fic: have some pumpkin and spice

[rurusayshi]

have some pumpkin and spice

minsung | lee know / han jisung | 2,5k | rated: t | completed
tags: alternate universe - coffee shops & cafés, fluff, misunderstandings, cats, hurt/comfort. there is a tiny bit of violence because minho is kind of punching people in one scene. strangers to lovers.

fic under the cut

One day Jisung moves into a cozy little flat right next to Minho's Meowbrews. The rent is a steal, but his new neighbors are a lively bunch; they make quite the ruckus. And the central heating system? It's as stubborn as a sleepy kitty.

It’s okay , Jisung doesn't mind. He bundles up in his cherished, soft sweaters and cozies up under a warm, snug blanket. Everything is fine , he thinks.

But it’s not ok . His shifts are at odd hours, and on top of that, his beloved coffee machine, which had been his trusty morning companion for countless cups of coffee, decided its time was over. With a gentle sputter and a final puff of steam, it served its final cup.

It’s okay , Jisung doesn’t mind. There is a cafe right next to his apartment; he can use that. As the sun is almost setting, Jisung, sporting his comfiest pants and a fashionable jacket, heads over to the cafe with dreams of sipping a fresh iced Americano in his head.

Yet a twist of fate and to the end of his coffee date, there's an unexpected scene unfolding that stills Jisung. Shouting and chaos are everywhere. A heated fistfight is in progress, and then two individuals are on the ground, the prettiest man Jisung’s ever seen is keeping them in place.

He's about to make his exit, but the pretty man turns to him. “How can I help you?” he asks, holding what appears to be a piece of ripped cloth in his clenched fists. His shirt is rumpled, and a smudge of blood is on his chin. The hanging lamp above is stuttering.

Jisung gulps, eyes as round as boba pearls and as dark as black coffee, lips wobbling, and without any word, he takes a step back, then another. Once more he finds himself outside and denied of his much-anticipated coffee.

It’s okay , Jisung doesn’t mind. He orders the cheapest coffee machine and invites himself to Chan’s and Felix’s couch while waiting. “It’s because of the heating problem,” he explains and lets himself be pampered for the next few days with their luxurious coffee machine.

A notification about the delivery pops up, and he's already back home, with a tiny kitten nestled against the crook of his neck and shoulder. The tiny monster is a biter but knows she is cute, and only sleeps if she is snuggled next to Jisung.

He can’t say the same for the tiny monster’s mother, aka Felix’s 6-year-old tabby, who has a beef with Jisung for no reason at all. She is a princess to everyone but hisses at Jisung, scratches Jisung, and steals from Jisung. That’s not a monster, that’s the archdevil for Jisung.

He calls his sweet princess Pumpkin, and from then on, little Pumpkin is everything. He spends all of his time and his savings on a cat tree for Pumpkin. Luxury snacks? He got them. A hammock with tiny little paws? It’s already on the way. Smooches on the belly? Jisung can’t get enough. When his mood sours, it's Pumpkin's little meows that bring the light back to his face. When he wakes up, it’s Pumpkin’s little licks on his cheeks saying good morning. It’s her little paws making biscuits on the blanket, it’s her big round eyes watching pigeons flying in the sky.

What’s better is that Pumpkin’s affection is reserved solely for Jisung. She keeps her distance from Felix and Chan. When Changbin visits, she shows her freshly groomed claws. If it is Hyunjin on the door frame, she starts hissing all puffed up and angry. Innie dared to eat something? That plate now belongs to her. Jisung is thriving.

So Jisung keeps himself occupied with Pumpkin, only ever letting thoughts of the pretty man creep in when he is outside to pick up Pumpkin's favorite treats because the pet shop is right next to Meowbrews.

(That’s a lie because Jisung thinks about the pretty man a lot. It’s usually when he is off from work and sees him taking chairs and tables outside, opening the shop. It’s usually when he sees him whispering something to his coworkers’ ear and giggling like a little child. But Jisung is always away, watching him from a safe distance, hiding behind his hoodie, on the other side of the road. He is glad his eyesight is good.)

He avoids the cafe like a plague. Instead, he either takes the scenic route, making a full loop around the apartment blocks to reach the pet shop or crosses the road twice to make a ‘U’.

It’s okay, Jisung doesn’t mind. It's their little secret between him and little Pumpkin. No one needs to know. “The things I do for you,” smiles Jisung while brushing Pumpkin’s soft fur and humming a lullaby. “He is very pretty and he sure knows how to throw a punch.”

But it’s not okay because days later Jisung’s heart is clenching with dread, eyes wet and red, panic in his throat, hands trembling, his breathing erratic. Pumpkin is not home.

Jisung looks everywhere, every little corner and every little hiding spot. He tries the treats, then the wet food. She doesn’t poke her head under her favorite blanket and comes running for him like she usually does. She is not home. It is an absolute nightmare for Jisung. He's overwhelmed by fear and guilt, his mind filled with the most dreadful possibilities because the street in front of his apartment is a busy one, always bustling with cars.

“What if she is cold?” he mumbles wearily. “What if she is hungry and hurt?” He is out on the streets, calling her name, leaving her favorite treats on the ground. He tries the dark, secluded places for Felix told him it might be worth a shot.

Jisung is close to giving up. But he would never forgive himself if he does, and he can’t find it in himself to sit down and wait because it’s his fault. If Pumpkin is injured, it’s Jisung’s fault. He is exhausted. But he will find her. He has to find her.

It's nearly half past eight when Jisung stands in front of Meowbrews. It's the last place he hasn't checked, and he's running out of options. Fear still lingers, and guilt weighs heavier on his heart. The pretty man is his last hope. He pushes the door and lets himself in. Lights are on but the shop is empty.

“We’re closed,” comes a voice from inside. “We don’t serve after eight.”

“Umm—“ Jisung starts, but just then comes the pretty man, feline-like eyes sharp as if sizing him up but softens almost instantly. He is carrying something between his arms, something tiny, something full of fur and—

“ Pumpkin !” Jisung lets out something akin to a shriek and rushes towards both, tears of joy streaming down his face. “Oh my god, Pumpkin, this is where you've been all this time!”

He wants to kiss the pretty man, wants to give him everything because Pumpkin seems healthy, just a little bit sleepy. When Jisung moves closer, he spots small cat bowls neatly arranged behind the counter, accompanied by the softest-looking cushion placed beside them. There are little toys scattered around. Pumpkin was well cared for.

“Thank you,” Jisung starts. “Thank you, thank you, thank you— ” It only takes one little meow from Pumpkin to silence him. Jisung is delighted, and the pretty man seems amused.

“I’ve been looking around for her all day,” Jisung starts explaining. “I was so scared; I thought something bad happened to her. I asked everyone if they saw her, but—” The pretty man raises one eyebrow as if daring him to continue. Jisung didn’t ask everyone.

“She was here with me since afternoon,” The pretty man begins while gently stroking the area between her ears, his eyes never leaving Jisung’s. “I’ve kept her company. She is the sweetest thing.”

“Really?” Jisung is surprised. “She didn’t hiss at you? Didn’t try to scratch you or bite you?”

The pretty man shakes his head. “No, she even asked for belly rubs, which I, of course, didn’t decline.” There is amusement in his soft voice, something mischievous, something tempting.

“That’s odd,” Jisung comments, but soon wishes he didn’t because the pretty man’s mouth shifts into a frown.

“Am I that scary?” he asks, and Jisung learns the pretty man is also very blunt with his words.

“No, no, of course you are not—“

“But you left that day too.”

So he remembers , Jisung thinks.

“It’s Minho,” the pretty man, no , Minho says. “And sorry, it must have been quite a sight. Since, you know, you’ve been avoiding here.”

Jisung smiles awkwardly, wets his lips, and suddenly he doesn’t know what to do with his hands. He feels cornered. Minho must have connected the dots. If Jisung lost Pumpkin, and if Jisung is looking for her around here, he must be living pretty close.

“See, this is what I’m talking about,” he places Pumpkin into Jisung’s arms after a heartbeat. She meows unhappily. “Only cats and stupid Kim Seungmin is not scared of me, but I make everyone else nervous.”

“ It’s not that —“ Jisung starts, but there is a glare pointed towards him. Yet Jisung is stubborn, if he is anything. “It’s not only that,” he says this time quieter and almost immediately regrets his stubbornness. Eyes narrowed, Minho is looking at him.

“Go on,” he says. “What else do I make you feel? Terrified? You want to run for your life? Am I gonna punch you too? You don’t have to lie; I know I can be very scary when I want to be, but there is no reason to lie at all right now—“

“It’s because you are very pretty!” Jisung blurts out. Jisung has a thing for strong and pretty guys. From the very first day he laid eyes on Minho, amidst all that chaos, he found him irresistibly attractive.

But it wasn’t okay because then he got shy, he got nervous; all his cockiness and confidence amounted to nothing. Because how was he supposed to stay fine if he wanted those fists around him? If at first, he was shy and nervous, then a wave of guilt washed over him. Jisung couldn't stand the feeling of down, and at that time he stumbled upon the precious little Pumpkin. So he poured all his love and care into his newfound purry friend Pumpkin.

“I’ve found you very pretty ever since that punch of yours landed on that guy's face, and he was knocked out instantly,” and perhaps he also wants to kiss those fists, and his pink little puffy lips, but he has to focus because Minho’s eyes are widening, his mouth forming an ‘o’.

Jisung gulps.

Oh , he thinks. You and your stupid mouth, always talking too much.

Because Minho is silent, no words, nothing at all.

Jisung’s mind is like mush, he is a puddle, and the embarrassment grows in his insides, and in reds outside. “Right… umm,” he mumbles, stroking Pumpkin’s soft under chin awkwardly. “Thank you for taking care of her. I should leave.”

He considers paying for all the little cat toys and goodies Minho got for Pumpkin, but he is already mortified. Jisung is so bad at handling his crushes that Hyunjin and Felix keep a list. Chan’s couch has seen more of his tears than it has witnessed crisp crumbs and spilled drinks.

It is only when he finds enough courage to move his legs that something shifts in Minho.

“ Wait , you didn’t tell me your name—“ Minho stops him by reaching out and catching his wrist, their eyes locking in a brief, unspoken moment of connection.

“It’s Jisung. Han Jisung.” He answers immediately.

“Okay Jisung, if I’m this pretty and everything, are you really okay with leaving, hmm?”

Jisung blinks, once, twice and more. Because Minho’s hand is still around his wrist, still tight, still strong, and oh god he is so close, and he smells like musky vanilla and coffee—

“And what about Pumpkin? She fell in love with me, licked my fingers, gave me head butts and biscuits.” It’s endearing, really, Minho’s pout, Minho’s voice does things to Jisung’s heart. It’s butterflies in his stomach and the slight hope for something more.

“And I need updates. About her. So your phone. Give me your phone.” But if Minho’s flustered and red from head to toe, Jisung is not doing any better. He just stays, hiding behind the little kitten in his arms, his brain and his heart all over the place.

But it’s not okay because all of a sudden Minho grows distant, and the hand wrapped around his wrist is gone. “ Fuck , I should’ve known not to take any advice from fucking Kim Seungmin.” Minho swears one more time. “You should,” he says. “Maybe you should leave and forget everything I said.”

But that’s not what Jisung wants, and that’s not what Jisung accepts. He touches Minho’s arm briefly and then he asks, “You want updates on Pumpkin?”

Minho nods.

“And you want my number too?”

Minho nods once more, this time averting his eyes for a brief moment. “She is really cute.”

Oh , Jisung knows now. Or he thinks he knows now. He takes one step closer to Minho and watches him guard his stance. But Jisung is so much like him, or he hopes he is reading between the lines not wrong, because he understands. The heart is the most fragile place and the strongest. His heart is scared and his heart is hopeful. So he asks, “Am I cute too?” and it’s only fair he thinks, after what he blurted out minutes ago.

There, Minho’s smile growing back, first on his lips then his eyes shining little mischievous stars. He, too, gets it. “Cute enough to say yes if you ask me out on a date, Han Jisung.”

“Tomorrow, after you close the shop then?” his confidence unfurls like the petals of a blossoming flower, Jisung, failing to hide his grin, doesn’t even hesitate. He answers without thinking, with no hesitation and all too eager. “And maybe, you can visit Pumpkin too. Real-time updates, y’know?”

Minho is giggling, and that is everything. “So you’re taking me home for our first date?” Oh no , thinks Jisung. “Didn’t take you for this much straightforward, Han Jisung. But I should’ve known, you fell in love with me throwing my punches around.”

Unable to throw a playful punch with Pumpkin in his arms, Jisung instead leans in and playfully nudges Minho with a warm smile. Oh to be young, and flirting, and his crush flirting back. He only hopes to find more good in this.

So he says, “Yes,” just to see if he can fluster Minho more, and make him a blushing mess. “The prettiest man, throwing the best punches, knocking down the bad guys. How can I find it any less fascinating?”

“Oh my god,” Minho’s giggles are now joyous laughter and tinged with a touch of bashful charm. It suits him , thinks Jisung. Pumpkin meows with agreement

“So,” starts Minho after a while of them giggling like little children lost in the reverie of their shared moment and maybe with the anticipation of what lies ahead. “Tomorrow?”

Jisung nods, Pumpkin meows. “Tomorrow.”