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Seung-tak wasn’t ready to reveal that he was well aware of Professor Cha’s presence, but he could no longer stand to hear the man’s sad whinging.
“My baby at home probably doesn't even have any water to drink.” Young-min hugged his legs, holding back an over-dramatic sob. “Man-du, are we going to die together?” He asked aloud, to no-one in particular.
Suppressing an eye-roll, Seung-tak promptly left, cold beverage in hand. He could admit he was curious, though. And a tad concerned. He could only assume this ‘ Man-du’ he spoke of was a pet, perhaps a dog-- no, more likely a cat.
Professor Cha didn’t strike him as someone who could own a dog. Not with his lack of personality and abrasive nature.
Seung-tak sighed. Why was he bothering to do so much for him? Professor Cha was lucky that he’d started to rub off on him a little, otherwise he’d never do something like this.
The apartment wasn’t far, and Seung-tak was quick to explain Professor Cha’s current state to the doorman, making his way into the residence and beginning his search for the elusive ‘Man-du’.
Stopping in the kitchen, Seung-tak blinked, staring into the small cage utop the bench. Here he was-- Man-du. Professor Cha’s baby, apparently. And he was a… rodent?
“So... this is your baby?” Seung-tak said, furrowing his brow, as he couldn’t quite believe this was what all the fuss was about. “At least he’s alive.”
Upon closer inspection, no… he wasn’t a rodent-- he was a sugar glider. Seung-tak raised an eyebrow in surprise. Of course someone like Professor Cha would have an expensive, exotic pet. Nothing was ever out of his price range, it would seem, given the location and interior of the apartment.
But Seung-tak couldn’t help but feel that Young-min, his home, his personal life… it all seemed so lonely and cold. He wouldn’t be surprised if Man-du was the only friend the professor had.
Shaking his head, Seung-tak returned to the present, keeping his mind on track. He hadn’t the first clue how to care for this type of pet, and would need to do some research to make sure he didn’t accidentally hurt the little thing.
Pulling out his phone, he got to work.
After only ten minutes, Seung-tak gave up. He groaned, struggling to retain all the information that was flooding towards his eyes. Yet the more he read, the more intrigued he became. Man-du was a marsupial. A nocturnal one at that, it would seem. It made sense-- people like Professor Cha, and in their profession, never had the time to spare during the day. Having a pet active during the night would allow for better companionship.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Seung-tak asked, noting the sugar glider’s eyes on him, following him. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” He added, realising that he too was rather famished.
Moving to the fridge, Seung-tak found some fruit, meat and vegetables that were still in date, promptly retrieving them and getting to work. It wasn’t going to be anything extravagant; just something simple that the both of them could enjoy.
“Don’t bite me.” Seung-tak swallowed down his fear of the tiny creature, placing a bowl of food in front of the cage, and opening the door. “I’m just feeding you, alright? No harm.”
He watched intently as Man-du stumbled out, staring up at Seung-tak for a moment before eyeing the food. He practically jumped into it, considering how small he was, and started making quick work of the contents. With a smile, Seung-tak returned to his own serving, sighing as he enjoyed the first meal he’d had that day.
Taking his eyes off the sugar glider for mere seconds was enough to startle him.
Seung-tak choked on a breath when Man-du leapt onto him, scaring him half to death. He immediately froze, eyes silently watching the tiny marsupial as it climbed up his shirt, closer and closer to his face. It was only natural to cringe, unsure if he was about to get bitten or not.
Then in a strange turn of events, the sugar glider settled at the top of his shirt, practically nuzzling into him. Seung-tak felt an unfamiliar warmth in his chest, unable to hold back a smile at how adorable the moment was.
“Now I see why you’re called Man-du,” Seung-tak chuckled, petting the small animal’s fur. “You’re like a tiny, fluffy dumpling…”
Seung-tak had insisted to himself that he’d not grow attached.
Unfortunately for him, the more time he spent with Man-du, the more he came to love the little marsupial. It had become part of his routine now; finish up his shift, drive to Professor Cha’s house, make his way to the apartment, and spend time with Man-du. After a meal, the sugar glider would insist on traversing the apartment for a little while, before making his way to Seung-tak’s shoulder for a cuddle and nap.
Not wanting to disturb Man-du, he gently pet the tiny marsupial, making his way to the bedroom. Seung-tak sighed into the bed, smelling the faint, lingering scent of the professor’s cologne. Every time he thought about him - or more specifically, the time he’d spent with the coma ghost - Seung-tak felt his heartbeat quicken, cheeks flushing at the memories. Being stuck outside of his body had no doubt caused Young-min to become more humble, realising that Seung-tak was the only living person who could see him and possibly help him return to his body.
But the more time they spent together, the more Seung-tak began to feel something stronger than friendship-- and he’d be lying if he said that didn’t scare him. Here, in the empty apartment, with Man-du-- this was the closest he’d ever be to Young-min. Once he woke up, once Seung-tak was forgotten, then… there was no way the professor would want anything to do with him any longer.
Days turned into weeks, and before Seung-tak could stop himself, he’d decided to spoil Man-du with a new cage. The one he’d been living in was far too small for a sugar glider, with barely enough room to move let alone glide around. He hoped Young-min wouldn’t mind too much, Seung-tak was sure he’d understand-- and it wasn’t as if he was using the professor’s money for it. He just… wanted to do something nice for Man-du, and by the looks of it, the little marsupial was quite happy with his choice.
“I hope you appreciate all I’m doing for you,” Seung-tak said, placing the sugar glider into his new home. “There you go. Plenty more room now.” He watched Man-du glance around, sniffing and inspecting the cage with curiosity.
Thinking about what he’d said, Seung-tak couldn’t help but blush slightly. He hoped Professor Cha would also appreciate him for this, if he was entirely honest with himself. Even after he was forgotten, Seung-tak would try to make amends with Professor Cha, and hopefully he saw how much care he took of Man-du, then… perhaps that would get the two of them off to a better start.
Seung-tak couldn’t believe how lucky they’d been.
Professor Cha’s surgery was risky, but somehow, working together-- they’d managed to save him, and Young-min was finally awake. Better yet, he remembered everything, and Seung-tak was unable to hold himself back from any excuse to touch him, hug him-- and remind himself that he was real now.
When Young-min was discharged from hospital, Seung-tak insisted on driving him home.
Seung-tak had already begun to mourn his one-sided feelings, but now that Young-min had remembered him and their time together, he was filled with potential hope that there might be something between them yet. But now was not the time; they had far more pressing matters to attend to--
Like reuniting a father with his child.
“Man-du!” Young-min gasped when he saw the new cage, staring back at Seung-tak with an expression full of questions. “Is this…”
“He looked so sad in that tiny cage. Barely any room to glide around.” Seung-tak shrugged, glancing away to hide the growing warmth in his cheeks. “It’s not much…”
The professor smiled once his eyes fell to Man-du’s, happy to see his little sugar glider in the peak of health. With a furrowed brow, he turned to Seung-tak. “Wait, the person that went to my place... was it…”
Seung-tak nodded. “You kept repeating ‘my baby, my baby’. I wondered if you had a child hidden at home. Had to be sure.”
Both men startled when Man-du leapt out of his cage; bypassing Young-min altogether to attach himself to Seung-tak. The professor stared wordlessly, watching the sugar glider find his way into Seung-tak’s hands, who in turn grinned and cooed at him as if Man-du was his own.
Young-min couldn’t stop himself-- feet finding their way closer to the other man until he was near enough to pull Seung-tak into a firm embrace. It was clear the young resident had taken great care of his baby in his absence, without even asking that of him.
With a hitched breath, Seung-tak froze. He was taken aback by the sudden hug, unsure how to respond as warmth spread throughout him, heart fluttering in response. They were so close-- very very unexpectedly close-- with Man-du having safely travelled up into his messy hair so as to not get squished between them.
Not allowing another moment to be wasted, Seung-tak quickly brought his arms around Young-min, sighing as they held onto each other for the first time. Considering this might be one of the few times in his life to hold the professor like this, to seek comfort in his arms-- Seung-tak could not let the chance pass him by.
“Thank you, Seung-tak,” Young-min whispered, slowly pulling away but remaining in his arms. “For looking after him for me.”
Before he could respond, Seung-tak’s fringe fell in front of his eyes as Man-du made his way towards Young-min, jumping back over to his dad while they remained beside each other. They chuckled softly, watching as the little sugar glider found his way to Young-min’s shoulder, before making himself comfortable.
A silence remained in the air, but the professor was the first one to speak.
“Let me take you to dinner,” Young-min offered; his hands having made their way to Seung-tak’s hips, resting there lazily. “It’s the least I can do-- and I insist.”
Seung-tak could hardly believe his ears. He failed to hide a blush, using all his focus not to stammer. “I would like that,” he said, cursing to himself mentally at how his voice broke mid-sentence.
“Alright then.” Young-min delicately brushed away some of Seung-tak’s messy curls from his eyes. “Sounds like a date,” he said, as his hand delicately lingered by the younger man’s face for a fraction longer than would be expected.
Seung-tak licked his lips nervously. A date? He could barely contain himself; grinning from ear to ear as he brought Young-min in again for an overzealous hug-- receiving a startled laugh from the professor in return.
Perhaps they had a chance together after all.