Work Text:
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
Jungkook was halfway to the door, already tugging on his jacket when Yoongi, his roommate, and unfortunately another cat hybrid looked up from his bed with a sigh. "Stop right there, Kook."
"What?”
Yoongi sat up, crossed his legs and gave him a flat look. "You're not seriously going out again, are you?"
Jungkook frowned. "I'm just going for a walk."
Yoongi snorted. "A walk? Let me guess, past the coffee shop where Taehyung just happens to work?”
Jungkook hesitated. "...Maybe."
"Kook, you have to stop following that poor guy around."
"But—"
"You already dropped a dead deer in front of his door today."
"So?" He said, genuinely confused. "That was a gift.”
Yoongi rubbed his temples. "Right. Maybe just keep it to one terrifying thing a day, okay?"
"Terrifying?" Jungkook echoed. "What's terrifying about showing I can provide for him?"
"Everything," Yoongi said immediately.
Jungkook crossed his arms. "I just wanted to impress him! And show him that I'm strong."
"He's going to file for a restraining order before he ever agrees to have dinner with you. And look, I get it. He's cute. Everyone thinks so. But—”
Jungkook narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean everyone? Has someone else tried to—"
"Oh my god," Yoongi groaned loudly and threw a pillow at him, "don't do this." Jungkook caught the pillow. "Who courted him?" he demanded. "Was it that fox from our literature class?”
Yoongi rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter, dude."
"So he has been courted before."
"Yes," Yoongi said, dragging out the word, "and none of them worked out. So maybe, just maybe, stop doing whatever it is you're doing before you join the list.”
Jungkook threw the pillow back at him. "I'm not like them."
Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "Right. You’re worse. I’m just saying this whole stalker thing is not working. Cats don’t like being hovered over. He probably feels like he’s being hunted and not courted.”
Jungkook grumbled, running a hand through his hair. “I just can’t help it, Hyung. He smells so good. Like rain and cinnamon. Every time he walks past, I have to stop myself from—”
“Sniffing him?” Yoongi guessed, already grimacing.
Jungkook sighed. He could take down a bear, but winning over his cat boy was another story. He turned away from the door and slowly came over to Yoongi’s bed. He sat down on the floor in front of it.
“Okay,” he said. “Then teach me. How do I court like a cat?”
Yoongi blinked, clearly not expecting that. “You’re actually asking me?”
Jungkook nodded.
“Alright, big guy. Lesson one, less blood.”
“So..... no more deer.”
“Definitely no more deer.”
Jungkook tilted his head. “What about... a rabbit?”
Yoongi groaned. “We’re gonna need to start from the very beginning.”
Jungkook grinned. “Relax, I’m a quick learner.”
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
Taehyung shoved his apron into the locker, letting out a frustrated huff. He ran a hand through his hair.
Where the hell was Jungkook?
It had been three days, three entire days since he had last seen him.
The wolf who had somehow become such a big part of his everyday life had just disappeared. He had also stopped leaving those huge bloody gifts in front of his door, and Taehyung couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.
Throughout his whole shift, he had expected Jungkook to walk in like he always did. Usually, he would order a hot chocolate and then just sit there, watching him work. Taehyung had always found it adorable and today he had been so ready to see him again... but he hadn’t shown up.
He missed his wolf.
He pulled out the small, folded schedule that Jungkook had given him. He had said it was just in case Taehyung ever needed to find him but Jungkook had also promised he’d always be nearby.
Now, it seemed that the stupid schedule was actually useful.
He glanced down, thumb brushing over the paper. He couldn’t help smiling a little. Jungkook had doodled tiny paw prints next to each day. Taehyung squinted at the handwriting, tracing the lines of Wednesday afternoon. The library.
“Alright,” he murmured. “Let’s see where you’re hiding, Jeon.”
He shoved the schedule back into his pocket and stepped out into the cool afternoon. The streets smelled faintly of coffee, dirt and passing cars. One scent was missing.
Jungkook's pine and spice scent.
It was still too early for the sky to be dark, but Taehyung didn’t care. He hated walking alone now. He was way too used to having a certain wolf at his side, listening to Jungkook’s comments about the people they passed and the warning growl whenever someone dared to look at him for too long.
Now it was just him and Taehyung didn’t like it.
He found Jungkook in the library, sitting alone at a table, scribbling notes from a book.
He hurried over. “Jungkook,” he said, surprised at how long it took for the other to look up. Normally, Jungkook would be staring at him the moment he stepped into a room.
“Oh hi, Tae,” he said, barely glancing up before returning his attention to the book.
Taehyung couldn’t help but pout. He wanted those intense eyes, the ones that usually glowed yellow whenever they met his. He wanted them on him..Right now.
“I haven’t seen you in a while,” he said, trying to keep his voice casual. Jungkook just hummed in response. Taehyung dug into his pocket and pulled out a piece of candy, setting it on the table in front of him. “Do you want this?” he asked, knowing full well that the wolf had a serious sweet tooth.
To his surprise, Jungkook shook his head. “I’m too busy,” he muttered, still not looking up.
Taehyung frowned. “You are too busy to eat a piece of candy?”
Jungkook scratched the back of his neck, like he didn’t know how to answer that, and Taehyung didn’t know what to think. What had happened between them? Why was Jungkook acting so different? He decided to be direct.
He took a deep breath and asked, “Is it me? Have I said or done something that made you stop liking me? I thought we were starting to be more than just friends, but now I don’t know.” He bit his lip, watching Jungkook’s shoulders tense. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same anymore,” he added quickly, “I just... I just want to know why.”
To his relief, Jungkook finally looked up.
He felt his chest loosen when he saw those intense yellow eyes staring at him. They somehow looked a little panicked.
“My feelings haven’t changed at all!” Jungkook said.
Taehyung pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. “That doesn’t make sense.”
Jungkook’s gaze flicked to his lips for a moment before returning to his eyes. “Are you feeling overwhelmed?” he asked carefully.
Taehyung laughed, shaking his head. “No. Why would I be overwhelmed?”
“I’ve heard cats get overwhelmed easily.”
“I’m just confused, Jungkook.”
He watched Jungkook swallow and glance around, like he was searching for the right words.
“It’s fine.” Taehyung said with a sigh. “You don’t need to spare my feelings.” He was about to turn away, ready to leave the other to himself, when the wolf suddenly stood up.
“This is going completely wrong,” he said, moving quickly around the table. He reached Taehyung and grabbed his hands, holding them tightly.
“I like you, Taehyung. I really do. And I want you but I’m a wolf, and I do things the way wolves do. That’s just how I am. But I know that doesn’t always work with you. You need space and I get that now. I shouldn’t be all over you all the time, no matter how much I want to be close. That’s why I tried to change, to court you in a way that you, as a cat, would accept and feel comfortable with. I thought if I did it your way, it would be better. But now I realize I’m still not doing it right. I keep trying and somehow I still end up getting it wrong.”
He was practically ranting, words tumbling out too fast, so Taehyung squeezed his hands.
“Jungkook,” he said. The wolf's eyes were wide. Taehyung smiled. “You were trying to court me like a cat? Why?”
Jungkook blinked, caught off guard. “Because I didn’t want you to be scared of me.”
Taehyung shook his head. “You could never scare me. Honestly I’ve never felt so safe as when I had my big bad wolf with me everywhere.”
Jungkook leaned forward, eyes searching. “Is that true? I wasn’t too clingy? I heard cats need personal space.”
“Not me,” he said firmly, making the other smile.
“And what about my gifts? Weren’t they too much?”
Taehyung shrugged. “I didn’t mind them.” He decided to be honest and added, “But maybe next time, instead of gifts, you could take me out to dinner?”
Jungkook’s smile widened, and he quickly nodded. And as if it wasn’t already obvious, he suddenly asked, “So you like me? And you accept my courtship?”
Taehyung laughed. “Yeah, I do.” Then, with a playful tilt of his head, he added, “But what about you? Do you accept my courtship?” He nodded toward the candy still sitting on the table. Jungkook stepped back to grab it. He unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth, nodding.
God, he’s cute, Taehyung thought, watching the wolf try and fail to hide his grin.
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
Taehyung was in his room...
Taehyung was in his room!
Jungkook kept repeating it in his head, trying not to look too excited as he watched the other wander around the dorm. He followed close behind as Taehyung looked over every corner like the curious cat he was.
Taehyung stopped near Yoongi’s bed and leaned in a little, sniffing the air. He watched in fascination as Taehyung’s tail gave a quick flick.
“Jungkook,” he said suddenly, glancing over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow. “You didn’t tell me you shared a room with another cat.”
“Yeah, that’s just Yoongi hyung.”
Taehyung hummed, still inspecting the space. “You mean the same one who gave you advice about cats?” His tail flicked from side to side.
Jungkook nodded quickly, a grin spreading across his face. “Yep. And I can’t wait to tell him how wrong he was.” He took Taehyung's hand and tugged him toward the other side of the room. “Come on,” he said. “You’re supposed to see my part of the room, not Yoongi’s.”
The first thing Taehyung did when he reached the bed was to sit down and then flop backward, arms spread wide across the sheets.
Taehyung was in his bed.
Taehyung was in his bed!
Jungkook felt his pulse spike, claws slipping out on instinct as he dug them into his palms just to stay in control. His wolf was howling inside his chest.
And then Taehyung took a deep breath. Yeah, that definitely didn’t help.
Jungkook couldn’t help himself. “Do you like my scent?” he asked. His voice was a little rougher than he had intended because god, Taehyung’s scent was doing something to him. The sweet smell had already spread through the room. And now Taehyung was lying there, moving his arms back and forth like he was making a snow angel on his bed. Jungkook could only imagine how the sheets were going to smell after this.
“I love your scent,” Taehyung said without hesitation.
It took a lot to make Jungkook blush, but he felt the heat rush to his cheeks. Pride filled his chest, making him stand a little taller. He turned away before he could do something stupid. Then he went to his closet, grabbed one of his many black hoodies, and headed back to the bed.
Taehyung was still lying there, smiling up at him.
Oh no.
He was way too pretty like that. Jungkook felt his claws threatening to come out again, with the instinctive need to claim. So he did the first thing that came to mind. He tossed the hoodie over Taehyung’s pretty face.
“Wear it.”
There was a muffled laugh from under the fabric before Taehyung pulled it down to look at him, still smiling.
Jungkook swallowed hard. “Please,” he added.
“Well, since you asked so nicely.” Taehyung sat up, tugging off his sweater and revealing a tshirt underneath before pulling the hoodie over his head. He gave Jungkook a teasing grin. “How do I look?”
Jungkook didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned in closer to the scent that was now his mixed with Taehyung’s.
He felt Taehyung's breath hitch as his nose brushed against the side of his neck.
“The first date comes before the first kiss, right?”
Taehyung’s tongue darted out to wet his lips. “I count this as our first date.”
Jungkook shook his head. “No, I want to take you on a real date.”
Taehyung groaned. “Can you just kiss me already?”
He didn’t need to be told twice. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Taehyung’s. He pulled back just a little, then leaned in again, wanting more. One kiss turned into another, and then another. He couldn’t seem to stop himself. Every time he kissed him, he wanted one more. Eventually, Taehyung grabbed his hair, holding him still, letting the kiss deepen. Jungkook growled without realizing it and felt Taehyung smile against his mouth.
They had planned to go out to eat afterward, but somehow, they ended up napping in his bed instead. The size of the bed meant that Taehyung was sprawled on top of him. His cat perfectly content in his arms.
With the purring in his ear, Jungkook felt himself slipping into sleep.
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
Yoongi had shared a dorm room with Jungkook for almost a year and had known him even longer.
So when he opened the door, he expected to be greeted by the usual heavy forest scent that always clung to the place.
And he was. But there was something else mixed in this time.
Cat.
A very specific cat. One who had practically haunted this room through the way Jungkook wouldn’t stop talking about him. So unless someone had broken in, it could only mean one thing. Jungkook had actually managed to get Taehyung to visit.
Yoongi hadn’t expected that to happen so soon. Maybe their talk about giving Taehyung space had worked after all, he thought with a smirk as he kicked off his shoes.
The room was quiet. Jungkook was asleep in his bed, which was unusual for this hour. Normally the wolf was out trying and failing to find distractions from thinking about Taehyung. Apparently, he’d finally found one that worked. Sleep.
He walked over to his desk and dropped his backpack onto it then froze at the sound of a hiss. He turned toward Jungkook’s bed, eyebrows lifting when he spotted a black cat curled around Jungkook’s neck. The cat’s fur blended with Jungkook’s black hoodie, so it took Yoongi a second to realize what he was looking at.
“Oh,” he muttered, tilting his head. He took a step closer and immediately got another hiss.
“You must be Taehyung,” he said, keeping his voice calm as he introduced himself. “I’m Yoongi. Jungkook’s roommate.”
Taehyung’s tail started flicking as a warning.
Right..
Yoongi had forgotten how territorial some cats could be. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay, let’s get one thing straight before you decide to pee in my bed to mark your territory, alright? Even if I wasn’t in a happy relationship, I see Jungkook as a big stupid puppy.”
Another hiss.
Yoongi stared at him, biting back his own instinct to hiss right back. He exhaled and said, “He’s like my little brother, okay?”
Taehyung’s eyes narrowed, tail twitching in warning again.
Jungkook made a sleepy noise, and then he rolled over and scooped Taehyung up.
Taehyung let out a startled sound, while Jungkook just sighed in his sleep and pulled him closer. Yoongi snorted. Poor guy was completely trapped under a wolf’s death grip. He almost felt sorry for him. But judging by the faint purr he could still hear, Taehyung probably didn’t even want to be rescued.
Shaking his head, he grabbed his phone and wallet from the desk, slipping his shoes back on by the door. Clearly, meeting Taehyung properly would have to wait for another time. He glanced back at the bed one last time and couldn’t help but smile. He’d worried Jungkook would be too much for someone like Taehyung. Too intense and too possessive. But looking at them now, Yoongi realized Jungkook had finally met his match.
Stepping into the hallway, he pulled out his phone and called the first number in his favorites. Hoseok picked up almost immediately. “Hey, babe?”
Yoongi grinned. “Hey, honey. You’ll never guess what just happened.”
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
Taehyung smelled so good. He always did but right now he smelled extra good.
Jungkook had to actively remind himself not to drool. The usual sweet scent of cinnamon that clung to him, was now mixed with the smoky smell of the barbecue they’d just eaten. Delicious meat, he thought as he inhaled deeply. They were definitely eating there again.
“Kook, you’re making me fall!” Taehyung laughed, pushing lightly at his chest.
That’s when he realized he was practically draped over him, nose buried in Taehyung’s hair as they walked. “Sorry,” he muttered.
They reached the crosswalk and he took Taehyung’s hand before crossing. “Even though we just ate, you look like you’re still hungry,” Taehyung said, glancing up at him with a teasing smile.
Jungkook nodded. “I’ve got room for a large popcorn,” he replied as he held the door open to the cinema.
“Oh?” Taehyung arched an eyebrow. “Do you want your own, or can you spare some if we share?”
He pretended to think about it. And then Taehyung’s hand slipped out of his. He turned around and saw that the other had stopped walking entirely.
“Of course I’ll share,” Jungkook said, taking a few steps back to stand beside him. His smile faded when he saw the look on Taehyung’s face.
“Tae?”
Taehyung wasn’t smiling anymore. He looked.... scared.
Wait scared?
Taehyung was scared!
Jungkook’s instincts kicked in immediately. His claws slid out, ready as his eyes darted around, scanning for the threat. But nothing looked wrong. Then he followed Taehyung’s gaze and realized what the threat was. The movie poster.. It had a swarm of zombies climbing over each other.
“Tae,” he started.
“Jungkook,” the other interrupted, eyes wide. “You didn’t tell me we were going to see a horror movie.”
“I told you we were going to watch the city is burning."
“Oh my god,” Taehyung groaned, pressing a hand to his face. “I thought it was an action movie!”
Jungkook slid an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. “Are you okay, Tae?” he asked.
“I don’t like zombie movies,” Taehyung muttered, leaning into him. “They really scare me.”
“Oh,” Jungkook said simply, already turning toward the ticket counter. “Do you want to watch something else?”
Taehyung took a deep breath, and to Jungkook’s surprise, he shook his head. “No, it’s fine,” he said. “I know you’ve been looking forward to this movie.”
“But we’re not going to see it if you’re scared,” Jungkook replied immediately.
Taehyung’s lower lip jutted out in a small pout. “But you already bought the tickets.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Jungkook said, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Taehyung grabbed the sleeve of his hoodie and tugged him toward the concession stand. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get popcorn. I’m fine, really.”
Jungkook wasn’t convinced, but he followed anyway, keeping close as they bought popcorn and drinks. Taehyung kept smiling up at him. It wasn’t until they found their seats and Taehyung leaned into his side that Jungkook finally let himself relax.
Taehyung wasn’t okay.
Jungkook sensed it pretty quickly. The way his hand kept tightening on his arm every time something happened on screen gave it away. But no matter how many times Jungkook leaned down and whispered that they could leave, Taehyung just shook his head stubbornly and kept his eyes on the movie.
So Jungkook stayed still, letting Taehyung cling to him. He kept wondering if the other would be upset if he just... pulled him into his lap.
Then came a scene where the zombies started crawling up the walls like spiders. Taehyung gasped, eyes wide, and before Jungkook could react, he was on his feet. “I’m just-I’m going to the bathroom,” he whispered quickly, already halfway down the aisle.
Jungkook didn’t even think, he was already out of his seat and following. He found the other sitting on the steps just outside the theater, head buried in his hands.. He knelt down in front of him and let out a worried whine when he noticed Taehyung’s shoulders trembling.
“I’m okay.”
Jungkook didn’t believe that for a second. He reached out as he pulled Taehyung into a hug. “You’re terrified,” he murmured sadly, nose pressing into Taehyung’s hair as he started stroking his back. Taehyung melted against him, burying his face in his chest. “I really tried,” he whispered, voice muffled. “But I just can’t handle zombies.”
Jungkook kept stroking his back until he could finally breathe in Taehyung’s scent without that sharp edge of fear.
“You were so brave, kitten,” he said softly. “And I promise this is the last horror movie I’ll ever take you to. No more horror movies.”
“Especially zombies,” Taehyung mumbled.
“Especially zombies,” Jungkook repeated.
On the walk home, he noticed that Taehyung kept glancing over his shoulder every few steps. Fear still clung to his scent.
That wouldn’t do.
Without a word, Jungkook let go of his hand, stepped around behind him, and wrapped his arms snugly around Taehyung’s waist. Taehyung let out a surprised laugh. “Kook! What are you doing?”
“Let’s walk like this,” he said, already steering them forward.
Taehyung twisted his head to look at him, eyebrows raised. “Why?”
“So I can protect your back from zombies,” he replied, completely serious.
Taehyung groaned, shaking his head with a grin. “We can’t walk like this, you big wolf.”
“Sure we can,” Jungkook said, tightening his hold a little.
They tried. And it was... well, a mess. He had to shuffle to keep his arms around Taehyung, and Taehyung kept laughing so hard he nearly doubled over. But that laugh was exactly what Jungkook had been aiming for. It took them twice as long to get there, but eventually they found themselves in front of Taehyung’s building.
“I wish you could come back to my room with me.” Taehyung sighed. “I won’t be able to sleep tonight without you there to protect me from zombies.”
Jungkook’s heartbeat kicked up a little. “Why can’t I?” he asked immediately.
Taehyung gave him an apologetic smile. “My roommates don’t really like people over at night. And well… you snore.”
“I don’t snore,” he protested automatically, then frowned. “Okay, maybe a little. But still—” He paused, thinking hard, then blurted, “You can sleep in my room!”
“What about Yoongi?”
“He’s staying at his boyfriend’s place tonight,” he said quickly. “Don’t worry about that.”
Taehyung looked relieved and smiled. “Okay. Give me five minutes.”
When he came back out with a small backpack slung over his shoulder, Jungkook couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face. “Ready?” he asked.
“Ready,” Taehyung said, and together they headed toward his dorm.
He stopped Taehyung right in front of the door. “Give me two minutes,” he said, then slipped inside and closed the door behind him. Yoongi was already asleep in his bed, one arm hanging off the side.
Jungkook hurried over and shook his shoulder. “Hyung, wake up!”
Yoongi groaned, “What’s going on?”
“Long story! The city is burning, zombies are climbing the walls and now Taehyung’s scared. I need you to get out.”
Yoongi squinted at him. “Out? To the zombies?”
He let out a frustrated groan. “No, to Hoseok’s! Go sleep there tonight, okay?”
Before Yoongi could argue, Jungkook snatched his pillow, shoved it into his hands and said, “Please, I’ll owe you big time.”
Yoongi mumbled something while rubbing his eyes but to Jungkook’s surprise, he actually got up, shoved his feet into his shoes and walked toward the door. “Thanks, hyung,” he whispered as Yoongi opened the door.
He barely waited for the other to walk away before pulling Taehyung inside and closing the door. Taehyung blinked at him, amused. “I thought you said Yoongi was sleeping at his boyfriend’s?”
“He’s on his way there now.”
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
Taehyung turned off the tap and wiped his mouth, feeling oddly content. He had packed his own pajamas, but Jungkook had insisted, practically begged, that he borrow his instead. Taehyung hadn’t put up much of a fight.
Now he smelled like his wolf. He lifted the sleeve of the oversized shirt and took another quick sniff, smiling to himself.
His wolf.
God, he was lucky. Jungkook was unlike anyone he’d ever met. He was so thoughtful, so protective, and somehow the biggest dork alive. People who said wolves were scary clearly hadn’t met this one.
He opened the bathroom door. Standing in the middle of the room was a massive black wolf. The orange glow from the nightlight behind him made him look like a hellhound framed by flames. Yellow eyes locked on him.
“...Jungkook?”
The wolf’s ears perked up. Then his tail started wagging so hard it thumped against the dresser. Okay. Yeah. He could see why some people might find wolves scary. But he didn’t. Not even a little.
He crossed the room and reached out, fingers sinking into the thick fur. The low growl that rumbled from Jungkook’s chest might have startled anyone else but Taehyung just smiled. He’d learned by now that it was the wolf's version of purring. After a moment, he pulled back and padded over to his bed. Taehyung followed. The bed was piled with hoodies, blankets, and a few pillows. He bit his lip. “You made a nest for me.”
Jungkook’s only answer was to nudge his arm gently with his nose, his tail giving a slow wag.
Taehyung brushed his fingers through the fur behind the wolf's ear. Before he’d gone to brush his teeth, Jungkook had promised he’d make sure Taehyung could sleep soundly tonight. Looking at the nest in front of him, he had no doubt that Jungkook would keep that promise.
Jungkook started nudging him insistently, and Taehyung laughed, climbing up into the bed. He pulled one of the blankets over himself and let out a contented sigh. Jungkook followed, sliding in beside him and settling around him, his massive wolf head resting on Taehyung’s chest.
In this form, his scent was even stronger and Taehyung realized that was exactly why he’d shifted.
Jungkook had really gone out of his way to make sure he felt safe. And all over something as stupid as a horror movie. Maybe Taehyung should have been embarrassed. But he wasn’t.
His friends liked to call him overdramatic, clingy, and a total scaredy cat. Maybe they weren’t wrong but Jungkook never made him feel like any of that was bad. If anything, the wolf seemed to like him exactly the way he was.
“For someone who said they didn’t know how to court a cat... you’re shockingly good at it.”
Jungkook’s tail started wagging slowly, then picked up speed as he curled closer, pressing into him. He tilted his head, aiming for his neck but Taehyung pulled back slightly, laughing. Jungkook let out a soft growl and tried again. Taehyung resisted for a few seconds before finally giving in. With a satisfied huff, the wolf marked him up, nuzzling and licking, his tail wagging contentedly
Taehyung closed his eyes, knowing there was nowhere else he’d rather be.
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
When Yoongi returned the next morning, ready to give Jungkook an earful for kicking him out in the middle of the night, he stopped dead in the doorway.
On the bed was a black cat, curled up right in the middle of a massive black wolf’s embrace. The wolf’s paw rested protectively over the cat, both of them fast asleep and breathing in sync.
Yoongi blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then he quietly backed out of the room, closing the door as silently as he could. Yeah... the scolding could wait.