“Well, there you have it.” Chaelin started bundling up the stack of papers and figures and government projections outlining every detail of how her business was supposed to shut down in barely a couple months’ time. “Conclusion. I have to get these kittens adopted to real parents or they go to another agency.”

Yixing sighed as he ruminated, elbow on the edge of Chaelin’s desk. He rubbed his chin where a light grey stubble had started to settle in. He’d been too lazy this morning to deal with it. Then again, a man of his age ought to be allowed some leeway on his appearance. He told himself that anyway. It wasn’t like he had anyone especially to impress anymore. His wife had never liked him in a beard, and the one time he’d started growing a mustache she’d mercilessly for attempting to grow whiskers like the cats he so loved. She was long gone now, but he pretended from time to time that she was still around, and whenever he got too lax, he imagined her nagging, loving voice.

“Remind me again of the parent prospectives?” Yixing said, shaking himself back to the present. The past was nice, but there were still kittens to worry about. 

“The twins’ paperwork is nearly finished... so are two of the boys’. The littlest ones are always the first kittens people take an interest to. But we’ve got solid interest in two others, a fifth hopeful, and unfortunately nothing yet for the oldest. Minsoo is still proving… a bit difficult when the visitors come by.”

“Still determined to be anti-social?” Yixing asked. Chaelin nodded. They’d spent a good bit of time discussing the eldest of the male litter. It was unfortunate but at twelve he was already the least likely to be adopted by parents who pictured cute and fluffy children, hybrid or no hybrid. But adding onto those factors, Minsoo wasn’t making it any easier on himself.

“He hissed at the last couple who came by,” Chaelin said.

Yixing raised an eyebrow. Hissing on its own wasn’t that damning. “But…?”

“And then he swiped at one of the men and drew blood? And then ran away and hid? Knocking over the baby on his way out?” 

Yixing chuckled. “Amateur. At least he could have started up an honest, solid cat-fight for show.” 

Chaelin sat back in her chair, interlocking her hands along the front of her stomach. “Yes, well he did that with the couple before them and ended up fracturing Chanhee’s tail bone when he tried to bend it in two.”

Yixing winced in sympathy, either for Chanhee, Chaelin, or the parents, he wasn’t sure which.

“Yeah,” Chaelin agreed. “It wasn’t pretty. I thought for sure those people would report us - not like there’s time for that anymore,” she added airily. 

“Shame you lost them though.” 

Chaelin smiled suddenly. “Oh no, they came back a few days later. They insist on taking Chanhee home, so all is good.”

Yixing smiled at this, and then begged for a few minutes to go and refill his coffee mug. They chatted nicely when he returned and waited for it to cool. Despite the stress in her life, the thirty-eight-year-old hybrid caretaker was doing a good job not becoming bitter at her failed venture. Yixing had known her for years of course, and expected nothing less. In fact he rather admired her. These days it was rare to even hear of an agency owner who could be considered a decent human being. It wasn’t an easy profession to make a profit — a fact Yixing knew well.  It was why most turned to skirting the law with their hybrids living in squalor until they could be passed off as soon as possible. Yixing saw so many of those kinds of people; it was a treat to spend the morning with Chaelin instead.

It seemed Chaelin agreed. “Well that’s the business part of today. Tell me, Yixing, what’s going on in your life? How’s Sehun?”

He smiled. Finally a conversation Yixing could truly enjoy. He told her all about Sehun’s studies and school, and how his professor Kim Ukwon had called him up one day to rave about the excellent essay he’d turned in on hybrid education: ‘He’s got a future in this. I just want you to know.’ 

Before recently, Yixing hadn’t thought his son would ever show an interest in the same kind of work. He’d never pushed it, didn’t want Sehun thinking he expected certain things from him, life goals or a career. It surprised him honestly, this transformation, though it wasn’t terribly hard to guess why the change had occurred. Was occurring, he remedied. 

He mentioned everything to Chaelin but the hybrid, Tao, who was even now wandering around the agency. She enjoyed hearing about the rest anyways.

“So he’s going in for cats’ rights, just like his dad, huh?”

“Possibly,” Yixing smirked. “He’s still a whole lot more interested in raising dogs though. Three poodles in our house now. Three!”

Chaelin laughed. “So, like his mother then?”

She had loved dogs too… How could Yixing forget? 

“Jaekyung did enjoy her animals.” Yixing sat up over the desk and drained the last of his coffee. “Now if Sehun starts sewing doggie hanbok for the poodles in all colors of the rainbow, then I’ll get worried. I promise.” He laughed.

Chaelin started to speak, but a knock on the door caused to her to pause. It was Bobby who pushed open the door, a bit hesitantly. “Ms. Lee?” 

“Yes, Bobby?”

“Uhm… can you come? There’s something of a problem with the kittens and… Tao?”

Yixing looked up abruptly. Chaelin, however, only sighed. “Is it life-threatening?”

“Probably not. It’s just that Changjo unleashed his pet tarantula and… Tao’s not taking it so well.” 

“We’ll be right there, Bobby. Thanks.” 

He closed the door, although neither of them made to move to get up immediately. 

“Sounds like your kitten is scared of bugs?” She inclined a curious eyebrow.

“Sounds like it.” Yixing tossed his cup and finally stood up, stretching as he did. “Might as well go save him. Did I mention Sehun—?

“Hey, you should bring Sehun here sometime.” Chaelin cut him off accidentally. 

“Hm?”

“Well since he’s gunning for a job like this. Well, not like this… But, if he’s really looking into working with hybrids or something, like you.”

Yixing smiled. “Maybe.” He held the door for her and Chaelin took the lead. A thought occurred to him. “You haven’t told me, but… what are you planning to do, after this closes? Not another agency, surely.”

“Oh, of course not. I’m done with this. I tried my best and well… I’m thinking about early retirement.”

“Certainly not. Retirement for someone like you? You're way too young – and too lovely – to be retiring.”

She tittered humorously. “Oh, of course you’re right. No, not retirement so soon. I’ll find something to do though, never fear. You know, I would marry an old widower if he’d have me but…” she paused hopefully. 

Yixing paused in the hallway. “Chaelin, you’re a nice woman, as I’ve told you many times…” He smiled. This wasn’t the first time they’d played this game, if he could call it that. He wasn't even sure if it was a game. It might have been more.

She laughed. “Yixing, relax. I know you’re set in your ways. I just like to try my hand every now and then.” Chaelin winked and they continued on their way until they reached the doors of the male dormitory. “Come on, let’s go save your kitten. Oh, what were you going to say about Sehun, earlier?”

When Jongdae had claimed they were off to war, Tao really thought it was just a figure of speech. Maybe the clashing and the yowls coming from inside the male dormitory should have been a tip-off, but Tao was nothing except naïve. Or just hopeful. He’d been an only cat after all, until very recently.

Tao quickly realized that living with above age and elderly cats had not prepared him for this. The kittens ranging in age from six to eleven were all over the place, raging throughout the three rooms they shared. Two of the rooms were for sleeping, each with wide open doors leading to the common area where at the very moment they entered an orange tabby with flying fluffy hair was pinning down a kitten half a head taller than itself. Bobby immediately rushed forward to rescue the abused cat while another long-haired kitten with auburn hair cackled on the side in merriment.

“Dan-niel!” Bobby cried. The orange kitten released its prey immediately. He pulled back guiltily but ultimately unrepentant as the brown short-hair crawled out of his way and sat upright, tail curled up into a protected position. He shot the other cat a menacing glare, which was systematically ignored.

“Hi, Bobby,” said Niel with a smile.

Bobby ignored him. Instead he turned back to the guests and ushered them inside. All the kittens took sudden notice and Bobby chuckled. “It’s because you’re cats. They’ve never seen cats your age before.” He began the introductions. “Alright, litter. Bet you’ve never seen papa cats like this before. This is Jongdae and Tao.” Tao furrowed his eyes and Jongdae smirked silently behind Bobby’s head. “And for our guests, I want to introduce you to…” Bobby paused and pointed dramatically. “Niel, he’s our troublemaker. Byungie over there.” The brown cat nursing its sore paw looked up scowling. “Changjo.” The long-haired kitten who looked to be a few years younger than others. “And… let’s see. We’re missing Minsoo and—“

“He’s sulking in his room because Byungie wouldn’t share his toys!” Changjo interrupted.

“Uhh, okay,” said Bobby slowly, trying to look serious. “Well I guess we can meet him later.”

Without further preamble Jongdae stepped forward and crouched down to where the three kittens sprawled on the center rug. A fourth kitten older than the rest immediately crawled out of a bean bag in the corner and joined the others. Tao noticed a bizarre sound trailing him, and then realized the blonde’s tail was currently wrapped up in a solid, white cast. It thumped like a dead weight along the floor.

“That’s Chanhee,” said Bobby. “He uh, had a bit of an accident with his tail.”

“You mean Minsoo broke his tail!” Niel piped in. Tao’s eyes widened in semi-horror. To Jongdae, however, it didn’t seem that news-worthy. He sat down and immediately started questioning Chanhee and the others about how their day was going and halfway into the very elaborate tale of Chanhee’s tail being bent in two, Jongdae was covered in kittens. Changjo even started playing with Jongdae’s own tail in a curious manner while Jongdae swished it and pretended he couldn’t feel a thing.

Tao hung back, suddenly overwhelmed. Jongdae had grown up in litters such as this. So had Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, Luhan, and probably Kai and Minseok as well. Broken tails were probably the least of their worries around here. It frightened Tao how much he didn’t know about kittens. His own childhood has gone by in a whir and he’d had parents and an owner to get him through it. He realized now that he had no idea how to interact with kittens such as these, and he was supposed to be the youngest in their home.

If either Jongdae or Bobby thought it odd how Tao froze up, neither mentioned it. The kittens on the floor took an instant liking to Jongdae, and all Tao could do was watch on in the background.

“Isn’t he a cat too?” one of them asked. “How come he’s just standing there?” Niel. That was one Niel, Tao remembered.

“He’s boring,” said another, Chanhee.

Jongdae stared up at his housemate and winked. It was halfway reassuring, and then Jongdae quickly distracted the kittens. Bobby patted Tao’s shoulder and then excused himself to enter one of the bedrooms.

Tao remained standing awkwardly. He started to count when he realized there were only four in sight. The fifth was apparently sulking, but there were supposed to be six in this dormitory. Something pulled on his tail then, and Tao swerved around to see what was attacking him.

A black fluffy kitten huddled under a table in the corner, his face peering up at Tao curiously. Tao hadn’t seen him before because half the tablecloth was on the floor, and the broken lamp they’d heard shattering minutes before lay blocking the way. Tao could only guess the kitten had pulled the cloth until the lamp fell off, if the excited, proud look on his face was any give-away.

He crouched down, face level. “Hi,” Tao said experimentally. The kitten had yet to look away. His bright, open eyes and flat smile followed Tao’s every move. “What’s your name?”

The kitten remained silent, though not scared.

“I’m Tao. Nice to meet you.” 

The kitten sat on his knees, hands on either side on the ground. Tao forced himself to remain still while the kitten guided its weight forward ever so slowly until he was almost nose to nose with Tao. Then he pulled back and giggled, a trace of a pink tongue appearing through his teeth, smile as wide as ever.

“Do you have a name?” Tao asked again, this time as playfully as he could make himself sound. The kitten moved its mouth, a lisp of a sound coming out but Tao couldn’t make it out. “What was that?” He smiled, hoping to entice the cat to try again.

Instead the kitten purred, and only the second syllable came out. It sounded to Tao like ‘key’. 

Tao shifted and sat firmly on his bottom, feet crossed before his lap and he leaned forward so that their heads were on the same level. “One more time,” he said, leaning his sideways so that it mirrored the slant of the kitten’s.

“Rrrii-cky.”

“Ricky?” Tao confirmed. The kitten nodded brightly. “Nice to meet you, Ricky. How old are you?”

Ricky held up five fingers, then immediately amended it to six fingers.

“Six? Are you the baby?”

The kitten nodded happily.

“Me too,” Tao confided confidentially. Ricky looked like he couldn’t believe it. “In my house, there are six of us just like here, except all of them are older. Way older. And I’m the baby.”

Jongdae obliged him them by suddenly shouting across the room, “Hey, kitten! You found another one, huh?”

Tao and Ricky both looked over at him and Ricky smiled happily to see Tao’s story confirmed. Tao sighed; at least he’d made one friend this day.

The rest of the morning went by in a blur. Once Ricky decided that Tao was a cool cat, the others slowly warmed up to him, especially Byungie and Changjo. The other two remained firmly in Jongdae’s camp, and Tao never even saw the oldest cat called Minsoo. Bobby said he was sleeping, and didn’t want to play. They closed the door on his bedroom and together turned the rest of the living area into a mess.

The kittens insisted on showing every play toy they had to Jongdae, and Tao by extension. Within half an hour they’d played so hard that both Chanhee and Byungie had passed out, and Ricky lay drowsily across Tao’s lap. Tao played with the kitten’s ears while he stifled yawns of his own. He wasn’t used to this kind of thing anymore. Living with the older cats never seemed like this much work, even when he was given a pile of chores and housework to accomplish.

What shocked him even more was how ready Jongdae was for hard play. The twenty-two year old hybrid never seemed this lively when he was at home, but here he was wild and playful, and had all the energy in the world. Tao questioned him on it once.

“Yeah, life’s a little more drowsy at home, but that’s because everyone there’s just so… mellow... and old,” Jongdae replied. “Honestly, cats never really lose this spark completely. I only tone it down because it annoys the others. But if you get them excited about something, it can be just as crazy. Have you ever seen Luhan on caffeine and sugar together? He’s a wild child! Even now! Minseok has to seriously curb what that cat eats because it wears him out, and Luhan knows it too. Oh well, maybe you’ll see someday.”

Tao was young, and he had lots of energy too, but by the time Changjo popped up suddenly to run into his room, the room where Minsoo was hiding, Tao was so overwhelmed he needed a nap too. He suddenly envied Ricky and the kitten’s ability to pass out with his eyes open, not asleep, but definitely giving off a mood that said he was tired of social interaction.

If Tao had had his way, he would have done the same thing within minutes. Except that’s when Changjo emerged from the darkened bedroom and Tao’s world shattered.

“Hey, look at my tarantula!”

Later on, Tao would have to apologize immensely for tossing Ricky nearly two feet in the air when Changjo accidentally dropped the thing inches from Tao’s knee.  It took ten minutes more, five kittens, Jongdae, Bobby, Chaelin and Yixing to persuade him to come down off the back of the couch. 

By the time they got home that afternoon, Tao was thoroughly miserable. He’d been traumatized and then tortured, none of the kittens would let him forget it, and then Jongdae related the story to Kai during the drive back, and Tao had never seen Kai look so elated. Devious, he was positively devious, and Tao no longer trusted him.

He forgot everything about Kai though once they pulled up in front of their house in Yixing’s car, and Sehun’s was already parked in the driveway. Yixing cleared his throat and Tao’s went awfully dry at the realization. 

“Whose car is that?” Kai just had to ask.

“My son’s, it looks like,” Yixing answered drily.

“Why is he…”  Jongdae nudged him in the back and Kai shut up. 

Yixing didn’t bother turning off his engine. “Well, I will leave you three here today. Thank you again for coming with me and…” The others were quicker out of the car. Only Tao remained half in half out for a split second. “Tao, have a good evening.”

Tao reddened. “Goodnight. Sir,” he added for good measure.

They found Sehun sitting up very still on the couch with a posture that could be described as entirely too formal. Straight back, and knees together, hands neatly resting on his thighs and he didn’t look around until Tao actually walked passed his line of vision. 

He didn’t say anything; wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say. The last time he’d seen Sehun was two days ago when he dropped him off, and the only thing Sehun had suggested was that they hang out. He didn’t say date, Tao didn’t ask, and in fact Tao hadn’t even answered. He vaguely nodded his head because he was speechless, and then he halfway expected Sehun to forget it anyway. He didn’t expect to see Sehun already waiting at his house. 

“Hi.” 

Sehun looked up, and ignoring the other cats he repeated the greeting. “Oh, Hey.”

He seemed miserably embarrassed in the present company. Kai stared him down curiously, and Jongdae wore a slight grin. Tao took pity on him. “So, that thing you needed help with…” he bobbed his head, hoping Sehun would play along. 

“Uhh… yeah?”

“Well, if you can give me say… twenty minutes.”

“Huh?”

“Fifteen minutes,” Tao amended and then gulped.

Kai snorted. “I take it that means you want the bath first?” 

“Did it get fixed yet?” Jongdae asked just as Baekhyun skipped into the room from outside.

“It did! Chanyeol was over earlier. Oh, Sehun, you’re still here?”

“Yeah, why is he here?” Kai muttered. 

“Don’t talk like he isn’t in the room,” Baekhyun warned airily.

“Why not? He pretends like we’re not in the room.”

Tao really wanted to intervene, but fortunately Jongdae got there first. 

“Okay! Kai, come on.” Jongdae pulled him out of the room by the scruff of his collar, and Kai followed, ears deflating. Baekhyun chuckled happily. 

“I’ll just be right back,” said Tao apologetically, and he raced up the stairs. The only way to save Sehun was to hurry up and get themselves out of the house, but Tao absolutely couldn’t do that without a bath. He reeked from the day’s work. He smelled like kittens and sweat, was covered in at least six colors of fur, and to top it off he was still wearing a hastily scrubbed pant leg that had seen Ricky’s spit-up after the kitten wretched all over him after lunch. Tao had heard of human babies that their thumb, but Ricky apparently his tail, and then got hair balls. It wasn’t pretty, even if the kitten was cute. 

He stripped quickly in the bathroom and drew the bathwater. A minute later he sunk into the tub and sighed with relief. There was no time to really enjoy it, not with Sehun waiting downstairs and who knows how many hybrids waiting to interrogate him. Maybe if Tao just took a few minutes to unwind though, and then scrubbed himself extra quickly? 

Five minutes passed and he still hadn’t reached for the soap. Five minutes before Tao started to consider how it was probably inappropriate to be thinking about Sehun while he sat in the tub. Unbidden to him came the images of their last outing; Sehun hovering over him by the side of the car, how he’d moved forward without thinking, how Tao had leaned forward, thinking. Of their kiss and the sensation of Sehun’s lips kissing back. 

Tao rushed the rest of his bath and ran some extra cold water to rinse off. His hair needed no work other than a quick gel massage. His tail was still a little damp, but as long as he could get it accurately through his nicest pair of jeans (one of the last pairs he’d gotten tailored before having to move), it was all fine. 

He dashed through the hallway shirtless to his room, having forgotten to bring a shirt into the bathroom. Jongdae lay on his bed reading a book. 

“Wow, that was quick. My turn?”

“Sure. Uhm. Wait!” 

“Yes?” Jongdae hadn’t even gotten off his bed yet. Tao paused before their shared closet and wondered if he should ask. “What is it?” Jongdae asked.

“Help.” That was all Tao could say.

“Help with what?”

“A shirt. I need a shirt. What do I wear?”

To his relief, Jongdae didn’t judge. He did pick out one of the simplest things in Tao’s wardrobe though — a white button down — and then instructed Tao to leave the top few buttons undone. 

“Good to go. Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t — oh wait, what wouldn’t I do for a date right now. Anyways! Have a good night.”

Tao spoke to himself all the way down the stairs. It’s not a date. It’s just hanging out. It’s not a date. He didn’t even know what they were going to do? What if they were just going to watch another movie in the living room, in which case Tao could have just put on a nicer pair of pajamas…

Sehun sat just as stiffly as when Tao had left, pointedly ignoring Luhan. The elder cat leaned against the door frame of the kitchen with his arms crossed, staring curiously at Sehun without speaking. He did speak to Tao, however.

“Oh. Evening, Tao.”

“Evening.”

“Going out?”

Tao hummed to fill up the space since Sehun didn’t respond. 

“Have you eaten something? I’m warming up something for me and Minseok. If you like I can get you something too.”

While Tao wavered, Sehun finally stood up. “We’re going out, thank you.”

Luhan smiled weakly as Sehun turned away. For a moment, Tao imagined he got a chill watching the two but then Luhan shrugged and disappeared into the kitchen, and Sehun caught Tao’s gaze. Immediately he softened, and Tao saw something of the same boy who’d kissed him days ago, the same scared, confused look that so quickly morphed into want. 

So much about Sehun remained an enigma: his stony personality, his chill manner, both dueling with a boyish naivety that mirrored Tao's own. Tao had no idea what made him tick, and no idea what either of them were doing.

“Ready to go?”

“Yes. Where are we going?”

“Honestly, I don’t know yet.” Sehun smiled sheepishly.

And Tao decided he just wanted to follow him and see. 

4,138 words

Ta da! How were the kittens? Yes, that was Teen Top with or without their stage names. Here's the cheaters' version in order of age: C.A.P (real name Minsoo), Chunji (Chanhee),  L.Joe (Byunghun), Niel, Ricky, Changjo. Note: I deliberately switched the maknaes around because to me Ricky has always seemed younger than Changjo, the actual maknae. 

I'm also happy to introduce CL as the elegant matron of the agency, and her volunteer Bobby, soon to be of iKon. Hey, don't judge. I ran out of Exo members a long time ago. Also, Jaekyung of Rainbow was indeed Yixing's wife, now deceased. If you don't know who she is, look her up. I don't follow anything Rainbow related but she's kind of awesome. 

Next chapter will follow Tao and Sehun on their 'date' and if you squint really hard in this chapter, you may see some the issues Sehun has with the other hybrids. I'd like to tell you all now that this is due to -;alksjd;fja.error:explanation-coming-later.a;sldkjfaweiq!

You might also have noticed that Kyungsoo wasn't around the house this evening. Hmmm, wonder where he could have gone??? Certainly not to a house a few doors down, right? Naaah, can't be. ;)

<3 Rosie

P.S. For the Exo-L fandom. Stay strong. These are hard times, and I won't admit to being completely fine and dandy with everything, but we gotta remain supportive of everyone, ourselves included. Exo fighting! Former-Exo-members Fighting!

*sniffs* Xiuhan was my OTP oh waaaeeeeee???