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Cats. According to extensive research performed by one (self-proclaimed) professional cat researcher Todoroki Shouto, cats are factually and undeniably, the cutest, most charming creatures to have been produced as a result of all evolutionary history.
Which is why Shouto, naturally, wants one of these endearing furry fellows as a permanent roommate in his new apartment, having moved out. Much to his father’s dismay.
Ah.
Shouto can practically hear his voice, loudly and exaggeratedly yelling his name.
A little peace and quiet will do Shouto some good. Just not too quiet. A home cannot be a home without some life in it. Thus, it is time to embark on a quest for a new feline friend.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Shouto makes his way down the relatively busy street, concentrating deeply on following the map after having taken apparently at least three wrong turns within the last half hour. He will not fail this time.
He finally arrives at the shelter. He looks up at the storefront.
HSPCA: MUSUTAFU ANIMAL SHELTER.
Shouto looks down at his phone, and back up again, double checking he’s got the right place. Charming paw print pictures frame the name.
Step one, done. Onto step two: cat retrieval.
He firmly opens the door, accompanied by a delicate but resonant jingle from the overarching bell. Shouto strides in and looks around. At first glance, nobody but a few other adopters are in sight.
Following the signs placed around, Shouto gingerly makes his way to the cat section with bated breath.
Eyes sweeping the area, cats, cats, cats are all around the room! Here is where Shouto will meet his lifelong friend, heart pounding excitedly and--
“Move. You’re blocking the damn way,” a deep voice snarls behind him.
Turning around, he sees a bewitching man in an especially unfittingly cute, peach-coloured apron atop plain black scrubs, fitting nicely around his tapering torso. His soft flaxen hair messily sticks up, but still manages to gracefully frame his face. His lips are fixed into a pout. Scarlet cat-like eyes with long, straight lashes stare straight into Shouto’s own.
On the left side of the apron upon his strong chest is an ID badge, reading ‘Bakugo Katsuki’.
Shouto’s heart skips a beat.
“Eugh. What’s up with your hair? Tryna’ look special or something? Stupid half-’n-half.” Katsuki spits out.
Shouto can’t claim he’s knowledgeable on aesthetics, but he quite likes his hair. Mayhaps purely for the fact that it was Touya’s idea to, quote on quote, “piss their dad off”. And piss daddy dearest off it did indeed.
“Dude, you can’t just greet guests like that! This is why we usually just keep you in the back. Sorry, this is my buddy. He’s grumpy but means well,” claims a friendly voice belonging to a muscular redhead shortly trailing behind Katsuki. He too has an apron on, but this time, it is crimson, and his name tag reads ‘Kirishima Eijirou’.
“Oh, shaddup. It’s not my fault that both damn raccoon eyes and long ears decided to go on a vacation break at the same fuckin’ time,” Katsuki retorts, “also I am not your goddamn ‘buddy’ you shitty-haired bastard.”
“Aw, you’re right.” Kirishima gives a large slap on Katsuki’s back, and pulls him in. “You’re not just my buddy, you’re my bro!”
With the flexibility and fluidity of a cat, Katsuki immediately slips out of Eijirou’s arm, and begins to vehemently protest every word that potentially affirms any sort of positive connection with each other.
Shouto is unable to decipher what scene is playing out in front of him, but all he knows is that whatever he is feeling, it is a new one. It almost is like the excitement he felt of bringing a new cat home, just in a different tone. He is unable to peel his eyes off the gorgeous but angry employee.
In the midst of the two caretakers’ bickering, without thinking, Shouto stupidly points at Katsuki.
“That one. I want that one.”
Pause. Both individuals turn to look at Shouto as if he just magically spewed flames from his body.
“What.”
Shouto lowers his arm, and levels Katsuki with a look.
“You. I want to take you home with me,” Shouto states.
Katsuki shoots him an incredulous look.
“Haah? Excuse me? Is your brain working? This is an adoption center. And this section is for adopting cats.”
Shouto does not relent.
“Well, your name is Cat-suki, is it not?”
Eijirou nervously shifts his eyes back and forth between the two, seemingly bracing himself for an explosion.
“The kanji is for victory you dick, not for English puns, what the FUCK- ”
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Yesterday, Shouto was promptly ushered out of the shelter. Eijirou quickly whispered to him in a panicked tone while trying to do damage control.
“Hey dude, come back tomorrow if you want to check out the cats. It’d mean a lot, thanks! And uh, maybe watch what you say around Katsuki? He’s not the type to joke around much, haha.”
Little did Eijirou know, this was no joke. Shouto had every intention to come back. Not just for a cat, but for a Cat-suki as well. Shouto is unsure if he’s doing it because he’d like to see that charming face again, or if to just make him adorably angry again for fun.
Maybe both. His face was prettily flushed as he shouted expletives at Shouto.
He’ll definitely come back today. He's conceived a plan.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Things don’t always go according to plan.
This time, he’s the one who appears behind Katsuki as the caretaker crassly walks towards the employee's back door from the cat room. He gently taps Katsuki on the shoulder.
Katsuki is startled. Shouto can metaphysically see his soul jump five feet in the air. Katsuki’s shoulders jut upwards, his spine straightens, hackles raised and goes stock-still for a second.
“Hey, cat got your tongue? If you’d let me, I'd-”
However, before Shouto is able to finish the pick-up line given by the incredibly reliable people on internet forums, the spooked blonde immediately whirls around, almost whopping Shouto straight on his left cheek as Shouto quickly steps back.
It stings a little. He didn’t even get to say ‘I’d like to get your tongue too’ as the redhead from before sees the whole catastrophe from across the room, and goes to perform damage control once again.
He’ll have to come up with another plan.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
The new plan is, in Shouto’s opinion, infallible. His best friend Momo disagrees. They place a bet.
He’ll prove her wrong and become 500 yen richer.
Shouto walks in the shelter yet again, following the same path, and sees Katsuki finishing up explaining the details of caretaking to potential patrons.
He makes eye contact with Katsuki. Katsuki, simply upon looking at him and what Shouto is holding, seems deeply unimpressed.
"I bought these for you. My name is Todoroki Shouto. Pleased to meet you."
Shouto pushes a bouquet forward.
"The pink reminded me of your apron," he explains in a rather flat tone.
"Wow. You choose to introduce yourself at our third meeting. Also, you know oleander is toxic to cats, right?"
Shouto is affronted. Of course he knows that.
"Yes, which is why these ones are actually fake."
Katsuki nevertheless remains unimpressed. His right eye twitches for a second.
"Did you know oleander represents desire, destiny, caution and romantic love?"
"No. But I bet you didn't know that either. You probably just picked the first fake pink flowers you saw, and searched them up and gave me the first Moogle result."
Guilty as charged.
But at the craft store, the fake flower at first sight truly did remind Shouto of Katsuki's adorable apron.
Katsuki rolls his eyes, and walks away without taking the bouquet of Shouto's plastic representation of love.
Shouto now owes Momo 500 yen, and is overall 500 yen poorer.
Though, Katsuki didn't lash out at him this time. Shouto counts it as a small victory, even if he lost the bet.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
The new, new plan is conceived. Shouto is a bit unsure if it will work. Camie said it would, as it was her idea.
Shouto should trust Camie, he reasons to himself. Camie is the embodiment of social networking, after all.
As per usual, Shouto strides towards Katsuki, who had just left the employee only area, this time with his bangs pushed back, endearingly exposing the spanse of his forehead.
Shouto wants to kiss it.
"Are you done staring, or did your brain just shut down?"
Shouto won't kiss it. He hasn't made it that far yet.
"Katsuki."
"What."
"Listen to me for a moment, would you?"
Katsuki raises a perfectly shaped brow. He gives a curt nod.
Excellent.
Shouto nervously breathes in and closes his eyes. He then gently raises his head and gives the most sparkly-eyed, charming look he is able to muster and gives a small smile.
"What you're about to hear is the best love song of all time."
He begins to sing.
"Katsuki, like a melody in my head…"
It's not great. Not terribly bad either though. The tune is recognizable enough, but some notes are sung unsteadily, and other notes Shouto can't quite reach with his vocal range.
Katsuki stares directly at him. He seems to be shaking a bit.
"Well?"
Katsuki then slaps his hand over his own mouth, and desperately tries to hold in the beginning of a string of huffing sounds.
Shouto is unsure what to make of that reaction, so he pulls the smoulder move again.
"Come now, let me see that pretty face of yours," he recites as Camie instructed.
Katsuki is unable to keep silent, and explodes into full on laughter. His mouth is stretched wide, his face slightly flushed and his eyebrows delightfully scrunched. So unlike the scowl he's been greeted with each time.
"Huh, I've never seen Kacchan laugh like that," spouts a contemplative voice from somewhere else in the room.
It's an ugly laugh, with deep, inconsistent sounds. But it's Katsuki's laugh. And that makes it beautiful to Shouto. He can't help but feel a bit special for having been able to achieve that.
Shouto can't help but truly want to make Katsuki laugh even more now.
Katsuki's guffaws eventually begin to rest, though a few snickers and huffs manage to pass his thin, rosy lips.
"Was it really that funny?" Shouto amusedly asks.
Katsuki just smiles and shakes his head. He doesn't deem him an actual answer.
"Just go home, half-'n-half bastard. You're probably going to come back tomorrow anyway."
Shouto duly listens, still in a state of light, hazy bliss thinking about what he just discovered. He'll have to send Camie a sign of gratitude.
He makes up his mind. He wants to bring both a cat and Katsuki home someday.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
“Katsuki, I’d like to take you home with me,” Shouto repeats.
A loud, annoyed sigh leaves Katsuki.
“You’ve already tried that line, dumbass.”
A few, long seconds pass.
Katsuki’s face turns from annoyed to a mischievous smirk, promising uncontained sadistic glee as what seems to be a most devious divination that has been bestowed upon him. He grandly flourishes, in a spiteful and sarcastic manner, cocking his head to the side as pale golden strands follow to frame his smug face.
“Actually, you know what? Fine.”
“Fine? You’re willing to go out with me?”
“You were pretty dumb the other day. Stupid, but funny. So I'll give you a chance. On one condition.”
Well. If there’s a chance, one ought to take it, no? Shouto steels his face, signifying that he is ready to use any means necessary to woo the grumpy golden boy.
“You have to win over one of the cats here,” Katsuki continues, “specifically: King Explosion Meowder the Second.”
He lazily swings his thumb back, pointing to a certain area of the shelter.
It is mostly empty, save for one relatively large enclosure. Yet, the space only houses one cat despite its size. Unlike the other animals up for adoption, neither employee nor potential adopter is around this cat.
A low whistle emanates from the back. Shouto turns, and sees a lackadaisical man, resting the back of his dark blonde head on his two entwined hands. His employee name tag reads ‘Kaminari Denki’.
He shoots a sympathetic look at Shouto.
“That’s rough, buddy. Good luck with that. The only person who can handle the King is Katsuki.”
“It’s King Explosion Meowder the Second to you, asshole,” Katsuki shoots back.
Still. It should be simple enough. Shouto is a professional cat researcher. He’s been able to make friends with every cat that has crossed his path. He’s come a long way, and has even made a handful of human friends. No potential friend should be unfriendable.
Challenge accepted. There is nothing to lose after all.
Undeterred, Shouto swivels back around and briskly paces towards the lone cat.
While most of the enclosures had simple cat towers, levels, boxes and toys, clearly, the King had his own personal environment. Plentiful amounts of royal blue blankets swath the white floor of the raised enclosure, the food and water bowls conveniently placed amongst them. In the center, was a singular, violet-cushioned, cat-sized throne.
And upon said throne, was a regal Norwegian Forest cat sitting upright. Its soft, blonde fur elegantly tufted beneath its head. Sharp but calm hazel eyes stared forward, practically straight into Shouto’s eyes, almost as if scrutinizing him. This was the King-- a most fitting name indeed.
As Shouto slowly moves closer to the glass pane separating the areas from pen to outside, the King narrows his eyes, pupils dilating and the fur on his back slightly raising. His adorable fluffy ears begin to point backwards.
Shouto knows what those signs are, and they are not good ones. Still, he is a man on a mission.
In an attempt to be more calming, Shouto slows his approach even more, footsteps near silent while steadily lowering himself, almost as if prostrating before royalty. Angling his head upwards, with pleading eyes, Shouto musters the most appeasing voice he can muster.
“Greetings, King, Your Majesty. May you grant me a moment of your time, and become a friend of mine?”
A beat passes.
Shouto’s plea clearly was unheard.
An ear-piercing, unholy mix of a shriek of a banshee and a hiss disdainfully emanates from the other side. The King quickly dashes and lunges at Shouto with claws out, his fierce attack stopped only by the shield that was the glass panel. He bonks his head. The King deeply growls, and follows up with raging roars as the cat attempts to maul Shouto with its deadly but fuzzy little paws. Cringe-inducing screeching sounds are produced from each hysterical failed attack that causes the King’s claws to drag down the surface of the glass pane. Teeth fully bared, the King continuously tries to go at Shouto despite the barrier.
Realizing the attack would go nowhere, the King dashes away, bumping into his throne. Rattled, the cat quickly gets up to hide behind the throne and some blankets.
Well.
This has never happened to Shouto with any of the other cats he’s met throughout his lifetime.
Not even Katsuki rejected him this hard, not even after several tries of flirting with him. Shouto even had overheard someone describe Katsuki’s language as “crap steeped in stewage”. Quite frankly, this is a new low for Shouto.
Shouto takes a step back. In fact, he’s taken aback. This was an unwelcome introduction that now has become part of Shouto’s cat-befriending timeline.
Apparently there was something to lose after all.
Mainly just a bit of pride in his cat attraction skills.
Despite the King’s clear displeasure however, Shouto reaffirms himself. Shouto vows to win the King over in order to restore his honor and status in the art of cat befriending. He might just even choose to adopt the King should he succeed. Nothing worth having comes easy, after all.
Shouto hates to lose. And if Katsuki has victory in his name, Shouto wants to claim it.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Simply approaching the cat won’t do, as his first meeting with the King demonstrates that.
Meet one of his genius friend's inventions: the Hatsume Mei-ow version 1.1. A small, white mouse with a bit of a cartoonish face that is controllable with a remote. Moreover, it comes with a catnip spray function, has several squeak types and speed settings. It can even wag its tail.
Truly, it is any cat’s dream toy.
Shouto makes gentle strides towards the enclosure, but not fully by the glass panel separating them like last time. He meets the King’s eyes. The haughty cat already seems to be looking down on him with displeasure, pupils wide.
Shouto holds up the toy mouse as if it is a prize. The King’s pupils dilate even more as his head stretches forward attempting to see what Shouto is offering.
Shouto looks to the side. He makes eye-contact with Eijirou and Denki. Their faces are grim, but understanding.
“Follow me,” Eijirou states in a serious tone. The man turns around, making grave steps towards the door of the enclosure, and unlocks it. “I’m not going to let you go in…but I can see you have a favour of sorts there. I’ll let you present it. The door won’t be open for longer than a second though.”
That’s good enough for Shouto.
Eijirou opens the door quickly. Loud pattering steps can be heard barreling towards the direction of the door. Shouto rapidly places the mouse in, following with the redhead hastily shutting it closed. Scratches can be heard being made along the door accompanied by snarls. Unpleasant to the ear, but not as terrible as against the glass.
Three collective sighs of relief are let out.
Shouto makes his way to the window of the enclosure once again to view the war ground. His tactic? Send in the strongest knight. Technically his only knight. Still. He decides to name the mouse ‘Percival’, and braces for the battle to begin.
He orders his bravest soldier to move. Percival rapidly migrates towards the center of the field. The King whips his head back, ears flicking.
Good.
The King slowly and steadily saunters towards the same direction of the mouse guard, but stops halfway through.
Shouto has Percival wiggle its tail. Your move, he thinks towards the cat.
The King crouches slightly, taking even more careful movements, stance widened. He continues to stalk forwards.
Almost there.
The King stops short of Percival, angling his head downwards at the mouse. He appears ready to move at any second.
As soon as the King is close enough, Shouto has the toy mouse rapidly shoot out, quickly pacing away to begin an epic chase, producing several squeaking sounds, tail whipping behind it, and then --
Nothing.
The King just mildly turns in the general direction to where Percival had gone, waits for a few long seconds, and loses interest. The furball proceeds to carefully navigate through the blankets, eventually hopping onto his throne once again. He sits in his usual majestic position.
The King didn’t even try to paw at the toy once he saw it move.
Shouto is disappointed, but that is okay. There’s still one trick left in Percival's arsenal.
Catnip. All that is good, gracious and mystical to the feline community.
Shouto directs the toy towards the throne at a mild pace, then inches Percival left and right, squeaking to gain the King's attention once more.
His ears have perked up again. Purr-fect.
A slight spraying sound ensues as Shouto commands the catnip onslaught.
The King…remains unmoved.
"Nice try," Denki sighs and pats Shouto on the shoulder. The disappointment is palpable.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Shouto arrives at the shelter with a different tactic. His friendship scheme? Churu cat treats.
Perhaps last time did not work because only a servant ought to do the dirty work of chasing, not a king.
He hopes to get closer to the King. This method will allow the King to recognize his scent too, Shouto thinks.
The caretaker that greets him this time is a green-haired man with a youthful demeanor. His name tag reads 'Midoriya Izuku'. He spots Shouto and gives him a short wave.
"You're the guy who's trying to win over the King, right? Because Kacchan told you to? I'm amazed at your dedication."
Kacchan? Ah, this must be the person who had overheard him.
Shouto blandly introduces himself, having little to say. Izuku also introduces himself, albeit with plenty of bowing. He gives Shouto a bright smile, freckles dotting his cheeks. He is friend-shaped and seems to be kindness incarnate.
"Here," he continues, "I'll open up for you. Kirishima and Kaminari already told me all about it. Good luck!"
Shouto braces himself, Churu at the ready. The door is opened. He cautiously creeps in.
The King is already facing the intruder. Though, he has not moved to attack.
Shouto sticks out his offering, the tube opened, allowing the smell of the tuna variety to waft through the enclosure.
The King treads guardedly towards Shouto, stopping several times between. His ears are moving about. No signs of hissing or growling yet.
Eventually, his cutesy pink nose sniffs twice at the treat in Shouto's hand.
Almost there and…
Shouto loses a bit of his balance, having to step forward.
The King lets out a loud yowl. A burst of stinging pain is felt along Shouto's arm. No blood is drawn, but the scratch marks are definitely there. At least the King's claws were clipped enough to not have dealt much damage.
In the split second of Shouto's surprise, he had instinctively jerked his hand back, dropping the Churu.
The King immediately snatches up his spoils, almost slipping on one of the blankets along the way. He warily climbs up, returning to his throne. Several instances pass before the King enjoys the tuna pureed treat.
Izuku quickly pulls Shouto out of the enclosure, hastily checking his arm for any serious injury, stuttering questions of concern.
Well, so much for that.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Shouto doesn't really have a plan this time. He's running out of ideas. There's only so much he can do within the confines of the shelter.
Izuku is there to greet him again that day. He ushers Shouto over with a small smile.
“You came at a good time, actually. Kacchan is doing his usual checkup on the King. Maybe you can observe him to see if you can learn anything. I’ll let you in the back, just try your best not to touch anything you shouldn’t.”
Shouto is grateful, but a bit confused.
“Thank you, but why are you helping me?” He asks.
Izuku gives him a knowing smile.
“Kacchan and I are childhood friends. The thing is though, he rarely tends to laugh. Ah! Well um, other than, say, a laugh of victory or some sort of jeer,” he answers fondly, “it’s just that…I’ve never seen anyone make him laugh like that. Obviously I don’t know you too well but, just the fact that you’ve made Kacchan smile like that alone, alongside putting in the effort with the King… I just think you would be good for him if given the chance.”
Izuku flusters for a moment, waving his hands around rapidly.
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent. It’s just that Kacchan is really fond of this cat. The King has had some behavioral issues because of his past. Just reading ‘behavioral issues' on his profile makes people nervous. Even moreso, he’s partially blind, so he requires extra supervision, as well as a more modified home environment. So it has been hard to find people willing to adopt him. I think Kacchan would be really happy if someone else saw that same charm in the King.”
Shouto gives Izuku a sympathetic look. He too can understand some of the difficulties of interacting with others. His heart clenches, now knowing how lonely it must’ve been for the King.
Shouto follows Izuku to the back room. Izuku gently swings the door open, and the two are immediately greeted with a scowl.
"What. Are. You. Doing. Back. Here. Deku, what the hell?"
"Kacchan! I'm just letting him back here to uh, y'know, interact with the cats a bit! Since Shouto here was looking to adopt," Izuku nervously trails off, "some of these ones can only be pet from back here anyway…"
The blonde squints, throwing Izuku a suspecting glance.
"Tsk. Whatever. Just don't fuck anything up and get in my way."
Katsuki saunters off in his usual, goblin-like manner. Shouto can’t help but swoon a bit at how Katsuki’s strands of gold gracefully bounce slightly with each pace.
Izuku and Shouto face each other, both giving a quick nod. Shouto slowly creeps around, silently following Katsuki.
Katsuki subtly opens a door to a hallway, where a decently sized encaged space can be seen, seemingly connected to one of the enclosures. He rings a small bell to signify his entrance, and sits on the floor within the space. A minute later, the King appears behind the metal gates.
The King looks all too happy to be with Katsuki. This version of the King seems miles away from the demonic pile of fluff that was somehow summoned after every instance of meeting it. Shouto could see some more of the charisma Izuku was talking about.
Katsuki murmurs to the King in a gentle, low voice.
“Hey there, King Explosion Meowder the Second…”
The name is ridiculous, and almost sounds entirely twice as ridiculous when spoken in a soft tone.
Still, it seems to work. To be fair, Katsuki’s voice spoken like that would definitely work on Shouto too. Even if he called him a ‘half-'n half bastard’.
The cat inches closer. Katsuki’s hand is marginally raised, but not too high. He patiently allows the King to sniff him for as long as needed. The King lets out a low purr, rubbing his forehead against Katsuki’s hand.
Katsuki gives him slow, soothing pets. Not too light, not too heavy. Just the right amount of weight behind his hand.
“Let me check you for a ‘sec, ‘kay?” Katsuki signals in advance, intonations still remaining serene.
He tenderly checks the King over, making sure no injuries are in place. Katsuki continues to let out pacifying words of support.
Once finished, Katsuki gives the King a treat as a reward. The King flops over endearingly, exposing his soft, fluffy tummy. The living floor mop is given many tummy rubs. Katsuki’s ruby eyes are serene, but rueful.
Shouto wants to change that look into one of complete joy and humor again.
The King is eventually let go, returning once again to his noble domain.
“Wow,” Shouto comments.
The harshness returns to Katsuki’s face, circling around to look at Shouto, alert at the sound. He relaxes somewhat upon seeing who it is.
“I thought I said to stay out of my way,” Katsuki grumbles.
“I don’t think I got in your way. You seemed to deal with the King just fine.”
Katsuki rolls his eyes.
“Yeah, well. It’s my job, dumbass. And once again, it’s King Explosion Meowder the Second.”
“Even then, you’re very good at it. Your coworkers seem to be quite apprehensive around King Explosion Meowder.”
“The Second,” Katsuki corrects.
“The Second,” Shouto repeats.
“They’re all idiots too,” the blonde huffs, “I can handle him because I’m the best.”
A grin breaks out across Shouto’s usually stoic face. “You really are,” he fondly affirms.
Katsuki scoffs, angling his head towards the ground while shoving his hands in his pockets. The tip of his ears are tinged pink.
“No shit,” Katsuki mumbles, “just…leave. You’re not supposed to be back here anyway if you aren’t even going to look at the other furballs. I have to check on some of the other cats anyway.”
Shouto wants to tease him some more, but doesn’t want to push Katsuki too much either.
“I’ve seen plenty good today. Two charming cats, in fact.”
“Wh-”
“Have a good day, Cat-suki.”
Shouto makes a speedy exit, and chuckles as he hears an embarrassed shout from behind him.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Shouto arrives at the shelter once again. However, something seems afoot. There’s panicked murmurs from the to-be adopters surrounding him. He continues onto the cat area, on edge.
There’s usually at least one person there to greet him.
He wanders further into the shelter. Shouto startles as a figure almost bodies against him.
It’s Katsuki. The usually stern man is clearly distraught, his chest raising and lowering rapidly, the sound of his breathing far more noticeable.
“Ugh, move-” Katsuki snarls, lightly pushing Shouto. Shouto grabs Katsuki’s arm before he can be waved away.
“What’s wrong?” He asks in concern.
“Don’t worry about it, I can handle it-”
“Katsuki. Let me help. What’s wrong?”
Katsuki shoots him a frustrated glare, clenching his teeth and shifting away a bit once again in aghast. He eventually loudly exhales, and blinks up at Shouto.
“It’s King Explosion Meowder the Second. Someone just recently adopted a dog or whatever. Something spooked the pooch, and the damn guy wasn’t holding the leash tight enough, so it got loose and started to run everywhere,” he explains, “I was taking care of his majesty but momentarily got distracted by drooly barging into the back room, asking for my help. I turn back to put King Explosion Meowder the Second in the enclosure, but he’s gone. He must’ve freaked out by Pikachu’s sudden frazzled shouting.”
Katsuki begins to pace around in distressed motions.
“He’s partially blind. He’s not good with people. He was hit on the head once by some punks as some fucked up joke, which is why he’s like that. The others are dealing with the dog. I have to find him,” Katsuki mentions, beginning to become more antsy.
“We can find him. Okay? I’ll help. Even if the King doesn’t like me as much as you do, he at least should know my scent.”
A wary glance meets Shouto’s determined eyes.
“Fine. Just…wait there or something and don’t scare him if you find him.”
“Understood.”
With that, both men resolutely head off in separate directions. Their footsteps hushed and tentative.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Seeing how troubled Katsuki had been strengthens Shouto's resolve. And given the King's condition, it's imperative they find him soon. Of course Shouto had to help, there was no question about it. Even if looking for the cat is proving to be difficult.
Shouto looks back and forth at each section he enters. He paces, but does not run in fear of potentially scaring the King away should he come across him. He sets foot in another one of the cat areas.
His eyes rapidly scan over all of the cats.
No, not there. The critters are paw-sitively adorable though.
Moving on.
He makes way into the next connected room through a door. More cats. But not the right one.
No, not here either.
Several rooms later, Shouto is still unable to spot the runaway king. Where could he be?
Shouto arrives at a hallway, illuminated by natural lighting from the glass panels that face the outdoors. The hallway seems to fork off. The left connects into the sector for dogs, while the other route seems to bend off into a waiting area of sorts.
Making his way to the junction, Shouto decides to turn to the right. He assumes the King would not want to find shelter amongst the hounds.
Far off in the back, at the end of the hallway is a seating area. Shouto saunters further in. The back corner is slightly darker than the rest of the other arrangements laid out. It houses a low table and two leather cushioned armchairs.
There.
Underneath one of the seats is a pair of barely visible eyes. Were it not for the light coloured fur, Shouto almost would have missed the King.
Shouto crouches down and inches towards the frightened creature. He sticks his hand out low to the ground.
“Pspspspspspsps.”
The King does not budge. He realizes he’s been found.
Shouto pulls out another packet of Churu. This time, it is chicken flavored.
The King still does not budge. If anything, from what is visible to Shouto, his ears flicked back. He seems to be suspicious. Not good.
Shouto moves marginally closer. The King lets out a hiss.
Very not good, one might say.
Maybe you can observe him to see if you can learn anything, rings a voice in the back of his mind.
Shouto thinks back to Katsuki, trying to remember Katsuki’s every move of how he interacted with the King.
Ah. Maybe…
Shouto switches from a crouching position to simply sitting on the floor. He bends his back downwards, attempting to appear a bit smaller.
“Hey there, King Explosion Meowder the Second,” Shouto says as placatingly as possible. His heart is pounding, but he tries his best to appear non-threatening. Hopefully, whatever the King is able to view with his limited vision, feels more at ease.
Shouto keeps his arm extended, but does not move it. He remains as fixed as possible. He keeps the Churu in his opposite hand.
Shouto continues to softly murmur words of encouragement every now and then. It feels as if centuries have passed before the King seems to relax slightly.
Shouto quietly scooches closer.
The King tenses up once again.
Shouto stops, and repeats the same process. Over and over.
After long, agonizing periods of waiting, eventually, Shouto’s lowered hand is close enough to the edge of the King’s hiding spot from beneath the table, to where the King is able to sniff his hand safely. Shouto is deathly still.
A pink nose pokes out, smelling him.
Bit by bit, the King slides out from underneath. “Good boy,” Shouto whispers.
The King finally is completely out, and carefully pads into Shouto’s lap.
He sniffs some more before rubbing the side of his head against Shouto’s hand, beginning to purr.
Shouto is beyond ecstatic. His heart is still beating fast, but he feels some relief nonetheless. He slowly raises his left hand and delicately opens the packet of Churu. Shouto leisurely directs the open end near the King’s nose.
The King’s wet, peachy nose twitches lightly. The cat moves to enjoy his treat, purring all the while.
If it wouldn’t ruin the moment and frighten the fellow, Shouto would be jumping for joy right about now. Caught up in the King’s cuddly charm, Shouto almost doesn’t hear the light footsteps approaching behind him.
“Wow,” a familiar deep voice comments. It’s Katsuki. Shouto minutely angles his head to look at his favorite caretaker, wearing that adorable pink apron still.
Katsuki lips form an impressed smirk. “Well, I’ll be damned. You actually did it. Nobody else has been able to handle him thus far, other than me, of course.”
“Is everything under control now?”
“Yup,” Katsuki responds, “doggo’s all calmed down now and back with her new owner.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t come find me earlier,” Shouto remarks.
“Actually, I was here for a while. I saw King Explosion Meowder the Second crawl into your lap. I didn’t want to spook the bastard off after all that effort was put into finding him.”
“Oh.”
A beat passes. The King is still enjoying his treat, undisturbed by the conversation.
“So. The terms and conditions.”
Katsuki lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Yes, you half-’n-half bastard. I’ll go out with you.”
“Say my name,” Shouto says petulantly.
Katsuki looks a bit reluctant. His cheeks flush, but he acquiesces.
“I’ll go out with you, Shouto.”
A wide grin blooms across Shouto’s face. He did it. He’s won the cat and Cat-suki over.
Katsuki’s blush reaches his ears upon seeing Shouto’s reaction, lips curling.
Another beat passes.
“...Thanks.” Katsuki mutters faintly with an embarrassed pout. Shouto smiles faintly, and turns to look at the King once again.
“Hey, I was thinking,” Shouto begins.
“You think?”
Shouto sighs amusedly and shakes his head, silky strands of red and white mixing together. The King moves his ears about curiously. Katsuki can’t help but chuckle.
“Yes. I do. And said thinking led me to believe that I should adopt King Explosion Meowder the Second. Take him home with me.”
Katsuki swallows thickly. “Good,” he says, voice partly strained.
Oh no. Shouto can’t have that now.
“I’m sure he’ll miss you plenty.”
“He better. I’m the one who had to deal with his highness’s ass, after all.”
“But…I’m sure he’ll be even happier if he gets to see you some more. If only someone would come home with me…” Shouto mentions, pretending to be off-handed about the matter. Katsuki scoffs.
“Take me out to dinner first, you rude bastard.”
Shouto laughs, glancing at Katsuki with mirth.
“I believe I already have asked you out, but I guess I’ll lay out the specifics. Come home with me. We can enjoy some takeout and the lovely company of royalty.”
“Fine. Only ‘cause I ain’t the type to break promises. And because I need to know if your clueless ass is taking care of King Explosion Meowder the Second properly.”
“Sure.”
Red eyes glare at Shouto. And matching that gaze is an almost as red face, pink lips pursed.
“Are you insinuating something?”
“No, not at all.”
“...Just take me home with you.”
“For you, my king? Anything.”
“Mreow.”
“You too, of course.”