Lonely Kitten

23

Since Minho didn't dare to go back to his old dance school to practice with Hyunjin and Felix, the trio rented a dance room in the company building that also held the 3racha studio. That was more than convenient for Minho, who was happy to walk there with Jisung after having breakfast together. Even better was, that he'd get to see the rapper during their lunchbreak as the hybrid didn't know how he'd survive if he didn't get to see the younger for most of the day. Minho could even go and make sure the other wouldn't pull an all-nighter or if he did, Minho could make sure he had eaten dinner at least. He had had to borrow some exercise clothes from Jisung to dance in today but they had already discussed their plans for the future, considering he seemed to be staying there permanently. With Chan's help, Minho was trying to complete the paperwork he needed to access his old bank account, so he could get into his savings and into his inheritance money. They were also trying to get the hybrid back to his feet confidence wise as he wanted to take on another job. Though Jisung didn't mind the older not taking a part in their rent, he understood how important independence was and would do his best to support Minho with his search for a new job.

Parting from Jisung was hard on the older once they reached the company building but the rapper promised he'd check in on the others when they were on a break, even if it was just a short one to get coffee. Minho smiled, entering a dance room again after such a long time. The ceiling-high mirrors on the walls and the big speakers on one side of the room made him feel at home. He also realized how easy it was to keep a conversation going with his two fellow dancers. Back at the academy, he had always had his guard up, barely talking to anyone, but now that they were closer, it was easy and comfortable to be around them. Especially since both his and Felix' secret was out and Hyunjin had only showed support for the two hybrids, the group had been able to bond fast. As they sat on the floor and stretched, Minho had to realize that he hadn't stayed in shape during his break from dancing. He wasn't nearly as flexible as he used to be but when they started working on their dance moves, he was relieved to find his stamina had improved. One of the benefits of being chased around by stray dogs, even if it was the only one.

They had been dancing for hours on end, their lunchbreak getting closer, when Jisung came to check on the trio. Chan had gone to get coffee for all of them, while Changbin waited in the studio, claiming to be working on his lyrics when in reality, he dreaded meeting Felix again. They had clicked instantly after meeting the first time in the studio and Changbin's heart had gone so warm when Minho had carried cat-Felix to him instead of Chan but that might have been their problem. The rapper had no idea what their dynamics meant and it scared him that he felt so attached to the younger already. There were moments when he'd get jealous of Chan, who had had his cousin in his life since they were really young. They had only talked one on one the first time, when they had gotten coffee together but Changbin was so whipped for the boy's soft giggles and the low voice that didn't match his face in the slightest.

Minho, Hyunjin and Felix were sitting together talking as they took a short break to have some water. "So Lix, you think Changbin is your mate-", Minho asked curiously, when Jisung entered. He hadn't bothered knocking, figuring if they were dancing, they wouldn't hear it anyway. The trio's conversation came to an abrupt halt when Jisung joined them. While Hyunjin and Felix were slightly annoyed, Felix because his secret had almost been spilled to Jisung and Hyunjin because he was waiting for an explanation what mates were, Minho instantly scrambled to his feet, despite his legs being tired. Not caring that his clothes were damp with sweat, he rushed over and tackled the rapper in a hug.

"Hey, just wanted to check on you guys while Chan-hyung is getting coffee", Jisung smiled, hugging the hybrid back, not minding him being sweaty at all. Felix instantly raised his head, asking: "Where's Binnie-hyung then?" - "Oh, he's still at the studio, working on his verse", the rapper explained, "He's a bit of a perfectionist but not as bad as Channie-hyung." Pouting sadly, Felix nodded in acknowledgement though he felt disappointed with that information. "So, we've been thinking", Jisung started, "How about all six of us have lunch together at that new barbeque place not far from here?" That did a great job at cheering the Aussie up. He loved barbeque, probably his cat-side shining through, and he loved his Binnie-hyung, so those lunch plans sounded amazing to him. "I love barbeque!", Minho beamed, still clinging to Jisung's side as the rapper glanced at the other two dancers for their opinion. Hyunjin nodded with a small smile, finding it adorable how enthusiastic his hyung was about anything Jisung would do or say, while Felix was already spaced out. The Aussie was brought back to attention when Hyunjin gently nudged him and he hummed: "Barbeque sounds lovely."

"Do you love barbeque or do you love Jisung, hyung?", Hyunjin teased once the rapper had left for the studio again. A stern glare from the older was enough to silence him as he noted that Minho had no mercy for anyone that wasn't Jisung. Plopping down next to them, Minho frowned: "Let's talk about Changbin instead. So Lix.... You are mates?" - "Um, I think so", Felix mumbled hesitantly. The older hybrid was already about to shoot a follow-up question, when Hyunjin interjected: "Guys, I still do not know what mates are. Isn't that an Aussie-thing?" The younger was so caught off guard, that he couldn't help but burst out laughing. When he was finally able to catch his breath, Felix corrected: "It's not an Aussie-thing, it's a hybrid thing. For hybrids there is something like a predestined partner or soulmate." - "Exactly, that mate is meant only for you and you're meant only for them. There's nothing either of the two parties can really do about it and if you hate each other, you'll eventually warm up and fall in love because despite hating each other, you can't keep your distance", Minho added with a small laugh, noticing Hyunjin's stunned face, "It's rather uncommon for a hybrid to have a human mate though, usually that's only a thing between hybrids."

There was a short silence, the three dancers occupied with their own thoughts before Felix hummed: "I-I think Changbin is my mate. When we met at the studio for the first time, I instantly felt attracted to him but not in a way that you'd think. It was more like, he felt like home. More so than Channie-hyung, who I've known all my life. I feel stressed when separated from him and at ease the closer he is. Hyung, is that why you took me to him when I panicked?" - "I noticed the way you looked at him and I wanted to comfort you but we weren't close enough for me to do that, so I figured it was worth a try", Minho shrugged, giving the younger a small smile. He couldn't help but feel sad though as it was extremely rare for a hybrid to have a human mate. His parents hadn't been mates either as his father was a human and had wed his hybrid mother after her mate, who had been her childhood friend, had passed away. They hadn't been mates but they had made it work, which was what gave Minho hope that maybe there was a small chance for him and Jisung too.

"So, if Felix feels that way towards Changbin, then Jisung is your mate, right?", Hyunjin asked curiously after witnessing the other's behavior change so rapidly while the rapper was with them. Shaking his head, Minho sighed: "That is statistically more than just unlikely, considering Felix has a human mate already and that's nothing that really happens. To know someone, who has a human mate, is already really unlikely." - "True, it really is rare and I've questioned my feelings the entire time", Felix agreed, "I only made sense of it when I talked to my dad. He had had a mate before he met my mom. It's still too painful for him to talk about what happened to her and I only know that she died, but he helped me recognize the feelings and even reassured me when I was worried about all that gender stuff. Mates are predestined, there are no mistakes, so being with Binnie would be the only right thing to do." - "Awww, oh my god, that is so sweet", Hyunjin squealed dramatically, he couldn't help but wish things like that existed for humans too. It seemed so easy, one never had to worry about being lonely as it was only a matter of when not if one was going to meet their mate.

Feeling uncomfortable with the topic whether Jisung was his mate, Minho reminded them: "Let's get back to work. There's not much time left till our lunch meeting and we should use this room for more than just spilling tea after renting it." They continued to dance but not for long as Felix wanted to have the time to freshen up before meeting Changbin. Had Minho not been so occupied with his own thoughts, he might have noticed Hyunjin spending quite some time in the bathroom too, trying to fix his hair as best as he could and even going to the length of applying a thin layer of strawberry lip gloss. Hyunjin didn't want to be too obvious after frequently being made fun of if he wore the tiniest bit of make up but he couldn't help it. He loved feeling pretty and strawberry was his favorite flavor, making him feel cute. Usually, he wouldn't apply anything if he was planning to dance later, which he was, but today he felt like he needed it. Even if it was only to boost his confidence a little. Hyunjin wasn't as lucky as his friends to have some predestined partner waiting for him. Being human, he was cursed to put in an effort searching for someone, who didn't mind his presence too much. It was frustrating, Hyunjin had had a few crushes over the years and even a few girlfriends though those relationships never lasted more than a few months and he had to realize most girls were only into him because of his looks. Once they saw the real him, they lost interest. Hyunjin had beaten himself up for his actions multiple times, as he had seen their intentions but had tried to ignore them. He wasn't even straight to begin with but if there was one thing the dancer hated, it was being lonely. So what, if he had to hide the way he really felt if it meant having someone by his side.