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Everything happened overnight. Leo, the cat, was growing affection towards the neighbor’s cat and visited her every day at 3 AM. He would always come back home though, by 6 AM, meowing loudly for his breakfast to be served, reminding the Chwe family that he was their actual owner, so because of that, as long as he always came back safe and with no injuries, they wouldn’t mind stopping him from visiting his new friend.
But that night, Leo didn’t come back.
Vernon felt something was off when he was sleeping way too peacefully. By morning, Sofia confirmed he wasn’t back yet. And she was freaking out.
“He should be here by now!”, she said, looking for him everywhere she could, “it’s time for his breakfast. He never skips breakfast.”
“Maybe the neighbor took him in and is feeding him?” Vernon said. He was also looking for Leo at the most random cat-probably-likes-it-here places. Their parents were traveling so it was just the two of them. “I’ll go talk to him. You stay here and keep lookin’.”
The neighbor’s house was one of the biggest. He lived there all by himself, just his cat as company. Rumors say that he has a son he never talks to, and that he used to live in the States not so many years ago. Vernon has never seen his face, and he’s been living next to their house for more than a year, so he doesn’t know exactly how to feel standing there in front of his door at 8 in the morning, but for Leo he would even invade the house.
He pressed the doorbell and waited anxiously for the guy to pick-up. The large door opened in front of him, revealing a man in his late thirties, wearing pajamas. He certainly wasn’t in a good mood.
“Good morning um, sir,” Vernon tried to keep the eye-contact. “I’m Hansol Chwe, I live just next door.”
“Know who you are, kiddo. Why are you at my door this early?”
“My… my cat. He’s been visiting yours for some time now, and he always comes back when he’s done or something like that I guess? But tonight he didn’t, so I was wondering if…”
The man’s eyes softened a bit, and he interrupted Vernon. “Why now, I think I would notice if your cat was still here. My little Luna has been much happier since he started to come by. He’s that little one with the orange and white fur, green eyes and all pointy ears, am I right?”
“Yes! That’s him. His name’s Leo. Have you seen him tonight?”
“Well I did, in fact. He came by to see Luna, but you see, she’s not here with me this week. My son- um, Joshua took her to stay with him a little.” He bittered all of sudden. “I guess your little Leo felt disappointed she wasn’t here.”
So he does have a son.
“Can I have his phone number, please? Leo might’ve followed her scent. Please. I need to find him.” Vernon looked at him with the most pitiful expression he could wear - but in fact, he was starting to get a reality shock that Leo was missing.
His neighbor noticed his sad eyes and sighed, “wait a bit, will you?”, then went back to the house to give him Joshua's number written in a small piece of paper.
Vernon told Sofia to go to school and assured her he would handle the situation - as her older brother, he always should, even not knowing how. She begged him to try his best to find Leo. “I will help you when I come back from school, I promise!”, she told him, getting on the bus. Vernon worked as a part-timer at a music shop so he had some free time in the morning to dedicate to his search for Leo. First things first, he messaged the number Mr. Hong (he told Vernon to call him like that) gave him and waited for a reply. He tried his best not to sound like a goddamn weirdo messaging some person that has never seen him before. Joshua’s reply came quicker than he expected.
JOSHUA HONG: hey who is it
VERNON: hey i’m sorry i’m your dad’s neighbor my cat went missing and i think it has something to do with the fact you took luna with you
JOSHUA HONG: sorry what now. slow down what you’re talking about
VERNON: i’m sorry i know it’s weird. my name is vernon. i’m your dad’s neighbor and my cat, leo, really really likes your cat, luna. he always visit her every day but your dad told me you took her with you and since yesterday my cat has disappeared, so i think he might have followed her scent
JOSHUA HONG: ohh now I get it
JOSHUA HONG: sorry I don’t think I’ve seen any cat following me or rounding my house for her, but I can try to help you
VERNON: oh my god thank you so much
VERNON: can you send me your address so i can look for him nearby in the meantime??
JOSHUA HONG: yes ofc! I’m working rn but I’ll leave by 2 PM so I can help you on the search later
VERNON: yes that would help a lot actually!!!
JOSHUA HONG: my hair’s blue, I think you’ll recognise me very as soon as you see me
-
Seungkwan has always been more of a dog person. Not that he had anything against cats: he actually thought they were cute and seemed like very good friends, but life just never gave him the opportunity to find a cat he’s felt a connection with. So, because of that, he always just had dogs. Seungkwan has just moved from Jeju about a month ago to study Humanities at Seoul National University and, of course, his little Bookkeu came together with him to the new city. Strangely though, as he was thinking about that, on his way to college this morning a cat followed him for more than half of it. Seungkwan has read once that usually the cat is the one to choose its owner and not the contrary. That tiny orange cat was very likely choosing Seungkwan right now. This or it was just following Bookkeu’s scent.
He talked about it with Hoshi at uni, his only friend since he moved. Actually, “Hoshi” was their nickname, Seungkwan just had never found the courage to ask their real name and they’ve known each other for almost 2 months. Hoshi didn’t seem to care about anything in this world except dancing so Seungkwan doesn’t think it will actually be a problem to ask their real name one day. Just not today.
“You know, I don’t think it has chosen you.” Hoshi said.
“Ouch I guess?”
Hoshi laughed softly. “I didn’t mean to hurt! It could only be hungry. You should buy it some cat food on the way back home and see if it eats. Strays suffer a lot in the streets.”
“Yeah, I know. But I gave it a good look and it didn’t seem like a stray at all. It was too well taken care of to be on the streets for more than a day, if anything. I think it might be lost.”
“It’s very sweet how you’re caring about it” Hoshi stood up from the table they were seated together while pretending to study. “But don’t get your hopes too high, Seungkwan. It may be miles from us by now. Cats are very fast and easily scared.”
“How come you know that much about cats anyway?”
Hoshi's ears turned pink. “That guy from the veterinary school. I thought getting to know more about animals would bring us closer eventually. But it still didn’t, so it’s random knowledge.”
“It won’t bring you two closer if you don’t talk to him in the first place.” Seungkwan rolled his eyes as he also stood up and started to gather his stuff. “Get your stuff too. I still have an essay to complete and I can’t be your cupid right now.”
“Ouch" Hoshi copied his saying ironically. “Should I go home with you and help you look for the cat later?”
Seungkwan slowly nodded without realizing. Why was he so preoccupied with some random stray anyway?
-
Vernon looked everywhere for Leo around the address Joshua gave to him. He asked some people on the streets if they’ve seen Leo as well, showing a picture of the cat. Nobody has seen or nobody cared enough to see. In the end, his search was useless. He sat on the sidewalk looking hopeless and miserable, waiting for Joshua to arrive. One more minute like this would give him teary eyes. Fortunately, he heard someone’s voice talking to him.
“I’m sorry, are you Vernon?” Blue hair and a lot of ear piercings. Must be Joshua.
“Joshua?”
“Yes! Hey, nice to meet you.” He smiled kindly at Vernon. “I’m sorry I’m a bit late. I walked slowly on the way here to see if I could find your cat. That pic you sent me was the cutest.”
“Thanks, he is very cute indeed. But I think he’s… really gone.” Vernon’s voice sounded gloomy just as his general appearance. “I've been looking for him for about 2 hours but no one has seen him and neither have I.”
Noticing Vernon’s sad looks, Joshua invited him to have some coffee at his place with very gentle manners. He was too nice. Vernon accepted; caffeine might cheer him up a bit. His shift at the store was an hour to begin but he could spare some time. They were really close to Joshua's place so they quickly arrived. His home was very tiny and cozy, with very few furniture despite the necessary ones, but it was still all very clean and tidy. Vernon imagined if he was too much older than him to already have his place, because he doesn’t seem to be more than 21 years old. He told Vernon to make himself at home and watch some TV while he prepared espressos for the two of them. Vernon took a seat on the couch and just as he did, a tiny black cat with the yellowest eyes arrived, purring and headbutting Vernon’s leg.
“I suppose that’s Luna?” He asked Joshua as he petted the cat’s head softly, remembering Leo.
“Herself! Isn’t she a sweetheart? Much more friendly than I will ever be.” Joshua came in his direction holding two small cups of coffee, and as he gave Vernon his cup, he sat on the couch too. “Sometimes I wonder how come she’s this friendly when my father's that grumpy old man.”
As curious as Vernon was about the whole situation between neighbor Hong and his independent, not-mysterious-anymore son, he just wasn’t in the mood to hear it now. Too many problems. But if he was to become friends with Joshua after this whole situation ended, he would surely ask him about it. Because of that, he didn’t mind entering the topic.
“Do you think I should, like, announce on the internet or sum? That Leo’s missing?” He asked while sipping the coffee that was very well done, by the way.
“Well,” Joshua looked at him. “I would wait another day before starting to do stuff like that. You know how cats are. He can just come by your window tonight as if nothing’s happened."
“I think I’m just scared that something will happen to him. He doesn’t know how to take care of himself at all. Damn, he likes being brushed twice a day and having tuna for breakfast!” Vernon caught himself giggling with Joshua. “Sorry. I'm just scared. Thank you for listening to me.”
“It’s no problem at all. I would go crazy if Luna went missing too.” He finished his espresso just as Vernon finished his. “I think you’re gonna be late for your work.”
Vernon looked at the clock on Joshua’s wall and jumped from the couch, scaring Luna who was laid down on the carpet. “Oh, you’re right. I should go. Um, thanks for the coffee, really, and for the talk. I’m feeling a lot better.”
Joshua smiled gently at him. “Let’s not stop contacting shall we? We’ll find Leo, Vernon. Absolutely.”
-
Seungkwan was exhausted from hearing Hoshi complaining in his ear about how hot the afternoon was, how tired of walking they were, how the two of them probably were lost in Seoul by now and all the other hundreds of things they said that Seungkwan’s already forgotten for his own sake. He wasn’t in a good mood as well. Where was his mind when he thought of looking for a random stray all the way in Seoul?
“Seungkwan, I am sure we’ve passed this street before.” Hoshi said, kinda desperate.
“Aren’t you the Seoul kid here!?” Seungkwan yelled at them as they both stopped walking so they wouldn’t get more lost. “How can you get lost in your hometown?”
“I’ve never been on this side of the city before!” Hoshi yelled back. What a vision it was. Two young college students yelling at each other in the middle of the street, late afternoon, somewhere they didn’t even know where and how far from uni it was.
“Well that’s amazing.” Seungkwan sighed in frustration. “I think we should just ask for directions and go back, and I shall never think of that orange cat ever again.”
Hoshi only nodded knowing it was of no use trying to argue with Seungkwan when he was irritated: even though they’ve been friends for a very short period of time, Seungkwan was a very transparent person and every single one of his emotions could be seen by anyone. So if he was frowning and muttering and being quite rude, Hoshi knew they should just be quiet. They walked in a straight line after that only to bump into a music shop a few minutes later. A bell made a high-pitched sound as they entered the shop, announcing new clients. The walls were filled with the most various types of musical instruments and there were a lot of rows with all sorts of CDs, vinyl discs and other supplies.
At the counter a guy in a hoodie was wearing headphones while beating the point of his finger on the surface like he was playing the piano or something. Hoshi told Seungkwan to ask for directions because he was the one to blame for all of that in the first place. He swore at Hoshi but did what he was told to do.
“Excuse me?”
Guy-in-the-hoodie looked at him and immediately removed his headphones. He stared a lot. “S-Sorry, welcome to Universe Factory Music Shop, name’s Vernon. What can I do for you today?” He sounded like a robot that’s been saying that for a long time. Seungkwan peaked a look on his face too before saying anything, mesmerized by his honey eyes.
“I’m Seungkwan. Can you help me with directions? I'm… totally lost. Was hoping if you would tell me where I am and which direction I should take to arrive at SNU.”
“SNU? Damn, you’re really far. You’re not from here are you?”
“No, actually no. I’m from Jeju. Moved a month ago. My friend there - he pointed at Hoshi, who was looking at the vinyl discs like a child - is the one from Seoul but they are just as useless as I am right now.”
Vernon laughed a little. What a pretty smile he had. “I can help you, no problem. I can trace a map on the internet and send it to you, but you’re gonna let me have your phone number if that’s alright.”
Seungkwan blushed a little. “Why would you need…”
“To send you… the map?” Vernon completed his sentence slowly. "I can airdrop it if you don't wanna..."
“No! I mean, of course, the map. I’m sorry. It's fine.” One to go, Seungkwan. “I’m acting very strange these days. I think I’m homesick already.”
“It’s no problem. My mom is like that sometimes. The number, please?” Vernon looked at him patiently. Seungkwan gave him his phone number and immediately received a message with a map traced from where he and Hoshi were directly to SNU.
“Thank you so much, seriously. I thought I was going to be lost forever.”
“But how come you two got lost anyway?”
“Oh, we were looking after a cat that followed me to college this morning, but we ended up here and found nothing about the cat.”
Vernon’s eyes widened like he saw God in front of him. Could it be? “How… do you remember what it looked like?”
“Um, not so big. Maybe had two or three years, orange with white parts and green eyes and very pointy ears. Looked like it just ran away because it was too taken care of to be a stray for so long.”
That’s it. It was Leo.
-
Seungkwan sent Hoshi the map Vernon traced for him and told them to go home.
“But I wanted to help you on your search!” They said, very disappointed. “Can’t believe you’re ditching me for some cutie you just met.”
Seungkwan blushed hard because Hoshi said that very loud and Vernon was just a bit far from where they were talking, typing on his phone. “I’m not ditching you to be accompanied by some “cutie”. Night’s gonna fall anytime soon and unlike you, I live by myself so my mom isn’t going to kill me if I get home late.”
“Well, you do have a point but I’m still very angry right now. You're going to repay me for that tomorrow. And I don’t trust this guy at all.”
“What, your guts telling you so?”
“Yes they are!” Hoshi rolled their eyes. “Message me if he starts acting suspicious. People in Seoul aren’t the same as those in Jeju, believe me.”
“It’s going to be okay, Hoshi. He doesn’t seem like a mafia boss or anything. Plus, I’m just trying to help. Please go home safe too and message me when you arrive.”
Hoshi nodded and went their way, leaving Seungkwan alone with the Vernon guy. He had to wait a little bit more so Vernon would quit the store earlier, promising his boss a thousand times to make up for it later. He smiled at Seungkwan when he left the store but his eyes revealed how worried he actually was. They started walking together. “So, you said you saw Leo around your apartment?”
“Yes he was, like, not actually around but very next to the bus stop I go to pick my bus, that’s two blocks after my place." Seungkwan looked around where they were walking, slowly recognising the streets. He told Vernon where he lived so they could search around Leo's last known location. That also made Seungkwan think why haven't him and Hoshi done that in the first place. "I can't believe how far we went on our search. I would never be able to come back by my own!"
Vernon giggled at him. “I’m actually very relieved that you ended up on this side of the city, so I met you." Seungkwan look at him with a face. Vernon noticed what he just said. "B-Because you saw him! Just an hour ago I was already thinking how I would tell my little sister her beloved cat is nowhere to be found. My beloved cat, too.”
“Oh it’s okay” Seungkwan looked at him. The night was setting above their heads and the lampposts were starting to turn on, illuminating Vernon’s face, making every detail about him so vivid Seungkwan felt his heart feel things. He thought of Hoshi saying he ditched them for some cutie and felt very flustered, shaking his head. He just met the guy. “People don’t pay much attention to stray animals at all, but when you have a pet it’s easier to feel compassion towards them. I wish I could give every stray dog I see a home.”
“I feel the same with cats! You see, Leo was a stray cat, he got abandoned when he was less than a month old. We’ve been taking such good care of him since then. I can’t imagine how scared he is right now.” Vernon looked back, his eyes sparkling with tears he’s been holding all day. “Sorry, we’ve barely met each other and I’m already dumping my sentimental mess all over the place.”
Seungkwan didn’t want him to feel like he was causing any discomfort so he laid his hand very slowly on Vernon’s shoulder, patting him. “Don’t worry, we’re going to find him. We’re getting closer to my bus stop!”
-
They were close in fact, but Leo was nowhere to be seen that day. But now, two weeks later, Vernon has already four people on the look for his cat with him: mysterious neighbor's son Joshua and his boyfriend Seungcheol, who happened to meet Vernon when he was also at Hong’s place one day, Seungkwan from SNU and his friend Hoshi. Seungkwan the most of them all, because he kept sending Vernon photos whenever he would see an orange cat on the streets and ask if it was Leo. At this point he was becoming the orange stray cats’ worst enemy.
“Have you tried announcing on the internet?” Seungkwan asked Vernon. They were doing their daily look-for-Leo thing that happened every night after Vernon’s shift ended and Seungkwan was free from college. It was around 9 PM, a good thing was that Seoul really never slept, so it was still as crowded as the mornings. Vernon would need to be home by 10 anyway, to check on his sister even though she insisted she would be fine.
“My sister did”, Vernon sighed, getting on his knees and looking below some old cars parked on the sideway, hopelessly searching. “But no one has seen him. I think I lost him, Seungkwan. For real.”
“Hey”, Seungkwan touched Vernon’s back for him to get up and look at his face. “Please, don’t give up yet. I think I know someone who could help us.”
“And who? We’ve talked to everyone already. Even Sofia’s friends from school are looking for him and absolutely no one has seen a sign of Leo.”
“Hoshi has, um, a friend. He’s a vet student. He might be able to help us, I bet he has a good amount of knowledge on patterns cats tend to follow when they run away. But you’ll need to come with me to uni tomorrow morning if that’s okay.”
Vernon doesn’t know why he is making such a big deal of Seungkwan’s proposal in his mind, they were just going to his college together so they could bite the last piece of hope they had on finding Leo. It wasn’t that deep at all. But he was still feeling all of his blood rushing through the veins of his fast-beating heart at the thought of going with Seungkwan somewhere. They’ve been meeting every day for two weeks and always messaging each other - true, it was all for Leo and all about Leo, but Seungkwan has been the kindest human being towards Vernon ever since the day they’ve met and he seemed to care so much about everything he was going through. And when Vernon would feel really bummed and start sinking in his melancholy and just really missing his cat, Seungkwan was always there now to put a hand on his shoulder and tell him to cheer up, to not lose his hope, looking into his eyes with the most brilliant, diamond-like irises Vernon’s ever seen in his life, together with a sweet smile. Maybe he was starting to develop a little crush or he was just overly sentimental these days. He’d rather think the latter. After what seemed like a lot of time, he responded it was okay and told Seungkwan to message him the hours and their rendezvous so that he wouldn’t make Seungkwan late or anything.
-
Just like that, the next morning they met at the bus stop he was told to go, and they took the bus together. The sun was starting to rise more and more, illuminating the bus’ interior through its large windows. Vernon was seated by one, the sun turning his eyes into a pool of honey Seungkwan wanted to dive in. He took a deep breath. It was starting to get ridiculous how hard he’s been falling since the day he laid his eyes on Vernon.
“So, I talked with Hoshi a lot yesterday”, he started talking so he would distract his silly thoughts. “about the guy we’re going to meet. He’s our senior, mine and Hoshi’s. His name is Lee Seokmin. Hoshi told me he has the highest grades in his class and has helped a lot of animals even though he’s not graduated yet. I’m not assuming anything but, you know, I think he’ll be the one to solve this.”
“I really hope so”, Vernon said, finding something to fix his gaze at so he would not look at Seungkwan any more than he should. “But I can’t say that I’m confident.”
“Do your parents already know?”
“That Leo’s missing?” Seungkwan nodded in response, “yeah they do. He is the love of my mom’s life so she is very sad. My dad is too, but since they planned to stay a month in the States at my grandparents’ house I told them to relax and enjoy the vacation, and that I would handle everything.” He scoffed. “One of the few times I lied to them. I’m not handling anything .”
“I think you’re doing just fine. Even though we haven’t made much progress, you’re still trying your best to find him. You should be more proud of the littler things you achieve, you know.” Seungkwan wasn't looking at him either. Them both were fixing their gazes on a random spot. “I’m no one to tell you this stuff because sometimes I, too, doubt myself a lot, but we need to learn how to forgive ourselves for things we can’t control. It’s not your fault Leo went missing, Vernonie.”
Vernonie. It was the second time Seungkwan had called him that. The first, was through a message and he just pretended it was a typo. Coming from his mouth, in his voice, was much sweeter. But Vernon didn’t want to make Seungkwan feel awkward because he knew the blonde boy said things like that as a part of his gentle nature, so he smiled a little, taking his saying and keeping it in his heart. They didn’t talk anymore the rest of the way. Seungkwan told him when they were arriving, and just like that they took off the bus together. Hoshi was strangely waiting for them at SNU’s main entrance. They were wearing a puffy jacket and their hair was now trimmed and all spiky.
“How’d you know I was arriving earlier, you scary thing?” Seungkwan greeted them and Vernon did the same.
“I figured, obviously. And since I am the one who knows Seokmin the best, I am in my right to accompany you both.” They said, smiling brightly at Vernon. “Come on, follow me.”
They followed Hoshi through the campus. Vernon was amazed by the size and the amount of people. He never thought of getting into university before, there’s nothing he really sees himself graduating in except music, which he hasn’t told his parents yet, afraid of what they may think and say. He’s 19 but he won’t be forever. Since he started to “hang out” with Seungkwan and Hoshi, thoughts like this just came into his mind all of sudden. They went from building to building while chatting about random stuff, Hoshi being the one who talked the most, until they finally arrived at the medicine campus, whose buildings were destined to med studies, biology and veterinary and so on. Hoshi was all sweaty palms when entering the elevator.
“I shouldn’t have come. It was a total mistake.” They said.
“Why?” Vernon asked curiously, his mouth working faster than his brain.
“Hoshi has this big fat crush on the guy we’re about to meet” Seungkwan said, being slapped right by them after. “What?! Vernon would notice anyway.”
“Stupid. What if someone hears you?” Hoshi said, whispering.
“We’re in an elevator.”
“Still!” They looked at Vernon. “You know, it’s not like I’m in love or anything. Seokmin is just a nice person, really. B-But um, I have to practice my choreography for my final essay this semester so yeah it was a big mistake coming here when I should be studying and-”
The elevator’s door opened and Hoshi couldn’t finish their sentence because Seungkwan was already dragging them out as Vernon followed. Hoshi let out a loud sigh and guided them through the corridors until they arrived at class B, which was all empty except for a young man seated in one of the front row chairs, taking notes from a book.
“Is it him?” Seungkwan asked Hoshi, but they were already nowhere to be found. “Can’t fucking believe they’ve escaped already and I didn’t noticed a thing!”
The young man in the chair looked back at Seungkwan and Vernon. He has black hair and a mole on his cheek that just makes everything about him seem kind and compassionate, the type of person that’s ready to hug all the animals in the world at once. With a loud voice, but not the type of loud everyone-should-hear-me voice, the type of the I-want-you-to-understand, he greeted them. “Hey there! Do you need any help?”
“Are you Lee Seokmin, by any chance?” Vernon asked. The guy nodded. “My name is Chwe Vernon, Hoshi told us to meet you so that you might help us.”
“Oh, Hoshi! They here with you?”
“They actually ran away just now. Said something about practicing dance for the finals or whatever.” Seungkwan said. Seokmin approached more. “I’m Boo Seungkwan from the Humanities building. I came all the way here with Vernon hoping you would help him find his cat.”
“A lost cat? What happened? A friend of Hoshi's is mine too, I'll do anything I can.”
Vernon told Seokmin everything that happened to Leo and everything he’s been doing in the past 2 weeks to find him, and also how unsuccessful everything’s been. Seokmin listened to everything very attentively. When Vernon ended his explanation, he said: “Vernon, your cat definitely hasn’t disappeared. If I’m right, I think I know where he could’ve gone.”
“What!?" Vernon and Seungkwan said at the same time.
Seokmin giggled. “Follow me.”
With all this mysterious vibe, he left the room and Vernon and Seungkwan followed him. Vernon could feel his heart beating fast in his chest, thinking about finally seeing Leo’s adorable face again after what it seemed like years without it. Seungkwan’s face was illuminated at the thought, too. He’s been helping Vernon not only because he cared about him in some way but also because since the day he met Leo at the street, every night he would dream of it. Dream of Leo going after him and then suddenly disappearing. He should have helped him that day.
“Wonwoo!” Seokmin entered this other classroom screaming like the world was about to end. It was a lab, actually. The Wonwoo person was looking through a microscope, wearing a lab coat all in white, gloves and everything. The shout Seokmin gave scared him so much he almost dropped the microscope on the floor. He looked at Seokmin with fire in his eyes.
“I could’ve released some terrible disease on the world just now, you punk.” Wonwoo shouted back, removing his protective glasses. “What is it? Why are you with your dirty shoes on my lab you-”
“It’s not your lab, it’s the uni’s. Plus, please please please tell me that the rescue department took in that orange stray cat the other day. I know you're the one who analyses the animals' blood samples for them so you must know.”
“You guys rescued Leo?” Vernon’s eyes turned wide.
“Who are these people oh my god.” Wonwoo was in total disbelief as he noticed Vernon and Seungkwan with their dirty shoes in the lab too. He sighed, frustrated, knowing everything was already compromised with the exterior’s bacterias anyway. “Yes, Seokmin, they did. I took his exams about a week ago. Why don't you go ask them instead of going all the way there to ask me?”
“I just wanted to annoy you a little bit. Oh, those are Vernon and Seungkwan by the way.” Seokmin pointed at them. “The orange stray is probably Vernon’s cat.”
“Oh.” Wonwoo coughed a little, and smiled politely. “Um, nice to meet you. I hope it is really your cat. I'm sorry it's not my department. I'm actually a biologist, just help them vets with the basics. Seokmin treats me like a know-it-all but I'm not.” He kept smiling, then stopped. "Now you three out of my lab and go search for this poor cat already."
-
Seokmin, Vernon and Seungkwan all went together to the rescue department in the underground of the vet building. Seokmin was walking a bit more in front of them.
“Can you believe we might actually find Leo?” Vernon asked Seungkwan. He was still in total shock. “If it wasn’t for you, I would be lost.”
Seungkwan tried his best not to turn pink. “H-Hoshi helped us a lot too. Don’t give me all the credit. But I'm relieved that we might find him! I was worried sick already thinking he could be hungry or hurt in the cold out there.” He stopped talking and took a deep breath. “Vernon, I am sorry I haven’t paid enough attention to Leo when he followed me. I should have taken him with me.”
“Is that what’s worrying you?” Vernon stopped walking to take a look in his eyes. He was about an inch taller than Seungkwan so the difference was almost imperceptible, making it so easy to look at him. “Seungkwan, what about forgiving for things we can’t control?” The blonde blushed a little. “You don’t owe me any apologies because you haven’t done a single thing wrong. You are helping me every day for 2 weeks straight, nonstop, and we’ve just met each other and you’ve seen Leo only once. I can count on my fingers how many people would actually do that for me. You’re amazing.”
Don’t freak out don’t freak out be cool “Thanks. Really. I’m just very glad your eyes are glimmering with hope again.” Seungkwan should just stop talking.
Vernon also turned pink and as he searched for a response in his now empty head, Seokmin saved them both by saying: “Oh, here are you guys. Why have you stopped walking? Am I interrupting something?”
Vernon and Seungkwan were stopped in the middle of the building while looking into each other’s eyes, so yes, that was some way of seeing it. Definitely interrupting something. They turned to Seokmin very quickly and began to follow him again, in total silence, their minds anywhere but there. Vernon had to remind himself he was still looking for his cat and nothing in the world, not even Boo Seungkwan’s diamond eyes and round cheeks and heart-shaped lips and him, was more important than that. But boy was that difficult. The path Seokmin was taking them seemed almost like a never-ending corridor. Seungkwan would never imagine his university had a place like that.
“Okay, this is it. The rescue department.” They stopped in front of a very old door, the only room in the whole corridor. Seokmin turned to look at them. “I know it doesn’t look so friendly but it’s our only hope, so be it.” They entered the room altogether.
It wasn’t at all like the exterior. It was a big, enormous room, with a lot of pets in those big shelter cages. Like, really a lot of them, and also a lot of students dressed like Seokmin, probably all vets. Some locals were there too, filling adoption fees, meeting or looking for their new four-legged friends. Seokmin told them to follow him until they stopped in front of a woman with short hair.
“If it isn’t our Lee Seokmin!” She smiled softly. “Have you finally decided to join the rescue team for good?”
“No, not today,” he smiled back. “I’m here because, well, let’s see. These are Vernon and his friend Seungkwan, from the Humanities block. Do you remember the orange cat you guys rescued on the streets last week? Pointy ears and all?” She nodded. “Well, we think he might be Vernon’s cat that's missed for weeks now.”
Her eyes widened a bit. “Could it be?” She grabbed her phone and scrolled through her gallery. “Is it him?” She showed Vernon a photo of Leo on her phone. Vernon immediately bursted into tears he couldn’t even stop from coming before it was all over his face, nodding like a child since he couldn’t even speak. “Oh my, don’t cry please. Calm down. Your cat is being taken care of and has been a very good boy. He’s not hurt either.”
“Where is him?” Vernon asked while trying to dry his tears. He felt a pressure on his shoulder and just knew it was Seungkwan’s hand comforting him. “Please. We all miss him so much back home.”
The girl bit her lip. “We… It's adoption day today. I’m afraid a couple just left with him.”
Vernon felt the floor crumbling beneath him. What the actual hell. He was inches from seeing Leo again and now some random people just took him away. Seungkwan moved his hand from Vernon’s shoulder to grab his own hand very tightly, like he was saying he was there. He was holding Vernon. Holding his hand.
“Give us some information, anything. We need to find them.” Seungkwan said. “Leo’s not their cat. It’s Vernon’s. He has a family already!”
“Come on, Jieun, please help us.” Seokmin begged her.
The girl, Jieun, sighed and looked at them, like she was already regretting what she was going to say. “I can’t share personal information with you. What I can say it’s that the couple left in a white car and that I heard them saying they were going to grab a coffee at Starbucks together before going home with Leo. Sorry. But the nearest Starbucks is…”
“Three blocks from here!” Another voice joined the conversation. It was Hoshi, all sweaty and red and out of breath like they runned a marathon. “Vernon I… sorry… for letting you two alone. I’m stupid. But I won’t run away this time. I saw a couple taking your cat and ran the fastest I could, some mad scientist told me you were all there… anyway… three blocks, they’re three blocks from here if they’re at Starbucks.”
Vernon noticed he was still holding hands with Seungkwan when he was going to hug Hoshi. They let go of each other’s hands awkwardly and together gave Hoshi a hug so tight they almost lost the remaining oxygen they had left.
“We should hurry then!” Seokmin said, but Hoshi stopped him and looked at Vernon and Seungkwan.
“You two go. We’ll stay here. No need for four people running when Seungkwan plays five different types of sports.”
Seungkwan rolled his eyes, then ran with Vernon like their lives depended on arriving at Starbucks before it was too late.
-
They ran two blocks and Vernon was already out of himself. He should really start practicing more sports. Seungkwan told him he could just wait and he would solve anything since he was still in very good physical condition, but Vernon refused saying he wanted to do at least that. So they kept running. And when they were finally arriving at Starbucks and Vernon couldn’t feel his legs anymore, a white car just left the establishment. Seungkwan cursed loudly.
“Vernonie please I can see you’re not holding yourself together anymore. Stay here and let me go. I will come back with Leo, I promise.”
“Seungkwan, they’re in a car.” Vernon said through his fast-paced breath. “I don’t think you can beat a car.”
“I can do anything in this world if I’m going to see you smiling next, so stop worrying and let me do this.” He said without thinking much. Vernon doesn’t know if his face is hot from running too much or just because of Seungkwan.
“Okay. I’ll be waiting for you.”
And then Seungkwan ran with all his heart. He ran and ran even though the white car was just a glimpse of view right now. Even though he probably wouldn't make it. Even though it was just a cat but then it was not. It was Vernon’s. He thought of everything he and Vernon shared these weeks and how sad he felt whenever they would end their search of the day without Leo. How much Vernon was missing his cat and how Seungkwan wanted to see him happy and how he would tear the world apart for it. And how this is all so crazy because oh my god they know each other for less than a month but since the day Seungkwan met him, everything changed. It was so stupid. His legs were running while his mind wasn’t even thinking of moving anymore. Mother Destiny was kind and gave him an advantage, stopping the cars with a red sign. Seungkwan got in the road like he was absolutely insane, looking for the white car. There were so many of white cars though. He had to look at each of them until he found one with a cat in it. The sign was almost green when he finally, finally found it. Found the car. Found Leo. He opened his arms in front of the car as he dared them to move and kill him right there.
The driver honked. “Get out of the way you madman!” He yelled. Cars behind them were all honking as well.
“This cat in your wife’s lap!” Seungkwan yelled back. “He’s my friend’s. Please give him back!”
“What? Are you a catnaper or something? I am not going to give you this cat. I’m going to run you over with my car, kid!” The man kept yelling and everything was chaotic.
“Please, I’m not lying!” Seungkwan almost threw himself above the car’s bonnet. “I just want you to give me the cat!”
The wife’s man told him something Seungkwan couldn’t hear and all of sudden she left the vehicle with Leo in her hands, giving him to Seungkwan with a short smile.
“I don’t think you were going to risk your life if it wasn’t a really special cat for you, so you can have him.”
Seungkwan grabbed Leo and the cat meowed to him, almost as if he was recognising Seungkwan. He felt like he would burst into tears just like Vernon did back at the rescue department. He thanked the lady a million times and bowed another thousand, asking apologies to her husband, who seemed like a new enemy just like the other orange strays he’s been annoying thinking they might be Leo. He didn’t run back this time and held Leo tightly in his arms so the cat would not run away again. He did seemed fine though, well taken care of just like the day Seungkwan saw him for the first time. His heart started beating very fast when he was approaching the Starbucks, where he could see Vernon seated at the sidewalk, waiting.
“Vernon.”
Vernon looked at him and smiled the largest smile Seungkwan has ever seen in his life. He shows Leo to Vernon and the cat meows loudly, jumping from Seungkwan’s arms to Vernon’s, bumping his head and licking Vernon’s tears of joy. He stood there watching the sweet scene with a smile on his face too.
“I missed you so much buddy.” Vernon told Leo while petting his head. “Have you thanked Seungkwan for helping you see me again?” He looked at Seungkwan and his heart ached again, rushing blood in his face and ears. Seungkwan approached him and petted Leo on the chin, making the cat purr as it was slowly getting sleepy.
“Poor baby must be sleeping so bad these days from all the stress. I’m glad he’s okay now.” He raises his head to look at Vernon again. “And… I am glad you’re going to be okay too.” He smiled without showing his teeth, just a soft, small grin.
Vernon couldn’t get a hold of himself when he decided to simply steal a kiss from Seungkwan’s lips. His emotions working over his brain again. Seungkwan looked at him with his diamond eyes widened and just plain shock stamped on his face.
“I’m sorry I just. I don’t know why I did that honestly it’s just um, me being so filled with things I don’t understand since the day I met you and now being so happy that everything just exploded I guess. I’m sorry I’m so weird-
Seungkwan held his face in his hands and swept away the remaining tears on his cheeks, looking at him, all honey eyes he adored so much since day one. “Did you know the driver called me a catnaper.”
Vernon laughed a lot, Leo sleeping in his arms like a baby. “You still need to tell me everything that happened.”
“I know. It’s just that you make me speechless too.” Seungkwan kissed him back, so sweet Vernon would get easily intoxicated if this kept going. “I could kiss you forever if I hadn't just ran three blocks plus a road full of cars a few moments ago.” They laughed together. “I’m also filled with things I don’t understand since the day I met you. But I thought you wouldn’t think of me that way?”
“You really? Oh my, we having communication problems already! How could I not be thinking of you when I literally told you you were amazing?”
“Shut up silly.” Seungkwan smiled at him, blushing, and Vernon held his hand.
“Let’s get Leo home. I can't wait for you to meet my sister.”