He pulls Zitao down by the neck to kiss the wounded ear. “Better?”

“Maybe. You can make it up to me by going out with me.”

Sehun gazes around the garden. He likes the chirping stillness of the night. “We are out.”

“Out-out.”

Sehun’s tail twitches. “Outside?” Of the fence?

“Yeah.”

“Out of the yard?”

“Yes!” Zitao sits up eagerly, pain all gone in his excitement. “I’ll show you my territory. C’mon.”

Sehun looks back at his house. It is dark and quiet. His soft bed calls to him like a siren, but he accepts Zitao’s offer and follows him to the fence.