Archive of Our Own

Although San’s excited that his practice for the night is over, he’s not really excited to have to walk back to his apartment in the freezing, pouring rain at nearly two in the morning. That, and after working a full morning and afternoon shift at the cafe five days a week whilst taking dance lessons on top of that in the evening, San’s exhausted and he’s craving the warmth of his own bed. The other dancers are chattering amongst themselves, some of them bemoaning having forgotten an umbrella or a raincoat while others tease them for not being better prepared or looking at the weather report before leaving.

San glances out the window at the dark streets, illuminated only by the streetlamps and the occasional car that drives past in what’s probably at least ankle deep water, the sloshing sounds audible from three stories above ground. He’s a little nervous, since there were several times during their practice when phone alarms went off with severe weather alerts and flood warnings. He’s relieved that his apartment complex, or at least the block of apartments he lives in is on a higher rise, and since he’s on the fourth floor, he won’t have to worry too much about his apartment being flooded when he’s not there.

When his instructor finally releases the dancers after giving them instructions on what to practice on, she tells them to all travel back safely, and if they need to, get a room in a nearby hotel until the weather conditions clear. San goes to fetch his things, changing his shoes and finishing the water in his bottle before he shoves everything into his bag. He throws on his hoodie and tugs on a poncho over it, snagging his umbrella from beside the door, bidding goodbye to everyone else. San pops in his earbuds as he hurries down the staircase, slipping his phone into the pockets of his sweatpants, zipping it up as he makes his way to the ground floor.

He steps outside beneath the overhang, popping the umbrella before he steps out into the torrential downpour. His feet get soaked almost immediately and San cringes at the feeling of cold water seeping into his shoes, sloshing around his ankles. San trudges his way down the sidewalk, stomach grumbling, and decides that he’ll cut through the park – it’s hilly anyways, perhaps he can avoid walking through puddles – and make a stop at a convenience store first to get something to eat before he inevitably passes out on his bed.

San’s shivering by the time he reaches the convenience store, walking up the concrete stairs to the entrance. There are a few people inside, probably sheltering from the storm, and San shakes out his umbrella before he steps in. The floor is wet, and San nearly slips the moment he steps off of the carpeted matt. He grabs some gimbap, kimchi, instant noodles and a can of tuna and Spam to make his lunches for the next couple of days. San pays for his items, thanking the cashier briefly before he heads back out into the storm, tucking his nose into his hoodie as he makes his way towards the park.

As he reaches the park entrance, he begins to wish that he had ridden his bike, though after spotting a couple of late night workers struggling on bikes with their briefcases over their heads, he wonders if it would’ve been more work to try to bike than to just suffer and walk through water. San’s just about halfway through the park when his eyes catch some movement from his peripheral vision.

San glances to the side, noticing a stray umbrella, awkwardly jammed between the crevices of a bench. He frowns, about to dismiss it, when it moves. San feels his heart jump into his throat, and he glances around, eyes darting back and forth. He slowly reaches up to remove his earbuds to tuck them into his pocket. Although the sound of his heartbeat and rain is loud in his ears, he hears a soft whining. The umbrella jerks again, and this time, San spots a tail come into view from beneath the nylon fabric before it whisks out of eye sight and out of the rain.

That definitely wasn’t a normal cat or a dog tail.

San approaches it carefully, holding his breath. As he gets closer, the sound of soft crying is clearer, and it’s almost horrifyingly close to the sound of a crying child. He shifts the convenience store back to his left hand and reaches out with his other hand, shaking as he nudges the umbrella. Immediately he jerks his hand back, biting back his own terrified cry, before he tries again. The umbrella moves and San stumbles back, his own umbrella toppling to the ground as he falls flat on his ass in a pool of gross and cold rainwater, staring at whatever’s moving on the bench.

A few seconds pass and suddenly, a fox head pops out from beneath it, staring down at San with wide eyes. San stares back. The fox blinks at him before it ducks back beneath the nylon with a cry. San slowly climbs to his feet, picking up his umbrella and placing it along with the now wet convenience store bag onto the bench, no longer caring if he gets soaked. He gently tilts the second umbrella back.

That’s definitely a fox. The fox’s ears flatten against its head as it hisses at San, who tries his best to not look intimidating. The small canine is curled up into a tight ball, tail wrapped around itself as if trying to keep warm, shivering violently.

“Hey, it’ll be alright.” San crouches, tentatively offering his hand out. The fox bares its teeth and San retracts his hand a few centimeters in case it decides to bite. The last thing San needs is rabies. After a few moments, the fox extends its neck from where it was curled into a tight ball and gently sniffs at San’s hand before bumping it with its nose, nuzzling into it. San can feel the poor thing shivering. “Hi, buddy.”

San shifts, reaching into the plastic convenience store back, eyes flicking back and forth from the fox, who’s watching San with wariness and curiosity. The dancer pulls out the can of tuna, and notices the canine’s ears pricking up. San pries open the can and carefully slides it beneath the umbrella without a word. The fox sniffs at it tentatively, before it uncurls itself from the tight ball to nose at the can. It doesn’t take much longer for the fox to start eating, and lifts the umbrella to cover himself as he takes a seat on the bench. San can hear the fox’s unsteady breathing as it eats, and takes the time to observe it.

How on Earth did a fox end up here? It was rare to see foxes in cities, let alone in the middle of Seoul at nearly three in the morning in torrential downpour. That, and how did the umbrella the fox was sheltering beneath get there? Did someone see the fox and sacrifice their umbrella to keep it sheltered? That seemed highly unlikely. San’s tempted to reach out to stroke the fox’s head, but he’s uncertain how it would react to his touch. It seemed to be alright with initiating the touch itself.

After a few more minutes, San stands up slowly so as to not disturb or startle the fox. The canine’s ears twitch and it stops eating to look up at San with wide, rounded eyes. It lifts a paw, as if to reach out to San as the dancer stands up, a soft cry leaving its lips. San’s brow furrows.

“The rain will be over soon.” San tells them. “I don’t know if I can take you home with me, I already have Byeol to take care of. Besides, you’ll be okay.” 

San shifts his weight, feeling a little weird talking to an animal. The fox’s ears turn to half-mast, and it lets out a whining bark. San feels bad about leaving the fox out to freeze in the cold, but San can also barely feel his own limbs, fingers or toes. That, and he’s terrified to think about what might possibly happen if he introduces a wild, potentially feral animal, to his sweet, sweet Byeol. 

“I’m sorry. I have to go.” San bites the inside of his cheek as the fox lets out a pitiful cry, starting to stand up before it collapses, paws slipping on the wet bench, nearly pitching off of it with a pained yowl.

San finds himself dropping to his knees, ignoring the painful sting of concrete against them as he barely manages to catch the fox from slipping and falling off of the bench. The fox is startlingly light in his arms, and to his surprise, the animal doesn’t writhe or fight him. San shifts his grip on the fox, and as he brushes the canine’s right side, it snaps its jaws, San jerking back in alarm. The fox whimpers, nudging San’s shoulder a few moments later as if in apology.

That’s when the smell of something metallic hits San’s nose, and he glances down to see that his hands are stained with blood. He stares at his hands, then at the fox, whose breathing has become much more labored. 

Well shit.

San was already hesitant to leave the poor fox to freeze out in the cold, and now knowing that the fox was injured, he didn’t have the heart to leave it alone. Byeol would have to deal with another animal living with them for the time being, and he’d just have to make sure neither animal would hurt each other. San awkwardly picks up the rest of his things whilst juggling an injured fox in his arms – said fox now leaning heavily against San’s chest, body limp. He carefully places the fox back down on the bench, and the fox seems to panic, reaching out to paw at San’s chest and arms, claws barely catching on the slick and thick plastic material of the poncho.

“Hey, hey, calm down.” San hushes. “I’m bringing you with me. I just want to see if I can wrap you in something warm.” The fox calms down at that, and San looks at them curiously. “Can you understand me?”

The fox tilts its head in response. San shakes himself – it’s absurd that an animal would be able to understand him anyways – and pulls out an extra towel from his bag, zipping it back up before he wraps the fox up in it, careful of whatever injury it has and holds it close to his chest.  He picks up his umbrella and tosses the half-eaten can of tuna before he makes his way home, quickening his pace as his feet slosh through cold water.

When San finally unlocks the door to his apartment, a sigh of relief leaves his lips as the warm air surrounds him. He hears the soft thump of paws and a meow as Byeol hops down from her cat tree, halting when she notices the fox in San’s arms. She meows, showing teeth, before she turns around to climb back up, watching the two with sharp eyes.

San toes off his shoes and drops his bag, deciding to deal with that later before he tugs off his socks and trudges across his apartment floor to the bathroom, where he closes the door and puts down the seat and cover of the toilet. He sets the fox down in the tub, the animal startlingly docile and calm. It stares up at San, ears drawn back, but it shows no signs of aggression. San carefully unwraps it from the towel, tossing it into the hamper. The fox lets its head rest against the porcelain of the tub, body trembling from what San assumes is the cold and pain. It’s in this position and beneath the lights of the bathroom that San notices something doesn’t seem right with its leg. He grabs his phone to take a quick photo, making a mental note to text the picture to his veterinarian slash best friend later.

“Let’s get you warmed up, yeah?” San murmurs, barely able to keep himself from shivering as he starts to run the water, testing to make sure it’s not too hot. He starts the bath, carefully scooping and pouring the water over the fox’s dirtied and matted fur, still careful of where he thinks the fox is hurt. “How’d you get injured?” San asks quietly, even though he knows the fox won’t understand him.

While the water is running, San tugs the poncho over his head and kicks off his wet pants. His hoodie is mostly dry, save for the hood, but he feels a little better after getting rid of his soaked clothes. Once there’s enough water in the tub, San carefully cards his fingers through the fox’s thick fur.

“I’m trying to help you, okay? I don’t wanna hurt you, so please don’t bite me.” The fox lets out a soft snort, as if amused, probably reading San’s tone and hesitant body language. The fox’s fur is filthy and bloody, and San tries his best to work out all of the knots and dirt, ending up draining the bath and using the detachable shower head on a gentle pressure.

The fox seems to find amusement in it, at least, teeth chomping at the spray of water as if trying to drink it, and San lets out a soft laugh as he carefully scrubs rose and apple scented soap and shampoo into the fox’s fur. Eventually, the water San uses to run over the fox’s fur runs clear, and San takes the opportunity of the sleepy looking canine to reach beneath the sink for the first aid kit. He had seen a wound when he was carefully parting the fox’s fur to see where the blood was coming from. There were several nasty scrapes, a couple places where fur seemed to be torn off. There weren’t any visible bite or claw marks, but the leg seems really deformed, and San wonders what had happened.

He really has no idea how to help treat a fox’s injuries. He ends up searching how to heal an open wound on a dog, following the instructions, whispering apologies when he has to disinfect the wound. The fox wriggles, crying out in pain and San’s briefly concerned that his neighbors – most of which know he lives alone – will come knocking at his door. San ends up with a few scrapes and scratches on his arm, but he manages to successfully clean the fox’s leg, lifting the canine out of the tub to start blow-drying its fur.

The fox eventually dozes off in San’s lap. The dancer has to awkwardly maneuver the fox off his lap to rest on the fluffy carpet near the door before he strips and steps into the tub to take a shower himself. The hot water feels great against his chilled skin and sore muscles, and San scrubs his body clean from the dirt and grime, wrapping himself in a towel. The fox shifts as San steps onto the shower mat, ears twitching. San dries himself as best he can, before he eyes the small canine, slipping out of the bathroom to go change quickly and throws on a set of comfortable and warm clothing. He sets up a small, awkward nest of old blankets and pillows on the floor before he leaves the room, putting everything else in the washing machine and cleaning up. He starts the electric kettle for hot water and sets out his instant noodles and gimbap, thankful that they weren’t ruined from the rain.

San heads back into the bathroom, halting when he notices the fox sleeping in a bundle, tail draped over its nose, bandaged leg twitching on occasion. He stoops and carefully picks up the fox, cradling it close to his chest. He feels his heart melt just a little bit as the fox nuzzles into his chest, soft fur tickling his jaw. San carries the fox to his bedroom, setting it down on the nest, watching as the fox tucks its nose beneath a paw.

He distantly hears the kettle click and returns to the kitchen to prepare his late night meal. Byeol hops up onto the counter to purr, rubbing her head against San’s arm and San coos to her, stroking her head and giving her all the love and attention he can as he waits for his food to be done. On the way to the kitchen table, he grabs a can of coke before he sits down with a soft huff, Byeol making herself comfortable on his lap.

The apartment is quiet as San eats and flicks through his phone, reading articles on how to take care of a fox. He texts Yunho the photo of the fox and a brief explanation of what happened and to ask if he had time to come check sometime in the next couple of days. Eventually, San makes a short list of additional things he’ll have to get, since he has no idea how long he’ll have to take care of the fox. 

He reads that it’s best if a fox has its own small space, but San’s apartment is already tiny, and he doesn’t know if he can specifically set aside room for the canine. He sets up a double cardboard box and scoops some litter into it, hoping the fox will utilize it if it needs the bathroom, and trudges back to his room with Byeol in his arms. He plugs his phone in and checks on the fox before he climbs into bed and slides beneath the covers, his cat curling up close to his chest with a purr.

When San wakes up the next morning, it’s to the sound of scuffling and a couple of high-pitched squeaks. The dancer props himself up on his elbows, rubbing at his eyes, hair a mess, and slowly slings his legs over the side of the bed. The pile of blankets and pillows on the floor is empty, his bedroom door open completely when it had been left slightly ajar the night before. San fumbles to grab his phone, cursing slightly beneath his breath when he checks the time to realize it’s half past noon. He has a couple of texts from his friends and the group chat, trying to decide when to meet up for dinner. The messages that seem the most important are the ones from Yunho.

Yunho: Is that a goddamn fox, Sannie?

Yunho: How on Earth did you just 
pick one up?

Yunho: The leg looks like it could either be 
broken or dislocated.

Yunho: I don’t have a day off until tomorrow, 
but I’m going to need the full story in payment.

San: That would be great, thank you 
so much Yunnie.

San: I’ll can also buy us take-out. 

San: Let me know what you want and 
when you’re coming over.

San pockets his phone and heads down the hall to use the bathroom, brush his teeth and wash his face. He spots the fox lying in the middle of the floor of the main room as Byeol nudges her toys in its direction, and he’s surprised that she warmed up to the fox so quickly after her hostile reaction the night before. He’s even more surprised – stupefied, really – that they seem so docile with each other.

Byeol runs up to him when San exits the bathroom, meowing and winding her way between his legs. San crouches and greets her with a soft coo of her name, scratching her beneath the chin, stroking her head and back, pressing a kiss to her forehead. He hears the skittering of claws, and looks up to see the fox slowly pushing itself onto its front paws to turn and watch them both, tilting its head to the side.

“Hey, buddy.” San says, glancing over at the fox. “How’re you feeling today?” The fox blinks, ears twitching. When San straightens up and follows Byeol into the kitchen, the fox hobbles to its feet, nearly collapsing as it tries to pull its right hind leg beneath it. “Woah, be careful.” San hurries over, hands hovering as he tries to figure out if the fox is okay with his touch. The fox touches its nose to San’s palm, rubbing the side of its face against it and San carefully scratches it beneath its chin. The fox makes a pleased noise and San cracks a small smile.

He stands up and heads to the pantry, picking out some food for Byeol to put in her bowl, setting it out before he looks for something that the fox can eat. He’d read that a fox’s diet is mostly made up of meat protein, though they can and will eat some fruits and vegetables. He first sets out a new dish of water and takes out a few hard boiled eggs he’d made the day prior, setting them in a dish along with a half can of tuna, setting it down before the fox.

“Sorry, this is all I have at the moment.” San murmurs. “I’ll go out later today and see if I can find some more proper things for you.” 

He’s uncertain if he wants to leave a wild fox and his cat alone in the apartment, but he figures he can keep Byeol in his bedroom with the door closed, though he’s uncertain if the fox will tear apart his living room. It seems to be pretty tame and quiet so far, but San isn’t sure if it’s partially because of its injury. He doesn’t dwell on it for very long and cooks up a quick breakfast – frying an egg to put on top of some instant rice with kimchi and a little bit of soy sauce. He’s just finished the last couple of bites when his phone buzzes again.

Yunho: Just order the usual from our place. 
I’ll probably be available by 10 in the morning.

San: Sounds good, I’ll see you then!

San: I have to work an evening shift
tomorrow, but that isn’t until four in the
afternoon.

Yunho: Okay, I’ll see how much I can get done
by that time, then. How’s the fox been, by the way?

San: Surprisingly quiet and docile.
I was really worried about Byeol.

Yunho: Oh shit, I forgot about Byeol.

Yunho: Hopefully there won’t be a big 
problem with the two of them.

San: ;w;

San writes down a jotted list of things he needs to do later in the day, including buying a few new dog toys since he knows Byeol’s toys won’t hold up against a wild fox, and he’s pretty sure his cat won’t like sharing her things. He’ll probably need a dog bed of some sort and some proper food. San sighs softly, raking a hand through his hair as he watches the fox eating, crunching through the hard boiled eggs, tongue licking the metal dish clean. It’s his one day off of the week, and although he just got paid, his income is just enough to cover his rent and pay for his and Byeol’s food. He doesn’t have many possessions – only the basics.

He’s been invited to live with Yunho and his partner a couple of times – they make good money with Yunho being a vet and Mingi a lawyer – but he feels bad to take advantage of them, especially when he has Byeol to take care of as well. He’s also been invited to live with some of his good college friends, Hongjoon and Seonghwa who’ve been together since they were fifteen, but he knows their space is already quite small and he doesn’t really want to invade it, nor be subjected to their obliviousness of others when it comes to each other.

Then there’s Yeosang and Jongho, who San also met in college, though they both live alone. San knows that the two of them are still working out whatever their relationship is, and he’s not certain he wants to end up being a mediator or the in-between person. It’s a little lonely being the only single person in the friend group, but he appreciates all of his friends’ attempts to include him in their plans.

It’s not like San has anything against living with other people. He just likes being a homebody, and would prefer to stay in his apartment and play with Byeol if he doesn’t have to go to work or to dance class. San heaves out a soft sigh and eventually drags himself to clean his utensils before he trudges to his room to go change. When he emerges from his bedroom again, the fox is halfway down the hall towards San’s bedroom.

“You shouldn’t be moving around too much if you’re injured.” San tells the fox. 

The fox simply paddles closer, dragging itself forward by its front paws on the lacquered wood, and San smiles wryly. He carefully sits on the ground with his legs spread, offering his hands palms up. The fox shuffles closer, head bowed slightly as it approaches. San carefully cards his fingers through the thick fur of the fox’s scruff, and the canine makes a happy noise, leaning against San’s thigh, body warm. He doesn’t know how long he spends playing gently with the fox, careful of the injury as he scratches the fox behind the ear, and plays with its front paws. Byeol even comes over, carrying a toy in her mouth.

Eventually, San stands up, his heart aching a little when both Byeol and the fox look up at him with wide, pleading eyes. He crouches to pet their heads one last time.

“I need to go shopping.” San says softly. “I’ll be back soon.” He carefully scoops up the fox, carrying it back into the main living area, setting it down. “You’ve both got some water, and the litter boxes are over there.” San’s pretty sure the fox has no idea what he’s saying, and he really, really hopes he won’t have to come back to clean up any accidents.

He grabs a hoodie and another jacket before he throws a messenger bag over his shoulders, throwing his phone, wallet, keys and grocery bags into it as well. He tugs on a pair of old rain boots – ones that he never wears – and glances back over his shoulder. Byeol is sunbathing on the windowsill and the fox is watching San with sad eyes.

“It’s okay,” San offers the fox a smile. “You’ll be safe here.”

About three hours later with his bank account with a good chunk taken out of it, his arms full of grocery bags and new pet items, and a food delivery on its way, San manages to wrestle his way into the elevator of his apartment complex, using his knee to clumsily hit the fourth and fifth floor button at the same time. He stumbles his way out of the elevator, nearly dropping the bag of apples, the handles of two bags sliding down his shoulders into the crook of his arm.

He finally gets to his door, settling several bags down to unlock it, bumping it open with a hip as he drags the other bags inside. San lets out a huff as all of the bags are finally in the doorway, sitting down as he toes off his boots, flopping onto his back to let out a tired groan. He hears scuffling and the sound of something being dragged across the floor and a few moments later, a cold and wet nose brushes his cheek.

San cracks an eye open to see a fuzzy red fox ear in his peripheral and lifts a hand. The nose brushes the back of his hand, a rough tongue licking at his knuckles. San chuckles, shifting his hand slowly to scratch the fox atop the head.

“Hey, buddy.” San murmurs. “I got a few new things for you. My friend will be coming by tomorrow to check up on you to see if he can figure out what’s wrong, or what happened.” The fox lets out a chittering noise, flopping down next to San to press its face into San’s neck. San chuckles, burying his fingers in the soft and thick fur for a few minutes before he sits up. “I gotta put away the groceries.” 

The fox looks at him sadly as San goes to grab the bags, but it quickly perks back up when San finds a jerky treat, tossing it onto the floor close to its front paws. Once San has finally put away all of his groceries, he checks the group chat, hip propped up against the counter.

Hongjoon: So are we still on for tonight?

Mingi: Remind me what we’re doing again?

Hongjoon: Meeting up at the usual arcade,
grabbing ramen at the usual place and then
watching a movie.

Jongho: Sounds good to me, I’ll be there.

Yunho: I’ll be busy this evening, but I might
be able to catch you guys for ramen or the
movie, but it depends on when I finish up with
my clients and the paperwork.

Seonghwa: You’re always working so much,
Yunho.

Yunho: Maybe.

Yunho: Sannie?

Yeosang: We haven’t seen San in what feels like
ages :(

Hongjoon: San’s also been busy. But it would
be nice to try to get the crew together soon.

San: Sorry! I don’t think I can make it.

San: I’d like to meet up with everyone,
but I’ve been really busy lately. Maybe
next weekend?

San contemplates whether or not mentioning that he took in a literal fox. As far as he is concerned, Yunho – and possibly by extension, Mingi – is the only one who knows. Hongjoon would probably scold him for acting so impulsively, but San knows that Hongjoon’s weak to his puppy dog eyes. All San would have to do is jut his lips out into a slight pout, round his eyes, and explain that he couldn’t just leave the poor, injured fox out in the cold and rain.

He’s pulled out of his thoughts when he hears the doorbell ring. He hears a skittering of claws and looks up as the fox drags itself across the wood floor and past the kitchen counter with alarming speed, front paws slipping. The fox lets out a soft whimper, likely intimidated and San crouches briefly to pat the fox on the head.

“It’s okay,” he tells the fox. “It’s probably just my food.” 

San goes up to answer the door, poking his head out to spot the back of the delivery man heading down the hallway, before he picks up his tteokbokki and gimbap. He turns back around to bring it to the kitchen table, stomach rumbling as he grabs a pair of chopsticks and a drink. He scrolls through his phone, reading through the messages of the group chat for his dance lessons before he does a little more research about foxes.

Eventually, San’s finished eating, cheek propped against a fist as he reads about fox habits and behavior when he feels something tugging at the leg of his pants. He looks down to see that the fox has dragged itself across the floor again, pawing at San’s jeans. He glances behind him to find that Byeol is napping atop of her cat tree. San sets his phone down on the table and slides out of his seat carefully to sit on his floor, letting the fox drag itself into San’s lap.

“You’re surprisingly docile.” San murmurs, running his thumb over the fox’s head. “You’re sort of like a puppy.” 

The fox makes a pleased sound in its throat, tilting its head up to bump its nose against San’s chin. It almost looks like it’s smiling at him, eyes curled into little crescent moons. San chuckles, pressing a gentle kiss to the fox’s head, gently digging his fingers in the fox’s scruff until it falls asleep in his lap, flanks rising and falling gently with each breath. It’s a little scary how quickly San’s getting attached to it.

San’s just setting out a mixture of grain free cat and dog food for the fox with a couple raw eggs lightly whisked into the bowl when the doorbell rings. The fox, already approaching San, freezes, ears flat against its skull.

“It’s okay,” San tries to reassure the fox. “It’s my best friend. He might be able to help me figure out what’s wrong with your leg.” San straightens, dusting his palms off on his pants as he goes to let Yunho in. Yunho pulls him in for a fierce hug as soon as the door opens, and San lets out a muffled grunt, before he squeezes back.

“It’s been too long.” Yunho grumbles, flicking San on the forehead as they pull apart.

“Just a little bit,” San agrees. Yunho carries his bags inside and takes off his shoes before he looks up, pausing when he spots the fox, small body hunched as it stares at him.

“So this is the little guy you picked up.” Yunho says, following San into the kitchen.

“Yeah. He’s pretty quiet.” San peers at the fox, who’s been watching the duo carefully. “Go ahead and eat.” San gestures to the bowl, and the fox blinks at him a couple times before it reluctantly stops staring, pulling itself across the floor to eat from the bowl. “I ordered us the usual, so it should be here soon.”

“Thanks, Sannie.” Yunho grabs a can of soda from the fridge. “Now, tell me how you managed to find this little guy.”

San easily launches into how he found the fox on Saturday at nearly two-thirty in the morning, describing the rainfall, the first encounter, how San had given it a small can of tuna, and how he’d finally decided to bring the fox with him, unable to think about what would happen if something happened to the already injured animal when he could’ve prevented it from happening by bringing it home.

“I’m surprised the fox and Byeol haven’t had any sort of hostility towards each other.” Yunho comments, gaze flicking from the napping and unbothered cat to the fox, who’s now laying on its side next to its food dish. 

“Me too,” San admits.

The doorbell rings and San pushes off from the counter to go answer it, thanking the delivery man briefly before he brings the food inside. He and Yunho chat about what’s been going on in their lives since the last time they were able to meet up. Yunho briefly talks about the low-key meetup their friend group had the previous night and comments on the tension that was palpable between Yeosang and Jongho.

“I wonder when those two will get together,” San muses.

“Have you met anyone that interests you recently, Sannie?” Yunho asks, grin teasing. San flushes.

“No.” San scowls as Yunho laughs at his expense. “I’m too busy trying to maintain this place and to feed myself and Byeol.”

“You know that you’re always welcome to come live with Mingi and I. We have plenty of space.” Yunho reminds him gently. San glances at Byeol, then at the fox, who seems to be sleeping, but the pricked ears say otherwise.

“I know, Yunnie.” San sighs softly, chewing on his lower lip. “But I just renewed the six month lease a little while ago. I still have Byeol to take care of, and I’m not certain how long I’ll look after this little guy. I might see if I can pick up another gig to get a little extra money, but–”

“San, you’re already overworked.” Yunho nudges him. “Think about it, at the very least.”

“I will.” San offers a small, tired smile.

“Alright.” Yunho claps his hands. “Shall we take a look at your new friend, then?”

San nods, and the two of them clear the table before Yunho goes hunting for some antibacterial wipes to clean the table, setting out the new tablecloth San had bought the day prior for this, and wipes that down as well. San approaches the fox, who looks tense and jittery as the dancer takes it into his arms. It wriggles a little bit as San sets it down carefully on the table, letting out panicked yips as Yunho approaches, but a gentle hand on its scruff has it calming down, staring up at San with wide eyes.

Yunho’s brought several things with him, many of which San does not recognize, as he starts a simple examination. San keeps one hand on the fox at all times, murmuring quietly to it, quick to placate it when it yelps in pain at a particularly uncomfortable prod. There’s only one time that the fox jerks, reacting violently, jaws snapping. San curses when part of his arm gets clipped by sharp teeth, yanking his arm back with a pained hiss. Instantly, the fox stops writhing and a whimper escapes its throat. Yunho immediately stops the examination to grasp San’s arm, peeling his hand away to assess the wound.

“It’s not deep, so if we clean it and wrap it, it should be fine. Has the fox shown any sorts of symptoms of excess drooling, abnormal behavior or aggression?” Yunho asks, rapid fire. San blinks up at him, partially still startled that the fox bit him, even if it was unintentional.

“Not that I know of, no.” Yunho’s shoulders relax.

“I’m still going to check to see if he has rabies, but I think he’s fine.” Yunho explains, rummaging through the first aid kit he brought to find some disinfectant and bandages. The fox nudges San’s uninjured arm with a cold, wet nose and San pats him on the head.

“I’m okay.” San tells the fox. The canine doesn’t look convinced – if San could read animal faces correctly – but his ears droop as it stares forlornly at San’s now bandaged arm. San scratches the fox behind his ears as Yunho continues taking a few vitals and assessing the wounds that San had dressed the other night.

“This little guy’s leg is definitely dislocated, just like I thought.” Yunho explains, gesturing to the right leg. “I don’t think it’s fractured, but I can’t tell for certain until I get an x-ray done. There’s a lot of bruising, so I’m assuming he probably got hit by some sort of moving vehicle. A car, if I had to guess. If he was out in the rainstorm, then the cars weren’t moving that fast, and that probably saved his life. I’m guessing if he was able to drag himself to the park, then his leg probably isn’t damaged that severely.”

“What can we do, then?” San asks, glancing up at Yunho.

“I could bring him into the clinic to get an x-ray done to see if he has any kind of fracture, and if he does, what kind it is and where the bone was broken. I do have materials with me to make a cast to immobilize the leg, but if we choose to go get the x-ray done, it could take several hours if the clinic is busy.” Yunho hesitates. “I know where the dislocation is, but I’m afraid that if there’s also a fracture, I might make it worse when putting the bone back in place.”

“I trust whatever judgment you have.” San says quietly. Yunho smooths a gentle, gloved palm over the fox’s trembling flank.

“Let me make a call first.” 

Yunho removes his gloves and digs into his pocket for his phone, tapping the screen a few times before lifting it up to his ear. San stands up briefly to head into the kitchen to fetch a small handful of jerky snacks, hurrying back when he hears distressed sounds. San tears off little pieces to feed the fox to keep it placated and calmer as Yunho speaks quickly into the receiver. Byeol seems to sense the fox’s distress and hops off the windowsill to jump onto the table, settling herself between the fox’s front legs, bumping her head into the fox’s chin, purring loudly.

“They’re pretty busy today, but there are available times tomorrow.” Yunho says, returning to the table with a soft huff. “I can probably give him some anesthesia to dull the pain until we can figure something out tomorrow, or I can try to put his leg back into place.”

“Are you allowed to have that outside of the clinic?” San asks, brow furrowed.

“Technically, no.” Yunho states. San blinks at him. “But I know what I’m doing.” San chews on the inside of his cheek, glancing down at the fox who seems to pick up on his unease, shifting slightly on the plastic tablecloth. Byeol purrs even louder, her tail flicking to brush against the fox’s face.

“He seems to be able to move around with relative ease,” San says. “He’s been pulling himself around just his front legs, and I guess it helps that these are hardwood floors.” 

“He shouldn’t be moving around that much if his leg is injured like that.” Yunho frowns.

“I trust your judgment,” San repeats his statement from earlier. “I don’t know anything about what the best course of action is from here.”

“I’ll put him under some anesthesia for now, and we can get the x-ray done tomorrow and go from there.” Yunho decides.

“Okay.” San nods. “How… how much would it cost?”

“I’ll make some excuse,” Yunho waves his hand absentmindedly. 

“Thanks, Yunnie.” San glances back down to find the fox is fast asleep with Byeol curled up to his chest.

The next day, Yunho arrives at San’s apartment early with a dog carrier. San carefully helps place the fox inside, setting a bowl of food and a couple of treats in with him, an extra bowl for water and a couple of water bottles. Yunho covers the carrier with a cloth and the two exchange a few words before the vet has to hurry off to work. San grabs a quick bowl of rice to eat, makes sure Byeol has enough food and water and kisses her on the head before he goes to work at the cafe for his double shift.

He spends the majority of his shift anxiously awaiting a text from Yunho to update him on the fox’s condition – and he briefly wonders if he should name the fox. There’s a part of him that doesn’t want to give the fox a name and avoid getting too attached so he won’t be heartbroken when he eventually has to let the fox go. Yeosang picks up on San’s skittishness, and he pulls the younger man aside when they have a slight break.

“San, what’s going on? You’re acting like you’re a wanted criminal.”

“That’s some analogy.” San huffs. Yeosang doesn’t look amused. “I’m…” He hesitates. He doesn’t know if he wants many people to know that he just randomly took in an injured fox. San trusts his friends, and he knows they’ll respect his decisions or his requests, but he also knows that if he tells them, they’ll be curious, and he doesn’t want to stress the fox out even more.

“You don’t have to tell me what’s wrong.” Yeosang shrugs. “Unless it’s boy trouble, then you should tell me.” He nudges San playfully.

“It’s not- it’s not that!” San hisses. “It’s just that… well, I may have found an injured fox, and I may have taken him in?” Yeosang stares at him.

“Say that again? I don’t think I heard.” He says in disbelief.

“I’m looking after an injured fox.” San wrings his fingers together, eyes flicking to the counter.

“You’re looking after an injured fox.” Yeosang repeats.

“Yes.” San nods. “Yunho took a look at him yesterday, and thinks he got hit by a car during the storm the other day. He brought him into the clinic to get an x-ray to see if there’s any bone damage, so I’m just waiting to see what he says.”

“Do you have photos?” Yeosang asks, curious. The only photos San had was the first one he took to send to Yunho, and one he took last night, with the fox lying in his lap, fast asleep. Yeosang coos softly at the images. “How’s Byeol doing?”

“She’s surprisingly okay with it.” San murmurs. “The fox seems pretty docile, too. I wonder if it belonged to someone already? You don’t really see foxes in cities like Seoul.”

“It’s possible.” Yeosang shrugs, moving past San to greet a customer. San’s just about to slide his phone into his pocket when it buzzes.

Yunho: There was a dislocation and a hairline
fracture. I relocated the leg after giving him some
anesthesia, so he’s fast asleep with an immobilized
leg. I don’t think he’s very happy with me, though.

Yunho: You’re welcome to come pick him up
after your shift is over, or I can drop him off on
my way home. 

Yunho: If you do come pick him up, come find
me in my office and I’ll give you a few types
of medication and painkillers to give to him.

San: Thank you so much, Yunnie.

San: Really. I was at a total loss of what
to do. I don’t think I’ll be able to carry
the crate, or fit in on public transport…

Yunho: Then I’ll come to yours after my shift.

Yunho: Do you know what you’ll do once he
gets better and heals?

San: No, I haven’t thought that far yet. I
can’t just release him back out into the
city, can I? I’d have to bring him to a
forest or something.

Yunho: There are always rehabilitation centers.

San thinks about that for a few moments. He knows that it’s probably better if the fox gets proper treatment and care. He can only do so much, and he’s out of the apartment for a good portion of the week, too. But there’s something about that fox that makes San feel selfish – and he doesn’t understand how he’s gotten so attached to the fox in only a couple of days. He doesn’t respond to Yunho’s last message, feeling a mix of guilt and trepidation flooding through his veins.

He goes about the rest of his shift, taking orders, making drinks and food, bringing them out to customers and greeting people with a smile on his face, trying to keep his mind off of a certain fluffy canine.

It’s nearing ten at night and San’s getting anxious. Byeol’s curled up in his lap, purring, and San’s been listlessly staring at the TV screen for the past two hours. He knows that Yunho works late, so this is completely normal. Distantly, San hears the elevator ding, and sits up straighter, heart thumping. Byeol meows once and hops off of his lap, trotting over to her bed to pad around in a circle, paws kneading the cushion before she flops down. There’s a light rap at the door a few moments later and San’s on his feet before he realizes it. Yunho looks exhausted, but he’s got a smile on his face when San opens the door.

“Hey, Sannie.” San steps to the side to let Yunho in.

“Can I get you anything? Coffee?” San asks, closing the door behind them.

“Coffee would be great.” Yunho sighs. 

He toes off his shoes and carries the crate into the living space, tugging the canvas off of it. The fox is fast asleep, though his positioning looks a little awkward, probably because of the cast, and when San approaches after starting the coffee machine, the fox wakes up, lifting his head to sniff at San. An excited noise leaves the fox’s lips as it tries to get closer and San chuckles, sticking his fingers through the spaces as the fox licks at them.

“He really likes you.” Yunho observes, watching the two with a fond smile on his lips.

“I guess he does.” San says, with a small smile.

San carefully unlatches the door of the crate, reaching in to lift the fox out to place in his lap. The fox’s tail is wagging back and forth, front paws eager as he tries to get closer to San with excited whines and puffs of breath. San chuckles, cradling the fox close to his chest.

“Hey, buddy.” San murmurs. “Thanks to Yunnie, you’re gonna get better real soon.” Yunho watches the exchange quietly, and only once the fox has calmed down, seeming to have exhausted himself with the brief episode of eagerness, he speaks.

“Sannie, I have a little care package to give you.” San glances up as Yunho lifts up a bag he’d placed on the counter. He goes to explain the different types of medications, including painkillers and antibiotics to prevent any potential infections. He also provided the fox with vitamin and mineral supplements. “Are you going to give him a name?” San glances down at the sleeping fox, peacefully curled up in his arms.

“I’d like to,” San admits quietly. “But I don’t want to get even more attached than I already am.”

It takes about three weeks before San falls into a more comfortable rhythm. He wakes up early to do a quick home work-out, takes a shower and eats, and plays with Byeol and the fox for about half an hour before he heads out to work. He comes back home to eat something small, and makes sure the fox – still unnamed – has enough to eat. He’ll play with them again for a little bit, do some house chores and maybe watch a movie. Then he’ll get ready for dance practice, bid the two goodbye before he leaves. He returns late at night, and he quickly learns that the fox loves cuddling.

All of his friends know that he’s taking care of a fox now. Yunho, Mingi, Yeosang and Seonghwa are currently the only ones San will allow to look after the fox if he needs help, or knows he’ll be gone for an extended period of time. It doesn’t stop them from taking multiple photos and videos to send to the group chat for everyone to coo over. San has to admit that he’s very emotionally attached to the fox, and he’s terrified that if he gives it a name, he won’t be able to let him go. It doesn’t help that his friends are pestering him to name it, giving him suggestions on an almost daily basis. He eventually names the fox Hala.

Hala seems to be recovering pretty well, able to hobble around instead of dragging himself across the floor by his front paws. He and Byeol have become almost inseparable, and San’s only a little bit jealous. At the very least, San feels more comfortable leaving the two of them alone when he goes out for work at the cafe, and he eventually picks up a second job – working as a bartender – to provide a little more income for the three of them. It makes good money, but the hours are brutal, and sometimes San feels like he’s barely functioning. But it keeps a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs.

Nearly a month of his new schedule passes and every morning becomes a struggle to wake up. It’s a constant cycle of work, work, dance (sometimes working again afterwards) and then sleep before he repeats it. At least San gets free caffeine when he works his shifts, and he does his very best to ignore Yeosang’s concerned eyes when he chugs several shots of straight espresso almost as soon as he clocks in. Hala and Byeol greet San at the door every time he returns, no matter the time, and it always brings a small and tired smile to his face. 

Hala can almost stand completely on all fours, at this point, able to put some weight onto his hind legs whenever he rears up, and it hurts San’s heart just a little bit each time Hala limps his way up and down the halls to follow after him, knowing that it won’t be long before he’ll have to say goodbye. He and Yunho talk on the phone every other day, and the vet comes to visit San at least twice every week to check up on Hala’s physical condition. Yunho eventually tells San that in a couple of weeks, Hala should be completely healed. San’s heart gets just a little heavier as the days go by.

There’s one day where San just doesn’t wake up at all, his body finally having reached its limit. The insistent buzzing of his phone is what wakes him up and San fumbles to reach for it, nearly knocking it off of his nightstand as he blearily stares at the screen to answer the call.

“Hello?”

“San? Where are you?”

“Yeosang?”

“It’s ten o’clock.”

It takes several seconds for San’s brain to catch up to the conversation and he wretches the phone away from his ear to stare at the time. It’s three hours past the time he was supposed to be at the cafe and his body switches into panic mode.

“Shit,” San sits up abruptly, but he lets out a pained whimper when his head throbs and the world before him spins, his stomach churns and his vision goes double. He feels like he’s going to throw up.

“Sannie? Are you alright?” He can barely hear Yeosang’s voice through the receiver over the sound of his pulse in his ears.

“I’ll be fine,” San manages to grit out. “I’ll be there.” San forces himself to stand up, and it’s the last thing that he remembers.

San wakes up in the hospital. The ceiling is white he’s lying in a bed with his back slightly propped up. There’s a pulse reader on his pointer finger and several tubes wound around his body. He glances to the side to see Jongho sitting in the chair next to the bed, brow furrowed as he stares at his phone. Jongho glances up when San shifts, relief flooding the younger man’s face when he realizes San’s awake.

“Hyung,” Jongho breathes. “You scared all of us. How are you feeling?”

“Like shit.” San rasps, throat dry. Jongho reaches behind him and procures a glass of water with a straw that he helps San drink from. “What happened?”

“Yeosang-hyung called you when you didn’t show up to your shift. He was worried, since you never miss a shift, and the past few weeks he’s said you’ve consumed a monstrous amount of caffeine.” Jongho pauses, reaching out to brush his knuckles beneath San’s eyes. “You also look like you haven’t slept well in weeks. Anyways, Yeosang said that he wasn’t sure what happened, only that he heard several loud thumps, and he tried yelling your name and got no response. He spammed the group chat and I was the only one who was available, so I swung by Yunho’s office to grab his copy of your apartment key and I called an ambulance on my way to yours.”

“Oh.” San slumps.

“Hala didn’t seem to like me, though.” Jongho laughs wryly. “He kept barking at me when I was trying to bring you to the door, but he stopped when he heard the ambulance sirens and ran into your room.”

“Is Hala and Byeol okay?” San asks hoarsely.

“Seonghwa-hyung took a half day to go stay with them.” Jongho explains. “Yunho and Mingi should be coming by soon.”

“How long have I been here?”

“About eight hours, give or take.” Jongho shrugs. “You really needed the rest, hyung.”

They fall silent for several minutes, San picking at a loose thread on the hospital sheet. They hear a sudden commotion out in the hall, and an angry voice that booms down the hall, sounding eerily like Yunho’s. There’s a deeper voice that accompanies it, a little panicked and San assumes that it’s Yunho and Mingi who are trying to get the hospital staff to let them see him. Jongho stands up from his seat and pokes his head out the door.

“Yunho, Mingi, we’re in this room.”

Jongho steps back and a few moments later Yunho bursts into the room, eyes crazed, hair a mess and looking frazzled. Mingi trails in after him, bowing apologetically to the hospital staff outside. Yunho wraps San into a tight hug, pressing his forehead to the top of the dancer’s head.

“You scared the shit out of me.” Yunho’s voice is muffled. “God dammit, Sannie. I told you to take it easy. I told you that Mingi and I were more than happy to have you, Byeol and even Hala live with us so you don’t have to stress so much about how you’re going to provide for yourselves. That offer still stands, by the way. If you keep this up, I will physically drag your ass to our place.” San lets out a tired laugh, wrapping his arms weakly around Yunho’s waist.

“Sorry.” San murmurs. “I’ll try to do better.”

Yunho refuses to let San go, only letting Mingi get a teary hug before he practically bullies his fiance back out of the way to drag San into another hug. A doctor eventually comes in and explains that San collapsed from exhaustion.

“When was the last time you ate a proper meal?” The doctor asks him.

“Um…” San tries to think hard. “Saturday?”

“It’s Friday.” Yunho stares at him and San shrinks back beneath his best friend’s glare.

“I’ve been drinking water, at least?” San tries.

“That’s good, at least.” The doctor flips through his notes. “We’re giving you an IV drip, and we’ll be keeping you here for a few days to monitor your health and progress. Fainting from exhaustion can be fatal to your health, and it’s not something to just ignore – it can lead to heart attacks, strokes and seizures. You were lucky someone was on the phone with you when you collapsed.” He glances up at San through his glasses. “I will have further instruction for you before we believe you are in a condition to be discharged.” The doctor stands up, tucks the clipboard beneath his arm and leaves the room.

“Seonghwa wants to know if you’re up to do a video call.” Yunho looks up from his phone. “I guess Byeol and Hala have both been really skittish ever since you were taken out this morning.”

“I could do that.” San nods, letting his head fall against Yunho’s shoulder. 

His best friend had managed to squeeze his way in to lay next to him, careful of the wires and tubes, and Yunho lifts the phone to request a call. A few moments later, Seonghwa’s face appears, his hair ruffled as if he’d run his hands through it multiple times and distantly, San can hear the sounds of whining.

“Hi, Seonghwa.” San offers a weak smile.

“San! How are you feeling?” Seonghwa exclaims. There’s a bit of shuffling before Seonghwa shifts, dropping to lay on his stomach, extending his arm to shift the camera view, and San catches a glimpse of a russet fox tail and Byeol making a straight beeline for the phone.

“Hala,” San calls, feeling a little stupid for calling out to a fox over the phone. “Byeol. Are you both behaving?” Hala perks up at the sound of San’s phone. Seonghwa chuckles as he props his phone up, leaning back as Byeol and Hala sniff and prod at the camera, as if trying to reach San on the other side. “I’m doing alright, but I’m going to have to stay here for a little while.” He glances over at Yunho.

“We’ll take turns looking after them, don’t worry.” Yunho says softly. “We don’t want to bring them to our houses or apartments, because if an animal is already distressed, bringing them to an unfamiliar environment will make it worse. They’re already comfortable with a few of us, so we’ll just rotate.”

“Oh.” San glances back at Yunho’s phone where both Byeol and Hala are staring at him with wide eyes. “I’ll be back home soon, okay? For now, behave for the others.” San stifles a yawn behind his hand, turning his face into Yunho’s shoulder. Yunho chuckles, ruffling San’s hair.

“I think our Sannie is tired. He needs all the rest he can get. We’ll swing by later, okay Seonghwa?” San’s already fast asleep by the time Yunho hangs up.

The next several days at the hospital are grueling. His bosses are at least kind to him when he manages to get in contact with him – though his boss at the cafe is already aware of his situation through Yeosang – and he’s told to spend the next few days out of the hospital relaxing and taking time for himself. When he’s discharged, San is given several different vitamin and mineral supplements and orders to eat at least two full meals a day, and drink plenty of water, and to try to take at least two weeks off from work. It’s easy enough to feel like he’s recovered from his exhaustion or burnout or whatever the doctor called it until he dives headfirst back into his busy schedule a week and a half later.

One particular Wednesday, San comes back home with sore feet from a particularly hard day at the cafe. He stops outside of his apartment door, exhausted and hungry only to remember that he has practically no food. He hadn’t had time to go shopping with his new schedule nor did he have much time to try to make home-cooked meals. He’d been eating take-out for the past several days, going out to grab more food for Byeol and Hala and a few staples for himself when he had time. 

He doesn’t think he has the energy to order take-out and decides that he’ll just take a nap instead and try to eat later during his shift at the bar. San knows that he probably didn’t take enough time off to fully recover, which is entirely his fault, but the depleting food supplies and the slow decline of money in his bank account was enough to get him off his feet and moving again.

Miserable, San unlocks the door, only to halt in the doorway. He knows that Mingi’s been in his apartment since this morning. He’d come over earlier to look after Hala and Byeol after San had mentioned that the fox had been coughing for the past several days, and since he only had to work on some research and type up a case on his laptop, Mingi could work from practically anywhere with the internet. San had expected to see Mingi sitting on the couch with his glasses on, laptop propped on his knees. What he didn’t expect to see was Mingi standing in his kitchen in an apron much too short, stirring something in a pot that smelled absolutely wonderful. San’s stomach grumbles.

Mingi looks up at the sound of the door, the initial bright smile slipping off his face when he takes in San’s distraught expression, eyes watery and lips trembling. Mingi can’t even open his mouth to ask what’s wrong before San’s bursting into tears, covering his face in his hands as sobs pour freely from his lips. He hears the skittering of claws against the wood and the sound of Mingi’s rapid footsteps as he approaches, feeling strong arms pulling him into his apartment and up against a broad chest, a chin resting atop San’s head.

“Hey…” Mingi whispers, as San feels Byeol and Hala pressing up against his legs in an attempt to give him comfort. “What’s going on, Sannie?” 

Mingi’s arms are tight around his body as he rocks them back and forth gently. San can’t formulate a response, hiccuping and choking on his words and each and every breath, his fingers curling into the stupid apron as his body is wracked with sobs. Any of the words falling from San’s lips are unintelligible, a jumbled mess of stuttered consonants and shaky inhales. They stand there for a little while before Mingi shifts, curling his hands beneath San’s thighs to lift him up. Mingi pulls off San’s sneakers before he carries him to the couch where he sits down, leaning back to stroke the length of San’s shuddering back.

There’s a soft and concerned meow, and San feels Byeol pushing her way past his hip to nestle in between Mingi and San’s bodies. There’s a gentle nose that nudges against his side – Hala’s here too – and San sobs even harder. After what feels like hours, it’s Byeol’s gentle and loud purrs, Hala’s careful nuzzling against his hip and Mingi’s soft hums that calm him down. San’s even more exhausted than he was before, and he ends up slumping against Mingi’s body, his head falling forward into the taller man’s neck as he falls asleep.

When San wakes up, it’s to the smell of something good, and he’s tucked in, lying on the couch with the fox nestled carefully by to his side and Byeol slumbering on his chest. He hears some soft voices, and reaches up carefully to rub at his sore, tear-stained eyes. Byeol shifts, meowing as she nudges against San’s chin, giving it an affectionate lick. San lets out a hoarse chuckle, chest rattling with a cough as he tries to dislodge the gunk in his throat from his breakdown earlier.

“Sannie?”

“Yunnie?” San blinks, careful as he sits up, trying not to disturb the fox – though it’s futile, because he wakes and nudges San’s palm with his nose – to spot Yunho, Mingi and Seonghwa in his kitchen. “What’re you guys doing here? Don’t you have work?”

“Mingi called.” Yunho tells him, walking over with a washcloth in hand. San wordlessly tilts his head up and Yunho drags the warm cloth over his face, the dancer sagging into his touch. “You’re more important to me.” He says as San opens his mouth to protest.

“I’m still sorry.” San glances down at Byeol, sleeping peacefully in his lap, her tail flicking occasionally over Hala’s ears.

“What’s going on, San?” Yunho asks quietly, pushing San’s bangs out of his face. San chews on his lower lip, contemplating on how to respond.

“Work was rough today.” San slumps against the back of the couch, cheek squished. “Yeosang and I couldn’t catch a break for nearly ten hours straight, and I had to stay a couple hours over my scheduled shift. I still have to go to the bar tonight for that shift. I hadn’t found the time to go grocery shopping and when I walked into the apartment to see Mingi at the stove making something, I just…” He swallows thickly, chest a little sore from his breakdown earlier.

“Sannie,” Mingi starts gently. “You just got out of the hospital a couple weeks ago. When was the last time you had a break? A proper break.” San bites his lower lip and doesn’t reply. “We know you’re a hard worker. You probably work the hardest out of the seven of us. You’re genuine and you do everything you can do to work to the best of your ability. I don’t want to chastise you, but you didn’t follow the doctor’s instructions to recover. You’re going to burn yourself to the ground and to an early grave if you keep going like this.”

“I know.” San says quietly. “And I think Hala’s getting sick, and maybe it’s my fault, but I don’t know how I’m going to try to help treat him when I’m barely in the apartment because I got sick and couldn’t work for two weeks and I’m still working all the time to try to make sure we’re all going to have something to eat and to have a roof over our heads and–”

His voice is both uneven and increasing in pitch as he gets worked up again, eyes stinging with unshed tears, throat closing up as he tries to rationally think about how he’s going to figure out how to provide for himself, Byeol and Hala. Yunho rubs his back gently, awkwardly leaning over the back of the couch to press San’s face against his stomach as his shoulders shake. Yunho threads his fingers through San’s hair, and San buries his fingers into Byeol’s fur.

He feels someone sit down, dragging his feet, then the rest of his body into their lap. San blinks the tears from his eyes to see Seonghwa watching him with a soft and fond look, opening his arms that San readily falls into, pressing his face to the taller man’s shoulder. Byeol’s still curled up in his lap, and Hala shifts with a sneeze, pressing up against San’s back. San manages to drag in a few deep breaths to recollect himself.

“Can we do anything to help, San?” Seonghwa asks quietly. San shrugs helplessly. “Have you thought about moving in with either Mingi and Yunho or Hongjoon and I? Your lease is almost over, isn’t it?”

“But…” San inhales sharply, struggling to push down the aching pain in his chest. “By the time I renew it, I won’t have to work as much.”

“What do you mean, Sannie?”

“H-Hala won’t be…” San’s unable to finish his sentence, too choked up and he presses his face into Seonghwa’s shoulder. “Why did I have to get so attached to a dumb fox? ” He wails. Seonghwa doesn’t say anything, stroking his fingers through his hair.

“He’s not a dumb fox and you know it. You love him.” Yunho says quietly. San muffles a choked cry. “You don’t have to get rid of Hala, you know.”

“What?” San’s breath hitches as he stares up at Yunho and Seonghwa with watery eyes.

“It’s not illegal to keep foxes as pets here in Korea.” Yunho explains, propping himself up on the back of the couch, keeping one hand atop San’s head. “I’ve been doing some research lately. There might be some paperwork involved, I’m not certain. Foxes in captivity, or domesticated foxes will require more attention than normal dogs, and it’ll be a little more difficult to take him out and about for proper exercise if you’re living in the middle of the city. You can find ways to work around it, and we’re all here to support and help in any way possible.”

San doesn’t even notice Hala moving until he feels two paws resting on his thighs. He looks over to find Hala, standing on his hind legs, neck stretched out to try to touch his nose to San’s cheek. San manages to crack a small, watery smile and Hala trills, nuzzling into his neck.

“Could I really keep him?” San mumbles, burying his hand in the fox’s thick scruff.

“Yeah.” Yunho smiles. “You know, I don’t think Hala was actually sick.” San blinks, looking up at Yunho with a tilted head. “Foxes are pretty intelligent.” Yunho clarifies. “It’s obvious that the fox has bonded to you, and he probably knows that once his leg was better, you’d have to let him go, so he was thinking of ways to try to stay with you.” San immediately looks back over at the fox, and if an animal could look guilty, it would be the epitome of this fox.

“You little brat.” San sighs. “You really worried me, y’know.” The fox nuzzles into San’s stomach, eyes round and pleading.

“Is now a good time to let Sannie know that we called Hyuna to let her know San wouldn’t be coming into work tonight?” Mingi asks from the kitchen. Three heads snap over to look at him, two in disbelief and the third in confusion.

“We’re staging an intervention.” Seonghwa tells San, patting him on the head. “Surprise.” San sighs, slumping to lean against the taller man’s shoulder as he showers Byeol and Hala with pets.

“A break could be nice.” San admits quietly. The others cheer.

It turns out that Mingi was in the process of making budae jjigae when he had walked through the door a few hours ago, and now it was ready. It’s nice to sit at the table with a good home-cooked meal and just chat with his friends. It feels like it’s been years since he was last able to do this so comfortably. Hala and Byeol have already been fed, courtesy to Yunho, and are curled up with each other on the armchair. Yunho tells San that during the weekend, he can bring Hala to the clinic to get one last x-ray to check the condition of the bone before the cast could be removed. Hala has been walking comfortably – or as comfortably as a fox could with an immobilizing cast on one leg – for the past few days, so he should be completely healed. It would take a few more weeks before Hala could return to doing normal fox things, whatever that meant, but San felt a peaceful sense of relief, no longer dreading the idea of having to leave Hala after his recovery.

They watch a couple of Studio Ghibli movies, and Hala curls himself up in San’s lap for the entire time. Even when his friends bid him a goodnight, each of them pressing a brief kiss to the top of his head, Hala remains close, snuggled up to his side. San sighs softly, stroking Hala’s soft back as the fox practically purrs. It’s there, curled up on the couch with a blanket draped over his shoulders and a warm fox in his lap that San falls asleep.

A week later, San gets a text from his landlord that his lease is coming to an end, and that the price of rent has increased and San’s pretty sure that’s not legal, because he did sign his contract with a set bi-annual rate. San resists the urge to throw his phone across the room. It’s Sunday, and it’s thankfully his day off from work, though he does have to go to dance practice later in the day. Hala trots up to him with a soft whuff, head tilted.

“It’s alright, buddy, I’m just a little frustrated.” San sighs, staring at his phone screen. 

At least he was warned a month before his rent was due. He contemplates it for a little while before he screenshots the text message and sends it to the group chat without any further context, setting his phone screen side down on the table before he gets up to go make some lunch. When San returns with a bowl of instant ramen, the group chat is in various modes of anger and chaos.

Mingi: I am pretty sure that’s illegal, especially 
if there was a set rent payment in the contract 
San signed. That, and landlords have to give 
at least 60 days of notice, and it’s barely a 
month’s notice.

Seonghwa: That’s kind of fucked that he’s
suddenly just upping the rent. Is it for
everyone?

Hongjoon: What the hell? That shouldn’t
be allowed.

Jongho: Is there any way we can help?

Hongjoon: Sannie, remember that our place
is always open for you.

Yunho: Does this mean you’ll consider
moving in with Mingi and I??

Yunho: HEY I think I have priority >:(

Yunho: Back off my baby.

Mingi: Let’s not jump the gun, babe.

Mingi: Oh well if it’s against Hongjoon
then by all means.

Hongjoon: What the fuck.

Yunho: You and me, it’s on sight.

San: I’m seriously considering taking
you guys up on your offers at this
point. You guys know I don’t like
asking for help, but this is…

Yunho: :0

Hongjoon: :0

Jongho: :0

Mingi: :0

Seonghwa: :0

Yunho: Whose offer, Sannie :)

San: That’s for me to know and you all
to find out ;)

Mingi: Damn, San’s just edging the entire
group chat.

Yunho: Babe, I love you, but please
don’t ever say that again.

Mingi: :(

Seonghwa: 25k won that San goes with
Yungi.

Hongjoon: D:

Seonghwa: Do you disagree?

Hongjoon: I have hope. The least you could do
is to pretend you support your husband.

Yeosang: Why does all the drama
happen in the group chat when I get
slammed at work?

San rolls his eyes as he scrolls through the chaotic back and forth conversation as he eats his lunch, pitching in occasionally only to set off another round of arguing. Hala nudges his thigh, and San takes a small piece of jerky from the bowl he keeps on the kitchen table to hand to the fox, who takes it happily, licking at San’s fingers.

“We might have a new home soon.” San tells Hala. He opens up his messages with Yunho as Hala makes a happy, trilling noise.

San: Would you at least let me pitch in
for rent or food and stuff?

Yunho: Absolutely.

Yunho: Do you want any help with
anything?

San’s in the process of typing out a response when Yunho sends a victory message in the group chat, and he can’t help the broad grin crossing his face. He sends a quick and formal text to his landlord, thanking him for the reminder, and that he would be making his final payment next month. His landlord doesn’t seem to be too happy to be losing a tenant, but he wishes San good luck on his future endeavors. Things are definitely looking up.

Byeol and Hala are both in separate crates covered in canvas cloth, and San knows that they’re definitely not happy. San doesn’t have many items since the apartment he rented came fully furnished. He’d bought several furniture covers just in case, but both Byeol and Hala were well behaved and never chewed or clawed at the couches or chairs, so he was eternally grateful for whatever deity had blessed him with gentle and loving pets. Still, the ruckus that his friends cause as they all try to get San’s things into their cars is a lot.

Once Hala and Byeol’s crates are placed in the back of Mingi’s van and they’re on their way, San takes Byeol out and keeps one of his hands down low, fingers dipping in through the gaps so Hala can have some sort of comfort as they make the drive to their house. They live in a beautiful four bedroom house – they insisted on purchasing a large house because they absolutely adore having people stay over –  on the outskirts of the city, and the bus systems still run close by so San can still go to work at the cafe. 

With much convincing from his friends, San stopped working at the bar every night, instead only going Fridays through Sundays, and he only works doubles at the cafe Tuesday through Thursday, working either a morning or afternoon the other days. He still goes to dance class, and when he has free time and the motivation to, he goes to work out at the gym with Jongho. 

It’s a much healthier routine, and San was finally able to relax and go back to a routine of normalcy in his last month at the apartment. Hala was completely healed and would greet San eagerly at the door, jumping on him with excited yips, giggling whenever San would kiss his nose and ruffle his neck fur. Hala’s quieter now, probably anxious to be in the van, and knowing that they were going to an unfamiliar environment.

“How are you all doing back there?” Yunho glances over his shoulder at San.

“I’m alright.” San nods. “Byeol’s napping – she’s unbothered by most things. I think Hala’s the most anxious, though.” He glances down at the fox, flattened on his belly. “He’ll get along with Mist, I’m sure of it.”

Mist was a puppy that Yunho and Mingi recently adopted. She had been found, abandoned on the side of the highway by a motorcyclist with her paws cracked and burned from the hot pavement. When she’d been brought into the clinic, she had a distemper virus and fleas crawling all through her fur. Yunho had been the one to treat her over the span of a week along with his other clients’ patients, and like San, had developed an attachment to the puppy.

He was initially nervous, knowing that San would be coming to live with them with Hala and Byeol. San had assured him it would be fine – he could keep Hala in his crate for the first few days anyways. San was pretty certain Hala would either stay in the crate or close to San until he became comfortable. It was all the confirmation Yunho needed. He gave her the vaccinations, and set a reminder for himself to get her spayed. Getting Hala spayed was probably going to be a good idea, too, and it was something that he had to bring up to Yunho at some point.

“I’m sure they will.” Yunho smiles.

About fifteen minutes later, Mingi pulls into the driveway of their house, Hongjoon and Seonghwa pulling up next to them. San’s suitcases are in their trunk, and the bigger things – such as his new mattress – and such are in Mingi’s van. San carefully sets Byeol back into her crate and climbs out the trunk as it opens.

Mingi goes to unlock the door as everyone grabs what they can to bring inside. Yunho leads them down through the kitchen and down the hall to one of the bedrooms and they can hear excited yips and barks from behind a closed door. Yunho explains that they put Mist in there so she wouldn’t run outside when the door was open.

The next thing San takes is Hala’s crate, and Yunho takes Byeol’s. They place them both against a far wall in the dining room and the others bring in their toys and food. San tucks in a few treats through the gaps of the crates, murmuring soft words to them in an attempt to soothe the frazzled animals.

It takes about fifteen minutes to unload all of San’s things and about an hour to set up his room. They let Mist out of Mingi and Yunho’s bedroom, the Golden Retriever - German Shepherd mix running around everyone’s legs excitedly before skidding out into the dining room to stare at Hala and Byeol across the room. Byeol was let out of her crate and she’s perched atop of it, legs folded neatly beneath her, nearly resembling a loaf of bread, and Mist runs up, tiny paws struggling to brace herself against the crate as she tries to greet the cat.

Yunho had already taken San to an IKEA to get a simple bed frame, giving San the second master bedroom of the house. They had initially been using it as a guest room, but moved the extra bed and furniture into one of the smaller, empty rooms. Hongjoon, Seonghwa and Yeosang work on cleaning and arranging the bathroom, putting San’s toiletries and medicines away neatly and in a way that was easy to find them.

Yeosang and Mingi put San’s clothes away and tuck his suitcases into the closet before heading into the kitchen to unpack his utensils while San and Yunho try to put the bed frame together. The house is lively, and at some point, Mingi starts playing some music from his phone, setting up a bluetooth speaker and the seven of them end up singing along. It’s warm and fuzzy and San’s the happiest he’s been in the past several months.

Mingi orders them pizza when they’ve all finished, offering them glasses of lemonade as they all gather in the living room. San grabs Hala’s leash from one of the baskets, sitting in front of his crate to open the door, reaching in to clip it to his collar. Hala’s obedient, only coming out when San tugs at the collar gently. Hala shakes his fur out and Mist comes running around the corner, halting when she realizes Hala’s out of his crate.

She’s pretty fearless, given she’s tiny in comparison, but Hala’s still when Mist comes up to sniff at him. San keeps a firm grip on the leash, ready to grab Hala by the collar if need be, but he’s surprised when Hala flops down, letting Mist clamber all over him, a small huff leaving his nose.

The collar is relatively new. San had only bought it a week ago, a few days after he and Yunho had brought Hala out to one of the nature reserves. Although San knew he wanted to keep looking after Hala, he knew that he had to give the fox the option of going back into the wild. He’d barely held back his tears when he and Yunho had taken Hala out of the crate to place him on the grass. Hala had taken a few steps forward, sniffed the air, and promptly turned around, hopping back into the trunk with his tail curled neatly over his front paws, and that was that.

Hala shifts and San tenses when Mist topples off of him and the fox reaches over. But he only picks her up gently by the scruff, the puppy hanging from his jaws as Hala trots over to where everyone else is sitting, looking back at San as if to ask him why he’s still sitting on the dining room floor. San scoots his way over, and everyone watches with rapt attention and awe as Hala sits back down, settling Mist up against his flank. Mist curls into him immediately. Byeol, who’s perched on the arm of a couch, jumps down and shoves herself between the fox’s front legs, pressed up against his chest.

“What the fuck.” Yunho breaths, eyes wide as he takes multiple pictures. Hala looks incredibly pleased with himself.

Later that night, San sleeps comfortably in his new bed and room with Hala and Byeol curled up around him, his heart full.

San’s been living with Yunho and Mingi for about a month, meaning it’s been just about half a year since he found Hala, when he brings up the topic of asking if Hala should get spayed. Yunho tilts his head at the question, contemplating. Hala’s dozing in his lap, Mist in Yunho’s while Byeol is draped over Mingi’s chest as the lawyer naps on the couch.

“It could be a good idea. I’m getting Mist spayed when she’s a little older, so there shouldn’t be a problem, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Yunho says, stroking his fingers through Mist’s fur. “I can probably get Hala in for an appointment in a week.” San glances down at the fox, who seems to be more awake, making a displeased noise in the back of his throat.

“What’s wrong?” San asks. Hala, of course, doesn’t respond, only turning on his back to expose his stomach. San spoils him with belly rubs and Hala lets out a series of giggles and pleased yips.

“That would be good, thanks, Yunho.” San smiles. Hala hops out of his lap after a few minutes and trots up to Mist, nudging her with his nose. Mist, already nearly double her size since their first encounter, perks up and jumps out of Yunho’s lap, toppling to the ground as the vet tries to catch her. Hala rights her, and the two of them trot off to find some toys to play with.

“Sometimes I think he can understand us.” Yunho comments, as he watches the two play. “He’s frighteningly intelligent for a fox, and sometimes the things he does directly correlates with what we’ve talked about.”

“Maybe,” San hums. “Perhaps he’s just really intuitive.” 

Yunho makes some noise in the back of his throat in response, and the two of them fall into silence as they watch Hala play a gentle game of tug of war with Mist, dragging her across the smooth wood floors before the puppy regains her footing and drags the toy back. San ends up falling asleep, only waking up when Yunho nudges him a couple hours later, reminding him that he has dance practice in an hour.

San drags himself to his feet, stretching out the kinks in his back before he trudges into his bedroom. Hala’s curled up on his bed, nose tucked beneath his tail and he twitches when San walks in. The fox stretches, sitting upright as San rummages through the dresser. He glances up at the fox, noticing that he ducks his head, pressing his muzzle to the bed, paws over his face when he starts to change.

Sometimes I think he can understand us.  

San pushes that thought to the back of his mind as he finishes changing, throwing a second set of clothes in to his bag just in case, along with his phone, wallet, keys and his water bottle that he’d filled up earlier in the day. He pads over to the bed to press a kiss to Hala’s head.

“I’m going off to dance practice. Behave yourself, okay?” San murmurs. Hala blinks up at him, before he touches his nose to San’s chin with a rumbling noise. San ruffles Hala’s fur before he heads out the door.

The house is quiet when San returns later that night. There’s a note on the table that tells San that there are leftovers in the fridge, ready to be eaten and he discovers a bowl of rice and curry that he tosses in the microwave. Mist and Byeol are fast asleep out in the dining room, and he guesses that Hala’s probably still in his room. San scarfs down his food, setting the bowl into the dishwasher before he heads down the hall to his bedroom.

Hala is indeed there, in nearly the same position, but he lifts his head when San slips into the room, closing the door behind him. San ruffles Hala’s fur before he heads into the bathroom, not bothering to shut the door completely as he strips, tossing his dirty clothes into the hamper as he starts the water. The hot water feels great against his skin, and he scrubs the apple and rose scented shampoo into his hair, humming softly to himself beneath his breath.

When San finishes, he wraps a towel around his waist, drying his feet off before he pads into the bedroom. Hala lifts his head again when San emerges, but is quick to set it back down again, wriggling from his spot on the mattress as San dries off completely and tugs on a pair of underwear and shorts. It’s a near summer, and it’s become much too warm to wear actual pajamas to bed. 

San hangs up his towel and brushes his teeth before he climbs into bed, Hala standing up to trot over to lay next to him. San curls an arm around Hala, gently tugging him beneath the covers to snuggle against his chest, and a pleased rumble vibrates through the fox’s body. He kisses the fox goodnight, and Hala’s ears flick against his cheek.

When San wakes up the next morning, he’s a little disoriented. There’s a heavy weight on top of him, and he can distinctly tell that they’re human limbs. A warm body – naked, San’s pretty sure – is pressed up against him, and he can feel small puffs of breath against his collarbone. San has no idea who it is, or how this happened, since he’s confident that he fell asleep in his own bed the night prior. 

The body shifts and San tries to keep his face void of emotion and his breathing even as he feels the limbs pull away slightly. The person moves, and there’s a pause, a hitch of breath before there’s a panicked, soft curse, their voice breaking on several consonants. San hears the rustling as the body next to him moves, clumsy, and there’s a yelp – startingly familiar to Hala’s – and a loud thud as they fall off the bed.

San risks slowly opening his eyes, shifting in the bed to lift himself up onto his elbows. His heart is in his throat as he shifts, peering over the side of the bed to see what – or who – is now on his floor. It’s a young man, maybe about San’s age, with ruffled and fluffy red hair, completely naked. His wide eyes meet San’s, and San’s eyes drop to the familiar collar around the man’s throat.

“Who-” San starts. “Where’s Hala? Who are you? What did you do to him?” The young man looks alarmed at the sudden onslaught of questions.

“I-” His voice is gravelly and rough, before he coughs, as if trying to clear his throat. “That’s me.” San stares at him. The young man stares back, chewing on the inside of his cheek. His voice is hoarse, as if he hasn’t used it in a long time.

“What?” San blinks. That’s impossible. There’s no way that this man and Hala the fox were the same. But that’s definitely Hala’s collar around his throat, and there is a somewhat vulpine look to his face. “What?” San repeats.

“I’m… Hala.” The young man shifts, drawing his knees to his chest. It occurs to San that the other man must be uncomfortable and he quickly looks away, stumbling over to his dresser to throw a few articles of clothing at him, tugging on a shirt.

“Explain.” San demands. He’s so confused, and a little distraught.

“Korean’s not good.” The young man shifts, practically drowning in the hoodie San had thrown at him. San rakes his hands through his hair and the young man looks up at him pitifully, guilt written all across his face, and San’s pretty sure that if he had ears – if it was Hala – they’d be flat against his skull. San sits down on the edge of his bed heavily, bracing his elbows against his thighs as he drops his head into his hands. “I’m sorry.” He looks up to find that the young man has shifted a little closer, his eyes both hopeful and scared.

“If you’re Hala – wait, is that even your name?” The young man shakes his head.

“Wooyoung.” He says. “Your cat is Byeol. You are Sannie. Lives with Yunnie and Mingi.” He tilts his head. “Hongjoon and Seonghwa are friends. Yeosang and Jongho friends too.” 

His Korean is broken, and the pronunciation is off, but it’s enough to give San some sort of reassurance this isn’t just some random guy claiming to have been his pet fox – who’s apparently a human now? San is still trying to wrap his head around the fact that this is definitely a human being in front of him and not a furry, fluffy canine. That, and Yunho’s words from earlier are coming back. This would definitely explain the way Hala seemed to be able to communicate with them, or understand what they were saying.

“Yunnie talks about Woo – Hala getting fixed. Don’t want it. Turn human.”

He assumes Woo is just a nickname the fox… human gave himself. San’s just about to reply when there’s a gentle knock on his door. Immediately, Wooyoung scrambles to hide, soft whimpers escaping his lips, and San feels a familiar tender pull at his heart.

“Sannie? Who’re you talking to in there?” It’s Mingi.

“Uh… give me a moment, Mingi. I’ll be out in a moment.” There’s a pause outside of the door.

“Alright. Just wanted to check that you weren’t going crazy.” He hears the footsteps retreat and scoots over to look at Wooyoung.

“Hey, it was just Mingi. You know him, right?”

“As Hala.” Wooyoung mumbles, staring down at the carpet. “What if Mingi doesn’t like Woo?” San starts to reach out, before he hesitates, feeling a little awkward to pet a grown man on the head.

“I know you as Hala.” San reminds him. “Have I done anything bad?” 

Wooyoung shakes his head and San can’t help himself. He ruffles Wooyoung’s hair – it’s thick and soft like Hala’s fur – and the young man presses into the touch, a pleased noise leaving his throat. 

“I think if Mingi and Yunnie and the others met you as Woo, they’d like you too.” Wooyoung doesn’t reply, staring down at his hands. San notices that his nails are all jagged. “Do you think you’re able to turn back into a fox?” San asks, curiously. Wooyoung shakes his head.

“Not enough energy.” He sags against the side of the bed, fingers curled into the sheets. “Woo can do this, though.”

A few moments later, there’s a pair of fluffy fox ears perched atop of his head. If that wasn’t the final nail in the coffin or whatever the saying was to confirm that this was, indeed, Hala, that was it. San reaches out on instinct to scratch behind the ears and Wooyoung inches closer to him, pressing his cheek to San’s knee.

“Am I dreaming?” San murmurs, mostly to himself. Wooyoung blinks up at him.

“Woo is very real. Hala is real, too. But I am Hala too.”

“It looks like it.” San smiles wryly. He feels a little awkward now, knowing that all the times he’d been cuddling and sleeping with the fox that it was technically a full grown man. That, and amongst many other things. As if reading his thoughts, Woo nudges him carefully, eyes troubled.

“Does Sannie still love Hala? Now that he knows Hala is me?” Wooyoung sounds so distraught, terrified that San’s feelings may have changed now that he knows the fox’s identity.

“I’m confused,” San admits, and Wooyoung’s expression falls. “I still love Hala very dearly.” He adds, reaching out in an attempt to soothe the young man.

The same tactics he uses on Hala work on Wooyoung. He can’t deny that Wooyoung is attractive – extremely so, and extremely his type – and he’s already flustered by the fact that his fox was actually a human and that Wooyoung’s probably seen a lot more of San than anyone else would – that is, unless he was in an intimate relationship and he was not. Yunho might be the only exception, though.

He’s undeniably physically attracted to Wooyoung, and he knows that they’ve both established a strong emotional connection, though not in the most conventional of ways, but San doesn’t even know if Wooyoung is gay, or if the fox shifter even knows what it means.

“Woo loves Sannie very much.” Wooyoung tells him, staring up at him with starry eyes. “Woo and Hala.” He offers San a shy, toothy smile and San is unable to resist the urge to kiss him on the forehead.

“Give me some time, okay?” San murmurs quietly. Wooyoung nods, tilting his head to touch their noses together. San pulls away, glancing at the door. “Are you okay to go tell Yunho and Mingi?” 

Wooyoung looks hesitant, but after a few moments he nods. When he tries to stand up, though, his legs wobble and he almost pitches headfirst into the side of San’s dresser. San catches him, helping him remain upright before he presents his back. It takes a minute or two to get Wooyoung to climb onto his back in a way where he can carry him, and San slowly makes his way down the hall, praying that Yunho and Mingi don’t freak out.

Mist and Byeol are the first to greet him, the former jumping around San’s legs, barking eagerly. Wooyoung giggles and makes some noise that San can’t understand. Mist, however, seems to, and she scurries back down the hall, tail wagging. Byeol winds herself between San’s ankles, glancing up at Wooyoung and meowing before she disappears into San’s room.

Yunho and Mingi are standing at the kitchen counter, chatting quietly, and they both look up when San enters the room. They both stare and San shifts his grip on Wooyoung’s thighs uneasily, feeling the other man trying to shrink out of their line of vision.

“Uh, Yunho, Mingi.” San starts. “This is Wooyoung. Or… uh, as you guys know him, Hala.” Dead silence.

“Yunnie helped my leg get better.” Wooyoung says in a tiny voice, peering out from behind San’s shoulders.

“It’s nice to meet you, Wooyoung.” Mingi’s the first to get over the shock, offering him a bright and warm smile. “So it was you who was talking to San this morning.” 

Wooyoung nods shyly. San brings him over to the kitchen island where he deposits the young man onto one of the stools. Wooyoung immediately reaches out to snag San’s sleeve before he can step away, staring up at him with a pleading expression, and San moves to stand next to him. Wooyoung’s fox ears are still on display, twitching atop his head, and San watches as Yunho’s eyes flick from the fox ears back down to Wooyoung’s face.

“Give him a few more minutes,” San tells Wooyoung. “You might’ve broken him.”

“Please tell me that Mist is a normal dog. Byeol isn’t going to suddenly turn into a human either, right?” Yunho glances over to the said two pets. Wooyoung tilts his head.

“Mist and Byeol are not like me.” He says. Yunho tugs a hand through his hair.

“So… San has been platonically sleeping and cuddling with another man this entire time without being aware of it?” Yunho asks.

“ That’s what you get out of this?” San feels his face heating up.

“Yunho,” Mingi sighs, exasperated. Yunho rolls his eyes.

“Fox, human, fox-human or not, we can officially welcome you – again – to our little family.” Yunho smiles. Wooyoung perks up at that.

“Family?” Wooyoung asks, eyes shining.

“Family.” San confirms, reaching out to rest his chin atop of Wooyoung’s head. The fox shifter readily nuzzles into him, tucking himself against San’s front. “We’re going to have to let the others know sooner rather than later, but we can take it slow.”

“If Sannie is there, then I am happy.” Wooyoung hums, and San’s pretty sure he melts.

The rest of their friends take the news without batting an eye. Yeosang even mentions that he’d even thought about whether or not Hala was actually a human, however impossible that seemed to be. His friends also don’t miss a chance to tease him, and they do so relentlessly, reminding San of embarrassing things he’d probably done before Wooyoung. San knows he’s been naked in front of Hala multiple times, but the times that he’d noticed the fox in the room, Hala had been looking at something else, or was covering his face with a paw. San had thought that was a little strange, since why would a fox care? It makes more sense now, but San wonders if it has always been like that.

They find out that Wooyoung’s the second youngest of their friend group, and that his laugh is pretty much identical to his fox’s laugh. Wooyoung’s still very physically affectionate and cuddly, even as a human, and San’s the only person he’ll comfortably snuggle up to. He hasn’t shifted back into his fox form, but he refuses to take off the collar. He learns that the last time Wooyoung turned into a human was nearly eight years ago, and together with Yunho and Mingi, they ease Wooyoung back into the lifestyle as a human. Wooyoung picks up on things quite quickly, possibly because he’d been watching San for the past six or so months, and they all spend time trying to help Wooyoung relearn the Korean language.

Initially they were all worried about what to do when they went to work, but they quickly discovered that puzzles were a great way to keep the fox shifter busy, and sometimes San would leave early in the morning and come back in the late evening to find Wooyoung, still seated at the desk in San’s bedroom, working on the same puzzle. Of course, the shifter would abandon it as soon as San walked in through the door, practically pouncing on him and demanding cuddles.

Wooyoung still likes baths, and he insists on San’s help each and every time. The younger man seems unbothered each time he strips naked – in front of San – to slip into the tub, and when San asks if he’s ever embarrassed, Wooyoung tilts his head and simply tells him that as a fox, he was pretty much naked all the time, so why would this be any different? San isn’t entirely sure how to explain it to him. They still sleep in the same bed together and sometimes Byeol sleeps with them, curled up between San and Wooyoung. Other times, San wakes up with Wooyoung wrapped in his arms, tucked beneath his chin.

They also have to make sure that Wooyoung doesn’t go eating food that he shouldn’t be eating as a human – namely the dog treats and jerky – and provide him with alternatives. It’s a little tiring, and sometimes frustrating, but Wooyoung’s an earnest worker, trying his best to fumble through their conversations and worksheets. One of the hardest habits they’re trying to help Wooyoung break is speaking in third person. San gently interjects each time and reminds Wooyoung, and sometimes the fox shifter will correct himself first, and other times he’ll scrunch his nose up cutely and apologize.

About once a week, they all meet up to go out for dinner and a small outing, though Wooyoung clings close to San each time. It’s a little embarrassing whenever people give them strange looks – probably because Wooyoung still insists on wearing Hala’s collar – but he’s learned to block them out by now. 

When Yeosang suggests the arcade, San’s a little hesitant, uncertain how well Wooyoung’s sensitive ears and nose will handle it, but the fox shifter seems determined to try. He’s only able to last about an hour until he’s tugging at San’s sleeve, tucking his head into San’s chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his hoodie. San tugs Yunho aside, telling him that he’d see the rest of them back home. Yunho presses his car keys into San’s palm, insisting that he and Mingi can take the bus back. San thanks him quietly and carefully leads Wooyoung out of the busy arcade.

“Sorry.” Wooyoung droops as they make their way down the sidewalk. “I wanted you to have some fun with your friends tonight.”

“I can go with them another time.” San reminds Wooyoung, bumping him lightly. 

They’re just turning a corner to walk to the parking garage when there’s the sound of screeching tires, and suddenly San’s being grabbed by the front of his hoodie and yanked back several paces around the corner. The car zooms by, nearly out of control, and San watches as it skids around the corner of the next block and out of sight. His heart is hammering in his chest, and he can feel Wooyoung’s trembling body against him, so he gently wraps his arms firmly around the fox shifter.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” San asks quietly, lips brushing against Wooyoung’s temples. 

Wooyoung shivers against him, shaking his head. “Do you want to just go back home?” Wooyoung nods. They stand there for a few more minutes until Wooyoung collects himself, and they make their way to Yunho’s car. They’re quiet on the drive home, but as soon as they’re laying down on San’s bed beneath the covers, Wooyoung shifts to drape himself over San’s body, tucking his head into San’s neck.

“The night you found Woo- me.” Wooyoung starts, voice muffled. “I got hit by a car like that. I couldn’t see or hear too well because of the rain, and they didn’t either. I remember the tire sound and then getting hurt. I managed to run off before everything hurt too much, and that’s when you found me.”

“Beneath the umbrella.” San remembers. “How’d you do that to the umbrella, anyways?” Wooyoung shrugs.

“I don’t remember.” They’re quiet for a few more moments. “Sannie?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you found me.” San feels his heart throb.

“I’m glad I found you, too.” He murmurs, turning to bring Wooyoung closer to his chest.

“Sannie?”

“Mm?”

He feels Wooyoung shift, swallowing thickly, lashes fluttering against his neck. He waits patiently, fingers stroking through Wooyoung’s soft hair, feeling the way his fox ears twitch against his throat.

“I love you.”

San’s breath catches in his throat, and his heart skips several beats. Wooyoung’s fingers curl into the front of his shirt. He knows that Wooyoung can hear his heartbeat – he’d told San about it a few days after he’d shifted into a human. He’d said that it helped him feel at ease, and helped him understand things that San wasn’t able to verbally express.

It’s not the first time Wooyoung’s said this. He’s said that he loves San as Hala, and as his human self. Wooyoung had even once clarified that it was the type of love where he wants to be with San forever – a mate, is how he put it – but he didn’t want to pressure San into anything when he said he was still figuring things out.

San knows that he loves Hala. He loves the fox dearly and with every fiber of his being. He still loves Hala – even though he knows Hala is really Wooyoung, and not just a fox, but a fox who is also a wonderful, pretty and handsome young man with an amazing, beautiful personality. Hala and Wooyoung are the same being, and San’s pretty sure it was inevitable before he fell in love with them both.

“I love you too, Wooyoung.” San murmurs. He feels a hitch of breath, and Wooyoung wriggles in his hold to look up at him, eyes wide with wonder and excitement, his fox ears nowhere to be found.

“You mean it?” Wooyoung asks. San’s pretty sure if he had his tail, it would be wagging back and forth. San smiles softly, smoothing a palm over Wooyoung’s cheek.

“I do.” San nods.

“Like the I wanna kiss y-” Wooyoung starts, but San cuts him off with a gentle kiss to his lips. 

Wooyoung makes a precious noise in the back of his throat before he’s pressing back. He’s a little clumsy and overly eager, but San guides him through it, hovering over the smaller man, drawing cute little noises from the fox shifter’s lips. Wooyoung whines when San pulls back, and he chuckles, pressing their foreheads together as his eyes flit over Wooyoung’s features. The fox shifter blushes under the attention.

“You’re beautiful.” San tells him. Wooyoung goes even redder.

“Sannie is pretty, too.” Wooyoung reaches up to brush his knuckles against San’s cheekbones. 

San can’t help the smile that tugs at his lips. Then, he reaches down and digs his fingers into Wooyoung’s sides, the younger man reacting instantly, giggles and shrieks leaving his lips as San tickles him. The cackles make San’s smile grow even wider, and he peppers kisses all over Wooyoung’s face, the younger man squirming beneath him.

Eventually, Wooyoung manages to hook his arms around San’s neck, tugging him down for another kiss, sighing into it softly as San cradles his face, repositioning them so Wooyoung’s laying on top. Wooyoung happily snuggles into San’s broad chest, drawing the blankets up around them as they exchange soft pecks, San occasionally drawing out one or deepening it as Wooyoung follows his lead.

There’s nothing heated about it. There’s no desperation or frantic movements. It’s slow and languid, lazy almost, and after what feels like years, Wooyoung slowly pulls away, their lips making a soft noise as their eyes flutter open. Wooyoung’s cheeks are flushed, his hair ruffled from where San ran his fingers through it. San’s pretty sure he isn’t in any better state.

“Pretty Sannie.” Wooyoung sighs, a dreamy smile crossing his face. “All mine.”

“All yours,” San confirms. Wooyoung pecks him on the tip of the nose, before he snuggles his head beneath San’s chin. San wraps his arms around Wooyoung’s waist, kissing the crown of his head.

“You should marry me,” Wooyoung says sleepily. San chuckles.

“Maybe one day, Woo.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”