The bright morning rays hit you directly in the eye as you step out of your apartment. You blink against the harsh light, lifting a hand to shield your face from the rays, then glance around your balcony in the hopes of finding what you're looking for. You have no luck, however, and yet again, your pet cat evades you.
A huff escapes you, and you press your hands against your hips.
"Damn it, Arthur, where the hell are you now?" You turn on your heel and step back into your apartment. Your lips curl downwards in disappointment.
As much as you would love to stay and keep searching for Arthur, you have work in about thirty minutes and hoped to arrive a little early today. You grab your apron off the kitchen counter and move for the door, though, pulling your phone out of your back pocket to call a friend about your missing pet.
It's the third time this week that Arthur has disappeared like this. You're beginning to get a little worried at his frequent disappearances, especially since you can't figure out where he's going and you live on the fourth floor of the apartment building.
You jiggle your keys in the door as you lock it behind you, phone pressed to your ear. Just as it begins to ring in your ear, a flash of black and white darts across your vision.
"Shit! Wait, get back here!" The words don't come from you even though you recognize the flash of fur curling around your feet.
It's Arthur – of course – but the man who just shouted after your cat rushes up to you as well.
"Ah, I'm sorry." His chest heaves as he moves towards you, glancing between you and the cat between your feet. You smile in response and lower your phone before your friend picks up.
"It's okay. I was just looking for him actually! He must've gotten out this morning."
"O-Oh? Is he yours?" The man asks, and you take a moment to properly look at him. It's your next-door neighbor as chance would have it, Jung Wooyoung.
"Well then, I think I found your cat?" A loud laugh slips through your lips.
"It seems you did, which I'm very grateful for actually!"
"He stops by my apartment balcony at least three times a week honestly, but sometimes he just hops over to your side. I didn't know he belonged to you though. I kinda assumed he was a stray."
"Well, with the way he acts most of the time, he might as well be one." You tsk as you move to unlock your door again. You hesitate just before putting the keys in and glance over to where Wooyoung is standing.
"Actually, would you mind looking after him for a while? I have a twelve-hour shift today, so I won't be able to feed him dinner tonight. If not, then that's totally okay! Don't worry about it!"
"No, no! I would love that! I mean, I would love to help out. I've got some cat food in my apartment actually since he visits so frequently."
"Ah-ha, so that's why you're getting all fat, Arthur. I was wondering where the extra pounds were coming from, especially after his last vet visit."
"Yea, I'm honestly so sorry about that! I didn't know he was being fed so well by his owner or that he had an owner."
"I'm only joking, Wooyoung. I really don't mind, and I appreciate that you've been the one looking after him, and he's not been getting into any trouble when I don't have my eye on him." You lean down to brush your hand over Arthur's head, scratching the underside of his chin as he purrs into your touch.
"He has a good owner, so I think that helps too."
"Thank you," you respond through a smile. You pull yourself up straight again and motion over your shoulder.
"I should really get going, but thank you again for doing this. I can stop by your apartment after work tonight to pick him up!"
"Oh shit, uh, hold on," Wooyoung mutters, glancing over your shoulder with a suddenly grim expression. You blink at him with inquiry in your eyes, but you get an answer a moment later.
"Quick pretend to kiss me!"
You barely have time to think before Wooyoung is pulling you close. You accidentally angle your face towards his, so instead of the intended peck on the cheek, His lips land directly on yours.
You squeal into the kiss, and Wooyoung releases you in surprise as well. The two of you blink at each other in shock, then he dips back in. You brace yourself for another kiss, but it doesn't come. He exhales a few words against your lips.
"My ex is walking up behind you, please act like we're dating. I'll buy you anything and owe you 100 favors, okay?" Wooyoung's eyes are pleading in a way that you can't say no.
So, you suck in a deep breath and dive in for another quick peck on the lips. However, this time, you pull Wooyoung against you and slam your back against the wall. He stumbles but braces himself fast enough, bringing a hand up to the wall near your head.
Your locked lips are in full view of whoever is walking down the hall, and you know that because a shocked gasp resounds after a moment. You can't deny that you're enjoying the sensation of kissing Wooyoung – his lips are too nice and plush for you to handle – and lingering there in the kiss is easy for you to do.
Wooyoung is the one to pull away first, chest heaving a little from the suddenness of your kiss and the unexpected passion behind it.
"Well, I think she ran off."
"Then I guess I saved your ass? We can call it even for you taking care of Arthur so much." You laugh and slip away from Wooyoung, trying to hide the fact that you're a bit flustered from kissing him.
"Then... I can get more kisses like that if I take care of him some more?" He wears a cocky grin, tongue teasing his lower lip as he asks the question, and you try to contain the smile that threatens to take over your own lips.
"Let's talk that over when I come to get Arthur tonight."
