Just a little incident | Junhao

1

"Yes Lila shh we're almost there." Minghao gently scratched the top of his pet dog's head, pressing his foot down harder on the accelerator of his car. The English cream dachshund was tucked into the passenger's seat, its tiny frame wrapped up around Minghao's hand. It curled its right front paw tighter, whimpering noises filling the car. Minghao's eyes darted back and forth from his puppy to the road, finally pulling up to the last veterinarian clinic in his area. All the rest had closed, considering it was nearing 8 at night.

"Excuse me, are you guys still open?" Minghao dashed in with the puppy scooped up in his embrace.

"Of course, please take a seat. The doctor will be with you shortly." The lady at the counter gestured towards a row of seats. The worried man took a seat, stroking Lila's ears softly.

Not long later, a voice from behind the closed door of the only doctor in the clinic called out, "Come in please!" Minghao shot up, pushing the door open with one hand, careful not to disturb Lila who was snug between his arm and peacefully licking at his palm.

The doctor swiveled around in his chair. He looked not much older than Minghao himself. His hair was a shade of black but with lighter streaks of brown that was mussed up from what Minghao guessed was a heck of a long day, a few pieces of his fringe falling over his forehead and just meeting his eye. The doctor looked up from a few stacks of paperwork, a kind twinkle shining in his pupils. "Hi! My name is Dr Wen. What seems to be the problem tonight?"

Minghao gulped, as discreetly as he could. It didn't help that the man in front of him was staring right into his soul. He felt his heart skip a beat. Wait, was that lip lick on purpose? He stood there in momentary awe, which now looking back he desperately hoped it didn't seem so obvious. The man's jawline was practically carved by the gods themselves. 

"Uh..." Minghao quickly snapped out of his trance, feeling slightly embarrassed.

He cautiously passed Lila into the doctor's arms whilst explaining the situation, "I'm Minghao, this is Lila." He gestured towards her, "Lila started screaming out of no where half an hour ago. She was licking her paw and curling it up so I got scared and brought her here. I think she might've injured it or something." The worry was evident in his voice.

Junhui offered his hand to Lila, who sniffed it curiously. Lila stuck out her pink tongue to lick the doctor's knuckle. "Hm, and has she injured her paw recently or anytime before in the past?" Minghao shook his head immediately. He had always been in careful with her, knowing dachshunds and their notoriously easy to injure long body.

The older placed Lila on the examining table, one hand distracting her while the other felt around her paw for any injuries. Minghao couldn't help but feel ever so slightly jealous by how welcoming Lila was to the total stranger. "And has she been climbing any stairs recently? Jumping off of stuff?" Junhui asked.

Despite himself, Minghao felt the tiniest bit offended. "Of course not! I have ramps all over my house and even then I carry her around practically everywhere."

Junhui nodded, humming in approval. "I hate to say this, but Lila feels and looks fine to me. But if you're not assured, I could order an X-ray scan which will just be ten or so minutes since it's right next door. My assistant will help with that." The doctor glanced at Minghao, seeking his permission.

Minghao agreed absentmindedly. "Do whatever you need."

Junhui arranged the paperwork for the younger to sign while the same lady from the counter carried Lila over to the X-ray room, leaving the two of them alone. The room was awkwardly silent as the older poured over paperwork, occasionally checking up on Lila's progress. It looked like Minghao had to be the one to break the ice.

"You know doctor, thank god you guys were still open. I drove to three other clinics but they were all closed." Minghao said awkwardly, his voice filling the otherwise quiet room. Junhui chuckled. Minghao pushed down the slight inappropriate thoughts that arose from his hearty laugh.

Junhui flipped through pages of paper. "Call me Junhui please. Doctor sounds so stuffy and formal," he shuddered for the added effect, "but yea it does kind of suck to have no life outside of here. This clinic and all its animals take up majority of my time."

The younger was taken aback. "Really? You don't have a girlfriend?" He only realised how invading the question sounded the moment it escaped his lips. "Sorry I didn't- I mean... never mind you don't have to answer that."

Much to his relief, Junhui only laughed again. "Me? No way! I don't even have pets, believe it or not. I don't have enough time to take care of my own when I'm here until the wee hours of the night."

Right... Minghao didn't respond after, in case he asked any irrational questions again. Thank goodness for him, the assistant reappeared carrying Lila. Minghao held her in his arms, petting her coat while Junhui studied the X-ray screen for a little while.

"As you can see here," Junhui pointed at Lila's front leg with his pen, "her bones are perfectly healthy. Honestly, it is a good thing you brought her here, but I have to say dachshunds tend to have a flair for the dramatics, so this might've just been Lila acting up." Minghao sighed. He peered down at the little ball of cream fur. Lila, probably unaware of everything going on around her, yawned and snuggled closer to the younger, searching for warmth.

Minghao thanked the doctor profusely, hugging Lila to the front desk for payment. "You had me so worried baby!" The younger cooed in a high-pitched voice, heart melting as Lila licked his nose.

The assistant at the counter smiled at the interaction. "So, the consultation and X-rays today will be $200. Card?"

Minghao felt a small part of his heart die at the amount. Seriously, the little menace had him spend $200 in one night just for them to tell him that Lila was perfectly fine? He unwillingly pulled out his card and watched in desperation as lady swiped it.

"You are one expensive little drama queen." Minghao admonished lightly. Lila, as oblivious as ever, stared up with innocent black eyes.

Of course, Minghao would always forgive Lila no matter what she did.