(A/N: Probably one of the longest chapters I've ever written for any of my books. Enjoy <3)

Hyunjin's POV

As I contimplated where to go I parked off to the side of a cafe, even if I wasn't going there just yet.

I passed the cafe and many small shops before movement in one of the shop windows pulled me to a halt.

I walked backwards and looked into the shop windows, cute little paws were thumping against the window, the most adorable puppies excitedly trying to run at me through the glass.

They remind me of Kkomi...

The thought of my previous dog made me smile sadly, I reached out and touched the glass window, in thought.

Fuck it.

I turned towards the entrance, opening up the door and stepping inside the pet center.

As I walked in the bell above the door rang, making the receptionist look up from where they stood.

"Hello, welcome to Lovely, Lavish Pets."
(A/N: Don't judge me, I couldn't think of anything that wasn't actually a real company-)

"Um, hi."

I said awkwardly, shuffling slightly as my cheeks flushed at my obvious awkwardness.

"Did you come to get something specific ?"

I shook my head no, my face flushing an even deeper red.

"Oh ?"

They lightly questioned.

They came from around the receptionist table and I stepped back slightly as they reached their hand out, shaking their hand awkwardly once I realized they weren't trying to hurt me.

"I'm Jeongin, it's nice to meet you."

A fox like smile came to his face, his eyes looking like crescents as he let out a light giggle.

"I'm Hyunjin, I-I uh, wanted to look at the puppies ?"

His eyes seemed to sparkle at my words, a slightly exaggerated gasp slipping past his lips as he squealed.

"A-are you thinking of adopting ?"

He led me over to the gated off puppy enclosure, turning to me as he reached out to open the lock.

"Um, I-I'm not sure, p-possibly. I haven't had a dog in a while, it's a sad story."

A light 'oh' slipped past his lips and he gave a nod of understanding.

"W-well, I'm sorry for your loss. I didn't want to make you sad before looking at the little guys."

I gave him a light smile, showing that it was okay.

"No, it's- you're fine, I'm sorry I'm a bit awkward, I didn't mean to spring that on you and make you feel bad."

He shook his head, a small smile coming to his lips.

"It's okay, but I hope that I didn't discourage you, I-it's okay if you don't want to play with them anymore."

I shook my head and he sighed in relief, a smile coming to his lips, brighter than the last.

"I'd love to play with them, if only for a bit."

He nodded, opening the cage and letting me slip into the enclosure with him right behind me.

The puppies came barreling towards me, jumping at me and pawing at my cargo shorts until I sat down, pulling one of them into my lap.

"Hello my sweets, how are all of you ?"

I asked, as of they could actually answer me, pulling the puppy in my arms close and into a hug.

"I wish I'd known about this shop sooner, my precious little babies."

I whispered, leaning down to the rest of the puppies, only to have one lick and nip at my nose.

"You're a feisty one."

I reached out towards the puppy, scooping them into my hand and lifting it lighty above my head as it squirmed around in excitement, its paws moving around as if it was trying to run.

"You know, you remind me of him. Cute, small, and thrilled by everything."

I explained letting the previous puppy sitting on my lap nip at my shoes as it slid down my lap. Sitting the puppy I lifted up, down into my lap in that puppy's place.

"I didn't think I'd have the confidence to come down here, but I took a little leap of faith. Just when I had no idea what to do today you all caught my attention, I couldn't help but remember him."

I stroked over the puppy's fur as I told them all what I had to say, about Kkomi and about myself.

I hadn't forgotten that Jeongin was behind me, but I hadn't minded the fact that he was listening, learning a bit of my story wouldn't hurt anyone.

"I didn't get to know much about him, he got sick and I had no way of stopping in, I only knew before it was to late and I regret not knowing more about taking care of little ones like you before I thought of adopting him."

"I regret it, but the memories I have of him aren't painful, not in the slightest. My regret is not for having him, it's for not thinking of the possibilities and the responsibilities of having him, he was so sweet and I'll always keep him in my heart, and though I'll never move on I think it's time I find a new companion to keep me company."
(A/N: I almost cried while writing this-)

I whispered, looking at all the puppies who seemed to be listening, slightly confused and still playful.

I felt something drop onto my hands and saw a drop of water, or more obviously tears.

I hadn't even realized I was crying, but before I could even think of pulling myself together I heard light sniffles behind me.

As I turned around I saw Jeongin sitting there, tears running down his face.

A sad smile came to my face, and as the puppy that was in my lap got down to play with the others I made my way over to Jeongin and pulled him into a hug.

"You okay ?"

I asked lightly as I pulled away, wiping at my own tears as he nodded, even as more tears fell from his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah I'm okay. I- just hearing you talk about your puppy from before got me very emotional."

I nodded, smiling in understanding.

"Yeah, sorry about that. But as you can see I'm not any better."

We both let out light laughs, taking in the moment.

"It's perfectly fine, it's good to cry once in a while."

We both stood up from our spots on the ground, Jeongin letting us out of the enclosure just as the puppies started barreling towards us again.

"So, d'you think you'd like to pick your new companion ?"

I turned to him at his question, before looking down and into the enclosure, the puppies tumbling to the side of the close gate.

"How about this little guy, he seems very prideful. Like he wouldn't let anything get in his way."

Jeongin grabbed the puppy from the enclosure, settling him into my arms with a smile.

"What'll you name him ?"

I looked down at the puppy that was nipping at my fingers and clawing at the sleeves of my sweater with a smile.

"From now on he'll be Kkami."

Jeongin had me write down all the information needed, including signing an adoption certificate.

"He's gotten his shots, so no need to worry about that. He just needs a collar and a tag with your information, we could also get him a microchip with your information as well."

I nodded, running my hands through the puppy, now known as Kkami's fur.

I let out a light laugh as Kkami nipped at my wrist, his little paws gripping onto my sweater sleeves so I couldn't make him let go, a little gutteral growl coming from him, but as he was a puppy it was the most non-threatening thing I've ever heard.

Jeongin giggled watching Kkami fondly.

"Let's get that microchip in and you'll be ready to go."

I nodded, letting Jeongin carefully pull Kkami off my sleeve and towards one of the back rooms.

About 10 minutes later Jeongin came back with Kkami and another person, that person had curly dark brown hair and dimples shown just as well as his bright smile.

"Here you Hyunjin...h-hyung ?"

I giggled, "That depends on the year you were born silly."

The guy next to him laughed lightly.

"He was born on '01, I'm Chan and I helped Innie here put the chip in Kkami, I was born in '97, Hyunjin was it ?"

I nodded at his question.

"Yeah, I'm Hyunjin. Also '01 ?, Jeonginnie that means I'm your hyung, I was born in '00 and Chan hyung, it's nice to meet you."

Jeongin came up to me with a smile, cradling Kkami in his arms cutely.

"Kkami's chipped and ready to go to his forever home, would you like to take a look at what we have for puppies ?"

I thought his question over, not sure whether I should tell him what I was thinking.

"I-I'd like to have some time to think about it."

A look of realization flashed over his face and he nodded, seeming to feel regret in asking his question.

"U-um, 'M sorry..."

His voice was a little over a whisper as he looked down, shifting from one foot to another his hands clasped behind his back.

"I-it's- you're fine. y-you're okay."

He shook his head lightly.

"S' not, i-its not okay. I'm sorry."

I reached my free hand out to his cheek caressing it gently in my palm.

"Listen, I know you feel sorry and that's okay, but you don't need to be and you definitely don't need to cry."

Tears brimmed mine and his eyes and I tried to gulp down the slight lump I felt in my throat to finish talking.

"There's no need to cry..."

Tears fell down my cheeks as a sob escaped me and that only made Jeongin break down too, tears spilling down his cheeks gracefully.

"W-woah hey guys, calm down. Babe, Jeongie babe, calm down my love."

Chan pulled Jeongin into a warm embrace and Kkami yipped and barked to get my attention, and as I leaned my head to down to him he licked at my face in earnest.

I let out a watery giggle as Kkami licked at my cheeks, biting at my nose lightly when my tears finally stopped flowing.

Jeongin pulled away from Chan with a gentle smile on his face, looking over at me and Kkami sweetly.

"You both okay ? You guys breaking out into tears together scared the crap out of me."

Me and Jeongin nodded, letting out shaky giggles.

" 'S a long story, sorry for scaring you."

Chan waved my apology off with a kind smile.

"So you guys are together ?"

Chan grabbed Jeongin's as Jeongin pulled away from him with a nod.

"Mhm, this is our shop we started together, our friend Seungmin should be somewhere around here."

A crash came from one of the isles along with after Jeongin finished what he was saying.

There was a boy with fluffy brown hair on all fours, cans of pet food were on the floor littered at his feet and just besides his hands.

He let out a small whine as he sat up and clutched at his knee, Jeongin raced over to him with a worried look in his eyes.

"U-uh, I-Innie..."

A little hiccup slipped past his lips as Jeongin reached him.

His eyes were brimmed with tears as he looked up at Jeongin.

"What happened ?"

Jeongin questioned lightly, Chan waved me over as he walked ahead of me in order to check on Seungmin.

"H-Heard my name being said while I was stocking the food, then I tripped over the latter while trying to get down."

He explained, his faced was flushed in embarrassment, a look of sadness still being held in his eyes, he look over at me and he gasped.

"Oh, th-this is even more embarrassing now."

He shuffled into Jeongin's arms, hiding his face in the younger boys neck, the bright blush reaching down to his neck, the tips of his ears bright red.

"Oh, don't be embarrassed. Jeongin and Chan hyung were just telling me about how you worked here, I haven't gotten the chance to meet you until now, and even under these circumstances it's really nice to meet you."

Seungmin pulled away from Jeongin, his face still slightly flushed, but he shook my hand as I reached mine out.

"You okay now Seung ?"

Seungmin nodded lightly before hissing as he tried to stand up.

"Might have bruised my knees a little."

Jeongin looked at him in suspicion before clicking his tongue and patting at Seungmin's thigh.

"Come on, let me see. You can hide them forever, you're wearing shorts after all."

Seungmin whined before standing up with the help of me and Jeongin.

"Minnie... you clumbsy little puppy."

Jeongin grumbled, kneeling as he looked over Seungmin's knee.

"Just how hard did you fall, what step were you on when you tripped ?"

Seungmin sniffled lightly, shrugging.

"Dunno' just remember and hitting my knees really hard."

Jeongin caressed the back of Seungmin's knee gently, being careful to not put pressure of the purple-ing bruises.

"Can you walk correctly ?"

Seungmin tried to take a step before hissing.

"My bruises are making it difficult, b-but-"

Seungmin was cut off as Jeongin tutted lightly.

"No buts, I'll call Changbin."

Whoever Changbin was had Seungmin freezing in place.

"Nooooo Innie, you know how he gets when I get hurt, he'll probably scold me for being so clumbsy."

Seungmin whined out, pouting at Jeongin.

Chan hyung and I sat Seungmin at a chair off to the side of the pet food isle.

"Seungie, he does it because he cares. He does it out of worry and I think that's one of his main jobs as your boyfriend."

Seungmin only pouted more at Chan's words, nodding it defeat as he put his head on Chan's shoulder.

"O-Okay fine, but when he comes in here screaming his head off for you guys not 'taking care' or 'watch over me' don't say I didn't warn you."

Seungmin said with a light huff, finally accepting the fact that Chan would call up Changbin.

Me and Seungmin talked for a while, Chan and Jeongin tending to all the customers that came in.

But that was before a panicked boy ran in, looking around until his eyes landed on Seungmin, running over and pulling him into a hug.

I'm assuming this is Changbin, from the looks of how panicked he was.

"How'd you get hurt Minnie ?"

He asked.

"Fell when getting down from the latter."

Seungmin explained lightly, his voice just above a whisper.

Changbin pulled away from the hug, crouching down to look at Seungmin's knees, taking in the bruised up skin.

He gently traced over the skin, not pressing down on the skin, a careful look in his eyes.

"D'you wanna go home ?"

He looked up at Seungmin as he asked the question, leaving his hands sit on Seungmin's thigh, rubbing patterns into them with his thumbs.

Seungmin shook his head looking down into his lap.

"Mm, you sure ?"

Seungmin lightly swung his legs, but not for very long as he hissed out in pain.

"Careful love, can you walk ?"

Seungmin shook his head slightly.

Changbin hummed, still gently rubbing patterns into Seungmin's thighs.

"I'll get you some ice for the bruising, do you want anything, water, food ?"

Changbin asked Seungmin, his voice unexpectedly calm from what Seungmin had told me he would be and sound like previously.

"Can I get ice cream ?"

A smile came onto Changbin's face, nodding before standing up.

"Of course love, I'll be back in a bit, okay ?"

Seungmin nodded, a small smile coming to his face.

Chanbin looked over at me before reaching his hand out for me to shake.

"I'm Changbin, nice to meet you."

I shook his hand with a smile, nodding.

"I'm Hyunjin, nice to meet you too."

Before Changbin walked away he gave Seungmin a kiss on the top of his head, whispering a small I love you that Seungmin responded to softly.

I looked over at Seungmin as Changbin left towards the back of the shop.

Then I heard a distant shout in what seemed to be Changbin's voice.

'YAH, TAKE BETTER CARE OF HIM YOU LOVESICK DUMBASSES!'

I laughed lightly, stopping when I heard a soft sniffle from beside me.

"Hey, you okay ?"

He shrugged.

"He's always like this, I feel more like his child than his boyfriend."

I hummed as I nodded.

"He's your boyfriend, and from what I can see he loves you a lot, Chan hyung said he's taking care of you out of love and worry, and I agree even though I haven't known you all for long, I can see it in his eyes that he cares for you."

Seungmin nodded with a hum, laying his head on my shoulder.

"Hm, I know. But I feel like such a burden, he's always taking care of me and I almost never get to take care of him."

I nodded, listening to his words.

"Maybe there's more to it than you know, could there be other reasons he's so worried about you ?"

It seemed like I was right, because he pulled away from my shoulder with a conflicted look in his eyes.

"If it's something you don't want to tell me yet it's fine, I totally understand. We have only known each other for a few hours now. Tell me when you're comfortable."

He nodded, putting his head back onto my shoulder with a small sigh.

"S' just that I already feel like I can trust you, and it's kind of scary. I promise to tell you when I feel comfortable, not that I'm not comfortable right now, I'm just not entirely ready to tell you, I also don't want you to freak out."

I gasped lightly looking over at him worriedly.

"Y-you're not sick in some way are you ?"

Seungmin pulled his head away from my should once again as he waved his hand, shaking his head no.

"No, not, S' not anything like that, promise. It's nothing bad. Just something not a lot of people are use to."

I know that feeling all to well.

"It's good that it isn't anything bad, and Seungmin ?"

He looked at me, ready to listen to whatever I had to say.

"You aren't the only one hiding something, I can't tell you about what it is because I know you'll hate me once you find out, nobody likes what or, more like who I am... and I-I'm scared of you all hating me, I just met you all, and I just made friends with all of you, you guys are my first friends ever."

Seungmin gasped at my last words, looking at me shocked.

"I hide behind something pretending to be someone I'm not, this is the true me... I just hope that I hope you believe me when the time comes for me to reveal myself and my secret."

He looked at me, seeming slightly concerned.

"I'm a human just like most people, and even the people who aren't human get treated better than I do when they reveal themselves, the untrue identity I hide behind is one many despise in this city, showing myself is a big fear of mine."

I explained, ranting on and on.

"You can like me now as the person I am, and I'm truly grateful that you do honestly, but I know once I reveal myself you will be shocked, and maybe even hate me, you may not hate me right now but you might in the future."

I sighed still going on and explaining.

"You might hate me for lying, or you might just think I'm lying about being the person I haven't revealed myself to be, but when the time comes I want you to remember that I'm not lying, and I want you to know that even if you hate me later I'm happy to just happy to have you as a friend now."

Seungmin seemed surprised at my words his face morphing into one of sympathy.

"You're hiding something much bigger than I am, and I'm sorry about that. I know how it feels to hide something, especially when the whole world seems to be against you."

His words made me feel better, but also made me feel much worse.

"I don't know if you will, but if I were to reveal myself to you and the others I hope you'll still stay by my side, though I don't believe that you will..."

I lightly whispered the last bit, but it seemed that he heard me, because he lightly wack my arm.

"You won't know until it happens, the future holds a lot for you, I don't know what you may be hiding but I think that I'll trust you to be telling the truth in all you're saying."

I nodded, taking his words in carefully as he looked into my eyes.

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(A/N: Like I said, probably the longest chapter I've ever written for any of my books, even the unfinished ones. Sorry it took a little while to publish, but once I started writing I couldn't bring myself to stop.)