Chapter Text
“Hello? ATEEZ Hybrid Hotline speaking.” Wooyoung answered the ring from the phone, meanwhile San, in his feline form, stayed unbothered and snored on the couch.
“……”
“Ah, alright. Thanks for the information! Hope you have a great day!”
Wooyoung puts the phone down, then woke the cheetah hybrid up. San growled in protest, but he got up eventually. The hybrid meowed, sitting on Wooyoung’s lap as the human pats on it. He rubbed his furry face to Wooyoung’s, and purred in satisfaction.
“Hey, stop rubbing, I gotta call Hongjoong hyung. San-nu-uh, don’t use your claws. It hurts.”
“Hello?”
“Hongjoong hyung! I got a call just now… it’s very important, I know you have work with the others, and I just want to inform you.”
“Spill the tea.”
“Siberian tiger. Approximate human height is 180 cm above, caged with electric collar. Going to be auctioned tomorrow. Is in the countryside for now.”
“Go for it. This might be Yunho’s chance to find his forever partner like us.”
“Yes sir!”
San rolled from Wooyoung’s lap, changing back into his human form. The hybrid had some clothes on and a choker(the collar becomes a choker when he turns into human), because technology is getting better these days, and nowdays hybrids can shift whenever they like with clothes on, without worrying that they’re going to be stark naked in public.
“Where are we gonna go?”
“ Southern Incheon Sanie, let’s get ready and fetch Yunho.”
“Oh, thought we’re gonna go back to Namhae again.”
San, despite a hybrid, is a very smart one. He was rescued by Wooyoung on accident, the human was on a vacation to Namhae, walking by and saw a door open, with a lot of people shouting inside. The 21 year old Wooyoung went in, unaware of what he’s going to face.
San, was in his cheetah form, and he was very skinny. There’s this spark on Wooyoung’s heart to just wanting to save him. He had money, he had friends, and nearly everything that he needed. Note, nearly. He bids for the highest price, leaving people baffled, and walked home with the feline hybrid in his hands. He doesn’t care that he’ll need to borrow money from Hongjoong or whatsoever, as long as the hybrid’s safe.
San completed the list. Now he got everything he needed.
“Did you remember where I put my blank notes for new patients?”
San went under the table, and fetched the specific thing Wooyoung was asking for. You see, Wooyoung had his psychology degree, and he was a cum laude in that. He understood emotions, even though people saw that he’s too loud to be a psychiatrist. He succeeded rehabilitating San as his first and forever patient, and now San became his partner in crime, sticking to him like super glue.
“Thanks kitty.” San only hummed in response, then turning back into his cheetah skin. He’s more comfortable under his fur than under his human skin.
The cheetah waited for Wooyoung to really prep all his stuff, stayed by his side and brought his favorite plushie, Shiber, within his mouth. Shiber was given by Wooyoung as a birthday gift, and San couldn’t be happier.
“You bringin’ Shiber too aren’t you kitty?” Wooyoung chuckled, and ruffled the fur on San’s head.
“Kay, I’m all set, let’s go find Yunho.” Wooyoug pats the cheetah’s back, and like a dog, the cheetah followed him.
San sniffed around, and ran to a dark brown door, which he believes that Yunho’s in there. The vet usually spends his time on his clinic, but it seemed different today. Yunho was casually sitting on the couch, playing games on his phone.
“Bro. We got somethin’ to do today. Prepare tranquilizers for a big cat.”
“How big?”
“Siberian tiger, about three times bigger than San, although the the informant said that he’s skinny as fuck.”
“M’kay, gimme 15 minutes and we’re ready to go. Where to?”
“Incheon, Southern Incheon.”
“Wait on the couch please, you too San.”
Wooyoung plopped himself on the couch, then San rested his head on the human’s thigh, hugging Shiber with his paws. San meowed when Wooyoung stopped patting him, demanding more and dragged Wooyoung’s hand back to his head with his paws.
“You attention seeker kitty.”
“Alright! We’re done! Let’s go!” Yunho held his dart gun which is an air rifle, and had prepared 10 tranquilizers just in case there were others that needed to be rescued.
“Ah shit, nearly forgot. Kitty, wear your bodysuit, we’re gonna need you in human form.” San whined at the mention of human form, that means he can’t cling on to Wooyoung like when he’s on his cat form.
“Hey, Hongjoong hyung had modified your bodysuit so you’re free to turn whenever you want. I’m gonna be camouflaging as a buyer anyway. You’re gonna be my ‘pet’ hybrid to convince him.”
San stood up, still in feline form, waiting for Wooyoung to grab the suit. It was a black H-collar, placed on the neck and his abdomen, and fits San perfectly.
“Now shift kitty.”
It fits San’s skinny and long legged strature, accentuated his thin waist and lean, muscly body(hala hala outfit without the chains). Wooyoung’s jaw dropped, the cheetah had changed so much in just three years. With his taekwondo training everyday, the cheetah had a surprising reflex and passed his first black belt test jus a week ago.
Wooyoung hugged the hybrid, he’s very proud at him, and kissed San’s cheek tenderly. “My baby kitty has grown up.”
“But I’ll still be your baby kitty Wooyoungie~”
“Oh for god’s sake! Get a room you two!” Yunho fake gagged, and both only laughed.
The 60 minute ride was surprisingly quiet, the three sat on the front seat of the black van, with San sleeping on Wooyoung’s lap. Cheetahs are known to be vocal and affectionate creatures, and San is more than that. He craves physical and emotional touch—always, no matter the time, even when Wooyoung’s sleeping. The cheetah felt assuracnce whenever he’s near Wooyoung.
Wooyoung wore semi-casual clothing, with a tux, a black turtle neck under, and black jogger pants also a black face mask for anonymity. Yunho wore a dress shirt, and black slacks, his doctor’s coat was left in the van, just in case.
The gps location was sent from the informant, and they headed to the specific location near Gunja. The small warehouse was where the gps had pointed them—hidden between the green fields and greenhouses.
As soon as San went out of the van, the villagers looked at him in awe, because most exotic pets are rare, and most are owned by rich people. When they saw Wooyoung, they were surprised, because they thought the owner would be a fat, old man in his 50’s.
“Stay there kitty, I need to grab my money suitcase.” San sat casually without leash, waiting for his owner to come back to him. Yunho waited inside the van with his gun, ready to come in as soon as the people inside are arrested because of illegal hybrid experimentation. On his collar, San was given a hidden camera, ready to capture any moment, Wooyoung too, hidden in his cheetah head brooch.
There was a kid who approached San, and nearly pet him while Wooyoung was busy. Thankfully, the human reminded the girl to ask permission before petting and she asked San. The hybrid only closed his eyes, and sniffed the girl’s hands.
“He’s so cute!” The little girl squealed, and made Wooyoung giggle lightly. “What’s his name?” she asked.
“He’s San.” Woyoung answered the girl, and pats the hybrid to follow him. “Bye little girl, see you later. We need to go.”
They walked in the warehouse, surprising three people and woke the tiger up. The people then saw San, and they were thinking that Wooyoung is a potential buyer.
“Heard that somebody’s selling a tiger hybrid for 23 million won, is that right?” Wooyoung asked. The three people nodded, and looked at San again. “San costs about 35 million won when I bought him. Don’t look at him like that.”
Wooyoung puts his money suitcase on the table, then opened it. “This is 25 million won, and I’ll buy that tiger, the extra cost is to remove his electric collar.”
The three people looked at each other, still not convinced, and checked the money amount. It was exactly 25 million won.
Yunho, who watched the videotape, sent the video to his police friend in the area, Lee Jeno, so that they can accuse them of torturing and illegal hybrid marketing.
Police sirens were heard when they were just finished removing the tiger’s collar also chains that are on it’s paws, and Wooyoung smiled victorously.
“INCHEON POLICE DEPARTMENT! PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEADS!” The familiar voice of Jeno pierced through the silence. San shifted, just in case one of them fought back, and yes, one of them did. He nearly injured Wooyoung with a scalpel, but San was fast enough to block it and knock him down.
“Nobody’s hurting him.” San said, which made the two others just submit and puts their hands behind their head.
Jeno broke in with a coulpe more guys including Yunho, who’s bringing his dart gun along. The tiger slowly woke up because of the commotion, he just passed out because of the electric shock. Yunho quickly went over to the tiger, and slowly approached him.
“It’s okay bub, You’re gonna be okay. I just need you to drink first, alright?” Yunho offered him a bowl of clear water, which the tiger refused. Then, the tiger smelled San, who’s still in his human form, and San looked back at him.
“Hi there, I was like you three years ago. Then there came my saviour, Wooyoung, who’s wearing all black, and he saved me from the hellhole in Namhae. Please let Yunho hyung help you, he’s a good person, I promise you that.” San then turned into his cheetah form, and went beside Mingi to drink the water—proving that it’s okay to trust them.
“Saaaaan!!” Wooyoung shouted, seraching for the hybrid. San meowed loudly, to which Wooyoung turned his attention to. “I thought I lost you kitty.” Wooyoung ran over and opened his arms, which signalled San to jump over to his arms.
“Ouuhhh you’re so heavy, kitty.” Wooyoung struggled to carry San, but he looked happy. San made a big, wet lick on Wooyoung’s face, which the human looked enjoyed. Then San meowed, wanting to get down from the hug. Wooyoung let him down properly, and San rubbed his head around Wooyoung’s leg.
“Let’s eat tuna after this, alright? I’ll make sure to buy it after this.” Seeing that, the tiger finally drank the water, standing a bit wobbly on his feet. Yunho helped the tiger stand steady, meanwhile San turned back to his human form, ready to help the others carry the tiger.
“We’ll lift you up, alright?” San said, to which the tiger only nodded. They placed a stretcher beside it, and Yunho laid the tiger, and helped carry the stretcher with Jeno, Wooyoung, and San. The tiger was put on a big, fluffy bed, so that the ride will go smoothly.
“We’re gonna have to tranquilize you for a bit, okay, so you get enough sleep and nutrients.” Yunho said, and poked the tranquilizer needle into the tiger’s skin. Then, when the tiger’s asleep, he attached an IV drip, and hung it to the custom hanger at the wall of the van.
“Wooyoung, you drive. San you can sit beside Wooyoung in the passenger seat, no sitting on his lap.” San meowed in protest, but curled up on the passenger seat anyway.
Yunho closed the doors, and Wooyoung zoomed away. On the way home, San and Wooyoung went to the supermarket for a meat shopping, and bought 4 kgs of meat for the tiger and a kilogram of tuna fillet just for San.
The cheetah nibbled at one of the tuna fillet that they bought, purring happily while eating his treat. As soon as they went down, they were greeted by the puma, then turning into his human form.
“Seonghwa hyung! Mind to help us?” Yunho half shouted. The puma hybrid nodded, and helped Yunho bring the tiger to the rehabilitation room. Wooyoung and San helped them, then brought the meat in the mansion.