Chapter Text
Prologue
Seonghwa bowed as he entered the conference room. He greeted Director Lee, the director of the hybrid center; Dr. Shim, the leader of the rescue team; as well as Mr. Choi Jongho, one of the lawyers affiliated with their center. He smiled at Hongjoong as well, sitting next his partner and giving his hand a quick squeeze before they turned their attention to Dr. Shim.
“As you all know, this is a bit… unusual. It's not common for us to have meetings when we have incoming hybrids, but this is a special case.”
Seonghwa and Hongjoong exchanged curious gazes. Mr. Choi caught their eye and gave him a grim look. Oftentimes, when a hybrid arrived from a difficult situation, they were all given access to their file to know what to be sensitive about. At times, the immediate team for the hybrid would meet briefly to discuss how they wanted to handle the case. Only rarely was there a need to have a full blown meeting about an incoming hybrid with so many higher ups.
“This is Song Mingi.” Dr. Shim drew their attention back to the screen. Seonghwa swallowed back his surprise at the sight projected on the screen in the small meeting room. An intimidating hybrid with a sour expression stood, a placard with his name held in front of him. Judging by the numbers on the wall behind him he was tall. He had strong features and jet black ears with scarring along them.
“Oh.” Hongjoong didn’t hold his surprise back quite as well.
“Yes.” Dr. Shim said “Like I said, it's a special case. Song Mingi isn't our usual rescue. We're still trying to figure out information, but he hasn't been too open with the authorities. What we do know is that he's about 24. His previous owners turned him over to the state, and we have reason to believe that they bought him.”
A quiet, uncomfortable “oh” filled the room. The practice of buying and selling hybrids had been outlawed a long time ago, but like a lot of things, it still happened under the table. It certainly wasn't the first time a hybrid had come to the center after being sold, and almost always, those hybrids had suffered abuse. Seonghwa felt his heart ache for the poor young man, however intimidating appeared in his mug shots.
“Right.” Dr. Shim said. “The previous owners were very quick to give up rights and skittish about answering questions. They should have been taken into custody, but you all know how the authorities are about these kinds of things. They left town, and as of now, we don't know where they are. That, unfortunately, might be a dead end for any more information.”
“Other than that we know he was picked up over a week ago. The police said they are pretty sure he's been involved in a few fights they've been called to break up, but they arrested him in a local mart he'd broken into and found a few items on him that had been reported missing.”
Seonghwa shared a worried glance with Hongjoong. While they hadn't had too many come through their center recently, it wasn't uncommon for the circumstances of a hybrid’s life to lead them to a point where breaking the law felt like the only option, where sometimes it was the only option to survive. Even if it made their lives much more difficult going forwards, Seonghwa understood how it happened. He only hoped they could help Mingi.
“He's been detained for a week now. We were lucky enough to get into contact with the police department and offer an alternative to jail, for him to live in the center, under house arrest for the first few months, and try to rehabilitate him. He'll have to have meetings with a parole officer, and he'll be required to take classes and eventually decide to either emancipate himself or attempt to be adopted.”
“From what I've been told he is… resistant. He did agree to come to the center of his own volition… but that is most likely to avoid jail time. So far, he’s cooperating with the authorities, but only as much as he needs to. Myself, Dr. Kim, and Jeong Yunho will be going to meet with him this afternoon and talk to him about the center and the expectations for his stay. We’ll try and get a better idea of what kind of challenges he might present.”
“If it goes well.” Director Lee said. “I’ll take Mr. Park to meet with him and talk more in depth about life at the center.”
“Are we worried he’ll be a flight risk?” Hongjoong asked.
“I don’t think so.” Dr. Shim said. “If he’s not well behaved or we have trouble with him, we’ve already been ordered to hand him back over to the authorities.”
Silence blanketed the room for a moment. Seonghwa didn’t even need to look around to know everyone’s expressions were grim. None of them wanted to see him sent to jail. It went unspoken that they were all to do everything in their power to make sure he didn’t end up incarcerated.
“Mr. Park.” Seonghwa met Dr. Shim’s gaze as he called his name. “I’ll know more for sure after today’s meeting, but Song Mingi will need a key worker once he arrives. He'll need the point of contact, of course, but also I think he'll benefit from someone who he can develop a friendship with and come to feel comfortable around. That will likely be key to his healing. Do you think you can start looking for someone to appoint as his key worker?”
Seonghwa sat up a little taller and nodded. “I can, in fact I think I already know just the person.”
Chapter 1
“This is so wonderful.” San purred, curling into Wooyoung’s stomach as Wooyoung ran his fingers through his hair and scratched at the base of his ears. Yeosang, who was rubbing the cat hybrid's back, chuckled. “This is like, the best life can get.”
“You are way too easily pleased.” Wooyoung snorted.
“But this is great.” San whined. “Getting pets and back rubs and sleeping and relaxing. Why do I need to learn anything?” He peeked up at them. “I really don’t get why my mom makes me come here.”
Yeosang gave San a good natured smile, scratching under his chin in just the way he loved. It wasn’t the first time San had complained about this and it wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation. “Because having choice in life is very important.” Yeosang said. “Having agency is important. I know it might not seem like it now but one day you really will be happy that you can make choices for yourself without anyone else's approval.”
“Sounds fake.” San grumbled. “Adoption wouldn't even be that bad. I bet it'd be fun. And I have my mom anyways, why do I have to be an adult and in charge of things?”
“Don't you have class in like, two minutes?” Wooyoung asked.
“Shit!” San’s eyes flew open and he shot up from their laps, scrambling to grab his bag. “If I miss another class because I'm cuddling, my mom is gonna kill me.” He said hurriedly, rushing from the room. Wooyoung and Yeosang couldn't help but giggle at him as he left, pulling themselves up from where they sat and wandering out into the hallway.
"Do you think he'll ever actually get emancipated like his mother wants him to?" Wooyoung asked.
"Yeah, probably." Yeosang said. "He's still so young and his mother is really sweet. I know why she wants him to, but he's 21 and comfy in life, it'll take some time for him to come around."
"You do seem to always just know these kinds of things." Wooyoung said. "Anyways, do you have any more classes today?"
“Not today.” Yeosang said. “Mine were all this morning.”
“That’s why you were busy all morning.” Wooyoung hummed. “What do you have this afternoon? You never leave early.”
“Seonghwa said there's a new hybrid coming in today.” Yeosang said evenly. “He wants me on standby in case I can greet them.”
“Yeosang the hybrid whisperer.” Wooyoung chuckled, throwing an arm around Yeosang’s shoulder. “How do you get through to some of them so easily?”
Yeosang chuckled, feeling his ears twitching under his hat. “It's a mystery. I just have a knack for it, I guess.”
“One of these days I'll get your secrets out of you.” Wooyoung joked. “Also, what do you mean in case you can greet them? Are you not meant to be part of their team?”
“Seonghwa said this is a difficult case.” Yeosang replied. “He said it's gonna be a bit different from most of what I've done, and he doesn't know yet how much support I'll need to provide. He just wanted my afternoon free.”
“All I’ve heard is that a new hybrid is coming and Director Lee has been tense about it.” Wooyoung said as they made their way behind the counter in the entry hall. Staff and hybrids were milling around in the room, chatting, playing around, reading. There were comfy chairs and books and lots of things to make it as welcoming as possible. Yeosang knew that this kind of place could be intimidating or scary for hybrids, and all they wanted was for it to welcome them in.
He chewed idly on the end of a pencil as he contemplated what he’d been told. He knew the new hybrid was a little younger than him. He knew that he had come from a difficult background, and he knew that he had been in trouble with the law. He knew that kind of thing could happen, he could certainly envision a life where it would have happened to him, so he had sympathy. Seonghwa did say that this hybrid was angry and aggressive though, which wasn’t the type of personality he usually worked with, but maybe those feelings came from the same places as most other hybrid’s sadness and fear. If he could relate to them, he could get through to them, he was sure of that.
“I know a bit but Seonghwa told me to keep it to myself.” Yeosang hummed.
Wooyoung groaned and draped himself over Yeosang. “Oh come ooooooon. You know you can tell me.”
“Just ask Seonghwa yourself.” Yeosang snorted. “He adores you. I’m sure if you were a kitten hybrid you’d be the only hybrid he’d ever consider adopting.” Yeosang knew he wasn’t wrong. Most of the staff at the center didn’t personally adopt as they felt it was better for hybrids to gain independence, though in some more special situations, they would. Seonghwa did adore Wooyoung, though. He was sure Seonghwa would take him home with him if he could.
“He won’t tell me.” Wooyoung whined. “You know he actually keeps confidential information confidential. And there is no way he’d be able to convince Dr. Kim to keep me.”
“Dr. Kim is no match for Seonghwa.” Yeosang chuckled. “Have you not seen the way he folds the second Seonghwa wants anything? He seems mentally strong because he’s a therapist but he’s so in love it’s gross.”
“I don’t know.” Wooyoung said. “He’s kind of scary when he gets all intense.”
“You say that like that’s not exactly what you like.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Wooyoung hissed, playfully shoving him as his cheeks blushed red. “That is not true. And they're both too old for me, even if-” He stopped himself at the grin on Yeosang's face. "You suck."
“I'm gonna tell them you think 34 is old." Yeosang laughed. “And don’t you have to prepare for a cooking class?”
“I hate you.” Wooyoung grumbled.
“Mhm, love you too.” Yeosang teased. “See you tomorrow for movie night?”
“Yeah yeah.” Wooyoung couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips as he left the entrance hall. Yeosang leaned on the counter, checking his watch. Seonghwa said the new hybrid was set to arrive at 2 but it was nearly quarter past and he hadn’t arrived yet. He wasn’t totally sure where or when he would be needed so he simply hung around and waited. Sooner or later he was bound to arrive and he supposed Seonghwa would beckon him over to greet the new arrival.
As if on cue, the doors slammed open. Yeosang’s gaze snapped up as he took in the scene. A tall, intimidating cane corso hybrid with scarring on his ears and tail was being pulled into the center in handcuffs and a muzzle. An ankle monitor was wrapped tightly around his ankle. It turned Yeosang’s stomach to see it but a moment later it seemed clear as to why. As soon as the attention of hybrids and staff was drawn, the hybrid started growling and struggling against the staff members. He snapped and snarled at anyone close enough who dared to look at him and Yeosang felt his stomach sink. Was he the hybrid Yeosang was meant to help? Would he even be able to?
The hybrid's gaze shifted, meeting Yeosang’s from across the room. He went almost fully quiet, tilting his head and jolting the staff members trying to pull him through the room to a stop. He tilted his head, regarding Yeosang. He felt like ice shot through his veins at the grin the hybrid fixed him with, snapping at him and growling as he let himself be pulled from the room.
Yeosang fell back into a chair behind the counter, trying to process what he’d just seen. That must have been the hybrid Seonghwa had mentioned to him, but how was he supposed to help someone like that? He felt entirely out of his element already. That hybrid was angrier than anyone he’d ever seen. He couldn’t help wondering if he was even safe to be around. He must be if they’d chosen to bring him here, right?
Yeosang turned the cold feeling in his stomach over and over as he thought about the look the hybrid had given him, the grin. It wasn’t unheard of for some hybrids to figure out that Yeosang wasn’t human. Being in a place with so many other scents made it confusing and not everyone had strongly developed senses. Many hybrids who passed through had no clue, but some did. He was pretty sure San suspected it, but he'd yet to bring it up. Yunho knew, he’d asked Yeosang about it a long time ago. But it was never so… quick. That hybrid seemed to sense it within seconds and it unnerved Yeosang. Aside from the few hybrids who had asked him about it over the years of working here, only Seonghwa, Dr. Kim, Director Lee, Mr. Choi, and the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Yang, knew he was a hybrid. He kept that as secret as he could, and it unsettled him how quickly this new hybrid seemed to have figured it out.
It was nearly an hour later that Yunho and Seonghwa came to find Yeosang where he sat in the entrance hall. Both of them looked a bit grim and Yeosang was quick to stand up, the instinct to help in some way so strong.
“Was that…?”
“Yes.” Seonghwa said calmly. “It was.” He shared a look with Yunho. “He doesn’t seem… receptive to much today, though. So I don’t think I’ll be needing you this afternoon."
“I see.” Yeosang felt himself deflate just a little at Seonghwa’s words and he was met with a sympathetic smile.
“He’s had a very rough time recently. I was hoping to introduce you two today but… I think it’ll be best to wait. I’m sorry I had you clear your schedule for nothing.”
“No, it’s okay.” Yeosang assured him.
Seonghwa checked his watch. “I’m sorry, I have another meeting. I should get going.”
Yeosang and Yunho bid Seonghwa goodbye, watching him rush off before they met each other’s gaze. The tall, friendly golden retriever hybrid looked sad and Yeosang felt his heart ache a bit. More than himself, Yunho always wanted to be helpful and he could see the disappointment clearly written across his face.
“Are you done for the day, too?” Yeosang asked gently.
“Yeah, I guess so.” Yunho mumbled.
“Do you want to go and grab a treat with me, then?”
Yunho lit up at that, tail wagging and ears perking. “That sounds good.”
A twenty minute subway ride and two orders of bingsu later, Yunho and Yeosang sat in the corner of a little shop, devouring the cold, sweet treat. Yeosang had learned so far that the cane corso hybrid’s name was Mingi, that Yunho had gone along on the first few meetings with Mingi, and that he had been cold whether another hybrid was there or not. That Mingi didn't seem all that keen on spending time at the center, but it was what he deemed the better option.
“I really tried to talk to him.” Yunho mumbled. “We're the same age so I thought if I could be nice and friendly and get him to talk to me a bit, it would help, but he just wouldn’t. Maybe I did something wrong.”
“I really don’t think so." Yeosang assured him. “It sounds like he’s had a rough time. He might not want to be too friendly. It might take him a long time to trust anyone.”
“But I’m trustworthy, aren’t I?” Yunho asked.
“Yes, of course.” Yeosang said, reaching over and scratching Yunho between his ears. “It’s not your fault. Please don’t beat yourself up over it.”
Yunho nodded, scooping up the shaved ice from the bottom of the bowl. “Do you think he’ll do okay at the center? I’ve never worked with a hybrid so angry before. What if he hurts someone?”
“He won’t-” Yeosang stopped himself. He didn’t like the assumption that just because a hybrid had been abused that they might lash out and hurt people, but he didn’t know if Mingi would or not. He didn’t know him at all yet, maybe he would. Hybrids were capable of hurting others, just like people were. “If they were really worried he would be a danger to people, I don’t think the judge would have allowed him to come to the center.”
“That’s true.” Yunho said. “I guess he’s just a bit scary.”
“Did he try to scare you?” Yeosang asked.
“No, or- well- I don’t think it was on purpose. But it just felt like he could read me really well.” Yunho said. “Like he knew when I was nervous or pretending to be calm. It’s kind of weird. I know there’s a thing about hybrids being able to smell fear but I think he really can.”
Yeosang felt his stomach churn at that. He didn’t like the thought that someone would know his secret, someone he didn’t know well. Most people didn’t know, and the last thing he wanted was to be outed. It worried him that Mingi might choose to tell everyone if he deemed Yeosang unlikable.
“I think he could tell I’m a hybrid.” Yeosang said quietly.
“When did you go and talk to him?” Yunho asked.
“I-I didn’t.” Yeosang said. “I just… saw him as he came in. He gave me a look and I think he could tell just from seeing me and smelling me.”
“Wow.” Yunho breathed. “That’s kind of impressive. I wonder how his senses got so strong.”
“Yeah.” Yeosang mumbled. “But I mean it’s not like he knows for sure without asking me, right?”
“Right.” Yunho said. “Do you think he’s gonna say something?”
“I hope not.” Yeosang said.
~ ~ ~
Two days ticked by, then three, then four. Seonghwa kept Yeosang’s work load light, hoping each day to introduce him to Mingi, but each day went by without the chance. Mingi barely left his room, save for using the bathroom and opening the door to be given food. He refused to talk to anyone other than the director and he refused to participate in any classes, and Yeosang could see in Seonghwa’s face the stress it was putting him through.
“Do you think I should just… go over and say hi?” Yeosang asked, sitting across from Seonghwa in his office.
Seonghwa ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I’m worried he wouldn’t be receptive to that. He might just slam the door in your face. I mean, I don’t think he’ll hurt anyone but it's still not smart to just send you to see him.”
“Do you think there’s anything I could do to convince him to come out and participate?” Yeosang asked. He wanted to be helpful in some way. It was maybe also a little bit boring to have so little to do around the center each day.
“I don’t know.” Seonghwa admitted. “I’ve tried to talk to him a few times. Hongjoong has also tried. Mr. Choi managed to get a few words out of him but he isn’t really open to talking to anyone. Honestly, I think he only talks to Director Lee because he knows he’s in charge. If Dr. Shim comes in, he might talk to him too. I’m just… worried.”
“There’s time, right?” Yeosang asked.
“I don’t know how much. The judge requires proof that he’s participating in classes and that he eventually decides on a path forward. They have given leniency on that timeline but he’s meant to be doing classes immediately. I’ve been trying to advocate for time, as has Director Lee, but the owners aren’t super happy with all of this to begin with and they’re much more okay with the idea of kicking him out and letting him end up in jail if he doesn't cooperate quickly enough.”
A frown tugged at Yeosang’s lips. He didn’t want to see that happen either. He knew the owners had different priorities than much of the staff did, but he wished that they could put the well-being of a hybrid like Mingi above whatever else they were focused on. He sighed, slumping back in his chair and wracking his brain for something helpful, but in all honesty he’d never met a hybrid so resistant. He wasn’t sure where to start.
The door to Seonghwa’s office was flung open, catching both of their attentions. Director Lee looked frazzled as he made eye contact with Seonghwa.
“Mr. Park-” Before he could say much else Seonghwa was up out of his chair.
“Is it about Mingi?” He asked quickly.
“I’ve been trying all morning to convince Mr. and Mrs. Yang that Mingi just needs more time to settle in…”
“Shit.” Seonghwa was already around the desk and headed for the door. “I hope they haven’t called the police already.” The look on Director Lee’s face said that that was exactly what had happened. He left the room but before Seonghwa followed he stopped and turned to Yeosang.
“Go home early, just for today. And tomorrow… I guess you’ll be meeting Mingi.”
“O-Okay…” Yeosang managed weakly as he watched Seonghwa race from the room, feeling uneasy and anxious about both Mingi’s fate and what would happen tomorrow.