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meeting your partner’s family is always a nerve wracking situation. at least for a little, chan thinks, but maybe not as bad as how he’s currently feeling. of course these situations are only half as meaningful as your partner loving you above everything but as hybrids, the anxiety is tenthfold. maybe to humans they just have to worry about making a good first impression but chan’s a wolf hybrid.
and felix is a damn bunny hybrid.
a predator and a prey? it’s not the best duo according to society. they have lots of things that make them different: one eats meat, the other eats vegetables and fruits. one is prone to being in control while the other is cautious and doubtful.
all stereotypes, but of course, society prefers to be ignorant. biologically, yes they are in tune with their animalistic nature, but their humanity is also there and it balances everything out.
still, felix and chan are very aware of the pros and cons of dating each other. the biggest con is that no one takes in mind their feelings and their dynamics together. all they see are the negatives, which aren’t even there since felix and chan have long come into understanding how to deal with one another. not like there was ever any danger, not from either.
still, no one saw it that way. all they saw were two corrupt people holding up a dangerous façade.
that’s exactly whay everyone saw and chan had no way to prove to anyone the opposite when their decisions were already set. felix, sweet felix, has tried to tell him not to worry so much of what others think. it’s worked up until now, but family is the closest thing to felix’s heart. felix always talks about his older brother minho, with so much lovr and admiration, that chan knows he has to do his best to come off as a good lover to felix in front of everyone else.
they have to understand, felix had said that morning while they drove to the house that was two hours away from their apartment, that you’re the person i choose to spend my life with. minho said he’s done his best to ease the fact into them, my aunts seemed excited to meet you.
excited they were, but to make chan feel awful. the second he stepped inside the house, all eyes were on him. no one seemed pleased, only the few cousins around their age seemed amused but due to family influence they also maintained distance. at least there weren’t outbursts of negativity so far…
that didn’t last long though...
“um, would you like some help?” chan asks, standing awkwardly and nervously at the kitchen entrance.
felix had gone to the bathroom after his father said he wanted help with the plumbing. felix isn’t good at it but all his cousins joined him to see what the challenge was about. leaving chan alone, trying to come off as perfect as possible.
three pair of eyes dart towards him. chan could almost cry at how mean they were. for a moment, he thinks their silence is the answer and almost leaves until felix’s mother speaks.
“how about you fix the salad?” she says, not looking at him.
before chan can voice out an okay, one of the aunts speaks up.
“you know what a salad is right? you carnivores probably don’t.”
“i-i do know what a salad is-“
“well get to fixing! we have a family to feed!” mrs.lee huffs.
“um- where do i- h-how-“
“is this how felix gets treated at home? slow? geez, you’d think a wolf is fast but this one is so slow. poor felix,” an aunt pouts while eyeing chan up and down.
swallowing, chan fidgets, “where are the bowls-“
“let me get that for you,” a cousin of felix’s says with pity, she isn’t as evil as her mother and aunts but she can’t bring herself to defend the wolf. “i have to go watch the kids now but knives are on the counter by the microwave and just pick out the vegetables from the fridge.”
chan nods dumbly as he takes the bowl from her, he sets it on the kitchen island before cautiously moving to the fridge. he hesitates in opening it but the judging eyes push him to move fast. yet, he’s not sure what they want him to make the salad out of when he opens the door and finds all sorts of vegetables in it. is he supposed to make a basic salad? lettuce, carrots, tomatoes? crutons?
“can you not see?” mrs.lee asks, scoffing at how long he’s been staring at the fridge for.
“s-sorry,” chan fidgets as he tries to search among the immense amount of vegetables.
“have patience with him, what carnivore would know about vegetables? there are lots of types of lettuce-“
“don’t defend him, if he truly loved felix he would know!”
chan winces, hoping he grabbed the right one as he scurries back to the counter.
“did you wash it?” mrs.lee asks.
chan froze.
“oh for crying out loud! how dense are you!? wash the damn vegetables!”
“give him a break, carnivores just dig in without cooking or anything!” a woman snorts, amused at chan’s flushed state.
“w-we do cook it-“
“then wash the vegetables!”
and that’s how the food preparation went. he kept getting comments about how he did things, it hurt how they assumed he treated felix wrongly but he didn’t dare speak up. he couldn’t let it get through to him either, they’d probably use that to an advantage and do something outrageous. felix doesn’t know and he hopes he doesn’t find out, the alpha seemed so happy to see chan incorporating himself.
still, deep down he does wish felix could notice so that they could hold off on their attitudes and behavior. chan can only take so much, he’s gone to the bathroom so many times to take a breather and dab away any stray tears.
he might do that again actually, because now that the food is ready to set on the table, mrs.lee kicks him out of the kitchen. he’s about to sit down instead but-
“you can’t sit there,” mrs.lee says with venom, when chan pulls a chair out to sit on.
the omega pauses, heart sinking and anxiety bubbling up. “s-sorry?”
“that’s where my sweet felix is going to sit, pick a different chair.” she spits, glaring at chan like he’s dirt.
swallowing the knot in his throat, that, by the way, has been there since they got inside the house, he sits on the seat that would be to the left of felix. there are a few family members already taking their seats on the large table. chan didn’t know a table this big could exist but he also didn’t know felix’s family lived together. it’s a “bunny thing” according to what he heard mr.lee grumble.
the kids are running around, playing and laughing. they must have been let out for lunch but they’re so full of energy that sitting down to eat isn’t a priority to them. the littlest ones have balloons that they’re throwing around and hitting, chan silently coos at how cute the bunnies are. was felix like that too? so fluffy and tiny?
he doesn’t get to think much about it as a child drops her balloon by his feet.
“oh, here’s your balloon,” chan giggles at the cute bunny, her fluffy hair pairing nicely with her fluffy ears.
she’s so tiny, chan would love to cradle her but he knows better. so he hands her the balloon and watches her with adoration. she hugs the squishy item before looking up at chan with shiny eyes. he internally squeals at how cute she is-
and then the kid ran away. chan frowned at the change of behavior but he didn’t think much about it. maybe the kid was just excited to play with the others again? beats him, he keeps watching them from afar until felix joins him.
finaly, chan feels at ease, just a bit but more than before. felix squeezes his thigh as a sign of his presence, smiling at his boyfriend with adoration.
“you doing fine, baby? sorry, dad had us all basically remodel that bathroom,” felix laughs with an eye roll at the past activity.
“it’s okay,” chan says as an aunt sets their plates before them. her nasty glare at chan is missed by felix.
“oh, mom you made bean soup? ah, it looks so good!” felix grins at the sight.
chan places his hand over felix’s, he breathes out, hoping he collects himself well. most of the family is already at the table, digging in and trying to not give chan attention. chan doesn’t mind, he hopes it stays that way, he doesn’t want unnecessary attention.
that was just a hopeful thought though. mrs.lee never seemed pleased, and she definitely won’t act like it.
“felix you don’t feel uncomfortable knowing this…” she eyes chan, not exactly saying anything but the silence was enough of a label. “eats meat?”
“he eats meat?” someone asks.
“of course he does! he’s a wolf!”
chan sinks into his chair, uncomfortable with all their yelling and accusations. he promised felix he’ll behave, he didn’t want to come off any worse than he already has. first mrs.lee was upset with his kitchen performance, which wasn’t his fault, they berated him to the point he couldn’t do anything well enough. he’s good in the kitchen, but they definitely will never know that nor see it.
“what makes you think he won’t eat us all!?” an uncle yells, mortified.
“enough!” felix growls, “refrain from saying such stupidities or we’ll leave!”
“you say it’s stupid but i know deep down he wants to! he scared poor minyoung today! showed his fangs at the poor girl! small things are easy to get, aren’t they!?” a man accuses while directing chan with a nasty expression.
everyone gasps, horrified. felix pauses before turning to look at chan. if chan didn’t know any better, he’d think doubt crossed felix’s mind.
“i didn’t show my fangs,” he says, hopefully loud. “i just gave her the balloon she dropped! i didn’t show my fangs! even we as wolves try not to to our pups!”
“lies! i saw it all, grinning at her like she was the perfect entrée! all the kids are already scared of him! children can feel what we can’t!”
“shut it!” felix grunts.
“it’s true! you brought the enemy into our home! he’s just waiting for the right time, if he won’t attack you he’ll attack us!”
“i wouldn’t-!” chan starts but he’s shut down.
“and his pheromones!” someone gasps, “he’s been stinking up the place the moment he entered! no decency whatsoever! smelling like a wet dog! scaring the kids! absolutely useless in the kitchen! no manners whatsoever!!”
that hurt chan. he… he didn’t want things to go so bad. felix was so exited to introduce him, he wanted everything to go well. but here they are.
“and what use of an omega is he?! i could have alowed this stupidity of yours to slide if he at least had omegan decency but he doesn’t! does he even feed you? why are you even with him!?” mrs.lee yells.
he… he can’t do this.
“chan? chan come here!” felix yells after the omega, chasing him when he runs off.
but chan doesn’t want to listen. is all of this even worth it? can he go through all of this for felix?
“baby,” felix says when he catches up to chan.
they’re outside the house now, none of the family members dared follow them. felix hopes they don’t get the courage to do so either. chan is heaving and hiccuping, so close to the car but still a few feet away. felix’s heart is heavy at the sight of chan.
“i’m sorry, i didn’t mean to,” chan cries, hoping felix understands. “i didn’t mean to smile and show my fangs, i-i didn’t mean to scare them- i-“
“baby, baby calm down,” felix ushers, cupping up the omega’s face. “it’s okay, i’m not mad. i know you didn’t mean it, they’re just… they’re the ones in the wrong, not you.”
chan sobs don’t die down, he really wanted to get along with felix’s family. his own disowned him the day he refused to marry another wolf solely for status. he was faced with negativity when he introduced his relationship with an herbivore and felix was so angry at the bruises that chan’s father imprinted on him. felix swore to take care of him no matter what.
if he has to push his family away then he will. he won’t bear have chan so sad ever, over people who choose to be so ignorant. oh, he’s so mad! he doesn’t even realize he’s growling and fuming until chan whimpers.
“shit- sorry baby, come on, let’s go home.” felix sighs as he kisses chan’s head. “i promise minho isn’t like that. if he had been here, he would have put them all in their place. he’s way better than me at that…”
“it’s o-okay,” chan sniffles, wiping his eyes.
“home?” felix reminds as he gently guides chan back to their car.
“nn, home,” chan nods. he’s still shaking but felix kisses his nose before helping him inside the car.
they won’t come back, felix is certain over it. as his mother calls him on their way home, when he would normally answer without hesitation, he ignores her. his disappointment is profound and as he glances at a sleeping chan, eyes and nose still red from his crying, he doubts he’ll forgive them any time soon if at all.
felix truly did mean it when he said minho wasn’t like the rest of his family. yet, seeing how quiet and reserved chan has been so far, he’s realizing that his omega didn’t believe him.
minho had brought his boyfriend, changbin, another bunny hybrid, along. so their little group consisted of three bunnies and one wolf. of course to the public eye they looked bizarre, but felix had thought chan was fine.
minho isn’t exactly a social person but he knows when to be extroverted, yet it seems today his brother is being a little too chatty. it definitely seems that way now that felix realizes chan hasn’t really spoken today. chan’s not exactly glued to his side either, which is also another sign.
“-but you know how the music industry is, right chan? minho doesn’t believe me when i say it’s harder for us to get into it, we need sources and connections and all that, so not easy,” changbin says as he smiles at chan then minho. “and even when you do get it, it’s even tougher since everyone looks down on those who lack expertise.”
chan only nods, he seems to be in his own world. changbin has been speaking for a while now, clinging to minho’s side as they walk around the shopping center. felix had met changbin plenty of time before, but now he’s feeling off. somethings wrong but he can’t pin point it yet.
he’s starting to realize what it though, as chan covers his mouth to giggle at something minho says regarding changbin. changbin lights up at chan’s action though, visibly pleased to see chan finding some joy and expressing something. yet when minho glances at chan, the wolf purses his lips and rests his hand back on felix’a arm, hugging it as they walk along.
it’s not something felix truly focuses on, but he isn’t pleased. when they enter a restaurant and eat, chan barely picks up any food, and when he does, he covers his mouth. he doesn’t indulge much and felix normally feeds chan some of his own food, but the wolf turned down his attempts so many times already that felix is starting to grow upset. this…. isn’t really going how he wanted it to go.
“that was good, should we visit a jazz bar?” minho asks.
changbin happily agrees, felix smiles and nods. minho looks at chan expectantly, the wolf forces a smile and barely nods.
“um min,” changbin whispers as they walk ahead chan and felix, ushering minho to lean in to listen. “did we do something?”
the walk to the jazz bar wasn’t far, it was around the corner after the shopping center. the streets weren’t crowded either, it was an easy trip.
minho purses his lips, looking at his cute, worried boyfriend. “no baby, i think… chan’s just worried we might do something. remember what i told you my family did?”
changbin nods, frowning. “oh… should we talk to him then! let him know we would-“
“no, he’ll realize we mean well. if he doesn’t realize it himself then felix will. keep being you, okay? if i love you for that then everyone should too.”
changbin rolls his eyes, “oh whatever. you didn’t even like me before! you absolutely hated my guts.”
“stop exaggerating.” minho huffs, looking away.
“don’t speak to changbin like that, look at him. be respectful,” felix teases when joins them when they enter the bar. chan trailing behind.
“yeah! be respectful!” changbin repeats in a mocking manner.
minho scoffs. “i’m the oldest, he’s supposed to respect me .”
“respect goes both ways,” changbin and felix say together.
they look at each other before laughing. minho grunts, not willing to show how happy he is. chan though, purses his lips to refrain a smile. while they’re all cute, he doesn’t want to ruin the moment. should he get drinks? get away for a bit?
“should we find a seat?” felix asks, snapping chan out of his thoughts.
“you want us to find one while you guys get a drink for all of us?” changbin offers as he hooks his arm with minho’s.
“sure!” felix smiles. he’s already stepping away with chan when minho calls out.
“oh, chan! do you want a specific area?” minho asks.
chan just shrugs, smiling with pursed lips.
okay, something is definitely wrong. now that felix truly focuses, he realizes he can’t smell chan. chan loves to leave his scent free, even by a little, only enough for felix to smell, but now there’s not a single waft. felix pulls chan close, surprising the omega when he’s pulled by the arm and then his neck is invaded with felix’s face.
embarrassed and taken by surprise, chan shoves felix away when the alpha sniffs him with deep inhales. “felix what are you doing!?” he whispers.
unbothered, felix glares at him. “i can’t smell you.”
chan blinks, ears red. “i… i put a scent blocker on,” he says as he looks away.
“what?”
chan doesn’t reply, choosing to ignore the obvious. felix isn’t happy though, he finds this extremely out of the norm.
“why would you do that?”
“do what?”
“chan stop playing stupid, what’s going on? you’re being weird and now you tell me you’re blocking your scent? for what?”
chan goes silent again. felix grunts. he scoffs at chan’s unending silence and stomps off, grumbling. startled at the behavior, chan chases after him.
“felix! don’t get mad! i thought you’d be happy!”
offended, felix stops in his tracks and whips around. “happy!? why the fuck would i be happy that you’re hiding what and who you are!? you’re not talking, not smiling, not eating, and not even letting your scent out! for what!?”
chan fidgets, feelings and looking small in front of felix. his eyes are glassy now, glued to his hands that mess with the vip lanyard. “i-i wanted the hang out to go well… s-so i blocked my scent and did my best to avoid accidentally scaring them… i-“ he sniffles, “i just want them to like me. y-you were so sad after the thing at your family’s house and minho is your brother and you love him so much so i really want this to work or else you’d be upset again and- and-“
“baby, breathe. breathe,” felix says as he grabs chan’s hands and leans close to him. once chan finishes taking a deep breathe, he speaks again. “baby why would i want you to do that? i told you minho was different, i know it might not seem like it because he’s dating a bunny now but he’s dated a lot of people. he’s dated a ferret, a human, um i think a quokka too, i don’t know those were a long time ago and changbin has been his longest relationship until now.”
the small moment chan’s tears and hiccups silenced didn’t last.
“what? why are you crying again?” felix asks, worried again.
“w-will you leave me for a bunny too?”
“what?” felix gawks at him, “chan! what!? no! baby, i’ve blocked out my family for you! i’d block minho out too if he turned out like they did! i’d do anything for you, have i not proved it? i even yelled at your dad, literally risking death!”
chan sniffles, “i’m sorry- i just-“
“hey, hey, i’m not asking for an explanation. it’s okay,” felix kisses chan’s lips, tasting the salt from his tears. “i love you, chan. don’t doubt that.”
chan hugs him, sobbing into his shirt. “i’m sorry, i’ll try to get along better now- i just- i was scared.”
“i know baby, but i’m with you. okay? i’ll protect you always.” felix whispers into his ear.
“i know.” chan sighs, sniffling.
“let’s get those drinks, yeah?” felix asks when chan pulls away.
with a nod from the wolf, they go ahead and do just that. felix is more than pleased to see chan go back to who he is, chatty and friendly. he took a while to ease up but changbin complements his personality so well that a conversation finally sparked between them while minho and felix commented amongst themselves. chan loves music, so does changbin, so felix enjoyed hearing them exchange happy comments at the music.
their last stop was a success, felix was so happy to see chan glowing again. changbin even made a group chat for the four of them, claiming it was necessary, before they ended their hang out.
changbin hugged them both farewell, whining about how he had work early in the morning. chan giggled at changbin’s whiney state. minho shook his hand as changbin moved on to felix.
“chan, it was nice meeting you today,” minho says, “i can see you make felix happy, that’s what i’ve always wanted for him, happiness. i hope we get to know each other more, changbin seems to really like you too, so i hope next time you feel a lot calmer, okay? take care of yourself as much as you take care of felix.” minho ends with a charming smile.
“will do, sorry if i-“
“shh,” minho shushes him, “we had a blast today, that’s what happened.”
chan smiles, “thanks minho, i hope we hang out again.”
“yup, now i’m going to leave before changbin makes me carry him to the car,” he whispers as he steps past chan.
the wolf laughs, adoring their chemistry. felix goes back to his side when changbin screams after minho and chases him.
“good?” felix asks as he takes chan’s hand so they could walk hand in hand to their car.
“very good,” chan smiles.