yanderebitchclub | ( catchall ) even now i still dream of you

[ see, there are pros and cons to being adopted into a household as a stray cat in these parts. on one hand, depending on the owner, the cat would be provided with free food and board, along with providing decent company. and izumi is all about being spoiled rotten, and with his ethereal good looks and a plethora of hidden talents that he'd tucked away for emergencies, he's bound to find himself an owner who'd give him everything he wants without raising a finger.

on the other hand, there's the issue of owners not fitting the cat's expectations at all.

don't get him wrong, though; sandalphon isn't too bad of a master, and there are definitely worse people out there who'd easily maltreat someone as delicate as izumi. sure, izumi would rather live in a mansion rather than a homely apartment that always smelled faintly of coffee, but in the end the brunette took him in anyway despite izumi being a total bitch that he is. the guy didn't really have much experience in taking care of cats either, but he's trying real hard, and... something tells izumi that sandalphon's just as lonely as he is.

but like! izumi's feeling super-duper lonely right now too! sandalphon should be home from his night shift at the cafe at any time now, but he has yet to come through that door! the worst part is that his food had run out, and he's practically dying from having nothing to eat, so maybe sandalphon was out doing a bit of groceries? hopefully.

...he'll clean up the mess he'd made in the kitchen once he's been fed. totally. for now he's sitting at the couch, watching the door, waiting. ]

[Sometimes you get a group of 12 teenagers coming in ten minutes before closing time and it throws off your whole schedule by half an hour. Such is Sandalphon's situation, though he's made even later by the fact that he feels like he needs to stop at a store on the way home to buy something to appease his cat. Cheap cuts of fish are probably no good, but the really expensive stuff is way out of his range...he still hasn't figured out which ones are Izumi's favorites, but for now he just grabs a small package of shrimp—tonight, though he doesn't know it yet, he lucked out when it comes to an apology gift.

But as it is, he's still close to an hour late getting home, all the energy he had this morning completely gone after a rough day at work. He's got a pretty severe case of resting bitch face, but it's made all the more prominent by his bad mood and how tired he is. Still, he does his best to soften his expression for Izumi, who he's always tried to be gentle with.]

...Hey, Izumi. Are you awake?

[His voice is steady as he calls into the next room over as he slips his shoes off, but a bit on the quiet side, just in case his cat's asleep. He certainly hopes not, since the last thing Sandalphon wants is to give Izumi another reason to criticize him—there are already so many, after all, even if Izumi doesn't always voice his criticisms—but failing to feed him would mean every complaint would be completely warranted.]

Edited 2019-12-15 06:27 (UTC)

Obviously.

[ izumi returns sandalphon's resting bitch face with his own, leering at his owner from his position on the couch. he should be pretty mad at him for getting home late, but his tail constantly betrays his emotions by swaying in anticipation at the sight of a bag in sandalphon's hands. ]

I hope you have a good reason why you're home late, especially when food's all out. Do you have any idea how much I'm starving?

[ he nags, all while his tail sways. he's grumpy when he's hungry, ok ]

Is that any way to talk to the person who's letting you live in his house?

[Still, this is the reaction he expected, so it's fine.]

I ended up staying late at work, and since I was already late anyway, I thought I'd buy you something you could eat as soon as I got home, so you didn't have to wait any longer. Or should I just eat these shrimp myself?

[He wouldn't do that, though.

Probably.]

[ SHRIMP....... his ears perk up in attention. how did sandalphon that that's his favorite food? ]

Well... I suppose that would do. For now.

[ and then he remembers the mess he'd made in the kitchen. uh oh, gotta keep his owner from finding out. he immediately gets up from the couch to approach him to not-so-subtly steer him away to a seat. ]

You should just feed me right away. Right now. Give me. [ can you tell he's excited ]

You don't need me to feed you, do you?

[He's trying to sound annoyed, but it's hard to be when Izumi's obvious excitement is so adorable. Even if he's downplaying it with his words, those ears of his don't lie.

Sandalphon can't help it. He reaches over to scratch behind them.]

You go eat, I'm going to make myself a cup of coffee. I'll join you once that's done.

[And where's the coffee maker? That's right, the kitchen. Better think fast, Izumi.]

[ shit, that's bad. why didn't izumi just clean it up instead of staying up to wait for sandalphon to get home...

time for more drastic actions. izumi all but pounces onto him, pinning him by the shoulders onto the couch. ]

Wh-Why do you even have to drink coffee this late? There's absolutely no need for you to go anywhere else anymore, okay?

[ his heart is racing, but it's totally because of the adrenaline. yeah. ]

[The look on Sandalphon's face can only be described as suspicion; "what did you do?" goes unasked because his eyes do all the questioning that needs to be done.

But it quickly gives way to something resembling pity as he recalls some of the articles he'd read about cats before adopting one. Separation anxiety can seriously harm them psychologically, the same as any other person, and even though he was only about an hour late, maybe Izumi still isn't comfortable enough to endure even that slight a change to his routine. He gently strokes Izumi's hair, sighing in defeat.]

All right, I won't go anywhere. I guess I can skip coffee for one night.

[And maybe...just maybe, this will be a good chance to bond with him a bit. For all that he wants Izumi to be happy, part of the reason he's here is because Sandalphon is lonely, too, after all.]

So you like shrimp, then? It would've made my life a lot easier if you'd just told me, you know.

[Sandalphon puts the bag on the table and carefully unwraps the small platter of shrimp. Some are fried, others are grilled; he hadn't had a lot of time to think about what he wanted, so it was quicker to just grab a variety of whatever was convenient. But this will be a good chance to get a better look into what Izumi likes to eat—lord knows he's pickier than Sandalphon's budget can allow, so every little scrap of insight helps him ensure Izumi's not always eating things he hates.]

Edited 2019-12-15 19:13 (UTC)

[ listen, there's nothing to be worried about. there might be a couple of broken dishes scattered about on the floor and some uprooted plants in his search for something edible to eat, but... at least izumi didn't hurt himself? he'd never let himself get a scratch anyway.

he leans into sandalphon's hand as he's stroked, purring a little. ]

I don't hate it, I guess. You're just not paying attention.

[ and yet the dreamy way his tail is wagging tells it all. he watches sandalphon set his food down, the delicious scent already overwhelming him. he's so close to just guzzling it all in one go, but he still has manners despite being a stray. he can still pick up a pair of chopsticks and the small bowl of rice that came with the meal, and when he takes that first bite--

!!

he instantly loves it, enough to gobble down as much as he can in one go. he's that hungry. ]

[Sandalphon does his best to keep from laughing, but a quiet chuckle does escape him as he watches Izumi eat with such fervor. He knows he shouldn't, since Izumi is only eating like this because he wasn't given enough food for the day, but it's such a stark contrast to his ice prince exterior that it's funny and endearing.]

I'm glad you like it. It isn't too expensive, so I'll buy more from now on.

[He'll have to learn how to cook it, too, but that shouldn't be too hard.]

...I'll make sure you have more food, too, going forward. We get busier in the evenings as it gets colder...I might have to stay late more often.

[Which he feels just horrible about. Just one hour was enough to knock Izumi so far out of orbit that he's shoveling food in his mouth like a kid and needy enough to tackle him to the couch (he thinks).]

I wish I didn't have to, but...

[He gives Izumi a sad, fond sort of smile.]

...Well, I'll never be able to afford to open my own shop if I don't put the hard work in now. Someday I'll be able to buy you all the shrimp you want.

[Izumi, look what your lies have wrought.]

[ izumi swallows his food down, along with the guilt upon hearing those words. he knows that sandalphon's been working real hard to achieve his dream of opening and managing a coffeeshop of his own, and now he has to provide for this stray that he didn't have to take in when he's not exactly living in luxury himself. cats like izumi are usually seen as trophies to most people, so izumi can totally afford to leave sandalphon behind to find a richer owner instead that can provide his expensive needs.

but he doesn't. or rather, he doesn't want to. ]

...I'd easily get tired of shrimp if I eat it everyday, though. I'm not that picky.

[ he totally is, but right now he doesn't want to come across as heartless to his owner, so after putting down his empty bowl, he wastes no time in crawling onto sandalphon's lap, draping his arms over his shoulders. ]

You should focus on working hard to get what you want first. [ he yawns. quite cutely, in fact. ] You can still afford a life outside taking care of someone like me.

[ an arrogant spoiled cat who probably doesn't deserve a lot of things despite his innate beauty. of course a lonesome man with a cushy job would take him in - no one else would want to. ]

I am working to get what I want. Am I not allowed to want more than one thing at a time? That would be hypocritical, coming from you.

[Izumi's happiness and his own goal of opening a cafe...both of these things can be obtained at once, of that Sandalphon is sure. He shifts slightly to make sure Izumi can get comfortable in his lap, scratching him gently behind the ears again. They're really so soft...Izumi's the kind of cat that all kinds of people with status are after. Beautiful face, lovely voice and an elegant purr, silky fur, and a downright adorable, perfect stripe pattern on his ears and tail...he's way too high-class for someone like Sandalphon.

But Sandalphon likes talking to him, and he likes little moments like this.

That's why it's important that he keep Izumi as happy as he can. Because nothing is stopping him from finding someone who can make him happier.]

You've seen how I treat the people and the things that I don't want in my life.

[Like Lucio, for instance.]

So you should know that I...well.

[He doesn't want to say it out loud even though he basically is.]

[ izumi purrs at sandalphon's gentle touch, already making himself very comfortable on top of him. and yes, he's more than aware of how his owner treats the guys he doesn't like; poor lucio had be vying for his attention for some time now, but sandalphon has yet to give him a time of day... except maybe at work? just thinking about it makes izumi a bit angry for some reason, because lucio is just as handsome too. lovely blue eyes, nice white hair - maybe that's just sandalphon's type in the end.

huh. ]

Mm? What was that? [ a mischievous glint appears in izumi's eyes, his smile very catlike. ] You should say it outright too, Master. I can't be the only one who needs to say what's on my mind either.

[ he shifts again on sandalphon's lap, tail waving in anticipation. izumi can't admit it out loud either, but sandalphon doesn't look too bad either - piercing red eyes, hair as brown as coffee, and he faintly smells like it too, but in a good way. no wonder lucio's completely smitten with him.

...at least that guy would have a chance with him. the smallest of chances, but it's there. ]

[Sandalphon's just going to ignore the complicated, vaguely horny feelings he gets from Izumi calling him "Master" in that tone of voice.]

I think I've said enough for you to understand. You wouldn't be here if I didn't want you here.

[He wraps a hand around Izumi's waist, trying to encourage him to settle down in his lap. Please........he's tired, just let him cuddle...]

So I'm sure you're smart enough to figure out the rest, aren't you?

[Also, let the record state that a rock Sandalphon picked up off the side of the street has more of a chance getting laid by him than Lucio does.]

Yeah, yeah, I'm still indebted to your kindness.

[ he curls up against his owner, purring loudly. he's so warm - perfect for this cold weather. but he can't help but hide his face in the crook of sandalphon's neck for more of that warmth, and also to whisper to his skin: ]

...I'm not going anywhere till then.

[ now that he's full of food and positive attention, it'll be easy for him to fall sleep in this position too, since sandalphon can't possibly try moving his cat in order to go to the kitchen and see the mess. yes, this is the perfect plan. ]

[So what happens when they wake up later and the kitchen's still a mess? He's gonna find out sooner or later....

But for now, he's more than happy to let Izumi snuggle as close as he wants, gently encircling his waist with his arms in a loose embrace. He'd thought this part of owning a cat might be weird at first, but it's so nice...it's so comforting to have someone else's warmth and weight so close to him. The gentle vibrations of Izumi's purring nestled against his chest make him feel more at peace than he's felt in a long time.]

...You don't ever have to leave.

[The words escape him before he has a chance to bottle them up.]

I didn't offer to let you live here just to make you feel like you owe me. This is your home, Izumi. For as long as you want it to be. At least tell me you understand that.

[It's his dearest hope that Izumi wants this to be his home for a very long time to come.

...Not that he's about to say it.]

[ he'd tell sandalphon that he understands, that he likes living here and being with him more than he's willing to admit, but he's already falling asleep in sandalphon's arms before even registering what his owner had just said. sandalphon is warm, so warm, that izumi can't help but cling more to have more of it.

well, the mess will still be there by the time sandalphon checks the kitchen, but at the very least izumi's assured that he won't be kicked out of the house because of it. isn't it wonderful? ]

[Sandalphon sighs, shifting his legs slightly to get just a little more comfortable. If Izumi's falling asleep it means he won't be going anywhere for awhile, after all. There's nothing stopping him from waking his cat up and getting them both properly to bed, but...well, it would be a waste of such a lovely moment.

He leans down and presses a gentle kiss to Izumi's forehead, when he's sure he's asleep. He can't quite tell yet, so it's possible he hasn't waited long enough, though—but even if Izumi is awake to feel it...would that really be so bad?]

[ izumi definitely felt that, and he can't help his cheeks warming up as he snuggles up to sandalphon, effectively trapping him on the couch. his owner, despite a grumpy individual most of the time, may be one of the kindest men izumi's ever met - and izumi's met a lot of them. hell, one might even say that sandalphon can be quite an angel.

so yes, sandalphon has no choice but to sleep here. either way, izumi will wake up before dawn anyway as cats do, and if sandalphon hasn't woken up by that time he'll have to clean up the mess instead. then sandalphon would be none the wiser, and they'll continue living their slowburn lives in this homely apartment. ]

( catchall ) even now i still dream of you

catboy...............

CATBOY!!!!!

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