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Sunlight spilled in abundance over Oletus Manor; a phenomenon rarely observed due to the English weather allowing, at most, three sunny days a year. With such a golden opportunity before you, it came as no surprise that you took the first chance you could to wrangle your boyfriend into the gardens after breakfast, eager to bask in the light and observe the critters scattered around.
Marcus, for his part, accompanied you with a look of feigned annoyance, examining his cue stick as though it interested him more than this rare opportunity to relax with you. Any time you called his attention to a bird or bug, he replied with a polite nod, as well as the occasional, “How interesting, dear”. Only when your eyes were off him did his own shift to you, softening behind the aloof, gentlemanly veneer he wore.
At some point, his mind shifted as your mutterings to your surroundings became faint, pleasant background noise… and then, without warning:
“Pspspsps.”
Marcus stilled, head snapping up as his tail ceased its languid swishing, raised rigidly as though called to attention. Not even a second passed before a response escaped his lips, “Yes, my love?”
You stared at him.
He stared back.
Then, a wheeze; like a broken, squeaking toy trapped in a dust storm. It was horrible. It was evil.
…It made him want to curl in on himself and disappear.
“Stop that-” he cried, standing and stomping his heel into the ground. He swung his cue stick vaguely in your direction, as though that would make him more intimidating. “Do not laugh at me, you vile-”
“You…! You responded to my ‘pspsps’-” you gasped, hand clutched to your chest as you fought for breath. Beside you, a stray cat lay in the bushes, looking mildly horrified by your sudden, uncontrollable laughter. Marcus mirrored its expression.
“I… I was merely- I did not- Cease this tomfoolery at once!”
His words went unheard as you doubled over, startling the feline which previously held your attention as you continued to struggle to contain yourself. “You… you responded! You responded like a little cat! Your tail flicked! Oh, do it again, Marcus! Pspsps-”
“Stop!” Marcus shouted, and yet, to his humiliation, his tail perked up once more. There was no doubt his face would have flushed a cherry red had he still retained the blood needed for it.
Your laughter continued, filling the garden until you felt your lover tugging at you impatiently, nearly piercing your sleeve with his claws. You allowed yourself to be pulled up.
“Mmm… you’re adorable,” you sighed, flushed and breathless as you lay against his chest.
“And you are most cruel, mocking my-”
“Cat behavior?”
“-Condition,” he scoffed. Despite his indignation, his tail curled around your legs as he held you upright.
“Ah, yes, condition,” you huffed, voice muffled by his chest.
“Yes, condition,” he replied. “You will speak of it to no one.”
You peeked up at him, eyes scrunching in delight. “...pspspsps.”
Marcus couldn’t decide whether he wanted to kiss you or kill you.