“……”
“I was only going to keep a leash on you. But you just had to make me grab it myself.”
“……”
Just as Eunho turned his head the other way, pretending not to hear, his body suddenly lifted into the air.
Hhk—
The grass he’d been chewing fell from his mouth.
Without even twitching his nose, the frozen rabbit was lifted up by Yi-beom. Meeting his gaze, Yi-beom said,
“You’re much prettier than the rabbit at my house.”
“……”
“Come on. Let’s go…… ”
Eunho’s eyes widened.
“Come live with me.”
The corner of Yi-beom’s mouth tilted diagonally upward. His eyes, however, didn’t smile at all. Holding the pale pink rabbit against his side, Yi-beom turned back toward the car.
Watching the playground grow distant, Eunho’s ears perked up.
What just happened?
He replayed the words he had heard moments ago.
Prettier than the rabbit at my house……?
The rabbit at his house obviously meant himself. No way. Eunho lifted his trembling gaze.
Did he just bring home a new rabbit?
His heart dropped with a heavy thud.
***
Jinwon, who had been driving, glanced through the mirror when Yi-beom returned carrying a rabbit after saying he was going to find Eunho. Yi-beom carefully set the rabbit between his legs and stroked its head.
“What’s with the rabbit? I thought you were going to find Eunho-ssi.”
“No need to find him.”
As he stroked Eunho’s back, Yi-beom murmured,
“He’d just run away again anyway. What’s the point of finding him?”
“…What?”
“It’s fine. Don’t look for him.”
Jinwon’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.
“Are you insane?”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“Then did you pick up the wrong person?”
He must’ve snapped from anger. Otherwise, there was no way Kwon Yi-beom would say something like that. As the car stopped at a red light, Jinwon openly began studying him.
His gaze was still cold, but the tension in his lips had loosened. It meant his anger had eased compared to earlier.
What is this?
Jinwon’s eyes lowered. There, he saw the rabbit shaking its ears wildly, as if annoyed.
“Ah……”
Only then did he realize that rabbit was Eunho. Jinwon let out a breath of relief.
“Stop staring. You’ll wear the rabbit out.”
“I think the one wearing out is your heart, sir……”
“You planning to never go home from work again?”
“No……”
A sharp glare came his way. I’m gonna burn alive at this rate. Quickly tearing his gaze from the mirror, Jinwon pressed the accelerator.
“I don’t need a rabbit that doesn’t want me.”
Pulling the trembling rabbit into his arms, Yi-beom added,
“If he never comes back like this, it’s better for me. One less headache.”
H-How can he say that…
Tiny claws popped out from the small feet.
***
Even after they got home, Yi-beom’s touch didn’t stop. He carefully wiped each paw one by one, and now he was even brushing its fur.
Ha, seriously!
As if clapping, Eunho’s ears smacked together and apart.
You never even brushed me!
A strange jealousy welled up. Bringing home a new rabbit was shocking enough—but seeing him act so gentle made Eunho’s insides twist.
But revealing his identity now made him hesitate, because of the child in his stomach. If he explained why he had gone to that neighborhood, the truth about the baby would inevitably come out.
As his breathing grew rough—shhk, shhk—Yi-beom smiled crookedly.
“What’s wrong?”
How can you do this!
“Are you hurt?”
Ahjussi!
Whirling around, Eunho bit down on the back of Yi-beom’s hand. Moving his front teeth like when he chewed grass, Yi-beom’s expression turned serious.
“Are you hungry?”
After looking him over, Yi-beom soon stood up. Heading into the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator.
What he pulled out was a carrot.
A mouthwatering carrot he had prepared—for Eunho.
That’s mine!
Unable to hold back, Eunho dashed out of the living room. Tap-tap-tap—his hurried steps echoed.
He stopped right in front of Yi-beom.
How can you do this!
His hind legs slammed hard against the floor, showing his displeasure. Watching Eunho kick at the marble floor like he might crack it open, Yi-beom let out a hollow laugh.
“You want the carrot faster?”
That’s not what I’m saying!
“You want me to carve it into a rabbit shape?”
Yi-beom frowned as if troubled.
“I’ve never tried that before.”
That’s not it! Eunho’s insides churned. His nose twitching furiously, he couldn’t hold back and latched onto Yi-beom’s pants, gnawing at them. Nmnmnm—he worked his teeth, but they couldn’t reach past the fabric to his leg.
Yi-beom picked up the furious rabbit in one hand and gently set him down beside the cutting board.
“Don’t be mad. I’ll carve it for you.”
Don’t carve it! For me!
Eunho snorted.
Don’t be nice to me!
Even though the one he was dealing with wasn’t a real rabbit but himself, it still felt awful. After all, Yi-beom thought he was just a rabbit right now!
Hop-hop, Eunho ran around the kitchen in agitation. Every time Yi-beom tried to grab the carrot, Eunho bit at the back of his hand.
“Hah.”
Suppressing the smile threatening to slip out, Yi-beom pushed him aside.
“You shouldn’t bite.”
Ahjussi, put the carrot down first!
Standing upright on two feet, Eunho kicked desperately toward the carrot. Seriously. Just as his tiny toes were about to reach it, Yi-beom lifted the carrot even higher.
“Hey. Listen.”
Th-That’s mine!
Yi-beom grabbed the flailing rabbit in one hand. His soft belly was caught in his grip.
Feels like he’s lost weight. And smaller than before.
With that thought, he squeezed the belly lightly. The plump flesh jiggled. His brows lifted high.
“……Have you been starving?”
“……”
“I sliced carrots this morning before I left.”
Unfortunately, nothing reached Eunho’s ears in his agitated state.
Set back on the floor, Eunho grabbed at Yi-beom’s pant leg again. This time, no matter how long he tugged, Yi-beom didn’t turn his head. Panting, Eunho collapsed onto the ground.
They said pregnancy makes your emotions swing wildly. He felt like crying. The fact that there was a baby in his stomach, and that Yi-beom had brought another rabbit home—it all made his nose sting.
Don’t give him the carrot……
With his tiny paws, Eunho pressed tightly over his eyes.
Only after carving the carrot into a rabbit shape and feeding him one whole piece did Yi-beom finally let Eunho go. Eunho tried pushing the carrot away with his front teeth, but eventually chewed reluctantly. He didn’t want to eat it, but once it was in his mouth, it tasted too good.
This is so annoying.
Kicking his hind legs, Eunho chewed. Watching him, Yi-beom covered the corner of his mouth that kept lifting.
He thought if he teased him just a little, Eunho would reveal himself quickly—but he was hiding behind the rabbit act longer than expected. The jealousy was cute, but it was still irritating.
As Yi-beom stared openly, Eunho sneaked a glance at him. Then, pretending to be a rabbit, he awkwardly washed his face, rubbing his ears with his short legs.
You tiny little shit.
Even when he tried to go easy on him, that sight made irritation rise again. Twisting his lips, Yi-beom picked Eunho up and headed for the bedroom.
Lying on the bed with the rabbit, Yi-beom gave him the pillow Eunho used to use. Tapping the center of it, he spoke.
“Sleep here.”
You’re… giving me mine?
Eunho’s eyes grew wide in disbelief. Ignoring his trembling body, Yi-beom pulled up the blanket Eunho used to use as well.
“This doesn’t have an owner anymore.”
Turning onto his side facing Eunho, Yi-beom leaned in and pressed a brief kiss to his head.
“I don’t either.”
He pulled the rabbit whose ears bumped together in betrayal into his arms. He could feel it squirming beneath his arm, but he closed his eyes as if unaware. Jinwon had been right—Yi-beom’s heart was burning just as much.
It was the first time Jung Eunho had ever lied to him. Even when he had gone to Moon Bar looking for a one-night partner, or when he came home late after breaking a promise and hanging out with friends, Eunho had never lied. He always told the truth and apologized.
If Jung Eunho lied, then there must be something he desperately wanted to hide.
Clear Animal Hospital.
Just as Yi-beom was mulling over the place he had ordered Jinwon to investigate, a rustling sound came from beside him.
Eunho slowly rose from the pillow and crawled toward Yi-beom.
Ahjussi…… is he asleep?
He couldn’t stay a rabbit forever. More than anything, he was worried whether it was okay for the baby. Carefully, Eunho waved his paw in front of Yi-beom’s face.
Looks like he’s asleep.
After confirming that the long eyelashes didn’t move, Eunho’s expression turned serious.
