Work Text:
It's still early in the morning when Jisung smells the scent of coffee coming from their living room. He's barely opened his eyes, but the unmistakably smell of roasted beans never fails to do something to his chest – it’s only been a few weeks since he's been able to smell it again.
Minho is a man of routine, always has been. He's been waking up at the same hour every morning for the past three years they've been living as a couple, unless it's the weekend, where he stays in bed to cuddle with Jisung. He makes coffee then, the first cup always for Jisung. It's the only way Jisung is able to wake up and be a functional adult, and Minho knows – loves – him more than anything to do such a simple thing for him.
But, sometimes, routine breaks. Sometimes the mundane steps done every single day are shaped and morphed into something unrecognizable. Mourning can do that to you.
The second step on Minho's morning routine was to feed Byeollie, their elder cat. She had been Minho's childhood cat, one that he took with him when they bought their apartment together because they were inseparable. One that gave them endless, unforgettable moments both of love and desperation, for she had trouble written in her face. A beautiful white cat that made their space feel even more like home.
They were both devastated, the moment they learned of her condition. Age does not forgive anyone, and even less a seventeen-year-old cat.
Since the day they buried her, Minho has not been the same. Routine escaped his fingers as if it became thin air, and instead a hard time of tears and weekends spent in bed for hours embraced them both.
It wasn't nowhere easy for Jisung, either, because the few years he got to meet her, he loved her like she was his. But he knows, though, that Byeollie and Minho had a truly special bond. The testimony is in Jisung's folder of photos of Minho and Byeollie cuddling in the couch.
Jisung was able to move on with time. He was able to make peace with the pass of time and with the fact that their apartment was only for the two of them now, and be able to look at her photos without crying his chest out.
It's not been that easy for Minho.
Minho, whose heart is made of gold, who gave his everything to always take care of them both. Who always made sure Byeollie was properly groomed and well fed and thoroughly petted – there wasn't a day Jisung didn't think Byeollie was as loved by Minho as how much Minho loves him.
The first days were the worst. It was just Minho and Jisung and their apartment empty of meowing and chirping. It was them barely eating and drinking and even less going to work, to the point their shared friends had to barge in every other day and take care of them.
As the days passed Jisung was able to go back to work, and Minho had to go back to work. A hopeful feeling that teaching kids about math and the rest of everything Minho loves would at least take him out of the edge. It worked for a few hours, Minho had told him. It helped him take his mind off of how much he missed her, but it was in the moments of silence and an empty mind that she came back to him.
Those were the worst moments of them all.
Even if it was terribly difficult for Minho to start going back to his usual life, Jisung was there every step of the way. He was there when Minho had a breakdown in the parking lot of the supermarket, because they bought cat food without even realizing. He was there when Minho had pleaded him to come pick him up at his school, because he couldn't stand a single more second of feeling like his chest was ripping apart.
With the help of a therapist and a healing heart Jisung helped to mend back, and after countless days of hard work, Minho was finally starting to move on.
A huge grin rips through Jisung's face at the sight of Minho in their kitchen-slash-living room. Minho is mumbling to a song he has playing on his phone, on a low volume so Jisung doesn't wake up from it. He's so busy with making their coffees that he doesn't hear Jisung padding towards him, not acknowledging his presence until Jisung embraces Minho from behind.
The small jump Minho makes endears Jisung to no end.
"Jisungie!” Minho whines, now relaxing onto Jisung’s hold. “You scared me shitless."
Jisung cannot help but giggle, embracing Minho further and nudging his neck with his head. "Sorry, darling, I didn't want to interrupt you. You seemed too happy wiggling your butt to Dracula."
Minho huffs a laugh, turning the volume up a little bit more as he now pours a second cup of coffee. "Well, of course, it's an amazing song."
"That it is."
Time doesn't seem to pass when Jisung has Minho in his arms. It's been six years since they've been dating, and the feel of having him against his chest will never stop making him feel like home. Minho must be in a hurry, though, because he turns around in his embrace to peck him on the forehead and to give him his cup of coffee.
"Here you go."
Jisung cannot help but pout at the fact that he has to let go of Minho to grab the offered cup, but he also knows Minho has to leave soon to work. He cannot make him late. Again.
"Thank you, baby," Jisung says as he blows on the cup, taking the first sip. The coffee Minho makes tastes like heaven. "Are you leaving work at your usual time today?"
Minho stops wiping the counter to look at him with a raised eyebrow, and Jisung has to look away with what feels like a blush creeping up on his cheeks. He doesn't know how to pretend he doesn't have something secret planned.
"Yes, I'm leaving at my usual time," Minho answers nonchalantly regardless, because if there's something he's an expert in, is knowing Jisung inside and out. He always knows when Jisung is up to something, but he also knows how to act like nothing is going on. Jisung wonders if he could love Minho even more than this. "Will we still be having our movie night tonight?"
Ah, yes, of course. It's Friday today. And Friday night means movie night, because movies have been one hell of a saver for Minho to fully heal, and they truly need some time to unwind from their weeks. Cuddling in their couch with a movie on is the best medicine.
Perhaps they won't be able to have a movie night today, though.
"Of course!" Jisung lies, because he really needs not to fumble this. "It's my turn to pick, by the way."
"Oh," Minho airy laughs as he hangs the drying rag on the counter. "Then that means it's Howl's Moving Castle night."
"Hey!" Jisung pouts as he slaps Minho's clothed chest. "So what about it? I chose The Incredibles last time."
Minho smiles fondly at him, that one smile he makes when he's too endeared by Jisung. "I know, darling, I'm just messing with you. But I'm not wrong, aren't I?"
Jisung tries to hide his smile, not because of their bickering, but because Minho would be right if watching a movie was on their plans tonight at all.
"Maybe," Jisung ends up saying, because he's worked hard enough to mess it all now.
The rest of their shared morning goes by a breeze, because Minho has to leave earlier than usual, and because Jisung gets lost in time when he cannot help but kiss Minho breathless.
Jisung begged Minho to grab the bus today to work. It's Jisung's free day today, but he ended up convincing Minho that he needed their car to run very important and life-altering errands for their apartment. Minho thinks Jisung is going to Ikea to clean it out and fill their spare room with fake-stained glass furniture.
Jisung is going to buy cat supplies.
It's been in Jisung's mind for a while, the idea of adopting a kitten. It's only been three months since Byeollie passed away, but it was Minho's therapist's idea that they could give a kitten a new home to try and mend things that cannot be truly fixed.
Jisung was wary of the idea, at first. The last thing he wants to do is make Minho suffer through something so soon again, or even break his heart by assuming Minho is ready for such a big commitment – it would be their cat, this time.
But Minho has been opening up to the idea lately, if all the kitten videos Minho has been sending him the past couple of weeks or the endless rambling about cats when they cuddle in bed are to go by.
He even hypothetically asked Minho if he would be okay with adopting a kitten one day together – the absolute shine of happiness in his eyes was more than enough of an answer.
Minho doesn't know, though – or at least Jisung hopes so – that today he will be taking Minho to the shelter just a couple blocks away from his school and perhaps add a new member to their family. He also doesn't know that Jisung has been visiting this and other shelters for the past month to help feed the cats, either, so he could get to know some of them and see if any would take a liking to him.
There's an orange tabby cat with white strips that caught Jisung's attention two weeks ago. He seems utterly nuts at first but, the more you approach him and get to play with the cat, the more you realize he's an angel and the absolute best cuddle buddy.
Jisung had fallen in love with him at first sight, actually. But he's refraining himself from admitting it, in case Minho doesn't connect with the cat and they decide on another one.
Jisung has the feeling, though, that he will be it for them.
It takes Jisung the whole morning going back and forth through the whole city to buy everything they will be needing for their newest addition to the family. He made sure he bought kitten's food, cat litter and new toys – in case Minho doesn't feel okay using the ones they kept from Byeollie – and even the fluffiest bed he could find, even if he's aware the cat will end up sleeping with them tonight. If they bring one home, that is.
By the time lunch time has passed and the moment Minho should come out from work arrives, Jisung gets his phone and his keys and walks to the bus stop. There's around twenty minutes by bus to Minho's school, and leaving now leaves him around ten minutes to be able to wait for Minho outside. Just perfect.
When he arrives, there's a rush of cars with busy parents and kids walking everywhere, but Jisung cannot see Minho anywhere. He walks through the crowd as best as he can to reach the front of the school and, even then, he doesn't see Minho nor any of his students.
As Jisung is about to panic and call Minho before he leaves home without him, he hears a familiar voice calling him from behind.
"Jisung?"
Jisung turns around surprised to hear the deep voice, immediately smiling when he sees the freckled man smiling at him.
"Felix! What are you doing here?"
Felix is one of Jisung and Minho's shared friend. He was Minho's coworker first, and now he's one of Jisung's best friends. The bestest friend, if you were to ask Felix. He was one of the main reasons they were both able to survive their grieving of Byeollie, together with his boyfriend's Chan cooking. Jisung will be forever grateful to them.
The man laughs as he hugs Jisung tight. "What do you mean what am I doing here? I work here!"
Jisung giggles at the silliness of it all. "As if I don't know that! I just wasn't expecting you to creep up to me from behind."
Felix gives him a last squeeze, snorting. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm waiting for Minho-hyung."
The endearment on Felix's face is obvious. "Of course you are."
Jisung pouts, because he's happy to see Felix here, too. But Felix is right – he only comes here if it's for Minho. He should come here for Felix from time to time as well.
Before Jisung can question Felix of Minho's whereabouts, though, Felix speaks.
"If you're searching for him, he said he was going to review a few things before leaving."
As Jisung is about to ask in which class Minho is staying back, a ping from his phone comes.
Minho <3
hi darling, will be arriving a tiny bit late today
i have to finish grading a couple of things first
i'll get some cheesecake omw to make up for it <3
Jisung cannot help the snort that comes out of his chest, too stupidly endeared with how beautiful Minho's soul is.
"Well, I guess your answer is right there," Felix says with a smirk, as if Minho was his crush and not his boyfriend of many years. "He should be on class 1-B."
Jisung tsks, rolling his eyes. "I'll go get him before he drowns himself in work again. Thank you, Felix."
Felix gives him a blinding smile before he hugs him tight again, holding on a little bit longer than usual.
"It's nice to see you both so happy again," he whispers before he parts the hug, and it takes all of Jisung's will not to tear up right then and there. "Call us soon so we can hang out, alright?"
Jisung nods and farewells him, now walking towards where Minho is probably too engrossed in correcting math formulas and forgetting his sitting posture.
It's exactly how Jisung finds him, slouching against the exams he's grading with his glasses falling off his nose. He looks so beautiful Jisung wonders for the nth time how he got so lucky.
"You aren't being so stealthy this time, Han Jisung," Minho says without looking up, and it makes Jisung snort.
"Well, I guess my squeaky sneakers didn't help."
Minho drops the green pen as he giggles, getting up from the chair and walking towards Jisung.
"What are you doing here, darling? I wasn't expecting you to come."
Jisung is not sure if he's being honest or teasing the fact that he suspected he would be picking him up today from the very beginning, but it doesn't matter when all he feels is the warmth of the hug Minho gives him.
They just stay there like that for a while, taking each other in and enjoying the quietness of an empty school. Eventually Jisung parts the hug to be able to kiss Minho hello, and perhaps it's a kiss that takes too long to only be in greeting.
"I really wanted to pick you up today," Jisung ends up saying, after their lips are a little bit too red and their breaths a little bit too out.
There's a slight raise of Minho's eyebrows that Jisung almost misses and well, of course Minho suspects something. But it doesn't matter, because Minho could never expect where Jisung is taking him now.
"And that's all?" Minho questions, and it confirms Jisung he's too smart for his own good.
Jisung shrugs, fighting to keep the nonchalance he's trying to sell. "Of course, I just thought it would be nice to accompany my beautiful partner home."
This time Minho fully raises his eyebrows, and Jisung folds. He always folds for Lee Minho.
"Alright, okay, I want to take you somewhere first."
Minho giggles at the admission, a triumphant smile on his face. "Ah, and where does my beautiful Jisungie want to take me?"
Jisung moves Minho back to his seat, and puts the forgotten pen on his hand. "Nowhere if I know you enough. I think you'll want to finish this first, hmm?"
Minho lets out an airy laugh and shakes his head, but starts reading the paper again. "My bug knows me too well."
Jisung spends the next half an hour just looking at how Minho pours his heart into his work. He watches as how Minho takes his time explaining the mistakes on the exam in written form, instead of just crossing it out wrong. He sees how he writes little congratulation notes in the ones that have higher grades, and encouraging ones in the ones that could be better.
"It's incredible how you haven't gotten to drill a hole through my skull today," Minho says as he puts all the exams away in a folder, and it earns him a slap on his shoulder.
"You would be drilling yourself a hole in your forehead if you saw how beautiful you are."
Minho pretends to gag at the cheesiness of Jisung's words, but his red ears betray him. He loves Jisung's cheesiness.
"So," Minho ends up saying as he gathers everything to leave. "Shall we go?"
Jisung grabs his hand and nods. "Let's go."
Minho is surprised when Jisung says they don't need a car to go where they're going, that they will be walking there. He's also surprised when he asks about Jisung's purchases of the day and Jisung makes up something about going somewhere else instead to cover himself up, but the cherry on top is the face of astonishment he makes when they step in front of the animal shelter's door.
"Jisungie…" Minho whispers as he takes in the surroundings, as if he's trying his best understanding that they're actually here. "Why are we here?"
Jisung gets scared for a second that this was too much, that he went overboard and stepped on Minho's boundaries about the matter. But, the second Minho looks back at him, with a certain happiness that he hasn't seen in him in months, he knows he made the best choice.
Jisung turns around and grabs both of Minho's hands, leaving a small peck on the knuckles. "Well, I thought maybe we could…" he swallows, now feeling his heartbeat accelerate. "I thought maybe we could look around and see if we fall in love with a kitten?"
The blinding smile that breaks on Minho's face fights every single other light around them, only compared by the one Jisung has now on his face.
"So, this is what you've been up to all this time, huh?"
Jisung's eyes open up like saucers, confused. "What do you mean?"
Minho gets closer and cups Jisung's face, stroking his cheek so sweetly that it gives Jisung goosebumps.
"Sometimes you reek of cat when I get home at night," Minho says, smiling at him so endearingly. "That, and the fact that you keep forgetting we share our bank account. I didn't mean to, but I saw the donations you've been making to different shelters."
The high-pitched sound Jisung lets out makes him feel embarrassed, but not more by the fact that he's been donating to all these places for weeks in his and Minho's name, and Minho has known all along.
"I thought it was very cute," Minho continues, still caressing his cheek. "But I didn't expect you to bring me here today, I have to say."
Relieved that at least this has been kept a secret, Jisung relaxes his tense muscles and closes the distance.
"We don't have to choose today, or one from this specific one, but…"
"But?" Minho questions, but at Jisung's pleading face and telling silence, Minho pecks him on the lips again. "Shall we go in, then?"
Jisung is just able to nod eagerly, now grabbing Minho's hand and guiding him inside.
From all the shelters Jisung has been to, this one is his favorite. It's not only because of that orange tabby cat that he still refuses to fully admit he stole his heart, but because this is where Byeollie was adopted at too. Jisung knows because it's one of the first things Minho told him about himself when they met back in college, and he remembers because it's the reason he crushed so hard on Minho. It was incredibly endearing to hear a math major talk about his beautiful white cat.
The thing that Jisung loves about this shelter, too, is that it's safe enough for the cats to be able to wander around without getting lost or cramping inside a small area. They have their own secured backyard where they can lounge and play all they want, and a special area just for the kittens to be nursed either by their moms or their caretakers.
That's where Jisung wants to head first, because that's where the cat is at. But it should be wise for Minho to have a look at all of the others first, and then make them a visit. Although, Jisung is starting to see, Minho has other plans.
As if dragged by an invisible thread, Minho tugs at Jisung instead towards where Jisung knows is the kitten area. Perhaps it's because they can hear the tiny meows all the way from the entrance, or because Minho's intentions have been to raise a kitten with Jisung all along.
But what Jisung doesn't expect, though, is how they arrive there and the first thing that Minho does is gasp at the sight of a cat tucked in a corner, playing with a plushie rat.
A beautiful, tiny orange cat with white stripes.
Jisung should have known that Minho would have felt the same way about the kitten. It's the same feeling he got the first time he came here – awestruck by how cute and silly he looks like. Like something was pulling him to the creature, and definitely the same thing Minho is feeling right now.
Bordered by a low-raised fence, the kitten area is guarded by a couple of caretakers. They immediately recognize Jisung, though, even more as he's been visiting this specific place more and more lately.
"Are you here to see him?" one of the volunteers asks, and the question takes Minho out of his trance, now looking at Jisung. Looking back, Jisung knows he's processing every single bit of information he knows about the situation and, sooner rather than later, Minho will know that the main thing Jisung wanted was for Minho to meet that cat.
"You wanted me to see the orange cutie, didn't you?" Minho ends up asking, so softly that it's only shared in between them.
Jisung shyly nods, and the pure adoration that grows in Minho's face only makes him blush deeper and deeper.
The same caretaker opens up the fence for them to come inside, and a swarm of kitties immediately drown them – Minho first and Jisung second.
Even if Minho is fixed on going for the orange cat that is still doing its own thing, he cannot help but pet all of the cats that have come to him, and it's a sight so cute that Jisung takes no time in snapping a bazillion pictures. He takes his time saying hello to all of them too and, since almost all of the kittens are busy with the newcomer, Jisung takes the opportunity to approach the orange cat.
As if just realizing there's something else other than his rat toy, the cat meows the second it sees Jisung sitting beside it, and the warmth of being recognized by his favorite cat here overwhelms Jisung. He immediately butts the hand Jisung offers, and the moment he starts petting him with both hands, the cat purrs loudly.
"He's beautiful," Jisung hears no long after, seeing now that Minho has been freed from the kittens thanks to the very distracting wand that one of the volunteers is swatting around.
"He is, isn't he? He's batshit crazy."
The soft giggle makes Jisung's smile widen, to the point his face is starting to hurt.
"Of course he is, he looks like he has no thoughts behind those eyes."
As in cue, the cat slaps Jisung's leg and falls over, making them both laugh.
"How long have you known him?"
Jisung looks at where the cat is approaching Minho's offering hand now, not even a couple of sniffs before he butts his head against Minho's palm and immediately tries to climb his lap.
"Two weeks, I think? He seems to really like you."
The only answer Minho gives is a small hum and a smile, too busy scratching the kitty's back.
They stay like that for a while, playing with the orange cat in silence, seeing as how it falls more and more in love with Minho.
Of course he would, Jisung thinks, when Minho is the greatest, gentlest person he knows. Of course the cat he fell in love with would fall in love with them both.
"Do you think we could take him home?"
Jisung gets surprised by the question, but the sincerity and vulnerability Minho is looking at him with make him know there's not a single teasing tone or doubt in that request. He knows Minho also fell in love with the cat.
"Of course we can," Jisung answers after a few beats, caressing Minho's tousled hair. "We can give him a beautiful home."
Minho furrows his eyebrows, though, now looking worried. "But we don't have food, nor litter, and I think it's too late to go buy that and –“
"Darling," Jisung stops Minho's rambling by cupping his face, pressing a soft peck on his cheek. "It turns out that we miraculously have at home plenty of kitten food, cat litter for months and the fluffiest bed you've ever seen."
Minho's eyes turn from worried to amazed, opening up and shining under the now artificial lights. "That's what you went to buy today, isn’t it?"
Jisung giggles, nodding his head. "Yeah, the Ikea trip could wait for another day. I actually kind of really want to go with you."
Minho softly places the kitten back to the floor and cups Jisung's face, and all the love that he sees in his face looking back at him makes his heart skip a beat.
"You do know that I love you to pieces, don't you, Han Jisung?"
The use of the full name makes him giggle like a teenager in love, melting into Minho's touch. "Of course I do, Lee Minho. I love you so, so much, too."
Jisung doesn't care that the volunteers see them kissing. He doesn't care that they're witnessing how softly Minho's lips press against his, how they fuse into a single being.
He does care, though, about the fact that one second he's melting against his boyfriend, and the next there are tiny claws poking into his leg.
"Ouch!"
The orange kitten has decided to climb to Jisung's lap, seemingly upset that nobody is paying attention to him anymore. Minho grabs him to free Jisung from the pain, laughing at Jisung's pouting face.
"It's not funny, hyung."
Minho laughs louder. "Oh, baby, it really is."
"Have you decided on the adoption?" the other volunteer asks as they approach them, looking like they're wrapping up the area for the day. "He really seems so happy with you both."
Minho looks at Jisung, and Jisung looks back at Minho. They share endless words without even moving their lips, knowing that this is what they both want. They want to add this little terror to their little family.
Jisung gets up from the floor and helps Minho up, and they nod at the same time.
"Yes, we would like to take him home."
It takes an hour for them to go through all the adoption papers. Questions asked left and right that are easily answered, with endless documents that are signed in no time. It takes ten minutes to place the small orange tabby inside a carrier, gifting their now parents a few scratches and bites. It takes two seconds for them to choose his name.
"Soonie," Minho says, quicker than Jisung had to even begin to think. He had some ideas here and there, but the second Minho says that name, Jisung knows is the right one.
"Soonie then," one of the managers of the place gives back, finishing up the papers. "Welcome to your new family."
She grabs the carrier and gives it to Jisung, but he places it in Minho's hand instead. The smile Minho gives him is beautiful.
"We'll be sending you some finishing papers, as well as the dates for the rest of his vaccines and neutering," she finishes with a big smile and a low bow. "But that is all for now. Thank you so much for giving him a lovely place to live."
Minho and Jisung bow back to her, saying their goodbyes to the rest of the employees and volunteers with the biggest grins on their faces.
Once they step out and into the night, Minho lets out a deep sigh. Jisung is about to worry about it, but the one-armed hug Minho gives him then makes Jisung forget any negative feelings.
"Thank you so much, Jisung," Minho says as Jisung hugs him back, inhaling deeply. "Thank you for taking me here and adopting this sweet little thing with me. We will be such a beautiful family."
Jisung cannot help the tears that escape his eyes, and he must have let out a sob, because Minho moves to leave the carrier on the floor and properly hug Jisung.
"Oh baby, don't cry, it's okay," Minho mumbles against his shoulder, but Jisung can hear the wetness on his words, his own shirt starting to get wet.
They went through so much. The grieving was devastating for both of them, but even worse for Minho. He came so far in the healing process and Jisung is so proud of him, and it makes him cry even more tears knowing that Minho is so happy now, that Jisung did something to make the love of his life heal.
"You deserve to be so happy," Jisung manages to say back against Minho's shoulder, the shirt under getting more and more wet as well. "You deserve everything, Minho."
The hug gets tighter and tighter with each word shared, with every tear shed.
"Thank you for making me so happy, Jisung."
Not only the neck of Jisung's shirt is wet with Minho's tears, but his back is starting to feel wet too. It's when they part their hug to kiss sweetly that Jisung realizes it's not only tears staining his shirt, but rain droplets as well.
"Shit, I didn't know it would rain," Minho says as he grabs the carrier and scoots a little bit back, pulling Jisung by the hand to get some cover under the building. He sniffles and dries his leftover tears from his face, and moves to do the same to Jisung’s face. "Is the car too far?"
Jisung blinks at the question, looking at where the pavement is reflecting the lights more and more as the water keeps pouring. He then looks at Minho, and realizes he fucked up big time.
"I didn't bring the car. I came by bus."
This time, instead of tears, Minho lets out a laugh. He laughs so loud Jisung cannot help but laugh too, because this is all just too surreal.
"Shit," Jisung sighs, coming down from the high of laughing with a slump of his shoulders. "It didn't even occur to me that it would be a good idea bringing the car to carry the kitten home…"
Minho is still snickering softly, and he shakes his head as he looks at Jisung. He looks too endeared to even be close to upset. "It's okay, Jisungie, we can just get the bus back."
Lucky for them it's not raining that much, and there's a bus stop on the other side of the street. Jisung grabs the carrier this time as Minho guides them both to the safety of the roof of the bus stop, just when rain starts falling a little bit harder.
Jisung gets worried that Soonie is not having a good time inside the carrier but, as he takes a look inside, he sees Soonie napping peacefully with the rat plushie squished to his face. He needs to take a picture.
As Minho coos at the sight too, the bus number ninety approaches and stops in front of them, both of them running the few steps in between the now pouring rain and the dryness of the interior of the vehicle when it opens its doors.
Minho moves to sit on the seat beside the window all the way in the back, and Jisung places himself next to him. The bus starts and Soonie is still sleeping soundly, so Jisung relaxes and lays his head on Minho's shoulder.
"What a crazy day," Minho mutters as he's looking out the window, watching the cars passing by. The lights are distorted by the falling droplets on the glass, and it makes it look so peaceful. Everything feels so comfortable.
Jisung nudges his head closer into the crook of Minho's neck, and Minho shifts a bit to caress Jisung's hair. He cannot help the content hum that comes out.
"I didn't fully expect for us to be coming back with a cat, and even less with Soonie," Jisung says, softly so he doesn't bother anyone else in the bus. "But I'm so happy we made the choice."
Minho moves his hand to grab the one Jisung isn't using to hold onto the carrier, and he interlaces their fingers.
"I'm so excited to have him with us, to be honest. I cannot wait to see him grow."
Jisung smiles and gives Minho a small peck to his shoulder. "Me neither."
The rest of the trip back home, Jisung almost dozes off. The calming patter sound of the rain falling on the roof of the bus wants to lull him into a deep sleep, but before Morpheus can claim him for the night, Minho shakes him softly.
"We're almost there, darling."
Soonie having eaten back in the animal shelter allows Minho and Jisung to relax once they get home. Jisung had already put the bed and the food bowls on the living room before leaving home, and now what's left to do is place a still sleeping Soonie in his bed.
With the rain mingling with the quietness of the night, Minho guides an also sleepy Jisung to change into their pajamas, almost convincing him to go straight to sleep.
"But we're going to miss movie night," Jisung mumbles as he puts his t-shirt on, even if he already made peace earlier that day with the fact that tonight they wouldn't be watching anything at all.
"You're falling asleep standing up, Jisungie."
Still, Jisung really wants to cuddle with Minho on the couch. He feels too tender and too sensitive not to have Minho close to himself, and he wants to be close to Soonie too, who is sleeping in the living room. The couch is the perfect place for all of this.
It's the pout that ends up convincing Minho, who drags Jisung to wash their teeth first. It wakes Jisung up a little, enough to go to their couch and place Minho in his arms. He puts up Howl's Moving Castle in the background well aware that he will be falling asleep in less than five minutes, but there's nowhere else he would like to be in this moment.
Everything is perfect, but for one thing.
"Darling," Jisung starts as Minho is tucking them both with their thick blanket, but before Jisung can say what he wants to say, they hear a tiny meow.
"Oh, baby," Minho coos at Soonie, who just got up from his bed and is now trying to climb the couch. "You want to cuddle with us, too?"
As if the universe read what he desired the most in this moment, Jisung watches how Minho grabs Soonie and tucks him under the blanket, where the orange tabby makes himself comfortable in Minho's chest.
At the sight, Jisung completely melts. He cannot help but tighten the embrace he has around Minho, who in exchange caresses Jisung's arms and places a soft peck on his bicep.
"I get what you wanted now," Minho says, barely audible above the movie music. He sounds sleepy as well, and Jisung knows they will be falling asleep in no time. "I'm glad we're not missing movie night tonight."
Jisung smiles and kisses Minho's temple, completely pleased.
"This is all I've ever wanted."