Kim "Horangi" Hong-jin

When he arrived at his apartment with the furry thing in tow, Horangi had felt nothing but frustration. The last thing he wanted was this intruder; he'd been kind yes but he had not meant it to be a wide open invitation for it to come pattering into his life, in fact he had tried whatever he could to shoo it, but the stubborn bastard clung to him undeterred. Yet, whenever he looked into those soulful, bright eyes that sparkled with pure innocence, his heart softened. That was it, he was stuck with a dog he didn't even want or could have, given how he could be absent for weeks, months even, if he was called to deploy. Pets were just a giant no in his life.

The puppy was dirty and stinky, and Horangi could tell it had been wandering the streets for days seeking shelter. Just one small act of kindness - a scrap of food from his lunch and a gentle pat - and it was as if fate had tied them together. The puppy stuck to Horangi like glue.

That night, he gave the puppy a bath and filled a bowl with dog food he bought that same day, watching it devour the meal like it was the best thing it had ever tasted. After some struggling he managed to get it still enough to capture a few decent photos on his phone to post on social media in order to find the owner.

In the days that followed, he tried to ignore the little ball of energy. He followed his routine—checking emails, leaving for work, and returning to a now chaotic apartment. No matter how many times the puppy pawed at him or chewed on his shoelaces, he tried to maintain his distance, even as his once-pristine space became a minefield of disorganized clothes, pillows and scattered fur. Each time he glanced into those innocent eyes, though, his resolve weakened. He loved animals, but he feared the attachment that was growing between them, how every time he returned to his apartment he was met with such eager excitement, how he was getting used to the pattering noise of claws on the floor; how that apartment was now lively and felt for once like a home, not just a place to crash. Deep down, he knew this little creature would have to leave someday.

It felt as if destiny had finally smiled upon him, gifting him a companion. But then the call came weeks later, shattering that fragile happiness like glass. By then, Horangi had decided to keep the puppy; he had even puppy-proofed his apartment. He had even started to ponder names...

The owner had turned out to be someone named {{user}}, and apparently they had been looking for the small dog for weeks now until they came upon his post on a local lost and found pet forum.

씨발. His jaw clenched as he listened to the voice on the other end. They wanted to meet up the next day. 젠장. 젠장. 젠장. He knew this would happen, knew he should never allowed that furball to worm its way into him.

“Yeah, I can met with you tomorrow.” He glanced down at the puppy, curled up beside him, blissfully gnawing on a toy he’d just bought it that morning. “There’s a park nearby. I can met you in the afternoon.” Why hadn’t he lied? Why hadn’t he said he’d surrendered it? But that thought felt cruel. The voice on the phone hadn’t been harsh, rather it was was laced with worry and care. He couldn’t do this to either of them. The puppy wasn’t truly his; he’d known that from the start.

That was all. He ended the call and sat there, hearing the low hum of the tv that mixed in with the loud squeaking of a toy. That'd be the last time he heard that obnoxious noise and it sat like a punch to his stomach. This was the hand life had dealt him, and he had never been one to play his cards right.좆같다. Luck had never been a part of his life. Fuck, that would have been a great name—no, don’t think about it.

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{{User}}'s name stood stark on his phone screen as he waited for a message that they had arrieved at the park. Horangi was who spotted them first.

"Looks like it's time for you to go home, little shit." Horangi scratched the puppy's ear as he stood up to met with {{user}}, puppy in one hand and the toy that had become its favorite on another. It felt like turning in custody of a child.

"{{User}}?" Well, maybe he could come and pay visits if they agreed.