Thread by @pchyjiji

‘text me when you get home’ — a #jikookau for @dallyreads04

jm and jk are just classmates. that’s all they are and all they’ll ever be. until jk walks jm home one day, and everything changes.

It was late, by the time Googie was packing up his things to leave the campus library. Finals were approaching, and he was stressed.

His friends, who had left hours ago, were proving to be nothing but a distraction to him during the many hours they had spent in the study room he had hired out.

Yoonie had been playing around with garageband on his computer. Jinnie had brought enough snacks to feed the whole library staff (not that he had shared any of his snacks with his friends).

Taetae’s music had been so loud Googie wondered why he even bothered wearing headphones.

He had gotten some work done since they had left though, so he wasn’t leaving feeling like a complete failure, even though it was now much closer to midnight than he really wanted it to be.

He clicked off the computer, shut off the light to the room and closed the door. The library floor was mostly empty. He walked down the aisle of the computers, hands shoved in his pockets, and stifled a yawn.

He kept walking, wishing he had remembered to charge his headphones, when he heard a shuffling sound. He paused, and looked to his left.

There, hunched over with his head lay on the desk, computer keyboard pushed haphazardly to the side, was Minnie.

Googie didn’t know Minnie well. They shared several classes, but Minnie was quiet and kept to himself. He had friends, of course. Class president Joonie and dance captain Hoba usually joined Minnie for lunch, Googie knew.

But, in class Minnie very rarely spoke loud enough for him to hear.

Now, Minnie’s neck was bent uncomfortably in half, his shoulders hunched over and squishy cheek smushed into the cold wood of the desk.

Before he knew what he was doing, Googie slowly walked over to where the other boy was sleeping.

“Hey,” he mumbled, but got no response.

“Hi!” He called louder, Minnie just mumbled in his sleep.

Carefully, Googie placed a hand on Minnie’s shoulder and shook him gently. “Hey, Minnie. Wake up.”

Googie looked down at Minnie. The other boy's eyes slowly blinked open. He glanced up from where his head lay and his head quickly snapped up.

“Uh,” He said, confused.

“It’s almost midnight, and you looked uncomfortable. I thought I should wake you.” Googie rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, regretting disturbing this near stranger.

Minnie stretched his back slightly, Googie heard his joints click, and he hurried to stuff his belongings into his backpack. He stood quickly.

“Thank you, Googie-ah. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“You didn’t disturb me. I would feel bad if I left you here to sleep all night.”

Minnie giggled, and Googie decided he wouldn’t mind hearing that one more time.

“I’ll walk with you out?” Googie asked, unsure.

He decided it was the lighting that was causing the gentle blush on his cheeks, not anything the taller boy might have said. From so close, Googie decided Minnie was perhaps the most beautiful boy in their year. Maybe in their school.

Maybe he was the most beautiful boy he had ever seen. Maybe.

Minnie just nodded, his lips turning up into a slight smile in thanks.

After an awkwardly quiet ride in the elevator, the two boys found themselves on the cold street.

“I go this way.” Minnie said, pointing to his right.

“Me too.” Googie said. He doesn’t. He usually goes left. But that’s okay, Minnie doesn’t need to know.

They walk quietly, side by side with their elbows brushing.

“So, you’re in my communications class, right?”

“Yeah,” Minnie replies.

“Are you studying for the exam?”

“I’m actually not sitting the exam. My coursework scored high enough that I’ve already passed the class. I’m studying for my biology exam.” Minnie replied.

“You can do that?” Googie asked, astonished.

“Yeah,” Minnie giggled.

“I suck at communications, I’m studying so hard.” Googie said, somewhat embarrassed. Apparently, Minnie was a genius; their coursework fucking sucked.

“Maybe I could help you study sometime? I really enjoy that course.”

“I would like that.” Googie pulled out his phone from his pocket and handed it to Minnie. “Here, put your number in. I’ll message you sometime.”

After Minnie put his details in, Googie messaged him, “Now you have mine too.”

Minnie didn’t reply, but smiled.

They walked quietly for a few minutes. Googie cursed himself for being so awkward. So painfully unable to talk to a pretty boy. He opened his mouth to speak, when Minnie interrupted him.

Minnie ran ahead suddenly, and dropped to the ground. He threw out a hand, a tiny hand, Googie noticed, and he waited.

“What are you do-”

“Shush!” Minnie interrupted. “Come here, baby. It’s okay. We’re friends.” Minnie’s voice was quiet, soft, and he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together. He pursed his lips and made a small noise of encouragement. Googie just stood back with his eyebrows creased in confusion.

“There we go, good baby.” Minnie mumbled.

Finally, as though being allowed in on a secret, Googie understood. From behind the tree on the sidewalk, a small ginger cat appeared. It walked slowly, cautiously, as it approached Minnie’s outstretched hand.

It emitted a soft, barely audible, meow as though greeting the smaller boy. Its whiskers, long and white, tickled Minnie’s palm as it rubbed its nose against Minnie’s fingers.

“Good baby, so pretty.” Minnie whispered sweetly. “Aren’t you a good baby?”

The cat’s paws patted quietly across the concrete sidewalk, walking up and down beside where Minnie had crouched down.

There was a gentle light being emitted by the streetlights that were dotted along the sidewalk. The orange glow was illuminating Minnie’s blond hair. Googie had never realised before just how pretty the smaller boy was.

His features, soft and round, were shining as they looked fondly at the feline by his feet.

Suddenly, the scene before Googie was shattered as a loud car zoomed past them. The cat screeched and ran back to his position in the tree. Minnie stood back up and stood beside Googie once more.

“He was so cute!” Minnie giggled, and continued walking.

“He was.” Googie agreed, though he could barely remember what the cat even looked like. “Very cute.”

“I have to go this way now.” Minnie said, pointing down the alley that was to their left. It was dimly lit, but Googie could see a convenience store at the end.

“It was nice to finally speak to you properly, Minnie.” Googie said, ducking his head politely.

“You too, Googie. Make sure to message me if you need help studying, okay?” Minnie smiled widely and waved his hand goodbye. He turned on his heel, and walked away.

There was a small bounce in his step, Googie noticed, a slight wave in his hips and his arms swayed happily by his sides.

“Hey.” Googie called out. Minnie turned back around, his head cocked to the side in a question.

“Text me when you get home, okay?”

˚₊✩‧₊ ꒰ end! ꒱

i really enjoyed writing these sweet boys oh my 🥺

let me know your thoughts! curiouscat.live/pchyjiji