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Shin’s focus on his manga was broken by a nudge of his shoulder. He turned to the perpetrator, his soft glare meeting pleading ones.
“Babe…”
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“Can we get a puppy?”
“No.”
“But look!”
Shin glanced at Saint’s phone, which revealed another listing from the local pet shelter.
“No.”
“Shin, please! Look at this, he’s so cute!”
“We’re not getting him.”
“Fine,” Saint flicked to the next listing, “what about her?”
“Really cute. But no.”
“Please?” Saint leaned closer, pulling his puppy face, but Shin wasn’t falling for it this time.
He shoved Saint’s face, not harshly, but the pout stayed on his face. “Stop it, you know we’re not allowed pets in here. My manager won’t be happy if we get caught.”
“Please,” Saint placed his hands together in a praying pose, “I can keep it a secret!”
“Look what happened the last time you said that! Remember when you spoiled Peeta’s birthday surprise for Eve two weeks ago?”
Saint released a nervous laugh. “That was one time. Peeta already forgave me, okay?”
“Sure.” Shin turned back to his manga. “But we’re still not getting that puppy.”
Saint’s shoulders slumped.
“Okay.”
But Shin knew this wasn’t the end of it. Saint wouldn’t give up.
Shin narrowed his eyes at the box in Saint’s arms.
Saint had gone out for a delivery job, bringing back with him a cardboard box with a few holes on the sides.
Was it what he thought it was?
“Saint, this better not be-“
“Open it,” Saint giggled.
Shin groaned, opening the box to reveal a puppy, golden fur covering its body.
Of course.
“Saint.”
“Shin,” Saint grinned at him. “her name is Sandy. Got it from the store manager who needed to find her a home. Isn’t she cute?”
The puppy let out a whine as she looked up at Shin.
“I told you already,” Shin averted his gaze back to Saint, chiding him gently, not wanting to startle the little golden retriever, “we can’t have pets in this apartment.”
“But,” Saint put on his signature pout, taking the puppy out of her box and holding her up in front of him, “look at her!”
“Saint,” he tried to keep his voice stern, resisting the urge to soften at the two puppy faces, “we can’t keep her. Bring her back.”
But Saint wasn’t one to give up easily. “Wait, let’s make a bet! Here, hold her,” Saint placed the puppy into Shin’s arms.
“Huh, what-” Shin glared at Saint’s back as he rushed into the kitchen, bending down and disappearing behind the countertop.
He popped back up, saucepan in hand, turning on the cooktop. “Just hold her for a bit, I’m getting the noodles ready!”
He was about to scold Saint when a yelp interrupted him. He let his eyes fall back to Sandy, staring down at her.
The puppy stared back, round eyes moist, as if daring him to make Saint send her back.
They stayed in a staring match for a minute or so, until Sandy whined at him and Shin finally blinked.
Hmm, would it really be any harm if we do keep her?
Shin shook his head.
Wait, no.
Shin got out of his trance as Saint came back with the saucepan, noodles prepared. Shin already knew what was next.
Saint grabbed their jar of chilli powder - the one reserved for these challenges - pouring a large amount into the saucepan.
He took Sandy back, cradling her as if she was his baby. “If I win, we’re keeping her. Deal?”
“And if I win?” Shin crossed his arms, an eyebrow raised.
“If you win…I’ll…I’ll send her back,” Saint looked down at Sandy, eyes uncertain for a moment, before a determined look replaced it, “but I’ll definitely win this time!”
Shin scoffed. “You say this every time but you lost the last 3 times.”
“I was distracted by your eyes! But this time I really want this puppy for us!”
“Okay, place her down,” Shin poured more chilli powder, chuckling as Saint gulped, “let’s start!”
Saint smirked just as he slurped the last of the spicy noodles.
“I win!” Saint declared victory. He was too caught up in his win to notice the endearing gaze Shin was directing at him.
I better not regret letting you win.
Though maybe I’d rather risk getting kicked out of our apartment, than see a kicked puppy expression from you.
“Okay, fine,” Shin let out a dramatic defeated sigh, “we’ll keep her.”
“Yes!” Saint lifted Sandy up, “See girl, you can stay-“
Before Saint could properly rejoice, Shin pointed a finger at him, “but you gotta take full responsibility for her, make sure we don’t get caught. And if we do get caught, you will have to take her back.”
“Nope,” Saint shook his head, “she won’t ever need to go back, I’ll make sure of it!”
He placed Sandy back down on their sofa, before pulling Shin into an excited hug, plopping kisses all over his face.
“Thank you, you’re the best, thank you!”
“Get away from me!” Shin protested, but he couldn’t stop the smile forming on his face.
The next few days were filled with cheerful sounds from Sandy, and of course from Saint doting over her. They both took turns looking after her, managing to fit her into their schedules for now.
University classes hadn’t resumed yet, and Shin didn’t have any football practice until next month anyway, though Saint insisted he could still make everything work when that time comes.
They’d snuck items into their apartment, disguised as groceries or furniture - a little bed, some soft toys (nothing that squeaked or made too much noise!), packets of food and treats - making sure to keep watch for the landlord or any nosy neighbours.
Shin kept reminding Saint to keep the noise down.
“Don’t worry, we’re fine, we can just tell the landlord that we’re watching cute puppy videos if she asks,” Saint would say, this time holding Sandy up in one arm while stirring a dish in a pot with his free hand.
“Sure, if you think she’ll fall for it.”
On day 6 of having Sandy, the landlord questioned the noise, as Shin expected. But as if the universe was satisfied with this little family of Saint, Shin and Sandy, the landlord somehow accepted the video excuse.
“See, I told you it would work!”
After the landlord left, Sandy let out an excited bark which Saint quickly tried to cover up.
“Shh! Umm, what a cute video, but keep the volume down, Shin!”
Shin just placed a hand over his face, a sigh leaving his lips.
Shin should not feel like this over a puppy.
Usually he would be sitting on the sofa watching a movie or reading a book, and they had this thing where Saint would join him on the sofa, gathering him in his arms. Shin would sometimes protest for a bit, give him a little shove, but would relax in his hold.
This time though, while Shin was watching a movie, Saint just plopped right next to him, Sandy already in his arms.
Huh.
“What’s on now?” Saint asked him.
“...just some scary movie.”
Shin met Sandy’s eyes, who stared back at him innocently as Saint embraced her, unknown to the jealousy brewing within him.
Just the day before, while Saint was kissing him, a yelp broke them out of the mood.
“Sandy?” Saint had jumped out mid-kiss, leaving Shin breathless.
“Really?” Shin had muttered.
Shin shook his head at the memory, trying to put his focus back on the movie. She’s just a puppy, she has her needs, I shouldn’t feel jealous.
Yet every now and then throughout the movie, he would glance towards Saint’s direction, seeing Sandy still on his lap, with Saint pointing out random moments in the movie to her or covering her eyes.
Shin crossed his arms.
It’s fine, I don’t need any hugging from Saint.
And no, he wasn’t sulking at all.
When Saint had to use the bathroom during the movie, he left Sandy alone with Shin.
Shin picked her up gently, narrowing his eyes at her.
“Are you trying to steal Saint away from me?”
Sandy blinked, before a happy pant escaped her mouth.
Shin closed his eyes, cringing as he reminded himself that this was just a tiny puppy who was still growing and needed attention.
He did tell Saint that Sandy was his responsibility…of course he had to pay attention to the puppy. He knew Saint wasn't prioritising Sandy over him. It was just a change in dynamics that Shin had to get used to with the new addition.
He just had to learn how to share Saint.
“We’re sharing him equally, alright?” Sandy tilted her head. Shin shook her paw as if striking a deal with her.
I think I’m losing it.
Sandy clung to Saint since day one, but had been initially shy around Shin. Perhaps, it was because Shin kept himself cold around her.
Though this actually hadn’t been due to jealousy.
It was because Shin was afraid of getting too attached.
What if the landlord finally caught up to them?
But now with 2 weeks passing by and no sign of the landlord knowing, he could see recently that Sandy was starting to become more comfortable around him, with less hesitation approaching him.
Today something shifted them closer. Saint was away, stuck doing extra deliveries in the rain, when a thunderstorm struck.
Sandy whimpered over the sounds, running over to Shin. Shin had hugged her, patting her fur and talking to her softly, staying with her long after the thunderstorms had ceased.
Since that moment, Sandy wouldn’t stop clinging to Shin.
Saint had returned to the apartment that day, expecting someone to greet him, but instead was met with the sight of Shin cuddling Sandy on the couch.
It was an adorable sight, but the rest of the day remained the same, Shin’s focus mostly on Sandy while she clung to him, both barely paying attention to Saint.
Now it was Saint’s turn to be jealous.
“Shin, babe,” Saint whined that night when Shin had gotten into bed with Sandy in his arms.
“Hmm?”
“Can you cuddle me too?”
Shin only scoffed, before pulling Sandy closer.
But they had found a way to make everyone satisfied: Shin cuddled Sandy, while Saint wrapped his arms around Shin.
On some days, Saint would be the one wrapped in Shin’s arms while holding Sandy.
Whenever they needed to go somewhere together on the motorbike, Shin and Saint retained their usual positions with Shin sitting behind Saint, and Sandy would fit snugly between Shin’s lap and Saint’s back.
(Saint always made sure to be more careful whenever Sandy was riding with them.)
Saint, Shin and Sandy were one happy little family.
All was well…until they got caught.
“Saint, Shin, good afternoon. How is your puppy doing?”
It had been just over 3 weeks since Saint first brought Sandy over.
They were exiting their apartment, another day of sneaking Sandy out for some fresh air, when they were met with their landlord’s presence at their door.
Shin and Saint both froze, while Sandy released an excited yelp under the light cloth covering her body.
The cloth slipped off, falling to the floor as she moved, wagging her tail while in Saint’s arms, blissfully unaware about the current situation.
“No…it’s a toy.” Saint answered, smile strained.
The landlord, Belle, raised her eyebrow, staring at Sandy.
“Toys don’t wag their tail like that. Listen, I’ve actually known for a while that you two have been keeping her here.”
Saint gulped as he looked at Shin, eyes a frenzied panic.
“So…Saint, Shin,” Belle crossed her arms, “when were you planning on telling me?”
Shin watched as Saint tensed up, pulling Sandy closer to his body.
His stomach filled with dread. He did tell Saint he’d have to bring her back if he got caught, but he’d already grown so attached to Sandy.
He was about to try reasoning with her, seeing the devastated expression on Saint’s face, when Saint spoke first.
“Okay, alright, yes! We should’ve told you,” both Shin and Belle startled, eyes wide, as Saint got onto his knees, “but, please…please Phi, don’t take her away from me!”
Shin’s heart ached at the sight of tears threatening to fall from his boyfriend’s eyes.
“I mean,” Saint raised Sandy, tucking her head under his chin, “how can you say no to this face?”
Two puppy faces, one whose eyes were glistening, the other one panting happily, now stared up at the landlord, convincing her to accede in their own way.
Their landlord sighed. “Saint-“
“Phi, I promise we won’t make a mess! She’s been so well behaved the last few weeks that we’ve had her!”
“Saint-“
“She’s all I have!”
Shin furrowed his eyebrows. Hey, hang on-
“Saint, listen to me!” The landlord raised her voice, causing both Saint and Sandy to let out a whimper.
Shin resisted the urge to stand in front of them, his protective side wanting to say something. But he didn’t know if potentially starting a fight with a landlord would breach the terms of their apartment contract.
“Guys…I relaxed the rules a month ago…you can have pets, but you just need to tell me about them.”
Shin’s mouth gaped open.
“What?” Both Shin and Saint asked.
Belle sighed. “I’m guessing you two haven’t read the new document I emailed out last month?”
Saint and Shin looked at each other. “No…”
“Well, technically you broke one rule by not telling me about your new addition. But since you haven’t caused any trouble in the time you’ve been staying here, I’ll let this go.”
Saint looked stunned, unsure if what he heard was real.
“So…we can keep her?”
“Yes, it’s fine!”
“O-oh! Thank you so much!”
“Just send me something in writing. You’re lucky this puppy is cute.” Belle muttered before walking away.
Saint’s body relaxed, still on the floor, loosely holding on Sandy. For a moment, they didn’t say anything, until Shin remembered something.
“‘She’s all I have’, huh?” Shin crossed his arms as he gazed down at Saint, feigning an annoyed look.
“No, wait” Saint quickly got up, not forgetting to also pick up Sandy.
He pouted as he grabbed Shin’s arm with his free hand. “Babe, you know I didn’t mean it! I just didn’t want to lose her! And you gotta admit you didn’t want to lose her either!”
Sandy barked up at Shin.
“Yes, fine,” Shin rolled his eyes, “I admit it. I’ll send P’Belle the email. But looks like we did all that hiding for nothing.”
“It was fun though, right?” Saint giggled before pulling Sandy into his embrace, “and our Sandy can stay with us for real now, yay!”
The puppy released another excited yelp.
Shin smiled at the sight before joining his family in the hug.