Just as he pulled into the parking lot of the apartment that he shared with Kain, he saw his boyfriend walking out the doors in the familiar work uniform and apron and he knew that he couldn't have made better timing. The younger male was leaving for work, giving him the perfect opportunity to sneak his gift into the apartment. Pulling up next to Kain, Dohyeong rolled the window down and wished him a good day, praying to God that the younger wouldn't glance into the back seat. They exchanged "I love you's" and he went to park the car.
When he was sure Kain was long gone, he got out and opened the back door, pulling out a few bags, a large box and a small, cardboard crate that the pet store had placed the new additions to his family in. He had been hesitant to do this. In fact, that day's trip to the pet store was just to get a little more information on the small creature. But he one look at the tiny babies' faces and he was sold.
The trip up to their fifth floor apartment was not easy. He had the fuzzy animals in one hand and the rest of the supplies in bags in the other, but finally he had made it. Dohyeong dropped the bags on the bed in the spare room and immediately starting setting everything up.
A few clicks and snaps later, the cage was ready. He emptied some of the cedar shavings into the bottom of it and then placed a small container of food inside along with a small shelter that the worker had advised him to purchase. Stepping back to look at everything, he tapped his finger against his chin and muttered to himself, "Hmm...what am I missing?" Oh! There was a water bottle laying at the bottom of the box that the cage came in, which he pulled out and went into the bathroom to fill. "Good thing I remembered this."
It looked good, he thought as he looked at the cage, making sure everything was secure enough to put the babies in. With great caution, he opened the box and took out a small, grey guinea pig who let out a few high pitched squeaks. "Don't worry, little guy," he said as he put it in into the cage and locked the door after, "your friend is coming in a second." Dohyeong took out the second guinea pig and set him carefully on the soft cedar shavings. The tiny orange and white creature ran over to the other's side. They looked up at their new owner from the corner of the cage and Dohyeong had to smile. They were scared, but he knew they would be okay. At least they had each other.
A note was taped to the table in front of the cage:
"Hello, my lovely Kainchu. Do you like them? I know you only wanted one but I talked to the worker at the pet store and he said that guinea pigs don't like to be alone; that they survive better with a partner. It got me thinking.....We fight sometimes and everything, but just know that you're my guinea pig. I can't live without you.
Love,
Dohyeong
P.S. I was called into work but I'll bring dinner home so don't cook."n
