#juminvweek

Curious, he lowered his camera and slowly approached the object, so out-of-place in the browns and greens. He came across a small white kitten with gigantic blue eyes almost as deep as the ocean. While stray cats weren’t uncommon, the pristine, white fur of the feline seemed entirely out of place in this wooded area. V bent down, the small kitten coming willingly to him and rubbing its head against his hand. It was as if a small snow drift had been left behind after the spring melt and was now begging for affection.

“Hello there little one.” He cooed, glancing around in search of an owner or home of the lost kitten. It looked too well cared for to be a stray, yet here it was. Initial search coming up empty, he rubbed his thumb against its temple, scooping it up into his hands. “You can stay with me for a bit until we find your family.” V smiled softly, placing it into the currently empty camera bag.

He slung it back over his shoulder, standing once more with camera in hand. Large, soulful blue eyes gazed out of the bag at the passing scenery as he continued with his work, all the while keeping an eye out for the kitten’s owner.

The day drew on, many photos were captured with his new, temporary companion contentedly snoozing in the camera bag. The sun was finally beginning to set, yet V hadn’t so much as seen any trace of another person in the pristine woods. While the solitude was beneficial for his craft, the kitten’s presence made little sense. “Where did you come from…?” He pondered out loud, a finger moving to stroke soft fur within the bag. A purr rang out, happy for the attention as the kitten arched into his touch.

A contented mewl sounded out as he pulled away to finish up his work, bringing a smile to V’s face. It had been well behaved the entire time, and he couldn’t just leave it here when who knows what would come of it with nightfall. “I will bring you home with me until we can find your true home, alright? I am sure Jumin won’t mind.” He smiled, swapping the camera with the ball of fluff in the bag. Its eyes seemed to twinkle as the two continued into the car and began the drive back to the penthouse.

The kitten batted with the strap of the bag as they travelled, eliciting a chuckle from V as he glanced momentarily in its direction. Its endeavours were heart warming, and brightened the already productive day even further. He had to admit he was glad it had crossed his path, and would even go as far as to say he was happy it wouldn’t be leaving quite so soon.

With the newfound guest, the two reached the penthouse, V juggling the camera bag and kitten once more as he made his way inside. He carefully opened the door to the suite, setting down the bag near the entrance just in time to hear a deep voice call out in greeting.

“Jihyun? Welcome home.” Jumin called, having arrived home earlier than V. The heir set aside his reading as he stood and turned to properly greet his love. Grey eyes filled with warmth as they met mint, but quickly narrowing as they glanced to the white ball of fur in hands. “What is that…?” He stopped in his tracks, voice filled with suspicion as he took in the scene before him.

V lifted the small kitten up, ignoring the uneasy atmosphere that radiated from the dark haired man. “A kitten I found out in the woods. I couldn’t exactly just leave it there.”

Jumin sighed, rubbing his temple as he reluctantly stepped closer. He knew V was a bleeding heart, but that was just all the more reason he took it upon himself to protect the photographer from whatever ill-will came his way. “You do not know where it has been… what kind of diseases it could have. Why did you bring it here and not to a shelter?”

“I didn’t think of that.” V laughed nonchalantly, bringing about another annoyed sigh from the heir. He softly stroked the kitten’s ear, smiling gently. “It is just until I find its home, I promise. So won’t you please allow it to stay here?”

Jumin scowled, glancing from the kitten to V and weighing the risks. Two pairs of varying shades of blue pleaded to him, weighing him down. “Jihyun… I am not sure…” He adjusted his cufflinks, glancing away from the two, the problem swirling in his mind.

“Just for one night? It is getting late and I hate to disrupt a rescue at this hour.”

“But that is their job–” Jumin replied, glancing back to the two. That proved to be a fatal mistake. “…Fine. One night, and then it goes to a rescue in the morning. But I am calling for a veterinarian right now and a groomer. I will not allow it to stay here right off of the streets like that.” He reluctantly agreed, pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.

V grinned, closing the distance between them and leaning up to quickly peck his cheek. “Thank you Jumin. It has been very well behaved with me so far, I am sure there is no need to worry.” The kitten tried to rub against the other man’s suit, only for him to turn away as the call connected.

Less than an hour passed before a small team of pet professionals arrived in the penthouse, the time spent with cautious glances from the businessman to the creature in V’s arms. Luxurious supplies were brought in for the kitten’s ‘overnight’ stay, as a groomer quickly cleaned her of any foliage while a vet examined.

“She seems to be in perfect health despite where you had found her.” The lead veterinarian stated as he finished up her examination. “She seems to be approximately five months old. I gave her some initial vaccines to start her on the right track, but they are purely just preventative measures. She is quite a beautiful kitten, you are quite lucky. Does she have a name yet?”

“There is no need, she will not be staying long–” Jumin tried to interject, only to be interrupted by a hidden arm squeeze from Jihyun. While he had agreed to allow her to remain the night, it was to be solely that. One night only.

“We have not thought of name yet. Thank you again for coming out so late.” V smiled radiantly to the veterinarian and other staff as they packed up their equipment, setting the small kitten on the floor. V could feel Jumin tense, grey hues glued to the kitten as she took a few clumsy steps, unused to the slick surface of tiled floor.

V scooped up the kitten once more, as they both saw their human guests out. “If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me. I am honoured to be able to assist.” The veterinarian stated, glancing between the three before taking his leave.

Door closed behind them, Jumin let out an annoyed sigh, watching as V ventured further back into the penthouse and set the kitten down once again. “I am not sure why you stopped me from telling them that she is only here for tonight.” He scowled, staying a few steps back from his knelt lover who was gently playing with the kitten.

“I did not think there was a need to worry them unnecessarily.” Smile even more radiant than earlier towards his love, the mint haired man gently trailed his finger along the floor as the kitten chased after it playfully. “Though… the veterinarian did have a point… we should name her.”

“Jihyun, I do not see the point in giving her a name if she will only be here for the night–”

“–What about Elizabeth the Third?” V smiled, immune to Jumin’s frown as he interrupted him yet again. “Then she can at least be like royalty for the night.” He stood from the kitten, dusting his knees as he returned to his love’s side.

Jumin glanced away from the mint hues that gazed at him adoringly, looking for confirmation, and right to the small kitten as she continued to investigate the pile of cat supplies brought in. “…Fine. Do as you wish.” He relented, walking to the sofa, V following closely behind. Once V had his heart set on something, he could be surprisingly stubborn after all.

“Thank you.” The photographer whispered, draping his arms over Jumin’s shoulders as he took a seat, planting a kiss on his cheek. “I promise it will be fine. We can figure out what to do with Elizabeth in the morning. I will make it up to you.”  He rested there for a few moments, recharging from their day apart before finally speaking again. “…But I should shower as well. I just came from the same place as her after all

I will be right back.”

Jumin nodded in agreement, watching his love walk off into the washroom, then glancing back to the kitten who had found one of the toys. Their night had definitely taken a turn, and Jumin was not happy for the switch. Deciding to ignore the kitten, and the distaste for the current situation, he grabbed a nearby book on the coffee table.

Shower could be heard running, and if not for his annoyance, the heir might be tempted to join the photographer. Instead, he focused on his book, trying to ignore the unexpected feline guest. It seemed to work, until he felt tiny paws gently poke at his thigh.

Jumin lowered the book, just in time to witness Elizabeth plod her way onto his lap and lay down. “Excuse me, this is my seat.” He spoke sternly to the cat, her blue eyes turning to gaze at him. He gestured to the new bed that had been brought in for her, slight annoyance evident in his voice. “You have a bed for yourself. You do not need to disturb me.”

Knowingly, the kitten’s gaze followed his gesture to the bed before turning to the dark haired man’s face. She gave a happy mewl, face almost seeming to brighten up as she nuzzled against his legs, purring happily.

Confused, the heir set his book beside him, hands hovering above the kitten as he debated how to free himself. “Elizabeth. Move.” He commanded. The kitten looked up at him with a sorrowful gaze, reluctantly moving off of his immediate lap, but immediately curling up right beside the heir. The behaviour shocked Jumin further. Everything he had ever learned about cats had shown that they were creatures that never listened. Yet, she did, and with eyes that seemed to gaze right into his own soul. Eyes that were almost like another pair of knowing mint.

“You understood…?” He questioned, a sleepy meow responding. A smile played on Jumin’s lips, hesitantly reaching down to stroke the now cleaned white fur. “Well… then maybe we can make up an agreement. I will have my employees draft up a contract tomorrow for your stay here.”

Purrs started up immediately, cuddling up to Jumin even closer.

Meanwhile, V quickly finished his shower, changing into clean, comfortable clothes for the night ahead. He slowly returned to the sofa, glancing around for Elizabeth in the meantime. With no sight of the small, white kitten, he frowned slightly. He had only been gone for half an hour max, she couldn’t have gotten into too much trouble in that amount of time, could she?

“Jumin… have you seen Elizab–” V queried, rounding to face his love as he was greeted by the most heartwarming sight of the kitten curled up beside the heir, both looking utterly relaxed. Jumin carefully set down his book, pulling the mint haired man closer.

“I think you mean Elizabeth the Third, and she is fine.” He replied, positioning V down beside him as he kissed his lips, careful not to disturb the sleeping kitten on his other side. “We should purchase her a better, custom collar, as well as a custom bed and food bowl.”

V chuckled, snuggling up beside. “I thought she was just staying here until we could find her home in the morning?” Again, a smile danced on Jumin’s lips.