die for you // minsung

1

// accidental cuts

Lee Minho was at the end of his shift working the local animal shelter, finished washing his hands after cage cleaning duty and putting away his supplies in the janitor's closet.

He sighed deeply as he made his way to the exit, tiredly waving at the fox-like boy who worked the reception desk. It had been a long day of lectures in school and then a long day at work, and all he wanted was to go home and lie down and have his roommate make him his favorite cup ramen. 

Through the condensation frosted windows and door, he could see that the sun was already on its way down, and he needed to hurry if he was going to walk home while it was still light out.

Minho was about to take his jacket from the coat rack and head out, when the door suddenly flung open. He yelped, jumping back in surprise and tucking his arms towards his body to avoid the blast of cold air.

A boy with a motorcycle helmet under one arm and a hissing and screaming cat under the other crashed in, long scratches on his face.

Minho closed his eyes briefly, letting his heartbeat return to normal and regaining his composure, before looking the newcomer up and down. He was not dressed for the weather at all, skinny black jeans and a leather jacket that strangely didn't look like he was trying too hard to be cool. Maybe it was because of the scratches on his face that it all came together.

The other boy ran over after having ducked behind the desk, a blush evident on his face as he looked at the stranger. Minho shook the thoughts out of his head and snapped to attention. He dismissed the younger boy, named Jeongin, assuring him that he would lock up and that he should head home.

Jeongin didn't hesitate to distance himself from the furious cat, looking a bit too happy to head home, but still telling his hyung to call him when he left.

The eldest turned back to focus on the other, awkwardly holding the cat out in front of him under what would've been its armpits. Minho pressed his lips together, trying to contain his annoyance at the boy's inexpertise, but amused at the awkward position he was in. He made a beckoning motion and the boy stepped forward to allow him to reach into his arms and extract the cat. He immediately calmed down, purring as Minho cooed.

Jisung looked at him admiringly, almost with a tinge of jealousy as he brushed his fingers over the wounds on his face. "Damn -" he glanced at the nametag reading Lee Minho, he/him - "Minho ssi, you really are good with cats."

Minho gently rocked the cat, feeling it rumble contentedly. He resisted the urge to pop a kiss on its forehead, only god knowing where it had been and what diseases it could have. "Yeah, I get along much better with cats than humans."

"Humans? What are you, an alien?"

Minho just smiled and shook his head in response. He looked back up at the boy, studying his face for a moment too long before calmly announcing, "You're bleeding."

"No shit, Sherlock," the dark-haired boy muttered, and Minho chose to ignore it.

"Where did you find the cat? Who are you?"

"I'm Han Jisung," the stranger introduced himself. "I found it in an alley. There were a lot more, but this is the only one I could lure out and fit in my helmet."

Minho looked at this peculiar, cat-saving Han Jisung. "For your face's sake, I'm glad that this is the only one you got."

Jisung looked stunned, before starting to laugh. "Do I really look that bad?"

"You can see for yourself."

"I don't need to. I always look good," the boy said straight-facedly, brushing his bangs away from his forehead. 

Minho had to hide a smile. "Okay, so where did you find this one?" He bumped up the cat to hold it more comfortably, eliciting a gurgled laugh from the furry creature.

What is he, a freaking animal tamer? Jisung thought woefully. He had done the cat the heroic service of rescuing it from behind a garbage-filled dumpster and it repaid him by clawing his face.

What he was doing near a dumpster was no one's business.

As Jisung explained, the older one directed him to the main desk, instructing him to write down the address on the notepad with the flower-topped pen. Over his shoulder, Minho read An alley around 801st street, in neat blocky text, before Jisung tore it off and folded it up.

"Do you mind putting that in my pocket?"

Jisung quickly assessed the situation. Minho's light sweater didn't have any pockets, and regardless, he wasn't going anywhere near that cat.

His heart hammered too loud as he moved toward Minho, whose face was thankfully still buried in the cat's fur. He wordlessly fumbled the paper into the other's front jeans pocket, his fingers barely grazing his hip before yanking himself away.

Jisung turned back to face the other, willing his flushed ears to cool down and casually leaning against the desk. "But I don't know if you'll be able to find them yourself."

"I have a way with cats."

"Clearly. But no, I mean it was pretty hidden."

Minho laughed, giving in and nuzzling the cat with his nose, crinkling his nose at the smell. "What were you doing in a hidden alley?"

Jisung just looked at him, his mouth half falling open as his brain scrambled to come up with an explanation that wasn't alarming.

Minho watched him with an amused look before deciding to end the embarrassment. "Mmkay. Keep your secrets."

"It's not what you think -" Jisung said, his mind running through illicit or sexual scenarios Minho could be thinking of, but the older boy had already moved on.

"Okay, I'm gonna put this baby away. Thanks for bringing it in." He looked expectantly at Jisung, which was supposed to be his cue to leave.

Jisung looked sheepish. "Um, I was also wondering if you had bandages?"

Minho looked around the deserted room and sighed. This was a bit above his responsibilities, but they didn't have an option. "Come with me."