[FIC] NOTHING MORE THAN ORDINARY LIFE PT II

[thesockmonster]

It's Christmas morning and Jongin doesn't even remember until he grabs the remote (nearly falling off the couch in the process because he was not about to leave his cocoon of warmth) and flicks on the television. They're showing the parade and he watches in mild amusement until another figures stumbles down the hall and he's met with Kyungsoo - hair sticking up at odd angles and still yawning and rubbing his eyes with tiny fists. Jongin's hands itch to pull the cat down and snuggle with him, do things that would be improper and enjoy it thoroughly, but he settles for a greeting.

"Morning," he says in a raspy voice.

Kyungsoo jumps a little, like he didn't remember Jongin was there because his eyes were trained on the glittery parade floats on the screen. He bites his lip and looks like he wants to say something, but Jongin knows what he wants already and bends his knees to move his feet out of Kyungsoo's favorite spot. He's rewarded with a soft smile and the cat burrowing into the cushion with knees pulled to his chest and his chin perched on top. It's the image of an angel - an angel with a tail that comes up to flick lazily off the couch and a left ear that, Jongin notices after a few minutes, twitches just the little bit every time Kyungsoo smiles.

"Merry Christmas."

The lights in Kyungsoo's eyes die and the smile fades from his lips. Jongin regrets the sentiment, but it's curiosity that has him sitting up and reaching out to tentatively touch the cat's arm. "What's wrong?"

"Christmas is for families," Kyungsoo says as his eyes water. "I don't have a family anymore." A tear slides down his cheek and Jongin doesn't know what to do. He's never been good with people and cats are more of a mystery.

"Do - do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

Well, Jongin's now out of ideas and all he does is run his hand up and down Kyungsoo's arm a few times before pulling away. Someone who's mostly a stranger trying to hug him would probably send the feline into shock so he keeps his distance.

Kyungsoo's mood doesn't get any better during the day, tail lifeless and ears drooping. He eats when Jongin sets food on the table and then goes back to his spot on the couch, sometimes napping for half an hour or so, but usually he stares off into space. There's a vacant look in his eyes that Jongin recognizes from his own reflection after his parents died and he knows there's nothing he can truly do. No amount of words are going to fix a wrong that severe and the only way to get through it is time. Kyungsoo needs time.

The following morning is better, the cat underfoot as Jongin scrambles the last of the eggs for breakfast, mixing the last few slices of ham in with them. Kyungsoo is practically glued to his side and the body heat is driving Jongin a little mad. Soft brushes of skin against skin are testing the limits of his patience and every so often he feels a tail hitting the back of his legs. He needs to get out before he does something stupid and as he pours the last of the milk, he knows exactly how.

After telling Kyungsoo he'd be back shortly and the cat answering with a lazy nod before curling up for a nap on the couch, Jongin finds himself in the small grocery store by his house. He pushes the cart down aisle after aisle, scanning for sales and food he can afford for two people for the week. He cringes when he gets to the ramen, remembering his college days when he'd lived off the noodles for months. With a heavy sigh, he picks up a healthy sized stack of the brightly colored packages and tosses them in next to the five pound bag of rice. He makes sure to grab more eggs and bread before checking out.

Yixing looks up as Jongin walks into the coffee shop, face so bright it's impossible not to return the smile. "I thought you were off today."

"I am, but I came to talk to Wufan if he's not busy." Jongin hadn't thought about stopping for coffee (and he's still not here for coffee) but when he'd spotted the shop he couldn't help but think about the owner and his cats. It gave him an idea and he was parked and on his way in soon after.

"I'm never too busy for a friend," Wufan's voice cuts through and Jongin knows he's only saying that because the morning rush is over and there are no customers other than the lady in the corner on her cell phone. "What's up?"

Jongin tugs Wufan off to the side and they sit at a small table for two, away from two sets of prying, furry ears. "You don't happen to want another cat do you?"

Wufan looks at him incredulously for a moment as if he's trying to figure out the joke, but there isn't one. "You're kidding, right? You see those two? I'm still in recovery from -" Wufan's cheeks turn pink and he chokes off his sentence. "Nevermind. Why do you ask?"

Jongin clears his throat and shifts in his chair a little. "I kind of picked up a stray."

"YOU HAVE A CAT?!"

Baekhyun's voice is so loud in his ear that Jongin jumps and his head collides with the window. Wufan is laughing and Jongin is wondering why he even came to this den of crazy in the first place.

"Can we meet him? It is a him, right? I don't think you can handle a female. They're so moody."

Yixing scoffs and rolls his eyes, causing Baekhyun to lash at him with a snarl.

"Right. Moody," Wufan repeats with his eyes trained on his pets and a resigned look on his face.

Jongin watches the two warily as they exchange playful punches until they hook their arms together and grin. He thinks he's managed to get out of this free and clear, but he's wrong. So very wrong.

"When are you bringing him in?"

Jongin doesn't have a spare coat, so he's wearing a sweater over his long sleeve shirt in the hopes it'll increase the time it takes for him to freeze from three seconds to four. After dealing with the incessant whining from Baekhyun and eventually Yixing (with Wufan being useless in the background with his cackling), Jongin is now driving Kyungsoo to go meet them. And the cat is wearing his coat, sleeves long enough to cover his hands and face hidden behind the zipped up collar. He looks like an adorable little penguin with the hood up and Jongin wants to hold him. But he leads him out of the house and toward the car instead.

Kyungsoo suddenly stops, heels planted firmly on the path and it throws Jongin off. "What's wrong?" he asks when he spots the scared look on the cat's face.

"The last time I was in a car, I was taken away from home."

Jongin takes the two steps to stand in front of him and makes sure Kyungsoo is looking right in his eyes. "I'm not leaving you anywhere. We're going to go meet some friends and then we're coming right back. I promise."

It takes almost a full minute before Kyungsoo gives him a small nod and gets inside the vehicle. Jongin can't imagine what kind of life the cat's had so far, but the last thing he wishes to do is add more trauma. During the duration of the journey, Kyungsoo keeps his attention out the window, almost as if memorizing the way in case he's left behind. Jongin reaches over and gently presses the palm of his hand against the tops of Kyungsoo's cold fingers. The cat startles and looks at him questioningly before smiling and he finally relaxes fully into his seat.

The shop is empty when they arrive and Jongin doesn't even have Kyungsoo unbundled before Yixing and Baekhyun have the cat flanked, getting their claws in him before he has a chance to run. Jongin is left in a daze as the coat comes off in his hand and Kyungsoo is suddenly across the room and nestled a booth. Wufan comes over and pats him on the back, perhaps harder than necessary because Jongin stumbles forward a few steps before glaring at the taller man.

"He's a pretty one," he comments, eyes trailing over the form of Kyungsoo squished between the other cats. And the contemplative, almost too happy look on Wufan has Jongin's stomach twisting. He doesn't like it at all.

"Keep your hands to yourself," Jongin growls and Wufan barks out a laugh and leans against the counter, coffee stained apron twisting around his middle until he gets annoyed with it and tugs the top over his head so it hangs down.

"Thought you weren't keeping him."

"I'm not."

Wufan raises an eyebrow at him, but doesn't say anything further. The pair watch in silent amusement as Baekhyun relinquishes his hold on Kyungsoo long enough to disappear in the back and return with a tray of muffins and a tall glass of milk. And then he proceeds to force feed Kyungsoo who is obviously trying to politely decline. He flashes Jongin a 'help' look, but it only makes him smile. Kyungsoo deserves a bit of attention.

"What do you have him wearing?"

Jongin blushes and gives Wufan a glare. "Don't judge me. It's what I have." A moment of thought and Jongin shuffles over closer to his friend. "You know somewhere I can get him some clothes? I don't have the money for expensive stuff like Baekhyun and Yixing, but he needs something of his own."

"Yeah, gimme a sec. I think there's a thrift shop not far from here. I'll go look it up."

Jongin wanders over to the cats still huddled together on one side of the booth and chooses to sit at a table near to them, but not with them. His eyes take in Kyungsoo's flushed cheeks and the happy swish of his tail under the table. Yixing reaches up and starts scratching behind Kyungsoo's left ear and the cat purrs. He purrs. And Jongin's heart drops to take up residence in his stomach. The entire (short) time they've been together, Kyungsoo hadn't purred at all. Even when he'd smile and curl up in his favorite spot with a full belly and a manga, he didn't purr. Jongin feels jealousy creeping in because he isn't the cause of it now. Yixing is, fingers still scraping against the base of his ear and Kyungsoo is leaning in to it now.

"You like him," Wufan says as he slides into the chair opposite of Jongin, who jumps at the sudden presence.

"Shut up."

Wufan chuckles. "I take it back. You really like him."

"Doesn't matter." Jongin slouches in his seat and takes the proffered piece of paper with an address and directions written in messy scrawl. "I can't keep him."

It takes half an hour for Jongin to pry Kyungsoo away from Baekhyun and Yixing. His victory is a sad one because the reason they ultimately released him was due to the upcoming lunch rush and not Jongin's incessant begging. Wufan shoves a large bag full of muffins and cookies in Jongin's hands before he leaves and he tries to insist he doesn't need the handout (yes he does) but Wufan narrows his eyes and he swallows his pride. He mumbles a thanks before making sure Kyungsoo is adequately zipped inside his coat and ushers him out the door.

That night they sit on the couch facing each other with a bad made for tv movie forgotten in the background. There's an array of muffins and cookies spread before them and they take turns trying each flavor. Kyungsoo nibbles a small piece off of a chocolate chip muffin and his eyes grow wide before he takes a bigger bite instead of passing it to Jongin. Of course that's in direct violation of the unofficial rules, which prompts Jongin to lunge across and make a grab for the food. Only he's an uncoordinated mass of limbs and they go toppling to the floor in a heap, Kyungsoo giggling under him with the muffin still clutched in his hand.

Jongin feels his face to go red and is surprised there's enough blood to fill his cheeks when it all seems to be rushing down as he realizes their position. Kyungsoo is squirming beneath him, all smiles and crescent eyes and Jongin's heart skips a beat. Their faces are so very close and he decides to let the cat win this round, slowly standing before he loses all control. Kyungsoo doesn't seem to notice, instead climbing back onto the couch and helping himself to the rest of his well earned prize with a playful grin. A fake pout settles on Jongin's mouth as he pokes at the remaining food before deciding on a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie. They're his favorite.

Kyungsoo chases his chocolate chip muffin with a chocolate chip cookie and Jongin laughs when he spies the smeared chocolate across the corner of his mouth. Kyungsoo looks up at him curiously though long eyelashes and it takes all of his willpower to point at the corner of his own mouth so the feline can clean himself because Jongin is liable to use his tongue at this point. It takes several tries, a small pink tongue darting out to lick off the chocolate and Jongin clutches the small pillow in his lap to keep still. This kitty is more of a temptation with every passing day.

How can Kyungsoo not know the effect he's having on Jongin? His cat ears lean to the right as he sways his head to the left, moving along to the music playing to the credits scrolling down the television. The movie is over and Jongin can't even remember what it had been because Kyungsoo is smiling and his eyes are sparkling and there are crumbs stuck to his cheeks and Jongin has never wanted so much in his life.

But he can't have. Kyungsoo isn't his to keep.

Jongin gently prods the sleepy cat toward the bedroom a few minutes later, telling him to get some sleep. Kyungsoo lazily yawns and meanders into the bathroom to brush his teeth with a spare toothbrush Jongin happened to scrounge up, managing to come out even more disheveled than before and half asleep on his feet. Jongin's about to get ready for bed himself and he spies Kyungsoo at the end of the hall. Their eyes meet and Kyungsoo looks like he wants to say something, but in the end he closes the door with a sad smile and Jongin locks himself in the bathroom for a cold shower.

Sleep doesn't come easily, face pressed in the back of the couch and his blanket kicked down to his feet from the constant tossing and turning. And it's not because he isn't tired, because he is. His body is relaxed and his eyes are shut, but his mind won't stop it's reruns of Kyungsoo across the backs of his eyelids. There are feelings stirring in Jongin that he hasn't had in a long time, and not just the ones situated between his legs although they're getting their fair share. Kyungsoo is a spark of life, a breath of fresh air and Jongin is loathe to give him up. Knowing he can't keep him because of such a material reason pisses him off. Money shouldn't be such a deciding factor, but he can't keep the cat if he can't feed him too - or clothe him or be able to take him out to a movie or the park or a play. Jongin wants to do all those things, fill his heart with memories together because he's falling hard and fast.

All Jongin can see over the rows of racks is a pair of cat ears, watching as sometimes they'll perk up or one will shift down and the one time they'd both flattened. Kyungsoo has been let loose inside the small thrift shop to find clothes because he's still wearing a borrowed shirt and pants. His reactions are adorable and Jongin can't keep his eyes off the cat even if he wanted to. Which he doesn't. There are no dressing rooms so Kyungsoo keeps darting out to the end of the aisle and holding things up for Jongin's opinion.

So far he's turned down several shirts that looked too thin to do anything against the cold and a pair of jeans that were verging on holey. However, he is holding on to a pair of red skinny jeans he can only imagine will look spectacular glued to a certain feline's thighs, especially since he's noticeably putting on enough weight to not look starved.

"Do you have any coats?" Jongin inquires and the small lady behind the counter directs him over to the far corner. "Thank you."

The man gets Kyungsoo's attention when he sees the feline stopping in his tracks after he doesn't see him anymore. The sudden fear that had rushed over his face had Jongin feeling a little guilty for moving out of sight. But then Kyungsoo was all smiles again and hurrying over with a new set of shirts. Jongin plucks them out of the cat's grip and instructs him to put on a coat he thinks might be suitable. Most of their selection is comprised of light jackets and with it being the middle of winter, Kyungsoo needs something substantially warmer. He shifts the shirts onto his forearm and helps zip the coat and pull the hood over Kyungsoo's head until all he can see is a nose and crinkled eyes. Perfect.

The duo leave the shop with several bags in hand and an added bounce in Kyungsoo's step. Just before he climbs into the car, Kyungsoo wraps his tail around Jongin's waist and pulls him until their sides bump together. "Thank you," Kyungsoo says before his tail gives a squeeze and lets go. The cat settles in the car and Jongin stands there in shock for a few moments longer before regaining his bearings.

He won't be able to afford lunch or coffee in the mornings for the next week, possibly two with what he spent, but Kyungsoo's face makes it worth it. Kyungsoo is worth it.

After washing and drying the pants, Jongin makes his way to his neighbor's house to return them. Thankfully Minseok is the one who opens the door this time and he's saved the experience of landing on the hard ground again.

"Sorry it took so long to return them," Jongin explains. "I only just got him some clothes today."

"Oh?" Minseok's tone is a little too knowing for Jongin's liking, but his attention isn't on Minseok for much longer. Luhan darts out of the house, nearly knocking the two men to the ground in his haste. They both look up to see Luhan making a break right for Jongin's front door. Oh shit.

He takes off running after the cat, Minseok on his heels as he calls for Luhan to stop. Of course the cat doesn't listen and he's inside Jongin's house before they can catch up. Jongin dashes into his living room to find Kyungsoo lying on his back on the couch, Luhan sitting on top of his stomach and grinning as he pinches the poor kitty's cheeks. "You are so precious," Luhan coos and Minseok steps around to drag him off. "But I want to play with him." And then Luhan's pouting and Jongin knows that's not good for any of them.

"Later," Minseok says and whips his head toward Jongin.

"Yes, later," Jongin repeats, reassuring the cat he can have a play date in the future as long as he leaves now.

It seems to do the trick and Luhan stops fighting in his owner's arms and allows himself to be carried out. "Hey, where's his collar?" Luhan asks just before the pair make it to the exit. "WHY DOESN'T HE HAVE A COLLAR?" The door shuts behind them and Jongin can't force his legs to function, can't turn around to see Kyungsoo's reaction to the outburst.

A collar is a big fucking deal. It stands for ownership and loyalty and a plethora of other things Jongin can't commit to. While he wants to, would love to keep Kyungsoo by his side even after only such a short time, it's impossible and it eats away at him. He can't really put off trying to find him a new home for too much longer.

Instead of turning around and facing the source of his emotions, Jongin heads further into the kitchen to wash the few dirty dishes piled up in the sink. There's a pan from the eggs this morning because Kyungsoo loves eggs. He likes them scrambled, but he loves them more fried and Jongin attempted to fry an egg for the first time. Kyungsoo had giggled the entire way through because Jongin kept sticking out his tongue in concentration and groaned when the yolk spilled. The cat assured him it was fine and slurped it all down anyway, tail swishing and lips smiling.

Jongin sighs, taking some of his frustrations out on the pan as he scrubs at a stubborn piece of cooked on food. When did his life get so complicated? It was only a few days ago when it was just him and his routine of normalcy and now he's tearing himself up over a cat. It's not even something he wanted in his life, but Kyungsoo isn't like anyone he's ever met. Even his previous lovers have never gotten under his skin so quickly. Everything feels like it's too much and not enough at once and he's being pulled in too many directions even if it's all so simple.

He needs to stop being attracted to someone he can't have.

Easier said than done. Kyungsoo doesn't look at him when he walks into the living room later, but Jongin can tell he's a little tense from the way the tip of his tail flicks. The cat may be able to control the emotion on his face, but his tail gives him away.

"Want to pick a movie?"

Kyungsoo's ears stand up and he nods with a grin. Jongin watches fondly as he digs through the DVDs and puts one in the too-old-to-still-be-functioning player. And then he's back on the couch, burrowing into his corner and Jongin is sure there's already a permanent Kyungsoo shaped curve in the cushions. He smiles fondly at the excited cat before pulling his eyes away in the pretense of watching the movie. Only he's seen this one a hundred times and Kyungsoo is more entertaining.

It isn't long before the feline is stretching out, resting his head on the couch and body laid out across two cushions. The third, the one Jongin is sitting in, is left untouched and he's a little disappointed at the distance. Kyungsoo is avoiding contact.

A terrible, yet brilliant idea springs into Jongin's mind and he reaches over slow enough for the cat not to notice until his fingers caress over the top of his hair. From this angle he can see Kyungsoo's unchanging face, but his ears twitch in response. Never having really done this before, Jongin cautiously scratches around the base of a cat ear and when Kyungsoo doesn't pull away, he does it a little harder. Kyungsoo sighs, subtly leaning in to Jongin's touch as he continues.

"Come here," Jongin whispers and Kyungsoo stiffens before looking up at him. He pats his lap and the cat straightens his body out enough for his head to land on Jongin's thigh. It's clear Kyungsoo is still hesitant about it and honestly, Jongin is too, but he wants to do this while he can. Using both hands, he scrapes his nails through soft strands of hair that smell like his shampoo and Kyungsoo slowly relaxes against him.

It's comforting, the warmth from Kyungsoo flooding through Jongin the longer they stay connected. Jongin finds he enjoys the way Kyungsoo's ears feel under his fingertips, the way his breath hitches a little when Jongin finds a sensitive spot (the one just under the side of his left ear is the most sensitive) and how much satisfaction he gets from lavishing attention on him. The first time he hears it, Jongin thinks it's his imagination, but then the noise persists and gets louder. Kyungsoo is most definitely purring and it sends a jolt straight through the man as he keeps moving his hands.

He's the cause, the reason Kyungsoo is purring this time and Jongin can't keep the smile on his face. His leg may be losing feeling, sharp tingles invading his thigh, but it doesn't matter because the cat is purring. Jongin wouldn't mind spending every evening like this.

The movie ends and Kyungsoo, who Jongin had thought was asleep, rolls out of his reach and stands. "You should take the bed tonight."

"I'm alright on the couch," Jongin assures him with a smile.

"I've seen you rubbing your neck and back all day. You need the bed more than I do."

"I'm not kicking you out of the bed." Jongin considers the argument finished and is fully prepared to spend another night on the couch despite the discomfort it brings. Kyungsoo seems to think differently as he rests a hand on his side and cocks his hip. Whoa.

"Then we'll just have to share."

Kyungsoo isn't kidding either because ten minutes later and they're both laying in Jongin's bed, albeit not touching each other at all. Jongin isn't sure whether this is an improvement from the couch or not since all he can think about is how close Kyungsoo is and his eyes trail over the lump on the other side of the bed every time it moves. Rubbing his tired eyes, Jongin sighs and rolls onto his side, facing away from the cat so he can maybe force himself to sleep.

It works for the most part and he's drifting off pleasantly when he feels the bed moving. Kyungsoo's back presses against his own and a soft hum fills the air. Jongin smiles, too exhausted to do more than sink into the additional heat and let sleep finally take him.

It's Sunday, Jongin's last day of his mini-vacation. Tomorrow morning he'll have to delve into his old schedule of early mornings and long days behind a desk, only to be made worse by the end of the year fast approaching and the inevitable paperwork to follow. He's determined to do as little as possible today, lazing upside-down on the couch so his knees bend over the back and his head hangs over the edge. Kyungsoo is beside him in the same position, wriggling his toes and smiling every time he looks over at Jongin.

It's nice.

It's perfect.

And Jongin resists the urge to pull Kyungsoo into his arms and bury his face in his neck and cuddle for the next six hours. Instead, he blurts out something that could ruin it all.

"Why were you out in that alley?"

Kyungsoo stills and his smile disappears. When he gets up, Jongin assumes he's going into another room to avoid all conversation on the topic, but the cat sits in his spot on the couch and plays with the end of his tail. "My owner remarried," he begins softly and Jongin sits up to settle beside him and take his hand, linking their fingers. Kyungsoo squeezes and continues. "His new wife decided she didn't like cats, so she drove me out there and kicked me out of the car. She took my collar." Jongin can see tears falling down his cheeks even though he's looking down to hide his face. "I thought he'd be back. He always said I was his favorite."

A sob makes its way out and Jongin pulls the distraught cat into his lap, lets Kyungsoo curl into him and cry as much as he needs. Jongin rocks him back and forth, telling him how amazing he is and how he feels lucky to have found him.

What Jongin wants to say is he's always welcome in his home, how Kyungsoo should stay and never leave. He wants to reassure the cat that no one else will abandon him, but isn't that what Jongin will be forced to do? The words stick in his throat and he swallows them down until Kyungsoo falls asleep in his arms. Kyungsoo doesn't relinquish his hold on Jongin when he carries him to bed later, so the man lays with him, falling asleep with a leg thrown over his and hands twisted in his shirt. The last things he sees are the remnants of tears shining in the corners of Kyungsoo's eyes and the small smile on his lips.

Jongin leaves his rarely used dinosaur of a cellphone on the kitchen table in the morning along with the number to his office in case Kyungsoo needs to get in touch with him. Hopefully he only uses it out of necessity because Jongin is on a pay-as-you-go plan. He takes one last look at the cat still in a tangled mess in his bed before leaving a little extra early. The coffee shop is thankfully empty when he walks in, shivering from the temperature difference. Yixing and Baekhyun are both leaning on the front counter, talking with each other until they spy Jongin approaching and grin.

"Where's Kyungsoo?"

"I'm going to work, Baekhyun. He's still at home."

"Oh, so your usual then?"

"Not today. I just came by to thank Wufan."

Said man walks out and sends the two cats a warning look before they scamper off. They're notorious for not helping him get things ready and it's obvious they are goofing off still. "How'd that store work out?"

"It was great, thank you. Found a few decent outfits so he's not sitting around in the same thing now."

"I have some clothes for him," Wufan begins as he digs under the counter. "They used to be Baekhyun's, but he doesn't wear them anymore."

A giant trash bag gets plopped down in front of Jongin and he blinks at it a few times. "Wow."

"Yeah, well, at least there's space in his closet now."

"This is - wow. I really can't thank you enough."

"Consider this you doing me a favor. I've been trying to get him to clean out his damn closet for close to a year and nothing worked until I mentioned Kyungsoo." Wufan walks around and hefts the bag up. "I'll take it to your car for you."

"I can manage," Jongin says with a chuckle. He's not exactly a weakling.

"Not when your hands are full," Yixing adds before thrusting coffee and a bag full of food (probably more muffins) at him.

"I THINK I HAVE SOME OLD COLLARS IF -"

"NO!" Jongin yells back as they're walking out. The last thing he needs is a rehash of that emotional turbulence.

Even with the longer than usual delay, he still makes it to the office before Joonmyun and takes a bit to enjoy his coffee. He stows the muffins in a drawer to take home later for Kyungsoo since most of them are chocolate chip. When his boss comes in, Sehun in tow, the cat gets a whiff and Jongin spares a muffin for him. Sehun grins as he eats, bouncing on his heels and staying out with Jongin instead of following Joonmyun as per usual. There are still a lot of files on his desk to be gone through and put away and it takes his mind off things for a while.

It's around lunch when Joonmyun loiters on the corner of Jongin's desk, reading over a mistake Jongin caught earlier and mumbling to himself. Jongin hates to interrupt, but -

"Hey, you don't happen to know anyone wanting a cat, do you?"

Sehun's attention is gained along with Joonmyun's and the cat ceases tugging on the back of his owner's hair to rivet his eyes on Jongin.

"Why do you ask?"

Jongin clears his throat and tries to be nonchalant about it. "I picked up a stray."

"Oh?" Joonmyun looks surprised, but Sehun is grinning from ear to ear, his little eyes squished and his ears standing up.

"I brought him to my place so he wouldn't freeze, but he needs a home. Preferably someplace nice with someone who can cook eggs. He loves eggs. And he likes reading manga, too. Oh and he -"

"Sounds like the perfect pet for you." Joonmyun's smile doesn't look so nice anymore now. He's teasing and Jongin scowls.

"I can't keep him."

"Why?" This time it's Sehun asking and Jongin's ass is saved when the phone rings. Joonmyun takes the file into his office and Sehun follows, thankfully.

Jongin sighs and dives back in once he hangs up the phone, wishing his boss had been a little more helpful. He already knew Kyungsoo would be the perfect pet for him if he could keep him. That isn't the problem. Sehun's reappearance later only hinders progress and Jongin is finding it hard not to snap at the inquisitive cat.

"There has to be a reason why you can't keep him," Sehun rambles. "Does he smell? Because you can just give him a bath. Wait, he is potty trained, right? He's not a kitten, is he?"

Sehun's getting excited and Jongin's afraid the chair is going to break if he keeps climbing around in it. "Sehun!" he yells moments later, getting the cat's attention. "I can't afford to keep him, ok? So calm down."

"Oh." And Sehun looks crestfallen. Jongin attempts to cheer him up with another muffin before shooing him away.

His brain is numb and Jongin never wants to see another number again. He's been poring over them all day and there's still a hefty stack left for tomorrow. He whines and stumbles out to his car with anticipation. Kyungsoo is waiting for him. He hadn't realized how used to the other's presence he'd gotten over the course of only a few days, but not hearing Kyungsoo's voice brings his mood down. All he wants to do is get home and see that sweet smile, hear him talk about anything - even numbers - until Jongin falls asleep.

Jongin smells food when he walks in the door and Kyungsoo bounds over to him with that smile he'd missed so much. "You made dinner?"

"Yes." And Kyungsoo barely lets Jongin get his coat off before pulling him over to the stove. It looks amazing and Jongin's mouth is already watering.

"I didn't know you could cook."

"You never asked. I showed you how to fry an egg though."

"And I failed."

"Not everyone's perfect," Kyungsoo teases and Jongin laughs. Oh how he missed this and he'd only been away eleven hours; eleven long, excruciating hours.

Jongin has to admit Kyungsoo is the better cook between the two of them and when he lets the cat know, he bears witness to the dusting of pink across his cheeks when he ducks his head. Playfully, he kicks at him under the table and Kyungsoo laughs, scooting his chair and subsequently his feet out of reach. When they're finished eating, bellies full and bodies relaxed, Jongin collects the dishes so he can wash them. Only Kyungsoo swats him away and orders him out of the kitchen. He hears a small cough and turns to look back, but Kyungsoo is already at the sink and Jongin thinks nothing of it.

He's too tired to put up much of a fight and inevitably collapses on the couch in the dark. His eyes slip closed and he's not sure how long he's managed to nap before Kyungsoo slaps him on the thigh. "Ow," he groans, rubbing the sore spot. "I'm up." Jongin rolls off the furniture and makes it to his feet so he can shower. The hot water feels nice and serves to wake him up in a not so shocking manner, hand moving down to wipe over the still red area of his leg. And even though it hurts, Jongin smiles.

"Do you have any hobbies?" Kyungsoo asks as they sit on the couch together, sniffling lightly. He has a manga in his hand and he's looking over at Jongin expectantly.

"Sleeping."

"That's not a hobby," the cat chides with a click of his tongue.

"It is too. And a very respectable one at that." Kyungsoo gives him a look and Jongin chuckles. "I used to dance to keep in shape. Haven't really felt like it lately, though. What about you?"

"These are nice," he answers with a sly smile, holding up the manga and waving it around.

"What about before?"

Kyungsoo takes a moment before he answers, his words carefully chosen. "My owner was an elderly man and he couldn't do much. So I did; cooking, cleaning, laundry. There wasn't really time for much else."

"Well now you have all the time you want."

Kyungsoo scrunches his nose and playfully kicks across the couch before Jongin motions for him to come over. They spend the rest of the night with Kyungsoo's head on his lap and Jongin petting the cat until they shuffle off to bed. Jongin opens his arm and lets Kyungsoo curl in to his side before they fall asleep. If he'd been more awake, Jongin would have spotted the warning signs.

It's still dark outside when Jongin wakes, Kyungsoo whimpering in his sleep as he rolls over. He's quick to sit up, grabbing on to the cat's arm to pull him closer. A pair of eyes open and look at him just before Kyungsoo sneezes. Jongin turns on the bedside lamp and the room floods with dim light. Kyungsoo whines, but Jongin doesn't let him go. He takes in his flush face and sweaty hair and then the cat coughs. A press of his hands on his face and Jongin knows he's running a fever. "I'll be right back," he whispers before climbing out of bed and padding to the bathroom.

Somewhere in the cabinet he has cold medicine and he only hopes it's suitable for Kyungsoo too because he doesn't know of any places open this late and he can't afford to take him to a clinic. He finds the pills and reads over the box, triple checking it's safe for cats before filling a cup with water and taking them to Kyungsoo. He gratefully takes them both and thanks Jongin in a raspy voice followed by another cough. Jongin sits up, back against the headboard so he can pull Kyungsoo over. The cat lays his head on his chest and sniffles. Hopefully the medicine will kick in soon and they can both get back to sleep.

If he wasn't absolutely needed at work today, Jongin totally would have called in sick even though it's only the cat in his arms that's coughing and sneezing. He's gotten too little sleep and he's panicking about leaving Kyungsoo in this state during the day until he makes an executive decision. He's going to take Kyungsoo with him.

The cat puts up no resistance as Jongin changes him into attire fit for the weather, too preoccupied with the pathetic sniffling to perv over how much Kyungsoo is filling out with steady meals. His ribs no longer look dangerously close to popping through his skin and his legs don't appear as though they'll shatter with the weight of his body. Jongin at least has that to be thankful for when he lifts the cat into his arms and takes him out to the preheated car. The last thing he wants to do is expose him to more inclement weather than absolutely necessary.

He really can't afford it, but Jongin digs around in his jacket pockets and in the compartments of his car before scrounging up enough change for a coffee. If he'd been able to get enough sleep last night it wouldn't have been a problem, but he's already on empty and the boost will keep him functioning. Yixing smiles and waves as he approaches.

"Coffee please," he says, still a little out of breath from the jog. He'd left Kyungsoo passed out in the car with the engine running. "I'm in a hurry," he adds apologetically. When he's presented with his drink, he sets the change on the counter and hurries out the door before Yixing can say anything else. The cat is still asleep when Jongin gets back to the car and he reaches over to place a hand on his forehead. Still warm. The box of pills is in Jongin's coat pocket and they'll make it to the office just in time for him to take another dose.

When Joonmyun shows up after Jongin has Kyungsoo settled in the corner, thick blanket under him so he can sleep, he's surprised to see him without Sehun. It means he's left the cat with Tao, his other (less needy) cat who Jongin only very rarely sees. Normally Sehun is only with Tao when he's in heat, but Jongin eerily knows the cat's schedule from working here so long and it's not that time. He remembers very clearly the first time he met the intimidating cat, black tail wrapped around Sehun possessively as the two barged into Joonmyun's office without warning. His boss had poked his head out the door, hair a mess and cheeks flushed, a few minutes later and gave Jongin the rest of the day off.

"No Sehun?"

"I figured we could do without the distraction," Joonmyun answers, eyes flitting curiously to the bundle in the corner.

Jongin cringes and offers an apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry. Kyungsoo woke up last night with a fever and I couldn't leave him at home alone."

At the mention of Kyungsoo, Joonmyun's face brightens and he chuckles. "It's fine. Make sure to take care of him while you work." He takes one final glance at the sleeping figure before leaving the two alone and Jongin heaves a sigh of relief. That could have gone a lot worse.

Jongin has the nicest boss in the history of ever.

Even when Jongin takes multiple breaks to wake Kyungsoo enough to sip down a cup of water, he still manages to accomplish more than he would have if Sehun were around. It makes him wonder how much better he could do his job if the cat always stayed at home with Tao. Jongin rests a hand on Kyungsoo's forehead and is happy to find his temperature is back to normal levels and the cherry red on the tip of his nose is now a faint pink. With a fond sigh, he stands and nearly collides with someone he didn't know was there.

They grab each other in an effort to not fall to the floor and Jongin finds himself face to face with Jongdae.

"I haven't been groped there in a while," the feline says teasingly and Jongin looks down at his hand placement. His fingers are only dug into Jongdae's side but before he can speak, the cat has a hand around his wrist and trails Jongin's hand down to his ass. Jongin laughs as Jongdae wiggles his eyebrows and slaps him on the butt before pulling away.

"Still the same, I see," Jongin comments as he walks to his desk and flops in the chair.

"Because it's still fun."

Jongdae isn't your usual cat. Most desire to have an owner, someone to take care of them and shower them with attention. But not this one. He enjoys his freedom and proudly flounces around without a collar and hits on anyone he deems attractive enough to be in his league. Jongdae and Jongin fooled around a few times right after he joined the company, but that had been two years ago and there were no hard feelings because it was all physical. "So what brings you to the top floor?"

"Quarterly estimates for next year's advertisements," the cat drawls, slinking over to the figure still asleep in the corner. "Yours?"

"Long story," Jongin sighs and Jongdae leaves it alone. He always knows when to not press an issue; another reason why they get along so well.

A soft sneeze filters through the blanket and Kyungsoo sits up with bed hair and half his face covered in red criss-crosses from where it had been in the same spot for hours. Jongdae's mouth falls open and he sends Jongin an approving look, to which he responds with a roll of his eyes.

"Jongin?" Kyungsoo asks, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

If he were any less of a man, Jongin would have possibly melted into his seat from the cute being sent his direction; a combination of Kyungsoo's confused sleepy expression and the look of awe on Jongdae's face as he crouches down and reaches out to tentatively pet the sick cat. "Aren't you just precious," he coos and Kyungsoo's already flushed face gets redder.

"Don't get too attached," Jongin warns. "He's sick."

It doesn't seem to deter Jongdae in the least and he keeps petting Kyungsoo who is now closing his eyes and smiling at the attention. "Can you take care of him and handle that stack on your desk?" Jongdae inquires, eyeing the pile Jongin's been meticulously working through all morning.

"We're doing just fine," Jongin grumps.

"Oh lighten up. I only meant I'd be happy to take him off your hands for a while. At least feed him some soup. I'm sure Chanyeol has some down in the break room and wouldn't mind sharing."

At the mention of food Kyungsoo's tail starts flopping and Jongin admits defeat. "Promise to not leave him alone with the giant?"

"I wouldn't leave a plastic bag alone with Chanyeol."

"Alright," Jongin sighs. "If Kyungsoo wants to go, it's fine with me."

They both look at the cat who is nodding and smiling while already attempting to get to his feet, which are tangled in the blanket and he flops over once before achieving a vertical position. Jongdae wraps an arm around his waist and leads them back down the hall, his actual job being forgotten and Jongin chuckles before getting back to it. They'll be fine.

Laughter spills through the cracked door of the break room, a tinkling giggle Jongin immediately identifies as Kyungsoo, but it's mixed with a deep voice he knows all too well. He walks in to find Kyungsoo sitting at one of the tables, knees up and looking better than he has all day. Jongin ignores the need to fawn over Kyungsoo in favor of glaring at Chanyeol who is sitting across from him and slapping his thigh as he guffaws like an idiot. It's not that he dislikes Chanyeol, not really, but he's still convinced he was behind Sehun's strip tease and it makes him a little less credible in the being-left-alone-with-his-Kyungsoo department. Where the hell is Jongdae? The little feline traitor.

Deciding against hurling something at Chanyeol, Jongin instead sits down in the seat closest to Kyungsoo, leaning over to rest his head on the cat's shoulders. He's so tired and his eyes hurt and his brain hurts and he wants to go home and curl up with Kyungsoo and sleep the day away.

"Why didn't you tell me you had a cat?" Chanyeol asks once he takes notice of the other man.

"I don't have a cat. I have a Kyungsoo," he clarifies and that's when Jongdae graces the room with his presence.

"Well don't you two look cozy," he remarks and Jongin yawns, rubbing at his face before letting his arm rest around Kyungsoo's shoulders. The cat tenses for a moment before relaxing again, so Jongin stays put in an effort to indulge a little.

When Jongin looks over at Chanyeol, his stomach clenches and he scowls. "Stop looking at him like that."

"Like what?" Chanyeol's whole innocence thing looks gross and Jongin scrunches his nose. It's not cute and Jongdae whacks the tall man on the back of his head with his tail before sitting in his lap. Well that's new.

It's too late in the afternoon for anyone else to be in the room and Jongin figures the only reason Chanyeol is here is for Jongdae. That still doesn't make him feel any better about the way he was staring at Kyungsoo - like he wanted to eat him. Jongin convinces himself it's not jealousy he's experiencing, but a need to protect those that can't do it themselves. Chanyeol is big and Kyungsoo is practically pocket-sized.

"Oh," the man exclaims, sitting up suddenly and Kyungsoo nearly topples out of his chair because he'd been leaning on Jongin with all his weight. "I brought your medicine." Jongin fishes the pills out of his pocket and pops two out for Kyungsoo, who takes them without hesitation. It's the entire reason he'd come down here anyway, but he ended up a bit sidetracked by Chanyeol. Jongin places his palm on Kyungsoo's forehead and is pleased that his temperature is still down. Standing, he stretches before heading out. "Bring him back up later?" he asks Jongdae and the cat tosses him a thumbs up.

Jongin makes sure Kyungsoo is properly bundled up in his coat before wrapping the blanket around him too so they can walk out to the car. It's well after dark and the cold stings his face when they step outside. Jongin shivers and rests a hand where he thinks the cat's lower back is so he can guide him.

"I'm sorry for being a nuisance," Kyungsoo mumbles with a sigh and Jongin stops.

"You're never a nuisance."

"Even when I hide under the bed?"

All Jongin can see of Kyungsoo are his eyes and they're squeezed into crescents from the smile hidden under layers of warmth. "Please promise you'll never do that again."

"Promise," he says with a laugh.

They resume their trek, Jongin guiding Kyungsoo around potential icy patches in the parking lot before driving home. Home.

part iii