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Tiger was trying to finish cleaning around the cafe a little bit.
That was the initial plan, at least.
Tiger was leaning over, one of his knees bent, the other one folded under him as he was slowly placing the ceramic bowls that had just been washed into their place – the cats had way too many bowls, was what Lynx always complained about, but Tiger couldn’t help it. Whenever he visited the pet shop, he got a few new ones.
There were so many possibilities – pastels, pinks, blues, with little adorable prints. So, Tiger would often rotate between them just for the sake of cuteness, nothing else.
The cats did not care. The only thing that mattered was that the bowls were full. It didn’t matter how they looked. But, Tiger loved getting them new things. Since he was allergic, he couldn’t get too close most of the time, so he tried to show how much he cared for the cats in different ways.
Spoiling them with food, treats and toys.
Tiger sighed happily as he reached over to the side, to reach for another bowl that needed to be placed onto the lower shelf, but that was when he felt it.
A little tap on his leg.
Careful and he smiled when he felt a weight shifting onto his leg. It was warm and it felt fluffy, smiling softly as he lowered his eyes, only to realise that Jiro had just climbed into his lap.
Jiro didn’t jump, he didn’t scratch. No, he simply walked up to him and decided to make himself comfortable on top of Tiger’s legs, happily turning over, flicking his tail and he seemed very pleased with himself.
Tiger gulped.
Too cute.
Jiro slowly blinked at him, which filled Tiger with glee and he slowly blinked back.
Tiger knew it was going to come and bite him in the ass, he was aware, but there was one universal cat rule.
Do. Not. Move.
When a cat chose your lap, you sat – you did not move. Tiger was aware.
Jiro glanced up at him, his eyes looking kind of amused.
“So?” asked Jiro, his voice smug in Tiger’s head. “Why look so tense when you’re the chosen one?!”
Tiger only smiled and hummed.
“Hi, Jiro,” said Tiger. “Comfortable?”
“Surprisingly, you make a decent chair,” replied Jiro.
Tiger bit back a little smile. His hands were slowly hovering on top of Jiro. Gently, he scratched his head and smiled when Jiro started purring loudly.
“You can sit here as long as you want,” said Tiger, vice soft.
“Good,” replied Jiro. “You understand your place, good human.”
Tiger snorted, but minutes later he could already feel it.
The slight tickle in his eyes and he ignored it because he was going to handle it. The cat in his lap was worth it, so he stayed perfectly still as minutes ticked away.
Tiger’s eyes watered, his vision getting a bit blurry, but he swallowed and powered through as he kept petting Jiro. His nose felt clogged and the pressure kept building, but he didn’t say anything. He just sat there, slowly breathing through his mouth, careful and slow. There was a tickle in his throat as well, clearing his throat.
Jiro looked at him.
“No need to get so dramatic,” commented Jiro. “I’m just sitting in your lap.”
Tiger felt his throat scratching again.
“No, uh,” said Tiger, feeling like he had to explain himself as to why he looked like he was crying. “It’s just allergies.”
Jiro slowly blinked, looking away, kneading Tiger’s thigh instead.
“Weak,” commented Jiro and Tiger felt how the tickling in his nose was getting worse, trying to ignore it.
If he sneezed, he would startle Jiro.
Tiger tried to, but it was useless.
“Oh, no,” said Tiger, whispering.
The sneeze was happening in…
3, 2
Tiger quickly turned his head to the side.
1 and
Sneeze!
The sound was loud, Tiger hiding his face into his forearm and his head was turned to the side, but Jiro stiffened and Tiger was already regretting and he blinked.
There was silence that stretched for too long, only for Jiro to slowly turn his head around, staring right into Tiger’s soul.
“Did you just sneeze on me?”
“No,” said Tiger quickly. “I turned away, I swear!”
Jiro didn’t seem impressed nor did he believe him.
“Rude!”
“I… You’re just really fluffy, so it’s not like I did it on purpose!”
“Flattery won’t save you!”
Even if Jiro continued to growl, he didn’t really move. He stayed right there on top of Tiger’s lap, slowly sitting down and he was now grooming his front paw and Tiger sneezed again.
“I will let you off the hook this once,” said Jiro. “But only out of the goodness of my heart. Understood?”
Tiger nodded.
“Yes, sir!” said Tiger, a hand in front of his face and he bowed his head respectfully. “Thank you!”
Lynx slowly decided to see what was happening – he could hear Tiger talking to himself, which wasn’t such a rare occurrence. He had this little quirk about him, he would often talk to himself and sometimes it made Lynx wonder if Tiger was talking to himself or to the cats.
At times, he swore they understood him.
Either way, there was a sneeze.
And another one.
When the third one happened, Lynx decided to see what was happening and he narrowed his eyes when he saw Jiro in Tiger’s lap, happily purring and still grooming his fur.
Tiger was obediently sitting.
Tiger’s eyes brightened when he saw Lynx, perking up and Lynx narrowed his eyes when he saw how red Tiger’s eyes were, his eyelashes damp and he was trying his very best to keep breathing through his nose.
“Seriously?” deadpanned Lynx.
Tiger chuckled – his favorite cat had just walked into the room and he quickly perked up. He quickly shook his head, slowly trying to wave it off.
“I’m okay,” said Tiger, even though his nose was still very clogged and he sniffed.
Jiro glared at him.
“You sneezed on me!”
“I didn’t sneeze on you,” protested Tiger weakly and he blinked harder.
Lynx sighed – again, talking to the cats? He shook his head and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“You are allergic, you are aware of that, no?”
“Only a bit, but I can handle it,” said Tiger and Lynx was fighting the smile.
Lynx knew it was the allergies, but with his big eyes looking glossed over and with his nose getting redder… Tiger looked cute. Lynx shook his head and he sighed.
“At least take medicine next time before you let a cat sit on you,” said Lynx.
Jiro didn’t seem pleased.
“I am being generous, you know?” asked Jiro and Tiger nodded.
Lynx stared at Jiro and frowned.
“Get off him,” said Lynx – it sounded like a cat hissing.
Jiro stared back stubbornly. As they locked eyes, the tension between them was thick and it wasn’t the first time it happened.
Lynx was a possessive cat, he would often get jealous of the other cats at the cafe whenever Tiger would pay too much attention to them and Jiro slowly stretched, hipping off Tiger’s lap, as if he was bored.
“I will be expecting more treats than usual,” said Jiro and slowly walked away, Lynx’s eyes on him and Tiger finally let out a breath that he was holding in for a while now.
“Sorry,” said Tiger again, his eyes on Jiro and he rubbed his itchy nose with the back of his palm.
Lynx shook his head as he looked at him, placing his hands on top of his sides.
“Go change, you’re covered in fur,” said Lynx and Tiger nodded obediently, walking to the back, where he made sure to change into a new set of clothes that he kept at the cafe, washing his hands as well.
Tiger splashed some of the water on his face – his eyes were still red, but the itchiness wasn’t as bad.
When Tiger was back, Lynx was waiting for him on the couch, watching him carefully, wanting to make sure that Tiger was better, slowly huffing under his breath. Tiger felt much better and he smiled when he saw Lynx, the other one patting the empty spot on the couch.
“Sit,” said Lynx and Tiger was immediately sitting down. But, as soon as he did that, Lynx slowly climbed into his lap, claiming it as his, turning over his shoulder and Jiro meowed loudly, but Lynx only rolled his eyes and Tiger knitted his eyebrows when Lynx made himself very comfortable on top of him.
“Hello?”
Lynx huffed.
“Better?”
“Mmm, I’ll be okay,” said Tiger and Lynx clicked with his tongue.
“Why do you let them sit in your lap?” whined Lynx. “You always get like this.”
Tiger chuckled, his arms slowly going around Lynx’s waist, pulling him closer and he shook his head.
“Mmm?” asked Tiger. “They’re so cute, it’s worth it.”
Lynx perked up at the word cute.
“You’re just too nice, it’s a problem,” huffed Lynx.
Tiger smiled because he knew what this was.
“Jealous?” asked Tiger and Lynx glanced at him.
“I am not!”
Tiger’s hands were slowly moving up and down, carefully stroking Lynx’s back, the touch soothing and warm. Lynx immediately melted into the touch.
“They always get your attention first,” commented Lynx, his voice small. “Even if you keep sneezing!”
“Oh-ho, no need to be jealous,” said Tiger and slowly reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind Lynx’s ear and he leaned closer, his fingers slowly stroking Lynx’s cheek. “You are my favourite cat,” he said and Lynx’s cheeks looked a bit more pink with each passing second.
“I’m not-”
“Just don’t tell the other, shh,” said Tiger, voice playful, a finger resting on top of his own lips and Lynx rolled his eyes, but he smiled despite himself and he leaned a bit closer, slowly guiding Tiger’s hand lower and he gently brushed his lips against Tiger’s.
Lynx nuzzled closer, pressing his forehead against Tiger’s and he inhaled deeply.
Home.
Tiger smelled like home.
Slowly, Lynx settled down on top of him and Tiger’s hands were resting on his sides. Playfully, Tiger held Lynx’s chin, gently shaking his head.
“Jealous cat,” said Tiger and Lynx looked unamused. “As the owner of this cat, I need to pay more attention to you, mn?”
Lynx groaned and decided to shut him up with a kiss
Tiger’s eyes were still a bit itchy, his nose still a bit clogged, but his chest felt warm.
Too warm.
All of it was worth it, at the end.