When Xiumin woke up the following morning, he almost panicked when he realized that his little kitten was no longer in his arms. Stepping out of his bed, he was about to search the apartment when the sound of giggles caught his ears. Breathing out in relief, he then calmly went through his morning routine before heading out to the living room. 

He chuckled as soon as he entered. Luhan had brought a couple of his new toys out of their boxes and was now looking at them in pure fascination. It was all quite a cute sight to witness. 

Ears perking up as he heard the chuckle, Luhan looked over and beamed cutely at his master. 

"Xiumin! You're awake!" He quickly crawled over to Xiumin and hugged one of his legs, nuzzling close. 

"Good morning to you too Luhan. Why didn't you wake me up? Wasn't it boring here by yourself?" Leaning down slightly to pet Luhan's soft hair, he smiled as he got a content purr and a shake on the head in response. 

Making his way over to the kitchen with Luhan still clinging to his leg, he smiled to himslef as he began to wonder if Luhan secretly was a koala-hybrid.  

"I'm sorry Luhan, but I have to ask you to let go now. I'm going to cook us breakfast and I don't want to bump you into anything". 

With a small pout and a sad 'meow' Luhan finally let go of his leg, resulting in him falling down on his , letting out a small 'oof' as his tail got stuck under him. 

Xiumin smiled down at his little kitten, bending down to give him a small kiss on the forehead.  

"Breakfast will be done soon okay? We eat first, and then we can play okay?" 

Happy because of his master's affection, Luhan gave a firm nod before heading back to his toys in the living room. Xiumin smiled as he went back to preparing breakfast. Today was going to be a good day. 

"Lulu! Breakfast is ready". 

It didn't take long before the kitten was seated by the table, looking just as happy as he was. Maybe Luhan felt the good aura in the air as well? Weren't cats supposed to be able to predict the weather or something like that... 

"I hope you don't mind eating porridge. I had a slightly upset stomach this morning, so I thought that some porridge would do it good". Putting a bowl filled with porridge in front of Luhan, he waited for the cat's reaction. After all, not everybody liked porridge. 

"I've never had porridge before. They used to feed it to some of the other hybrids when they got sick, but I never got any". 

"So you were never sick?" 

"No, but they couldn't waste time cooking for someone like me. I had to make food for myself, and I didn't know how to make it". 

As much as Xiumin was saddened by such information, he was also happy that Luhan wouldn't have to live such a life anymore. To him, it seemed like Luhan hadn't been able to experience many of those things he and many viewed as common things, and so, he wanted to be there to show Luhan everything. Even if it was something as simple as tasting porridge for the first time. 

"Well then, you better eat it quickly. It doesn't taste very good once it gets cold. Be careful though, it's hot". 

With a serious look on his face (which almost made Xiumin laugh) Luhan took his spoon and scooped up some porridge. Carefully blowing on it, he then put the spoon into his mouth. Bringing the spoon out again, Xiumin watched carefully as the kitten began to chew. 

"It's yummy". 

Xiumin let a gleeful smile take over his face as he heard the small mumble Luhan let out, mouth still filled with porridge. 

"That's good then. That's very good actually. Porridge is a great breakfast, and good for your stomach as well". 

He only got a nod in reply as the kitten was way too busy stuffing his face with porridge, not forgetting to blow on each spoonful before shoving it into his mouth. Xiumin only chuckled as he ate his own bowl. 

Once breakfast was out of the way and the dishes had been washed (with Luhan helping by holding the detergent with his tail) both kitten and human sat down on the couch. 

"So Luhan, what do you want to do today?" Petting Luhan on the head, who was beginning to snooze off after eating, he got some lazy purrs in response. 

"Well, we could-" 

Luhan didn't get to finish his sentence as the sound of Xiumin's cellphone interruped him. 

"Sorry Luhan. Let me take this call first okay?" 

Leaving his kitten on the couch, he quickly went looking for his phone in the bedroom. Finding it, he answered it after seeing that it was D.O who was calling. 

"D.O, what's up?" 

"Hello Xiumin-hyung. I'm so sorry to have to call you when you're having a week off, but could you please come over to the café? I just can't deal with this alone". 

"What happened D.O?" 

"The worker who was supposed to work with me right now suddenly called in sick. Apparently, he was on his way here when he suddenly felt really dizzy and fainted on the street. A nice couple took him into their shop until he woke up. He's fine now that he's home, but he can't come to work today and there is so many customers today. Please hyung, I need help". 

"Of course D.O, I'll be right there. I'll bring Luhan with me as well". 

"Sounds like a good idea. Wouldn't want to leave the poor thing alone right? Please hurry. I'll call Suho as well". 

"I'll be right there". 

Ending the call, he quickly stuffed his phone into his bag and went to the living room to fetsh Luhan. Luhan looked up as he entered, having entertained himself with a puzzle while Xiumin was on the phone. 

"I'm sorry Luhan, but we won't be able to play right now. D.O needs help at the coffee shop, one of the workers got sick. Do you want to come along, or do you want to stay here?" 

Luhan immediately jumped up from the floor and set off towards the bedroom. Slightly puzzled, Xiumin followed and was met by a serious looking Luhan who was looking through his clothes. 

"I'm coming with you. What clothes do you think would look good on me?" 

Smiling at his kitten's eagerness, he went over to Luhan as he hovered over one of the boxes filled with clothes. 

"You'd look good in anything Luhan". Apparently, that wasn't the right answer in this situation as Luhan gave him a slightly sour look with the blush on his cheeks. "But why not try on this pink sweater and those white skinny jeans? I think that's look really cute, don't you think?" 

With a nod, Luhan brought the clothes out of the box and went to the bathroom to change. While Luhan was in the bathroom, Xiumin looked through the shoes Luhan had been given, finding a pair of light pink sneakers to go with Luhan's outfit. 

"Xiumin... Help". 

Hearing Luhan's small voice, he went over to the bathroom as a embarrassed Luhan stepped out. He wasn't wearing his shirt, and the skinny jeans were bunched up at his knees. 

"What's the matter? Does the clothes not fit? Want me to pick out something else?" 

"No but... I can't find the hole were my tail is supposed to go". The blush was evident on his face.  

Gently turning Luhan, he bent down to take a look at the jeans. 

"There is nothing to be embarrassed about Luhan. Just hold on a second, I'll help you". 

Quickly locating the hole in the jeans, he began to pull them up over Luhan's bottom as he then gently took the tail and guided it through the hole on the jeans. He then turned Luhan around and pulled the sweater over his head. 

"Aigoo you look so precious. Such a cute kitty". 

"X-xiumin". 

"Come on then, we have to go now. D.O was going to call Suho, so there's a chance that Chen is going to be there". 

"Chen?" 

"Suho's boyfriend. He's a fox-hybrid. I think you guys will become good friends". 

Upon arriving at the coffee shop, Xiumin realized that D.O had been right. He definitely needed help. 

A line of customers had formed, and everyone was getting annoyed at having to wait for their daily dose of caffeine. 

Taking Luhan by the hand, he led him through the crowded café until they reached where a sweating D.O who was trying to make seven coffees at once. Putting Luhan down on a chair by one of the coffee-machines, he then went into the staff-room to change into his uniform. 

As soon as he got out, he took a look at the orders which were written down on a notepad by the register.  

"Which ones are you currently making?" 

After agreeing one which orders they'd handle, they set to work, making coffee as if their life depended on it. There could be some kind of logic in that statement, since they were both quite sure that if these people didn't get their coffee soon enough, they'd wreck the whole shop. 

"Guys! Your savior has arrived". 

"About time Suho! What took you so long, we're dying here". 

"Sorry, sorry. Once I told Chen that Xiumin's hybrid would be here, he wouldn't stop fussing about his looks". 

Xiumin chuckled to himself as he prepared a cappuccino, remembering how Luhan had fussed about his own looks before they got here. 

"I was not fussing! I just wanted to look charming". A very sour looking hybrid emerged from behind Suho's back, his fluffy, orange tail swinging back and forth behind his back. 

"You're always charming, darling". Planting a kiss on top of the fox's head, making the hybrid splutter around helplessly. 

"Suho! This is not the time! We need help, RIGHT NOW!" 

"I'm on my way, geez". 

As Suho made his way behind the counter, Chen spotted the shy little hybrid still sitting on his chair, looking around himself cutely, curious about everything around him. 

Chen was immediately star struck. He had met many hybrids in his life, but there had been nobody as cute as Luhan (okay, maybe that one hamster-hybrid, but still). 

Going over to the kitten and kneeling down in front of him, he smiled as Luhan looked down at him with curious eyes. 

"Hey there! Luhan right? I'm Chen, Suho's boyfriend. It's nice to finally meet you". 

"I-It's nice to meet you too. I'm Xiumin's umm..." 

"Xiumin's kitten I know. Don't worry, soon you'll be able to call him your boyfriend as well". 

"It's not like that!" Luhan now resembled a tomato more than a cat. 

"Aigoo, look at you blushing. It's obvious that you like him very much, judging by your reaction. I was in denial too you know, but in the end me and Suho got together". 

"M-me and Xiumin are not like that. I'm just his kitten, nothing else". 

"Hmmm, we'll see about that cutie". 

"Oh Luhannie, I see you've met Chen already. Things are starting to calm down a little now, but I'll still have to work for a while. Why don't you two go to the kitchen? You can ask Lay to help you bake something". 

Petting Luhan on the head, the hybrid immediately let out a content purr. It had only been about half an hour, but he was already missing Xiumin's touches. Looking over at Chen, he blushed when he spotted the knowing look on the other's face. 

"Come on then Luhan. I'll introduce you to Lay. He's really nice, you'll like him a lot". 

Grabbing Luhan's tail with his own, he steered them both towards the kitchen at the back of the café. 

"Seems like those two are comfortable with each other already". 

Turning towards Suho, Xiumin lifted and eyebrow in question. 

"Really? How do you know?" 

"Easy. Hybrids don't let other hybrids hold them by the tail if they aren't comfortable around them, or forced to do so. Holding tails with another hybrids are an action of affection, whether it be love, friendship or just companionship". 

"I see. Well, I'm glad Luhan has found a friend in Chen". 

"Me too. Chen may be friends with other hybrids, but he's not very close with any of them. That's why I was really happy when it became obvious that he wanted to give Luhan a good first impression. He's never bothered to do that before". 

Both hybrid-owners went back to work, smiling for the same reason.  

"Lay! Look who I brought with me!" 

A young man with flour all over his face appeared from behind a corner, beaming once he spotted the two hybrids. 

"Chen! And Luhan too! It's so nice to finally meet you. Once I heard that Xiumin had taken you in on that night I couldn't help but to worry about you. Are you alright now?" 

"Y-yes I'm fine. Xiumin has been really good to me". 

"That's good to hear. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to tell me alright? Now what can I do for you two?" 

"Could you help us bake something? Suho and Xiumin are both working and we're bored". 

"Of course. Anything in particular you'd like to make?" 

When Chen looked over at Luhan, the cat-hybrid shrugged. "I don't know that much about baking".  

"Then how about we make... chocolate-chip cookies? They're easy to make and they're delicious". 

Lay nodded and began to take out the ingredients from the cupboards, knowing the recipe by heart. It wasn't long before flour was flying in the air, and chocolate chips were eaten before they even had a chance to go into the dough. 

And Luhan and Chen both thought that it had been long since they had felt a connection like this. 

As the last cusomer finally left the shop, D.O all but ran to the door to flip the sign from 'open' to 'closed'. It was an hour before their regular closing time, but who cared? They were all exhausted.  

With legs that felt like jelly, the three baristas made their way into the staff-room and changed into their regular clothes in silence. It was during that silence that they heard the laughter which was coming from the kitchen. Giving each other a look, they made their way over as soon as they were dressed. Upon arriving, the three of them couldn't help but to smile at the sight that greeted them. 

An exhausted Lay was sitting by the oven, not being able to handle the two hybrid's energy any longer. The cookies were by now baking safely in the oven, and all the ingredients had been put away. Well, except for two. The flour, and the delicious chocolate-chips. 

And in the middle of the kitchen were two laughing hybrids, throwing flour at each other as they let out the most gleeful laughter and giggles, sometimes pausing in order to feed each other a handful of chocolate chips, only for them to continue their game a couple of seconds later. 

It was half an hour later, when the café had been locked and they had said good bye to D.O and Lay, that Xiumin and Suho gave each other a look. No words were needed as they headed towards their separate cars, both carrying a flour covered, sleeping hybrid and a small bag of cookies.  

A/N: I wrote a oneshot, AND this today. I feel so productive! 

I hope you enjoyed this little chapter introducing the blooming friendship of Luhan and Chen. Wouldn't you want to be there to witness their little "flour-fight"? I know I would ^^ 

Here is a pictuer of Luhan's outifit. (Picture obviously not mine)

Stay lovely until next time, and I'll see you soon! 

People who comment get one of Luhan and Chen's cookies :D