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Nyen brought the cigarette to his lips, relaxing as the nicotine entered his system, exhaling the bitter smoke away to his left, mind running blank. He was calm enough, laying curled on the couch, nothing but a tanktop and his boxers on. Dim light flickered from the television, playing a late night rerun of Judge Judy. The only other entity here was Nyon, resting on the carpet, purring and playing with a toy mouse. Nyens ears twitched as the sound of pattering footsteps broke the silence. clumsy and familiar, before that freak kid appeared in the doorway. Randal was in his his donkey pjs, one of those unsettling victorian dolls he carries around in one tiny hand the other clutching a picture book. Oh great, Nyen groaned but he wasnt about to yell at a little kid, even this creepy freak of nature.
"why are you awake? go to bed"
Nyen hissed, wanting this over with now before the kid smears his snot and blood everywhere.
"Thou catmen can you read me a story? Brother is sleeping and wont wake up. He might be dead this time" Randal doesnt sound upset by this idea, talking in that weird old man way he picked up from beloved master luther, god this kid gives Nyen the creeps. Randal half crawls half walks to the velvet couch, clambering onto the cushion before tugging his doll up to sit beside him.
"No. Go back to bed" Nyen grumbled, but he lets Randal sit next to him, taking another drag and blowing it away from the kid. The lazy tomcat at his feet stretches and wanders to the kitchen, leaving Nyen alone to handle this seven year old by himself, hes going to kick him in the ass at the next opportunity />
Randal reaches up pulling on the side of Nyens wifebeater, making him bristle "pleaseeee my dearest catman, my brother retired to his quarters too early and I cant sleep without my story"
randal whined petulantly, the noise grating againsts nyens sensitive ears. God damn it, Nyen snuffed the cigarette out on the ashtry next to him.
"fine, you little shit, but this is a one time thing"
Nyen grumbled, "and keep that doll away from me".
Reliqueshishing himself to his fate, Nyen takes the book from Randal and reluctanly lets the kid cuddle up against his side so he can read along.
Nyon wanders back from the kitchen carrying a sippy cup full of a chamomile milk concoction that Luther makes to help Randal sleep through the night. He hands it to randal
"Вот, выпей это" he murmurs before switching to heavily accented english "do not spill".
.....maybe he isnt completely useless.
Once Randal's small claws were wrapped around the cup securely the older catmen flopped onto the floor, shrinking down to the size of a very obese housecat, resting his head on a cushion, immediately starting to doze off.
Nyen opened the picture book, his voice raspy and dry as he reads aloud "twilight sparkle was excited for the gala" god give him strength not those tiny ponies. He read the book in the flatest tone possible, trying to be patient as Randal pointed to each pony and named it individually.
Eventually Randal started to blink slowly and become quiter and after about 15 minutes Randal finally nodded off, his head falling on Nyens shoulder. Randal's glasses were askew and a mixture of blood and drool dripped onto Nyens shirt making him shudder; How does Luther tolerate this disgusting freak? Nyen isnt great with kids but he tries to be gentle, setting the book aside and carefully wrapping a blanket between him and the now sleeping boy, turning back to the TV. Cops was on now, a rerun of his favorite episode, the familar voices melding into a soft hum in his brain. Nyens eyes started to feel heavy, the world seeming to slow as he feels himself drift into a deep sleep.
✶⋆.˚
Luther awakens at dawn to a birds sweet melody, not needing his sweet kitty to remind him to rise, fully rested from his early sleep. Today he will try to do his routine all alone, like the time before his dutiful pets, snapping his bones to place and walking to his closet, exchanging his silk pajamas for a blue and red shirt and a smart pair of trouser, humming as he selects each gold ring. After brushing his own teeth and combing his perfectly sleek hair he walks to the kitchen. Passing by the living room door he senses Randal's dark presence, looking through his beaded curtains to see his cherished Noo-noo dozing on the thick carpet. His beloved Nee-Nee is slung across the couch, mouth open and snoring loudly, his little brother curled up in his lap, story book in hand and his hair a ruffled mess. Its so adorable Luther can feel his pulsing, human heart stop beating for a few moments. Theres nothing in the world that Luther loves more than to see his family all together, getting along. Luther kisses his catmen on their cheeks and Randal on his forehead, his lips almost forming a smile as he looks at them one final time before turning to leave. Luther makes his way into the kitchen to prepare the best breakfast he could make for his family (it was inedible but who needs food when youre full of love ♡)