Chapter Text
The world around Tiger was grey when he was walking down the street, limping as he was holding the place under his rib and he smacked his lips together, still tasting the metal taste of blood on his tongue.
Nothing was broken, probably.
Tiger would hope so.
The rain falling down on him soaked through his clothes and he shook his head – he had been too reckless again. His father wasn’t going to be pleased when he’d seen him, but then again, Tiger wasn’t going home… Yet.
The raindrops were falling down Tiger’s hair, down his face, washing off the blood a little bit. But it kept mixing in with the blood on his scraped up elbow, his eyebrow still bleeding a little bit and with every step that he took, he felt that dull throb in his ribs.
It was a rough day.
Then again, maybe it was his fault.
Too cocky.
Usually, he’d go on jobs with his father, but he decided to take on this on his own. Perhaps he got too big, he said too much. A few hours ago, this job seemed simple enough. Collect the money and remind the guy of the consequences that would follow if he didn’t pay back the money that he owed to his old man.
Tiger went on the job alone, he walked into the warehouse alone, which was a first mistake. His old man always told him to not work alone, but Tiger wanted to… Prove it to his old man that he could do this on his own.
Too reckless, too young – that was what his old man always said.
Perhaps he was reckless, but he was turning twenty four soon. He was more than ready to take on the family business on his own, feeling a bit stubborn because how in the world was he supposed to know that he would get ambushed by four men?!
Or were there five?
Tiger didn’t remember.
What he did remember was how someone grabbed him, slammed him into the wall behind him, telling him to back off. Tiger didn’t back off. In fact, he made sure that those idiots got what they were begging for. Tiger was in a rough shape, but compared to them, Tiger was doing fine.
Tiger smiled.
That was going to teach them a lesson… Probably.
It wasn’t the best idea that he had, but he got the message across and he groaned when he slowly dragged his left foot behind him, his knuckles split and a little bit bloody. He could feel like he had nasty bruises forming all over his face already, but at least he got the message across.
Tiger spat onto the pavement, squinting through the rain and he needed to get somewhere inside. Having a car would be good, but those idiots slit his tires, so he was walking.
Tiger needed to get inside and sit down.
Just for a moment.
But, the rain just wouldn’t stop. It was supposed to be sunny that day – what happened?! He watched how the rain picked up even more, the cars passing by, quickly driving away when they saw the state that he was in. Probably, he looked terrifying. Not only that he was tall, his shoulders broad, but looking all beaten up like this – it was no wonder.
Tiger felt how he was getting light-headed. Walking was difficult, so he was slowly counting the steps. He didn’t really know where he was, he didn’t know the area of the place, rubbing his neck as he slowly walked through the shallow puddles on the asphalt, his shoes soaked through and through.
Tiger didn’t know this neighbourhood at all.
Wandering around, all beaten up, in the rain, without knowing where he was going… That sounded like a perfect plan for a catastrophe, didn’t it? And yet, somehow, it calmed Tiger’s nerves down, his hands twitching because he wished he could have a smoke to calm down a little bit, but… It was raining, the cigarettes in his pocket were soaked in rain.
“Damn it,” groaned Tiger.
Sit down.
Tiger definitely needed to sit down, his vision getting a little bit blurry around the corners and he shuddered, but he didn’t know where to go. He continued to walk down the street, he slowly made a turn right and he slowly found himself in front of a place that looked like a pastry shop.
Squinting, Tiger tipped his head to the side as he glanced at the logo.
There were cats.
Cat Cheer.
The sign said so above the door, the colours painted in vibrant colours. Even if it was such a grey freaking day, the place looked vibrant, cosy, inviting Tiger inside and he perked up as he watched the pawprints next to the sign, chewing on his lower lip.
There were a few cars parked in front of the place, but the place didn’t seem too busy.
Cats…
Tiger smiled.
The matter of fact was that he liked cats. Loved. Tiger was a cat lover, which sucked since he was allergic, but he didn’t really give a damn about his stupid allergies when it came to cats and a little smile spread across his face as he slowly walked over to the door, staring at it for a few seconds, blinking.
But walking inside booking like this? Covered in blood, soaked through and through… Not normal.
But, what else could he do? He needed to sit down, chewing on his lower lip as he dragged himself closer and he smiled when he read what the sign on the door said – Open. Open and invite him inside!
In the end, Tiger decided to step inside.
Tiger shuddered, looking up when he heard the little bell going off above his head, slowly closing the door behind him and he looked around, the air inside warmed much and it smelled nice. It smelled warm and cosy, like cooked rice and soup, something sweeter – pastries, probably.
There were wooden tables, cosy chairs.
Shelves up on the walls for the cats to climb up.
Tiger smiled and shook his head a little bit.
And cats – there were so many cats there! There was an orange one running around, there was a white ragdoll judging him from the corner and the black one was wearing a little tux? Tiger smiled, feeling the stress from the day melting away, perking up as he was only standing by the door, the rainwater dripping onto the floor.
It took a little bit for Tiger to recover, but just stepping inside of that place made him feel better. Leaning up against the wall, Tiger smiled when a black and white kitten slowly approached him, looking nervous and when Tiger reached out, it immediately ran away.
Tiger snorted.
“That’s fair,” sighed Tiger and when he stepped forward, he dragged his wet shoes across the wooden floor. Another cat wanted to approach him, but when it took a closer look at him, it immediately ran away, deciding that it didn’t want anything to do with him and Tiger buried his hands into his pockets.
It happened every single time.
Tiger loved cats, but they were afraid of him.
Feeling bummed out, he slowly dragged his body forward, leaving a wet train behind him and slowly sighed along, looking up a little bit and he narrowed his eyes when he looked up and saw him.
Over by the counter.
The owner? Or just a person working at this place?
But… Tiger’s eyes locked on him and he stared. The man standing behind the counter was leaning over, making an order. He seemed to be shorter than Tiger himself, he had fluffy hair, a smile on his face. He had broad shoulders, his hair was slightly falling over his forehead and his expression looked soft, a smile on his face.
Tiger felt a jolt.
He looked… just like Tiger’s type.
Tiger dragged in a deep sigh, but then the latter looked up and the look on his face looked completely different. It changed from soft to stern right away, arms crossed over his chest – he didn’t seem impressed with what he was seeing. He kept staring at Tiger, like he had just seen a stray dog wander into their place and Tiger blinked slowly, looking down.
Oh.
What a mess.
The floor was all wet.
That wasn’t good.
And then the man approached him.
Shit.
Tiger was in trouble.
Lynx wasn’t impressed – what did the cat drag in on that day? Lynx really wasn’t impressed with the guy that had just stepped inside of Cat Cheer and he frowned and it looked much worse from up close.
The guy was taller than him – all beaten up. He looked like a delinquent. Younger than him, his eyes seemed stubborn and his hair was glued to his wet forehead, the rain still dripping down his jaw. Some of the blood had dried up in his face, but the wounds seemed fresh.
And the floor? A mess.
Lynx groaned when he looked to the floor when he saw the small puddle forming under the guy and he clenched his jaw. The place had been cleaned up just twenty minutes ago, he had scrubbed the floor clean!
And now someone had completely ruined all of his hard work.
Idiot.
Lynx folded his arms over his chest – there was no way that he was letting this guy anywhere inside! Always sensitive to smells, Lynx wrinkled his nose when it all hit him at once.
Rain.
Metallic smell of blood.
And cigarettes.
No wonder that the cats ran away before he shuddered. Truly, this was just what he didn't need. Couldn’t there be at least one day where Lynx could work in peace?! The stranger blinked at him, looking way too interested in him and Lynx rolled his eyes.
His expression didn’t soften.
“We’re not a hospital,” said Lynx right away. It was direct, but he didn’t care.
The other one blinked at him and then he let out an unexpected laugh. It was a quiet, breathy sound and Lynx didn’t seem impressed at all.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” snorted the other one.
Lynx frowned even more – he didn’t expect this kind of a reaction. Most people would have apologised by then, but not this one. He just looked amused, to the point that it added more annoyance on top of the one that he already felt. But, Tiger couldn’t really help it.
It was kind of amusing, the way that this owner kept looking at him. He was staring at him like he was a walking bio-hazard and he shook his head. Lynx only glanced to the wet trail behind the idiot and he groaned because he would have to mop the floor.
The cats were nervous, Lynx could tell.
Lynx sighed under his breath.
“I just mopped the floor,” said Lynx.
“Uh, my bad?”
“You think?” groaned Lynx. “You should leave, you’re scaring the cats.”
Tiger huffed under his breath and he looked around. The cats seemed to be wary of him, no one wanted to come closer to him, which was unfair and he pursed his lips. It was rude. This guy was rude and Tiger narrowed his eyes. Still, he was amused.
“But the sign on the door said open.”
“Not for you.”
“Hey, that’s rude!”
Was this guy serious?
Lynx stepped closer, preparing to escort the guy out himself because the puddle of the floor kept getting bigger and he pointed over to the door.
“Out,” said Lynx.
Tiger’s eyes followed the direction of his finger.
“Can’t I just-”
“No.”
“But, I want to-”
“No. Out.”
Tiger sighed and he grabbed the place under his ribs. It really hurt, he wanted to sit down, but this guy kept telling him to go out into the rain? Lynx noticed the way the guy shuddered a bit, holding onto his ribs and he could tell that he was in pain, but he needed to keep people like this away from their place.
The thing was – he didn’t want him to bring trouble here.
That was why he was on high alert. During the years working at Cat Cheer made him deal with all kinds of people. He had seen more than one troublemaker and he needed to make sure to keep a clean record at his place.
That was why he wanted to repeat himself, but then…
“Lynx!”
He froze and slowly turned around, closing his eyes because of course.
His mother appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands into the clean dishtowel and he knew what would happen when she would see the other one. His mother always took strays in – it didn’t matter who. Be it a cat or a person, she would always…
Lynx gritted his teeth.
Great.
Tiger, though, perked up when he heard the name.
Lynx?
“Oh, my!” stressed the woman and Tiger blinked – who was this?! She was immediately over Tiger’s side, gently grabbing him by the arm, leading him to the nearest empty table. “Sit down, please.”
Tiger was… confused, but he followed.
“I, uh-”
“Sit down, sit down."
Tiger listened, mainly because she pushed him down onto the chair.
Lynx sighed – really, now…
“Mom,” started Lynx.
Tiger perked up.
But, she was already fussing over their unexpected guest, which was really just a cherry on top. Tiger looked a bit unsure, but he listened carefully.
“You’re a mess,” sighed the woman. “What happened? Got into a figh?’”
Tiger slowly nodded.
“Uh, something like this,” said Tiger.
“Oh, my,” she stressed, shaking his head and hurried behind the counter to hand Tiger a clean towel, dropping it into his lap. “Here, dry yourself a little bit.”
Tiger blinked up at her and he smiled politely.
“Thanks.”
Lynx still had his arms crossed.
“Mom, he is scaring the cats,” grumbled Lynx.
“I’ll talk to them, it's okay,” she shushed him.
She would… talk to them? How did that work?
Tiger had a huge question mark hanging above his head as he was drying his hair and he winced as he slowly dragged his feet under the chair.
“He’s probably a delinquent,” groaned Lynx.
“You don’t know that.”
“He’s bleeding and smells like cigarettes.”
“He also looks like he might faint any second now, go get him some water,” she said and Lynx exhaled through his nose, but he listened to her. He slowly turned around, going behind the counter, pouring a glass of water and he handed it to Tiger. Rudely.
Tiger snorted and looked up.
“Thanks.”
Lynx didn’t reply.
“Have you eaten?” asked Je Meow.
Lynx shook his head.
“Mom-”
“I’ll make you something warm,” said the woman and Lynx was again sternly glaring at him. Tiger grinned and nodded.
“I could eat.”
“Wonderful, just wait here,” she said.
Lynx frowned and Tiger noticed how the cats kept keeping their distance, which made Tiger’s disappointment palpable. Shaking his head, Tiger looked up at Lynx and blinked slowly, but the other one just glared back.
“You seem so young,” she whispered and shook her head.
“Uh, I’m soon turning 24, ma’am,” muttered Tiger.
“Already getting in trouble?”
Tiger felt awkward.
He was on the job…
“It comes with the territory, ma’am,” he responded.
“See? Young and reckless,” muttered Lynx. “Trouble.”
“Oh, please, you talk like you’re old,” muttered the woman with a playful voice.
“I am.”
“Thirty isn’t old,” said Je Meow.
Lynx rolled his eyes.
“Whatever.”
Tiger listened carefully – so, the man was thirty, huh? He looked younger, honestly, but Tiger’s interests were growing. The more he learned about him ,the more he was amused.
“Tell you what? I’ll make you my special recipe,” she said and Tiger reached into his pockets, but then he remembered that he left his wallet in his pocket. And his phone was ruined, so paying…
“I don’t have money on me-”
“Of course,” groaned Lynx.
“It’s on the house,” said the woman.
“Mom, we’re already-”
“Hush, Lynx, be nice to our guest,” she said and smiled when Tiger glanced at her. “Sit here, I’ll be right back.”
Tiger nodded.
Lynx was not happy and he was clearly sulking, but he didn’t care!
He was not happy about this at all, angrily moping up the floor as his mother was preparing a free meal for the delinquent and he kept his eyes on Tiger, who had a little smile on his lips. Somehow, this was entertaining to him. Lynx – like this man was called – really didn’t like him, did he?
“I have just cleaned the door,” groaned Lynx, making sure the other one heard him and he watched him with interest in his eyes, leaning against the chair.
Lynx was mopping aggressively. The squeak of the mop against the floor was loud and Tiger tried not to smile, but somehow, the grumpiness made this man even more adorable.
His hair was now all fluffy and he reminded Tiger of a grumpy cat.
“You look way too pleased with yourself,” grumbled Lynx.
“I’m not?”
“Yes, you are!” groaned Lynx.
In the meantime, Je Meow returned from the kitchen, carrying a bowl that smelled incredible. There was hot soup and rice, which made Tiger realise just how hungry he actually was and his eyes widened when she placed the food in front of him.
“Here,” she said happily. “Eat up.”
Tiger picked up the spoon and took the first bite, sighing happily because it was really good.
“It’s really good,” said Tiger, Lynx wrinkling his nose when Tiger spoke with his mouth full. “Really good!”
“Great,” said the woman. “Don’t hesitate to ask for more.”
Lynx kept muttering to himself as he was still moping up the floor. And the more time that Tiger kept staring at him, the more Lynx was irritated. The way he moved, though, was really like a cat.
Cute, stubborn and grumpy.
Tiger dragged his teeth over his lower lip as he ate, amused by his own comparison.
A cat.
Tiger liked cats.
He liked all kinds of cats.
And finally there was one cat that he couldn’t be allergic to. But, this cat seemed to be allergic to him! How unfair!
Tiger ate in silence, watching Lynx with amusement when a cat suddenly approached him. It suddenly jumped onto the table and Tiger stopped moving, closing his eyes and he hoped that the cat wouldn’t get scared.
Lynx stared at the cat.
It was the oldest cat at Cat Cheer - Grandma Ju.
She was old and wise, slowly approaching Tiger, who reached out with his hand. The cat sniffed his hand and then bumped her little head against his open palm. Tiger’s smile widened, feeling the itch in his eyes, but he ignored it.
Allergies or not, he didn’t care.
The cat hopped into his lap.
Adorable.
Kneading his trousers, happily purring – Tiger was the happiest out there. Finally, someone liked him that day! Tiger didn’t want to startle her, so he sat completely still, ignoring the way his nose itched, the way his throat got all raspy. It didn’t matter, it was all worth it.
His eyes were rimmed red and Lynx frowned – was the guy crying?!
Lynx was at a loss for words.
Grandma Ju decided to approach the delinquent and Lynx had his guard up. Tiger was used to cats being afraid of him, so this was such a nice change and when she started purring, Tiger’s eyes widened. He sniffed and Lynx stiffened.
Seriously, what was with this guy?
Tiger gently rubbed the cat behind her ears and smiled.
“Finally someone likes me,” sighed Tiger, but then he felt how the itch got even worse and before he could stop himself, he sneezed hard.
The cat flinched and Lynx was soon there, saving Grandma Ju from the other one, scoping her up into his arms. He held the cat carefully and placed it protectively against his chest, shaking his head, staring at Tiger like he had committed a serious crime.
“It’s just allergies, I’m not-”
“Grandma Ju, don’t trust him, he’s trouble,” huffed Lynx, talking to the cat now, pressing a little kiss over the cat’s head and he huffed. The cat looked at her and Tiger frowned. “I’m serious. He’s dangerous.”
Talking to the cat? Funny.
But, it was also cute.
To see how soft Lynx was towards the cat. It was precious the way he was talking to her. His voice was soft. Tiger wished he was a cat too.
He sighed.
Lynx groaned and looked at him, placing the cat away from Tiger.
“What? Why are you smiling?” groaned Lynx.
“I was just wondering,” started Tiger and Lynx immediately tensed up. “How do I turn into a cat?”
“What’s with that?”
“I want you to look at me like that and talk to me so sweetly, na?” asked Tiger and Lynx felt how a headache started coming up. “I’m serious, I’d make a cute cat. Would you pet my head then?” asked Tiger and Lynx was so done.
“I’m too old to deal with this shit,” groaned Lynx and Tiger formed a paw with his hand.
“Meow?”
Lynx gritted his teeth, but only walked away.
Tiger ate the rest of his meal happy.
And he knew one thing for sure – he would be coming back for more, that was for sure!