'sweets'

kim hongjoong + kang yeosang

now playing

all night
astro

•••

Hongjoong sighed loudly and readjusted himself,  legs dangling over the armrest of the wingback chair. He was in the squishiest perch in the whole world and curled up with his favorite book... But he was in a sour mood. He ran his hand over his collar fiddling with the tags.

The café had baskets of baked sweets that lined shelves along the soft pastel walls. There was a small nook filled with books that customers could read while enjoying their lattes or tea. A patchwork assortment of chairs and worn couches sat against the arched window overlooking the cobblestone streets outside.

The shop had been basically dead that day so he was bored out of his mind. His eyes flitted to the door and then back to the page he'd been reading. What's taking him so long? He thought irritated. He growled and placed it over his face breathing in the scent of paper and ink.

A couple customer's milled around the store. Both had shot glances over to the hybrid behind the counter before whispering behind their hands to one another. Hongjoong had long grown accustomed to the odd stare or hateful remark. It was how humans had always been towards him and how it will always be.

Well, all except for one.

Suddenly the bell over the door chimed and Hongjoong sat up letting the book fall with a thump to the floor. The sight of the boy with wavy coffee colored hair and dark almond eyes always made Hongjoong's stomach do funny things. He quickly tried to compose himself so that he looked unamused and sat back into the velvet of the chair.

Yeosang dropped some brown paper bags onto the counter and gave his pet hybrid a bright smile. "How has the store been?" He asked as he began pulling lunch out from the bags. "Did anything exciting happen while I was away?"

Hongjoong counted to five in his head before answering. "No not really..." He straightened up in the chair before sniffing the air. The smell of baked salmon and brown sugar filled his nose and his mouth watered. "Why were you gone for so long?"

"The bistro was really busy today plus I stopped by the store to pick up a few things for you." Yeosang said as he uncovered the food. Hongjoong tried to pretend that Yeosang's concern for him didn't touch him as much it actually did. He got up and stretched before slinking over to the counter.

Yeosang had brought his favorite. Brown sugar glazed salmon with a squeeze of lemon just like he liked it. Hongjoong grabbed the chopsticks so he could start eating but Yeosang made a noise in the back of his throat. "Careful kitty it's hot..." He said softly.

He grabbed ahold of Hongjoong's hand and delicately blew on the salmon he had picked up. Yeosang's skin was soft to the touch and the older boy felt a blush burning up his cheeks. He watched on fascinated as Yeosang's lips puckered. "I could've blown on it myself..." Hongjoong protested.

Yeosang quickly let go of his hand and looked up into Hongjoong's sky blue eyes. "S-sorry I should've just let you do it," He said embarrassed. "I guess I'm so used to taking care of you that sometimes I can't help it."

"I'll forgive you," Hongjoong said as he looked out of the window. "If you give me a pet..." He said this so quietly that Yeosang almost didn't catch it. The younger boy smiled and hummed in consent. He leaned on his elbows over the counter to rub his thumbs over Hongjoong's snowy white ears. This elicited a content sigh from the hybrid.

Hongjoong unconsciously pushed his head into Yeosang's hands who laughed and began to stroke his red hair instead. It was soft to the touch and was the same bright color as the store owner's favorite strawberry candy.

He pulled the special brush he had bought for him from a bag and ran it through his hair. Hongjoong moaned sweetly and nuzzled against it as he worked through the tangles. "Does that feel good kitty?"

Hongjoong merely purred feeling a shiver travel down his spine. Yeosang felt butterflies in his chest when he looked at Hongjoong up close. The hybrid was pretty with his creamy white skin and full pink lips... He cleared his throat and set the brush down. "You better eat before your food gets cold."

Hongjoong barely stopped a whine from escaping his lips at the absence of his owner's touch and turned his attention to his lunch. They sat in comfortable silence when he heard the first sounds of rainfall. The light pitterpat of the drops against the window reminded Hongjoong of when he met Yeosang months ago...

It was so cold outside as he crouched inside of his box his teeth chattering from the wind. It seemed to cut right through his threadbare clothes and work it's way into his bones.

Hongjoong was a stray and had only ever known this life. He drifted from place to place never truly finding somewhere or someone to call his home. He was utterly alone but he had gotten used to it.

He winced as he felt a bruise already forming over his eye. People were cruel to his kind but hybrids were often worse. Many were territorial and would chase him out before he ever got the chance to settle in.

"I'm so hungry," He whined aloud as his stomach growled loudly. When was the last time I ate?

Suddenly there were footsteps fast approaching his little box and he drew his legs in hoping to make himself as small as possible. Because of the rain he couldn't make out a scent to tell if it was a human or a feral hybrid.

"Hello?" Came a gentle voice from outside the cardboard walls. "Are you in there kitty?" Hongjoong tensed and felt himself let loose a yowl warning whoever it was to stay away. A pair of rubber boots came into view and a human crouched down to peek inside. He had kind eyes but that didn't stop Hongjoong from hissing aggressively at him.

"It's alright I won't hurt you," The boy said quietly. "I own the sweet store next to this alleyway and I noticed you camping out here—"

"Are you telling me you want me gone?" Hongjoong interrupted him between his curled lips. He was afraid that this human would call animal control on him. If they caught a stray like him he would be put down immediately.

The boy blinked before shaking his head. "No you can stay here if this is where you're most comfortable." Then the boy placed a plate with a tuna sandwich just inside the box. "I figured you might be hungry though. Sorry it's not much but it's all I had in my kitchen."

Hongjoong eyed him suspiciously his tail flicking anxiously. "Did you poison it?"

The boy's face paled and a horrified look came over his features. "No..." Then he picked up the sandwich and took a bite. He chewed and swallowed before setting it back down on the plate. "See? I won't hurt you."

Hongjoong only hesitated a moment before he snatched the sandwich up and scarfed it down in a few bites. It tasted amazing and by the end he was fuller than he'd been in weeks. "Why are you still here?" He asked the boy as he crouched and watched him. "If you're expecting a thank you than you'll be disappointed." The boy had a faint smile on his lips before he stood and walked away.

The next few weeks the boy would frequently drop by Hongjoong's little box. One day he brought some mackerel and crackers and one day he even brought a slice of caramel cheesecake from his store. Hongjoong found himself looking forward to the younger boy's visits even if he had never spoken a word to him.

One day he came by with a brown paper bag full of clothes. Hongjoong rifled through it and the boy's scent wafted up from the clothes inside. It smelled really good like fresh bread and espresso.

"Where's the food?" Hongjoong asked before he could stop himself. The boy's eyes widened in surprise that the hybrid had actually spoken to him and Hongjoong was flushed with embarrassment at his slip up.

The younger boy gave him a brilliant smile before saying. "It's in the store waiting for you. Change into some of these clothes and come inside."

Hongjoong didn't respond as he listened to the boy walk back down the alleyway and the chime of his door opening and closing. Hongjoong's stomach growled and he gritted his teeth. The idea of going into the café had him in nervous knots but he relented and opened the bag. He lifted out a soft baby blue sweater and felt it between his fingers. No one had ever given him clothing before.

Once dressed but barefoot he made his way to the storefront and looked through the glass. The boy sat at one of the tables inside with a delicious looking spread of soup and bread laid out in the table in front of him. Hongjoong licked his lips and pushed the door open. The door chimed and made the boy to look up from a book he'd been reading to meet Hongjoong's wary eyes.

"We've never been properly introduced. My name's Yeosang," He said with an kind smile that made the hybrid's heart race wildly in his chest. "You're welcome to come in and stay a while."

•••

Yeosang stood up from his seat to clean up after dinner and lock the front door. He flipped the open sign to close and shut off all the lights. Hongjoong stood waiting near the stairs at the back for his owner and they both made their way up to Yeosang's small apartment side by side.

The apartment above the store was small but cozy with barely enough room for a kitchenette and a bathroom. Yeosang's bed was pushed up against an open window that led out to a balcony with an amazing view of the night sky. There was a couch in that Yeosang had bought for Hongjoong to sleep on so he wouldn't be stuck to the floor.

They both got ready for bed and turned in for the night. Yeosang had always been a heavy sleeper and was out like a light. Hongjoong laid there listening to his even breathing as he looked around the moon soaked room. In the short amount of time he'd been there this apartment had become his home and Yeosang the closest to family he'd ever known.

Hongjoong studied Yeosang while he slept. The feelings he had towards the younger boy were becoming more complicated with each passing day. He didn't know why the sight of Yeosang sent his mind into a spiral or why his scent and voice had become two of the things he cherished most in the world.

But the thing that worried him the most was what he thought of him in return. Most people looked down on hybrids and, while Yeosang definitely wasn't like most people, Hongjoong didn't expect that he was special to the younger boy. He had never officially adopted him as his hybrid and this meant that Yeosang could abandon him at any time. Though the idea of parting with him made Hongjoong's heart feel like it was being crushed...

What am I to you Yeosang?

As he laid there lost in his own thoughts Yeosang stirred and whimpered in his sleep. Hongjoong lifted his head from his pillow and watched as the younger boy moved fitfully in his bed. It became quickly obvious that Yeosang was in the middle of having a nightmare.

Concern made Hongjoong throw off his covers and walk over to the side of his bed. Yeosang clutched at his blankets and tears had gathered in the creases of his closed eyes. Yeosang continued to mutter under his breath and Hongjoong's ears twitched as he listened.

Wanting to help but still unsure of himself the older boy climbed into bed next to him. He laid a comforting hand over Yeosang's chest and pulled him in to lay his head on his outstretched arm. Hongjoong could feel his heart hammering frantically against his palm as he continued to cry.

He gently nudged him whispering his name softly. "Yeosang... Yeosang wake up..." Gradually the younger boy begin to relax and nuzzled into the hollow of Hongjoong's shoulder. The older boy froze, never having been so close to him before. The feeling that overcame him at the way their bodies touched made the older boy feel as if he was about to combust.

"Don't leave me..." Yeosang whispered brokenly. Hongjoong realized he was talking in his sleep and felt his heart stop at the next words that came out of the younger boy's mouth...

"...Hongjoong please stay with me..."

Hongjoong blinked as his words sunk in and wound around his beating heart. He leaned in slowly breathing in Yeosang's scent. It had become so sweetly familiar over the last few months. Strange how it calmed him yet made his heart rate spike at the same time. Before he knew it he was centimeters from Yeosang's lips and fighting against the urge to kiss him...

Then Yeosang's warm eyes slowly opened and met Hongjoong's. The older boy was startled and went to move away only to have the younger boy cup the side of his face. He pulled him back down to the pillow, his breath fanning over Hongjoong's cheek as he breathed. "Hongjoong..." Yeosang whispered in wonderment as a tear finally ran over his nose. "Stay."

Hongjoong could only nod as he savored the feeling of Yeosang's thumb running over his cheek. He studied the younger boy's fine features, especially the birthmark under his eye that he'd never been close enough to see clearly. He reached out and gingerly touched it earning a shy smile from him. "It's really noticeable isn't it?"

"I like this part of you." Hongjoong answered immediately before choking and blushing furiously. Yeosang's eyes widened and his cheeks turned pink at his words.

Hongjoong thought that Yeosang's beauty was nearly ethereal in quality and he marveled at every bend and curve. He hadn't noticed that they had been moving their faces imperceptibly closer until their lips stopped only a breath's length away.

Then between those lips one had asked a silent question and the other gave permission.

When they finally touched it conveyed everything about love that was curious and tender. Their lips melded perfectly together and Yeosang tangled his hand in Hongjoong's hair to draw him in. Yeosang had invaded the hybrid's senses until everything around that space was filled with only him.

They broke apart and looked into each other's eyes. Hongjoong's ear flicked and Yeosang chuckled before reaching up to rub it. The older boy began to purr, much to his mortification, but Yeosang only nuzzled their noses together. "I like this part of you..."

"You shouldn't though," Hongjoong said sadly. "People won't like that you like me. This would look really bad for you—"

"I don't care how I look," Yeosang said sincerely. "Because you like me just the way I am, Hongjoong."

Tears escaped the older boy's eyes no matter how hard he tried to stop them. Yeosang wiped them away before wrapping an arm around his waist and resting his head against the hybrid's beating heart. "Your heart," He said quietly. "It's beating fast just like mine..."

Then they laid wrapped up in each other for the longest time. They kissed softly, hands running over every part of each other before drifting off into a dreamless slumber. But right before sleep had overtaken him Hongjoong thought to himself...

So this is what it feels like to finally have a home.

A/N

All right so this is the first installment of the light imagines! Hopefully this was some good quality fluff for my readers out there who aren't big into smut... But I also hope that my loyal smut readers enjoyed this as well ha ha.
Ily