Oneiric Tryst

37. A New Roommate

Next chapter is the last one~

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On the 23rd of December, Seonghwa had to go to work early. He had got Christmas Eve off to celebrate, and in compensation had to formulate some of tomorrow's workload in advance. As soon as had collected his farewell kisses from Hongjoong and stepped out into the snowy city, Hongjoong was on his feet. He raced over to his bag to whip out a fresh pullover and pants. Once he had bundled up, he left the house to go to his secret appointment.

On his way there, he bought the present he had planned out for Seonghwa in many hours of thinking. He put it safely under the passenger seat to deal with later.

He met up with San at the shelter. The man didn't actually have business here, but he was just too overjoyed to see his animal friends wearing adorable Christmas outfits to stay away. When Hongjoong had told him of his plan to get Berry on the day before Christmas so she could spend the festivities with him and Seonghwa, San had been supportive of the secret plan instantly.

Hongjoong and he shared a welcoming hug before they made their way through the freshly shovelled path.

"We got Byeol a little Christmas cape! She looks so adorable in it. Wooyoung suggested wearing matching ones with her, and I just love the idea."

Hongjoong chuckled at the image of the three of them in San's flat, everybody cooing over each other for being so adorable.

"I ordered some stuff for Berry I will pick up later, but a Christmas cape wasn't among them. Maybe I can find a reindeer hairband for her to wear, though."

Hongjoong held the door open for San as they stepped into the cosy warmth of the shelter. Cute Christmas messages 'written by the animals' decorated the walls around a little blinking Christmas tree. The woman recognised them and stood immediately. The cat that had been resting on her lap sprinted off at high speed.

She led them into the area with the little separate cages the animals resided in. Berry had curled up next to her bowl and rested as they halted in front of her. When the key rattled in the lock, she pricked her ears. As soon as the door opened, she was on her feet to wag her tail at them happily.

"Did you bring a collar or shall we provide one?" The woman asked Hongjoong with a kind smile. He took out the strawberry collar and the white leash, presenting them to her. With a smile, she took them to kneel in front of Berry.

"Hey, girl. You're getting adopted today, my sweet. Maybe drop by sometime to play with your friends, hm?" With a fond ruffle of her head, the woman put the collar on her and handed the leash to Hongjoong. Berry was at his feet instantly, sitting down to look up at him with her sweet, curious eyes.

He had lost San somewhere in the kitten section.

"There are only some more papers to fill out. One by Mister Park himself, but you can take it to him and he can mail it back. We've met you people often enough that this is no problem."

Hongjoong followed her back to the counter with Berry in tow. She waited patiently as he filled out the forms and provided his phone number for safety reasons, too. When San returned, he had a little grey kitten with blue eyes on his arm. He looked to be seconds away from adopting that one as well to start his career as a crazy cat lady. After his dramatic goodbye with it, they wished the woman Merry Christmas and took their leave.

Joyful and delighted at the new setting she was taken to, Berry bounced along with them. Hongjoong left it to San to watch over her as he figured out how to put his things so she could have a comfortable place in the car. Berry played in the snow, her happy yaps whenever San jumped around with her putting a smile on Hongjoong's face.