Chapter Text
Despite the growth Patch went through one would always be reminded that he was far from growing out of his old habits. He had grown visibly, still fitting onto a table and somewhat easy to carry so his small days are far from over. Yet one has to still keep in mind that he is still like a kid regardless. And there were times where Izumi had been reminded of that fact, more than once.
When still small enough the kitty had snuck into one of the model’s bags after all, right when he had been going to the beach for a modeling job, yet Patch wanted to come along anyways. Even when he had been told ‘ No! ’ it was not an answer the cat accepted so easily. So in the end he got his way, somewhat. He also had Ritsu and Ann worried, the latter sounded as if she had been at the brink of a heart attack. But it was a good warning for when he had to always head to Florence – Check your bags before heading out. And guess what? Patch had been trying to hide inside a bag every single time. He could be a troublesome little guy… Luckily the hiding spots became fewer the more Patch grew yet he was still trying… Talk about attached.
But that had not been the end of it, no. There was one other thing where Patch showed his more than visible clinginess in various ways. And one of those had been ever since he had found out about Yuu–Kun.
Oh Yuu–Kun, how Izumi could talk about him all day long. There couldn’t be a guy more precious, a younger brother through and through. Anyone could pale in comparison. His precious little Yuu–Kun! Ah, words could not articulate it well enough… In fact it would not never be enough! What words were there to use!? He could go on a tangent like any other proud older brother would and beyond! He has grown so much it was worthy of praise and attention! And if no one would shower Yuu–Kun with attention, then it was up to Izumi to do so! He can make up for hundreds, no, thousands of fans on his own!
Ahem, but enough about that tangent… That would do nothing to do the situation at hand. Honestly, in an ideal world and place Patch would probably see it the same way Izumi would. After all, the two of them are in the same place… It should be a good thing. No, a wonderful thing! The two should get along just fine! There was a reason he had been more than eager for Patch and Yuu–Kun to meet! But things were… A little complicated, to put it lightly. Honestly, he had expected this to go smoother than it did currently, way smoother. Because this was anything but smooth.
All Patch did at this point was cling onto Izumi’s leg, his nubs nearly tearing the fabric of the jeans he was wearing apart. Or so it felt like but Patch did not look like having the amount of strength necessary to rip a hole in on his own, at least not yet. But it was more than that… It had not just been Patch’s tugging setting Izumi off. It was also the face he was making while hiding behind the model.
He was peeking not so pleasantly. He had his cheeks filled with air, thus forming a pout while staring up at the blonde with a sharp glare! Or rather an attempt at a sharp glare. He tried to come off as intimidating yet anyone knew that he was anything but intimidating. It was just like on Halloween, the cat trying to look scary but he honestly looked like anything but scary. Most would call it cute and maybe izumi would not think of it any differently. But the situation did not allow him to think that. And there was no time to think that to be honest.
And not just that but Patch’s behavior was also confusing Yuu–Kun. Whenever he had tried to get closer to the kitty he was only hiding behind his big brothnya. Talk about no sense of behavior right now…
“Hey, Patch! At least say hello!” Izumi scolded upon the sight. All Yuu—Kun had tried to do was kneel down and greet the cat. Yet he did not respond, only glaring while staying all silent. And one could feel the awkward tension. “Patch! Are you listening!? I said–”
“Izumi–San… It’s fine, really.” Of course Yuu–Kun would stand up for someone like Patch. He didn’t let it get to him, even if the smile on his face was a little nervous. At least someone was being a good kid right now. And of course it was Yuu–Kun! “Maybe he’s just a little scared.”
“I appreciate you trying to defend Patch but—”
“It’s not uncommon for cats. Give it time.” Yuu–Kun would interrupt yet it was hard to get angry at that. Actually… Izumi was not even angry at Patch either. He was honestly just a little annoyed if anything but not angry or even mad. Just what was wrong?
Regardless, Yuu–Kun would hold his hand out towards the kitty, as if trying to encourage him to sniff it. And he had been waiting for some time, trying to look as gently as possible, trying to reassure Patch that he was not a bad guy. And he wasn’t, it was Yuu–Kun after all!
But did it convince Patch? No, not really… Not at all actually. All Patch continued to do was stare and stare, not even moving his head out and trying to sniff it like a cat would… Instead he just held tighter onto Izumi’s leg, suddenly hugging it, and when turning down to look at Patch one could see him trying to glare even sharper and the cheeks becoming as bloated as a hamster’s… How ironic.
And after a moment of silence he said: “My borthnya!”
This had the other two stare a bit in disbelief, a bit surprised.What did Patch just say? Hah!?
“You… Really like Izumi–San, don’t you?” Yuu–Kun was trying to diffuse the situation as best as he could, trying to get the cat to talk. And yet it didn’t do much else but to hug the leg Patch was clinging on tighter.
“My brothnya!”
“Ahaha… Uhm—”
“My brothnya my brothnya my brothnya!” It then echoed with Patch non stop yelling these two words. He then turned away with a huff white hugging the leg as tightly as possible. That cat…
“Oi, Patch! What’s gotten into you!?” Izumi would ask, trying to keep his voice down yet this was getting frustrating! Why was he acting that much of a child right now!? He was like a child but this!? “At least try to cooperate with Yuu–Kun!”
“Nye!” A quick headshake. “My brothnya!”
“Patch!”
“Nye!”
“Why you…” Do not growl, do not cause a scene. But… This…
“Maybe he’s not feeling well right now?” Yuu–Kun would suggest and compared to Izumi he seemed rather calm about this, although perhaps a little tense. “It’s ok. You shouldn’t push him like that.”
“Hah!? Don’t tell me that you tolerate behavior like that! Patch has to learn just as much as—”
“You can’t force him, I mean!” A quick interruption, then the blonde would finally get up slowly. “You should give him some time opening up maybe.”
That… Was a fair point. Hah… Was it because of Patch’s cat–like features or something? Well… “I guess you have a point.” Izumi sighed, forcing himself to agree. He had no arguments against that to be honest. “Still, would you calm down Patch?”
A huff yet again… Just how stubborn could this cat get?
Honestly, it was a question of its own. Izumi couldn’t help but wonder what was up as this was not exactly like Patch all the same. After all, usually he was eager to meet new people so why not Yuu–Kun!? It didn’t make any sense!
Talk about a pain… Ah yeesh! But it couldn’t be helped right now… Maybe at a later point…