Archive of Our Own

The leaves dance gently as the breeze blows, the birds sing in rhythm, composing a tranquil melody meant to be heard only by those who woke up even before the sun rises upon the forested mountains.

Boss walks with quiet steps on the grass dampened by the early morning drizzle, his hands resting inside the pockets of his brown-leather jacket, keeping the heat in them. Strands of his light-caramel hair sways with the cool air, his cheeks and the tip of his nose are tinted with a faint pink. 

He inhales deeply as he feels his chest swell, the solitude wrapping around his body with a tranquility he’d never felt before. Boss exhales and starts to hum a melody that fades into the air like a promise to the sky.

It’s all so alive and still at the same time. And he loves it.

He walks through this path every morning. His house is only a few meters away, on top of a hill. 

Boss moved to the countryside a few years ago, and it couldn’t be a better choice—though his family and friends didn’t seem very convinced, Boss’ tranquility is what mattered the most. And even though he lives alone, he enjoys the time he has for himself. 

He really does. 

Here, he doesn’t have to deal with the exasperating noise of the city or the hectic lifestyle. 

It’s calmer here. More serene.

But the peacefulness of his walk gets interrupted by a sound not so far away from him. 

That gets his attention. Maybe it’s an animal, he has run into them quite frequently.

The bushes rustle and Boss thinks it may be a rabbit, or even a squirrel. So he slows his pace, and his eyes fix on the spot where the movement comes from. 

But it’s a groan that makes him flinch.

A human one.

Boss is hesitant at whether he should get closer or run away.

What if it’s a murderer?

His blood pressure spikes, and soon his heart pounds harder against his ribs.

But just when Boss thinks about leaving, another sound is heard. 

A whimper.

A small, hurtful sob.

And that’s where Boss comes with another assumption. 

What if it’s someone that needs help?

He steps deeper into the forest, pushing through the thick undergrowth until the tangled branches finally give away.

And that’s when he sees him.

A young man—no older than his twenties—curled tightly into himself beneath the shadows of the trees. His clothes are thin and worn, soaked through from the cold. Bare feet press weakly against the frozen ground as violent tremors rack through his body.

His face is smeared with dirt, damp strands of hair clinging to bruised skin. Scratches and cuts mark nearly every inch of him, angry and raw beneath the pale light filtering through the forest.

He looks devastated.

The sight twists something painfully inside Boss’ chest.

What the hell could have happened to him?

But that’s not what startles him the most.

It’s the pair of long, creamy-white ears protruding from the young man’s head—now stained with mud and rainwater, yet so natural they look as though they had always belonged there.

A hybrid.

The realization settles heavily inside Boss.

The creature shifts weakly, another broken groan slipping past his lips as he curls tighter into himself, trembling violently against the frozen ground.

He crouches beside him and carefully gathers him into his arms, handling him with a gentleness that feels almost unnatural against his own strength. The creature is barely conscious, far too exhausted to resist. Instead, he instinctively buries himself closer, chasing the heat radiating from Boss’ body like it’s the only thing keeping him alive.

Mud smears across Boss’ clothes instantly.

He doesn’t care.

Right now, the only thing that matters is getting him somewhere safe.

Getting him home.

Boss has always been like this—always giving more of himself than he should, even when it leaves him empty afterward. Always the one reaching out first. The one staying behind to carry burdens that were never his to begin with.

He rises to his feet and starts walking through the forest with slow, steady steps.

Above the hills, the sun is beginning to rise, spilling pale gold through the trees and bathing the landscape in the kind of quiet light that makes the world feel almost unreal.

The creature stirs weakly in his arms, a strained whimper leaving him.

Boss instinctively tightens his hold.

“Hang in there a little longer,” he murmurs softly. “We’re almost there.”

He quickens his pace after finally spotting the house at the end of the path.

Relief hits him so suddenly it nearly makes his knees weak.

Boss manages to pull his keys from the back pocket of his jeans and unlocks the front door in a hurry, kicking it shut behind him once he steps inside. Warm air immediately wraps around them both.

Carefully, he lays the creature down against the large couch.

The hybrid barely reacts.

His body still trembles violently, chest rising in shallow, uneven breaths like even breathing hurts. 

Boss wastes no time.

He disappears briefly into the bathroom before returning with a first aid kit, a bowl of warm water, and several clean cloths. Setting everything down on the small table beside the couch, he drags over a chair and sits beside him.

Only then does he shrug off his jacket and toss it carelessly aside.

His full attention settles on the creature.

Boss begins cleaning the scratches first, wiping away dirt and dried blood with practiced, steady hands before applying ointment to the deeper wounds. There’s something almost instinctive in the way he moves—calm, precise, careful not to hurt him more than necessary.

The hybrid remains pliant beneath his touch, barely strong enough to keep his eyes open.

Still, he flinches every now and then when Boss’ fingers brush against his skin.

Boss notices more injuries as he works.

Bruises circle both wrists in angry shades of purple and red, deep enough to make something cold settle heavily in his stomach.

Like he’d been restrained.

Boss’ brows slowly furrow.

Confusion gives way to something darker.

Who the hell would do this to him?

His gaze drifts back toward the creature’s face.

There’s a small cut along his cheekbone.

Boss reaches for another cloth and carefully cleans the blood away, movements impossibly gentle now. The creature flinches faintly beneath his touch, and Boss immediately stills, waiting until the tension slowly leaves his body again.

Then he continues.

Warm water runs down pale skin as he carefully wipes away the remaining dirt from his face, arms, and legs, revealing bruises hidden beneath layers of mud and exhaustion.

…

It’s nearly noon by the time Boss finally glances down at the watch around his wrist.

Outside, the sky has cleared completely. Sunlight pours through the wide windows in soft amber waves, spilling across the living room and settling over the creature resting on the couch. The glow clings to his pale skin so delicately it almost looks crystalline beneath the light.

Boss watches him in silence.

The tension that had tightened the creature’s face earlier has finally eased, leaving his features softer now in sleep. His breathing has steadied too, chest rising and falling slowly beneath the oversized sweater Boss had changed him into after throwing away the ruined clothes.

The sweater hangs loosely off his frame, sleeves swallowing his hands completely.

Too big.

Still, it suits him somehow.

Boss’ gaze lingers on his face longer than it probably should.

There’s something strangely captivating about him.

The way his long ears droop against his shoulders. The faint blush still dusting his cheeks despite the cold. His soft, parted lips. Even the tiny movements he makes unconsciously—the twitch of his nose every now and then, like he’s scenting the air in his sleep, or the subtle little kicks of his feet against the couch cushions, almost mimicking the nervous movements of a rabbit.

It’s… endearing.

And for the first time since Boss found him in the forest, the creature actually looks peaceful.

Safe.

The realization settles heavily inside his chest.

He hadn’t been running through those woods.

He’d been escaping.

From something.

Or someone.

-

It’s been several hours already, and the sun is beginning to sink lazily behind the mountains, spilling amber-gold light through the towering trees. Just beyond the house, the small lake mirrors the sky perfectly, reflecting streaks of crimson, blue, and molten orange across its still surface.

It’s beautiful.

The kind of beauty that makes the entire world feel unbearably quiet.

Boss sits outside with a beer resting loosely in his hand, eyes fixed on the horizon as the countryside slowly disappears beneath the approaching dusk. Watching the sunset has become part of his routine ever since moving out here.

He enjoys the solitude.

The stillness.

The way nature asks nothing from him.

But tonight, he can’t seem to lose himself in it completely.

His fingers keep tapping against the aluminum can. His leg bounces restlessly beneath the chair.

Because inside his house, only a few meters away, there’s a hybrid sleeping on his couch.

And the thought alone is enough to fill his mind with endless questions.

Hybrids are rare.

Most people go their entire lives without ever seeing one this closely.

Beautiful. Uncommon. Vulnerable.

And because of that, there are people willing to do terrible things to them.

Boss knows the stories.

Locked cages.

Illegal auctions.

Owners treating living creatures like property as long as they could profit from it.

His jaw tightens at the thought.

And deep down, he fears the creature inside may have escaped something exactly like that.

Which means there’s another problem too.

He can’t tell anyone.

Not when people would sell their humanity for enough money.

Boss exhales heavily and takes another sip of beer, hoping the bitter taste might quiet the thoughts clawing through his head.

It doesn’t.

Then—

A sudden noise echoes from inside the house.

Boss is already on his feet before he fully processes it.

The beer can is abandoned outside as he rushes through the front door, eyes immediately scanning the living room.

And the moment he notices the empty couch—

His stomach drops.

Water has spilled across the floor and table beside it.

Boss searches the room quickly, pulse spiking as his gaze darts across every corner until—

Breathing.

Faint.

Uneven.

Coming from behind the couch.

He circles around it carefully.

And freezes.

The creature is crouched on the floor, clutching tightly at his bare legs as though trying to make himself smaller. His entire body is tense, ears rigid atop his head while sharp, frightened eyes scan the room with practiced caution.

Like he’s expecting danger at any second.

Boss instinctively takes a step forward.

The reaction is immediate.

The hybrid flinches violently and bares his teeth in warning, trembling hands tightening around his legs.

Boss stops at once.

Slowly, deliberately, he crouches down to his level instead.

“Hey…” His voice comes out softer this time. “What’s your name, little thing?”

No answer.

Only those wide, fearful eyes staring back at him.

Boss tries again.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he says gently. “I just want to help.”

He offers him a small smile—warm and careful, the kind that feels like shelter from winter cold.

But the creature doesn’t believe him.

He only curls tighter into himself.

And something about the sight twists painfully inside Boss’ chest.

“Are you hungry?” he asks after a moment. “Or maybe thirsty?”

He gestures lightly toward the kitchen.

For the first time, the hybrid reacts differently.

His ears twitch faintly with interest, curiosity flickering briefly across his face before disappearing just as quickly.

“N-not hungry…” he whispers.

His voice is rough and fragile, barely louder than breathing itself.

Boss stares at him for a second too long.

He looks small like this.

Too small.

And there’s no way in hell he’s eaten properly in days.

Before Boss can stop himself, the words leave his mouth.

“Did someone hurt you?”

The question comes out harsher than intended.

The creature immediately recoils.

Boss curses himself internally.

“No, wait—I mean…” He exhales shakily. “Your injuries. I treated them earlier.”

Carefully, he lifts a hand toward the cut along the creature’s cheek.

The reaction is instant.

Panic flashes across his face as he shrinks even farther behind the couch.

Boss immediately lowers his hand.

“I’m sorry.”

His voice softens again.

Strands of caramel hair fall across his face as he drops his gaze briefly before pushing himself back to his feet with a tired sigh.

“I won’t hurt you,” he says quietly. “You’re safe here. I promise.”

And this time, he gives him space.

The creature watches him carefully as Boss disappears into the kitchen.

He doesn’t relax.

Doesn’t trust him.

Not yet.

Still, Boss prepares food anyway.

The hybrid may deny it all he wants, but Boss can see starvation written all over him.

So he cooks something warm.

Simple vegetable soup using whatever ingredients he thinks might feel comforting.

Once it’s ready, he pours it carefully into a large bowl, sets a glass of water beside it on a tray, and carries everything back into the living room.

The moment the creature sees him approaching again, his shoulders tense immediately.

Like he wants to disappear into himself.

Boss doesn’t push.

He simply kneels long enough to place the tray within reach.

“You should eat while it’s warm,” he says gently. “It’ll help.”

The creature only stares silently between him and the food.

“It’s good,” Boss adds with another small smile. “There are vegetables in it.”

Still nothing.

Boss exhales quietly through his nose.

This is going to take longer than he thought.

Without forcing the issue further, he leaves him alone and heads toward his bedroom across the hall.

Once inside, he flicks on the light and catches sight of himself in the mirror.

Mud stains nearly all of his clothes.

He shuts the bedroom door behind him and strips out of the dirty shirt, tossing it into the laundry basket before pulling off his jeans.

Outside, night has completely settled over the countryside. The crescent moon hangs high above the fog-covered hills, surrounded by stars like scattered jewels against dark velvet.

Winter is coming fast.

Boss grabs a towel and heads into the bathroom, desperate for heat.

Steam quickly fills the room as hot water pours from the showerhead. The moment he steps beneath it, tension begins melting from his muscles almost instantly.

A relieved sigh leaves him.

For the first time all day, his body finally feels lighter.

By the time he finishes, the mirror is completely fogged over.

Boss wipes a hand across the glass absently.

Damp strands of hair cling to his skin while droplets trail slowly down his chest before disappearing beneath the towel secured low around his hips.

He changes into a warm set of pajamas afterward—soft white fabric with blue stripes and tiny embroidered details stitched carefully along the edges.

Comfortable.

Domestic.

Normal.

Something about that thought feels strange tonight.

Boss dries his hair as he steps back into the hallway, automatically glancing toward the living room as he passes.

The tray remains untouched.

The soup has probably gone cold by now.

Boss sighs quietly.

After cleaning up the kitchen and eating his own dinner alone, exhaustion finally begins catching up to him. All he wants now is to crawl beneath heavy blankets and forget how complicated today became.

But when he passes the couch again, guilt settles heavily inside his chest.

The hybrid still hasn’t eaten.

Still hasn’t moved.

And Boss knows he can’t force him.

Trust doesn’t work that way.

The creature needs time.

Time to understand he isn’t trapped here.

Time to realize Boss won’t hurt him.

With another tired sigh, Boss returns to his bedroom and rummages through his closet until he finds an old pair of pajamas that no longer fits him properly, along with several thick blankets.

The fireplace keeps the house warm enough during the day, but nights out here are brutal during winter.

He carries everything back into the living room slowly, careful not to startle him again.

The blankets are placed gently over the couch.

The folded pajamas beside them.

Then Boss peeks behind the couch carefully.

The creature immediately pulls his feet closer to his chest.

Still awake.

Boss exhales softly.

“You can wear those if you want,” he says quietly. “They’re old, but they should fit you better than the sweater.”

A pause.

“There are extra blankets too. Nights get cold here.”

Silence answers him once again.

Still, Boss tries one last time.

“The couch is comfortable.”

Nothing.

Eventually, he gives up and turns toward his bedroom.

But at the doorway, he hesitates.

Then says quietly:

“I’ll leave my door open. If you need anything… just come get me.”

And with that, he disappears inside his room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

The second he’s alone again, Boss drags a hand down his face.

His heartbeat feels strangely loud now.

Too fast.

Heat creeps across his cheeks as realization crashes into him all at once.

Why the hell did he say that?

Maybe sympathy.

Maybe concern.

Maybe he simply wanted the creature to feel safe.

Still—

The reality of the situation suddenly feels absurd.

There’s a hybrid sleeping inside his house.

A frightened, beautiful stranger he knows absolutely nothing about.

Boss shakes his head and heads into the bathroom to brush his teeth, trying desperately not to think about it anymore.

It doesn’t work.

Thoughts of him linger like shadows long after the lights go out.

How long had he been wandering alone in the cold?

What had he escaped from?

And why did the idea of that bedroom door staying open feel so dangerously intimate?

***

The first three days are difficult.

Not for Boss.

For the little creature hiding behind the couch. 

He barely sleeps. Barely eats. Every bowl of food Boss leaves beside him turns cold untouched, the glasses of water remaining exactly where they were placed hours earlier. He never leaves his corner behind the couch, long ears constantly alert for the slightest sound.

Always listening.

Always waiting.

Even at night, when the house finally falls silent beneath the weight of winter, he only dares to move once he’s certain Boss is asleep. And still, the smallest creak of wood or sharp whistle of wind against the windows sends him scrambling back into hiding.

Heart pounding violently.

Breathing uneven.

He curls tightly into himself, clutching at his legs as though trying to hold together whatever pieces of safety he still has left.

He’s terrified.

Skittish in a way that feels almost instinctive now.

Like fear has rooted itself too deeply inside his body to ever fully leave.

And Boss understands why.

To the creature, he’s probably just another predator pretending to be kind.

Another man with gentle words and warm food, only waiting patiently for the perfect moment to sink his claws in.

The thought alone leaves something bitter sitting heavily in Boss’ chest.

Because someone taught him to fear kindness this much.

Someone hurt him badly enough that safety itself now feels suspicious.

Boss can see it in every flinch.

Every trembling breath.

Every time those wide eyes dart toward the nearest exit.

The hybrid has spent years hiding what he is, surviving quietly beneath the cruelty of people who would gladly reduce him to something less than human.

Something rare.

Valuable.

Sellable.

An object instead of a living creature.

And maybe that’s why Boss never pushes him.

He keeps the fireplace burning throughout the day so the house stays warm. Leaves fresh food and clean water nearby every morning even when most of it goes untouched.

It’s the only thing he can really do right now.

Wait.

***

By the end of the first week, something finally begins to change.

Curiosity.

It settles beneath the creature’s skin slowly at first, cautious and uncertain, but impossible to ignore for long.

He starts leaving his hiding spot in small, hesitant steps.

At first only when Boss isn’t around.

Then longer.

Softer little hops carrying him quietly across the wooden floors as he explores the house inch by inch.

Boss notices everything.

The way the creature sniffs carefully at unfamiliar furniture. The way his fingertips brush along the walls like he’s grounding himself through touch alone. The way he watches Boss constantly from afar, wary but undeniably curious now.

And Boss never interrupts it.

Never forces interaction.

He only watches quietly from a distance.

And somewhere along the way, he realizes he’s becoming completely enchanted by him.

By the elegant length of those white ears.

The softness of pale fur glowing beneath firelight.

The tiny twitch of the round tail hidden beneath the oversized sweaters Boss leaves out for him.

It’s unfairly endearing.

Completely mesmerizing.

One morning, Boss notices faint traces of soup scraped from the bottom of a bowl left on the tray overnight.

Only a few bites.

Barely anything at all.

Still, relief loosens something tight inside his chest almost instantly.

He catches himself smiling.

After that, he begins noticing other things too.

The way cautious eyes peek out from behind doorframes whenever he walks through the house. The way those ears rise attentively the second he leaves his bedroom in the mornings or returns from outside.

Little signs.

Small signs.

But signs nonetheless.

Boss even starts bringing him fruit from the greenhouse behind the house—the last berries surviving the cold before winter fully settles in.

The creature still retreats deeper into the couch whenever Boss approaches.

But he no longer flinches.

Not like before.

Boss crouches carefully beside the couch one afternoon, holding the berries loosely in his palm and allowing the hybrid to sniff them cautiously with his tiny twitching nose.

For a moment, curiosity wins.

Then fear returns just as quickly.

The creature pulls back again.

Boss simply leaves the berries within reach and stands up.

He doesn’t force him.

Not even when he comes home from his morning walks and catches the hybrid wandering quietly around the house, only for him to panic and disappear the moment he realizes Boss has seen him.

***

Two weeks later, the creature finally begins leaving his corner without immediately retreating the second Boss appears nearby.

Little by little, he starts eating properly again.

Drinking water.

Sleeping.

For the first time since arriving at the house, he seems capable of closing his eyes without that constant terror lingering beneath his skin—the fear of being captured all over again.

Slowly, cautiously, he begins to trust him.

And somewhere along the way, Boss realizes he’s grown deeply fond of the small creature quietly inhabiting his home.

Still, there are countless things he doesn’t know about him.

His name.

Where he came from.

What happened to him before the forest.

Every answer only seems to lead to more questions.

But one morning, Boss decides to try speaking to him again.

Like always, he leaves breakfast on the coffee table before settling onto the single couch beside it. Fresh air still clings to his clothes from his morning walk, and the silver watch around his wrist reads barely nine in the morning.

The house remains quiet.

Warm.

Sleepy beneath the pale winter sunlight filtering through the windows.

Boss waits patiently.

And a few moments later, long white ears slowly appear above the couch cushions.

This time, the creature doesn’t freeze when he notices Boss sitting there.

Doesn’t run.

He simply approaches cautiously before sitting down to eat beneath Boss’ attentive gaze.

The sight alone feels like progress.

Boss hesitates.

The creature rarely answers whenever he speaks to him, but he tries anyway.

“Is it good?”

A small smile pulls at his lips as he watches him eat.

The creature pauses mid-bite.

Slowly, his wide eyes lift toward Boss.

One second passes.

Then he nods.

And something unexpectedly soft settles inside Boss’ chest.

His smile widens without him realizing it.

But what truly catches him off guard is the quiet voice that follows.

“I like… food…” the creature murmurs shyly. “You make delicious food.”

His voice is small.

Unsteady.

Gentle in a way that makes Boss feel strangely warm all at once.

He doesn’t think he’s ever heard a sweeter sound before.

“I’m glad you like it,” Boss replies softly. “Are your wounds feeling better?”

He gestures lightly toward the fading cut along the creature’s cheek.

The creature nods again.

“Don’t hurt anymore.”

And then—

A shy little smile appears on his face.

Boss almost laughs under his breath.

It’s ridiculously endearing.

Everything about him is.

“Hm. That’s good.” Boss hesitates briefly before asking, “Can I know your name?”

The question makes the creature go still.

Uncertainty flashes across his face almost immediately.

Silence stretches between them for several long seconds before he finally answers.

“N-Noeul.”

Noeul.

The name settles warmly inside Boss’ mind.

Like sunset light spilling across winter hills.

Like amber skies melting into gold while cold evening air sinks deep into your bones.

Beautiful enough to ache over.

Soft enough to make silence feel sacred.

Noeul.

The name feels fragile somehow.

Quiet.

Ephemeral.

Something breathtaking that could disappear if held too tightly.

Boss exhales softly before he can stop himself.

“I should’ve known someone like you would have a beautiful name.”

The reaction is immediate.

Noeul’s nose scrunches slightly, eyes narrowing into shy little crescents as one of his ears flicks nervously against his hair.

And Boss notices the way his fingers tighten around the bowl in his lap.

Cute.

Dangerously cute.

“Sorry,” Boss says quickly, suddenly aware of himself. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly before continuing more carefully. “Do you… have any family? Or maybe friends I could contact? Just so they know you’re safe.”

The change in Noeul happens instantly.

His entire expression crumbles.

Fear flashes through his eyes so suddenly it almost startles Boss.

Pain follows right after.

Then hesitation.

Like the question itself unlocked something he desperately wanted buried.

“You do have someone, right?” Boss asks quietly, though deep down he already knows the answer.

Noeul opens his mouth.

Closes it again.

Then tries once more.

“I…” His leg shifts anxiously beneath the oversized sweater, ears slowly drooping to either side of his head. “I don’t have family… or friends.”

The confession comes out barely above a whisper.

And guilt immediately settles heavy inside Boss’ chest.

“Many people…” Noeul stammers softly, struggling to piece the words together. “Bad people. They… they give me to other people who pay money.”

Boss feels his stomach twist.

So he was right.

Noeul hadn’t simply been wandering through those woods.

He had escaped.

Boss swallows hard, throat suddenly tight.

“Did they hurt you?”

Noeul shakes his head weakly.

“No. They say I’m a monster. A freak.” His voice grows quieter with every word. “They laugh… but don’t hurt me.”

A pause.

“They keep me in room. No food. No water. Until people with money come.”

That’s enough.

Boss doesn’t need him to explain the rest.

The image alone already makes something ugly simmer low inside his chest.

Anger.

Disgust.

Maybe even guilt for not finding him sooner.

But he doesn’t push further.

Noeul already looks overwhelmed enough.

“Alright,” Boss says gently after a moment. “Thank you for telling me.”

He offers him another small smile.

“Now finish your food before it gets cold.”

Noeul nods quietly and lowers his gaze back toward the bowl, though his ears remain drooped heavily beside his face.

Smaller somehow.

Fragile.

Boss doesn’t realize how intensely he’s staring until Noeul suddenly peeks up at him through long lashes, cheeks faintly pink beneath the warm house light.

“Uhm…” Noeul carefully lifts the bowl toward him. “Hungry?”

The question snaps Boss out of his thoughts instantly.

“What?”

“You look at me…” Noeul says quietly. “Maybe you want food too?”

For a second, Boss completely forgets how to speak.

Noeul simply stares at him expectantly, head tilted slightly to the side while one ear flicks softly against his hair.

And something inside Boss’ chest suddenly feels dangerously unsteady.

“I—” He clears his throat quickly. “No. I’m okay, thank you.”

He waves his hands a little too fast.

Noeul watches him for another second before nodding shyly and pulling the bowl back toward himself.

Boss inhales slowly and pushes himself to his feet.

“I’m going to shower,” he says, pointing vaguely toward his bedroom. “If you need anything, just knock.”

Noeul glances up at him and nods once again.

And the moment Boss disappears into the hallway, he presses a hand against his chest in frustration.

His heartbeat is pounding far too hard for absolutely no reason.

…

It’s been a few minutes since Boss disappeared into his room.

Noeul has already finished every last bite of food, the empty bowl abandoned on the coffee table while curiosity slowly begins creeping beneath his skin again.

Carefully, he rises from the couch.

Bare feet press against the polished wooden floor, soft creaks echoing beneath his weight as he starts wandering through the place with hesitant little steps. His ears remain alert, twitching sharply at every unfamiliar sound around him.

Everything here still feels strange.

Too quiet.

Too peaceful.

Noeul slowly makes his way toward the kitchen across the living room, but a sudden crack from the fireplace instantly makes him flinch.

His heart leaps violently inside his chest.

He spins toward the sound, panic flashing through him before realizing it’s only a spark snapping from the firewood.

Relief loosens his shoulders slightly.

Still, he retreats back toward the living room almost immediately.

Back to safety.

His eyes continue roaming cautiously across the place instead—over framed photographs, shelves, decorations he doesn’t recognize. But eventually, his attention settles on the slightly open bedroom door down the hallway.

And just like that, curiosity returns all over again.

Noeul hesitates only briefly before approaching it.

Slow.

Careful.

The wooden door feels cold beneath his fingertips as he pushes it open just enough to peek inside.

Then he freezes.

Boss stands only a few feet away.

Wearing nothing but a towel hanging dangerously low around his waist.

For a second, Noeul forgets how to breathe.

Boss hasn’t noticed him yet.

Completely unaware, he moves around the room casually, muscles shifting beneath damp skin while droplets of water trail slowly down his back like scattered pearls.

Noeul feels like he’s witnessing something forbidden.

Something he absolutely should not be staring at.

And yet he can’t look away.

Heat crawls slowly up his neck, spreading across his cheeks until they burn warm pink beneath his pale skin. His ears twitch nervously as his gaze lingers far longer than it should.

There’s just something about Boss.

Something warm.

Safe.

Beautiful in a way that leaves Noeul feeling strangely lightheaded.

The room remains painfully still until Boss suddenly turns around.

Noeul startles violently.

Their eyes meet.

And panic immediately explodes through him.

He stumbles backward before practically fleeing down the hallway, ears flattened against his hair while heat swirls embarrassingly inside his stomach.

By the time Boss steps out of his bedroom several minutes later—fully dressed this time—his eyes instinctively search the living room.

And there he is.

Noeul sits curled tightly against the couch again, arms wrapped around his legs while his face hides between his knees. Only his wide eyes peek upward cautiously, ears tilted backward in obvious embarrassment.

Like he’d just been caught doing something terribly wrong.

The sight nearly makes Boss laugh.

God, he’s adorable.

A faint smile tugs unconsciously at the corner of his lips.

“I need to head into town for a few errands,” Boss says casually as he grabs his jacket from the chair nearby.

Noeul slowly lifts his head.

Curious.

“I’ll only be gone a few hours.” Boss wraps a scarf loosely around his neck before glancing back toward him again. “Will you be okay here by yourself?”

Noeul blinks at him for a second before nodding carefully.

His long ears flick softly beside his face.

“If you get hungry, there’s food in the fridge,” Boss explains, pointing toward the large refrigerator in the kitchen.

“Okay,” Noeul answers quietly, voice small and timid as he shifts nervously against the couch cushions.

Boss pauses near the front door.

Then asks gently:

“Do you need anything?”

The creature stills for a moment, trying to think of what he could possibly need.

He already has clothes, food and warm blankets. What else could he ask for?

“Uhm, no.”

“Okay, then,” Boss says, grabbing his car keys as he opens the front door. But just before stepping outside, he pauses.

“Stay inside, alright? It’s cold out there. I’ll be back soon.”

He gives Noeul one of those smiles that feels like being wrapped in gentle arms—quiet and since.

But Noeul has long forgotten what being held feels like.

So he simply nods.

And when the door finally closes behind Boss, the small creature is left alone inside the stillness of the house.

-

Noeul doesn’t know how much time has passed since the man left, but the sun is already sliding behind the mountains outside the window, staining the land in muted oranges and deep blues. Mist gathers over the hills in heavy waves, dragging the temperature down with it.

The sight makes him shiver.

His arms instinctively embrace around himself as memories of spending endless nights in the cold claw their way back into his mind for the first time in weeks.

Still, the house is safe. 

Safe and quiet and filled with the lingering heat of the fireplace.

And little by little, his body relaxes.

A few more minutes pass before restlessness begins to settle beneath his skin. He shifts repeatedly on the couch, unable to stay still for long. His fluffy eats twitch as his curious gaze wanders around the room.

Then he notices it.

The bedroom door.

Slightly open.

His ears perk instantly.

Curiosity rises through him again—sharp and irresistible.

But hesitation follows just as quickly.

What if Boss comes back?

Two heartbeats pass. 

Then he slips off the couch and walks toward the room with cautious, uncertain steps.

His ears remain alert while his eyes scan every corner of the place for movement.

When he reaches the bedroom door, he pushes it slowly and peeks inside before stepping through.

The room smells faintly of perfume and shampoo.

It makes his nose twitch.

He has always been sensitive to smells. Too strong, too bitter, too sweet—an unpleasant scent usually made his nose scrunch in disgust.

But this feels different.

Boss’ scent engulfs around him completely. 

Comforting. Grounding.

Dangerously easy to relax into.

His eyes wander around the room. Everything is neat except for the unmade bed, where a few discarded clothes lie tangled in the sheets. Noeul steps closer, fingertips brushing over the mattress.

Soft.

Cold.

The oversized bed looks comfortable enough to sleep in for days without even wanting to leave.

Then his attention shifts.

A tall mirror stands across from the bed.

Noeul walks toward it slowly.

And the moment he stops in front of it, his breath catches.

His reflection stares back at him like a stranger.

It had been so long since he last saw himself properly that the sight leaves him frozen.

His hazel hair is messy and uneven, ears dropping against the sides of his head. Bruises stain his gaunt face, drawing attention to the faint scar saved into his cheek. Dark circles shadow his eyes, and his fingers rise unconsciously to touch them.

Then his gaze drops lower.

The oversized sweater hands loosely over his frame, barely reaching his thighs.

And he cannot remember the last time he looked this ruined.

A loud thud suddenly snaps him out of his thoughts.

His ears shoot upright.

Pulse spiking, he turns sharply toward the sound.

Another thud follows.

Just the wind.

Tree branches brushing against the glass.

But the explanation does little to calm him.

He leaves the room immediately, quick steps carrying him back toward the living room.

Only once he’s there again does he finally feel able to breathe.

He knows he shouldn’t be wandering around like this.

Still—he can’t help himself.

Once he finally calms down, Noeul’s attention begins drifting elsewhere.

Curiosity settles beneath his skin again, impossible to ignore for long.

And then something catches his eye near the kitchen.

A door.

Noeul bites softly at his lower lip as he glances around the quiet house, making sure it’s safe before inching closer. His bare feet brush against the cold wooden floor, and he flinches faintly at the chill climbing up his legs.

Carefully, he slips past the kitchen counter until he’s standing directly in front of the unfamiliar door.

He stares at it for a long moment.

Thinking.

Debating whether he should leave it alone or satisfy the restless curiosity clawing at him.

Curiosity wins.

It always does.

Before he can stop himself, his fingers curl around the doorknob and twist it carefully.

The wood creaks softly as the door slowly opens.

And immediately, light spills over him.

Bright enough to make his eyes squint.

Noeul blinks several times, adjusting slowly to the sudden brightness. A cool breeze slips through the doorway and brushes against his bare legs, sharp enough to make his skin prickle instantly.

Then he finally looks up.

Green.

Everywhere.

Flowers spilling over wooden planters. Climbing vines. Rows of plants glowing softly beneath the sunlight. It reminds him of the forest— wild and alive—yet somehow gentler. 

Safer.

Beautiful.

Beyond the garden, tall trees sway lazily beneath the pale winter sky while birds sing somewhere overhead, their distant melodies blending with the whisper of branches dancing in the wind.

The sight steals his breath away for a moment.

Slowly, Noeul inhales deeply.

The scent of earth, smoke from the fireplace, cold air, and winter fills his lungs all at once, and something strange settles warmly inside his chest.

Something he doesn’t quite understand.

Then his eyes land on a small structure farther outside.

A glass house.

Noeul narrows his eyes slightly, trying to remember the word for it, but frustration quickly follows when nothing comes to mind. Still, the strange little building pulls at his curiosity almost immediately.

Inviting.

Interesting.

Without fully realizing it, he takes one cautious step outside.

Cold air immediately curls around his bare legs like invisible fingers.

Another step follows.

Then another.

The world outside feels enormous compared to the quiet safety of the house.

Alive in a way he had almost forgotten.

But the moment he fully steps onto the grass, memory suddenly crashes into him.

Boss’ voice.

“Stay inside. It’s cold outside.”

Noeul hesitates.

He knows he probably shouldn’t leave the house.

But everything around him feels so beautiful.

So unfamiliar.

And he’s only ever been a curious little creature desperate to explore the world beyond cages and locked rooms.

His heartbeat quickens slightly at the thought.

It’ll only be for a moment.

-

It’s already past six by the time Boss glances down at the silver watch around his wrist.

Getting back shouldn’t have taken this long.

Guilt settles heavily inside him as he parks outside the house, turning off the engine before letting his head fall briefly against the seat. Through the rearview mirror, his eyes drift toward the grocery bags piled in the backseat.

And then toward the large box resting beside them.

A small smile tugs unconsciously at his lips.

Boss steps out into the cold evening air and grabs the bags from the backseat before nudging the car door shut with his foot. Winter has already swallowed most of the daylight by now, leaving the countryside wrapped in deep blue shadows and silver fog.

The place greets him with warmth the second he steps inside.

Relief immediately loosens his shoulders.

Only the fireplace illuminates the dark living room, flickering amber light dancing softly across the walls while the rest of the house remains quiet.

Too quiet.

“I’m sorry I took so long,” Boss calls out as he sets the grocery bags carefully beside the kitchen counter. “Every store had ridiculously long lines.”

He slips off his shoes at the entrance before glancing toward the box again, smile returning briefly.

“Oh—and I got you something.”

The words die in his throat.

Because there’s no response.

Boss pauses.

Maybe Noeul’s hiding behind the couch again.

Still carrying that lingering nervousness around him like a second skin.

The thought makes Boss walk toward the living room instinctively.

“Noeul—”

The smile disappears from his face instantly.

The spot behind the couch is empty.

Boss’ brows furrow immediately.

“Noeul?”

This time, his voice comes out sharper.

Louder.

A pulse of anxiety rushes through him so suddenly it almost steals the air from his lungs.

His eyes scan the place quickly before stopping on the open back door near the kitchen.

And his stomach drops.

Oh, no.

Boss crosses the room in long hurried strides, shoving the door open wider as cold wind immediately spills inside.

Outside is dark.

Quiet.

Far too quiet.

His chest tightens painfully.

He didn’t…

He didn’t run away, did he?

Boss drags a hand over his face roughly, exhaling hard as though it might calm the panic rising inside him.

It doesn’t.

Thoughts spiral instantly.

Maybe he’s hiding somewhere else.

Maybe he got scared.

But then why is the door open?

Guilt crashes over him in ugly waves.

He left such a fragile little creature alone.

What the hell had he been thinking?

Noeul was still frightened of practically everything around him. Of course he’d panic eventually. Of course the outside world would overwhelm him.

Boss silently curses himself for being careless.

Irresponsible.

He closes the door and forces himself to breathe before carrying the grocery bags toward the kitchen. The gift box catches his attention again as he unpacks everything, and suddenly the excitement he’d felt earlier disappears completely.

Maybe he won’t need it anymore.

The thought leaves something hollow inside his chest.

Quietly, Boss picks up the box and heads toward his bedroom. He doesn’t bother turning the lights on, only opens the closet and carefully sets the gift onto one of the shelves.

Then he turns around—

A soft rustling sound startles him instantly.

Boss nearly jumps.

His hand flies to his chest as his eyes snap toward the bed.

There’s a lump beneath the blankets.

“…Holy fuck.”

And just like that, every ounce of fear leaves his body at once.

Noeul is curled asleep at the foot of the bed.

Peaceful.

Safe.

Boss closes his eyes briefly and exhales deeply, like he’s finally recovering all the breath panic stole from him minutes earlier.

Carefully, he sits at the edge of the mattress.

“You almost gave me a heart attack, little bunny,” he murmurs softly.

Noeul doesn’t stir.

Curled tightly against the blankets, he sleeps soundly, one leg twitching faintly every now and then. Soft strands of hazelnut hair fall across his face, and as Boss’ gaze lowers slightly—

He freezes.

The oversized sweater has ridden dangerously high along Noeul’s thighs.

Heat instantly crawls up Boss’ neck.

He looks away immediately and swallows hard.

Without another thought, he stands abruptly and heads straight for the bathroom.

A cold shower suddenly sounds necessary.

…

By the time Boss steps back into his room, damp hair still clings to his forehead and a towel hangs loosely around his neck. He’s only wearing gray sweatpants now, chest still bare as he walks toward the closet searching for a clean shirt.

The room is quiet.

Until movement catches his attention.

Noeul stirs beneath the blankets, blinking sleepily against the dim light while his ears twitch lazily atop his head. Slowly, he pushes himself upright, rubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand.

The sweater slides even higher up his thighs.

Boss nearly stops breathing.

His jaw tightens instinctively.

The shirt clenches slightly in his grip.

Only then does Noeul fully realize where he is.

His eyes widen immediately.

“I—uh…”

Embarrassment floods his face so quickly it reaches the tips of his ears.

Boss still stands only a few feet away, shirtless and damp from the shower, and suddenly the room feels unbearably small.

“Have a good nap, bunny?” Boss asks casually while pulling the shirt over his head.

Noeul opens his mouth.

Nothing comes out.

Too flustered to speak properly, he simply nods.

Boss chuckles softly beneath his breath.

And the sound hits Noeul far harder than it should.

Warmth rushes through his stomach in strange waves, tingling all the way down his spine until his legs instinctively press together beneath the blankets.

Boss doesn’t notice.

Thankfully.

He’s already walking back toward the closet again before returning with the gift box tucked beneath one arm.

The moment he sets it carefully on the bed beside Noeul, the smaller creature flinches faintly backward.

Boss notices immediately.

And steps back just as quickly.

“I got you something,” he says gently, pointing toward the box instead of pushing it closer himself.

One of Noeul’s ears flicks curiously.

“For me?”

Boss nods.

“Open it.”

The smile he gives him is impossibly soft.

Noeul hesitates for only a second before carefully tearing through the wrapping paper with growing eagerness.

Boss watches him quietly.

And realizes he’s never seen anyone look this excited over something so simple before.

The realization makes warmth bloom unexpectedly inside his chest.

Inside the box are neatly folded clothes.

A soft pale-yellow sweater.

Flannel pants.

Several shirts in different colors.

Warm socks.

Underwear.

Everything Noeul might need for winter.

Noeul stares down at the contents with wide eyes, fingers carefully brushing over the fabric like he’s afraid touching it too much might somehow ruin it.

“I didn’t know your size,” Boss admits awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “So I just guessed.”

Noeul slowly looks up at him.

“I should’ve asked first,” Boss continues with a small sigh. “Sorry. I just wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Surprise?” Noeul repeats softly.

“Yeah.” Boss smiles. “Do you like them?”

Noeul immediately clutches the box closer to his chest.

“No! I mean—yes. I like them.”

Boss laughs quietly.

And there it is again.

That same warm sound that makes something inside Noeul flutter strangely.

Almost immediately, Noeul lowers his gaze, cheeks growing warmer.

Then suddenly—

A loud growl echoes from his stomach.

Both of them freeze.

Silence hangs in the room for exactly one second before a grin spreads across Boss’ face.

“You’re hungry,” he says, clearly amused.

Noeul wants the floor to swallow him whole.

“Did you eat anything while I was gone?”

Slowly, miserably, Noeul shakes his head.

Boss glances toward the clock on the nightstand before sighing heavily.

“It’s almost eight, bunny.” His voice becomes slightly firmer this time. “Why didn’t you eat?”

Noeul immediately curls inward again, shoulders hunching instinctively like he’s bracing for punishment.

“I…” He swallows nervously. “Got distracted.”

The answer comes out painfully small.

And Boss instantly regrets his tone.

His expression softens almost immediately as he approaches the bed more carefully this time.

“So you haven’t eaten since I left?”

When he reaches the edge of the mattress, he pauses briefly, waiting for any sign Noeul wants distance.

There’s none.

So Boss sits down slowly beside him.

Noeul shakes his head again.

Truthfully, he’d completely lost track of time the second he stepped outside and saw the greenhouse glowing beneath winter sunlight.

Everything had felt too beautiful to think about anything else.

Boss exhales quietly.

“You need to eat, little bunny.”

“I’m sorry,” Noeul whispers, ears drooping heavily against his hair. “I forgot.”

The sight alone makes something protective twist painfully inside Boss’ chest.

God.

He looks so genuinely guilty over something so small.

“How about this,” Boss says after a moment, voice gentle again. “You take a shower and try on your new clothes…”

Noeul slowly lifts his head.

“…and I’ll make dinner.”

One ear perks up immediately.

Boss smiles faintly.

“Would you like that?”

Noeul stays quiet while thinking it over before eventually nodding carefully.

“Well then,” Boss says softly as he stands back up, “the clean towels are in the bathroom.”

…

The scent of simmering vegetables and warm spices slowly fills the house, blending with the soft clatter of pans against the stove and making the once-quiet house feel unexpectedly alive.

Comforting.

Domestic.

Boss finishes plating the last dish before turning off the stove, glancing toward the dining table he’d carefully set moments earlier. A small part of him hopes Noeul might finally sit with him tonight instead of eating curled up alone in the corner like some frightened little animal.

He’s just adjusting the silverware when he hears the bathroom door open.

Boss turns instinctively.

“Already do—”

The words die instantly in his throat.

For a second, he completely forgets how to breathe.

Noeul stands only a few feet away wearing nothing but an oversized shirt and underwear, fingers clasped awkwardly in front of himself while steam still clings faintly to his damp skin. His cheeks remain flushed pink from the heat of the shower, wet strands of hair falling softly around his face and neck.

And suddenly the room feels unbearably warm.

“I—” Boss clears his throat quickly, pretending his pulse isn’t hammering violently beneath his ribs. “Do the clothes fit alright?”

His eyes betray him immediately.

They wander.

Slowly tracing over Noeul’s frame before Boss forcibly tears his gaze away.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

But Noeul shifts uncomfortably instead of answering properly, brows knitting together in discomfort.

Boss notices immediately.

“What hurts?”

“My tail…” Noeul murmurs shyly.

He turns slightly before lifting the back of the shirt just enough to expose the smooth skin of his lower back.

And Boss nearly loses his mind.

His jaw clenches so hard it hurts.

A sharp breath leaves him through his nose as he forces himself to focus on the problem instead of the dangerous spiral his thoughts are threatening to fall into.

Only then does he notice the small bump trapped awkwardly beneath the fabric.

Right.

The tail.

“I—shit. Sorry.” Boss drags a hand over his face quickly. “I should’ve thought about that earlier.”

Noeul glances back at him uncertainly.

“Take it off?” he asks innocently, fingers already hooking beneath the waistband.

Boss reacts immediately.

“Yes— no.” He practically stumbles over the words before stepping toward him quickly enough to make Noeul freeze. “I mean… go back to the bathroom first. I’ll fix it, okay?”

He points toward the door while trying desperately to keep his voice steady.

Noeul nods slowly before disappearing back inside.

The second the door clicks shut, Boss exhales harshly and presses both hands against his hips.

Only now does he realize how fast his heart is beating.

He turns toward the bedroom in frustration, eyes scanning the scattered clothes across the mattress while trying to think of a solution.

Then his gaze lands on the scissors resting on the desk nearby.

Perfect.

…

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Bunny,” Boss says softly through the bathroom door while holding the altered fabric in one hand. “open up.”

There’s rustling from inside before the door creaks open just enough for Noeul to peek through the gap. His cheeks are still pink, ears twitching shyly like he’s too embarrassed to fully step outside.

The sight nearly makes Boss smile.

Instead, he carefully hands over the underwear.

“Try these now.”

Noeul reaches for them carefully.

And the second their fingers brush—

Electricity shoots through both of them.

Sharp.

Sudden.

Noeul immediately jerks his hand back in surprise.

Boss feels it too.

Enough to leave his entire body strangely unsteady afterward.

“I’ll just…” Boss clears his throat awkwardly. “Wait outside.”

Before he can finish the sentence, the bathroom door quickly shuts again.

“…when you’re done,” he mutters weakly to himself.

God.

Boss grips the edge of the kitchen counter and forces himself to focus on setting the food down instead of whatever the hell that feeling had just been.

Several minutes later, the bathroom door opens again.

Boss immediately looks up.

And nearly regrets it.

“How does it—”

“Feels better now!” Noeul says brightly before Boss can finish speaking.

His ears stand upright with excitement as he turns slightly to show him the small opening Boss cut into the fabric for his tail.

The little white tail pokes through perfectly.

Cute.

Far too cute.

Noeul lifts his shirt slightly to show him proudly, entirely unaware of the effect he’s having.

And Boss feels something hot coil violently inside his stomach.

The sight burns through him.

Noeul isn’t even trying to be seductive.

That’s what makes it worse.

The curve of his waist.

The softness of pale skin.

The innocent pride shining across his face.

Boss’ fingers twitch beneath the table, suddenly overwhelmed by the dangerous urge to touch.

To pull him closer.

To feel warmth instead of imagining it.

He clears his throat roughly before his thoughts drift any further.

“Aren’t you cold?” he asks quickly.

Noeul shakes his head immediately, far too excited over the fixed clothes to notice the way Boss can barely keep his composure together anymore.

“Come sit down and eat,” Boss says, forcing calmness back into his voice. “You must be starving.”

And so am I.

The thought slips through his head before he can stop it.

Noeul happily moves toward the table, and the second he passes by, the soft scent of soap and lavender reaches Boss instantly.

His grip tightens around the fork in his hand until his knuckles pale.

God help me.

Dinner feels agonizingly slow afterward.

Boss keeps his eyes firmly locked on his food most of the time, terrified of what might happen if he looks too long at the creature sitting across from him.

Meanwhile, Noeul remains blissfully unaware.

Too busy eating enthusiastically like it’s the best meal he’s ever had.

The sight alone somehow makes things worse.

After dinner, Boss quickly volunteers to clean up before his own thoughts completely betray him.

Noeul eventually curls back against the couch while Boss washes dishes in the kitchen, occasionally glancing over his shoulder only to find the bunny slowly drifting asleep beneath the firelight.

By the time Boss finishes cleaning, Noeul is already dozing quietly against the cushions.

Carefully, Boss drapes a blanket over his small body.

Then lingers.

Just for a moment.

Watching the peaceful rise and fall of his breathing.

The softness of his face.

The quiet warmth surrounding him now instead of fear.

Boss’ hands ache faintly with the urge to touch him.

To brush damp hair away from his face.

To feel the warmth of his skin beneath his fingertips.

He doesn’t.

Instead, he exhales softly and steps away before temptation can settle any deeper beneath his ribs.

Then quietly disappears into the bathroom for another shower.

The warm shower relaxes his muscles the second he gets in. 

It pours like a waterfall on his body. Droplets cling to him like scattered diamonds across his broad shoulders. 

Small rivers of water begin to descend on his abdomen until they get lost in between the trimmed hair that connects his navel to his pelvis. 

Boss lets out a hitch of breath in relief as he closes his eyes, letting the sound of the artificial rain reverberate inside his ears. His hands begin to trace the contours of his muscles, the arch of his neck. 

It’s innocent. 

A harmless touch that initiates with no other intention hidden.

Until the image of Noeul consumes every coherent thought inside his head.

It crashes over him like a tidal wave—violent, relentless, impossible to escape.

And the memory returns without mercy.

Noeul standing there in nothing but an oversized shirt and underwear, entirely oblivious to the effect he had on him. The innocent way he had turned around with flushed cheeks and bright eyes, proudly showing off the small hole tailored perfectly for his tail.

That smile.

Those pink lips curved so sweetly upward.

Boss had barely managed to swallow down the inappropriate thoughts threatening to cloud every ounce of his self-control.

Even now, the marks left behind by his own hand still burn hot against his skin.

His eyes fall shut as he finally allows himself to sink into the darkest corners of his thoughts.

And there Noeul waits for him.

Flushed.

Trembling.

Soft beneath wandering hands.

The image alone is enough to leave heat coiling painfully low inside his stomach.

Boss exhales shakily through his nose, head falling back slightly against the wall as desire settles heavily beneath his skin like fever.

He wonders what Noeul’s hands would feel like.

Small.

Warm.

Gentle.

Surely softer than his own.

And infinitely more dangerous.

The thought alone nearly ruins him.

Because Boss knows, deep down, that the creature has absolutely no idea what he’s doing to him.

Noeul looks at him with trust beginning to bloom slowly in those wide innocent eyes.

And Boss feels monstrous for wanting more than that.

For imagining things he shouldn’t.

Still—

His mind betrays him anyway.

Again.

And again.

Until every thought of Noeul feels less like temptation…

and more like slow destruction.

A slow wave of heat unfurls through his body, heavy and suffocating, coiling tighter and tighter low in his stomach until it almost aches.

His head tips back against the cold shower wall, water cascading endlessly over flushed skin while shaky breaths spill past parted lips.

The warmth beneath his skin feels unbearable now.

Relentless.

His hand drifts lower almost instinctively, and a quiet, broken sound escapes him before he can stop it. The other presses against his chest, fingers curling tightly as though grounding himself might somehow steady the storm unraveling inside him.

It doesn’t.

Because every thought still leads back to Noeul.

To flushed cheeks.

Wide innocent eyes.

Soft ears twitching shyly beside warm skin.

Boss squeezes his eyes shut as another wave crashes through him, sharp enough to leave his body trembling beneath the falling water. His breathing grows uneven, ragged around the edges, the cold tiles against his back doing nothing to extinguish the heat consuming him from within.

And when the feeling finally overwhelms him completely, his lips part around Noeul’s name in a fractured whisper—

the sound swallowed whole by the rushing water.

***

Four weeks later, the bond between Boss and Noeul had softened into something neither of them fully understood anymore.

Noeul no longer hid behind the couch whenever Boss entered the room. He no longer startled at every creak of the floorboards or every sudden movement nearby. Little by little, the fear living inside his body had loosened its grip.

Boss had taken care of him with a patience so gentle it almost felt unreal.

And Noeul had changed because of it.

His body looked healthier now, no longer frail beneath oversized sweaters. Color had returned to his cheeks, soft pink warming his pale skin, and the constant exhaustion once clouding his eyes had finally begun to fade. Even his laughter came easier these days—quiet and shy, but real.

Safe.

For the first time in a long while, Noeul no longer felt like he was merely surviving.

But along with comfort, something else had begun to bloom quietly between them.

Something unfamiliar.

A warmth that only appeared whenever Boss stepped too close or brushed against him accidentally in the kitchen. A strange fluttering feeling that spread through Noeul’s chest and settled there heavily afterward, lingering long after Boss walked away.

It wasn’t unpleasant.

If anything, it felt dangerously comforting.

Like finding warmth after spending too long in the cold.

And that frightened him almost as much as it fascinated him.

Boss wasn’t doing much better himself.

Somewhere along the way, simple hospitality had turned into affection.

And affection into something far deeper than he ever intended.

Noeul had rooted himself so deeply inside Boss’ mind that it became impossible to think about anything else for too long. The creature lingered in every corner of his thoughts—soft laughter echoing through empty rooms, curious eyes following him around the house, warm sunlight caught against pale skin like something almost ethereal.

Beautiful.

Far too beautiful.

And Boss knew he was in trouble because of it.

Still, he never pushed.

Never crossed boundaries.

Because beneath all the growing affection lived a quiet fear he refused to acknowledge too closely.

If he reached too far—

If he wanted too much—

Noeul might disappear.

Boss had never been someone who feared solitude.

He had chosen this life himself. The countryside. The quiet. The endless forests and lakes untouched by the noise of the world. He liked being alone. Found comfort in silence and winter air and the peaceful rhythm of nature surrounding his home.

But now—

The mere thought of Noeul leaving carved something sharp through his chest.

A slow ache.

Like a blade pressing deeper between his ribs every time he imagined waking up to an empty house again.

And the worst part was that he couldn’t even blame him for it.

Noeul was free.

Free to leave whenever he wanted.

Free to walk through that front door and never look back.

Boss knew that.

Understood it.

But God—

he hated the thought of it anyway.

-

It’s already dark outside by the time Boss steps out of his room, absently drying his damp hair with the small towel hanging around his neck.

He’s already changed into his usual pajamas—the soft blue-striped set Noeul had quietly grown fond of seeing him wear every night.

The place is dim and warm, illuminated only by the fireplace crackling softly in the living room.

Boss’ gaze instinctively drifts toward the couch.

And there Noeul is.

Curled tightly beneath layers of blankets, practically swallowed by one of Boss’ old sweaters. Only the tips of his ears peek out from the fabric, twitching faintly every now and then.

The sight makes warmth bloom instantly inside Boss’ chest.

“Goodnight, little bunny.”

Silence answers him.

Boss lingers for a second longer, waiting for some sleepy response that never comes. Thinking Noeul must’ve already fallen asleep, he finally turns and heads back toward his bedroom.

Still, something about today keeps tugging at the back of his mind.

Noeul had been acting strangely since morning.

Skittish.

More than usual.

Every sudden movement seemed to make him flinch, and his face had stayed flushed nearly the entire day—ears pink, eyes avoiding Boss whenever they lingered too long on each other.

And instead of following him around the house like he’d slowly begun doing lately, Noeul had spent most of the afternoon buried beneath blankets on the couch.

Hiding.

Boss had honestly wondered if he was getting sick.

Winter had settled harshly over the countryside lately, after all.

He’d tried asking several times if Noeul felt alright, if he needed medicine or warmth or simply comfort.

But the second Boss moved too close, the creature only curled deeper into himself.

And then—

He’d shown his teeth.

A quiet warning.

Not enough to truly frighten Boss, but enough to surprise him.

Boss exhales softly through his nose at the memory as he steps into his room.

Weird little thing.

He tosses the towel carelessly into the laundry basket before switching off the light.

The mattress dips beneath his weight as he slides beneath the heavy blankets, warmth immediately cocooning around him like silk and cotton.

A tired sigh leaves his lips.

Outside, winter wind rattles faintly against the windows while the fireplace crackles softly somewhere beyond the bedroom walls.

And slowly, with thoughts of flushed cheeks and twitching ears still lingering faintly in the corners of his mind—

Boss drifts off to sleep.

…

The moon hangs high above the darkened sky, surrounded by an endless sea of stars scattered like shattered diamonds across the night.

Winter wind slips through the towering pines surrounding the house, cold and restless as it weaves between branches and rustles abandoned birds’ nests hidden among the trees. The forest breathes quietly beneath the frost, alive in the stillness of midnight.

But inside the place, everything feels warm.

Safe.

The fireplace remains the only source of light in the sleeping house, amber flames crackling softly as they paint the wooden walls in muted gold. Shadows flicker timidly across the room, trembling gently with every shift of the fire, while the quiet hum of winter settles around the house like a lullaby.

Beyond the windows, the world is cold and endless.

But here—the house feels untouched by it all.

Noeul shifts on the couch uncomfortably. 

He cannot settle. Something restless coils beneath his skin. 

He throws the blanket all the way down, he feels like burning up. 

He pants breathless, his back is tingling in a way that makes his stomach tighter. His body feels unfamiliar, hypersensitive, his thoughts blurred by something instinctive and overwhelming. 

And when he shifts to the side and presses his thighs together, a soft moan rolls out of his lips. 

He stays completely frozen, feeling the heat crawl all the way up to his face, his heartbeat pounding violently inside his ears.

His instincts seem to rip their way out from the deepest part of his chest, raw and unfiltered.

His ears flick eagerly against his head, and the brush of his tail against the fabric sends a wave of electricity all the way down his spine. 

His vision blurs at the edges, irises turning glossy beneath a thin layer of tears that cling to his lashes like fragile glass.

Everything feels hazy.

Too warm.

Too overwhelming.

And then his eyes drift toward the slightly open door leading to Boss’ room.

The narrow gap glows faintly beneath the darkness.

Inviting.

Something deep inside him stirs painfully at the sight.

A strange ache slithers beneath his skin, curling around his ribs and sinking into his bones like slow poison. It spreads through every nerve with unbearable intensity, whispering softly inside his head until he can barely separate thought from instinct anymore.

Need.

Warmth.

Boss.

The darkness seems to breathe those thoughts directly into him, wrapping around his body in thick currents that leave his pulse trembling violently beneath his skin.

And before Noeul fully realizes what he’s doing—

his body is already moving toward the door.

The room is peaceful. 

Bathed in shades of grey and blue, coating the place and Boss’ silhouette with liquid silver.

Noeul doesn’t bother closing the door behind him, he’s too busy battling with himself, torn in between reason and carnality.

The bunny climbs onto the bed with carefulness, the mattress slightly bending under his palms and knees. 

And when the faded aroma of his perfume slips into his nostrils, it almost makes his insides purr. It makes him dizzy, overwhelmed. 

The warmth of Boss creeps into his bones instantly even through the thick bedsheets. It’s steady, grounding. 

Safe. 

It feels dangerously close to something he once knew.

Home.

Yet the anxiety doesn’t fade. 

His brown-caramel hair falls into his eyes as his ears twitch restlessly. His small tail shifts beneath the fabric of the sweater, friction against his lower back sending shivers through him.

He curls up closer to Boss. 

And suddenly, Noeul wants to tear away every inch of fabric separating them. Sink into the heat of his body, pressed together skin to skin. And burn with the same raw intensity.

The thought alone is enough to break him at the edges. And a soft, muffled sound—half-sob, half-sigh—escapes his pink lips before he can swallow it down.

…

Boss stirs. Consciousness slowly returns. 

He opens his eyes and he’s immediately struck by blackness—and the hazy strike of silver rain flooding his room. He doesn’t know what time it is. Probably very late at night. He shifts on his side before turning on the small lamp on his nightstand—that’s when he feels it. 

The warmth, the trembling at his side, the uneven breathing, the subtle movements pressed against him.

His pupils dilate, adjusting his sight to the dim light. And then, he sees him.

The bunny curled up tightly against his chest, flushed, shaking—not from fear this time, but from something rawer. 

Instinctive. 

His lips part to let the air through, as if he were somehow struggling to get enough air through his nose. 

His hands are restless, hidden between his legs, almost as if he were shielding himself from the pain.

 His body is reacting in ways he doesn’t fully understand, hips shifting unconsciously, chasing relief he cannot name.

But he isn’t hurt. He isn’t afraid.

He’s overwhelmed by something older than reason.

Heat.

Boss doesn’t say anything—and that’s his first mistake.

Because the moment his fingers brush against those soft, trembling ears, a sound slips from the bunny’s throat. 

Low. 

Unsteady. 

Entirely involuntary. 

And it coils deep into Boss’ stomach. His fingers keep tracing soothing circles beneath his ears. Noeul’s breathing turns uneven, shallow pulls of air that stutter in his chest. His ears twitch beneath Boss’ touch, hypersensitive, every stroke sending visible shivers down his spine. 

The creature doesn’t retreat. He leans in. 

Dazed.

As if the contact itself were anchoring him while at the same time undoing him.

Boss still doesn’t understand. 

Yet the heat starts consuming him little by little. And he moves his hand again—slower this time—thumb grazing the base of one ear, fingers sliding carefully through caramel strands.

The reaction is immediate. Noeul’s body tightens, then melts. His hips shift against the sheets, desperate. As though chasing something out of reach.

A soft, broken exhale spills between his lips. And he presses closer.

Not in fear. 

In need.

His self-control lies forgotten inside his chest, letting his instincts take over his thoughts. It guides him toward warmth, toward pressure, toward the steady pulse beneath Boss’ skin. Every small movement of those careful hands draws another trembling response from him—a hitch of breath, the subtle arch of his back.

He’s overwhelmed. And he doesn’t know how to stop.

“Bunny…” 

Boss’ voice comes out rough and sleep-heavy, barely more than a murmur swallowed by the darkness of the room.

For a moment, he doesn’t move.

Doesn’t even breathe properly.

Because he isn’t entirely sure whether what he’s seeing is real or simply another cruel extension of the dreams that have been haunting him for weeks now.

The kind of dreams that settle deep inside the darkest corners of his mind.

Warm.

Dangerous.

Impossible to ignore.

“Hot… too hot…” he drags out the words as if it takes him too much effort to elaborate them. 

“Where is hot?”

“Everywhere…” he sobs, helpless. 

“... it hurts here—” he shifts his hips against his own hands, trying to seek the tiniest bit of friction.

And Boss finally realizes this isn’t simple comfort.

Noeul isn’t seeking protection. He’s seeking relief.

And the realization settles between them—heavy, electric, impossible to ignore.

The creature’s hand grips Boss’ wrist resting on his head, and with pleading eyes he says:

“Help me… help Eul, please…”

And Boss bites his tongue until all he tastes is iron. 

The sight of Noeul curled up beside him, desperately trying to touch himself but doesn’t know how, shouldn’t arouse him the way it is right now. 

The heat engulfs him entirely, it swallows him whole. 

And his hands crave to touch every inch of his body, every curve and dent until all that remains is his fingerprint.

His hand trembles between the bunny’s grip. And he doesn’t know if it’s from fear or thrill.

Maybe both. 

He repositions himself on the bed, leaning his back against the cushioned headboard. He slowly withdraws his hand from Noeul’s touch. The creature still begging with watery eyes and blown pupils.

He’s willing to help him. 

To guide him through his heat and seek the relief he’s craving for. 

But something stops him from doing it—something that seems to be pulling him from beneath the surface, beneath his bones.

Yet it all seems to vanish into the air the second Noeul settles down on top of him, Boss’ leg trapped in between Noeul’s. The creature snuggles against the warmth of his neck, inhaling the engrossing aroma of his body until he feels drunk from it. 

Boss sucks in a deep breath when he feels the hot air blowing against his skin, one of his sensitive spots. 

Noeul doesn’t notice. 

He’s too galvanized by his own animal instincts to even form a single thought. All he wants—all he needs—is to extinguish the fire raging like a feral beast inside his guts. 

Boss doesn’t realize when his hands move to rest against the creature’s bare thighs, nor when he starts kneading the skin in comforting circles. Noeul’s skin feels damp under his fingers, and he lets out soft sighs of relief when he feels the tiniest bit of contact of skin to skin. 

But it doesn’t feel enough. 

And he wants more. 

So he angles his hips in a way that when he grinds against Boss’ leg, it creates a pleasant friction. 

He doesn’t know what he’s doing. 

His movements are clumsy and have no constant rhythm. But when it feels good, he tries to replicate the action, seeking the same feeling. 

Boss’ hands stroke his thighs up and down in slow movements, he flutters his eyes closed.

And finally, slowly, he starts to let himself be driven by his restrained desire. 

He can feel how hard Noeul is under his clothes. 

He can feel the wet spot staining his pajamas. 

And still, he doesn’t care. 

He wants to throw away the clothes that prevent them from being bare against each other, of rubbing their bodies until the heat dispels.

“I’m gonna take your clothes off, okay? I’ll take care of you, little bunny…” Boss says in a low voice, running his hands until he brushes the hem of his sweater. 

His voice is laced with longing and something delicate all at one, and it seeps into his pores, into his nerves. 

Noeul lets out a small moan, barely a hitch of hot air. And he presses against his body even deeper.

Boss, though, waits for his response. He lingers with the hem of the sweater gripped between his fingers. He doesn’t want to be seen as too impatient, though he’s trembling from how eager he is. 

The creature grinds against his body, and Boss has to restrain himself not to press him down  the mattress like he wishes to. 

“O—off… help—ah…” the words come out like it takes too much air from his lungs.

And that’s the only answer he needs to finally tear off the barriers between them. 

“Sit up straight for me, bunny,”

Noeul, pliant and dazed, does what he says. And Boss slowly removes the sweater. He feels the bunny tremble when his fingers brush his ribs. 

And when the piece of clothing hits the floor, Boss’ swallows hard. 

His hands find their way to the trembling creature’s waist, and he holds him gently. The view of Noeul half-naked on top of him makes his pupils wider. 

He breathes in his aroma until he feels drunk from it. 

His gaze drops from his chest, flushed and shaking, to the small outline of his arousal pressed against his damp underwear.

Boss feels like he stops breathing the moment he sees Noeul drop his hands to wrap around his arousal and start grinding against himself in irregular moves. His mouth parting slightly to let out breathy, shaky sounds. 

Fuck.

Boss sinks his fingers into the milky flesh as he feels his cock throb achingly under the fabric of his pajamas. The blazing heat becomes overwhelming, and settles behind his ears and around his collarbones. 

The bunny’s skin feels sticky with sweat, but Boss doesn’t care at all. 

He runs his hands through his stomach and ribs. And when he brushes his fingers against the pointy nipples, Noeul flinches and lets out a breathy moan.

Boss looks up at him with blown pupils, watching his reaction as he thumbs at his hard buttons and rubs them in circular motions. 

“Uh… ngh…”

“Feels good, hm?” Boss’ tone is low and hoarse. And it brings Noeul into a trance, as if, somehow, his voice had the power to hypnotize him. 

“More…” he begs, shifting his hips and rutting against himself.

Boss takes his response as a command. 

And he shifts them both on the bed, Noeul squeaks at the sudden move. They are lying on their side now, legs intertwined, and Boss’ hands running up and down his back in soothing moves. His face is pressed closer to the creature’s flushed chest. 

“I’m going to make you feel good, bunny.” he whispers against his skin, and right after he opens his mouth and closes it around one pink nipple. 

Noeul’s mouth opens in a silent moan. 

He presses in closer to Boss’ mouth, trying to chase the pleasure. 

It’s a new feeling for him—uknown, yet delectable. 

It sends shock waves down his spine, to his aching arousal inside his underwear. 

He didn’t know he could feel that same tingling sensation in other parts of his body—the same heat that pools in his abdomen, the one that makes his toes curl and his mind clouded.

It’s addicting and thrilling.

Boss flicks his tongue around the wet button, occasionally sucking and tugging at it with a slight pressure. But it’s enough to make Noeul grow eager and needier. 

His hands place onto the broad shoulders, still covered with the annoying pajamas. The fabric crumples between his fingers, holding onto Boss’ body like he’s afraid he’ll fall to the ground even though the mattress is big enough to fit up to four people.

Boss growls in the back of his throat when he feels Noeul grind against him. And his hands go down on his back until he reaches the waistband of his underwear, brushing against the soft fur of his tail. 

Noeul shivers at the contact. 

Then he softly squeezes the tender flesh of his ass, guiding Noeul’s erratic thrusts against his body.

His cock twitches with desperate need inside his clothes. And he frowns with throbbing pleasure when the creature shifts his leg higher and brushes against his groin, creating an enticing ache. 

It takes a lot of self-control for him not to rub up against him, not to let himself give in to his instincts—though he feels like he’s slowly losing every sense of judgement the more Noeul presses against him.

Boss pulls away enough to still feel the warmth of the creature’s body. The hard button is wet and flushed with a deep red around it. 

Boss looks up at him with hooded eyes, his hands keeping the same pace. 

Noeul looks devastatingly arousing, eyebrows joined together in a frown like he’s too absorbed in the ecstasy spreading through his body. His lips parted to pant breathlessly, and his face glows under the faint light of the lamp and the moonlight slipping through the windows, coating the lines of his face with gold and stardust.

“Such a pretty little thing you are…” Boss purrs against his skin, starry-eyed. 

He traces short kisses around his chest, lapping at one nipple for the last time before shifting their bodies again. 

Boss hovers over him, settling between the bunny’s thighs. He leans in to press wet kisses along the skin of his collarbone. 

Noeul shivers under him, hissing through his teeth, and he whines:

“M—my tail—ah…” 

Boss pulls away confused. It takes him a moment to finally realize that his back is pressing the fluff tail against the mattress. 

A worried expression appears on Boss’ face after thinking he’s in pain.

“Are you—did I hurt you?” 

The creature shakes his head with laziness. “Mm—no—just… sensitive…” 

“Okay. I’ll be careful, bunny.” Boss whispers, leaving a trace of kisses until he reaches his stomach and his fingers find the waistband of the ruined underwear. 

He looks up at the bunny, asking for his permission. 

But when Noeul doesn’t reply and lifts his hips away from the bed instead, Boss takes that as a yes. 

And while a smile curves at his lips, he pulls down the last piece of clothing left with trembling hands, being especially careful with his tail.

When the bunny is bare and vulnerable under him, Boss groans low. 

“Fuck—how… how long have you been like this?” he asks when his eyes drop to the small cock resting against his stomach, throbbing with aching need. The head tinted with a deep purple, shiny with pre-cum.

Noeul’s head is already clouded by the hungry lust. So he only moves his hips, impatient. His pupils blown with desire.

“Ngh—please… touch me…” 

That command sends a wave of electricity down Boss’ spine. 

And it’s all it takes for him to go down on him, leaving a path of wet kisses. 

And when he reaches just under his navel, he lingers there for a few seconds. He looks at him through his eyelashes, and then starts licking the area where his pelvis and groin joins. He sucks softly on the skin, feeling how Noeul squirms exquisitely under him. 

And when he's finally in front of Noeul's throbbing arousal, Boss wets his lips before licking a strike along the shaft, leaving a trace of saliva that gleams under the dim light of the room.

The creature shudders under him, his mouth opening in a quiet moan. 

Noeul arches his back off the bed when he finally feels Boss' warm mouth wrap around the head and suck at it hard, flicking his tongue around the slit. The creature squirms with a broken sob. 

Boss rolls his eyes back when the taste of him absorbs him in every raw way possible. 

He moans at the back of his throat, and finally, Boss takes him deeper, opening his mouth wider and hollowing his cheeks as he starts to bob his head in an angle that makes Noeul’s moans slip from his lips helplessly.

That sends waves of heat down to Boss’ cock, and he whimpers at the feeling, unconsciously grinding himself against the mattress. 

Boss would’ve never thought he’d find himself in this situation, ever. 

Having one of the most beautiful creatures—with the softest fur and sweetest voice—bare and trembling underneath from how devastating the pleasure is. 

And knowing he is the one making him squirm turns him on in a way beyond words. It sends sparks through him, as if millions of fireworks were exploding inside his chest. 

Boss moves his head up and down in skilled motions, his tongue flat against the length, his taste buds feeling the bumps of his veins. His hands grope the skin of his hips, his flat stomach, until he reaches the hard nipples and starts tugging and turning it with his fingers.

The simultaneous pleasure in different parts of his body becomes so intense it’s almost unbearable. And the heat spreads like wildfire through him, making his eyes roll back.

The lewd, wet noises of Boss’ working on Noeul’s cock bounces off the walls with obscenity.

The creature’s back arches off the bed and whimpers loudly when Boss deepthroats him in a swift move. 

He breathes through his nose when the head of Noeul’s cock hits the back of his throat. 

He’s not too big nor too small. 

Boss thinks he’s the perfect size. 

But it takes him by surprise when the bunny’s hips thrust deeper, making Boss choke slightly.

Yet, he doesn’t retreat. 

He moans in response, and the vibration sends a shock of electricity through Noeul. 

He feels a sting prick behind his eyelids, the pleasure is both destructive and luscious. And as he’s new to all of these sensations, he craves more.

Boss then drops to his side, head buried in between Noeul’s thighs, legs slightly bent around his wide shoulders. 

Boss’ hands reach both of his ass cheeks, and he grips the flesh hard, guiding the creature to keep moving. The new position makes it easier for the creature to move his hips in relentless and firmer thrusts.

“Mngh—ah…” the bunny’s flushed face buries in the soft pillows as the warmth overwhelms him. His quivering hands tug at the caramel strands, giving him support to keep thrusting inside Boss’ mouth.

Boss’ eyebrows furrow as the heat spreads through his body and makes his cock twitch inside his pants. His hips grind against the mattress, craving any bit of friction against his arousal, seeking that pleasurable relief with eagerness. 

It’s when Boss feels him tense around his lips that he knows the bunny is close. 

His moves turn frantic and his thrusts are shorter and faster. 

The filthy sound of his body slapping against his mouth, where saliva is already dripping down from the corners of his mouth, and the breathy moans of the creature fills the room in a sinful melody that reverberates all the way down to Boss’ spine.

Noeul’s breath stutters against the pillow as tension coils tighter and tighter inside him. 

His thighs tremble around the shoulders. 

And when the pressure becomes unbearable, his climax finally snaps all at once, sudden and consuming, leaving him shaking beneath the force of it. 

And for a moment, everything else disappears—the room, the noise, even his thoughts. 

He comes undone inside Boss’ mouth. Shivering and dizzy. 

The burning sensation stings behind his eyes, and he doesn’t even notice when small tears fall onto the pillow, tinting the bedding with a darker color.

The creature feels lightheaded, as if he just reached heaven and came back. His release hits Boss, his cock pulsing inside as warm streaks hit the back of his mouth.

Boss rolls his eyes back when he tastes him, his palate dances inside his mouth with his release—it’s rich and ambrosial. 

He rocks his hips against the bed while the creature’s body rolls in slower waves with the aftershocks of his orgasm. 

Boss’ breathing turns irregular. 

And the warmth coiled in his abdomen spreads when the pleasure rushes through his body in waves.

Hot. Dizzying.

His orgasm hits him. Electric and sharp. 

Heat unfurls through him, like fire spreading beneath his skin. 

He presses deeper against the bed while his own release stains his clothes. The sound he makes is small and broken, muffled by the creature’s body around his lips. His racing heart pulses against his neck.

And when the heat melts into a gentler warmth, Boss’ slowly withdraws Noeul’s cock, swallowing every drop of his release like it’s the most exquisite nectar. 

He glances up at him with hazy eyes while he licks the corners of his lips. 

The creature shudders around him, and Boss leaves a trace of kisses along his thigh, soothing him. 

His legs tremble weakly around his shoulders, completely spent. His mouth hangs slightly open as he struggles to steady his breathing, each inhale shaky and uneven. A deep flush stains his cheeks and spreads down his neck, his eyes glassy and unfocused beneath heavy lids. His lips are swollen and slick with saliva, parted just enough for soft, exhausted breath to slip through, and he looks utterly ruined in the aftermath.

God, he looks absolutely beautiful.

Boss pulls away just enough to look up at him through heavy eyes. 

“Feel better now, bunny?” his voice is hoarse and rough from the previous activity. His hands begin to trace a path up and down his back with a tender touch. 

The creature whimpers lazily when his fingers brush the fluff tail.

Noeul blinks languidly, still in a daze. And he nods slowly, finally releasing the strands of Boss’ honey-colored hair. 

“Good…” the creature’s voice comes out small and breathy. The heat deliberately dissipates into a warmer, calmer sensation. 

A warmth that wraps him like a summer day, while the sunlight hits him with strikes of golden glow.

Boss finally moves away, laying on his side as he leaves a pliant bunny beside him. His gaze lingers on him like he can’t believe he’s real. His hand drops to hold his face, his fingers caress his cheek quietly.

“So pretty…” he’s bewitched by his ethereal beauty. And when his gaze fixes onto the creature’s mouth, his breath hitches. His thumb presses softly the plump lips.

His heart races. Fast and aching.

“Can I kiss you?”

Noeul, still in a daze, licks his lips by instinct. Making Boss crave him even more. 

He leans in closer, ignoring the way his heart pounds like it wants to escape. He presses their foreheads together, damp with sweat.

“Let me kiss you, please,” his voice is shaky, laced with longing. 

He brushes their noses, and the touch makes the creature flutter his eyes close. 

He gives Noeul enough time to back away.

He doesn’t.

He pulls closer. 

He wraps his trembling fingers around Boss’ wrist, like he’s the only one capable of keeping him from shattering.

However, Boss doesn’t kiss him. Not yet. 

He lingers dangerously close. 

Taunting. 

Their breaths mingling together.

But it’s Noeul who breaks the distance. 

Just a press of their lips. A fleeting kiss. 

But it hits him like a wave and a storm all at once. 

It takes Boss by surprise, feeling thousands of fireworks explode inside his chest. His lips are so soft against his, so sweet it makes him melt.

Boss deepens the kiss, tilting his head and opening his mouth. But Noeul doesn’t seem to keep up. His lips move awkwardly, unsure. He clashes teeth with Boss and accidentally bites his lip. 

And a broken sound escapes him before he can’t stop it. He pulls away slightly. Eyes half-lidded. “Have you… never kissed before?”

The creature looks dizzy and ruined already. Utterly flushed and embarrassed. 

“Is bad?” he mumbles. 

Boss brushes a thumb across his cheek. Eyes burning. “No. It’s cute. Makes me want to kiss you even more.” 

Noeul blushes deeper, lowering his gaze with shyness. But Boss grabs him by the chin and makes their eyes meet again.

“I’ll teach you, little bunny. Just close your eyes and follow what I do.” 

This time, Boss closes the distance, and Noeul lets his eyes fall shut, trusting him completely.

Boss kisses him deeper, slow and unhurried as he parts his lips. One hand cradles the back of his neck, tilting his head just enough to pull him impossibly closer. 

The touch leaves the creature dizzy, aching in a way that makes his chest feel tight. He tries to follow the rhythm of the kiss despite his uncertainty, lips clumsy and hesitant against Boss’ practiced pace.

But Boss only slows down for him.

Every kiss after that is patient, careful, guiding him gently through the overwhelming feeling. His tongue brushes against Noeul’s upper lip, teasing and soft, and when the bunny lets out a quiet, helpless sound, Boss swallows it whole. By the time he pulls away, Noeul looks dazed beneath him—lips swollen, breathing uneven, eyes glossy with the kind of intimacy that leaves someone completely undone.

It’s only when he feels the cold breeze brush against his spent limbs, pricking the hairs of his body, that he realizes where he is. 

Naked. In Boss’ bed. After he…

He quickly tries to hide his face. His ears flutter behind his head with embarrassment. His cheeks burn, and he bites his lips as he tries to cover himself with his hands. 

Boss fails to suppress the soft chuckle that leaves his lips. And the sound makes Noeul’s chest flutter with something warm.

Adorable.

Boss then realizes something. 

He doesn’t think he can’t let go of him now.

An indescribable fear settles in his guts. 

An uncertainty that tugs heavy at his chest at the thought of someone else taking the creature away and bringing his heart with him.

He cradles Noeul’s face with both hands, thumb brushing under his eye, gently. Fingers passing by near the faint scar on his cheek.

“Let me take care of you, Eul. Let me protect you.” his eyes gleam under the dim light, filled with truth and yearning. 

The vulnerability in his voice pulses hard in his throat when he whispers:

“Let me be your home.”

The words make his soft ears twitch faintly. Beneath the warm light, Noeul’s eyes brighten, shimmering like scattered constellations caught in the dark.

“Home…”

The word leaves him quietly, almost fragile.

And he doesn’t answer with anything else.

Instead, he moves closer, pressing himself against Boss’ chest as though drawn there instinctively. He buries himself in his warmth, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his cheek. Safe. Familiar. Like the quiet heat of winter—the kind that seeps slowly into frozen hands after a long cold night. Like something he’s been searching for without even realizing it.

“My home.”

The words settle deep inside Boss, soft and devastating all at once.

He tightens his hold around him without thinking, overcome by the same calm that comes with watching the sun disappear behind the distant hills—that fleeting moment where the world softens into silence, where even loneliness seems gentler somehow. His chest feels unbearably light, aching with a tenderness he doesn’t know to contain.

And for the first time in a very long time, his heart feels full.

Only then does he realize how empty it had been before Noeul stepped into it.

***