Work Text:
"Hm? You aren't supposed to be here.."
Hohenheim found himself working later than he usually did.
During this late hour, the lights in the facilities were turned off leaving the only source of light in his office. He slouched on his chair, somewhat akin to a shrimp, as his hand twirled the small sides of his hair as he fought against a really bad headache.
It felt as if there were a hundred needles piercing his head, making it almost impossible for him to focus on the work he was supposed to be doing.
Recently, more employees had died from “workplace incidents” after a new WAW level abnormality had arrived and he had severely overestimated the abilities of his subordinates leading to Hohenheim having to deal with a large amount of paper work to fill out.
He hasn't slept properly in 5 days and it was really starting to take a toll on the team leader.
The blue haired man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
If he didn't finish the paper work soon, it would just cause for him to have a harder time in the morning, not to mention how he was sure that Malkuth -the sephirot of the control team, who was supposed to help him with more menial tasks- was going to nag him about finishing up his work.
Seriously what even was the point of having a super AI if they don't even want to do their job? He was pretty sure Malkuth could finish up all of the unimportant forms for him in a matter of seconds. In fact it's ridiculous how-
"Meow"
Hohenheim lifted his head up, peeling his eyes away from his papers and his thoughts. The sound was coming from behind his office's door.
"Meow"
Uhm had he started hallucinating, how could a cat have possibly gotten into the Lobotomy corporation headquarters?
"MEOW"
Hohenheim got on his feet and walked somewhat hesitantly towards his door, head spinning from the sudden movement.
He opened his office door, initially met with the sight of the dark shadowy halls of his workplace, but as he looked down he saw a moderately fat orange cat with brown tips on it's ears, paws and tail, sitting politely in front of his door.
It looked up at him with lazy yellow eyes before standing up (Uhm crawling up? What's the word for cats…) and nudging its head affectionately at his legs.
"Hm? You aren't supposed to be here.."
Hohenheim said as the cat meowed at him once again and walked into his office, leaving Hohenheim holding the door open.
The cat looked around a bit before jumping onto his desk and stretching on his papers, making sure to glare at hohenheim with those big yellow eyes as he did so.
"Tsk, could you not? Those are quite important, not that you would know or care about what I'm saying.."
Hohenheim sighed as he walked sluggishly to his desk to pick up the orange cat, which meowed in response.
He doesn't really know how to hold a cat, considering he never owned one or had the interest to interact with one so he held it as if he were carrying a baby.
He sat down-quite exhaustedly-on the couch in the corner of the room which was where him and Johann would normally eat lunch on.
The cat purred and curled up on his lap as Hohenheim slowly started petting it.
He really should be completing his work right now… every second counts in lob corp after all, considering how the mountains of paperwork would only get higher.
Ah but he could do with a bit of rest, he would feel a bit guilty for moving the cat when it was comfortable, not that he cared much, just that it would be annoying.
He relaxed a bit, admiring the cat’s fluffy brown tail,
"I'm unsure why, but you remind me of a coworker of mine, his name is Johann, have you met with him before?"
The cat's ears perked up as he heard the name, purring happily in response as it rubbed it's head against the blue haired researcher's stomach.
He tilted his head, "Is that an affirmation?"
The cat meowed again in response. The thought of Johann… well rambling a bit too a cat wouldn't hurt, he's heard letting emotions out once in a while is good to clear the mind anyways.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the one who brought you into lob corp, considering the uncanny similarity between you two.”
The orange hair and brown tips were all too familiar. Not to mention that pair of lazy yellow eyes that always gave him a warm feeling whenever they met his cold gray ones.
The thought of his right hand man made him sigh as he scratched the cat’s chin. His feelings towards the man had grown a little more complex than he would like in his opinion.
"That man… he's always so friendly and kind to all of the employees, but…"
The cat's ears perked up but did not look towards him or meowed in response, hah was it pretending to sleep?
"For once I'm quite unsure why he chooses to spend his time around me the most."
He paused, why was he even saying this, to a cat no less,
"I just… never felt like I deserved so much attention from such a person, he could quite literally talk to anyone else except for me… but I like it in a way, to have him spend all of his time with me. I just can’t help but feel as if I am wasting his time"
The cat had quit its act and looked up at the blue haired researcher, who wore a sad smile as he talked a bit about himself, expressing his thoughts for once rather than keeping it pent up.
"Ah, I apologise, I shouldn't be bothering you with subjects such as this, it was my fault for getting too attached anyways… he would probably leave just like all the other employees"
The orange cat looked at him with what seemed like sympathy, as it uncurled itself and leaped onto his chest and licked his chin.
"Oh come on, thats rather unhygienic don't you think?"
Hohenheim still found himself quite enjoying the cat's company, maybe animals were more therapeutic then he thought.
"Hehe you know what? We don't need people do we my feline companion? It can just be the both of us, I'm sure if I submit a form to the higher-ups they would let me keep you in my office."
The blue haired researcher's said with pride in his voice. The cat stared at him with a judging look, almost as if it knew he was lying. He sighed,
"Ever the observer are you? I'll admit it, I have… very deep affectionate feelings for him.."
The cat's ears perked up again, eyes wide,
"I assume the lack of sleep is starting to effect my thinking, considering I just confessed that to a cat… maybe we should rest"
***
Hohenheim brought out a rolled up mattress that he kept in his closet as it was not irregular for him to sleep in his office.
He brought out a pillow and a large soft blanket before removing his coat, tie, vest and belt. He slipped of his shoes before untucking his shirt from his pants then flopped down on his makeshift bed.
The cat stared at him from the side of the bed, looking at him in a pitiful manner, if cats could even feel pity.
"Is something the matter? You could go curl up on the couch if you want, I don't mind"
Hohenheim said as he tucked himself into bed, removing his glasses and putting them to the side.
The cat walked onto the bed and curled itself on his chest. The researcher sighed,
"Only this once okay? I'd have to wash my clothes and the sheets after this…"
Hohenheim embraced the orange cat as they both fell asleep on the makeshift bed.
***
Hohenheim woke up feeling a weight on his chest, a very heavy weight at that. The orange cat that had been laying on his chest the other night was now replaced with a familiar orange haired man. And he was not wearing any clothing.
For once he acted before his thoughts had caught up. He shoved the man laying atop him to the side, blanket rolling along with him, turning the orange haired man into some kind of taco. He yelped as he tumbled, suddenly jolted awake.
The blue haired man had already jumped to his feet and put his glasses on,
"What the fuck, Johann?"
He genuinely would never say such profanity especially to a person he considered dear, but seriously how else would he react when Johann had just appeared in his bed naked?
Johann sleepily rubbed his eyes, adjusting to the light before he finally took in what was happening and his eyes widened.
"Oh- Uhm I'm so sorry Hohen.."
His orange hair was all messy and frizzy probably from rolling on hohenheim most of the night.
Color crept onto the blue haired man's face as he slowly realised the absurdity of the situation.
He wanted an explanation but he knew he would not be able to listen to it with a clear head when Johann was literally naked, a blanket being the only thing keeping his dignity intact.
"Please, don't move, I'll get you something to wear"
***
Hohenheim did not keep spare clothes in the office, the only thing he had for Johann to wear was his white coat, better than nothing he supposed…
"Now why exactly are you here and how did you just show up out of nowhere over night?"
Hohenheim stated.
The two sat on their couch, hohenheim crossing his arms as he glared at Johann from the opposite end of the couch. The coat… was not enough to say the least. He could still see the other's chest from the low collar as Johann attempted to utilize the coat better to cover his… everything else.
"I- well the guys were doing an experiment and I kind of got turned into a cat… they didn't want to take responsibility so they just left me haha"
Johann said, a bit sheepishly. The man was clearly very embarrassed.
“How irresponsible…”
Hohenheim muttered, he’ll find the researchers who were in charge of this and make sure they face the consequences….
"Also I'm really sorry I didn't tell you I was well, me. I just thought I could have used the situation to convince you to sleep since I saw the office light still on.. hey, it did work didn't it? Feeling more refreshed and energized?"
Hohenheim could only cross his arms and look away because as much as he would like to deny it, he did feel more refreshed and even a bit more lighter.
But… did Johann seriously act that affectionate towards him? Licking him, laying on his chest, sleeping with him-
Oh, oh wings.
A certain expression flickered on the blue haired researchers face, a mix of shock and embarrassment. Johann had heard his rambling hadn't he.
Johann had apparently caught on to what his boss was thinking, he was the most in sync with him after all as his right hand man,
"So uh did you really mean it? What you said before?"
The couch cushions sure looked really interesting to Hohenheim.
"Hey, don't go avoiding me now… did you really mean that you loved me?"
The backstreets didn't value people who beat around the bush so Johann hopped straight to the point, "deep affectionate feelings" was basically love in his book anyway.
Hohenheim looked up with a flushed expression, struggling to maintain composure.
"So what if I do? I could care less if you don't feel the same, emotions such as these are unfit for the control team leader after all. It is merely just an oversight-"
"I love you too you know?"
Oh. What? The blue haired man had gone rambling defensively, clearly trying to salvage the situation. But his right hand man's honesty had caught him off guard.
His eyes widened as he stared at the other man, who wore a brave look on his face.
"Yeah I meant it, romantically. I didn't want to tell ya like this but eh, what could I do?"
Johann rubbed the back of his neck, "I mean if that's not what'cha meant by deep affectionate feelings then uh I thought you should just know… yea"
Hohenheim didn't trust himself to respond, anything could come out of his mouth right now as his brain struggled to process all of the incoming thoughts.
Johann? Returning his feelings? Seriously, Hohenheim of all people was who he loved? The rude recluse who barely got out to talk to anyone?
He kept his thoughts to himself, the silence spreading between them.
"Uhm should I go…?"
"Please stay"
Johann merely nodded, grabbing a pillow to cover his chest.
And they sat like that in silence, just for a while before Hohenheim decided to step up.
He moved quickly, embracing the orange haired man in a hug. He couldn't remember the last time he had hugged someone else, his childhood was filled with papers and textbooks after all.
"So do you..?"
"Yes I do Hohen, why would I lie to you hehe?"
Tears fell down his cheeks as he felt warmth, one he was not entirely familiar with but happy to embrace.