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"A… cat ?" Namjoon asked, trying to hide his disdain but failing at it.
From all the animals of the creation, Hobi brought home a cat .
He slowly growled at the weak creature.
"Come on Joonie, look at the poor thing drenched to the bone and so slim. Take him and hold him tight against you to keep him warm."
Of course Hobi didn't wait for an answer and gave Namjoon the animal.
"Change your clothes, you're wet too and…"
But he didn't finish his sentence. Hobi turned back and pecked him a kiss on his lips.
"I'm sorry, I forgot. Hi… did you have a nice day?"
"Change your clothes! You're gonna be sick! Now!"
Hobi came back with dry clothes and wrapped the cat in a towel.
"What is your name, kitty, mmmh?"
"Maybe he already has a name…" NamJoon suggested, suspicious.
"Oh, no!? Who would let this poor creature starve? What is your name? Meow meow?"
Hobi put the cat against his ear and waited. One minute. Two minutes.
"Oh, you shy? What do you think of… Snowflake?"
"He's… black."
"Aaah, you're right Joon. Blackie? Rorschach?"
NamJoon shook his head and rolled his eyes. Maybe if he let Hobi choose the name, this poor creature would leave quickly. However, Hobi was really creative but sometimes it was not for the best.
"Shadow," NamJoon dropped.
"Oh! I love Shadow. Do you love Shadow, little kitty?"
"And… how long… Shadow's gonna stay with us?"
"As long as he wishes, right kitty? He must be starving. What can I give to you?"
Once again he gave the cat to NamJoon and looked into the fridge.
Both NamJoon and the feline felt uncomfortable. The cat hissed at him then struggled to get away from his arms. NamJoon grunted discreetly and the cat calmed down… Only Hobi could ask his boyfriend, a dog hybrid, to take care of a cat. Seriously? But how to say no to the person he loved the most on earth?
They met five years ago in a coffee shop. There was this poetry reading. NamJoon was in a corner, far from the stage where people read their poems, and he wanted to remain hidden. But Hobi's aura and poetry were so attractive. He fell in love at first sight. And he knew his instinct was right, he never made a mistake. This person on stage was beautiful and was shining. He knew some mixed couples, but between hybrids and humans that was mainly sordid and NamJoon didn't want to be an exotic one night stand. He expected… Romance, love, respect. And he was sure he could get it. The poetry of this guy was so innocent and moving, he couldn’t hurt him, right?
When everybody had read their works, there was a little time to chat with the authors and NamJoon took his chance and talked to him. They spent the evening together in another coffee shop, talking about their favorite poets, reciting verses of their favorite poems and at dawn they exchanged phone numbers. They ate together the evening after as well, and had been dating ever since.
"A bowl of fresh water and tuna. Come on, Shadow, eat. "
Hobi took him from NamJoon's arm and put him in front of the bowls but the cat didn't move.
"Maybe he wants to be alone. Let's eat and… we’ll see. "
Hobi considered the cat and agreed with his boyfriend so he prepared the meal, it was just unthinkable to let NamJoon cook.
They told to each other what happened during their day.
Hoseok was a high school teacher of literature and he really enjoyed his job even if his students were not really interested. NamJoon wrote articles from home; or - he didn't like to mingle much.
"Where do we go tomorrow?"
"Oh, I don't want to leave the whole weekend. Poor Shadow can't stay alone two days in his new house."
"Mmmh… We could run at Namsan. Dogs are allowed there."
Each weekend, according to the weather, they went hiking. The teacher was not much into it but soon he liked it and these walks did him good.
"But since it will rain tomorrow…," NamJoon sighed, watching through the window. His blonde fluffy tail was pointing down to the ground and his ears were a bit floppy. Whatever the weather, he needed to go out at least once a day. Fortunately he had his walk this morning.
He bit his lips when he felt Hobi hugging him and resting his head against his back.
"I don't care about the weather… you know that… We will run at Namsan."
NamJoon closed his eyes and let the magic of the moment wrapped them. Each day he appreciated this bliss.
"Now, let’s see if our guest ate something."
But the food was still there, untouched.
"Maybe you need a hug, Shadow. Come on NamJoon, we're gonna cuddle him."
"Where did you find him? Maybe he was well there."
Hobi softly took the cat and the bowl of tuna. He sat down on the couch, the cat on his lap and fed him by hand.
"I found him half-conscious. Come on, eat. Please. Whatever your pain is, let us help you. Mmhh? " he begged.
But the cat refused any food. Hobi put him on a smooth cushion and stroked him. He stood up and sat against NamJoon. He stroked the big thigh, concerned.
"Don't pout Hobi, you can't save the world, even if you'd love to."
The teacher rested his head against NamJoon's large chest.
"If I can just save him…"
Again one more reason to be in love with Hobi. His big heart. Even if he brought home a cat .
"Let's go to bed."
*******
When they woke up, the bowl was empty and Shadow was still sleeping on the cushion where they'd left him and when they came back from their run, he was still there.
During days with NamJoon, Shadow turned his back to him and didn't move from what was his spot now: the best sunny part of the sofa.
Each morning, the dog hybrid was used to running or exercising. But he worked at home and to be honest, the presence of the cat was irritating. First, it was a cat, then, as time went by, NamJoon was sure he was a hybrid like him and that was the most disturbing point. Shadow, or whoever he was, was trying to steal Hobi from him.
So the feline snubbed NamJoon but was amazingly sweet with Hobi.
When the teacher came home, Shadow ran to Hobi and literally jumped into his arms, asking for cuddles. When they watched TV, he was on Hobi's lap,s and last but not the least, Shadow watched them making love. NamJoon could feel his look.
"That's just a cat!" Hobi laughed.
Then in the middle of the night Shadow managed to crawl between NamJoon and Hobi and when the dog hybrid wanted to take him away, the animal hissed and scratched him.
He couldn't prove it but that was not just a cat. Shadow was a hybrid, plus a hybrid in love with Hobi. The last part disturbed NamJoon.
"Don't move, Joonie. What did you do to be scratched like that?" Hobi asked, sticking fancy plasters, one with a flower and another one with unicorns, on the wounds.
"Each night… he sleeps between us. And…"
"Don't tell me you're jealous."
The J-word had been dropped.
Jealous.
Maybe all that fuss was because of jealousy.
No, something was wrong with Shadow. He looked too smart and NamJoon was sure the cat grinned .
One day, he sat in front of Shadow.
"Listen to me, cat . You fool Hobi, not me. I'm pretty sure you're like me. I don't know what you're up to but Hobi is the kindest person in the world. He took in you, fed you, he… likes you. So don‘t deceive him, right? And stop watching us when we… you know… in the bed or on the sofa."
That was a bad idea to talk to him – but it kinda proved it was a hybrid – because Shadow followed Hobi everywhere.
"Hobi… I would like to tell you something. But… in private."
"Oh? But why in private?" he whispered, leaning toward NamJoon, with a confidential tone.
"This cat… he is a hybrid. He follows you everywhere. Even in the bathroom to watch you take your shower. And each night he… he is with us when… when we… when you… when you make love to me and… I'm uncomfortable."
"Oh baby! Shadow, from now on, you'll sleep in the living-room. I don't want Joonie unhappy."
*******
Again there was a truce… which didn't last.
Each day Shadow provoked him: he switched off the laptop NamJoon was working on , he spilled NamJoon’s coffee, he mixed all his papers.
And he went on watching Hobi naked plus interfering between them.
Slowly, NamJoon turned in on himself.
"What's wrong Joonie?" Hobi asked one evening.
He tenderly peppered kisses and slipped his hand under NamJoon's shirt but the dog hybrid stepped back.
"Not tonight. I'm… I'm late with my work."
Because of that fucking cat… he thought, angry.
That night he worked late and when he came to bed, Shadow was in his spot, against Hobi. Moody, he returned to the living-room and turned into his dog form.
NamJoon shifted into a dog each weekend when they went out running. Well, Hobi was biking and NamJoon could run freely. But he also turned into a dog when he was moody. It meant clearly he didn't want to talk anymore. This cat completely distressed him and he needed to focus. He could have dealt with an ordinary cat but not with a smart hybrid Hobi enjoyed a lot.
Hobi was surprised to find him alone in the living room in the morning.
"Hey, Joon. You okay?"
He stroked the soft blond hair. As a dog, NamJoon was a huge golden retriever. Hobi poured fresh water in a huge bowl and prepared his food – not dry dog food but fresh meat with rice and some vegetables.
Hobi learnt to respect those introspections, they didn't last, and NamJoon still expressed his love when he was an animal.
However, this time it lasted and NamJoon was obviously feeling bad. He didn't want to run. The seventh night, Hobi lay down on the ground, hugging the dog.
"NamJoon, I miss you. Talk to me."
But NamJoon didn't move.
Hobi plunged his long fingers into the blond fur.
"Talk to me, please. Whatever worries you, we can go through this together. Like we always have."
He hugged the dog tighter.
"I love you Joonie."
And he fell asleep on the ground, holding NamJoon tight, under the clever look of Shadow.
Hobi and NamJoon lived on the ground floor. They had a small garden in which the dog hybrid could rest when Hobi was out. Moreover, the wall separating their garden and the street was high enough to protect them but small enough to be jumped when he wanted to leave.
He needed a walk but he had to be cautious, stray dogs could be caught.
He walked around his neighbourhood. Maybe he had been too severe with Hobi, he didn't deserve to be snobbed, maybe it was time to turn into a human again. He was to come home when he smelt something now familiar. Shadow. He hesitated but finally followed the scent.
Two dogs cornered him and were grunting at him.
NamJoon could have left but he knew Hobi would have been pained and, even if he disliked the cat, he never wished he could be hurt. He sighed and growled louder. The two dogs turned to him. Shadow had time to flee and NamJoon built a gap between him and the two other dogs so he could come home safely, without being involved in a fight.
There, in their garden, Shadow was waiting for him. He slowly walked towards the dog and rubbed his head against the dog's nose.
NamJoon licked him back. Maybe this hybrid had his own issues and was not ready to talk yet.
Hobi found NamJoon into his human shape and Shadow was sleeping nuzzled against him. They were sleeping in the bed. Hobi took a shower and joined them, smiling: Joonie was back.
*******
A new era began. Shadow was now stalking NamJoon which embarrassed him.
"Ahah, Shadow seems to like you. Now it's me who's jealous. What are you two doing when I'm out?" Hobi laughed.
"Uh? We… we do nothing!"
Hobi's joke affronted NamJoon whose fidelity was unfailing.
"I was joking, Joonie!"
But Hobi was close to the truth. Shadow was really cuddly with NamJoon and one day, the dog hybrid found a young naked man on the couch.
"Hello… NamJoon," he whispered with a sultry voice. He walked towards him, still naked and touched his chest. "You're so strrrrong. Oops, I purrrr when I'm turned on."
He hugged him, purring louder. His long black tail winded around NamJoon's leg and his ears tickled NamJoon's chin.
"I never thought I could be attracted to a… dog. But what a dog you are!"
And of course Hobi arrived at that moment.
NamJoon blushed a lot and pushed Shadow, who still clung to him.
"I can explain!"
"Who is he, Joon?"
This guy looked like a doll. His skin was as white as the snow and he had black ink hair. Only his lips brought some color to his serious face. He was smaller and thinner, he seemed to be so fragile in NamJoon's arms.
"Come on, tell him who I am, Joonie."
He smoothly moved to Hobi and smelt him.
"Hello, Hobi, I'm glad you'rrrre home."
And he rubbed his face against Hobi's.
"Thank you for bringing me here and… taking carrrre of me. You can stroke me, I love that," he giggled.
"You are… Shadow."
"Min YoonGi. Stroke me, come on."
The young teacher gulped. He just didn't know where to stroke. He looked at NamJoon who wrapped the hybrid in a blanket.
"Get dressed. I'm going to give you clothes."
Hobi took his shower. He was okay living with a cat but what about another hybrid? He prepared the meal and set the table for three.
"You don't tell us about your day? Which book did Ho Cheol-u pick?"
Ho Cheol-u was one of Hobi's students, the only one apparently interested in his classes and the teacher had expectations for him. Hobi told NamJoon about the student who had to pick a book to present during the literary Olympiads and apparently Shadow... Min YoonGi… didn't miss a thing in their conversations.
Hobi suddenly blushed remembering what NamJoon said about the showers, the bedroom and sex.
"So, Ho Cheol-u?" NamJoon asked.
Slowly, Hobi explained in detail his student's choice and forgot about his embarrassment.
They ended up on the sofa, watching a TV show. YoonGi rested his head on Hobi’s lap. Kindly, the human stroked the black hair and the hybrid purred, dozing peacefully.
"Have sex, then I’ll join you in the bed. Even if… I had a really good time watching you," he said.
"Err…" Hobi looked at NamJoon, who shrugged.
The first night was a bit awkward. The cat hybrid joined them after their intercourse and slept between them, not at all disturbed.
He felt so good between them. He was sure he found a good place, a home.
Before being taken in by Hobi, YoonGi used to have an owner. Like many hybrids, he was abused by him. That was so exotic to fuck a hybrid. He had a collar, a leash, a cage. He took many drugs to bear this life. But one day it ended abruptly. His owner kicked him out: he had a new hybrid, hotter, younger. He was left out with his addiction and no money. He didn't know how to read nor write. He got rid of his addiction by himself with difficulty and survived thanks to thefts. He was used to turning into a cat, being adopted, then stealing from the inside and leaving with his loot and so on.
He clearly intended to steal from Hobi but there was this dog hybrid. A mixed couple, and it worked! YoonGi quickly fell in love with Hobi. He began to dream about a life with him. He just had to get rid of the dog and he could take his place.
But he went on observing the couple and felt… guilty to separate them. He even fell for the dog. The dog ! That huge buffy hybrid was so sweet. And… he helped him. He did everything to irritate NamJoon but the dog hybrid helped him…
So he decided to stay. Maybe, with time, they could love him.
YoonGi spent his days napping at the best spot of the couch, in his human or cat shape, it depended on his mood, then woke up a couple of hours before Hobi got home. During this time he teased NamJoon a lot. Purring, rubbing himself lasciviously, he even enjoyed kneading his large thighs. And when Hobi arrived, YoonGi played the same way with the human. They easily blushed, he loved that.
On the weekends, YoonGi deigned to accompany them during their exercise, but as a cat and in the bike's basket. Sport, yes, but safe and fatigue-free sport!
He was just sad being excluded from the bedroom. Of course he joined after but since he was really attracted to both of them, he struggled to be satisfied by their crumbs of affection. It was better than nothing, wasn't it?
However, one night Hobi and NamJoon didn't leave the living-room after the TV show. They both looked awkward, as if they wanted to say something to him.
"Oh," YoonGi whispered, feeling their hesitation. "It's time for me to leave and you don't know how to say it? I… understand, I guess," he sighed.
He knew that day would come. Everybody got tired of him and it was crazy to expect something from an established couple.
"What are you talking about?"
"I ended up boring you and…"
But he didn't finish his sentence. NamJoon pressed his lips against his, kissing him deeply. His hands made a very slow path along YoonGi's back until they found his ass.
"Mmmmh?" YoonGi whispered when NamJoon finally allowed him to breathe.
"We are not bored at all," Hobi said. "We… would like to… love you… more."
NamJoon let Hobi hug the cat hybrid. He kissed him too, longer, softer, moaning.
"You could… join us… now…"
YoonGi purred, he couldn't believe it, that was happening.
Each man took him by a hand and when they closed the door of the bedroom Hobi showed them longly how much he loved them both.
That night, YoonGi fell asleep elated: he had finally found his perfect place… even if it included a dog.