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For once the First Division felt peace since the last three days haven't been busy. Kaiju have stayed away for the most part and there hasn’t even been paper work for Narumi (Hasegawa) to do. The First Division was nothing but peaceful, officers and the platoon leaders training or taking their well deserved break. Even Kikoru Shinomiya was taking a break alongside her father figure of a companion.
But like everything with the Defense Force, strange and unfortunate things always happen at the most random times possible. After not hearing from Narumi in over twelve hours, Hasegawa actually got a bit worried, since he at least gets one single text from the man, and went to the captain’s office. As always, he walks straight in since there’s no locks.
Hasegawa regrets that decision right away as he looks over at Narumi’s futon and not only not seeing Narumi there. But seeing a cat. A cat in the First Division. The worst part? It looks just like Narumi.
So here the group stands in the meeting room with Director General Itami, discussing what the hell happened to their captain.
“Sorry.” Kikoru shakes her head in disbelief. “You’re telling me that master moron got turned into a cat?”
“It would seem so.” Hasegawa deadpans at the cat laying on the table in front of him. It’s already bit him four times and scratched him double that. “It’s a little bastard just like him.”
Shinonome can’t help but want to pet the little thing, too bad she’s too far from him. Tachibana is in the same boat as her, same with Kurusu who’s been roped into this mess. The three can’t help but ogle at the small captain-like cat.
“Oh brother.” Kikoru joins the vice captain in deadpanning. “Can I opt out of taking care of that thing?”
“That thing!?” Shinonome honestly gets offended in her captain’s behalf. “That’s our Captain Narumi!”
“Exactly.”
Hasegawa clears his throat, “I don’t really care who takes care of him. We just need to ensure he stays in sight until we can figure out how this even happened.” He looks towards Kurusu, nodding his head for the man to speak.
“Right! We’ve done a scan over him and it came out… normal? For a cat…” He gives a sheepish smile, this situation is absurd. “We don’t know much else at the moment until the blood work and other test results come back.”
After those words are said, chatter breaks out amongst those there. Mainly discussing who’s going to be trustworthy enough with Captain Nyami. Though, luckily enough Narumi chose someone before a single person could be picked. The kitty got up, walked straight across the table to where Kafka stood, and jumped onto the man.
“Oh.” Kafka gulps nervously, taking the cat-captain into his arms gently. “Uhh… hi…” Don’t get him wrong, this situation is strange as fuck. But then again he did swallow a kaiju parasite thing and became a kaiju so not much really tops that.
Everyone grows silent, eyes on Kafka immediately. Kikoru even finds it fascinating, watching as cat-Naru purrs while Kafka scratches his chin and ears. “You’re good with cats.” She says with some disbelief.
“I guess so? I don’t even really like cats in all honesty.” The man shrugs, petting the cat-captain with the utmost care and delicacy. In turn, the kitty purrs and purrs, eyes closed as he enjoys the attention. Before Kafka realizes, the cat-captain goes right to sleep in his arms.
“Works for me.” Hasegawa lets out a genuine breath of relief. “Alright meeting over. Take care of Narumi for me.” The vice captain walks out of the room in a haste, glad that he doesn’t have to deal with it.
“Uhhh, okay…” Kafka can’t help feeling nervous about this new task at hand. Kikoru only smirks at him, finding the whole situation honestly amusing. It just means she won’t have to deal with her dear moronic master for a little while.
Having cats was always Mina’s thing. She befriended stray cat after stray cat, feeding them all, naming them, and playing with them after school. Hell, even now she has a big ass cat with her, though that’s a tiger, but still. Kafka has always been a dog person, so having a cat outright choose him? Shocking to say the least.
But having the cat version of his captain choose him? Now that’s the real shocker. He barely sees Narumi and when they do see each other, Narumi is either this cool guy who’s oh so strong. Or a loser. No in between. But even then, Narumi is just… different. Kafka wouldn’t personally consider them to be friends, but it’s not like they hate each other or anything.
Does he wish he could get closer with Narumi despite him being an absolute annoying, loserish bastard? Yes. Kafka likes making friends so of course. Did he foresee this? Absolutely not.
The cat-captain currently resides on his lap, all curled up sound asleep. With the initial shock over, Kafka can finally take in the kitty’s appearance. He honestly, is just the color of Narumi’s hair including the colored bits. Who knows what breed he is but he’s decently fluffy without being long haired. It’s just Narumi’s hair but as a cat pretty much.
He’s cute though and strangely calm. Kafka had texted Mina for some cat care tips since that's her thing, and my god the list he got back would absolutely send him into generational debt. But he did what he could with stuff he had, what Hasegawa delivered to him, and what Kikoru has donated.
So now the lil cat has his own pillows and water bowl. Has he used the pillows at all? No. He stays on Kafka and Kafka only.
Kafka goes to bed, cat is there. Kafka decides to do some push ups, cat on back. He can’t even go to leave his room without Nyami wanting to come with. So Kafka gave it all up, deciding to just sit in bed petting his cat-captain with one hand, phone in the other because of course his kids from the Third Division have to know.
It isn’t a private private matter, as long as it doesn't get to the media it’s fine and dandy. So he shares all sorts of pics to the group chat and even to Hoshina who only replies with “Now he’s actually tolerable!”. At one point, Akari had mentioned that cats like to play. But this cat? Fuck no. Narumi has barely even been awake.
“Is all you do is sleep?” Kafka speaks in an amused tone, lightly pinching the kitty’s ear to gain his attention. “It’s cute don’t get me wrong but sheesh!” He lets out a laugh when the kitty only purrs harder without opening his eyes at all.
“Food?” He tries.
“Toys?”
“Water?”
Nothing works, Nyami wants nothing but cuddles apparently.
“You’re getting hair all over meeeeeee.” The man frowns out of slight annoyance, there’s gonna be hair all over his bedsheets too damnit. Despite the hassle, Kafka still lightly strokes the cat-captain's head and back, sometimes even twirling his tail which he seems to enjoy.
All of a sudden, Kafka’s door opens widely and enters Kikoru with a grumpy expression. “Okay, come eat with me. It’s weird being alone at dinner! It makes me look like I have no friends!!”
“And eating with a man twice your age is a better look?” Kafka raises a smug brow, paired with a smirk. He knows Kikoru doesn't care about that, she just won’t admit she gets lonely.
“Ugh!” She rolls her eyes, “Hurry up. Leave that moron here.” The cat actually wakes up and hisses with what sounds like a sassy tone. “Hey!” Kikoru glares at him, “Rude!”
“I would leave him here,” Kafka sits on the edge of the bed, moving the cat-captain to the side, “but he meows and meows at the door until I come and get him.”
“Well he can suffer.”
“But he’s too cute to let suffer…” Kafka frowns, looking at the kitty with guilt.
“On my days.” She flips one of her pigtails and walks out, “Hurry up then, you two.”
Coming back to his room after dinner is liberating, after a good meal is the best time to go straight to bed and leave the showering to the morning. He knows cats tend to take care of themselves so Kafka knows he doesn’t have to worry about Narumi just dying while he takes his peaceful slumber, but it still slightly worries him.
But then again, this cat stays right at his side so does it really matter?
Kafka undresses, getting into his typical sleep ware, plugging in his phone for the night, and turning the lights off. Now for the best moment, laying in bed after a calm-ish day and going straight to sleep. Only this time he has a cuddle buddy.
He opts to lay on his side, the cat-captain curls up right at his chest facing away from the man. Kafka can’t help but smile as he gently pats the small creature. “Aren’t cats nocturnal? Please don’t wake me up at ungodly hours…” His smile turns sheepish.
Force once though, the cat meows at him. It’s a calm and delicate meow, and it honestly kinda sounds like the captain’s voice just in cat form. What a weird and surreal situation it is to be cuddling with the cat version of Captain Narumi, the Defense Force’s strongest soldier.
Kafka only hopes that Narumi doesn’t turn him into a weapon after this whole ordeal.
-
With a yawn, the man wakes. Still keeping his eyes closed for a few moments to register life. Kafka takes in a deep breath, feeling content with the morning already. His bed is warm, his pillows are warm, and the body holding him is warm too.
Huh?
Kafka’s eyes shoot open incredibly wide, if he wasn’t so in control of himself he probably would’ve gone full kaiju out of shock alone. In his arms, under his covers, laying their head on his pillows is the one and only Gen fucking Narumi. Not a cat anymore certainly. All of the cute, furry features are long gone. The cat-captain lacks the cat part.
The older man literally sees his life flash before his eyes. This is actually how he’s about to die. Of course luck wouldn’t be on his side. Why couldn’t Narumi turn back after Kafka got out of bed? Narumi is gonna kill him! Turn him into his next suit or weapon! Kafka can’t die just yet, he hasn’t gotten to fight at Mina’s side yet!!
He stabilizes his breathing, he may not know much about Narumi, but he knows he has damn good senses. If he keeps calm then hopefully he won’t wake up.
For once he gets lucky, yes the man doesn’t wake up. The bad thing is that Narumi snuggles into Kafka’s chest. Getting so impossibly closer, tangling their legs together as if they’ve cuddled a thousand times before. Yes it feels nice, bubbly, warm. But with his captain? The man who Kafka isn’t sure actually trusts him?
Yet again another interesting situation. But at least Kafka has two options. He can either go right back to sleep or pry the strong man off of him and get up.
He obviously goes with the first option because hell no is he gonna get this bastard’s arms off of him easily. Kafka goes straight back to sleep, and if he wraps his arms around Narumi to cuddle closer, that’s for him to know and him only.
Who knows how long Kafka was asleep for, all he knows is that when he opens his eyes he’s greeted by a pair of kaiju-like eyes staring at him extremely closely. Kafka practically jumped out of his skin, opening his eyes to see that. He gulps, nervous to say anything as Narumi just stares at him with his No. 1 retinas.
Narumi narrows his gaze, “Good morning.” He speaks almost hesitantly, confusion and skepticism laced in his words.
“...Morning.” Kafka does his best to blink away his nerves. The two are still extremely close to one another, all tangled up under the covers. Despite Narumi being awake now, he still has yet to untangle their legs or stop holding onto the older man’s chest.
“I recall being a cat.” The captain raises a brow at his own words, still staring daggers at Kafka to see if he’ll lie.
“You actually remember it? Shocking.” The man involuntarily gulps again before taking a semi-deep breath. “We don’t really know how or exactly when it happened but… you’re human now…?”
“Mm.” Narumi closes his eyes for a split second, when he opens them again they’re human-like. “Tell Hasegawa I’m still a cat so I don't have to do any work.”
“Well, I would if I could actually move, sir.” Kafka gives a slightly confound expression, “You’re holding me pretty tightly.”
The younger man looks down a bit, eyes getting hidden by his messy bangs. Kafka can just barely see a blush painting over the man’s face. “You’re warm… that’s all.”
In all honesty, Kafka is surprised that Narumi isn’t pissed off waking up in his subordinate's bed with what Kafka assumes to be a hazy memory. He laughs lightly, “Am I? Are you sure it’s not the layers of clothes you have on?” It’s true, the captain has on a hoodie and what looks like an undershirt too.
Narumi’s blush only deepens, moving his head down even more so his face isn’t visible. “Shut up. Just… don’t get up yet.” He speaks almost timidly, once more moving his head down further, resting it to Kafka’s chest, yet again snuggling up to him.
Something in his core rattles at the sight and feeling of Narumi getting so incredibly up in his space, he lets out a low and ragged breath that he didn’t even know he was holding in. Honestly, Narumi looks… cute? Should he even be thinking about his captain like that though? Well, should he even be cuddling with his captain like this? Question after question plague Kafka’s mind.
“Your core beats like a heart.” Narumi comments with fascination, “Should it sound so erratic though?”
The older sighs with a small chuckle, “I’m afraid you’re the cause of that, Captain.”
Narumi shuts his trap instantly, getting what that sentence meant right away. Any sane person would probably move, get out of bed, and run the hell away cause what do you mean he not only woke up in his subordinate’s bed but also in his arms? It seems Narumi isn’t as intelligent as he lets on.
Either that or he likes the closeness. He’d never admit it though. He’s already shamed himself enough with everything he’s said so far, no need to wound his ego even more.
“If it’s nearly lunch time, I better text Kikoru before she barges in here.” Kafka mutters with amusement as he feels Narumi tense up. “She found out how to pick my room’s lock.”
“Invasion of privacy.”
“Eh. It’s just her, it’s fine.” The older shrugs, “Can I grab my phone or do you want your darling student to see you like this?”
“Ugh.” Kafka is unable to see Narumi roll his eyes with distaste. “Five minutes.”
It’s strange how all the nervousness left Kafka’s body and instead filled with contentment so quickly. It’s also strange how he only hums an agreement and brings Narumi impossibly closer to himself, burying his nose in his captain’s hair. He doesn’t know why he did it, perhaps just getting caught up in the tranquillity of the soft moment.
Above all else, it’s strange that Narumi likes it so much. “It’s more comfortable to cuddle as a human than as a cat.”
“Is it?”
“Mhm. Being a cat was weird.” Narumi levels his breathing, every breath he intakes fills his nostrils with Kafka's kaiju-like scent. “I liked the attention though.”
“With all respect sir,” Kafka grins into the other man’s hair, “it seems like you like attention regardless.”
“Hey!” The captain pokes the older hard enough to get him to wince. “Sure I like attention, but…” Narumi tenses, a wave of unsure thoughts cloud his brain.
“Hm?” Kafka backs just a bit, enough to look down and see a third of the other’s face. “What is it?”
“I liked…” Narumi gulps, he might as well just go for it. “Having your attention.” His tone is low and unsure, should he really be admitting this right now? It makes him seem like such a loser! The two barely talk! Which is Narumi’s fault but still he can’t just outright tell Kafka that he watches him from afar!! That’s so creepy and weird!
The older of the two genuinely gives a look of pure and utter confusion. “Pardon?”
“I-it’s nothing! Ignore that.” Narumi huffs, about to rip the covers off of him and dash out of the room. Kafka grabs him and pulls him back before he can do anything.
“Hold on.” He grabs his captain’s chin, finally able to see his eyes even though ninety percent of them are covered by bangs. “What do you mean?”
Narumi’s face somehow reddens even more. For once, the strongest soldier actually falters. “Is it so bad I wanted your attention for once? Ugh.” He plays into an unbothered like persona, hoping it’ll salvage his ego.
“Captain,” Kafka snorts, “you’d have my attention if I actually got to see you around.”
“Don’t make it sound like you never see me!”
“Cause I don’t…” The older stifles a louder laugh, “Sure, there’s missions, sometimes meetings, or your messages on our work group chat. But besides that?” Kafka gives him a knowing and smug smirk, “I see you barely once a week.”
“Oh.” Right, Narumi never leaves his room. How does he expect to get this man’s attention if Narumi is never around him? To be fair, Narumi doesn’t even know why he’s so drawn to Kafka, just something about the older man makes him want to show off more and get those green eyes on him. He never truly has sat down and thought about it, now is his chance to at least face it.
Or so he thought.
“KAFKA HIBINO.” Kikoru shouts, slamming the door open with anger. “YOU- Oh.” Her tune shifted in milliseconds upon seeing her moronic master cuddled up to her father figure. “What the fuck.”
God does Narumi want to die.
“Oh dear…” Kafka’s face blazes red, closing his eyes to pretend she isn’t seeing this.
“Well he’s not a cat anymore I guess…” She raises a brow, a small flush of embarrassment reveals itself on her face as she continues to take in the situation. “What the hell happened during the night!?”
“UGH! I THINK IM GAY?!” Narumi scream-shouts in unadulterated frustration into Kafka’s chest.
“THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE COMING OUT!” Kikoru pounds a foot on the ground.
Kafka Hibino sorta wishes he let Isao Shinomiya kill him.
-
EXTRA
“Hasegawa.” Narumi is strangely stern, taking his job seriously. Sorta.
“What is it?” The old man crosses his arms, preparing himself for whatever Narumi could possibly say. Ever since the captain got turned back human he’s been acting weirdly.
“Remind me to show my face more…” The no longer cat-captain mutters with some embarrassment, “It’d be nice to see my subordinates every now and then.”
Is the world ending? Is Narumi dying? “You. Actually…?” Hasegawa’s jaw drops, “Want to do your job?”
“SHUT UP!” Narumi glares, his face reddening by the second. “It’s just…! I can’t get his attention if I’m not around.”
Never mind, Hasegawa wishes he wasn’t having this conversation. He got drawn in by Narumi’s random work motivation, but now he knows it’s not about work in the slightest. “I don’t even want to know.” The gruff man sighs, running a hand down his face.
Narumi only gets angerier at his vice, face absolutely flustered to no end. The reason behind him wanting to see his subordinates more? Of course it’s the guy he realized he definitely has a crush on.
Little does he know, Narumi isn’t the only one who fancies the man-turned-kaiju.