"Was that Kyunnie?" Hyungwon asked, coming into the living room and sitting with one knee bent and the other leg drawn in. He had a bag of cookies in his hand, and he pulled out another one and starting crunching away while his eyes scanned Taehyung's.

"Yeah," Taehyung said, not bothering to lie because he felt like Hyungwon would see through it. "He was worried. I guess I shouldn't have taken you outside."

"I had a fun time," Hyungwon said, tilting his head slightly. "It's not your fault. I knew that we probably shouldn't but I let you anyway."

"Will another witch really try to take you?" Taehyung asked, frowning and sitting up. He was worried about this...person, cat, conduit...whatever he was.

Hyungwon nodded, taking another cookie. Taehyung knew he should scold him, but he also knew that Hyungwon wouldn't be able to enjoy human snacks for another month, so he was okay with letting it slide. "It's happened before. And I was with another witch before Changkyun came along."

Taehyung's eyes grew wider. "A different witch? Who?" he asked even though he knew he wouldn't recognize any name that was given.

But Hyungwon didn't give a name, just pushed his lips out in a pout. "A not-very-nice witch." He paused. "Changkyun is a nice witch. I like Changkyun."

Taehyung frowned in worry but decided that it wasn't the right time to press for more detail. "Well, Changkyun said to stay inside from now on so they can't find you...Sorry, Hyungwon..."

"It's fine," Hyungwon replied, shrugging carelessly. "I'm not losing anything I ever really had."

Taehyung stared at Hyungwon, trying to ingrain the image of him into his mind. After all, he didn't know if he'd ever see him again. Likely not in this form, at least. "What's Changkyun even doing?" he asked, frowning slightly. He was grateful that Changkyun's absence had given him the opportunity to get to know Hyungwon, but he didn't understand what was so important to Changkyun that he had to abandon his pet human for weeks.

"He didn't tell me," Hyungwon said, pausing before frowning and grabbing another cookie. "He doesn't tell me a lot about what he does. For my safety. Or maybe he thinks I would be unhappy if I knew what he was doing."

"Why would you be unhappy?"

"I think he wants to keep me away from his world, from witches and magic and everything. But I'm more worried about him getting himself hurt or in trouble," Hyungwon said, setting down the box of cookies and drawing his knees in to his chest. "What happens if he goes out one day and he doesn't come back? And I'm just here, waiting for him to come home?" Hyungwon rested his chin on his knees, and Taehyung hesitated only briefly before moving closer and placing a hand on Hyungwon's head, rubbing gently the same way he'd pet a cat.

"He cares about you too much to leave you alone."

"But what if he doesn't have a choice? What if he gets a new familiar, a better one that has more magic? Then he won't need me anymore." Hyungwon dropped his head further so Taehyung couldn't see his eyes. "I don't have anywhere else to go. And I know what will happen to me if I'm thrown out. I don't want that."

"He won't do that," Taehyung assured, but his hand stilled on Hyungwon's head. Truth be told, the thought of Hyungwon's safety - his entire existence - resting on one man's head was alarming. If something happened to Changkyun, Hyungwon was certain to suffer, whether as an enslaved familiar or just as a stray cat with no home to go to.

"I know, he told me," Hyungwon said. "But sometimes it's harder to believe than others."

Taehyung was saved a response when his phone rang, and he pulled back, answering it quickly. "Hello? Changkyun?"

"Hey, sorry to bother you again so soon, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm sending a friend over-"

At that moment, a man appeared in the center of the living room as though summoned out of thin air.

"He's safe," Changkyun assured. "Sorry, I've got to go. He'll help you protect Hyungwon. Bye."

Taehyung's mouth hung open as he fumbled for a response to someone who was no longer listening. He dropped his phone on the couch, noticing that Hyungwon had unfolded himself and was looking up at the stranger.

"Who-" Taehyung began, just as the man grinned, Hyungwon mimicking his smile as the man jumped over to Hyungwon, scratching lightly behind his ears and running his hands through Hyungwon's hair. Hyungwon arched his back, clearly enjoying the affectionate touches, his eyes closed as he leaned into the man's hand.

"Wonnie, I've missed you!" the man cried out, hugging Hyungwon close before turning and winking at the speechless Taehyung, Hyungwon still closed within the circle of his arms. "I believe Changkyun informed you I was coming? I'm Jooheon, by the way."