Next chapter is the last one~

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On the 23rd of December, Seonghwa had to go to work early. He had got Christmas Eve off to celebrate, and in compensation had to formulate some of tomorrow's workload in advance. As soon as had collected his farewell kisses from Hongjoong and stepped out into the snowy city, Hongjoong was on his feet. He raced over to his bag to whip out a fresh pullover and pants. Once he had bundled up, he left the house to go to his secret appointment.

On his way there, he bought the present he had planned out for Seonghwa in many hours of thinking. He put it safely under the passenger seat to deal with later.

He met up with San at the shelter. The man didn't actually have business here, but he was just too overjoyed to see his animal friends wearing adorable Christmas outfits to stay away. When Hongjoong had told him of his plan to get Berry on the day before Christmas so she could spend the festivities with him and Seonghwa, San had been supportive of the secret plan instantly.

Hongjoong and he shared a welcoming hug before they made their way through the freshly shovelled path.

"We got Byeol a little Christmas cape! She looks so adorable in it. Wooyoung suggested wearing matching ones with her, and I just love the idea."

Hongjoong chuckled at the image of the three of them in San's flat, everybody cooing over each other for being so adorable.

"I ordered some stuff for Berry I will pick up later, but a Christmas cape wasn't among them. Maybe I can find a reindeer hairband for her to wear, though."

Hongjoong held the door open for San as they stepped into the cosy warmth of the shelter. Cute Christmas messages 'written by the animals' decorated the walls around a little blinking Christmas tree. The woman recognised them and stood immediately. The cat that had been resting on her lap sprinted off at high speed.

She led them into the area with the little separate cages the animals resided in. Berry had curled up next to her bowl and rested as they halted in front of her. When the key rattled in the lock, she pricked her ears. As soon as the door opened, she was on her feet to wag her tail at them happily.

"Did you bring a collar or shall we provide one?" The woman asked Hongjoong with a kind smile. He took out the strawberry collar and the white leash, presenting them to her. With a smile, she took them to kneel in front of Berry.

"Hey, girl. You're getting adopted today, my sweet. Maybe drop by sometime to play with your friends, hm?" With a fond ruffle of her head, the woman put the collar on her and handed the leash to Hongjoong. Berry was at his feet instantly, sitting down to look up at him with her sweet, curious eyes.

He had lost San somewhere in the kitten section.

"There are only some more papers to fill out. One by Mister Park himself, but you can take it to him and he can mail it back. We've met you people often enough that this is no problem."

Hongjoong followed her back to the counter with Berry in tow. She waited patiently as he filled out the forms and provided his phone number for safety reasons, too. When San returned, he had a little grey kitten with blue eyes on his arm. He looked to be seconds away from adopting that one as well to start his career as a crazy cat lady. After his dramatic goodbye with it, they wished the woman Merry Christmas and took their leave.

Joyful and delighted at the new setting she was taken to, Berry bounced along with them. Hongjoong left it to San to watch over her as he figured out how to put his things so she could have a comfortable place in the car. Berry played in the snow, her happy yaps whenever San jumped around with her putting a smile on Hongjoong's face.

Once Berry was safely stored in the car, Hongjoong and San bid their goodbyes. Both had taken little presents for each other, and San took off shaking the box that contained a plushy that looked like Byeol curiously. Hongjoong promised himself to await tomorrow with opening presents.

"Now, Berry, let's go home, hm?"

Hongjoong reached back to her to pet her head, and she readily nuzzled into his hand, enthusiastic about more pets.

Berry didn't have too many problems with driving although she laid low and whined a bit towards the end. Hongjoong was glad to relieve her from the swaying gravity inside the car as he took her up into the flat.

He had already informed Seonghwa's landlord, too, but she had no problems with dogs around. Yet, she warned him, they could get a complaint filed if she were too loud.

But Berry was patient and peaceful on their way up. As soon as Hongjoong had guided her in, he took her off the leash to have her explore.

Seonghwa had proofed the flat against a dog already, but they were still open for adjustments if Berry messed with something. For now, she was confident exploring under the tables and beyond the doors, however. Hongjoong was particularly proud when she didn't jump up on the bed. The one place where Seonghwa didn't want her.

Hongjoong got out a bag of treats and a rabbit toy. When he sat down on the couch, Berry came over instantly to explore both items curiously.

"This is for you. Can you sit for me? Good girl." Hongjoong rewarded her with the treat and gave her the rabbit to throw around.

Berry wasn't a puppy anymore, so she wasn't too hyperactive. Rather, she stuck close to Hongjoong as if ready to listen to his deepest life worries at any moment. When she was rewarded with pets instead, her joy overflowed.

Hongjoong picked up his phone to text Seonghwa.

Hey, can I pick you up at work today? I want to take a walk in this beautiful weather.

The hidden innuendo had Hongjoong giggle evilly to himself. Seonghwa replied innocently.

Sure! If you come by around 6 we will be about to finish.

He attached a heart emoji to the message, making Hongjoong smile at his phone. His fingers ran through Berry's wonderfully soft fur.

"We'll go pick up Seonghwa together later, okay? He'll be really happy," Hongjoong tutted at her. Satisfied by whatever he said, Berry snuggled up at his side.

He spent his day mostly with the usual boring stuff. Berry pointed out minor adjustments to him when she knocked over every bottle near the shower and nearly gave Hongjoong a heart attack. She was also able to open closets, so Hongjoong spent his time moving anything dangerous from the lower kitchen cabinets into higher positions.

When it was time for them to be on their way, Hongjoong got his beanie and stole a pair of gloves from Seonghwa. He didn't possess a single pair themselves, always having thought of them as quite uncomfortable and useless. Now that Seonghwa had opened his eyes, however, he definitely needed some.

And if he was lucky, Seonghwa hadn't brought gloves today, so Hongjoong could share this time while they were outside.

With Berry's leash wrapped around his big gloves, the two took off. The snow looked gorgeous on the dog's fur and coated her in a fuzzy layer.

They had a fun walk down to the station Seonghwa worked at. The exercise was good for Hongjoong, and Berry was a blissful companion to walk with. They had to halt once when a young boy absolutely couldn't resist pulling his mom over so he could pet Berry. Berry took it with thankful nuzzles.

At the station, Hongjoong shook off the worst snow clinging to his body and carefully peeked through the door. A few officers were still around, and the guy at the entrance area looked up when he saw the snow-dusted beanie peek in.

"Hi," Hongjoong greeted him awkwardly. "I want to pick up Seonghwa, is it alright to come in? I have a dog with me."

"Of course, but please wait up here so the documents in the back won't get wet. I'll get him."

Instead of actually standing up and rounding the corner for the offices, the officer made use of their walkie talkies. Once he had tracked Seonghwa down, he told him to come to the 'entrance hall'. Hongjoong giggled as he stood back in a corner and looked around in the friendly place. A plant stood in a corner and some pamphlets hung on a corkboard. In all, it looked fairly neutral.

Berry laid down next to him to relish the heat of the floor under her body.

Not even a minute later, Seonghwa rounded the corner. He was in the middle of calling Hongjoong's name cheerfully when his eyes dropped to Berry. Immediately, his face lit up.

"Berry!" When he jogged over to embrace her, she sprung right at him to kiss his neck and cheeks in greeting. Hongjoong watched them fondly as Seonghwa greeted her overjoyed. He didn't mind his uniform getting wet either, just happy to see the dog.

"You picked her up," Seonghwa mumbled muffled by her fur. Grinning, Hongjoong nodded.

"As an early Christmas present, yes. I figured you would be over the moon."

Seonghwa cooed at Berry, completely taken over by his happiness. When he spotted a man approaching from the corners of his eyes, Hongjoong glanced up. A tall man with dark hair, his features familiar.

For a second, they looked each other up and down. Then, a bell rang in Hongjoong's head.

"Ah, you're- No. Wait. Who are you?" Hongjoong bit his lip last minute. The cheerful smile Yunho gave him reassured his near blowup.

"I'm Yunho. I couldn't resist meeting the infamous boyfriend. May I pet your dog?" The excitement in his eyes had Hongjoong merely gesture at the two on the ground. Yunho joined in instantly and Berry nearly combusted in delight.

"Don't say it like that. You make it sound as if I talk about nothing else," Seonghwa muttered under his breath. Yunho grinned, his hands around Berry's small face looking huge.

"You don't. This collar is super adorable."

Hongjoong didn't catch Seonghwa's gaze as he hid his blush in the dog. Grinning, he watched them give Berry all the love she deserved.

When Seonghwa finally felt he could take a break before his hands would fall off, he stood to press a kiss to Hongjoong's lips. For a moment, Hongjoong got to hold his slender waist and feel that attractive uniform and the heavy belt under his fingers.

"Thank you lots, Joong. I love having her around already."

Yunho stood, too, to finally exchange formal introductions with Hongjoong. The tall man wore a red jacket with reflector bands all over. His smile was just as infectious and excited as Berry's.

"Are you finishing up here?" Hongjoong turned back to Seonghwa once the formalities were out of the way. Seonghwa stemmed his hands on his hips to smirk at Yunho.

"Actually, yes. Yunho dropped by so we could exchange presents, so I can change now and be right out."

"Sweet. We'll wait here." Hongjoong pulled his beanie from his head when it got decidedly too hot in it. When Yunho had nothing else to do, he stuck around to play with Berry and test which tricks she could do.

"Seonghwa told me about her. She is so well-behaved," Yunho fawned dreamily. Amused, Hongjoong watched Berry give him her paw the third time, ever so attentive to his games.

"It's the race. They are sweethearts."

"They certainly are." Cooing, Yunho complimented Berry on her skills. Watching him so playful with the dog, Hongjoong just couldn't be mad at him. Dream Yunho was a thief, but this Yunho was a kind person through and through. Hongjoong decided to like him.

When Seonghwa returned in his regular clothing, he said goodbye to everyone still around. The person at the desk waved at him, and Yunho sadly said his goodbyes to Berry, too. He held the door open for the trio as they stepped out.

"Merry Christmas, you two. Take care on the roads."

Once they had returned the wishes Yunho closed the door again and left them outside. Hongjoong handed the leash to Seonghwa so he could put on his beanie.

"So, want to take a walk with her around here first before we go home?" The sun had sunken already, and the city was cold and dark, but Seonghwa entertained the thought.

"I would love to. But ah no, I think I forgot my gloves." Sighing, Seonghwa was about to put his hands in his pockets.

Grinning, Hongjoong whipped one off his hand.

"I have one to spare."

Charmed, Seonghwa took it from him and put it on before they went on their wintery walk with Berry.