Fences [ 1/2 ]
Title: Fences [ part one of two ]
Pairing: Jongkey, 2min,
Warning: It's a complicated relationship...
Genre: Sci-Fi, AU
Rating: PG-15
Summary: Minho and Key volunteer their best friends for a beneficial experiment. They should have known it would backfire - it was Onew afterall.
Note: It's split into two parts because it is too long and I need a break to get back on track.
Jonghyun = Leonberger Breed
Taemin = Schipperke Breed
A
s far as Jonghyun remembers, he and Taemin have always lived beside one another. He remembers hearing the other whine and talk on the other side of the fence, to no one in particular and occasionally a wide-eyed young man. Although Wide-eyes is very handsome, he believes that his roomate Kim 'Key' Kibum is the most beautiful guy he has ever seen.
Though...he hasn't really been outside of the house nor neighborhood.
Nevertheless, he knows that everyday Key goes out of their house and into the real world to work. He knows that Key is very fashionable and always tries to bring him the best accessories that compliment his shade nicely. Key dances, sings and raps in his free time, all three he does impressively (though Jonghyun hasn't really seen anyone else dance, rap or sing.)
Currently, Jonghyun was doing his own job - holding down the fort while Key was away. Word around the street was that there were several people who wanted to steal their houses - they came by everyday, scoping the area out but Jonghyun was on the job. They never dared to get closer than the porch steps while he was watching them. Once, he even scared a man into dropping all of his paper squares. (Key scolded him for that though...)
After taking two glances outside from all of the windows, Jonghyun walked through the door and into the backyard. He leaned against the fence, barely peering over.
"Taemin?" He called out, once.
There was a pause before Taemin appeared from the bushes, nose covered in leaves and dirt. It was obvious he had been doing his 'research' again.
"I told you all the others will talk about you if you keep digging around like an idiot." Jonghyun said, pushing one of the many weak boards over so he could hop through the fence. He landed unsteadily, a sudden ache rang through his bones before dulling. He grimaced.
"I dig because I want to learn." Taemin informed, his nose tilting in the air. He even had the audacity to look superior - confident that he was right even though he was the youngest. "Over the past week, I've gained so much more knowledge. I'm positive I know more than you now."
Jonghyun snorted, sitting down in the grass. He shook a bit before deciding it would be best to lay in the grass instead. He deserved a rest after guarding the house so closely. Taemin, unsatisfied with his response, began to walk around him lightly. Prancing in a teasing sort of way, he did three full circles around the larger male before walking back into the bushes. He returned shortly, holding a bushel of leaves. Jonghyun glanced at the mound briefly before giving Taemin a doubtful look.
"See?" Taemin said.
"Wow, a bunch of leaves! Taemin, you are so much smarter than me. Yay." Jonghyun tuned. "Are we done?"
"No!" Taemin hollered, startling Jonghyun so badly he didn't even think to punish the younger for rasing his voice at him. "These leaves are going through...ahm...what was it? Metamorphisis!"
Jonghyun raised his head, interested at the new word.
"It means that when the sun comes out - the leaves take all of the sun's light and make colors to disguise themselves. Then, when they get enough light, they turn into those Flutter-bugs and hide for the rest of the winter. The brownish leaves are the carcasses they leave behind."
Jonghyun hummed in thought, before looking at his feet. "So I have been stepping on Flutter-bug corpses?"
"Yup."
"That is disgusting." Jonghyun deadpanned.
"Yeah..."
Taemin sat, a scuttling bug catching his interest. He leaned down, face almost pressing at the dirt as he watched it move. Jonghyun sighed as a comfortable breeze went by, enjoying their silence. Faintly, he could hear the conversations of their neighbors. He decided to ignore his duty and rest, if only for a few more minutes.
"Taemin, why doesn't Key understand me when you understand me so clearly." He said suddenly, the thought coming out of nowhere. Then, as he actually thought about the question he realized that it did truly bother him. He wanted Key to like him and have conversations like he did with Wide-eyes.He longed to have long, soft talks on the soft couch in front of the moving picture box with Key; the thought made him smile.
The thought quickly dissipated as his focus went back to the younger male. Taemin was silent. He opened his mouth, eyes closing as he prepared to give a snooty answer before stopping. Dumbfounded, he turned to face Jonghyun.
"I don't know either. I try to have conversations with Minho all the time and he never seems to understand."
Jonghyun sat up, face contorting in thought. "Are they stupid?"
"Of course not!" Taemin snapped, furious. "Well, at least my Minho isn't. I have no clue how intelligent Kibum is."
Glaring, Jonghyun stood. He watched with pride as Taemin wilted, softly apologizing. Taemin shuffled a bit, trying to regain ground and maintain his own pride. He stood, but his stance was submissive and weak. Jonghyun let the rebellious action go, unwilling to start a fight when Key could come home at any moment. Key would hate it if he started a fight; he might even get punished for it!
(He doubted Wide-eyes would be man enough to do anything.)
"If there isn't anything wrong with them then there must be something wrong with us, right?" Taemin suggested, blankly.
There was an uncomfortable pause.
"Is there something wrong with us?" Taemin asked.
Jonghyun huffed, about to deny the theory when something connected in his mind. Wide-eyes and Key, though they had different characteristics and personalities, were the same. They both lived in the same way, and went to do work when they walked outside. Jonghyun didn't even know what work was!
"Taemin, what is 'work'?" Jonghyun asked.
"Work is something that causes Stress - which is a disease that clogs the arteries and kills you." Then in an afterthought, "Work is also something people do to get something done."
Jonghyun brightened, straightening his posture a bit. "So...basically Wide-eyes and Key are going out to get things done?"
"Yes," Taemin agreed, feeling quite proud with Jonghyun's support. So proud, he forgot to be angry about Jonghyun's idiotic nickname. "They are doing Goodwork."
Jonghyun nodded, once again returning to his throughts. Wide-eyes and Key were almost alike in lifestyle! That must be why they understand each other so well! --but then why did Taemin and Jonghyun understand one another?
"Taemin," Jonghyun called again, catching Taemin creeping back to the soft part of the yard. He froze and returned to Jonghyun's side, albeit reluctantly. "Do you guard the house when Wide-eyes leaves?"
Taemin's expressioned hardened a bit at the nicknname before he responded. "No, I don't have to because Minho has Security System on the house. It protects it better than anything else."
"Security System?"
"It's a protective spray - it also stops bugs and the sun."
Jonghyun let his attention go elsewhere and let Taemin return to exploring the yard. The lifestyle didn't have anything to do with their communication. Absentmindedly, he walked through the yard. His thoughts jumbled, he barely felt it when he fell into a hole Taemin had overdug. Lifting himself up, he felt something brush against him and picked up one of the papers he saw hanging around the house. It had a picture on it.
"Taemin, who is this?" Jonghyun asked, leaping out of the hole.
Taemin looked at the picture before he smiled. "It's Minho!" He quickly added. "--and Key."
Jonghyun shook his head. "No, I was talking about the other things in the picture."
Taemin sighed and leaned closer, squinting. "I see what you are talking about. I think I read about those once."
Jonghyun's eyebrows rose. "You can read the scribbles?"
"How else would I get so smart this quickly? Anyway, these are Dogs." Then, without much interest he specified. "Furry Pet things."
Jonghyun dropped the photo to get a better look. Dirt smudges covered the background of the picture, no doubt the product of Taemin's thievery, and it made it a bit hard to see. Leaning closer, Jonghyun saw Wide-eyes and Key hugging the dogs, smiling for the picture. He wished he could make Key that happy.
Speaking of pictures, didn't they all take one a few weeks ago?
Jonghyun froze. No.
"Oh, God! Taemin! Where's your water?" He scrambled up, running in the direction of Taemin's gesture before stopping at the edge. He took a glance into the watery depth before shaking away - afraid. He already knew. He already knew what he would see looking back at him. Still, he walked up and peered into Taemin's bowl. A furry, face stared back at him - eyes sentient and focused on him.
In a last act of denial, he moved to bat at the water, hoping that the image would reel back and fade away to his real face only it didn't. It only blurred and distorted as his paw slipped through. How did he not realize this until now?
"Taemin, we're dogs! That's why they don't understand!" Jonghyun howled in despair, the sound only reminding him of the truth.
"No, we aren't." Taemin denied easily.
"Look," Jonghyun snarled, rushing over to Taemin. The other cowered, his tail tucking between his legs and ears falling flat against his head. He could even hear the younger whimper. "Really look at me, Taemin and tell me I'm not a dog."
Taemin obeyed, frightened and Jonghyun watched with a mixuture of satisfaction and horror as his friend came to reality as well. Taemin backed away, eyes wide with fear.
"When did you--how did you--"
"Not just me, Taemin." Jonghyun didn't say anything more. He didn't need to. Taemin scurried over to his water bowl, he saw him hesitate and murmur something about seeing those too and peer into the water. Taemin froze for a long time, so long Jonghyun thought time might have stopped. Then, the young dog sat, still staring at his reflection.
"This is why they don't understand." Taemin whimpered. "This is why they don't love us."
"...And this is why they never will."
[]-[]-[]-[]-//
"Jjongie, I'm home!" Key sang, dropping his bag and bracing himself for Jonghyun's usual tackle greeting. After a few minutes passed and Key realized that he was still standing, he picked up his bag and began looking for his companion.
He wasn't on his usual perch that overlooked the porch nor was he sitting on the couch. As he walked past the kitchen and stepped into the living room he found who he was looking for. Jonghyun was sulking, lying on his side in the middle of the floor. He had gotten into his bag again (Key could see the make-up powder in his fur) and was staring into one of his mirrors.
"Jjongie?"
The large dog grunted, becoming even more limp than before as if he wanted to meld into the carpet.
"What's wrong, buddy? Is that mean Taemin bothering you again?"
No reaction. Key was surprised but recovered quickly and added:
"Well, would you like a treat to make you feel better?"
Jonghyun's ears perked at the word but he did not move, nor did his mood brighten. Key let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. He put his bag down in one of the chairs and sat beside Jonghyun. He gave the dog comforting rubs, humming to calm him. Jonghyun let Key touch him, whimpering. He felt terrible. He felt so terrible.
"I wish you could tell me what's wrong..." Key whispered. Jonghyun whined in agreement.
Key cooed and rubbed Jonghyun's fur harder. Jonghyun closed his eyes shut tightly, whining all the while. Key continued to rub as he watched his dog with mild fascination. It looked like he was crying, crying without tears.
Several violent raps came from the front door before it burst open. Key leapt up, startling Jonghyun into standing and growling at the unseen intruder.
"Key, what did you do to my dog!?"
It was Minho. Jonghyun's growling only got louder.
"I didn't do anything to your pampered rat, Minho." Key said flippantly, forcing Jonghyun to lie down so he could get his rubs. Jonghyun settled back reluctantly, angry rumbles still echoing from his throat.
"Taemin is not a rat." Taemin let out a yip in agreement.
"Why are you in my house?"
Minho sat on the couch - Jonghyun's couch but Key's fingers were magical and he couldn't find the strength to defend it. "Taemin's been acting depressed."
"What a coincidence, Jonghyun is too." Key said thoughtfully. He continued to massage Jonghyun, knowing that Minho would get mauled if he didn't.
Minho held Taemin close, the small black dog whimpering as he did so. "...we should take them to the v-e-t tomorrow."
Taemin perked up a bit, head tilting in suspicion. Minho gave the dog a goofy smile and said some nonsense that made him relax again. Minho sighed.
"You taught Taemin how to spell?" Key said incredulously.
"Almost; I'm pretty sure he can read too."
"Maybe I should take you to the vet."
Taemin recognized the word. He jolted up, struggling in Minho's arms and barking up a storm. He scrabbled and flung himself around, trying to escape Minho's grip. Then, in an act of desperation, he let out a series of howls and woofs in Jonghyun's direction. The large dog leapt up, gently pushing Key away before running Minho over, snatching Taemin as he bounded past.
"Look what you did!" Key screeched, chasing after the two canines. He called sweetly for them, occasionally stopping to yell expletives at Minho who was still winded from his fall.
In the end, they couldn't find the dogs and went to sleep while standing guard in the living room.
[]-[]-[]-[]-//
It was Minho who found the two in the morning, slumped together underneath Key's bed. With little effort, he lifted the bed and pulled the two exhausted dogs out of their hiding spot and into the living room where Key was trying to wake himself up.
"Lee Jinki said he would be able to take them in the morning. He wants to show us something." Key slurred, slowly wiping his face with the palms of his hands. Jonghyun yawned widely, slowly walking to Key only to collapse on Key's legs and fall asleep. He didn't have the strength to push him off.
Minho craddled Taemin and gave Key a desperate look. "Onew isn't still doing his experiments is he? I thought that stopped when he became a vet."
"Apparently not."
Minho groaned.
"They like Jinki so it wont be a problem. We let him do his crazy tests and then they'll be back to normal." Key sighed, nudging Jonghyun up. "Hopefully."
[]-[]-[]-[]-//
"Why!? Why are you doing this to me, Minho? I thought we were friends!" Taemin howled unhappily. He leant down the scratch at the plastic walls surronding him. He hated carriers. "I thought we had something!"
Despite his obvious dislike with the situation, the two in front continued to ignore him. Occasionally, Minho would turn around and try to calm him with his words but that only made Taemin feel worse. He didn't want to be calmed. He wanted to be out of this cage. He was better than this. This was...This was...!
"Taemin, shut up." Jonghyun growled from the carrier beside his own.
To Minho and Key's surprise, Taemin was silent for the rest of the trip.
[]-[]-[]-[]-//
The vet was, as usual, crowded. Almost every seat was taken and the walls were covered with carriers full of cats, dogs, reptiles and the like. And, as usual, the waiting room was loud with talk from human and animal alike.
"This is the worst part of going to the vet." Jonghyun sighed. He laid on the floor calmly, subtly brushing Taemin's carrier so that they could speak face to face. The young dog was not happy.
"This place smells like filth." Taemin muttered, his ears flat against his skull. A low rumble resonated from his throat as a person carrying a cat passed by - another reason why he wasn't allowed to be out of his cage when inside the waiting room. Jonghyun felt bothered by the cats presence as well, but he controlled his urge to terrorize. He wanted to impress Key with his good behavior.
"You shouldn't be surprised, we are animals." A voice called teasingly from above.
Jonghyun lifted his head, staring at the brightly colored cockatoo perched on the flagpole above. Jaejoong, the vet's bird and pet of one of the veterinarians, Yunho. Though, the other vet Changmin claimed him as well.
"We know now, Jaejoong. But thanks for trying to ruin our lives."
"No problem." Jaejoong said, flapping down to land on Jonghyun's side. Said dog growled irritably but he endured it, the surprised coo he recieved for being cute satisfying.
"What are you in for?" Jaejoong chirped.
"Well--"
"I've been betrayed! Betrayed! All of those years of devotion, for nothing!" Taemin howled, scrambling in his carrier with enough force to knock it over on its side. He went silent with a yelp. Minho worridly flipped the carrier upright, pulling Taemin out to examin him closely. It was obvious he was fine and Minho simply wanted a reason to take him out.
"Our owners think we've been acting depressed. It was shock in realization to the news." Jonghyun explained blankly, ignoring the previous mishap.
Jaejoong nodded, fluffing his feathers. "They're doing the right thing. I've seen many animals come in here starving themselves because they refuse to believe that they aren't human and wont eat their food." Jaejoong began flapping his wings in preparation for flight. "You two are strong, you'll get through this."
With that, the cockatoo fluttered away into the open door where a vet had exited. He weeved, barely missing Onew as he left the room. Said man flinched away from the bird before turning to the waiting room. He gave a withered smile before gesturing that Key and Minho should follow him.
Key pat Jonghyun softly before walking ahead, expecting him to follow (which he did). Minho picked up Taemin's carrier and held the unhappy dog close to his chest, going through the door and closing it lightly.
The walk to Jinki's room was usually long and awkward, filled with the man blabbering about some new advancement or theory he came up with but this trip was strangely quiet. Only when the two were safely in his room, did he speak.
"I've done it." He said softly.
Kibum reluctantly took the bait. "Done what?"
"A collar that translates animal speech to Korean, English, Spanish and whatever other language I download into it." Jinki then pulled out two collars, each had small lights glowing on the sides and a knob, presumably for the languages.
"We care about this because...?" Minho drawled.
Jinki sputtered, indignant. "Because, you can ask your pets what's wrong with them and, I don't know, have a conversation. Haven't you ever wondered what they think?"
Minho and Key were silent, but seemed interested in the idea so Jinki leaned down to Jonghyun and removed his collar. He was careful, afraid that the dog might snap at his close proximity but Jonghyun was very calm as he placed the collar on. Once he was sure the collar was secure, he went to Taemin and did the same, avoiding the young dog's angry nips.
"And now, I will turn both collars on with this remote - you both will have one later." Jinki explained and pressed the button.
The room went silent, all eyes were on the dogs as their collars' lights turned green.
"Well?" Key urged, squating down to Jonghyun. "What do you have on your mind, buddy?"
Jonghyun's eyes brightened and he was about to speak when Minho interrupted.
"Probably nothing. Jonghyun is the dumbest dog I have ever seen."
"Shut up."
All was quiet once more.
"I am not stupid. I am very smart. You are the stupid one, Wide-eyes." Jonghyun growled, the collar's lights blinking with every word spoken.
"He can talk!" Key whispered in disblief.
"Wide-eyes?"
"I told you not to call my Minho that, his eyes are perfectly normal!" Taemin argued, shifting in Minho's arms.
"I have seen a lot of humans and they do not have eyes like that." Jonghyun said and then added with an angry undertone. "Do not try to act superior just because the humans are here. I will show my dominance."
Taemin whined and snuggled deeper into Minho's chest, making Jonghyun snort and turn back to Key.
"Kibum, I have wanted to talk to you for so long." Jonghyun said sensually, rising up to press his wet nose against Key's lips. Key was frozen, still shocked by the fact his dog could talk and had just tried to kiss him. "When I found out I was a dog yesterday, I felt like we could never make a connection - but now..."
Minho spoke, once again ruining Jonghyun's moment. "Does your dog have a crush on you, Key?"
"Apparantly so..." Jinki said softly, placing the remote on the table.
Key stood, pushing Jonghyun away to the dog's dismay. "He doesn't have a crush on me."
"I would never crush, Key." Jonghyun said, eagar to help. "I love him."
Key groaned, burying his face in his hands and sliding back down the wall to the floor. Jonghyun, alarmed at the reaction, went to his side and tried to revive him with licks and encouraging words. Key only sunk deeper into the floor, wanting to disappear.
"I love you too, Minho." Taemin admitted, softly. In return, Minho dropped him and backed away. "What is wrong?"
Jinki watched whimsically as Key was trying to become one with the floor and Minho was desperately trying to avoid Taemin. This was going to be a problem. A very big problem.
[]-[]-[]-[]-//
"Alright so, I've come up with a compromise. You all will live with each other and talk and in the meantime I am going to build a machine that will, hopefully, transform your dogs into humans. Then you all can have a happy relationship."
"What if we aren't gay?" Minho said angrily.
"That's not an option." Jinki replied simply, effectively shutting Minho up as he shooed them out of his office and out of the building. "Play nice!"
Key and Minho rushed out of the veterinarians' office, nearly knocking over a woman entering the building when they exited. Jonghyun and Taemin had been told to stay quiet until they were safely in the car to avoid trouble - so far, they were doing very well. All that ended when they entered their car.
"Where are we going?" Taemin asked, climbing over the small bridge and into Minho's lap. Said man gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying hard to avoid the dog's eyes. Taemin smiled, well he tried to; he ended up just opening his mouth wide and having his tongue fall out of his mouth. When Minho started the car, Taemin settled a little and laid himself on Minho's legs.
Jonghyun watched with envy, unhappy that he couldn't do the same to Key because of his size. Shaking the self-pitying feelings away, Jonghyun brightened a bit. Now would be the perfect time to speak with Key!
"So," Jonghyun started, "What are we going to do when we get home, Key?"
Key was silent at first, but then he let out a short, impatient exhale and said "I don't know Jonghyun. I'm probably going to go to sleep and get ready for work tomorrow."
Jonghyun huffed in thought. "...but doesn't work cause Stress?"
Key hesitated. "Yes, where did you learn that?"
Minho was looking at Jonghyun discreetly through the rear view window - also curious.
"Taemin told me. He is very smart." At this, Minho smirked and wiggled Taemin a little - proud.
Jonghyun took a minute to think before saying softly. "I don't think you should go to work tomorrow."
"Oh?" Key said, on edge but at the same time punishing himself for being angry with his dog.
"I do not want Key to get Stress. It clogs your arteries you know? It can kill you. Therefore...Key will stay here with Jonghyun tomorrow." Jonghyun finished and snapped his jaw shut, teeth knocking together. He closed his eyes and wagged his tail feverishly because his speech would definitely impress Key. Key would be so proud of him and then he would love him and stay with him.
But then Key started laughing.
Jonghyun let out a small whine, tail stiffening.
"Stress isn't a disease, Jonghyun." Key chuckled.
"It isn't?" Taemin said softly.
"It isn't?" Jonghyun said, crossly. Ears flicking back slightly, he fumed silently. He probably just made himself look stupid. IN FRONT OF KEY. Oh, he was going to kill T-
"That is adorable," Key cooed, turning to stare at him. Jonghyun could feel his tail brush against his back. "What else did Taemin teach you?"
"Taemin told me that the leaves change color because they are going through Metamorphisis. When they finish they hatch and become Flutter-bugs and hide for the winter."
Key let out a loud laugh, turning back in his seat to writhe. When his laughs quieted, he took a look at Minho and Taemin who both looked extremely embarassed. Minho's ears were turning red and his grip on the wheel tightened as he realized Key was staring at him. Taemin had his face buried in his stomach, feigning sleep as Jonghyun finished his sentence. Key went quiet for a moment before laughing harder than before.
"Oh, Minho is such a good teacher." Key chuckled, fighting to keep control of his laughs.
By the time they all reached their neighborhood, Key had stopped laughing. Taemin had actually fallen asleep with Jonghyun about to follow suit and Minho was contemplating if he should carry Taemin with or without the carrier. He ended up carrying Taemin in his arms, subtly rocking him to hide from Key's judging eyes and going inside his house.
Jonghyun leapt out of the car and ran to their door, suddenly aware that most of the day he had been away from his post. Nose pressed to the ground, he took a long breath in before moving around the house, sniffing all the while. It still smelt like Key and he. Everything was alright.
"Jonghyun, let's go inside now."
Tonight, Jonghyun decided that one night away from his spot wouldn't endanger them and slept beside Key's bed. It was arguably the best sleep he had in a while.
The next morning was like an awakening for Key. He had woken up, stumbled out of bed to trip and fall over Jonghyun who then woke and apologized. After getting over the initial shock, he calmed and remembered the events of the day prior. His dog could talk. Jonghyun could talk and he had a crush on him, or rather, was in love with him.
It seemed so surreal.
"Do you want something to eat, Jonghyun?" Key mumbled, sluggishly stepping into the kitchen.
"I would love something to eat, Key. Especially from you. Did I tell you before that I love everything you cook for me?" Jonghyun said cheerfully, walking beside Key's legs. He let out a surprised grunt as Key reached down and pat his head, then he sat and closed his eyes. It felt good.
"How could you? You couldn't talk before..."
"That's right isn't it, Key? I am very glad you can understand me now."
"That's great, Jjong..."
Key had bought the fresh dog food on a whim a few days ago, the kind that looked like real food instead of mush and Jonghyun's mood increased dramatically afterward. He was even more excited when Key pretended to eat it himself and then 'decide' that Jonghyun should have the rest. It was obvious he wanted to be human with Key. Blatantly. Embarassingly. Obvious.
When Key had woken up completely and realized that it was 10am and that he should have been at work by now - he nearly had a heart attack trying to get his work clothes together. It took him an hour to realized that somehow, all of his clothing was dirty and scattered around the washing machine. His bag and supplies were nowhere to be found.
He returned to the kitchen, looking at Jonghyun who seemed pleased that he was still here. The imaginary smile on his dog-face made Key furious.
"What happened?" He asked darkly.
"What are you talking about Key?"
"I know you did this somehow - my clothes, my supplies, everything is ruined and now- I have to stay here." Key gave a shuddering sigh as he threaded his fingers through his hair and tried to calm himself down. It wasn't working. "There is so much work to be done and I'm not there. I'm going to get fired. What then, huh Jonghyun? I can't take care of you if I don't have any money!"
"What is 'money' "
Key let out a sob and buried his face in his hands. "Why? Why me? What'd I ever do to deserve this?"
"Are you crying? Don't cry. Here I will get Minho."
Jonghyun took another caring glance at his sobbing owner before trotting out of the kitchen. The door outside was shut, but in his new state he had convinced Key to leave the door to the backyard unlocked for him. He nudged the door open with his paw and opened it the rest of the way when the rest of his body slipped through. The loose board in the fence was leapt over, backyard holes were avoided and then Jonghyun was inside.
He stepped inside warily, having not been inside Taemin's home before and took a tentative sniff. It smelled like them. Shaking his head of the aroma, he let out a series of loud barks - not bothering to use his collar.
"What is--Jonghyun?" Minho asked, eyes wide as he stepped out of the bathroom. His hands were in his hair, toweling it off furiously as he looked down at the dark-furred dog.
"Key is very upset. He is crying." Jonghyun sniffed, tongue lolling. "I told him I would get you to help and here I am. Here. To get you."
Minho raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, deciding to save his questions for Key. He thought about going back to bring Taemin but as he turned to do so, the little dog was already on his heels - chattering to Jonghyun about some other topic while using some dog slang he couldn't understand. Without thinking, he followed the two canines into the backyard. He watched them both take the broken fence as a route into Key's yard, dumbly before realizing he couldn't do the same.
"Where are you going?"
"Around." He said uncomfortably, eyeing the dogs as he stepped away from the fence.
"Don't do that. This way is faster. This way is closer. Go this way." Jonghyun got to his paws as if to strengthen his statement and it probably would have worked if it weren't for the fact he was a dog. Minho also found the way the dogs spoke cute and decided to humor Jonghyun for now.
Minho took a step back, gauged the distance and took three more steps back - afraid. He wasn't going to make this. He thought about backing down, telling the two that it would be better if he just went through the front door but he couldn't. They were watching him. They expected him to be able to do this. If he backed down, what would that him?
Besides, Choi Minho was not a quitter.
He took a deep breath, let his muscles tighten a few times before running toward the fence and...
[]-[]-[]-[]-//
Jonghyun and Taemin spent the next two weeks at Key's house while Minho spent his time visiting the hospital. Minho wasn't happy that he was there and would whine at Key for hours on end for taking him there when he only had a sprain. It wasn't even a serious sprain either, it was a minor sprain - he would say. But somehow, Minho's and the doctor's information did not match and Key found out that, while Minho had sprained both of his ankles, he had also fractured his arm.
Key shook his head and sighed, turning another page in his magazine. That man was an idiot. A competetive idiot.
There was a crash from the living room that made Key lift his head from his reading. Not long after he could hear the nervous scuttling of dog paws across the floor and whimpers before Jonghyun and Taemin rushed past his door and hid, once again under the bed.
Key decided it would be best if he pretended he didn't hear or see anything and went back to reading. There was no use raising his blood pressure when he had nothing to release that stress upon. Minho was the only one who could coax them out of their spot and he was in the hospital, for trying to jump over a broken fence.
Key let out another, tension filled sigh and clenched his fist. His hand was shaking when he turned the page.
[]-[]-[]-[]-//
"Where is Lee Jinki!?"
Animals were hushed, papers were stilled and workers had frozen. This wasn't good. They weren't prepared. They took worried glances at each other, each knowing that they couldn't escape and if they could it would be terror trying to reschedule their appointments. Besides, the horror was blocking the door and no one wanted to be targetted for his rage. They sat, quiet, avoiding his eyes.
"Well!?"
A young woman, the counter lady, spoke in a hushed voice. "H-he's down the hall. In his office."
"Thank you! God, I have had the worst month ever!- in all of history and when I come down here there's a whole bunch of noisy, messy, disgusting peo-" The rest of his voice was lost as he went through the door alone, letting it shut noisily behind him.
"I'm really sorry." Minho said to the (scarred) woman. Then to everyone. "I'm sorry..."
Jonghyun and Taemin were silent as well, giving sad whimpers to the animals in the room as they too went through the door. When it closed, everyone let out a sigh of relief. A few people stood to reschedule, fearing the worst when the man exited: an angry Key was an unpredictable one.
Lee Jinki had been hurridly cleaning up a mess of papers when he heard Key's monologue from his room. Hastily, he threw all the papers he had been trying to organize behind him, where it couldn't be seen behind the desk and tried to look presentable.
Key walked in. "You look terrible."
"Thank you." Onew said, not truly paying attention to him as he began pushing a large machine in front of the still fuming man.
"This--"
"--will turn your love struck pets into suitable partners. Though, I didn't really have time to give them any built in knowledge about being a human other than the instinctual basics..."
Key waved his hand, flippant. "Doesn't matter. Change them now." As if on que, the rest of his party walked in, curious about the contraption in front of them. "They are all giving me a headache."
"Alright..." Jinki said, wary. "Are you positive you want to--"
"Lee Jinki, I swear if you waste any more of my time..."
"Alright everyone! In, in, in!" Jinki said, cheerfully, avoiding Key's glare as he shoved the two canines inside.
They curiously looked around the open hatch, turned once and Jinki shut the door on them. Already calibrating the data as they began to scratch at the door. Jinki let out a soft breath, carefully going over the numbers thrice in his head as he dialed them in. If there was any mistakes, any at all, it could ruin them. Ruin their genetic structure, their personality, everything. Without any more hesitation, he entered the rest of the data in and pressed Start.