› caught red-handed
@msumeng
soohwa is a aware that technically he shouldn’t be bringing his crup to the astronomy tower. even if he’s one of the head students and astronomy club member, it doesn’t give him the authority to bring pets into the astronomy tower whenever he feels like. he’s very aware of this but then there’s also the other side of the coin that well, if no one knows about this then it’s fine. soohwa is very careful with the days and time that he picks to bring cookie along, because the last thing he needs is to use his own authority as the head student to get himself out of trouble. it wasn’t like that that his parents raised him, not that it’d stop him from doing that if it really came to it, but he’d like to avoid that possibility still.
besides, cookie is always very well behaved anyway, spends most of the time napping on soohwa’s lap or snacking on something that soohwa brought for him really. it was just that this was soohwa’s time to really relax, to take away from his shoulders a little the responsibility of being a ta and the head student, the expectations of his parents and just enjoy what he actually enjoys instead of just it being something that he learned how to enjoy like it was with pretty much everything else. and soohwa could definitely only fully relax with his crup by his side, the only one who loves him no matter if he fails or not, the only source of affection and partnership that he has had in a long while. that’s why soohwa loves cookie so much, that’s why he treasures the little thing so much.
“come on, buddy.” soohwa calls cookie when everything is settled down, gesturing to his lap where the crup settles himself in nicely after a few sniffs, a few wiggles of his tails and a few licks on his hand. the affectionate gesture always makes soohwa all kinds of soft and it shows in how all of his demeanor changes and soohwa coos, all fond and soft, at his crup, scratching just under his chin. “such a good baby you are. the best. so cute, my little— ”
but then soohwa stops talking when he hears steps — perhaps a little too late — from behind him. he already feels his cheeks heating up despite of his efforts to swallow down his embarrassment. the head student turns around with a glare even it doesn’t have much effect considering that he’s as red as a tomato. “who is there?”
xueyu has a pretty odd schedule, he would say so himself-- and he’s had just about enough of cramming for his tests so he decides to wander the campus grounds. despite not being an astronomy major, or even in the astronomy club, since starting school at mokseong, he’s found the astronomy tower one of his favorite places to just go and sit ( and even think, if he’s feeling up to it ). it’s already occupied that day, he realizes, as he walks in on none other than the stoic head boy himself, happy and content like he’s sure most have never seen before.
“oh,” meng breathes, and suddenly, he’s sure he looks like a deer caught in headlights because he recognizes the other ( who wouldn’t, really? ). but he takes a second or two, connects the scene he saw before with the man standing before him and currently shooting daggers at him with his eyes-- and finally, his eyes fall to the adorable pet and his eyes light up as he chances a few steps forward.
“uhm-- my name is xueyu,” he just started speaking but suddenly he’s breathless, as his eyes look back and forth between the grad student and the crup with a lingering affectionate look of wonder in his eyes-- which seem a tad too sparkly. “geumseong house, freshman, twenty years old,” he babbles off as his hands clench and unclench at his sides, as if he’s about to burst--
“he’s so cute!!” he finally blurts, and his excitement outweighs his fear as he stumbles a little bit closer, eyes wide as he looks at soohwa imploringly,
“what’s his name? may i please pet him? he’s adorable,” he coos.
