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This new territory smelled wrong.
Not bad wrong, just different wrong. Instead of the familiar scent of Ricky’s scented candles mixed with the floral smells from the bottles of watery goo that Ricky used on his face every morning, this place smelled like paint, wood, and plastic.
Bingbing sat on the smooth marble slab that is to be the new kitchen table, his fluffy tail wrapped neatly around his little paws as he surveyed his new kingdom. In front of him, his beloved Ricky was moving boxes from the big room to the littler rooms for reasons Bingbing could not begin to parse. Would it not make more sense to have all your boxes in one place? That way it’ll be easier to decide on which box is best suited for sitting as one’s mood demands, no? At least that’s what Bingbing thinks; humans always make things so needlessly complicated.
There were a lot of boxes. So many boxes in all shapes and sizes and colours and some even had wheels! And each box was filled with all kinds of fun things for Bingbing to play with! Some things he recognised, some he didn’t, but all were scented by Bingbing as he tried to help his human sort through the mess.
Eventually though, his Ricky very gently removed him from a wheeled box full of Ricky’s nice clothing that Bingbing was in the midst of turning into a comfortable nest. With a soft “Bingbing, baby, I know you want to help daddy unpack but please” he set him on the counter where Bingbing now sat, supervising the whole operation.
Ricky placed some deliciously textured plastic on the counter while he crouched to place the good plates in the cabinets below. Bingbing was a good kitty and was able to resist pouncing on the yummy bubblewrap for a few seconds but alas, the call of the crinkle was too seductive.
*pop*
“Bingbing...” came Ricky’s exasperated voice from under the counter.
Bingbing quickly dropped the forbidden treat just in time for his human to unfold to his full height and stare down at him. Bingbing rolled on his back and batted at the air cutely because he’s a good boy who would never try to eat plastic especially after costing his human several thousand dollars in vet bills and many sleepless nights.
Ricky just sighed and gave him a belly rub, fluffing the soft fur of Bingbing’s underbelly. “Naughty kitty. You’re lucky you’re so cute.” he says while gathering the gnawed-on bubble wrap to dispose of where stray paws were unlikely to reach.
Bingbing purrs, knowing that he’s in no real trouble. He learned long ago that as long as Ricky’s voice stayed soft and warm with contentment, Bingbing could get away with anything. It was the sharp, tight voice that he had to worry about like the one Ricky used when Bingbing knocked over the expensive bottles his human keeps in the bathroom. That voice meant Bingbing wasn’t going to get any treats no matter how big his eyes got or how sweetly he meowed. Ricky might even bring out the dreaded spray bottle to shake menacingly in Bingbing’s direction.
The apartment was bigger than their old one. Bingbing had already completed two full patrols of the place, marking corners with his cheeks and sniffing any dark areas for devious bugs. Besides the typical napping spots (bed, bathroom sink, laundry basket, 2nd bed, etc.), there was a whole room for Ricky’s clothes and another for the glowing rectangles he talked to. Seemed a bit excessive but Bingbing approved of excess when it came to his human’s happiness. There was also a balcony (Bingbing rumbled like a lawn mower when he found it) with a view of many, smaller buildings and, more importantly, other balconies.
By all accounts, this apartment was better than their old one but it lacked one thing. The familiar scent of home. It would take time; Bingbing would have to rub against every surface, shed on every piece of furniture and possibly, strategically, vomit on the carpet to really make this place home.
Just as Bingbing was pondering on the optimal spot to throw up his last meal, Ricky came out of the bedroom in a different outfit than the one he was wearing 5 minutes ago. This was normal of course; Ricky changed outfits the way other humans breathe–frenquently and without much thought. This particular outfit was a soft cream sweater paired with Ricky’s favourite pants (of which he had 10 pairs) and accessorised with a pair of thin rimmed glasses and Ricky’s usual stack of earrings.
“C’mon, baby.” Ricky scooped Bingbing up with practiced ease. “Let’s film the intro together and then you can continue exploring. Otherwise my comments will be filled with your disappointed fans.” Ricky laughed slightly while running a hand down Bingbing’s back. “I’ll give you a treat later for your cooperation.”
Bingbing chirped in acknowledgement. He understood film like he understood vet or bath, it was just something he had to do to make his human happy–whether he actually enjoyed the experience was irrelevant but a treat would be highly appreciated.
Bingbing allowed himself to be carried to the special room, where the little black box with its one shiny eye stood on a tall stick, surrounded by bright lights that made everything look like the middle of the day, even though the sun was starting to set outside. Ricky settled onto his chair with Bingbing in his lap and played with his hair a little while staring at his reflection in the rectangle on top of the box. Once he was satisfied, Ricky smiled and then pressed a button on the box.
“Hi everyone!” Ricky’s voice changed whenever he was talking to the people who lived inside the rectangle; more animated and bright than the voice Bingbing is used to hearing. “It’s been a while since my last video, so welcome back to my channel! As you can tell by the title, this video is going to be extra special because… we have officially moved to Seoul!”
Bingbing purred as Ricky’s hand stroked down his back, gentle and soothing.
“But first, there’s a very special boy who wants to say hi~” Ricky lifted Bingbing up so the rectangle could get a better look at him. “Isn’t he just the cutest little creature in the world?” Ricky’s voice went soft and full of affection, gently moving one of Bingbing’s paws so it looked like he was waving. “Bingbing say hi!”
Bingbing looked directly at the glowing rectangle and meowed because he’s a polite cat and Ricky asked so nicely.
“He’s been such a good boy during this whole moving process.” Ricky continued, absentmindedly squishing Bingbing’s toebeans. “A little stressed–but who wouldn't be? It’s a completely new environment, although I’m not sure if Bingbing understands that we’re not in LA anymore.” Bingbing meows and nibbles on one of Ricky’s fingers. “But either way, he’s handling it like a little champ. Aren’t you, baby?”
Bingbing purred and pushed his head against Ricky’s hand. The rectangle people couldn’t answer Ricky’s questions right now but Bingbing knew that they were there somehow, watching and listening. Ricky had once shown him, in the small glowing rectangle, these things called comments that the rectangle people leave him. Some of these comments were people saying nice things about Bingbing, calling him "precious" and "fluffy baby" and other terms that Bingbing didn't fully understand but recognized as positive.
"Okay, I'm going to let him explore while I talk about the apartment and what we've got planned for the channel now that we're here," Ricky said, giving Bingbing one last kiss on his head before setting him down gently on the ground. “Stay out of trouble, okay”
Bingbing stretched and chirped in response before padding out of the room. Behind him, he could hear Ricky launching into an explanation about “new content opportunities” and “K-beauty products” and “collaboration potential”, his voice taking on that enthusiastic quality that meant he was genuinely excited about something.
Good. Ricky's happiness was the most important thing in Bingbing's world.
Now to stay out of trouble like a good boy…that is, if trouble doesn’t seem more interesting.
—
Bingbing had been meaning to investigate that balcony more thoroughly. The door to it was in the main room, just past where Ricky kept his plants and Bingbing’s favourite cat tower. It was opened just enough for a cat of Bingbing's considerable intelligence to figure out the rest.
He approached the glass sliding door and pawed around until the gap became wide enough. Bingbing squeezed through, his fluffy coat compressing and then poofing back out once he was through like a marshmallow returning to its original shape.
The balcony was small but sufficient for all of Bingbing’s cat needs. The floor was warm from the sun and he had a nice, new view of tall buildings with signs that bore squiggly characters he couldn’t read (not that he could read the old ones either). There were also a lot of new smells here; plants from other balconies, food cooking somewhere far below, and...
Bingbing's nose twitched.
And something sweet.
Not flower-sweet or food-sweet, but... soft-sweet? Clean-sweet? The kind of sweet that made him think of the way Ricky smelled right after his long soaks in the big water bowl, all warm and powdery. It was coming from the next balcony, the one separated from his by a gap that looked very jumpable and a small dividing wall that looked very climbable.
Bingbing's tail swished once, twice.
He wasn't supposed to leave the apartment. That was probably, definitely a rule. But Ricky was busy talking to the rectangle people, and the sweet smell was very compelling, and Bingbing had always been exceptional at jumping.
Before he could think better of it (thinking better of things had never been Bingbing's strong suit) he hopped onto the balcony railing. The gap between the balconies was barely a gap at all, really. More like a suggestion of space. And there was that low wall he could use as a stepping stone.
One leap, perfectly executed, and Bingbing landed gracefully on the neighboring balcony.
The sweet smell was stronger here. Bingbing followed it with a single-minded focus, past a small table with a watering can, past a pair of comically large slippers (did a giant live here?), and there, in the last patch of sunlight, Bingbing saw the most peculiar thing.
It looked like a very small, very fluffy pillow. Or maybe a cloud. A perfectly round cloud with a big, pink bow on top of it.
Bingbing knew what bows meant. Bows meant present. Ricky put bows on things sometimes, especially around the time when a tree came inside for no reason. And presents were good things; things meant to be appreciated and enjoyed.
Bingbing’s human has been so stressed out about leaving their old home; Bingbing had heard it in the quiet sounds Ricky made when he thought Bingbing wasn’t listening, had felt it in the way Ricky held him extra tight the last few nights. He got a lot of pets and “You’re such a good boy, Bingbing.” and “This would be so much harder without you by my side.” so Bingbing has been on his best behaviour to ensure his human wouldn’t be sad.
Maybe this soft, sweet-smelling cloud was a present for Bingbing. Ricky did say he would get a treat for his good behaviour and Bingbing is the bestest, most well-behaved cat in the world!
Bingbing approached the cloud-present carefully. It smelled even better up close, like baby powder and milk and something else he couldn't quite name. Warm. Safe. Good.
He leaned in and gave it an experimental lick, near the bow.
The cloud sneezed.
Bingbing jerked back and froze, one paw suspended in mid-air, ready to smack (should the cloud prove hostile).
The cloud unfurled, and Bingbing found himself face-to-face with the most beautiful creature he had ever seen in his entire life.
The beautiful creature (a puppy?) was tiny; even smaller than Bingbing who wasn't a particularly large cat. His fur was pure white, so clean and fluffy he looked like he'd never encountered a single speck of dust. His eyes were dark and round, blinking slowly at him with an expression that suggested he’d been having a very nice dream and was now awake and–
His tail started wagging.
Not a big wag, but a definite one; a tiny metronome of happiness that made his whole back end wiggle slightly. He tilted his head at Bingbing and Bingbing’s heart—which he hadn't known could even do this—did a complete flip inside his chest.
He looked... happy to see him? Confused, certainly, but happy. Like waking up to find a strange cat licking your head was a pleasant surprise rather than an invasion of personal space.
The puppy leaned forward and sniffed Bingbing carefully, his little nose wiggling, and then his little tail wagged faster. He made a soft noise–not quite a bark, more like a squeak–and booped noses with Bingbing. Up close like this, Bingbing could see the sunset behind him reflected in those big, dark eyes.
Oh wow.
Ricky always says that Bingbing is the cutest creature in the world, but Bingbing is pretty sure this small, fluffy, sweet-smelling dog is the cutest creature in the universe!
"Haohao?" a voice called from inside the apartment, male and concerned. "Hao-bao, where are you?"
The beautiful puppy’s ears perked up slightly at the sound but he made no effort to leave his no-longer sunny spot. He just kept looking at Bingbing with those adorably round eyes and wagging his little white curl of a tail.
Bingbing's mind raced. The voice meant someone was coming. Someone who would probably take his beautiful puppy away. Someone who might not understand that Bingbing had clearly been meant to find the littler pet, that this was fate and the puppy smelled like everything good in the world and he was still wagging his tail at Bingbing and Bingbing–
Bingbing moved without thinking.
With speed born of pure instinct and possibly panic, Bingbing gently grabbed the creature by the scruff of his neck (like how mother cats carried their babies, the safest way he knew) and bolted.
The puppy made a small, surprised squeak, but didn’t struggle. Instead he went limp in Bingbing’s mouth like the way kittens did, trusting and tiny and weighing almost nothing at all. Bingbing leaped back onto the wall, onto his own balcony railing, and then he was home, racing through the gap in the door with his precious cargo held carefully in his jaws.
Ricky was still in the filming room. Bingbing could hear his voice, smooth and enthusiastic, talking about something called "color theory" and "seasonal palettes." Good. That meant his brief disappearance went unnoticed which in turn meant Bingbing had not broken any rules and was still a good boy.
Bingbing carried his new friend to his favourite cat tower; the tall, tree-shaped one with five different levels and a fluffy penthouse bed at the very top that had the best view of everything. That was his favorite spot, the most special place in his entire domain, and it was clearly the only acceptable place for the perfect creature dangling limply from his jaws.
Bingbing quickly scaled the tower and gently deposited the puppy in the plush bed, watching to see what he’ll do.
The puppy got up, shook himself once (his little pink bow bobbing with the action) and then sniffed delicately at the bed's cushioning. He walked in a small circle, testing the softness with his tiny paws, apparently finding it acceptable (but of course! It’s Bingbing’s favourite bed!) because he promptly curled up into a ball and closed his eyes.
Just like that. As if he’d always belonged here.
Bingbing's tail swished with satisfaction. See? He liked it here. This was definitely the right decision.
Bingbing settled down next to the puppy on the bed and began grooming his ears, which were the softest things he'd ever felt. The puppy smelled even better up close; that powder-and-milk sweetness mixing with the sun-warmed scent of his fur. Bingbing licked carefully between his ears, around the pink bow, and the puppy made a tiny sound that might have been a sigh of contentment. Bingbing purred in response.
Haohao. His name was Haohao. Bingbing tested it out in his mind, matching it to the perfect creature sleeping in his bed. It was a good name. A beautiful name for a beautiful–
The doorbell rang.
Bingbing's ears swiveled toward the sound, but he didn't stop grooming Haohao. Doorbells rang sometimes. This was usually followed by a human or sometimes, like magic, a box.
The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time.
Then someone started knocking, rapid and loud, and Ricky's voice cut off mid-sentence in the filming room.
"What the fu–" Bingbing heard his human mutter, then the sound of equipment being set down and footsteps approaching the front door.
Bingbing carefully groomed the spot behind Haohao's left ear. He smelled so good. How had he lived his entire life without knowing something could smell this good?
The front door opened.
"Hi, I'm so sorry to bother you," came a voice from the doorway—the same voice that had called for Haohao earlier, but higher now, stressed and worried. "I'm your neighbor, and I know this is weird but have you seen a small dog? White, about this big–” there was a pause, presumably for a hand gesture Bingbing couldn't see, “–wearing a pink bow and he’s very small and I can't find him anywhere and I'm completely losing my mind because he’s never gotten out before and–”
The voice stopped abruptly.
Bingbing looked up from his grooming to find two humans staring at him from across the room.
Ricky was standing in the entryway of the apartment, his eyes wide with surprise and something else Bingbing couldn't quite identify. It somewhat reminded Bingbing of the look on his human’s face when Ricky found out the bugs eating his plants were actually a singular 6 kg, blue point coated ragdoll cat.
Next to him was the tallest human Bingbing had ever seen. He had to be the owner of those giant slippers on the balcony. He was staring directly at Bingbing and Haohao with an expression of pure relief mixed with utter bewilderment.
"That's..." the tall human said slowly, pointing at the cat tower, "that's my dog. In your cat’s cat tower… Is your cat grooming my dog?” he asked incredulously.
Bingbing looked down at Haohao, who was still sleeping peacefully, then back at the humans. Bingbing resumed licking the puppy's ears.
Who, in their right mind, could resist doting on such a perfect being? Bingbing was completely sane (and very smart!) so of course, he was grooming Haohao.
"I–" Ricky started, then stopped. Then started again. "I guess? I don’t know– Bingbing, what did you do?"
Bingbing's tail swished innocently. He hadn't done anything wrong. He'd found a present and brought it home and even given it the best bed in the house. By all accounts, he was being an excellent host.
The tall human had moved closer to the cat tower, and now he was looking at Haohao with such overwhelming relief that his whole body seemed to sag. "Oh my god, Haobao," he said, and his voice changed completely, went high and soft and syrupy-sweet; the kind of voice humans used for very small, very precious things. "There you are! You scared me so much! Yes you did! You scared Appa so much!"
Bingbing saw Ricky's expression shift; his eyes softening, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a tiny smile. The tall human was still talking in that baby voice, reaching carefully toward Haohao, and Ricky was watching him with the same look he had when Bingbing first met him as a little kitten in a pet store. Soft, delighted and a little mesmerised, like his heart was melting inside his usually cool shell and he didn’t even know it yet.
The tall human carefully extracted Haohao from the bed. Bingbing would have hissed but the second the tall human got within optimal yowling range, Haohao woke up. Bingbing got distracted watching the puppy blinking in that slow, adorable way of his. The moment Haohao recognized his human, his tiny tail started going like a propeller so fast it was almost a blur, his whole body wiggling with joy.
"My baby, my perfect baby," the tall human crooned, holding Haohao against his chest and covering his face with kisses. "Don't ever do that again, okay? Never, never, never–"
Haohao's tail wagged even harder, and he started licking his human’s face in return, little puppy kisses that made the tall human laugh; a bright, happy sound that made Ricky's smile grow bigger. Bingbing tilted his head while staring (in jealousy) at Haohao’s perfect little tongue tickling his human’s cheeks. Haohao’s human looked like one of the rectangle people that lived in the big rectangle mounted in the living room. Bingbing didn’t know the rectangle people could come out of the glowing rectangles.
Much to think about.
"I'm so sorry," Ricky said, his voice having that tight quality that meant he was embarrassed, though Bingbing didn't understand why. "I was filming and I didn't–I didn't even know Bingbing had left the apartment. He must have broken into your home via the balcony…Is your dog okay? Did Bingbing hurt him?"
“No, he’s fine.” the tall human said, checking Haohao over with gentle hands, running them over his tiny body to make sure every lovely part was intact. “He seems completely fine. He’s just…” He looked back at the cat tower, then at Bingbing, and his expression shifted to something like amused disbelief. “He was just sleeping…while being groomed…after being dognapped by your cat?”
From his position on the cat tower, Bingbing watched as Haohao, still in his human's arms, suddenly seemed to remember where he’d been and what he'd been doing. His head swiveled toward Bingbing, his dark eyes bright and alert, and his tail started wagging again.
Then Haohao did something that made Bingbing's heart stop.
He jumped.
Just launched himself out of his human's arms, tiny legs flailing, clearly intending to get back to the cat tower and back to Bingbing and–
“HAOHAO!”
The tall human's hand shot out with reflexes that suggested he was very used to catching tiny dogs mid-flight, and he scooped Haohao back against his chest before the puppy could fall. "No, no, baby, you can't just–you'll hurt yourself! You don't have wings, Haobao! We’ve talked about this!”
But Haohao was wiggling in his human’s arms, little ears laid flat on his head, trying to crane his neck toward Bingbing and making little whining sounds that were clearly protests.
He wanted to come back.
Haohao wanted to come back to Bingbing!
Bingbing stood up on the cat tower platform, his own tail swishing with agitation. The beautiful creature wanted to return and his human was preventing it! This seemed deeply unfair to everyone involved.
"I think," the tall human said, looking between his wiggling dog and the cat tower with an expression of wonder, "I think Haohao likes your cat. Like really likes him.” The tall human’s eyes lit up with sudden understanding and laughed. “Oh my god. Haohao probably thinks your cat is Mr Lucky.”
“Who?” Ricky asked. Bingbing also wanted to know who the hell this Mr Lucky was; Bingbing is Bingbing!
“Haohao’s favourite toy. It’s a stuffed cat.” The tall human continued to pet Haohao to calm down the little dog. “I got it for him because Haohao was really scared of cats when he was little and sometimes my mana– erm, friend who has a cat needs to babysit Haohao for me so it was important for Haohao to get used to cats. Anyways, now Haohao sleeps with it every night and carries it everywhere and–” The tall human laughed again, shaking his head. “He thinks your cat is a giant, living version of his favourite toy.”
"That's..." Ricky started, and Bingbing could hear the smile in his voice now, "that's actually really cute."
The tall human adjusted his grip on Haohao, who had given up on escaping but was still staring at Bingbing with intense focus.
"Okay, Haobao," he said in that gentle voice. "If you promise to be good, we can say goodbye to your new friend properly. But no more jumping, okay?"
He moved closer to the cat tower, close enough that Haohao could reach Bingbing if he stretched out his neck.
And he did.
He leaned forward, his tiny nose reaching for Bingbing who leaned down to meet him. Haohao gave him one soft lick right on his nose and Bingbing's eyes widened.
A kiss.
Haohao had given him a kiss.
His heart did that flip thing again, so hard this time he thought it might actually escape his chest.
"Okay, that's it, we're going home before you try to move in here," the tall human said, pulling Haohao back gently and tucking the small dog in his hoodie. But he was smiling, and when he looked at Ricky, there was something warm in his expression. "I'm Gyuvin, by the way. Kim Gyuvin. I should have said that earlier, but well… the whole dog-napping situation took all my focus."
"Ricky," Ricky said, and there was something different in his voice too, something soft and maybe a little bit shy. "Ricky Shen."
The two humans just looked at each other while slightly smiling for a while. Haohao yawned. Maybe because it’s the first time either human really took the time to look at the other but Bingbing saw as their faces went from friendly pleased to confused to recognition and then shock at the same time.
“OMG wait–”
“Hey, wait a minute–”
“You’re Lovelicky!” “You’re Gu-won from Demonic lovers!” The two humans shouted at the same time. Bingbing’s human turned a nice shade of pink while the other one became a tomato.
They opened and closed their mouths and moved their arms in a weird dance. Haohao was already back to sleep, half his tiny body in his human’s hoodie and the other half resting on his shoulder. Bingbing might just follow suit if the humans don’t wrap up their strange mating(??) dance soon.
Ricky coughed into his fist and the taller human finally stopped flailing his arms. “You watch my videos?”
"Yeah, I love your content.” Gyuvin rubbed his nape. “Your reviews are always so thorough and your tutorials are easy to follow and the way you express your opinions is always so funny!” Gyuvin laughed slightly like he was embarrassed. “I always watch your videos during my filming breaks…”
Ricky’s face became more pink at that comment. He coughed again. Bingbing hoped he wasn’t becoming sick. “It’s always nice to meet a fan…” and in a quieter voice, “I really enjoyed your performance as Gu-won. It’s my current favourite drama.”
Gyuvin beamed at him so brightly that Bingbing swore he could see a halo behind the human. “Thanks!” he giggled. “But wow! That’s so cool. I can't believe Ricky Shen watches my dramas. And lives next door… and has a dognapping cat…”
The humans shared a laugh and turned to look at Bingbing, who was still standing on his tower, watching Haohao with intense longing.
"I should probably..." Gyuvin said reluctantly, but he didn't move toward the door. Hao sleepily rubbed his tiny head against his human’s jaw and Bingbing suddenly had the irrational desire to claw at Gyuvin’s face. "I should let you get back to filming. But maybe... I mean, clearly our pets are going to keep finding each other anyway, so maybe we should–"
"Exchange numbers?" Ricky finished with something in his voice that Bingbing had never heard before. Something warm and hopeful and nervous all at once. "For...pet emergency purposes?"
"Exactly," Gyuvin said, his whole face brightening. "For pet emergencies. And maybe…play dates? So Bingbing doesn't have to resort to dognapping Haohao when he wants to hang out…”
“Yes!” Ricky said, then seemed to realize how eager he sounded. He cleared his throat. "I mean, sure. That could be nice. For the pets."
As the two humans fumbled with their glowing rectangles, standing closer together than strictly necessary, Bingbing remained on his cat tower. He watched as they exchanged information, as Gyuvin promised to "message later" and Ricky smiled that soft smile again.
Haohao sleepily yipped and Bingbing meowed back in response as Gyuvin finally, reluctantly, headed toward the door.
"It was really nice to meet you," Gyuvin said from the doorway, Haohao tucked into his hoodie collar. "Both of you. Even under these...unusual circumstances."
"You too," Ricky said, smiling. "Both of you."
The door closed, and suddenly the apartment was quiet again.
Ricky stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door and then turned slowly to look at Bingbing.
“You little rascal!” Ricky scooped up Bingbing from his cat tower and tucked him into his arms like a baby. His human didn't use his sharp voice so Bingbing relaxed in his hold.
Bad choice.
Ricky started tickling Bingbing’s pouch and messing up his neat underbelly fur. Very annoying. Bingbing meowed in protest until his human stopped.
Ricky flopped onto the couch and lifted Bingbing up in the air. Cat and human stared at each other, eye-to-eye. “You,” Ricky smiled when Bingbing pressed a soft paw against his human’s nose, “are either the best wingman in the world or the most enterprising cat ever born. I honestly can't decide which."
Bingbing purred and placed his paws on his human’s chest so he could rub their cheeks together. He had no idea what a wingman was but if it meant he’ll get to see Haohao again, he wouldn’t mind being that.
"He's really nice," Ricky murmured, more to himself than to Bingbing. "And he watches my videos. And he's...I mean, he's literally Kim Gyuvin. How is this my life?"
Bingbing chirped in agreement. Yes, the tall human seemed nice. Nice humans were good. Nice humans who came with perfect tiny dogs were even better.
"Come on," Ricky said, scooping Bingbing up. "Let's finish filming. And then maybe...maybe I'll message him later. You know, about setting up a proper playdate for you and Haohao."
Bingbing purred louder. A playdate. That meant seeing Haohao again. That meant more time with the most perfect creature who smelled like baby powder and milk and happiness.
As Ricky carried him back to the filming room, Bingbing felt the new apartment shift around him. It still didn't smell quite like home yet, but maybe that was okay. Maybe home could smell like something new.
Something sweet.
