maskreant | INBOX

[ if looks could kill— ]

i'll keep you updated.

(i'll see you soon.)

Thank you. And just let yourself in when you come by, chouchou.

[Sena will come and go for his birthday surprise by the time Akira can just let himself in, Belle giving him a chirrup and a black stocking from Elizabeth's pile today. Potato greeting him with a bark at the door. Eyes watching from around a corner.

... The last is the new cat, please go to the kitchenette where Goro is, he's turning slightly with a little smile.]

Welcome home. How was work?

[like a fuckin wife

he even has an apron on and his hair up he's obviously set to do cooking.]

[ !! When Akira steps in, he’s awfully happy to see a pair of eyes on him, even if they’re not Goro. He takes some extra time to play with Potato, just a couple of seconds, before scooping the dog up in his arms. The new cat gets an inquisitive look since he knows better than to go chased after her. He’ll have to be patient if he wants to earn the trust of a new cat.

With greetings done, he perks up to the sound of Goro’s voice as he makes a beeline into the kitchen with puppy in tow. What a nice sight... What a strange feeling? Now that he thinks about it, he has only been welcomed home regularly as of recent. A soft smile is returned as he scuttles closer to Goro. ]

It was a good day... Though tiring. What about you?

[ Carefully, he lifts Potato up to Goro’s neck so the puppy can have a lick. ]

It was-- fun!

[Yelped a bit at the sudden tongue, hello Potato, you're getting a peck. Good dog.]

Fun. Today is Sena's birthday, so I made cupcakes and invited him over. [... Fuck he really does sound like a housewife, hold on.] I taught Belle to play fetch, too. Take the sock from her and throw it.

[Maybe the other cat'll join in the fun. He tends to like it, they're close in age, just a little black cat.

... Three pets, they have three pets now, and Goro is thinking of getting a bunny sometime in the future. Still wants that bird too. More hesitant to obtain one with the mentioned cats.]

[ And right after Goro kisses the dog, Akira will plant a peck on his cheek, too. Greeting has come to an end, so he releases Potato back onto the floor to do as he pleases. ]

I thought models are supposed to watch their weight.

[ But he’s glad they’re all celebrating Sena’s birthday. Last time he heard, he wasn’t doing too well late October. Akira wanders over to steal the sock from Belle, but doesn’t quite throw it yet. However, he does drop down to settle comfortably, but keeps the sock within his grasps in case any kitty or puppy dares to attack him for it. ]

Is this one yours, too?

[ Hello, little black meow in the distance. ]

I convinced him to have it. Also, it was his favorite flavor.

[So it wasn't too hard. Belle will try to swipe it back from him, and Potato runs over to try and help too. At the question, Goro hums and pulls out some pans. Stirfry, maybe..?]

No, that one's actually Silver's. He walked in a few days ago holding the little thing and said it was his now, so that was that. [A beat.] His name's Gold, for whatever reason.

[Gold and Silver. Matching.]

You do have your way with people.

[ Take that, Goro. But Akira practically freezes, at least with the sock still in his clutches, when he hears the Silver got this cat.

And did not tell him. He's silent as he furiously texts Silver about this discovery with his free hand, sorry. Don't mind him. The cats and dog can swarm him for all he cares he has to do this one thing right now. ]

[Mmmmm stop.... the two will absolutely swarm him though, and after a moment the black cat'll join in too, stealing the sock with a triumphant sound. Belle's response is to pick him up by the scruff and hold him high until he lets it go, which he will not do thanks???

Unaware of the action, the drama, the betrayal of friendships, Goro is very happily beginning his stirfry. Embarrassed a bit by Akira.]

We have so many now, I was worried they wouldn't get along... but they're all around the same age, so they do. It was a relief.

[ Akira is quick to try to get the sock back after he pockets his phone, carefully scooping the black kitten from Belle and taking the sock. Gold sure is rambunctious, but so are all of them. While he's at it, he's going to take a sticker out of his bag and presses it onto the cat's forehead.

Ta-da! Putting Gold down, the phone comes back for a quick snap to send. The sock, now back in his domain, is thrown across the room. ]

It's good that they're around the same age. It helps them get accustomed to other animals and people. It's a lot harder when they're older...

[ Will one of them bring the sock back? Akira will wait for a bit. If it doesn't come, he'll head back into the kitchen. ]

Mm, that makes sense. Though an old cat would've been calmer...

[Belle will!!! Gracefully rocketing after the sock and leaping over the heads of her companions, though she is momentarily stopped by Gold. Tails flick. Fur raises. Belle makes a noise low in her throat before dodging around the smaller cat

and she's absolutely climbing Akira I'm sorry, hello.]

[ Oh, kitty!! Kitty. Kitty, no. Akira almost falls over when Belle clambers onto him, but he's got this. He gently pries her off once he has the sock again, but he has to reply to Silver's ~secret~. Jesus Christ. ]

You can't just skip parenthood, Goro.

[ Should he tell Goro? Should he not tell Goro? Silver says this would be a secret between them, a way to repay for his earlier slight. Yes. He's keeping quiet with a smug smile on his face. Falling over onto his back, he looks over to the kitchen as the little critters attack him.

They will all get pets, one scratch at a time cause he only has one free hand. ]

Oh, yeah... Do you want to have a spa day with Sena this weekend? For his birthday.

[ ... ]

And to console his single heart.

[Kitty yes, purr purr. Sock!! Sock.

-- Oh, shit, a spa day. When was the last time he was treated to a spa..? A reward from work, maybe? Too long. And they ended up breaking up, huh. Goro doesn't answer at first, caught in his thoughts, but he will after a moment.]

I don't see why not. It'll be fun, and the past months have really put some knots in my back. And shoulders. And neck. And every other part of me save my hair, actually. And there's exams to think about on top of all of this...

[... ah.]

But yes, I'd love to. I might actually cry at the thought of such relaxation with two of my favorite people...

[ Shhhh, kitty. Akira is giving her a lot of affection here—rubbing both of her cheeks, scratching the back of her ears, clicking his tongue to soothe her. What a beautiful girl you are. Healthy, lively, and lethal like your dad in the kitchen. ]

If you ask me, even your hair seems stressed. Still fluffy, but stressed. I don’t think breaking down into tears will help.

[ He thinks about whether it’d be nice if they went to the spa for a date in the future, just the two of them; it’s a hopeful thought as he gently pulls Belle’s cheeks outwards then smushes them back. Sock has been abandoned to Gold and Potato to play with. ]

So... How old is she?

[ He can guess Potato’s and Gold’s age, plus they’re in the same range, but he’s so. doubtful. no matter what Goro says. about her age. SHE’S BIG IF SHE’S IN THE SAME AGE GROUP AS THE OTHER TWO? ]

Half a year, despite her size. Though I've been assured that this is as big as she's getting. I guess she's something of an early bloomer?

[... This is a fucking lie, she is like, getting several more inches and many more pounds by the time she's full grown. She will rest her paws on the counter. Big girl. Big girl who is enjoying this attention as much as her dad does, honestly, purring louder and making one of those cracky noises at the force of it, pushing into his hands and face and laying across him.]

I don't think it'll be a problem if she gets a little bigger, though. She'll just take up more space in the bed.

[Which is not a downside in his book? That just means he and Akira can be closer...]

Half a year.

[ And she's already Morrigan's size? If not even a tad bigger. He's impressed and finds it weird to feel such a weight on his body, but just pretends she's a dog. She's definitely affectionate like one and it forces a smile on his face. What a good cat—but he also wants to play with Gold and Potato. Are they still here? Come here, children. ]

My only concern is that you might roll her over in your sleep when you have nightmares. At least she can deal with your sleep talking.

[ Of course this isn't true, probably. He's teasing Goro again. ]

[They are, but they seem to be engaged in a tug of war with Elizabeth's sock, which is going to end poorly. Please stop them.]

I don't really sleep talk, do I?

[DON'T MAKE YOUR BF WORRY WITH YOUR TEASES.]

You sleep talk about how much you love me, obviously.

[ It should be obvious that this isn't true. Akira tries to reach over to take Elizabeth's sock away from the puppy and cat only to far short. Now he has to wiggle his way to snatch it, squirming with Belle splayed on top of him.

BAD CHILDREN GIVE HIM THE GRIM REAPER'S SOCK ]

Oh, of course. There's not a minute of the day where I don't gush about you, why would it be any different at night?

[It's... maybe a joke? It's said playfully enough.

Belle, for the record, loves her new moving bed? She is so happy about her moving bed. Potato lets go of the sock (Gold rolls back in the process, darting away with it into the kitchenette with Goro) and hops onto Akira too, wagging his tail excitedly.

... Goro is picking up Gold to put on his shoulders, that is better, the sock is now on the counter and the black cat is amusing himself with the ponytail instead.]

The troublemakers seem to have taken to you too. Two of three, anyway, though Gold'll warm up to you. You're of the same breed.

[ Not a minute...? Akira doesn't talk back about that because he's thinking it over. While he doesn't mind at all that Goro likes him—liked him for so long—he never considered that maybe he gushes about him. Not talk about him. Gushes.

... That's so embarrassing. Who has heard Goro ROMANCE IS MY PASSION Akechi? Thank god he's buried in these cute little troublemakers. Even if Gold doesn't love him yet, it'll ONLY BE TIME. He pets Potato a bit before lifting the puppy into the air like they're playing some kind of lift off game. Up and down. Up and down. ]

Meow. [ Can't deny his catitude. ] Would you consider yourself a cat?

[ Dropped the other topic like it's hot. ]

[Potato loves this? Potato loves this. And if Goro notices the dropped topic, he doesn't say a word.]

Not at all. They're more aloof than I could ever pull off... the exception being Belle, but I was told that her breed tend to be more dog-like than most. I don't really know what I'd put myself as.

[He remembers being a rabbit in his dreams, but he........ doesn't want to say that...........]

[ Up and down the bungee ride, little puppy. When he's done with that, he rests potato onto Belle as he looks up, trying to catch Goro within his line of sight. Unfortunately, there are plenty of things obscuring his vision. Boo.

Please come back. ]

I would put you as a puppy because you tend to beg for extra food in your own way.

[ Called Out, but he does see Goro kind of like a rabbit, too. What a dilemma? ]

I do not.

[The most offended tone?? Excuse you. It does get him to lean over the counter between them with a frown though, hello.]

I remember you thinking of me that way back when our thoughts appeared too. I was quite dismayed about it.

You were trying to flirt your way to more hotcakes at the cafe earlier this week.

[ Don't even try him? Akira has been a victim of the begging! He smiles innocently in return, not at all feeling any remorse for his words. It's just the truth, Goro. Don't heckle him over it. ]

That? Was it really that surprising to you...

[ Have this incredulous look. Goro was practically beaming as he waited to him that day, okay? ]

[... Well--]

Begging and flirting are two different things. [Jeez. But it seems he'll acquiesce to that for now, taking a chopped carrot and beaning Akira with it.] And of course it was. I was worried that you might... um, nevermind.

[Back to... cooking. Right, cooking. Whatever. It'll be quick after this.]

Don't you think that dogs just try to weasel their way into your heart, especially at key moments during dinner, so they can guilt or charm you into more food?

[ Because Akira thinks so... It's so hard for him not to. Cats don't seem to do it so much, especially Morrigan, so he has been spared of such a harsh life. He has enough proficiency to dodge this carrot, but he can't. With the little demons on him, he can only tilt his head to one side.

And still get hit by the carrot. Ugh. ]

Rely on me.

[ TELL HIM. ]

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