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His only objective had been cat food for his friends’ fancy pet but now standing before the cashier his eyes wandered to something else. Or rather someone.
A light brown rat.
Sleeping in a cage.
Alone.
The last detail got Xichen’s attention especially because right next door there was another cage where a few rats were all sleeping together. Why then this one was left all alone?
Xichen directed the question to the cashier as he crouched down to better look through the glass. The woman glanced first at his customer then the animal and sighed. “This one got into a fight. I didn’t see why it started but when I rushed to resolve the situation this one had already bitten Zixun in the tail. Even though the latter is much bigger than he is.”
Xichen admired the peacefully sleeping figure that apparently was quite a troublesome fellow. It might have been because of his presence but suddenly the little rat blinked his eyes open and stared at the face observing him. The calm was obviously traded for a more tense body language. Xichen frowned.
“This one ? He doesn’t have a name?” The other rat mentioned clearly had one so it was weird to not call the little one by a name as well.
“Well,” the cashier started unhappily, “because of his behaviour he isn’t meant to be sold anymore. So there was no reason to name him.”
Xichen looked up at the woman who had now come to stand next to him. “Can you open the cage for me, please?” He offered a modest smile.
“Of course. Just be warned.” The woman walked to the other side of the man and with a practiced ease opened the cage. The tiny rat looked alarmed and escaped into a corner. Noting the discomfort, Xichen rose very carefully and slowly reached his hand into the cage despite the cashier’s worried glances. He held his hand far away from the animal however. Just like he did with Nie Huaisang’s cat who usually came close to sniff the offered hand and then demanded a good rubbing behind the ears.
However, the rat wasn’t as enthusiastic about getting acquainted with new people. So Xichen stood there like that for a while while the rat did the same. The cashier looked on patiently but inwardly probably stressed about what would happen if the client were to be attacked by an animal.
Surrounded by tension, Xichen turned his head towards the woman to reassure that it was his decision so he wouldn't be complaining if anything happened. However, he never got to say that as suddenly he felt a stabbing pain.
He didn’t shriek but it was damn close. Nevertheless, a gasp escaped his lips as it was all so sudden. His thumb was bloody where the impressive teeth were still biting down firmly.
The cashier startled into action attempting to grab the animal and remove the teeth from the man’s hand. However, this endeavour was hindered when Xichen raised his other hand and with a painful smile asked if there were any treats for rats that he could have right now.
The woman was obviously confused and once again attempted to help her customer. Xichen was persistent as well. He held out his hand. “Please?”
Obviously not on board with the plea the woman still left to return with a package to her client’s delight. Or as much of a delight as one could feel while a pair of teeth were pressed into them.
Reaching out for the already opened package, Xichen took out something akin to a dried bean and slowly offered it to the agitated animal. The tiny pink nose reacted and a few thoughtful moments later the rat decided in favor of the treat forsaking Xichen’s hand in the process. The rat took a hold of the bean and escaped with it back into the corner. There he sat down the treat securely between his front limbs and started vigorously nibbling. The crunches following a precise rhythm.
Xichen observed the eagerness as he retreated his hand. The bite mark wasn’t that deep but it had hurt nevertheless. The woman offered to clean the wound. Xichen agreed and winced when antiseptic did it’s job.
However, the discomfort was forgotten when Xichen felt tickling at the top of his fingers still in the cage. When he turned to see what was happening he saw the tiny rat sniffing his hand probably hoping for more treats to come. Xichen held his hand very still. When the fingertips didn’t give a desired result the little fellow put his front limbs on top of Xichen’s hand and sniffed the spacious palm offered to him. Xichen held his breath. The rat looked up at him.
A moment later the fellow hopped into the palm and then suddenly climbed the tall man’s arm. Xichen didn’t know how to react so he just stood very still feeling the diligent feet make their way upwards. The adventure ended on Xichen’s shoulder where the rat searched for balance, his soft pink tail swaying in the air like a conductor’s baton.
Xichen had never had a pet before because Wangji was allergic to animal fur since they were little. But now Xichen lived alone and his little brother didn’t have time to visit him often.
The man turned his head carefully to once again see the sniffing pink nose next to his cheek. He had decided. “I’m taking him.”
“Are you sure?” Glancing at the client’s thumb the cashier elaborated. “This could repeat.”
“Even so I’m gonna take him.” Xichen had already made up his mind so there was no going back. The cashier seemed to sense it as well as she nodded understandably.
“How much should I pay for him?” Xichen asked while the rat decided to investigate the other shoulder as well thus making his way through a thick curtain of silky black hair. It was a weird feeling but not unpleasant.
“Since he wasn’t meant to be sold anyways you can just have him.” The woman finally gave a tiny genuine smile when the animal on the client’s shoulder seemed to feel quite at ease. Xichen looked at the fellow happily as well. “You heard this, A-Yao? You’re going home!”
The freshly named A-Yao decided to retreat into the thick hair on Xichen’s back once again and stayed there. Wanting the rat to feel a bit safer, Xichen crouched a bit forward. Nevertheless, he still towered over the cashier when he spoke. “I still need all the equipment. Could you maybe help me with that? I’m quite new in this”
“Of course,” answered the woman Xichen’s apologetic smile and started to explain everything one should know about rats’ behaviour and their needs. A-Yao on the other hand made his way back to the right shoulder, half of his body still hidden in the long strings of hair, his tail searching for balance from time to time while the black eyes discovered a new world offered to him.