Archive of Our Own

Everything about this was weird.

Baekjin wanting to meet him wasn't exactly unusual. But him going ahead and booking what could basically be called a date was.

The fact that their meeting was in a suburban café was weird—their go-to places alternating between Baekjin's office, Seongje's slightly smaller workroom and at the very best a fancy restaurant.

Baekjin didn't really like cozy places. Or cozy people. So cafés and Baekjin in the same sentence were unheard of.

Seongje doubted the man had ever even stepped into one, especially since Seongje had been the designated errands boy since they met, way before either of them could even grow a beard.

Yes. He knew Baekjin's order by heart. It was not a coincidence that he always walked in with two Americanos in hand. He's not a copycat, okay? He usually got the hot one while Baekjin's preferred his iced. Three middle-sized shaped ices to be more precise.

Not that Seongje really needed that information. Not today when Baekjin was already waiting for him. Which again: weird.

The café was also weird. Having rules that he couldn't care less about, explained by a boring individual that was being very strict about the hand sanitizer at the entrance—maybe that was why Baekjin chose this place. And only because of that Seongje conceded, the alcohol gel erasing the traces of smoke from his hands.

He was not prepared for the sight of not just one but several fur balls walking around the cafe. For a moment he thought he was having hallucinations when he saw Baekjin peacefully sitting on a chair lightly petting a gray cat that was sitting on his lap.

This day was so fucking weird.

But Seongje was nothing if not a confident man, walking straight to the small table Baekjin was sitting at as his nose slightly twitched.

There was no food on the table. Seongje didn't expect there to be. Baekjin wouldn't know what to order. It stung a bit, but the cold stare the man gave him was somehow comforting.

"You are late," Baekjin stated as soon as Seongje took a seat, hand still caressing the cat.

"What are we even doing here?" Seongje asked, half-disgusted at the amount of cats around, half-curious at Baekjin's sudden call to a place like… this.

"I thought you needed some company," Baekjin said, looking down at the furry cat in his lap. Seongje didn't buy that. Why would he need company? Baekjin was the lonely cold guy not him. "And I wanted a coffee."

Seongje rolled his eyes, that seemed more like it, but it was still weird why he would pick to get a coffee from here. How did he even find this place? Baekjin didn't seem like an animal person so it was weird.

The sudden hiss he heard was also strange. He searched for the source of such noise, eyes locking at the cat on Baekjin's lap, who was looking up at him with big dilated eyes. They were making eye contact.

One.

The cat didn't even blink as it stared.

Two.

Seongje lifted an eyebrow.

Three.

The cat's tail twitched once and, as if possessed by the spirit of Ganghak's Wolf, the gray feline launched. It jumped from Baekjin's lap straight onto Seongje, claws hooking onto the collar of his shirt.

There was a yelp, and suddenly Seongje was on the floor along with his chair.

He would like to say that his fall to the ground had been the most humiliating part of the situation. But how could it be?

Seongje was no cat connoisseur, but he was pretty sure the cat was livid.

The claws detached from his collar but not from himself. Paws were attacking any part of him that they could reach, his shirt, glasses, and even face. Fuck that stung.

Seongje tried to get the thing off of him, but it seemed like it only aggravated the cat more. The hissing didn't stop and neither did the scratches.

But Seongje wasn't someone who backed down easily. Not from fights. Not from stupid 3-hour long meetings with terrible negotiations. So if this fucking cat wanted to fight with teeth and claws, Seongje would do the same.

So yes, it might have been inelegant, but Seongje hissed at the cat too, trying to claw it away from him, and did it all with a big smile on his face. Sue him, the cat attacked him first and he knew the law. Baekjin was a lawyer.

But his sudden retaliation didn't end well, because instead of showing that he was the predator, the biggest and most feisty that could eat up a cat for lunch, he ended up becoming the target of all the other kitties around.

What the fuck did they feed those things? Because they were not only chubby but they were angry, and as far as Seongje knew, cats were solitary animals... So why in the fucking hell were they acting like a pack?

And wasn't there a single soul in this place who was going to help him? What kind of place is this that just watches his murder without doing anything? He'll make sure to haunt it in his afterlife. Pull those cats tails and break all the cat-shaped mugs.

"What the fuck!" One had just bitten his ankle, and he shook it off. He kicked the weight he felt on his other leg, while shooing away an orange cat with his arm.

Was this an attacked plan? Cat army? Seongje was bewildered and surprised, but he shouldn't have let himself have a moment to breathe, as the gray cat went all out against him again. Seongje wasn't a weak man, not at all, but the way this cat was attacking him made it seem like he was a freshman being bullied.

"Get off me, you mother-fucker!"

And for the first time that day, it seemed like the universe had listened to him, and his furry attacker was suddenly levitated, and all of the other members of the kitty gang mindlessly went away as if they weren't trying to kill him seconds prior.

Resting his head on the floor, Seongje was finally free. He was extremely relieved, breathing tiredly as if he had just run a marathon. He might have his cigarettes to blame for that.

Looking up behind his crooked glasses—courtesy of the grey demon that kept clawing on him—Seongje could say he was flabbergasted for what he just saw.

But that would have been a massive understatement. Because Seongje was both starstruck and horrified.

The cutest man he had ever seen in his whole time roaming this Earth was cuddling the most maddening creature Seongje had ever had the pleasure to meet. And he had been living with himself. So he knew mad creatures.

But never one that purred and crooned right after an unsuccessful assassination.

Except while looking at the barista, Seongje could almost empathize with the rabid feline. He too would snuggle and cuddle and purr if he was given the chance against this man.

"Pearl," the worker was softly petting the cat like it had done nothing wrong. But Seongje could forgive him simply because his voice was extremely soothing. He wanted to hear more of it. Needed to.

The man kept up the slow movements, and Seongje could see how he was looking attentively for any injuries on the tiny paws.

Seongje watched from the floor how the man shushed the cat like it was a baby, calming it down even though it had been calm from the moment he had picked it up.

Unfortunately for the cat, Seongje wasn't the best of men. Unfortunately for the worker, he wasn't the kindest either.

So he scoffed. Loudly.

"Your cats attack me and instead of checking on your customer, you check on your cat?" He could see the few people in the cafe look at him—as if they weren't standing there doing jack-shit while he was about to become cat food.

"Sir, please lower your tone, you're going to scare the cats," the same worker said, still caressing the cat. "We will have to ask you to leave if you keep acting like this."

Are you kidding him? Leave right after seeing him? Not even if he was paid.

"If you do, I will have to sue you for assault and emotional distress." Seongje tilted his head petulantly. "I have my witness and lawyer." He nodded at Baekjin, who was doing absolutely nothing to help the situation. The fucking bastard. His face was cold and nonchalant as always but Seongje knew he was having a great time laughing at him in his mind.

The worker's brows went taut and he bowed to apologize, grey cat still in hand. But the word sorry never came out of his mouth. "Please, sir, there is no need for that! This is a place meant to soothe not emotionally distress!"

"Does it look like I'm soothed?"

And the cutie finally, finally, looked at Seongje, and by how his eyes almost popped out of their sockets, Seongje was sure the view was great.

"Oh no," the man exclaimed, and it seemed genuine. He let go of the cat, it quickly rushing away. Seongje hoped far away enough. "Are you okay?"

There was a dainty hand placed right in front of him, asking for Seongje to take it. To feel it.

But Seongje liked playing the game. So he reached for it, barely touching before…

"Ouch."

Seongje had never taken acting classes but with the way the man looked so worried made him think he should get into it. Make Baekjin his manager so he'd be forced to know what kind of coffee he liked.

The barista promptly lowered himself to the ground, sitting close. From here, Seongje could read the nameplate on the brown apron the man was wearing. Juntae. It sounded cute just like him.

"What are you going to do about this, Juntae?"

Juntae bowed twice. "I apologize! They've never done this before, ever! Pearl is actually the sweetest girl and I have no clue what happened. Actually, maybe it's the cigarette smell…"

"So you're saying it's my fault?" Seongje asked, feeling like he had to annoy the man, to get a reaction, to see more.

"Of course not—" Juntae lied through his teeth, giving Seongje his best customer smile. "It is just that since our cats have all been rescued, it is possible that they have certain triggers."

Seongje scoffed. "Who would want to come to a cat cafe when your own cats can't behave?"

Juntae looked extremely appalled and offended. Seongje was pushing all the right buttons today it seemed.

"They are well-behaved." Juntae said through gritted teeth. "You just have to know how to approach them."

Before Seongje could rebut and tell him how they were absolutely not well-behaved, Juntae pulled Seongje and stood up, trying to get Seongje to follow him. Seongje would follow him anywhere.

"I'll show you how after we get you fixed up."

For some reason, Seongje's chest got embarrassingly agitated at that line. The promise that he would spend more time with this cutie. The expectation of being fixed up by him. The dainty hand that was touching him. It all got his heart racing. Even more when Juntae guided him through the staff door behind the cashier counter with a hand still wrapped around Seongje's wrist. Like he thought Seongje might wander off and start a war with the cats again if he didn't hold him firmly there.

Which, first of all, rude. Because Seongje wasn't the one who initiated that.

And second of all, very romantic—albeit a little fast-paced for Seongje's liking. Taking him to a private room already? At least offer him coffee first! Wasn't he, as a barista, supposed to do that anyways?

But Seongje didn't comment on it. He could just get Juntae coffee instead.

The backroom was filled with cat posters. Some motivational and some very out-dated. (Who would still have a "keep calm and cuddle cats" poster?). 

"Did you put those up?" Seongje pointed to the posters. Maybe this could be a deal-breaker.

"That was Seokdae-hyung." Juntae rolled his eyes fondly, pointing to stool for Seongje to sit on. "He's the owner of the place."

Seongje sat down, nodding. He watched as Juntae opened a cabinet that was overflowing with medical supplies.

"I thought you said the cats were well behaved?" Seongje had an eyebrow up at all of the content inside the cabinet.

"These aren't here just because of them," Juntae commented as he got a collection of bandages and Fucidin. He asked Seongje to hold it, and Seongje did, finding it difficult to be non-cooperative when Juntae asked him to do something. Seongje blamed his cuteness.

"Then please enlighten me on why a cat café would be harboring an entire hospital in their secret room."

Seongje watched, delighted, as Juntae tried to fight off a smile. Seongje could be a little funny sometimes too, wasn't he the full package? So why hadn't they exchanged numbers yet?

"It's mostly because I was clumsy in the beginning," Juntae said as he opened a package with a gauze. "Burning myself often and all that," he commented offhandedly, turning away from Seongje. "Also sometimes Suho-hyung gets scratches when trying to get the cats to take a bath."

Juntae smiled fondly as he passed the piece of gauze under the faucet, dampening it to his liking before coming back to Seongje and sighing.

"Are you sighing because I'm too handsome?"

Juntae stared straight into Seongje's eyes, trying to find any traces of humor in them. Seongje wasn't joking, though, he was handsome. They stared at each other like that for a couple more seconds, Juntae holding his gaze a little longer than necessary to simply convey are you serious? Seongje would take that as an agreement to his statement.

"I'm sighing because Pearl did a number on you." Juntae pressed the damped cloth to where Seongje assumed his skin had tore.

"She was alright." Seongje didn't want to admit the cat had completely owned him, but the way Juntae had passed the gauze over his whole face said otherwise.

They were too close, Juntae kept doing his ministrations as if this was the most normal interaction he had with a customer but it felt weird for Seongje to be under someone's gaze like this… someone taking care of him, even if Juntae was by all means a stranger. Though that wouldn't stay like that for long.

"By the state of you she was more than alright." Juntae switched to Fucidin, passing it on his bigger wounds. "You're lucky it was during my shift because if it was Suho-hyung or Sieun they wouldn't have helped you out at all."

Seongje couldn't care less about the S names. In fact, the only name starting with S that Juntae should know and care and say was his own.

"Is this always your shift?"

"It is. I usually work during the mornings since I'm in charge of baking pre-opening too." Juntae placed a cat filled bandage on his cheek, and a Hello Kitty one on his elbow.

That was good to know. For when Seongje would come back to require a reimbursement for all the pain the cats had made him go through. Maybe they could pay him back by offering Juntae to him. Not he was into the criminal types of negotiation but Seongje wouldn't mind it. In fact, he'd love it. Call him a dark romantic.

"There you go, good as new," Juntae said, distancing himself from Seongje to put the stuff back where they belonged. Seongje didn't want Juntae to go too far. He liked being under his attention. And their close proximity was nice when Juntae smelled like cookies and cream.

But Juntae still decided to turn away from him.

"I'm flattered you decided to patch me up despite being so sure this wasn't the cat's fault."

Juntae turned around to look at him again, gaze stern. "It wasn't."

Their eyes met. Juntae's gaze transformed into something else, and he didn't look away. Barely blinked. Seongje wouldn't dare to take his eyes off him either. The room sizzled from the electricity between them. Juntae's eyes were big and shining, his mouth falling slightly open, and Seongje's thoughts promptly became considerably less useful.

A pretty shade of pink slowly climbed up Juntae's cheeks.

Seongje needed that image engraved in his brain.

"You should go back to your friend, he's probably worried," Juntae said, glancing towards the door. "I need to keep working too."

Seongje didn't nod, because there was absolutely nothing to agree with in that statement—yes, he knew he had just met this little cute man but he didn't want to waste time.

Couldn't they just skip all of this? Go on a romantic dinner right now at this very moment? Seongje knew a good Italian place. What was a few hours of skipping work? He was sure Juntae had other less interesting co-workers that could fill in for him.

"Actually," Seongje said as Juntae had already reached the door, "before that—"

The door swung open and their moment was shattered by the crazy amount of voices outside. He could hear someone calling Juntae over to which he promptly replied with "coming," before looking back expectantly at Seongje.

"I just—" Seongje breathed out, unnerved that these… customers interrupted his perfectly romantic moment, "wanted to say thank you, Juntae."

He was pathetic. What a loser. Thank you? Who even has manners these days! It was all about timing and romance and—and the most grateful smile accompanied by crinkling eyes that were staring right at him.

Maybe he should say thank you more.

"You're welcome..." Juntae hesitated, eyes growing in curiosity.

"Seongje," he supplied. "Geum Seongje."

Saying it felt oddly cool. Like he was introducing himself in a spy movie.

But that feeling was drowned by the realization that their little private time was cut short because Juntae thought Baekjin of all people would be worried about Seongje. He couldn't be more wrong.

Baekjin was sitting exactly where he had been before, but now with an iced americano in front of him. Devilish Pearl was on his lap again like it hadn't attempted his murder. Though Baekjin probably liked the cat better now. This stupid man.

"Did helping me out not cross through your mind at all?" Was the first thing Seongje said once he sat back on his original chair, careful not to look into the gray cat's eyes again.

"It didn't seem like you needed the help." Baekjin shrugged his shoulders.

"I feel like I did need it." Seongje murmured, but ultimately it lead it to him having a private time with cute barista so he shouldn't be complaining. "Did you have to hold it right after it attacked me?"

"She has a name it's—"

"Pearl, I know…" Seongje sighed. "You could have at least ordered something for me, you bastard."

"I could have." Baekjin repeated, but didn't make a move to call any of the waiters. Really, what the fuck was wrong with him today?

Before Seongje could look around to call for someone to at least grab himself some coffee—hopefully without any furs inside—a slice of cheesecake was placed right in front of him.

"This is on the house," Juntae said, his cheeks still a little rosy. "For the trouble."

What delightful surprise.

"Careful, little one," Seongje teased, "I might get myself in between claws again if this is the reward system."

Not for the cheesecake. Seongje wasn't that big of a fan of sweets. But Juntae bringing him sweets, yes. Big fan of that.

"Are you usually this debauched?"

"Yes," Baekjin replied for him instead. Thanks man for making his waiter feel less than special. "But only when he particularly wants something."

Now he just outed his entire game. What kind of friend are you, Na Baekjin?

"I can bring another piece of cheesecake, then." Juntae smiled sweetly. Fuck. He was so gone. How could someone make him swoon like this when the first time they saw each other was thirty minutes ago.

"I'd rather have—" your number. Or you. "An americano, please," Seongje said, making sure to add the pleasantries.

"Coming right up!" And just like that Juntae walked away, a calico and a tuxedo cat following the short boy's steps.

Baekjin looked at him with a raised eyebrow, the cat in his lap had a similar expression. Judging him for this fumble. He wouldn't have if Baekjin hadn't butt in.

"He's cute," Baekjin commented, offhandedly.

"You better keep your eyes on your fucking pet." Pearl perked up from where she was sitting on Baekjin. "Yes, I'm talking about you, maniac."

+++

After the quite embarrassing experience he had in the cat café, Seongje had told himself that he wouldn't be back so soon. There was no need to reopen any wounds because even if Juntae wouldn't be there—Pearl would.

But he couldn't contain himself. He had to see the tiny cute man so badly that his feet dragged him there.

The cleaning hands and rule procedure were all static, almost more boring than it had been the day before. Seongje's eyes darted everywhere to find the reason he had come here in first place.

Juntae was serving a slice of chocolate pie to an old couple. He looked up at the exact moment that Seongje spotted him, and a smile broke across his face.

"Oh, you're back!" Despite what had happened yesterday, Juntae seemed very happy to see him, which meant Seongje hadn't completely fumbled. Of course he didn't, he was handsome and tall and romantic. He got this.

"I am." He offered a matching smile, the action not at all like himself—he usually went for a side smirk paired with a scoff or a mocking giggle, not a genuine bright eye-crinkling smile. So it was awkward.

Maybe he didn't got this. But one can't be charming all the time. Or else there would be no chase and Juntae would already be his.

"Is your friend coming today too?" Juntae asked, ready to wait to take his order if Baekjin was coming.

"No, today it is just me," Seongje said as he slid into a stool at a tall table facing the glass partition that separated the customer area of the café from the kitchen. It was the perfect place to watch Juntae work, since Seongje knew he would be darting between both.

It was a shame that it wasn't close enough to smell him. Though he doubted he'd be able to smell him here with the way the coffee and stupid sweet pastries permeated the room in an annoyingly soothing way.

"Oh," Juntae nodded, then took a look around the café that was—for the most part—empty. "Then I guess I'll have to supervise you myself." He smiled.

Wasn't the little one getting bold?

"Supervise me?" Seongje scoffed. "Sounds a little obsessive."

Juntae shook his head avidly, but Seongje would make sure he became at least half as obsessed as Seongje was with him. 

"I don't want to take care of any fights again," Juntae said. "And I never got to show you how to approach them properly, did I?"

He didn't. The café had been too full after their storage room escape, Juntae being swept away by customers while Seongje nursed his wounds with a lukewarm americano.

But he didn't mind, not if today his attention would be solely on Seongje.

"Fine." Seongje waved a hand. "Show me your ways."

"But first—" Juntae's customer service voice slipped back in, a playful glint in his eyes. "What would you like to have today?"

"Your number."

Juntae blinked. "You can't stay here if you don't order anything."

Seongje grinned. "An Americano and your number, then."

Juntae stared at him for a moment, and Seongje could have sworn he saw a tiny smile form. But Juntae turned around to make the coffee before Seongje could confirm. But he got to see something else: Juntae's nape going red, matching his ears.

Seongje could let out a real smile seeing that.

When Juntae returned with his Americano, he also placed a small plate in front of Seongje. On it sat a squared piece of brownie, one that Seongje hadn't asked for.

"What's this?" Seongje asked.

"I made them this morning, and I think they're delicious." Juntae's eyes were eager, almost nervous. "And since you didn't sue us, you get dessert on the house. As long as you tell me what you think about it."

Seongje looked at the brownie. He looked at Juntae's hopeful face. He looked back at the brownie.

Seongje wasn't particularly fond of sweets. The bitterness of the cigarette he had every thirty minutes was much more appealing than a chocolatey dessert. But those cigarettes became a dry wall in comparison to Juntae—who is by far the most appealing thing Seongje had ever laid his eyes on.

The conclusion? Seongje would eat anything that Juntae offered with that big smile of his. Even poison. Especially poison.

"Why not?" He picked up the fork, unenthusiastically.

The first bite was... sweet. Too sweet. Seongje's teeth almost hurt. But the texture was nice, and there was a hint of something other than chocolate and sugar in the mix—coffee, maybe—that kept it from being cloying.

It wasn't bad.

Juntae was practically vibrating. "Well?"

Seongje took another bite, chewing slowly, making a show as if he were a connoisseur.

"It's acceptable."

Juntae's face fell slightly. "Acceptable?"

"I mean—" Seongje took another bite, larger this time, not wanting to disappoint the little man. "It's good."

Juntae's eyes seemed to gain a new type of shine in them.

"Yeah?" Juntae's eager smile grew as Seongje nodded. "That's a relief, because Maui actually stepped on that one." Juntae then pointed to a tuxedo cat that was sprawled on its back on his window perch without a care in the world.

Seongje stopped chewing only to make way to one of his infamous smile—though without teeth. He let a breath out through his nose and shook his head.

"Aren't you devilish?" He asked while getting another bite.

The mischievous glint in Juntae's eyes dimmed and he looked at Seongje in horror.

"You didn't think I was serious, right?" Something in Juntae's voice was almost offended at the idea that Seongje thought he'd actually do it.

Seongje shrugged his shoulders. "I'd eat it even if you were."

"Wha—?" Juntae was appalled. "No! Do you think I just hand out food that's been anywhere near—" He gestured vaguely at the cats lounging around. "I mean, they're clean, but still! Do you know how many health code violations that would be? I could lose my job! The café could get shut down! And why would you willingly eat something that could be contaminated with who knows what?" Juntae brought a hand to the side of his head, as if it would stop spinning from Seongje's madness. "You could get a stomach bug, or throw up all over our floor, or, gosh Salmonella. We don't feed the cats raw meat, but you never know! A raw topper could be contaminated and then you could die! Or get Toxoplasma gondii! Do you know what that means? That you could get seriously sick!" Juntae let out a sharp breath. "Do you have no concern for your health? I know you are a smoker but don't you understand how serious this is? You—you doofus."

Wow. Juntae being this worried about him? He had just gotten 10 times hotter. Who knew the sunshine could get cloudy over Seongje's health.

"I was just being supportive of your endeavors." Seongje winked. "But I appreciate your concern over my well-being, and your passion over food safety. It is heart-fluttering."

"Uhm, well…" Juntae seemed abashed by his comment, as he twiddled with his fingers. "With that attitude it definitely seems like you are ready for your first lesson."

Juntae gave him an awkward smile that suggested a thumbs up, and made a gesture with his tiny hand to follow him. He crouched down a couple of meters away from where a hairless cat was lounging on a cushion, and Seongje quickly followed suit.

"Cats are kind of tsundere," Juntae said quietly.

"What does that even mean?"

Juntae giggled, a sound so soft it could be classified as a divine melody. "They act like they don't like you if you give them too much love and attention all at once. But then they come to you after a while because they actually love affection. Just on their terms. So you have to be patient."

"I'm not very good at being patient," Seongje said, staring at the pinkish lips that had just explained to him cat behavior 101. He would have rather be on kiss number one hundred and one with them instead.

Juntae cleared his throat, looking away from Seongje's predatory gaze.

"I'm sure you can learn," Juntae sat crisscrossed on the floor before turning to Seongje again. "What you want to do is get within arm's reach, crouch down, and just let them come to you."

He demonstrated with the naked cat, keeping his body open and letting the sphynx rub against his hand. The kitten purred loudly, pushing her head into Juntae's palm.

"See?" Juntae's voice was soft. "She came to me."

Seongje wished his fairy-godmother would transform him into a cat so he didn't have to go to work and could cuddle with Juntae all day and purr while those gentle hands caressed him.

But alas, he was still very much human, and had to make a lot of money to spend it all in this café.

"Your turn," Juntae said, optimistic. "Sunny's social so you should be okay."

Seongje took a breath, then got within arm's reach. He crouched down, and held out his hand.

Sunny glanced at him, judging him with her little cat-brain, and then looked away.

Seongje remained still in his position.

Sunny looked back at Seongje's extended hand, that was right there just to pet her. Not that he would be a good petter, but... well, it's not like there were that many people offering a caress at the same time. So he thought he had the high ground there.

He didn't. Because Sunny stood up, ignoring him completely as she stretched, and walked straight to Juntae's lap.

Seongje stared at the empty space where she had been, with a twitching eyebrow.

"Are you serious?" He glared indignantly at Juntae, who was trying very hard not to laugh.

"You almost had her," Juntae said, but his voice trembled with a smile.

"She literally walked away from me."

"But she almost didn't. Isn't that progress?"

"I think your idea of progress might be a little warped."

Juntae finally let out a small laugh, and Seongje was so distracted by the sound that he forgot to feel offended over being ignored by a cat.

"Well, you didn't hiss at her." Juntae held up one finger with the hand that wasn't petting Sunny. "You didn't start a fight with her." A second finger. "And you didn't even insult her!" A third. He looked oddly pleased with his little tally.

Seongje scoffed. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of wild animal."

"Mm, not a wild animal." Juntae tilted his head, looking like a proper lamb like that. "I'd say more like a… menace. Yeah, that sounds about right."

Seongje didn't dislike the sound of that. Menaces were unpredictable. Threatening.

"A charming menace?"

"A menace making progress with cats."

"That makes me sound like a bore."

Juntae smiled, soft and unguarded.

"I think it's sweet."

Of course the little sunshine would think that. Seongje wanted to eat his mind up.

But just as he was about to say something that would open that brain up more to him, the café's bell rang. Juntae promptly stood up, leaving Sunny to wander off to a spot safely away from Seongje.

"I've gotta go get that," Juntae said, glancing toward the customer waiting outside. "But I think you did a great job today!"

Seongje watched him go, cataloguing the way Juntae greeted the new customer with an easy familiarity, like he was born to have this job. Maybe he was. The way he interacted with everything around the café was proof enough that this was like his home.

Comfortable enough for Juntae to go on with his day as if Seongje's heart wasn't trying to punch its way out of his ribcage, as if his entire day hadn't suddenly become a little brighter, and as if the uncaring tuxedo cat that really hadn't stepped on his brownie wasn't silently judging him for being such a hopeless romantic.

+++

Perhaps had Seongje become a little eager to go see his little man.

Except anxious might be a better word.

He was standing in front of a window, looking into an unlit café with a closed sign hung at the main entrance door.

Through the glass, Seongje could see a shadow moving inside—a tiny one that was roaming around, fluffing the cats and pillows as he moved his lips. Seongje wondered if he was singing softly to himself or speaking to the cats.

Seongje couldn't help but feel entranced by how the short man moved.

It seemed like the café was an extension of Juntae, like it was a set-piece created for its main character. The perfect place for the main princess.

Maybe the cats helped him with chores and became the horses and coachmen that would take him to a ball where he would dance with Seongje until the clock struck midnight and Juntae would run away, leaving his glasses behind but taking Seongje's heart with him.

Or maybe Seongje should stop daydreaming.

He couldn't waste a moment alone with Juntae, so he knocked on the window.

He watched in delight as Juntae startled inside, being taken out of his morning reverie. Once he caught sight of Seongje outside, his surprised expression softened into tranquility. Seongje's heart did the opposite.

The barista came to the door, being careful to open the first, close it, before opening the second one to face Seongje.

"We aren't open yet," Juntae said, with a big knowing smile.

Seongje slipped inside anyway, passing through the gap easily. He reached for the hand sanitizer with the practiced motion of having been to this place thrice.

"I know," he responded, as he rubbed the alcohol between his palms.

Seongje went ahead and opened the first door once Juntae closed the outside one, welcoming himself into the space like it was his and not full of enemy cats who could still very much try to get the hair out of his scalp or scratch him so much he bleeds dry.

"I can't make you anything yet… I just started baking today's batch."

"What about a coffee?"

Juntae looked at half-beige half-glass wall of that separated them from the kitchen. "I guess I can make you a coffee…"

"Great," Seongje said as he sat at his usual—could it be called usual if he only sat there once?—table. "I'll have an America—"

"Americano, yes," Juntae said before he could even finish.

Seongje's chest flooded with pride and maybe a tinge of surprise at this cutie remembering something so important about his daily life. Knowing his taste already. Something not even Baekjin would know even after more than a decade of friendship.

But Seongje shouldn't get ahead of himself. Maybe Baekjin just sucked at being his friend.

"Interested in me, are you?" Seongje asked, eyes sharpening in tease. Because fuck it if Baekjin sucked being his friend. Juntae remembered.

"Gotta be good at my job…" Juntae said, and promptly disappeared behind the kitchen door. Not completely, obviously, because from Seongje's table—that had been particularly chosen to be his for a reason—he could watch as Juntae expertly did his coffee. Putting extra care into making it and not spitting in it like many other baristas had previously done.

What? Seongje could be a difficult customer. But Seongje wouldn't mind a bit of Juntae's spit in it. He wouldn't throw the Americano in Juntae's face, or in the cash register or on the window or at another customer or—well point is Seongje would savor it. Maybe annoy him a little more so he'd spit again.

Should he annoy him now? But watching as Juntae adjusted the cat mug perfectly into position as he rummaged to find something—probably a sweet marshmallow or a cute tail-shaped spoon—to complete the presentation was much more romantic than any amount of spit could be. No matter how thirsty Seongje was for it.

So when Juntae came out of the door with a cat mug with his hot coffee inside and a little paw butter cookie, it was only natural that Seongje's insides gave a little flip. Maybe two. Maybe even an extra cartwheel.

"Here you go," Juntae's voice was soft. "I have to go finish the pastries."

But he didn't make any effort to move, looking like the sweetest piece of pie while illuminated by the morning rays of sunshine, baker hat now on matching his dark brown apron. So exceptionally cute waiting for Seongje to say something when his mouth was cotton and as his mind was struggling processing the sweet and sugary candy-man that was in front of him.

Seongje nodded dumbly. Juntae nodded back.

"Stay as long as you want," he said lightly, but something in the way his voice dipped at the end made Seongje wonder how many mornings Juntae had opened this place alone. Without Seongje's handsomeness to make his day.

Juntae gave him a tiny smile before waddling away.

Seongje took a sip as he watched Juntae attend to his beloved pastries. He could tell just how much Juntae poured himself into the place, fussing over his bakings to make sure they were impeccable. Seongje couldn't imagine just how many times the man would go over the same recipe to ensure perfection.

Even the coffee he had made for Seongje perfect. Of course it was.

As he settled the mug back next to the paw biscuit—which Seongje wasn't sure he would like but would without a doubt devour—he had the chance to look around and take in the space.

Without the chaos of customers, the café was cozy, warm and quiet. This was probably Juntae's favorite time, or did he prefer the busy in-and-out of guests that got hit with dopamine after getting to pet cats? Seongje would have to find out.

He watched where the cats were curled up in their various spots, blinking sleepily at him, from a very safe distance—another perk of his perfectly chosen spot.

And on a lower table, one closer to the cats, there was a notebook, its yellow cover full of stickers contrasting with the dark wood of the table. The notebook was chunky, stuffed with pages that bulged at the edges like it had been well-loved and well-used. There were a couple of sticky notes peeking out from between the pages in different colors. It looked important, and if Juntae brought it to work it could only mean it held the café's secrets.

Seongje was a curious person. It was one of his better qualities, in his not humble opinion. It had led him to all sorts of interesting discoveries.

So, without even thinking twice, he took the two steps towards it and his fingers touched the cover, tracing the cat sticker that sat right beside a Pompompurin.

The cover was warm from the morning sun. The stickers were slightly worn at the edges, like Juntae touched them often. Seongje wondered if he could feel his touch as he ran his own fingers over them.

He opened it without thinking, getting a glimpse the perfect handwriting inside before…

"SEONGJE!"

He dropped his hands like the notebook was on fire, Seongje didn't even care to see if it landed open or closed on top of the table as his eyes were set on Juntae who had materialized himself outside the kitchen. He rushed towards Seongje with hands half-covered in melted chocolate.

Was Seongje dreaming? Juntae running to him at full speed to… hug him? Kiss him? Kill him?

Seongje would be accepting of any and all options.

His delusion combined with Juntae's haste brought forth something even better than his dreams. Because on his way to him, Juntae's foot caught on a felt toy fish, his arms flailed around to find stability as he slipped forward, bewildered face scrunching in slow-motion accompanied by what Seongje would swear was dramatic orchestral music.

Impetus and destiny carried Juntae directly to Seongje, who moved without thinking twice despite being momentarily mesmerized by how Juntae's glasses glinted as his lips parted in a silent gasp.

Seongje's arms were open, ready from the hug he thought he was going to receive before, reached out to catch the smaller man, to break his fall, to do anything to keep him from hitting the floor.

But Juntae's momentum was too strong, and Seongje might have been too distracted to properly position himself to stop it. The force of his stumble sent them both crashing down.

They fell together.

Seongje's back hit the floor with a thump, his windbreaker doing very little in absorbing the impact, the contact with the floor sending a jolt through his spine. The air left his lungs in a sharp exhale, but his arms were still wrapped around Juntae, holding him close, protecting him from the fall.

Juntae, who—even after Seongje blinked twice—was on top of him.

Not just on top of him. Juntae was everywhere—his thighs bracketing Seongje's hips, his chocolatey hands planted on either side of Seongje's head, and his body barely hovering above Seongje. So very barely.

There were flakes of flour falling between them, catching in the light.

Juntae's glasses were asked, probably just as much as Seongje's. His cheeks were flushed a deep, beautiful pink that spread down to his neck and disappeared beneath his collar. His breath was coming in short, startled gasps, warm puffs of air that ghosted across Seongje's face. He smelled like cookies and cream and sunshine and Juntae.

Seongje had suddenly forgotten how breathing was supposed to work.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump-thump.

He could feel it in his ears, in his throat, in the tips of his fingers that were still pressed against Juntae's waist. He was acutely aware of every point of contact between them—from the weight of Juntae's thighs on his hips to the warmth of Juntae's hands on either side of his head.

It was like a scene from a drama.

The kind where the leads accidentally fall together and realize they're in love. The kind where the camera zooms in slowly and the music swells and the audience holds their breath and a Samsung ad appears beneath them and episode ends.

Seongje could practically hear the soundtrack.

Juntae's eyes were wide, his gaze locked onto Seongje's, filled with surprise, embarrassment, and something else too. Something that could he could see on Seongje's own gaze.

They stayed frozen like that, suspended in the morning light, the café quiet around them. The cats watched from their perches, silent witnesses to whatever this was.

Until Seongje realized the episode didn't end because this wasn't the scene of a k-drama, and therefore he had to act, well not act because he wasn't an actor but actually do something. So he did.

"Didn't expect you to be this straightforward, lamb," he teased.

He watched as it dawned on Juntae what was happening, their position, Seongje's words.

"No—I'm—" Juntae's face was the color of a ripe tomato. "This is—you're—I—"

He tried to scramble off.

His hands slipped.

He fell back down, his chest pressing against Seongje's, his nose bumping against Seongje's chin.

This time, there was no space between them. They were pressed together, heart to heart, breath mingling, bodies aligned in a way that would make any audience blush. Maybe the cats around them were beneath all of their fur. Maybe not. Seongje didn't care to check.

Instead, his arms tightened around Juntae's waist. His fingers curled into the fabric of his apron, holding him there, preventing him from escaping.

Juntae went still, but only for a second, before their position hit him again. With anxious eyes and even more anxious hands, Juntae tried to get up, get out and away from Seongje, when there was absolute no need to. When they were so comfortable right there, like that.

"Seongje—" Juntae pushed against his chest, palms slipping uselessly against the fabric. "Let me—I have to—"

Seongje shook his head, barely a movement, his arms tightening around Juntae's waist. He didn't have to do anything. He didn't have to go anywhere. Why couldn't he see that?

Juntae shoved again, more desperate, but Seongje held firm, and in the midst of the push and pull, between a turn and another, they ended up rolling once. When they stop moving, Seongje found himself not against the ground anymore, but on top of Juntae, exactly where he should be.

He was braced above Juntae, one hand planted beside his head, the other still holding his waist. Juntae was looking up at him, with a heaving chest, and flour dusting his cheeks like sugar coating strawberries.

The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a golden halo around Juntae's head. His hair was mussed, his little baker cap had fallen somewhere in between their suggestive poses and his lips were slightly parted.

He looked like a dream. Or all of Seongje's dreams.

Seongje's heart was pounding louder now.

Thump-thump-thump. Thump-thump-thump. Thump-thump-thump.

He could feel Juntae's heart too, a less frantic rhythm beneath his palm.

"I might like it this way better," Seongje announced. They were close. So close. He could count every eyelash, every sparkle in Juntae's eyes—poorly hidden behind his lenses.

"Seongje," Juntae said softly. "Please get off me."

Seongje didn't want that. It was a picture perfect moment, he should say something that would make Juntae's eyes go soft and his lips part and his heart race faster than Seongje's.

But before he could, something punched him in the face.

Seongje yelled, falling to the side with a furry thing still slamming onto him.

He heard a gasp followed by a "PEARL NO!" but the damage had already been done. Seongje ended up again on his back, but now instead of having Juntae's cute face on top of his, he was staring at the white ceiling and to the judgy face of a calico cat was looking down at him from the wood beam it was on top of.

Seongje scoffed at the cat having the best view of him getting cock-blocked. There was a sharp bloom stinging across his cheek.

Did the little fucker get him again?

He sat up slowly, breathing heavily, one hand going to touch his cheek where it throbbed. He pulled his fingers away.

There was a bit of blood on it, and his cheek was definitely going to bruise.

Juntae was already on his feet, Pearl cradled in his arms like a precious angel who definitely had not just punched Seongje in the face. He was stroking her fur with un-chocolatey hands that had probably cleaned themselves on Seongje's windbreaker.

"Why are you so agitated, baby?" Juntae asked, concerned. Even if the cat didn't seem agitated at all from where Seongje was glaring at it. Pearl got to be stroked and caressed and called baby by Juntae, when Seongje was the victim here.

"This is not how we treat a good customer," Juntae said, tapping Pearl's nose lightly.

Good customer.

Seongje didn't mind being called that. Being called good.

But it was still too far away from "my boyfriend."

Pearl meowed indignantly, trying to defend herself against the nicest scold Seongje had ever heard.

Juntae sighed. "I'm so sorry. I think the cigarette smell really sets her off."

Seongje looked down at himself before lifting a shoulder to his nose with exaggerated seriousness.

"Are you saying I stink?"

Juntae's eyes bulged.

"No!" The answer came far too quickly. "I mean—just the cigarettes. Not... you?"

He immediately looked like he wanted to take the sentence back, Seongje loved to see him like that. Twitchy, and nervous, and anxious.

"It's just... cats have a much stronger sense of smell than we do. Strong scents can make them uncomfortable."

Seongje hummed, the corner of his mouth curling upward.

"So I don't smell?"

"Um—" Juntae hesitated. "Not bad or anything it's just—"

Seongje stepped closer to him, and Juntae immediately let Pearl go away.

"Is this how you treat good customers, little lamb?" Seongje said in a taunting tone. "I thought you have a better service than this."

"I do—" Juntae said, looking everywhere but at Seongje. "I even gave you a brownie on the house last time you were here." He pouted. "You can't say I've been doing a bad job."

"That's true," Seongje hummed. "You have been a good boy."

Seongje wished he could have recorded the way Juntae's composure fell apart in real time: the sharp breath he took in, the color creeping up his face and his dilated pupils. Seongje's own was probably doing the same, because he was ecstatic at the view.

"Not exclusively to me, unfortunately," Seongje tutted. "That's why she got jealous."

Juntae's mouth was hanging agape. "Jealous?"

"Of you being on top of me." Seongje grinned, then winced as the movement pulled at his sore cheek. "She wants you all to herself."

And with that they have a conflict of interest. Seongje didn't expect his biggest rival to be a cat, but it didn't seem all that bad watching Juntae grasp at straws.

"I told you it is probably the cigar—" He stopped himself and took a breath. "You know what? Forget it. I should be cleaning this mess up and patching you and you—you're distracting me!"

He accused pointing a finger at Seongje, which Seongje promptly took it with his hand.

"How evil of me."

Juntae snatched it right away, his face probably hotter than the little moment they had had. "Just stay here and behave!"

He got his lost baker cap on the floor and marched to the little staff room while Seongje took another sip of his still warm americano, thrilled with how he was able to disrupt Juntae's morning.

A couple minutes later, after Juntae had made sure there was absolutely no residue of chocolate on the floor, they found themselves in a position they had been before—except this time, instead of hidden away in the staff's storage room, Juntae was cleaning up his wound on the tall table that belonged to Seongje now. Juntae didn't want to be far away from the kitchen since he had to take his sweet doings out of the big oven.

Seongje's windbreaker felt wet against his chest, Juntae made sure to wipe the mess he had made with his previous chocolatey hands. Not that Seongje minded. But why use his windbreaker when he could have licked Juntae's fingers clean instead?

Their stance was a little funny, because Seongje perched up on the tall chair made it so that Juntae had to look up to him while dabbing cotton on his newest wound.

"Were you that scared of me stealing one of your recipes?"

Juntae startled a bit at his question, tilting his head in confusion before looking back at where his notebook was resting on the shorter table.

"Oh." Juntae looked back at him, letting out a teasing smile. "You never know who's trying to become competition."

The only thing that Seongje was trying to become was his husband.

But he understood, business was business after all. And a secretive Juntae was also hot. Even without being a fan of sweets, Seongje hoped he could try all of Juntae's recipes, as if each of his pastries would be an added piece to the artistry that Juntae was—and once he tried them all, maybe Juntae would let him see to which of his recipes he tasted most like.

On his daydreaming on what would be the specific taste of Juntae's lips, Seongje barely realized that he had already been patched up with what most likely was a Hello Kitty bandaid sitting on his cheekbone.

Juntae had already darted off to put everything where it belonged and got back to work, and once again Seongje was left with his perverted thoughts and his biggest enemy.

He scowled at Pearl. Was it not enough to be a violent maniac? Did she really need to be a cock-blocker too? He was about to show her his tongue in retaliation when Juntae came back with a fresh cookie for him, eyes big behind his glasses in expectation.

When Seongje bit into it, it was still too sweet. Naturally, he ate it all, because he didn't care if he developed diabetes if Juntae was the cause of it.

+++

Seongje woke up earlier than necessary. Again.

He got up, showered, thoroughly, with his nicest soap, and brushed his teeth three times. He popped a gum into his mouth, minty fresh and made sure his hands were clean.

Not for any specific reason... he just thought maybe he should be more presentable. Take a page out of Baekjin's book. To be more professional.

Definitely not because Juntae had mentioned something about smoke. Definitely not because he wanted to smell nice for him and his stupid cats. Definitely not because he'd already decided he wouldn't smoke in the mornings anymore.

It was just practical. That was all.

He grabbed his keys and headed out, taking a path that was becoming automatic—even his muscles memorizing the way to Juntae.

Except there was no Juntae today.

But another short man that looked a lot less whimsical and happy than his Juntae. Seongje could make some use to him regardless.

So he knocked on the window.

Twice.

Three times.

Then rang the bell.

Five times.

Then sarted knocking on the door like he was the police himself and had to be let in despite not having a warrant.

"Can you not fucking see that we are closed?" Sad eyes asked him when he finally finally opened the fucking door.

"I can." Seongje pointed at his glasses. "I need a key to this place."

Sad eyes stayed silent. Looking more like dead eyes now.

Did he not understand? Seongje needed the fucking key to be the romantic man he was born to be. To surprise Juntae and come in sneakily and hug him from behind and then spin him around as Juntae laughed. Maybe leave the doors open for long enough that Pearl would run out and away as a bonus.

"Do you not get it? I need a key to this place."

"No." 

"I wasn't asking." Seongje threatened with a psychotic glint in his eyes. He could be dangerous sometimes. 

"And I wasn't offering." Dead eyes moved to close the door.

Seongje's foot shot out. "Just give me the fucking key or I'll break the door."

In hindsight, that statement was funny, because Seongje left the door intact, without a key and what could very much be a broken foot.

+++

"What happened to you?" Juntae asked as soon as he let Seongje in through the double doors.

Seongje was limping. Fortunately his foot wasn't broken, but that fucking sad eyes guy did do a number on him. A swollen and bruised foot and an even more bruised ego. But the way Juntae's eyes were fulled with worry over Seongje's injury made it almost worth it.

"Are you okay? Did you fall? Does it hurt too much?" Juntae continued with his interrogation, staring at the bandaged foot inside a boot, which made it seem much more serious than it actually was.

Seongje was a bit taken aback. No one ever really cared for him like this. Nobody had ever, ever, been genuinely worried about him and his well-being. Even the past times Juntae had to patch him up, the little man hadn't only been worried about Seongje, but also the café, his job, and now… now when he asked about it, eyes wide in concern, uncertain hands that wanted to help him so badly but didn't know how. It made Seongje's vision a little blurry, as even his innermost core felt touched.

"I'm—" okay, he was going to say. Even if he wasn't. "It hurts," like a bitch. "But I'm managing." He sat down on his usual high seat, his good leg resting against the floor while he dangled his wounded one up in the air.

"Is it serious?"

"No." Seongje felt himself being honest. "Boot should be off in a week at most. Just hurts to stand on it 's all."

Juntae nodded, a little more relieved but still troubled—Seongje could tell by the light furrow of his brow.

"Should I get a pillow and a chair so you can rest your foot on it? Or do you want an ice pack? It might help with swelling and make you feel better! Or maybe you'd prefer a heat pack? It helps with the stiffness, though ice is better if you did this recently and since we saw each other two days ago and you were fine I should definitely get you ice." Juntae started moving away from him before immediately coming back with another thousand questions.

"Wait do you need painkillers? I have some ibuprofen in the back. And I can make you your usual Americano, but I also have this honey lavender latte that's really soothing if you want to try something different—though I know you like your coffee bitter, so maybe not. Oh! And I'm making an apple pie, I'll bring you a piece when it's all ready because eating it warm is the best! And if you want something savory there are those cat-shaped rice balls that Suho-hyung made yesterday and they are still on the fridge and—"

He was so sweet. Seongje really really wanted to take a bite of him. But how would Juntae take care of him if he was missing a piece of his cheek? That wouldn't really work.

"I want that only if you're feeding it to me."

Juntae looked at him bewildered, trying to find something in his eyes to see if Seongje was joking. He wasn't. But he must have mistaken the glint of his pleasure at the request as a glint of playful intent instead. Because Juntae started giggling at him.

"Not during work hours," he replied just as mischievous. But every joke had a truth to it, right? Right?

He turned away to grab a pillow from the sofa where customers crazy enough to sit on used and propped it up on another stool for Seongje's foot. Then he disappeared behind the counter and returned with a steaming Americano, but no pastry to hand feed Seongje. Unfortunately.

Seongje took a sip of his perfectly bitter Americano and leaned back in his seat.

"Thank you," he said, because Juntae liked pleasantries.

"You're welcome." Juntae full teeth smile made it worth being a gentleman.

"You know," Seongje started, because despite being exactly where he wanted to be, he loved stirring some drama. "Your coworker is kind of a badass."

Juntae tilted his head in confusion. "Which one?"

"A tiny guy—not as tiny as you. Nor as happy. He had those sad eyes but quite mighty." Seongje had to give him that. "Maybe you should learn a couple of tricks from him, to ward away difficult customers." Or anyone that wasn't Seongje.

"Are you talking about Sieun?" Juntae asked, despite the pinkness in his face. "Did Sieun do this to you?"

Seongje nodded once.

"A lot less accommodating than you, that one." Seongje watched the embarrassment stubbornly refuse to leave Juntae's face, even beneath the frame of his glasses. "A lot less lovely too."

Juntae opened and closed his mouth, like the cutest fish out of the water. He seemed to be panicking at the newly received information, rattled and confused if he should be a good barista and offer Seongje free sweets for eternity due to Sieun's actions or actively fight the immense flush that was consuming him.

So Seongje decided to make things easier for him.

"Maybe you should go check on your pastries."

Juntae's eyes focused back on Seongje's, his body finally stilling—a reflection of his thoughts coming to a stop too.

"Oh." Juntae shook his head. "The pie needs some more time in the oven, the other pastries are already done."

The boot on his foot made Seongje arrive later than usual then. What a bastard Sieun is, making him waste time with his future husband.

"How efficient." Seongje nodded, proudly. "Did you have everything ready when I got here?"

"Mostly. I can't leave everything for last minute. We're opening in—" he glanced at the clock on the wall, "—less than twenty minutes, so the food needs to be ready. But today I was an early bird and did all of the doughs super fast, and I even had some time to..." He gestured vaguely toward the notebook on the smaller table, that was sitting beside a purple covered pen. It was the same yellow notebook that almost caused Seongje's murder only because he was a little curious. "So you aren't bothering me or distracting me if that's what you're worried about."

That was not it at all, but Seongje hummed, raising an eyebrow. "Were you writing secret recipes again?"

"No…" Juntae shook his head, avoiding eye contact. "More like—hm. Journaling?"

Ah. That piqued Seongje's interest.

"Yeah?" He asked, lowering his voice. "Were you writing about me?"

Juntae looked defiantly back to Seongje, and without missing a beat he asked back, "Did you give me a reason to?"

Seongje pulled Juntae's arm, making him stumble closer to his high seat. It was a little hard to be smooth with a foot on top of a pink kitten-shaped pillow, but Seongje tried his best. His other hand coming to rest on Juntae's jaw, making sure he was looking up at him.

"I can give you one right now."

Watching Juntae's gaze drift from his hungry eyes to Seongje's even hungrier lips twice was exhilarating.

Seongje leaned in. Just slightly. Just enough to test the waters. Juntae's breath hitched, his lashes fluttering, and for a heart-stopping moment Seongje was sure they were going to kiss.

But then the oven timer went off. A shrill, insistent beeping that shattered the spell like glass.

Juntae jerked back, with eyes large. "The—the pie. I have to—" He was already backing away, nearly tripping over his own feet. "I'll be right back. Don't—don't go anywhere."

Seongje wouldn't dream of it. So he watched, speechless as Juntae disappeared into the kitchen, his heart hammering in his chest. And some amount of rage growing through is body.

He was going to add timers to the list of things he wanted to explode. It would be right next to Pearl, who was surely laughing at him beneath all her well-groomed and cute appearance.

Juntae came back with a piece of apple pie and a big smile. His eyes were still bright and wide open, now eager to see Seongje taste the warm treat.

Seongje once again didn't have the heart to tell him that he didn't it like them that sweet. But at least this one had a little sourness into it.

As he was chewing thoroughly not to disappoint Juntae, the craziest thing happened.

Something brushed against his good foot.

He looked down.

Sunny, the hairless cat, was rubbing her head against his ankle.

Seongje froze.

Sunny did it again, deliberately head rubbing against him, like she was marking him as her territory. She looked up at him with her big buggy eyes, blinked slowly, and then went away, content.

He looked up, searching for Juntae and found him just as in shock, looking down at his sneaker cladded foot.

Juntae's hands flew to cover his opened mouth and then he started clapping.

"This is incredible, Seongje!" He looked so happy and enthusiastic that Seongje couldn't help but nod.

He didn't think that a cat passing by his foot would make Juntae smile this big. He also didn't think Juntae's bright smile would have him genuine smiling back as butterflies were having a party stomach.

He was so in love.

+++

Seongje might be going a little insane. The weird part that made his personality fun and menacing growing into something he could barely control. Or maybe the thoughts of Juntae have just reshaped his brain in such a way that thought it was a great decision to buy cat food. And an even better idea to hold said cat food next to a stray cat in hopes that he'd be able to… pet him? Maybe? 

He didn't even know what he was expecting. Or what he needed. Maybe some confidence to approach the little monsters in Juntae's café. That way he would get to see Juntae smile so wide his eyes would crinkle behind his glasses. Juntae smile widely at him once again.

Seongje should have taken a picture when Juntae had done it—not that he would forget it. The image was safely engraved in his brain and his heart and was all that he could see and think of. Every time the sun shined he was reminded of how bright Juntae's smile was and every time he went to bed he saw the stars on his eyes and Seongje just wanted to bring him some joy.

So that was why he was crouching down in front of what probably once used to be a white cat. It wasn't the first time that he brought the animal food. In fact it was the fifth time.

The first time the stray didn't even come close enough to him for Seongje be able to say it was in front of him. The second time he inched closer. The third he ate while Seongje stood nearby. The fourth time the stray was already waiting for him.

Now Seongje had his arm outstretched like Juntae had taught him, and the cat was rubbing against his hand. Like, actually touching his hand. Willingly. Seongje wasn't holding up a knife to him to make him do it. (Seongje wasn't sure the stray was a he but women didn't tend to like him so he was pretty sure this one had to be a male.)

He couldn't believe that a real, living cat was actively seeking his affection.

Juntae would be ecstatic about this. Though Seongje was unsure on how to prove to him that he was doing good with a cat when his progress in the café seemed a bit stagnant as up until now Sunny was still the only one who had interacted with him without bad intentions.

As Seongje walked away slowly—his foot still a bit hurt—the cat, instead of remaining in its usual spot, followed him closely behind. Which made things a lot easier, because this was how he was going to bring it to Juntae.

"I found a cat," Seongje announced, holding up the cat with both hands, as soon as Juntae came to the outermost door, his eyes wider than the open gap of the door.

Juntae blinked at him and then at the cat from inside the sanitation area. "You... what?"

"I found a cat for the café." Seongje shook him slightly, proud. "His name is—well, he doesn't have one yet. But he's friendly, he's even letting me hold him up!"

Juntae took a look a the stray, who was dirty, a little scruffy, but still very cute. Juntae would absolutely come to love him.

"Seongje." Juntae's voice was soft. "You can't just bring in a random cat to the café."

"I thought you rescued cats."

"We do. But they need to be checked first. Vaccinated. Tested for diseases. Then properly introduced to the others or there could be fights." Juntae then took a look at the cat, talking ever so gently to him. "Poor thing also needs a bath, then you'll be the most beautiful around, hm?"

"Not during your shifts." The compliment slipped out of Seongje's mouth before he could register what he was saying.

With cheeks puffing out in embarrassment, Juntae looked sternly at him. Okay, not the time.

"I'll do all of that, then."

Juntae looked up at him, surprised. "You'd do that?"

"I can't let my first cat friend out in the street." Seongje shrugged his shoulders. "And maybe he can fight off Pearl for me."

Juntae rolled his eyes fondly.

"Wait here, let me write down the details of the vet clinic we go to."

Juntae came back with a paper with three different names and numbers in them, just in case they couldn't fit the stray in today.

"Thank you," Seongje said. "I'll make sure to come back with a perfectly clean cat. But I can't promise he won't be a little menace."

"I hope it all works out." Juntae smiled at him, sweet and genuine, then turned to the cat in Seongje's hands. "Sorry, baby, but I can't let you come in for now. But I'll see you again once you are all cleaned up and healthy, okay?"

Seongje was once again jealous of a cat. Would this ever not happen anymore? Were they really that much more lovable than him?

The cat meowed as if solidifying the promise. It was cute. Maybe they were that much more lovable.

+++

And so, Seongje found himself sitting in a vet's office with a carrier on his lap and a very unimpressed Baekjin beside him.

"Why am I here?" Baekjin asked for the third time.

"Because you caused this," Seongje said, not looking away from the cat. "You and your stupid café."

"I didn't think you'd become obsessed." Baekjin was definitely teasing him despite his tone being extremely serious. "I just thought the barista was cute."

"You—" Seongje almost got whiplash with how fast he turned to look at Baekjin. "You made me go there because you thought Juntae was cute?"

"Why else would I have taken you there?"

"I don't fucking know Baekjin, maybe because you had been secretly training Pearl to fucking attack me? Or maybe because you wanted to spend some time with your dear friend?"

Baekjin sighed, letting the questions hang in the air, no matter how much they made Seongje's head spin. Because what the hell? And also why was he insisting on calling Juntae cute? Like obviously he is but Baekjin shouldn't be saying it. In fact, no one should. Only Seongje.

"You know, you could have just asked him on a date like a normal person."

Seongje looked at him, almost offended. "It wouldn't be as romantic."

Baekjin stared at him. Then, slowly, his expression shifted into something that might have been respect. Or exasperation. With Baekjin, it was hard to tell.

"It really wouldn't," Baekjin finally agreed with him.

Before Seongje could tell him to start taking notes, the veterinarian called them in.

+++

Rescuing a stray cat wasn't as easy as Seongje might have once thought. In fact it was much harder because why did he have to house this little pest for two entire weeks?

When the veterinarian had specified that the cat would have to be quarantined for fourteen entire days, Seongje should have forced Baekjin do it. He was the one who got him in this mess in first place.

But now he had to deal with a not-stinky cat jumping around his entire apartment and stealing his pillow. Which, is in fact, not romantic.

The romantic part though—because Seongje has always been blessed in his lifetime—was that he got to see Juntae's eyes crinkling almost everyday now with the news of the still unnamed cat. Seongje called him diverse synonyms of pest, sometimes having to use motherfucker when it had the audacity to:

1. throw his glasses on the floor

2. scratch his glasses

3. sit on top of his glasses and therefore break his glasses

But he wasn't mad at all when a blurry Juntae told him he looked handsome without glasses. And said his mole was cute.

In fact he wanted to kiss the white cat because not only was he the biggest declaration of love ever but he was also a pro wingman. But he was saving his precious lips to Juntae's rosy ones.

Juntae who was kind enough to lend him his spare pair. Seongje couldn't see shit with it—Juntae could be considered legally blind by Seongje's standards—but was he wearing it absolutely everywhere? Yes.

It didn't matter it hindered him at work, the glasses was like a brand that Seongje was Juntae's. Which, yes, he was. He has been ever since he first laid his eyes on him. Juntae just needed to catch up to the idea of being Seongje's.

Which Seongje was working on. At this exact moment in fact, as he dramatically complained to Juntae how the no longer stray cat munched through his Wi-Fi cables.

"I can't even play anything anymore! You never told me about this!"

Juntae was giggling as he wiped clean the table he usually had his yellow notebook on. The stories of the now white cat always entertaining Juntae to no end. Except when Seongje had said he wanted to throw the cat out of the window. That made Juntae almost hit him, which in turn entertained Seongje because it was very hot.

"Maybe he wants more attention."

"I give him enough of my attention. I'm always feeding him, and buying stuff he doesn't need." Seongje huffed. "I can't believe he made me disconnect at a ranked match, you know what that does to my reputation?"

"I can't even imagine." Juntae shook his head, then in fake anger added, "How dare he do such thing?"

"I don't know what has gotten to him, suddenly acting like he owns the house!" Seongje sighed. "It's absolutely ridiculous! He doesn't know how to behave! He became a little monster!"

Juntae smile never faded.

"Did you know animals take a lot of their personality from their keepers?"

"Little precious Juntae." Seongje took a breath in as a side smile broke onto his face. "Are you implying that I don't know how to behave?"

"I'm not saying anything." Juntae's smile was innocent. Too innocent. "But if the shoe fits…" He teased, turning his back to Seongje and going to wipe another table.

"Unbelievable." Seongje shook his head, following Juntae around—no care in the world for the way his foot still throbbed even without his boot. Maybe it hadn't been the best idea to ditch it after three days, but with Juntae around Seongje was sure it was going to heal in no time. It already felt much better than a week ago.

"So if animals mirror their keepers, then Pearl attacking me..."

Juntae's hand slowly came to a stop on top of the table.

Seongje leaned in, close enough now that he could smell all the ingredients that made up a cookie clinging to Juntae's skin. "Was that just a reflection of your own emotions, Mr. Juntae? Are you trying to tell me something?"

Juntae's breath hitched. He didn't turn around. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"No?" Seongje's lips hovered near his ear. "Because I seem to remember a certain someone being very eager to have me on the floor. Very eager to be on top of me."

Juntae's grip on the cloth tightened. "That was an accident."

"Was it?"

"Yes." But his voice came out breathless. "I tripped."

"I'm sure you did," Seongje hummed, low and amused. "I'm sure that's why you took your sweet time... not even trying to stand up when you had me under you."

"I did try to—" Juntae finally turned around defensively, voice catching as he took sight of their position.

He was cornered against the table, Seongje's body boxing him in. His cheeks were flushed that beautiful coral again, spreading down his neck like a sunrise.

Seongje wanted to devour him.

"Do you also want to attack me with your claws, lamb?" Seongje's voice was barely a whisper. "Is that what this is? You've been wanting to pounce this whole time?"

Juntae's mouth opened. Then closed. Not being able to defend himself as his eyes distractedly darted to Seongje's lips, then back up.

"I—" He swallowed. "That's not—"

"No?" Seongje's hand found his waist. Juntae went still beneath his palm, frozen like a deer caught in headlights. Seongje could feel the heat of him through the apron, could feel the way his breath had gone shallow.

They were close. So close.

Seongje's—well, technically Juntae's—glasses were slipping down his nose from how intensely he was looking down at him.

Juntae reached over and, without asking, adjusted the glasses on Seongje's face. His fingertips grazed Seongje's temples, feather light and warm, pushing the frames higher up the bridge of his nose.

"These keep slipping," Juntae murmured, pulling his hand back. He looked almost surprised at himself, like his body had moved before his brain could catch up. "You should get your own pair already."

Seongje's vision was still slightly blurry around the edges with how much Juntae's glasses were stronger than his own prescription. It made his world swim just a little. He could still see the shape of Juntae's face, and the soft curve of his lips.

He couldn't wait to feel them soon.

But he wanted to see every line, every wrinkle, every patch of Juntae skin.

"I should."

So, Seongje reached up, his fingers finding the frame of Juntae's glasses he was currently wearing. He pulled them off.

From how close they were standing, Seongje could see every detail. From the deepness of his dark doe eyes to the change in pink of his pouty lips, Juntae's face was right there, entirely for Seongje to admire. He watched, entranced as Juntae's pupils dilated, how his lips parted and face softened, pining.

Seongje's breath caught.

"I can see you properly now," Seongje whispered, placing the glasses on the table.

"Do you like what you see?" Juntae asked in a breath.

"I do."

"I like what I see too," Juntae whispered up to him. "I also like what I smell."

With the stray cat now being in his apartment, Seongje had been munching more gum than ever. His initial rule to only smoke in the evenings that he had set up for himself after coming to the café now became a one cigarette when outside rule.

It was Seongje's turn to feel the heat, the tip of his ears burning impossibly bright.

"Then come closer," Seongje quietly begged, his arm tightening around Juntae's waist.

Juntae's hands came up to frame Seongje's face. His thumbs traced his cheekbones slowly, like he was memorizing the shape of him. His eyes were searching, dark and wanting.

"Like this?" Juntae asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Seongje shook his head. "No."

The taller man leaned in, inching closer and closer until their noses were against each other. Seongje could feel Juntae's warm breath against his lips. The tiny fingers curled into the fabric of Seongje's shirt, and suddenly the distance between them felt much too small.

"Like this," Seongje stated.

Juntae was looking at him expectantly and Seongje tilted his head just slightly, perfectly aligning their mouths.

He was about to close the distance, maybe he even did, but could barely savor it as a striding noise made Juntae jump back.

It was the café doors slamming shut.

"Will you stop flirting with this psycho?" Sieun's dead eyes swept over them, unimpressed. "You have work to do."

They sprang apart in an instant, because Juntae jumped as far away as possible like he wasn't enabling Seongje romanticness. Encouraging him to kiss him with his sweet words. 

Seongje rolled his eyes at Sieun's jab. It was a bold choice of words when Sieun was the one who almost broke his foot.

He turned back to Juntae, wanting the fun to continue but his future husband was almost on fire with how red he was. Seongje would bet the flushing went down to the tip of his toes.

"Y-yes, Sieun!" Juntae stood up straight as a rod, giving Seongje the tiniest of bows before practically fleeing toward the backroom.

Seongje watched him go, still feeling the ghost of that almost-kiss on his lips.

He hadn't kissed Juntae.

But he had come so milimetrically close. He could still feel the warmth of Juntae's breath on his lips, could still feel the phantom touch of Juntae's hands on his face.

"Go home already," Sieun said in disgust.

Who decided to give Sieun the morning shift? Seongje had to hold himself back from huffing and puffing. He had forgotten that Saturdays weren't exclusively his and Juntae's. But fuck couldn't Sieun had waited like… thirty seconds?

"Animals really do take after their keepers," Seongje pondered as he massaged his temple, getting the forgotten glasses with his other hand. Once he put it on, he turned to face Sieun. "Fucking cock-blockers."

Sieun's expression didn't change, looking at him as impassively and bored as ever.

Seongje wanted him to be as annoyed as he was after being interrupted.

"We'll kiss eventually," he added. "You can't stop us forever."

He saw Sieun's eyebrow twitch, a small amount of satisfaction spreading through his chest.

"Get out." Sieun said through gritted teeth.

"You know, considering you almost crippled me, I'd think you'd be a little more grateful that I still come here."

Sieun's gaze dropped pointedly to Seongje's still-bruised foot before he reached for the broom leaning against the wall.

Seongje's eyes widened.

"Okay, okay." He held his hands up in surrender. "I'm going, cock-blocker."

Seongje backed toward the door, shaking his head happily as he got under Sieun's skin. He slipped outside, but before the door could swing shut behind him, he poked his head back through the opening.

"Juntae loves me, okay?"

Sieun stared at him, with an eyebrow and a broom raised.

"Okay, maybe he doesn't love me yet. But we're getting there." Seongje's chest puffed out in confidence.

It didn't last long as he had to duck out before the broom could make contact.

+++

"I was so close to him." Seongje sighed, day-dreamily. "Like our breaths were mingling as the chapel's bell rang and flowers fell around us. I swear I almost felt his lips touch mine before fucking dead eyes interrupted us."

Seongje stared at where the white cat was standing on top of his stolen pillow.

"Are you even listening?"

The cat yawned, still looking anywhere but at Seongje.

"Wow, I'm telling you how I almost kissed my future husband and you can't even show any emotion?"

No. He didn't.

"Unbelievable. You're just like Baekjin."

The cat laid down on the pillow, uncaring about whatever Seongje was saying.

"I can't wait until you move into the café."

+++

Actually leaving the cat at the café was a lot harder than Seongje first expected it to be. Somehow, he had grown attached to the little creature. When he was finally on the clear by the vet, acclimated to the café and the other cats, Seongje's heart hurt a bit. Thoughts of going back to his lonely apartment where there wasn't anyone to ignore him made Seongje feel a little… empty.

But those thoughts were quickly washed away by Juntae's bright smile.

Juntae was absolutely glowing. His eyes were bright, his smile wide, his hands clasped together like Seongje had just handed him the moon. He kept circling around the new cat, cooing and chirring like a proud parent.

"He's adjusting so well! Look, Seongje—look! He's already becoming friends with Squig!"

Seongje watched as the white cat tentatively approached the calico cat, who sniffed him and then went on its own way to its perch. It was the most underwhelming interaction Seongje had ever seen.

"Very friendly," Seongje deadpanned.

Juntae didn't even notice the sarcasm. "He's so brave! It could have taken him days to approach the others!"

Seongje felt a warmth spread through his chest. He was also proud of his firstborn. It was like watching his child grow. With Juntae.

Extra romantic.

Juntae had big eyes full of wonder. He kept tapping Seongje's arm at any minuscule occurrence. "Look! Look! He's playing with the fishes."

He watched as the white cat pawed at the orange and yellow felt fish. Seongje particularly liked the orange one. It was the one that had made Juntae slip on top of him. He was forever indebted to it, so it was kind of nice to see it being used.

But he would rather watch his white cat absolutely destroy Pearl. Maybe bet against Baekjin which cat was going to win. And maybe Seongje could even let a laugh out before Juntae ultimately separated them.

Unfortunately, their son didn't give him that joy. But he was giving Juntae enough bliss that the only inside out character working in his brain was joy.

And who was Seongje to be mad when his to-be-lover was happy? The concept was unheard of in his (romantic) book. Therefore Seongje let a small smile appear in his face as well.

Juntae grabbed him once again to point at the corner of the café. "Pearl and Maui are playing with the toys you brought! I think he has been accepted!" Juntae jumped excited, then turned to look at Seongje. "And you too since it's probably coated in your scent as well!"

Seongje had donated all the toys he had purchased for the little white guy. He had almost spent a full college tuition on him. He would spend much more if it meant he would get to see Juntae beaming at him everyday. He would even sacrifice his new born if necessary.

But it wasn't. His new born would grow to be old with Juntae petting him and telling him lovely words and Seongje would be there to watch.

"You did a great job, Seongje." Juntae contemplated for a moment in silence, biting his lips from forming another smile. Seongje wondered if his cheeks hurt from how much he had been showing his teeth that day. "I'm proud of you."

What?

"What?"

"I'm proud of you," Juntae repeated, in the most honest and positive way Seongje had ever heard.

His chest felt too tight. His throat felt too full. He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a strangled, "you are?"

"Of course." Juntae nodded. "You rescued a stray cat! And you did a great job taking care of him. You didn't even complain that much."

Seongje did complain that much, but Juntae was too good to tell him that.

Seongje was suddenly feeling shy—a rare emotion to the usual menace that he was. But sweet Juntae always brought out all kinds of emotions from him.

Juntae pulled him by his arm so Seongje leaned down, enough that they were on the same height.

"Plus, I know you tried your best to interact with a stray cat so you could do a good job here too." Juntae whispered onto his ear. "For me."

He let Seongje's arm go.

"I really appreciate that."

Seongje straightened up slowly. His heart was flipping and stumbling and pirouetting around like it was a dancer and not a vital organ.

Juntae valued all the work that Seongje had put in. Juntae understood he had put in all the work for him. Juntae appreciated the way Seongje had been courting him.

Juntae appreciated...

him?

"Juntae…" Seongje swallowed, the name coming out softer than he intended. "You know I'd do it all over again, right?"

Juntae's eyes flickered toward the white cat, who was now batting lazily at Sunny's tail.

He then turned to Seongje again. "Would you?"

Yes. Seongje would. A thousand times. He'd rescue a hundred cats, he'd eat a thousand stepped on brownies, he'd quit smoking forever if Juntae asked him to—

But before he could get a single word out, his head stuck in half a nod, as Juntae let out a little giggle, and rose up on his toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

It was quick. Barely a second. But the warmth of Juntae's lips, the light pressure, the way Juntae's hand came up to steady himself on Seongje's shoulder was etched in Seongje's brain so he could repeat the moment over and over and make it last forever.

When Juntae pulled back, his cheeks were pink, but he wasn't hiding. He was looking right at Seongje, brave and bright and everything Seongje had been chasing since the moment he walked into this café.

"Thank you," Juntae said, voice steady. "For all of it."

Then, without even letting Seongje answer, he clapped his hands together.

"Anyway!" His voice had pitched up, bright and lovely. "What are you going to name him?"

Seongje blinked. "What?"

"The cat." Juntae gestured toward the white fluff-ball, who was now trying to climb onto the window perch and failing miserably. "You can't just keep calling him 'the cat' forever. He needs a name."

Seongje thought for a moment. Then, with a grin: "Juntae."

Juntae blinked. "What?"

"The cat. I'll name him Juntae. It's a good name. I like it."

"You cannot name a cat after me."

"Why not? You're both cute. You both have big eyes." And I love you both.

Juntae sputtered. "That's—no!"

"Then what about Not-Juntae?"

Juntae rolled his eyes, but he was fighting a smile.

"You better find a proper name for him or I won't let you in the café anymore."

"You would never do that to your best customer."

Juntae had a sly shine in his eyes. "I think it's better not to try me."

Seongje would never, he would step in line if that's what Juntae asked of him. He would also jump off a cliff. But he hadn't asked him that yet.

"Okay, Sir." He put a hand on his forehead—a movement he had tiredly done in the military.

Juntae turned away, laughing, to go tend to the pastries of the day, even though he clearly wanted to keep watching the cat and cooing at it. Seongje watched him go, still grinning.

He wanted to coo at Juntae.

He would, eventually.

But first, he needed a name. A name.... What should he call a white cat? White? Was white a good name? But it didn't sound like a name Seongje could shout and reprimand. Hm... this might be harder than housing the little pest and waiting for a whole week to get his Wi-Fi back.

His thoughts were entirely cut off by a much more aggressive hand grabbing his arm. Much tighter than Juntae's soft small hands on him.

He turned to find Sieun staring at him with those dead eyes, his grip iron strong. Juntae had already disappeared into the kitchen, and they were alone.

"I need you to listen to me very carefully," Sieun said, his voice low. "I don't know who you think you are. If you hurt Juntae—" He squeezed Seongje's arm for emphasis. "If you make him cry even once—I will break your foot." Seongje's foot tingled at the thought. "And then maybe your fingers for good measure."

Seongje didn't doubt he would. But Seongje wasn't planning on hurting Juntae. The only crying he was planning on taking from Juntae was from pleasure.

He was a gentleman, after all. So instead of giving Sieun a funny remark, he only nodded slowly. Sieun seemed satisfied with the response. Seongje was satisfied to know that Juntae had someone that had cared about him this much.

But maybe a little jealous that he wasn't the only one.

+++

Seongje burst into Baekjin's office without knocking.

Baekjin didn't even look up from the book he was reading. "What is it Seongje?"

"I need a name."

"A name," Baekjin repeated, flipping a page of his book.

"For the cat. The white one that we took to the vet."

"Aren't you creative enough to name it?"

"Juntae wasn't particularly fond of having a cat named Juntae."

Baekjin finally looked up to him, judgingly so.

"What? I thought it was cute and romantic." Seongje defended himself.

"You do have a warped sense of romance."

"Well I am the one with an almost boyfriend so you shouldn't be judging."

"That's only because I took you to that café."

Technically, that was true, but Seongje didn't want to thank Baekjin for it. Even if his weird action that fated day had changed the course of Seongje's life.

"Oh mighty Baekjin, do you want me to credit you for that?"

Baekjin stared at him with his dragon-like eyes. Seongje huffed.

"Okay, thank you for making me get scratched to oblivion by a cat that was sitting in your lap which you could have very much stopped."

Baekjin kept staring at him.

"You never apologized so I don't get why I have to thank you properly."

Baekjin sighed, before looking down to keep reading. Why did it feel like he was disappointed in him?

"Fine, thank you so much for making me meet Juntae." Seongje surrendered rather quickly but he needed a name. "Just give me any fucking name."

Baekjin closed the blue book he was reading.

"Aristotle."

"You think the cat is a big thinker now?"

"He definitely thinks more than you."

Seongje wanted to argue with that, but lately while his thoughts were only Juntae, Juntae, Juntae, the white cat was thinking of the new apartment, new friends, new food, and Seongje. And thinking about Seongje was enough to make the cat the greatest of thinkers.

He accepted the name.

+++

"Aristotle," Seongje exclaimed proudly.

"Aristotle?" Juntae tilted his head.

"He was smart enough to follow me," Seongje recounted. "So I think he's smart enough to be a philosopher."

Juntae grabbed the white cat, bringing him close to his face. "Do you like it, Aristotle?"

The cat, as any other in the café, immediately purred at Juntae, caressing his cheek against Juntae's hand.

"I think he liked it!" Juntae said excitedly to Seongje.

"I think he likes you," Seongje replied without missing a beat.

"Something about the pet and its keeper…" Juntae singsonged while letting Aristotle back down on the floor.

"Don't you mean like father like—"

"Seongje. Don't move!" Juntae had an arm out to stop Seongje, eyes almost as big as his glasses.

Seongje stood still. He was nothing but a follower under Juntae's command.

"Look!" Juntae whispered at the same time that Seongje felt something rub against his calf.

When Seongje turned his head down, he almost fell back at the sight. Because there was Pearl, rubbing her entire grey furry body against his leg. What the fuck?

When his gaze went back to Juntae, he was greeted by tearful eyes and a proud smile.

"Stay still," Juntae breathed, his voice trembling with emotion. "Don't move. Don't even breathe."

"I'm not doing anything," Seongje whispered back. "She's doing everything."

Seongje looked down at the grey demon who had once tried to murder him. She was now pressing her head against his shin like he was her favorite person in the world.

"Did you drug her?" Seongje asked.

"No!" Juntae whisper-shouted.

"Did you swap her with a different cat?"

"No!"

"Then why is she—"

Pearl meowed. Loudly. And then, without warning, she jumped.

Seongje barely had time to react before Pearl landed on his lap—his lap—and started kneading his thighs with her tiny paws. She looked up at him with those big dark eyes that had caused him to get mauled the first time he came here.

"What do I do?" He asked, looking stunned at Juntae who was standing a couple of feet from Seongje's high table.

Juntae was even more emotional than Seongje, his hands covering his mouth. His eyes all shiny and wet.

"Juntae," Seongje said carefully. "Are you—are you crying?"

"No," Juntae said, his voice wobbling.

"You're crying."

"I'm not crying. I'm just—" He sniffled. "I'm just a little emotional."

Seongje wanted to hug him, comfort him while he touched his soft hair and smelled the sweet cookie from his skin. Seongje looked down at the animal in his lap.

Pearl seemed to be cock-blocking them in another way now.

Seongje... would let her for the time being. Only because he didn't want to dim Juntae's proud smile.

+++

The next time Seongje went to the café, the sun hadn't even shown its face properly yet.

The café was still closed, but Juntae was already inside, moving around like it wasn't dawn. Always so energetic and happy. Seongje was really in love with him.

Seongje knocked on the window. Juntae looked up, smiled, and came to open the double doors.

"Hi," Juntae said, looking at him.

"Hi," Seongje responded, just as transfixed.

Juntae let him in, and after the usual routine of sanitizing his hands, Seongje came in.

"Hi," Juntae repeated, as their eyes were still locked into each other—behind different glasses this time.

Seongje had to buy himself his own usual pair because Juntae's was giving him a headache. But he decided to keep Juntae's spare pair with him, because in the case that Juntae ever broke his glasses, he would have to go to Seongje.

"I have something for you." Seongje announced, breaking their cycle of hi's.

Juntae's eyes narrowed playfully. "Is it another cat? Because you already know how the drill goes." Then his eyes widened the tiniest bit. "You didn't leave a stray outside ready, right? Because they would definitely flee while you came in and then who knows if you could ever find it again and—"

"It's not a cat this time."

Juntae finally took in a breath. "No?"

"No," Seongje laughed faintly, reaching into the pocket of his orange windbreaker. "I actually wanted to give you this, as a thank you."

"A thank you?"

Seongje nodded. "For the glasses, and the pastries and the mornings..." For being cute and nice and pretty and smell good and kind-hearted and sweet and adorable and lovely and—

Juntae giggled. "I think I got it."

Did Seongje say all that out loud? There was no way right?

He shook his head, ears slightly (they were actually bright) red. That was okay, Seongje wasn't about to lose his composure because he just admitted all of that... He was bigger than that. Better than that.

So he reached for Juntae's smaller hand with his right one and tilted turned it upwards, his palm now facing the white ceiling and Seongje's hand underneath, supporting it. Holding it. It felt nice.

Juntae's eyes grew, in anticipation and adoration as Seongje placed a rectangular box in Juntae's hand. It was too big for it, which made Seongje let out a wolfish smile.

Juntae immediately stabilized it with his other hand, holding the cream box curiously, eyeing it from all angles.

"May I open it?"

"I was hoping you would."

Juntae nodded, breathless and so concentrated. It wasn't like it was a marriage ring—but it did give Seongje ideas to when he does buy one and asks for Juntae's hand in marriage.

But Juntae needed to accept this tiny gift first.

Juntae carefully opened the box. Inside was a beautiful pink covered fountain pen—My Melody Platinum PQ-200 Small Meteor. It was encased in a glitterful pink body that sparkled in the morning light. The design was cute and whimsical, perfectly fitting the man standing in front of him.

"My Melody!" Juntae looked at Seongje with star-filled eyes. "How did you know I liked Sanrio characters?"

"It wasn't that hard to guess…"

Seongje probably knew all of Juntae's tastes at this point, from his little daily babbles, from Seongje's own observations, and inferences. Seongje would love to learn every tiny single detail about him.

Juntae took more notice of the pen, the details of my melody written and drawn on the bottom of the pen's cover, the way the silver tip had a star engraved on it, and how delicate and Juntae-esque it was.

Seongje watched in pleasure as Juntae's breath caught. "It's beautiful."

"It's a fountain pen," Seongje said, a little shy. "It's so you look cooler while writing your secret recipes…" Or journaled. About Seongje specifically. Which was mainly the reason of giving this gift. And also because Juntae would be reminded of Seongje every time he wrote down anything, regardless of its contents. 

Juntae let out a little laugh.

"Once the ink ends I can also show you how to refill it. It is not super hard but since you like patching people up maybe you will also like refilling the cartridge with the syringe."

Juntae looked up at him. His eyes were soft. His lips were curved into a small, wondering smile.

"Seongje," he said quietly.

"Yeah?"

Juntae set the box down on the table right behind him—the one Juntae usually left his journal on. Then he reached up, grabbed Seongje's collar, and pulled him down.

After so many almosts, their lips finally met without any resistance. Seongje got to feel the softness and warmth of Juntae's lips that pressed insistently against his. Desperate, and urgent.

Juntae's fingers curled into Seongje's shirt, holding him there like he was afraid he might pull away. Seongje would never. He would rather die of lack of oxygen than let go of those pouty lips.

His hands found Juntae's waist, pulling him closer, and he pried Juntae's lips open with his own—eagerly wanting to eat him whole.

When Juntae's lips finally parted, Seongje wasted no time in exploring his mouth. Their tongues danced together as they discovered one another, Juntae's a little more shy, whereas Seongje made sure to twist and turn and prod.

Juntae tasted sweet like the pastries he always made Seongje try. Seongje didn't mind it though. In fact, he loved it. He was so famined for it he might develop diabetes.

He suckled ardently on the shorter man's tongue, until Juntae was all whimpers and putty in his hand.

When they finally pulled apart, Juntae's cheeks were flushed, his glasses were slightly askew, and he was smiling.

"You know," Seongje murmured, his voice rough, "you're getting awfully brave."

Juntae smiled up at him, bright and unguarded. His lips were still shiny from their shared saliva and Seongje couldn't wait to dive back in. "And you're awfully slow."

Seongje laughed, offended. "Slow?"

"I've been waiting for this for months," Juntae complained. "Since the day I saw you hiss at Pearl."

How eager was his little Juntae. Wanting to jump at him on their first sighting.

Seongje smirked, pleased.

"I'm sorry if I'm way too much of a romantic for you."

Juntae rolled his eyes playfully, his cheeks high and eyes glinting.

"It's okay," Juntae said, wrapping his arms around Seongje's waist. "I like myself a slow burn."

Seongje knew, more than ever, that they were perfect for each other.