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"So? What's happening to her?"

"I'm not a vet Heejin!" 

"You know better than me!"

"I don't study animals! Heejin she's fine, look at how she is now!"

"She's clinging too much to you,"

"Jealous Heejin?"

"Shut it Jiwoo,"

Heejin had once again invited Jiwoo over to her apartment, Heejin was extremely worried about Hyunjin's recent headaches and had called Jiwoo over frantically. Jiwoo was the only expert she knows so she had no other people to call, the vet was out of the question.

"Aw, Hyunjinie look at your owner, all pouty because you're with me," Jiwoo cooed. As soon as Jiwoo had arrived in Heejin's apartment, Hyunjin had clung onto her and currently snuggled into her lap while Jiwoo is sitting on the floor. Hyunjin likes Jiwoo's scent, but it wouldn't compare the different scent she feels for Heejin.

"What? I am not pouty! What are you even talking about?!"

"Look Hyunjin, she's acting all bratty because she doesn't have your attention, go give her some," Jiwoo chuckled, Hyunjin smiled brightly as she got up of Jiwoo's lap, jumping off the couch and crawling towards Heejin. Hyunjin rubbed her head on Heejin's legs, lightly headbutting her with a very fond smile.

"Yah! Hyunjin!" Heejin exclaimed, lifting up her legs as she felt ticklish all over them. Hyunjin whined loudly, her smile changing to a displeased expression.

"Jeon Heejin! Don't you dare do that! Put you damn leg back down!" Jiwoo screamed angrily at Heejin, Heejin was shocked by the sudden outburst by her friend and quickly placed her leg back down. Hyunjin eyed Heejin legs again, tilting her head and sniffing it.

"Don't even dare, don't you even dare move a damn muscle!" Jiwoo spat, no longer sitting on the couch and standing up tall. Heejin tried her best not to move, unsure of what was happening, she could feel the air being in from her leg as Hyunjin sniffed it. Heejin gulped as Hyunjin walked around her legs, observing and analyzing. It took a while but Hyunjin finally smiled, leaning in to rub and headbutt Heejin's legs again.

Jiwoo heaved a sigh of relief, placing a hand over her chest as she calmed down. Jiwoo glared at Heejin, which left a lot of confusion to Heejin.

"Do you know what you've almost done Heejin?!"

"Uh, no?"

"Figures, you almost ruined your bond with Hyunjin!"

"What?! How?!" Heejin's response made Jiwoo sigh. 

"What Hyunjin was doing was cat bunting, rubbing and headbutting onto you, this is a very good sign. She's marking you, meaning she trusts you and show respect to you, she's marking you as her territory and leaving her scent on to you, and you almost ruined it by lifting your damn leg up!" Jiwoo explained.

Heejin was shocked, she almost damaged her bond with Hyunjin. Heejin bent down and pet Hyunjin, receiving a meow in return.

"You still have to teach her how to walk like us," Jiwoo commented. 

"I'm taking this slow, baby steps. I taught her about our hands," Heejin replied. Heejin grabbed a plastic cup on her coffee table and showed it to Hyunjin, this was still new to Hyunjin so it took a while before she finally got the idea. Hyunjin sat on her legs and looked at one of her hand, she slowly stretched out her fingers and extended her arm to the cup. When her palm made contact with the rough surface of the cup, she wrapped her fingers around it. 

Heejin let go of the cup when she felt Hyunjin's fingers around her hand, she felt the warmth from her fingers and Heejin's stomach couldn't help but boil. Hyunjin remembered Heejin's words about the strength and applied it, once again successfully holding the cup up. Jiwoo gasped and clapped her hands loudly, very happy with this achievement. 

However, Hyunjin's head started to hurt again, Hyunjin dropped the cup again and pulled on her hair, with her eyes closed tight and doubling over. Heejin immediately rushed over and hugged Hyunjin, patting her head and whispering sweet nothings. Jiwoo watched this whole ordeal unfold in front of her, her head inched a suspicion but she decided to stay quiet for now.

"Is this when she gets her headaches?" Jiwoo asks.

"Yeah, usually I'll hug her until she falls asleep or her headache subsided," Heejin replied, Hyunjin's hair.

"Have you tried giving her medicine?"

"Does it work on her?" 

"Not sure,"

"I store medicine in the upper cabinet in the far left in the kitchen, want to check if there's any Hyunjin can take?" Heejin asked. Jiwoo nodded and headed to the kitchen and looked through the said cabinet.

"Aeong..."

"Hyunjin? Are you okay?" Heejin asked, her tone calm but concerned. Hyunjin nodded weakly and hugged Heejin back. Hyunjin doesn't know how she was hugging Heejin back, it felt so natural, hugging someone close, someone special. Hyunjin could hear Heejin's heartbeat, like her scent, it calmed her. Hyunjin finds everything calming about Heejin, from her appearance to her breathing. It was all strange yet somewhat familiar to Hyunjin. It was confusing, Hyunjin was confused. Hyunjin felt like these feelings were new to her yet she feels like she felt them before, the warmth from Heejin, the rapid increase of the heartbeat, the nervous fire sensations in the pit of the stomach that travels as a shiver throughout the whole body giving bumps on the skin. 

It was all overwhelming for Hyunjin, like walking into a forgotten childhood house. You know it was your childhood house yet nothing felt like it, you know where all the things are yet you never found the familiarity, confused on how you know every nook and cranny of the house yet it didn't feel like home. It didn't appear back in your memories yet your brain somehow knows everything. Your brain knows, but your heart doesn't. Your brain remembers the objects but your heart doesn't remember the memories. Fascinating, yet confusing. Hyunjin felt all of these.

Hyunjin's head started pounding once again, groaning at the unwelcomed pain again. Heejin hugged Hyunjin tighter, hearing the unpleasant noise come out of Hyunjin felt painful. It stung her heart. Heejin felt like Hyunjin was suffering, in torture, the though sending Heejin's heart in torture as well, her stomach twisting is unwanted ways as she somehow was able to feel Hyunjin's pain, not in her head but in her heart. 

Jiwoo finally came back after searching for a while, she came back with two pills and a cup of water. She sat in front of Hyunjin, letting Heejin take the pills from her and placing the pills in Hyunjin's open mouth, Heejin fed Hyunjin the water but Hyun didn't know what to do with the water and pills in , she leaves it there in .

"Swallow Hyunjin, swallow!" Heejin instructed softly, placing her fingers underneath Hyunjin's chin and lifted her head upwards. Hyunjin listened and swallowed everything down, disliking the taste of the pills.

"Those pills were safe for her?" Heejin asked. Heejin should have asked before she made Hyunjin take the pills, what an idiot she was.

"It was the best I could find in the cabinet, let's just hope she doesn't have a cat system," Jiwoo sighed. They soon sat in comfortable silence, each thinking their own thoughts in their minds. 

"You do remember you have to get a job right?" Jiwoo reminded, "Your bills..."

"Yes, I know, I know that very well, my life is just so ed up that way," Heejin sighed. Reality hurts, Heejin found out the hard way. When her parents found out for being biual, she was kicked out, her parents were super religious and wouldn't stand to have their daughter being something they believed that god opposed off. It was ridiculous, utterly absurd. But it was reality, no matter how stupid or weird it may seem, the reality is still reality. Heejin learned that she has to it up and deal with it. Heejin was thankful she found Haseul and Jiwoo, she wouldn't have an apartment if she didn't encounter the two. She owed them everything.

"Hey, don't say that you'd never know what might happen," Jiwoo reassured, "Maybe we should tell Yerim about this, she could look after Hyunjin while you go find a job,"

"But I don't trust anyone with Hyunjin," Heejin whined.

"Only for the time being, your bills are right around the corner, once you pay them, you can continue taking care of Hyunjin once that is done, you'd think better that way," Jiwoo explained.

"But if I find a job, I'll have to work, meaning I'll have to leave Hyunjin alone in the house," Heejin commented.

"Well, she has to learn to be by herself right? She gonna have to do that soon," 

"I guess your right,"

Hyunjin was silent, listening to the two of them talk. Maybe the two had forgotten she could understand them, Hyunjin felt bad for Heejin, it was because of her that Heejin was currently stressed, she couldn't pay whatever she needed to pay. But what really struck her is when Jiwoo mentioned that she needed to learn to be alone in the house. Hyunjin had been alone for most of her life, being trapped in a lab for most of her childhood did a number on her. Hyunjin knew at this point that she isn't a full cat, she knows she has ears and a tail, but she has hands and a human body, Hyunjin knew she could do more, she knew she could do more to help Heejin, and if it means being alone, then so be it.

Hyunjin shifted in Heejin embrace, signalling Heejin she wants to be out of the hug, Heejin let her arms fall down as Hyunjin got up, Hyunjin nuzzled her nose against Heejin, telling Heejin she approved of being alone.

"Aeong!" 

Heejin was confused and flustered, having Hyunjin so close to her face almost gave her a heart attack and the fact that Hyunjin rubbed her nose on Heejin's made her heart do flips.

"I think she's trying to tell us something," Jiwoo spoke.

"What is it Hyunjin?"

"Aeong!" Hyunjin gestured around the house, it didn't click for Heejin but it somehow did for Jiwoo.

"You're okay with staying alone in the house?" Jiwoo asked.

"Aeong!" Hyunjin replied in agreement. Jiwoo and Heejin looked at each other before nodding.
.
.
.
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A knock was heard from the door, Jiwoo swiftly got up and headed towards the door, opening it for the bright sunshine that welcomed Jiwoo with a hug. 

"Hi, Yerim!"

"Hi, Jiwoo!" Yerim let go of Jiwoo after a while, Jiwoo stepped aside to let Yerim in as she closed the door behind her. When Yerim walked in, she quickly cooed at the sight she saw. She saw Heejin seated on the floor against the couch, with the hybrid on her lap snuggled against her as Heejin her hair. 

"Is this the cat hybrid you told me about?" Yerim questioned. Heejin nodded, patting on Hyunjin's cheek for her to get up.

"Yerim, meet Hyunjin, Hyunjin, meet Yerim!" Heejin introduced. Hyunjin slowly got up from Heejin's lap, rubbing her eyes as she faced the new stranger. Hyunjin and Yerim stared at each other for a while, Hyunjin tilting her head in confusion and curiosity while Yerim just stood there, looking like she's reading to explode any moment.

"Aeong..."

"Hi!! I'm Yerim!!" Yerim greeted enthusiastically, it scared Hyunjin a bit with the sudden loudness, thankfully Jiwoo was there.

"Yerim! Calm down, she's a cat, you have to be calm and quiet!" Jiwoo instructed, Jiwoo guided Yerim over to Hyunjin slowly, Heejin wrapped her arms around Hyunjin's waist in case she decided to run. Jiwoo grabbed Yerim's hand and brought it up to Hyunjin, Hyunjin sniffed Yerim's fingers. Hyunjin sensed no harm, Yerim had a strong but very sweet scent, her scent screamed positivity and happiness. Hyunjin observed Yerim's face, the girl was smiling very brightly, innocence was plastered all over her face, it took a while before Hyunjin finally decided that Yerim meant no harm and gave a warm smile. Yerim liked that reaction.

"Oh my! She's so cute! Can I hold her?" Yerim asked, excitement present in her tone. Yerim sat down fully on the floor and extended her arms out, Heejin led go of Hyunjin. Hyunjin looked at Heejin, seeing Heejin nodding in approval, she slowly went towards Yerim, snuggling into her chest as Yerim embraced her.

"Heejin you're so lucky!! I want someone like her!" Yerim exclaimed making Heejin chuckled. She sure was lucky.

"Scratch the back of Hyunjin's ears lightly, you'll like the reaction," Jiwoo smiled, Yerim did as told, lightly giving the back of Hyunjin's ears a scratch, Hyunjin, like usual, started to purr softly, she really grew fond of this display of affection. Yerim cooed, almost wanting to squeeze Hyunjin tight in her arms.

"That was so cute!!! Heejin you're too lucky!! How much for her?"

"Yah! She's not for sale!" Heejin yelled as Yerim only giggled.

"I know silly. So I'll be taking care of her while Heejin looks for a job?" Yerim asked.

"Yep, she really needs one," Jiwoo replied.

"Didn't need that comment Jiwoo,"

"Your welcome Heejin,"

"Yerim you'll be starting tomorrow since I'll be starting tomorrow as well, for now, we'll get Hyunjin to get used to you, not too used to though," Heejin whispered the last part to herself, Heejin couldn't help but feel jealous, the thought of someone having a stronger bond then her and Hyunjin, Heejin was the only person Hyunjin had cat bunted and Heejin plans for it to stay that way.

"Since Yerim is good with people, Yerim you'll be teaching Hyunjin how to handle herself being alone," Jiwoo added,

"Sounds good enough," Yerim smiled brightly. 

"Thanks for helping us out Yerim," Heejin spoke.

"Oh, it's no problem, I have nothing better to do anyway, I'm still waiting for the acceptance of my university, it would take a few months at least so this is better than staying at home all day doing nothing," Yerim explained.

The rest of the day went by smoothly, the three of them simply talking and catching up on their friendship together while Yerim and Hyunjin get used to each other. It was until nighttime when Jiwoo and Yerim needed to head out, Heejin walked them out and thanked them for coming before closing the door and sighing. Heejin went back to the living room to see Hyunjin on the couch waiting for her, Heejin smiled. Sitting down next to Heejin, Hyunjin immediately started rubbing and headbutting Heejin, spreading her scent over her again. Heejin chuckled, feeling content. Once Hyunjin was done, she cuddled against Heejin, feeling rather tired.

"Do you like Yerim?" Heejin asked softly, receiving a nod in reply.

"Good, because from tomorrow, she will be taking care of you when I'm away looking for a job, you okay with that?" Heejin spoke calmly, playing with Hyunjin's hair. Hyunjin felt very comfortable with Heejin, she felt herself, she felt like she could be free but feels the security from her as well. She may like the other two but her liking to Heejin could never compare to them. Heejin suddenly cupped Hyunjin's face, much to Hyunjin's surprise, it was gentle.

"Don't too close to Yerim okay? Don't like her too much okay? You're mine, remember that," Heejin instructed.

"Aeong!" Hyunjin replied in both agreement and happiness. The two then peacefully drifted off to sleep on the couch, maybe they forgot Heejin had a bed, but it doesn't matter to them, they had each other, and it was enough to keep them going.

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Author's note:

Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter :)

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