The Not so Ugly Duckling

Comforting a Hurt Wolf

Daehyun let out a yawn, rubbing his eyes as the morning sun poured in through the windows. He stretched his arms and cracked his neck letting the tension from an uncomfortable night's sleep break free. He slightly grumbled, noting that he needed to purchase thicker curtains, that is until he realized he wasn't at his home at the moment. He scanned his environment to find that he was in his company's research lab. The smell of 70% ethanol in the air. His memories of last night flooded back in. How he and Youngjae actually had a slightly amicable conversation over late night work coffee and cookies. How he followed Youngjae back to the lab and the two simply enjoyed each other's company in silence. The scene was odd to say the least. Usually at this time he would have either a beautiful naked man or woman on his arm. But he supposed a night of chit chat was nice way to break routine. Plus Youngjae was not entirely dull to speak to.

Speakin of. Daehyun glanced down to see the rabid chipmunk fast asleep, face planted against the table top. Daehyun couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as he noticed saliva trail down the boy's mouth onto the paperwork he assumed would be turned into to him sooner or later. The boy look like a disheveled mess, but Daehyun bit his tongue to avoid letting a snarky remark escape his lips. Why ruin an amicable morning? Daehyun quietly rolled his chair to a nearby rack of lab coats, snatching one and placing it over the sleeping chipmunk nerd. He pulled the coat a bit higher, ensuring that the coat covered Youngjae's exposed neck from the cold, as he began making his way out of the lab.

"YOUNGJAE!" Youngjae jumped, startled by the sudden shout of his name. He looked to see a freshly cleaned and smirky Himchan smiling down at him. "Looks like sleeping beauty finally woke up."

"Hi hyung!" Zelo popped up from behind Himchan giving a slight wave as he stifled a chuckle that dared to escape his lips. Youngjae looked like he was attacked by a pack of crows with how crazy his bed hair looked.

"What time is it?" Youngjae groaned, rubbing his puffy eyes. He scrunched his brows in confusion when he noticed the lab coat slip from his shoulders. He didn't remember putting this on. His thoughts traced back to the man who possibly stayed the entire night with him....he scratched the thought immediately. There was no way Daehyun would be so kind as to blanket him with a lab coat...right? He brushed the thought aside as Himchan leaned his face closer to his.

"It's almost 11, sleeping beauty," Himchan gently knocked Youngjae's forehead to get that giant brain of his awake too. Himchan tilted his head slightly in confusion as a sudden odd smell protruded his nose. "Is that cologne?" Himchan looked at Youngjae shocked. When had the chubby-cheeked boy ever wore cologne? And something that Himchan deemed (via smell) quite expensive.

"You must be huffing up too much acetone, Himchan." Youngjae rolled his eyes, knowing full well that if Himchan found out that Daehyun was hanging around with him last night, Himchan would throw a fit. After all, Youngjae admitted yesterday that Daehyun had jumped him, what would Himchan think if he found out that Daehyun was here. Alone. With Youngjae. Youngjae could be sure that Daehyun or him would get a sock in the face.

"Hmph, that is the last time I ever get concerned for your scrawny ass," Himchan sneered, lifting up the drool covered piece of paper from Youngjae's desk. "Uh...here Zelo, you read this for me."

"Nuh-uh, you don't pay me nearly enough to touch that shit," Zelo scrunched his face in disgust. "No offense hyung."

"All taken." Youngjae stuck out his tongue at Zelo as Himchan examined Youngjae's slime covered work.

"This is amazing!" Himchan stared at Youngjae starry eyed. "Youngjae, if this is what I think it is, we might just be one step closer to completing the medication!" Himchan cheered, puckering his lips to give him a thankful kiss.