[EXO] You Make My Day
Title: You Make My Day
Word Count: 9,687
Pairing: Kris/Chanyeol
Genre: AU, Romance
Summary: An accident brings Yifan to a little vet clinic owned by Chanyeol. In between learning to care of a a pet, they're falling fast and hard for each other. But they're both too shy to say the four-letter word, but hey, a man's gotta start somewhere.
Notes: My first time writing for EXO hahahaha Originally posted here for fanforyeol. Apparently I'm getting rusty and will need more than this to get back to my game, but yeah... I'm planning to return. Hopefully. I still have an unfinished ff here anyway. Enjoy.
Wu Yifan feels like today is going to be a bad day. More than just a bad hair day (which is one of his regular problems when he wakes up this morning actually), he wakes up at the wrong side of the bed, still with a hangover (remind him not to let Luhan drag him out for a drink again on a Friday night when you know you still have to come to the office on Saturday morning). But most of all, there’s a sense of foreboding that he can’t shake off.
He sighs as he pushes himself off the super king-size bed for the shower. He wishes he can just skip work today, but there are too many important decisions to make, deadlines to meet, and a company to run. He left the office early the day before, too fed up with work with the consequences so he has to come on weekends to make up for the work he left behind. He may not be the CEO yet, but as the Vice President he’s been given an important task to look over their Korean business by the CEO; his own father. And one day, that position will be his. He knows his position and what’s expected of him well.
He looks out the window and hey, it’s raining cats and dogs! Wu Yifan hates rain. It’s wet (water, d’uh!) and he’s not the type who wants to be seen holding a long black umbrella (makes him look, well, generic) and he especially hates to drive in the rain (in fact, he hates everything that disable him to speed). He hates everything about rain.
His sigh is getting heavier… it’s really not his day. And somehow he knows it’s just going to get worse.
Chanyeol wakes up early today, one of his babies downstairs will be going home after a successful bladder stones surgery a week ago. Oscar, the 2 year old Border-Collie was brought by its owner a week ago after experiencing urinating problems, the most alarming was when there’s blood in its urine. A CT Scan showed that Oscar had not one but several stones that eliminated non-surgical removal option.
He’s recovering quickly and though it’s not healed completely, home care is a better option for Oscar until he recovers fully. Considering its owner bawled his eyes out at the clinic before and after surgery (and caused stress to the other babies), not to mention his daily visit every single day after work until the clinic was closing up, bringing it home will be the best remedy for both dog and owner. Chanyeol can’t stop himself from smiling when he remembers Oscar’s owner’s - Jongin - looked when he told him that the surgery was a success.
Raised in a family of animal lover and occasional holiday to his grandparents’ farm were the reasons he chose his occupation. Ever since Oliver the Bunny died when he was in 3rd grade he knew that he wanted to be a Vet; that he was going to be good one. He never regrets his choice and has always been grateful for his supportive family.
He chooses to live in the second floor of his small clinic. Anticipating the possibility of having to check on his stay-in patients from time to time even though he tries hard for each one to be able to go home after a consultation or non-surgical procedures, it also makes him feel better knowing that he’ll always be here when a patient needs him (if humans gets into ER all the time, animals do too). Located in the middle of a housing complex, the place is not cheap. But his family chipped in some money to help him realized his dreams, his parents even acted as a guarantor for his loan to finalize the purchase of the premises. He couldn’t have asked for a better family, that’s true. They have shaped him into a positive person. Always try to see things from a good perspective, never forget to smile or give a helping hand. After all, there’s always a good thing to see in everything.
Chanyeol gets down to check-up on Oscar and the other 2 patients, Tiger the Ragdoll Cat and a dachshund named Milo. He looked out the window to the view of a heavy pour. Fortunately no thunder, but it still agitates the babies; he even had to take Tiger out of its cage and cuddles it for a while when it doesn’t stop clawing its cage lock. Come rain or shine, he’s sure Jongin will show up shortly to pick up Oscar.
Ah, it’s going to be one fine day. After all, isn’t that how a doctor feels when a patient goes home? Even if the patient is furry and licking his face like a lollipop every time he’s checking on its stitches.
What a good start of the day. Or so he thinks. But one can never be too sure.
Driving is personal for Yifan. He’s been nurtured and groomed as the only heir of Wu Corp. all his life. He can get everything he wants but in return, he has to follow everything his father wants him to shape him into the business man and a leader that he’s supposed to be. He has several live-in maids to tend to him at home. A very capable assistant (though he won’t say it to Kyungsoo’s face not to let it get over his head) and an efficient secretary (ah, he should order a flower bouquet for her birthday next week!). He’s being driven by schedules every hour of the day, he won’t let anyone else drive him in his own car. It’s the only period that he’s really being left alone (well, aside from when he’s sleeping) and gives him time to think. Really think. With an International driver’s license at hand, a GPS is the first thing he installed the moment his car arrived. He needs to know how to get around.
To be honest, driving under the pouring rain and thunder is no fun. Especially if you’re wearing a pair of glasses, which lenses’ prescription should’ve been changed months ago. He’s just in denial that his sight is getting worse. Considering that most people are reluctant to go out and drive under this kind of weather and since it’s already passed the morning rush hour, the road is pretty much empty so he’s speeding up a little when his blurry eyes catches something skidded in his car’s direction ten meters ahead. He brakes and thank God his car halts before it hits the object. Fortunately there’s no car behind so no accident or any kind occurs (or his father will revoke his right to drive right away, he just knows).
He notices something is definitely lying near his front bumper. But it’s raining hard. And it’s not his fault.
Still, he can’t just retreat and drive around the object. He can see a city CCTV about 50 meters ahead and he’s very sure that if anyone’s watching it will look like he’s the one who hits the object. He can always argue, but then his name will make the news.
But it’s raining hard. And he stupidly put his umbrella in the trunks. Nothing’s going to change unless he gets out there and see whatever it is that throw itself in front of his car.
He sighed again, counts to 10 and takes off his suit, puts it in the passenger’s seat and gets out of the car. In the rain. He’s drenched in a matter of seconds and finds… a dog. A puppy maybe, or just a dog he doesn’t care. But it’s lying just a meter shy of his bumper. It’s panting and whimpering and one of its front leg is bent in a funny way.
He goes blank and totally has no idea of what to do. Just then a passerby with a big red umbrella screeches as she’s running to him, “Oh my god, you hit the dog with your car!”
He is too shocked of the accusation to reply with a something better than, “Wha- no! I didn’t hit it!” and gets a slap on his arm.
“Don’t think I’m blind young man! Then how can this poor puppy lying here before your car?”
He stares at the woman who’s now crouching and checking the dog, “Poor boy got his leg broken. No thanks to you!” She glares at him and doesn’t give him a chance at all to retort a single word. “Better take some responsibility and take the poor boy to a vet. There is one a couple of blocks away.”
Yifan just stands there dumbly, his clothes are soaking wet by now and it’s really hard to see behind his wet and foggy lenses.
“Well? What are you waiting for? Take him into your car and drive away! Go for another 4 blocks and turn right. You’ll see Park’s Vet Clinic on the left, two-story place with paw prints on its door.”
Yifan is still not moving.
The woman is getting impatient, “Are you telling me you don’t want to be responsible and leaves it here?” She gets her phone out and positioning as if to take a picture, “I’m going to take the pictures of your face and car plate, young man. Expect to have a call or a visit from the police soon.”
That kind of snaps Yifan out of his thoughts, “No, no! Ma’am please, I’ll take him to the vet but I swear I didn’t hit it! It just kinda ran into my car and fell before I even hit it! Please believe me…” He sighs, too tired to argue.
They stare into each other for a few second and Yifan gives up, “Fine, I’ll be responsible and bring him to the vet. So no need for pictures or anything, I’m not going to leave him on the street.” He tells her as he picks the dog up. Shit, now his shirt is wet and smell like dogs.
Revised. He’s wet and smells like dogs. His car’s leather seat is wet and smells like dog. The whole car smells like dog. And there’s a probability that his picture will show up on the news under “hit and run”.
And it’s still raining hard.
Totally not his day.
Rather than having a permanent assistant in the clinic, Chanyeol prefers to have interns. He accommodates last year vet-to-be from his alma mater to get the hands-on experience dealing with pets or agitated owners and currently has 2 boys who work in shifts. Zhang Yixing is Chinese with scholarship at The Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine. His calming presence is helpful in an emergency situation both for the animal and the owner. His calm demeanor is an advantage in surgery where things are uncertain many times but Yixing stays steady in giving a helping hand.
While Yixing’s presence is soothing, the other intern is another story. Byun Baekhyun is like an excited puppy himself. Loud, his mouth rarely shuts whether it’s laughing, humming, singing or yipping like the pets he takes care of. But Chanyeol is not annoyed, more like fond of him like a big brother he always wants to be. Yixing also indulges Baekhyun’s hobby of eating the sugar-factory donuts from the next block every time he is deemed to ‘work hard enough’ for the day. He loves all his past interns but these two kinds of special for him since they also don’t mind to hang out with him outside work and treat him like friends.
Chanyeol is not expecting Baekhyun to come early this morning, considering the torrential rain and that he lives quite a bit in distance from the clinic. He thinks he would be seeing Jongin, all enthusiastic and ready to take Oscar home when he hears the rooster bell which means someone opens the door. Oh yeah, the rooster bell is Baekhyun’s idea, ‘Ow Doc, aren’t you bored to hear the dings all day! At least the crowing will make you feel like it’s the start of the day, fresh and anew when someone comes in bringing another cute little bunny!’ He shouldn’t relent to him.
Instead, there’s very drenched and very tall (and very handsome) guy carrying an equally drenched puppy in his arms.
He rushes to the door and grabs stranger further into the clinic, “Oh my God, what happens to the little guy?”
Tall guy looks perplexed, “I don’t know, I mean-“
“That’s okay, let’s put him down on the table.” Tall guy must be panicking for his puppy, he thought. “Careful, on the other side please, we don’t want to hurt him more.” His heart breaks listening to the puppy’s whimper. “Hold on buddy, let Chanyeol takes care of you, yes.” He looks up to Tall Guy, “Are you the owner? What’s his name? How did you find him?”
“Uhm… I, I’m no-“
“We’ll get there, but I need to see if the little guy hurts somewhere else first. Can you please at least stroke the little buddy’s head to calm him while I check him up?”
“Oh. Ah, I don’t think I-“
Chanyeol laughs, Tall Guy surely looks awkward. “Go on, you won’t hurt him more, I’m halfway done already. Looks like your puppy wanders around and got his leg stuck somewhere.” He hums and exams the puppy’s leg. “You’ll be fine buddy, probably on a cast for some time and no running away for a while.” Oh my, he’s standing so close and he’s even taller than me! Chanyeol can’t help but feels a bit flustered.
Yifan just put his hand on top of the dog’s head. Not sure of what to do, he never had any pet in his whole life, not even a single goddamn goldfish! How in the world would he know how to calm a dog! Strangely, the puppy stops whimpering upon feeling his touch.
The vet smiles at him and suddenly his heart beats louder than usual. What in the world-
They all jump when someone suddenly speaks loudly, “Was’sup Doc? A patient so early in the morning? And you don’t even hear me coming in, tch!” Baekhyun comes closer and scowls at Yifan, “Hey, is that your car out there? Big, black and is blocking the driveway? Someone is coming to pick up his dog you know, better move it inside behind Doc’s car or no one else can come and get here.”
Yifan startles and realizes his mistake, “Aaahh, I’m sorry, I was in a hurry.” He quickly moves to step away but then back as he looks at Chanyeol, “I just- I need- My car-“ suddenly his mind goes blank when Chanyeol smiles at him. The puppy whimpers at the loss of his touch.
“Go on, I just need another 15 minutes and he’ll be done.” He smiles at Tall Guy who hurriedly goes out to move his car and turns to Baekhyun who grins at him, scowl gone. “No need to be nasty you know, Baek. Poor guy is worried about his puppy.” He tends to the puppy again who keeps whimpering now that it lost Yifan’s warm hands to soothe him.
Baekhyun stroke the puppy’s head instead, “His car blocks the driveway though, and Jongin is coming to pick up Oscar, right?” The puppy tries to lick his hand. “Hey, easy there buddy. Your Dad’s just moving his car, he’ll be back for you.”
Chanyeol just shakes his head at Baekhyun’s antics while trying to finish putting a cast on the puppy. “And stop calling me Doc! I’m a vet, not a doctor. Who knows the next time you call me Doc on the street someone has a heart attack and people expect me to save the guy!”
Baekhyun gives him a mischievous grin, “But you do know CPR? Doc, Vet, doesn’t matter. You’re a doctor… for animals… same difference.”
Chanyeol just sighs at this. “Suit yourself.” He pats the puppy’s head, “Ignore Baekhyun, little buddy, he needs to annoy people to live.”
“Hey!”
Yifan is tempted to retreat his car and go. Far away from the dog and the vet. Not the vet nor the annoying brat that came later even know his full name. He doubts the brat jotted down his plate number anyway.
For once, he decides to be a really responsible person, though he doesn’t have an inch of responsibility towards the dog that hurt itself. Nope. Nada. But the bright eyed vet sparks his curiosity and he wants to reaffirm that tingling feeling that he feels when Chanyeol smiles at him.
When he opens the door to the clinic once again, he doesn’t see Chanyeol but the annoying brat holding and caressing the puppy which front leg is now secured in a cast. The brat turns and grins, “He’s okay now, Mr…?”
“Yifan, Wu Yifan.” He replies quickly.
“Yes, Yifan.” He offers one of his hands for a handshake, “Byun Baekhyun. I’m Doc’s- I mean Chanyeol’s assistant. So what’s this handsome fellow’s name? Chanyeol keeps calling him little buddy but I’m sure you have a better name for him.”
Yifan stares at him. “I actually don’t know.”
“What? How come you don’t know your own dog’s name?” the brat frowns at him.
“Cause it’s not my dog. He kind of ran into my car a few blocks away and I just-“
“I don’t believe you!” The scowl is back in the brat’s face. “You hit him, didn’t you?”
Yifan sighs for the umpteenth time that day, “I didn’t. I stopped my car before I hit him. I didn’t hurt him in anyway, it had a broken leg already when I almost ran into him.”
“You don’t look like someone I can trust.”
Oh my God, “Look, if you don’t believe me, fine! I don’t need your trust! I think I’ve done my share of good thing today, I can just leave you to deal with the goddamn dog, I don’t care!” He explodes. The brat is being rude. He misses work, he’s soaking wet, his everything smells like dog and the brat just accuses him as a criminal, the other dog in the cage keeps barking and the cat can’t stop mewling!! Yifan is running out of patience and about to turn away when Chanyeol makes an appearance from behind a door.
“What’s with all the noise?” He frowns at Yifan’s hardened countenance and Baekhyun’s offensive stance. “I don’t care what’s going on, but my patients are not happy with you guys.” He then tries to pacify Oscar and Tiger, speaking to the creatures like to babies. And suddenly Yifan’s anger just flies out the window by listening to Chanyeol’s soothing voices. How strange.
Chanyeol then looks at him, “Now can you explain to me what just happens?”
“This brat accuses me of hitting the dog when I just-“
“Well I have the right to ask cau-“ Baekhyun shuts his mouth at Chanyeol’s glare.
Yifan continues after Chanyeol’s nod of approval. “I managed to pull the brake when I saw the dog ran through. I went out of the car and saw him lying nearby. A lady saw what happened and told me to bring it here (otherwise she might send my picture to the papers - but Chanyeol doesn’t have to know that). So it’s not my dog, I don’t know its name and I’m just bringing it here to be treated and I’m willing to pay for the cost of the medication. So, no, I’m not a criminal and yes, you can trust me.” He looks straight at Baekhyun’s eyes. One thing he learns in business, you always have to look into your opponent’s eyes to let them know whom they are dealing with. But this time, Yifan wants the other person to trust him.
And it works. Cause finally the brat-Baekhyun-smiles sheepishly, still holding the puppy in his arms.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made any assumption. And thank you for bringing him here… look, he wants to thank you too.” He walks closer to him as the dog makes some pitiful whines, trying to move his casted leg towards Yifan.
Baekhyun offers the dog to him, “Try to hold him, he likes you.”
Yifan stands awkwardly, “Uhm, like I say. He’s not mine, I don’t-I might hurt him or something.”
Chanyeol laughs as he crosses his arms and leans on the cabinet, “Other than the broken leg he only has a couple of bruises but I put some soothing cream on them already, no worries.”
Baekhyun offers him the puppy once again with a reassuring smile. Yifan takes him carefully, and as soon as he holds the dog it doesn’t stop licking his face and his hand when he tries to pull away. Strangely, Yifan is not annoyed. Now that the dog’s fur dries out it feels soft on his skin.
When he looks up, the pitter patter in his heart returns when the vet smiles fondly at him and the puppy.
Oh well, this day turns out okay after all.
Chanyeol finally finds out Tall Guy’s name, Wu Yifan. The puppy is a Cocker Spaniel with no tags. Probably around 6 months old.
After the awkward introduction and all, Baekhyun calls a truce and runs to make some coffee. Yifan luckily remembers to grab his gym back from the trunk when he moves his car and changes into some shirt and jeans in the toilet while Chanyeol is blow drying the puppy.
“Feel better?” He asks Yifan as he takes a seat and watches him drying the dog.
“At least I’m dry and my clothes don’t smell like wet dog… though I can’t say the same about the interior of my car.” He chuckles. “Thanks by the way, for taking care of the puppy. I’m completely clueless; I never have a pet in my life.”
The vet throws him a pity look, “That’s unfortunate. But since we have no idea whether he has an owner or not, we can’t keep calling him puppy. Wanna have the honor to name the little buddy?”
Yifan is flabbergasted at the request. “You want me to name him?”
“We can’t call him Little Buddy forever. But only if you want to.”
Yifan hums, “I’d love to, but I can’t even give a project a good name that the project leader keeps rolling their eyes at me as I almost called it ‘Project Godfather’.”
He realizes that he really really likes Chanyeol’s laughter. So open hearted and sincere.
“How about naming him Kookie?” For the second time that day Baekhyun makes them jump by showing up unannounced; bringing 3 cups of coffee to the table.
“Geez, stop doing that would you!” Chanyeol rubs his chest.
“What do I do?” Baekhyun asks innocently. “But seriously, don’t you think that he looks a like chocolate chip cookie? Those brown and caramel furs, I feel like eating him when I look at him.” The puppy barks. “See, he likes it. Hey Kookie, what’s cookin’?” Another bark.
Chanyeol laughs wholeheartedly, “Hello, Kookie!” He makes a gesture to shake the puppy’s other leg, the one that’s not hurt. “Be careful or Baekhyunie may try to eat your good leg.”
He works on Kookie for a little more while Baekhyun is calling Jongin, checking if he’s coming a lot later while Yifan is sitting (un)comfortably on the lone chair in the room drinking a cup of instant coffee that Baekhyun brings down earlier.
Yifan’s train of thoughts break as Chanyeol stands in front of him, “So, uhm… shall I call you Mr. Wu?”
“Just Yifan is fine, Mr. Wu is my father.” He smiles anxiously, “I’m not here on business, so, Yifan please.”
Chanyeol chuckles, “Sure, Yifan. I’m done with Kookie, now I need to know whether you’re going to keep him, or…”
Another sighs from him, “I don’t know Chanyeol. I told you, I never have a pet in my life, I have no idea what to do with him. Nor I’m sure that I have time to take care of him.” He looks at him earnestly. “What are you going to do with him if I can’t take him home?”
“I’ll try to find its owner first, probably post his picture in some mailing lists that I’m into, checking with my past patients’ owners in case they have info. If we can’t find his owners in a couple of week, then I’ll post a request for adoption. I’m sure there will be someone who’s willing to take care of him, he’s cute.” He talks fondly while stroking Kookie’s fur. “But in the meantime, won’t you consider trying to take care of him for a while? Just for the sake of finally having the experience of taking care of a pet?”
It’s tempting. Yifan knows that he’s unconsciously considering in his head. But his logic is still greater than his conscience. “I don’t know. I’m just-“ He runs his hand through his damp hair, “I’m afraid I have no knowledge at all on taking care of a pet. So, yeah, I don’t know.” Kookie is looking at him and whimpering now, asking for his attention.
“I’ll help you.” Chanyeol tells him softly. “I can write down the basics and you can always call me if there’s anything that you want to know. He looks healthy, but I can also run a check-up to see if there’s anything you need to be alarmed of or if he needs vaccination.”
Yifan stares at him uncertainly. Chanyeol knows he can be persuasive if he wants to. So he lifts Kookie up and thrusts him into Yifan’s arms while he keeps talking in a gentle manner to him, “Look, he really likes you. He knows you’re a good guy. You brought him here after all. I’m sure you’re both going to be fine.”
Yifan takes a deep breath, “Can I think about it for a few days? Besides, he’s still hurt and I don’t think it’s a good idea to let him live with me when I don’t even have a clue what to do to a healthy dog, let alone one with a broken leg.”
Chanyeol knows he wins. “Sure, I don’t mind to keep him for a few days. I’ll start posting the lost dog announcement in my mailing lists tonight. If its owner claim him before you come to me, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, I’ll start writing down my pet care basics for you.
“In the meantime, please fill in the new patient form. I’ll make a note that you’re not the owner yet but at least I have your number, just in case you forget to contact me again.” (and maybe for a dinner or two, but that can be arranged when they get to know each other better).
And the rest of the day is spent under Baekhyun’s teasing, even long after Yifan leaves and Jongin comes in the evening to get Oscar; apologizing for not being able to call due to a sudden family matter.
But one fine day it is for Chanyeol. And he’s looking forward to see Yifan in the (very) near future while he’s looking after Kookie. And hopefully, there’s more fine days ahead waiting for him.
To tell truth, Yifan doesn’t forget to call Chanyeol to check on Kookies. He doesn’t. But right after that disastrous weekend, nothing seems to work out in the office. He ends up working throughout the weekend to fix as blunder on the project which needs to be fixed soon, in other words: before his father decides that he’s an incapable VP and comes to oversee the project himself.
No way. He has too much pride as one being raised to be the best.
Calling Chanyeol totally slips his mind although on Sunday he did have a conversation with Luhan about the dog and with a little persuasion from the devil he’s pretty made up his mind. Trying to live with a pet doesn’t seem so bad. If he can live with a dog, he might have the patience to live with another person.
He had to hang up on Luhan as he kept laughing his ass off on his reasoning. But Yifan is a private person. Even in a relationship, he prefers that his partners leave after one night of passion rather than staying. He hates to get attached, too much of a burden compared to his father’s expectation for his future. But lately he feels lonely, so he figures a pet might help to ease the loneliness before he’s ready to actually live with someone else in the future, whoever that might be. Fortunately, the housekeeper also doesn’t mind taking care of the dog for the day. It’s worth trying.
When he remembers about the dog, it’s already another weekend. He’s kind of put out that Chanyeol or Baekhyun also doesn’t call him at all. Perhaps they find Kookie’s owner? But shouldn’t they call at least call to let him know? Rather than calling, he decides he can come to pay a visit to the vet. Unfortunately, Luhan is coming to ruin his life just when he’s about to lock the door.
“Hey, are going out to surprise me at home? Awesome! Now tell me where you wanna take me!” He confidently throws an arm around his waist. This kid is so damn clingy.
“The answer is no, don’t flatter yourself. And another no, I’m not going to tell you.”
“That’s harsh,” he pouts. How dare he. “Come on, tell me. Why won’t you let your best friend tag along?”
“I never call you my best friend, you take the liberty to call it yourself. And it’s none of your business where I’m going. Now shoo-go bother other people!” He gets into the driver’s seat and before he can lock the door, Luhan has seated himself in the passenger seat.
“No, seriously. I’m not getting off until you tell me where you’re going, unless…” There the devilish grin again, “you’re hooking up and doesn’t want me know who’s the lucky guy? Hm?”
“I’m not-“ He doesn’t have enough strength to argue with him after a long and depressing week, “you’re not going to leave, are you?”
A head shake.
“Remember the dog?” a nod. “I haven’t gotten any calls from the vet, so I think I want to check up on him. Maybe I’m lucky and they find the owner and I don’t have to worry about the dog more than I have.”
Luhan smiles fondly at him. “Stop lying to yourself, you want the dog!” He buckled his seatbelt, “Cool, now go! I also want to see the dog. You said it’s a Cocker Spaniel? I look it up in the net, it’s pretty cute.”
And so the 20 minute drive is filled with Luhan’s chatter as a new dog expert. He can’t be more relieved when they get to the clinic. There’s already another car behind Chanyeol’s car in the carport (or so he thinks, it’s the same car he saw just the other week and Baekhyun said it was Chanyeol’s).
But first, “Lu, promise me you won’t do or say anything that will embarrass yourself or worse, myself.”
A raised eyebrow, “When have I ever?” And Yifan wonders just how many people has been deceived by the angelic smile.
“Just don’t.” Luhan pretends he doesn’t hear him.
What he doesn’t expect is Baekhyun pointing a finger to him the moment he enters the clinic’s door (and still with the annoying crowing rooster sound), “You!” a pout, “Why are you here now? You didn’t even call Doc for a week and now he’s moping thinking that you don’t even want Kookie or care about how he’s doing. And I-“ He shut his mouth abruptly when he sees Luhan who’s smiling and standing next to Yifan.
And a telltale of a blush marring his cheeks is an indicator of why.
Yifan never thinks that Luhan would be useful to prevent deaf ears from another of Baekhyun’s accusation.
“Hello, I’m Luhan, Yifan’s friend. I’m sorry that he’s such an ass for not contacting you for a week, but he thinks about Kookie all the time.” Looks like there’s be another victim of Luhan’s angelic smile.
“What! I don’t-“ Yifan tries to disagree but he’s shoved to the other side of the wall.
“Are you Chanyeol?” He offers a handshake which Baekhyun takes hesitantly.
“Uhm, no I’m Baekhyun, Doc’s assistant - I mean, Chanyeol! Chanyeol’s the vet, I’m just an intern… who works here, for the time being. Yeah...”
Another figure comes out of the examination room carrying Kookie who’s barking excitedly upon seeing Yifan.
“Baekhyun, why are you so noisy in the morning? And could you be Mr. Wu who brought Kookie here? Cause he’s been barking and asking to be let out of its cage the moment the bell is crowing.” His smiles bring out a pair of cute dimples on his cheeks.
And true to his words, Kookie’s looks excited to see him and the new guy just shoves the puppy into his arms. Yifan can’t get away from all the licking and whimpering from the little dog. Oddly, he feels a bit happy to see him too as he sits down and stroke behind his ear.
“I’m Yixing, the other intern. Nice to see that you’re finally coming to see Kookie, he’s recovering just fine. Sadly, there hasn’t been anyone that claims him until today, so I assume that you have decided to take care of him instead?”
Yifan can’t answer that but it seems that Luhan is his spokesman of the day. “Hi Yixing, I’m Luhan Yifan’s best friend. Don’t worry, Yifan can’t wait to bring him home whenever he’s ready. He’s been lonely and badly needs some company who won’t complain too much when he’s rejecting to go out to have some drinks with him.”
Ok, that sounds like he’s complaining himself. And Baekhyun disappears behind the door, just like the week before. Yifan guesses there must be the stairs that leads to Chanyeol’s living quarter.
Yixing laughs at Luhan’s remarks, “I’m sure you will enjoy Kookie’s company, he behaves very well. Probably need another week in a cast but other than that he’s a happy dog.”
“He is?” Yifan is still not sure about taking Kookie home but it doesn’t seem like something he should decide, everyone else has. “Like I have told Chanyeol last week though, I have no clue on how to take care him, I never have a pet before.”
“No worries, we have prepared some notes for you. Doc says he’s just around 6 months old so probably he hasn’t gotten the basic vaccination as well, we can arrange that later. Don’t hesitate to call the clinic if you have any question.”
He nods at Yixing, Kookie quiet in his arms. That’s when Chanyeol comes in with Baekhyun in tow. He just looks at Yifan and not saying anything that he feels the need to stand up; Kookie still in his arms.
“Hey Chanyeol, I’m sorry I didn’t call, it’s been a hectic week at work.”
He pouts. Chanyeol pouts, my goodness! “I know. I saw your interview last Tuesday at KBS. I thought maybe you’re too busy and completely not interested with Kookie. Not like you showed any interest in him in the first place.”
Yifan wonders how many more times people are going to judge him today. “It’s not that I’m not interested, I think I have made enough explanation to you and your assistants. And for the past few minutes it seem that everyone has decided that I should take care of Kookie since no one has claimed him and apparently my best-friend (slip of the tongue, hopefully Luhan doesn’t hear) here kinda convinced me that I need a pet in my life. And you could’ve called me instead, you have my number.” He tries not to smile to see Chanyeol’s shy smile.
“But in the interview you said you hardly have times for anything else but work. So I thought… “ Chanyeol leaves his word hanging.
“Don’t worry Chanyeol,”Luhan interrupts and Chanyeol jumps as if he doesn’t realize that Luhan’s in the room. “I’m Luhan, the said best-friend no matter how many times he denies it and this will be the 3rd time I introduce myself in 10 minutes.”
Chanyeol finally laughs (and Yifan wants to laugh with him too). “Ok, my apology too then, I should’ve called to update you or something but I really don’t want to bother you.”
Yifan wants to melt at Chanyeol’s melodious laughter when Luhan lightly taps his shoulder and whispers, “Holy shit, you’re so smitten with him aren’t you!” Yifan gaps at him before the little devil of a best-friend chuckles and winks, “I better talk to Baekhyun and Yixing to find out how you can win him - though it’s obvious that the feeling is mutual; you can go ahead discussing the basic of pet care or more.” And he goes over into the examination room where both interns were talking, which leaves Yifan and Chanyeol by themselves.
There was silence for a few seconds, Yifan really doesn’t know how to start a conversation but the vet beats him first.
“So… uhm, as your friend said, you want to take care of Kookie?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Promise you’ll help?”
Another smile blooms on Chanyeol’s face. “I’ll do my best. When do you think you can bring him home?”
“I’m not sure,” he replies hesitantly, “I have to make sure that I have everything he needs at home and probably after he’s off his cast?”
“That would be best. He’ll be off it in another week, are you sure by then you’re equipped to have him home? Won’t be too busy for the whole week?”
“Well, I just have to make sure, don’t I?” He’s contemplating for a second, then “Are you busy tomorrow?”
Chanyeol looks surprised, “Pardon?”
“If you want to, you can make sure I’m ‘fully equipped’ like you mentioned. Tomorrow is Sunday, I have no work and if you’re available I’d like to request your company to assure that Kookie here will have a comfortable life at Wu residence.” He scratches Kookie’s neck and the puppy barks happily.
“OK.”
“OK?”
“Yes, ok, I’m available tomorrow. But I’m doing this for Kookie though; I want him to have comfortable and happy life.” He says mischievously and Yifan falls deeper in crush with the lanky vet.
His happiness must be shown on his face even hours after he and Luhan leaves the clinic ‘cause Luhan keeps looking at him and for once he looks serious before he steps out of the car.
“Hey Yifan, I’m happy for you. I know you feel like it’s not your decision to take care of the puppy but I can see deep down that you like it too. I haven’t seen you this happy in such a long time, even when you were still in Shanghai. You work too hard to please others but you never strive to please yourself. And you make new friends too, I’m proud of you.” A pinch to his cheek. “Might as well tap Chanyeol’s ass on your shopping date tomorrow.”
“What the-“
He steps out before Yifan can say more, “Well, at least I get Baekhyun’s number too, I’ll call him tonight and make sure that we won’t run into each other tomorrow!” He runs away, not waiting for his reply.
Yifan stays silent in his car for a few more minutes, trying to digest Luhan’s words. Only then he realizes how true those words were.
When his mother passed away 7 years ago, his father turned into an even stricter person. They hardly talks about personal stuff but work. Yifan tries so hard to please his father in hopes that maybe if he makes him happy, his father won’t be so hard at him anymore. That maybe his father would talk to him more just like when his Mother was still alive. But it never changes and slowly Yifan turns into another hard worker like his father, too serious and only has work and more work in his mind.
He meets Luhan in his second year of secondary school, a private and expensive school. He’s the only one who stays and doesn’t leave after all the changes that he’s going through. When Luhan decides to move to Seoul to take his Master’s degree and then later built a career, they keep in touch through chat apps and video calls. When he moves to Seoul as well to handle the company’s business 2 years ago, they reconnect. He has no one else to call a friend other than Luhan in Seoul.
So it must be a shock to Luhan to see him so comfortable at the clinic. He doesn’t know that he can consider the 3 people that he just knows for a week (sans Yixing whom he just meets earlier) as friends. He’s not annoyed by Baekhyun’s noise or chitchats, feels more like talking to a human parrot. Even so, Baekhyun knows when to listen and answers him patiently when he asks about pet care. Yixing is a gentle soul, and since he’s Chinese the 3 of them (including Luhan) gets to speak in their mother tongue (much to Baekhyun’s accusations of them gossiping about him) and they kinda swapped a bit of info about each other. Yixing loves animals and he loves working for Chanyeol. He hopes he can stay friends with the vet after he finishes his study and returns to his homeland.
And Chanyeol. To be honest Yifan still doesn’t know if he really has a crush on him or just an infatuation. He’s very kind, passionate about what he’s doing, caring to both animals and people (the way he takes care of everyone around him through little things), and he’s very close to his family (something that he envies as an only child with a father who only cares about his work). He’s grown attached to him in a very short time and so looking forward for their meeting tomorrow. He hasn’t had a real relationship but casual ones for the past five years, and he hasn’t brought anyone to his bed since he moved to Seoul. Why Chanyeol makes him feel differently?
Maybe Luhan’s right. It’s time to find his own happiness and open up his heart once again. Tomorrow might be a better day than he expects it would be. He can’t wait.
Chanyeol can’t believe that he just spends a day with Wu Yifan. The Wu Yifan. He didn’t know anything about the guy before he barged through his clinic one week ago. Then he watched an interview on KBS featuring ‘Asia’s Up and Raising Heirs’, Yifan was one of the Heirs. He spent the whole night trying to find out about him through the internet, shocked that the awkward handsome tall guy is actually a prominent young businessman. It wasn’t that he expected Yifan to actually calls after watching the interview and got a glimpse of his busy lifestyle, but in the short moment he spent at the clinic Chanyeol could see that’s he’s not a bad guy, he still held Kookie when he was told to and didn’t actually shied away from touching it.
Chanyeol was hoping that he’d call anyway. He was disappointed but he could understand his position. To say that Yifan’s visit on Saturday claiming he’d take care of Kookie wasn’t surprising was a lie. To be honest, when Baekhyun came up to his living quarter to tell him he was so shocked but also excited to see him again. And Baekhyun saw through his pretentious smile of happiness for Kookie, “You don’t have to lie to me Doc, it’s your chance to bang a bigshot instead of spending all of your time reading Animal Wellness or checking up on your patients in midnight! Go get ‘im!”
Other than discussing Kookie and pets in general, they spent a few hours at the clinic with the other talking about themselves and Chanyeol got to get to know his personal side better. He can’t help but feels sad for Yifan’s loneliness and thinks that he’s giving the right advice for him to keep Kookie. And then Yifan asked for his company to shop for Kookie’s stuff; he tried hard not to let his eagerness show though he may have failed as Baekhyun and Yixing wished him luck for his ‘date’ before they left.
Yifan picked him up around 9.30am; since Chanyeol already made a shopping list their shopping spree was efficient and by 12.30pm they’re pretty much done.
Chanyeol wasn’t very tired, but he’s a bit sleepy for not sleeping well last night, too nervous and excited at the same time for today’s shopping. So when Yifan offers him lunch he’s not quite listening what the question is until Yifan taps his arm.
“Oh, sorry, I was spacing out. What were you saying?” He saw Yifan raised his eyebrow.
“I ask you what would you like for lunch. Are you ok? You’ve been a little quiet but I still hope you’re okay for lunch?”
Chanyeol chuckles, “Ah, sorry, just a bit sleepy but I’m fine. Lunch is also fine, anything you have in mind?”
“Craving for anything? Any preference?”
“I eat anything. You can pick a place, I won’t mind.”
“If you say so. But you can’t complain later since you let me choose.” He winks. Chanyeol’s heart skips a beat.
“No, really. Anything is fine with me. Lead the way.”
“I know a nice place about 25 minute drive from here. I have to apologize that lunch is going to be late, it’s almost 12pm already, but I promise you the food is fabulous.”
“I trust your choice.”
The drive takes longer than anticipated due to a weekend afternoon traffic; it’s already 1.30pm when they were seated. The little café has a homey feeling with wooden floor and walls, as well as the furniture in shades of beige and brown; the smell of roasted beans is strong and it’s obvious that Yifan is a regular as almost every one greets him by name.
Chanyeol looks around in awe, the cushion is too comfortable and he gets sleepier with the cozy and warm interior of the café.
“What would you like to order, Chanyeol?” Yifan waves a menu in front of his face.
“Looks like you’re familiar with this place so I’ll trust you once again to order for me.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. And maybe I need some coffee as well.”
“Got it. But it’s not good to eat lunch with coffee, I’ll order some sparkling then we can have coffee right after.”
He nods as Yifan starts to recite their orders to the waiter. When he’s done, he puts his hands on the table and pays his whole attention to Chanyeol.
“Thank you. I’m very grateful that you can spare your day for me, you even made me a shopping list and a guide book, that’s… a lot more than I could expect from you. Taking care of pets is a whole lot of new experience for me, I hope I won’t disappoint you guys.”
Chanyeol can’t stop his laughs, “Why so serious? You’re taking care of a dog, not a baby. Relax, it’s not that complicated. And we’re always there to help you at the clinic, we’re only a ring away.”
“You can laugh all you want but it does feel like taking care of a baby for me. Kookie’s still a puppy, and I never live with anyone let alone a dog. Especially with my work and schedule, but I’ll try my best to take good care of him.”
He looks fondly at the man in front of him who looks all tough and all-business on TV but turns out to be a kind-hearted and softie inside. So he reaches out to put his right hand on top of Yifan’s folded hands, “You’ll do well. Don’t hesitate to call me if you have questions or needs anything. Anything. Even if you’re too busy and need someone to baby-sit for Kookie, just give us a call. We don’t normally do this but I don’t mind if he’s staying for a while too.”
Yifan turns his palms upside down so his hands are holding Chanyeol’s that he almost can’t breathe. He hears nothing but sincerity in the way Yifan looks into his eyes and squeezes his hand when he says, “Thank you. That means a lot to me, you should know.”
Chanyeol knows right there and then that he wants to be the one that Yifan can rely on. He still doesn’t know much about him, how he lives, other than what he shares with him. There’s so much loneliness in the way he speaks and a certain frailty in the way he lives; just works and one best-friend he can share everything with. For Chanyeol whose live surrounded with love; loving and being loved in return by his family and friends, he can’t stand to see Yifan pleads for help and afraid to disappoint. He can’t let that happen. But he can’t say that to Yifan, not right now.
Instead, he lets Yifan holds his hands for a little longer and offers him a smile of assurance. He hopes Yifan will understand even without words.
And long after coffee, after another hour of drive back to the clinic, after a promise of contacting each other. Chanyeol lets Yifan kisses his cheek in thanks (and maybe more, he hopes) on his doorstep and he doesn’t tak his off of him until he closes the door. He now knows that it’s not a crush. It’s love.
It’s been an amazing and magical day for Chanyeol. And he wishes it won’t end.
6 months forward
Yifan doesn’t wanna wake up. He’s only been sleeping for a few hours after closing up a deal for another multi-million dollar contract. But he feels too hot right now, and something is trying to snuggle up to him on the bed. He knows what it is without opening his eyes.
“Oh my god, Kookie, who’s letting you in… and on the bed!” He tries to get away from the dog but now he starts licking his face, giving him a reminder that he didn’t even clean up last night when he got there. He just took off his shoes and passed out. He can remember Chanyeol taking off his pants and shirts off but there’s no sign of the said man in the bedroom right now. So Yifan reluctantly sits up and leans on the bedhead and takes Kookie in his arms, scratching his ears.
“Where’s Chanyeol? Did he let you in to wake me up?”
Kookie barks excitedly and leaps off the bed, running off out the door. Probably trying to tell Chanyeol that he’s done a good job.
He knows he really have to get up, he promises Chanyeol for a park date along with Kookie. He bailed out twice already, and no matter how tired he is today he doesn’t want to see Chanyeol’s understanding smile once again. But… 10 more minutes? So he lays himself down and unconsciously drifts off to wonderland once again.
The next time, he wakes up to the smell of fresh coffee and toast next to him on the side table. And the hands of the person he misses most stroking his head.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead. I thought Kookie has woken you up earlier?”
Yifan lets out a sweet sigh and hugs Chanyeol’s waist. “He has. I thought I was just going to sleep for another 10 minutes.”
“It’s just been 15 minutes, but you look like you won’t wake up till noon. Are you sure we should go out? I think you need a rest today.”
He looks up Chanyeol’s concern face, “I promised you, and I’ll keep it. I don’t want to bail out on you again.”
“I’d rather have you in bed for another few hours to recuperate then probably we can go out tonight for a movie and good food, hm? What do you say?” He cups Yifan’s face but pulled away quickly, “You smell like Kookie!! You better brush your teeth and clean up your face first or I won’t kiss you!” he says as he tries to get off the bed but Yifan pulls him to bed and quickly climbs on him so he can’t move.
“No! You’re the one who makes him wake me up and he keeps licking my face so it’s your fault. Kiss first!”
They struggle on the bed for a couple of minutes, laughing and enjoying the moment until Yifan falls off on his butt and Chanyeol can’t stop laughing at his bed face.
“You should see your face,” he says as he stands up and pulls Yifan back on his feet. “I’m not joking though, you stinks!” He scrunches up his face funnily.
Yifan relents, “Fine, fine. Can I have breakfast up here though?”
“Well, that’s why there’s coffee and toast on the table. Go clean up and I’ll be downstairs, Jongin is coming for Oscar’s regular check-up.”
Yifan nods and head to the bathroom when suddenly Chanyeol grabs his shirt and turns him around, cups his face and gives him a kiss in the mouth. “Good morning.” And then he’s gone. Yifan is still standing in a daze in the middle of the bedroom in his underwear. Morning breath, dog breath and all the stinks that Chanyeol mentions. He kisses him anyway. What a way to start his morning.
It’s been a rough 6 months for him. For the first couple of months he hasn’t been a good pet owner. He hardly sees Kookie at home, leaves everything to the maids. But after a constant visit to the clinic with some scolding from Baekhyun and gentle reminders of his commitment to take care of the puppy from Yixing, he learns to care for Kookie in every spare time he gets. Chanyeol’s presence is also his never-ending support. He patiently teaches him, shows him what he can do to be a good pet owner.
A couple of months of visiting the clinic and some casual lunches Yifan finally asked Chanyeol out much to Luhan’s surprise that it takes that long for him to make a move. Yifan doesn’t want to rush, he treasures his relationship with Chanyeol. He may have fallen for him in such a short of time, but Yifan always knows when to hold on something precious. And Chanyeol is his most precious thing.
Not everything is smooth sailing, not while Yifan is still working hard to prove his father that he can be someone he’s proud of. More projects are coming and there are times Chanyeol feels neglected but never for long. He really has endless patience in dealing with Yifan with the help of his devilish best-friend, Luhan who’s his biggest supporter in starting the relationship.
Since they go steady, Yifan is used to spend the weekend at Chanyeol’s with Kookie. He usually srops Kookie off with his clothing on Friday morning. And no matter when he finishes his job he would call Chanyeol and checks him up. Sometimes they will meet up for dinner before returns to Chanyeol’s place. Other times when Yifan is exhausted he goes straight there and usually Chanyeol is waiting with some food and some cuddles to ease his exhaustion away. He can’t be more thankful, he’s blessed.
Yifan is still lost in thoughts when a pair of hands wrap around his shoulders and another cheeks presses up against his. He closes his eyes.
“You take so long to get down. You haven’t even finished your cup of coffee.” He inhales Yifan’s scent, “Hmmm, now you smell like me.”
“I’m using your bath gel again, I like it.”
A kiss on top of his head, “Seriously though, I think we should just stay home today if you’re that tired.”
“It’s not that, it’s just… I’m just thinking.”
Chanyeol moves to straddle him. He stroke a finger in the middle of his temple, “Stop thinking for awhile, don’t stress yourself up more than you already are.”
YIfan smiles to ease the tense, “I’m thinking about you.”
“What about me?”
“How lucky I am to have you. I think it was love at first sight, but it still amazes me how quickly you turn from someone I just met to someone I can’t stop thinking of all the time, someone I want to hold when I need some peace of mind. I’ve never been into relationships, everything was casual - I don’t need another headache outside the job; but you make me hoping, wishing, that there might be such thing for me. That there might be something I can call a future together… with you.”
Chanyeol rests his head on his shoulder and holds him tight. “And here I think I’m the only one who feels that way. My sister used to joke that one day I might marry a horse instead a person. But here you are. Here we are. And I can’t imagine tomorrow without you in my life either.”
Yifan pulls him off and leans their foreheads against each other. “No regrets?” He whispers to Chanyeol’s lips.
Yifan can feel a smile stretches out on Chanyeol’s lips. “No regrets. I want nobody else but you.”
And the kisses they share were slow, gentle, full of affection. They’re not rushing, they take their time to appreciate the abundant love they’re feeling inside.
Chanyeol is Yifan’s sun, the light that shines upon his darken heart. And he knows there’ll be no more sad mornings or depressing nights when he’s with Chanyeol. He’s looking forward to every new day to spend with him. After all, each day is one fine day.
Word Count: 9,687
Pairing: Kris/Chanyeol
Genre: AU, Romance
Summary: An accident brings Yifan to a little vet clinic owned by Chanyeol. In between learning to care of a a pet, they're falling fast and hard for each other. But they're both too shy to say the four-letter word, but hey, a man's gotta start somewhere.
Notes: My first time writing for EXO hahahaha Originally posted here for fanforyeol. Apparently I'm getting rusty and will need more than this to get back to my game, but yeah... I'm planning to return. Hopefully. I still have an unfinished ff here anyway. Enjoy.
Wu Yifan feels like today is going to be a bad day. More than just a bad hair day (which is one of his regular problems when he wakes up this morning actually), he wakes up at the wrong side of the bed, still with a hangover (remind him not to let Luhan drag him out for a drink again on a Friday night when you know you still have to come to the office on Saturday morning). But most of all, there’s a sense of foreboding that he can’t shake off.
He sighs as he pushes himself off the super king-size bed for the shower. He wishes he can just skip work today, but there are too many important decisions to make, deadlines to meet, and a company to run. He left the office early the day before, too fed up with work with the consequences so he has to come on weekends to make up for the work he left behind. He may not be the CEO yet, but as the Vice President he’s been given an important task to look over their Korean business by the CEO; his own father. And one day, that position will be his. He knows his position and what’s expected of him well.
He looks out the window and hey, it’s raining cats and dogs! Wu Yifan hates rain. It’s wet (water, d’uh!) and he’s not the type who wants to be seen holding a long black umbrella (makes him look, well, generic) and he especially hates to drive in the rain (in fact, he hates everything that disable him to speed). He hates everything about rain.
His sigh is getting heavier… it’s really not his day. And somehow he knows it’s just going to get worse.
Chanyeol wakes up early today, one of his babies downstairs will be going home after a successful bladder stones surgery a week ago. Oscar, the 2 year old Border-Collie was brought by its owner a week ago after experiencing urinating problems, the most alarming was when there’s blood in its urine. A CT Scan showed that Oscar had not one but several stones that eliminated non-surgical removal option.
He’s recovering quickly and though it’s not healed completely, home care is a better option for Oscar until he recovers fully. Considering its owner bawled his eyes out at the clinic before and after surgery (and caused stress to the other babies), not to mention his daily visit every single day after work until the clinic was closing up, bringing it home will be the best remedy for both dog and owner. Chanyeol can’t stop himself from smiling when he remembers Oscar’s owner’s - Jongin - looked when he told him that the surgery was a success.
Raised in a family of animal lover and occasional holiday to his grandparents’ farm were the reasons he chose his occupation. Ever since Oliver the Bunny died when he was in 3rd grade he knew that he wanted to be a Vet; that he was going to be good one. He never regrets his choice and has always been grateful for his supportive family.
He chooses to live in the second floor of his small clinic. Anticipating the possibility of having to check on his stay-in patients from time to time even though he tries hard for each one to be able to go home after a consultation or non-surgical procedures, it also makes him feel better knowing that he’ll always be here when a patient needs him (if humans gets into ER all the time, animals do too). Located in the middle of a housing complex, the place is not cheap. But his family chipped in some money to help him realized his dreams, his parents even acted as a guarantor for his loan to finalize the purchase of the premises. He couldn’t have asked for a better family, that’s true. They have shaped him into a positive person. Always try to see things from a good perspective, never forget to smile or give a helping hand. After all, there’s always a good thing to see in everything.
Chanyeol gets down to check-up on Oscar and the other 2 patients, Tiger the Ragdoll Cat and a dachshund named Milo. He looked out the window to the view of a heavy pour. Fortunately no thunder, but it still agitates the babies; he even had to take Tiger out of its cage and cuddles it for a while when it doesn’t stop clawing its cage lock. Come rain or shine, he’s sure Jongin will show up shortly to pick up Oscar.
Ah, it’s going to be one fine day. After all, isn’t that how a doctor feels when a patient goes home? Even if the patient is furry and licking his face like a lollipop every time he’s checking on its stitches.
What a good start of the day. Or so he thinks. But one can never be too sure.
Driving is personal for Yifan. He’s been nurtured and groomed as the only heir of Wu Corp. all his life. He can get everything he wants but in return, he has to follow everything his father wants him to shape him into the business man and a leader that he’s supposed to be. He has several live-in maids to tend to him at home. A very capable assistant (though he won’t say it to Kyungsoo’s face not to let it get over his head) and an efficient secretary (ah, he should order a flower bouquet for her birthday next week!). He’s being driven by schedules every hour of the day, he won’t let anyone else drive him in his own car. It’s the only period that he’s really being left alone (well, aside from when he’s sleeping) and gives him time to think. Really think. With an International driver’s license at hand, a GPS is the first thing he installed the moment his car arrived. He needs to know how to get around.
To be honest, driving under the pouring rain and thunder is no fun. Especially if you’re wearing a pair of glasses, which lenses’ prescription should’ve been changed months ago. He’s just in denial that his sight is getting worse. Considering that most people are reluctant to go out and drive under this kind of weather and since it’s already passed the morning rush hour, the road is pretty much empty so he’s speeding up a little when his blurry eyes catches something skidded in his car’s direction ten meters ahead. He brakes and thank God his car halts before it hits the object. Fortunately there’s no car behind so no accident or any kind occurs (or his father will revoke his right to drive right away, he just knows).
He notices something is definitely lying near his front bumper. But it’s raining hard. And it’s not his fault.
Still, he can’t just retreat and drive around the object. He can see a city CCTV about 50 meters ahead and he’s very sure that if anyone’s watching it will look like he’s the one who hits the object. He can always argue, but then his name will make the news.
But it’s raining hard. And he stupidly put his umbrella in the trunks. Nothing’s going to change unless he gets out there and see whatever it is that throw itself in front of his car.
He sighed again, counts to 10 and takes off his suit, puts it in the passenger’s seat and gets out of the car. In the rain. He’s drenched in a matter of seconds and finds… a dog. A puppy maybe, or just a dog he doesn’t care. But it’s lying just a meter shy of his bumper. It’s panting and whimpering and one of its front leg is bent in a funny way.
He goes blank and totally has no idea of what to do. Just then a passerby with a big red umbrella screeches as she’s running to him, “Oh my god, you hit the dog with your car!”
He is too shocked of the accusation to reply with a something better than, “Wha- no! I didn’t hit it!” and gets a slap on his arm.
“Don’t think I’m blind young man! Then how can this poor puppy lying here before your car?”
He stares at the woman who’s now crouching and checking the dog, “Poor boy got his leg broken. No thanks to you!” She glares at him and doesn’t give him a chance at all to retort a single word. “Better take some responsibility and take the poor boy to a vet. There is one a couple of blocks away.”
Yifan just stands there dumbly, his clothes are soaking wet by now and it’s really hard to see behind his wet and foggy lenses.
“Well? What are you waiting for? Take him into your car and drive away! Go for another 4 blocks and turn right. You’ll see Park’s Vet Clinic on the left, two-story place with paw prints on its door.”
Yifan is still not moving.
The woman is getting impatient, “Are you telling me you don’t want to be responsible and leaves it here?” She gets her phone out and positioning as if to take a picture, “I’m going to take the pictures of your face and car plate, young man. Expect to have a call or a visit from the police soon.”
That kind of snaps Yifan out of his thoughts, “No, no! Ma’am please, I’ll take him to the vet but I swear I didn’t hit it! It just kinda ran into my car and fell before I even hit it! Please believe me…” He sighs, too tired to argue.
They stare into each other for a few second and Yifan gives up, “Fine, I’ll be responsible and bring him to the vet. So no need for pictures or anything, I’m not going to leave him on the street.” He tells her as he picks the dog up. Shit, now his shirt is wet and smell like dogs.
Revised. He’s wet and smells like dogs. His car’s leather seat is wet and smells like dog. The whole car smells like dog. And there’s a probability that his picture will show up on the news under “hit and run”.
And it’s still raining hard.
Totally not his day.
Rather than having a permanent assistant in the clinic, Chanyeol prefers to have interns. He accommodates last year vet-to-be from his alma mater to get the hands-on experience dealing with pets or agitated owners and currently has 2 boys who work in shifts. Zhang Yixing is Chinese with scholarship at The Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine. His calming presence is helpful in an emergency situation both for the animal and the owner. His calm demeanor is an advantage in surgery where things are uncertain many times but Yixing stays steady in giving a helping hand.
While Yixing’s presence is soothing, the other intern is another story. Byun Baekhyun is like an excited puppy himself. Loud, his mouth rarely shuts whether it’s laughing, humming, singing or yipping like the pets he takes care of. But Chanyeol is not annoyed, more like fond of him like a big brother he always wants to be. Yixing also indulges Baekhyun’s hobby of eating the sugar-factory donuts from the next block every time he is deemed to ‘work hard enough’ for the day. He loves all his past interns but these two kinds of special for him since they also don’t mind to hang out with him outside work and treat him like friends.
Chanyeol is not expecting Baekhyun to come early this morning, considering the torrential rain and that he lives quite a bit in distance from the clinic. He thinks he would be seeing Jongin, all enthusiastic and ready to take Oscar home when he hears the rooster bell which means someone opens the door. Oh yeah, the rooster bell is Baekhyun’s idea, ‘Ow Doc, aren’t you bored to hear the dings all day! At least the crowing will make you feel like it’s the start of the day, fresh and anew when someone comes in bringing another cute little bunny!’ He shouldn’t relent to him.
Instead, there’s very drenched and very tall (and very handsome) guy carrying an equally drenched puppy in his arms.
He rushes to the door and grabs stranger further into the clinic, “Oh my God, what happens to the little guy?”
Tall guy looks perplexed, “I don’t know, I mean-“
“That’s okay, let’s put him down on the table.” Tall guy must be panicking for his puppy, he thought. “Careful, on the other side please, we don’t want to hurt him more.” His heart breaks listening to the puppy’s whimper. “Hold on buddy, let Chanyeol takes care of you, yes.” He looks up to Tall Guy, “Are you the owner? What’s his name? How did you find him?”
“Uhm… I, I’m no-“
“We’ll get there, but I need to see if the little guy hurts somewhere else first. Can you please at least stroke the little buddy’s head to calm him while I check him up?”
“Oh. Ah, I don’t think I-“
Chanyeol laughs, Tall Guy surely looks awkward. “Go on, you won’t hurt him more, I’m halfway done already. Looks like your puppy wanders around and got his leg stuck somewhere.” He hums and exams the puppy’s leg. “You’ll be fine buddy, probably on a cast for some time and no running away for a while.” Oh my, he’s standing so close and he’s even taller than me! Chanyeol can’t help but feels a bit flustered.
Yifan just put his hand on top of the dog’s head. Not sure of what to do, he never had any pet in his whole life, not even a single goddamn goldfish! How in the world would he know how to calm a dog! Strangely, the puppy stops whimpering upon feeling his touch.
The vet smiles at him and suddenly his heart beats louder than usual. What in the world-
They all jump when someone suddenly speaks loudly, “Was’sup Doc? A patient so early in the morning? And you don’t even hear me coming in, tch!” Baekhyun comes closer and scowls at Yifan, “Hey, is that your car out there? Big, black and is blocking the driveway? Someone is coming to pick up his dog you know, better move it inside behind Doc’s car or no one else can come and get here.”
Yifan startles and realizes his mistake, “Aaahh, I’m sorry, I was in a hurry.” He quickly moves to step away but then back as he looks at Chanyeol, “I just- I need- My car-“ suddenly his mind goes blank when Chanyeol smiles at him. The puppy whimpers at the loss of his touch.
“Go on, I just need another 15 minutes and he’ll be done.” He smiles at Tall Guy who hurriedly goes out to move his car and turns to Baekhyun who grins at him, scowl gone. “No need to be nasty you know, Baek. Poor guy is worried about his puppy.” He tends to the puppy again who keeps whimpering now that it lost Yifan’s warm hands to soothe him.
Baekhyun stroke the puppy’s head instead, “His car blocks the driveway though, and Jongin is coming to pick up Oscar, right?” The puppy tries to lick his hand. “Hey, easy there buddy. Your Dad’s just moving his car, he’ll be back for you.”
Chanyeol just shakes his head at Baekhyun’s antics while trying to finish putting a cast on the puppy. “And stop calling me Doc! I’m a vet, not a doctor. Who knows the next time you call me Doc on the street someone has a heart attack and people expect me to save the guy!”
Baekhyun gives him a mischievous grin, “But you do know CPR? Doc, Vet, doesn’t matter. You’re a doctor… for animals… same difference.”
Chanyeol just sighs at this. “Suit yourself.” He pats the puppy’s head, “Ignore Baekhyun, little buddy, he needs to annoy people to live.”
“Hey!”
Yifan is tempted to retreat his car and go. Far away from the dog and the vet. Not the vet nor the annoying brat that came later even know his full name. He doubts the brat jotted down his plate number anyway.
For once, he decides to be a really responsible person, though he doesn’t have an inch of responsibility towards the dog that hurt itself. Nope. Nada. But the bright eyed vet sparks his curiosity and he wants to reaffirm that tingling feeling that he feels when Chanyeol smiles at him.
When he opens the door to the clinic once again, he doesn’t see Chanyeol but the annoying brat holding and caressing the puppy which front leg is now secured in a cast. The brat turns and grins, “He’s okay now, Mr…?”
“Yifan, Wu Yifan.” He replies quickly.
“Yes, Yifan.” He offers one of his hands for a handshake, “Byun Baekhyun. I’m Doc’s- I mean Chanyeol’s assistant. So what’s this handsome fellow’s name? Chanyeol keeps calling him little buddy but I’m sure you have a better name for him.”
Yifan stares at him. “I actually don’t know.”
“What? How come you don’t know your own dog’s name?” the brat frowns at him.
“Cause it’s not my dog. He kind of ran into my car a few blocks away and I just-“
“I don’t believe you!” The scowl is back in the brat’s face. “You hit him, didn’t you?”
Yifan sighs for the umpteenth time that day, “I didn’t. I stopped my car before I hit him. I didn’t hurt him in anyway, it had a broken leg already when I almost ran into him.”
“You don’t look like someone I can trust.”
Oh my God, “Look, if you don’t believe me, fine! I don’t need your trust! I think I’ve done my share of good thing today, I can just leave you to deal with the goddamn dog, I don’t care!” He explodes. The brat is being rude. He misses work, he’s soaking wet, his everything smells like dog and the brat just accuses him as a criminal, the other dog in the cage keeps barking and the cat can’t stop mewling!! Yifan is running out of patience and about to turn away when Chanyeol makes an appearance from behind a door.
“What’s with all the noise?” He frowns at Yifan’s hardened countenance and Baekhyun’s offensive stance. “I don’t care what’s going on, but my patients are not happy with you guys.” He then tries to pacify Oscar and Tiger, speaking to the creatures like to babies. And suddenly Yifan’s anger just flies out the window by listening to Chanyeol’s soothing voices. How strange.
Chanyeol then looks at him, “Now can you explain to me what just happens?”
“This brat accuses me of hitting the dog when I just-“
“Well I have the right to ask cau-“ Baekhyun shuts his mouth at Chanyeol’s glare.
Yifan continues after Chanyeol’s nod of approval. “I managed to pull the brake when I saw the dog ran through. I went out of the car and saw him lying nearby. A lady saw what happened and told me to bring it here (otherwise she might send my picture to the papers - but Chanyeol doesn’t have to know that). So it’s not my dog, I don’t know its name and I’m just bringing it here to be treated and I’m willing to pay for the cost of the medication. So, no, I’m not a criminal and yes, you can trust me.” He looks straight at Baekhyun’s eyes. One thing he learns in business, you always have to look into your opponent’s eyes to let them know whom they are dealing with. But this time, Yifan wants the other person to trust him.
And it works. Cause finally the brat-Baekhyun-smiles sheepishly, still holding the puppy in his arms.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made any assumption. And thank you for bringing him here… look, he wants to thank you too.” He walks closer to him as the dog makes some pitiful whines, trying to move his casted leg towards Yifan.
Baekhyun offers the dog to him, “Try to hold him, he likes you.”
Yifan stands awkwardly, “Uhm, like I say. He’s not mine, I don’t-I might hurt him or something.”
Chanyeol laughs as he crosses his arms and leans on the cabinet, “Other than the broken leg he only has a couple of bruises but I put some soothing cream on them already, no worries.”
Baekhyun offers him the puppy once again with a reassuring smile. Yifan takes him carefully, and as soon as he holds the dog it doesn’t stop licking his face and his hand when he tries to pull away. Strangely, Yifan is not annoyed. Now that the dog’s fur dries out it feels soft on his skin.
When he looks up, the pitter patter in his heart returns when the vet smiles fondly at him and the puppy.
Oh well, this day turns out okay after all.
Chanyeol finally finds out Tall Guy’s name, Wu Yifan. The puppy is a Cocker Spaniel with no tags. Probably around 6 months old.
After the awkward introduction and all, Baekhyun calls a truce and runs to make some coffee. Yifan luckily remembers to grab his gym back from the trunk when he moves his car and changes into some shirt and jeans in the toilet while Chanyeol is blow drying the puppy.
“Feel better?” He asks Yifan as he takes a seat and watches him drying the dog.
“At least I’m dry and my clothes don’t smell like wet dog… though I can’t say the same about the interior of my car.” He chuckles. “Thanks by the way, for taking care of the puppy. I’m completely clueless; I never have a pet in my life.”
The vet throws him a pity look, “That’s unfortunate. But since we have no idea whether he has an owner or not, we can’t keep calling him puppy. Wanna have the honor to name the little buddy?”
Yifan is flabbergasted at the request. “You want me to name him?”
“We can’t call him Little Buddy forever. But only if you want to.”
Yifan hums, “I’d love to, but I can’t even give a project a good name that the project leader keeps rolling their eyes at me as I almost called it ‘Project Godfather’.”
He realizes that he really really likes Chanyeol’s laughter. So open hearted and sincere.
“How about naming him Kookie?” For the second time that day Baekhyun makes them jump by showing up unannounced; bringing 3 cups of coffee to the table.
“Geez, stop doing that would you!” Chanyeol rubs his chest.
“What do I do?” Baekhyun asks innocently. “But seriously, don’t you think that he looks a like chocolate chip cookie? Those brown and caramel furs, I feel like eating him when I look at him.” The puppy barks. “See, he likes it. Hey Kookie, what’s cookin’?” Another bark.
Chanyeol laughs wholeheartedly, “Hello, Kookie!” He makes a gesture to shake the puppy’s other leg, the one that’s not hurt. “Be careful or Baekhyunie may try to eat your good leg.”
He works on Kookie for a little more while Baekhyun is calling Jongin, checking if he’s coming a lot later while Yifan is sitting (un)comfortably on the lone chair in the room drinking a cup of instant coffee that Baekhyun brings down earlier.
Yifan’s train of thoughts break as Chanyeol stands in front of him, “So, uhm… shall I call you Mr. Wu?”
“Just Yifan is fine, Mr. Wu is my father.” He smiles anxiously, “I’m not here on business, so, Yifan please.”
Chanyeol chuckles, “Sure, Yifan. I’m done with Kookie, now I need to know whether you’re going to keep him, or…”
Another sighs from him, “I don’t know Chanyeol. I told you, I never have a pet in my life, I have no idea what to do with him. Nor I’m sure that I have time to take care of him.” He looks at him earnestly. “What are you going to do with him if I can’t take him home?”
“I’ll try to find its owner first, probably post his picture in some mailing lists that I’m into, checking with my past patients’ owners in case they have info. If we can’t find his owners in a couple of week, then I’ll post a request for adoption. I’m sure there will be someone who’s willing to take care of him, he’s cute.” He talks fondly while stroking Kookie’s fur. “But in the meantime, won’t you consider trying to take care of him for a while? Just for the sake of finally having the experience of taking care of a pet?”
It’s tempting. Yifan knows that he’s unconsciously considering in his head. But his logic is still greater than his conscience. “I don’t know. I’m just-“ He runs his hand through his damp hair, “I’m afraid I have no knowledge at all on taking care of a pet. So, yeah, I don’t know.” Kookie is looking at him and whimpering now, asking for his attention.
“I’ll help you.” Chanyeol tells him softly. “I can write down the basics and you can always call me if there’s anything that you want to know. He looks healthy, but I can also run a check-up to see if there’s anything you need to be alarmed of or if he needs vaccination.”
Yifan stares at him uncertainly. Chanyeol knows he can be persuasive if he wants to. So he lifts Kookie up and thrusts him into Yifan’s arms while he keeps talking in a gentle manner to him, “Look, he really likes you. He knows you’re a good guy. You brought him here after all. I’m sure you’re both going to be fine.”
Yifan takes a deep breath, “Can I think about it for a few days? Besides, he’s still hurt and I don’t think it’s a good idea to let him live with me when I don’t even have a clue what to do to a healthy dog, let alone one with a broken leg.”
Chanyeol knows he wins. “Sure, I don’t mind to keep him for a few days. I’ll start posting the lost dog announcement in my mailing lists tonight. If its owner claim him before you come to me, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, I’ll start writing down my pet care basics for you.
“In the meantime, please fill in the new patient form. I’ll make a note that you’re not the owner yet but at least I have your number, just in case you forget to contact me again.” (and maybe for a dinner or two, but that can be arranged when they get to know each other better).
And the rest of the day is spent under Baekhyun’s teasing, even long after Yifan leaves and Jongin comes in the evening to get Oscar; apologizing for not being able to call due to a sudden family matter.
But one fine day it is for Chanyeol. And he’s looking forward to see Yifan in the (very) near future while he’s looking after Kookie. And hopefully, there’s more fine days ahead waiting for him.
To tell truth, Yifan doesn’t forget to call Chanyeol to check on Kookies. He doesn’t. But right after that disastrous weekend, nothing seems to work out in the office. He ends up working throughout the weekend to fix as blunder on the project which needs to be fixed soon, in other words: before his father decides that he’s an incapable VP and comes to oversee the project himself.
No way. He has too much pride as one being raised to be the best.
Calling Chanyeol totally slips his mind although on Sunday he did have a conversation with Luhan about the dog and with a little persuasion from the devil he’s pretty made up his mind. Trying to live with a pet doesn’t seem so bad. If he can live with a dog, he might have the patience to live with another person.
He had to hang up on Luhan as he kept laughing his ass off on his reasoning. But Yifan is a private person. Even in a relationship, he prefers that his partners leave after one night of passion rather than staying. He hates to get attached, too much of a burden compared to his father’s expectation for his future. But lately he feels lonely, so he figures a pet might help to ease the loneliness before he’s ready to actually live with someone else in the future, whoever that might be. Fortunately, the housekeeper also doesn’t mind taking care of the dog for the day. It’s worth trying.
When he remembers about the dog, it’s already another weekend. He’s kind of put out that Chanyeol or Baekhyun also doesn’t call him at all. Perhaps they find Kookie’s owner? But shouldn’t they call at least call to let him know? Rather than calling, he decides he can come to pay a visit to the vet. Unfortunately, Luhan is coming to ruin his life just when he’s about to lock the door.
“Hey, are going out to surprise me at home? Awesome! Now tell me where you wanna take me!” He confidently throws an arm around his waist. This kid is so damn clingy.
“The answer is no, don’t flatter yourself. And another no, I’m not going to tell you.”
“That’s harsh,” he pouts. How dare he. “Come on, tell me. Why won’t you let your best friend tag along?”
“I never call you my best friend, you take the liberty to call it yourself. And it’s none of your business where I’m going. Now shoo-go bother other people!” He gets into the driver’s seat and before he can lock the door, Luhan has seated himself in the passenger seat.
“No, seriously. I’m not getting off until you tell me where you’re going, unless…” There the devilish grin again, “you’re hooking up and doesn’t want me know who’s the lucky guy? Hm?”
“I’m not-“ He doesn’t have enough strength to argue with him after a long and depressing week, “you’re not going to leave, are you?”
A head shake.
“Remember the dog?” a nod. “I haven’t gotten any calls from the vet, so I think I want to check up on him. Maybe I’m lucky and they find the owner and I don’t have to worry about the dog more than I have.”
Luhan smiles fondly at him. “Stop lying to yourself, you want the dog!” He buckled his seatbelt, “Cool, now go! I also want to see the dog. You said it’s a Cocker Spaniel? I look it up in the net, it’s pretty cute.”
And so the 20 minute drive is filled with Luhan’s chatter as a new dog expert. He can’t be more relieved when they get to the clinic. There’s already another car behind Chanyeol’s car in the carport (or so he thinks, it’s the same car he saw just the other week and Baekhyun said it was Chanyeol’s).
But first, “Lu, promise me you won’t do or say anything that will embarrass yourself or worse, myself.”
A raised eyebrow, “When have I ever?” And Yifan wonders just how many people has been deceived by the angelic smile.
“Just don’t.” Luhan pretends he doesn’t hear him.
What he doesn’t expect is Baekhyun pointing a finger to him the moment he enters the clinic’s door (and still with the annoying crowing rooster sound), “You!” a pout, “Why are you here now? You didn’t even call Doc for a week and now he’s moping thinking that you don’t even want Kookie or care about how he’s doing. And I-“ He shut his mouth abruptly when he sees Luhan who’s smiling and standing next to Yifan.
And a telltale of a blush marring his cheeks is an indicator of why.
Yifan never thinks that Luhan would be useful to prevent deaf ears from another of Baekhyun’s accusation.
“Hello, I’m Luhan, Yifan’s friend. I’m sorry that he’s such an ass for not contacting you for a week, but he thinks about Kookie all the time.” Looks like there’s be another victim of Luhan’s angelic smile.
“What! I don’t-“ Yifan tries to disagree but he’s shoved to the other side of the wall.
“Are you Chanyeol?” He offers a handshake which Baekhyun takes hesitantly.
“Uhm, no I’m Baekhyun, Doc’s assistant - I mean, Chanyeol! Chanyeol’s the vet, I’m just an intern… who works here, for the time being. Yeah...”
Another figure comes out of the examination room carrying Kookie who’s barking excitedly upon seeing Yifan.
“Baekhyun, why are you so noisy in the morning? And could you be Mr. Wu who brought Kookie here? Cause he’s been barking and asking to be let out of its cage the moment the bell is crowing.” His smiles bring out a pair of cute dimples on his cheeks.
And true to his words, Kookie’s looks excited to see him and the new guy just shoves the puppy into his arms. Yifan can’t get away from all the licking and whimpering from the little dog. Oddly, he feels a bit happy to see him too as he sits down and stroke behind his ear.
“I’m Yixing, the other intern. Nice to see that you’re finally coming to see Kookie, he’s recovering just fine. Sadly, there hasn’t been anyone that claims him until today, so I assume that you have decided to take care of him instead?”
Yifan can’t answer that but it seems that Luhan is his spokesman of the day. “Hi Yixing, I’m Luhan Yifan’s best friend. Don’t worry, Yifan can’t wait to bring him home whenever he’s ready. He’s been lonely and badly needs some company who won’t complain too much when he’s rejecting to go out to have some drinks with him.”
Ok, that sounds like he’s complaining himself. And Baekhyun disappears behind the door, just like the week before. Yifan guesses there must be the stairs that leads to Chanyeol’s living quarter.
Yixing laughs at Luhan’s remarks, “I’m sure you will enjoy Kookie’s company, he behaves very well. Probably need another week in a cast but other than that he’s a happy dog.”
“He is?” Yifan is still not sure about taking Kookie home but it doesn’t seem like something he should decide, everyone else has. “Like I have told Chanyeol last week though, I have no clue on how to take care him, I never have a pet before.”
“No worries, we have prepared some notes for you. Doc says he’s just around 6 months old so probably he hasn’t gotten the basic vaccination as well, we can arrange that later. Don’t hesitate to call the clinic if you have any question.”
He nods at Yixing, Kookie quiet in his arms. That’s when Chanyeol comes in with Baekhyun in tow. He just looks at Yifan and not saying anything that he feels the need to stand up; Kookie still in his arms.
“Hey Chanyeol, I’m sorry I didn’t call, it’s been a hectic week at work.”
He pouts. Chanyeol pouts, my goodness! “I know. I saw your interview last Tuesday at KBS. I thought maybe you’re too busy and completely not interested with Kookie. Not like you showed any interest in him in the first place.”
Yifan wonders how many more times people are going to judge him today. “It’s not that I’m not interested, I think I have made enough explanation to you and your assistants. And for the past few minutes it seem that everyone has decided that I should take care of Kookie since no one has claimed him and apparently my best-friend (slip of the tongue, hopefully Luhan doesn’t hear) here kinda convinced me that I need a pet in my life. And you could’ve called me instead, you have my number.” He tries not to smile to see Chanyeol’s shy smile.
“But in the interview you said you hardly have times for anything else but work. So I thought… “ Chanyeol leaves his word hanging.
“Don’t worry Chanyeol,”Luhan interrupts and Chanyeol jumps as if he doesn’t realize that Luhan’s in the room. “I’m Luhan, the said best-friend no matter how many times he denies it and this will be the 3rd time I introduce myself in 10 minutes.”
Chanyeol finally laughs (and Yifan wants to laugh with him too). “Ok, my apology too then, I should’ve called to update you or something but I really don’t want to bother you.”
Yifan wants to melt at Chanyeol’s melodious laughter when Luhan lightly taps his shoulder and whispers, “Holy shit, you’re so smitten with him aren’t you!” Yifan gaps at him before the little devil of a best-friend chuckles and winks, “I better talk to Baekhyun and Yixing to find out how you can win him - though it’s obvious that the feeling is mutual; you can go ahead discussing the basic of pet care or more.” And he goes over into the examination room where both interns were talking, which leaves Yifan and Chanyeol by themselves.
There was silence for a few seconds, Yifan really doesn’t know how to start a conversation but the vet beats him first.
“So… uhm, as your friend said, you want to take care of Kookie?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Promise you’ll help?”
Another smile blooms on Chanyeol’s face. “I’ll do my best. When do you think you can bring him home?”
“I’m not sure,” he replies hesitantly, “I have to make sure that I have everything he needs at home and probably after he’s off his cast?”
“That would be best. He’ll be off it in another week, are you sure by then you’re equipped to have him home? Won’t be too busy for the whole week?”
“Well, I just have to make sure, don’t I?” He’s contemplating for a second, then “Are you busy tomorrow?”
Chanyeol looks surprised, “Pardon?”
“If you want to, you can make sure I’m ‘fully equipped’ like you mentioned. Tomorrow is Sunday, I have no work and if you’re available I’d like to request your company to assure that Kookie here will have a comfortable life at Wu residence.” He scratches Kookie’s neck and the puppy barks happily.
“OK.”
“OK?”
“Yes, ok, I’m available tomorrow. But I’m doing this for Kookie though; I want him to have comfortable and happy life.” He says mischievously and Yifan falls deeper in crush with the lanky vet.
His happiness must be shown on his face even hours after he and Luhan leaves the clinic ‘cause Luhan keeps looking at him and for once he looks serious before he steps out of the car.
“Hey Yifan, I’m happy for you. I know you feel like it’s not your decision to take care of the puppy but I can see deep down that you like it too. I haven’t seen you this happy in such a long time, even when you were still in Shanghai. You work too hard to please others but you never strive to please yourself. And you make new friends too, I’m proud of you.” A pinch to his cheek. “Might as well tap Chanyeol’s ass on your shopping date tomorrow.”
“What the-“
He steps out before Yifan can say more, “Well, at least I get Baekhyun’s number too, I’ll call him tonight and make sure that we won’t run into each other tomorrow!” He runs away, not waiting for his reply.
Yifan stays silent in his car for a few more minutes, trying to digest Luhan’s words. Only then he realizes how true those words were.
When his mother passed away 7 years ago, his father turned into an even stricter person. They hardly talks about personal stuff but work. Yifan tries so hard to please his father in hopes that maybe if he makes him happy, his father won’t be so hard at him anymore. That maybe his father would talk to him more just like when his Mother was still alive. But it never changes and slowly Yifan turns into another hard worker like his father, too serious and only has work and more work in his mind.
He meets Luhan in his second year of secondary school, a private and expensive school. He’s the only one who stays and doesn’t leave after all the changes that he’s going through. When Luhan decides to move to Seoul to take his Master’s degree and then later built a career, they keep in touch through chat apps and video calls. When he moves to Seoul as well to handle the company’s business 2 years ago, they reconnect. He has no one else to call a friend other than Luhan in Seoul.
So it must be a shock to Luhan to see him so comfortable at the clinic. He doesn’t know that he can consider the 3 people that he just knows for a week (sans Yixing whom he just meets earlier) as friends. He’s not annoyed by Baekhyun’s noise or chitchats, feels more like talking to a human parrot. Even so, Baekhyun knows when to listen and answers him patiently when he asks about pet care. Yixing is a gentle soul, and since he’s Chinese the 3 of them (including Luhan) gets to speak in their mother tongue (much to Baekhyun’s accusations of them gossiping about him) and they kinda swapped a bit of info about each other. Yixing loves animals and he loves working for Chanyeol. He hopes he can stay friends with the vet after he finishes his study and returns to his homeland.
And Chanyeol. To be honest Yifan still doesn’t know if he really has a crush on him or just an infatuation. He’s very kind, passionate about what he’s doing, caring to both animals and people (the way he takes care of everyone around him through little things), and he’s very close to his family (something that he envies as an only child with a father who only cares about his work). He’s grown attached to him in a very short time and so looking forward for their meeting tomorrow. He hasn’t had a real relationship but casual ones for the past five years, and he hasn’t brought anyone to his bed since he moved to Seoul. Why Chanyeol makes him feel differently?
Maybe Luhan’s right. It’s time to find his own happiness and open up his heart once again. Tomorrow might be a better day than he expects it would be. He can’t wait.
Chanyeol can’t believe that he just spends a day with Wu Yifan. The Wu Yifan. He didn’t know anything about the guy before he barged through his clinic one week ago. Then he watched an interview on KBS featuring ‘Asia’s Up and Raising Heirs’, Yifan was one of the Heirs. He spent the whole night trying to find out about him through the internet, shocked that the awkward handsome tall guy is actually a prominent young businessman. It wasn’t that he expected Yifan to actually calls after watching the interview and got a glimpse of his busy lifestyle, but in the short moment he spent at the clinic Chanyeol could see that’s he’s not a bad guy, he still held Kookie when he was told to and didn’t actually shied away from touching it.
Chanyeol was hoping that he’d call anyway. He was disappointed but he could understand his position. To say that Yifan’s visit on Saturday claiming he’d take care of Kookie wasn’t surprising was a lie. To be honest, when Baekhyun came up to his living quarter to tell him he was so shocked but also excited to see him again. And Baekhyun saw through his pretentious smile of happiness for Kookie, “You don’t have to lie to me Doc, it’s your chance to bang a bigshot instead of spending all of your time reading Animal Wellness or checking up on your patients in midnight! Go get ‘im!”
Other than discussing Kookie and pets in general, they spent a few hours at the clinic with the other talking about themselves and Chanyeol got to get to know his personal side better. He can’t help but feels sad for Yifan’s loneliness and thinks that he’s giving the right advice for him to keep Kookie. And then Yifan asked for his company to shop for Kookie’s stuff; he tried hard not to let his eagerness show though he may have failed as Baekhyun and Yixing wished him luck for his ‘date’ before they left.
Yifan picked him up around 9.30am; since Chanyeol already made a shopping list their shopping spree was efficient and by 12.30pm they’re pretty much done.
Chanyeol wasn’t very tired, but he’s a bit sleepy for not sleeping well last night, too nervous and excited at the same time for today’s shopping. So when Yifan offers him lunch he’s not quite listening what the question is until Yifan taps his arm.
“Oh, sorry, I was spacing out. What were you saying?” He saw Yifan raised his eyebrow.
“I ask you what would you like for lunch. Are you ok? You’ve been a little quiet but I still hope you’re okay for lunch?”
Chanyeol chuckles, “Ah, sorry, just a bit sleepy but I’m fine. Lunch is also fine, anything you have in mind?”
“Craving for anything? Any preference?”
“I eat anything. You can pick a place, I won’t mind.”
“If you say so. But you can’t complain later since you let me choose.” He winks. Chanyeol’s heart skips a beat.
“No, really. Anything is fine with me. Lead the way.”
“I know a nice place about 25 minute drive from here. I have to apologize that lunch is going to be late, it’s almost 12pm already, but I promise you the food is fabulous.”
“I trust your choice.”
The drive takes longer than anticipated due to a weekend afternoon traffic; it’s already 1.30pm when they were seated. The little café has a homey feeling with wooden floor and walls, as well as the furniture in shades of beige and brown; the smell of roasted beans is strong and it’s obvious that Yifan is a regular as almost every one greets him by name.
Chanyeol looks around in awe, the cushion is too comfortable and he gets sleepier with the cozy and warm interior of the café.
“What would you like to order, Chanyeol?” Yifan waves a menu in front of his face.
“Looks like you’re familiar with this place so I’ll trust you once again to order for me.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. And maybe I need some coffee as well.”
“Got it. But it’s not good to eat lunch with coffee, I’ll order some sparkling then we can have coffee right after.”
He nods as Yifan starts to recite their orders to the waiter. When he’s done, he puts his hands on the table and pays his whole attention to Chanyeol.
“Thank you. I’m very grateful that you can spare your day for me, you even made me a shopping list and a guide book, that’s… a lot more than I could expect from you. Taking care of pets is a whole lot of new experience for me, I hope I won’t disappoint you guys.”
Chanyeol can’t stop his laughs, “Why so serious? You’re taking care of a dog, not a baby. Relax, it’s not that complicated. And we’re always there to help you at the clinic, we’re only a ring away.”
“You can laugh all you want but it does feel like taking care of a baby for me. Kookie’s still a puppy, and I never live with anyone let alone a dog. Especially with my work and schedule, but I’ll try my best to take good care of him.”
He looks fondly at the man in front of him who looks all tough and all-business on TV but turns out to be a kind-hearted and softie inside. So he reaches out to put his right hand on top of Yifan’s folded hands, “You’ll do well. Don’t hesitate to call me if you have questions or needs anything. Anything. Even if you’re too busy and need someone to baby-sit for Kookie, just give us a call. We don’t normally do this but I don’t mind if he’s staying for a while too.”
Yifan turns his palms upside down so his hands are holding Chanyeol’s that he almost can’t breathe. He hears nothing but sincerity in the way Yifan looks into his eyes and squeezes his hand when he says, “Thank you. That means a lot to me, you should know.”
Chanyeol knows right there and then that he wants to be the one that Yifan can rely on. He still doesn’t know much about him, how he lives, other than what he shares with him. There’s so much loneliness in the way he speaks and a certain frailty in the way he lives; just works and one best-friend he can share everything with. For Chanyeol whose live surrounded with love; loving and being loved in return by his family and friends, he can’t stand to see Yifan pleads for help and afraid to disappoint. He can’t let that happen. But he can’t say that to Yifan, not right now.
Instead, he lets Yifan holds his hands for a little longer and offers him a smile of assurance. He hopes Yifan will understand even without words.
And long after coffee, after another hour of drive back to the clinic, after a promise of contacting each other. Chanyeol lets Yifan kisses his cheek in thanks (and maybe more, he hopes) on his doorstep and he doesn’t tak his off of him until he closes the door. He now knows that it’s not a crush. It’s love.
It’s been an amazing and magical day for Chanyeol. And he wishes it won’t end.
6 months forward
Yifan doesn’t wanna wake up. He’s only been sleeping for a few hours after closing up a deal for another multi-million dollar contract. But he feels too hot right now, and something is trying to snuggle up to him on the bed. He knows what it is without opening his eyes.
“Oh my god, Kookie, who’s letting you in… and on the bed!” He tries to get away from the dog but now he starts licking his face, giving him a reminder that he didn’t even clean up last night when he got there. He just took off his shoes and passed out. He can remember Chanyeol taking off his pants and shirts off but there’s no sign of the said man in the bedroom right now. So Yifan reluctantly sits up and leans on the bedhead and takes Kookie in his arms, scratching his ears.
“Where’s Chanyeol? Did he let you in to wake me up?”
Kookie barks excitedly and leaps off the bed, running off out the door. Probably trying to tell Chanyeol that he’s done a good job.
He knows he really have to get up, he promises Chanyeol for a park date along with Kookie. He bailed out twice already, and no matter how tired he is today he doesn’t want to see Chanyeol’s understanding smile once again. But… 10 more minutes? So he lays himself down and unconsciously drifts off to wonderland once again.
The next time, he wakes up to the smell of fresh coffee and toast next to him on the side table. And the hands of the person he misses most stroking his head.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead. I thought Kookie has woken you up earlier?”
Yifan lets out a sweet sigh and hugs Chanyeol’s waist. “He has. I thought I was just going to sleep for another 10 minutes.”
“It’s just been 15 minutes, but you look like you won’t wake up till noon. Are you sure we should go out? I think you need a rest today.”
He looks up Chanyeol’s concern face, “I promised you, and I’ll keep it. I don’t want to bail out on you again.”
“I’d rather have you in bed for another few hours to recuperate then probably we can go out tonight for a movie and good food, hm? What do you say?” He cups Yifan’s face but pulled away quickly, “You smell like Kookie!! You better brush your teeth and clean up your face first or I won’t kiss you!” he says as he tries to get off the bed but Yifan pulls him to bed and quickly climbs on him so he can’t move.
“No! You’re the one who makes him wake me up and he keeps licking my face so it’s your fault. Kiss first!”
They struggle on the bed for a couple of minutes, laughing and enjoying the moment until Yifan falls off on his butt and Chanyeol can’t stop laughing at his bed face.
“You should see your face,” he says as he stands up and pulls Yifan back on his feet. “I’m not joking though, you stinks!” He scrunches up his face funnily.
Yifan relents, “Fine, fine. Can I have breakfast up here though?”
“Well, that’s why there’s coffee and toast on the table. Go clean up and I’ll be downstairs, Jongin is coming for Oscar’s regular check-up.”
Yifan nods and head to the bathroom when suddenly Chanyeol grabs his shirt and turns him around, cups his face and gives him a kiss in the mouth. “Good morning.” And then he’s gone. Yifan is still standing in a daze in the middle of the bedroom in his underwear. Morning breath, dog breath and all the stinks that Chanyeol mentions. He kisses him anyway. What a way to start his morning.
It’s been a rough 6 months for him. For the first couple of months he hasn’t been a good pet owner. He hardly sees Kookie at home, leaves everything to the maids. But after a constant visit to the clinic with some scolding from Baekhyun and gentle reminders of his commitment to take care of the puppy from Yixing, he learns to care for Kookie in every spare time he gets. Chanyeol’s presence is also his never-ending support. He patiently teaches him, shows him what he can do to be a good pet owner.
A couple of months of visiting the clinic and some casual lunches Yifan finally asked Chanyeol out much to Luhan’s surprise that it takes that long for him to make a move. Yifan doesn’t want to rush, he treasures his relationship with Chanyeol. He may have fallen for him in such a short of time, but Yifan always knows when to hold on something precious. And Chanyeol is his most precious thing.
Not everything is smooth sailing, not while Yifan is still working hard to prove his father that he can be someone he’s proud of. More projects are coming and there are times Chanyeol feels neglected but never for long. He really has endless patience in dealing with Yifan with the help of his devilish best-friend, Luhan who’s his biggest supporter in starting the relationship.
Since they go steady, Yifan is used to spend the weekend at Chanyeol’s with Kookie. He usually srops Kookie off with his clothing on Friday morning. And no matter when he finishes his job he would call Chanyeol and checks him up. Sometimes they will meet up for dinner before returns to Chanyeol’s place. Other times when Yifan is exhausted he goes straight there and usually Chanyeol is waiting with some food and some cuddles to ease his exhaustion away. He can’t be more thankful, he’s blessed.
Yifan is still lost in thoughts when a pair of hands wrap around his shoulders and another cheeks presses up against his. He closes his eyes.
“You take so long to get down. You haven’t even finished your cup of coffee.” He inhales Yifan’s scent, “Hmmm, now you smell like me.”
“I’m using your bath gel again, I like it.”
A kiss on top of his head, “Seriously though, I think we should just stay home today if you’re that tired.”
“It’s not that, it’s just… I’m just thinking.”
Chanyeol moves to straddle him. He stroke a finger in the middle of his temple, “Stop thinking for awhile, don’t stress yourself up more than you already are.”
YIfan smiles to ease the tense, “I’m thinking about you.”
“What about me?”
“How lucky I am to have you. I think it was love at first sight, but it still amazes me how quickly you turn from someone I just met to someone I can’t stop thinking of all the time, someone I want to hold when I need some peace of mind. I’ve never been into relationships, everything was casual - I don’t need another headache outside the job; but you make me hoping, wishing, that there might be such thing for me. That there might be something I can call a future together… with you.”
Chanyeol rests his head on his shoulder and holds him tight. “And here I think I’m the only one who feels that way. My sister used to joke that one day I might marry a horse instead a person. But here you are. Here we are. And I can’t imagine tomorrow without you in my life either.”
Yifan pulls him off and leans their foreheads against each other. “No regrets?” He whispers to Chanyeol’s lips.
Yifan can feel a smile stretches out on Chanyeol’s lips. “No regrets. I want nobody else but you.”
And the kisses they share were slow, gentle, full of affection. They’re not rushing, they take their time to appreciate the abundant love they’re feeling inside.
Chanyeol is Yifan’s sun, the light that shines upon his darken heart. And he knows there’ll be no more sad mornings or depressing nights when he’s with Chanyeol. He’s looking forward to every new day to spend with him. After all, each day is one fine day.