"I didn't even know you existed," you admit sheepishly to Taehyung.
"Well, it's not that weird, considering my mom only married your uncle a few years ago. I've heard that he doesn't have the best relationships with the rest of the extended family so..."
You nod, taking a bite out of the fluffy muffin. Makes sense. And if your father knows about the marriage, then he never told you. You didn't exactly consult him before you agreed to help Taehyung either, so it's not like it was brought up.
"And now he's sick?"
"Yeah. Well, he actually had a heart transplant two days ago, but they'll keep him at the hospital for a while since it’s a, you know, heart transplant. So that's why this was all on such short notice; you can't pass up a heart just because no one can watch the hybrid, you know?"
"Yeah, no, of course," you're quick to reassure. "I was just surprised, and well, I don't really have any experience with hybrids. I mean, caring for them."
"Yeah, once again, I'm sorry for the short notice. I would've taken him myself if I could, but I can't, and I knew you lived close by," Taehyung explains, large hands wrapped around the coffee as he sips on it. "But it'll only be for a few days until I can find someone else."
You nod hesitantly, wishing you won't have to take care of the hybrid for long because, truth is, it makes you a bit uncomfortable.
"So, you said before that it's a male? What kind of hybrid is he?"
"Oh, yeah. It's a kangaroo hybrid, and his name is Jeongguk. Rescued as a puppy, or whatever they're called and had a few families before he ended up with us. Can be a bit of a brat if you spoil him, so make sure he knows you're in charge." A confident smile graces his joking lips.
Despite what you first believed, Taehyung isn't actually related to you or your uncle, and that in itself makes it easier to trust him. The other contributing factor is that smile, the somewhat innocent confidence with which he carries himself.
"And I'd keep him inside if I were you, just to be on the safe side, but if you have to go somewhere with him, then remember that he has to wear his collar and never be more than a few feet from you."
If he can see the look on your face, Taehyung doesn't acknowledge it. You know that hybrids can't be left unsupervised by their owners when out in public, but you’d forgotten about the collar.
"So, are you ready to meet him?" Taehyung raises his eyebrows over the drink he's just about to finish up. With his free hand, he’s collecting his wallet and phone to put in his pocket, and then, he’s rising from the chair.
"What? Now?" you stand up quickly, nearly knocking the chair over in the process. At least you finished your muffin. When Taehyung had been the only one to show, you assumed the hybrid would arrive later. Like, in a day or something. At least you finished your muffin.
"Yeah, he's in the car. Unfortunately, he can’t stay with me any longer, so I really have to drop him off today."
You wonder why he didn't bring the hybrid inside the café since they are welcome and it's cold, literally snowing, outside. But you don't say anything, just grab your things and follow the tall man outside.
Hybrids are normally slightly smaller than the average human, mainly derived from house pets such as cats and dogs, although there are definitely other kinds. But the hybrid that steps out of Taehyung's sleek, black car is anything but small.
He's wearing a winter jacket similar to his owner's, only a bit thinner because 'hybrids run warm,' according to Taehyung. It makes it hard to describe his body shape, but it appears they are roughly the same height and size, at least.
He's got the black jacket zipped up to right beneath his chin, and after grabbing a duffel bag from the car, he remains standing there, dark and cold eyes staring you down. You gulp at his intensity.
"H–hello," you stutter nervously, obviously surprised and intimidated but not stunned enough to be rude. However, if you thought it would warm him up, perhaps even grant you a greeting in return, you’re mistaken; the hybrid just glares at you. Until Taehyung intervenes.
"Gguk, be nice," he voices sternly, making Jeongguk soften his glare a tad and bow his head reluctantly in your direction.
While Taehyung introduces the two of you, one thing keeps occupying your mind. Or, well, two things. Jeongguk's ears.
If Taehyung hadn't already told you beforehand what kind of hybrid the dark-haired male was, then the ears would've made you think donkey. And you mean that in the best way. They're big, longer than that of a regular horse but shorter and a little rounder than a rabbit's. And they're dark, almost black. Jeongguk keeps them turned back, a little lowered. He's not scared; they don't convey submission, more... suspicion. He doesn't trust you.
This isn't your first time seeing a hybrid or anything; you've met some of them before, although very briefly. You still consider yourself pretty knowledgeable; you're one of those people who know a little bit about everything, and hybrids aren't an exception. The thing is just that you've never had to put that hybrid knowledge to the test. Besides, the ones you met previously were all mellow, well-behaved, and with their owners. You'd expected a golden retriever puppy but were met with a wolf.
“It’s a birth defect,” Taehyung explains casually after catching your gaze. “They’re not supposed to be black.”
It throws you off, how he speaks of the hybrid, but since neither of them seem to share your opinion, you don’t question it.
Taehyung keeps chatting all the way up to your apartment, his voice becoming elevator music as you glance at the pair through the mirror in front of you.
It's not only the fact that Jeongguk already seems to despise you that makes you lower your gaze quicker than ever when it's met by his sharp, dark eyes.
Taehyung is gorgeous. Dark blonde hair covers most of his forehead except for a little sliver, and he's blessed with dark eyes, framed by long lashes, and that infectious smile. But Jeongguk is more than that; he has something else that catches your eyes more so than Taehyung, and it's not his animal features.
When the elevator reaches the fifth floor with a 'ding,' you step out and take the lead. The sound of your keys jingling echoes through the hallway and intensifies when you reach up to unlock the door to your apartment.
"Here it is," you say, back turned against the others as you open the door wide and step inside.
"Cozy," you hear Taehyung compliment even before he's seen more than the first part of your hallway.
"Thank you."
You show Jeongguk where to hang his jacket and put his shoes while Taehyung remains dressed for the outdoors.
"He's not very complicated. Eats anything, sleeps anywhere. He has his clothes and other necessary stuff with him."
As Taehyung speaks, your eyes drift to the male in between you. He's facing you, still in the hallway, and he's wearing a hoodie and sweatpants. It's like he doesn't even hear that he's being talked about, his eyes staring into the air, and his face blank.
You don't think Taehyung is lying. Well, not intentionally. But you hesitate because Jeongguk still hasn't said a single word to you, and it's obvious he does not want to be there.
Taehyung reaches for the door handle.
"Wait!"
He stops to look at you.
"Are you sure?" you ask. It's Taehyung who you're speaking to, but your eyes are still carefully watching Jeongguk. "He doesn't... are you sure this is okay?"
"Look, I really need your help," Taehyung pleads, suddenly way more serious. "It'll be fine, and I'll try to find someone else as soon as possible, so hopefully it's only for a few days."
"Yeah, but he..." What are you going to say? You won't lie and say the hybrid's hostility doesn't make you uncomfortable, because it does, but you're mostly asking for his sake. He doesn't want to be left with you.
Taehyung's eyes follow yours, but while you watch Jeongguk with worry, Taehyung's gaze burns holes in his head from behind.
"Don't worry, he'll behave. He knows he's not coming home otherwise."
There's a second of silence before Jeongguk gives one determined nod to show that he got it. You're left speechless, and Taehyung reaches for the door handle once again. But before he actually opens the door, he turns back one last time.
"Oh, I almost forgot. He has activities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I'll send a friend to pick him up and drive him, but just so you know, he'll be back late." With that, and a small wave your way, Taehyung leaves. And you're all alone with a strange hybrid.
"Well, uh, feel free to look around," you gesture around you before bending down to take off your shoes that you'd forgotten.
Jeongguk does that same kind of nod again, and then he walks past you, giving a clear view of something you didn't see before. His dark tail. Your fingers let go of the laces as you stare up at it in awe. It's huge, could easily sweep the floor after him if he didn't keep it up. Unlike the tails of other animals like, say lions, it's thick and looks a lot stiffer. But it’s still not nearly as thick as the ones you’ve seen on real kangaroos.
Suddenly, Jeongguk stops. He's caught you staring. And now, he's glaring at you. Cheeks tinged pink, you return your attention to your boots, and you can hear Jeongguk disappear further into the apartment.
Hiya Lo♡ So sorry that you've been sick these past few days, pls take care of yourself by drinking lots of warm water for your throat and resting plenty ok🫂 I also Just saw the kangakoo preview that you posted and it's so so interesting!? I've never really read the hybrid trope but I'm really excited to read kangakoo whenever you decide to drop it!♡♡♡
Hey roshni!! Thank you! (I think i also have an eye infection now lmao 😩) i have tomorrow off so i'll be resting and trying to get some writing done!
Thank you!! The hybrid fics are such an... interesting genre, like i can only work on one on certain days where i'm in the right mood lol because otherwise i'm like.... girl, what are you writing..... 🫣 but it's also such a classic trope, like you need to do it at least once lmao 🤣❤️
omg!!!! I’m so ready to read this and I’m not even a fan of hybrid fics (I just read whatever you write and it never disappoints) 💞
Omg now THAT is a compliment!! Because hybrid fics are weird lmao but i also feel like it's almost something you need to do at least once as a fanfic writer?? 😌
