♡ Garden

@Kim Namjoon ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ Zhan seemed to shrink his shoulders a little as the man's tone picks up with frustration again. It's understandable, really, but it makes him feel awful and the tears are burning at his eyes again. It's shame and disappointment that floods him. He knows to be more observant after all. Quickly swiping away a tear that drops from the corner of his eye, Zhan looks at the human again and frowns. "I can at least dry it? Please, I-I hate that I spilled all over you and your stuff. I can- I mean, I cook and I hear people like it." It was a small attempt before he would be forced to give up entirely.

@Xiao Zhan ˡᵒᵖ ᵇᵘⁿⁿʸ "I dont want an older book, i wanted this one specifically." He spoke as he stared at the other, bits of his frustration showing in his words and tone of voice. Namjoon couldnt help but feel this way; his day was long and was looking forward to reading his book, but plans change. "I dont mind the stains as long as i can read it." Namjoon stated, a brow raising as he watched the other stammet over his words, "i appreciate you trying to help, but its not necessary." He felt this small ache in his chest just by watching the hybrid try to help him. 'But why?' He wondered, though it hurt to decline his kindness.

@Kim Namjoon ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ This was the last thing that Zhan wanted. Especially with his rather fragile mental state. "L-Let me fix this some how! I have a bookcase full of, uhm, older books and I should have a shirt that fits?" He wasn't really sure how to make this situation better but as least the man wasn't yelling at him. There would definitely be a shower of tears. "Oh! I could dry the book for you, if you don't mind the stains." Zhan said before a soft and defeated sigh left his mouth. Taking in a deep breath, the bunny dabbed as best as he could on the human's shirt. "Is there- Can I do anything? Really, I hate that I ruined your things." His eyes were glossy when their gazes met.

@Xiao Zhan ˡᵒᵖ ᵇᵘⁿⁿʸ Namjoon felt guilt building up in his chest just by watching how the hybrid reacted to his shout, 'Why did i shout at the poor thing. Im sure he didnt mean to bump into me.' He thought to himself before gasping faintly as the bunny used his sleeves to dry his shirt, "Its fine. Its fine." He exhaled longingly, not wanting to burn his anger out on the innocent boy, "Ill just have to replace the book.. and my shirt." Namjoon had to admit, he was pissed off, mostly because his favorite novel was ruined. And it was a rare finding. So of course he had a good reason to be angry, though he did the right thing to contain that anger for now.

@Kim Namjoon ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ This surely couldn't be good. "I'm so /so/ sorry! I-" Zhan rambled on with flushed cheeks from shame. "Uh, here. I don't really have anything to dry this." He said as he pulled on his black sweater sleeves to try and alleviate the mess somehow. Why did this have to happen on all days? To a human no less. Zhan closed his eyes for a moment, urging the tears away before looking at the other. "I'm really sorry. Is there anything I can do to make this better? I didn't mean to ruin your shirt and book..."

@Xiao Zhan ˡᵒᵖ ᵇᵘⁿⁿʸ It had been a long day for Namjoon and now he had the chance to relax. He had gotten himself one of his favorite novels from a nearby bookstore and now was his chance to start reading. Holding it open in one hand, and a muffin in the other, he was walking through the garden peacefully. Turning the page of his book, he then stumbled back a bit at the impact of the hybrid, "!" he muttered as the lemonade spilt onto his shirt and his novel, looking at the bunny hybrid, "Youve got to be kidding me."

@Kim Namjoon ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ It has been a taxing week on Zhan. There had been constant night terrors, nightmares, and even anxiety attacks. Leaving him with little to no sleep. He had been hoping that the garden would clear his mind and relax him enough to be able to sleep later but it only made him dazed and just a bit sun drunk. Snacks and the sun were usually a wonderful pairing, yet maybe not for this hybrid. Deciding that he had enough lounging, he got up and walked back towards the building with his uncapped blackberry lemonade. Zhan was so deep in thought he didn't even notice the figure in his path. The two collided and the hybrid felt instantly soaked, sore already from the fact that he had fell on his trying to get away from the sudden cold feeling. Clumsy bunny. "Ah- Oh! I'm so sorry!" Zhan exclaimed as he scrambled to his feet.

@Adachi Yuto ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ the hybrid's ears twitch, and he sits there as he ponders for a brief moment over yuto's question. "mm, you're right. it's something our parents were supposed to teach us when we were younger." he mumbles, thinking back to how his own mother and father were rarely around. perhaps that's why he struggled so much now. he hadn't been subjected to the usual knowledge and comfort 'normal' parents provided to their children. however, there was no sense dwelling on the past when already it's come and gone. "no mister. just yuto. okay, got it..." baekhyun repeats with a nod, making a mental note to attempt to not be as formal around this human. "it's so soothing and lovely. i don't think people appreciate nature enough, which is saddening. but me- i'm nothing but grateful for it since it's sometimes the only thing that's able to calm me down during an anxiety attack."

@Han Seungwoo ʰᵘˢᵏʸ Myungjun hadn't intended to fall asleep here, but after Hajun began to doze, his day of playing with the hybrids having tuckered him all out, Myungjun couldn't help but sleep as well. He'd packed enough clothes for Hajun to be fine, and his spare shirt came in handy the next morning. Knowing he still had some time while his son would be asleep, he took advantage and snuck out into the gardens. He'd left a monitor on, taking the handpiece with him so he could hear if Hajun awoke while he was out, but Myungjun doubted that anything would bother him until after the sun broke the horizon.
He kept himself busy, floating down the pathways between flowers and bushes, through swirls of plant life and hedges that marked paths he had never seen before. Myungjun would have been content to keep exploring had he not noted a presence that seemed to follow him. Not one to take being scared lightly, he waited, wanting to see who was following in his wake like a shadow, hiding just beyond his line of sight. What he didn't anticipate was to see someone that he knew all too well; someone that made anger and disappointment rise like bile in the back of his throat. Large brown eyes stared at Seungwoo, not sure what to say. There was so much to say - And yet, at the same time Myungjun had nothing that wasn't coated in that venomous anger. "Seungwoo..." He said slowly and curtly, holding his features in a perfectly still photograph. "I didn't expect to run into you." Quietly, he exhaled and looked down on the monitor, making sure Hajun's angelic features were still serene and calm in the bed they'd shared.
Seeing his baby quiet and breathing slowly, Myungjun knew that he still had some time, despite the breaking dawn. The curtains had been closed, so he'd been quite sure that Hajun would remain in his slumber for a little while longer. That just left... What to say? His eyes darted around Seungwoo's features - His dark ears, his warm eyes, the bushy tail that curled up behind his body. There was nothing that was out of place. Nothing that he didn't recognize. It made him utterly sad. He'd known that face, that body - Known it so well. Now... Well, he was the forgotten one, which meant that he had to make himself forget how warm those hugs had been, or how much he loved to sleep, ear to Seungwoo's firm chest, listening to his heart.
Seeing him brought a lot of it back though, and with it, came a knot in Myungjun's throat. He could have choked on it right now, but instead, he simple pressed his lips together, creating a frown. "I should go. I need to tend to my son. Sorry to have disturbed you this morning. I know how upsetting it can be to see a ghost." Despite the croak in his throat, and the tremble in his voice, Myungjun managed to make the words sound harsh and cold, ignoring the warmth that began to flood the gardens around them, and began to move back the way he came, averting his eyes as he got close to Seungwoo once again.

@Lin Yanjun ᵇᵒᵐᵇᵃʸ ᶜᵃᵗ the peacefulness of the pet store's garden had been something that drew yuto in since the very first time he visited the place. he was still quite new in there, trying to find his own spot in the house full of so many different personalities. as a guest and a potential future owner of one of those partially furry individuals, he chose to be minimally intrusive while approaching them, usually wandering around the corners of the store available to anyone, hybrids and humans as well. yuto was awkward, that was a commonly known fact, and his appearance didn't always sit well with hybrids sensitive to the littlest gestures, to him meaningless, almost too easily overlooked. he often had to remind himself to soften his expression, to smile a bit more often, even if that wasn't something exactly natural to him. but he tried, with mixed results. strolling along one of the numerous paths in the garden, he stopped by the fountain, enjoying the coolness beaming from the splashing water. it was a pleasant contrast to the omnipresent heat of the late summer. and so far yuto believed he was alone in the garden, until his eyes spotted a familiar figure appearing on the opposite side of the fountain. he lent to the side a bit to get a better view at the hybrid, smiling a bit at the latter and even lifting his hand up to wave at him in friendly manner. hopefully he wouldn't run away this time.

@Kim Myungjun ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ It was only meant to be a walk in the garden to get some fresh air in that early morning. The pet shop hadn't even opened yet so Seungwoo expected no one to be around, the other hybrids asleep and customers too early to show up. Yet he was wrong. The scent of the late fall blooms invaded his olfactory sense as he followed the path leading to the center of the huge garden where many hybrids and humans loved to spend the afternoons. It was still dark, minutes away from sunrise, and the wind brought a familiar scent to him, lost in the flowers' perfume but Seungwoo chased it, his ears in an alerted position as he searched for that nostalgic scent that caused his chest to ache.
Minutes passed and the sky started to lighten up, warm colors painted over the horizon. At that point Seungwoo's feet froze to the ground as the outline of a person's body was seen in the distance, surrounded by flowers, creating a prettier picture the more Seungwoo forced himself to approach the man and eventually call out his name once he were mere steps away, his presence noticed. " Myungjun? Why-...why are you here?" Confusion and hints of sadness laced in the tone of his voice, his ears now flattened on top of his head. It'd been so long since he last seen his ex-owner and the memories of their heartbreak flooded his mind, his chest only aching more.

@Byun Baekhyun ʳᵃᵍᵈᵒˡˡ his smile grows wider subtly, welcoming the cautious hybrid on the bench. maybe it's just a few pieces of wood nailed together, yet the peaceful surroundings make the bench impossibly comfortable to sit on and spending long hours in the garden doesn't seem to be a bad idea anymore, when the weather is so beautiful and one's loneliness gets eliminated by an appearance of a kind creature. "don't worry about that. aren't we all a little extra careful around strangers?", he asks rhetorically, glancing at the latter as he makes himself comfortable in his spot. "no mister, just yuto", he insists, letting out a short chuckle. he leans back, resting against the backrest as he listens to baekhyun's tiny monologue, nodding lightly to answer to his question. "nature is always so slow and unbothered. yet extremely strong and stable. maybe that's what draws us to it? it always hushes my nerves and makes me forget for a moment about the omnipresent noise and rush."

@Adachi Yuto ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ baekhyun wonders if he annoyed the human, and the thought makes him worry and sink his sharp little fangs into his bottom lip. once he hears those few words of reassurance, though, he visibly relaxes and lets out a soft sigh of relief before moving closer to settle on the bench, crossing one leg over the other at his ankles. "i'm sorry, sometimes i jump to conclusions quickly and my anxiety spikes without my control." a hand comes up to rub the back of his neck. "oh, my name's baekhyun. it's nice to meet you, mr. yuto!" the smile from before then returns as he looks around the garden. "this is a pretty peaceful place to read, hm? usually, i just come out here to escape feeling trapped and overwhelmed inside of the shop."

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ im sure youll do great.
-smiles as i follow you after setting my snack and drink down, deciding to come back later for it-
pay for my drink? thats really kind of you but you really dont have to...

@Han Jisung ˢᵠᵘᶦʳʳᵉˡ *walks towards the exit of the gardens*
That's true. I really wanna be a good dad for her from now on
*makes a gesture to leave the shop's properties*
Lemme pay for your drink choice then

(uh --> café?)

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ i might get a milk shake. depends on my mood when we get there. my cravings are off the charts lately.
-says as i get up with a small smile-
well youre here now so im sure you have a chance to watch her grow some more

@Han Jisung ˢᵠᵘᶦʳʳᵉˡ *chuckles seeing you be all hyper and active*
Well that might not be a bad choice. Then tea maybe or a milk shake?
*gets up from the bench pressing my lips together happily*
I'm... heartbroken that I haven't seen her grow up until now

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ she is adorable..
-giggles softly as i cross one leg over the other, humming in thought-
im trying to take it easy on the caffeine.. but i dont mind going to the cafe for something else

@Han Jisung ˢᵠᵘᶦʳʳᵉˡ *shrugs nodding at the same time*
believe me i hope so too. Gosh my little one is so cute
*looks at you with a small smile*
there's something about the quietness yeah... shall we... get some coffee for old days' sake?

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ -settles on the bench before exhaling longingly in relief and thought-
i hope everything gets better between you two~
-smiles genuinely before nodding at your words-
i come here a lot.. i love it when its quiet.

@Han Jisung ˢᵠᵘᶦʳʳᵉˡ *smiles at you nodding towards the bench nearby*
Just because Minho didn't seem happy at all seeing me is all
*shrugs a bit*
but it was to be expected. glad to see you here too. it's awfully quiet in the gardens

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ -gets up to my feet with a small stumble, doing our handshake before laughing softly-
its good to see you too~
why wouldnt i be happy? it often gets boring being out here by myself

@Han Jisung ˢᵠᵘᶦʳʳᵉˡ *giggles offering my hand for our signature handshake*
It's been a while. really good to see you here. I guess at least one person here that's happy seeing me

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ im not scared. ypu just came out of nowhere.
-smiles a little as i close my container of almonds-
fancy seeing you again

@Han Jisung ˢᵠᵘᶦʳʳᵉˡ *bows poiltely waving at you*
Hi there don't be scared. I'm not that scary
*smiles and approaches you*

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ -swallowing my food, i choke a little when im startled by a voice, looking at you after taking a swig of my lemonade and waving-
you startled me..

@Han Jisung ˢᵠᵘᶦʳʳᵉˡ *strolls through the gardens suddenly perking up when I see another hybrid walking around as before I'd never seen other hybrids than my ex, unsure whether all of them were as shy he lifted his head just to tell the boy he was here*
Hello there

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ -after my lunch, i come out to the garden with my container of almonds in my hands, eating them silently as i wander to my usual spot and sitting in a patch of grass by the carnations, humming happily as i stuff my cheeks with my snack-

@Lee Minho ᵃʳᶜᵗᶦᶜ ᶠᵒˣ *smiles a bit more seeing how affected you were by just a name being mentioned*
Vanilla latte. Got it
*notes making sure not to comment on the drink choice and then holding back from wanting to kiss you goodbye*
See you later then

() Let's skip time?

@Christopher Bang ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ *stares with wide eyes when hearing that name again after such a long time, almost forgetting about the answer that I owe you*
I.. would prefer vanilla latte.
*waves back, then makes my way to the office, wanting to ask for some babysitting service*