Chapter Text
His first year of university is finally here. Beomgyu is finally free from the confines of his small hometown; finally able to go out and experience the "real world."
He walks onto campus with a pounding heart, marching to the dorms while clutching his ID. His roommate—Kang Taehyun, according to the information forms he received—is also a freshman, and Beomgyu is beyond nervous about meeting him.
He has to take several deep breaths before unlocking the door, the golden numbers "304" staring down at him as he frantically double, triple, even quadruple checks them. Calming himself down with the hope that his roommate might not even be there yet, he pushes open the door.
The lack of space isn't surprising, but what does catch him off guard is the sheer attractiveness of the boy occupying said space. He has icy silver hair and proportions to die for—Beomgyu's knees are already weak at the hint of muscle peeking through his loose-fitting t-shirt.
"Oh, are you Choi Beomgyu?" He snaps out of his daze at the words, face heating up as he realizes he was staring.
"Um- yeah…you're Taehyun, then?" The silver-blonde nods, giving him a slight wave before moving his suitcase away from the middle of the room.
There are two twin beds pushed against each wall, leaving enough room between them for perhaps one large desk. Beomgyu vaguely wonders if he'd be able to fit another between the foot of the bed and the wall separating the area from the closet.
"Nice to meet you, I guess." Taehyun doesn't say much else as he shoves his suitcase under the right bed, sitting on top of it and playing on his phone.
The air in the room is awkward and tense—Beomgyu begins to think he's made a mistake. Leaving his town for "education" was a risky choice. One that caused many arguments in his family.
He tries to push the thought away as he adjusts his baseball hat, wary of the other male in the room. He'd love to take it off; hats are stifling, especially in such warm weather.
But he's totally unsure whether he can trust Taehyun. And, more often than not, the answer to that is no for people like him.
"People like him" being hybrids.
He hadn't had to deal with the dangers of his "condition" in his tiny, middle-of-nowhere hometown, where everyone knew everyone; practically family. His parents established deep connections with all their neighbors while preparing for his birth, hiding both their and their older son's genetics until it was no longer avoidable.
The fear that they'll be traded for extra cash was, and still is, a looming uncertainty for every hybrid—whether they be dog, cat, or something more exotic, like Beomgyu. They've existed for generations, yet the "research" never seems to be complete.
He's heard horror stories of what really goes on in those facilities, and becoming one of them doesn't sound pleasant.
So, arriving at his new school, and home, he's decided to hide himself, just as his family had done.
Initially, the hope was that he would be able to earn his roommate’s friendship, build an unbreakable bond that’ll keep him safe in times of need. Or, at least, for when he needs time to relax without a suffocating cover.
His puffy tail and ears are already cramping, but he can’t do anything about it. Restraining a sigh in fear of being interrogated by the other boy, he places his suitcase and bag on top of his bed and begins to unpack.
He’s not sure if he’s more excited than scared, now.