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With one final misstep, the song ended. You read the screen of the DDR machine, the score it displayed. It seemed lower than you had hoped for. Then again, how many points did you think you would score when missing multiple notes? You smile nervously, before looking slightly to the left. There was another score. A perfect score, on a harder difficulty than you. You look more to the left, your lithe cat companion staring at the screen with much interest. His name is Kapi, and you two met in this same arcade. One thing led to another, and he ended up asking you out. It’s been a month so far, you two have decided to reunite at this arcade.
“Booyah! In your face y/n!” Kapi celebrated, jumping around on his side of the DDR machine. You roll your eyes, begrudgingly smiling at his rude brag.
“I’m still new to this game,” you say in an attempt to defend yourself from your poor performance. Kapi halts himself in place and cracks his head in your direction. He smirks, placing his hands on his cheeks.
“So what? I expected more from you! You were even on a lower difficulty.” You pout, turning away at Kapi’s competitiveness. “Oh, c’mon, babe! You know I don’t mean it…” You hear him step off his side of the DDR machine and onto yours. He places his hands on your shoulders, eventually wrapping his arms around your neck from behind. Unable to stay mad at him, you finally speak.
“You could be nicer about it.”
“My bad. But it’s impressive, right? A perfect score on the hardest difficulty? Are you proud of me? Are you?” He asks energetically. You feel the fur of his face brushing against the back of your neck. Some of his whiskers tickle you too.
Giggling at the sensations, you choke out a response. “Yeah, yeah. I’m proud of you, Kapi. Real proud.”
“Nyeah! My bae’s proud of me!” He launches himself off of you and returns to his place on the DDR machine. You turn to face him, noticing his tail wagging erratically. You avoid mentioning it, knowing how Kapi sometimes pretends to act tough.
You look at him for a little longer. You’re used to Kapi, you see him a lot nowadays. But, have you taken the time to examine him? Gray fur accompanied with grayer spikes and grayer blush on his cheeks. Big pointy ears, and his left ear has three piercings; the story of why he got them is still unknown to you. Unthreatening red eyes, and a cute red hat he always wears in public. His colorful sweater that he claims is his favorite. Your admiration is interrupted by Kapi.
“Yoohoo, earth to y/n? We gonna play some more DDR or are ya gonna stare at me some more?” He teased, sticking his tongue out.
“Sorry, go ahead and pick a song.” There are some details you missed about your cat companion, but you’ll have to figure them out later.
Kapi snickered, turning to the DDR machine’s screen and swiping on the song list. “S’cool. I get it, I’m irresistible, heh heh.” You roll your eyes again. Something about Kapi’s demeanor was very eye roll inducing, but you still couldn’t get enough of him. Now, it was time to play some more DDR.
You and Kapi played until the arcade closed. Kapi risked getting kicked out because he begged you to one ‘final’ round. Once outside, you two stood close to one another, unsure of what was next. It was a bit cold outside, a slight breeze adding extra chill. Kapi didn’t seem bothered by the low temperature, “It must be nice having a coat of fur,” you thought.
Kapi was scrolling through his phone, which you made an effort to not look at to avoid being seen as nosy. After some quiet moments, he finally gained the courage to break the silence. “Wanna come back to my place?” He asked with a level of uncertainty.
Naturally, you haven’t been to Kapi’s place yet. So, this first invite came as a shock, but a no brainer as well. “Yeah, I’d love to.” Kapi grinned widely, leading you to his car.
The drive to his place was uneventful. But, you got to see the inside of your partner’s car for the first time too. It was kind of messy, but nowhere near dirty or trashy. Kapi parked in the lot of an apartment complex, and bolted out of his side to open the door for you. “Watch your step, babe.” He says honorably, taking your hand and helping you get out, despite it being no dangerous task. Yet, it still elicits a comfortable laugh from you.
You follow Kapi into the apartment complex, up the elevator, and into the room, 416. “Welcome to my abode, babe. Make yourself at home, you can leave a review later.” It looks more basic than you thought it would, there’s barely any decorum. It also smells like a cat, which is to be expected. You turn to Kapi, who’s looking at you expectingly.
“I’m surprised it looks nice,” you joke, hoping to get back at Kapi for making fun of you at the arcade. He gasps, mocking an offended expression.
“You’re so mean, how could my own lover be… be…” Kapi stumbles towards you and collapses into your arms. You catch him, not wanting him to hurt himself. He looks up at you with a cheeky look. “…be so cruel?” He plays dead for a moment, then picks himself up.
“You’re so dramatic. I just thought, there would be more… I dunno. More things instead of just furniture," you explain, continuing to walk around the apartment some more.
“What did you expect? Plants? I’m too dumb to take care of plants.”
“Don’t call yourself that.”
“Whatever. Oh! If you want a room that screams KAPI, then why not take a gander into MY room? Y’know, where I sleep n’ stuff.” He said in an alluring tone. It was enticing to see his room. You accepted the offer and he led you into his room.
Kapi’s room truly gave Kapi-like vibes. Posters of rock bands were plastered everywhere, a pansexual flag hung above the bedframe, red string lights, a RGB computer set up, a chessboard, and a queen sized bed with purple sheets and green pillows. The room was funky, and absolutely, Kapi’s room. He pushed past you and leaped into bed, kicking his shoes off and looking directly into your eyes. “You like?” he asks.
You nod your head, sitting on the edge of the bed. “This is definitely your room.” You then yawn, reminding you how late it was. The arcade closed at 11 PM, so it was around 11:30 when you two arrived.
“Ooh, you seem tired babe. Wanna join me in this totally furless covered bed?” Kapi beckoned, laying on his back and taking off his sweater to reveal a black tanktop. Without a verbal response, you kick off your shoes and join Kapi in his bed. It’s quite soft. Kapi turns on his side to face you, giggling. “Hey, y/n.” He murmurs.
“Hi Kapi,” you murmur back. Both of you smile stupidly, becoming aware of the proximity between you two. “Today could be the day we kiss and cuddle,” you think to yourself.
“Thanks for, uh, taggin’ along with me to the arcade. I don’t usually go with someone,” he said with clear vulnerability in his voice. “It was fun playing DDR with you.”
Wanting to give Kapi the reassurance he deserves, you grab his hands and hold them tightly. His mouth became agape with surprise. “It’s no problem, Kapi. I loved it, it was so fun.” Kapi pulled away, afraid of showing too much affection. He turned the other way as well. You chuckled, amused by Kapi’s typical antics. You shimmy closer to him until you press onto his back.
“Hey—“ Kapi murmured in surprise. You wrap your arms around his waist and hold him tightly. He attempts to break free, but it isn’t long before he stops resisting. It’s quiet, silent almost. The only noises that can be heard are you and Kapi breathing. But then, you hear it.
Purr…
You jolt your head up at the sound of a purr. It ends the moment it began, but you know for a fact you heard it. “Kapi? Did you just purr?”
“N-No.” Kapi muttered, embarrassed to admit he just purred around you for the first time.
“D’aww… Kapi…” You whine in response. You had a feeling Kapi was suppressing his purrs around you, but now you had finally caught him. Kapi sighs, staying quiet for a little longer before…
Purr… Purr…
Kapi continued to purr as you kept your hands around his waist. “If you say anything about this to anyone I’ll scratch you,” He threatened. You don’t take the threat seriously, but you play along anyway.”
“I promise not to. Your purring secret is safe with me.”
“Good.” Kapi reached for a remote on the nightstand and turned off the red string lights with the click of a button. He set the remote down before relaxing his body. Now, Kapi’s room was pitch black, you almost couldn’t see a thing. All you could feel was Kapi’s warmth. Kapi’s furry body brushing against your skin. All you could hear was Kapi’s soft purring. But you couldn’t see any of it.
Despite not being able to see it, not being able to see his agile feline body, you knew Kapi was enjoying himself letting you hold him. Amidst the dark, you heard his voice one last time.
“Goodnight, babe. Love ya.” Kapi said sleepily. His voice was soft and rugged, meaning he would soon succumb to slumber. After hearing this, you can’t help but say it back too.
“Goodnight, Kapi. I love you too.”
Soon, Kapi’s purrs turn into steady breathing. Finally, you fall asleep as well, holding him tight.