Welcome tooo my precious hybrid Yungi OS T.T Please enjoy reading, we have two smut scenes towards the end, with warnings for: male lactation, feminisation, crossdressing, beastiality

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"Nächster Halt: Lauterbrunnen. Dieser Zug..."

Yunho dragged his eyes from the window and glanced at the speakers attached to the dotted interior lining over the door. They rattled as the train rolled leisurely through the vast valleys of the Alps. Yunho had been distracted by the towering mountain ridges for hours, speechless by their soaring heights in the distance. Meadows in the lushest greens cascaded from snow-dusted tips in the clouds to greet the valley with the kisses of sweet spring flowers in oranges and yellows. Dainty rivers drew blue ribbons between tall grasses, like a child playing with thoughtless fingers. They pooled in lakes clearer than anything Yunho had ever seen.

The landscape unravelling around the antique tracks looked as if out of a fairytale, and Yunho wasn't ready to break the spell cast by the magical sights.

But this was his stop. He checked the travel brochure at every single one of them to practice the pronunciation of the announcements and translated the title of his stop at least a dozen times.

After three hours of exploring the enchanting views of Switzerland, it was finally time to grab his bags. Yunho squeezed out of his seat and shoved his phone and tablet into his bag. Only a handful of people commuted in the same cart as him, and he could feel their eyes raking up and down his frame when he stretched to lift his suitcase from the overhead compartment. Perhaps they had listened in to his brief call with his colleague Jongho earlier and knew he was a tourist. Or they took this route often enough to know he wasn't from here.

Polite not to disturb their peace, Yunho checked he had everything he needed and wandered down the aisle. He looked out of the windows as the screeching train rolled to a stop at one of the many quaint stations in this place. Earlier, he had transferred at one of these and they all narrowed down to a single track that wound through the valleys of the Alps.

The doors opened and Yunho got off to breathe in the fresh air. Next to an endearingly ancient building marking the train station, a street cut through up the fields of green. Like dice strewn across a playing board, tiny houses dotted around the valley. Yunho spotted the top of a white church. Beyond it, at the towering cliffs caging in the remote village, the waterfall that gave this place its name cascaded from the rough stone edge.

Born and raised in a bustling city, Yunho had few opportunities to leave for the countryside. He regarded it as inconvenient, with bad signal and poor infrastructure.

Out here, he understood its charm, however. The sights were tranquil and though that didn't go for the perpetually rainy flatlands of England; the air was clear and the roads spacious. Parents walked along the street with their giddy children, relishing ice cream and doing their shopping in the brisk breeze of spring.

Awed, Yunho got used to the difference for a moment longer. He would spend a couple of days here and though he lost some time because of an unforeseen incident at work, he already knew he had to explore the waterfall and find out if he could go up the mountains. Even now, the Alps were cast in perpetual winter, but he had no desire to climb to the top. Just some hiking was more than enough for his delicate athleticism.

It took his phone a while to find a signal, then he pulled up the address of his holiday rental. His GPS led him along the panoramic main street and he was glad he didn't pick a stay up the hill, beautiful as the sights were.

The rattling of his suitcase was obnoxiously loud on the street. This wasn't the most touristy of places, so the locals regarded him full of intrigue about what might have brought him here. Yunho hoped he could visit some of their shops later and discover some hidden treasure. He hadn't come to travel, but he joined his holiday days with this trip, hoping to make the most out of it. Now that it was so much more than he expected, he might just create a proper itinerary.

Crossing the peaceful village, Yunho tried to drink up the scenery at once. He never saw such flourishing fields. Cows and sheep dotted the green framing the glen, and wild apple trees bloomed in lovely whites. The quaint houses matched their surrounding with their brown timber. Each of them was old enough to tell a story and their roofs were charmingly tilted.

Despite the clear minority in inhabitants, everything was so full of life compared to what Yunho was used to and he saw colour for the first time after years of blindness. Was this what Jongho meant when he told him Yunho would be swept off his feet?

He found his rental by the house number since his signal died as soon as he left the area of the train station. Flower pots decorated the balcony and a white cat licked its paws on the doorstep when he made his way inside. The key was left under the doormat that read "Willkommen" in cursive letters. No safety concern out here. After letting himself in, Yunho climbed the creaking wooden stairs.

Yunho left his luggage in the living room and pushed the fluttering white curtains aside to step onto his balcony. In the Alps, the mountains were spectacular, no matter where. He could see the waterfall and the mountains looming like ancient gods looking down on the valley.

After a drink, Yunho changed his clothes and sent a message to Jongho.

I arrived in one piece.

It didn't go out immediately and Yunho walked back downstairs, pulling the door shut behind him to find a signal like a clown with his arm in the air. None blessed him. Just the sun peering between white fluffy clouds in a blue sky.

He only had another hour to figure out how to get to his appointment. This was exactly why he wanted the extra day to get acquainted with the place. If only his boss didn't decide on a spontaneous mandatory conference yesterday. The flight here had been a rush.

Distressed, Yunho made his way back to the main road. He had seen pictures of the storefront but some buildings here spaced out so far he couldn't tell if they might be businesses.

His anxiety must have shown on his features, because an old lady slowed her step by his side and studied him with watery blue eyes. When he flashed her a grin to show he was fine, she fully turned towards him.

She asked something in German, probably if he was having trouble and Yunho fumbled. He left the brochure with handy words in his flat and every word he learned on his way here was as if wiped from his mind.

"Uh, sorry, I don't speak German. I'm searching for this place. A tattoo studio. Have you heard of it?" He bent low to show her the address on his phone and she pursed her lips and squinted her eyes to read better. Nervously, Yunho waited. Perhaps he could ask someone working at the restaurants here that spread a mouth-watering scent of smoked ham across the street. They were bound to know.

But after a moment, the old lady nodded. She beckoned down the street and then angled her thin wrist to the right, then waved to go even further.

"Go right?" Yunho asked, copying the gesture and she nodded more eagerly. When she smiled a toothless smile, Yunho lit up.

"Thank you so much! Ah- Danke! I will find it!" He waved at her with the excitement back on his features and stormed away. She chuckled after him and as he rushed past the same people as before, everyone had to know of Yunho's unusual presence by now.

In his hurry, he couldn't spare a glance at the spectacular cakes and clocks in the storefronts. Upon reaching an intersection, he went right and explored the next street. It was more undisturbed than the main one and accumulated tiny yet unique businesses. It seemed like the right place.

Luckily, he didn't have to search for long. The distinctive storefront was ingrained into his mind and it stood out even among similarly dreamy buildings.

The facade was white, but instead of brown timber holding it together, every wooden beam was painted pink. Elaborate artworks of flowers patterned up the pink beams and framed the windows decorated with white frilly curtains. Dainty lavender wisterias across the storefront to bow over the entrance and rained down its sides as if inviting Yunho into a magical parallel world. The word EndEARing was glued to the door in cursive, golden lettering.

Even if that grandma had no clue about tattoos, Yunho could confidently assume she liked looking at the storefront.

Yunho stepped in and had to duck in the narrow doorway. The bell attached to it chimed, and he glanced around the tidy insides.

The sneaking flowers were tame here since it had to be a hygienic place, but the cutesy theme persisted. A pink couch was pushed into a corner and bore one pink heart pillow, and one black one that mismatched the rest. They were accompanied by a row of random plushies that also dominated the shelves next to vintage lamps. The floor was charmingly old and wooden to match the house and creaked under Yunho's steps.

There was no proper counter, more so a desk with a computer in aesthetic white. Various artworks were framed around the walls. Some were pressed flowers preserved through the seasons, others the work of the local artists. If Yunho got it right, four people worked here, though he only came to see one person.

Movement rustled behind the door near the desk, then a person emerged. He also had to duck through the frame, not because of his height, but because of the towering horns atop his head. They were spectacular, curving in thick ridges to end at the height of his armpits. Originally, they had to be a pale boney blond, but this person had coloured them a classy silver that matched his pale blue hair.

"Hallo!" He greeted Yunho and his plush lips pulled into a dazzling smile. In his chiffon blouse and the long skirt pants, he looked far too pretty for Yunho to handle. He was used to eccentric people but not to literal fairies in fairytale places.

"Hallo," he said back and his pronunciation must have given him away because his host's eyes quivered.

"I'm sorry, but my German isn't great. I made a reservation for Jeong Yunho?" Yunho tried. Relieved about his clear and slow articulation, the hybrid sunk into his white chair. He crossed his legs and slender fingers tapped away. He looked at the screen with searching eyes, clicks slow and hesitant, but he fit as a secretary.

"Jeong Yunho," he repeated to himself as he clicked on their schedule. After some scrolling, he turned to Yunho.

"Um, personal... card?" He asked, and Yunho blinked. When he fumbled for his wallet, the secretary nodded. Gnawing on his lip, he checked Yunho's ID and hummed to himself before he affirmed his appointment. Glad they made it work despite the language barrier, Yunho tucked the ID back.

"You came... Mingi? Song Mingi?" He made sure and Yunho lit up.

"Yes! That's him!"

He had stalked the artist's Instagram account for months before he decided on this place. His working style was both whimsical and esoteric, as if touched with a special dust the fairies of the Swiss Alps sprinkled upon them. The primary designs on his page were pieces of nature, glimmering flowers, and regional landscapes, but enclosed by the most lovely of antique frames in their aged brass curls.

The style had enchanted Yunho, and he thought it incomparable. Though he hemmed and hawed for weeks, he couldn't be happier to have overcome his nervosity to contact them.

"I am Seonghwa," the secretary smiled at him. He beckoned at the couch and handed Yunho a clipboard and a pencil.

"Wait and uhh write, please," he asked and disappeared further inside of the shop. Yunho heard the voices of multiple men somewhere, but he politely kept to himself.

The document for gathering personal information was both in German and English, and he filled it out carefully despite the tremors wracking his heart. He wouldn't back out now. The pen in his hand was shaped like a twig, adding to the mismatched charm of this gorgeous place. Though he felt comically large and out of place, Yunho liked everything he had seen here so far.

He kept the clipboard on his lap once he signed and studied the sundries on the shelves. Ceramics of cats, wooden bikes and candles made of bee wax matched in their very own way. They spread the scent of honey in the air that made the place that much homier.

Somehow, no doctor's office in England made Yunho feel this comfortable. He had so much to tell Jongho. His coworker knew his fair share about tattoos and he would be chuffed to hear Yunho was at ease in a foreign country.

Yunho twiddled his thumbs, but he didn't have to loiter for much longer. The chipper voice of the secretary returned, and in German, he was much less tentative. He giggled with his conversation partner and Yunho smiled along, happy with the easygoing atmosphere, though he didn't understand a word.

Just when a deep hum that startled Yunho wide awake replied to Seonghwa's rambling, the two figures rounded the corner into the room Yunho waited in. Seonghwa beelined right to his desk, so Yunho glanced up with wide eyes. That voice resonated in his chest, vibrating pleasantly.

The horned hybrid mumbled to himself, but Yunho barely minded his presence anymore as he took in the second man. He had to be the artist from the way he looked at Yunho and he expected anything but this.

Song Mingi was tall. In all of his Instagram posts, he never showed a picture of himself, so Yunho didn't bother imagining anything, but the guy was almost as big as him. His hair was short and a soft, washed-out pink that matched the flowers around the shop.

For whatever reason, Yunho ignorantly assumed he would be human, as if the name of the shop didn't give away its peculiarity. The same way Seonghwa the goat tapped around at his desk decorated with bunny figurines, Mingi was a cow hybrid.

A pink cow hybrid.

His fluffy pair of ears matched his hair colour. The fur was white and pink splotches specked them. Hidden among his locks sat two delicate white horns, filed to smoothness and soft with a velvet some cow hybrids developed differently than their animal kin. He wore pink ribbons attached to them that jingled with little bells. Their gold matched the piercing in his right ear.

His outfit was spectacular, a rush of white lace and pink frills. The white blouse had a sweetheart neckline that framed the swell of his chest ridiculously well and left his shoulders bare to expose pink spots on his tanned skin. The sleeves wrapped around his upper arms.

Yunho rose and dragged his eyes up: pastel pink platform boots, white thigh-highs and a pink skirt. Golden belts dangled around his hips and waist to match his dainty bracelets and necklaces.

Stunned into the deepest silence he ever fell into, Yunho held out his hand. He didn't utter a word as the hybrid stepped in and shook it. His grip was gentle and his tail flicked out behind him as if in greeting. The groomed tuft of hair at the end was pink and topped off with a lacey white bow.

Perhaps this was the most beautiful creature Yunho ever laid his eyes on, and he saw many individuals in his life, hybrids and otherwise. No wonder this place was so unique if someone like this made those magical designs.

"Hi, I'm Mingi," the artist greeted, and the rumble of his voice hit Yunho like another truck. He dared a smile, almost overwhelmed with the brunt of compliments he wanted to pay Mingi at once. Had he said them all, his artist would have called the constabulary.

"I'm Yunho."

When Mingi smiled, his eyes curled sunnily. Yunho stared at the bold septum piercing through his nose, the little golden heart in its mid.

"Glad you found our little store. Where are you from?" Mingi's English was impeccable and it shook Yunho from his trance since he had to look like a regular human person.

"Ah, I'm from London."

"First time in Switzerland? How was your trip?" Mingi beckoned him to follow and Yunho trailed behind him like a lost duckling. Despite his height, Mingi was deft and lean, shoulders broad yet waist narrow. He carried himself with confidence where Yunho could only watch, speechless.

"My first visit, yes. This place is splendid. I'm used to quieter trains but the sights distract from the noise."

Mingi snickered to himself, and Yunho wanted to hear that sound again. Pride swelled in his chest when he heard his artist laugh.

"I can imagine. This is your first tattoo, yes?"

Yunho had mentioned it in his message. He was nervous about receiving it and the painful progress. Though he picked a spot on his hip where he could hide it below his suits, he felt like a child pranking their mother. Something forbidden came with this cutesy place, especially with the back area and its pink tattooing beds. Another artist worked away without minding them. He sat hunched over his client with his needle in his black-gloved hands. Tall, pointed ears with tufts of black hair at their tips towered atop his black and white hair, and his gothic attire mismatched the bubblegum studio.

Somewhere, two people bickered along, but they were behind at least one door.

"It is," Yunho replied as he hovered in the spot before the mirror Mingi pointed him at. He was collected in his every movement, assuring Yunho he knew what he was doing. Even as Yunho wiped nervous palms on his trousers, the cow hybrid's looks distracted him.

"Here is the design we settled on," Mingi announced as he brought over three slips of paper. They varied in size, but in person, the motive he drew for Yunho looked even more beautiful than what the picture Mingi showed him in their chat.

He had commissioned Mingi to do the twig of a pine tree for him, including a cone. In Mingi's style, the colours came to life and shone with their very own enchantment. The frame shrouding it matched the shape of the branch.

"The placement is on your hip, right?"

Yunho nodded hastily and stood without motion. For a moment, Mingi eyed him up and down, then a grin spread across his lips.

"Don't be nervous. This is a safe place and everyone here knows what they are doing. You don't have to undress fully, but let's bare the skin where it needs to be, so I can show you how it looks on your skin, yes?"

Wrapped around his fingers after just a few minutes, Yunho nodded. Mingi's ears flicked, so lively in their attention, and Yunho shyly turned away to unbuckle his belt. It felt inappropriate to undress before the professional cow hybrid. While he adjusted his setup next to the waiting tattoo bed, Yunho risked a peek over. He got an eyeful of his cleavage in the dip of his blouse, of the tanned skin pushing against the thin fabric so enticingly.

Flushing pink enough to match the walls, Yunho tugged down his pants. He wore his most inconspicuous black briefs, nothing spectacular, though he felt even his most lame of Iron Man-themed boxers wouldn't have offended someone like Mingi. When Yunho turned towards him, the artist's eyes on him were those of a painter's on an empty canvas. He saw inspiration and opportunity, no such deprivation as Yunho.

Mingi stepped in and light hands on his shoulders turned Yunho to face the mirror. He held up the smallest size of the design and hovered it before Yunho's thigh.

"Here?"

Yunho tugged his hand higher to the place where his leg connected to his hip. It was mortifyingly close to all his important bits, but outside the jut of his hipbone.

Definitely a place where no colleague would ever find it by accident.

"We have three options, this is the middle size," Mingi continued and held them before Yunho so he could look at himself in the mirror. He was tentative about the size of his first tattoo so he went with seven centimetres total, but he ultimately liked the look of the eight centimetres more. While Mingi guided him through the placement and whether he wanted it mirrored, Yunho relaxed in the studio's atmosphere. No one else looked at him, and though he stared at Mingi's horns as if bewitched, Mingi only ever touched him with a polite carefulness. He disinfected the place and imprinted the stencil on Yunho's skin. He was told to wait on the couch for ten minutes and not touch the wet print, but when Mingi noticed Yunho's hesitation to go back to the front with his pants down, he allowed him to sit on the chair he used for tattooing. Yunho got to watch while he flitted around to prepare the disinfectant and placed a pillow for Yunho.

"If you are in pain, tell me. We can take breaks and get some sugar into your system," Mingi advised when he noticed Yunho's interested eyes following him. They only talked business in the chat but suddenly, Yunho was bursting at the seams with questions.

"Can I- Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Depends," Mingi snickered, but he didn't back down. The whirr of the other artist's tattoo needle was a pleasant background noise, though it sounded scarily big and loud to Yunho's ears. He had seen one artist here did big bulky blackwork and the cat hybrid looked the part. Bigger needles could fill more space at once, but even just listening to them was painful. It reminded Yunho of visits to the dentist's office.

"I never saw a cow hybrid around. Sorry if I am too nosy, but few of you live in London. What race are you?"

Mingi snickered as he sat down to open his little ink pots and dipped in his needle.

"I'm a Swiss Brown, of course," he boasted. The local species of milk cow was popular, since Swiss chocolate was notoriously the best around Europe. Yunho wouldn't know if the cows were happier in their meadows or if the taste differed with the race, but he had something to research while he was getting tattooed.

"Although I am an exception. Most cows aren't pink and my kin is solid coloured, not splotchy. I have a grandparent that was a Holsteiner hybrid."

Those were the regular spotted milk cows; Yunho knew that much. Although he would argue Mingi's pink looked spectacular on him. Especially since he wore it with such confidence.

"What types of hybrids are there in London?" Mingi wondered, used to distinct Alpine animals and farm creatures out here. Yunho came up empty for a second. Both he and Jongho were human and worked in an embarrassingly human firm. Not that it was a racial issue, but many hybrids preferred the countryside over the bustling cities that overwhelmed them.

"Dogs, rats... pigeons. So many pigeons," Yunho replied and Mingi snickered to himself. His laughter was beautiful and Yunho was mesmerised by it.

"I never met a rat hybrid before, either. Hongjoong over there is a lynx, and Hwa is an ibex." He nodded his chin at the main room, where the beeping of the computer announced Seonghwa started playing a game.

"We have two more artists here. San's a donkey and Wooyoung a marmot. They are somewhere over yonder, up to no good," Mingi summarised before he checked his phone. He had long and dark lashes that fluttered like the curtains of a dream when he lowered his eyes. One spot on his ears was heart-shaped, and it looked extra fluffy in his neat fur.

"You are all hybrids," Yunho marvelled and Mingi nodded before he beckoned Yunho to stand. When he wobbled around his pants, Mingi held out his hand to balance him, but they managed. Blushing, Yunho glanced away while Mingi examined his skin.

"Hence the name. Alright, Yunho, time to get started. Lay down on your back."

Yunho dutifully clambered onto the table, and Mingi scooted his chair closer. His tattooing needle was pink and decorated with white hearts. He snapped white gloves onto his fingers. When he made eye contact, Yunho quivered under the effortless confidence in his beauty.

"Try to breathe deeply. We can talk if it helps you calm down." He clicked the needle on and the whirr made Yunho tense, but he forced himself to exhale and tugged his shirt higher over his pale stomach.

He could do this.

"Getting started."

The first touch hurt, but not as badly as Yunho feared. He gulped down every sound that might have escaped him. It felt like someone running the tip of a knife over his skin, but not like he was getting stabbed. When he unclenched his hands, Mingi wiped the fresh ink and chuckled.

"So, why a pine branch?" He asked as he lowered the needle back down and the distraction definitely helped Yunho.

"My grandmother planted a pine tree for me when I was a wee little lad. She passed recently and I wish to carry her close to my heart. She always told me the most fantastical stories, so when I glimpsed your style, it matched the spell of her words like no other."

Mingi hummed. His smile was satisfied he could help with such a heartfelt memento.

For no other reason, Yunho would get a tattoo, never. His mum could never find out.

"What about you? Do you have tattoos?" The spot on his shoulder matched his ear so Yunho assumed it was part of his skin.

Mingi giggled to himself, but he shook his head.

"I'm not that mad." He swung his elbow between Yunho's legs to have more working room and Yunho readily spread his thighs to accommodate him. Though he had to fight the blush on his cheeks, the scraping of the needle successfully grounded him in pain.

"You have piercings, though," Yunho protested, giving away he had been staring.

The ear in question twitched. It looked so inviting to touch, but Yunho battled the urge. This was a person, not an animal to pet.

"I got the helix to own up for the symbol tags have on cows. I may be a cow, but only I have ownership of myself. And the septum is mostly because of the cliché."

It underlined Yunho's point about madness, but he hummed in awe, nonetheless. What a way to take back what hybrids were looked down upon for. Many people would refuse to be tattooed by one, but Mingi seemed assured of his being, as he should be. For Yunho, there was no difference between these hands and those of a person with a different genetical code.

"I also have another one here," Mingi mentioned while he swung a leg over Yunho's to brace between his spread legs. Stiff, Yunho looked at him with big eyes but Mingi went right back to work, now at a better angle. Right, he had to hunch his back otherwise.

To play down his ignorance about how tattoo artists operated, Yunho searched what Mingi meant. He studied the flicking ears, the cute horns that begged for a touch, and his ears. Ultimately, his eyes fell on Mingi's swishing tail. The pink kept catching Yunho's gaze, and he wanted to run his fingers over the pristine white fur. Now that he was closer, he could notice the pearl detail topping off the bow. Hypnotised by the swish, he only noticed the glimmer of gold after another beat.

Mingi's tail was pierced. Just above the tuft of pink at its end, a golden ring bedazzled with a pink gem punched through the skin. It matched the colours of his fur and the rest of his dainty getup.

Yunho almost craned his head to see better, but realised in time that Mingi's thighs were on bare display between the hem of his skirt and his white tights. Mortified, he jerked his eyes elsewhere.

"That's cool," Yunho brought out and had to clear his throat since it was suddenly drier than a desert. "I like your message with them."

"Just the way you tattoo has a special message," Mingi hummed. His thighs were splayed to straddle Yunho halfway and the poor human desperately tried not to think too hard about which body parts he might feel pressing against his thigh through the thin layers of Mingi's skirt. He wore white shorts underneath, thank God, but they barely covered a few more centimetres of his thighs than the ridiculously short skirt.

Yunho's eyes studied the ceiling and the windows. He racked his brain for things to say so his focus wouldn't wander off again.

For a few moments, only the whir of the tattoo needle filled the silence. Yunho cleared his throat once more when Mingi swung himself fully into his lap. He knelt over Yunho's legs, giving a deep view of his ample chest as he bent low to work on the tattoo. His face remained even, so Yunho didn't ask about the peculiar position. While he struggled in silence since he was here with his clothes pulled apart and Mingi's face hovering so near to his crotch, Mingi meticulously traced the tattoo needle over the branch. Yunho had nowhere to look but at the pretty hybrid right on top of him.

Before Yunho could ask about the weather and embarrass himself, some commotion inside the studio diverted their attention. The door to their left opened and through the narrow slit of the curtain tugged around the tattooing bed, Yunho saw two men stepping outside. One cradled a sketchbook, the other one had tall grey ears flicking atop his head.

They glanced around the room and the sketchbook one went to bother the other artist. One of them had to come from overseas, because they effortlessly switched to English. Or maybe that was just the spirit of the time.

"Lookin' ravishing, handsome!" He giggled in a scratchy voice and a scoff answered. Yunho couldn't see Hongjoong from his position, but since he was also an expert, he definitely would know and point it out if what Mingi did was unprofessional.

Trying not to peer down at him, Yunho levelled his breathing. He would be the shameful one if he mistook this situation as anything else than what it was.

"I'll be done in an hour if you two wanna eat together. Mingi takes longer today," Hongjoong replied and on cue, curious fingers tugged on the curtain to peer past. Yunho received a blinding grin before the two newcomers shuffled closer to eye Mingi's work. He wiped down the black outline and his red-haired coworker whistled.

"I like that one. Custom design, yes?"

"Jap," Mingi hummed.

The donkey hybrid tugged on the smaller male's shirt. He pouted at the back of his busy head.

"Come on. Let's get Seonghwa before he rams into the shelf because he gets so hungry he forgets he has horns."

The pair took off, chattering about their work. Only catching hints of the group dynamic, Yunho unwound once more. Those small ears among the red had looked like those of a rodent. That must have been Wooyoung, the marmot.

Oddly proud of himself for knowing the names of four tattoo artists since he never imagined being near as cool enough to become part of this world, Yunho reminded himself to unclench the muscles in his leg. Mingi's lashes were so long, and they fluttered daintily as he focused on his creation. Whenever his eyes flicked to the artwork of the tattoo on his tablet, Yunho feared he might point out how subtly Yunho tried to twist his hip away. Whenever the lace of Mingi's sleeves brushed dangerously close, he almost flinched.

Was this additional torment or a blissful distraction? At least Yunho barely noticed the pain.

Yunho's eyes skimmed the windows overhead and the towering mountains beyond.

"So... You grew up here?"

"Since I was a wee little calf," Mingi replied. His voice was so deep it might as well belong to the mountains themselves and Yunho realised what this place did to people. He also wanted to spin fairytales, about the cow who stole his voice from the mighty rock by beguiling it with a bat of his lovely eyes.

His newfound madness helped Yunho de-stress, yet wound the tension in his belly tighter because he was already obsessed. And Mingi's face hovered right above his crotch.

"I worked on my parents' farm when I was younger, but then realised I had a knack for art. Hongjoong was the most eccentric kid in school, so we teamed up. Took in Seonghwa who wanted to be an artist but who has the bad luck of knocking over his equipment with his horns all the time, so he was demoted to the secretary. Wooyoung comes from Zürich and San moved here. Ran away from his family in Spain for coming out as gay during bible camp." Mingi chuckled. Yunho gasped.

"He got kicked out?!"

"He is a free spirit. He would have left anyway, and he likes this place." Mingi shrugged and his tail swished. The bite of the needle almost forced a whimper out of Yunho's throat. Some spots were more sensitive than others.

Mingi shifted the band of Yunho's briefs further up, exposing the pale curve of his hipbone. Squirmish under his stare, Yunho tried to focus on the walls and their quirky artworks, but his gaze kept drifting back to the cow hybrid above him.

"We are an odd bunch, but it works since we all share a common interest. Tattooing is not the most sought-after service for our aging population, though. London must be filled with more successful people."

"I never met someone like you," Yunho blurted. Unorthodox artists, sure. Youngsters irresponsibly free-spirited, all the time. Not that either of those groups belonged to Yunho's world of strict working standards in a high-end insurance firm, but they flaunted their personalities in the streets of London.

"Cows prefer the countryside," Mingi snickered, but his ears flicked playfully, so he was flattered.

Yunho flushed when he realised it could be taken as an insult. He got away easy.

Mingi sat up to study the tattoo. For a moment, he throned atop Yunho's thighs with his legs splayed open and his skirt barely covering everything it needed to, then he nodded to himself. Speechless, Yunho stared at this magnificent being. His mind was elsewhere while Mingi scrutinised his work. When he swung down on Yunho's side, he was almost disappointed, although he used the moment for a breather.

"Let's take a five-minute break and get back to it. You want some water? Seonghwa puts lemons in it," he offered, but Yunho shook his head. He didn't even realise the first hour had come to an end. When he sat up to stretch and take his phone, he paid prudent attention not to ruin the fresh ink. The lines the needle had traced were reddened and stood out against the skin, but Yunho saw no blood. Relieved it was coming along nicely, he traced the surrounding skin to soothe his agitated flesh. Mingi wore gloves, but his grip had been gentle.

Mingi bustled about, checking in on his friends and fetching some water. Yunho gladly hid behind the curtain and checked his messages. Thankfully, Jongho took care of his emails while he was on his holiday. Their bickering happened as friends.

Yunho assured him he found the place and was doing magnificently in his German. Soon, Mingi returned, and he settled back down, ready to be poked yet again. It became easier now that he knew tattoo artists needed to climb all over their clients for the most convenient angle. Mingi just so happened to be gorgeous. That was the sole problem here.

"How's the pain?" Mingi asked as he snapped his gloves back onto his fingers. Mesmerised, Yunho gawked at him. He never thought someone could be so dressed up while also messing around with ink and needles.

"I barely feel anything," Yunho lied to look tough. The chuckle in Mingi's throat was rich and sinister enough that Yunho feared he would dig in purposefully hard from now on.

But it was worth the pain. Both to receive the design and to spend his time in this place with the stunning cow hybrid. They just so happened to get along and Yunho couldn't believe his luck even when he never stood a chance.

He had no lover and didn't come out as gay during bible camp either. Usually, his job kept him busy enough to not consider dating, but suddenly, Yunho wondered why he never picked it up. He had brief relationships before, short flings with little relevance, but looking at Mingi and wondering what lucky person pulled him, Yunho wanted to meet someone. Mingi proved there were people out there who might allure Yunho.

"Excuse me," Mingi muttered when he shuffled to Yunho's side and Yunho politely tucked his long limbs to himself. His feet peered over the end of the pink bed and he cradled his white pillow under his cheek, waiting until Mingi settled.

But instead of dropping onto his chair, Mingi braced his knee next to Yunho's head. Before Yunho understood what was happening, Mingi already swung himself over as if mounting a horse. His large pivoted moved elegantly and a moment later, he knelt with his thighs spread left and right of Yunho's face. His chest faced Yunho's body, and he tugged his rolling cart closer to pick up the needle. Comfortable, he lowered himself onto his elbow to get back to work.

With eyes like saucers, Yunho stared up the frills of his thigh-highs, the spread of tanned bare flesh with patches of pink cow spots, and the white shorts under the skirt. He could see everything and his eyes were drawn to Mingi's bulge, as if by magic.

A merry tail swished about, ever so cutesy, as if he didn't hover the panorama below his skirt only a hand's length away from Yunho's face.

Speechless, Yunho continued gaping. Suddenly, there was nowhere else to look. There was only the hem of Mingi's skirt, the muscular thickness of his thighs, and the sway of his hips when he dipped close to Yunho's skin to see better.

Utterly pinned under the cow hybrid, Yunho choked out a flustered noise. He couldn't see it, but felt it in the shift of Mingi's body that he glanced back at him.

"You alright back there? Painful after all?"

Was this alright? Wasn't he embarrassed to have... all that in Yunho's face? No, he wore shorts, and he seemed comfortable. Was Yunho the one making this weird?

Thoughts spiralling nowhere innocent, Yunho jerked his head.

"I'm fine," he squeaked out. No way he would point it out to Mingi that he stared up his skirt. After all, they were both men. Especially if Mingi wasn't gay, this was nothing to him.

On cue, Hongjoong popped his head around their curtain. Yunho gave him a wide-eyed stare, feeling like a schoolboy caught in the act with his face as red as a tomato.

Nonchalant, Hongjoong ruffled through his hair.

"I'm done and taking the kids out to eat. Woosan and I have no more schedules for the day, but Hwa should be back by the time you finish," he said in a lazy drawl and nothing about his expression was perturbed about their setup.

Mingi nodded merrily.

"You go on ahead. Good work today."

After a careless salute, Hongjoong stomped off and herded his colleagues together. They babbled all over each other about their food and Yunho had to accept that this was just how Mingi worked. With his perky, luscious bum right in the face of his depraved clients.

Yunho suddenly craved peaches. And milk.

Embarrassed by his unprofessionalism, he flattened his breath and hoped it would be over soon. He wasn't even suffering because of the tattoo needle anymore. But a full-course meal was right there and he couldn't not look. Even as Mingi continued their conversation, Yunho only listened with one ear. The other one was flaming hot, as he prayed not to get hard to this delicious sight.

If he did, Mingi also got more to ogle at than he signed up for.

"How did you find out about me?"

"Instagram," Yunho replied without missing a beat. Did Mingi have a private Instagram? And did he post lewds? Because the arch of his back and the shape of his tiny waist to his ample bum and thighs belonged in a museum.

So much for being distracted.

Counting to a hundred and back down, Yunho regained his senses in time to hear Mingi's reply. His tail grazed over Yunho's hair, tickling with the tufts of pink.

"Right, we had some events advertised. It was San's idea since he tries to appeal to a horse hybrid working at the grocery store here. He always says he wants a tattoo but is worried about money. It didn't work so far." He said it fond of his friend's complicated courting rituals and clearly not bothered since it brought in customers from far and wide.

Yunho took a moment longer to think in his situation between Mingi's splayed thighs. His hands cramped into his shirt so he wouldn't dare submit to the dumb urge to reach up and give an appreciative squeeze.

"I thought him and Wooyoung?"

"Somewhat, but it's nothing fixed. Things change when someone new comes around and right now, they aren't shy to include more people, even if just for a night or two. If you catch my drift." Mingi chuckled and Yunho vibrated along in distress. His dick twitched to the sound or the sight or whatever, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

No comment yet. Mingi was focused on his work.

Who knew how far he was? Who knew if it was coming out nicely? Yunho just needed to get out of this place and at the same time make time stop.

Unfortunately, he caved sooner than anticipated and it was his fault. Yunho didn't know how much time he spent staring at the valley between Mingi's thighs. He smelled of vanilla and strawberries, matching his cute getup. Since he was so unguarded, swaying his hips like that over a grown man and dipping low to angle his head next to Yunho's dick to concentrate on the tattoo, Yunho couldn't help his growing interest.

All too soon, he was half-hard, and it became impossible to ignore.

"I need a break," he squeaked out with the last remaining thread of sanity. Mingi sat back with concern marring his brow and the edge of his skirt fell over Yunho's brow. He almost got a face full of cute cow butt, but Mingi's thighs kept him hovering without trouble.

"Already? We should be done in twenty minutes."

Too long. Yunho wasn't the strongest Englishman.

Losing his words, Yunho just winced. When Mingi swung down from him, the fog of his delicious scent and looks disappeared. They were burned into Yunho's brain when he forced himself up for a toilet break. As he hurried off, glad no one witnessed his walk of shame, Mingi also sat back for a moment.

Yunho shamefully relieved his arousal in the bathroom. Usually, he wasn't so quick with it and while convenient; he was humiliated to come to Mingi's clothed body like a schoolboy.

He was mindful not to soil the tattoo, and cleaned up hastily before he returned. Mingi offered him a glass of water he prepared and this time, Yunho took it.

Mingi didn't climb on his face again, done with that segment, but he hooked his leg over Yunho's to fix his angle. It was bearable since the hunger in Yunho's gut was appeased for now, but he still counted the seconds until Mingi was done. When he finally reached for his disinfectant, Yunho almost squealed in delight.

"Well done!" Mingi praised him when he mistook the unravelling strain for relief from the pain. Together, they looked down on Yunho's body and the sight of the finished tattoo made Yunho forget his inappropriate thoughts. Lush and green, with the added sparkle of Swiss fairytales, his branch hugged his hip. All the hiking across Yunho's body had been worth it because it shone so beautifully and was exactly how he imagined it.

"You like it?" Mingi grinned as he retrieved his phone for some pictures. Yunho stared at it in awe while Mingi finished the cleanup. Once it was creamed up and covered with tattoo foil, Yunho was allowed to stand.

"I do. Thank you so much," Yunho gagged out. Especially for this beautiful gift; it was insensitive to remember Mingi only for his ass. Great as it was.

Mingi tugged him to sit on the couch and they left the tattoo to calm while Mingi ran him through the care guide he also sent him via their chat. Attentive, Yunho glanced between his plush lips and his tattoo, totally enamoured with his artist and the craft of his hands.

If Mingi noticed, he remained patient. They exchanged payments and all too soon, Mingi handed Yunho his bag. For a moment, he stood, lost. Was there nothing else to do? No lost items to fetch and no reason to hold Mingi back?

Everything went so smoothly that it seemed too fast now.

"Thank you," Yunho repeated, looking foolish, but he didn't care. This was the longest yet the shortest day of his life.

"Remember your grandmother well. I hope you have a smooth trip back to London." Mingi grinned at him with his handsome features and that crooked front tooth.

They were alone, but Yunho didn't want to be hasty. Mingi did his work and Yunho was the one who deluded his mind. Thus, he inched towards the door. As much as Mingi tested his chivalry, Yunho did more than enough inappropriate things today.

"You also have an enjoyable time. I will contact you if something comes up."

Though he knew Mingi did fine work, which would cause no issues down the road.

It was almost upsetting how good the pretty cow was at his job.

Mingi waved at him in his endearing outfit in the endearing studio and Yunho had no other choice but to tug the door shut and step out onto the street. Suddenly, he was back in reality. The town, the mountains, everything was still here, and he entered no fairytale universe, otherworldly as Mingi and his personality were.

Yunho dragged his eyes from the adorable storefront and its dutifully cultivated flowers, probably Seonghwa's work. The cheeky meadows spread over the hills to reach for the mountain tops. Now that the sun bathed them in their golden hue, the waterfall appeared to be on fire. The warm air carried the scent of flowers and the animals munching on them. Small dots in the distance scurried about as the inhabitants of Lauterbrunnen gathered up their tools and closed the sheds of their farms for the evening.

Yunho's hip stung and Mingi told him to remove the foil after an hour once he got back home, so he had some time. Mindful not to rub his hand or bag over the tender surface, Yunho made his way back to the main street.

Though he came to receive a memorabilia about his grandmother, he gained so much more. And while most of it was an embarrassment, he would also adore looking back on his time spent in this studio with its peculiar artist.

Mingi was right here, beyond this door, but he felt unreachable. If not for work, Yunho had no way to hope for his attention.

If he had been any more foolish, he might have booked another tattoo right away. But since Yunho had to pay attention not to let his tattoos show at work, he trudged away slowly. The further their distance grew, the more Mingi became the mirage of a fever dream. Some mythical, beguiling creature dressed in soft pinks and lace that complimented his fur.

Yunho treasured the image of Mingi hovering over him burnt behind his eyelids, but the other cute shops also demanded his attention. He strolled past on his way home and marvelled at jewellery made with the ambers found in the nearby mountains. There was a flower shop here and Yunho considered getting some local flowers to admire during his stay, but the chocolates next to them reeled him in first. He purchased a few snacks for himself and a gift for Jongho, as thanks for taking care of his emails. When the sun disappeared behind the mountains and cast the valley in long shadows, Yunho returned to his rental. The nights were still chilly and the alpine breeze smelled of snow.

Once he was back, Yunho washed his hair over the sink and tended to his tattoo as Mingi instructed him. To his greatest chagrin, the sweet cow hybrid texted nothing but the necessary care steps. Yunho wished there had been more, but all of that was one-sided. Mingi did his work with his selected professionalism. Whatever Yunho hoped would happen was his perverse mind speaking.

Swearing to himself to appreciate the tattoo he received and to honour Mingi's work, Yunho went to bed to get some rest before he could start his holiday in full swing.

It took him a while to figure out how to sleep with his fresh tattoo. He was lucky to sleep on his back usually, but he didn't want the blanket to stick to the sensitive skin. After applying fresh ointment, he sorted his blanket to cover everything of him but that one spot. It was amusing enough not to bother him, and he finally settled.

As he fell asleep, he fantasised about sweet pink cow patches on tanned skin and a slowly swishing tail he could never catch, no matter how he ran after it.

-

The morning came with the delightful chirps of the birds outside building their nests and the chatter of the river running behind the rental. Yunho awoke surrounded by the scent of wood and the bright light of day. Today also, the sun peered into the valley with fresh energy and as someone used to the perpetual gloom of London, Yunho couldn't believe its beauty.

First thing, he checked on his tattoo. It was still there, ironically surprisingly, etched into his skin to be part of him. Memories of his childhood spent under that tree with his grandmother filled Yunho's mind and he swore the green of its needles was the same Mingi eternalised in his skin.

Yunho wanted to run his fingers over it, but his skin still looked angry about the mistreatment. So instead, he washed it and supplied another round of ointment. As he sat there, slowly waking up, the visions of Mingi's hands working on his body returned. The process had been so intimate, so trusting of another person to harm him while also presenting him with an artwork. As outlandish as his working methods had seemed, his touch had been mindful of the person he was distressing with his needles. And the result was magnificent.

Yunho ruffled a hand through his messy hair and glanced at the windows. Would Mingi be at work already? It was still early and a small, romantic part in Yunho wanted to drop by the shop and bring him breakfast. He could feign it was a means of his gratitude while also subtly peering at Seonghwa's computer to check when Mingi was free.

But no, that felt obsessive. Yunho only just arrived here and Mingi provided his services as he had done for many years and for many people. Attractive as he was, Yunho didn't want to be remembered as the creepy customer.

After slipping on some pants, Yunho grabbed his phone and trudged into the kitchen. He made himself some coffee since he preferred it in the quiet of his own home while he woke up. Although he wanted to have brunch outside later, he saw some adorable cafes around.

While the machine buzzed away, Yunho texted Jongho. They hadn't talked anymore in the evening, so Yunho greeted him with a snap of his tattoo, of course framed, so it was appropriate since he couldn't wear tight underwear on it right now to avoid chafing.

Jongho, on his way to work, replied almost immediately.

I almost had a heart attack seeing that angle.

Snickering, Yunho tapped away while he opened the window with his other hand. The frigid morning air filled his senses, and he looked out over the village slowly coming to life. In the distance, a farmer led his cows to their meadow and the jingle of their bells woke up the other inhabitants. Several kids halted on the street on their way to school to look after the mooing procession in awe and elders hovered in their windows, relishing nature's concert.

Everything was so different from London. The few cars were almost inaudible and no random drunkards gagged up their guts in the street corners in the middle of the day.

The peace was unmatched and Yunho leaned in the window to soak up as much of it as possible while he texted Jongho in boring old London. While Yunho spaced out, he had added another message.

But it turned out really well. The colours are a marvel. And it's beautifully whimsical, just as you wanted. Your artist did a great job.

A grin snuck onto Yunho's face and his fingers flew over his keyboard.

He is SO cute, Jongho.

The artist?

Yes. He's a cow hybrid. A pink cow hybrid. Strawberry cow hybrid.

There definitely was a scientific term for the rare colour mutations in hybrids whose animal equivalents classically didn't have those traits, but Yunho had no time to look it up. He was too busy daydreaming about Mingi's sweet ribbons and hearts.

I saw his Instagram. He is definitely popular among his audience.

Jongho said it to fire up Yunho, but he sighed with the reminder that he wasn't the only person who thought Mingi was attractive. And he definitely wouldn't be the first to run after the cow, drooling and begging for his favour.

Yunho had been too... preoccupied to check his fingers for a wedding ring, but he wouldn't be surprised if Mingi was taken. Who would miss out on the opportunity to make that cute cow moan every night?

Depressed, Yunho told Jongho how his appointment went, but he didn't share the forbidden fruit. Soon, Jongho got to work and Yunho finished his coffee to step outside.

Right, he should relish his holiday. Mingi was a beauty to meet, but their time had been limited and Yunho had to move on. He didn't know the first thing about hybrids and how to court them, and if he embarrassed himself, that tattoo would haunt him forever. He would rather keep Mingi in mind as the beguiling yet professional artist who helped him with his perfect design.

Dressed in a casual shirt and beige suit pants, Yunho made his way down the hill. He stood out in his classy fashion, but aside from curious looks, no one approached him. Soon, he browsed the stores on the other end of town. He found some stylish jewellery and though he had never been big on wearing it; he invested in a silver necklace to complement his skin. It seemed he would have a lot more party going on below his office attire than one would expect.

Just like Jongho.

Giddy at the secrecy, Yunho dipped into a flower shop and had a quick chat with the girl working there. She was inquisitive about England and dreamed about moving there one day and Yunho was delighted to tell her more, though he shared the classic belief of a native that other countries were better than home.

After wasting some time there, Yunho sat down for brunch. He picked the signature menu and sat in the shade of a sun umbrella. Nature and people tickled his senses and the charming houses and towering mountains offered a view like no other. No matter how many pictures he took, he couldn't encapsulate it.

Yunho merrily wolfed down his food and breathed the fresh air when a shadow fell over him. At first, he expected it to be the waiter and lifted his head to tell them he was fine, but no preppy blonde in a neat working uniform hovered by his side.

The skirt was certainly there, but the rest of the person was a certain charming cow hybrid. Today, Mingi wore a white corset atop a pink blouse with hearts on it and a small part of Yunho instantly mourned not being straddled by that fit as well.

The larger, less perverse part of him remembered his manners.

"Mingi!" Yunho gasped, overjoyed to see him again. His artist looked handsome in the sun, matching the quaint glen yet standing out among the locals with his fashion. Used to his sight, the passersby didn't bat a lash as he braced a hand on the tabletop next to Yunho. His septum piercing twinkled with his grin.

"You're still here," Mingi noted, and he must have recognised Yunho from behind since Yunho didn't see him approach in his line of sight. Flattered, Yunho tucked his hair behind his burning ears.

"I am, yes. I couldn't bring myself to leave yet."

"You're on holiday, right? How long are you staying?" They didn't get a chance to discuss it the day before, and Yunho's heart fluttered when he was asked about his personal affairs rather than just the tattoo.

"Ten more days from today. I will try to explore as much of the area as I can. Ah, while taking care of my tattoo, of course," Yunho beamed. His fingers trembled next to his plate, excited about speaking to the cute cow again. Mingi's tail swished behind him and Yunho hastened to break the spell Mingi's gaze had on him.

"Oh, do you want to sit down? You can eat with me!" Yunho offered, about to draw out a chair, but Mingi shook his horned head. His ears swished along cutely.

"I have an appointment coming up. What's your travel itinerary?"

Hyper, Yunho clutched his hands to each other. He didn't want to think about Mingi having other customers too much. For now, he leaned over Yunho, with the swell of his chest underlined by the cinch of the white corset. Even its laces were tied up in the cutest bows.

"I don't have one," Yunho admitted sheepishly. "Something came up at work, so I left in a rush. But I have some things I want to see. Maybe go up the mountains. Visit some landmarks. I'm not big on cities, charming as they are down here."

Mingi nodded, understanding the sentiment. Yesterday, he told Yunho he had gone to the States before for guest work. Yunho aced countless business trips there, but Mingi didn't like the overwhelming bustle. The buildings towered so high that he couldn't see the sky anymore.

"Ever went on an alp before?"

Yunho hesitated. The twinkle in Mingi's eyes was mischievous and if Yunho didn't pay attention, he would space out to the sight of those pillowy lips as if whisked away by sprites.

"Do the meadows count?" He tried and Mingi chuckled at his naivety.

"We usually refer to the fields further up the mountains as alps, not those in the valley. I can take you to a beautiful one if you are interested. It will sate your greed for a hike and for the meadows."

Yunho lit up like a Christmas tree.

"You would do that? Aren't you busy?" Despite the respect in his words, his excitement bled through. Mingi's tail swayed behind him when he pushed himself up.

"I can make the time and my back thanks me if I'm not hunched all day. You look at our lame old place with so much reverence, I can't help but wonder how your eyes sparkle when you see the full view," he said in that husky voice and Yunho's ears reddened.

So Mingi watched him intently. But could he tell the sparkle in Yunho's eyes was because of him?

"I would love to," Yunho admitted and Mingi grinned.

"Then let's meet tomorrow at 7 at the train station. We want to be early to make it before the heat comes. Don't worry about food, I will prepare something," Mingi said and Yunho nodded more times than he needed to. When Mingi waved at him and took off, Yunho stared after him, overjoyed. With an effortless yet elegant stride, Mingi made his way to his store. In that corset, his waist was even tinier.

Frazzled, Yunho needed a long moment to realise what just happened. Then he stifled a squeak in his shoulder. A nearby couple looked at him funny, but they seemed to guess what their conversation had been about and their grins turned sly when they saw Yunho massaging his cheeks that hurt from grinning so hard.

"It's a date," he whispered to himself. "Mingi asked me out on a date."

That Mingi. That beautiful dazzling cow hybrid tattoo artist Mingi.

They would be all along by themselves exploring the Alps and this was definitely not something all of Mingi's customers experienced.

"What do I wear?" Yunho fretted to himself. He lost his appetite, too nervous about the upcoming activity. He didn't possess proper hiking shoes, but that was easily fixed in a place like this. Even if he would never wear them again in London, they would get a precious spot on his shelf if only he didn't embarrass himself in front of Mingi.

Somehow, Yunho managed to finish his food and shot 12 messages at Jongho, yelling about the newest developments. Once he came online, he would get hit by a rush of chaotic Yunho feels.

With his shopping goods, Yunho rushed back to his temporary home to figure out his styling issues. He wanted to look pretty, yet not like a snob who was too important to get dirty. It took him a while and Jongho needed to help, but they figured something out. The rest of Yunho's evening was spent pacing his flat and rolling in bed since he couldn't fall asleep, no matter how he tried. His giddiness about seeing Mingi in the morning kept him energised, so he did some light reading until he dozed off with his book in his hand.

After a short slumber, his alarm woke him and even when he was supposed to be groggy, Yunho was immediately wide awake and ready to go. He leaped into his jeans and a black shirt, tugged on his new hiking shoes, and made coffee and tea for them. And yes, those brand-new thermos bottles would also go on a shelf if this went well.

Yunho hopped down the stairs and was up with the early farmers and the first sheep. As he raced to the station, he was too early, but it was convenient since he could stop by a bakery. Immediately, he spent so much time pondering what Mingi might like that the time made up for itself.

He arrived before Mingi, rucksack packed and eyes eager and awake as they scoured the empty streets. Soon, a lone person came wandering his way, and it couldn't be anyone else. As soon as Yunho was sure of those ears and horns combination amid pink hair, he waved at Mingi. Mingi waved back much cuter than Yunho ever saw anyone wave.

While Mingi approached, Yunho got a chance to study his outfit. His hiking boots were brown and dusty from age and past adventures. Just for today, Mingi wore pants, but they were the cutest pink and white camo pants Yunho had ever seen.

His crop top was brown and read 'MOO' in glittery pink letters. As he came prancing with a white backpack on his back, he looked so very Mingi, even if today's outfit was fine to get muddy.

Enamoured, Yunho smiled at him when Mingi arrived. He wore no ribbons and bows today, but his piercings bedazzled him before the sun lit up the shadow of the dale.

"Hi," Mingi greeted him with a grin and Yunho smiled back, shy in the company of such a beautiful person.

"Hey. You won't get cold, right?" He could see a sliver of skin under Mingi's top, and his soft stomach hardened into the faint outline of muscles when he snickered.

Yunho might be in love.

"I'm used to it and the sun's out on top. You look tired, though. Are you still up for it?"

Surprised, Yunho blinked. Yes, his eyes felt a bit swollen, but he bounced off the walls on the inside.

"The 'Vorfreude' kept me up," he replied, studied after last night. When Mingi clasped his hand over his lips to giggle away his surprise, warmth filled Yunho's stomach.

Yes, he liked this. This was thrilling and new and Mingi was so lovely.

"You were excited to see me, or to go hiking?"

Yunho tilted his head, just smiling in response. He didn't give it away and Mingi's eyes sparked, amused by the game.

"In that case, we are all set. Let's go?" He offered, and Yunho would have followed him to the end of the world if only to stare at the fullness of his thighs and hips in his pants.

Together, they crossed the tracks and made for one of the hiking trails surrounding the village. Yunho felt rejuvenated when the earth crunched below his new shoes. Today, he could prove to Mingi he was more than a lame city boy.

As if aware of his need to show off, Mingi kept their pace swift and Yunho took the challenge. If he started panting and begging for breaks, he wasn't worth trying to appeal to the assertive cow hybrid.

"Most of these alps get used by the farmers, but the ones further up are untouched. It's nature in its untouched paradise. You don't get that in your rectangular London parks," Mingi made conversation as they scaled the hill. Yunho's phone buzzed in his pocket, a last message from Jongho wishing him luck before the service would fail on him again.

"Do you wander a lot?"

"I would call it a hobby, yes. It might be in my instinct to move around because Hongjoong certainly doesn't have it. I usually go on walks with Seonghwa in the area."

Even more flattered that it was him today, Yunho smiled to himself.

"What do you like about today's spot?" They strolled side by side, comfortable on the narrow, overgrown trail. It brought them up the side of the valley and they could watch how the sun threw the shadows of the mountains across the village to creep down its cliffs. Soon, its rays turned the waterfall into liquid gold.

"It has the prettiest sights, in my opinion. And a surprise along the way." Mingi winked at him mysteriously, and his long lashes reminded Yunho of a butterfly's wings. Similarly enraptured, he watched them flutter.

"A surprise?" Yunho echoed. His curiosity stirred, but Mingi smiled mysteriously this time, not giving anything else away. He was tempting like a song at sea, luring Yunho into the depths. If there was some myth about man-eating cows who took the shape of beautiful men in the Alps, Yunho foolishly ran into his trap.

A fine way to go.

For a while, they relished the sight of the sun cascading into the valley and bathing it in its rich light. They could watch the first movement on the streets and in the cars. Sleepy shops opened up and even the cows with their bells could be heard all the way up here. Now that Yunho knew they were like kin to Mingi, he respected them even more. Switzerland decorated them with cute flower crowns and held them in high regard since their milk was so vital to their world-famous chocolates.

They took a brief break on a lovely aged bench on the side of the trail and Yunho produced his coffee and tea. When Mingi lit up, a smug smirk snuck onto Yunho's lips.

"Which do you prefer?"

"Tea. Is it the time yet for your rituals, Englishman?"

Yunho poured him his tea and some coffee for himself.

"It's always teatime," he replied, but he left it for Mingi if he liked it more than the coffee. Together, they sipped their warm drinks and relished the view. Mingi pointed out some popular spaces around town and recommended a restaurant to Yunho. Since he was so busy rambling about its extensive history, Yunho missed the timing of asking him out for a second date.

But he had to slow down. Maybe Mingi had enough of him after today.

They continued their trek and ran into two more lone wanderers, who greeted them politely. Soon, the steep path forced them to walk behind each other and, of course, Mingi had to go first as the guide, even if there was just a single road. Yunho tried to be gentlemanly, but he admitted to sneaking one or two glances. Mingi definitely had been right about the sights.

The plateau evened for a brief period and Mingi turned around with a breathless grin on his lips. With his hair ruffled by the wind and his animal characteristics unrestrained, he looked even more breathtaking.

"Here comes the surprise!" He frolicked and led Yunho across the meadow cornering the path. Greedy to find out what it was, Yunho followed. They waded through the tall grasses and wildflowers, beautifully untamed and thriving under the sun. They weren't high enough to find snow, but instead, they discovered a little hut with a pen attached to it. Inside the orderly fence, a herd of sheep grazed on the green carpet. They had their young with them and they stumbled around merrily on their comically long legs, chasing and playing with each other.

Yunho couldn't hold back his coo. Snickering, Mingi swung his leg over the fence.

"I know their owner and he is fine with us petting them," he assured Yunho. When he produced a bag of snacks from his backpack, he had the attention of every sheep.

Endeared yet tentative to get close since sheep weren't so cuddly as dogs, Yunho watched how Mingi lured them with the promise of food. Soon, two lambs climbed all over his lap and licked at his fingers. They were cute and white, so innocent to look at.

And so lovely paired with Mingi.

"Here, try it," Mingi offered with the snacks held out. But even as Yunho asked them nicely, the sheep weren't interested in him. More and more crowded around Mingi until he almost disappeared in their fluff.

"They really like you," Yunho noted, not jealous. Usually, if it were dogs, he would be insulted to be ignored, but it was much too adorable to see Mingi's tail flick in tandem with the jumping lambs.

"They smell the cow on me," Mingi chuckled, just as enchanted by his tiny friends. Watching him, Yunho's heart filled with the same joy. He sat back to relax as Mingi pet the lambs. One time, he cradled one close against the safety of his chest to bring it over for Yunho to touch. Although he marvelled at the delicate bones under stubborn fur, he was also keenly aware of the heat Mingi exuded through his tiny crop top.

They idled for a while and Mingi told him about the sheep and their old owner whose dog could bring the herd up and down the hill all by itself. The more he illustrated their small community and its charm, the more Yunho sighed.

"This is all so wonderful... I can't believe I went to my daily commute for so long, never considering there was something like this out here. Now I sit here, hating I have to go back. Perhaps I should establish my own farm," Yunho pondered when they packed their things and got ready to leave. They waved the sheep goodbye and climbed back onto the path.

Mingi chuckled in his beautiful, deep voice.

"We get that a lot. People who tasted this freedom never want to go back. And you wouldn't be the first to do it. I speak as a cow, of course, but nature is healing for humans as well. You are always welcome out here in our plain daily routine."

And it wasn't as boring as Yunho always thought. Rare gems were hidden in the most unlikely of places. This one in particular seemed priceless.

From the sheep meadow, it wasn't far to the alp Mingi picked for the day. After another half an hour of steep climbing, Mingi announced they had arrived. Yunho had to scale a rock ridge to see, and once he did, his breath was pressed from him in a fell swoop.

Before them stretched a lush meadow, wild and untamed. Its wildflowers wound into each other and peered from the tall grasses to frolic for a few rays of the sun. The shadows from the occasional white clouds drew past lazily and a spring breeze ran its ghostly fingers across the lands to make the grass dance like waves. With it carried the scent of the earth and the flowers to refresh Yunho's mind.

Beyond the alp towered the giants of the mountains. Clouds swathed their snowy tips and shrouded them in mysteries. Even up here, they still seemed endlessly tall, undefeated by the humans cowering by their feet.

Mingi cut through the grass and Yunho followed him, letting his fingers run through the lush nature cradling them. Soon, he could see what Mingi wanted to show him.

The valley now lay below. Along its river, it made its way through steep rocky cliffs. Lauterbrunnen was a tiny settlement from up here, squeezed between the towering walls that seemed to both guard and ensnare it. They were too high up to recognise people, but Yunho could spot some cows grazing on the hills.

The idyllic view filled him with a sense of deep peace, yet with awe of nature's creation. No cities and no man-made buildings could rival this beauty.

"It's breathtaking," Yunho shared with Mingi when the cow turned to him with a smug grin. The wind ruffled through his short hair and played with the strawberry earrings in his lobes. When Mingi sat down to flatten out some grass so they could eat while they shared the view, Yunho gladly sunk to his side. He couldn't divert his attention from the gorgeous landscape, even when his companion was such a joy to look at.

"I confidently argue this is one of the best spots. Especially since most tourists haven't found it yet. It's a secret of the locals," Mingi confided while he unravelled the food he prepared for them. Cake in a box, bread, sausages, cheese, and some vegetables. When Mingi pushed the sausages over to Yunho, he lit up with glee. He loved meat, and he was flattered his vegetarian companion thought of him.

In return, Yunho whipped out the sweet pastries he bought. Some with apples, some with chocolates. Mingi's eyes twinkled at the sight of the sticky sugar atop the apple ones, so Yunho gladly handed them over.

They relaxed with their meal and finally replenished the strength it took to get up here. The sights had been worth it, and they were blissfully alone and unbothered. The breeze kept them chill while the sun warmed their faces and Yunho was so cosy he could fall asleep. In Mingi's company and with this pretty sight, life couldn't get more ideal.

Maybe Yunho would have to check out how much a place here would cost. Or at least come back for an occasional visit. He should bring Jongho next time. This nature was nothing like the UK and his colleague could need a break from their grey city.

"Do you and Seonghwa come here often?" Yunho dug into the food and it tasted extra delicious to reward their hike.

"Occasionally. We know many paths around here, and occasionally, we drive further out to discover new spots. It's beautiful here, no matter the season."

Yunho could imagine it. How Mingi and his clumsy ibex friend made their way up here, petting the sheep and sitting for hours to relish the sun and their conversations. Day by day, Mingi existed here, living his mundane life while being so lovely.

Yunho wanted to know everything about him, wanted to be part of those stories even when he knew he had to return to London soon.

"What do you work as?" Mingi relieved him of his crisis of where to start. Yunho didn't want to be too pushy, even when the pretty cow hybrid oozed confidence. If Yunho overstepped a boundary, Mingi would certainly inform him.

"I work in insurance. Pretty boring but stable money," Yunho admitted sheepishly. Mingi shrugged.

"Then it's not too bad. I don't know many insurance guys, but you are definitely the first inked one." Mingi popped a tomato into his mouth and Yunho watched how his lips closed around it.

"You should see my colleague," he chuckled. When Mingi tilted his head, Yunho thought again. "Or actually, don't. Too risky if you like guys with tattoos."

Mingi's laughter was high-pitched, more of a guffaw. As he giggled in the light-flooded meadow while the grasses reached to their shoulders, Yunho studied the cow spot peeking from his cropped top.

"I'm curious now, but I will take your word. Is that why the hip? To make it easier to hide?"

Yunho ducked his head.

"Is it an insult to the artist if their work doesn't get shown off?"

"I don't think so, no. You have your circumstances and there are enough people who never get tattoos instead of making their dreams come true despite hindrances. As long as you are happy, I am happy." Mingi beamed at him and the sunlight danced in his dark eyes, making them shine in a honeyed hue. Without noticing, Yunho inched closer to bask in his light.

"Is it healing fine?" Mingi asked, not worried about Yunho's shy fumbling as he got comfortable as close to Mingi as he could to show polite interest and not intrude.

After a glance down his hip, Yunho nodded.

"It stopped feeling tender and I'm dutifully putting cream on it," Yunho assured him. Satisfied, Mingi eyed his body even when he couldn't see the tattoo below Yunho's clothes. Feeling exposed, Yunho ignored the blush of his ears to reach for his chocolate pastry as dessert.

Gods, he hoped Mingi liked what he saw. Yunho sure did, even when he had no eloquent way to word it.

"Perfect. It should be good by the time you get back to London."

The reminder put a gloom upon their heads, so Yunho just nodded and looked out over the landscape. The clouds threw massive shadows across the unassuming valley, as if the darkness was coming to swallow it.

From the distance, the waterfall looked unspectacular, and Mingi told Yunho some of the folk beliefs throughout history. They only moved again after all food and drink were empty and the sun stood high in the sky.

Mingi stretched, and his top rode up over his stomach. A moment later, his shuddering tail came to flick against the bared skin. Subtly, Yunho peered at him while Mingi sorted his hair around his horns. Not that it helped when the wind blew it back astray.

He looked lovely when he came back down, even when Yunho dreaded the words that showed on his features. They had such a fun time together and though Mingi hadn't offered more than his help as a guide, Yunho was lucky to have gained these hours by his side.

"We should get back," Mingi sighed and though Yunho wanted to protest, he took up more than enough of Mingi's free day. He dutifully packed their things and Mingi thanked him when he left him the last chocolates. His smile was enough to make Yunho's heart flutter.

On their way back down, Mingi told him about the cows and how happy they were out in the far meadows. Proving Yunho's theory, he swore it made their milk and, by extent, the chocolates taste so exemplary. Yunho admitted he couldn't get enough of them.

The descent was uncomfortably swift and soon; they passed by the many people on the street again. Distractions diverted Mingi's attention and Yunho trudged along until they reached the crossroads that parted their ways. Mingi turned to Yunho with a grin and his adorable tail swung behind him.

"Thank you for having fun with me today. It's refreshing to see things from the perspective of a stranger."

In an effort to part in satisfaction, Yunho put on his best smile.

"Thank you for showing me. This is a magical place. If you ever come to London, I will do my best to live up to it."

"Deal," Mingi smiled. He turned around to wave his goodbyes, but Yunho held him back when his heart surged at the thought of not seeing him again. This was the time to reel Mingi back in before he got out of reach.

"Hey, when are you working tomorrow?"

Mingi contemplated him from head to toe, and Yunho's new boots must have worked because Mingi still didn't shoot him down. But were they developing a friendship or was room for more? That's what Yunho needed to know. He would hang with Mingi either way, but if he got to be close to those thick thighs again...

Yunho gulped around his dry throat when Mingi replied.

"My only schedule is in the afternoon. It's a lax day." He didn't ask why Yunho needed to know, kept it as a surprise.

Delighted, Yunho gave him a thumbs up.

"Awesome. Then I will see you around. Thank you for today."

Mingi nodded at him, ears twitching, and then took off to roam his familiar streets. For a while, Yunho looked after him before he disappeared. His insides were goofy and jumpy and somehow, despite the hike, Yunho was full of excess energy.

As he made for his hill to get rid of it, a perfect plan formed in Yunho's head for how he would get to see his lovely cow hybrid again soon.

-

Yunho awoke so giddy he almost forgot to put the ointment on his tattoo. He rushed through his shower and breakfast, all while grinning to himself like an idiot because he kept thinking about the precious time he spent with Mingi. About the stories of his home, the adorable sight of him with the goats, and the intimacy of showing Yunho his favourite spot.

After fumbling through his entire suitcase, Yunho found his neutral light blue suit and threw it on. He had to fumble his tie several times until it sat the way he wanted it to look. Then he spent excruciating minutes fiddling his wristwatch onto his wrist, even though he had long since mastered this skill. Usually, he was great at it and he didn't need it since he had his phone, but it would complement his look.

After painstakingly getting ready and checking himself in the mirror at least a dozen times to make sure he didn't want to change again, Yunho stormed outside. He rushed down the creaking stairs and into the chill of the morning. Today, mists hung in the valley and obscured the sun, but Yunho didn't let their gloom deter him. His heels clicked on the pavement that wound down the hills and into the village. On their merry way, the cows meandered through the main street. Full of awe, Yunho watched them. He had grown fonder of their gentle souls in recent days. Perhaps he should try to cut down on beef.

Yunho dipped into a tiny, cosy store he had discovered during his explorations in recent days. This one hailed their goods as being 100% produced locally and the setup of the shop was lovingly natural, like a street market. The carrots in their baskets rivalled the potatoes in their rugged and unwashed glory, and even the meat section seemed cleaner and healthier than many Yunho had seen in London.

After peering around for any snacks that worked as souvenirs, Yunho purchased a bottle of milk. Its glass was shaped like those antique metal jugs farmers used for their work. The milk inside was a clear white, looking delicious, and Yunho was immensely proud of himself because what would a cow like more than milk?

Once his purchase went through and he smiled at the old man who helped him in confused German and broken English, Yunho ran to the stationery store with his milk jug. Since he could only find red ribbons for presents, he had to ask the store clerk if they happened to have pink ones and, after some digging; they found something that suited Mingi. As the cherry on top, Yunho got him a box of strawberries and tied the rest of the ribbon around the paper container they came in. With his gifts in hand, he made his way to the tattoo studio. Mingi was likely in early to work on his designs and if Yunho was lucky, the others went out for lunch.

Once he arrived at the charming pink and white storefront, Yunho ran his fingers through his hair and adjusted his tie. His heart hammered in his chest and he really hoped Mingi liked his gift. Even if he smiled just the tiniest grin, Yunho would feel on top of the world.

In his many years of life, Yunho never made this much effort to date someone. He felt sappy and while he would be embarrassed to do this in London, in this magical place, it seemed just right.

Yunho knocked on the little window in the door to check if anyone was inside. While he waited, he looked out over the landscape and tried to level his breathing. Mingi didn't have a lot of time for him today, but Yunho hoped he could accept his sincerity.

After a moment, a shadow moved behind the white curtains covering half of the windows. Soft steps padded closer, and the door opened to a cute cow hybrid. At the first moment, he looked bewildered why his visitor hadn't just come inside, but when he realised who it was, a grin spread across his features.

Love-struck, Yunho stared at him and the ruffled white skirt he was wearing today. The pink cardigan over his shoulders kept slipping and exposed Mingi's lean shape hugged by a tight white top. Pink cow spots dotted over his tanned skin.

As usual, the flick of his ears was cuter than anything Yunho had ever seen, and he wanted to bite at them.

"Oh, hi, Yunho," Mingi greeted him and Yunho swooned at hearing his name from his favourite hybrid. Subtly, he peered over Mingi's shoulder, but he couldn't see anyone else inside. Deep breaths.

"Do you have a moment? I wanted to give you something."

"Is that why you asked me yesterday? Forging shrewd plans I see," Mingi chuckled. He leaned into the doorway, ready to indulge Yunho.

Glad he wasn't bothered by Yunho's constant trailing after him, Yunho presented his gifts. Only now, he realised how crooked the bows were and that the milk had sloshed around to taint the insides of the glass near the opening at his anxious pace. Wincing, he hoped Mingi didn't mind the visual. (Although he clearly paid a lot of attention to his own visuals.)

"A gift. For putting up with me yesterday and for showing me around."

With bated breath, Yunho hoped Mingi would receive it. He didn't know if Mingi liked strawberries, but he seemed fond of fruit. Or was this too pointed? Fuck, Yunho didn't even think about how this diminished Mingi as a person and stressed his appearance of a pink cow.

Stunned, Mingi studied the items in Yunho's hands. He took them from him with ginger fingers and smiled in awe at the cute bottle he must have seen around countless times.

"It's nothing lavish, but... I was overjoyed to spend time with you. Thank you for everything," Yunho stuttered, voice shy. He scratched at his nape when Mingi studied him, running his eyes down his orderly outfit and neat hair. Yunho wasn't much and definitely not eccentric enough to match someone like Mingi, but he was genuine in his attempt.

"Thank you, Yunho. This is an adorable gift."

He seemed especially invested in the milk, and Yunho deflated in relief. He didn't have the mind to wonder if cow hybrids even drank milk or if it was weird for Mingi.

He definitely could have put more thought into this, but Mingi was smiling, and that was all Yunho needed. Frivolous, he fiddled with his hands.

Mingi offered the box of strawberries to him.

"Here, have one. I'm happy you came to see me."

Flattered, Yunho hid his blush in the interest of picking out his strawberry. So invested, he didn't notice Mingi's eyes lingering on his ears. A moment later, Mingi dipped inside the shop while Yunho munched on his strawberry. They were perfectly sweet and Yunho high-fived himself in his mind.

Success.

Mingi returned once his hands were free and watched Yunho eat at a snail's pace to drag out their moment. He didn't care if the neighbours saw them from their houses and the street. No one but Mingi deserved his hopeless romanticism.

"What's your plan for today?" Mingi asked him to make small talk, and Yunho shrugged. He honestly didn't think any further than meeting Mingi before work.

"I might just explore the stores and rest at home. My calves are complaining about yesterday but it isn't too bad." Apprehensive about looking weak in front of a hobby hiker, Yunho fell silent, but Mingi snickered into his hand.

"Take it slow. You could wander to the waterfalls. The path is pretty even."

Even when Yunho would have loved to go together, he accepted the recommendation. Whatever Mingi advised him, he would treasure it.

"You only have one customer today?" Yunho asked back and unfortunately, his strawberry was almost finished. He mourned its loss, but he knew Mingi would snack on the side during his breaks and he would think about Yunho. Prideful, Yunho hoped he would mention to his colleagues and perhaps even his customers that Yunho brought him a gift. Paws off to anyone else, Mingi was getting courted already.

Mingi glanced at the clock on the wall. It had a vintage design with flowers painted on its beige sheet.

"He should be here soon, so I have to get ready. But it was nice seeing you, Yunho," he smiled. Yunho finished his strawberry and just swallowed the green part he ordinarily got rid of since he didn't know what else to do with it. Since Mingi didn't bat a lash, it was probably a common practice out here.

"I'm happy if you like your present. And I will check out the waterfalls, promise," Yunho beamed. When Mingi stepped in and opened his arms, he froze in surprise. A moment later, his heart bumped against his ribcage in its attempt to jump right at Mingi.

Yunho wrapped his arms around Mingi's waist and his breath stuttered because Mingi was so lean and dainty under his hands. He was by no means small and the push of his chest against Yunho's was insistent, but he was slender enough that Yunho felt he was cradling something precious.

One of his arms could wrap around Mingi's entire waist and the cardigan slipped to expose a shoulder. Yunho breathed in his scent of vanilla and strawberries, and a furry ear tickled at his cheek when it danced curiously.

In awe, Yunho never wanted to let go of him. Mingi was warm in his arms, so lovely, and smelling so nice. Desperately hoping no dirt was stuck on his suit and that his cologne appealed to Mingi's sensitive nose, Yunho held him. When he imagined this body kneeling atop another man to create artwork on his skin while some pervert was looking up Mingi's skirt, his grip tightened. Mingi's breath stuttered, but Yunho didn't notice as he forced himself not to voice his jealousy. He didn't get to control Mingi, and he had stared just as unabashedly. If he took a picture of that moment, he would frame it in gold. Alas, Yunho definitely needed to stay quiet.

Yunho was about to pull apart, even when he appreciated their elongated hug with their bodies pressed together instead of the fleeting casual hugs he often exchanged with Jongho. But before he could lift a finger, Mingi tilted his head with the cute little horns. For a moment, Yunho thought he was smelling the cologne on his neck.

Then, however, a wet touch startled him out of his basking. It travelled from his collarbone all the way up the line of his neck to his ear. Yunho shuddered when it halted just behind his lobe and he flushed a deep red at his reaction.

Mingi pulled away, licking his lips, and it dawned on Yunho that he just lapped at him. The wetness clung to his skin and seemed to tingle with exhilaration.

Shocked and perplexed, Yunho just retreated. He didn't say anything in case it was an unconscious urge. Mingi had his quirks, but Yunho found them too endearing to point them out as something he found odd. The people he knew were just much more boring than Mingi.

With his bright grin, Mingi looked confident in his actions and Yunho's blush.

"I will see you next time. Thank you, again," he smiled as he wriggled his fingers at Yunho.

Stumbling over his feet like a fool, Yunho turned around. For a moment, he forgot which direction he was going into. Jerkin limbs pivoted on his heel.

"Y-yes. See you. And enjoy," he muttered, too turned on and in love with Mingi to form elaborate thoughts. His cow hybrid retreated into the store and Yunho paused to catch his breath, cradling his neck and his glowing face. He could feel Mingi's heat against him still, and the shape of his body.

With trembling hands and a racing heart, Yunho made his way down the street. Somehow, the plan had worked so perfectly that more happened than he accounted for.

To cool down, Yunho went home first. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the locals and although his yearnful heart kept trying to pull him back to the store, he should relax between his treks. So instead, since it was a Saturday, he texted Jongho if he wanted to chat. Soon, they had a voice call going while Yunho caught up on his coffee and had some breakfast.

Not that his funky feelings didn't keep him wide awake and jittery.

Jongho wore a sweater and jogging pants at home, but his hair fell in enough style that he looked classy even when he wasn't at work. He was busy feeding his hamster when Yunho called and the latter was proud of himself because he looked composed enough that the camera didn't pick up on his internal struggle. He reminisced about Mingi's body, the broadness of his tongue on Yunho's neck.

Why did he do that? What did it mean? Did he lick people in the same nonchalant way he knelt above them? Or did that mean he liked Yunho? Or that he saw him as a friend?

Yunho might throw himself off one of the many cliffs here if he got friend-zoned.

"So, how is Switzerland?" Jongho asked as he closed the cage to his furry friend and threw himself onto the couch with his phone. Even now, none of his full body tattoos were exposed, but Yunho knew he would mention their kinship soon. Though Yunho felt honoured to be in the inked club now, he looked like a tiger cub next to its mother.

"Too lovely, mate. I will have trouble coming home," Yunho confessed. He pouted at a wall, upset at the thought of packing his bags and hopping on a plane soon. How could he leave this place knowing Mingi was always here, living on without him?

"Really? Usually, you date the job." Not as much as Jongho, but certainly enough to be focused on his career rather than the occasional holiday.

Yunho slumped on the tabletop and played with his coffee mug.

"There's this person..." He began and Jongho chuckled before he continued.

"No way. You fell in love over there?"

Yunho winced. "Kinda?"

Intrigued, Jongho kicked up his legs. His round eyes were so trustworthy, but he could be ruthless when it came to insurance. They had known each other for long enough that Yunho didn't hesitate to confide.

"He's just so lovely. I noticed from the beginning how attractive he is, but he is also so sweet and kind. Yesterday, he showed me around even when he was so busy. I want to know everything about him. His favourite food and if he watched shows or prefers to read, just everything. But there is no time." Yunho wailed into the desk, lovesick already before he had to leave. Depressed, he sprawled out on the white tablecloth.

Jongho cooed about his dilemma.

"Seems like he got you bad, yeah. Out of curiosity, are we talking about your artist? The cow hybrid? Or someone else you met?"

"His name is Mingi, yes," Yunho muttered into the desk sheepishly. He was smiling again, and Jongho scoffed in fondness.

"And he is hanging out with you? Perhaps he likes you back. I don't hang out with my artists," Jongho pondered. Immediately, Yunho's heart leapt, but he had to force it back down into its seat. Seeing Jongho reminded him of work and what waited for him in London. As charming as this flirt was, it would end inevitably.

"I brought him a gift earlier to say thanks, and he seemed to like it," Yunho giggled to himself. When Jongho leaned forward, the usual expression he pulled when he thought up a genius sales plan clouded his features.

"Now what? You will go on a few more dates and then you leave when it's time?"

"I don't want him to feel as if I was only chasing after him to have a story to boast with," Yunho moped. "I am genuine and he seems confident to know what he wants, but while I want to bother him all day long, I also don't want to make parting so much harder."

Jongho hummed along. His fingers crossed under his chin.

"It's difficult to make the most out of it when it just makes you fall deeper," he empathised. Yunho replied with a resounding sigh.

"Then what are you going to do? Starting your own farm over there can be your long-term project if he tempts you permanently. But what about now? Will you take him along to London? He could do some guest work here while you show him around. We got a couple of sights. The Eye, a gigantic clock, your bed..." Jongho let the sentence hang in the air and Yunho gasped. Offended, he shook his head, but Jongho grinned smugly at having made him shy.

"He told me himself that the countryside is better for people like him. I wouldn't subject him to those sordid streets infested with diseases and bastards trying to look under his skirt."

Yunho was adamant about this. Especially knowing how easy of a victim Mingi's confidence made him, he had to watch out for him. Otherwise, Mingi would attract more weirdos like Yunho.

Jongho muttered something to himself that sounded like 'Of course, he wears skirts.' Then he continued clearer. "Can't have more of you trailing after him; I get it."

Yunho mock pouted at him.

"Just tell me if we need to fake your death for the boss. You can run away to the fields with your cowboy afterward."

"Glad to have you as my friend," Yunho commented dryly. He leaned back to stretch.

"I will go look at the waterfalls from up close tomorrow since he recommended it to me. What about you? Anything non-work related in your life?"

Jongho told him about the new program he started watching, and they spent some time unwinding and not thinking about the pink haze that surrounded Mingi. It helped clear Yunho's mind, but by the time they wrapped up, he hopelessly wanted to crawl to his cow hybrid again.

He was a lost cause.

But he remembered Jongho's advice and mulled it over while he made his trip to the main street to find some food. He didn't feel like being among people today, so he went to the dreamy grocery store in the corner that was barely the size of a bakery in London. He wandered the shelves, trying to find something that caught his fancy when he spotted a familiar face at the checkout register.

It wasn't Mingi, unfortunately, but it was San, the donkey hybrid working with him. He leaned at the empty counter and chatted up the dark-haired man on the other side. Their ears were similar, though the black ones matching the long and silky hair on the cashier's head were shorter than San's. He was a broad guy, but the smile on his features was introverted as San tried every flirtation method in the book.

If Yunho took a wild guess, he would say that was the horse hybrid whose pants San was trying to get into. He didn't seem to be succeeding, but neither did he get shooed away.

Relating to the poor attempt at wooing someone much more gorgeous than himself (not that San was ugly, but that steed was a sight to behold) Yunho carried his groceries over. San slipped off the counter to make some space for the cashier to do his work. Yunho caught his name on his name tag.

Yeosang.

He had a charming birthmark peeking from his hair next to his eye. When he smiled at Yunho, Yunho beamed back to show his support about being alone in there while a clumsy donkey tried to serenade him.

San recognised Yunho and relaxed against the counter.

"Nice to see you again. Mingi mentioned you were still around."

Giddy that Mingi talked about him with his friends, Yunho ran his fingers through his hair to play down his delight.

"For a couple more days, yes. What are you up to?"

"Trying to convince Yeosang to go to the festival with me. Come on, Sangie, everyone is going. You don't want to waste away in your room all by yourself," San egged. Ears pricked, Yunho gathered his items in his bag.

"A festival? When is it?"

"In two days. Oh, actually, you could join since you are still here." San pondered. One of his ears drooped cutely, the other one didn't give up on his crush.

"What are we celebrating?"

Yeosang, having picked up on their conversation and the fact that Yunho was an outsider, jumped in. His voice was pleasant and his English book-studied. Yunho knew why San liked him.

"It's a little folk fest. We get together and offer some games for the kids, and beer and food for the adults. There is music and dance but nothing grand. Where are you from?"

"London," Yunho grinned as he handed him his card. Impressed, Yeosang blinked up at him.

"Wow. I always wanted to go there."

Dejected, since Yunho received more attention than him, San cut in.

"I can take you there! We can go on a trip together and Yunho can tell us about the most romantic dating spots!" He offered. Excited, he looked at Yunho, ready to be wingmanned.

Yunho accepted his card back and chuckled.

"Sure, I can do that. Just contact me if you need a guide," he offered. Mingi's friends were his friends, and San seemed like a good guy, though clumsy.

Before Yunho left, he loitered, bothering San's paper-thin patience a moment longer. He had to make use of all the time Yeosang had alone.

"Hey, uhh, is Mingi going to the festival?"

Unsure, San tilted his head. Yeosang still hadn't consented, though he was interested in learning more about Yunho. Since he pitied San too much, Yunho hadn't specifically offered to tell him more about himself. His mind was elsewhere.

"I'm not sure, actually. He definitely isn't there every year. But Wooyoung and I are going, so no worries about not knowing anyone in the crowd! You can join our honorary cause of saving Seonghwa from getting entangled in the fairy lights with his horns. Oh, and Yeosang is joining, too," San decided for the other hybrid. The image he painted sounded fun and Yeosang looked only mildly annoyed. He seemed mostly fond of San's persistence.

Fairy lights and Mingi's cute outfits sounded to die for. Yunho was curious to check it out, but if he got to see Mingi there, he would be unstoppable.

"Thank you," Yunho grinned and waved them goodbye. Yeosang beamed back and then went back to being wooed while Yunho scurried his way home. He made an easy meal and pondered going back to the store to ask Mingi out, but he was probably done for the day. How could Yunho reach him? They never exchanged contact information.

Perhaps if he ran back to the store, he could ask San to pass on his message? He definitely spent a lot of time there if Yeosang had a shift.

In the golden hue of his lamps that bathed the wooden walls in a homey atmosphere, Yunho hemmed and hawed. Ultimately, he pulled up the chat he had on Instagram with Mingi. It was strictly professional for tattoo-related purposes, but this was an emergency.

Yunho typed the same message several times before he dared send it out. Once he did, he threw his phone away and grabbed his face wash.

I heard there is a festival in town in a few days. Are you going? I would love to see you there.

Yunho added a hopeful emoji but didn't dare to send a heart one. Too soon. As he violently scrubbed his face, he kept listening for a vibration, even when he swore himself not to run to his phone like a dupe as soon as he did.

Ultimately, he ran to his phone like a dupe as soon as it vibrated. He left the bathroom in disarray to check the new message on top of his screen. Thankfully, Mingi didn't mind him abusing this chat for his personal gain.

I didn't plan to, but I will if you are interested. I can show you around. ;)

For a solid five minutes, Yunho stared at the winky face emoji. He didn't know which made his insides dance more, the insinuation Mingi wanted to drop by just for him, or that he used the winky face.

Yunho fell back onto his bed with his phone clutched to his chest. His heart hammered under his fingers and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Shit," he muttered to himself as he glanced at his phone. Since his fingers quivered, he had to retype his answer five times.

I'm excited, see you there!

The message didn't live up to the mayhem inside his chest, but Yunho couldn't do more. He could only stare at the ceiling while he imagined being with Mingi another day, seeing him laugh and play games under the sun while everyone in town shared a good mood.

What would Yunho wear? How should he style his hair? Did Mingi like what he saw so far, or should Yunho be more daring?

Helplessly in love, Yunho rolled around and texted Jongho to scream at him. He had to thank Yeosang and San sometime, even if just by helping them out on the day of the festival.

So eager with the Vorfreude about this festival, Yunho could barely sleep, but the dark shadows under his eyes as he explored the magnificent waterfalls were totally worth it because he couldn't stop thinking about Mingi.

-

On the day of the festivities, Yunho had his outfit prepared ahead of time. Since he didn't want to be late for his precious meeting with Mingi, he spent two hours the day prior picking out his clothes. Yunho never felt underdressed in his suit, but he ironed his white shirt and the chequered brown pants and jacket combination that he matched with a hazel tie. Though he had his wristwatch prepared and his hair products at the ready, it took him another eternity to put himself together. Of course, his shirt wouldn't want to smooth out and his hair kept falling into his eyes. By the time he grabbed his phone and wallet to set out, he was pushing close to the time he promised to meet Mingi.

Today, the streets bustled with life. It seemed as if everyone living nearby had come to participate in the festivities and, though it wasn't an enormous crowd altogether, they filled the narrow streets. Cars lined the sidewalks and crept behind mothers leading their hopping children by their hands.

Yunho mixed into their flow towards the yard of the fire department, the largest square in town. Since the morning, music and laughter sounded from there as locals offered food and drink in canvas tents. From a distance, Yunho could spot the tightly crowded benches outside. A few volunteers organised games for the youth, so everyone had something to look forward to. The weather was sunny but not too hot, and the mood already lightened everyone's features.

Instead of following the crowd to the tents, Yunho soon dipped into the street winding to the tattoo shop. It was abandoned today as no one was open for business aside from the overflowing restaurants. Yunho fixed his tie yet again as he strode with confidence, even when his insides coiled in nervous twists. Soon, he exhaled when he detected the familiar pink head of hair peering between the massive flower pots guarding the shop. When Mingi stood, he tucked a pink anemone behind his groomed ear. It wound toward his hair and the white horns, looking extra cute today.

"Mingi!" Yunho greeted him when he rushed closer. His excited wave had the cow hybrid turn, so Yunho got to marvel at yet another spectacular outfit.

Since this was a festival, Mingi dressed up, although Yunho would argue he always did. Today, his lovely cow hybrid wore a floral-printed dress. Three pearly buttons closed the heart-shaped top held over his shoulders by two narrow strips of fabric. He wore a cropped pink cardigan on top to cover his shoulders, but it slipped off the left side to unveil a cow patch on his skin and the curve of his chest filling out the bodice.

The skirts pinched around his narrow waist and fell airily to his ankles. His sandals were a sweet white, and he was adorned by dainty golden bracelets and anklets to match his piercings. Though his tail wasn't in sight, his ears were fluffy and the flower matched him with another dash of colour. To celebrate his heritage, he wore a brown leather band around his neck that had a tiny cowbell dangling from it. When he moved, it jingled like a fairy's laughter.

He was stunning.

"You look like a princess," it slipped from Yunho's lips before he spent a second thinking. When he clasped his hand before his mouth, mortified, Mingi's surprised eyes morphed into crescents of joy. He giggled with his charming crooked tooth and the mole on his cheek that danced along.

"Thank you. Does that make you my prince?"

Relieved he didn't offend Mingi, Yunho looked down on himself. It wasn't much compared to Mingi, but the cow seemed to recognise Yunho's effort. He raked his eyes up and down his body until Yunho prayed his hair hid his blushing ears. (It didn't.)

"I would gladly be your prince," Yunho declared as he offered his palm. "Will you escort me to the ball?"

Mingi giggled and linked their arms. They walked down the street together, ready to mingle with the excitement of the other festivalgoers.

"Have you been well?" They hadn't seen each other for a day, but Yunho felt an eternity passed. Not that he ever stopped thinking about Mingi ever since he arrived in Switzerland.

"Success on my customer and I have more incoming. Also rescued a lamp from Seonghwa's horns."

Yunho had to snicker at the imagination. When he met Seonghwa, he moved with the utmost caution so he wouldn't destroy anything. Still, he could vividly picture the ibex running too close to a shelf and obliterating everything on it.

"This princess can fend for himself," Yunho noted in awe. When Mingi pushed back his hair coyly, they mixed with the flux of people gathering where the music was.

"Wooyoung is volunteering here today. Or well, he has to. His dad works at the fire station, so he and his siblings always get roped in."

"Does that mean we can get free drinks?" Yunho asked, curious about the place. It was nothing like the rowdy clubs in London that stunk of cigarette smoke and weed. The concertina played a funky tune, and the people on the benches clapped along while they waited for their food and drink. The air was filled with laughter and sociable conversation bubbled in the sunny light of the valley. Children ran around screeching in the section designated to them. Everyone made new friends with their seating neighbour.

"Maybe I can wing something," Mingi promised Yunho with a cheeky wink. He drew him over to one of the food stands and translated the meal plan for him so they could get comfortable. When he heroically ordered for both of them, Yunho took the initiative to hand over his card first. At Mingi's surprised smile, the lady behind the counter snickered.

Since Yunho was no local, he garnered some attention, but most people left them alone since Mingi was with him. Once they received their sugar-powdered waffles, they tucked onto a bench. Mingi leaned over the table to point Yunho around.

"Over there is the children's corner. We have some games for adults, that's where we might find Wooyoung. Later on, there is a cow beauty contest and, of course, more drinks and music. The later it gets, the more people loosen up."

Fascinated, Yunho looked around while Mingi explained to the couple next to him how he knew Yunho. The festival wasn't much, but it was endearing and honestly everything Yunho needed for a good time. There was no need for dim light and flimsy clothing. This was just as much fun.

"Then let's see Wooyoung after we eat," Yunho grinned at Mingi. Readily, he agreed and let Yunho relish his waffle while his leg bounced to the music below the table. His gaze kept drifting to Mingi and his charming appearance. Today, just like any other day, Yunho found him immensely pretty.

Since he didn't want to stir his jealousy, he didn't ask about the customer and how much time Mingi spent with him. As long as Yunho was the one he was with today, it was answer enough.

After finishing their waffles, Mingi took him to say hi to Wooyoung. They passed the rowdy kids and Yunho cooed at a little sheep hybrid with fluffy ears and a spaced-out look on her features. The genes of his mother came through when he desperately needed to see baby pictures of Mingi. When did his horns grow in? Did he always wear ribbons around his ears and tail?

So many questions, but Yunho barely had the time to live in the rush of the current moment.

Wooyoung hovered between an arcade machine and a high striker. Two teenagers battled away on the joy sticks but Wooyoung was busy overlooking San, who had picked up the mallet for the strength game.

"If you miss it, you lose," he pointed out to his colleague. Yeosang was with them and he wore a green top with a V collar and dainty silver accessories that made him look like a forest spirit. His dark hair and the fur of his ears were silky and handsome as he hovered by San's side.

Not noticing the pair, Wooyoung continued to nag San while Yunho and Mingi waited for them to be done.

"Look how strong I am. Don't glance away," San ordered Yeosang, and the hybrid looked both entertained and mildly bored by his courting attempts. Yunho crossed his fingers for San as he swung the mallet.

Mingi flinched when the dinger raced to the top and hit the bell. On instinct, Yunho's hand sought the small of his back, spending strength. Mingi didn't step away, so they waited while San hooted in triumph.

Yeosang looked impressed, but Yeosang's arms also looked as if they could do the same without the theatre.

"Did you see? Tell me what prize you want." San turned to Yeosang with a breathless smile. While they figured it out, Wooyoung took notice of the two looming figures. His grin switched to less sarcasm.

"I see you two found each other. Care for a game? You can win pocketknives, flashlights, notepads and generic ballpoint pens sponsored by the UBS. Maybe a pack of gummy bears."

Chuckling at those unromantic prizes, Yunho shook his head.

"I think we are sufficiently entertained. We came to say hi," he replied, but Mingi's hands found his biceps, attaching to him. At Yunho's wide-eyed look, his lip jutted in a pout. Cute stars pooled in his pleading eyes. Paired with all his frills and sparkles, he was impossible to refuse.

"Come on, just one game? I want to know if you are strong, too."

Yunho wanted to jump into action immediately, but he also relished the attention of his clingy crush.

"Oh? Does that make me worthy of being your prince?"

Mingi contemplated it, then he nodded.

"My prince must be strong."

With a playfully exasperated sigh, Yunho released himself from his grip and slipped out of his jacket. Mingi drank up the sight as he agreed to hold it for him. While Yunho rolled up his sleeves, Wooyoung amused himself with their peculiar roleplay.

"Then I must heed my ruler's wishes. What prize do you desire, princess? The knife?" He didn't know if this joke was only for his day, but Mingi seemed to like it. A pink blush dusted his cheeks, and he played with Yunho's jacket in coy fingers.

"Hit it first, there might not be a prize," Wooyoung reminded him as he handed over the hammer. After a glance at the squabbling kids, he supervised Yunho's swing. Using all his might, Yunho hauled the hammer over and rammed it down on its button.

The dinger didn't jump straight to the top, but it went reasonably high. Wooyoung nodded to himself.

"Just below the flashlight. You can have the pens or the sketchpads." He beckoned them over to his table of prizes. San and Yeosang loitered to watch them and the latter played with a pretty new pocketknife now.

Yunho ran his fingers through his hair.

"Sorry, not my most exemplary day," he grimaced, but Mingi beamed at him as he handed his jacket back over.

"I have no use for anything but the sketchpads," he confided and picked one. Wooyoung waved them away to tend to his business, and Yunho carried his jacket in his arms since it was too warm for it, anyway.

San high-fived Yunho when they grouped together.

"Nice hit," he offered sportsmanly, and Yunho shrugged it off. Mingi had what he wanted and packed it in the cute, heart-shaped handbag he carried around for his personal items.

"My colleague would coach me on my form, but I can't complain."

"He's a workout person?" San asked while they made their way back to the benches to find a spot together. The nearby fountain babbled with glee and two teens splashed each other with its refreshing water.

"Ridiculously strong, more like. But also a workout person by extend," Yunho replied. Before Yeosang got to perk up with interest, San hastened to ask him what he wanted to drink. While they wandered off, Mingi and Yunho guarded their spot.

"Is Hongjoong not here?" Yunho asked as he watched Mingi turn his rings on his fingers. A few farmers nearby prepared for the beauty contest and shooed people around to make space for their animals.

"Too introverted. Crowds overwhelm him, so he works today," Mingi replied. Before Yunho could offer to convince him, he shook his head. "He is fine, believe me. He would be insulted to get dragged out. I will bring him some coffee later."

Endeared by how well the friends knew each other, Yunho relaxed. Since both he and Mingi had long legs, they tangled around each other below the table.

A dozen cows announced themselves with the chime of their bells, just as San and Yeosang returned with their drinks. Everyone gathered up on the benches to stretch their necks and ogle the beauties.

Most of them were Swiss Browns or Holsteiners, with their patches in blacks and browns. There was one all-black cow and also a white one. They all wore festive flower crowns on their heads and their belled collars were decorated with embroidery of local flowers. As they idled about and mooed at intimidated children, Yunho stared into their cute eyes and figured out which one he liked most.

"Would you look at that? It's Mingi's cousin," San snickered, and Mingi stuck his tongue out at him. In the meantime, Yunho had a crisis because he couldn't decide on the prettiest cow.

The announcer was another farmer, and they had prepared prizes of greens and carrots for the winning cow to enjoy. When he checked if his microphone was on, the crowd quieted to listen to him. Though his announcement came in German, Mingi translated for Yunho in real time.

"Welcome to our annual Spring Festival Cow Beauty Contest! The rules are the same as every year, the cow with the most votes wins! This year's prizes are, of course, a care packet for each cow and up to 500 euros for the first place, sponsored by our lovely mayor."

Everyone hailed polite applause on a middle-aged woman standing witness nearby and Yunho clapped along, happy to share this moment.

"He will ask us to lift our hands for each cow and count the votes," Mingi summarised while the announcer babbled on. Ready, Yunho sped up his thinking while the first cow was called.

A bunch of people held up their hands, and some called compliments at the cow. The announcer and his two helpers counted the votes and documented the result on their chalk board.

"Nummer 2!" Yunho didn't need a translator to understand that.

They voted on all the cows and some were very popular, while others only got a few votes. San waited with every muscle of his body tensed until Yeosang lifted his hand and thrust up his arm immediately with a breathless comment on how they picked the same by coincidence.

Mingi chose one of the Swiss Browns, proud of their kin, but Yunho didn't lift his hand until the very end. He gnawed on his lip, bothered, while the votes got calculated.

The announcer babbled and Yunho thought he was crowning the winning cow, but when most of the attention shifted to him out of nowhere, his eyes widened in surprise. Confused, he looked around the crowd staring back at him while Wooyoung dashed from the back to take the microphone from the announcer. His eyes were directed at Yunho, who had stiffened in a panic. On his thigh, he could feel a warm hand grounding him.

"Since you are our special guest right now, Yunho, we noticed you not voting for a cow," Wooyoung snickered. Caught in the act, Yunho ducked to hide his blush. The audience snickered at him, but no wonder. He was tall, dressed differently from them, and had noticed many curious eyes following him around on the street. Almost everyone knew he didn't belong here, so they were nosy.

"Sorry, they are all lovely," Yunho squeezed out as Wooyoung came closer to translate back to the Swiss population. They giggled politely while Wooyoung leaned against the edge of the table by Yunho's side.

"Out of fairness, we must include your vote. Since you are an educated Englishman, your voice shall be worth 20 points. That might change our current top three!" Wooyoung beamed with a winning smile. When Yunho buried his blush in his hands, Wooyoung was about to back off, since he didn't want to put him in the spotlight. Looking back up in time assured Wooyoung it wasn't the attention that had Yunho hesitate.

When Yunho leaned in, Wooyoung angled the microphone to his lips. The crowd waited with bated breath as he replied.

"I think, uh... The prettiest cow here is Mingi," Yunho announced, and while some had to figure out what he meant, others began cheering right away. Wooyoung smugly repeated the line in German and the announcer burst out in laughter.

Yunho didn't dare look at Mingi, too afraid to have insulted him despite his confidence in his kin. When he noticed Yeosang's cheery claps, he risked a peek.

Mingi had blushed and his ears drooped cutely in his shyness. The nonchalance of his features had evaporated and disbelief was written in his eyes.

"Well, he can't win with twenty points, but here is a flower wreath for our pretty Mingi!" Wooyoung announced when he returned. He left it to Yunho to crown him and he carefully made sure that no horns would get entangled in the wreath when he pressed the wreath onto Mingi's head. The crowd cheered and Yunho nervously grasped for Mingi's hand. For a moment, his fingers trembled in worry, but then Mingi's grin whisked him clean off his feet. With his adorable yellow and pink flowers, Mingi waved at the applauding crowd.

"Vielen Dank!" He called before he settled his second hand atop Yunho's. His smile was bashful when he stifled it in his shoulder, and Yunho was giddy about the warmth in his stomach.

They went back to crowning the cows and their respective farmers. Just as adorable as Mingi with their flower crowns, they got led away while the festivities picked back up. Yunho didn't want to part from Mingi's side, sitting so close to the dainty fall of his dress and his cute, flattered expression. He kept stifling his grins, so Yunho knew his honesty was appreciated.

"Anyone want some food?" San asked as he stood and grabbed his wallet. Incredulous that he would pick up the tab, Yeosang peered up at him.

"Oh, you must try the local sausages," Mingi grinned at Yunho. "They are infamous."

Insecure, Yunho looked between his vegetarian companions.

"Won't that bother you?"

Yeosang shook his head first, and San waved it off.

"We are used to the scent. Sausage for you, do you want the bread, Mingi?" Once Mingi nodded, San spoke privately to Yeosang, so Yunho and Mingi sunk into their own little world. Mingi still played with Yunho's large fingers in his lap.

"That was sweet of you," Mingi muttered as he stifled another grin. Yunho tugged at his tie when it overheated his neck.

"Sorry if I put you on the spot. I really tried to pick the prettiest cow, but I felt I was lying to myself with you right there," he admitted. He only sunk further into himself when Mingi chuckled at the compliment.

"No, I liked it. Thank you for considering me the prettiest among them," Mingi purred as he petted his flower crown. He didn't try to become the prettiest of humans, though he had Yunho's vote for that contest, as well.

San and Yeosang returned with their food and they fell into small talk about England and its climate while they ate. Yeosang knew a lot about the place and Yunho was happy to reply to his questions. Whenever he felt the jealousy boil up in San, he deflected the topic smoothly so he also had something to say. Somehow, they made it. All throughout, Mingi's thigh was pressed against Yunho's and neither moved away.

By the time their conversation slowed, the sun was setting, and the music was in full swing. As the first kids got tired and got sent home, the adults livened up. Soon, the first ones joined the free space to dance along the music with no rules how. Quickly, more and more dancers assembled to laugh and twirl along.

Mingi rushed to sit up and handed his bag to San.

"Let's dance, Yunho!" He pleaded. His hand tugged on Yunho's fingers and those adorable, sparkly eyes were back. Enraptured, Yunho nodded and dumped his jacket on San as well. He was lucky Yeosang didn't fancy dance, and they remained alone in their private spot.

Under the fairy lights, Mingi pulled Yunho amid the dancing crowd and curled into his arm. Their fingers never parted as Yunho just went with whatever Mingi did, spinning him and twisting around each other with coy glances. It was nonsensical, but it made them laugh and Mingi's body swayed by itself, taking his rushing skirts along as he fell so readily into Yunho's embrace.

As if they were actually a princess and a prince whirling through a ballroom, the rest of the world disappeared. Only the music making their blood move by itself to carry their limbs along as if on invisible wings counted. Mingi was beautiful with the breathless laughter on his lips and the bat of his long lashes as he stared at Yunho like a spirit of the mountains, so confusing yet so beautiful. Yunho guided him safely, and he wanted nothing more, but to see more of that joy and to hear Mingi's free laughter as his waist dipped over his arm.

All the people disappeared, and this moment was only theirs. Yunho was as if on clouds and he was breathless, but he danced as if he couldn't stop. Cursed to endless joy and the beauty before him.

One by one, everything that wasn't Mingi fell from his attention.

Until a hand reached for his tie and Mingi tugged himself close. Naturally, Yunho's arm fell around his waist and suddenly there was so much, so much Mingi, so much scent, and so much touch. Yunho's breath got stuck in his throat, as he was ensnared.

When Mingi pulled him in, Yunho complied blindly. A moment later, his lips found Mingi's, and all that euphoria erupted into their very own firework.

The plush of Mingi's lips was like the softest clouds. He tasted faintly of apples from his drink earlier and sighed in satisfaction when Yunho didn't hesitate to kiss him back. Though he couldn't believe his luck, he also refused to disappoint Mingi. With his grip secure around his waist, Yunho tilted his head to move his lips against those of his lovely cow. He conveyed his admiration in their tender kiss and, though Mingi never let go of his tie to keep him where he was, he melted against Yunho's chest. Satisfied, he cosied his pretty shape against him to be held close, and Yunho's heart bounced in delight.

They pulled apart when they heard a few coos around them. Every so invested, the inhabitants of Mingi's village witnessed his blossoming feelings for their foreign visitor. When he ducked his head into Yunho's neck to hide, Yunho petted his nape.

"Do you want to come to my home?" He muttered at Mingi's ear and it flicked with interest. By now, the attention on them became excessive and, with the increasing drunkenness of the people, they also got raunchier in their gestures.

Still, Mingi lifted his brow at Yunho's timing.

"I won't do anything!" Yunho protested, waving it off. His lips tingled from their kiss and he stared at the cow's mouth, craving more. "I just don't want to part yet."

Mingi huffed a fond smile.

"Let's go," was all he said. When he pulled away to find San and retrieve his bag before the donkey disappeared to make out with Yeosang somewhere, Yunho stayed behind. He shyly smoothed out the tie Mingi had wrapped around his fist. After catching his breath, he wound out of the dancing crowd and waited for Mingi on the sidelines. When he returned, he had Yunho's jacket wrapped around his shoulders and his bag in his hands. The wind got colder as the sun disappeared, so Yunho patted down the fabric and carried Mingi's bag for him. Together, they left the place of laughter and music. Further down the dark street, the stars twinkled at them and the overwhelming sensations calmed down.

It was so quiet Yunho could hear his heart hammering in his chest.

"We could watch a movie," he suggested, tentative to let Mingi slip out of his grasp. They matched their pace as Mingi contemplated it, step light under the gorgeous sky.

"I have work tomorrow so I can't stay," he regretted. Before Yunho's face could fall, he continued. "But you could walk me back to the shop."

Yunho paced himself. Of course, Mingi didn't trust him to keep his manners when he asked so soon after their first kiss. Especially since Yunho was pressed for time on his holiday, he needed to consider Mingi's feelings first. He didn't want to be the tourist only looking for an easy lay.

"Gladly," he agreed, optimistic that he could charm Mingi later. They had a delightful night, and he already had so many ideas on how to make it even better for Mingi.

As they halted before the cute shop, its windows were still lit. A dim light glimmered in one of the far rooms, though the shop sign read 'closed' in German.

Right, Hongjoong and his coffee. Though Yunho liked how Mingi stuck to his promise, he also felt like shaking his fist at the lynx.

"Thank you for today. I never had this much fun at the festival," Mingi smiled as they lingered in the dark. Shy, Yunho glanced into the dark mountains.

"I'm happy you showed me around. And that you had fun," he muttered back. He barely ended when Mingi already stepped in and traced his hand over Yunho's chest. Once more, he grabbed for the tie and tugged on it gently. Yunho lowered himself and his hands found Mingi's hips. When he massaged his fingers into his sides, Mingi's lashes fluttered.

"I would love to see you tomorrow," Mingi breathed against his lips. "For a movie, or anything else. I'll leave it to you."

Enthusiastic, Yunho nodded. He wouldn't do anything Mingi wasn't ready for, but he had some great ideas on how to sweeten his time.

"Tomorrow, then. I will text you my address," Yunho promised. They breathed each other's air when Mingi lazily angled his head. His fingers came up to cradle Yunho's jaw when he licked at his neck, eyes fluttering shut to concentrate on the taste of his skin.

Though the action sent heat into Yunho's stomach, he bravely didn't regard it as anything but a polite gesture. His fingers trembled, and he got rewarded when Mingi leaned in for a kiss. This one was slower, romantic in the night as they held each other below the stars.

Yunho missed him the moment they pulled apart. Mingi's teeth flashed in a smile.

"You keep licking me," Yunho pointed out, dazed. Mingi tucked the jacket over Yunho's shoulders and accepted his bag back.

A mysterious smile was his answer.

"When a cow licks you, that means it likes you."

Like a fool, Yunho stood with his jaw agape until Mingi snickered and nudged his arm. The breeze made them shiver in their lingering.

"Go home. I'll see you tomorrow," he promised and, on command, Yunho turned around. As he waved after Mingi with a sad pout, his pretty cow hybrid smiled back at him.

Yunho rounded the corner and almost crumpled onto the street. A cry of joy was stuck in his chest and he stifled himself and his big stupid smile as he ran back to his rental to roll in bed like a teen in love.

-

Yunho texted Mingi his address right after waking up and then jumped into the shower. He hurried to buy some groceries since he had an undefeated idea of how to woo Mingi.

Despite living in a big city full of restaurants and foods of all cultures ready to be delivered to his doorstep at the call of a button, Yunho prided himself on his rare talent for cooking. Not that he was so outstanding at it to compete against a professional, but he made some decent home-cooked dinners. Since Mingi had been so taken with the milk Yunho gave him, he wanted to show off a bit more. Though Yunho might not be as creative as Mingi, he wanted to offer the cow hybrid his skills.

Thus, he began preparing food around noon. With his favourite music playing in the background, Yunho happily spent a day of his holiday at home to charm Mingi later. Occasionally, the reminder of their kiss flashed through his mind and he touched his lips absent-mindedly before they pulled into a grin. Humming, he kept going back and forth between his phone and his pots.

Usually, Yunho would have cooked a dish he was confident in to assure his success, but most of the ones he knew featured some sort of meat in it. Thus, he checked online which vegetarian alternatives worked best for his purpose and monitored the recipe while he worked.

He told Mingi to just text him once he was on his way. Initially, Yunho assumed he would arrive in the late evening after his work was finished, but he was surprised when Mingi's message popped up when Yunho was about to put his creation in the oven. The salad as a side was done, but he had yet to make the dessert. Hastily, he tapped on it to signal Mingi he was coming and reached for his kitchen towel.

Though he laid out a pretty outfit earlier, Mingi was too early. Yunho planned to wear his suit pants and a nice shirt, maybe even to buy some candles to set the mood. In reality, he was in his sweatpants and a black shirt topped off by a food-splattered apron.

Fretting to himself whether he should turn around and get changed first, Yunho hovered on the stairs. He thought better of it when he remembered who he left waiting. Huffing, he flung the apron off his body and rushed to open the door.

Mingi awaited him in a pink skirt decorated with white lace and bows. He wore lacey tights that matched his white boots. His pink top was corseted by white ribbons, and he wore a white lace collar with a tiny bell on it. Did he notice how much Yunho liked the last one?

When he saw Yunho, a grin spread across Mingi's lips, despite his boring outfit. He matched the luxuriant beauty of nature behind him, though he intimidated Yunho's feeble heart as much as the towering mountains.

"Hello there," Mingi beamed when he stepped in for a greeting hug. Struck by his beauty that cosied up to Yunho so innocently, Yunho embraced him. He flushed when he noticed Mingi sniffing at his shirt, curious about the mix of his shampoo and the scent of food.

"You look lovely yet again," Yunho brought out, overwhelmed because Mingi was here already, he looked like a dupe, and the soft fur of Mingi's ears tickled his jaw.

The response was a playful lick over his neck. Yunho shuddered when Mingi's tongue seemed to linger longer than usual, its caress more languid. Just when he was about to squirm and inch away to maintain his sanity, Mingi let up to beam at him. The air brushing over the wet trace he left made Yunho shudder in the best way.

"Thank you," Mingi purred before he glanced upstairs. Yunho nodded at him to go ahead and Mingi went first to make space in the cramped hallway. Yunho closed the door and kept his eyes cast to the ground as he followed Mingi. His cheeks glowed since he had seen everything already, but at that time, Mingi had been at work and allowed it. Now, it was inappropriate to look where Mingi didn't want him to look.

"You caught me by surprise. I wasn't done cooking yet. Or dressed," Yunho chuckled nervously when they made their way inside his flat. Since he only brought a few things on this trip, Yunho thankfully didn't have the opportunity of messing up his cosy living space. After a sweeping look around, Mingi followed him into the kitchen. Entering it again, it looked worse than before. Embarrassed, Yunho cleared a few splattered items into the sink while he tied his apron anew.

"Want to sit for a chat while I finish? I picked a vegetarian meal for you."

"Oh?" Mingi made while he settled on the corner bench behind the table. Yunho brought him some juice since it was too early for wine. While Mingi sipped it, his eyes followed the sheepish cook around.

"I know you eat no meat, hence I fixed it, so you won't have to pick at your food. Let me just prepare the dessert, then we are all set. How was your day?"

Endeared by his attention, Mingi leaned his face into his palm. Yunho yearned to kiss him, but he promised himself to be chivalrous. Mingi called the shots. If he took longer, the payoff would merely taste sweeter on Yunho's lips.

Playing with his glass while Yunho got back to work, Mingi contemplated his mood.

"Another client reached out to me and she had an interesting design idea. Oh, and you wouldn't believe it, but San actually landed with Yeosang after last night."

Yunho gasped exaggeratedly and Mingi giggled at the reaction. His tail played behind him on the bench.

"No way! They hooked up finally?" Even Yunho was getting exasperated watching them and he barely knew them for a couple of days.

The casserole wandered into the oven to get baked and Yunho set a timer before he twirled to make the pudding for dessert. With the bowl and whisk in hand, he listened to Mingi. The cow hybrid never stopped watching him, and his long lashes hung over his eyes as he recounted the tale of undefeated love.

"Not quite. San always begs for his attention, but he wouldn't push Yeosang for sex. But they kissed at Yeosang's doorstep if the legends are true. That, and Yeosang agreed to meet San for some gaming."

Yunho pretended to faint with a hand on his forehead.

"Oh, they grow up so fast. I can't believe I got to witness this memorable day in the short time I stayed here," he continued his theatrics. Mingi enjoyed his involvement with his friends.

"You only have three more days, right?"

"Since I fly in the early morning, only two, pretty much," Yunho sighed. "It's about time I redirect my head back to my work. The insurances don't insure themselves." He scooped his pudding into two bowls and washed off the dishes while it set. He lost his smile at the reminder that he was leaving soon.

"And I haven't packed yet," Yunho remembered. Initially, he planned to scour more of the area instead of staying in the same place the entire time, but Mingi ensnared him at a single glance. Even when he had dinner plans with the entire group of Mingi's colleagues, plus Yeosang before he left, Yunho felt the time was racing away from him. There was so much more to learn about this place and its personalities. London would occupy him with its overbearing might, but Yunho wanted to linger.

Similarly upset, Mingi lowered his gaze to frown at his cup. Unwilling to lose their evening to this topic, Yunho lightened his voice as he shoved the pudding into the fridge.

"But there is still time, and I should make use of it. So, what do we want to do today? I prepared enough food to sweep my award-winning princess off his feet and I hope it also tastes the part. Though I would claim few Brits and even fewer Londoners know how to cook. We could watch a movie afterwards, or just share some wine and talk."

Please let it be talking. As much as Yunho would love to hold Mingi in his arms and maybe make out lazily while some movie neither of them cared about played, he needed to know everything he could before it was time to go.

Mingi contemplated him while Yunho got rid of his apron and checked on his casserole. Satisfied, he turned back around to find Mingi had risen from the table. He scooted his way around, juice forgotten as he came in Yunho's direction.

Curious, Yunho tilted his head at him. Perhaps Mingi wanted to help him set the table, so Yunho reached for some drawer - hopefully, the right one because this wasn't his kitchen and he didn't memorise it yet.

But Mingi halted in front of him and was surrounded by Yunho's cooking mess. Nothing burnt on him or anything. He was just bad at cleaning up and cooking at the same time. Somehow, Mingi looked awed at his efforts, though.

When warm hands settled on Yunho's waist, he froze. The edge of the kitchen counter dug into his thigh, but he didn't dare move as Mingi pressed up against him. His chest pushed into Yunho's under his corset, and the sweet scent of vanilla tickled Yunho's nose. So pure amid the chaos, Mingi was a shining pearl.

"You're so cute," Mingi breathed as pushed a stray strand of Yunho's hair back. When he blushed abruptly, the cow hybrid chuckled.

"Dinner can wait. I have something else I need from you before you leave, and I can't postpone it any longer."

Before Yunho dumbly got to ask him what he meant, Mingi tilted his head to kiss him. Yunho immediately responded, eager to give Mingi what he wanted. But just as he settled into a nice pace to convey his patient adoration through their kisses, Mingi licked at the seam of his lips, asking for entrance. Surprised, Yunho opened his mouth, and he felt Mingi's tail flick at his thigh.

"M-Mingi?" Yunho stuttered out between their lips, but he was muffled by the hybrid's greedy tongue. It licked between his lips to explore Yunho's mouth and Yunho swore Mingi tasted of strawberries, even when none had been in his juice. Drunk on his taste, Yunho stumbled after him when Mingi slinked backwards. Their hands on each other's bodies brought Yunho along, but his hesitant step came to another halt in the passage between the kitchen and the living area. They kissed out in the open while the last rays of the sun that would reach the valley for the day peered over the curtains. Yunho was enamoured with Mingi's fluffy hair that was soft like a bunny's fur. Before Mingi could tug him further, however, Yunho reached up to cup his jaw. He caressed Mingi's cheek and the drooping ear, gently petting the soft fur as he parted their slick lips with the might of a god.

Panting, they stared at each other. Yunho leaned their foreheads together and sought Mingi's gaze. The jingle of his bell was adorable, but Yunho didn't let it be his siren call.

"Wait," he begged when Mingi studied him with the hunger of a lifetime. He looked ready to eat Yunho and his brittle heart couldn't take it. Once Mingi picked up on his nervosity, he found Yunho's second hand and hooked their fingers together. They hung intertwined next to their bodies, not pushy like the rest of their touches.

"You don't want to?" Mingi whispered. He sounded apologetic to have forced him, so Yunho quickly shook his head.

"Fuck no, I want you so bad," he replied, perhaps a tad too fast because Mingi's eyes widened. When he snickered, Yunho ducked his glowing ears away.

"Sorry, I just... You don't need to feel pressured. We can go at your pace. If you think I just came here to-"

"Shh no, you misunderstood," Mingi interrupted before Yunho could ramble himself into a crisis. He gently bumped their heads against each other and the nudge of his horns made Yunho's heart flutter in a much more innocent manner than the explosive desire Mingi usually ignited in his belly.

"You flirt so confidently yet here you are, bumbling around when your efforts bear fruit," Mingi chuckled. "Can't you imagine I find you just as attractive? That I am charmed by your effort?"

Yunho didn't dare breathe. Only a few days passed. What had he done to appeal to someone like Mingi? He felt awkward at best, and like a stranger in their wholesome community.

"I want to get to know you better. What you do over in London when you don't work and how you laugh with your friends. Which books you read and what your delightful cologne is called. Your body is one of my many intrigues, but if you want to wait, we can wait," Mingi assured him. Speechless, Yunho just stood there and stared while their kiss made his blood tingle.

"Wow," he brought out and Mingi couldn't resist and pecked at his lips. He giggled when Yunho's tension melted away.

"You are such a gentleman," Mingi purred. "Thank you for checking with me that this was fine. I'm comfortable with you."

Having it spelled out helped Yunho's frazzled mind. He nodded.

"I'm glad." Then, when he rediscovered another brain cell, he added: "I'm comfortable with you, too."

Relieved to have resolved the issue, Mingi tugged him towards his bed.

"Then nothing holds us back. Come here. We can go at our pace."

Yunho stumbled along, beguiled by those long lashes and the swirls of pink and white that he wanted to shove aside to get to know the parts of Mingi he hadn't seen yet.

When his eyes fell onto a coyly swishing tail, he remembered that there were differences between them.

"I, uhh-" He began as Mingi dropped onto the bed. Holding Yunho's hand, he looked up at him with his sweet, doting eyes and Yunho scolded himself when a million raunchy thoughts popped up in his head of what he wanted to do to the hybrid.

"I don't know well about cows. Or hybrids in general. Please tell me if I hurt you or if... if you want me to do something different from what I am used to." Mingi was his princess, after all. If Yunho harmed him, he would never find happiness.

"I will. The same goes for you," Mingi offered and, glad for the communication, Yunho stepped over his knees. They kissed; reignited the flame that burnt low with uncertain confusion. Their lids slipped shut and neither of them had to think about words anymore as they shared the sweetness of each other.

Mingi arched his body into Yunho's hands and he trailed them along the agile shape of his body and the cute corset that hugged his frame. Whenever he traced near Mingi's chest, the hybrid's breath stuttered. With every passing second, Yunho wanted to rip the item off him more desperately. He liked how cute Mingi looked in it, but he also needed him to loll in the sheets in his natural glory.

Leaving his ribbons where they were, Yunho kissed at Mingi's ears and horns. Mingi sighed and licked over Yunho's wrist holding his jaw. It tickled, and he snickered as he looked down at the lovely cow hybrid.

Mingi was hard, and the bulge of him dented through his lovely skirt. When Yunho knelt before him, the cow regarded him from lidded eyes, lustful to his every action.

"Let's take this off, hm? So it won't get dirty," Yunho whispered before he kissed Mingi. His fingers found his knees, massaging into them before they wandered up his thighs, spreading them so Yunho could settle in between.

Mingi moaned his consent into Yunho's mouth and his legs fell open to his curious fingers. Soon, they hiked up the short skirt and unveiled tanned thighs with their pink cow spots covered in the tight lace. Yunho's fingers wormed down his tights, and he kissed at Mingi's neck, making the bell jingle when his adorable cow shuddered below him. His fingers dug into Yunho's shoulders, grabbing with a want that sent more heat steaming up the air between them.

Yunho dipped under Mingi's skirt while Mingi wrestled off his shoes and tights. Trembling fingers found the white cotton of the panties Mingi wore underneath. They were framed with pink lace and a pink bow that adorably matched his tail.

"You drive me crazy," Yunho admitted when he thumbed at the wet spot Mingi had leaked onto the fabric. Mingi stifled a moan in his hand when Yunho freed him. The fabric of the skirt was stuck on his head when he ducked to press his tongue against the bulbous head of Mingi's length. It was heavy in his hand and one of his spots splotched over his pubic bone to tint part of his shaft pink. The shaved skin was heavenly soft and Yunho kissed at it, worshipping every inch of pink he found on Mingi's skin. Each spot was random but charmingly unique.

"Yunho," Mingi gasped when Yunho seized hold of his legs to hook them over his shoulders. On instinct, Mingi reached for his hair and dug his fingertips in when Yunho took him into his hot mouth. Wavering, Mingi fell backward while Yunho worked under his skirt. His delightful whimpers filled the room.

Yunho scooted them further up on the bed without letting up. Again, Mingi tasted inhumanly sweet and Yunho loved it as he drank up his taste. He enjoyed the tremble of Mingi's plush thighs around his head and the little jerks of his hips as his reflexes took over.

Helpless hands tugged on Yunho's shirt to get it out of the way. Yunho snickered at his tremble and hollowed his cheeks. His heart thumped in pleasure when Mingi's noise reminded him of the cute call of a cow. By now, he strained against his pants and rutted his hips into the bed to find relief.

"Hurry," Mingi begged as he pushed at Yunho enough that he pulled off to hear him out. Mingi's length proudly peered from his bunched up skirt, obscene to look at between his flecked, trembling thighs. When he pinched them shut in shame, Yunho lowered his hips to have them open back up. Mingi whimpered when they ground against each other. His glistening tip dirtied both of their clothes, but no matter how he reached down to hide away, he only looked sexier in Yunho's eyes.

"What do you want me to do?" He checked in and Mingi squirmed under him, rutting them against each other to get a feel for Yunho. His ears splayed cutely over the sheets and his sparkly eyes were glazed over with lust.

"Get inside of me," Mingi huffed as if offended Yunho didn't think of it first.

Yunho stared at him in marvel for a single second before he reached for his luggage spread out next to his bed. With swift grabs, he retrieved the travel-sized bottle of lube and a condom. In the meantime, Mingi impatiently nudged his pants down to take him into his hand.

"Are you sure you are human? You could be part bull," he commented and Yunho halted, looking down on himself. Indeed, he looked big for Mingi's narrow body now that they rested against each other.

"If you are scared to make it fit..." Yunho began, but Mingi scoffed at him.

"I am a cow. If anything, I need something like yours to feel it properly. Come on, go on," he lured and Yunho was an eager fool. He surged to kiss Mingi, and the cow grabbed at his butt with a pleased sigh, making them roll their hips into one another. The cute skirt got ruined, but neither bothered to take it off. The drizzle of lube added into the mess when Yunho tilted his fingers to Mingi's entrance. He was awed at the easy give, as if Mingi's special DNA made him more receptive, since it expected him to handle bigger intrusions. One finger quickly became two and Yunho splayed them apart before he rubbed them into Mingi's nerve bundle to hear that titillating sound again.

While Yunho patiently prepared him and kissed at his thighs to cover all the spots in matching hickeys, Mingi fumbled to open his corset. He gave up halfway since his chest forced its way out of its confinements as soon as he started undoing the laces. Stuck and only with his chest out in the open, he fell into the sheets, too weak to fight his clothes, while Yunho thrust his fingers into him with wet squelches.

He loved the sight. Loved how Mingi was so debauched. Loved how Mingi rocked his hips back against the fingers entering him. Endeared teeth sunk into a thick thigh and Mingi mewled.

Yunho was about to ask Mingi whether he was fine to continue when his alarm in the kitchen went off. He cursed to himself, ready to ignore it, but Mingi gently kicked his shoulder.

"Go. You spent too much time on that to let it go to waste. I'll wait."

Mourning, Yunho hesitated a moment longer, then he pulled his fingers out. He ran into the kitchen at record speed to wash his hands and retrieve their food. Mingi chortled in the bedroom.

"Don't burn your important bits!" He called over and rustled on the bed. Fearlessly, Yunho reached into the oven.

"On any day but today," he replied. Once the casserole was out to cool off, he came springing right back and tugged the shirt off his torso while he entered the room. Mingi had rolled around and his tail swayed invitingly as he looked back at Yunho with his chest pressed to the bed. One of his hands rolled a pink nipple, the other one presented his glistening entrance.

"Come on. I can't wait any longer," he demanded, and Yunho was with him faster than lightning. He scrambled out of his sweatpants and rolled the condom onto his length before he shuffled up behind Mingi. When his knees kicked those of the cow further apart, Mingi stifled a noise of delight in the pillow he grabbed for support.

"Tell me if you need me to slow down," Yunho uttered as he guided his tip inside Mingi's willing body. One hand splayed over Mingi's backside to keep the jerking tail trapped between his fingers, but the other one roamed Mingi's back and thighs. He massaged him as he gradually sunk down. Mingi's back arched, offering itself as Yunho split him open.

Mingi held onto his pillow like an anchor, but he was relaxed. He moaned Yunho's name and his hips wriggled back by themselves despite Yunho's size.

Disbelieving, Yunho chuckled at him and held onto Mingi's narrow waist with trembling fingers when he bottomed out. Mingi fit him like a glove and his insides felt heavenly.

"You feel so good," Yunho praised him as he bent to kiss Mingi's heated nape. His ears flicked in response and Mingi groaned when the angle nudged Yunho into his prostate.

"You can move," he panted back and Yunho took the time to kiss him, licking into his mouth to drink up Mingi's noises as he unravelled under the first thrusts.

Yunho found his pace and pulled back, holding onto Mingi's waist to use it for leverage as he drove into him. The slap of their skin added to Mingi's moans, but they sounded more and more like moos, driving Yunho mad as he throbbed inside of him. Mingi's tail meekly wrapped around his arm, seeking hold and he looked so dear under Yunho with his pinks and whites and drooling into his pillow. As he crumbled apart, his sight alone drove Yunho to the brink of insanity.

Hips snapping harder, Yunho hammered into him. He adjusted Mingi to his size until, each time he pulled back, his insides clung to him as if unwilling to let him go. Feverish, Yunho rammed down into him, into the perfect plush of Mingi's bum that jiggled with every thrust. He roamed his hands over his peachy flesh, grabbing with want and Mingi pushed back against him, whimpering at every thrust.

It took Mingi a moment to gather himself, but when he did, he twisted around, bringing his leg over to turn. Yunho gritted his jaws at the sensation as Mingi rolled onto his back without parting from him. He stared at Yunho from lidded eyes and his chest heaved as they organised themselves. Achingly hard, Yunho leaned over him to kiss Mingi's parted lips. They briefly caught their breath, but their bodies never stopped pulsing in tandem.

When Mingi suddenly clamped down on him, Yunho choked. The cow moved below, rolling his hips sensually, and each drag was heaven and hell at the same time. Yunho crumbled over him, losing all strength in his limbs as Mingi wrapped his legs around him to nudge him closer. His heels dug into Yunho's thighs, pinning and controlling his speed at the same time.

Yunho gasped for breath as Mingi suckled on his neck, leaving marks as he used Yunho to fill his body.

"M-Mingi, no wait, I- Slow down, I can't-"

He wanted to drag this out, wanted to take Mingi in every position and across all pieces of furniture.

Licking at his ear until Yunho shuddered, Mingi assured him with his scratchy noise.

"We have all night." He forced his hips down and Yunho filled him until he felt he could never part from Mingi's paradise.

"You feel too good; I'm falling apart," he panted. Mingi took his hand to lead it to his chest and Yunho couldn't help himself as soon as he grabbed onto that soft flesh. Mingi's chest was ample for a man, thick like that of a bodybuilder, yet soft to the touch. His big areolas were an endearing pink and strained against Yunho's touch as he gave a hearty squeeze. While Mingi taught him how to touch him, Yunho's hips kicked on their own accord, chasing his orgasm as Mingi slammed back against him with every thrust.

"Mingi, Mingi," Yunho whispered his name in a litany. Fluffy ears quivered and Mingi's eyes rolled back. Something wet doused Yunho's fingers and when he glanced down, he saw a white liquid pooling on his hand that tugged on Mingi's nipple.

The sight gave him the final blow. He buried deep inside his lovely cow and his moo echoed through the building. He held Mingi as he shuddered through his orgasm and rocked inside him until his stomach stopped twisting. Below, Mingi was none the better as he soiled his clothes with the milk pooling from his chest and his seed splattering below.

It was a mess, but Yunho loved it. The sight ingrained itself into his mind and he was obsessed with his lovely cow.

"You are magnificent," Yunho whispered as soon as his tongue would move again. He kissed Mingi's tired lips and then dipped to his chest to lap up the milk that spilled from him. It tasted of strawberries, and Mingi twitched cutely as Yunho laved his tongue over him.

Mingi stared at him from lidded eyes, unwilling to part the cosy tangle of their bodies.

"I want more," he complained while Yunho got addicted to his milk. He hadn't been aware male cow hybrids could produce it, but now he needed it like air to breathe.

"How about we eat first and then I will do you as much as you want?" Yunho whispered as he kissed Mingi in consolidation. Though he pouted for a moment, Mingi let up and nuzzled into Yunho's neck.

"Just lend me a shirt, please," he winced, and Yunho gladly sat up to help him out of his soiled clothes. Mingi huffed once his clammy skin was freed. He stretched while Yunho fleetingly cleaned up after them, not putting in too much of an effort since he looked forward to continuing later. In the meantime, Mingi found the shirt he had worn earlier and slipped it down his flecked body. It reached to his mid-thigh, big even on Yunho. After climbing back into his sweatpants, Yunho offered his hand with a blush. Even in the simple t-shirt and his ribbons knocked askew, Mingi looked adorable.

They finally made their way to the table and Yunho had Mingi sit while he served their food. Basking in his post-orgasm glow, Mingi looked cosier than ever. He smiled when he accepted his plate and Yunho's heart hammered in his chest because he enjoyed this so much.

"This is really good," Mingi moaned around his second bite of food. Since Yunho was just inside him and Mingi had a similar reaction, his cheeks heated. Today, he was doing the most to make the cow hybrid happy.

"It might just be that I am starved right now, but I like it. Thanks for cooking for me, Yunho."

"Eat lots," Yunho muttered back, too enraptured by Mingi's natural beauty to be self-conscious about the lack of candles. The flat stunk of sex and they didn't want to open the windows to the night air that would ruin their cosy warmth.

"I'll stock up on energy so you better do the same," Mingi chuckled and poor Yunho choked on his food and had to wash it down his throat. After making sure he would live, Mingi giggled in delight.

At ease with Yunho, Mingi crossed his long legs under the table. His spots peered from his skin and Yunho wanted to trace them with his fingers until Mingi shuddered and squirmed below him. Their first encounter had been hasty, but they had all the time in the world.

Though they ate at a temperate pace, a mutual strain hung in the air between them. Mingi asked a few polite questions about Yunho's interest in cooking and how it compared to the rest of the UK and Yunho gave a few polite answers. The whole time, however, the promise to go back to where they left off loomed over their heads. Yunho didn't urge Mingi to go faster and waited patiently until he leaned back. Then he flashed him a smile.

"Would you like some dessert?"

Mingi contemplated him before he slipped from the bench and offered his hand to Yunho. In nothing but the shirt and his cute jewellery, he was breathtaking. Yunho bumbled after him, drawn along by Mingi's dainty fingers.

"Let's keep that for when we are finished," Mingi suggested, and his tail swayed behind him to lift the shirt the barest bit.

Yunho almost went mad. He sprang after Mingi to scoop him up into his arms and caught his giggling lips in a kiss as they stumbled their way back into the bedroom to explore the rest of each other.

-

Light poured through the windows to heat a patch of the bed. Yunho tugged his leg away from the offending heat and rolled over, still half asleep. He met another body and snuggled into the naked skin, warm in their shared nest.

A stream of cold air tickled Yunho over here and he stirred. They had opened a window before falling asleep in the early morning hours so they wouldn't suffocate from the lack of oxygen because of their fooleries. Now that it chilled the room, Yunho protested the air by burying his head against whatever part of Mingi he was nestled against. Soft fur brushed his thigh when the hybrid twitched in his sleep.

Ultimately, sleep drifted away from Yunho and he batted his eyes open to glare at the offending window. Next to him and with his tan skin entangled in the white sheets, Mingi lay sprawled like a goddess. Kiss marks dotted him all over and his hair was ruffled from a long night of hands running through it. He looked relaxed and pride stirred in Yunho's chest when he saw him like this.

On quiet feet, Yunho slipped out of bed and padded over to the window. He closed it and stretched his cracking shoulders as he took in the mess they left the room in. A pillow had tumbled to the ground and Mingi clutched the other. The blanket wrung around his legs and then on the ground, not covering Mingi's exhausted feet with the delightfully pink-painted nails that Yunho discovered last night.

Condom wrappers and tissues used for hasty cleaning attempts were strewn all over the place and their clothes were flung about when they were in too much of a hurry to put them down orderly.

The sheets were ruined with crusty spots of semen and milk, but they had become the backdrop for Yunho's most beautiful memories with Mingi, so he couldn't fault them.

Leaving Mingi to slumber for a while longer, Yunho dipped into the bathroom for a shower. Mingi had been sparing with the marks he left on Yunho, too busy mewling to his heart's content below him. Still, Yunho caressed the few spots with fond fingertips. They were the loveliest souvenir yet and stood out against his pale skin.

After he got dressed in some suit pants and a shirt, he retrieved the pudding from the fridge. They didn't find the time to eat it yet, so fatigued that they collapsed into each other after a long night. With the two bowls and the spoons in tow, Yunho returned to the bedroom. He cleared the bedside table to put the bowls on it and settled by Mingi's side to kiss a fluffy ear.

"Wake up, princess," Yunho hummed, voice low from sleep. Mingi's long lashes fluttered over his cheeks and Yunho's fingers skimmed the fuzz of his horns. Since they were so small, they were velvety like the antlers on a reindeer.

Mingi was full of these charming surprises.

"Yunho?" Mingi croaked when he turned around. The sun glistened on his nose piercing and his eyes clenched shut, so Yunho leaned until his shadow fell over his lovely cow. Drowsy, Mingi cuddled into his lap and breathed in his scent. The tail came to life to swish around the blankets.

Yunho skimmed his fingers through Mingi's hair until he was awake enough to open his eyes. Unashamed of his naked body, he lolled on the sheets and blinked up at Yunho.

"Did you shower already?" Mingi muttered as Yunho dipped to greet him with a kiss. When he hummed in agreement, Mingi huddled into him for a few more moments of cuddling.

Soon, Mingi dragged himself out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. Yunho used the moment to clean up the floor and threw the pillow back on the bed. Once the dirty sheets were gathered in a pile, he sat down to wait for his lovely cow.

Mingi returned swaddled into a big towel. He was properly awake now, and he considered his clothes together with Yunho. The top could still be worn, but his skirt was in dire need of a wash. With his permission, Yunho dipped downstairs to throw it into the wash with the rest.

"I am afraid you are trapped here for a couple more hours until the dryer did its duties. Want some pudding?" Yunho offered him the bowl, and Mingi's eyes softened.

"Feeding me milk again?" He chuckled as he dug in, and Yunho froze. Now that he knew Mingi produced his own milk, it felt tactless to give it to him to eat. Wasn't it like drinking blood? Enough humans wouldn't want to drink their own milk, so did Mingi make a difference to cow milk?

"If I offended you, I'm sorry-" He began, but Mingi shook his head.

"Among cow hybrids, it's a very doting gesture. We can consume milk, but the cow in us knows we only feed our young with it. Give us milk and we feel pampered with love," he grinned as he lifted the spoon to his mouth. "It's delicious," he added.

"I'm glad," Yunho brought out. Whenever Mingi complimented Yunho, his cheeks heated. However he did it, fumbling his way through their social differences, he aced the flirting with Mingi.

They ate in peace for a while until Mingi raked his eyes down on Yunho's appearance.

"I like how you look in your suits," he said out of the blue, and Yunho blinked at him. He stuttered out another thanks while Mingi scooted closer, eyeing his collar. Promptly, it felt much too hot against Yunho's skin. Yunho cursed himself for never having enough of Mingi, even after last night.

"I never wore a suit before. Aren't they stifling?"

Yunho quickly forgot his initial shyness. To him, a man who never wore a suit sounded outlandish, but Mingi never had to. He could work wearing whatever he wanted, and he looked gorgeous.

"Do you want to try one on? I brought two," Yunho offered. He donned the blue one, but the beige was neatly folded in the closet. At Mingi's eager nod, he went to retrieve it.

Since Mingi's underwear went into the wash, he had to slip into the pants commando, but Yunho didn't mind. He helped Mingi close them and since they were fitted to Yunho's body; they clung to Mingi's thighs and bum in a way much too sinful for work.

He left it to Mingi to button up his shirt while Yunho tucked it into his waistband. Mingi's bare feet looked out of place, peering from the bottom of the pants, and though his tail had to be tucked away and awkwardly hung in a pant leg, Mingi made it work.

Yunho just turned to hand him the jacket when Mingi made a helpless sound. Expecting it to be the tie issue, Yunho lifted his hands to knot it for him.

Instead of the tie, he was faced with Mingi trying to fiddle the shirt buttons shut over his chest. His plush flesh protested being tucked away so carelessly and fought against the straining fabric.

Mingi huffed a laugh.

"I think I'm too thick for your size."

Wordlessly, Yunho let the jacket sink into the closet behind him. He reached for Mingi's hips and dragged him against his body. With a squeak, Mingi landed in his arms and the shirt remained halfway buttoned until his proud chest forced it open.

"You are too much for me," Yunho groaned as he leaned in to seize Mingi's lips. The cow's surprised noise melted into a pleased hum as he immediately wrapped his arms around Yunho's shoulders. Their lips were accustomed to each other now, no longer tentative to open and give each other what they liked.

The heat ignited between them yet again and Mingi's fingers fumbled the stifling buttons open. Yunho licked into his mouth so Mingi could suckle on his tongue while Yunho shoved the shirt down, leaving it thrown into the closet to iron later. By the time his hands made it to his suit pants on Mingi, his lively arousal twitched with interest.

They tumbled their way back onto the bed and Yunho sluggishly spread out Mingi's big towel below them. His hand dropped to Mingi's chest right after, squeezing and playing with its tempting curve.

"Do you ever leak?" Yunho needed to know as he dipped to suck a nipple into his mouth. At just a few moments of massaging, the milk started dribbling onto his tongue, and Mingi silenced a moan in his hand.

"S-Sometimes," he replied. His head tipped back with a whine when Yunho rolled the other nipple between his fingers, tugging with gentle teeth.

"I- I wear bralettes mostly because they are cute, but they also help with the weight and with the leaking," Mingi groaned. His eyes fluttered shut in bliss as he rubbed himself against Yunho's thigh.

Obsessed, Yunho gulped down his sweet milk. The pudding was forgotten by their sides.

"Fuck. Can I fuck your tits, please?" He asked, too gone to think about chivalrous wording. When Mingi choked on his laughter and reached for his knees to help him up, Yunho eagerly scrambled along.

"Of course, you sweetheart," Mingi called him. He helped Yunho arrange his legs, so they were splayed over Mingi's torso. Cautious not to put his entire weight on him, Yunho pressed his aching hardness into the cleft between Mingi's boobs. His wetness spread on Mingi's clean and soaped skin.

"Tell me if I go too rough," Yunho begged as his hips moved on their own accord. He told Mingi the same last night, but no matter how long he hammered into him, Mingi's entrance stayed soft and pink, never rubbed raw. His body was a marvel and Yunho desired him so much.

"Go ahead. Get cosy," Mingi purred. He used both hands to push his chest together, so it cradled Yunho in its heat. Cursing, he snapped his hips harder, smearing his fluids over Mingi's parted lips and chin. The hybrid moaned at the sight, fingers coming up to flick at his nipples. The milk leaking from him pooled below, slickening Yunho's slide as he chased the orgasm that already lurked so close.

Mingi glanced up at him with his doe, sparkly eyes. He huffed fondly at the redness of Yunho's cheeks. Though this act was so vulgar, he throbbed as he used Mingi's body to get off.

"You're so cute," Mingi told him once more and Yunho whined. The coil tightened, and he reached behind, working Mingi with one hand while the other braced by his side to balance his body. So lovely with his cow spots and the flicking ears, Mingi offered himself.

Yunho's hips stuttered in their rough pursuit. His come splattered over Mingi's collarbone and chin, mixing with the milk that made a mess in the cleft of his chest. Panting, Yunho pulled back. His eyes were lidded, but he drank up the sight of Mingi so dirtied, looking helpless and cute.

Rolling to sprawl out beside him, Yunho worked his hand in earnest as he lapped at Mingi's chest. He gathered up the mess and flicked his tongue at Mingi's nipples until he whimpered and his thighs began shaking. Soon, he bucked into Yunho's hold on him and Yunho kissed his furry ear as he helped Mingi through his orgasm. Their lips panted into each other as they sealed their affection, promising each other they were there.

This time, they took another shower together after a few moments of relaxing in their bliss. Yunho washed Mingi's ears and horns, and the wet tail splashed around to slap wetly into Yunho's thigh. They shared many more kisses and giggles with one another as they finally finished the pudding. Once the dryer spat their clothes back out, Mingi got dressed. Yunho walked him to the door, and they looked out into the orange sunset together.

"At this point, I might just stay," Mingi commented dryly. The day passed so quickly and their minds had been with nothing but one another.

"You are welcome to. We could climb the hill to look at the stars," Yunho offered. The cow bells in the distance sounded like the sweetest melody and the first crickets sang their nightly tunes.

"I have to check in on my work," Mingi mourned, but he turned to kiss Yunho once more. "Come see me a lot before you leave. I won't take no for an answer."

"Of course," Yunho stuttered. He wasn't the kind of asshole to take what he wanted and then run off. His precious cow hybrid deserved every second of attention.

Mingi wandered into the night and Yunho sighed as he returned to his flat alone. Already, he missed Mingi, but he also needed to check in on Jongho, make sure his plane wasn't delayed, and start washing and packing his things.

His room still smelled like Mingi even after he put fresh sheets on the bed and Yunho loved it.

-

Time passed too quickly. Yunho got to hang out with Mingi and his friends and they all went on a picnic to a nearby lake. Yeosang was with them, and he allowed San to feed him as they snickered among each other. Yunho learned more about Seonghwa's love for cute characters from cartoons and games and Wooyoung's recent interest in shiny rocks. Twice on his last day, Yunho made sure to drop by the shop to see Mingi, even if just for a few moments, to exchange kisses and greetings. They found the time to watch a movie, and they ate together before Mingi paid him company, while Yunho sadly packed his bags. Afterwards, they tumbled into the sheets together once more and Yunho got to see Mingi wearing his cute lacey bralette that he left on to tug with his teeth on while he embraced his mooing cow.

But all too soon, it was the morning of his departure. They didn't make a desperate last impression so Yunho could leave only with positive feelings, but he hated to go. London's gloom sounded like the most dreadful prison.

On his way down to the station, Yunho planned some extra time to say goodbye to Mingi. With his luggage rolling behind him and his suit jacket over his arm, Yunho stopped at a jewellery store. He had commissioned them short-notice after his first night with Mingi since he wanted to leave him with a gift to remember him by. The cute golden necklace carried a pink heart bedazzled with white stones to match Mingi's clothes.

With the casket in hand, Yunho arrived at the tattoo shop. The last time he met the group, they assured him someone would be there in the morning, but he didn't specifically ask for Mingi since it was supposed to be a surprise. And since he was the one wearing the hybrid out these days, Mingi deserved every minute of sleep.

The bell jingled when Yunho made his way inside and left his suitcase at the door. Seonghwa was at his desk playing his game and he stood when he recognised Yunho. When he came over for a hug, his smile was compassionate. In the short time Yunho spent around him, he got much more confident in his English.

"The days... flew by. I'm happy you visited us. Are you leaving now?"

"My train leaves in an hour, yes," Yunho muttered. He subtly peered to the back since he could hear someone working away there, but Seonghwa took a moment to notice.

"Hongjoong is here. Do you want me to call him to say bye?"

Yunho sunk into himself. His fingers nervously spanned around the sleek black packaging of the necklace.

"No, it's fine. No reason to disturb him. But please tell Wooyoung and San I will miss them a lot and that I am very happy I got to know them."

The ibex nodded, almost ripping down a potted plant beside them.

"I will. In case you want to leave your uhh Handy number..." Seonghwa let it hang in the air, sweet in his responsibilities outside of a secretary. Thankful, Yunho beamed at him.

"I would love to give them my Instagram," he replied. Seonghwa handed him a notepad to write it down, and the sticky notes had little cows and plants on them. It was so adorable Yunho's carefully assembled emotions might crumble, but he blinked away the tears blurring his vision.

"Here you go," Yunho smiled. Seonghwa immediately whipped his phone out to follow him.

"Don't worry. I will take care of the two idiots and our grumpy... cat. And Mingi..." Seonghwa hesitated. They all had supported their sweet holiday flirt that developed into so much more than they thought initially. Parting would be difficult, but maybe it was for the best that Mingi wasn't here, as much as Yunho wanted to see him. At least he had an excuse to text him on his ride back.

"He isn't in yet, is he? I have something I would like you to give him," Yunho smiled with artificial smoothness. Once he was alone on the train, he could figure out how to overcome the ache in his chest. He would be overjoyed if Mingi contacted him with his opinion on the gift.

"Oh? Yes, of course!" Seonghwa replied. Yunho just lifted his hand to deliver the gift to him when the door behind them flung open. Mingi rushed in with the jingle of the bell and fell into Yunho's frazzled arms. Today, he wore just a cosy white sweater and pink jogging pants, looking as if he just tumbled out of bed. Flabbergasted, Yunho pressed their bodies into a familiar embrace.

Mingi panted after having ran there, but he managed a little lick over Yunho's jaw in greeting.

"You're earlier than I thought. I ran as fast as I could," he heaved, gasping for air. In the back, Hongjoong had fallen suspiciously quiet and Yunho's heart warmed when he supported Mingi as he calmed down. The idea of him racing through the village to get here on time touched Yunho's heart anew.

"You didn't have to," he muttered, but Mingi grumbled at him.

"Of course I have to. Come on, I'll bring you to the station." He tugged on Yunho's sleeve and he only got to grin at Seonghwa, who sweetly waved him goodbye. Outside, Mingi insisted on rolling Yunho's suitcase along. He was unabashed about his rather modest getup and looking so tousled. Sweet and there by Yunho's side, he only cared about seeing him off and not about the curious eyes watching them.

"Did we wake you?" Yunho asked, but he didn't protest being walked to the train anymore. Lauterbrunnen was still sleepy, and they stood aside to let the cows pass on their morning trek. Yunho would miss this. Would miss the sound of their bells on the far meadows and the sight of the sun bathing the glen with its light.

"I woke up shortly before I got the message you were leaving. If it had been later, I would have met you at your doorstep," Mingi pouted as if Yunho kept a secret from him. Endeared, Yunho switched the box with the necklace into his other hand so he could reach for Mingi's fingers. They trudged like snails, and no one was at the station at this hour of the day. Once they found a bench tucked away from curious eyes, Mingi turned to Yunho. His eyes were understanding and gentle, but Yunho felt the same regret resonating that they had to say goodbye.

Before Mingi had to say anything, Yunho presented the box.

"I have something for you," he said as he placed it in Mingi's hands. Curious, the cow undid the white ribbon on top.

"Aren't I the one who needs to give you a souvenir to show off in London? So every Brit comes here and tourism booms?" Mingi asked, and Yunho just nodded at him to open it. Nervous fingers knotted into each other as he studied the hybrid's reaction.

A little gasp slipped over Mingi's lips when he lifted the lid away. His doe eyes widened with awe as he studied the detail on the necklace. It turned out just how Yunho imagined it, with a golden chain and matching casing that cradled the pink heart. When Mingi's eyes started sparkling, Yunho's lips tugged into a smile.

"You like it?"

"I do!" Mingi hastened to reply. He allowed Yunho to retrieve the necklace from its hold to clasp it around his neck. On the innocent white of his sweater, it looked extra charming.

"You're cute," Yunho chuckled while Mingi marvelled down on himself. When he leaned in with a huff, Yunho readily let him grasp his jaw in both hands.

"And you are too damn lovable for your own good. Come here, you fool," Mingi complained with the fondest voice. He tugged Yunho in for a kiss and they fell into each other, uncaring that they were in public. Only the warmth of their caresses counted. Mingi's gratitude touched Yunho's heart, and he conveyed back his pride. Soon, they leaned into each other's arms, just pecking and nuzzling. Yunho wanted to hold him close for as long as possible.

Long minutes passed, and an announcement echoed through the station when the next train would arrive. Mingi pouted when the one for Zurich was already on the itinerary.

"I will come back," Yunho muttered at him as he traced Mingi's cheek with his thumb. "I will figure something out. Wait for me for me. Maybe I can do home-office for a while."

Mingi leaned against his shoulder. His fingers played with the new necklace, and Yunho doubted he would take it off anytime soon. Relieved to have created a lasting memory in Mingi's life, Yunho kissed his scalp.

"If you don't hurry, I will hunt you down in London. I can do guest work, but it also means I will climb all over other strangers who will find me just as charming as you," Mingi threatened. Pretending to shudder, Yunho held his adorable cow close. Mingi's tail flicked since he liked it, and his fluttering ears found their spot as he nuzzled against Yunho. His scent of vanilla filled Yunho's senses.

"Perhaps you will have to come for guest work and I have to attend it and make sure no one is looking at you weird," he chuckled. Then he shook his head. An old lady had arrived nearby and sent them a look, but she didn't bother the two men cuddling on their bench. Their whispers were intimate between each other.

"No, I will be back soon. London isn't a place for you. Nature suits you best, so I will come back to climb the mountains with you and pet the goats."

"And get the newest drama on Yeosang and San," Mingi added. "You have a lot of reasons to relocate, honestly. My humble presence being the least of all."

Yunho snickered and kissed him again, slow and meaningful to convey his affection. By now, Mingi had to know how important he was to Yunho. They barely spent a moment not yearning for one another.

"Despite my jokes, I also have something for you," Mingi said when they pulled apart. He reached for his heart bag that swung around his shoulder and stored the packaging of the necklace inside. Then he pulled out a bottle. It was made of glass and the liquid inside was mostly white but had a faint pink colour. When he pressed it into Yunho's hands, he curiously accepted it. A rosy hue covered Mingi's cheek when he looked at the bottle instead of Yunho to explain.

"I milked myself properly last night," Mingi muttered and rubbed his chest. Yunho had wondered why he had suddenly been busy instead of sleeping over, but it was better for him since he could do his online check in. But when he heard what Mingi had been up to, his mouth dropped open. A million thoughts raced through his mind at once.

"It's not much, but I thought maybe the taste would remind you of me," Mingi offered, sheepish. It was a scandalous present, but to Yunho, it meant the world.

Mingi's very own milk. That delicious blessing. Looking at it now, it was so familiar to him.

"Thank you," Yunho whispered in awe. "I will save it."

"Don't! Then it turns sour. Just drink it," Mingi demanded, waving a dismissive hand. His flushed cheeks turned away to face the tracks. "You can get more next time you see me," he ended with a mutter. When Yunho packed his nape to yank him into another kiss, his squeal got drowned between their lips.

While they shared their affection, the next announcement echoed around the barren space. Regretfully, Mingi pulled back.

"That's your train. Come on." He stood and tugged Yunho's luggage over. With his bottle cradled in his hand, Yunho aligned his step with the white safety line. Mingi stood next to him with his hand in Yunho's and gnawed on his lip.

"Please come back soon. I will miss you," he whispered, and his eyes were wet when he lifted them to Yunho. Something inside his chest tugged painfully as Yunho kissed his swollen lips once more. By their side, the train rolled to a stop.

"I will. Wait for me," he begged against Mingi's lips and the sweet cow hybrid nodded. He stepped back so Yunho could board his train and waved at him, looking cute yet so lonely out there on the platform. Yunho sat at the window to wave back at him and the doors closed to their yearnful smiles as Yunho cruised away to get on his way home.

The moment Mingi was out of sight, Yunho pulled up his phone to see his messages flood in, wishing him a safe journey and telling him to come back soon. He replied he would, that he had so much more to tell Mingi. He could feel Mingi's tears through every word and this time, Yunho was unashamed to let them wet his cheeks.

It took them a while to calm down, but this wasn't goodbye. So much more time awaited them once Yunho came back.

Then, he used the time during his trip back to London to have a talk with his boss and ask him whether it would be possible he worked abroad for a while. Mingi would wait for him in the peaceful valley of Lauterbrunnen, and Yunho would do his utmost to return to him as soon as possible.