Homosaurus

15

"Jinyoung?" Jaebum exclaimed as the scientist forcefully pushed past him into his apartment, a large bag filled to the brim with unknown items in hand. "I didn't ask for an unannounced visit..."

It hadn't even been an hour since he called when he turned up at Jaebum's front door. The elder should've expected him to come, but he was quite occupied with Youngjae to really think much about how pissed off Jinyoung was. He watched the younger storm into his place, dropping the heavy duffel bag he carried to the floor.

The scientist was fuming as he spun around to look at the elder. "I didn't ask for you to steal my hybrid. You won't bring him back, then I will."

Almost on cue Youngjae wandered out from using the bathroom, moseying into the living room and pausing when he laid eyes on Jinyoung. His brows knitted together, confused gaze immediately shifting over to Jaebum. "Why is he here?"

Jaebum sighed, scratching the back of his head. "I'm wondering the same thing..."

Jinyoung turned when hearing the hybrid's voice, visible relief washing over him after seeing he was alright. "Youngjae, I need to examine you before bringing you back to the lab."

They hybrid frowned, immediately shaking his head. "No! Jaebum said I could stay here, I'm not going back!"

Jinyoung shot a glare back at Jaebum, silently reprimanding him for promising such a thing without his approval. He shook his head, giving Youngjae an apologetic look. "You have to go back, I'm sorry-"

"No!" Youngjae huffed, plopping himself down on the couch, arms folded firmly over his chest.

It was obvious that Youngjae wanted anything but to go back to that lab, and Jaebum wanted anything but that as well. But with Jinyoung constantly in the way, it was near impossible to give the hybrid what he wanted. Youngjae was visibly upset, which hurt Jaebum's heart, but it would only hurt more if he allowed the scientist to take him back to the lab where he was kept in a cage 24/7.

"Jinyoung please, you can't force him to leave." Jaebum chimed in, stepping around him to block his path from Youngjae.

The younger scoffed, growing more angry the longer they stood there arguing. "I can, because it's my job. I don't do reckless shit like you do."

"Can't you see he's unhappy there? You're okay with torturing him?" Jaebum questioned, catching Jinyoung off guard with the accusation.

The younger shook his head, taking a small step back. "T-Torture? I've never tortured him-"

"It's torture putting him somewhere he doesn't want to be against his will. You're contributing to that." Jaebum retorted. He knew Youngjae would be much happier outside the lab, sure they had to work out living conditions and see if he can handle life outside of the cage, but Jaebum figured if he just stayed by the hybrid's side, what was the worst that could happen? "Just let him stay with me for a bit, he's obviously a lot better off without looking at those dreary walls all day."

Jinyoung helplessly threw up his hands. "You know I can't allow this-!"

"Please." Youngjae interrupted, catching the others' attention. His big golden eyes rested on Jinyoung, hands clasped almost prayerfully in his lap. "I really don't want to go back. Please Jinyoung."

The scientist stared at Youngjae who's golden eyes seemed to grow bigger the longer he looked, and when he shifted his gaze over to Jaebum, the elder was wearing a nearly matching expression. The puppy eyes galore that he was showered with had his heart warming, causing a frustrated groan to escape him. "This is fucking insane..."

Jaebum knew Jinyoung's support was easy to gain, he just had to sell the idea well. And Jinyoung often caved when the elder was extremely passionate about something— he used this same method when begging Jinyoung to buy him a new pair of shoes as a birthday gift; he hoped it would work to persuade the younger to allow him to keep a hybrid in his home. "It's just another way of me examining how Youngjae fends on his own! If he stays with me, we can use this as like... a test run! to see how well he can accommodate to human society! And of course I'll be right here watching over him, if anything goes wrong, you'll be the first person I call."