Archive of Our Own ^beta

In a world where stuff toys suddenly came to life, humanity faced a whole new level of chaos. Imagine the scene: your childhood teddy bear, that sweet, cuddly ball of fluff, now strutting around your living room like it owns the place. But this isn’t your typical cute “Toy Story” scenario—these stuffed creatures are demanding, sassy, and a little too aware of their value.

People started adopting these animated plushies, thinking it’d be a cute way to relive their childhood. Big mistake. The moment they got home, they realised they’d just signed up for a lifetime of passive-aggressive comments and constant judgement. Your unicorn pillow isn’t just a decorative piece anymore; it’s your new life coach, reminding you of all the times you skipped the gym and how your room’s "aesthetic" is lacking.

Stuffed animals, once content to be hugged and squeezed, now had strong opinions about everything. Your panda bear is now an eco-warrior, side-eyeing you every time you use a plastic straw, while the once-adorable bunny you loved as a kid has developed a snarky attitude, constantly making remarks like, “Oh, you’re ordering takeaway again? How original.”

As if that weren’t enough, these living plushies started forming cliques, much like high school. The Beanie Babies—oh, you thought they were rare collectibles? Try telling that to their faces as they gather in exclusive groups, sipping ethically sourced herbal tea, discussing cryptocurrency, and sneering at the more mainstream stuffed animals like those overhyped Build-A-Bears.

Adoption centres sprang up, where people could pick out their new plush companion. But it was like a twisted version of Tinder. You’d walk in, excited to find your perfect match, only to be judged by rows of plushies with arms crossed, judging you right back. Swipe left on a moody, emo teddy, and you’ll hear it mutter something about “not being basic enough” for you.

Okay, now he's just being dramatic. They're not so bad. Sure, they have their quirks but Taehyun wouldn't trade it for the world. He has Dagonyang after all. Now don't get him wrong, Taehyun loves his baby with all his heart, but Dagonyang is a little… how should he say it… different? 

Dagonyang is the kind of plushie that somehow managed to escape the toy aisle and immediately regretted it. Picture this: a tiny, grey kitty with fur so soft it’s like he’s permanently wearing a cashmere sweater, yet he has the emotional range of a wet sponge. His eyes are enormous—like, way too big for his face—one with a black star that’s trying way too hard to be edgy. And that tail? It’s about as useful as a chocolate teapot, wiggling around like it’s not sure what its life purpose is.

Now, Dagonyang carries a flower in his paw, but it’s not because he’s romantic. No, it’s more like a security blanket. He clings to that flower like it’s the only thing standing between him and an existential crisis. And let’s be honest, it probably is. His idea of flirting? Staring at you from across the room with those gigantic eyes, trying to muster the courage to say something, but instead, he just ends up looking like he’s about to burst into tears. 

When it comes to social situations, Dagonyang is a walking trainwreck. He’ll walk up to you with the confidence of a lion, only to trip over his own paws and faceplant into your lap. Smooth, right? If plushies could blush, he’d be fifty shades of crimson right now. Instead, he just sits there, frozen in embarrassment, clutching that flower like it’s the only thing keeping him from evaporating into thin air.

In summary, Dagonyang is your typical disaster kitten: adorable, soft, and completely incapable of functioning like a normal plushie. But honestly? That’s what makes him so darn loveable. You’ll want to squish him, protect him, and maybe give him a few lessons on how to not be the embodiment of secondhand embarrassment.

You'd think Taehyun and him won't work well together but to his (and everyone's) surprise, they manage it quite well. As well as they can, to be honest.

The poor plushie looks like he was stitched together from a bundle of nerves. Where Taehyun is all sleek muscles and perfect hair, Dagonyang is this chubby little grey fluffball with a face that screams, “Please don’t look at me, I might just implode.” When Taehyun walks into a room, heads turn, hearts flutter, and people practically line up to chat. When Dagonyang enters, he’s immediately scanning for the nearest exit, or failing that, a dark corner to disappear into.

Taehyun can strike up a conversation with literally anyone: the barista at the coffee shop, the neighbour, probably even a stray dog if they had the chance. Meanwhile, Dagonyang can barely hold eye contact with a plant without blushing. The flower he’s always clutching? It’s not for giving to someone special; it’s for him to hide behind when the social anxiety gets too real.

While Taehyun's out winning boxing championships or charming the socks off strangers, Dagonyang is back home, nervously pacing the living room, hoping today won’t be the day they try to introduce him to someone new. He’s already rehearsed his “hello” about a million times in his head, but it always comes out more like a squeak. 

The contrast is almost comical—like pairing a lion with a mouse and expecting them to be best friends. Taehyun might be out there crushing life, but Dagonyang is just trying not to get crushed by the weight of his own awkwardness. Yet, despite being worlds apart, there’s something about that adorably anxious plushie that just clicks with his cool-as-a-cucumber Taehyun. It’s like the universe’s weird way of showing that opposites don’t just attract—they adopt each other and somehow make it work.

Which brings Taehyun to this current predicament. By some force of nature, he's always able to tell when Dagonyang is acting out of the ordinary or there's something bothering him.

It didn’t take long for Taehyun to notice that something was up with his usually endearingly anxious plushie. Sure, Dagonyang was always a bit of a nervous wreck—his default setting was “socially overwhelmed”—but this was different. Lately, he’d been dragging his paws around the house, his tiny shoulders slumped like he was carrying the weight of the world, or at least the weight of a very heavy plushie dilemma.

At first, Taehyun thought it was just one of those days. Everyone has them, right? But days turned into weeks, and Dagonyang was still moping around like someone had swapped out his stuffing for a bag of rocks. His once wide, doe eyes—usually filled with a mix of wonder and “please don’t make me talk”—now stared blankly at the ground. He even stopped clutching his flower so tightly, letting it droop sadly at his side, like it too had given up on life.

Taehyun tried everything. He brought out Dagonyang’s favourite blanket, offered him treats, even gave him space, thinking maybe he just needed some time to sort out whatever was going on in that plushie brain of his. But Dagonyang remained distant, lost in his own gloomy little world. It was like a cloud had settled over him, and no amount of sunshine—figuratively or literally—was breaking through.

The biggest red flag came when Dagonyang didn’t even react to Taehyun's attempts at cheering him up. Normally, he’d at least muster a shy smile or a nervous paw wave. But now, even the sight of Taehyun, the one person who could usually make him feel safe, didn’t seem to lift his spirits. He’d glance up, those big eyes filled with something that looked a lot like guilt, before quickly looking away, as if he couldn’t bear to be seen.

That’s when Taehyun knew for sure: Dagonyang wasn’t just sad; he was beating himself up over something. But what could a plushie like Dagonyang possibly be upset about? He wasn’t one to dwell on things—mainly because his mind was too busy panicking over everyday life. The more Taehyun thought about it, the more concerned he became. What could have possibly made Dagonyang feel this low? Did he think he’d let him down somehow? Or was it something else entirely, something deeper that Dagonyang couldn’t express, even if he wanted to?

Taehyun decided then and there that he needed to get this out of the way, even if he didn’t know what was wrong yet. Because if there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was seeing his sweet, socially awkward little kitty in pain—even if that pain was coming from within his own fluff-filled heart.

It all came to a head one morning when Taehyun caught Dagonyang trying to sneak out the back door with his little flower in hand.

“Alright, what’s going on?” the Taehyun, hands on hips in full parental mode.

Dagonyang froze, mid-sneak, his tiny paw still on the doorknob. “Uh... just... getting some fresh air?” he squeaked, looking as guilty as a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

“Nyang-nyang, you’ve been acting weirder than usual, and I need answers. Spill the beans, or so help me, I’ll start making you watch daytime soap operas with me.”

Dagonyang’s eyes went wide with fear at the thought of endless dramatic love triangles and secret twins. “Okay, okay! I’ll talk! Just please, no soap operas!”

Taehyun led Dagonyang to the couch, sitting down and giving him the look—you know, the one that says, “I’m not mad, just concerned.”

Dagonyang squirmed under the gaze, hugging his flower like it was a life preserver. “There’s this... plushie... I like,” he finally admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

Taehyun's serious expression cracked into a grin. His little kitty had a crush??? Of all the things he'd been expecting, this was not the one.

 “A crush? Nyang, why didn’t you say so earlier? Who is it? Is it the plushie at the bakery? You always get extra sprinkles on your doughnuts there.”

Dagonyang shook his head, blushing so hard he looked like he might burst into flames. “It’s Bamgeut... from the flower shop.”

Bamguet? That's a new one. Taehyun hasn't heard of him before. And what flower shop has he been visiting? 

Dagonyang nodded miserably. “He's so outgoing and bubbly, and I’m... well, I’m not. Every time I try to talk to him, my brain just... short-circuits. It’s like trying to reboot an old computer. Nothing works, and I just stand there like a plushie-shaped potato.”

Taehyun stifled a laugh, not wanting to hurt Dagonyang’s feelings. “Oh, baby, you’re not a potato. You’re more like... a super soft, ultra-rare, limited-edition plushie that anyone would be lucky to have.”

Dagonyang gave him a doubtful look. “Even Bamgeut?”

“Especially Bamgeut,” Taehyun said confidently. “Look, Bamgeut might be an extroverted ball of sunshine, but that doesn’t mean he won’t appreciate someone who’s a bit more... cozy. And hey, opposites attract, right?”

Dagonyang chewed on his lip, still unsure. “But what if they think I’m boring? Or weird?”

Taehyun's heart sank. Oh, his sweet little kitty. Ruffling Dagonyang’s soft head, “You are weird, but in the best way possible. And trust me, Bamgeut will see that too. You just have to be yourself—awkward pauses and all.”

Dagonyang sighed, his flower drooping slightly. “I guess I could try talking to him again... Maybe. If I don’t spontaneously combust first.”

“If you combust, I’ll make sure to keep you in a fireproof bag,” Taehyun teased. “And hey, if you need a practice run, you can always rehearse with me. I promise to only be a little bit annoying.”

Dagonyang couldn’t help but smile, feeling a tiny bit better. “Okay. But if you start doing his voice, I’m out.”

“No promises,” Taehyun joked, already plotting how to sneak in some voice acting during their next conversation.

Dagonyang shook his head, but there was a lightness in his step as he headed back to his spot on the room. Maybe, just maybe, he could find the courage to talk to Bamgeut. And if all else failed, at least he had an owner who was more than willing to embarrass him into doing it.

And so started their practice sessions. But even those weren't getting them anywhere anytime soon.

Dagonyang was pacing back and forth across the living room, wearing down the carpet fibres with his little plushie feet. The flower he always carried was looking a bit wilted from all the anxious squeezing. Taehyun watched from the couch, head propped on one hand, trying not to laugh as Dagonyang muttered to himself like a tiny, stuffed Hamlet.

“I can’t do it. I just can’t. I’m going to freeze up, and then Bamgeut will think I’m a total weirdo,” Dagonyang mumbled, eyes turning glassy accompanied by sad purring.

Taehyun sighed, unable to hold back any longer. “Dagonyang, baby, we’ve been over this like fifty times. Bamgeut isn’t going to think you’re weird. And even if they do, it’s the cute kind of weird! Now, why don’t you just ask him out already?”

Dagonyang spun around to face him, clutching the flower to his chest like it was a magical talisman. “Are you kidding? What if they say no? Or worse, what if they laugh? Or, oh no, what if they don’t even hear me because I speak too quietly, and then I have to repeat myself, and by that point, I’ll be so nervous I’ll forget how to talk altogether and just make random squeaky noises?”

Taehyun burst out laughing. “Nyang-,nyang, I’m pretty sure the worst-case scenario here is you accidentally drop your flower, and Bamgeut picks it up and thinks you’re even cuter for being shy. Honestly, you’re way overthinking this.”

Dagonyang pouted, plopping down on the floor with a huff. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’s going to be staring into those big, sparkling eyes and trying not to trip over your own words. I’d rather face a room full of evil vacuum cleaners.”

Taehyun rolled his eyes, sitting up and leaning forward. “Okay, how about this—we set up a casual date between the two of you. Like a little meet-up, nothing too fancy. I’ll talk to Bamguet’s dad and see if he's cool with it. That way, you’ll have a plan, and you won’t feel like you’re diving headfirst into the deep end.”

Dagonyang blinked, considering the idea. “You mean, like... a date? But... what if Bamgeut doesn’t want to go?”

Taehyun leaned back with a soft smile, “I’m pretty sure they’d be thrilled. And hey, if you’re too nervous, I’ll be there too. We can make it a double date—me and Bamguet’s dad can hang out while you two get to know each other.”

Dagonyang’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You’re not just saying that to get me to go, are you?”

“Absolutely not,” Taehyun replied with an exaggerated hand over his heart. “I mean, I’ll also be there to make sure you don’t try to bolt halfway through the date, but mostly, it’s about you and Bamguet.”

Dagonyang frowned, his little plushie brain working overtime. “But what if I say something dumb? Or what if I knock over a drink? Or what if Bamgeut brings up something I don’t know anything about, and I just stare blankly like a stuffed potato?”

Who even put the stuffed potato thing in his kitty's head?

Taehyun ighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in mock frustration. “Dagonyang, this isn’t an episode of Plushie Disasters . It’s just the two of you hanging out. And if something embarrassing happens, we’ll laugh about it later. Besides, if things get awkward, I’ll swoop in with my amazing charm and smooth things over.”

Dagonyang looked up with a spark of hope in his eyes. “You really think I can do this?”

“Of course you can,” Taehyun said, nodding enthusiastically. “And if you get too nervous, just imagine Bamgeut is one of those big squishy pillows—you know, the kind that’s impossible to be scared of.”

Dagonyang hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. “Okay. Let’s do it. But you have to promise you won’t embarrass me.”

“No promises,” Taehyun bit back with a grin, already reaching for his phone. “But I’ll do my best to keep it to a minimum. Now, let’s get this date set up!”

Strangely, Dagonyang has the flower shop's number written out in his cute little diary. Where is he getting all this from? Taehyun is impressed and equally concerned.

Without futher ado, Taehyun dials the number, and after a couple of rings, he hears it—a deep voice on the other end. “Hello?”

Taehyun's brain short-circuits for a second because wow , that voice. “Uh, hi! So, um, this might sound weird, but… I’ve got a plushie named Dagonyang, and he’s been feeling a bit, y’know, lonely. I was wondering if your plushie might want to, uh, hang out?”

There’s a moment of silence, and he starts to wonder if they’re about to hang up on him when the voice comes back, chuckling. “Did you just ask me if my plushie wants to go on a date with yours?”

Taehyun can practically hear the eyebrow raise through the phone, and he's suddenly aware of how insane this idea sounds. “Y-yeah, I mean, it’s not like a date date, more like a… plushie meetup? A cuddle buddy conference?”

They laugh, and it’s the kind of laugh that makes his stomach do somersaults. “Well, I have Bamguet. He’s been dying to get out more. He’s getting tired of Princess sugar plum.”

Taehyun grins, feeling a weird sense of relief. “Oh, Nyang’s totally the adventurous type. They could, uh, share an oat milk latte or something.”

“Wait,” the voice says, teasingly serious, “Is Dagonyang into oat milk? Because Bamgeut is a bit of an oat milk snob.”

“Oh, absolutely. He’s all about that plant-based life. You won’t catch him with dairy.”

The conversation keeps going, and Taehyun starts to forget that this whole thing was supposed to be about their plushies. Instead, he's finding himself weirdly into this mystery voice on the other end of the line.

“So,” he asks, trying to play it cool, “where should we, I mean, they, meet up? Somewhere plushie-friendly?”

There’s a pause, then, “How about my flower shop? I think they'll like the romantic environment.”

Taehyun is nodding along like an idiot, even though they can’t see him. “Yeah, Nyang is all about the indoors. He’s got a thing for flowers too.”

There’s a beat of silence, then the voice says, with a sly tone, “You know, we could join them. Just to supervise, of course.”

Taehyun snorts. “Yeah, can’t have them getting up to mischief. Someone’s gotta make sure Bamgeut doesn’t corrupt my sweet boy.”

They laugh again, and it’s like music to his ears. “Deal. But just so you know, Bamgeut is a bad influence. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”, they say teasingly.

As  Taehyun ends the call, he realizes that he's grinning like a fool. What started as a plushie playdate setup has turned into something a little more interesting—and maybe, just maybe, a bit more exciting than he had expected.

Dagonyang watched the whole ordeal as Taehyun dialed the number, feeling a mix of excitement and dread bubble up inside him. This was happening. He was actually going to ask Bamgeut out—or, well, sort of. With Taehyun's help, of course.

A few minutes later, Taehyun hung up the phone with a triumphant smile. “It’s on! Bamguet's dad thinks it’s a great idea. We’re meeting at his flower shop this Saturday. It’ll be perfect—plenty of flowers to admire, a little pond, and lots of space to relax.”

Dagonyang gulped but managed to nod. “Okay. Saturday it is. Just... don’t let me make a fool of myself, okay?”

Taehyun gave Dagonyang a reassuring pat on the head. “Don’t worry, little one. You’re going to be great. And if things get awkward, we’ll just make up some ridiculous excuse to bail and grab ice cream. But I have a feeling you won’t need that.”

Dagonyang’s nerves didn’t entirely disappear, but knowing Taehyun would be there, ready to back him up, made him feel a lot better. Who knew—maybe this date would go smoother than he thought. And if not, at least he’d have a funny story to share later.

And then came the big day. 

The bell above the door chimed softly as they stepped into the flower shop. A symphony of floral fragrances greeted them, a heady blend of roses, lilies, and jasmine. The shop was a haven of vibrant petals and lush greenery, each arrangement meticulously crafted. Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow on the colourful displays. It was like stepping into a garden in full bloom, a perfect escape from the everyday. And there, in the far corner, sat a cute fluffy plushie, ‘ Bamgeut', Taehyun thought , in his dad's arms.

Standing there with that perfectly round, poofy head of fluff, heart-shaped patch on his chest, and those button eyes that somehow managed to look both innocent and a little mischievous—Bamguet was a sight to behold.

Dagonyang was vibrating with nervous energy next to him, his stubby little arms practically twitching. Bamguet was way more adorable than Taehyun had expected. He’d imagined Miss Fluffycakes’ friend (as per Dagonyang) being just as posh and stuck-up as she was, but Bamguet? Bamguet looked like he’d just hopped out of a kawaii dreamland.

And the way he stood there, his tiny plush mouth slightly open in what could only be described as the most precious expression of perpetual surprise—he knew this was it for Dagonyang. There was no going back now.

"Wow," Taehyun muttered under his breath, nudging Dagonyang forward. "There he is, buddy. Your... uh, dream guy."

Dagonyang looked like he might faint—if plushies could do that. Taehyun couldn’t blame him. Bamguet was basically the definition of cuteness overload. And he knew if he himself was this fond just by looking at him, Dagonyang didn’t stand a chance of keeping it together.

There was a moment of silence as Dagonyang and Bamguet looked at each other from a distance, both of them completely still. It was like watching a standoff, but instead of tension, there was just an overwhelming amount of fluffiness. The kind that makes you question all your life choices up until this point because how did you not know plushies could be this cute?  

Taehyun had to nudge Dagonyang to get him to move, they should be going over to introduce themselves, not stand there cluelessly.

And now that he's walking over, he's getting a good look at Bamguet's dad. A good look, alright. Because Holy shit who even looks like that???

He wasn’t just standing there—he was practically glowing under the soft lighting, like some ethereal being sent to make his life infinitely more complicated. His dark hair fell perfectly around his face, framing those eyes that had just the right amount of depth and mischief. And then there was the way he was holding Bamguet, so casually, yet with this effortless charm that screamed, I’m way out of your league, but let’s pretend you have a chance .

Taehyun suddenly felt like his clothes were all wrong, like he'd walked into a scene in a romance drama where the lead character realizes they’re hopelessly underdressed and underprepared. But he couldn’t back out now. Not with Dagonyang practically vibrating beside him, waiting to meet his crush.

“Hi,” he managed to say, hoping his voice didn’t betray how his heart was doing somersaults. “I, uh, brought Dagonyang.”

Beomgyu looked up from Bamguet, his smile bright enough to make the entire room feel warmer. “Oh, you must be Dagonyang’s dad! I’ve heard a lot about him from Bamguet.” 

Heard a lot about him . The words hung in the air, and Taehyun tried not to overthink it, but the idea that Beomgyu had even talked about his son made his heart do another awkward flip.

And the way Beomgyu's eyes seemed to rake up and down his muscles didn't go unnoticed by him either. Interesting.

“Y-Yeah, that’s me,” He stammered, pushing Dagonyang forward like he was a peace offering to a deity. “He’s been really excited to meet Bamguet.”

Beomgyu chuckled, the sound so genuine and soft that it made his chest ache. “Bamguet’s been looking forward to this too. He’s a little shy, but I’m sure he’ll come around.”

Taehyun watched as he placed Bamguet down on the counter, his movements so careful and deliberate, like he knew exactly how to handle something as precious as that little plushie. It was in that moment he realized that Dagonyang wasn’t the only one crushing hard here. He'd barely spent two minutes with Beomgyu, and he was already down bad— really down bad.

As Dagonyang and Bamguet exchanged what could only be described as the most awkward yet adorable plushie glances, he couldn’t help but steal a few glances at Beomgyu too. Everything about him was magnetic, from the way his oversized hoodie that hung off his frame, to the effortless way he carried himself. Taehyun was suddenly very aware of every word he was saying—or not saying—and desperately trying not to make a fool of myself. Maybe him and Dagonyang weren't that different afterall.

“So,” Beomgyu said, leaning against the counter in a way that made Taehyun's knees weak, “do you, like, collect plushies too, or is Dagonyang a special case?”

Taehyun tried to play it easy, but let’s be real—easy had left the building the moment he'd walked in and seen him. “Oh, you know, just Dagonyang. He’s kind of special.”

“Special, huh?” Beomgyu’s smile turned a little teasing, and Taehyun swore he could feel his face heating up. “He must be pretty lucky to have you, then.”

Taehyun laughed nervously, trying to ignore the way Beomgyu's words made his heart race. “Yeah, well, he’s been through a lot.”

And just like that, they were talking about their plushies as if they were their kids (they literally are) which, in any other scenario, might’ve been weird. But with Beomgyu, it felt completely natural—like they were bonding over something more than just stuffed toys.

They spent the next few minutes watching Dagonyang and Bamguet interact, with Beomgyu making the occasional comment that sent his heart into overdrive. And as much as he tried to focus on the plushie playdate, his thoughts kept drifting back to the guy standing next to him.

As Dagonyang and Bamguet exchanged awkward plushie pleasantries, Taehyun caught Beomgyu’s gaze, this time with a little more intention behind it. He leaned against the counter, just close enough to make the space between them feel a bit more intimate.

“So, Bamguet,” he started, his tone deceptively casual. “Does he come with an instruction manual, or do you just wing it?”

Beomgyu blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Uh, wing it, I guess? He’s pretty low maintenance.”

Taehyun raised an eyebrow, smirking just enough to let him know the gloves were off. “Really? Because Dagonyang’s been picking up on a few… quirks. Like, how he always tilts his head just so. Almost like he’s trying too hard to be cute.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widened slightly, his lips parting in disbelief (cute). “Trying too hard?”

“Yeah,” he continued, leaning in a little more, his voice dropping conspiratorially. “But hey, not everyone can pull off effortless charm. Some have it, and some—well, they need a little more time.”

Beomgyu blinked again, clearly not expecting this turn in the conversation. He opened his mouth to say something but seemed to second-guess himself, unsure how to respond.

“Not that it’s a bad thing,” Taehyun added with a casual shrug, as if he hadn’t just roasted his plushie. “Dagonyang’s just a bit more… discerning. He likes his friends with a little more… edge.”

Beomgyu’s expression shifted from surprise to a slow, almost uncertain smile. “Edge, huh? And what about you? Do you like your friends with a little more edge too?”

There it was—he was trying to turn the tables on him. But Taehyun wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily.

“I don’t know,” he said, meeting his gaze with a confident smirk. “Depends on who’s asking. If it’s someone who can handle a bit of banter, maybe. But if they’re all fluff and no bite, I might get bored.”

Beomgyu’s smile faltered for a split second before he caught himself, his cheeks faintly pink. Taehyun could tell he'd thrown him off his game, and honestly? It felt pretty damn good.

“Bored, huh?” Beomgyu replied, attempting to regain his composure. “Well, I’ll make sure Bamguet works on that edge. Wouldn’t want Dagonyang losing interest.”

“Good,” Taehyun replied, flashing him a grin. “But you know, if you ever need tips on how to keep things interesting, you can always ask me. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Beomgyu laughed, a little nervously this time, clearly not used to being on the receiving end of this kind of banter. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He could see the gears turning in Beomgyu's head, trying to figure out how to keep up. But instead of backing down, Taehyun decided to push his luck.

“Actually,” Taehyun said, casually glancing at his watch, “why don’t we put that to the test? There’s this new café down the street that I’ve been meaning to check out. How about you join me? We can talk about all the ways to toughen up Bamguet while Dagonyang and he get to know each other better.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widened again, the faint blush on his cheeks deepening. “Are you asking me out?”

“Only if you're comfortable with it,” Taehyun replied earnestly. “But yeah, I guess I am. Unless, of course, you’re too busy making sure Bamguet stays his usual, charming self.”

Beomgyu hesitated for a moment, clearly flustered, before finally giving in. “Alright,” he said, the smile returning to his face, this time with a hint of something else—maybe excitement, maybe curiosity. “Let’s do it.”

And just like that, Taehyun scored a date with the guy who had him tongue-tied just an hour ago. As they walked out of the shop, leaving their plushies to their own devices, he couldn’t help but feel a little victorious. Maybe it wasn’t just Dagonyang who had a thing for cute, fluffy distractions. Maybe, just maybe, Beomgyu was starting to think the same about him.

As he and Beomgyu left the flower shop together, his mind started racing faster than a plushie’s heartbeat after a particularly intense cuddle session. He glanced back through the window at Dagonyang and Bamguet, who were now sitting side by side on the counter, their tiny plushie faces turned toward each other. And that’s when it hit him—this wasn’t just a plushie playdate. This was the beginning of something much, much bigger.

“Oh my God, they’re like the perfect couple ”, Beomgyu gushed with poorly contained excitement. And yeah. Taehyun could already see it: Dagonyang, with his cool, mysterious vibe, and Bamguet, with his soft, sweet charm. They’d balance each other out perfectly—Dagonyang teaching Bamguet how to be a little more daring, and Bamguet showing Dagonyang that it’s okay to be soft and vulnerable sometimes. They’d go on plushie dates to the park, sharing picnics made of tiny fabric snacks, and watch the sunset together from the windowsill. 

And then there was Beomgyu and him. Taehyun's heart did a little somersault just thinking about it. We’d be the human versions of them , he mused, trying not to grin too hard. He could see it now—late-night coffee dates, where they'd sit across from each other, talking about everything from their plushies’ latest adventures to their own dreams and ambitions. Beomgyu would probably tease him about how attached he is to Dagonyang, but he’d just fire back with a comment about how he’s just as bad with Bamguet. And he’d laugh—that soft, warm laugh that he was already getting addicted to.

Maybe they'd spend weekends together, crafting tiny outfits for our plushies and taking them on little photo shoots. They’d make it a competition—whose plushie looked better in a tiny bow tie, or who could capture the perfect “candid” shot of them in the wild (aka the living room). And every time their hands would brush while adjusting their outfits, he'd get that little thrill, knowing that we were getting closer, little by little.

He imagined double dates with the four of them—Dagonyang and Bamguet leading the way, while Beomgyu and him trailed behind, pretending to argue about whose plushie was cuter. (Spoiler: It’s a tie. They’re both adorable). They’d go to the movies, sneaking in snacks for the plushies because obviously, they’d need popcorn too. And when the lights are dimmed and when the movie has started, Beomgyu’s hand would find his, and they'd sit there, plushies in their laps, feeling like the luckiest people (and plushies) in the world.

And maybe, just maybe, there’d be a day when he'd walk into the flower shop, and Beomgyu would greet him with that easy smile, only this time it would be accompanied by a kiss on the cheek. They'd exchange plushies for the day, letting Dagonyang and Bamguet have a sleepover while they go out for dinner—something fancy, but not too fancy, because they’d both still be just a little bit awkward about how real it was all getting.

But the best part? Coming home afterward, sitting on the couch with Beomgyu beside him, and watching their plushies cuddle up together, knowing that this whole crazy journey started with a simple introduction and a shared love for cute, fluffy things.

Yeah , Taehyun thought, sneaking a glance at Beomgyu as they walked, this is definitely the start of something. And as he caught the hint of a smile on Beomgyu's face, he couldn’t help but feel like Dagonyang and him weren’t the only ones who were head over heels—maybe, just maybe, Beomgyu and Bamguet were too.