Alt title: Wonwoo loves cupcakes and Junhui loves Wonwoo

"Soonyoung!" The fox flew out of the door as soon as he heard the car pull up and into the shorter man's open arms. "Wonwoo!" Soonyoung squealed with excitement as he lifted the fox off the ground into an excited embrace and swung him around. The toy dog was trapped between them and Soonyoung didn't leave him out of the excitement. "Hi Baby," he said as he patted the toy on the head and Wonwoo beamed with pride.

"What do you want to do today?" Soonyoung smiled at the little fox who clutched tightly to his hand. "Junhui said we are going to make 'cupcakes' which I've never had and then maybe we can go for a drive to the beach!" "That all sounds amazing!" Soonyoung grinned. "Does Baby want to come to the beach too?" Soonyoung smiled as Wonwoo nodded and bounced on his heels excitedly.

Junhui had bowls out on the cupboard, measuring cups and eggs ready, and the oven heating up. "Cupcakes?" Soonyoung smirked as he walked in and Junhui tried to ignore their tightly wound fingers and cozy proximity. "Yeah, Wonwoo's never had cupcakes before, and why not?" He tried to pretend he didn't see the excited gleam in Wonwoo's eyes whenever he looked at Soonyoung.

Junhui began to measure out the cake mix, butter and eggs and milk, pouring it all into his shiny mixer. He flicked the switch and cringed when Wonwoo yelped and disappeared out of the room. "Shit," Junhui swore as he turned the mixer off but by the time he made it into the living room Soonyoung was already comforting a shaking Wonwoo. Junhui tried to ignore the clenching of his heart when he saw Wonwoo curled in Soonyoung's arms for comfort.

This day wasn't going as he'd hoped.

"It's just the mixer petal," Junhui said softly as he watched Wonwoo curl a fist into Soonyoung's tshirt. "It won't hurt you. It's just loud." "Just loud?" He echoed as he stared, eyes wide and glistening, at Soonyoung who nodded and stroked his hair. "It will be fine. It's just loud."

When they all returned to the kitchen Junhui finished mixing the cupcakes and divided the batter into brightly coloured paper pans. Soonyoung dipped a finger into the batter and licked it off to the dismay of Junhui. "Stop that!" He swatted out at his friend with a dishcloth and Soonyoung jumped out of the way. "It's the best! Try it Wonwoo!" Soonyoung stuck his finger in the batter again and held it out towards the fox's face. Junhui watched the fox sniff it before his soft pink tongue crept warily from his mouth and lapped at Soonyoung's finger. Junhui pretended he didn't want to punch his friend right in the face when he saw Wonwoo's lips curl around Soonyoung delicately as he sucked the batter from his finger.

He'd wanted to spoil Wonwoo a little, make him a picnic, walk along the beach with him and maybe even get ice cream or browse the shops along the beach road. Instead he stood alone in the kitchen washing dishes while he listened to the happy chirping of Soonyoung and Wonwoo playing around in the other room.  The room was just filling with the scent of vanilla, and Junhui's chest burning with jealousy, when he turned around to find Wonwoo by his side.

"Are you okay?" Wonwoo exuded innocence as he stared at Junhui. "I'm fine," Junhui said as he picked up the dishcloth to dry the bowls. "You don't smell fine. You smell weird and it's scaring me," Wonwoo's eyes flickered with nervousness as his nose tested the air. He moved a little closer and scented Junhui, hot breath running the length of his neck, the man standing as still as he could. "Why are you mad at me Junhui?" Wonwoo mumbled as he wrapped his arms around Junhui's waist and nosed softly at his jaw.

Junhui closed his eyes and willed his feelings under control. He was used to Wonwoo's biting and mouthing and could read his signals well but this was different. This was gentler, less animal and more man, more human than Wonwoo had ever acted. This was closer to a kiss than his usual mouthing and Junhui wasn't sure he could handle it. He stood still and terrified as the fox's lips moved gently against his neck, goosebumps flaring like wildfire in the wake of his breath, his whole body driving him down a dark path of lust and destruction and reckless want.

"I'm not mad," Junhui protested as he tried to push the fox away from his body. His hands were gentle but he could see the rejection on Wonwoo's face. How could he ever explain to him the stress and worry Junhui felt, his fear of falling in any deeper, of letting himself love something just to let it go? How would he explain the gnawing aching jealousy that twisted his insides when he saw the easy way the fox had warmed to Soonyoung? How could he show him that he was only trying to save him from his own reckless and sick human desires?

"You are mad. I can feel it," Wonwoo looked up at Junhui from behind thick dark lashes and the man felt suddenly vulnerable, almost naked, as if Wonwoo could sense every emotion inside him. "I'm not mad at you petal," Junhui said and drew the fox back into his arms just as the alarm on his phone sounded. The cupcakes were done.

"Are you excited?" Soonyoung said as Wonwoo, collared but barefoot, was helped into the car by Junhui. "I'm excited," he said as he let Junhui lean over and buckle his seatbelt. "This keeps you safe," Junhui said as he clicked it and Wonwoo blinked at him with wide innocent eyes. "And Baby," he said with so much earnestness that Junhui couldn't refuse him. He went around to the other side and buckled the toy dog as well.

As soon as the car began to back out of the driveway Wonwoo began to whine. By the time they got to the end of the street he was shaking, his whole body pressed against the seat, his ears flattened to his head in fear. "Wonwoo, its just the car, you're safe..." Junhui said but he couldn't bear the terror on the little fox's face. "Pull over," He said to Soonyoung and when he climbed across to the backseat the fox clung desperately to him.

"Do you want to go home?" Junhui asked and Wonwoo shook his head. "No, I want to see the beach," he said but he couldn't stop shaking. In the end Soonyoung drove while Junhui sat on the backseat and ran his fingers through Wonwoo's hair the whole way. He stroked his hair and his ears, whispered soothing words to the fox, but he still shivered the whole way. Despite his fear he endured and after what felt like hours they arrived at the beach. It had actually only been about twenty minutes.

"It's wonderful," Wonwoo breathed softly as he looked around. "This is only the carpark!" Soonyoung laughed as he grabbed for Wonwoo's hand. "Come on!" He said as he pulled the fox towards the beach. Junhui trailed behind them, loaded down with the picnic basket, a big blanket, a ball and Baby. He struggled up over the crest of grass and his heart sank at the sight of Wonwoo, totally captivated, arms wrapped around Soonyoung with his head on his shoulder.

He wanted it to be him standing stoic as Wonwoo's safety. He wanted to be his rock, his shield, the one he came too for comfort and attention. He wanted it so bad that his stomach churned and he felt like he might throw up. It was him who took Wonwoo in, fed him and clothed him and bathed him, it should be him the little fox wanted.

He walked past them silently towards the sand and spread the blanket. He couldn't help the morose mood as he sat down and began to unpack the picnic he'd prepared with so much love and excitement and anticipation. And now all he could taste was the sour envy when he watched Soonyoung leading Wonwoo by the hand towards the picnic.

"Ready to try your first cupcake?" Soonyoung beamed at the fox and reached out and Junhui swatted his hand away. Confusion crossed his face but Junhui's was painted with a fiercely possessive fury and Soonyoung was struck with the feeling he'd done something terribly wrong.

Junhui didn't care. He didn't spend all morning baking them to watch Soonyoung get the glory. He selected the biggest cupcake, vanilla with buttercream icing and rainbow sprinkles, and shifted closer to the tentative fox. He was a little shaken from the tense atmosphere but he still opened his mouth and let Junhui feed him the cupcake. His eyes fluttered closed as his face twisted with delight and he chewed the cake and quickly swallowed it. "More," he whispered as he wriggled onto Junhui's lap and Junhui was quick to oblige.

"You're acting really weird today," Soonyoung said. The lunch was eaten and the papers from about twelve cupcakes were scattered around them on the blanket. "Sorry," Junhui said as he stared at the fox. Wonwoo was crouched in the mud about ten metres away. He was digging happily in the damp sand, stopping every now and again to scent the wet salty ground, or just stare out at the water.

"You shouldn't be ashamed," Soonyoung said as he watched Junhui watch the fox. "He needs love more than anything." "How can you..." Junhui started but stopped. He knew his feelings were barely contained below the surface and Soonyoung was great at reading people so he didn't even try to deny it.

"It's just so hard, you know, watching the two of you together," Junhui admitted and Soonyoung just grinned at him. "You're jealous!" He began to laugh as he watched Junhui get awkward and start packing the lunch mess away. "Look," Soonyoung said as he started to help Junhui pick up the cupcake mess, "first of all you're being stupid. He loves you more than anything. Remember how skeptical you were about even being able to look after him? And now look at him. He loves his life." "But it's not his life. It's just a temporary situation and I-I c..."

He couldn't even say it. How could he let himself develop these feelings knowing it was all just going to come to an end? The weather had grown chilly and he was still stick thin but once winter was over he would have to let him go.

Soonyoung could read every thought written and wrought across Junhui's face. "You're holding back Junhui and its not fair on him. He can tell but he doesn't understand why." Soonyoung watched Junhui staring at the fox who'd stopped digging and was rolling lazily on his back in the sun. "You know it's going to end Jun. Why not just enjoy him as much as you can until then?"

Soonyoung was right. Wonwoo didn't prefer Soonyoung, he just didn't push him away like Junhui did, always keeping his affection at arms length. Afraid to give in and give the little fox what he really needed. Warm, attentive, reverent and gentle love. It was more vital to him than sun and water, food and shelter, warmth and safety.

Junhui stared off into the horizon. The sun was blinding but the air was still cool and he wondered if Wonwoo would still be with him when the weather turned warm. He'd like to swim with him in the ocean on a hot summer day with nothing but the faraway squalls of gulls to disturb them.

"I'm not going to take him away," Soonyoung said gently as he broke Junhui from his silent reverie. The stuttering breath he inhaled settled his nerves a little and Junhui stretched as he got up and walked towards the fox. When he looked up and saw Junhui walking towards him he shifted in his crouch, ears perking up cutely, his brush waving slowly from side to side.

Junhui's instinct screamed at him to open his arms, to open up his heart, to let the little fox in. His eyes were so full of hope and expectation and, for the first time, Junhui let him in.

He opened his arms wide and Wonwoo jumped up into them and when he mouthed at his jawline Junhui didn't push him away. He stood still and let the fox bite at his jaw, nose his neck, rub his hair under Junhui's chin. It felt wonderful and the man let a laugh loose as the fox mouthed and whined against his jawline. "You can't be hungry again?" he said softly and Wonwoo whined a little more urgently as Junhui began to lead him back to the picnic blanket.

"More cake?" Junhui asked as he reached into the picnic basket and Wonwoo began to whine again. When he saw the red velvet cupcake, generously topped with rich cream cheese frosting, he crawled into Junhui's lap and began to bite at his chin again.

"I'm going to grab some cold drinks," Soonyoung said as he walked up the hill but Junhui barely heard him. He was too consumed with the wriggling fox in his lap, furry ears tickling his chin, dark eyes gazing adoringly at him as he fed the fox tiny bites of the sweet cake.

When the cake was gone Junhui expected Wonwoo to get up. Instead he just leaned over and grabbed his Baby and leaned back into Junhui's lap. The sun was sinking and the sky was alive with the beginnings of a beautiful sunset in shades of orange and gold and indigo. Junhui let his hands wander through Wonwoo's hair, tentatively at first, becoming bold enough to stroke at the grey fuzzy ears twitching under his chin.

He was barely touching them, his fingertips light and gentle, his breath holding as steady as he could manage. The feeling of acceptance was making his chest hurt as he enjoyed the weight of Wonwoo in his lap. But it was a beautiful pain, exquisite in its intensity, and Junhui knew Soonyoung was right. It would be worth it to have him, as much as he could, and just enjoy it until their inevitable separation.

He leaned down and inhaled gently, allowing himself the luxury of the scent of the fox's hair, salty from the wind and fruity from shampoo and tinged with a hint of something unidentifiable. It had a quality that was all Wonwoo and Junhui thought it smelled like heaven. He pressed a kiss into the fox's hair and pulled him closer into his arms as the fox snuggled his Baby and stared out at the water.

"Do you want anything?" Junhui asked softly and Wonwoo turned to him with wet eyes laden with hope and expectation. "Can we go home please?" He asked so meekly it made Junhui's heart bleed for him. "You want to go already?" He said and Wonwoo nodded gently at his chin before biting along his jawline the way he did when he wanted something. "Yes please. I want my bath," he said and Junhui smiled. He wanted to go home too.