On the first day of his regular return, it’s a totally different crowd outside when he leaves, more school uniforms than suits. He thinks he prefers the suit crowd, though; they’re not as zombie-like and don't bring back uncalled for memories of his school days. The last thing he wants is to be standing next to a young girl and suddenly turn beet red.

At his second train, there is a couple minutes wait, which is fine, since it’s still early. Not having to rush is such a wonderful change of pace that Chanyeol checks his watch and leans against the cinderblock pillar a safe distance from the tracks, setting his bag between his feet to play on his phone. He doesn’t pay attention to anything in particular, just content to be on time and not wear the weight of time-restriction.

He feels something after a little waiting.

Not a physical something, at first, more like he’s being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck and along his arms rise, the spider-leggy feeling crawling along his scalp as well, and he barely catches himself from jumping when someone touches his arm.

His expectations for someone asking about the train or the time or if they’ve seen him on TV, but instead he meets the doe-eyed gaze of a young man. His hair is a soft brown, just a couple shades lighter than his eyes, but the token feature is the long, silver tail slowly weaving behind him. The puppy-eyes suggest a stray dog, but with how fast Chanyeol’s nose is itching, he knows this stray is actually a cat.

“Don’t cling to me, please. I have a train to catch.” It arrives on cue, but the cat’s grip tightens, and his tail droops.

Don't leave me.