Crepuscular Clocksmith

5. Treasure in the Shelves

After getting yelled at by his boss for showing up late, Yunho took a few days to balance his work in a manner that wouldn't get him fired within the month. He spent little time with Hongjoong and often told Seonghwa to eat lunch with the others. While in solitude, he thought a lot about the shop and its extraordinary employee. Mingi's story was almost too magical to be true. If Yunho hadn't seen him with his own two eyes and knew he spoke the truth, he would have brushed nagas off as beings of fairy tales.

Now that he knew they existed among other creatures humans were unaware of, he was extra vigilant of every place he went and every person he met. He had no luck in finding other mystic beings, but he found his attempts made it easier to accept who Mingi was. Trapped in the shop and posing no danger to the outer world, Yunho had no reason to fear him. Though he was different, it didn't mean bad. Yunho still found him pretty.

It took him a week of pondering the naga before his curiosity had him search out the shop once more. He liked its charm and talking to Mingi. Especially since he felt the man needed a friend. Mingi must be lonely, tucked away in that shop all day. Though Yunho had heard about his boss and seen the cat move, they didn't seem to be his regular friends.

Since Yunho found himself at surprising ease about the strange existence of the naga and wanted to share the mysterious electricity of a spark in his grey life, he returned. This time, he brought a few pastries along and went after work, in twilight, during a faint sizzle.

Mingi perked up behind the corner when the chimes alerted him of a customer. As usual, he kept hidden away until he recognised Yunho. While the tall man folded his jacket over his arm and put the umbrella in its stand, the naga surrendered his defences and slithered from behind the counter.

Yunho had dreamed twice about him, both times perturbed and awed about his tail and arms. The naga's grace was that of a predator, but he moved with a delicacy fitting to his work. Though his kind might be scary, Mingi wasn't.

"Ah, it's you."

"I also have a name, you know? It's Yunho."

Mingi watched as he approached the table and put the pastries down. The cat lay in the one spot on the ground cast in the faint light from the last stubborn rays of the sun that breached the clouds. Each time the warmth wandered, the cat trotted along to continue its nap.

"Must I remember it? Will you come by often?" Suspicion crowded Mingi's voice as he looked Yunho up and down. With a snicker, Yunho put his jacket over the backrest of his chair and crouched to pet the fluffy grey head of the cat. Disoriented, it pressed its cold nose against his hand.

"Your story didn't ward me off. I want to know more about you."

Taken aback, Mingi coiled his tail tighter around his frame. In the dim light of the store, Yunho caught him blushing.

Delighted by the unexpectedly sweet sight, Yunho waved a hand at the treats he brought.

"Help yourself."

Mingi's face lit up, split irises rounding as he came closer. As he peeked into the bag, Yunho couldn't help but find him adorable.

He only looked scary. Beyond that baffling appearance smuggled a refreshing innocence and curiosity for anything outside the realm he was used to.

Mingi munched on the sweet pastries while Yunho sat down at the round table. The cat lay in a warm spot near his foot and he nudged at it carefully, still confused about how he could have mistaken it as stuffed last time. The heap of grey fur was soft and warm to the touch, not as stiff as a dead animal. It didn't react to his poking, uncaring of all but sleep, but Yunho could feel its little heartbeat under his fingers.