Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1.

Pierre had adopted Yuki one year ago.

He’d been a stray cat before, and when Pierre found him he was giving a hard time to his rescuers, but suddenly as soon as he saw Pierre, he gave up his fight and immedaitely calmed.

He started purring when Pierre extended his hand, and despite the fact he really, really had no intention of adopting a cat, he took him in.

He had no idea what possessed him, he had felt an urge, an inexplicable need to take care for him.

Looking back he was shocked by himself. But since they lived together, Yuki had been nothing less than absolutely perfect. He never complained even if Pierre sometimes had to do double shifts at work, always ate his food, cuddled him on the sofa.

And adopting him had been, probably, the best decision of his young adult life.

But, he couldn’t explain how, sometimes he would have sworn that his cat had a personality. And not like, a normal cat personality, a personality-personality.

For example Yuki ran away from the sofa every time Pierre put on Riverdale on Netflix, but was a big fan of the Good Place. The cat insisted on eating on the table with him, every time he had launch or dinner.

His mother on the phone had been very disappointed to hear this, but when she eventually visited, she was so in love with the cat, that she was really happy when the cat was having lunch with them.

‘’Oh my God, Pierre. This cat is so lovely, where did you find him?’’

He was amused and happy. ‘’Actually he was a stray cat, but I can’t explain it, when we met we kind of fitted so well together, I couldn’t bring myself to leave him there’’

‘’You’re a sweet boy, but also a lucky one, because I’ve never seen such a loyal and lovely cat’’.

Pierre was indeed very happy with him and Yuki’s coexistence.

Max and Checo, his coworkers, insisted that male cats had to be neutered. Pierre agreed with them a 100%.

Yet, Yuki was so calm, he never peed around the house, never ruined furniture, he never meowled at some strange hour of the night, like Pierre’s cats used to do when he was a kid.

Yuki just slept on his bed, all night long, warming his chest with his soft purring, never making him feel alone.

So Pierre wasn’t in a hurry to have him neutered. Well probably I will do it a some point, anyway. But right now, I don’t think he's ever given me a reason to hurry.

Once Max and Checo were having dinner at his place, and Yuki was eating on a chair next to them (eating with a cat would have been too much for Max).

‘’Maybe he’s already neutered’’ Said Pierre thinking out loud. Yuki immediately lifted his head from the plate he was eagerly eating, and seemed to be listening now fully interested in what they were saying.

‘’What?’’ Asked Max.

‘’Yuki. I mean, when I took him he was already a grown cat, so maybe his previous owners had him neutered, that’s why he’s so calm.’’

Yuki went back to eating, seeming almost relieved.

‘’Well, if you really want to know, you can bring him to the vet, he will tell you for sure. If he’s neutered, well, good to know. But if he’s not, you are already at the vet, he’ll take good care of him.’’

‘’You know, it’s not a bad idea’’ Said Pierre, considering it.

Yuki meowled. 

Loudly.

His expression was a mixture of discomfort and betrayal.

Pierre looked at him in confusion.

Yuki meowled again.

Then he jumped in Pierre’s lap and furiously tried to interact with him. Like he really wanted Pierre to understand something.

It was the first time Pierre saw his cat panicking.

Checo laughed. ‘’Maybe he does not like the idea of you cutting him down there.’’

Yuki meowled again.

Even louder, this time. Like he completely agreed with Checo’s remark.

‘’It’s that what happening, Yuki?’’ Asked Pierre with his pet voice. ‘’If that’s the case we’ll wait for a while, is that okay with you?’’

Yuki started purring, trying to rub his head against Pierre’s chin.

He laughed, clearly amused ad petted him more, ‘’Okay, we’ll do as you like’’ Told him Pierre lovingly.

‘’You are too soft, mate’’ Said Max crossing his arms on his chest, ‘’He’s just a cat, it’s not like he can decide for you’’

‘’Well, I know that you’re right. But Yuki’s always behaved perfectly, I cannot complain, he’s such a good cat. If he’ll start going crazy, and making my life a hell, then yes, I will bring him immediately to the vet. For my and his own sanity.’’

And to that, Max had nothing to abject.

If he’ll start going crazy, and making my life a hell, then yes, I will bring him immediately to the vet. Yuki just hoped, really, really hoped, that was never going to be the case. Because, if not, he was fucked.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

Yuki and his friends came to Marseille just for a few days.

They were doing a fast trip around France, they spent a few days in Normandy, they fell in love with Paris along the way, and ended up in Marseille before going back home. Yuki loved the city, saying that he loved it wasn’t enough.

He loved how the French landscape softened when you got close to the coast. He loved how the Mediterranean sun kissed his skin in the most pleasing way, while the smell of salt permeated into his bones. He loved Marseille so much, he’d decided to stay for a while longer, while his friends went back to Japan.

On the last day they spent together, they visited a second-hand shop.

It was a very small place hidden among a myriad of alleys. Inside it was dark and smelled like old things.

An old lady appeared behind the counter after they entered the shop. She had yellow and magnetic eyes, she looked exactly like a witch.

She offered to show them some magic tricks.

His friends accepted enthusiastically.

But Yuki just laughed, out loud.

Magic tricks, for the love of God, this was 2021, how could people still believe to these things?

Her gaze had hardened, but then she relaxed.

Eventually she directed him a knowing smirk. ‘’Would you be interested in seeing one of my real spells?’’

Yuki laughed even more. ‘’Oh yes, of course’’ He said a bit arrogantly.

The witch then said a few confusing words in a language Yuki couldn’t understand, maybe Latin. Her hands circled the air, her eyes crept with darkness. And, even though Yuki never admitted it to his friends, he was, in fact, terrified.

But luckily nothing happened. So Yuki left the shop feeling incredibly relieved.

But, the morning after, when he woke up in his hotel room…

He was a cat.

***

Being a cat, for him, had been a nightmare.

His friends had left for Japan. The hotel owners threw him out.

Yuki was left in the streets, alone and afraid.

Being a cat was exhausting, almost as it was terrifying. He ran away from cars, from dogs, from kids.

He lived in the streets for two weeks. He struggled to find food, he even had to eat a mouse, that one time.

He desperately tried to find the old lady’s shop again, but he had no idea where to start looking.

When they guards caught him, and brought him to the cattery, Yuki really thought that his life was over.

He was only 21, his life was just getting started, and it was so sad that it was going to end this way.

This is why, when Pierre arrived- a tall figure making his way into the shallow doors of the cattery, his friendly smile and the delicate way he kneeled down next to every cage, Yuki knew it was a miracle.

Pierre didn’t care that he was malnourished, dirty, or ugly. Pierre simply looked at him and kneeled beside his cage.

They locked eyes just once, just for a millisecond.

Then Pierre spoke for the first time. ‘’I want this cat’’, he said calmly to the young lady who was volunteering at the cattery.

She looked surprised. ‘’Are you sure? We have small kittens if you want, this one is so nasty and feral…’’

Pierre had looked at him one more time, and Yuki had brushed his head against Pierre’s hands.

Please, don’t leave, he found himself wishing.

‘’I am pretty sure, thank you. I want this one.’’

***

Yuki liked Pierre, he liked him very much.

Before Pierre arrived, Yuki was giving up. Being a cat was such a curse, he’d had enough of living like this.

But then Pierre arrived, and Yuki discovered there were very nice things about being a cat.

He could watch TV with Pierre, sweetly cuddled against him. Pierre was so warm, and so good. He always fed him, and paid attention to buying only things he liked.

He always let him sleep in his bed, and sometimes Yuki almost thought, almost, for a silly second, that being a cat wasn’t really a curse, if Pierre was what was waiting for him.

He reflected often, that he would give everything to have met Pierre in his human form, maybe to ask him out on a date. Maybe Pierre could show him around Marseille, maybe all of France. They could visit Paris, then Mont-Saint-Michel. They could fall asleep on the same bed, every night, cuddled against each other till the morning arrived. 

It was a sweet dream, one Yuki indulged in very often, one that kept him awake at night, and made him wish for impossible things. 

And impossible things they were.

But if this was his life now, and there was no way to turn back human, then he was very lucky, to have someone like Pierre in his life.

Or so he thought, until that day Max Verstappen had suggested that Yuki should be neutered.

And Yuki really, really feared for his life.

Oh no, Pierre don’t do this. Because Yuki was sure turning back human wasn't going to be an easy task, but he had no intention of getting his balls chopped off along the way.

Pierre had seemed dubious for a moment, but he never brought it up after that night.

That was…

That was until he met Charles Leclerc.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

Charles started texting Pierre exactly on May 22th, Yuki remembers the day perfectly.

He was curled against Pierre’s chest, his left hand was petting Yuki’s fur while the other scrolled distractedly trough social media.

Then sudden whistle signalled that a message just arrived.

Yuki raised his ears at the sound. It wasn’t unusual for Pierre to start texting. It probably was Max or Checo, or another one of Pierre’s co-workers.

So Yuki was left absolutely stunned when he saw a message from an unknown number.

Hi, Pierre! It’s Charles from tennis club, I don’t know if you remember me, thank you for giving me your number, if you need some practise I can give you free lessons whenever you want, are you free on Friday’s evening?

Well, he’s got so many friends, thought Yuki with a sight. But suddenly, he saw it. The smile on Pierre’s face. A smile so cheeky and sincere. Pierre looked this content only when he and Yuki  were spending time together.

Yuki felt hurt. He didn’t even know why. He knew, consciously, that he had zero chance of keeping Pierre’s affection for himself. Or dating him, for the matter.

He was, unfortunately. A cat.

But that didn’t stop a pinch of jealousy from going through Yuki’s body like an electric charge.

Hi, Charles! Of, course I remember you. I am always free for a good tennis practise. Friday is perfect for me.

It’s a date, then. Answered Charles.

Oh, realised Yuki. So it is a date. Oh no. I’m so fucked.

***

Pierre went to that traitorous tennis lesson and came back with a lovely tan an unbelievably dumb smile on his pretty face.

‘’Oh, I met a person today, Yuki. He’s amazing. He’s talented, smart, and so pretty. I want to invite him over on of these days, I am sure you’ll like him.  I’m bringing some company, so it won’t be just the two of us all the time.’’ Pierre told him, while petting him on the back.  Yuki would have gladly told Pierre he was content with spending all of eternity alone with him. But even if he tried, Pierre wouldn’t understand the meaning of his pained meowls.

‘’I feel like he’s the right one. He was so charming the other day, it is time I start dating someone!’’

Yuki cried, and meowled again. He wasn’t happy, he wasn’t happy at all.

Pierre looked at him with a confused expression. ‘’Oh, you’re hungry, I’m sorry darling, I’ve been out all day, you must be so hungry. Come here’’ He said taking him in his arms.

Yuki pressed his head against Pierre’s firm chest. It was going to be so heart-breaking, seeing Pierre falling in love with somebody else. Yuki wished with all of himself that he could be in Charles’ place. He would give everything to be the one dating Pierre.

Pierre opened a delicious can of food for him, but Yuki felt like heartbreak had spoiled his appetite. He felt more like throwing up, than eating.

Pierre frowned again. He let out a sigh, and took his phone from his right pocket. Yuki jumped on the table trying to spy on his texts.

My cat is meowling, and he does not want to eat :( . He wrote to Charles with a sad emoji.

Oh that is so sad, send me a picture.

Pierre sent him a picture.

Oh, he’s a bit mangy, and what a silly face. Yuki took that personal. How dared that Charles Leclerc say something like that about him?

Yeah, he was a stray cat when I took him in.

Oh, Pierre, you’re so gentle, it’s almost unreal. Yuki rolled his eyes. What an adulator, he hoped Pierre wasn’t falling for it. But when he turned his gaze, he saw that Pierre was looking at his phone with a blush and a soft smile.

Yuki rolled his eyes even more.

He changed my life too. He’s an amazing cat. But he’s not eating today :( .

You’re such a dedicated owner, I bet you’re also perfect with children.

Yuki hissed and let out a pained moan. What a charmer, this Charles guy is unbelievable.

You cannot possible fall for it, Pierre! Yuki tried to tell him, but it came out as another meowl.

He’s restless again.

Charles answered in a matter of seconds.

Well, it’s spring, love season, maybe he’s restless because of that. Tell me, is he neutered? You should do it, if he’s not.

OH NO, FUCK NO, NOT AGAIN! Yuki screamed internally.

***

Charles came for dinner. And Yuki was annoyed. Charles Leclerc was, to his utter disbelief, incredibly pretty.

He dressed fancy, and had and unbelievably pretty facial features. His cheekbones were high, his eyes a deep shade of green, his curly hair were styled in an unruly mess, which made him look even prettier.

He’s too pretty. Pierre doesn’t like him for sure, I don’t think he’s his type.

Bur Pierre seemed to like him just fine. Charles’ charms worked perfectly on Pierre. He always laughed at his jokes, let his hand lay on top of his own while the other used a sultry voice to seduce him.

Yuki was mad. His eyes never left Charles’ face. Unlike Pierre, he could see right through  his charade. And he didn’t trust him around Pierre. Pierre was a gentle soul, too kind for his own good. But obviously Charles was more used to a fancy life. He dressed in Armani clothes and had a Ferrari parked just outside their building. The audacity of this man is endless.

Yuki made sure to let some soil from the vases fall on his disgustingly pretty red car. I hope he learns his lesson and never set foot on this house again, he’s not welcome.

At some point of the evening, Pierre and Charles were curled on the sofa watching TV, and Yuki never let his gaze fall from the two of them. Charles raised a hand to pet Yuki. Yuki looked at his hand horrified and immediately tried to run away hissing.

‘’Yuki!’’ said Pierre in disbelief. ‘’What are you doing? Apologize to Charles!’’

But Yuki looked at the Monegasque and wished he could set him on fire from afar.

‘’Forgive him, he’s always so nice. I am actually shocked he hissed at you’’

Charles expression didn’t seem impressed, Yuki suspected he didn’t even like cats, but when Pierre looked at him again his face softened in a fake smile.

‘’Oh, I don’t mind. I’m sure he’ll like me with time.’’

Hell no. Thought Yuki. Never.

‘’Yeah, he’s a stray, so maybe he’s afraid of strangers. Come here, Yuki, I’m sorry that I’m bringing in new people, but you’ll see, in no time you’ll like Charles, he’s such a nice person.’’ He petted Yuki’s trying to sooth him down.

Yuki was embarrassed with they way he started purring, despite himself. Pierre smiled. ‘’That’s my good cat, who’s a good cat?’’ He kept petting Yuki for a few minutes.

Where he was standing, Yuki could see Charles rolling his eyes at them, while he tried to clean the cat hair off of his Armani suit.

As I suspected, he does not like cats. He’s just pretending because he wants to date Pierre, what a liar.

Yuki kept staring at him with an angry expression. Charles turned his gaze and saw the cat looking at him like he wanted to murder him.

He wasn’t impressed, and behind Pierre’s back he flipped his middle finger at Yuki.

Yuki was left speechless, he started gnarling at him furiously.

‘’Yuki!’’ Pierre’s gaze was hurt, he didn’t understand why his cat was behaving this way. He looked sad, and disappointed, and embarrassed.

‘’I’m so sorry, Charles, please forgive us’’

‘’Don’t worry, darling. It’s all right. Maybe it’s just what we were discussing the other day. It’s spring, his hormones are probably killing him. Maybe you should consider getting him neutered.’’

This bastard Monegasque guy. Thought Yuki. The audacity…

Pierre nodded. ‘’I think you might be right, thank you Charles. Let me escort you to the door.’’

What the fuck, Pierre!

 Charles hugged Pierre tightly before going away.

Yuki could feel the jealousy eating his insides. Before stepping aside from Pierre’s embrace, Charles gave him a challenging look and a devilish smirk.

Oh, I understand, thought Yuki. Well then, let the war begin…

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Yuki hated that Leclerc guy, he was an asshole. And now, because of him, Pierre seemed almost distant.

Yuki's heart ached at the thought. Pierre was out more than usual, Charles invited him at tennis, then bowling, then to a bar to meet his friends.

There was no lying, Yuki was jealous. It was to be expected. That Leclerc guy was unbelievably pretty, in a way Yuki had never been, even in his human form.

He’d always thought that maybe, if him and Pierre had met under different circumstances, maybe he would have had a chance. But the more he looked at Charles the less he believed that possible. It got to him in the end.

Charles came over a couple more times, and had the audacity to try to pet Yuki again, and Yuki had to fight the desire to bite his hand because he could see that Pierre was looking at him expectantly. So he pretended he at least accepted Charles’ presence in the house.

But oh, Yuki had started to enjoy torturing him.

He always seated on the sofa between the two of them, so Charles couldn’t put his arm around Pierre; and if they sat too close to each other, Yuki made sure he left as much of his hair as possible on Charles' clothes.

Hope this Armani suit is ruined forever.

Charles face was disgusted, and Yuki could see that Charles didn’t like cats at all, but the monegasque could never admit that in front of Pierre. So he pretended over and over again, only because Pierre seemed to love that freaking cat, to his utter annoyance.

Sometimes, when Pierre wasn't watching, Yuki would look at Charles with a death glare, hissing at him.

Charles face would contort in rage as he sticked his tongue out at him. So Yuki would put himself in Charles' lap just to ruin his clothes with his nails, while he pretended to be purring at him. 

‘’Omg, he likes you! What a good cat you are, Yuki. You’re so special’’ Pierre said petting him on the head.

Yuki raised his head to look at Charles innocently.

Now take this asshole.

‘’Yeah… so… good. He’s very hairy... isn't him?’’

‘’Yes, being covered in cat’s fur is inevitable if you have one. But I don’t mind… I love him too much.’’

He loves me, did you hear that Charles, you stupidly pretty Monegasque prick?

Then Yuki started purring louder and gradually applied more pressure with his paws, so that his claws would go deeper and deeper in Charles' tight.

He winced and cried out.

‘’What the fuck!’’ He shouted at Yuki’s direction.

Pierre looked at Charles with shock. His gaze flew from Charles’ angry expression to Yuki’s innocently purring in his lap.

Charles realized what was happening and immediately softened his anger.

‘’Oh, I just had a cramp, sorry, too much exercise today at the tennis club’’

Pierre looked relieved, for a moment he thought that his date had shouted at his cat. He liked Charles but he would have never accepted that. Yuki was too important to him.

‘’You practise so much’’

‘’Yeah, you can’t have this body without working out every day.’’

Yuki rolled his eyes. The arrogance! This guy is unbearable. He drove his claws deeper in Charles’ tight, and he could see on his face that he was trying with all of himself not to cry out again.

‘’Do you want something to drink, Pierre?’’ Charles asked, in an excuse to get up.

‘’Oh yes, let me go grab something, I can’t let you get up, look at how cute the two of you are together. Let me take a picture.’’

He took his phone out of his pocket and Yuki made sure his toenails digged deeper in the Monegasque’s tight. He smiled at the thought of Charles’s pained expression in the picture.

Yuki laughed internally.

As soon as Pierre disappeared in the chicken, Charles inelegantly kicked Yuki  out of his lap.

‘’Go to Hell, you stupid cat! You’re the ugliest cat I’ve ever seen in my life, I have no idea why he likes you so much!’’

Yuki hissed at him.

‘’You know what, you’re going to pay for this. I hope he cuts your balls as soon as possible’’

Yuki tried to bite him, but Charles put his hand away.

‘’Oh, if you bite me, he’ll know. I’ll shout ‘oh Pierre save me please, your  feral cat just bit me!’ ‘’He said with a smirk.

Yuki looked at him like he could turn him into ash, but he knew he had a point..

So he started clawing on Charles’ jacket.

He let out a little horrified whine. ‘’You let me go, you depraved freak of nature!’’ He tried to grab Yuki’s back to throw him away.

‘’What’s happening here?’’ Asked Pierre from the door frame, his face was white as a sheet. Was his date mistreating his cat?!

‘’Oh nothing, we were just bonding. Yuki’s such a nice cat’’ Charles said, releasing his fingers from Yuki’s back and acting like he was just petting him.

Yuki purred again. And Pierre smiled from the doorframe.

‘’My two favourite beings getting along so well, I adore you guys!’’

***

The next time Charles came over, Yuki had a whole plan thoroughly datailed with all the things he was going to do to turn the Monegasque's life into a living Hell.

He almost smirked when he heard the doorbell ring. He stared at the door with an amused grin. Oh I am going to have so much fun.

But when the door opened, Yuki’s nose was hit with a foreign and ugly scent. 

Oh, no. Dear God, please no.

Charles appeared on the doorframe, an innocent smile on his lips, while Yuki knew full well his intentions were nothing but evil. He stared smirking at Yuki before hugging Pierre. 

Next to him, standing near the door was an unsufferable. Stinky. Horrid. Dog.

‘’Oh, yes, sorry. This is my brother’s dog, he asked me to look after him today, I couldn't tell him no. I hope it’s not a problem.’’

‘’Oh, no, never. Please come in, you two’’ Pierre was a bit caught off guard, but he couldn't say no to Charles.

Yuki trembled, he felt his fur raise on his back instinctively.

‘’Yes, my brother is away for a few months, so he asked me to take care of Pablo. I’ll have to bring him every time I come here. I swear he’s a sweetheart with cats’’

But just by looking at the dog’s face, Yuki could tell it definitely wasn’t the case.

‘’No problem, mon chéri. I hope it’s not a problem for Yu-… Yuki c’mon don’t do this, come back, Charles said the dog is friendly’’

But Yuki just jumped on the table hissing. Trying to run away. He looked at Pierre with betrayal in his eyes.

‘’I don’t think- I don’t thinK he likes the dog’’

‘’Nonsense! Believe me Pierre, my brother has a dog and two cats. They get along perfectly, I can assure you it’s not Pablo’s fault. I can see it, he’s so upset that Yuki’s behaving this way. Well maybe that’s why it’s discouraged to keep stray cats inside, especially if they’re not neutered.’’

‘’Well but- maybe we can put the dog outside on the balcony, so Yuki does not feel threaten-’’

‘’Oh, no, I'm afraid that's not possible. You see- Pablo is ill, he cannot stay outside. What’s happening Pablo?’’ Charles said innocently, kneeling in from of the dog, who had just started growling silently, looking at Yuki like he wanted to eat him. ‘’Oh, Yuki’s making you feel uncomfortable? Yuki, behave well! You just made Pablo upset. Pierre what can we do? I have never seen Pablo this upset before. Maybe we should separate them…’’ He said with his innocent pretty eyes.

Pierre didn’t know what to say.

He looked at Yuki who was on the verge of a mental breakdown, and gave him an apologetic look.

No, Pierre I- Please!

‘’Yes, separate them… it’s the only way unfortunately, right Pierre? Let’s put Yuki on the balcony. For his own sake, and poor Pablo’s! Pablo don’t worry, that cat has stopped upsetting you now, baby’’

Pablo wasn’t exactly a baby. He was a rottweiler, black and brown, big and scary. His paws were as big as Yuki’s whole head and the deadly stare in his eyes that made Yuki’s inside tremble.

So Pierre took Yuki in his arms and slowly brought him outside. Yuki meowled offended, he looked at Pierre with betrayal in his gaze.

Pierre had big puppy eyes, he mouthed a small ‘’sorry’’ with a guilty expression, before putting Yuki down on the balcony.

***

So Yuki was left there, unhappy, angry and thinking about a hundred different ways to get back at the Monegasque for this ultimate, unforgivable insult.

Oh, I hate him so much, and that dog of his… Yuki looked inside.

He could hear noises coming from the adjacent balcony, probably someone new was moving in. But Yuki stood stubbornly by the window, his gaze never leaving Charles, a murderous stare in his eyes. When Pierre left to go inside the kitchen, Charles turned toward him. The smirk on his face was arrogant and satisfied.

Yuki suspected his brother hadn't even left him the dog, he brought him along just to get back at Yuki. What an asshole…

Charles kneeled down to pet Pablo on the back, but retracted his hand disgusted when he saw the dog’s fur in his palm.

He doesn’t even like dogs. He is not a human to be trusted!

Charles then turned towards Yuki on the window, who hadn’t moved an inch from his position, and was looking at Charles like he wanted to kill him. Charles approached the window and slowly pulled the curtain. Obviously only after flipping Yuki off with his middle finger again!

What a prick. Yuki hated, strongly hated the guy.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

It became oddly familiar, anytime Charles came he had Pablo with him. And for a reason or another- he’s sick, he’s upset, oh poor Pablo, Yuki always ended on the balcony.

Yuki wasn’t impressed with Charles’ behaviour; he’d known he was trouble from the first moment he’d set eyes on him. What really threatened to break Yuki’s heart was Pierre’s silence about it. He must be really into this Charles guy.

Still there was something that told Yuki that Pierre was just fooling himself, because Charles was definitely not the right person for him. Pierre was gentle and kind, and liked chill nights on the sofa, sushi take away and trash movies on TV.

Charles was another type completely. He wandered around with his pretty dresses, his expensive car, his extremely sophisticated tastes. Sure he was pretty, almost unbelievably pretty, there wasn’t a single person in the world who would have denied that.

But Pierre was beautiful in a different way, maybe subtler, but absolutely overwhelming. His lips curled into soft smiles, his features were hard and handsome, but still delicate. His arms where strong but he never made a show of it. He was tall, with broad shoulders and muscled biceps but Yuki knew his heart and he was sure that Pierre would have never used his strength to intimidate anyone.

 He was a gentle, maybe extremely gentle compared to most people. And definitely too gentle compared to Charles Leclerc.

Maybe I’m just tripping myself, and they’re slowly falling in love. Why am I even mad? It’s not like I can do anything about it, anyway.

***

Next time Charles came and Yuki was put on the balcony, Yuki kicked all the soil out of the plants so it would fall exactly on top of Charles’ car, immaculately parked under their building.

Then he slowly hid the evidence, he surely did not want to give Pierre an extra reason to cut his balls. He was already living on borrowed time.

From where he was, he could clearly see Charles on the sofa, his hand dangerously close to Pierre’s tight, while he slowly made his way up.

Yuki growled, if they started making out in front him, he was going to be sick.

There was a smile on Pierre’s face, sign that he was definitely enjoying the evening, and Charles’ hands were getting upsettingly wandering. Pierre’s face turned toward Charles, and they stared at each other for a few seconds before they started leaning into each other.

Oh no, somebody stop them now!

A sudden noise of things crashing on the floor, abruptly interrupted them. It was coming from the adjacent apartment, a new neighbour was settling in. They jumped at the noise, then they relaxed again against the sofa, but nothing else happened between the two of them. And Yuki let himself breathe.

But he couldn’t stop the racing in his heart. It didn’t happen today, but it’s going to happen very soon. Then I’ll have to see Charles hugging him, kissing him, sleeping with him. I don’t think I can handle that.

But was just a matter of time.

***

One day, when Yuki was on the balcony it started raining. Pierre didn’t realise it immediately, the volume of the TV was probably too loud.

He accompanied Charles and Pablo at the door, wished them good night, and closed the door behind them.

When he looked outside the window his heart sank. He rushed to the window, opened as fast as he could. His hands were almost shaking on the handle.

‘’Yuki? Where are you?’’

There was only silence for a while. Pierre’s heart hammered in his chest, while raindrops ruined his clothes, and all that surrounded him was chills and water.

Yuki’s head slowly appeared under a soaked blanket. He was wet from head to toe, his body was shaking and his feeling were hurt.

Pierre’s heart sank, he fell on his knees and covered the cat with his body, uncaring of the fact that his clothes inevitably soaked.

‘’I am so sorry’’ He said in a shaky breath. ‘’I’ve been terrible, you must hate me so much’’

Yuki slowly left the blanket, and kindly petted his head against Pierre’s knee. His felt shattered, and even though Pierre wasn’t able to understand his words, he said it anyway. ‘’I could never hate you, not today, not tomorrow, not even in a million years. Because you’re my heart, and I could never live without it’’.

It came out with few feeble meowls, but Yuki felt like Pierre understood it anyway. Because he took him in his arms and never let him go for the rest of the night.

***

Even after that, Yuki had to spend the better part of Pierre’s following date with Charles on the balcony. Charles insisted, and his dog was growling at Yuki, so in the end Pierre did it for Yuki’s safety. Still, every few seconds his gaze would fly to the window, making sure his cat was okay, and it wasn’t raining. Yuki was inevitably sulking, but he didn’t feel abandoned like last time.

Charles would also look at him every now and then, a beer on his left hand, his right one sweetly circling Pierre’s tight, dangerously close to his hip, an omnipresent smirk on his pretty lips.

Yuki could feel the jealousy building, and not without a taste of envy. He hissed in Charles’ direction, but his smirk only grew bigger.

‘’I fucking hate that stupid Monegasque’’ He meowled out loud.

Immediately he felt some clattering from the other side of the balcony, only divided by a thin plastic barrier.

A second after that, an orange cat appeared on top of it.

Yuki hissed. He didn’t have time to deal with another cat. They were arrogant and narcissistic and they always tried to steal his food.

The cat looked at him unimpressed.

He was skinny and mangy, he had deep light-blue eyes, and he was looking at Yuki with mistrust and suspicion.

Yet Yuki, could see something else… hope maybe.

‘’What did you just say?’’ Asked the orange cat from atop the railings.

Yuki’s eyes widened, he immediately stopped hissing. ‘’What-‘’ Never before he’d been able to understand another cat speaking.

The orange cat jumped on his side of the balcony and slowly approached Yuki.

‘’Can you speak?’’ The orange cat asked again. But Yuki was too shocked to answer.

‘’Are you human?’’

Yuki’s mind panicked. What the hell was happening? Why was he suddenly able to speak to another cat? Maybe his feline senses were awakening, and he was going to turn permanently into a cat.

But then Yuki looked inside the cat’s blue eyes and he thought they looked impossibly human.

‘’Yes- I am human, my name is Yuki’’

The orange cat expression turned from scary to hopeful, to desperate in blink of an eye.

One moment his gaze was piercing Yuki’s eyes, the following he was curling on the ground, exhausted and dramatic.

‘’Please Yuki, you must help me, I beg you!’’

Yuki didn’t know what to say, he didn’t have a single neuron left in his mind.

‘’My name is Lando. You must help me, please’’

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

Yuki looked at the orange cat, his eyes blown wide. He didn’t understand, how was this even possible?

‘’Yuki, you can’t imagine how happy I am to have found somebody like me. For months I felt like I was going crazy’’

Yuki didn’t say a single word. His mind had been full of thoughts and doubts, and now this orange cat appeared out of nowhere asking for his help. He’d been a cat for so long he had forgotten what it felt to be able to speak again. He suddenly felt his mouth unable to move.

‘’Yuki, are you all right? You haven’t said a single word’’.

Yuki shook his head ‘’I’m sorry, I just feel overwhelmed. All of this is completely absurd. But please tell me, what happened to you? How did this – He pointed to Lando’s feline body- happen?’’

Lando immediately avoided his gaze, he turned his back on Yuki and walked slowly toward the edge of the balcony. For a long time he just looked away, at the city that extended just beneath their heads. His eyes seemed lost, Yuki thought he’d rarely seen a sadder face.

‘’Well, you seem to be stuck outside and my owner won’t be home for a few hours, so I guess I could just tell you. Let me start from the beginning…’’

ONE YEAR BEFORE- part 1

[[[ Flashback chapter 1 

Lando pov.

 Lando had taken a sabbatical year from his studies. ‘’Don’t call me, don’t text me, don’t bother me, I am not going to answer the phone’’, he had said to his parents and friends.

He’d saved some money thanks to his summer jobs and now all he wanted was travel around Europe.

First he went to Italy, he fell in love with Venice, adored the spectacularly chaotic Rome. Then he aimed for Monaco: the casinos, the parties, the chaos. He went to France just to find a little piece, and he ended up in Marseille as a mere coincidence.

All he wanted was to feel life. He’d always been stuck with school, responsibilities, college. For once in his life, he just wanted to be, he wanted to loose himself in the crowd, free of that image of Lando everyone seemed to have so clearly cemented in their minds back home, and didn’t feel like him at all.

He wanted to prove to himself that he could be as normal as everybody else. He went clubbing every night, got so drunk he couldn’t remember anything the day after.

So, when that night in Marseille happened unexpectedly, it changed him completely.

There he met Carlos.

The barman was staring at him long before Lando even noticed his presence. Still it was like he could feel him, approaching from afar, headed for the counter.

When Carlos entered Lando’s peripherical view, he took his breath away with him.

He probably was, by far, the most beautiful man Lando’s had ever seen.

His arm slightly brushed Lando’s side unintentionally, yet he could still feel it, the electricity in the air, the way the space of the room seemed to shape to embrace his figure.

Carlos’s eyes were brown, brown like a tree bark, brown in his deepest shades.

He suddenly felt like he couldn’t look away. Yet Carlos didn’t spare him a second glance, and Lando couldn’t blame him for it. He wasn’t pretty, or at least he wasn’t pretty in that astonishing kind of way, Carlos’ kind of way, for the matter.

So Lando just sighed and looked way, decided to finish in one gulp the second drink of the night.

It was in that moment that Carlos spoke to him. ‘’Oh, I like your shirt, have you been to Venice recently?’’

Lando visibly jumped when he heard his voice. It had a deep sound to it, enriched with a strong Latin accent. Lando felt overwhelmed for a moment. Carlos looked apologetic. ‘’Apologies, I didn’t mean to scare you, don’t worry, I am leaving you alone’’.

Lando stopped him before he could leave, his hand instinctively grabbed Carlos’ forearm before he could walk away. Carlos’ arm, under his hold, was strong and muscled, Lando could feel the adrenaline run like a lightning under his skin.

‘’Don’t leave, please’’ He said with a hoarse voice. I am probably making a fool of myself.

But Carlos just smiled and sat down next to him.

‘’To answer your question yes, I have been to Venice, I liked the city very much, I actually plan to go back and stay longer in the future. Have you ever been there?’’

‘’Once, a few years ago. I was living in Italy back then, but I still miss the atmosphere, the peacefulness of the place. No cars, no engines… just peace’’.

Lando smiled at his words, his Spanish accent was deep and strong, Lando could feel his insides tremble at the sound of his voice. He wanted to hear Carlos speak all night.

‘’What other places have you visited in Italy?’’ Lando asked.

‘’Oh Rome is beautiful, and Liguria feels magic. I liked Turin, and Florence, but Milan isn’t as good as they make you think on TV’’.

‘’Tell me more‘’ Said Lando entranced, and Carlos smiled at him softly. His voice was calming and exciting at the same time. Lando slowly sipped from his drink, suddenly he didn’t feel like getting drunk anymore, because he wanted to remember Carlos.

‘’I am Lando, by the way’’ He stretched his hand.

‘’Carlos’’ They shook hands, shivers burned under their skins.

They chatted all night, completely lost in each other’s eyes.

Then they left together. Carlos waited for Lando’s taxi to arrive, just to make sure he made it home safely.

Before the taxi arrived, Carlos spoke to him. ‘’Can I see you again?’’ He asked hopeful.

Lando smiled happily. ‘’Yes, please. Can I have your number?’’.

Carlos nodded immediately, and Lando’s heart almost collapsed.

They exchanged numbers quickly. ‘’I’ll text you tomorrow, how much will you stay here in Marseille?’’

Lando smirked. ‘’As much as I want’’.

Carlos grinned at him, ‘’So I guess I’ll see you around, I can show you the city if you want’’.

‘’I would love that’’ Said Lando with a smile.

***

It was 11 a.m. and Carlos still hadn’t texted him. Maybe he didn’t want to wake him up, but Lando could feel his nerves tensing.

He was waiting in his B&b room, and the wait was killing him, so he decided to go for a walk.

He wandered around the city for a few hours. Alleys and streets changed before his eyes, he even got lost at one point. But hey, this was 2021, there was no need to be afraid, google maps existed for a reason.

He kept walking for another while, always checking his phone to see if Carlos had contacted him. Why hasn’t he written yet, what’s happening? Maybe he’s still sleeping. Maybe he changed his mind about seeing me again.

He shook his head immediately, it was such a Lando thing to start worrying relentlessly.

Right then he saw a small antique shop on the corner of an alley, and he remember Carlos telling him something about his passion for ancient objects. I can buy him a gift. He thought.

As soon as he went through the shop’s doors, an old lady appeared out of nowhere. Lando didn’t even acknowledge her in a first moment, he was still looking at his phone.

‘’Can I help you, young boy?’’

He didn’t even hear her speak, too focused on his thoughts.

‘’Do you need anything?’’

Lando didn’t hear her again. She looked bothered.

‘’Boy… are you looking for something in particular?’’ Only then Lando heard her for the first time.

‘’Oh, yeah, I was just-‘’

But in that moment a notification appeared on his screen.

‘’Hi Lando, it’s Carlos from yesterday. I don’t know if you remember me, I hope you weren’t too drunk. I just wanted to tell you that yesterday has been amazing for me, and I would love to see you again, if it’s okay for you :) . Are you free tomorrow evening? We could meet in front of the same bar and I could give you a tour of the city! Let me know. Thank you again, I wish you a good day <3.

‘’Boy…could you answer me please?’’ The woman was slowly losing her patience.

Lando unlocked his phone, his hands almost shaking. He started typing furiously.  

''I would love that, Carlos!'' He wrote and immediately sent the message.

‘’Young man… could you tell me…’’

‘’M’am, just a moment, this is very important…’’ Lando didn’t even turn his gaze to look at her.

If he did, he would have seen that she was pissed, immensely pissed. He was being very rude. The lady tried to count to ten, rolling her eyes, but her rage was raising.

''Carlos yesterday has been a dream for me, I thank you very much for the night, you have no idea how much it meant to me…''  He kept typing heavily.

The woman bit her lips,  her hands were flexing dangerously. She didn’t want to do it, but this boy was making her loose her patience. He didn’t even bother to look at her once in the face. She sighted.

''I loved talking to you about my travels, I wish we could go to Italy like we discussed…''

Lando kept ignoring the lady, too focused on his texts.

She rolled her eyes and finally lost it. This younger generations, will they ever learn some respect? She took the magic bowl from behind the counter. ‘’I did not want to do it, but you forced my hand, boy’’

Lando heard her words only then. ''What-''

She circled her hands a few times, her eyes shone with magic, the room went dark for a second, green and purple shadows danced on the walls.

 ‘’There you go, I hope you learn some manners’’ And the moment after that Lando was on the floor.

His phone was abandoned next to him, now suddenly enormous, his message unsent on the screen. He had only managed to send that: ‘’I would love that Carlos’’, but all the other messages were now lost.

What the hell just happened to me, why is everything so big?

The woman kicked the phone away from him and kneeled to the ground. She was too tall, he realized. What the hell?

She gave him an unimpressed look, and she picked him up in her hands. Wait, how can she manage that? The shop looked the same, the counter was still its size. If the woman didn’t get bigger, then it was him who turned smaller.

She brought him at the entrance and threw him out unceremoniously. ‘’Now disappear, you ill-mannered child!’’

Lando was left in the alley, alone and scared, without his phone or his clothes.

He looked at himself in the mirror of the window, and almost had a panic attack.

He was, undoubtedly, a cat.

***

Carlos pov.

Carlos waited all evening beside the bar. Lando didn't answer any of his following texts, which was very strange, but he had agreed to meet him, so he decided to wait patiently.

The evening turned into dusk, the dusk turned into night, and Lando didn’t show up.

Carlos could feel the hurt in his heart. He had texted Lando several times, he tried calling him, but he never answered.

Carlos felt sad and heart broken. Slowly he started heading back home, looking behind himself a couple times, naively hoping Lando would appear behind a corner.

He never did. And his heart broke even more.

Carlos couldn’t understand what happened, maybe he’d been too direct. But Lando seemed so at ease when they spoke the night before. Maybe he had scared him, still Carlos couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right.

He tried calling him again, he even left him a voicemail.

‘’Lando, it’s Carlos. I- I am sorry if I scared you or if I said something wrong. I am just a bit worried about you. When you hear this, please call me. Just to let me know you’re all right. I won’t bother you again, I promise, I just want to know that nothing happened to you. Please- he almost begged-  Please Lando, call back’’.

He never did, not that day, not the day after. Not ever. ]]]

Chapter Text

Chapter 7

 ONE YEAR BEFORE- part 2

Carlos pov.

Carlos understood in the end, but his heart would still long for Lando sometimes. How was he? Was he alright? Had something happened to him? Questions he didn’t know how to answer that at the same time also forbade him to forget. Or to wrap his mind around it, for the matters.

Lando had seemed so accommodating, so responding that night. Carlos replayed that evening in his head over and over. But he could never find any sign of discomfort in Lando: he’d talked and smiled, and looked happy all night. Maybe he just does not want to see me again. He had fun for one night, and forgot about me the day after. Yes, this is what must have happened.

***

Lando pov.

The cattery captured him on day 10, and Lando feared for his life every second of it.

He didn’t stay there for long, though. He was an orange cat, everybody wanted an orange cat.

A family arrived just two days after his capture. The parents clearly didn’t care at all: the father was rolling his eyes all the time, while the mother spoke constantly on the phone about her work. They were probably adopting a cat so the children had something to play with, so they could have more free time.

They didn’t even look at Lando. The children chose him, they put him in the transport box and brought him home.

His life was a complete hell for those three weeks. The kids never left him in peace. They always played with him, made fun of him, tortured him. He tried to run away but they would still catch him in the end. The house was a mess, the cat food sucked, the litter box was always dirty. Lando hated, fully hated every moment of it.

So he planned his escape.

He monitored their movements: the time of the day they would came back home, for how long the door would stay open, how many stairs there were until the building’s entrance.

It took him three weeks, but one day, when the father opened the door speaking on the phone and carrying two bags of groceries, he threw himself between his legs.

In a moment he was on the landing, his fur raised for the excitement, his body trembling for the adrenaline. In a heartbeat he was running for his life, five floors of stairs left behind him in an instant. He could hear the screams behind him and the hurried steps down the stairs.

At the ground floor an old lady was just opening the main entrance.

Lando managed to pass just before the door closed.

And suddenly he was out, so he ran, and ran and ran, until that house was just a bad memory, until his feet hurt from the pain and tears were in his eyes.

He slept in a garbage bin that night, trembling from the cold but incredibly happy to be finally free from than hell of a house.

The next day he realised the streets were very dangerous: cars, dogs, guards. But he managed to survive as best as he could. He would have endured anything not to get back to that family.

***

It was on sunny day, at the beginning of spring, in which he’d lost all hopes and was sleeping lonely on a scraped old bench, that he met Carlos again.

He didn’t recognise him right away. It often happened to him to fantasize about meeting Carlos, about talking to him. In his dreams he always apologised to him, and Carlos kissed him sweetly after wiping away his tears. So he simply thought it was just another one of his silly dreams.

But Carlos was walking down the sidewalk, two big bags hanging at his sides from the supermarket down the street.

The groceries were huge, but his strong arms held them with an effortless grip.

Lando’s eyes sparkled, his heart was racing in his chest. He suddenly felt like crying.

He was between Carlos feet in an instant. He cried his name, he purred profoundly. Carlos stopped on his tracks; his eyebrows raised confusedly. He seemed a little speechless, but nonetheless he kneeled to pet Lando’s fur.

Lando wanted to cry while he brushed his head against his hand. Carlos, I can’t believe I found you again. He tried to say. But it came out as a meowl.

‘’Oh, kitten. Are you lost? Don’t you have a house?’’ Lando was dirty and malnourished, and smelled of the garbage bins he used to sleep in. But Carlos petted him softly anyway.

‘’Are you hungry? Let’s see if I have something for you’’ He grabbed a tuna can from his bags. He opened it for him and Lando started devouring it while purring.

Carlos smiled ‘’You’re a good cat. I usually am more of a dog person, but you’re really sweet’’ He stood up again and started walking away.

Lando’s stomach hurt from days of malnourishment, but as soon as he saw Carlos walking away he suddenly forgot completely about his hunger. He could not lose Carlos again, ever.

He left the tuna behind and followed Carlos down the sidewalk.

‘’What are you doing? Why are you following me? I gave you the food I had.’’

But Lando didn’t back down. They walked for ten minutes, the man and the cat behind, together until they reached a tall building.

‘’Well, this is where I live. Bye bye kitten’’ And Carlos stormed inside leaving Lando alone on the street.

Lando cried and cried, all night long in front of the building. He never stopped. The neighbours rolled their eyes, and they tried to throw him water, but he kept meowling, wet and cold as he was.

He would only stop when Carlos left the building in the morning. He would then follow him to work, and patiently wait to for him to go back home.

The neighbours started to notice this angrily. And one day, while Carlos was taking out his keys to open the  door, he noticed one of the neighbours was waiting for him at the building’s entrance with a livid expression.  

‘’Your cat is annoying us all, boy’’

‘’Oh no, senora, you’re mistaken, you see, this is not my cat…’’

She raised her eyebrows and looked down, where Lando was rubbing against Carlos’ legs meowling and purring happily. Carlos wanted to facepalm himself.

She looked at him again ‘’Yeah, sure. And how am I supposed to believe that?  Your cat is annoying the whole building. So do something about it. Quickly!’’ She said before getting back inside.

Carlos put a hand over his face. What the hell?! He kneeled down gently. ‘’Listen kitten, I like you very much, you’re so sweet. But I cannot take you in, I’m sorry. I work all day, I am not the right person to take care of you. Do you understand me?’’

But Lando begged him with his puppy eyes and tried to express all of his love for the Spaniard.

Carlos looked away, like he was trying really hard not give in.

‘’I’ll be good, I’ll wait for you. Just don’t leave me alone, Carlos. Please, please. I want to be with you.’’

Carlos gave him one last, long, but eventually resigned look. ‘’I don’t even like cats’’ He said more to himself.

Lando brushed his head against his knee and looked at him in the eyes. Carlos’ eyes were deep chocolate, sweet and gentle the way Lando remembered. Carlos didn’t avert his gaze from his eyes for a long minute, then his pupils expanded, as he seemed to recognize something in the blueish irises. His eyebrows furrowed, then he promptly shook his head.

‘’You remember me of someone I met once. He ran away from me and never came back, as I am running away from you now. My heart broke when he disappeared, so I guess now I don’t want to break yours, if I can avoid it’’

Lando wanted to cry when he heard those words. Carlos sweetly but firmly took him in his arms, and finally brought him home. ]]]]

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

‘’Lando, are you here?’’ Someone called from the other side of the railing. ‘’Lando, where are you?’’ The voice had a strong Spanish accent and was extremely worried.

 ‘’Oh my god, he’s not even here, did he fall? Dios mio, por favor no, no puede ser. Please, please, please… Lando?!’’ The stranger was panicking.

Yuki looked at Lando in front of him, he was touched by Carlos’ worry. Lando smiled at him, he looked lovesick and miserable. Yuki thought he felt the same way: torn between loving Pierre but knowing they didn’t belong together, it was a harsh and upsetting reality.

‘’Carlos! I’m here, I’m alright’’ meowled Lando jumping on top of the railing and immediately purring.  

‘’Here you are, I thought… I- I thought something happened to you’’

Lando purred and brushed his head against Carlos’ palm. The Spaniard’s breath gradually calmed.

‘’Lando, who is this? Did you make a new friend? Hello to you, what’s your name?’’ Yuki quickly followed his friend and happily welcomed Carlos’ pets against his fur.

If looks could kill, Yuki would’ve been dead on the spot for the way Lando was looking at him. His eyes were fuming ‘’He’s taken. Don’t look at him, he belongs to me’’ The orange cat said harshly.

Yuki just laughed, and brushed his head against Lando’s back to make fun of him. ‘’Don’t worry, your Spanish boy is safe with me, I’ve got my own business to think about.’’

In that moment the window opened.

‘’Yuki I’m so sorry I left you outside, I was trying to do the best I could to keep you safe. Charles just left, I don’t like how that dog looks at you, that’s why I kept you outside… oh’’ He said noticing Carlos on the other side of the balcony and the two cats purring at him.

‘’Oh, hi, are you the owner of this cat? His name is Yuki then. He’s so sweet. I just came home and discovered our two boys were socializing. I’m the new neighbour by the way, my name’s Carlos’’

He extended his hand.

Pierre happily grabbed it. ‘’Nice to meet you Carlos and…’’

‘’His name is Lando’’

‘’…and Lando. I’m so glad I finally have a neighbour of my age, there’s only old people in this building’’

‘’I noticed’’ said Carlos with a smirk.

‘’Our cats are already friends, you two should come to our house sometimes, I’m not a great cook but I think I can arrange something, what about dinner tonight?’’

‘’I don’t want to intrude, but thank you very much’’

Lando looked at Yuki with a murderous look ‘’I swear, if this Pierre of yours starts hitting on Carlos, I’m going to kill you. You have no idea of what I had to do to keep him single. People throw themself at him all the time. It’s a full-time job to send them away. So, listen-’’

‘’Don’t worry, Carlos is all yours. Pierre’s dating a guy named Charles, and I fucking hate him’’ said Yuki.

 Lando probably felt bad for attacking him like that, so he tried to apologise ‘’I’m sorry… it’s just that I care about him a lot. My heart would break if he started dating someone. But tell me more about this Charles dude.’’

‘’He’s the most horrible human I’ve ever met. He’s so handsy with Pierre, and he always brings a dog around, and I have to wait on the balcony’’

‘’He brings a dog?! This is unacceptable, you have to get rid of him’’

‘’I tried! But he must like Pierre very much because he keeps coming back’’

‘’Have you tried scratching his clothes?’’ Suggested Lando.

‘’I did’’

‘’Growling?’’

‘’Yes!’’

‘’He’s a tough guy then, this Charles’’ The orange cat concluded.

***

Pierre helped Carlos move his stuff. And they spent the evening together.

Yuki studied Carlos from afar and tried to understand what kind of person he was.

He was handsome for sure, had a good sense of humour, and seemed like a nice guy.

Yuki assumed that what he’d had with Lando was something Carlos hadn’t been able to fully forget. Because not often, but sometimes, his gaze would linger out of the window for a few seconds, like he was drowning in some miserable thoughts. Lando always knew how to snap him out of it. He would jump on his shoulders and brush lovingly against his cheeks. Carlos always smiled then.

Yuki envied Lando a little bit. He didn’t envy his sadness of course, nor his miserable condition. He envied the fact that once, even if only for one night, he’d been able to meet in person the guy he was so irremediably in love with.

Because Lando and Carlos were sad, desperately sad for each other. But what broke Yuki’s heart the most, was the fact that he and Pierre never had the chance to have even that. They never met, not even once, and Yuki had to live with the knowledge that the love of his life didn’t know he existed.

***

That night the four of them ended up eating in Pierre’s living room.

It was a wholesome dinner. The two cats played between their owners’ feet, happily running after each other. It was great for Yuki to have someone he could finally talk to and have fun with. With other cats, but also in general with other people, Yuki had always been suspicious. Yet Lando was slowly becoming one of his best friends. Maybe it was their shared trauma, or their impossible love, but Yuki immediately felt very close to him.

‘’Adopting a cat was definitely the best decision of my life, the joy he brings me is indescribable’’ Said Pierre looking at them playing on the sofa.

‘’Yes, I just wish I could spend more time with him, I feel bad about leaving him alone all this time. But I feel like he knew how my life was, and he chose me anyway’’

‘’Oh, I’m so glad that we share the same love for cats. Charles also likes them, and I’m relieved that he does, because I don’t think I would be able to date somebody who hated Yuki.’’

‘’So, it’s getting serious between the two of you?’’

‘’I mean, I don’t know. He’s a great guy, and we’re getting to know each other. I like him so far. What about you, are you dating someone?’’

Carlos stopped for a second ‘’No, not really. I- I don’t know. It’s not like I don’t have the chance. I invited some people over in the last year. It’s just that- once you experience a strong connection with someone, you know what it’s like when you meet the right person, and now everyone else feel so unbearably unremarkable in comparison. I don’t know how to explain it…’’

Pierre looked at him with a lot of admiration ‘’You know, I admire you a lot. I’ve felt like this my whole life: I never had a strong connection with anybody, and dating has become something I do to pass the time. But a part of myself always dreams about this kind of love: passionate, unending, all-encompassing. I’ve always been told it’s just a dream, so I’m glad you experienced it, even if it didn’t last.’’

‘’Thank you, Pierre, don’t make me emotional now! I’m glad to have you as a neighbour and friend.’’

Pierre smiled. And the two cats looked at them with immense pride.

‘’I’m so glad Carlos finally has a friend. He’s always so focused on his work, I’m glad he found somebody to talk to’’ Lando said.

Yuki read between the lines. ‘’I’m also happy to have found you’’ He said giving his friend a sweet lick on the cheek. ‘’Hey, gross!’’ Said Lando, but Yuki laughed, and he noticed that also Lando was smiling.  

After dinner, they went their separate ways.

‘’It was great meeting you, Pierre, but next time I’ll be the one cooking’’ said Carlos.

‘’Oh, yes please. Are you free tomorrow evening?’’

***

The four of them spent a lot of time together. Pierre and Carlos were friendly, and finally Yuki had someone he could speak to. Those months of solitude had almost made him lose his mind.

Carlos worked as a designer for a car company, and Pierre and his colleagues sold cars for a living. They were both into motorsport, table games and training at the gym. On top of that their cats seemed to get along, so they often ended up eating at each other’s house. Carlos would cook for Pierre when he finished work late, and Pierre would do the same the day after. They slowly fell into a rhythm, and Yuki was very happy about it.

He wasn’t jealous of Carlos, he and Pierre were too much alike to really be attracted by each other. And Yuki suspected that Carlos still had Lando in his mind, and he wasn’t ready to start dating seriously. Also, Lando didn’t seem to mind Pierre, so Yuki was sure they had nothing to worry about. Lando was extremely jealous.

So, everything was perfect, until Charles came to visit again…

Carlos was just finishing his dinner, and promptly got up ‘’I should leave’’

‘’Nonsense! Let me introduce you to Charles. I want to organise a little party so you can meet my friends’’.  

‘’I’ll finally meet the famous Charles’’ Lando said to Yuki, hanging lazily from the sofa’s armrest.

Yuki was looking at the door intensely ‘’I’m hoping that when he sees Carlos, Charles gets the wrong idea and finally leaves Pierre alone.’’

The doorhandle turned. Lando got up from the sofa, he wanted to give Charles a close look.

Finally, the door opened and Charles appeared on Pierre’s doorstep. Miraculously without Pablo this time.

When he saw Carlos, he stopped at the entrance, a little confused. The Spaniard was finishing his dinner, and Pierre was bent over the table to speak to him.

Charles looked at Pierre, then at Carlos, then at the two of them together.

Finally, he licked his lips.

‘’Mhm’’ He murmured to himself ‘’This might be the beginning of the greatest threesome of all time’’

Lando gasped. Yuki’s jaw fell.

Charles confidently entered the room, and Carlos got up to greet him. Immediately Charles’ hand fell dangerously low on Carlos’ back, as he lasciviously pressed his nose against his skin.

Lando’s paws were out as he let out a silent growl.

‘’This guy is a fucking menace!’’

Chapter Text

Chapter 9

Turns out Charles not only didn’t leave, on the contrary, that threesome-thing must have gotten into his head, because he was ubelievable.

The three of them sat on the sofa to chat, Pierre really wanted Carlos and Charles to become friends.

Charles was flirting all the time. He often put his hand on Carlos’ thigh while laughing, as he rested his head on Pierre’s chest every now and then.

Lando and Yuki never left their owners’ sides. Yuki sat on the sofa’s headboard, resting against Pierre’s ear so Charles had to move his head away not to get cat fur in his hair. Lando stayed on Carlos’ lap like a bodyguard, ready to attack Charles if he got too close.

Charles was absolutely disgusted, the cats’ fur was everywhere, tickling his nose, and ruining his black expensive suit. It pissed him off that every time he tried to get close to one of the boys, the cats would give him a deadly stare, baring their teeth and claws out. They were a bit intimidating to be honest. Awesome, now there are two cats trying to ruin my plans. Why there are always cats everywhere?

‘’So Carlos, what brings you here in Marseille?’’ Asked Charles after a small silence.

‘’I work as a designer for a car company set here. I used to live in Italy before, but they pay me more now, so I moved’’

‘’Oh Italy, I’ve been there just once, but all my friends tell me that Italians are quite passionate and a bit lascivious’’ Said Charles with a grin.

‘’Oh, I don’t know, I spent most of my time there working, and I come from Spain’’

‘’Oh, Spain, even better. I heard some strange things about Spaniards. Would you believe me if I told you that the last Spaniard I met offered me a threesome? Is it a common thing there?’’ Laughed Charles looking at Pierre and Carlos and carefully studying their reactions.

Yuki extended a paw in Charles direction and intentionally sank his claws deep in Charles shoulder. Mind your words asshole.

Charles almost jumped for the pain.

‘’A- a threesome, I don’t know if it’s common, I never had one’’ Said Carlos a bit confused.

‘’Oh, don’t worry, you’ll see, occasions will present themselves! What about you Pierre?’’

Pierre didn’t seem completely at ease too. ‘’I mean, once I was so drunk that I was very close to one, but it didn’t happen in the end.’’ Yuki felt relieved, of course he knew Pierre had a lot more experiences than him, but he was glad that a threesome wasn’t among them.

‘’You guys are prudes, such cuties. You probably also have dinner at 7:00 and go to sleep at 9:00’’ Laughed Charles, mocking the two of them.

‘’I mean, I wish it was like this. Lately I’ve had problems sleeping, I lay in bed with Lando and I just stare at the ceiling. I don’t know why it happens’’.

‘’Maybe you just need to release some tension. It happens to me when I haven’t slept with someone in a while. Is this the case?’’

‘’I’m going to murder him’’ Lando growled from Carlos’ lap. Yuki was fast to stop him ‘’Don’t do anything too obvious, he’ll have us neutered in no time!’’. Lando stayed still, but his eyes were raging.

Carlos ears reddened ‘’I- I’m a bit embarrassed to answer this’’

‘’A few months?’’

Carlos covered his face with his hands. ‘’A bit more’’.

‘’Oh my God, Pierre, we must help Carlos! He’s been suffering for too long’’

‘’Well, but Charles it’s not that uncommon. If you want to know, I also haven’t slept with someone for a while now. You know, at some point you start wondering if you're tired of one night stands, and just want to find the right person’’.

‘’Oh, Pierre you’ve got such a good soul, I agree with you, the right person is so important.’’ Said Charles, smiling and playing with the hem of his shirt. ‘’That’s exactly why you have to do a lot of field research to find them’’ He said with a sultry voice, close to Pierre’s ear.

Yuki’s claws sank so deep in Charles’ skin, that his face contorted.

‘’Yes, a very detailed field research it's what you both need. You are young, attractive, maybe we should all try new things ’’. Yuki read the together in Charles' tone, and he couldn't understand how Pierre and Carlos didn't.

‘’I’m gonna kill him. Yuki hold me, hold me’’ Meowled Lando exasperated.   

‘’New things, what do you mean?’’ Pierre seemed curious.

‘’Oh yes, there’re many possibilities. I just wish there was a way to help you both at the same time’’

‘Yuki’s jaw dropped. ’’He. Just. Did. Not. He’s so horny he can’t even choose, this guy is a devil, I swear.’’

***

The conversation finally went back to normal, Carlos talked about his job and double shifts, Pierre complained about his new boss who was so full of himself. Yuki relaxed on Pierre’s shoulder, he was tired, and he felt like sleeping, Pierre’s voice was like honey in his ears, and maybe the worst has already passed.

 Then his ears immediately raised at Charles’ next words.

‘’So are you guys just friends, or there’s something more between you two?’’ The Monegasque asked, his voice almost hoping for a yes.

‘’Oh no, absolutely nothing! You don’t have to be jealous Charles’’ Said Pierre mocking him a little.

‘’I didn’t mean to sound angry, I just wanted to know so I could make it work for the three of us in the best way’’

‘’Don’t worry, Charles. I think me and Pierre are too similar to like each other in that way’’.

‘’Oh’’ Said Charles ‘’Now everything makes sense. You are like two elements who just miss a spark to trigger the chemical reaction . You’re two ingredients who need a third party to melt together in a spicy way.’’

‘’I mean’’ Said Pierre, thinking about it ‘’Well, I guess you could say it like that’’

‘’I wouldn’t mind to be in that sandwich’’ Charles mumbled to himself.

‘’What?’’ Asked Pierre a bit confused.

Charles’ eyes widened, did he say this out loud? He had to be more careful, this was too explicit.

‘’I said I wouldn’t mind to eat a sandwich, I didn’t eat much at work, but it doesn’t matter’’

‘’Oh, nonsense, I will make you a sandwich, I could also eat something’’ Said Pierre immediately getting up and heading toward the kitchen. Yuki followed Pierre’s in the kitchen to keep him busy as much as possible.
He jumped on the counted, then rubbed against Pierre’s arm and purred, so Pierre stopped to pet him for a whole minute.

‘’Oh Yuki, are you angry again? Do you want something to eat?’’. So Pierre spent another good minute giving him food. This night had to end as fast a possible.

***

‘’So have you met someone interesting since you live here?’’ Charles asked, when him and Carlos were left alone in an awkward silence.

‘’Yes, my co-workers are really good people, unfortunately not many of them are my age, so we don’t hang out very much’’

‘’I meant, did you meet someone you liked?’’

‘’Oh’’ Carlos said. ‘’I mean, I did go out a few times over the last year, but honestly nothing serious. I don’t want to sound boring by telling you about my problems, it’s just that I have this feeling, I don’t know how to describe it, I feel a bit hollow inside’’

‘’Oh my God, Carlos, I understand you so much, mate. I have the exact same feeling, I feel so hollow inside, I would love to be filled just right’’.

Lando on Carlos’ lap growled furiously in Charles’ direction.

‘’Oh cute, you both want some love in your hearts.’’ Said Pierre from the kitchen.

‘’Exactly, Pierre, you said it perfectly. I want new things inside me that can make me feel finally full, fully satisfied’’ Finished Charles with smirk, uncaring of the cat ready to jump at his throat.

But Carlos was interested. He probably was reading the conversation to a much deeper level that clearly wasn’t there.

‘’Oh no, don’t fall for this Carlos!’’ Lando meowled with hurt.

‘’Have you also experienced something like this before?’’ Carlos eyes were understanding.

‘’Yes, I tried, it was just that those things weren’t big enough to fill my spaces. And I have so much free room inside myself.’’

‘’Oh yes, you feel that you have so much to give, but when you think you found the right person, he vanishes. I understand what you mean-’’ Said Carlos reflecting.

‘’Do you? Do you really understand what I need inside me right now?’’ Said Charles with a devilish glint in his eyes.

‘’Yes, you want to be filled with emotions’’ Said Carlos touched by the topic. ‘’I thought I felt that special fullness in my soul once, but it wasn’t meant to be’’

‘’Yeah, well to get over it you could try to use your assets to fill someone else?’’

‘’You think so?’’

‘’Yeah, absolutely, you could try new holes to see if your key fits inside other locks.’’

‘’Well your advises are very metaphorical Charles, thank you for it’’

‘’Yes, you can hit me whenever you want’’

Carlos’ eyebrows furrowed for a moment. ‘’Excuse me, what?’’

‘’I said, you can meet me whenever you want. I’m very good at giving heads…-up, heads-up.’’

‘’Here’s your sandwich, Charles!’’ Said Pierre returning from the kitchen.

‘’Why did it take him so long?’’ Asked Lando to Yuki, relieved that the conversation was finally over. ‘’You kept him busy, you selfish bastard! You have no idea what Charles’s been pulling. Maybe he’ll stop now’’.

‘’What were you guys saying?’’ Asked Pierre after taking a bite.

‘’Oh Charles was giving me some very thoughtful advice’’

‘’Oh, yes. He’s so caring for others’’ Said Pierre smiling. Yuki rolled his eyes dramatically.

‘’Well, what can I say? I like blowing you- I mean, blowing some sense into you two’’ Charles corrected himself quickly. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 10

Yuki was desperately trying to stop Lando from ruining both their lives. ‘’This Charles guy, what a prick, Yuki it’s all your fault…’’

Yuki’s eyes widened. ‘’How’s any of this my fault?’’

‘’I don’t know’’ Lando was panicking as he watched how Charles was pretending the volume of the TV was too high, so he could press his lips mischievously against Carlos and Pierre’s ears while speaking to them.

‘’I hate him, I hate him with all of myself’’ Said Yuki narrowing his eyes. ‘’But I have to admit this guy is a professionist, he knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s working them slowly, I wish I had his confidence and talent. On top of that, he’s also so pretty, even in my human form I’m just a goofy boy’’

Lando let out a small sigh. ‘’Me too, I’m too shy. The night I met Carlos I wished I had the confidence to go home with him, but I panicked. And now it’s too late’’

Yuki was incredibly sad, but he purred brushing against Lando’s fur. ‘’No, Lando, you can’t speak like this. You’ll see, we’ll find a way. I promise you, I will help you get back with Carlos''.

Lando smiled at Yuki ‘’Thank you for your words, they mean a lot to me’’

Yuki became serious all of a sudden, he looked down, then he fixed his brown eyes on Lando ‘’But you have to do something for me’’

‘’Of course, tell me’’

‘’You see, I’m really shy, and I always panic. I want you to promise me that if I’ll ever meet Pierre in person, you will give me the courage to speak to him. Because if I panic and I don’t do it, I know I will regret it for the rest of my life.’’

Lando smiled at his friend, and winked at him. ‘’Yuki, my friend, I promise you that if we ever turn back humans, you’ll spend the rest of your life in Pierre’s bed!’’

 ‘’Lando!’’ Yuki’s cheeks reddened.

‘’What?! Isn’t that what you want?’’

‘’No! Maybe… okay yes! Of course that’s what I want, but look at Charles, he’s so pretty, why would Pierre prefer me over him?!’’ Yuki asked in a whisper.

‘’Because you’re not trying to have a threesome with him and his neighbour, for starters!’’

‘’Oh Pierre help me, something is stuck in my eye!’’ Charles cried from the sofa. The situation was getting worse.

 ‘’Oh no, what is it? Are you hurt?’’ Asked Pierre in a hurry.

‘’I don’t know, probably it’s cat’s fur!’’ Charles shouted. Yuki rolled his eyes in the back of his head.

‘’Pierre, please have a look, come closer… yes, exactly, like this mhm… please check what’s stuck inside me’’ Pierre was leaning closer, his lips were almost grazing over Charles’ as he looked intensely into his eyes. Of course, nothing was wrong with Charles’ eye, it was just an excuse to get their attention.

‘’I don’t see anything, I’m sorry’’ Said Pierre.

‘’Oh Carlos! Why don’t you help Pierre to look inside me- inside my eye. You know what they say, two dick- two discernments are better than one.’’

Carlos came closer. He and Pierre seemed really concerned with Charles’ eye, and they didn’t realise how close their bodies were. Pierre’s eyebrows were frowning, his right hand was gripping fiercely at Charles’ hair to keep his face in place. Yuki could tell that Charles was enjoying having his hair pulled. Carlos put a hand around his neck to have a better look into his eyes, and Charles shivered at that strong pressure against his throat.

‘’Charles, I’m sorry we don’t see anything’’ Pierre said in concern. ‘’Mhm…why don’t you come even closer?’’. Now Pierre was really pulling his hair to have a better look, and Charles moaned in silence as Carlos’ grip his throat became stronger.

‘’I want to be your slut…’’ Charles whispered.

‘’What?’’ Pierre and Carlos asked in unison.

‘’I said, I want to believe it's the cat, the cat’s fur’’ Charles promptly corrected himself.
''Oh, of course, that's what you said'' Pierre shook his head, and he and Carlos went back bending over him to have a closer look of his eye. Pierre’s lips were unintentionally brushing over Charles’, and Charles opened his mouth in complete bliss.

‘’Yuki, we must do something, please’’ Cried Lando.

‘’I’ve had enough of this asshole, follow me’’ Said Yuki, a murderous look in his eyes. Lando obliged.

The two cats jumped on the sofa, just behind Charles’ back. ‘’What now?’’ Whispered Lando.

‘’Be ready to jump’’ Yuki simply said, before starting to brush against Charles’ sides innocently. Charles face contorted, he was desperately trying not to move, but Yuki was tickling him relentlessly. Charles tried to hold his breath, his hand went backwards, desperately trying to get a grip on Yuki’s fur to send him away. But Yuki jumped away with a laugh and tickled the sensitive skin under his arm. At the same time Lando attacked Charles’ naked ankle. Charles threw a pleading glance at the cat, his lips whispering a silent ‘’No, please’’. But Lando took no pity of him and tickled the sensitive spot on his feet.

Charles couldn’t hold it anymore and he fell backwards, his back hitting the floor with a painful noise.

‘’Take this, you Monegasque asshole!’’ Exclaimed Yuki laughing with all of his chest.

But a moment later he realised with horror what he just did.

Charles had fallen on his back. But Carlos and Pierre had fallen right on top on him. Charles’ hand was in Carlos’ hair, their legs intertwined on the parquet floor, Pierre’s face was buried in his neck, his shoulder stuck under Carlos forearm.

Suddenly Charles couldn’t believe his luck, the two boys were finally on top of him on the apartment’s floor, their weight keeping him pressed to the ground. He moved his body so that their legs were intertwined together and they couldn’t get up.

‘’I’m so sorry I fell’’ Said Charles, but he pushed his chest up so he could feel Pierre’s beath on his skin, and by his blissful expression Yuki knew he was not sorry at all.

Charles’s grabbed Carlos’ shoulders pretending to get up, but they just fell on the floor once again. Pierre’s lips were against his neck, Carlos’s hand was stuck incredibly close to his thigh, and Charles had to suppress a moan. He couldn’t believe his luck, suddenly he had them exactly where he wanted. He moved Pierre’s face closer to his lips as his mouth pressed a featherlight kiss against Carlos’ jaw.

‘’Yuki, what have you done?!’’ Screamed Lando in horror.

‘’No, no, no! This can’t be happening’’ Yuki was pacing the room, meowling desperately.

But the three boys on the floor didn’t hear him. Pierre and Carlos had been oblivious until that moment, but even they couldn’t be that blind. Suddenly they realised what was happening. Their legs pressed together, lips brushing exposed skin, hot breaths on their necks. Yuki thought they were considering the situation. The apartment’s floor, their non-existent sex life, Charles so ready to welcome them. They were probably thinking: what the hell, why not...

Carlos stared at Charles’ pulse with a gulp, Pierre’s lips were almost moving on their own on Charles’ neck. They leaned against each other in unison.

Yuki and Lando almost had a panic attack. Yuki could feel his heart sink, sinking painfully deep in his chest.

‘’This cannot be really happening…’’ He said in a whisper, he would have cried if cats had tears.

He watched Charles stare inside Pierre’s eyes, their lips almost touching, a hand gripped tightly in Carlos’s hair as the Spaniard  breathed heavily against his skin. Charles’ face was pure bliss, he let out a little moan, suddenly overwhelmed with the combined attentions of the two boys…

The doorbell rang.

They froze on the floor, Charles cursed under his breath. Fuck, I was so close, I was so fucking close. He was extremely frustrated.

Pierre lazily got on his feet, followed by Carlos after a moment. The two of them stared into each other’s eyes completely speechless. Their gaze moved to Charles still on the ground. Carlos parted his lips, and Pierre put a hand on his face. What the fuck just happened?

Pierre opened the door, while Charles was mentally punching the air, still on the ground.

‘’Oh Max, what are you doing here?’’ Said Pierre surprised.

‘’Oh nothing, I wanted to tell you about the party on Saturday, my place isn’t an option anymore, I thought we could do it here. You weren’t answering your phone so I wanted to tell you in person. What is happening here?’’ Asked Max looking around in confusion.

Carlos was staring blankly at the wall, and Charles was still on the floor silently cursing under his breath.

Yuki and Lando ran at Max’s feet, purring and meowling enthusiastically. ‘’Thank you, Max. We love you, you’re our saviour. I forgive you for your comments on neutering’’ Was crying Yuki.

‘’I don’t know who you are but I love you’’ Lando followed him.

Max was extremely confused.‘’Your cat has hated me for months, and now he’s all friendly? What’s wrong with this house? And look, there’s also an orange cat, why do you have two cats?’’

‘’No, that is Carlos’ cat, Lando. Anyway, Max this is Carlos, my new neighbour. Carlos, this is Max, my co-worker’’ Explained Pierre.

Max and Carlos shook hands, the Spaniard’s hair was a mess and he was still wearing a dumb expression on his face.

‘’And Charles, this is Max, my co-worker. Max, this is Charles, my…’’ Suddenly Pierre didn’t know what to say. Friend? Boyfriend? The guy I was having a threesome with? What just happened a few minutes ago? Pierre simply shook his head. What the fuck. ‘’My… ehm, my date’’.

Max waved at Charles still on the floor.

The Monegasque waved back at Max, who was standing in the doorframe in a pretty light blue shirt. Charles’ gaze then flew to Pierre, the first two buttons of his top were opened, giving him a full view of his muscled chest, then he watched Carlos, hair a mess and plump lips parted in a hot way.

Charles’ expression was greedy, he whispered ‘’Can he stop having hot friends? I mean look at them, they’re all so hot. How am I supposed to chose? I’m having an existential crisis here.’’

Yuki face-palmed himself. '‘You’re just too horny, that’s your problem!’’

But Charles kept mumbling to himself ‘’Look at this Max, I want to wipe that grumpy expression off his face. Damn…’’

‘’He cannot be for real…’’ Said Yuki. ‘’He’s the devil.’’ Lando at his side was devastated.

‘’Yeah, nice to meet you Max, I’m Charles’’ The Monegasque was promptly on his feet, ready to shook Max’s hand. ‘’I agree with Max, yes, we should do the party here. Such pretty hands you have, what handcream do you use?’’ Said Charles bringing Max’s hand almost to his lips. ‘’Mmh… you smell deliciously’’

Lando blinked several times, and Yuki bumped his head against the sofa.

‘’This can’t be really happening. What the fuck.’’

Chapter Text

Capitolo 11

Saturday night - the party:

‘’So, Max’s got a girlfriend?’’ Charles was asking Checo, he looked disappointed.

‘’Yeah, Kelly is a really nice person, they get along so well’’ Checo explained.

Charles bit his lip, that was unfortunate. ‘’I’m so happy, are things serious between them?’’ Charles seemed hopeful for a moment.

‘’Yes, they’ve been together for years now’’

Charles expression dropped. ‘’Beautiful, simply beautiful. Is he straight?’’

Checo seemed dubious for a moment ‘’I don’t know, I think he’s bi, but I never asked him’’

Charles rolled his eyes. He threw a look at Max and Kelly on the other end of the living room, they were chatting together and Max’s hand was softly holding her elbow, as she leaned into him to place a soft kiss on his cheek.

Charles sighed, then simply shrugged. Max wasn’t an option anymore unfortunately, what a shame.

His gaze then went back to Pierre and Carlos. They were speaking near the window, leaning close to each other’s ear. Pierre’s beard was brushing against Carlos’ jaw, as the Spaniard’s bottom lip caressed Pierre’s earlobe.

Charles kept watching, his mind racing to unholy thoughts. Well, I have my two boys to think about, bringing Max into it was only going to complicate things. His mood shifted easily, he was ready to go back to his original plan. Last time I almost did it, I have to keep trying. But Charles was more than confident that the night was going to end in the best of ways.

The party was going well, a dozen people were roaming in Pierre’s living room: a few of his colleagues, some of his tennis pals, Charles, Checo, Max and Kelly. The music was slow, the food more than enough, the champagne bottles opened on the dinner table.

Yuki looked at the atmosphere and sighed, he would have given anything to be at that party: dancing slowly, Pierre by his side, his hands on his waist, his smile brightening the living room. Yuki sighed again, resting against the armchair.

‘’I think he’s making a move’’ Whispered Lando beside him. ‘’We must make him fall from the stairs me thinks, they won’t put us in jail, we’re only cats’’ He was reasoning.

Yuki’s eyebrows raised ‘’Excuse me, what?’’

‘’He would still survive, right? Maybe if we manage to get him on the balcony…’’

Yuki’s eyes widened. ‘’You have a sick mind, you know? Remember me to never make you angry’’

‘’Sorry, I become unbearable when I’m stressed.’’ Lando apologised.

‘’I know’’ Yuki replied. Yuki looked from the sofa inside the kitchen. Until that moment, nothing strange happened. But now it was half past ten, everybody was a bit tipsy, a couple was whispering in a dark corner of the house.

And Charles’ plans seemed more obvious than ever.

He never left Pierre and Carlos’ side. He made sure that none of their glassed were ever empty. And when the dizziness came, he lost that bit of self-control he possessed.

Charles licked his lips, a hand resting smoothly against Pierre’s neck, as the other one was brushing Carlos’ tight with intention. What really scared Yuki this time was that neither Pierre nor Carlos seemed to mind, they were relaxing into his touch. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe the boredom, maybe just lust, but the threesome idea didn’t seem like such a wild thought anymore. That Charles guy was a professionist charmer. Yuki hated him.

‘’I don’t know what we can do this time, they seem into it’’ Yuki sighed.

‘’Yuki, do you want to spend the rest of your life in Pierre’s bed?’’ Lando asked.

‘’Yes, of course I want that!’’

‘’Then stop complaining, and get to work! Do you think this is the first time something like this happens? One time there was this girl, she came home for dinner, and she started kissing Carlos. What do you think I did? I pushed her phone off the table and then I acted like I was sleeping. The girl got angry, ‘’Carlos, your cat broke my phone!’’, and Carlos: ‘’but look he’s still sleeping, it couldn’t be him. Maybe you left your phone too close to the edge’’. She got so angry that she left, and that’s how I kept my man pristine! Do you understand me? It’s a lot of hard work! If I can’t sleep with Carlos nobody can, fuck you Charles!’’

Lando scared him sometimes, and Yuki was glad that they were on the same page, because he could become very nasty when he wanted.

‘’Where was all this creativity the other day when they were on the floor?’’ Yuki asked, mocking his friend.

‘’That took me off guard, I wasn’t ready!’’ Lando jumped.

Yuki laughed at him, then his gaze flew to the kitchen and his smile died on his lips. Charles was laughing at something Pierre said, his fingers brushing against his jaw. Pierre and Charles were tipsy already, but Carlos was almost drunk. And when Charles wandered his hand higher the Spaniard let out a pleasing noise, his head leaning against the headrest.

Lando by Yuki’s side trembled. Yuki knew that his nastiness was just a cover, Lando was as scared as he was, he was just trying to hide it from Yuki.

‘’You know what, you’re right! It’s not over until it’s over. Maybe we will lose, but we need to fight till the end. Together we can do this, put your devious mind at work, my friend, the show’s about to begin’’ Said Yuki, heading for the kitchen, immediately followed by Lando.

Yuki jumped on Pierre’s legs and started purring affectionately. Pierre smiled down at him and delicately caressed his fur. Charles leaned in to whisper something mischievously in Pierre’s ear, but he was met with the deadly stare of the white and black cat. Charles’ face contorted, that cat had caused him nothing but trouble, and Charles hated him with passion. He rolled his eyes and he turned his attention to Carlos but Lando, in Carlos lap, hissed silently at him baring his teeth.

Charles retracted immediately, horror in his eyes.

Yuki purred happily against Pierre’s chest as his hands slowly stroked his fur.

‘’Oh Yuki, you’re such a good cat, tell me, do you like the party? Are all of these people stressing you?’’ Asked Pierre with his pet voice.

‘’Maybe we could put them in the balcony to spare them the chaos’’ Suggested Charles, heavily annoyed by the two cats stealing the boys’ attention from him.

‘’Hey, hey, hey, my cat is not going in the balcony’’ Said Carlos a bit hurt, while Lando, who was resting around his shoulders, gave Charles an offended hiss.

Charles was pissed. He liked the boys, they were both incredibly hot. But he didn’t understand this strange obsession with cats. ‘’Yeah, you both seem so enamoured of your cats’’.

Pierre gave Yuki a wink when he heard those words. ‘’Yes, you can say that. I’m sure that If Yuki was a person, I’d probably ask him out’’. Yuki almost fainted at his words. He purred louder and started licking Pierre’s hand. ‘’Do you like that? Would you go out with me, Yuki? I think we already have a strong connection’’ Yuki felt like screaming. Oh Pierre, I wish with all of my heart that it'll happen one day.  

‘’I think that if your cat was a human, he’d be pretty ugly’’ Said Charles.

‘’Oh, but I wouldn’t care. Mental connection and character are what draws me to people, but apart from that I think Yuki would be hot as fuck in his human shape’’ Finished Pierre. Lando winked at Yuki from atop Carlos shoulders, and Yuki’s grin was so wide he felt his heart combusting.

But Charles was so annoyed he was rolling his eyes into his brain. This is so weird, cat-lovers are so weird. He sighed and turned to Carlos. ‘’What about you Carlos, are you also dreaming of dating your cat?’’

Carlos’ eyes widened, he was a bit drunk, or else he would’ve laughed it off. ‘’I- I mean, I did name Lando after someone I cared about. His eyes remembered me of him, and I wanted to believe that he was coming back to me’’. Carlos hid his face in his hands then, regretting immediately what he said.

‘’Excuse me, you did what?!’’ Charles asked almost spilling his drink. Charles was disgusted, he wanted to throw up. Cat-owners were so weird, good for them that they were also incredibly hot.

‘’Well…’’ Carlos lowered his gaze. ‘’It wasn’t anything serious, but it’s complicated. I met this boy, Lando, last year in a bar here in Marseille. We started talking, and it was like we’d known each other for years. I felt a really strong connection.’’

‘’Did you sleep together?’’ Asked Max, drunk and only interested in the practical aspects.

‘’No, I wanted to, I really did. But I think he was a bit shy, so I went for his number. I asked him out the day after, he immediately said yes, but he never showed up…’’

The room fell silent, everybody was drunkenly considering Carlos’ situation.

‘’Did he explain why?’’ Asked Kelly intrigued, she was probably the only sober person in the room.

‘’No, I mean, this is the strange part. He never replied back, he never received my messages. His phone was dead, it didn’t even ring. He simply vanished. I was so worried, and I still am sometimes. I wish there was a way to know that nothing happened to him. That’s all I want’’

‘’He probably just blocked you.’’ Said Max, absolutely drunk.

‘’Max! C’mon, have some manners! No Carlos, I’m sure there’s a valid explanation for his behaviour.’’ Kelly hurried to say.

‘’You know’’ Charles said, sliding his lips against Carlos’ jaw until they were pressed against his ear ‘’I would have never blocked you, Carlos’’

Lando hissed at him hysterically, his growl deep and feral. Charles almost screamed and retreated against Pierre.

‘’Oh no, Lando, don’t be scared. Charles is a friend, he does not want to harm you’’ Carlos tried to reassure his cat, but Lando didn’t seem to calm down.

Everyone in the room stayed silent for a few moments.

Until Max, absolutely wasted, suddenly spoke: ‘’Oh my God, now I understand, it makes sense! Oh my God, yes, it’s the only explanation!’’

‘’What?’’ Asked Kelly in confusion.

‘’I mean, the cat. This cat is Lando.’’ Exclaimed Max.

‘’Yes, that’s his name’’ Carlos said raising his eyebrows.

‘’No, I mean that he is Lando.  Not the cat Lando, but the real Lando! Think about it, it would explain why he didn’t show up and never replied: he was turned into a cat by a spell or something. It’s the only explanation! Oh my god, I’m a genius!’’ Max screamed, breathing heavily.

Carlos’ brows furrowed.

Charles’ expression was absolutely disgusted, these people are crazy. ‘’That's the most stupid thing I’ve heard in my life’’.

‘’No, no it’s genius! Someone should write a book about it!’’ Max defended himself.

‘’C’mon, who reads books in 2022?!’’ Charles laughed.

‘’You must believe me guys, I just know I’m right!’’ Max said.

Drunk Max wasn’t something you saw everyday, so Checo gave him a pat on the back.

‘’Sure, mate, as you say.’’ Checo told him. And everybody in the room started laughing. Everybody, except Kelly. She didn’t blink for a whole minute, her face looked pale, her lips parted for a moment. But immediately she shook her head and started laughing with the others.

***

‘’I stand by what I said earlier, this cat is Lando’’ Max repeated later in the night. ‘’Lando, if you’re in love with Carlos give us a sign, please.’’

Lando purred around Carlos’ neck and gave Max a deadly stare. Max laughed until he was in tears. ‘’This cat is a person, I swear, he looked at me like he wanted to kill me!’’

‘’What will you do now, teach the cat to speak?’’ Checo laughed.

‘’I want to free this cat from his curse’’ Explained Max. Checo laughed, and Pierre chuckled.

‘’Call me once you finish, okay? And stop with the alcohol, please, I don’t want you throwing up in my car.’’ Checo said.

‘’Carlos, you were saying that Lando was sweet and shy?’’ Max said.

‘’Well, yes, he was very cute and gentle’’ Carlos confirmed.

‘’But this cat is looking at me like he wants to murder me. Cat-life isn’t suiting you very much, eh Lando?’’ Max joked.

Lando on Carlos’ shoulders was glaring at him with a silent growl.

‘’Oh my God, where is Kelly? He won’t back down from this cat-thing’’ Checo face-palmed himself, but Kelly had left a minute ago to speak on the phone.

‘’And what if you get a boyfriend, Carlos? Your cat will become jealous’’ Max joked.

Carlos smiled, but it was a sad smile, he looked at Lando, looked into his blue eyes. ‘’It was a bit pathetic of me, right? Calling my cat like a person that didn’t want to see me again. He simply wasn’t interested in me, and he ghosted me. I was pathetic, but Lando is in the past now, I've gone on with my life’’ His gaze promptly turned to Charles. And Charles smiled, grinned, he took one of Carlos’ hands and placed a kiss in it, while Pierre was slowly caressing Charles’ collarbone.

Lando looked at them, his eyes full of tears. He watched with pain as Carlos threw lustful glances at the Monegasque beside him.

Then he got off of Carlos' lap, and Yuki could see from his reclined head and the tail between his leg, that his friend was extremely miserable.

Yuki's heart was acheing in his chest, he couldn't leave Lando like this, so he went after him on the balcony.

‘’Lando…’’ Yuki started.

‘’No, he’s right. I’ve been an asshole to him, I should have just leaped the moment I had the chance, now he’s gone forever. At least Charles fights for what he wants, he’ll have what I was too scared to claim for myself.’’ And he was crying saying this.

Yuki brushed against his side. ‘’You are no asshole, you’re my best friend. And I won’t let you be miserable. My life became so much better since you’re here. I forgot how it was to be human before you, you made me believe again in my dreams, I’ll never thank you enough for this! And I will never give up on you.‘’ Yuki said, his voice almost breaking.

''Thank you, Yuki-''

‘’Oh my god, I knew I was right!’’ A voice said in the darkness.

 Lando and Yuki froze. They immediately hissed towards the direction of the voice.

‘’Oh my God, I’ve finally found you!’’.

In the darkness of the moonless night, a feminine figure appeared under the streetlamps’ light.

It was Kelly.

Chapter Text

Chapter 12

‘’What the hell is happening?’’ Yuki exclaimed, his mind was racing for the shock.

Lando was staring at Kelly like he could almost faint. ‘’Is this an hallucination? Have I finally gone mad?’’

‘’I assure you, it’s all true.’’ Said Kelly looking at them completely serious.

‘’Can she hear us?’’ Yuki was scared to death.

‘’Yes, affirmative, I can understand you.’’ Nodded Kelly at the two cats.

‘’How the hell is this possible?’’ Lando was losing his mind.

‘’Please, calm down, I don’t want to hurt you. I’ve actually been looking for you.’’

‘’How is it possible that you’re the only one who hears us?’’ Asked Yuki in confusion.

Kelly took a deep breath, she kneeled to their level and started explaining. ‘’You see, my family has a long history of witches in the female branch of the family. I didn’t believe in magic for a long time, but recently my grandmother started training me to become her successor. You can start your training as a witch only on your 30^th birthday, so I don’t have much experience, but my magic sensitivity allows me to hear you.’’

‘’Can you help us to turn back human? Please, I beg you, help us!’’ Asked Yuki, his heart was beating incredibly fast in his chest.

‘’Only a witch with the same blood as the one who casted the spell can free you from the curse…’’

Lando gave one resigned sigh. ‘’Yeah so, we’re fucked!’’

Yuki couldn’t hide his disappointment either.

‘’Wait!’’ Exclaimed Yuki in an heartbeat ‘’You told us you were looking for us. Why? How did you know about us?’’

Kelly blushed, she tried to look away. ‘’I- you know, my family isn’t exactly perfect, okay? My grandmother she- she owns an antique shop… and she has anger issues. When I learned what she did to you I’ve been looking for you so I could make things right. I’m so sorry she turned you into cats…’’

Yuki’s jaw dropped, he couldn’t believe his ears. What? So he crazy witch of the antique shop was Kelly’s grandmother. He opened his mouth to say something, then his gaze turned to Lando.

The orange cat was livid, his face contorted in anger. ‘’Do you have…’’

‘’Lando, please calm down.’’ Yuki was begging him.

‘’…any idea…’’ Lando was a fury.

‘’No, c’mon Lando, she wants to help, please don’t kill the help!’’

‘’…of what we’ve been through?! Of how many times I risked my life?! Do you know how horrible it is to sleep in garbage bins, seek refuge from guards, and dogs… but most importantly, do you have any idea of how much cat food actually sucks?!’’

‘’I’m so sorry. This is why I’ve been looking for you guys. I’ve gone to every cattery and tried to speak to cats, but I was never able to find you!’’ Kelly tried to explain.

‘’Now turn me back into a human so I can go to your grandmother and…’’

‘’Lando!’’ Yuki hissed and him, hitting him between his ears. ‘’Are you stupid? Do you think that she’s going to help us if you threaten her family?’’ Yuki had to stop Lando from doing something incredibly stupid.

If Kelly had the same blood of the witch, it meant that she could help them, but she could’ve also inherited her grandmother's anger issues as well. And he wasn’t going to mess up his only opportunity to meet Pierre in person because Lando was being a menace. He hoped, wished, prayed that somehow Kelly decided to help them.

‘’No, no…’’ Kelly said with a sigh, she was embarrassed. ‘’I understand his anger, he’s right to be mad. What she did to you is horrible. But I’m so sorry, I can’t help you. My training lasts 5 years, and right now I can only practise minor spells, I’m not strong enough to turn you back into humans.’’ Explained the witch.

Yuki let out a resigned sigh, he’d let himself hope, desperately hope, and now he was paying the price. He felt the chill air of the night perforate his bones. ‘’Well… I can’t say I’m happy to hear this, but thank you for looking for us. I don’t know when your training ends, but we’ll be grateful if you decided to help us then.’’ Yuki tried to smile at Kelly, but his heart was breaking.

‘’You’re forgetting, dear Yuki, that Charles is trying to get us neutered! We won’t survive these two years without some major cuts to our personas’’ Lando reasoned.

‘’Your owners want to neuter you?’’ Kelly seemed worried. ‘’That must not happen! Any wound in your feline form will appear on your human body!’’

‘’Are you telling me I will have this trimmed ear in my human form? Fuck, I will have to wear long hair forever. Oh no, what if I become bald?’’ Lando was stressed. And he was unbearable when stressed.

‘’I’m sure this is the least of our problems right now’’ Yuki was exasperated.

‘’Well, let me think. I cannot help with your situation, because the only one powerful enough to break the spell is my grandmother, and right now I confiscated her magic ball, so I don’t think she’ll be willing to help. You see, she’s got anger issues growing old.’’ Kelly was reflecting.

‘’We noticed; she was such a bitch.’’ Murmured Lando.

‘’You should thank God that she isn’t! You’ve been a dick to her, and she’s trying to help us!’’ Yuki really had enough of Lando for one night.

‘’I’m sorry’’ Lando exclaimed, self-consciously. ‘’I become nasty when I’m angry!’’

‘’I noticed.’’ Murmured Kelly, raising her eyebrows in annoyance.

‘’You should say that you’re sorry.’’ Suggested Yuki.

‘’I should be the one sorry?! When that bitc-‘’

‘’Language!’’ Yuki shouted.

‘’…of her grandmother ruined my life?!’’

The two cats kept arguing like a married couple for the next few minutes.

‘’You never listen to me!’’

‘’You don’t understand how I feel!’’

''Why are you being like this?''

Kelly simply sat down on one of the chairs of the balcony. The night was moonless, but in the distance, she could see the lights of the city, and, over the myriad of buildings, the sea was dark and still. But beneath it the currents were moving anyway, invisible to the eye, like the magic flow.

‘’Maybe I know how to help you…’’ She said.

***

‘’Please tell us, what is it?!’’ Yuki’s eyes were full of emotions, and Kelly thought he was a good person.

‘’I don’t have enough knowledge to turn you back into humans permanently. And since I confiscated her ball, my grandmother is reluctant to teach me more magic. I’ve been trying to study her books on my own, but it’s so much harder like this.’’ Said the witch.

Yuki ley out one resigned sigh. ‘’Well, thank you anyway, it’s good that we can at least speak with a human.’’

‘’Can you please do something for me?’’ Asked Lando a bit shy.

‘’Yes, of course, tell me.’’ Kelly was glad he used that ‘please’.

‘’Can you stop Charles from hitting on our boys?’’

‘’Your boys?’’ Kelly’s eyebrows frowned.

‘’Yeah, Carlos belongs to me, and Pierre belongs to Yuki. If we can’t have them, nobody can.’’ Lando explained like it was common knowledge.

 Kelly raised her eyebrows ‘’Are you telling me the both of you have a crush on your owners?’’

‘’I mean, they’re so fine.’’ Lando defended himself. Kelly let out a muffled laugh ‘’Well, they’re not my type, but sure they are fine.’’ Then it seemed like she was considering something. ‘’Were you close with them before becoming cats?’’

‘’I met Carlos just once.’’ Answered Lando.

Kelly’s face twisted as her eyebrows frowned. ‘’Because, you know, it’s a bit strange, don’t you think? That as cats you ended up being called with your real names.’’

Yuki’s expression was interested, how did she know this. ‘’Yes, also my name is really Yuki’’

Kelly smiled, and she simply shrugged. ‘’I figured. You see, it’s part of the spell I think, somehow you end up being called with your old name. It’s curious, isn’t it? Maybe, given that you’re not from Marseille, destiny brought you to the only person who knew the name Lando.’’ Kelly tried to reasonate.

Lando’s eyes marvelled, magic was really strange and mysterious. But if this theory worked for Lando, it didn’t apply to Yuki, because before he baceme a cat Yuki and Pierre never...

‘’Kelly, are you here? Max has completely lost it!’’ Checo called her from the living room. The two cats froze.

‘’Yeah, I’m in the balcony, just a moment. Give him some water, I’m sure he’ll be fine in half an hour.’’ Kelly answered.

‘’That cat is your long-lost boyfriend Carlos, I swear’’ Max was still shouting from the kitchen.

Kelly seemed amused; a smile was playing on her lips.

‘’So, how’s it possible that Max discovered the truth? Is he also a witch?’’ Asked Yuki, remembering how Max insisted on the idea that Lando was a person.

Kelly frowned, then she realised. ‘’Oh, you mean what he was saying before?’’ She chuckled to herself. ‘’You see, Max is no witch, he doesn’t even know that magic exist, nonetheless somehow he can sense it, he smells it even if he doesn’t know what it is. It happens mostly when he’s drunk. When we first met, he was tipsy, and I’d just started my training. Max told me, ’there’s something strange about you, I can’t describe it, I don’t know what it is, but even if there are a hundred people in this room, my eyes can never leave you’ he said. And I was a goner after that.’’ Kelly smiled to herself.

‘’Okay, that was super sweet, I didn’t know he was capable of such romanticism. He looks so grumpy all the time.’’ Said Yuki.

‘’And he’s got a nasty attitude.’’ Continued Lando.

‘’Look who’s talking…’’ Kelly raised her eyebrows.

Lando knew he deserved it. ‘’Yeah, okay, fair point.’’

‘’Max and I…’’ Continued Kelly ‘’We had similar childhoods, our fathers weren’t exactly saints, and we bonded over that, we can understand each other without speaking, I’m so glad I met him.’’ Told them Kelly.

Yuki thought that it was very sweet. He smiled to himself, then he remembered something Kelly had said.

‘’You were saying that you maybe know how to help us?’’ He asked her.

‘’Well, yes’’ Said Kelly, then she sighed. ‘’Maybe, I don’t know if it’ll work.’’

‘’What is it?’’ Asked Yuki hopeful.

‘’It’s a temporary spell, I’m still working on these, but if we have all the ingredients it should work.’’

The two cats looked at her with hope, their hearts hanging from her lips.

‘’If it works, the spell will allow you to turn back human for 7 hours’’ She explained.

Yuki couldn’t believe his hears. Am I dreaming? I’m going to meet Pierre in person, even if just for a night. It’s going to be enough; I will make it work. Pierre wait for me, please!

He wanted to cry, he wished he was human right now so he could give Kelly a hug.

‘’It’s not an easy spell, but I think I will be able to do it. For it to work I have to summon the human part of yourself that is lost somewhere in your consciousness. To do it, I will need something like an anchor that can lead your human form back in the outside world. So, we need to find a person you met while human who carries your memory deep in their heart. If I have a hair that belongs to said person, and one belonging to you, I will be able to perform the spell.’’

Lando jumped on his feet and started laughing hysterically, he was so happy. ‘’Yuki, can you believe it? I can take Carlos’ hair and you Pierre’s. It’s happening, can you believe it?! We will surprise them both on a Saturday night. I will dress you up, you will look like a snack, and Pierre will fall in love with you as soon as he sees you! Thank you, thank you, Kelly! I’m sorry if I was nasty to you, you’re incredible!’’

But Yuki couldn’t breathe, this was good news, of course. He was happy that Lando could finally meet Carlos again. But, at the same time, his heart sank. He wanted to cry.

‘’I’m so happy for you Lando. But regarding me, there is a problem…’’

‘’What?’’ Lando said in confusion. His eyes were clear and blue, and he didn’t understand why Yuki didn’t share his happiness.  

Yuki’s heart sank even more.

‘’I cannot take Pierre’s hair, I wish I could, but I can’t. You see, Pierre and I never met while I was human!’’

Chapter Text

Capitolo 13

Yuki felt like crying. Of course, he was happy for Lando, he was so happy for his friend. But he couldn’t contain his sadness.

His chance, his only chance of becoming human again and finally meet Pierre was gone. They would never meet each other. He would never be human again.

‘’This is a big problem’’ Kelly had said ‘’Even when my training ends, the spell to turn you permanently back into human works in the same way. You will be stuck as a cat forever if we can’t find the ingredient.’’

Yuki wanted to cry. He just hoped that Lando would take good care of him, and didn’t leave him alone for the rest of his life. He thought about his life. Fifty more years as a cat, he couldn’t even bear the thought.

He’d been in love with Pierre for an entire year by now, and he’d given up his hope at some point. But then he’d met Lando, with his cute smirk and murderous ideas, and suddenly he had a true friend. Then he’d met Kelly, with her good intentions and magic abilities, and suddenly he had hope again.

For a moment, he’d let himself hope, and now he was paying the price. Because someone opened Pandora’s box, and now hope was gone too.

Hopeless, I feel completely and utterly hopeless.

Luckily people can’t tell when cats are crying, because Yuki was sprawled on Pierre’s lap sobbing hopelessly. Pierre, I’m so sorry, I’ll never be able to tell you that I adore you, that I want to spend every single day of my life with you.

Lando was trying to console him, but Yuki couldn’t even hear his words.

Too focused on crying, Yuki didn’t notice that Max approaching him. Kelly had tried to take away his drink, but he always ended up having his glass full somehow.

‘’This cat is also strange; how didn’t I notice before?’’

‘’Max, c’mon mate, it’s been an hour, stop it. It’s not funny anymore.’’ Said Checo, face-palming himself.

‘’It’s never been funny.’’ Charles pointed out.

 ‘’Maybe he is a person too!’’ Max’s eyes widened.

‘’Oh, for fuck’s sake!’’ Charles rolled his eyes into his brain. Max was hot, but he was also incredibly annoying.

‘’No, no, listen to me. A second ago it looked like he was crying! He was sobbing, I swear.’’ Max defended himself.

Charles and Checo rolled their eyes.

‘’Oh no, why is my kitten crying? Yuki what happened? What’s wrong, darling?’’ Asked Pierre. Yuki buried his face in Pierre’s neck and sobbed even more.

Max was still looking at him suspiciously.

‘’I swear to you, this theory makes so much sense. You will tell me that I’m drunk, but whenever I drink the world opens in front of my eyes. Like a dream I cannot fully remember when sober.’’ Max explained.

‘’Kelly, I really think you should tell him about magic, this guy can sense things.’’ Lando jumped on Kelly’s shoulder to whisper in her ear.

She sighed. ‘’I know, right? But what if he’s scared of me then? I like him so much; I don’t want him to think I’m a weirdo.’’

‘’He’ll never think you’re a weirdo, you’re fine, I promise. He is the real weirdo.’’

Kelly chuckled.

‘’Carlos’ boyfriend ghosted him because he became a cat, and you have this strange relationship with your cat. It cannot be a coincidence.’’ Max was explaining loudly.

‘’Only because I joked that I would date my cat. It was just a joke, Max.’’ Pierre sighed.

But Max wasn’t buying it, he could see things. ‘’Don’t you feel like all of this is extremely suspicious?’’ He whispered to Kelly.

She had to suppress a laugh, but she was very quick to answer ‘’I don’t know, dear, maybe you drank too much’’

‘’Yeah, you’re probably right.’’ Max sighed, kissing her forehead.

‘’Just one more question for science. Pierre, tell me did you ever meet a guy named Yuki? Maybe your cat is also in love with you, and you don’t know.’’

Pierre laughed at Max’s words, Yuki could hear his chest tremble with the laughter. He put his head against Pierre’s ribcage and tried to listen to the beating of his heart.

Then Pierre’s laugh died in his throat as his eyes filled with shadows, like he was remembering something he’d forgotten for a long time.

‘’Actually yes, now that you make me think about it…’’

Yuki’s ears jumped; he couldn’t believe it. Pierre knew someone named Yuki? Yuki wasn’t even a common name in France. What a twisted joke from fate.

‘’Please, mate, tell us more about it, I want to solve this mystery.’’ Said Max grabbing one of the chairs and sitting down to listen carefully.

‘’Okay, let me start…’’

Flashback -a year before – Notre-Dame de la Guarde.

Pierre was sitting just below the stairs of Notre-Dame de la Guarde, confortably eating his sandwich. It was around lunchtime, and the crowd of tourists was filling the stairs above him.

But Pierre did not mind the chaos, he came from a small village from the North of France, and he’d always enjoyed the fuss of a big city.

He had just an hour of lunch break before he had to go back to work, so he couldn’t  go home.

He simply sat down, below the steps, happily eating his launch and overhearing the conversations in foreign languages around him.

Tourists were taking pictures in elegant dresses, enjoying the setting.

While he was taking a bite from his sandwich in the middle of that lovely sunny day, he couldn’t help but overhear a conversation that was happening above his head.

Two boys where leaning on the terrace above his head, they probably couldn’t see him from where they stood.

‘’So Yuki, are you enjoying the view?’’ Asked the taller one, Pierre could see his face. But the other one was blocked from his view.

‘’I just wish we had more time to visit, and not jump from one place to the other. I wish we could spend more time here and meet the locals, and, I don’t know, learn more about their lifestyles and culture.’’ Answered Yuki.

‘’Would you like to go to clubs?’’

‘’Yeah, also that. But…’’

‘’Oh, Yuki, you want to meet a French boy you can fall in love with?’’ Mocked the other.

Yuki tensed, Pierre could tell, because when he spoke again, his voice was unsure.

‘’No, no, of course. But you never know what happens…’’

‘’Oh Yuki, you are such a romantic! Always with your head amongst the clouds. I want to know more about this French boy of your dreams. What is he like?’’ His friend clearly wanted to make fun of him. He was a blond European, with a strong German accent. Yuki, whose face Pierre couldn’t see, had pretty black hair, and a cute accent that was probably Japanese? Pierre wasn’t completely sure.

Pierre thought that Yuki could hear the mockery in the other’s voice, but decided to answer anyway.

‘’Well, I wish he was kind and gentle. I’d want him to treat me nice and take care of me. I wish he could understand me, because I tend to push people away, even if I care about them. I don’t know… something like that. I want him to be good for me, you know. I don’t want him to be perfect, I’m not perfect myself, but I wish that somehow, we managed to complete each other, and support each other. This is what I wish for.’’

‘’Yuki, I didn’t know you were so delusional! It’s wrong to have such high standards, a person like that doesn’t exist! You should enjoy life more and sleep with as many people as possible while you’re still young and attractive. You can’t wait for Prince Charming, cause even if he existed, he wouldn’t choose you!’’ His friend laughed.

Pierre felt so bad for Yuki. How dared his friend disrespect him like that? It was just wrong. If Yuki wanted to have dreams, then he was allowed to have them. Pierre wished to tell him not to listen to his friend.

But I would be an hypocrite, right? Yeah, a real hypocrite. Because that was exactly how Pierre used to live his life. He went to nightclubs and got drunk and hooked up with the first person who looked willing enough. They spent one night of passion at his house. But in the morning the bed was cold, and Pierre didn’t feel any better, he just felt alone, dirtier, and incredibly useless.

So maybe Yuki was right, and he’d been wrong all along.

‘’You should go out with Nyck instead, you know he’s been interested in you since me and him moved to Japan. He thinks you’re cute.’’ Suggested his friend.

‘’Does he want to date me, or just add me to the long list of people he hooked up with?’’ Yuki wasn’t having it.

Pierre felt a sting in his heart.

‘’Why does it matter so much? What difference does it make? You’re not getting laid otherwise, you’re not worth it.’’ The friend seemed offended, the smirk on his face was wicked.

‘’Here’s what I think’’ Said Yuki, raising his back. His tone seemed sad, but Pierre could feel the anger deep in his voice. ‘’Yes, maybe I’m still single, and probably I won’t date someone in the short future. But aren’t you tired of this life? Always going to the next club, hooking up every weekend but still be completely alone during the week. I want a connection, I want some feelings, I want romance. I want dinner dates, and roses, and big gestures, and summer vacations. I want it all, and probably I want too much. We’re different, and I don’t judge you for living like this. But it doesn’t work for me. And I honestly don’t think you’re any happier than I am at the moment.’’

Pierre was speechless. He felt those words sink in, touching something deep inside him. He felt Yuki’s bold speech touch his soul. He’d lived exactly like that in the last six years, and the truth was that he’d never been happy or satisfied once. Who are you, Yuki? And why do you know me more than I know myself?

‘’You are a strange person. Do as you want, but believe me, you’re missing out! Nyck would gladly help you feel a bit of life, you’re being too difficult, he doesn’t deserve it.’’ His friend said, completely unperceptive to Yuki’s wisdom.

And Pierre felt anger, he wanted to punch the friend, and then punch this Nyck that wanted to guilt Yuki into sleeping with him.

But the two boys were leaving their spot above him, and Pierre couldn’t hear anymore what they were saying. But oh, if he wanted to hear more.

He wanted to see him, Yuki. Because with a few sentences he managed to turn his world around, and Pierre knew he would never be the same afterwards. He wanted to thank him, he wanted to tell him that his friends were wrong, I was wrong, and he’d been right all along. He wanted to see his face, talk to him, thank him.

He felt a pull linking the two of them together, and his heart was hurting the more Yuki’s voice became just a whisper in the busy crowd.

He got up on his feet, jumped the stairs as fast as he could to catch up to them.

But when he reached the top, the crowd was blocking his view. And he couldn’t see them. Hundreds of people were crowding the place and who knew which one of them was Yuki.

Pierre’s heart sank, he felt sad and miserable. Yuki was lost. He was staying Marseille only for a few days, he’s lost forever.

Pierre descended the stairs slowly, with resignation. He grabbed his sandwich to take another bite.

But suddenly he didn’t feel like eating anymore.

Chapter Text

Chapter 14

‘’Is this going to work?’’ Asked Lando who was still a little sceptic.

Kelly gave him a comforting look ‘’Listen, I honestly don’t know, but I can try. I will do my best.’’

‘’Is it like a dangerous spell? Will I be turned into a hornet or something disgusting?’’

Yuki and Kelly rolled their eyes and didn’t answer his question.

‘’If I die, tell Carlos I love him, okay?’’

Yuki completely lost it ‘’Oh, for fuck’s sake, you’re not going to die! If the spell doesn’t work, you just won’t be able to meet Carlos tonight.’’

‘’Can’t you see? It’s the same thing!’’

‘’You’re such a drama queen. How have you survived the past year as like a cat?’’ Yuki face-palmed himself.

‘’Because my owner completely spoiled me.’’ Lando was very proud of his lifestyle.

‘’Yeah, mine too, but at least I didn’t turn into a little bitch’’ Yuki mocked him.

‘’In Carlos’ defence, I can say that I was a little bitch even before I met him’’

‘’You need to be born with the gift to be a certified bitch, apparently’’ Yuki whispered.

‘’Hey, c’mon! You met Charles, I get a free pass, he’s been stressing the hell out of me. I’m actually surprised by your patience, how have you survived the last few months with him without committing murder?’’

‘’I’m a patient person, I’ve always been’’. Explained Yuki.

They were on the rooftop of the building. Kelly had arrived using the stairs and they sneaked in through the air conduct.

She was wearing a beautiful long dress, and her hair looked almost purple in the moonlight. She was sitting down on the roof, the magic ball was shining on her lap, A pile of clothes was discarded on the floor in front of her.

She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate; her hands were trembling around the magic ball while she read the formula from an old book in her lap.

‘’Will they be at the bar?’’ Asked Lando nervously.

‘’Yes, Max invited them, they said they would come.’’ Kelly assured to him.

‘’Will Charles be there?’’

‘’I think so, he always hangs out with them’’.

‘’I don’t think the clothes you brought with you are my size. I want to look super good-’’

‘’Can you please shut up already? I’m trying to cast a spell here.’’ Said Kelly throwing him an exasperated look.

Lando closed his mouth, and Yuki rubbed against him friendly, trying for calm him.

‘’It’s going to be all right, calm down. Let her do her magic.’’ Yuki whispered to him.

Lando answered in a small whisper. ‘’I know, I’m sorry. I just become nasty, when I’m nervous, I trust her I promise, and I’m thankful. It’s just- this whole thing is stressing me. I don’t know what to expect. I’ve dreamed about this day for a year now, but what if Carlos doesn’t like me anymore, or he hates me for disappearing?’’ Lando seemed almost reluctant. Yuki knew that Carlos’ mild interest in Charles antics must have made him insecure.

‘’I’m sure he doesn’t. Maybe you can’t see it, but Carlos’ eyes shine in a special way whenever he talks about you’’.

‘’I hope you’re right. What about you, are you nervous?’’ Lando whispered back.

‘’Are you joking? I’ve been high all day, the wait is killing me, I don’t know what to expect.’’ Yuki’s nerves were running just beneath his skin.

‘’Well, Yuki, Pierre has never looked in your eyes, but a few words of yours made his world collide. I’m confident everything will go well.’’ Lando brushed against him purring.

‘’Yeah, but what if Pierre doesn’t like me? What if he doesn’t find me attractive? I’m not very pretty even as a cat, and every cat is pretty, and Pierre is so hot, and Charles…’’

‘’Why are you bringing up Charles now? Listen to me mate. Charles might dress expensive, and have a stupid big car, but he’s shallow, and incredibly volatile. You’re the real deal, my friend! You’re the person who’s worth it, and if Pierre can’t see that, then he doesn’t deserve you, and I will beat his ass.’’

‘’I don’t know Lando, I’ve never seen your human form, but you don’t come to me as someone who’d do well in a fist fight.’’ Yuki said, smiling mildly.

‘’I will fight him with my criminal mind, then. I will be so nasty to him, he’ll want to cry’’.

‘’Now, I have no problem believing you.’’ Laughed Yuki.

‘’I’m ready.’’ Said Kelly behind them.

The two cats turned around nervously.

Kelly looked at them intently, her irises seemed to be looking inside their soul. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then she started circling her hands around the magic ball. Her grandmother shadows had been green, but Kelly’s magic was violet. Purple shades danced inside the magic ball and shone bright in her eyes. The power of the spell emanated from her in dark waves and seemed to spread around them with a sour smell. Magic smelled like lime, Yuki decided, and purple smoke, and in the depth of it he could taste a bit of marine breeze. He’d always thought Kelly a very pretty girl, but with this light in her eyes, and her air dancing around her face elegantly swayed by an invisible wind, she looked beautiful. Max was a lucky man, and Kelly was wrong when she worried about what he’d think, because his interest for her would only grow.

When she started speaking, her voice was low and imperious. It was an ancient language; Yuki felt his insides crawl with the power of the words. It was probably latin, or something like that.

Semel cattus fuit homo, nunc homo est cattus, iterum cattus erit homo.

The words left her mouth in a never ending litany, Yuki thought it felt like an old song, one he could grasp the rhythm, but would never be able to put his mind around once gone. When she finally stopped the violet lights sparkled bright in her eyes, and Yuki felt a magic wave pass through his body like a ghost.

One moment he was looking at Lando and the second he was on the ground fighting to take a breath, he could feel every bone in his body breaking and shifting. When he took a breath it was a painful one, he felt the air come back in his lungs like a second life, and when he opened his eyes the night was incredibly darker, his eyes couldn’t see round the rooftop anymore. He could see the city lights in the distance while the pallid stars above him welcomed him with a familiar blessing.

His knees hurt when he tried to get on his feet.

Wait, my feet-

He looked at his body and almost started to laugh from happiness. His arms and legs were back. He was completely naked, pallid skin matching the colour of the moon. He touched his face in disbelief. His eyes, his nose, his mouth, everything was in the right place. For the first time he didn’t worry about being pretty, because being human, being alive, was so much more important.

Just existing, I’m thankful for just existing, now.

He felt tired, and every bone in his body hurt. The moon above his head was shining bright above Marseille.

He turned towards Kelly to thank her, and right then he saw Lando beside him.

He was still on ground, his lean body breathing harshly. ‘’Shit, I feel like I’ve just been run over by a truck’’.

He sat up on the ground with some effort. He turned towards Yuki.

Lando was- he was just a skinny boy, a bush of curly hair framed his face, and a smart grin was playing wickedly on his mouth under the moonlight. Yuki could see the slightly trimmed hear poking from his hair, it made him look like an helf.

He if he had more strength in his body Yuki would have run to him to give him a hug, but right now all he could do was try not to faint.

Right then, Kelly appeared above them with a proud smile on her lips. In the darkness of the Marseille night, she looked exactly like a witch.

She threw him something from the pile of clothes at her feet.

‘’Well, well, Cinderella, are you ready to meet your prince?’’

Chapter Text

Chapter 15

‘’Lando, c’mon, hurry up!’’ Yuki shouted from the bathroom.

‘’It’s just- this shirt, it doesn’t highlight my waistline.’’

Yuki rolled his eyes. ‘’Let me see’’.

Lando appeared in the door frame, the look in his eyes betrayed his insecurity.

He looked incredibly pretty. He was wearing a light make up in his eyes and his hair was styled in soft curly waves. The black of his shirt hugged his body in a sensuous way, and the thin eyeliner in his eyes made him look almost like a cat.

Yuki smiled at him ‘’You look beautiful.’’ He said in all honesty.

The kindness in his friend’s tone seemed to bring Lando out of his anxiety, he slowly smiled back.

‘’Thank you.’’ He whispered. ‘’So, what are you wearing?’’

‘’I don’t know!’’ Yuki was panicking. He was feeling extremely self-conscious, everything he tried on seemed to look horrible on him. ‘’It’s not the clothes, it’s me, I’m just ugly!’’ He sighed.

Land gave him a hard look, one that only a true friend could give you. ‘’No, we both know that is not true. And if you remember, I once promised you I would have dressed you up like an absolute snack, and I’m standing by my words. Now try this on for me, mh?’’ He said, handing him a light blue t-shirt.

Yuki sighed heavily, but did as he was told him.

***

Fifteen minutes later they were leaving Kelly’s house headed to the club.

Yuki looked at himself in the reflection of a window and had to admit to himself that Lando knew what he was doing when he styled him.

The light blue shirt he was wearing complimented his dark hair, the make up in his eyes was light but impressive, and his black jeans made him feel comfortable and at ease.

Kelly turned around and smiled at them. She had grown fond of them over the last few days.

‘’Look at you two, one would never believe you didn’t shower for almost a year.’’ She joked.

‘’Hey!’’ Lando pretended to be offended. ‘’Cats clean themselves all the time!’’

‘’Yes, with their tongues on their butts! Luckily, I’m not the one kissing you tonight’’ She laughed, and Yuki understood why her and Max got along so well, they shared the same sense of humour.

She led them to her car and opened the back seat for them. ‘’Get in, Cinderellas, your carriage is here’’.

‘’Is it going to disappear at midnight?’’ Yuki asked smiling.

‘’Oh, no.’’ She smirked. ‘’The cat who stays up the most doing unholy things with his hot prince wins a tuna can tomorrow’’.

Yuki felt his ears blushing at the unholy things.

‘’It’s going to be me.’’ Said Lando deadly serious, but Yuki could see the way he was him gulping anxiously.

‘’Yeah, if I don’t beat you to it…’’ Yuki joked.

‘’You can only try.’’ Said Lando bumping his side, almost forgetting they weren’t cats anymore.

At least for tonight. Yuki sighed.

***

Since that Saturday night at the party at his house, Pierre didn’t feel like himself anymore. That memory from last year changed something inside him. The day after, he was still thinking about it.  

The feelings he felt that day at the cathedral came back to him like a bad stomach ache, during the day, at night. It had all just been a silly dream of imagination and he had completely forgotten about it for a year, but now he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The Saturday after that, Max invited them to a club owned by a friend of his. He went because he had nothing better to do, Carlos joined because he had nothing better to do, and Charles came because he had nothing better to do than do them.

Pierre could see it now, he understood it the moment the three of them ended up on the floor of his apartment and he felt Charles’s body moving beneath him, his hands caressing his and Carlos’ skin. In that moment he understood, but his mind had flashed a thought. Why not?

He shifted in his seat. Charles was seated between him and Carlos at the club’s table. Max, opposite to them, was staring at his watch while he waited for Checo, Kelly, and some friends of her cousin she was bringing along.

They were sitting in a comfortable silence, the music from the club in the background was loud but not noisy. Pierre took a moment to think.

His mind flooded with memories from a year ago. Notre-dame de la Guarde, the steps, the crowd, the pull he felt in his chest.

Suddenly, he looked at Charles, and wondered why he even liked him in the first place. Charles was pretty, and Pierre had liked that about him. But for the first time he wondered if he wasn’t too pretty, or maybe if he wasn’t just pretty and nothing else. Looking at him Pierre didn’t feel that special connection, that kind of connection that made Carlos’ eyes spark like stars when he was talking about Lando. He’d never felt it in his life.

He looked lazily at Charles, while his manicured hands were playing with the hem of Pierre’s shirt while he leaned against Carlos to whisper something in his ear. What Charles was trying to do was clear as day to him now. But he found himself thinking again, why not? Why not give in and try to feel something, anything. Why not do this threesome, and hope it will make me feel something new.

He looked at Carlos. The Spaniard was hot, he could tell, and by looking in his eyes Pierre could recognise the same desire for annihilation.

Carlos looked back at him. His eyes were empty, a black hole of lost love, Pierre thought. They exchanged a look that asked for permission, that asked for the other’s opinion.

Carlos’ eyes were dark, but not with lust, nor with desire; more with sadness, he thought. And Pierre understood him, he felt tired of that melancholy as well, tired of waiting for something special to happen all of a sudden, like the love of his life could walk through the door at any moment.

He and Carlos were the same.

Both dreamed about something that was completely lost for them, so why not live in the meantime, why not feel, and give in, hoping that a silly night could change the outcome of a meaningless existence.

Yet Pierre knew that it wouldn’t make a difference in the end. Because his heart wasn’t in it, Carlos’ heart wasn’t in it, and by looking at Charles, at the lustful way he seemed to enjoy both of their company he wondered if his heart was in it as well.

Probably not. Definitely not.

If we do this, we’ll only hurt ourselves and not each other. If it must be, then be it. I will not say no to a bit of madness, if it’s the only way for me to feel anything at all.

He stopped the waiter and asked for another drink.

***

The club was loud, the air smelled of alcohol, smoke, and a bit of excitement. Kelly led them towards the back of the club where the atmosphere seemed more relaxed.

‘’So remember, you two are my cousin’s friends. You met him in Marseille last year, and you came back to stay at his house for a few weeks.’’ Kelly repeated for the fifth time. ‘’Try to be yourself, me and Max will try to distract Charles, and everything will go well. Yuki, stop blushing for a moment please, give your face a break!’’ She sounded amused.

‘’Oh God, I can’t stop it. I am so nervous, I want to die, or scream, or run away!’’ Yuki put a hand on his forehead, he could swear he had a fever.

‘’Just take a deep breath,’’ Said Kelly. ‘’And try not to confess your undying love in the first ten minutes’’. She joked.

‘’Okay. Lando, you heard her. No love confessions.’’ Yuki said, bullying Lando had become his stress relief lately.

‘’Speak for yourself, I’ve been practising my speech.’’ Lando simply said.

‘’Yeah, I bet your big declaration will not sound creepy at all: ‘I love your smell, the snoring you make while sleeping, and watching you come out of the shower’. Yeah, not creepy at all’’.

‘’Oh, shut up! I said it to you confidentially! But- I will give it to you- it does sound a bit creepy when you put it like that’’. Lando said, suddenly rethinking his speech.

‘’Instead of a life of happiness, it will assure you a life of restraining orders.’’ Yuki laughed. Lando made a hissing sound that in his human form sounded absolutely adorable. ‘’Don’t you even dare!’’ He sounded offended.

‘’Okay, you lovesick cats, we’re almost there.’’ Kelly announced.

Yuki felt the weight on his chest harden, his insides twirled at the realisation, he felt like turning around. Turning around was so easy, going back to sleep on the sofa, live with Pierre, being in his life at a safe distance. But Yuki had lived like that his whole life, and he realised running from a challenge had never made him happier once. He had to go, and maybe cry later, but he needed this. Not even for Pierre, or his love for him, I need this for myself.

He rounded the corner and followed Kelly to the table.

***

Carlos felt Charles lips brushing against his hear, while he said something funny to him. Carlos hummed, and smiled prettily. The smile didn’t reach his eyes, though. He understood very well how Charles intended this night to end, but he couldn’t find a good reason not to let this happen. It’s been too long, I’ve longed too much, I want to lose myself for a while tonight.

Checo greeted him with a polite smile as he started speaking with Max about work-related affairs.

‘’Carlos.’’ Said Charles coming impossibly close to his face, his voice filthy and alluring. ‘’Your eyelashes are so long, I’m jealous of you. And these biceps, wow. You are so big, Carlos.’’ The malice in Charles’ tone made his eyes glint with a filthy sparkle. ‘’Look at him, Pierre, he is so big, isn’t he?’’

Carlos felt Charles’s hand touch softly the exposed skin of his arm. He felt nothing. But he forced his mind to register it, the brush of skin against skin, his senses happily accepting the small caress.

Carlos opened his eyes, and saw Pierre staring at him, like he was still deciding what to do. The look in his eyes, Carlos knew it too well. He and Pierre were the same, they both felt nothing, but craved an unknown but lost feeling nonetheless.

Pierre stared at Charles, at the loud room, at his alcoholic drink. Then his eyes met Carlos, and the smirk playing on his lips made him look like a wolf.

He leaned towards Carlos, touching the exposed skin of his arm. ‘’Yeah, he’s so pretty, isn’t he?’’ Pierre’s voice was a whisper, the caress of his hand like was sweet and gentle. Pierre looked bored, Carlos thought, but he’d danced this seduction dance a long time ago, and he was getting ready to fall back into his old steps.

Charles’ smirk was triumphant, his hands trembled with lust. He leaned in to whisper against Pierre’s skin, but loud enough that Carlos could listen. ‘’I bet there’s something else extremely pretty about him.’’

Carlos felt a small smile forming on his lips. Charles liked playing this game too much, but he was no strange to it as well. The Spaniard looked at Pierre, Pierre looked back. They were bored, but they didn’t mind a bit of fun. Let’s give him the show of his life.

 ‘’Why don’t you come closer so you can find out?’’ Carlos said with a pretty smile.

Pierre smirked as well, he leaned in towards Carlos, in the corner of his eye he could see Charles’ breath catch in his throat. Carlos felt Pierre’s hand follow the silhouette of his arm, finally resting on the side of his neck. Their breaths were in sync, the little alcohol in their system swore this was a great idea. The party was hectic, the music was loud, and Charles between them was eager watch the scene. Carlos silently looked at Pierre, again asking for his permission. The Frenchman was grinning. Let’s give him the show of his life.

Pierre’s hand on his neck gave him a small squeeze, to make sure he was really okay with this. Carlos nodded, and then he saw as Pierre closed his eyes and leaned in, the hand on his neck bringing Carlos’ lips closer to his.

Carlos let himself go, he felt his body relax, his thoughts dozed off, the alcohol in his system dissolved his restraints.

He leaned in, ready to close his eyes as well.

Then, he saw him.

It was just glimpse, a flash of curly hair and a black shirt in his peripherical view. The shape of a nose and a glint of blue eyes. He recognised it by the cold hard stone that immediately fell on his chest that it couldn’t be anybody else.

His body had registered him turning the corner before his mind ever could.

The gasp he let out brought all the air out of his chest. His eyes widened, the heartbeat in his chest raised to an unspeakable rate.

Pierre felt the other’s body tense, and immediately stopped his movements.

It can’t be. Carlos’ mind was panicking. How- when- why?

His eyes searched the room, eagerly looking for the person who caught his attention. Please, please, please…

Then he saw him.

His hair was styled in soft locks, and Carlos wished he could spend his life brushing his fingers through it. The black of his shirt hugged his waist in a pleasing way, and the exposed skin of his neck seemed to be whispering words from an ancient tale. Carlos’ felt his guts twist with the impossible urge to jump over the table to make sure he wasn’t crazy and this wasn’t an hallucination.

It’s him, it’s him it’s him. His mind screamed.

Then the boy lifted his gaze, and their eyes met. It was the most beautiful and the most excruciating moment of Carlos’ life.

It was him.

Lando.

Chapter Text

Chapter 16

Yuki rounded the corner and he saw them before Lando. His eyes widened, he opened his mouth to say something, but there was absolutely nothing to say.

Pierre was leaning in, his hand softly stroking Carlos’ neck, body relaxed, a smirk on his lips. Charles’ eyes were intent, he was looking at the two boys almost kissing in front of him like it was the new Marvel studios’ movie he’d been waiting for ages.

Yuki just stopped on his tracks, he felt sick to his stomach. What did I think, that I could just arrive here and everything would have worked out like a fucking fairy tale? I was so stupid for believing it.

Pierre and Carlos’ lips were almost touching, and Yuki decided he didn’t want to see it. Because his heart would burst into pieces and he didn’t have it in him to put them back together. His first thought was. Lando. Lando cannot see this.

Lando was still searching the room, his eyes were intense, his fingers were playing anxiously with the hem of his shirt. He looked pale, and in love, and Yuki knew he would die if he saw Carlos kissing someone else. He felt compelled by the impossible urge to protect his friend.

‘’Lando!’’ He screamed over the loud music near the counter ‘’Listen to me, whatever you do, please don’t look… there!’’.

He read it in his eyes the moment Lando realised, and Yuki felt so bad for them both that he almost regretted coming to the bar at all.

But his friend didn’t flinch, didn’t freeze, he didn’t agonize.

 Lando just gulped, took a shaky breath, and simply watched, his eyes transfixed across the room.

Yuki followed his gaze back to the table, and to his utter disbelief he didn’t see Carlos and Pierre kissing.

There was only Carlos, eyes wide and lips parted, staring at Lando like a starved man, like a drowning sailor looking at his last chance of pure salvation. He was staring like his life depended on it, as if the smallest movement could make Lando run away like a frightened deer in a half-awake dream.

They took a few steps closer as Kelly approached the table.

‘’Okay guys, so these are my cousin’s friends. This is-‘’

‘’Lando.’’ Carlos whispered, lips parted in a hopeless sigh.

Charles, beside him, froze, he looked scared to even raise his head. Yuki could see the way he was internally cursing. Oh, for fuck’s sake! Please, no! This is unfair. I was so close! I was so fucking close!

Max’s jaw dropped on the other side of the table. He asked with wide eyes. ‘’Lando, I can’t believe it! How did you break the spell-‘’

Checo covered Max’s mouth with his hand before Max could say something stupid. Yuki could hear him whisper ‘’Max, for fuck’s sake! This is not a joke. This is the first time they see each other in a year. Try not to ruin this, please!’’

‘’Hi, Carlos.’’ Lando spoke, and Yuki thought it didn’t sound very much like his voice, he looked anxious and panicked, but his eyes couldn’t stop staring at the Spaniard in front of him.

Carlos’ lips parted. ‘’How- what- Lando, please-’’ He stopped to take a deep breath trying to form a coherent thought. When he spoke again his eyes were wide and he looked extremely sad. ‘’I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.’’

Yuki saw Lando tense beside him. He could see where his mind was going. He didn’t think I’d come back, I ruined his evening. He doesn’t want me here.

But then Carlos got up, he took a step toward Lando, then stopped right in front of him. By looking at his eyes Yuki knew that he was nothing but absolutely overjoyed.

Slowly and excruciatingly Carlos took Lando’s hand and held it between his own. Lando’s breath was running erratic and fast, he shivered at the touch and watched Carlos in disbelief.

Carlos looked into his eyes, and the smile he let out was the happiest Yuki had ever seen him.

‘’I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, but you have no idea how happy I am that you are here.’’ The Spaniard said.

Lando swayed, Yuki could see it. He lost his balance for a moment. But Carlos’ hands were fast to keep him grounded. Lando held onto Carlos’ shoulders for leverage.

 ‘’Me too. I’m so happy I can finally speak to you again.’’ He answered in a whisper, his eyes watering.

Yuki was so happy for his friend, he was almost shaking for Lando. It was a dream becoming true, he could feel a tear almost running down his cheek.

He looked at Kelly, who was smiling silently watching Lando and Carlos interact. Yuki mouthed small thank you in her direction and she just shook her head, like it was nothing. This isn’t nothing, this is everything.

Yuki watched Lando and he felt almost satisfied. Seeing his friend happy filled him with incredible joy. This was so deserved after everything he’d been through.

The fact was that Yuki almost forgot.

He almost forgot for a moment, that he was there too. He was so used at times like this: Pierre and his friends sitting across a table talking to each other, it happened all the time. They spoke and laughed and got drunk, and Yuki would always watch over them from above the couch armrest.

So he did what he always did. He watched silently everything that was happening around him.

Carlos was still holding Lando’s hand, Charles was rolling his eyes in the back of his head, Max’s arm was holding Kelly close to his chest, and Checo was smiling softly while Pierre…

Pierre.

Pierre was looking at him. And Yuki felt his gaze almost cutting his soul into half. He was so used at people not acknowledging his presence, that he almost froze on the spot when he realised he was now completely visible. And, most importantly, that for the first time in his life he was visible to Pierre.

But Pierre was looking Yuki now. And Yuki’s eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat. All he could do was stare back at him, hold his breath, and hope and fear for the moment to pass.

Charles leaned in to say something, forcing Pierre to look away.

Relief and disappointment washed through Yuki at the same time. Pierre was nodding and smiling politely at something Charles had just said. Yuki desperately wished to have Pierre’s stare back on him.

Like they could read his mind, Pierre’s eyes locked in his, almost attracted by a magnetic pull.

He’s studying me. Yuki realised, and he could feel his ears reddening at the realisation.

***

He’d dreamed about this moment forever. Seeing Carlos again, being able to talk to him. But suddenly, his throat felt completely dry. Carlos gestured for him to sit next to him. And Lando was grateful for sitting down because he wasn’t sure his legs could support him anymore.

Carlos was beside him, he was tense, Lando could tell.

Their shoulders were touching and Lando closed his eyes, feeling his skin burn where they met. Okay, now say something. He told himself. But to his utter shock there was nothing he could say, his throat was dry. All he could do was simply look in front of himself and try not to shake too much. Fuck, I’m already messing this up.

Lando took a breath that was almost a cry for help. He felt his heart beat uncontrollably as his mouth desperately searched for words he couldn’t find. He felt like crying. Fuck, I hate myself.

Carlos beside him didn’t say anything, but Lando could see it in the way his hands were playing with his napkin that he was waiting for Lando to say something. Anything, really.

But Lando couldn’t say a few words to save his life. The distress was evident on his face, for a moment he felt like crying, as his throat paralysed once again.

‘’Carlos could you hand me the menu?’’ Asked Kelly from the other side of the table.

Carlos immediately moved to give it to her. In the movement, his hand unintentionally brushed against Lando’s fingers.

Lando completely tensed, his body reacting without his control. He shivered and took an unsteady breath.

Carlos seemed extremely worried by his body language, he tried to look him in the eyes for the first time since they sat down. ‘’I- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…’’ He tried to say, then saw the stressed expression in Lando’s eyes and his worry only grew stronger. ‘’Are you feeling alright?’’ He asked in a whisper, his hand instinctively searching for Lando’s.

Lando’s body reacted without his control, taking his hand far away from Carlos’ reach. The hurt he read in the Spaniard’s eyes after that almost made him cry.

He realised too late that Lando was looking at him like a deer caught in the headlights.

Carlos’ face was a mixture of pain and sorrow, he looked at Lando apologetically.

‘’I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to corner you like that in front of your friends, it was- it was unsensitive of me. I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. I’m truly sorry, I-‘’

And Lando wanted to beg him to stop because it wasn’t true, because nothing made him happier, but the words wouldn’t leave his throat.

Carlos closed his eyes and slowly moved to turn around and simply get up.

Lando fought the paralysis of his body and grabbed Carlos’ wrist like his life depended on it. When he looked at him, he let the fear show in his eyes, followed by a silent request that he hoped Carlos would somehow be able to read. Stay close, don’t go, please. I can’t talk to you right now, but please, don’t go.

He let out a shaky breath and his grip hardened on Carlos’ wrist, almost begging.

The Spaniard sat back on the bench. He said nothing, he just tried to interpret Lando’s panicked eyes.

Without breaking eye contact, he loosened Lando’s grip around his wrist. And slowly, very slowly, constantly checking the expression on the other’s face, he intertwined their fingers under the table.

Lando closed his eyes, body shaking. But the squeeze he gave to Carlos’ fingers was firm and reassuring.

 In his peripherical view he could see a small smile forming on Carlos’ lips and he felt his body finally relaxing into his side. He moved imperceptibly closer to Carlos body, as the Spaniards drew soothing circles in the inside of his wrist. Lando thought that he could die like this.

The relief he felt, knowing that Carlos understood him, that he didn’t mind Lando’s anxiety and simply tried to soothe him, waiting for the trembling to pass, made Lando want to start crying.

Feeling as his body slowly relaxing against him, Carlos absentmindedly brought their intertwined fingers to his lips, and kissed Lando’s knuckles.

Lando thought he was about to collapse, he could feel the electricity run through his body like a jolt, burning his skin where Carlos’ lips pressed softly on his knuckles.

He sighed silently, and Carlos smiled at him, lips still pressed against his hand. They didn’t say anything for the longest time, but Lando felt that everything was going to be alright.

***

Yuki sat down next to Kelly, with Carlos in front of his. He kept his eyes to the ground for a few seconds, still unable to process that they were here, that this was really happening.

Kelly beside him seemed worried and tried to give a reassuring squeeze to his hand. Yuki smiled at her, finally lifting his head.

‘’You know, you don’t have to panic. Just try to breathe, everything will fall into place before you realize. We know that magic is real for a fact, but maybe destiny is true as well. Look at us, around this table. We would have never met if not by chance. I’m sure many good things are awaiting for you in the future.’’ Kelly said in a whisper.

Her words touched Yuki’s soul in a reassuring way, and the smile he let out was higher and steadier. Kelly seemed satisfied. ‘’We’ll figure something out, don’t worry’’.

He nodded and looked around. He didn’t trust himself to look in Pierre’s direction, he could feel his knees shaking and he wanted to get a hold of his nerves before embarrassing himself.

Lando in front of him seemed stressed, but Yuki could see the way he was slowly relaxing beside Carlos, the smallest smile forming on his lips. Poking under the table Yuki could see their hands intertwined together, slowly caressing each other’s skin. Yuki felt his heart almost combusting with joy for his friend.

He gave him a thumbs up, and Lando blushed furiously under his gaze, but Yuki knew he was incredibly, incredibly happy.

Carlos and Lando had said nothing since they sat down next to each other, and at some point Checo had started speaking about work to fill the silence, but Yuki doubted that somebody was actually listening.

‘’Enough!’’ Said Max, losing his patience ‘’Let’s settle this matter right now once and for all. Lando, how is it possible that you’re here?’’

‘’I- ‘’ Lando tried to say, closing his mouth immediately and desperately looking at Kelly.

‘’I want to know how you broke the spell-’’

‘’Max, please, I told you not to drink, for fuck’s sake!’’ Checo tried to shut him up.

‘’I-‘’ Tried saying Lando again. ‘’I left Marseille almost a year ago, but now I’m back…’’

‘’Oh, so you really did ghost Carlos, mh?’’ Max was looking extremely suspicious. He was trying to trick Lando into admitting the truth. But Lando lowered eyes to the ground and Yuki saw how Carlos froze beside him.

The Spaniard closed his eyes for a moment then crossed his arms to his chest, letting go of  Lando’s hand under the table.

Yuki saw the panic raising in Lando’s eyes. His bottom lip twitched, his hands were shaking, he looked so miserable.

‘’Or’’ Suggested Max in a gossiping whisper. ‘’Maybe you were turned into a cat-‘’

‘’Oh, please. This cat conspiracy has to stop!’’ Charles exclaimed absolutely annoyed. The Monegasque leaned closer to Carlos ear. ‘’I mean, he didn’t reach out for a year and now he’s back, looks a bit too convenient.’’

Carlos didn’t answer, he just looked lost, like he didn’t know what to think. Lando’s eyes were a mixture of sadness and pain as felt Carlos pulling away from him. Yuki’s friend struggled to find the words to articulate himself.

‘’I-‘’ Lando mumbled at first. His face contorted as he tried to find the strength to speak again. Then he turned to Carlos, looking at him dead in the eyes. ‘’I’ve been wanting to explain this to you for the longest time. That time in Marseille if I didn’t show up it wasn’t because I did not want to, because trust me, there was nothing I wanted more. It was just that…’’

Carlos’ eyes widened, his lips parted, and he looked desperately at Lando like he was hanging frantically at any word that left his mouth.  

Max leaned closer, extremely interested, he was sure Lando was about to confess.

‘’His phone was stolen’’ Kelly explained, coming to Lando’s rescue. ‘’And that’s how he met my cousin, he helped him get a new phone.’’

‘’Yes!’’ Lando almost screamed thankful for the excuse. ‘’Yes, exactly! Kelly, thank you! My phone was stolen.’’ He stared intently into Carlos’ irises to make sure he was listening to him. ‘’And I lost your number. I didn’t know how to contact you. It has killed me to not be able to talk to you.’’ Lando’s eyes were dead serious when he spoke the last sentence. ‘’Believe me, it’s all I could think about. When I saw you again tonight, it almost felt like a miracle.’’ He finished, his voice cracking with the last word.

Yuki thought he probably never saw somebody as desperate and as in love as Carlos was right now. His lips were pressed together, there were tears in the corner of his eyes. Shaking he took Lando’s hand back into his own and, slowly, very slowly, he brought it to his lips again, pressing a soft kiss against his white knuckles. Just like that, in front of everyone.

All the table looked at them with fondness. Of course, Charles was pissed, but Checo was tearing up, and Max almost forgot his cat-conspiracy agenda and pressed Kelly close to his chest.

Yuki didn’t dare to look in Pierre’s direction, he was too scared by what he could find there. Because he was sure that if he lifted his gaze right now he would’ve betrayed himself. I want him to look at me the way Carlos looks at Lando. But he knew it wasn’t possible, Pierre had no idea who he was.

Yuki looked at Charles instead, expecting to see him extremely pissed. Charles had rolled his eyes in the first moment, but then his eyebrows had furrowed, like a sudden marvellous idea had formed in his head. He looked at Lando, studied his face. His eyes were saying: he’s pretty, eh? And Carlos seems really into him. Maybe with a bit of convincing… Lando, Carlos, Pierre and me, what a foursome that would be…

He could see as Charles was biting his lip, carefully inspecting the situation. Yuki suddenly felt like laughing. He was here tonight, he wasn’t a cat anymore, and he was seated as the same table as Pierre. He was so happy that he couldn’t even find it in himself to hate Charles.

His real problem it’s that he’s just super horny, he can’t focus, and he ends up liking too many guys at the same time. Yuki felt almost sorry for him. Almost, because a moment later he saw Charles leaning against Pierre’s chest. Yuki’s heartbeat quickened.

He was scared to look at Pierre then, because he was sure that he couldn’t withstand to see Pierre welcoming him in his arms.

Yuki felt like throwing up. He wanted to get up and run away, but Kelly pressed a hand against his, reassuring him. Her eyes were calm, a witchy smile was playing on her lips. She was composed and quiet, and her magic aura almost managed to soothe Yuki’s exhausted nerves.

He took a deep breath and found the courage to look. What he saw left him completely speechless. Pierre had politely taken his body away from Charles, and he was now checking the messages on his phone, clearly ignoring the Monegasque beside him.

Yuki felt his heart beat twice as fast, rejoicing incredulously at what he was seeing.

Then, to his utter disbelief, he witnessed as Pierre’s eyes left his phone, finally settling on Yuki.

Yuki froze in his spot, his lungs betraying him because they completely forgot how to breathe.

They stared at each other for a few seconds, maybe a few seconds too long, Yuki realised. Maybe I should say something.  But as for Lando before, the words died in his throat.

All Yuki could do was stare back, as he felt his cheeks totally warming.

‘’Pierre.’’ Said Kelly, squeezing Yuki’s hand. ‘’Lando’s friend is feeling a little dizzy. You know, he’s not used to places like this, why don’t you show him the terrace on the second floor so he can get some air?’’

Yuki blushed from head to toe when he understood what Kelly was trying to pull. But the woman next to him only smirked wittily.

‘’Yeah, sure. No problem.’’ Pierre said getting up.

‘’Good idea, I’m coming with you!’’ Said Charles suddenly.

Yuki wanted to curse. Oh, no, please. Not Charles!

‘’Oh no, Charles, you cannot!’’ Intervened Kelly ‘’I need your help here, I have to choose the perfect dress for Max’s sister’s wedding. I need your fashion expertise.’’

Charles was flattered by the girl’s trust in his fashion sense. ‘’Well, well, how can I say no? What did you have in mind?’’

‘’I saw this cream dress in a shop in town…’’ Kelly started.

‘’Cream! For heaven’s sake, Kelly! Thank God I’m here, you should never wear a white cream dress at a wedding, only the bride can be dressed in white! How come you never heard of this?!’’ Charles was scandalised.

‘’Also, I wanted to wear flats, because I prefer to walk comfortable.’’ Kelly continued.

Charles’ face contorted; he was shocked. ‘’Flats?! At a wedding? Oh my God, ew, Kelly! No, never! High heels are your go-to. But not too high, you don’t want to trip, trust me.’’ Charles said, gesturing with his hands, absolutely scandalised by Kelly’s ignorance in wedding etiquette.

‘’I’m going alone, then.’’ Said Pierre, slowly getting on his feet.

‘’Yes, Pierre, I must stay here. Girl, what are you even saying? Kelly, you- you’re a witch! Your fashion training starts now!’’

Pierre left the bench and Kelly threw Yuki a knowing smirk. She knows what she’s doing. He realised, watching Charles blabber about weddings facts.

But Yuki could feel his mind doze off. Because Pierre had gotten on his feet and now he was walking toward him. Stay calm, stay calm, don’ panic! He tried telling himself, but it wasn’t working.

Pierre is coming to me. He can see me, I’m not invisible anymore. Once the Frenchman was in front of him, the two of them locked eyes. He was so much taller than Yuki, and Yuki thought how it would feel like to be in his arms, if Pierre’s grip would be gentle on him, if he would take care of him like he did when he was a cat.

The music from the party in the other room was loud, the bar was full of people, but the sickening heartbeat in his ears somehow managed to cover all the other noises.

Pierre looked at him. When he spoke he had to lower his head to be able to whisper into Yuki’s ear. ‘’Follow me.’’ He said.

Chapter Text

Chapter 17

Pierre’s back disappeared into the crowd. Yuki squeezed his eyes and tried not to lose him in the multitude of people. He reappeared a few meters ahead and Yuki wrestled though the bodies trying to stay close to him.

Pierre threw him a glance from across his shoulder, making sure he didn’t lose him in the myriad of limbs and hair. The party was in fact loud, the people were dancing drunkenly around them; nonetheless Yuki could only hear the unceasing pounding of his heart making him shiver with excitement.

it this really happening? Or am I still asleep on my couch and all of this is just a silly dream of my imagination? He tried to pinch himself on the arm, to keep himself grounded, as a reminder that this was all true, this was all happening.

Pierre was there, but it didn’t mean that Pierre was his. Everything had to go according to plan, he was supposed to make everything work out. He had to make it right- act the right way, say the right things.

Oh, God, I want him to like me, I want him to like me so bad.

Yuki searched through his mind for a catchy phrase, a funny joke. And exasperatedly realised that, unfortunately, he never was the guy for very strong first impressions.

Despite the existential crisis in his mind, Yuki never lost sight of Pierre’s back in front of him.

While they sneaked towards the terrace, a few people gave the Frenchman side glances.  The admiration was obvious in their eyes. Pierre didn’t spare them a second glance, though. If he doesn’t even notice them, why would he ever consider going out with me?

Bu Yuki stopped his mind from elaborating further. These are unhealthy thoughts, he reminded himself. You’re just scared. Don’t be scared of the things you desire. Lando, for example, wasn’t scared anymore. Yuki wished he could find in himself just a portion of that strength.

This night is not for Pierre, this night is just for me. Yuki reminded himself that the outcome wasn’t the point, but trying, going for it, admitting to himself that he was allowed to chase the things that he wanted was the real goal. It will be what it must, I will stay true to myself.

When they arrived at the stairway, Pierre looked around waiting for him.

‘’Don’t get lost.’’ The Frenchman told him with a soft smile. ‘’You are so short that I could see you disappear among all of these tall people.’’ He concluded with a small laugh.

‘’Oh, fuck you!’’ Snarked Yuki. And definitely, definitely he would never, not in a million years, have ever expected these to be the first words he uttered to Pierre in his human form. Reality always has a weird way of subverting one’s expectation.

Luckily, Pierre’s lips instantly curved in a witty smirk, sign that he did appreciate the usage of strong words.

‘’You swear with quite some force for someone your size, you know?’’ The Frenchman pointed out, his smirk never dropping.

‘’This is because my mother language does not really have any bad words, so in English I can express all of my frustrations better.’’ Yuki explained seriously.

‘’Oh, if that’s the case, you should never learn Italian, then.’’ Pierre replied.

‘’Yeah, why is that?’’

‘’Because Italian is the language of prestigious poetry and utter blasphemies.’’ Pierre explained to him over the loud music.

‘’I’ll definitely give it a try, then.’’ Yuki smiled softly. ‘’What’s the peculiarity of the French language, instead?’’

Pierre smirked again, this time with all of his teeth showing. He looked like a werewolf. ‘’What? Don’t you know? French is obviously the language of love.’’

Yuki felt his cheek almost burn at the way the words swirled suggestively from Pierre’s lips.

‘’Tell me something in French, then.’’ Yuki whispered, eyes transfixed, desperately hanging from the other’s lips.

‘’J'aime tes yeux.’’ Pierre let out in breath.

Yuki had gotten the edge around the French language in a year of living with Pierre, but over the loud music he didn’t manage to catch the words just by reading his lips.

‘’Wait, what did you say?’’ Yuki asked him.

‘’Oh, nothing important.’’ Pierre smirked again, a glint of amusement palpable in his eyes.

***

When they finally reached the terrace Pierre took a breath of fresh air; he hadn’t realised how much the bar smelled like sweat and alcohol until he stepped foot outside.

 The night was chill, but it wasn’t cold.

The freshness went to his head, managing for a moment to clear his mind.

The club was confusion and messy thoughts, the club was Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s lips one inch away from his own, the club was that same sense of helplessness for which that threesome madness happened in the first place.

The chill air of the night, instead, immediately cleared his mind. Charles was a long-lost delusion by then, a daydream he’d indulged with long enough in the hope of it being something it clearly wasn’t; as much as he’d wanted him to be.

When Lando’s friend appeared beside him in the terrace Charles was far away from his thoughts.

He was petite, petite in a cute way. The refined and elegant features of his face gave him somewhat of regal appearance. His cheekbones were high, his eyes were smart, and the black strand falling like a feather on his forehead was dark enough to battle with the shadows of the night.

There was something extremely captivating and extremely mysterious about him.

And extremely familiar.

That realisation stuck with him. I know him from somewhere, but where?

Pierre had never been to Japan before and the boy had mentioned coming to Marseille for a few days, but it was a year back, and who knew what Pierre was even doing that day.

What if he is- No! His mind couldn’t go there, it was a silly thought.

And Yuki, the guy whose words made his world collide that time in Notre-Dame-de-la-Guarde, had never showed his face.

Instead, Lando’s Japanese friend was familiar in a way that hit close to home. Pierre didn’t know him at all, but, somehow, it felt like he was already part of his daily routine.

Maybe in another life, we’ve met and lived together. It made almost sense, because the boy’s presence by his side felt right in a way he couldn’t explain.

‘’Do you like Marseille?’’ The Frenchman asked him in a heartbeat.

‘’I like the people who live here.’’ The boy answered, and Pierre thought that his tone sounded extremely honest, like he was trying to confess something, but Pierre had no idea what it was about.

‘’But you don’t really like parties, though.’’ Pierre stated, remembering Kelly’s words from before.

‘’I do, it’s just that I don’t always feel comfortable when I’m in the middle of one.’’

‘’That’s because you haven’t started drinking, yet.’’ Pierre argued.

‘’You’re probably right.’’

‘’Let me buy you something, then.’’ He suggested, slowly testing the waters.

Too forward. He scolded himself. But there was something so familiar and natural about him, that Pierre didn’t stop to think.

The Japanese boy beside him didn’t say anything, he didn’t answer at all.

Oh, he probably doesn’t want me buying that drink, I probably read the signs wrong, he guessed. Though, the sting of rejection this time hurt a lot more that he cared to admit, it hit him somewhere deep and personal.

The boy didn’t say anything for the longest time. And Pierre tried to read his silence like there were some impossible mysteries written in it. What is he trying to tell me? Honestly, I don’t even know if he’s into men. I should have asked-

For a moment he felt even bad before turning in his direction, but he did it anyway.

But there was no one beside him anymore. The boy had disappeared.

What the-

When he turned around he saw the black-haired boy bending in front a girl on the ground whose dress barely reached her tights.

Oh, I definitely did read the signs wrong.

***

Yuki stopped listening to Pierre the moment he saw the girl on the ground. She was barely holding herself together, she’d clearly been drinking too much and a group of guys was dangerously close to her.

Yuki was by her side in a moment.

‘’Do you want a lift home?’’ One of the guys was asking.

‘’I want you to stop talking, my head is killing me.’’ She said without even looking up.

‘’Why don’t you come to my house, it’s close by, I bet you’re really tired…’’ He insisted.

Yuki intervened immediately. ‘’Hey, sis. How’s your night going? Didn’t you read my messages?’’

The girl looked up at him from the ground, she had piercing hazel eyes, and she studied Yuki with circumspection before answering.

. ‘’Yeah, I was just resting here for a few minutes. I’m glad you found me.’’ She looked glad she could get rid of the group of boys, but that didn’t mean she trusted Yuki at all.

Yuki tried getting close, one of the guys stepped in front of me. ‘’You’re not her brother.’’

‘’Excuse me?’’ Yuki feigned offence. ‘’What do you mean by that?’’

The guys seemed taken aback. ‘’Well, she’s French, and you’re clearly uh- Asian.’’

‘’What does that even mean?’’ Yuki played dumb.

The guys lowered his voice. ‘’C’mon, man. We saw her first, go and look for another girl.’’ The knowing smile on his lips was revolting.

Yuki felt the rage fly through his body like a bolt of lightning. He fought the urge to punch the man right in the face. He was twice his size, but still, he could feel his hands shaking from anger.

‘’You step away from her this instant. Do you understand me?’’

The guy in front of him laughed to his face and his friends joined with amusement.

‘’Oh, yeah? Because what are you going to do if we don’t?’’

They came forward, and even though Yuki knew what was going to happen next, he didn’t back down.

He simply couldn’t.

‘’I bet you couldn’t hurt a fly even if you wanted, let alone throw punches with someone.’’ The guy laughed almost goliardic.

‘’Do you want to bet that I could, though?’’ Pierre slipped between Yuki and the four guys in a moment.

His body was solid, and the way he tried to shield Yuki’s body with his own made Yuki’s eyes almost water.

He’s like my guardian angel.

Pierre’s shoulders were between Yuki and the guys in front of him, which suddenly appeared less willing to start a fight.

Pierre wasn’t massive, but his strong arms were crossed over his chest, his expression was sharp, and his hands were closed into fits.

They guys backed down immediately.

‘’Yeah, yeah, okay. Calm down, man. We didn’t want to do anything, we just wanted to give her a lift home.’’ Slowly they started walking away.

Yuki never turned around until he saw their backs disappear downstairs.

Then, he slowly placed a grateful hand on the Frenchmen’s arm. ‘’Thank you.’’ He simply said.

Pierre’s skin was hot, Yuki could feel the nerves and muscles run under the surface in an intricate of smoothness and brute force.

Pierre’s face softened in a sweet smile at Yuki’s touch, it was a sharp contrast to his aggressive expression from moments before.

‘’You’re welcome. A part of me wished they chose to fight, because I really wanted to punch them in the face.’’

‘’A part of me wished I could’ve been the one doing that.’’ Yuki replied in all honestly.

‘’I could teach you to fight, if you wanted.’’ Pierre offered.

‘’Could you also teach me how to become 1.80 cm and look scary?’’

The laugh Pierre let out echoed in his whole chest. In the dim light of the midnight sky, he looked absolutely beautiful. His skin was smooth, his lips looked soft, his smile was fond and delicate.

‘’I’m not sure. I could try, but I can’t promise you anything.’’ He said, squeezing Yuki’s shoulder as he spoke.

Yuki’s breath caught on his throat.

Suddenly the air in the terrace felt incredibly hot, and Pierre’s body was close to his. For some reason, he couldn’t hear the music anymore, it had become just a background noise, completely covered by the erratic heartbeat in his chest.

Pierre’s gaze seemed welcoming, and amused, and intrigued.

Yuki completely forgot how to breathe.

He was sure his cheeks were burning by this point.

Though, if possible, Pierre looked even more delighted by that. The fingers on his shoulder gave the exposed skin another soft squeeze.

‘’Uh-‘’ The girl on the floor caught their attention. ‘’Thank you a lot for the help, boys.’’

Her words broke the moment.

Yuki let out a small sigh, but it was soon replaced by concern.

He kneeled on the ground at her level.

‘’Would you like to get up and drink some water?’’ He asked as quietly and reassuringly as possible.

The girl looked him in the eyes. She was drunk, not stupid. And she looked suspicious, she clearly knew better than to trust strangers at disco parties.

Something in Yuki’s gaze must have convinced her, though. Because a moment later she smiled to him and accepted his hand.

‘’What’s your name?’’ Asked her Yuki.

‘’I’m Julie.’’ She answered losing the balance on her feet. Yuki steadied as best as he could. With her high heels, she was taller than him.

He turned towards Pierre. ‘’How about we sit down in one of the tables over there?’’

Pierre immediately nodded and led the way through the terrace.

The girl lowered her head to Yuki’s ear and whispered extremely loudly. ‘’Damn, your boyfriend is hot!’’

Yuki almost tripped on his steps as felt his cheeks burning furiously.

‘’He’s not my boyfriend!’’

‘’Yeah.’’ She nodded, looking between the two of them. ‘’Sure. And do you expect me to believe that? I’m drunk, not stupid.’’

‘’I assure you, we met for the first time five minutes ago.’’ Pierre told her, sign that he had in fact heard her words.

Yuki cursed under his breath.

‘’Then he’s got definitely a crush on you, trust me, pal.’’ She whispered, again almost shouting.

Pierre shoulders tensed imperceptibly. He shook his head.

‘’How old are even you?’’ He asked.

‘’I’m eighteen!’’ Exclaimed Julie.

‘’Yeah, sure. And I’m Napoleon!’’ He mocked her.

‘’C’mon it’s Saturday, everyone can be eighteen on Saturday.’’ Julie let out in a small laugh.

‘’Good luck explaining that to the police.’’

‘’Hey! Your Japanese boyfriend here looks even younger than me, but you had no problem giving him bedroom eyes.’’ Julie outsmarted him.

Yuki gasped.

Pierre opened his mouth to say something but closed it immediately.

They were being bullied by a seventeen years old.

Yuki desperately tried to defend himself. ‘’I’m 22!’’ But that was nowhere near the most important part of her speech. Bedroom eyes…what?!

‘’You look like you’re still in middle-school.’’ Julie shrugged. ‘’But he wants to shag you anyway.’’

‘’He’s 22, you heard him!’’ Pierre replied, he looked uneasy.

‘’He didn’t deny it, though. I told you so.’’ Julie was extremely proud of herself.

Yuki was sure that his cheeks matched Charles’ red Ferrari at this point.

Pierre uncomfortably touched his neck and threw her an annoyed glance. ‘’Remember me why we’re even helping her.’’

‘’Because I’m funny, and you boys need a matchmaker to help to you seal the deal. The tension between you two is palpable, something needs to be done about it. If I was a writer and this was my book, I’d need to give my readers some satisfaction.’’

Pierre’s eyebrows raised. ‘’Who are you, Talkien?’’

‘’I’m mostly drunk, but I do like me some Lord of the Rings.’’

Pierre seemed exasperated, but by a soft smile playing on his lips Yuki knew that he actually appreciated her attitude.

She was smart and smug.

But she needed to be put to bed. Seventeen years olds didn’t belong to parties like this.

‘’Julie, wait here one moment. Pierre and I will bring you a glass of water then we’ll call you a cab, how does that sound?’’

She sighed annoyingly, but she nodded rolling her eyes. ‘’Yes, mum and dad.’’

Yuki couldn’t believe a seventeen years old was bullying them like that.

Pierre followed him until they were alone in front of the bar. They had half a dozen people in front of them.

Yuki let out a sign of relief.

He and Pierre stood there without saying anything. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but Yuki really wanted to break the ice.

Pierre was the first to speak, though. ‘’What you did for her was really kind. Not everyone would have done the same.’’

Yuki smiled but promptly shook his head.

‘’It was just common decency, and if it hadn’t been for your scary entrance they would have probably punched me.’’ Yuki didn’t want to appear like a hero for behaving like a human being.

‘’I’m not sure. You say you wished you were taller or scarier. But, when you faced those guys alone before, not only you looked intimidating, but also incredibly brave.’’ Pierre let out.

At his words Yuki’s heart threatened to leave his ribcage and fly freely as a hummingbird around them.

‘’Thank you, it means so much to me. I wanted to help her because she reminded me about myself.’’ Yuki explained.

Pierre’s gaze flew between Yuki’s impeccable and elegant clothing and the puke stains on Julie’s dress.

He raised an eyebrow.

‘’Oh, c’mon, not in that sense! She remembers me of myself because I found myself in a very unpleasant situation almost a year ago. I was at my worst, but someone was kind enough to help me and take care of me. And I’ll never forget it. I just wanted to help, if I could.’’ Yuki explained.

Pierre’s eyes were shining. Of course, he didn’t know that those words were meant for him, that that special someone who helped Yuki had been himself. But something in his glassy eyes told Yuki that a part of him really understood.

Suddenly Yuki remembered something. ‘’Oh, God, I’m sorry for what she said before. I didn’t- mean to give you bedroom eyes. Like, I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable.’’ Yuki blurted out.

Pierre seemed taken aback for a moment, but then his expression morphed into a knowing smirk. And one second later he was laughing incredulously.

‘’If I remember correctly, I was the one accused of that! But if you tell me it was a mutual thing, we can stop being sorry about it.’’

Yuki blushed from head to toe. He’s just being funny, he’s just being funny… Yuki tried to tell himself before he started having a mental breakdown.

‘’I- it’s just-‘’ Fuck. ‘’I didn’t do it intentionally-’’ Fuck, I’m terrible at this.

‘’Oh, because you are already with somebody. Is Lando your boyfriend?’’ Pierre definitely liked messing with him.

Yuki froze on his spot. ‘’Excuse me, what?!’’

‘’It’s just a question.’’

‘’Have you seen the way he looks at your friend Carlos?’’ It was common knowledge, the whole club could see how they looked at each other.

Pierre laughed. ‘’Yeah, you’re right, they aren’t exactly subtle.’’

‘’What about you, instead? Wasn’t the pretty boy in that Armani suit your date?’’ Yuki asked, his insides twirling as he asked the question. Now I will know for sure how he feels about Charles.

‘’You could say that he was, but he’s also trying to have me sleep with my neighbour, so I think I’ll consider myself a free man.’’ Pierre answered with a wolfish smirk.

Yuki felt so happy that he considered laughing hysterically in that terrace full of strangers. He tried scolding himself, but he couldn’t control the small smile that left his lips. Relief and hope flew through him in a shiver.

‘’Good.’’ He said, smile never ceasing. ‘’Anyway, you should tell him that you’re too pretty to be shared with somebody else.’’

And then he turned to the barista and asked him for a glass of water.

Chapter Text

Chapter 18

'’But, do I really need to go?’’ Julie complained while Yuki slowly closed the door of her taxi.

‘’Yes, dear. The driver knows your home address. I’m sorry your parents aren’t there for your as much as you’d like, but when we called your brother, he was worried sick. You have people who really care for you.’’ Yuki told her.

Julie let out an exhale. ‘’I hate you, but you’re right, I guess. I’ll just need to become a little wiser, I fucking hate it, though.’’ She snorted.

Then she looked at Yuki, and the understanding he felt in her eyes almost touched his heart.

‘’It’s not really my place to say, stranger, but if I need to become a little wiser, you truly need to let yourself feel a little younger. You’re so young, and yet, you look so sad. I hope this life manages to put the biggest smile on your face. Be happy, okay?’’ And she went out of her way to give him a hug.

Yuki’s heart almost melted. He held her tight to his chest.

‘’Be safe.’’

‘’I will. Bye Pierre!’’ She shouted.

The Frenchman gave her a thumbs up from across the street, his eyes never leaving the two of them out of his sigh, like he couldn’t fight an impossible urge to keep them safe.

Julie smirked wickedly.

‘’You make him forget his own name tonight, okay?’’ She said with a wink before closing the taxi’s door.

Yuki felt his face redden to the ends of his ears.

Julie just let out a laugh, and then her taxi was leaving, and she became a cherished memory in the light breeze of that enchanted evening. Yuki knew he was going to remember her for a very long time.

When he went back to Pierre, he was almost sad that she disappeared from his life as soon as she entered it. A very smart girl, he really wished to witness the brave woman that she was destined to become.

‘’Oh, don’t make that face. Actually, while I was on the phone I realised I know her brother from Marketing school, we can meet her and keep an eye on her from time to time.’’

‘’Really?’’ Yuki asked hopeful.

Pierre smiled, like the happiness he saw in his eyes went straight to his heart.

‘’Yes, sure. He always told me his little sister was a handful, I just never realised how much.’’ He finished with a small laugh.

 He shouldn’t be allowed to look this beautiful under the stars, it’s not humanly possible. Yuki thought.

‘’How about we go back upstairs to buy a drink?’’ Asked Pierre pointing at the terrace above them.

‘’Yeah, sounds like a good plan. But I want to pay for your drink after you saved my life.’’ Yuki tried.

Pierre huffed. ‘’Nah, don’t be ridiculous. It was really a heartfelt gesture’’.

‘’Well, then let me buy you a hearthfelt drink.’’

Pierre chuckled.

‘’Let’s put it like this. I will let you pay for my drink, if you let me pay for yours.’’

And Yuki couldn’t hide the smile on his lips at that point.

***

Pierre was looking at him, blinking. He didn’t understand him, and that fascinated him.

When he was caught staring when they first met, he was just curious. The boy had suddenly appeared, and Pierre couldn’t help but notice he looked a bit out of place. He was pretty and familiar, plus the shirt he was wearing was Pierre’s favourite shade of blue, and his sweet nervousness had almost made his heart ache.

Then Kelly had suggested they went to the terrace and he had obliged because he was intrigued.

By the time the boy had had stepped in for Julie, Pierre had already been fascinated.

But when, looking him dead in the eyes, the boy had told him that he was pretty, Pierre knew he was in trouble.

Lando’s Japanese friend was a mystery; a cute, petite, and fiery mystery he really, really wanted to solve.

Pierre spied him cautiously through his eyelashes. The boy was leaning against the railing, lazily sipping the blue-coloured liquor that nicely matched the shade of his t-shirt. As the light breeze of the warm summer graciously played with his dark hair, Pierre felt an inexplicable urge to get closer.

He was pretty, sure. Yet, it wasn’t just that. Charles had been pretty as well, but Pierre had discovered heartbreakingly quickly that being just pretty sadly wasn’t enough for him anymore.

The boy raised his gaze on him, like he could feel his eyes on himself. He had the softest smile, it managed to play with the edges of reality for a moment.

There was just something in him, damn, Pierre could feel it, something so familiar.

I know him from somewhere. And it wasn’t even his features, Pierre logically knew he couldn’t have know him from before. Yet, there was something in his eyes, in the way they softened while looking at him, that made him feel impossibly close to home.

It made him restless because he wanted to know why, after years and years of tirelessly walking the heart, he suddenly felt impossibly home in the presence of a complete stranger.

Yeah, home, he reflected. If he closed his eyes, he could almost feel it: long winter evenings in the comfortable silence of his new home, far, far away from his crazy juvenile years of partying and feasting. His cat on his chest, gently purring his body into sleep. Yet, that was just his cat; this was a whole talking and living person.

And it really, really didn’t make any sense.

Yuki didn’t say anything for a long time. He tried to stay calm, breathe normally, and hopefully don’t say anything stupid.

Even the silence was good. The truth was that they’d been together for so long (even if Pierre wasn’t aware of that), that Yuki had learned how to interpret Pierre’s thinking process.

He was dealing with something, he knew, so he just gave him his time. As he looked at the sea in the distance he thought that he was lucky, incredibly lucky to be alive, to be well, to be there. There with Pierre in that moment.

Whatever happens I know tonight has existed for real. That for a brief, impossible moment, I felt like all of my dreams could for some miracle become true. I felt good and I felt right. Yes, tonight, for one of the first times, I felt like there was absolutely nothing wrong with me. Not only that, I felt like every small detail that made me an outcast anywhere else, here suddenly feel like hidden and precious gems. And even just for that, I’m so grateful to be alive.

‘’Kelly said something about you being uncomfortable in the crowd. Don’t you like the party?’’ Asked Pierre after a while.

‘’Oh, no, I do. It’s just that with all that chaos and all those people this moment would have never happened. I like that I can speak freely here, probably you don’t know this, but I’ve been silent for a very long time. It’s good to be heard, even if it’s only for a short while.’’ Yuki answered completely honest.

‘’I’m sorry to hear that the people around you don’t listen to you’’ Pierre said.

Yuki took a deep breath and turned around, the slightly worried expression on Pierre’s face made him want to kiss his sorrow away.

He poured all his heart when he answered, ‘’when I was in Japan I didn’t speak my mind because my friends wouldn’t understand. When I came here, I felt like I finally wanted to say something, but I simply couldn’t, I had to watch everything happen around me without being able to say anything. It’s been excruciating, excruciatingly painful. And, I am so glad that I’m here now, able to finally speak and be listened.’’

‘’I am, you know‘’, Pierre answered, a strange emphasis on his voice, ‘’willing to listen; whatever you have to say.’’ His voice was low, but his eyes shined under the brightness of stars and the streetlamps.

Yuki smiled and shook his head. How is any of this real?

 ‘’What if what I have to say’’, Yuki replied in a whisper, ‘’sounds closer to a kid’s story than to a plausible reality?’’

‘’Then I’ll listen to your fairy tale.’’ Pierre shrugged, but his eyes didn’t falter.

Yuki huffed and covered his face with his hands. He felt like laughing, or screaming, or just confessing the whole truth to Pierre at this point, because how could he not when he was looking at him like that?

‘’But this is real life, not a fairy tale. What if I just have childish, unrealistic expectations that will never become true? Things like this don’t happen to people like me.’’ Yuki finished with a sad smile.

Pierre took a step forward. ‘’At that point I would tell you that I’m sad that the people in your life tried to lower your standards to the point that you started believing it yourself. Whoever made you believe you don’t deserve everything that your heart wish for is a stupid fool. I want you to know that you are allowed to want the things that you want.’’

What if I just wanted you?

 Yuki felt his lips almost betraying him to say it. What if everything I’ve ever wished for is right in front of my eyes and I’ve never wished for something as much as I wish for you to be mine?

 ‘’I- ‘’, he tried to say. I love you with all my heart. ‘’Thank you. I think, one of my bigger fears is that when I finally will try to speak, nobody will be able to understand me’’ What if I’ll be a cat again, and you’ll never be able discern a meow from a confession of love?

Pierre was serious and he took a step forward. For a moment, a brief moment, Yuki felt like he was right about his dreams being allowed to come true, that even if the world was an evil place, for once, just for this once, all that was cynical and sad and impossible could be forgotten in the name of this one little exception. Just for this one love story between the two of them. Just for him and Pierre to work together for real.  What if I can seriously get all that my heart wishes for?

‘’I will know it in my heart what you mean‘’.

The end of the world will have to arrive before I stop loving you, Pierre Gasly.

***

Lando knew, he knew, at least consciously, that Kelly asked Charles about wedding etiquette so that Yuki and Pierre could sneak away, but if the way Charles hadn’t shut up about it for the past half-hour was any indicator, he was getting bored.

He needed to speak to Carlos. Alone. He was glad Kelly brought them here, but now he needed time to collect his thoughts, drag Carlos in some quiet corners and just talk this through.

And maybe even shag him senseless after that- No! His conscience intervened. Lando, focus! You two need to talk, really talk. His conscience was right, of course, Lando decided. Yes, we’ll talk… and then I’ll ruin him so bad he will forget his own name and every single word of the English vocabulary.

Lando took a deep breath, and let out a sigh. I’m just too horny.

He needed to do better, for Carlos, and for himself. If he didn’t talk with him tonight and try to save whatever they had, maybe he won’t have the chance to fix this later. Carlos already forgave him once, but will he be willing to do it a second time if Lando disappeared without saying a single word again?

Lando took another deep breath and tried not to imagine Carlos’s hand on his tight…

‘’How do you think he learned all those things about weddings?’’ Carlos leaned in to chuckle in his ear.

Lando felt the vibration of his laugh making his whole ribcage tremble. If we were alone, I would just crawl in his lap- No! His conscience intervened again. A bit of self-control, Lando, please!

‘’Maybe he just likes to see men in black suits. I know I do, at least.’’ Lando smirked in a reply.

‘’Mhm’’, Carlos came even closer to his ear, if possible, ‘’and what else is it that you like?’’

Lando almost let out an embarrassing sound, but he tried to get a hold of himself. You’re not helping, Carlos!

Carlos’ eyes were black, and Lando felt powerful under his gaze. He knew he looked good; he had put extra care curling his hair and highlighting his eyes. But the way Carlos was looking at him made him feel like he’d never been more desirable in his entire life. And Lando desperately wanted to thank him for that boost in confidence.

But Charles wouldn’t shut up, and Checo was blocking their exit. And the last thing he needed was give up to his instincts and drag Carlos into some bathroom, because they actually needed to talk! He reminded himself.

Lando licked his lips, and he could see how Carlos’ eyes intensely followed the movement. He looked like a man whose hanger had been deprived for too long a time. Not helping, Carlos!

Yet, Carlos looked sexy as hell, and Lando had been in love with him for over a year now. I’ve been a good cat, trying to hold myself back, but now I just want to dive in, until last year becomes just a painful memory while I lose myself in his arms.

It was a dangerous and difficult territory, but Lando was tired of waiting.

‘’I really like the fabric of your jeans, what are they made of?’’ He asked with innocent eyes as his fingers brushed slightly against the fabric of Carlos’ knee. He could read the surprise in Carlos’ eyes at his little bravery, followed by a strong gush of desire.

‘’They’re levi’s. Very easy to put on… also super easy to take off.’’

And Lando wanted to get under the table just to test if he was telling the truth.

‘’Don’t you agree, Carlos?’’ Asked Charles suddenly.

A bucket of cold water fell on Lando because he couldn’t point to save his life what the hell they were talking about.

Carlos opened his mouth to say something. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

‘’Sorry, I-‘’

‘’Yellow roses, of course!’’ Kelly said, Lando could see the panic in her eyes. If Charles noticed someone hadn’t been paying attention, he could decide to start again from the beginning. ‘’Yellow roses are bad luck for weddings. We were all listening.’’

‘’Very good, as I was saying…’’

Kelly thew Lando a gaze that said, try to stay focused because I will kill you if he starts repeating everything from the beginning.

Lando rolled his eyes in the back of his head, but the exposed skin of Carlos’s waist had him bit his lip once again.

‘’You know’’, he felt Carlos’ lips brush against his ear, ‘’If you’re interested in really buying the pants, I think you should touch a bit more just to make sure you like the feeling.’’

And the way he grabbed Lando’s hand and put it impossibly close to hem of his jeans, had Lando almost whelp. Self-control be damned!

He started travelling the length of Carlos’s tight, and Lando marvelled in the way the Spaniard’s lips parted as he leaned his head against the wall.

‘’What was that, Carlos? You wanted to ask something?’’ Asked Charles.

Carlos straightened himself, ‘’I-Uh- yes, I just wanted to ask-‘’, but Lando didn’t stop, his fingers still playing extremely close to impossibly sensitive skin. Carlos gasped. ‘’Dios! What- what type of tie would you recommend for a wedding?’’

Lando smirker under his lips and the gaze Carlos threw him was admonishing. Later, it seemed to promise.

I count on it, the orange cat’s smile was a mixture of hectic and devilish.

‘’Guys, is everything all right over there?’’ Asked Max. ‘’For being a cat Lando seems fine, I’m actually curious to see how long he’ll be able to stay in his human form.’’ He explained, already on his third drink.

‘’Max, we discussed about this…’’ Checo’s tone was serious.

‘’Listen, mate, I don’t understand why nobody is addressing the elephant, or the giant-sized cat at this point, in the room. There is a cat seated at our table, and nobody is saying anything. Why do I look like the crazy one here? And where the fuck is Pierre?’’ He looked around.

Checo was so done with him as he threw him an angry look.

‘’There’s no need to look at me like that, mate! I’m just stating facts.’’

Lando kept his fingers travelling. But Carlos quickly repaid him by letting his own hand touch the exposed skin of his waist. Lando desperately tried to scold his face into a normal expression.

At that point Yuki and Pierre appeared at the end of the room.

‘’Here they are!’’ Exclaimed Checo. ‘’Where have you been all this time?’’

‘’We were just grabbing a drink.’’ Pierre answered quickly, and Yuki raised his glass affirmatively.

The Japanese’s eyes searched the table. Lando caught his gaze just as Carlos’ eyes closed in bliss.

Yuki raised an eyebrow at him.

Lando simply shrugged. What? His expression asked in a silent conversation.

Yuki pointed at him and Carlos. C’mon, you’re in public!

Lando huffed. I’ve waited long enough; I’d shag him now in front of everybody if he agreed.

***

Yuki knew Lando’s expression was deadly serious, and he hoped they wouldn’t come to that.

‘’Would you like something else to drink?’’ Pierre asked him suddenly.

Yuki was about to answer when he noticed Lando making fun of him at the other end of the table.

I would like to know how you taste. Lando whispered mockingly.

Yuki kicked his leg under the table.

‘’I don’t know, what do you suggest?’’ Yuki asked with a smile on his face.

‘’What do you like to drink?’’ Pierre asked, completely oblivious.

Quite thirsty for dick, usually. Lando mocked him again.

Yuki closed his eyes as he felt his cheeks reddened.

‘’Whatever you’re taking, make it double.’’ He managed to say in the end.

Yuki’s eyes were accusatory towards Lando. You little daemon. I can’t believe you’re working your boyfriend up and making fun of me at the same time. Yuki wanted to strangle him.

Lando simply shrugged. The trimmed hear poking from his hair and the smirk on his lips made him look like an elf. What can I say, I’m multi-tasking. Lando shrugged with a smile.

And by the way Carlos was biting his lips, Yuki could tell he was multi-tasking really well. From where he was seated Yuki saw as Carlos let his hands explore Lando as well. Lando’s breath caught in his throat, and a whimper almost left his lips.

‘’Lando, are you feeling alright?’’ Yuki asked innocently, decided on getting him back.

‘’I’m absolutely fine, thank you very much!’’ Lando was quick to answer.

‘’You look like you could use a hand, don’t you?’’ Yuki smiled knowingly.

‘’I don’t know what you mean.’’ Lando blinked.

‘’I mean, you look like could use a hand right up your trousers- I meant, a hand to right up your troubles.’’ Yuki smiled.

Lando’s face reddened, and Carlos beside him just laughed.

‘’Oh, shut up! What side are you on?’’ Lando snarled to him.

Carlos smirked but promptly shut himself up.

Yuki wasn’t done, though. ‘’Lando, you look a bit flushed, are you sure there’s nothing inside your- I mean, nothing inside your mind?’’

At that point Lando tried to kick him under the table.

Charles seemed confused; he had finally stopped talking about wedding plans. He suddenly looked at them in understandable confusion, it was usually his job to make double entendrees.

‘’You two are quite strange. Are you a couple or something?’’ Charles asked.

And Yuki could see the moment of confusion in Carlos’ eyes as he moved his hand back to the table.

‘’No! Of course we’re not together, Lando is just my best friend!’’ Yuki said.

Lando blinked for a moment, his eyes shining bright with affection, did you just call me your best friend?

‘’It’s true, Lando helped me in the most difficult moment of my life, he will be my best friend until the end of time,’’ Yuki explained with a soft smile and he saw Lando’s eyes almost fill with tears.

‘’But he’s too skinny for my tastes, I like me some biceps.’’ Yuki finished with a smirk.

‘’Excuse me, how dare you?! I’m very fit!’’ Lando gasped.

‘’Oh, c’mon, you’re so lazy! I’m the one always bringing the threats from our secret place, you never want to leave the armchair!’’ Yuki said, realising a moment too late what he just said.

‘’This is proof!’’ Max exclaimed happily. ‘’You see? I’m not crazy! He sits on armchairs! This man is a cat.’’

‘’Can you please just stop?’’ Charles asked massaging his temples. ‘’This cat-conspiracy is not funny anymore.’’

‘’Truths rarely are’’ Max defended himself in a drunken superiority.

‘’I can’t believe you don’t think I’m hot!’’ Lando continued offended.

‘’I think you’re cute.’’

‘’But I want to be hot, not cute.’’

‘’Slim British dudes are not really my type, but I’m confident you can find other people who appreciate that.’’

Carlos nodded absolutely convinced, taking another sip from his own drink. ‘’Yeah, Lando, you can rest assured other people appreciate that a lot’’.

‘’So what is your type?’’ Asked Pierre sheepishly.

French, toned, hot. But Yuki bit his tongue, ‘’I think broader, and a bit less possessive.’’ Yuki said in all honesty.

‘’Me? Possessive? Never!’’ Lando put a hand on his chest offended.

Yuki gave him a look that said otherwise.

‘’Lando… You’re a Scorpio Sun, Mercury and MC, that must count for something.’’

‘’Oh, you’re a Scorpio? I’m a Virgo, we go well together.’’ Said Carlos happily.

‘’Oh, I know.’’ Lando licked his lips, the intensity in his gaze almost stripping Carlos bare, he looked like a devilishly possessive little elf.

Yuki cleared his throat. ‘’As you well know, Lando, I deeply admire your twisted and possessive megalomania. But I want to stay far away from anything that belongs to you. I care for my safety, and I’m sure you would make my homicide look like an unfortunate accident.’’

‘’I just- I just like making sure that nobody touches my things’’ Lando said leaning imperceptibly closer to Carlos Sainz jr. There was a maliciously innocent glint in his eyes, ‘’what’s wrong with that?’’

‘’Absolutely nothing,’’ assured Carlos, giving Lando’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Lando smirked at Yuki, ‘’you see? Nothing wrong with that.’’

‘’No offence, but Carlos wants to get inside your pants too much to have an honest opinion about this.’’ Yuki smirked.

Lando tried to kick him under the table.

‘’That’s not what I want!‘’ Carlos defended himself.

Lando stopped on his tracks, his eyes wild, ‘’what do you mean that’s not what want?!’’

‘’What? I-‘’ Carlos seemed super confused.

And Yuki couldn’t stop chucking from his seat.

He noticed that Pierre was trying not to laugh as well, before he leaned in to whisper slowly, ‘’I think you just won the argument.’’

Yuki fully grinned at that point. ‘’Yeah?’’

Pierre hummed, ‘’what can they say after that?’’

‘’Maybe they can get up and actually have a conversation somewhere more private.’’

‘’Do you want the night to end so soon?’’ Pierre pouted.

Yuki chuckled again. ‘’I don’t remember saying I was leaving with them.’’

Pierre’s grin was wolfish, ‘’good.’’

Then the Frenchman raised his voice to speak to the others. ‘’Well, Kelly, thanks for bringing the company. We should all go to dinner next Saturday.’’

Yuki’s ears burned. Is this really happening?

‘’Are you free?’’ Pierre asked directly to him at that point.

‘’Yes!’’

No, you’re not. Because you’ll be a cat in less than 5 hours. His heart hurt at the mere thought.

‘’I- I honestly don’t know if I can. It’s not really my choice.’’ He replied in a sad smile, then his eyes turned pleadingly to Kelly.

She seemed to consider her own strengths, trying to understand if she would be able to perform the speel two weeks in a row.  ‘’I think we can make this work,’’ then her eyes glinted with light, ‘’Actually there’s a full moon next week. Maybe we can make it last even longer, we could even organise a 2-day trip over the weekend.’’ She suggested.

Yuki wanted to get up and give her a hug.

‘’It would be absolutely amazing, thank you.’’ Yuki’s heart swelled with excitement.

Pierre smiled with fondness at his enthusiasm, he was looking at him like he was a precious and rare thing.

‘’’I already have a few ideas. We could go to the countryside, I’m sure you would love it there…’’ Then Pierre’s eyes looked confused for a moment, ‘’wait, I don’t think I’ve ever asked for your name.’’ He realised in bewilderment. They’d spoken all night and Pierre felt so comfortable that he never learned the other’s name.

Yuki took a deep breath, he stared for a long moment into Pierre’s eyes. When he spoke, he tried to keep his voice as steady as possible, never breaking eye contact.

‘’My name is Yuki,’’ he said in all seriousness.

Pierre’s eyes widened, his lips parted as he held his breath, he looked shocked and hopeful and confused.

Yuki lost himself in his gaze.

A loud noise caught their attention at the other end of the table.

Max had moved his chair and got on his feet.

‘’You see?! Fuck, I’ve always been right. Oh my God! This is final proof; there’s no way you can deny this now. They…’’ He said pointing at Yuki and Lando, ‘’They know what they are!’’

‘’Max, please…’’ Checo tried.

‘’No! This cannot be a coincidence! I may be drunk as fuck, but I’m not stupid. It’s all so clear.’’ He tried to maxplain with his hands in the air.

‘’And you’ve been in Marseille before?’’ Pierre asked Yuki, completely ignoring Max having a mental breakdown by his side.

‘’I have, with my friends almost a year ago, but only for a few days.’’ And Yuki hoped, hoped with all of his heart that Pierre understood that it was him that day in Notre-dame de la Guarde, it was him that spoke those words, it was him who made his world collide.

Pierre looked at him like he already knew, like he couldn’t believe what was right in front of his eyes, like it made no sense, but at the same time, that little information held the explanation to the existence of the universe.

His eyes were pleading, please, be you, be you, be you.

And Yuki tried to answer back as well as he could. It’s me, it’s me, it’s me.

‘’So, did you like the city the first time you visited?’’ Asked Checo politely.

‘’I did, my friends weren’t exactly nice to me, but we lost sight of each other, and I think it’s actually for the best.’’

‘’Yeah, you did the right thing leaving them behind if they didn’t respect you.’’ Checo agreed.

‘’Bad friends are like bad relatives; the only good thing is that you can actually get rid of them.’’ Kelly said taking a good sip from her drink almost trying to forget something.

‘’I mean, I’m sure you could find finer friends’’ Charles said, narrowing his eyes. Them Monegasque was considering him too, Yuki realised. Charles must’ve liked what he saw, because he put a hand under his chin and slowly licked his lips. His mind was thinking something like: Yeah, maybe an orgy would solve all my problems right now. Max and Checo can join as well if they want.

Yuki wanted to slap himself on the face. His only problems are high hormones and megalomania. He realised he almost felt bad for Charles.

Max was losing his patience. ‘’I just- I just want to make sure you realise that your cats are at this table, and they’re talking! Your cats, do you understand? This- this is- I mean, how?! How can you not see this?’’

Then Max’s eyes widened in shock. ‘’Wait!’’

He looked panicked between Lando and Carlos, ‘’listen very carefully to me, Carlos. You cannot, under any circumstances, have sex with your cat, do you understand me? I think-‘’ He said in a whisper ‘’I think this might be zoophilia. It’s some real nasty shit, do you understand?’’

Kelly beside him was just laughing uncontrollably, a hand holding her chest.

‘’Max, darling, I think we should have an honest talk one of these days’’ She said between laughs.

‘’Are you a cat, too? Am I-‘’ He asked in a horrified whisper. ‘’Am I a zoophilous?’’

‘’I wouldn’t know, but I’m quite the witch, so you might be a bit of a wizard yourself.’’