3 | A Night of New Beginnings
After a long, exhausting day, Yuna stepped into the warm embrace of the shower, letting the water wash away the remnants of her worries. The steam wrapped around her like a cozy blanket, soothing her mind and body. As she emerged, dressed and a towel draped around her shoulders, she felt a wave of relief wash over her.
With careful hands, she applied antiseptic to her own wounds, wrapping a plaster around them with a gentle touch.
Entering the living room, she was greeted by the familiar warmth of home. Soft lighting cast a gentle glow, and the soothing scent of chamomile wafted through the air.
Jungkook immediately tensed at her arrival, so she chose to keep her distance. Across from him, she settled into a plush chair, its fabric soft and welcoming against her skin. She opened her laptop, the screen illuminating her face as she began to type, her fingers moving purposefully over the keys.
Respecting the space he needed, she remained unintrusive, her presence in the room gentle and quiet as she focused on her research about bunnies. Discovering a small, unconscious bunny earlier had been unexpected, especially on her way home from work. While her studies primarily centered on hybrids, she felt drawn to understanding how to care for bunnies, especially now that she had one under her care.
Her voice filled the room, soft and melodic, making the atmosphere feel lighter and more alive. "Did you know that bunnies can jump up to three feet high? They can also see nearly 360 degrees around them!"
Jungkook listened intently, his ears twitching at the sound of her voice, a flicker of disagreement crossing his mind. 'These facts are all about regular bunnies,' he thought, a hint of pride swelling within him. 'What do they know about hybrids like me? I could probably jump to the moon if I tried.'
He shifted slightly, peeking out from behind the cushions, his heart racing with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
As she continued reading, her smile growing wider, Jungkook couldn't help but feel a spark of interest. "Did you know that bunnies communicate with sounds and even thump their hind legs to show frustration or anger?"
He listened closely this time, his gaze unwavering as it fixed on her. The warmth of her words wrapped around him, momentarily easing his defenses.
"Here's another fun fact," she continued, her voice bright with excitement. "Did you know that bunnies groom each other by licking one another's fur? It's called allogrooming, and it helps strengthen their bond while keeping them clean. It's a sign of affection."
Jungkook's ears perked up at this revelation. Though he was a bunny hybrid, he had never met others of his kind. The idea of sharing such closeness felt foreign and unsettling. The thought that he could one day trust someone enough to engage in such an intimate act sent a shiver down his spine.
Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the peaceful moment and making Jungkook flinch in surprise. She picked it up with a gentle smile. "Hey, Hoseok. Sorry, I should have called earlier. Thanks for providing the pellets and hay."
"Yah, Kim Yuna. Why so polite?" Hoseok teased, but his tone turned serious afterwards. "How's the bunny doing now?"
Jungkook tensed as he overheard the conversation, every word clear in the quiet room.
Yuna glanced at Jungkook, who was trying to hide, and replied, "He still refuses to eat, but he's not running around trying to escape anymore."
Jungkook grumbled under his breath, feeling the irony in her words. 'If I could run, I would have already been long gone.'
Hoseok offered some tips as an experienced bunny owner, his voice warm and encouraging. "It's okay; just give him time. Bunnies need to feel safe. He will eat when he's hungry. Maybe try to bond with him a little when he's feeling better. They respond well to gentle voices and treats, and will soon recognize you as their owner."
"Yeah, but I'm not sure if I'll keep him," she replied thoughtfully. "From what I've read, bunnies do better in pairs, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for two yet."
Jungkook listened quietly, touched by her sense of responsibility. She was researching how to properly care for an animal she had found on the streets. Still, he couldn't let his guard down completely.
"What? You're not planning on keeping him? Then can I come over and introduce my bunnies to him? Maybe they'd welcome him into their little group," Hoseok asked, excitement bubbling in his voice.
Yuna knew she could trust Hoseok with all things bunny-related. He had raised them almost his entire life. Leaving Jungkook with him would definitely put her mind at ease.
"Sure, maybe after he's feeling better? How about this Saturday?" she offered, and Hoseok agreed.
"By the way, you're sure he's just a regular bunny, right? Not a hybrid? I'm not ready to bring an entirely different species back home," Hoseok joked, though there was seriousness in his tone.
Yuna hummed thoughtfully as she glanced at Jungkook, only able to see his large, sparkling eyes peering from behind the cushions. When she brought him back, she too questioned whether he was a hybrid or simply a bunny.
However, she noticed that he displayed many typical behaviors of an ordinary bunny—his instinct to hide, the way he bit her out of fear, and his reluctance to engage with her.
Hybrids often exhibited a more complex understanding of human interaction, while he seemed to embody the skittishness of a wild bunny. This suggested that he might be just that—a creature in need of care, rather than a hybrid weighed down by a past of human expectations.
Jungkook tensed up as silence filled the room. If she knew he was a hybrid, would she expect him to serve her like all the other customers who had seen him? The thought made his stomach churn in disgust.
"I'm pretty sure he's not a hybrid," Yuna said, reassuring herself. "He doesn't have the traits I usually see in hybrids. He lacks the human-like behaviors—no complex gestures or attempts to communicate with me beyond simple animal instincts. His fear and skittishness feel so genuine, like he's trying to navigate this world for the first time. A hybrid would likely have a better grasp of their surroundings and how to interact with people."
She paused, her gaze softening as she looked at how he's still cowering behind the cushions, his wide eyes reflecting a blend of curiosity and caution. "He's just a lost bunny, finding his way back to safety."
Jungkook visibly relaxed at her words, a gentle sigh escaping him as the tension that had coiled tightly in his chest began to unravel. Her belief managed to sooth the frayed edges of his anxiety.
"Okay, great. I'll drop by on Saturday with my bunnies," Hoseok said, and after a few more exchanges, they ended the call.
Yuna set her phone down with a sigh, standing up and yawning, the sound echoing softly in the quiet room. Jungkook's heart raced again as he hurriedly pushed himself back against the cushions, wide eyes watching her every move with a mix of caution and curiosity.
She glanced in his direction, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Relax, I'm not going over there. Goodnight, little one." With that, she switched off the lights, plunging the room into soft shadows before making her way upstairs.
As the door clicked shut, Jungkook's heart continued to pound in the lingering silence. The distant sounds of the street faded into the night, a soothing reminder that he was safe for now, tucked away in a building high above the chaos of the world.
Gradually, the tension in his body began to dissipate, replaced by a budding curiosity. Cautiously, he emerged from his hiding spot after ensuring he was truly alone. His little heart raced but began to calm as he sniffed the air, absorbing the scents that enveloped him.
The room carried a faint trace of her shampoo, mingling with the warm notes of fabric softener wafting from the blanket draped over the couch.
He hopped forward slowly, each movement deliberate as he explored this new environment. He sniffed the couch, inhaling the comforting scent of chamomile that lingered in the fabric. Then he moved to a nearby cushion, which felt soft and inviting—the perfect spot to curl up. His gaze fell upon a cushion she had placed on the floor, perhaps a thoughtful gesture to cushion his landings if he were to jump down.
A flicker of warmth touched his heart, but he quickly reminded himself, 'No, do not trust her just yet. She's a human.'
Despite his cautious thoughts, curiosity compelled him to hop down from the couch, landing softly on the cushion below. His body ached, yet he pressed on, driven by the enticing aroma of food. He bounded over to the tray she had left behind, his nose twitching with anticipation. The scent of fresh lettuce wafted up to him, and without hesitation, he took a tentative nibble.
The taste was crisp and refreshing. It wasn't as luxurious as what he had always eaten at the hybrid store, but it felt much kinder—a welcome change. He then noticed the bowl of water, glistening in the low light. He lapped it up eagerly, feeling the coolness soothe his parched throat, the simple pleasure anchoring him in this moment of uncertainty.
Next, he sniffed the pellets, examining them closely. They smelled earthy and wholesome, further stimulating his appetite. He hesitated only for a moment before chewing on a few sticks, savoring the satisfying crunch between his teeth.
As he munched, a fleeting thought crossed his mind. 'How nice it would be if there were meat—meat was my favorite. Nothing beats the taste of tender chicken or juicy beef.'
He couldn't help but imagine the flavors, his mouth watering at the thought. But the idea quickly faded; he was a bunny right now, with no canines for meat.
He didn't eat for long before moving on. As he explored the living room, he also sought a way out. He sniffed here and there, trying to memorize the layout and displays. It struck him how tidy the house was; everything was neat and orderly, with not even a speck of dust on the floor.
Just then, something caught his eye—a fish tank illuminated with soft LED lights at the top, casting a serene glow over the room. The tank was enormous, the water crystal clear and decorated with vibrant aquatic plants swaying gently alongside various hideouts. It spoke of how much this woman cherished and respected all living creatures, wanting to give them the best life possible.
For a moment, he was mesmerized by the fish swimming gracefully in the water, their movements effortless and fluid. It was the first time he'd seen fish outside of a television screen, and he longed to take a better look. However, there were no platforms for him to hop onto, so he attempted to shift into his human form for a better view.
But due to his exhaustion and how far he had pushed himself, he found he was unable to transform. Frustrated, he thumped his hind legs against the floor before trying to push himself straight up as high as he could for a better look.
He persevered for a good fifteen minutes, but soon his eyelids grew heavy. The soothing sound of water from the tank's filter lulled him into a peaceful slumber. With a yawn, he curled into himself, seeking warmth as he surrendered to sleep.
While his ears remained alert, his heart had calmed significantly, soothed by the gentle sounds of the room and the promise of safety, if only for tonight.
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