Chapter Text
Hongjoong is drunk.
Not the ‘haha omg you’re so cute we should make out rn and I should jump on the table and dance’ drunk but the ‘holy fucking shit, if you don’t move out of my way I’ll projectile my insides on you and black out’ type drunk.
So, yeah, Hongjoong is piss drunk.
Listen, he knows he shouldn’t have gone that hard tonight, yet the drinks seemed to pour like an endless waterfall and Hongjoong was but a slave to the tides.
Hongjoong leans against the brick wall of the club. The stones cool against his heated skin bringing him some relief from the packed room.
Hongjoong licks his lips as he catches his breath, his throat dry from the last shot he took with Mingi. Who would’ve thought he had room for all those drinks. Hongjoong showed up an hour late and the group was already on the 5th shot of the night when he got there.
He wasn’t made for parties, he has a bedtime at 9 and curls up with his tea and a book, or composes for the rest of the night. He is a homebody through and through.
A loud rustle startles him off the wall. Vertigo hits instantly and Hongjoong has to breathe through it as he stares into the darkness.
“Who’s there?” He tries to say but comes out as more mumbled ‘whoz ‘er?’
Of course, no one responds and the rustles stop. Hongjoong, out of his usual six senses, walks forward ignoring the alarm bells ringing distantly in the back of his head that his drunken curiosity quiets.
Hongjoong squints as the rustles start up again and startles when a little head pops up from the trash.
It’s a black cat. Its back is facing him and its ears are twitching wildly as it rustles through a bag. Its tail sways gently behind it.
“Oh my god, a cat!” Hongjoong squeals, moving closer to the feline. Or at least he thinks he moves forward, it’s kinda hard to tell if you’re moving when the whole alleyway is moving along with you. The walls shaking unsteadily from left to right and the trash bin zooming close then far in dizzying patterns.
“Here kitty, kitty! Pspspsps, oh shit—“
A sting went up his elbow that soon dulled in his inebriated state. Hongjoong giggles. He quickly got up from the floor hoping his slip didn’t scare the little guy away.
When Hongjoong looks up to make sure, he’s met with big green eyes.
They stare at each other for god knows how long. Hongjoong lost in the kitty’s eyes that seemed to hold so many stars even in this darkness. His little pupils are so dilated that the green is almost swallowed by the black and stars. He’s slowly inching forward to where he fell. Body low on the ground, tense and curious.
Now that the little guy is closer, Hongjoong can see him better. His fur is matted in places sticking the fur closer to his body but he seems to have a big fluffy coat and he’s a lot bigger than he thought. Probably a maincoon breed. His right ear has a piece missing, teeth indents lining the delicate skin. A fight with another animal. An old wound. Despite all that Hongjoong thinks he’s the prettiest thing he’s ever seen.
“You’re very pretty.” Hongjoong stares wide eyed at the kitty. The feline doesn’t move and continues to stare at him intently. His gaze wide and open. He looks so cute and Hongjoong can barely contain himself from reaching out and squishing his cute little cheeks and giving so many kisses across his face and over those big eyes.
“Come here, beautiful.” His hand inches out to pet his head but the cat quickly retracts. Thin slits glare at him as a warning hiss leaves his mouth. His fur bristles. Hongjoong flinches back, a pout on his lips. His drunken self hurt at the rejection. “Hey, that’s not nice. Mean kitty.” He sits back on his bum, crossing his legs to glare at the feline. Maybe he didn’t believe him?
“I’m being honest! You are really pretty and I’d reallyyyyyyyy like to pet you.” Hongjoong begs, however, the baby— yes, he’s calling him his baby now— continues to hiss and growl.
Hongjoong feels a sting in his eyes, his vision blurrying slightly. He just wants to pet the baby and be friends! He’s not intimidating in the slightest, he’s pocket sized and a sweet person! At least that’s what his mom always tells him… What can he do to make him like him?
Oh!
Hongjoong stands abruptly. His combat boots scratching the ground loudly scaring the kitty. The feline ran back to hide in between the trash bags, Hongjoong was hardly deterred.
“It’s okay, buddy! I’ll be right back! I’ll have something for you that you’ll like, I promise.” Pulling out his phone to open Naver so he can scurry off to the nearest convenience store. His vision was still blurry but his determination burned bright.
So, there he goes, a drunk guy tripping his way to the convenience store.
Hongjoong makes it safely inside, squinting through the bright fluorescent lights that remind him too much of a hospital and that one time he broke his pinky toe. He rounds his way through the aisles looking for canned fish or cat food, anything edible for the little guy. He finds a small can of tuna and promptly buys two to win the kitty’s favor. Hongjoong cackles deviously in his mind as the bag shakes gently beside him. He tries not to rush, but he can’t deny how excited he is to show his new friend the meal. The thought made him skip a little faster to his destination.
Hongjoong rounds the corner to his alleyway with a cheerful ‘baby!’ He sits back down in the same spot he fell earlier and opens the first tuna can. The sound loud to his ears and the smell pungent, instantly permeating the area. Hongjoong is not the biggest fan of the scent and it actually makes him a little more nauseous, yet he’s willing to endure until his friend comes out to enjoy his treat.
It takes a couple minutes of sweet crooning and please until a little head and big eyes pop out of one of the bags. A soft mewl before he slowly climbs out to get his meal. Cautious but his ears and tail perked at the thought of a treat.
Hongjoong clutches his chest. So cute!
As he looks at the kitty a sweet melody sounds in his head. God, he wishes he had his notebook on him to make note of the song, but for now he hums the tune lightly as the little guy gets his fill. Hopefully he remembers once he’s sober.
The kitty finishes the meal fast and paws at the bag with the other tin impatiently. Sticking his little head in. Hongjoong laughs gently pulling him back out and opening the treat. The kitty meows, trying to climb his legs to reach his meal.
“Okay, okay! Hold on.”
He sets the tin down and fondly watches the cat. Not surprisingly, he finishes the second tuna in record time, licking the tin clean. Once finished, he turns to the human. Big eyes wide and pleading. Hongjoong’s heart instantly shatters.
“I’m sorry, little buddy, that’s all I had.”
“Mreow?”
Hongjoong nods. He reaches his hand out, a small smile on his face. An offer to comfort. The kitty reaches forward to sniff lightly at his finger tips and brushes his cheeks on his outstretched fingers. He flinches back when Hongjoong's hands would twitch unexpectedly, but soon he got confident. Rubbing his head against his hand fully, purring softly.
Is Hongjoong going to cry? He most definitely feels tears pricking at the corner of his eyes again. The cat distribution system finally blessed him.
Now the next couple of minutes are a blur to him, one second he’s on the floor all cuddle up and the next he’s halfway home and he has a cat inside his coat all curled up and purring on his chest.
He has a few scratches on his hands after scaring the little fella when he picked him up, but other than that he’s been content to stay in his jacket.
He makes it to his building waving to the security, keeping his weirdly lumped jacket out of view and only tripping once on his way to the elevator.
Walking inside his apartment, he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Unzipping his jacket to meet green eyes.
“Hey there, beautiful, sorry to wake you up, but we made it home.” Hongjoong feels his cheeks hurt from how hard he’s smiling as the baby yawns languidly. So cute.
Hongjoong sets down his keys and turns the light on to get some water and a snack. His head stopped spinning, thankfully, but the alcohol hasn’t loosened its grip on him just yet.
He lets the baby out of the little cocoon that is his jacket, to explore as he scavenges the cabinets for ramen. He ends up finding one on Wooyoung’s— his roommate— side of the kitchen. Surely, he won’t miss a packet. Either way, the brat is always finding ways to make Hongjoong pay when they go out together (he does it happily), so, he’ll think this as his compensation.
He’s mid bite when he hears a door open down the hall. A sleepy Wooyoung appears in a large shirt and boxers. He’s scratching his stomach, eyes puffy and barely opened. He stifles a yawn. The ears on top of his head twitch lightly and he has his tail wrapped around his thigh.
“Hyung? You’re-” another yawn. “Back?”
“Hi, Young-ah.” Hongjoong sets his chopsticks down and turns off the stove. “Did I wake you up?”
“No, no, I wanted to get some water.” His eyes are still closed as he blindly reaches for the general direction of the fridge. Hongjoong passes him a glass and gets a sleepy thanks in return.
Wooyoung fills his cup and goes to lean on the counter next to him as he nurses his glass taking small sips. Hongjoong reaches out and gently scratches the base of his ears, getting a strong purr in return.
“So, how did Mingi’s birthday party go?”
Mingi is Hongjoong’s best friend from middle school. A bearded dragon hybrid. They met on a random afternoon after school. Hongjoong had booked the music room to finish a piece when a young boy walked in. He had fluffy blonde hair at the time and big glasses that took up most of his face. He had little scales littered on his cheeks and down his neck. Hongjoong was instantly endeared, especially when the younger boy got all flustered and tried to apologize for interrupting. There had been an issue with the booking system, so they had both booked the room at the same time. Both offered to leave until Mingi suggested sharing the room.
This is where Hongjoong learned that Mingi was also interested in music and wanted to be a producer in the future. Hongjoong was delighted, he shared his own ambition to produce and the two started talking. They have been inseparable since then. Meeting in the same room up until graduation and stayed together till university.
After, Mingi got a good offer to produce in the west where he met his boyfriend, Yunho, a dancer in the same company. They had both returned to Korea after 5 years and moved in together last week. To celebrate Mingi and their next step as a couple, they invited Hongjoong and a couple others out to the bar.
Usually, Hongjoong would come up with an excuse and proceed to fuse with his bed, but he could never deny his best friend anything. Not even when they were little, and Mingi makes sure to take advantage of that, the little opportunist. Either way, it was his special day. Mingi would rip his balls off if he even thought of staying home and Hongjoong would very much like to keep his balls intact, thank you.
“It went well. Funny enough, I stayed longer than he did.” He chuckled. “He and Yunho already had more to drink before I got there and they started to get handsy, so I’m sure you can guess where they went.”
The cat hybrid cracked an eye open slightly. “Yunho? The tall dog hybrid, right?”
“That’s the one.”
“Good for them.” He says as he leans closer to observe what Hongjoong has cooking. He feels arms wrapping around his waist in a firm grip and a cold nose on the crook of his neck. The hybrid has always been a cuddler and half asleep? Multiply that by a thousand. Hongjoong tenses at the contact, not really a fan of physical touch but letting it slide.
“Ugh, you stink of people and alcohol.” Hongjoong felt his rommate’s nose scrunch on his neck.
“Sorry, Young-ah, but what do you expect from a crowded club?”
The hybrid squeezed his waist tighter, a mumbled ‘whatever’ sounded behind him.
Hongjoong had a hard time when they first moved in together getting used to the other's touchiness but slowly started to tense less and less.
He reached out to pet his head. “Did you stay up late writing your paper?”
He got a small muffled ‘yeah’ in return. Wooyoung nuzzled further into him. His muscles relaxing and laying his full wait on the poor unsuspecting human who had to grip the counter to not fall.
“Wooyoung—!” A chiding remark forming on his lips until—
“Mreow?”
They both startled, Wooyoung letting out an embarrassing squeal and Hongjoong spinning to the entrance of the kitchen.
Shit, he’d forgotten that he let the little guy roam while he made his food. It completely slipped his mind to warn his roommate of their new guest.
“Oh my god,” Wooyoung is fully awake now. “Did you kidnap someone’s cat on your way home?!”
The human winced.
“Well, not exactly,” he walked over to pick up the little guy. “Miiiiiight have gone a liiiittle overboard tonight, actually, I don’t think I’m fully sober just yet, but that’s beside the point— I found him in the alleyway where I went to throw up—”
He backtracked at Wooyoung’s expression.
“I mean, catch my breath! And he was just so cute and looked soooooo lonely, so, I took him home and forgot he was here, hahaha…”
“Hyung…”
“Oh, come on, Young-ah, look at how cute he is!” The baby gives a startled mewl at being thrusted up into an unexpected stranger's face.
Wooyoung and the cat blink at each other.
“He is really cute…” he admits, reaching out his hand. The little fella stretched his neck to smell his fingers and goes completely still.
The two barely notice and continue to debate on the pros and cons of keeping a cat that Hongjoong randomly picked up in a drunken haze.
Just then, something weird happens.
One second Hongjoong is holding a cat in his hands and the next he is holding a very naked man by the armpits.
A loud scream is ringing in his ears and it takes him a second to realize the sound is coming from him, his brain slowly comes to comprehend the situation.
Wooyoung is also screaming.
“OH MY GOD, HE IS NAKED! HIS DICK IS OUT IN THE OPEN. HYUNG—” his hands shoot up to smack over his eyes.
Hongjoong can only stare at the man’s back in horror as he shakes out of the his loose grip to walk over to Wooyoung picking the younger by the scruff of his neck. Wooyoung fights back on the hold for a couple seconds before going limp at the strong grip, like an unruly kitten being handled by its mother. One hand still over his eyes.
“HYUNG?!?! HYUNG! HE'S KIDNAPPING ME! HYUNG, THE NAKED MAN YOU BROUGHT HOME IS KIDNAPPING ME! DO SOMETHING?!” He screams as he is brought out of the kitchen into their living room.
Hongjoong’s brain finally decides to go back online, shaking off the initial shock and runs after the two.
The sight that greets him is not what he expected at all.
His roommate is sitting stiffly on the man’s lap. The grip still tight on his neck. Hongjoong can faintly hear the guy quietly chirping and is adjusting Wooyoung’s clothes and his hair as he purrs lightly.
He takes the chance to study the stranger. When he was holding him up earlier, he shook his head to focus on the important parts of the memory, he noted the other's height. He is a couple inches taller than him. Which means he is also taller than his roommate. Could make fighting him off a bit difficult, but what Wooyoung and Hongjoong lack in height they make up in aggressive tiny rage.
Other than that, he has long hair that reaches past his shoulders. Hongjoong can see a bunch of scars, big and small, around his arms and back. It makes him pause and wonder what happened for him to be all banged up like that. His gaze is redirected to a movement near his lower back.
His eyes widen as he zaps his head at the strangers head then back down in quick succession. He can’t believe he missed it. The man is also a hybrid. A big fluffy tail is wrapped around both the him and Wooyoung. Protecting at least some of his modesty, which then reminds Hongjoong that a stranger has his bare ass on his couch.
The hybrid’s ears twitch lightly and Hongjoong zones into the movement. Specifically, on the one ear that has the familiar bite marks that he saw on his little friend.
“Hyung!”
Hongjoong turns his eyes to his roommate. Eyes crazed as he whispers frantically, afraid to accidentally set off the hybrid he’s on.
“Hyung! Help. Me. I am sitting on this strange man and you’re just standing there staring like an idiot! I. am. sitting. on. his. bare. dick. Get me off him, right now!”
If Wooyoung wasn’t on the edge of hysterics before he is now.
The human takes quick steps closer to the two hybrids. He still can’t see the other’s face with it buried behind his long hair and Wooyoung’s shoulders in the way.
“Excuse me!” His voice cracks. “Let go of my dongsaeng, please!”
Grrr…
His roommate rolls his eyes. “WOW, that’ll sure get him.”
“What do you expect me to do??? He literally has you hostage”
“Well, I don’t know! Maybe something a little more helpful???”
“I’m trying to help! Less sarcasm, or I’ll leave you here with him.”
“Don’t you dare!”
At Wooyoung’s upset, the hybrid instantly tenses and hisses aggressively at him. Letting go of the boy’s waist to swipe at Hongjoong in warning.
“Hey!”
He glares at the man and opens his mouth to retort but promptly stops.
Big eyes stare back at him and Hongjoong hears symphonies.
His eyes still hold the same stars like in that alleyway, maybe even more. His long hair framing his face nicely. He has strong cheekbones and soft pink cheeks. Hongjoong has a straying thought to how rosy they would get if he littered little kisses all over his face. He’s got a strong nose that droops down a little bit and the plushest lips he has ever seen. Glossy and plump. He’s gorgeous. A perfect dichotomy of gentle and sharp-
“Can you both stop having a moment over my shoulder and let me go?!”
Hongjoong rips his gaze away from the man’s to the younger hybrid. He knows his cheeks must be bright red, he feels like he’s on fire. Might as well crack an egg and cook it on him from the embarrassment of being caught ogling.
He needs to focus! There is a man who he thought was a cat, but is not a cat and in actuality is a man, a hybrid to be exact, a very pretty hybrid, a very pretty naked hybrid that’s in their home. This is fine-
“I can see you panicking over there, hyung. Get your ass over here!”
“Well, I don’t know what to do! Whenever I get close to you he hisses at me!” The human takes a step forward. The hybrid instantly tenses, his tail poofing in alarm, the low growls proving his point. The second he steps back, the hybrid goes all soft, fretting over Wooyoung gently and nuzzling at him.
“I think he likes you-”
“No shit?” Sarcasm.
“Listen!” Hongjoong sighs, praying at any being above for patience. “We can clearly see that he likes you. So, I don’t think it will be possible for me to get you off him forcefully without getting us both hurt.”
Wooyoung shifted uncomfortably. The man continues to purr, he reaches up and gently begins to lap at Wooyoung’s ears which gets the man an immediate hiss and a swipe of claws. A futile attempt, he easily catches the offending hand. He grips the youngest wrist lightly but firmly. Scruffs him a little tighter causing Wooyoung to relax unintentionally into him.
Wait…
“Is he grooming you?”
Wooyoung sits back up as if shocked, to the displeasure of the man.
“Oh my god, you’re right.” He looks mortified. “Fuck, there’s no way this is happening to me right now.” He whines.
“And he doesn’t seem to be capable of communicating with us. He only keeps making sounds? Do you think he’s feral? Kind of instinct driven...” The man’s soft purrs and chirps loud in the quiet of 3 am. Hongjoong shakes his head, clearing out his straying thoughts. “We need to make him let you go willingly.”
“And how do you suppose we do that?” Wooyoung’s voice biting.
“I don’t know? Maybe- oh.” A memory of tuna and a happy cat earlier tonight pops into his head. “Wait right there!”
“Not like I got anywhere else to go!” Wooyoung shouts behind him.
Hongjoong hurries back to the kitchen and hopes that they have an extra can of tuna. Wooyoung likes to keep a stash from time to time for when he shifts and wants to have a snack. Hongjoong is usually the one to prepare it for him when he comes meowing insistently to his room. He shifts the ramen packets and random bags of snacks around for his prize, having to shift deeper into the cabinet than he expected. It’s all the way near the back next to an old abandoned bag of chips that Hongjoong finds what he’s looking for. He lets out a little sound of celebration, checking the expiration date on the lid. Letting out a breath when he realizes it is still in good condition.
He immediately opens the tin and gags at the smell. The alcohol deciding to resurface with a bitter hello that Hongjoong has to, unfortunately, swallow down. He can feel like shit later, saving his dongsaeng is his first priority right now. He walks back out to the two, to the same scene. The hybrid is still grooming his roommate, but this time Wooyoung seems to be whispering something to him. He is still tense although his tail has smoothed out from its poofed aggression.
“Here.”
Wooyoung observes the tin, eyes sparkling. “Oooooo!”
Hongjoong smacks his hand away from the treat.
“Awwwwww.”
Any other time he would’ve given in to Wooyoung’s sad puppy eyes and flat ears but he has a goal right now. He’ll buy him another can later.
The young hybrid turns his head to address the stranger, tapping the arm around his waist gently.
“Hey, buddy,”
The man turns away from fiddling with his hair with an answering chirp.
“We got you a treat!”
The hybrid locks onto the promised meal in the human's hands. Sniffing closer to the offering, however, the second he got close enough Hongjoong pulls back.
Tut, tut, tut. “You’ll get your reward once you let our Wooyoungie go.”
The man reaches out ignoring him, Hongjoong lightly slaps his hand away and huffs at how similar the two hybrids are.
“No. Bad kitty!”
Hiss!
“You’ll get your treat if you let him go.”
The hybrid continues to growl, his grip tightening making the younger in his lap wince. Hongjoong sees red, ready to intervene when a small hand stops in front of his face.
Wooyoung is tense again but his eyes are soft and determined. Hongjoong is a little confused at the change of mind. Wasn’t he the one screaming his head off like a banshee five minutes ago? A little skeptical, Hongjoong takes a step back and watches quietly. Wooyoung turns as best he can to look the hybrid in the eye. His voice is soft as he asks, holding his hand again and rubbing little circles as he pleads with him. “Please? For me?” The man looks disgruntled.
“I also, like, really, really, reallyyyyy have to go to the bathroom.”
Hands lose their harsh grip.
Hongjoong swiftly pulls the younger man up and behind him as he hands the hybrid the tin. Instead of digging in with gusto like Hongjoong expected, the hybrid stares at the treat with an unreadable expression. He looks lost? Sad.
This whole night has been odd and Hongjoong believes odder still is how his heart breaks for the hybrid. He doesn’t know how to explain it but seeing the fight and vigor drain so suddenly feels unsettling. They are strangers, they don’t know or owe each other anything. It’s in their right to ask him to leave and to never interact with each other again for their safety. And yet, something in him knew that that couldn’t happen.
Wooyoung and Hongjoong share a look. He isn’t surprised to see a similar look on his roommate's face. He’s always had a bleeding heart.
Hongjoong’s shoulders slump as a breath escapes his lips, the night finally catching up to him.
“Hey,” he calls out to the hybrid and sad eyes meet his. “I’m really sorry for taking you. I didn’t know that you were a hybrid, and I was also… really drunk. Um. I, uh, if you’d like you could stay the night? Maybe? As an apology?”
Hyung! Wooyoung hisses behind him, Hongjoong raises a placating hand.
After his whole spiel though, the hybrid only stares. His head tilted innocently as he stares longingly at Wooyoung but doesn’t make any moves to get up from the couch.
“Okay, well, Wooyoung, can you get the guest room ready while I talk to him? You can grab the extra sheets in my room if there aren't any.”
The younger slowly nods and lets go of the grip on his shirt, giving a cautious look back before dashing away.
Now, it’s just the two.
Hongjoong stays rooted at his spot ruminating on what to say, a hundred possibilities going through his head but none the right one. He finally just decides to open his mouth and see what comes out.
“I don’t think we ever introduced ourselves! hahah…”
Fuck, this is awkward.
“Um, I’m Hongjoong, the other hybrid you saw is Wooyoung and your name is…?”
The hybrid continues to blink at him.
“Right, you don’t have to say just yet if you’re not comfortable, of course.” He starts to fidget. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, even though we had a very bizarre beginning, which I take full responsibility for. I was the one that picked you up like a creep. In my defense, I didn’t think you’d be a hybrid. You were probably enjoying your night and I came stumbling by— Anyway! This is our humble abode, it’s…cozy. And, well, I’m Hongjoong, by the way. Wait, fuck, I already said that didn’t I—”
Thankfully, Wooyoung calls out that the room is ready, saving him from embarrassing himself further.
Thank god.
He claps his hands but instantly regrets it when the hybrid jumps. He winces at his carelessness and hopes the grimace on his face shows his remorse.
“We should go.”
Hongjoong immediately turns, directing his way to the room but pauses when no footsteps fall behind him. He looks back to find the hybrid still in the same place. He stares puzzled until it hits him that he is a feral and is mostly going off instincts at the moment.
He cautiously takes steps forward making sure to observe the other's face in case of any discomfort. Nothing happened besides him scratching at his ear and brushing through his tail. The fur still matted like before, he notes. Throughout this whole time the hybrid never took his eyes off him. Straight eye contact and following every single move, so it surprises him when he still jolts when Hongjoong takes his hand in his.
They’re soft, he thinks. The skin a lot smoother than he was expecting.
He gently pulls him up off the couch making sure to avert his eyes to his nude companion. He promptly guides the hybrid to the guest room where Wooyoung is waiting for them.
“I ran a bath for him and left some stuff for you to use. In the meantime, I’m gonna scavenge our closets to see if we have anything that’ll fit him.”
What would he do without him, his sweet dongsaeng. He’s usually a little shit, although, when it really counts, Wooyoung is always there to lend a hand.
Guess the alcohol in his system has also made him extra sappy tonight.
“Thanks, Young-ah.”
The human leads their guest to the bathroom.
The bath in itself is a quiet affair. The second the hybrid touched the warm water his shoulders fell and untensed. A satisfied sigh bouncing off the walls.
Hongjoong gave him a moment to enjoy before he got to work, taking the products Wooyoung left for him and slathering everything on his body, hair, ears, and tail. He was determined to have him all clean, shiny, and soft by the time he was done. In the middle of massaging the shampoo in, a purr started softly before growing in volume as Hongjoong continued his ministrations. It helped to sooth him too. Feeling so relaxed with the added warmth of the water that his eyes would droop every couple of minutes and he had to pinch himself awake to finish the job.
“Okay, close your eyes.” Hongjoong asked. After a couple minutes of massaging the conditioner into the others hair, he had a mountain of suds. The human had enjoyed making silly shapes with them while the other sat unknowingly but enough was enough and they had to get a move on if they wanted to sleep at a reasonable time.
The hybrid tilted his head back to look at Hongjoong. And he just stared. For quite a while he might add. His face burned from the rapt attention. What was he expected to do when an objectively handsome guy is gazing at him so intently? He huffed amused, taking the hybrid's jaw between his fingers and guiding his head back down. Trailing his hands back up to cover his eyes himself as he poured warm water on his head.
Once finished, the human guided the man out of the tub.
Shit, he forgot a towel.
“Oh no, wait one second let me go get a towel for you.” He rushed out of the room for the fluffiest towel they had. It’s Wooyoung’s but he’ll have to deal with sharing.
When Hongjoong gets back he takes a moment to do a once over of the man on the off chance he missed anything. As he goes Hongjoong can’t help but to think that there is no other way to describe him besides looking like a wet cat, figuratively and literally. Now that all the piled up dirt is off him and his messy fur has been tamed, he notices that he is far too skinny. His cheeks sunken in and his ribs visible. On the contrary, is his broad shoulders and sun kissed skin. Hongjoong zones in again on the little scars and moles littered around his shoulders like intricate constellations, each demanding his attention.
A shiver rocks through the hybrid, immediately snapping him out of his place. Drying his guest quickly as well as he can, his fur that fluffs up adorably at the ministrations making the hybrid look even softer.
He walks him out of the bathroom to meet his roommate with a bundle of garments in hand. Hongjoong takes the offered clothing with a thanks and puts them in the man’s hands who drops the towel to receive them. Wooyoung and Hongjoong avert their eyes. The hybrid peers at the clothes curiously, taking a whiff. A small chirp escapes his lips as he raises the clothes to his face and rubs them on him scenting it. After a couple rubs on his neck and wrist, the hybrid extends his arms back at them with a happy chirp and sparkling eyes.
“Oh, sweetheart, that’s so sweet of you, but this is for you to wear.” Hongjoong says as he lightly pushes the clothes back to him.
The hybrid blinks confused.
“Here, I’ll help him.” Wooyoung offers. Taking the first item, a baggy white shirt, in his hands. This step is over and done swiftly, their guest finally clothed and the human feels like he can finally breathe. One thing checked off the list.
Next up, it’s getting to bed. There are still a few hours before sunlight and Hongjoong really wants to take advantage.
However, their guest has other ideas.
He stands staring at the bed oddly, not making any moves to get comfortable. They try nudging him forward, even show an example of Hongjoong tucking Wooyoung in. Nevertheless, still nothing.
“Oh!” Wooyoung exclaims. “Maybe he needs a nest! Some hybrids don’t necessarily need a nest to feel comfortable, but there are many others, like me, that find it better to have one ready. It feels a lot safer.” The younger goes to the closet and reaches for their stashed blankets.
It’s not like Hongjoong is completely clueless over hybrids, he’s lived with one for years. Nonetheless, he still finds out new things and details everyday and Hongjoong is glad that their guest has someone that can relate to him and understands him when Hongjoong is lacking.
Wooyoung stacks multiple blankets on the bed and even some extra pillows grinning at the two.
This time the hybrid moves, running a hand through the blankets. He takes his time caressing them one by one almost reverently. He suddenly looks back at Hongjoong. For what? He’s not sure. Either way he gives him an approving nod and a soft ‘go on’ to encourage him.
That must do the trick because the hybrid starts taking the pillows and blankets he favored into his arms. Hongjoong is so relieved, it’s great that-
…
Where… is he going?
The relief turns into confusion as the hybrid finishes piling what he needs and walking back out the door to the hallway.
Hongjoong and Wooyoung are frozen once again as their half awake brains try to keep up with the man.
They follow him out only to stare at an empty hallway.
“He’s fast.” Wooyoung comments.
Hongjoong has to agree cause where did he go?
The only door open is to Wooyoung’s room but checking inside there is no one there. Hongjoong never opened his door and there’s no light turned on inside either. They split up to check the kitchen and living room, even looking under the furniture in case he shifted and hid. They meet back at the hallway both equally empty handed in information and a cat.
They’re walking back to look in the guest room when Hongjoong hears a noise inside his room. The two roommates glance at each other.
Hongjoong wraps his hand around the door and opens it with a creak. He fumbles with his other hand for the light switch and lets out a quiet yay when he finds it. He flicks it on to find said hybrid in the middle of adjusting the blankets they gave him on his bed.
The three stare silently at each other.
A couple of seconds go by with no movement. The hybrid is the first to break the tension, fluffing up his pillows and tucking in the blankets masterfully. Looking closer though, Hongjoong notices pieces of his and Wooyoung’s clothes tucked into the nest. His pijamas from this morning, Wooyoung’s pink booty shorts, Hongjoong’s hoodie, his snoopy boxers.
Hongjoong does a double take.
His boxers?!
He feels his face flare up for the billionth time tonight but instead of embarrassment it’s indignation.
“Hey! You can’t go taking my clothes- ughk!” He stepped up to the hybrid reaching his hand out to snatch his boxers when he’s suddenly flung back.
Wooyoung, the offender, pulls him by the collar of his shirt, yanking a choked noise from his throat. Effectively, saving him from a vicious set of claws that just barely miss him. He lands harshly on his ass and he just knows he’s gonna get a bruise later.
A sting goes up the back of his head too. Wooyoung smacking him hard and his glare fierce.
“Hyung! We’ve talked about this! You can’t touch, or go near a nest without permission! You’re welcome, by the way. If I hadn’t moved you, you would’ve been a thin slice of cucumber by now.”
“Right, right. I’m sorry, damn.” He rubs soothingly at the back of his head with a pout. “What am I supposed to do then?”
“He claimed your bed,” he shrugs. “The only thing TO do is let him have it, or perish. So, go sleep in the guest bedroom or something, I don’t know. I'm gonna head out now cause I need my beauty sleep. Night, hyung!” He blows him a flying kiss as he walks out.
“You little shit!”
Wooyoung’s cackle follows him even when he closes his door.
Hongjoong stands up, massaging his ass cheeks as he stares forlornly at his bed. The hybrid has long finished the nest and is already laying down peacefully with his eyes closed.
Whatever. Today has been a long day, he gives up. If a random hybrid wants his bed he can have his bed, he is going to sleep.
Hongjoong huffs and puffs all the way up to the point he gets under the bed sheets that are pointedly NOT his. As much as he wants to brood, the second his head hits the pillow his eyes are already shut. Only having one last thought.
It’ll be fine, they’ll sort out everything tomorrow. They’ll go back to their usual routines and help their new friend find a place to stay with the proper care. This is good, this is fine.
All fine.
They’ll figure this out tomorrow.
With that, he finally lets Hypnos drag him under.