---
The sky was already dimming by the time San buttoned up his only decent black shirt. He looked at himself in the mirror, fixing his collar, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his chest. It wasn't about the party—he was used to social gatherings. It was about Hyme.
"Where are you going?" came a familiar, suspicious voice from behind.
San turned to see Hyme standing in the doorway, arms folded, tail slowly flicking.
"Hmm? A party," San answered casually.
"I'm coming with you."
"Huh? Why?"
"So your ex doesn't try to crawl back onto your lap like a worm in heat," Hyme replied flatly. "I'll keep an eye on you."
San sighed. He could already see where this night was headed, and saying no to Hyme usually ended in claws or cold shoulders. Or both.
"Fine," he said, grabbing his keys. "But behave. Please."
---
The venue was buzzing when they arrived. Wooyoung's birthday party was held in a chic lounge café filled with warm lighting and vintage music. San had barely stepped inside before he was swept into a hug.
"San!" Wooyoung greeted brightly, her long wavy hair falling over her shoulders as she pulled him toward a table full of familiar college faces.
Hyme narrowed his eyes and followed, his steps light and dangerous.
"I thought you'd ditch like last time," Wooyoung teased.
"I was busy!" San said, smiling sheepishly. "You know how hardworking I am."
"Yeah," Kai chimed in, laughing. "Busy avoiding your love life. You should be thanking me, though. I was the original captain of the Sanwoo ship back in college."
They all chuckled—until a low, sharp sound interrupted the mood.
Growl.
Everyone turned.
Hyme was glaring at Kai and Wooyoung, his golden eyes practically glowing under the lights, ears pinned back like he was ready to pounce. His tail flicked slowly, and the aura around him screamed danger.
San laughed awkwardly. "Ah… right. I forgot to introduce—"
"I'm his boyfriend," Hyme cut in coolly, stepping beside San and linking arms. He stared directly at Wooyoung.
There was a beat of silence.
Then Wooyoung smirked, clearly enjoying the tension. "Then prove it. Kiss him."
Before San could even process the challenge, Hyme tugged him down and planted a kiss right on his lips—fast, firm, and far too effective. The moment ended in seconds, but San was left blinking like his brain had short-circuited.
Wooyoung raised an eyebrow. "Not bad," she said. "Didn't think you had it in you, kitten."
Before Hyme could respond, a glimmer of silver distracted them—cake.
A server brought in the birthday cake, adorned with delicate cat ears and a paw-print pattern. Hyme's ears perked immediately, and his tail curled in delight.
He abandoned his death stare and sat next to Wooyoung. "When you cut the cake, who gets the first bite?" he asked, voice sweet and laced with purring mischief.
Wooyoung melted. "Of course, you do."
San nearly choked on his soda.
A few minutes ago they'd been ready to kill each other with words. Now they were bonding over dessert like lifelong friends.
Wooyoung cut the cake, scooped up a perfect bite, and fed it to Hyme. Hyme's eyes lit up as the flavor melted on his tongue, and he nodded solemnly. "This is amazing. I forgive you."
"For what?"
"Existing near San."
Wooyoung just laughed.
---
Later, as the party wound down, San scooped up a dozing Hyme into his arms and waved goodbye to the others. Hyme nuzzled into his neck instinctively, breathing in San's scent with a sleepy hum.
Kai, who was now driving, kept sneaking glances in the rearview mirror. "Dude, he's literally on top of you."
"Tell me about it," San muttered, adjusting his hold as Hyme shifted again and clung tighter, murmuring in his sleep.
By the time they reached home, San's arms were aching and his mind was fried.
He flopped down onto the bed, Hyme still wrapped around him like a warm, expensive plush toy. San stared at the ceiling, resigned to the lack of personal space.
"…I should've just gotten a dog," he whispered to himself.
Hyme's tail lazily thumped against his leg in response.
---