.
Stray Heart
Kris/Kyungsoo, 3938
Kyungsoo hadn’t ever considered getting a catboy, but fate is funny that way. (Age reversal)
A/N: Originally written here.
Kyungsoo makes it a point not to leave work late. He always exits promptly at four, having finished his assignments and locked up his station beforehand. Leaving this early in the day means he beats most of the rush-hour traffic and the metro ride home is reasonably empty for that awkward time in between when schools let out and the working class heads home.
Leaving at four also means that Kyungsoo can stop at his favorite cafe, a block down from his apartment, and enjoy a cup of well-made coffee before heading home. On this particular day, a Friday, Kyungsoo gets caught in the rush of people leaving early for the weekend and doesn’t reach his cafe until later, when there’s a sizable line of suit-clad men and women looking for something satisfying after hours trapped behind a desk.
Kyungsoo is halfway through the line when his phone buzzes from a text. He makes the mistake of taking it out and opening the text to see a cheerful picture sent from his brother of Kyungsoo’s sister in law smiling while holding Kyungsoo’s nephew as his niece totters around in front of them. His brother had been so kind as to caption the picture with, the best thing to come home to after a long week at work.
He's still staring at the text as the line moves and suddenly it's his turn. He puts his phone away and orders his coffee to go.
He takes the steaming cup with him into a nearby park and doesn't stop until he finds an empty bench across from a busy playground. He sits and takes gentle sips from his coffee, deep in thought. He sits there until all the children have left, the sun has set, and there was really no point in leaving work at four of he's going to get home around eight. He takes another gulp from his cup and frowns when he finds that it's gone cold even though he hasn't even had half, yet. Staring at the deserted playground, he contemplates going home.
He's just decides that he will head home when something moves in the playground. Kyungsoo pulls his bag close and narrows his eyes as he watches a head peeking out of the covered slide, followed by a body, two legs, and then a tail.
A tail, Kyungsoo thinks. He should really get going, be on his way until the person doesn't know he was even here. But, Kyungsoo spares a second of doubt and the shadowy figure surges forward. Away from Kyungsoo. Towards a trashcan.
It's none of his business. It really isn't. But when Kyungsoo sees that the figure can barely reach inside the trashcan and he hears pitiful chokes, he can't help but pick up his things and wander closer.
The figure doesn't notice Kyungsoo until he's right behind him. Then, the scrounging individual jumps and hisses angrily, tail raised apprehensively and it's as Kyungsoo thought. This is a catboy. He really should leave, he's heard horror stories about encountering wild hybrid and getting bitten, scratched, infected. But he's never seen one so small. "What are you doing?" Kyungsoo asks.
"I'm looking for food," the figure snaps with the high-pitched voice of a child. He seems to realize he's just answered a stranger, because he hisses again and lowers himself into a crouch. "Why do you care?"
Kyungsoo shrugs and lowers himself into a crouch so that he's no longer looking down on the catboy. He waits until the child seems to think he's not a threat and has returned to his search through garbage before he speaks again. "Have you found anything?"
"I-" the catboy starts, looking over his shoulder and pausing to gauge Kyungsoo, as if he's trying to figure out whether he's worth telling the truth to. "No. It's all junk."
"Do you do this a lot?"
The catboy's tail wilts, curling around his own calf. "Only when there's no one to see me. I hide under that until everyone leaves," he explains, pointing to the slide.
Kyungsoo's not one to be known for making brash decisions. He thinks things out, considers his option, and weighs the good and bad before coming to a decision. That's why he's valued at work and the reason why he's been promoted so many times. Because he always, always thinks things out.
"Do you want to come home with me?"
The catboy freezes, turning to face Kyungsoo. "You're one of those people," he says in a voice just above a whisper, "you own one of those places and you want to add a hybrid to your list. I've heard of you people. There's no way I'm going anywhere with you."
"No, no," Kyungsoo has no idea what the child is talking about. "My name is Kyungsoo. I work at a business firm, and the only thing I own is an apartment." He can’t explain for the life of him why it's so important that this catboy believes him. "I just want to give you food, clean you up a bit, then you can decide whether or not you want to stay or leave."
The catboy seems to be considering his offer. "What kind of food do you have?"
Kyungsoo chuckles and he's relieved he went shopping just a few days ago. "I can made some soup, if you'd like that."
"Will it be hot?"
Kyungsoo nods. "Steaming."
"I'll go," the catboy decides, stepping away from the trashcan.
Kyungsoo smiles and leads the way home, stopping only when he feels a small hand grab his. He smiles and squeezes the small hand slightly.
His apartment isn't much, just one bedroom with a terrace, kitchen with an island, and bathroom with a claw-footed bathtub, Kyungsoo's necessities. But when he brings the catboy inside, the child looks around like Kyungsoo lives inside a mansion.
He jokes about it as he prepares dinner and sets the table. The child squawks and insists that Kyungsoo's modest apartment is basically a mansion.
He devours the soup like he hasn't eaten in days and Kyungsoo wonders if that statement is true. He gives the boy seconds but draws the line at a third helping. He draws a bath and hounds the guest into the bathroom, demanding for the catboy to get all the grime off his skin.
Kyungsoo bites his tongue when he sees just how skinny the kid is. Ribs poke out almost dangerously and the bags beneath the child's eyes Kyungsoo has only seen when he didn't sleep for forty-two hours. The child is skin and bones, and his dark brown tail is missing patches of fur.
He doesn't like the bathtub at first, but then he relaxes, sighing happily as he buries his head beneath the water and then resurfaces. Kyungsoo smiles and moves only to shampoo the child's hair, fingers kneading into a bony skull, through all the knots and tangles in the child's black hair, but easing up when he gets to the anxiously lowered ears.
Kyungsoo fetches sleepwear for the child after he decides to throw out all of the catboy's pre-existing clothes. Though Kyungsoo is constantly made fun of for his petite height and body, the child still swims in his clothes. It's adorable and Kyungsoo can't help but to offer him the bed, taking the couch for himself. He stays up late, staring at the ceiling and wondering what he's just committed himself to.
On weekends, he heads into work for a couple hours just to clear his queue. But he figures that he can go without for this weekend. His back hurts from sleeping on the couch and he rubs it idly while he scrambles eggs in a pan.
“Mr. Kyungsoo?”
He looks over his shoulder and sees a curious head poking out from the hallway. Kyungsoo laughs. “You can take a seat at the table, if you want. Breakfast is almost ready.”
Just like the previous night, when Kyungsoo sets the plate of food down, the boy wastes no time in wolfing it down, munching loudly in between swallowing his eggs down. Kyungsoo smiles and briefly considers chastising the kid before deciding against it. Instead, he settles himself across from the catboy and sips at his coffee until the boy finishes. He washes the dishes as the boy explores the apartment and they gravitate towards the living room, where Kyungsoo turns the television to the first cartoon show he finds. As the boy settles himself on the floor, he takes out his phone and checks his messages and calendar.
He has a back and forth with a superior who will be leaving town for business, until the man curtly ends the exchange to finish packing. Kyungsoo wishes him well and looks up to see that the cartoon with the flying dog has ended and is now a sitcom with too-loud mechanical laughter. Kyungsoo makes a face and looks down to see that the catboy has fallen asleep, curled into a ball with his ears twitching every few seconds. Kyungsoo chuckles quietly and flips through channels with the volume muted, trying to find something to keep the boy occupied when he wakes up.
He pauses on a movie network, only to see that instead of an action flick, commercials are playing. The movie is good though, so he sets the remote beside him and is just about to bring his attention back to his phone when the ad ends and another begins.
A sick catboy coughs into his fist and a worried owner frets above him. She fetches the phone and dials a number, and then the scene cuts to a hospital room where a doctor smiles and says something. Words appear on the screen, protect your pet. It’s a vaccination advert.
Kyungsoo stares at the slumbering catboy. It’s doubtful the boy’s ever been vaccinated. It’s much more probable that the boy is carrying a disease than being protected from one. He grabs his phone and dials a somewhat familiar number with the knowledge that he doesn’t have anything going on tomorrow.
-
Right after breakfast the next day, Kyungsoo dresses the catboy in some of his older clothes from college that still hang off the boy’s slim frame, but at least they fit a little more snuggly were made to look larger.
“Where are we going?” The boy asks, a little nervously, as Kyungsoo locks the apartment door behind them.
“We are going to a clinic,” Kyungsoo answers, sliding the key into his pocket and bidding the boy to follow him, “it’s something I should have done as soon as I found you.” Maybe, if Kyungsoo’s lucky, the place will be able to track down the kid’s previous home or shelter and he can bring the kid back guilt-free.
They begin walking down the street-the clinic isn’t that far away, so walking is a far better option-and it’s only after they turn the corner that they hit the weekend crowd of shoppers and families running around with errands and busy schedules. Kyungsoo’s hand is tugged and he looks down to spot the catboy, holding Kyungsoo’s hand in both of his own.
“I don’t want to lose you,” the boy says, clutching Kyungsoo’s hand close. Kyungsoo’s chest feels warm and he smiles fondly down at the boy, squeezing the small hands.
They enter the clinic and Kyungsoo approaches the counter.
“Do you have an appointment, sir?” The receptionist asks with a cocked brow, halting his sorting of files to fix Kyungsoo with a stare.
“Um, no. I’m here to see Dr. Kim?”
The man’s eyes widen. “Oh. Oh yes. He told me about you. Just have a seat, sir and I’ll go tell him that you’re here.”
Kyungsoo nods and thanks the man, dragging the boy with him over to the waiting area. The catboy only lets go of his hands once they’ve sat down, and it’s to lean forward and snatch one of the magazines off the table, legs kicking in the air as he flips through the pages. Kyungsoo smiles and trains his eyes on the kid as they wait.
It would be a lie to say that Kyungsoo knew about this clinic because of his history with hybrids. Kyungsoo knows nearly nothing about hybrids, apart from their existence and the plethora of diseases they can carry, if feral. The only reason he had known about this clinic is because of a friend he had in University, a quirky man who had worked alongside him in the library, who had majored in Veterinary Sciences and then gone on to grad school to major in Hybrid Physiology. They had kept in touch, and Kyungsoo had even gone out to celebrate with the man after he had opened his own practice.
The sound of rubber-soled shoes slapping against linoleum is the only warning Kyungsoo gets until a man in a flowing white coat is running into the waiting room, full grin on his face.
“Never thought I’d see you in my waiting room, Kyungsoo.” He catches sight of the boy next to him and his grin widens. “Finally jumped on the bandwagon, huh?”
“Not quite,” Kyungsoo says with a grimace, lowering his head apologetically to the only other pair in the waiting room, a middle-aged man and his impeccably groomed hybrid, dressed in a lacy dress. “Jongdae, can we…?”
“Oh yeah, sure. Follow me.” He turns and leads the way down the hallways and Kyungsoo follows with the boy fisting a hand into the back of his shirt. Jongdae turns and starts to do something in the far corner of the room while Kyungsoo directs the catboy to sit on the examination table. The boy nods, understanding what’s expected of him. He walks over to the table, which is taller that he is, and attempts to pull himself up. He struggles until Kyungsoo gives in and hoists him onto the table, pulling back to see Jongdae smirking at him.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this?” Jongdae points to his stethoscope. “This is for me to listen to your heart to make sure it sounds happy and healthy. Do you want to see how it works?” After he assists the catboy in putting on the instrument and laying the diaphragm on his own clothed chest, he turns to Kyungsoo. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave for a bit. At least until I know what’s going on.” When Kyungsoo looks like he’s going to argue, Jongdae continues, “I know you’re a friend and all, but this is my place so you need to play by my rules. Sorry, man. It won’t take too long.”
Kyungsoo sighs and gives the catboy an encouraging smile before leaving the room, heavy door closing behind him. He opts to wait in the hallway, because it’s not worth it to go back to the waiting room. And, he might be a little worried.
Jongdae leaves the room ten minutes later with a red vial in hand. “I need to check to see if he’s in the system. Kris is cute, by the way.”
Kyungsoo stops him, taking care not to disturb the vial. “Kris?”
“Your catboy.” Jongdae’s eyes widen marginally in realization. “You didn’t even ask the kid what his name was? Ugh, you’re such a loser, Kyungsoo,” he complains, walking away. A few minutes later, he reappears with a not quite as sincere smile.
Kyungsoo straightens. “Was he in the system?”
Jongdae swerves in the other direction. “I have to give him up to date vaccinations. I’ll talk to you about it after that.” He heads into a room and returns a moment later with a basket full of needles that he quickly brings into the room, shutting the door behind him.
Time passes and Kyungsoo sinks to the floor. He doesn’t even stand when the door finally opens and Jongdae crouches down beside him.
“Kid’s a real trooper. Took the flu, distemper, leukemia and the core virus vaccinations without flinching,” Jongdae says a little reverently, and then turns to Kyungsoo. “How much do you know about the hybrid business?”
“I make it a point not to know.”
Jongdae sighs. “Things have been getting a little rough lately. Great for breeders and hybrid physicians, but awful for the hybrids themselves. Overpopulation is getting out of hand. Initial species can be controlled easily, but hybrids in captivity are breeding much too frequently. They can’t be spayed-it’s a human rights issue. Do breeders have the right to control the body of a half human-half animal hybrid?-but no one’s brought the practice of euthanasia to court yet. When breeders do euthanize, they target the youngest, before they can mature and breed. There’s a high escape probability, but the payoff is worth it. I don’t have an opinion about all of this, but I’m tired of seeing catboys on the side of the road without a home.” Jongdae frowns and clasps his hands together. “What I’m saying is that the last time Kris’ information was put into the system, it was at a breeders’.”
Kyungsoo turns to his friend. “How old is he?”
Jongdae seems baffled by the change of topic for a moment, but recovers. “Well, he looks nine, but he’s definitely younger.”
“Younger?”
“Yeah,” Jongdae affirms. “It’s a weird genetics thing. Babies mature quickly, but the lifespan of a hybrid is shorter than that of a human. People are working on it so that they can slap guaranteed lifetime companion onto the face of a new genetically modified hybrid, but no leads so far. You found a baby hybrid, Kyungsoo. Some people pay hundreds for one of those.”
Kyungsoo’s heard enough. He stands and lays a hand on the doorknob, but a hand on his shoulder stops him. Jongdae isn’t much taller than Kyungsoo, but he’s looming over him right now, looking older than Kyungsoo remembers.
“It’s illegal for me to treat patients without owners, but I don’t want to force you to make a decision.” He removes his hand. “Just call me and I’ll send you the registration papers. Kris is a cute kid and he really likes you.” He nods once and walks off, back towards the waiting room.
“We’re going home,” Kyungsoo says as soon as he opens the door. The boy inside only too happily jumps off the table and attaches himself to Kyungsoo’s arm, telling Kyungsoo once they get outside about how he thought that he’d die from how many needles the doctor poked him with. Kyungsoo merely laughs.
On the way home, Kyungsoo stops and buys clothes that actually fit Kris-the catboy practically vibrates with joy the first time Kyungsoo says his name-and then they head home, Kris watching cartoons while Kyungsoo makes dinner.
After they eat, Kris yawns and nods when Kyungsoo suggests he go to bed, tottering off down the hall. Kyungsoo sighs and thinks about the possibility of officially owning a catboy, but doesn’t come to a conclusion before he falls asleep.
-
The week is painful. Monday begins with Kyungsoo trying to explain why he must leave and the catboy cannot come with him as he showers, dresses, and prepares food before running out to his car, only to find out when he gets to work that he forgot his tie.
Each night, Kris attaches himself to a part of Kyungsoo until he falls asleep, voicing his worries that Kyungsoo would never return. The man merely bears them all, tucking the boy in at night to soothe his worries.
This continues until Friday, when Kris leads Kyungsoo to the master bedroom and sits on the mattress, pulling until Kyungsoo rolls his eyes and lies down atop the sheets, limbs splayed out as Kris tries to completely cover him with his body.
“What are you doing?” Kyungsoo wonders aloud, voice muffled by the head of hair in his face.
Kris huffs, pushing his hands on Kyungsoo’s chest to push his upper half up. “I’m stopping you from going to work tomorrow,” he states, making a face as if the word truly offends him.
“I don’t have work tomorrow.”
Kris flops down on his chest and cheers. “It worked,” he murmurs before going quiet.
Kyungsoo has never thought himself particularly lonely, but it’s true that he hasn’t had a meaningful relationship since college, and hasn’t given himself time to even consider one. But, it’s also true that his brother’s texts haven’t been annoying him as much as of late and he actually looks forward to coming home every day because of a certain someone waiting for him. As he buries his fingers in Kris’ hair, playing with velvet ears, almost silent rumblings begin from above him and Kyungsoo frowns until he realizes that Kris is purring. The sound dies down as the catboy falls asleep, still on top of Kyungsoo, and the man realizes that he was stupid waiting this long to decide that yes, he most definitely wants to officially call Kris his own. He quickly fires off a text to Jongdae-to which the man replies almost immediately with a, knew it >:3, and Kyungsoo almost throws his phone across the room-and pulls up the covers on top of himself and the slumbering hybrid.
-
The shrill sound of an alarm is a rude awakening, reducing Kyungsoo’s blissful dream to mere ashes. He struggles in the mess of blankets until he slams his hand down on the snooze button. He takes a deep breath, preparing himself for the cruel world beyond his bed, when he’s harshly yanked back and emits a surprised yelp.
“Not yet,” a deep voice grumbles, “I won’t allow it.”
Kyungsoo huffs. Childish. He tries to free himself, but only succeeds in further entangling himself in sheets and limbs, knees knocking against his shins. Arms wrap all the way around his waist and pull him even closer, until Kyungsoo’s face is smashed into a bare chest. He glares up at the perpetrator and wonders when his adorable little catboy grew into such an irritable catman. Kris is now even taller than him, which is extremely unacceptable.
“Get up,” Kyungsoo demands, punching the hybrid in the gut and earning a displeased grunt, “I have work and you have to babysit.”
Kris groans, nosing his way into the crown of Kyungsoo’s head. He speaks directly into Kyungsoo’s awful bedhead. “Your nieces and nephews are terrible. You know Sooyin is going to pull my tail again. I’m going to be a tail-less catboy by the time you return and you’ll only have yourself to blame.”
“So dramatic,” Kyungsoo complains, rolling his eyes. “You love Sooyin and you know it.”
Kris doesn’t speak for a moment. When he does, his words are laced with sleep and he nuzzles Kyungsoo’s hair. “She’s okay. Jiyung is cuter. But Sooyin’s okay. I guess.” He chuckles and his fingers trace over the nobs of Kyungsoo’s spine. “You’re cuter, though.”
Kyungsoo groans. “I’m leaving.”
“No, wait,” Kris says, but allows Kyungsoo to twist in his grip until his front is against Kyungsoo’s back. He pulls the man closer, lacing his fingers over Kyungsoo’s tummy. “Just a couple more minutes.”
Kyungsoo rolls his eyes but gives in. He always does. Kyungsoo giggles as Kris places a chaste kiss right in the juncture where his shoulder meets his neck before nuzzling the spot, promptly falling back asleep. Kyungsoo wriggles in the bigger man’s hold until he’s comfortable, ears tickling his cheek and tail curled around his ankle.
Kyungsoo doesn’t think he will ever need anything else in life other than this particular mattress and his insufferable catboy.
Sehun/Luhan, 2123, R
Luhan sets out to buy the perfect hybrid and gets Sehun.
A/N: Originally written here.
Luhan marches into the pet shop on a Monday. He has walked past this particular pet shop twice a day, every day, for the past year. Since its opening. So he figures that the long overdue visit warrants him slamming his hands down on the front desk and staring the worker in the eye.
“I want a cat.”
The worker slowly unfurls from the defensive position she’d assumed when Luhan had barged inside. “Oh. Um. Okay,” she stutters out, stepping out from behind the desk and pointing to the door behind her. “I can show you what we have and then you can decide if you would like to proceed with the adoption process or wait until later.”
Luhan nods and follows behind. Catboys have only recently hit the public by storm. An idea conceived by a philanthropist, and then bought by geneticists and biological engineers, hybrids were then heavily advertised and subsequently purchased by every upper class citizen. Now they’re a household item, adored by their owners and the perfect solution to the sad life of an unemployed worker. Exhibit A: Luhan.
He had ignored the hype and buried himself in work. Now, a year later, he’s lonelier than ever and the only one in his office without a fluffy-tailed individual back at home and on speed dial.
“I’ll take that one.” Technically, it’s the first hybrid Luhan sees. But he’s happy with his decision when the hybrid turns and his cream ears on his head swivel and his equally milky tail rises in question.
“Um, sir,” the worker begins unsurely, “we have others if you would like to-”
“I have made my decision!” Luhan shout decisively, and then allows himself to be hounded by the woman back into the reception area.
It takes a week before Luhan’s cat comes to stay. Because of regulations, Luhan has to fill out a mountain of paperwork and have his apartment cleared by officials before he can have the hybrid come home with him. He’s screened by a psychologist and then given a certificate of eligibility.
“Animal cruelty is not taken lightly,” a tall, intimidating woman informs Luhan with a stern glare before she steps aside to reveal a smaller, smiling woman who is holding the hand of Luhan’s new cat.
“His name is Sehun,” she says, quietly leading the hybrid inside. “Be good to him.” And then she’s leaving, along with the scary woman, and Luhan’s door falls shut.
He turns to the cat, who is staring at his couch, tail swaying behind him. Luhan is delighted to find that the tail is the same milky-cream one he had spied in the pet shop a few weeks back. “Sehun,” he tries, jumping slightly when piercing eyes turn on him. “Do you want to see your room?”
Sehun blinks. “Yes, that would be good.”
Luhan grins and leads the way to a spare room he’d had cleaned up and remodeled in preparation of his guest. He’d added a bed, a few decorations here and there, and made sure the adjoining bathroom was working. From all the stories he’d heard from his friends, though, he’s pretty sure Sehun will be spending a majority of his time in Luhan’s bedroom.
Sehun sighs. “I suppose this will do.” He steps inside the room and closes the door in Luhan’s face.
“I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong,” Luhan whines, dropping his head onto the table. He’d called all of his friends, demanding to meet in their favorite restaurant because he had an emergency.
“You asked me to skip out on my favorite show because you’re an awful owner?” Tao sneers, eyes narrowed into slits and jet-black ears lying flat atop his head. Next to him, Joonmyun tentatively pets the hair lying at the nape of his neck but Tao stays angry.
Chanyeol laughs. “Honey boo boo should be skipped.”
“You shut your mouth,” Tao hisses. His tail fluffs up and Joonmyun tries in vain to calm him down.
“Guys,” Luhan whines, face smooshed onto the table, “what am I supposed to do?”
“Well,” Kyungsoo starts, face serious, “where did you get him?” He’s tucked under Chanyeol’s arm, face schooled into indifference but his happily swaying tail gives him away.
“On main street.”
Jongdae’s mouth drops. “The purebred shop?”
Luhan blinks. “Is that a bad thing?”
Baekhyun laughs, tail idly flicking Jongdae in the face. “Well no wonder why he’s ignoring you. He’s probably a pampered asshole and your shoddy apartment is too low for his tastes.”
Luhan pouts as Yixing tries to keep his two hybrids from killing each other-Jongdae and Baekhyun had both been shelter cats, and Yixing had almost bought every kitten in the shelter before he found out it was only Jongdae and Baekhyun who didn’t have a home yet-on a good day, the two can sit in the same room without insulting each other. “Hey,” Yixing says once he’s got both hybrids locked in a bear hug, “I’m sure you’re doing a great job.”
“Um,” Jongin murmurs, eyes darting around nervously. He’s a rescue cat, adopted by Minseok more than a year ago, but the feline’s still jumpy. “I’m sure you’re doing great. Maybe he just needs to adjust?”
Minseok ruffles his cat’s hair fondly. “Jongin’s right. I’m sure he’ll come around soon.”
“And besides, he’ll be having his heat sometime,” Tao sneers, tail playfully running up Joonmyun’s arm, “He’ll be begging for you then, won’t let you leave his side.”
Luhan sits up at the reminder. “Oh. You’re right.”
“Go get ‘em, tiger!” Chanyeol cheers.
Luhan, ever impatient, looks it up as soon as he gets home. Prior to having Sehun move in, he’d had grand dreams of eating together at his oak dinner table, but those were al dashed when Sehun refused to leave his room. So, instead, he’s been bringing a full tray to Sehun’s room for breakfast and dinner, leaving a snack outside as lunch before he leaves for work. In a fit of frustration, he’d cut off the food for two days, hoping to draw Sehun out but to no avail. As an apology, Luhan had left a near buffet of food for breakfast on the third day, only to find snack wrappers and empty bags of chips waiting for him. Sehun is a piece of work.
He finds the number of the pet shop on Sehun’s receipt, stored in his filing cabinet. He dials the number and taps his fingers against polished wood while he waits.
“We don’t do returns,” the feminine voice states upon hearing that the cat Luhan adopted was Sehun.
“No! That’s not why I called!” Luhan almost shouts. He doesn’t even know how the woman could come to that conclusion-well, maybe he knows how. “I was wondering. Do you keep track of heat cycles?”
“Um.” She sounds surprised. “We do.”
Luhan sighs in relief. “Then, could you tell me when Sehun’s is due?”
“Oh. Sure. Let me just pull up the spreadsheet.”
Luhan thanks the woman and hangs up as soon as she tells him that Sehun will start exactly a week from now. Luhan decides to deprive himself the ability of foresight and dashes over to the spare bedroom door, knocking lightly.
“What?”
Luhan allows himself to smile at the drowsy voice. Sehun must have been napping. “Could I talk to you for a second?” He hears shuffling and then the door opens a crack, Sehun’s head sticking out.
“Can I help you?”
“Actually, I just wanted to ask you how you wanted to handle your heat because I’m pretty sure it’s coming soon and I would hate to do anything you’re not used to but I know that…” Luhan is aware he’s babbling but he really can’t help it. Sehun’s actually talking to him.
The feline’s ears prick up on his head. “Oh, actually I was going to talk to you about that.” He heads back into his room.
Luhan has to physically stop himself from screaming in excitement. Sehun! Is! Talking! And he might be helping the hybrid with his heat! They’ll have bonding time! Luhan might actually pet him for real! Yay!!!!!!
Sehun returns. “Here.” He hands Luhan a piece of paper.
Luhan scans the list. Vibrator, dildo, anal beads. He looks back up at the cat. “I don’t understand.”
“Those are what I’ll need for my heat. I prefer toys over people.” And then he shuts the door in Luhan’s face-again-and the latter is pretty sure he lets out an audible whimper.
Three days after Sehun’s cycle is supposed to have begun, Luhan caves. He goes through his contact list and whines to everyone that picks up. He stops only when he hears incessant knocking on his door and he answers it only to have Tao march inside.
“I’m done with your shit,” he merely says as Joonmyun follows behind, heading into the kitchen to get a glass of water before sitting down at Luhan’s dining room table. “Where’s the prick?”
Luhan points to the spare bedroom and winces when he hears Tao’s shout of, “PUT THE DILDOS AWAY I’M COMING IN,” and hopes his door isn’t broken by the end of this. He takes a seat across from Joonmyun and starts talking about the weather.
“Tao was really worried,” Joonmyun says after he agrees that yes, it is very sunny outside, “he demanded that we come over. He doesn’t want you and your kitten to have a bad relationship.”
Luhan smiles. “That’s very sweet of him.”
“I agree,” Joonmyun says with a toothy smile, sitting straight just as a door behind them closes. “Everything okay, Taozi?”
“He says he’s fine,” Tao grumbles, collapsing in the seat beside Joonmyun and curling into his owner’s side. “But he’s not going to last much longer alone, not when he has someone so nearby. It’s obvious. I’m going to give him two days before he cracks.”
Luhan thanks the feline and talks with the pair a bit longer before they say their goodbyes and head off to dinner, leaving Luhan alone to cook for both himself and his hermit hybrid and hope that Tao was right.
Tao was wrong. It only takes one day.
Luhan comes home, removes his shoes, and then a body slams into him. He’s alarmed for a moment until he takes in the creamy tail and ears poking out of warm, brown hair and he realizes that Sehun is hugging him. He hesitantly drops his suitcase and slowly lifts his arm to feel the soft fur of Sehun’s ears between his fingertips, gasping when Sehun shivers deliciously around him. “Is something the matter?” He asks, voice hoarse.
“I need you,” Sehun pauses to lick his lips, voice just above a whisper, “to fuck me.”
Luhan stops breathing for a second. This is really happening, he thinks. “Go lay on my bed and take off your clothes. I’ll be there in just a second.” And then, just to chance his luck, Luhan tilts his head to nip Sehun’s collarbone and the hybrid moans. Sehun nods and hastily runs towards Luhan’s room.
Luhan drops his jacket on the table and mentally prepares himself before swiftly entering his room and stopping in place once he sees Sehun sprawled on his plain white comforter. He snaps into motion after Sehun whines for him to hurry up.
It’s only after Luhan tears off his own clothes and settles himself in between Sehun’s pale milky thighs that he discovers that Chanyeol wasn’t joking; hybrids really do self-lubricate. Luhan discovers what it’s like to fuck deep into someone with a silky tail wound around his middle while long legs clamp around his hips. And then, finally, he hears Sehun’s needy mewls that break off into a toe-curling moan right beside his ear as Sehun comes for the third time.
And, best of all, Luhan learns what it’s like to wake up with the sun hitting his face and a lanky body curled around his own, leg thrown over his hip and restless tail flitting in between his thighs. Luhan is delighted until Sehun realizes he’s awake and demands more.
Luhan is cooking dinner one night when he turns around and sees that someone’s seated at the table, playing with his too-big shirt. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Luhan asks with a smile that he fights to keep from a full-out grin.
Sehun merely shrugs. “Dinner will be ready soon, right? So, here I am.” He gestures vaguely to his seat and leans back in his chair, directing his attention to the wall.
Beaming, Luhan steps forward and ruffles his cat’s hair thinking he’s the happiest he’s ever been, even if his cat is a stuck-up, needy brat.
Stray Heart
Kris/Kyungsoo, 3938
Kyungsoo hadn’t ever considered getting a catboy, but fate is funny that way. (Age reversal)
A/N: Originally written here.
Kyungsoo makes it a point not to leave work late. He always exits promptly at four, having finished his assignments and locked up his station beforehand. Leaving this early in the day means he beats most of the rush-hour traffic and the metro ride home is reasonably empty for that awkward time in between when schools let out and the working class heads home.
Leaving at four also means that Kyungsoo can stop at his favorite cafe, a block down from his apartment, and enjoy a cup of well-made coffee before heading home. On this particular day, a Friday, Kyungsoo gets caught in the rush of people leaving early for the weekend and doesn’t reach his cafe until later, when there’s a sizable line of suit-clad men and women looking for something satisfying after hours trapped behind a desk.
Kyungsoo is halfway through the line when his phone buzzes from a text. He makes the mistake of taking it out and opening the text to see a cheerful picture sent from his brother of Kyungsoo’s sister in law smiling while holding Kyungsoo’s nephew as his niece totters around in front of them. His brother had been so kind as to caption the picture with, the best thing to come home to after a long week at work.
He's still staring at the text as the line moves and suddenly it's his turn. He puts his phone away and orders his coffee to go.
He takes the steaming cup with him into a nearby park and doesn't stop until he finds an empty bench across from a busy playground. He sits and takes gentle sips from his coffee, deep in thought. He sits there until all the children have left, the sun has set, and there was really no point in leaving work at four of he's going to get home around eight. He takes another gulp from his cup and frowns when he finds that it's gone cold even though he hasn't even had half, yet. Staring at the deserted playground, he contemplates going home.
He's just decides that he will head home when something moves in the playground. Kyungsoo pulls his bag close and narrows his eyes as he watches a head peeking out of the covered slide, followed by a body, two legs, and then a tail.
A tail, Kyungsoo thinks. He should really get going, be on his way until the person doesn't know he was even here. But, Kyungsoo spares a second of doubt and the shadowy figure surges forward. Away from Kyungsoo. Towards a trashcan.
It's none of his business. It really isn't. But when Kyungsoo sees that the figure can barely reach inside the trashcan and he hears pitiful chokes, he can't help but pick up his things and wander closer.
The figure doesn't notice Kyungsoo until he's right behind him. Then, the scrounging individual jumps and hisses angrily, tail raised apprehensively and it's as Kyungsoo thought. This is a catboy. He really should leave, he's heard horror stories about encountering wild hybrid and getting bitten, scratched, infected. But he's never seen one so small. "What are you doing?" Kyungsoo asks.
"I'm looking for food," the figure snaps with the high-pitched voice of a child. He seems to realize he's just answered a stranger, because he hisses again and lowers himself into a crouch. "Why do you care?"
Kyungsoo shrugs and lowers himself into a crouch so that he's no longer looking down on the catboy. He waits until the child seems to think he's not a threat and has returned to his search through garbage before he speaks again. "Have you found anything?"
"I-" the catboy starts, looking over his shoulder and pausing to gauge Kyungsoo, as if he's trying to figure out whether he's worth telling the truth to. "No. It's all junk."
"Do you do this a lot?"
The catboy's tail wilts, curling around his own calf. "Only when there's no one to see me. I hide under that until everyone leaves," he explains, pointing to the slide.
Kyungsoo's not one to be known for making brash decisions. He thinks things out, considers his option, and weighs the good and bad before coming to a decision. That's why he's valued at work and the reason why he's been promoted so many times. Because he always, always thinks things out.
"Do you want to come home with me?"
The catboy freezes, turning to face Kyungsoo. "You're one of those people," he says in a voice just above a whisper, "you own one of those places and you want to add a hybrid to your list. I've heard of you people. There's no way I'm going anywhere with you."
"No, no," Kyungsoo has no idea what the child is talking about. "My name is Kyungsoo. I work at a business firm, and the only thing I own is an apartment." He can’t explain for the life of him why it's so important that this catboy believes him. "I just want to give you food, clean you up a bit, then you can decide whether or not you want to stay or leave."
The catboy seems to be considering his offer. "What kind of food do you have?"
Kyungsoo chuckles and he's relieved he went shopping just a few days ago. "I can made some soup, if you'd like that."
"Will it be hot?"
Kyungsoo nods. "Steaming."
"I'll go," the catboy decides, stepping away from the trashcan.
Kyungsoo smiles and leads the way home, stopping only when he feels a small hand grab his. He smiles and squeezes the small hand slightly.
His apartment isn't much, just one bedroom with a terrace, kitchen with an island, and bathroom with a claw-footed bathtub, Kyungsoo's necessities. But when he brings the catboy inside, the child looks around like Kyungsoo lives inside a mansion.
He jokes about it as he prepares dinner and sets the table. The child squawks and insists that Kyungsoo's modest apartment is basically a mansion.
He devours the soup like he hasn't eaten in days and Kyungsoo wonders if that statement is true. He gives the boy seconds but draws the line at a third helping. He draws a bath and hounds the guest into the bathroom, demanding for the catboy to get all the grime off his skin.
Kyungsoo bites his tongue when he sees just how skinny the kid is. Ribs poke out almost dangerously and the bags beneath the child's eyes Kyungsoo has only seen when he didn't sleep for forty-two hours. The child is skin and bones, and his dark brown tail is missing patches of fur.
He doesn't like the bathtub at first, but then he relaxes, sighing happily as he buries his head beneath the water and then resurfaces. Kyungsoo smiles and moves only to shampoo the child's hair, fingers kneading into a bony skull, through all the knots and tangles in the child's black hair, but easing up when he gets to the anxiously lowered ears.
Kyungsoo fetches sleepwear for the child after he decides to throw out all of the catboy's pre-existing clothes. Though Kyungsoo is constantly made fun of for his petite height and body, the child still swims in his clothes. It's adorable and Kyungsoo can't help but to offer him the bed, taking the couch for himself. He stays up late, staring at the ceiling and wondering what he's just committed himself to.
On weekends, he heads into work for a couple hours just to clear his queue. But he figures that he can go without for this weekend. His back hurts from sleeping on the couch and he rubs it idly while he scrambles eggs in a pan.
“Mr. Kyungsoo?”
He looks over his shoulder and sees a curious head poking out from the hallway. Kyungsoo laughs. “You can take a seat at the table, if you want. Breakfast is almost ready.”
Just like the previous night, when Kyungsoo sets the plate of food down, the boy wastes no time in wolfing it down, munching loudly in between swallowing his eggs down. Kyungsoo smiles and briefly considers chastising the kid before deciding against it. Instead, he settles himself across from the catboy and sips at his coffee until the boy finishes. He washes the dishes as the boy explores the apartment and they gravitate towards the living room, where Kyungsoo turns the television to the first cartoon show he finds. As the boy settles himself on the floor, he takes out his phone and checks his messages and calendar.
He has a back and forth with a superior who will be leaving town for business, until the man curtly ends the exchange to finish packing. Kyungsoo wishes him well and looks up to see that the cartoon with the flying dog has ended and is now a sitcom with too-loud mechanical laughter. Kyungsoo makes a face and looks down to see that the catboy has fallen asleep, curled into a ball with his ears twitching every few seconds. Kyungsoo chuckles quietly and flips through channels with the volume muted, trying to find something to keep the boy occupied when he wakes up.
He pauses on a movie network, only to see that instead of an action flick, commercials are playing. The movie is good though, so he sets the remote beside him and is just about to bring his attention back to his phone when the ad ends and another begins.
A sick catboy coughs into his fist and a worried owner frets above him. She fetches the phone and dials a number, and then the scene cuts to a hospital room where a doctor smiles and says something. Words appear on the screen, protect your pet. It’s a vaccination advert.
Kyungsoo stares at the slumbering catboy. It’s doubtful the boy’s ever been vaccinated. It’s much more probable that the boy is carrying a disease than being protected from one. He grabs his phone and dials a somewhat familiar number with the knowledge that he doesn’t have anything going on tomorrow.
-
Right after breakfast the next day, Kyungsoo dresses the catboy in some of his older clothes from college that still hang off the boy’s slim frame, but at least they fit a little more snuggly were made to look larger.
“Where are we going?” The boy asks, a little nervously, as Kyungsoo locks the apartment door behind them.
“We are going to a clinic,” Kyungsoo answers, sliding the key into his pocket and bidding the boy to follow him, “it’s something I should have done as soon as I found you.” Maybe, if Kyungsoo’s lucky, the place will be able to track down the kid’s previous home or shelter and he can bring the kid back guilt-free.
They begin walking down the street-the clinic isn’t that far away, so walking is a far better option-and it’s only after they turn the corner that they hit the weekend crowd of shoppers and families running around with errands and busy schedules. Kyungsoo’s hand is tugged and he looks down to spot the catboy, holding Kyungsoo’s hand in both of his own.
“I don’t want to lose you,” the boy says, clutching Kyungsoo’s hand close. Kyungsoo’s chest feels warm and he smiles fondly down at the boy, squeezing the small hands.
They enter the clinic and Kyungsoo approaches the counter.
“Do you have an appointment, sir?” The receptionist asks with a cocked brow, halting his sorting of files to fix Kyungsoo with a stare.
“Um, no. I’m here to see Dr. Kim?”
The man’s eyes widen. “Oh. Oh yes. He told me about you. Just have a seat, sir and I’ll go tell him that you’re here.”
Kyungsoo nods and thanks the man, dragging the boy with him over to the waiting area. The catboy only lets go of his hands once they’ve sat down, and it’s to lean forward and snatch one of the magazines off the table, legs kicking in the air as he flips through the pages. Kyungsoo smiles and trains his eyes on the kid as they wait.
It would be a lie to say that Kyungsoo knew about this clinic because of his history with hybrids. Kyungsoo knows nearly nothing about hybrids, apart from their existence and the plethora of diseases they can carry, if feral. The only reason he had known about this clinic is because of a friend he had in University, a quirky man who had worked alongside him in the library, who had majored in Veterinary Sciences and then gone on to grad school to major in Hybrid Physiology. They had kept in touch, and Kyungsoo had even gone out to celebrate with the man after he had opened his own practice.
The sound of rubber-soled shoes slapping against linoleum is the only warning Kyungsoo gets until a man in a flowing white coat is running into the waiting room, full grin on his face.
“Never thought I’d see you in my waiting room, Kyungsoo.” He catches sight of the boy next to him and his grin widens. “Finally jumped on the bandwagon, huh?”
“Not quite,” Kyungsoo says with a grimace, lowering his head apologetically to the only other pair in the waiting room, a middle-aged man and his impeccably groomed hybrid, dressed in a lacy dress. “Jongdae, can we…?”
“Oh yeah, sure. Follow me.” He turns and leads the way down the hallways and Kyungsoo follows with the boy fisting a hand into the back of his shirt. Jongdae turns and starts to do something in the far corner of the room while Kyungsoo directs the catboy to sit on the examination table. The boy nods, understanding what’s expected of him. He walks over to the table, which is taller that he is, and attempts to pull himself up. He struggles until Kyungsoo gives in and hoists him onto the table, pulling back to see Jongdae smirking at him.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this?” Jongdae points to his stethoscope. “This is for me to listen to your heart to make sure it sounds happy and healthy. Do you want to see how it works?” After he assists the catboy in putting on the instrument and laying the diaphragm on his own clothed chest, he turns to Kyungsoo. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave for a bit. At least until I know what’s going on.” When Kyungsoo looks like he’s going to argue, Jongdae continues, “I know you’re a friend and all, but this is my place so you need to play by my rules. Sorry, man. It won’t take too long.”
Kyungsoo sighs and gives the catboy an encouraging smile before leaving the room, heavy door closing behind him. He opts to wait in the hallway, because it’s not worth it to go back to the waiting room. And, he might be a little worried.
Jongdae leaves the room ten minutes later with a red vial in hand. “I need to check to see if he’s in the system. Kris is cute, by the way.”
Kyungsoo stops him, taking care not to disturb the vial. “Kris?”
“Your catboy.” Jongdae’s eyes widen marginally in realization. “You didn’t even ask the kid what his name was? Ugh, you’re such a loser, Kyungsoo,” he complains, walking away. A few minutes later, he reappears with a not quite as sincere smile.
Kyungsoo straightens. “Was he in the system?”
Jongdae swerves in the other direction. “I have to give him up to date vaccinations. I’ll talk to you about it after that.” He heads into a room and returns a moment later with a basket full of needles that he quickly brings into the room, shutting the door behind him.
Time passes and Kyungsoo sinks to the floor. He doesn’t even stand when the door finally opens and Jongdae crouches down beside him.
“Kid’s a real trooper. Took the flu, distemper, leukemia and the core virus vaccinations without flinching,” Jongdae says a little reverently, and then turns to Kyungsoo. “How much do you know about the hybrid business?”
“I make it a point not to know.”
Jongdae sighs. “Things have been getting a little rough lately. Great for breeders and hybrid physicians, but awful for the hybrids themselves. Overpopulation is getting out of hand. Initial species can be controlled easily, but hybrids in captivity are breeding much too frequently. They can’t be spayed-it’s a human rights issue. Do breeders have the right to control the body of a half human-half animal hybrid?-but no one’s brought the practice of euthanasia to court yet. When breeders do euthanize, they target the youngest, before they can mature and breed. There’s a high escape probability, but the payoff is worth it. I don’t have an opinion about all of this, but I’m tired of seeing catboys on the side of the road without a home.” Jongdae frowns and clasps his hands together. “What I’m saying is that the last time Kris’ information was put into the system, it was at a breeders’.”
Kyungsoo turns to his friend. “How old is he?”
Jongdae seems baffled by the change of topic for a moment, but recovers. “Well, he looks nine, but he’s definitely younger.”
“Younger?”
“Yeah,” Jongdae affirms. “It’s a weird genetics thing. Babies mature quickly, but the lifespan of a hybrid is shorter than that of a human. People are working on it so that they can slap guaranteed lifetime companion onto the face of a new genetically modified hybrid, but no leads so far. You found a baby hybrid, Kyungsoo. Some people pay hundreds for one of those.”
Kyungsoo’s heard enough. He stands and lays a hand on the doorknob, but a hand on his shoulder stops him. Jongdae isn’t much taller than Kyungsoo, but he’s looming over him right now, looking older than Kyungsoo remembers.
“It’s illegal for me to treat patients without owners, but I don’t want to force you to make a decision.” He removes his hand. “Just call me and I’ll send you the registration papers. Kris is a cute kid and he really likes you.” He nods once and walks off, back towards the waiting room.
“We’re going home,” Kyungsoo says as soon as he opens the door. The boy inside only too happily jumps off the table and attaches himself to Kyungsoo’s arm, telling Kyungsoo once they get outside about how he thought that he’d die from how many needles the doctor poked him with. Kyungsoo merely laughs.
On the way home, Kyungsoo stops and buys clothes that actually fit Kris-the catboy practically vibrates with joy the first time Kyungsoo says his name-and then they head home, Kris watching cartoons while Kyungsoo makes dinner.
After they eat, Kris yawns and nods when Kyungsoo suggests he go to bed, tottering off down the hall. Kyungsoo sighs and thinks about the possibility of officially owning a catboy, but doesn’t come to a conclusion before he falls asleep.
-
The week is painful. Monday begins with Kyungsoo trying to explain why he must leave and the catboy cannot come with him as he showers, dresses, and prepares food before running out to his car, only to find out when he gets to work that he forgot his tie.
Each night, Kris attaches himself to a part of Kyungsoo until he falls asleep, voicing his worries that Kyungsoo would never return. The man merely bears them all, tucking the boy in at night to soothe his worries.
This continues until Friday, when Kris leads Kyungsoo to the master bedroom and sits on the mattress, pulling until Kyungsoo rolls his eyes and lies down atop the sheets, limbs splayed out as Kris tries to completely cover him with his body.
“What are you doing?” Kyungsoo wonders aloud, voice muffled by the head of hair in his face.
Kris huffs, pushing his hands on Kyungsoo’s chest to push his upper half up. “I’m stopping you from going to work tomorrow,” he states, making a face as if the word truly offends him.
“I don’t have work tomorrow.”
Kris flops down on his chest and cheers. “It worked,” he murmurs before going quiet.
Kyungsoo has never thought himself particularly lonely, but it’s true that he hasn’t had a meaningful relationship since college, and hasn’t given himself time to even consider one. But, it’s also true that his brother’s texts haven’t been annoying him as much as of late and he actually looks forward to coming home every day because of a certain someone waiting for him. As he buries his fingers in Kris’ hair, playing with velvet ears, almost silent rumblings begin from above him and Kyungsoo frowns until he realizes that Kris is purring. The sound dies down as the catboy falls asleep, still on top of Kyungsoo, and the man realizes that he was stupid waiting this long to decide that yes, he most definitely wants to officially call Kris his own. He quickly fires off a text to Jongdae-to which the man replies almost immediately with a, knew it >:3, and Kyungsoo almost throws his phone across the room-and pulls up the covers on top of himself and the slumbering hybrid.
-
The shrill sound of an alarm is a rude awakening, reducing Kyungsoo’s blissful dream to mere ashes. He struggles in the mess of blankets until he slams his hand down on the snooze button. He takes a deep breath, preparing himself for the cruel world beyond his bed, when he’s harshly yanked back and emits a surprised yelp.
“Not yet,” a deep voice grumbles, “I won’t allow it.”
Kyungsoo huffs. Childish. He tries to free himself, but only succeeds in further entangling himself in sheets and limbs, knees knocking against his shins. Arms wrap all the way around his waist and pull him even closer, until Kyungsoo’s face is smashed into a bare chest. He glares up at the perpetrator and wonders when his adorable little catboy grew into such an irritable catman. Kris is now even taller than him, which is extremely unacceptable.
“Get up,” Kyungsoo demands, punching the hybrid in the gut and earning a displeased grunt, “I have work and you have to babysit.”
Kris groans, nosing his way into the crown of Kyungsoo’s head. He speaks directly into Kyungsoo’s awful bedhead. “Your nieces and nephews are terrible. You know Sooyin is going to pull my tail again. I’m going to be a tail-less catboy by the time you return and you’ll only have yourself to blame.”
“So dramatic,” Kyungsoo complains, rolling his eyes. “You love Sooyin and you know it.”
Kris doesn’t speak for a moment. When he does, his words are laced with sleep and he nuzzles Kyungsoo’s hair. “She’s okay. Jiyung is cuter. But Sooyin’s okay. I guess.” He chuckles and his fingers trace over the nobs of Kyungsoo’s spine. “You’re cuter, though.”
Kyungsoo groans. “I’m leaving.”
“No, wait,” Kris says, but allows Kyungsoo to twist in his grip until his front is against Kyungsoo’s back. He pulls the man closer, lacing his fingers over Kyungsoo’s tummy. “Just a couple more minutes.”
Kyungsoo rolls his eyes but gives in. He always does. Kyungsoo giggles as Kris places a chaste kiss right in the juncture where his shoulder meets his neck before nuzzling the spot, promptly falling back asleep. Kyungsoo wriggles in the bigger man’s hold until he’s comfortable, ears tickling his cheek and tail curled around his ankle.
Kyungsoo doesn’t think he will ever need anything else in life other than this particular mattress and his insufferable catboy.