It was evening now. We were in the living room, having a night talk. They were scattered all over the living room. Changmin was lying over the backrest, upside down with his head on the pillows.

“Y/N, I have a question”, he asked.

“Yeah?”

“Are we allowed outside alone?”

“In the backyard, yes-”

“No, I mean...like on the streets!”

Everyone’s eyes turned to me to hear the answer.

“I...I don’t know. You know that hybrids aren’t that liked by some people. I’m afraid you’d get hurt”, I said.

“You care about us!” Haknyeon smiled.

“Hybrids without an owner present can get beaten up, even killed.”

“They can try”, Younghoon scoffed, running his hand through his hair. “I’m strong.”

“You are, but I’m still worried!”

“Aw”, Kevin sobbed who sat next to me.

“Get yourself together, crybaby!” Juyeon shouted. "You're making me angry! You're a fox, goddammit."

"A fox in heat", I reminded him and hugged Kevin.

"Aish, fuck it, I want a hug too."

"Get over here then."

Juyeon made his way over to our couch and sat down on my other side, leaning his head down on my shoulder. I noticed that Chanhee was laying on a couch by himself, sleeping.

"Should we carry him to his room?" I asked.

"Nah, we can leave him here", Changmin said. "We'll just wake him up and you know what happens then. He'll start whining and complaining, wanting everyone's sympathy and attention."

“Not nice. Time for you all to sleep, so shoo."

They nodded obediently and went upstairs without waking the penguin up. I went over to him and stroked his black hair.

"Wakey, wakey", I said softly. "You can't sleep here."

He whined slightly, opening his eyes.

"Can't I sleep with you then?" he asked tiredly. "I'm falling out of my bed all the time."

"Then why did you choose the top bunk?"

"Because that would be the closest I would ever be to flying...penguins can't fly, remember?"

"Ah, sweetheart, are you trying to be as close to a hybrid as possible?"

"Yes...I'm not like them...the closest I could be is if I was as similar to a penguin…"

"Chanhee...you'll see that when snow comes you'll be closer to the penguins."

"You really think so?"

"Of course I do! Come on now, let's get you to bed."

"Can't I sleep with you? You won't even notice me, I promise!"

"Okay, fine. Come on then."

He smiled and followed me to my bedroom.

"I can smell that Sangyeon’s been here...a lot", he chuckled.

"Don't tell me he scented the bed."

"Oh, he did."

I sighed as he laid down and made himself comfortable in my bed. I turned off the lights and laid down as well. I could feel his hand sneaking around, trying to find mine. When he finally did, he relaxed and fell asleep.

—♤—

Morning came and I woke up next to the sleeping penguin. He had messy hair and a soft face after a whole night of sleeping.

"Wake up", I said and shook him.

He sat up and I couldn't help but laugh at the bird's nest in his hair.

"Do you think Kevin’s heat is gone?" I asked.

"I don't know. I don't care."

"You were grumpy today."

I looked in his eyes and could see something different. There was a sharpness in his eyes I never seen before.

"Don't tell me you're going into heat as well", I sighed.

He nodded.

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