Get a grip, Park Soo Young!, I kick myself mentally. I had just relived my most painful memory in my nightmare. The one where a meteor hits my home, and leaves nothing but ash in its wake; the one which had changed our - Joon's and my -genetic makeup, and made us into what humans popularly referred to as werewolf and vampire respectively. Of course, we were not exactly your textbook werewolf and vampire. We were different; we were more. We were blessed with gifts; immortality was just one of them.

Standing on shaky legs, I pour myself a glass of water when I notice the barely visible form of the latest inhabitant of our office come and sit beside my leg.

"Song Ji Hye," I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What are doing down there?" I demand feeling melancholy.

"Waiting to break your fall." Comes the unexpectedly hilarious reply; my mood brightens instantly. I chuckle and pat her head, "I am fine now." I reassure, and she stands. "Oraboni, when can we go see the rock?" She asks, as I open the newspaper and flip through its pages.

I am about to answer her, but a strange article catches my eye. "Kim Min Joon, what are you doing?" I yell for my partner, who walks out of our kitchenette with half a beef sandwich on a plate. Thrusting the plate right in front of my face, he smiles mischievously, "Ji Hye-ssi*, this is for you. Since Hyung can't have any." He teases; I frown.

I miss eating real food. Drinking blood every day gets boring, you know!?

Ji Hye picks up the plate and takes a big bite. "Thank you, Oppa." She chirps; heat rises to Joon's cheeks.

You can't even see her, for fucks sake!

Joon turns away and clears his throat, "So, what's new?"

"Ji Hye wants to visit the meteor," I answer.

"Oh. That.. "

After suggesting to visit the meteor on the day Ji Hye had joined our little odd family, Joon had been rather reluctant to talk about the meteor, leave alone visiting it.

It was clear that he didn't want to go. But Why?

I change the subject and draw his attention to the newspaper.
'Lucky miracle' The article reads. Joon snatches the paper from my hands and goes over the article.

"Looks like our kinda thing." Joon winks at me suggestively, before picking up his jacket. I grab mine as well, "Hold the fort." I command Ji Hye before we step out.

*Mayfair towers, Sulivill*

"Lee Kwan-ssi, we read about your golden retriever, Lucky's incident in the paper," I state, posing as a reporter.

"Could you give us more details, please? We would like to do a full-page article on it in the local paper." Joon lies, sounding extremely convincing.

The man beams, "Sure. So, a couple of days ago, Lucky was very sick. The vet suggested us to put him down. I decided to take one last trip and go hiking with Lucky like we used to before I got married." He looks at Lucky, who had joined us and was licking Joon's face.

It must be the strong feeling of Brotherhood that might have attracted Lucky, I conclude.

"While on the trail, Lucky suddenly slipped and fell into the nearby stream. I followed him from the sides, but wasn't able to keep up. I went back and returned with a rescue team, but before I could find him, he found me, looking like he did when he was young!" The man's words are filled with wonder, but his eyes hold sadness.

"Something tells me that the blessing is not very welcome," I state, looking directly into Mr. Lee's eyes.

"Now that Lucky is healthy again..." He pauses and sighs, "let's just say that my wife wants Lucky gone. I know I should stand up for Lucky, but I can't. I had asked my wife for a couple of years... And that time is up. I... "

"You can't keep him with you anymore." I guess and he nods.

I look at Joon who is having the time of his life with Lucky, and an idea takes shape in my mind, "Hey Joon, would you like to adopt Lucky?" I ask, and he goes still.

"But..."

"I know it's going to be challenging, but would you like to?" I press on, and he nods excitedly. "Yes! A million times yes!"

I look at Joon and then at Mr. Lee, "As you can see, my partner is in love with Lucky. And I can promise you that if you let him have it, he would take care of Lucky, till the day it decides to leave us."

By the time I am done with my small speech, Mr. Lee is in tears. He nods and hugs Lucky, who licks its Master's face, "Be good, alright." He instructs, running his hands through the golden retriever's fur before turning to us and adding, "Take him away. Don't leave your address. I don't want to see it again. Please keep him happy."

"I understand," I reply, and we walk out of the home with one more member added to our motley crew.
Once we are back in the car with Lucky - who I didn't need to whisper to - I speak, "This is the second case in two weeks that is related to the meteor. Joon, we really can't delay it any further."

"What can't you delay?" I hear a voice and look at Joon, who has his face turned away from me.

"Joon, did you say something?" I ask him, and he shakes his head, "No."
My brows knit; I was sure I had heard a voice, "Then who asked me that question?" I voice my thoughts, and Lucky barks. I look at it and hear the voice again, "It was me. Now tell me what you can't delay any further?"

Wait.. What!?

*****

{Oraboni : Elder brother

-ssi : common name marker in  polite speech.}