Leon wasn’t the conventional wolf-hybrid.

He was quiet, somewhat awkward, and docile to a degree. More often than not, his other hybrid co-workers were quick to misjudge his character due to the universal perception of what a wolf should be, and were left intimidated by him.

It didn't really bother Leon too much, considering he was simply there to do his job. In and out the agency—just as simple as that. If he wasn't with his other canine-hybrid work colleagues, he would keep to himself for the most part. The fact that he also had a reputable and well-respected presence at the agency, only heightened the unapproachable air he exuded.

On the other hand, there was you: the lop-eared bunny-hybrid. You were new to the agency, hired a month ago as the new receptionist when the senior sheep-hybrid chose to retire. You were fitting to operate the front desk with your warm and affable disposition, despite being on the shyer side. Herbivore-hybrids were always usually preferred for this type of job. You were approachable. Safe.

Unexpectedly, Leon inadvertently finds himself drawn to you.

You first met the wolf-hybrid on a random Monday morning. You flashed him the kindest of smiles with the soft utterance of a ’good morning’. It wasn’t the dubious looks he would usually receive in passing, or those faked out fronts that some had the audacity to give him—the pleasantries that were masked with subtle caution. You'd given him an actual genuine smile, because...well, just because you simply could. He couldn't even get a whiff of wariness coming from you, either.

It was...oddly refreshing.

But then again, you were just doing your job, right? You were supposed to be friendly. Well, the thing was, it wasn't just that. Leon noticed you were putting in the additional effort to speak with him, always initiating small talk whenever he would enter the building. It was strange because the wolf-hybrid wasn’t usually one to humour or entertain pointless conversations, only ever turning up and beelining straight to his office to get his work done.

And yet, Leon found himself lingering by the front desk, listening and letting you talk to him.

You were young and kind. Innocent and loveable. Perhaps naive to a certain fault, but it was endearing regardless. Interestingly, you weren’t even remotely scared of him, despite the obvious differences in nature: a herbivore and a carnivore. Since the classes co-existed in everyday society, it was a contrasting mix that wasn't necessarily odd by association, but was still something that others wouldn't just turn a blind eye on. There was that unintentional bias that everyone had, that people refused to acknowledge. Innately, the dynamic would be interpreted as predator and prey.

Strangely enough however, Leon found his canine instincts flaring when it came to you. Involuntarily, his wolf ears would twitch and perk up at the sound of your voice. His bushy tail would pathetically wag in your presence, or whenever you would glance in his general direction. He always felt an odd, yet strong sense of solicitousness, wanting to keep you close and within his line of sight. There was just something about you that had his instincts screaming at him to protect, protect and protect.

It took Leon a while to make sense of things, since this was all new territory for him. And he eventually (and begrudgingly) came to one painstaking conclusion: he wanted you.