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𖦹・・ ◯ ฅᨐฅ꠹ ⏾・・✦︎

It's Junmin's weekend off, and he had planned with Hyunwoo a few weeks back to go on their 'platonic-friendship date', or how normal people say it, a picnic. They had a mutual agreement on the exact spot, planning on who brings what and the exact time they should be there. He was on snack duty and readily bought all of their favorite foods the day before of the picnic. It seemed like everything would've gone great, if it wasn't for a hasslesome, fuzzy obstacle to be placed in his path. Yechan.

Yechan was his boyfriend's half-cat, Minjae had him ever since they met each other and refused to move in together if he couldn't bring him along. What could he do, tell him to leave him at a shelter? So of course, he had to agree to it. And yes, no one can deny that he is infact a extremely cute cat. Even he has some very cute pictures of him curled up sleeping in his fluffy cat bed. Although on the latter, he is an extremely annoying hybrid. He's gotten used to the whole transforming between cat and half-cat human gimmick, what is still an ongoing struggle is the attitude this kitty possesses.

Even if Minjae claims he actually likes him and this is his way of showing affection, he can't help but question if he has some grudge held against him at times. Knocking his cups off counters, shedding all over specifically his clothes, fighting with him over the tv remote— he even went as far as to steal the batteries from the remote for a week straight and horde them all under the couch.

So, in Junmin's eyes, Yechan is treacherous territory not to be trifled with, a fierce beast that can never be predicted, the inner machinations of it's mind are an enigma to all. And this beast had decided that poor Junmin must suffer today. Junmin had woken up several minutes earlier than his alarm set, and not because he was lucky enough to, it's because the clawing outside his bedroom door was driving him mad. Minjae was already out of the house at work, and he always tends to Yechan's needs before he leaves the apartment. What could he possibly want now?

He sits up, rubbing his eyes and checking his phone before he deals with the devil incarnate pleading for his soul behind the door. 1:47 PM. His alarm was set for 2:00 PM, though there's nothing bad with waking up early. What worries him is what the cat wants. He's mewling from outside the door, damn-near clawing a hole into it. He can hear a light poof before his actual voice chimes in.

"Human! This is urgent! Wake up!"

There's that too, he rarely even addresses him by his own name, he just calls him 'human' like he's some lesser to him. Junmin sighs, a hand running through his hair as he begins lurching his way towards the door and cracking it open. "What is it, Yechan..." His speech has layers of lingering drowsiness, hair now more tussled than before with the hand that was just running laps through it moving to lift his shirt and scratch his stomach.

Yechan smushes his head inbetween the crack to speak to him, it's a habit he does in his cat form and looks really stupid in his human form. "Human, your tv is broken, broken I say! You have to come look at it, quick!"

Junmin flares up in fear, yanking the door open, causing Yechan to stumble and rushing into the living room. When he enters into the living room, he can see in the upper left corner of the screen is a dent, the outspread lines from the cracked glass creating a glitched look that overtakes the entire display. Instantly, he turns to Yechan, speaking through grit teeth. "Did you do this?"

Yechan quickly shakes his head, the pointed ears atop it flopping around. "No, no! Why would I damage a device so precious to me?!" He points to the window that's cracked open in their laundry room. "I saw it happen, a bird had come in and tried to peck me to death! I fended it off valiantly, but before it could flee it had whacked a hole right into the television! Seriously, you should've seen it! I've never seen a bird so strong…"

Junmin turns to the window, the cold breeze from outside stroking his face eagerly. Then he looks back at Yechan, sitting there idle with his tail flicking in slow movements, wearing one of his Pokémon shirts that he had stole from his closet and claimed a few months back. The image of Eevee on the front is barely visble through the mass build up of clotted fur, it's crying out to be washed and combed through. He lets out an exasperated groan, flopping onto the couch in defeat. He knows Yechan is lying out his ass, but unfortunately yelling at him wouldn't help pay for the replacement. "Just what I needed when I wake up…" Great, now he has to bother Minjae about this while he's working. He stands up to grab his phone left by the bedside, until he hears a familiar ad blast loudly from the speakers hooked up to their tv.

Turning back to investigate, the screen is actually not damaged, it's playing a movie trailer for the upcoming Spider-Man movie in the same crispy quality their tv has always had with zero faults, cracks or glitches. Oh, now it makes sense. It was just a Youtube video. Yechan wails loudly. "Gah, you guys seriously don't have premium? Are you kidding me?!" He balls up onto the floor with a pout, his tail now thwacking onto the wood underneath him like a drum. His prank has failed miserably, except Junmin is just relieved he doesn't have to pay for this.

"This is what you wake me up for? A cheap prank?" Junmin crosses his arms, watching the cat fuss and roll around on the floor immaturely.

Yechan huffs, nose pointed up. "The only thing cheap here is you! You're the one sleeping in so late, I was simply helping you wake up!" His petulant act switches to a more light-hearted instance in the next second, he crawls over to look up at Junmin with his large, sparkly eyes. "Also, I'm hungry. Can I have a snack?"

"No."

Yechan wails again in response, laying back down on the floor like a splat. He could not have picked a worst time or day to annoy him. Junmin walks into the kitchen alone, pouring himself a cup of water. "You have a human form, why couldn't you just get a snack yourself?"

"Minjae always hides my favorite snacks somewhere I can't see them for some reason, so I need the second in command to get them for me." He knows exactly why Minjae hides them from him, because if he doesn't he'll eat through the whole bag in one sitting. He hops over onto the seat at the kitchen table, scratching the backside of his ears. "Oh, and whatever weird mini pies you had in the cabinet tasted very icky. Like dirt."

His pies? His choco pies?! Junmin almost chokes on his water as he sprints over to the cabinet beside the fridge to see that Yechan had torn through half of the box, the open wrappers he didn't bother to clean up falling out and hitting the floor. This isn't what he meant by get one yourself. He slams the cup down onto the counter (plastic since they had to replace all their glass ones) and stomps over to Yechan. "Why would you eat those without even asking me?"

"I told you, I was hungry! What, am I just supposed to starve?" He crosses his arms, pouting again. Junmin face palms with both hands, digging his fingers into his cheeks to substitute from gouging his own eyes out. Why even eat so many if you're gonna say it tastes bad? Those were a perfect unopened batch! Ugh, he has to go out and spend even more money because of this twerp! Then it hits him— and his anger fades.

Cats can't eat chocolate.

But, if he's a hybrid, would it for sure affect him? He examines Yechan, leaning in close to see if anything has kicked in. "When did you eat them?" He doesn't look too pale, he isn't acting sickly, I mean, he pulled a stupid prank on him after downing half the box. Would this affect his brain— does he even have one up there?

Yechan's neck jerks back at his closeness, frightened by how serious he became on a dime. "Er, a little while before I scratched on your door?"

Junmin doesn't waste any time, he doesn't want to take any chances. He sprints back into his room, puts on a less bummy outfit, grabs his phone, bag and keys before he runs back and grabs Yechan's arm, pulling him towards the door "We're going out."

Yechan beams, more excited to go out than curious why he's acting like this. "Yay! Are we going to go visit Junghoon?"

"Something like that— just, turn back into a cat so we can go." Junmin rushes him while he slips on his sneakers. Another poof is heard behind him, and he turns back to see Yechan back as a slender, fluffy black cat. Junmin picks him up and plops him into his bag (and also grabbing his shirt that fell off of him), making a dash for his car. While sitting in the elevator, he opens his phone to text Minjae and to check the time. 1:58 PM.

He really hopes nothing bad happens.

𖦹・・ ◯ ฅᨐฅ꠹ ⏾・・✦︎

Minjae never explicitly told him to not bring chocolate to the house or feed him any, but he just assumed that it was common sense for cats to not eat chocolate. If that's so, there shouldn't be any difference between cat hybrids, right? And not even including the half-cat trait about him, he ingested half a fucking pack of his choco pies in one sitting, that could arguably kill a man if they were on the weaker side, so it's definitely going to impede him somehow! Junmin is beginning to panic, keeping it internally as he can as to not crash into a light pole while driving down the street. Minjae is going to be so mad— no, not even that! He can't be responsible for Yechan's untimely demise, not only will it hang on his conscience for the rest of his life, Minjae might come back to get him John Wick style!

He shudders, breaking at the red stoplight. He's moving pretty fast, though not fast enough for his liking. On his phone is a GPS guiding him towards the clinic for hybrids, this is the only one in their area, hybrids aren't too common in this city so there's less buildings or health gurus that he could just walk to, this is his best and really only bet as this cat could be a literal ticking timebomb. Yechan meows repeatedly in the stuffy bag, trying to speak with him. Right now, he's clamped up in Junmin's messenger bag that's seat-belted down in the passenger seat. He has to do this since the last time he didn't Yechan flew out of the bag after he braked a tad bit too hard. He got extra treats that day.

His small head pops through a crack from the bag, his meows unmuffling itself. He's trying to see where exactly they are because these rapid turns do not feel like the direction to Hyunwoo's abode. What words he would want to say only hits Junmin's ears as incessant meows, noises Junmin can't even acknowledge since he's still in fight or flight mode.

In a few more sharp turns, he finally arrives at the hybrid clinic, quickly picking up the bag and running into the entrance with zero time to waste. He has to keep Yechan from peeking through the bag, because if he catches sight of any semblance of a medical facility he will thrash and hiss like there's no tommorow. And there might not actually be one for him if he doesn't get help, so he's gonna have to suck it up!

Junmin is mouth-breathing now, looking extremely rushed and sweaty when he tugs the tinted glass doors open, his frizzled hair adding onto the 'I just fucked up and my pet may be dying' aesthetic he's accomodating for. The clinic isn't too large nor packed, about one or two actual humans and their hybrids in their animal forms accompanying them, and then there's some hybrids without any human to keep them company over in the waiting area. He doesn't have any time to assess his surroundings further and he takes off towards the nurse at the front desk. Once her eyes catch hold of him, Junmin's worry slightly rubs off on her, visible in her lowered brows. Undeterred by his disheveled demeanor, she stays calm. "How can I help you?"

He stutters, having trouble vocalizing his words. "I-It's my cat— My boyfriend's half-cat, er, he ate a lot of chocolate pies and I don't know if he's going to be okay!"

The nurse stands up, looking over at the bag slung over Junmin's shoulder that's moving rapidly and meowing. Her expression calms further, "Sir, don't worry, he's going to be fine. I'll call in a doctor for you." She grabs a sticky note from her very organized desk and takes the pen from behind her ear. "Can I have you and your cat's name?"

Her reassurance thankfully works, steadily untightening his own body as he speaks. "Park Junmin and Lee Yechan."

At Yechan's name, the nurse freezes, except she doesn't glance at him. She stares blankly at her paper until she resumes and finishes writing. When she does look up, she has a wide, warm smile on her face. "Have a seat in the waiting area, okay?" After pointing to the benches, she rolls her chair over to the computer to type away.

Junmin nods, walking over to a vacant seat in the main room. Above where he's sitting is a small tv mounted on to the wall playing a obscure kids show that captures the attention of nearly all the hybrids there. Hybrids love watching TV, even Yechan has his own favorite show— Race to the Edge. Well, really it's one of Minjae's favorite tv shows, Yechan has just grew attached to it too. Minjae's a big dragon fan, he has a few Toothless plushies in his office and stacked in the corner of his bedroom. Now that he thinks about it, Yechan kind of reminds him of Toothless, if he was ten times more spiteful and cattish.

After a lot of pushback, Yechan pops his head fully out of the bag, being able to recognize the similar, dreadful surroundings, the sterile air being inhaled and igniting his unbridled rage. In an instant, his meows turn into yowls, feverishly trying to break free from the bag. It startles him and the others in the waiting room, another cat hybrid jumping awake at his loud whining, ears going haywire in all directions.

He desperately tries to hold the bag closed, and man this cat is strong! He has to hold the top of the bag down to prevent him from head-butting the flap open, embarrassed by the scene he's causing and half the room staring at him in a mix of fear, worry and annoyance. While he's holding the bag down, his phone vibrates several times in a row. He pulls it out, hoping (and fearing) that it's a response from Minjae. Instead, Hyunwoo's contact had popped up in his notifications.

Damnit, their hangout totally crossed his mind. For a good reason albeit, though Hyunwoo is gonna be pissed regardless of the reason or excuse he gives him. He texts back with one hand, the other keeping the demon in his bag at bay.

It takes a few minutes for him to reply back this time, maybe articulating his thoughts after hearing Junmin's situation. In that short time-span, a male doctor calls for someone by the name of 'Theo'. He doesn't pay them all too much mind, from the glance he does take he can see that it's a raccoon hybrid with brownish-orange hair, and they look completely blazed. Might've eaten from the wrong batch of brownies, they slam into a wall before the doctor guides them into the hallway, down where all the exam rooms are. It's understandable why hybrids would be so afraid going in there, it's sort of ominous due to the lights being dimmed down. After that scene, his phone thats placed in his lap pings rapidly again.

He feels his heart drop at his reply, harping on the fact Yechan has likely just ingested straight poison.

He doesn't get to see Hyunwoo's reply before someone calls for him.

"Lee Yechan?" A shorter woman speaks in a projected voice, searching the room for Junmin. Her attention is brought to him easily, mostly because of the maelstrom in his bag. He springs up, shoving his phone into his bag pocket. It buzzes a few more times, he'll just check on it after the check-up is done. She gestures for him to follow, immune to Yechan's woes.

Junmin has never actually been in the exam rooms here even if he's tagged along with Minjae before, he had always told him to 'wait out here for backup' like he's some secret agent. Wasn't too curious about what goes on inside there to be frank since both times he went to a visit with Yechan his boyfriend had exited the exam room with two to four bandaids on his hands and arms. So, he's not exactly optimistic about what might happen.

Entering the room he sees a short, black couch pressed against the wall and a tall scratching pole that extends from the floor into a roof tile. Deeper into the room, there's the a counter with a computer propped open with wooden cabinets situated above them, and then the steel table protruding out the wall, some other equipment he can't identify hooked up on it too. The doctor walks further into the room and closes the door behind him, and Junmin doesn't know if he should sit down yet, well, he couldn't if he tried. He's being dragged by Yechan who hasn't stopped tearing it up inside his bag— he can't understand how he isn't exhausted yet.

The vet takes the initiative, hand gesturing to the table. "You can place him here for now." Junmin places the bag down onto the steel, without thinking about the flap ontop. Wasting no time, Yechan flings out, tail tucked and swaying harshly between his nimble legs and ears positioned opposite to each other like wings on an airplane when he lands. Yechan glares at Junmin with murderous intent, growling while his fur is prickled up to the roof. Junmin flinches and steps back, but instead of attacking him, Yechan begins to scamper around the room, running across the wall trying to find an exit.

"Oh shit—!" Junmin has to tip-toe around as he almost gets sideswept by this bolt of furry lightning charging around the room. The doctor crouches down to dodge him as well, and the two meet under the table Yechan was supposed to be sitting on. Due to the mutual fear of this cat, it becomes kind of humorous, a silent giggle exchanged between the two in their heads. The woman holds her hand out, waiting for him to shake it. "Dr. Guinn, nice to uh… meet you."

Wow, this is the most impromptu time to introduce oneself. "Likewise?" Junmin asks with a croak, taking her hand assessing her appearance. She looks very young, young enough to question if she's even the legal age to be able to work in hybrid clinic like this. Lengthy tawny blonde hair pours down past her shoulders, her eyes having a faint hue of blue. Her pupils seem cat-like as well, or maybe that's just a trick of the light. When their awkward greeting ends and their hands part, Yechan has gone quiet. No thumping or yowling— the air has turned dead.

They both stand up to see Yechan, who's back in his human form, has hooked his claws onto the scratching pole, hugging on for dear life staring down at the two as if they're his mortal enemies. At their movement, he growls deeply and wraps his tail around to post for extra reassurance. Dr. Guinn exhausts a deep sigh, "And there goes my trouble patient."

Junmin stands there confused, although grateful there isn't a bloodbath. "Uh, you know my cat?" Again, this is the only hybrid clinic in the city, but the notion of Yechan actually being infamous within the clinic staff is hilarious.

"Yep, everyone in this clinic knows him. He's the single most skittish hybrid to deal with—"

Yechan cuts her off, shouting from the pole he's clinging onto. "I know your tricks you evil sorcerer, I wont become your test subject for today!"

All those movies and shows he's watched has gotten to his head, he doesn't sound sane in the slightest, or is that the chocolate talking? Junmin nervously nudges closer to Dr. Guinn, attempting to ask in a whispered tone. "So— Is he going to be okay? Does he need surgery or something?" His effort is fruitless of course, Yechan's ears shoot right up in more panic.

Immediately, Dr. Guinn waves her hands. "Oh, no no no. He's not in any danger. If he actually ate a lethal amount of chocolate he wouldn't be this springy. Just for clarification, how many pieces did he he eat exactly?"

He scratches the back of his neck, feeling ashamed. "Six…" And just imagine how much worse it would've been if he got a bigger pack, the one time he's glad they only had a twelve pack.

Dr. Guinn winces, turning to Yechan with her brows curved in displeasure. He retaliates with another growl, lips turned upwards menacingly. "Ah, then having him vomit it out would be best. Leaving that much chocolate in his system could lead to worse symptoms."

"Vomit?!" Yechan squeals eyes darting back and forth between the two people in the room, his anger turning more into fear.

Junmin also seems off-put by this idea. "Eh? How are you going to do that?"

"Don't worry, it's a quick shot in the arm for him and then we'd wait until he pukes up the chocolate." She reaches into the cabinets from above to take out a small labeled glass vial and a syringe, preparing the dosage for him. While she's busy, Yechan whispers to Junmin from above.

His ears are flopped down, a sorrowful frown and quiver in his lips with his eyes big as ever. "Human, you're not gonna let this evil sorcerer hurt me, are you? Do you really hate me that much?"

This image of Yechan so scared hits him right in the gut, and the cherry on top was hearing him assume he hated him. Is he aggravating? Yes there's really no debating that, but hating him? That feeling never crossed him all this time he's known him. How did Yechan come to this conclusion?

"Yechan, I only brought you here because I was worried you were becoming sick. If I really hated you, I wouldn't have skipped my plans for today to rush and get some help for you." He takes a few steps closer from where he's standing, only for Yechan to try and shy further away from him when he does. Another sucker punch to the stomach, grinding salt right on the wound.

"You're evil, evil! Evil just like these so-called doctors that poke me with sharp stuff!"

Now he's stuck on what to do next. His pet won't get down from the post, he's scared of needles, doctors and puking (that part is reasonable) and now he's come to the conclusion that his owner is evil and hates him. Why did he expect this to go any smoother than before? Junmin himself has no clue why. Dr. Guinn has been waiting for a few minutes while they argue back and forth, Yechan acting like a brick wall and turning down any points Junmin makes.

She steps up, having some pity at Junmin's struggle. "I wouldn't want to force him down and cause him any more stress, are you sure you're able to talk him down?" Junmin's eyes flick over to here, feeling ashamed that his own cat is putting up the same wall towards him like he does to an essential stranger. Was the disconnect between the two always this large? Yechan is playful in nature meaning no one is left out of his tricks, were those frequent pranks played on specifically him a sign of resentment he never fully read into? His constant teasing sending a indirect message of how he actually despises Junmin? He really wishes Minjae were here right now…

… Right! Minjae! How would Minjae comfort him? Junmin scratches his chin, then he glances over to Dr. Guinn for a brief second. "Let me try one last thing."

Junmin walks closer to Yechan, acting unphased by his continuous attempt to flee. He holds both his hands up like he's reaching for a hug, trying to egg Yechan down. "Come on, it'll be quick. I'll… I'll hold your hand through the whole thing."

Yechan gives a suspicious glare, tail beginning to unlatch from around the pole. "You will?"

He nods in response, the softest smile etched on his lips. Yechan takes in how inviting he's being, uncurling more and more from the pole.

Soon, Yechan hesitantly nods back— except instead of grabbing his hand, he full on jumps down and drops his entire weight onto Junmin, both of them hitting the ground with a shriek of pain. It's safe to say no one saw that coming, not even the doctor.

She gasps, hands hovering over the two men. "Oh my— are you okay?!" Junmin wheezes on the ground, hugged tightly by Yechan in a death-grip squeezing all the air out of his lungs. Yechan's eyes are shut tight, tail also wrapped around Junmin.

"JUST DO IT ALREADY!" He howls at Dr. Guinn, waiting for him to be stabbed with her torture weapon. She's stunted by the fast-pace of events, then again this is the most compliant he's ever seen him so she'll strike while the irons hot. She swipes over the tip of his shoulder with a sterile rag then slides the needle in, already done in a matter of seconds.

Yechan himself is shocked by how quick that was, studying where she stabbed him at to see if his arm will begin to mutate. Junmin on the other hand is unmoving on the ground, stuck in Yechan's grip. He can't move without his sharp claws digging into him so he must silently accept his fate.

Guinn nudges at Yechan's back. "Could you please... let go of him?"

"Silence! I'll do whatever I want!"

He rolls off of Junmin to sit beside him anyways.

"Human, that actually worked! Your hug helped me stay calm!"

Honestly, I don't think Junmin did anything besides act as his cushion. He would be happy Yechan is happy too, but he's entirely sure he just bruised one of his ribs from that leap onto his chest. Junmin lets out another hack, giving him a thumbs up. Seeing an opening, Guinn helps Junmin up to lay on the couch. "Should I get you an ice pack or?"

He shakes his head, sagged over on the couch with a arm hanging off the side. Maybe getting a few battle scars would've been better than getting crushed.

After Dr. Guinn tends to him, Yechan begins to move sluggishly, clutching his stomach. The drug is kicking in fast, really really fast. Her attention is now brought to Yechan, rushing over to grab him a bin.

"Easy, easy! Keep your head towards the bin, you don't want to puke on yourself!"

"Uhrp— ugh, everything is spinning, oh it wasn't worth it! I shouldn't have listened to you…"

"BLEAUGH—"

𖦹・・ ◯ ฅᨐฅ꠹ ⏾・・✦︎

The check-up went swimmingly, to sugarcoat it.

Yechan had gotten all the chocolate out his system with only one dosage and thank god for that because there would've been no way he would comply the way he did a second time. Dr. Guinn had fed some pills to him when they were done to help prevent any lingering stomach pains, which knocked him out like a light. Alongside all of this, Junmin was given some supplements for Yechan as well as suggesting a change in meals for a week or two.

He packed the prescribed probiotics into his bag, leaving some room for sleepy kitty Yechan, as well as the written dietary descriptions he'll need so he can recover quicker. Dr. Guinn said she would foot the bill to Minjae since he's the one to usually pay for clinic visits, so he wouldn't have to worry about paying upfront.

Right when Junmin was about to leave, Dr. Guinn had tapped Junmin on his shoulder. He looks back at her, seeing her professional demeanor melt at the drop of a hat. "I'm assuming you're Minjae's boyfriend?"

Junmin stammers, not expecting her to ask this out of the blue. "Yeah, uh, I am."

She quietly squeals, clapping her hands together. "How cute! Gosh, I've been waiting for Minjae to introduce me to you after he told me he was moving in with his partner. I'm glad I could meet you."

"How long have you two known each other? I'm shocked Minjae has never told me about you…" He has a slight grumble in his voice, Dr. Guinn talks about Minjae like they're close friends, but he's never once mentioned her to him? Maybe it's just because they have busy lives— I mean, it did take a while to plan out a hangout with Hyunwoo, a hangout that's completely gone to shit now. He hopes he wasn't serious about stabbing him for not showing up.

"For as long as I've known Yechan. I remember the day he came into this clinic with the tiniest little kitten curled in his arms, he didn't have a clue on how to take care of a half-cat." Dr. Guinn sighs, closing her eyes while reminiscing on the past. Not reminiscing too hard though, two-thirds of her memories with Yechan is him being a absolutely adorable pain in the ass. "I helped him with all his medical issues, the whole legal process for adopting a hybrid, recommendations for cat toys and food, and all his strange questions about hybrids. In fact, he had this same predicament with chocolate a long time ago, just like today."

Junmin's eyes widen. "What, really?"

Dr. Guinn nods. "Yep. It was much more dire, though. He told me Yechan had snuck into the fridge and ate through half a cake while he wasn't home. Poor guy was in a lot of pain when Minjae busted into the clinic bawling his eyes out thinking he was dying."

He doesn't know if he should laugh at the story or not, but it definitely struck a chord in Junmin's heart. He knew Minjae loved Yechan a lot, he was basically a blood relative even if he wasn't fully human. Minjae had never told him any struggles he had with raising a hybrid though, either it was because he didn't want Junmin to worry so he wouldn't be as against bringing him into their new apartment or he didn't want to place such a burden onto him as well. In a weird way, he's a bit glad Dr. Guinn had told him this. Soon it'll be a year since they moved in together, and Junmin hadn't really tried to understand or bond Yechan further than him being his boyfriend's cute pet. Perhaps this is the wake-up call he needed.

"Sorry, I shouldn't take up anymore of your time. But do come back anytime, okay?" She gestures to the door, prompting him to leave.

Junmin nods, a big smile plastered on his face. "Thank you for everything today, really." Dr. Guinn gives him two big thumbs up, she looks kind of dorky posing like that. He adjusts his bag to shut it, turning to leave with a backhand wave. He can pick up one last mutter from her as the door closes.

"Ooh, and say hi to Minjae for me!"

What a sweet girl, he's very glad he got a chance to meet her and glad Yechan has such a trustworthy doctor like her.

When he exits the clinic and sits in his car, he reminds himself to pull out his phone and check his messages. It's now 3:21 PM, he's completely missed the messages both Minjae and Hyunwoo had sent him, with Junmin having missed a call from Minjae. Obviously, he's going to check his boyfriends text first.

A wave of guilt hits him like a semi-truck. He hadn't thought to check his phone the whole time, but to be honest, he was in a haze of pain so all the buzzing from his phone was kind of tuned out from his ears. It hurts his chest just thinking about it... Well, his ribs to be precise. Hopefully Minjae won't be too mad at him about this.

He expected to have some gap between him sending the messages— but Minjae instantly texts back.

Cute, he thinks. After that, Junmin switches over to check what Hyunwoo had sent him next.

Great, even more guilt is being dumped onto him, he's completely ruined their picnic date. Junmin is letting just about everyone he knows down today, isn't he?

...

No response. Welp, time to pull out his trump card.

Like a moth to a flame.

He sets his bag down in the seat and buckles Yechan in first, fingers hovering over the few tiny punctured holes in his bag from his claws, before he puts his own seatbelt on.

𖦹・・ ◯ ฅᨐฅ꠹ ⏾・・✦︎

The trip back is silent, Yechan isn't meowing nor snoring for the car ride, creating a perfect peaceful environment for thoughts to roam.

Junmin is beginning to ponder on every heartfelt moment he's had with Yechan— doesn't take him too long since there aren't a lot. Urging the cat to stop chewing on every plant he brings home whether it's real or fake cant be the pinnacle of their relationship now, can it? Even if it was wild and irritating in the instance, just like this chaotic clinic check up, moments like this make a funny story to tell later on. It's sort of the beauty of taking care of someone else. His own self-reflection carries him throughout the ride, through the apartment lobby and into the elevator.

There's lots of maddening stories he could tell about him and Minjae, as well as a lot of sweet memories he had with him, a healthy balance one would say. They've had their struggles in their relationship but in the end it only strengthened the bond between them further because they worked through it— they talked, they listened, they learned, and very importantly, they tried. Junmin can't say he's tried with Yechan to be as close as he is with any of his own friends.

The elevator dings once he gets to his floor, rousing him from his thoughts. He exits the elevator, hands shuffling through his pockets to find his keys that are jingling with each step he takes. He's standing in front of the door trying to untangle his keys from all the keychains he has attached to it, though before the keys reach up to the handle to unlock the door Minjae beats him to it, opening it from the inside. Right, the door is pretty thin, so he must've heard him from outside.

Minjae's eyes are subtly puffy and red, however some light returns to his pupils when his eyes catch hold of Junmin. "You're back." Then he looks at his bag, the long straps rested onto Junmin's shoulder is giving some strain on his arm from the weight. He reaches out to take the bag off him, Junmin follows through and slides the bag off to hand it to him.

"Careful, he's asleep in there." Junmin whispers gently to Minjae after the all the weight is off of him. Minjae nods, walking further into the house to take Yechan towards his bed as Junmin follows suit, closing the apartment door behind him.

The house itself looks exactly the same way he had left it when he was in a hurry, aside from Minjae's shoes at the door and his bag thrown onto the couch. The TV is still playing the fake broken screen video, his cup is sitting on the counter with a puddle of spilt water periodically dripping onto the several wrappers of choco pie on the ground, the cabinet is wide open to showcase the torn up box that caused this whole afternoon panic.

"Look who's untidy now." Minjae smirks, staring at him from where he's crouched next to Yechan who's been placed in his cat bed. The cat's tongue is slightly parted from his lips, the drugs are hitting him utterly hard. Junmin rolls his eyes, keeping his quips to himself to saunter over to the two of them and sits on his knees. They sit, stare and giggle at Yechan while he's sleeping, taking several photos from all kinds of angles, laughing even louder at each one.

Soon they toss their phones to the side, with Junmin gradually shifting to lean on Minjae's shoulder, to him mounting onto Minjae's lap after he made some room, a well deserved afternoon detox for the two of them. This whole process happens without any exchange of word between the lovebirds, the desire to happily bask in their partner's presence just comes in naturally.

Minjae is the first to break the ice, arms slithering over to hug his waist. "He pulled that stupid prank on you too?" He points to the TV that's still playing the fake broken screen image.

"I didn't even know he tried it with you first…" Junmin says, scratching his neck.

"He sure loves his old tricks." Minjae nuzzles into the back of Junmin's shoulder before placing his chin atop it. "So, how was your first in-depth clinic visit with Yechan?" .

Junmin huffs. "I definitely think the staff should be paid more for having to deal with him."

He bursts out in chuckles, head lifting right back up. "Yeah, that's about the reaction I was expecting." Minjae's arms unravel from his waist to softly grab and lift his wrists, inspecting them with his fingers. The touch shoots a tingle down Junmin's spine, a unnoticeable faint twitch jolting through his forearms. "He didn't scratch you too badly, did he?"

Junmin shakes his head, lounging back further against him. "Nope, no scratches. But he did crush me."

Minjae freezes, his light grazing across his skin coming to a halt. "He… what?"

Junmin harshly giggles at his surprise, his trademark pitchy tone breaking through in the midst of his laughter. Though he laughs a little too hard, wincing as his chest expands out farther than his his body would like. He lays back, clearing his throat. "I'm not kidding though, he full on body-slammed me in the exam room just so he could be comfortable enough to get poked with a needle."

"Why didn't you say that earlier?! That must've hurt like hell!" Minjae rolls his body over so Junmin can face him, turning fussy over him in a matter of seconds. The pain had already subsided, so there isn't any need for the dramatics he's giving.

He swats Minjae's hands away from his body. "Minjae, I'm fine. If it hurt that badly I would've been whining walking in here."

Yeah, that sounds about right, but who would Minjae be if he were pass down a chance to annoy his boyfriend? Instead of backing down, his hands go to cup Junmin's cheeks, squishing them together. "I have to make sure y'know? What if your cute face got damaged and I didn't notice?" He continues to squish and stretch his plushy cheeks until Junmin begins to feel embarrassed and smack his hand back.

Their apartment goes tranquil again, the hum of the AC turning on going to fill the still air with some noise. Junmin glances to Yechan in his bed, and his sentiment from earlier is revived all over again, maybe amplified after being so close to Minjae like this.

"I could be a better owner."

His words spill out abruptly, unearthly almost with how dry his tone became. Minjae's gaze never left him though, his head tilts like a confused puppy before he turns to Yechan, then back to him. "Hm?"

"I… want to be a better owner. He's my cat as well, I should act that way." Junmin says, staring straight at Minjae with a small gleam of determination found in his pupils.

Minjae's face is rapt with bewilderment. "You… think you aren't good as you are? I think you two have been getting a long well already though."

Junmin scoffs, hand going to wave the stupid excuse off like it's in the air next to him. "Oh don't give me that. He just tolerates me and you know that too, it can't be his way of showing affection when he acts the same around me and a doctor— I'm in the same league someone he rarely sees, someone who he calls an 'evil sorcerer'!" He throws his hands into the air and they flop down onto his lap afterwards, laying uselessly. "And it's not just how we treat each other, I don't help you with taking care of him at all besides the few times you ask me to grab something for him at the store."

His body droops down, low enough so he can maneuver to lay his head back on Minjae's chest, slanting his chin up to continue his stare. "Doesn't it feel upsetting in your perspective? Your own pet, your bestest friend essentially and your own boyfriend not getting along?"

Minjae's eyes flick else where, focusing on the TV screen instead. It does sting, once he put it like that. The two people that are closest to him outside of his relatives just don't connect, a hurdle he could get over, now a hurdle Junmin can't come to terms with. His boyfriend's pestering glare doesn't let up, forcing him to string a sentence together.

"It… It's always kind of hurt me. But, I just kind of hoped you two would naturally come together." Minjae's hands begin to fidget, fiddling with the sleeve of Junmin's hoodie. "I couldn't force you to like him, and I knew for a fact I couldn't force Yechan of all cats to do anything. So, I let you two be."

He smiles, connecting his gaze to Junmin. "My patience paid off it seems."

Junmin shrugs. "The wonders a life-threatening situation does to people, huh?" He holds Minjae's hand, gripping it delicately. "So you'll help me get closer to him?"

"I'll do the best I can, promise. I'm no miracle worker though."

They laugh in sync, with Minjae's laugh turning into a yawn. His hand moves to rub his eyes, but Junmin grabs his wrist before his fingers reach his eyelid. "Your eyes are gonna stay swollen if you keep itching them."

"Aw, is it that noticeable?"

"Very."

Junmin slides off of his lap, sorting through his bag as he walks back over to the kitchen to clean up the mess he had left. He tosses the ripped wrappers into the trash, wipes the water off the floor and counter and shuts the snack cabinet. Then, he takes out the bottles of probiotics and places them in Yechan's cabinet— it's the same place where his treats and other remedies are stashed, in a cabinet he would never think to open, the oven drawer. Sounds crazy but it works. By the time he stands up to walk over to the fridge, Minjae is standing at the walkway in the kitchen, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed as he watches him.

Junmin doesn't pause, grabbing the folded up note he was given and pinning it onto their fridge with one of the magnets. "Yes, Minjae?"

Minjae grins without his eyes. "Are you going somewhere?"

He nods back, "Yeah, I'm going over to Hyunwoo's house to hang out. I'd feel bad if I left him hanging like that."

His grin droops slightly, eyes pointing down to the floor. "Oh. I assumed you canceled it." Then his smile picks back up, staring at him expectantly. "Can I come as well?"

Junmin faces him completely, assessing his face. His eyelids look like they're struggling to stay open, shoulders relaxed with his mouth twisting trying to fight off another yawn. It's so obviously clear the only thing he needs in the moment is a nap. He walks over to pat his shoulder, a bit pitiful.

"I think you need some 'you-time', Minjae." His finger shoots up and points to their bedroom door. "And by 'you-time' I mean bedtime." He playfully shoves his chest towards the door. Minjae groans, his floppy limbs proving his point further as he nearly trips over himself.

He doesn't protest, standing ready by the door. "Fine…" Minjae then opens his arms, waiting for a hug before he leaves again.

There's two sides to Minjae when he's tired: he's either twinkly-eyed and cuddly or robotic and lunatical. Glad to see he's on the softer side today. So, after a brief pause, Junmin yanks Minjae close by his stuck out arm and kisses him straight on the lips, leaving him more dazed. Not a peep comes from Minjae, only staring at Junmin in bemusement, watching him skip out of the door.

"Get some sleep babe, I'll see you in a few hours!"

A light flush appears on his face, one Junmin doesn't catch behind the now closed door. "Yeah.. see you.."

𖦹・・ ◯ ฅᨐฅ꠹ ⏾・・✦︎

Junmin has been putting a lot of effort around the house after that day.

For the week Yechan was having stomach pains from his chocolate spree, he was always there to help him, even if Yechan was a bit reluctant to his help. Junmin was the one to cook his special meals suggested by Dr. Guinn, he surprisingly is pretty good at cooking tasty cat food to his liking. It's probably because Yechan would eat anything in sight, but that's besides the point.

Beyond that, him and Minjae have begun to split the chores for taking care of Yechan, rotating between who feeds him in the morning prior to leaving for work. He's visibly more playful with Yechan, Minjae's caught the two running around the apartment in a game of tag. It gave him major cuteness aggression, he seriously almost gnawed a hole into his hand with his teeth watching it.

They celebrated their moving in anniversary as well a few weeks after that, and Junmin had prepared a miniature little cake slice for Yechan. And he made it absolutely sure wouldn't cause any stomach problems for him later on, his search history on his computer could prove it. A vanilla cake with a few layers of pumpkin-puree inside of it too and some whipped cream on top. Didn't look too appealing to humans, though Yechan slurped it up like it was heaven sent from the gods of flavor.

Their apartment had become much more lively, it made Minjae's heart melt seeing them grow closer together. It's everything he could've dreamed of, really.

And today, at the moment, Minjae is sitting in his personal office, typing away at his computer lazily as heavy rain thrums outside their building, wind whisking fast to make a eerie melody alongside the harsh bolts of lightning crashing down sending waves of rumbling thunder into his ears. It's been a slow day at home, with Minjae trying his damndest to spark inspiration for a new song. Kind of hard to think with the thundering, it's fills his ears, speaking to him like a drawn out call for Minjae to be lazy and sleep in. After ten minutes pass and he comes up short, he simply accepts the howling airs plea, shutting his laptop and leaning back in his swivel chair to stretch.

That whole time he'd been chiming in and out of Junmin and Yechan's debate in the living room over how many days they could survive in a zombie apocalypse— a debate that went in vain and some how spiraling into the possibility of becoming a lich if they were bitten and ruling over the infected world for the rest of their days. I'm sure you could guess who brought the undead overlord concept up first. They had gone silent halfway through Minjae's slog at his desk, so he decides to check on them.

Strolling out of the room, the kitchen and dining room lights are off with the curtains hung above the sliding door to their balcony is drawn shut, any light that could've been casted through the stormy clouds being snuffed out, leaving only the lamp to illuminate the living room with a warm, golden hue. And when his eyes focus onto the couch, he gasps deeply.

Junmin and Yechan had fallen asleep in the cutest way possible— they're… cuddling. Yechan is curled up atop Junmin's chest, so tired he hadn't even shifted back to his cat form. His cheek is also squished against the fabric of his shirt, sleeping soundly with drool threatening to drip onto Junmin. Meanwhile Junmin has one of his arms folded behind his head as a cushion, the other placed on Yechan's back, holding him close.

It's the kind of precious scene that makes him want to choke himself unconscious. Thankfully Minjae will save it for next time, if there is a next time he'll ever see something this lovely. Minjae takes a few steps closer, hovering over where they lay with fond eyes absorbing how they rest. It's beyond his heart aching now, he can feel it spread all the way into his stomach and arms, a billow of emotions ravaging his body. His hands shake as he resists with all his might to not touch either of them, a single gust of air too warm or a creak from the floor too loud and Yechan will be up in arms.

Eventually he tears his body away and lets them rest without his gawking, twirling back into his office as the happiest man ever.

What better joy could be found than with the ones you truly love, because for Minjae—

It doesn't get better than this.

𖦹・・ ◯ ฅᨐฅ꠹ ⏾・・✦︎