78 - CHANBAEK : Take You Home (Part 1)
Title: Take You Home 1/2
Pairing: Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Side Pairing: Jongin/Kyungsoo
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff, Fantasy, Pet!Au
Word Count: 3.4k words
Summary: Channie is a puppy corgi who finds home in Baekhyun's arms.
Notes: Hi readers, it's been a while, right? This story is written into two parts. I will post the next one if this gets 200 stars! Happy Valentines Day!
*
"I wanna meet a human too," Channie yips at Kyungja beside him as they both longingly watch Hunnie being cradled in a boy's arms. The chimes cling when the door closes, signaling that another happy costumer has left with a new fellow.
Kyungja nods his head, "Hunnie is in a better place now, I'm so happy for him."
Channie sighs as an answer. "Yeah." Then he turns his back around his cage with drooped ears that were once alive. "I envy Hunnie. He's cute, that's why people likes him. Unlike me."
Kyungja follows his brown-furred friend, sitting beside him. "Don't say that, Channie. You're cute in your own way."
Channie's left ear perks up, his small tail starts to wag slowly, "I-is that true?"
"Of course!" Kyungja barks. "You're the cutest puppy in the store!"
"But why hasn't a human come to look at me even once yet?" Channie asks, the poodle is taken aback, he can see on his friend's wide eyes that he's about to cry, "I've been here for too long. No one wants me, Kyungja. Is it because of my brown fur?"
"No, it's not. Your fur is pretty," Kyungja says, "It's as pretty as my black fur!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Do you wanna play?"
"Mm-hm!" Channie barks.
Channie goes around his cage to look for his favorite squishy toy. It's a soft bone that squeaks everytime he chews on it. Finding it happily, he plays with it while Kyungja teasingly takes it away from him with his mouth.
The puppies are busy chasing each other and wrestling for the toy bone to even hear the door chimes. Mr. Lee greets a teenager when he comes to him, hugging him tight.
"You've grown taller now," the pet shop owner says, ruffling Baekhyun's hair, "The last time I saw you, you were this short!"
Baekhyun laughs, "That was like, two years ago uncle. I'm eighteen now."
"Yeah. Time sure flies fast."
"Is she still here?" Baekhyun asks, rounding the cages and kennels randomly, "The welsh corgi?"
"Oh, you mean Mongmong?"
"Yeah, I told you I'd buy her before I left, right? Where is she?"
Mr. Lee pats his nephew's shoulder gently, making the boy turn to look at him.
"She died a month ago."
Baekhyun is shocked. "What?"
"She was getting old, you know? She got sick and we weren't able to revive her," the man says, "But don't worry. Mongmong left a lovely puppy before she left. He looks exactly the same as her."
Baekhyun's eyes fill with excitement, "Really? Can I see the puppy?"
"Come on, follow me."
Kyungja is busy drinking milk from Channie's bowl when he notices his friend missing. He was just resting beside him earlier. Turning his head around, he spots Channie peering over their cage again, as if he was looking at something. His tail is moving quick too, like he's very excited. Kyungja walks to have a closer look.
"Hello!" Channie barks loudly at the stranger, panting heavily, "I'm Channie!"
Mr. Lee laughs, staring down at the corgi. "I think he's excited to see you."
Baekhyun puts his hands on top of his knees, meeting Channie's eyes and smiling brightly at him, "You're so cute, puppy!"
"Kyungja! He's talking to me!" Channie howls at his friend while he does some tricks, jumping and circling cutely, "He said I'm cute!"
Kyungja rejoices with him and barks, too. "A human has finally come to you, Channie!"
"Uncle, why are they so loud?" Baekhyun says, chuckling at the two small dogs rolling on their cage. "Are they hungry?"
"No. They're just happy to see you. Why don't you take Channie out of his cage?"
Baekhyun unlocks the cage and places his dainty hands to pet Channie's head. Feeling the gentle touch, Channie wiggles his ears and jumps with his little stubby legs.
"Wow, he's really energetic," Baekhyun compliments the puppy while he carries him with two hands, taking him out of his cage, bringing him to the outside world.
"Kyungjaaa!" Channie hollers. "I'm floating!"
"Channie, you're so tall now!"
Baekhyun scratches the corgi's soft neck as he puts him inside his arms. Feeling the warmth, Channie leans in and growls softly, loving the attention he's getting from the human.
"I like you, human," Channie says to Baekhyun, admiring the gentle pets and caresses he gets from Baekhyun's tender hands, "I wish you could take me home..."
Baekhyun smiles at him. "Channie, that's your name, right?"
Channie knows the sun is very bright, but how come this human's smile is much brighter than the sun? This person's eyes twinkle just like the stars he sees at the window of the pet shop every night.
Channie feels like he wants to be with him forever.
"Yes, that's my name," Channie answers. "What's your name?"
"I'm Baekhyun," Baekhyun says, like he really understands what the puppy is barking about. "Can you be mine?"
Channie hides his face behind his little paws, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
"So, do you wanna adopt him or not," Mr. Lee says to Baekhyun, "He's been waiting for someone to take care of him."
"I really wanted to but..."
Channie hopefully looks up to him.
"But my brother is allergic to dogs."
Channie's tail stops wagging.
"I can't take him home," Baekhyun says sadly, "I'll just visit Channie everyday. Is that okay, uncle?"
"Sure, if that's what you want then."
"Thank you!"
Kyungja has already tried every trick he knows to cheer up his corgi friend but nothing's working. Channie still won't eat his cookies, he won't play with him either. He's been lying on his foam all day while slowly chewing on his toy bone.
Maybe Kyungja should just join him on his afternoon nap.
The sound of the chimes on the door stirs Kyungja from his sleep. Getting up, the poodle heads to the entrance of his cage, leaving Channie still sleeping.
"Sure, feel free to check any puppy you like. We have different breeds and types."
"No, thanks, Mr. Lee. I already have someone in mind," the costumer says, "I've been eyeing him for quite a while now."
"Oh, have you? Which one is it?"
"That black one with a red collar."
Kyungja looks down at his collar. He doesn't know what kind of color red is, but he's sure Mr. Lee and the costumer are looking at him right now.
"Are they talking about me?"
"Come on, you can carry him if you want," Mr. Lee says.
The next thing Kyungja knows, he is no longer in the cage but right in the person's arms already. He's been carried and taken out of the cage many times before, but this is the first time he has felt this kind of warmth from a person.
It feels surreal.
Kyungja barks out loud when the costumer brings him closer, offering him a good look of his face. For a human standard, Kyungja knows the man is indeed handsome because of his sharp jawline and tanned skin. He emits a cozy and familiar warmth, too, like he's been accustomed with dogs all through out his life.
"Hello there, little one," the kind costumer greets, Kyungja answers with a high bark, "I'm your new owner. I hope you could get along with my babies at home."
"Home?" Kyungja asks, "You will take me home?"
"Costumer," Mr. Lee calls, "Sign here please."
"It's Jongin, Mr. Lee," Jongin says, taking Kyungja with him to the counter and putting him inside a new cage. "Do I just need to sign here?"
Kyungja whimpers, jumping and scratching his new cage, "But how about Channie? Won't you take him with us? I want Channie to come to!"
"Kyungja sure is excited for his new home," Mr. Lee says with a light chuckle.
"So, Kyungja is the name of this poodle?"
"Yeah. We named it after a famous singer because this puppy has a good voice. Kyungja sings high notes especially when he's hungry."
Both Jongin and Mr. Lee share a laugh while Kyungja keeps on whining, walking around his confines while barking.
"Kyungja?" Channie says, waking up from his nap and finding his friend's foam empty. He looks around their cage. "Kyungja, where are you?"
"Channie!!! I'm here!"
Channie turns around, hearing his friend's little barks. "Kyungja!"
"Channie! I'm sorry!" the black puppy cries inside his new cage while being carried by Jongin out of the store. Channie's eyes widen, immediately jolting on his spot.
"Kyungja, don't leave me!" Channie calls, shaking his cage as if he could get out to run to his friend. "Kyungjaaaaa!!! Don't go!!!"
"I will come back, Channie! We'll see each other again! I promise!"
The door closes.
"Kyungja!"
Kyungja is gone.
"N-no," Channie mutters, puppy tears rolling down his nose while the costumer carrying Kyungja disappears. "My friend..."
The corgi sadly goes back to his foam, sitting in the corner while he looks at Kyungja's spot. Their toy bone is lying there, lifeless. Channie walks towards it and bites on it, making it squeak.
But Kyungja is not there to play with him anymore.
"It's time to close the shop," Mr. Lee announces as he rings his hand bell. "Dinner time."
The pets start going to their bowls to wait for their dinner. The owner notices a puppy who is not on his bowl yet, so he checks up on him and knocks on his cage.
"Channie, here's your food," Mr. Lee says, ringing the bell. Channie turns his head only to look at the man, but he goes back to ignoring him again. "Well, looks like he's not in a good mood tonight."
Channie sleeps that night alone inside his cage for the first time, thinking about the human and his friend who promised to come back for him soon.
*
Kyungja doesn't come back anymore but the human does, everyday.
Channie is very happy because he gets to see Baekhyun always. Baekhyun would take him out of the cage and play rollercoaster with him on the couch, putting him on his arms and raising him up in the air. Baekhyun also bought him new toys the other day so he could chew on it while he waits for the human to arrive.
Every morning, Baekhyun would feed him dog food, and it became his favorite part of the day, because Baekhyun would put the pellets on his palm and he has to eat them on his hand. It feels great when Baekhyun rubs his head, complimenting him that he did a good job.
Every Thursday and Friday is his bath time and Baekhyun would help Mr. Lee to groom him up to become a prettier puppy. Sometimes, Baekhyun would put accessories on him and they would take pictures together. The bowties and ribbons are kind of itchy so he makes Baekhyun scratch his belly for him. It feels ticklish when the human rubs his tummy with his fingers, but it also feels really nice that he ends up falling asleep on Baekhyun's chest without him realizing it. And the next thing he would know, he's back in his cage and Baekhyun is already gone. He would wait for tomorrow to come quick, yet again.
Today is Friday, Channie is waiting for Baekhyun to visit him. He's out in his cage because Mr. Lee already took him out while he anticipates on the window for the human.
At the sight of the short male even from a far, Channie acknowledges him with an excited bark, his tail wagging fast. Baekhyun enters the store, and Channie doesn't wait to be scooped up because he's already jumping into Baekhyun, licking his face.
"Hahahaha! You missed me?" Baekhyun says, carrying the puppy with him, hugging him close to his chest. Channie answers with a nod and a bark. "But you just saw me yesterday!"
"I miss you everyday, Baekhyun!" Channie says, putting his paws on Baekhyun's shoulders, "I'm always waiting for you to visit me!"
"Uncle! I'm taking Channie out for a walk!" Baekhyun says, not waiting for the older's reply. He goes to his bicycle and unlocks the chain around the wheel, while Channie watches him in curiosity.
"Walk?" Channie asks, "But you didn't bring my leash."
"Come on, let's go."
Baekhyun hoists him up and puts him inside the basket in front of the bicycle. Channie sits in place, feeling them move when Baekhyun begins to pedal. It feels kind of shaky and a little bit scary, so Channie doesn't move like a rock, afraid he's gonna fall. He whimpers under his breath, sinking himself at the corner of the basket while Baekhyun drives them to somewhere.
"I'm taking you to the park with me," Baekhyun says with a smile, so Channie looks up to him, still a little nervous, "We're gonna play on the grass and I'll teach you how to catch a freesbie."
"Catch?" Channie barks, watching how the gentle wind blows Baekhyun's fringe away as he pedals his bike. "That seems fun."
Baekhyun chuckles. "Are you excited?"
"Yes!"
Though his legs are short, it doesn't stop Channie from running through the grass and chasing after the red disk Baekhyun threw. He hears the human laugh when he jumps in attempt to catch the disk in the air with his mouth, but ends up being knocked over on the ground. It hurts, but it feels really good. He wants to do it again.
"You didn't catch the frisbee!" Baekhyun says, picking up the disk while Channie jumps to take it away from him. "Oh my god, you need to lose weight!"
"But I can do it! I just need some practice!" Channie says, "Let me do it again!"
Baekhyun pets his head and offers him a small dog snack which he eats in one go.
"You ready?"
"Of course!"
"All right, go get it!"
Baekhyun throws the disk again, but this time lower so it can be easy for the puppy. Channie runs for it immediately and follow the frisbee before it lands on the grass. Successful, Channie jumps as high as he can and bites the disk with his mouth, his fat body sliding against the grass.
"I caught it!" Channie barks. "Baekhyun! Did you see that? I caught it!"
"Good job, wow!" Baekhyun says, running into him and scrubbing his neck proudly. Hearing the human complimenting him brings joy to his heart. "You did it!"
"I did it!"
"Channie is the best!"
"No, Baekhyun is the best!"
Baekhyun lies on the grass and embraces the puppy tight, laughing carefree as he looks up to the bright clear skies. His chest heaves up and down as he catches for his breath, while Channie stays inside his hold, loving the warmth he is feeling from Baekhyun's skin.
"Is it fun?"
"Of course," Channie answers, "It's always fun when I'm with you."
"I don't understand you but I'll take that as a yes," Baekhyun says, holding Channie's ears and flapping them up and down, up and down. "Your ears are really cute. They're soft."
"I like your ears, too," Channie says, "And your eyes and your nose and your lips and your face and your cheeks. All of you. I like you, Baekhyun."
Baekhyun tilts his head, staring at the puppy just staring back at him. "It feels weird when you look at me like that." He chuckles. "It's like you're talking to me."
"I'm talking to you, you just can't understand me," Channie says, yet all Baekhyun can hear are consecutive barks. "You're the first human who took me out of my cage and I'm really thankful to you for making me happy."
Baekhyun hums. "I wish there's a translator device that I can use to understand you."
"I can hear your heartbeat," Channie says, putting his big ear against Baekhyun's chest, "It goes dug dug dug dug!"
Baekhyun caresses the puppy's head softly, "You really like to rest on my chest don't you?"
"Because it feels warm..."
"Let's get you back to the shop, Channie. Uncle must be looking for you already."
When they arrive at the pet shop, the first thing that Baekhyun sees is a note taped on the door.
Baekhyun, the vet group took the pets for vaccination and annual check up. We'll be back in a week.
PS. Take care of Channie while I'm gone.
"Oh," Baekhyun says after he reads the post. He looks down at the puppy sitting on the ground a meter away from him. Channie also looks at him, sharing a moment of silence with him.
"What happened, Baekhyun?" Channie asks.
"I guess I have no choice but to take you home with me."
Channie's ears perk up. "Home?"
"Come on, let's go home."
Baekhyun starts ahead, so Channie follows him, although a little bit hesitant. The sun is about to set, their shadows are imprinted on the ground as they walk side by side.
"Baekhyun?"
"Did you just call me?"
"This is the first time," Channie says, "that I spent the whole day with you. You know what, I'm really happy. I wish you feel the same way."
Baekhyun turns to look down at him.
"I really wanted to do this for a long time. I wanna be with you everyday," Baekhyun says, "So now, I'm really happy... that I can see you right here walking home with me."
If it is possible for a puppy to blush, then that is what's happening to Channie right now.
"My brother will surely get mad if he finds out about you, so we need to be really careful, okay?"
"Is it because he's allergic to me?" Channie asks.
"Don't shed your fur, Channie. Don't bark and keep quiet."
Channie nods. "Okay!"
Baekhyun puts the puppy inside his bag when he get home. Changing into his slippers, he sees his brother in the living room watching TV. He sneaks quietly as possible when Baekbom suddenly calls him.
"Hey."
"What?" Baekhyun asks, holding the bag behind him, feeling Channie move inside it.
Baekbom slits his eyes at him. "I smell something weird."
"It's your breath. You didn't brush your teeth," Baekhyun says, then he's running up to the stairs and straight to his room. He locks the door and quickly opens his bag to let the puppy out. Channie jumps into his body.
"Stay here. I'll go get you something to eat, I know you're hungry," Baekhyun says, putting the puppy down the floor. "I'll just go to the kitchen."
"I'll be waiting!" Channie says.
Baekhyun is fetching a sandwich and a box of cookies from the fridge when he hears a sneeze behind him. He flinches.
"I think my nose suddenly went runny," Baekbom says, rubbing his nose. "I wonder why."
"Maybe you caught a cold," Baekhyun says, before he's running away again towards upstairs and heading to his room. He locks the door and kneels on the floor to where Channie is patiently waiting for him.
"Is that for me?" Channie asks, staring at the sandwich in Baekhyun's hand, "It looks delicious!"
Baekhyun shakes his head and gives him cookies instead. "Here."
"But I want the bread!" Channie cries, hopping up and down and following Baekhyun to his bed. "I want it!"
Baekhyun grabs a pillow while he eats the sandwich, then he also checks his phone.
Channie gets this chance to steal the sandwich from Baekhyun's mouth.
"What the---"
"It's delicious!" Channie says, chewing the sandwich while Baekhyun glares at him. "What?"
"Bad puppy," Baekhyun says, "I hate you."
Channie's ears flop down. "Y-you hate me?"
"That was my only food and you took it. What am I gonna eat then?"
Channie feels guilty for eating Baekhyun's food, so he thinks of a way to make up to him. Seeing the ignored cookies that was supposed to be for him, he picks up a piece using his mouth and puts it on Baekhyun's lap.
Not contented, Channie pulls the whole box with him and places it again on Baekhyun's lap. He sits properly in front of Baekhyun, waiting for the human to eat it.
"Do you still hate me?" Channie asks hopefully.
A smile slips out of Baekhyun's mouth.
"Forgiven."
That night, Channie realizes that the coldest place in the world is the cage in the pet shop. Because here in Baekhyun's arms, he found home.
A home warmer than the sun.
*
To be continued.
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