Occupational Hazards - Taekook Style (Oneshot Collection)

Canine Hands

"You hate dogs."

"I don't"

"You do."

"Hate, is a strong word."

"Yeah... and you hate dogs."

"I don't hate all dogs."

"You hate kids."

"I don't."

"You definitely hate kids... and dogs."

"You must be mistaking me for someone else, Hobi."

"Yeah... someone who is hiding something, Tae."

Hobi knew his brother. At 25 years old, he was three years older than Tae and he knew him better than he knew himself. He thought it was strange a few months ago when Tae started a dog walking service but he could pass it off because his little brother had recently graduated and the job he had in the local clothing store didn't pay well. Hobi understood that beggars couldn't be choosers and he respected Tae for putting aside his dislike for canines in order to earn himself some cash. However, now he was suspicious because Tae was offering to babysit for their neighbour's child and when he wasn't at work or walking dogs, he was taking the child to the park. It didn't make sense and Hobi didn't believe anything he was saying. He'd tried having the same conversation with him several times over the last few months but it was always the same response. Hobi knew he would get it out of him eventually... it was a matter of when not if.

Tae pokes his tongue out at his brother. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Hobi laughs loudly, "I knew it!"

"If you'll excuse me, you're holding me up, I have dogs to walk."

Taehyung ignores the laughter booming through the room and gets on his way. He does what he usually does and gets the 123 bus, sitting at the back on the right, where he pops in his ear buds and listens to his favourite playlist. The journey is a good 20 minutes and the dreamy songs spark his imagination. He's a romanticist, he loves the idea of love. Hobi is always telling him that he shouldn't fall in love so easily because he always ends up hurt and disappointed but Tae argues that he goes in feet first so he can give it everything he has. When relationships don't work out, it's usually because the other person isn't as invested and that's okay with Taehyung, he'd rather things end for that reason. He wears his heart on his sleeve and gives one hundred percent, he just hasn't been fortunate enough to find someone who has the same outlook.

Once he leaves the bus, he crosses the road and walks along a street lined with houses on either side. There are cute little porches and pots filled with flowers. The people that live on the street obviously take pride in their homes and that is evident. He skips up the drive of number 95, past the silver Mercedes and up the few steps to the front door. He presses the button and hears the chimes followed by footsteps and the sound of the locks being released on the other side of the door. He can't control the fluttering in his stomach as the door opens and the man gives him a smile.

"Good morning." Tae says brightly. He's usually happy, everyone comments on his beaming smile and bubbly personality. His hair is azure, a bright shade of blue that gets him recognised wherever he goes and is usually a talking point among the customers at the clothing store.

"Come in, Tae, good morning. I really must give you my number."

"I have it?" Tae says as he walks into the house.

"I meant my personal number. You've always contacted me using my work phone because that was the number on the adverts. I will be honest and say that I left my work mobile in the office so I was on my way out. I had forgotten you were coming this morning."