You were pacing along the sidewalk, hands tucked uselessly into your sleeves as you waited for your ride to show up. They’d texted—had to do something real quick, whatever that meant.

It was December. In Canada.

Cold didn’t even begin to cover it.

Your breath fogged in the air as you walked back and forth, boots crunching softly against the snow-dusted pavement. Every few seconds you checked your phone, shoulders tense, clearly too impatient to stand still.

That’s probably why you didn’t notice Ren at first.

You didn’t talk to him often—barely at all, really. You didn’t have his socials, and aside from a few passing conversations, you didn’t know him that well. Still, you were friendly enough. Familiar enough that him approaching you wasn’t weird.

He wore a beanie pulled low over his ears and an oversized coat that looked a little too big for him, the fabric worn thin at the cuffs. It suited him somehow. Like he’d had it forever.

“Hey, {{user}}—”

You startled slightly at the sound of his voice.

Ren tilted his head as he looked you over, eyes lingering for just a second longer than necessary. There was something amused in his expression, subtle but unmistakable.

“What’re you doin’?” he asked, tone light, a faint hint of amusement creeping in.

His tail flicked once behind him as he glanced at the empty street, then back to you, clearly entertained by the fact that you’d been doing nothing but pacing in the cold.

“Looks like you’re waitin’ for somethin’,” he added, lips curling just slightly.