Work Text:
Tiger has been acting strange all day.
It started just after they opened the cafe. As they were handing out orders to customers, Tiger briefly stood beside him as Lynx was making an order. Just before he could serve the dish, Tiger added a cat face and whiskers with their traditional sauce. Lynx chuckled and brushed it off, assuming he was just messing with him.
But then he noticed all the cats that were entertaining the customers were…dressed up in fake little suits? Jenny even had a fancy, tailored dress! Lynx raised a brow at their little bow ties and buttoned up costumes, glancing at Tiger who was currently making a coffee for a customer.
Lynx joined beside him, causally grabbing a cup and making a drink nobody had even ordered. “Tiger,” Lynx started, resulting to in Tiger momentarily looking up at him and then back to making the drink, still tentatively listening. “what’s with the costumes?”
“oh, that.” Tiger chuckled, pouring the boiling ryder into the coffee powder. “they looked cute, so i bought them.”
“i agree but…” Lynx started, the confusion still vivid on his face. “why the sudden fancy switch?” He snarled, unable to drag his gaze off the silly little sleeves the suits also had.
“not sure,” Tiger replied, adding the milk into the dark mixture, suddenly lighting up the entire glass. He trapped the lid shut, placing it onto the counter “maybe it’s a special occasion.” He whispered, dinging the bell, turning back to Lynx teasingly.
Lynx blankly blinked at him, the sly smile catching him off guard. It made something form in his stomach, something heavy and uncertain. Did Lynx forget something? was it a special day? Whatever it was, it had Lynx thinking about it for his entire shift!
Every time he wiped down a table or went to place something in the bin he found his gaze getting drawled back to Tiger, trying to think of any possible plans or promises he might have forgotten. However, nothing unusual skimmed across his mind. He remembered today was the first day of October, he remembered promising to help Tiger decorate the cafe with spooky decorations in a few days, he even remembered Tiger mentioning a family dinner he wanted to invite Lynx to!
So what was this special occasion he was missing?
Tiger chuckled from across the room, noticing Lynx had stop wiping the table and was now instead staring at him. Lynx forced himself back, scoffing as he realised Tiger was now laughing at him. He gave an unintimidating glare, shifting his eyes back into the table as he continued to wipe down any debris. Although, his mind was still wandering. He just couldn’t stop thinking about what Tiger had said earlier.
Lynx had just come back from the local shop, grabbing some extra cat food as all the cat biscuits had strangely disappeared. Lynx was sure he remembered seeing a semi-full bag the other day, but he assumed one of the cats may have snuck into the storage room and ate the rest.
However, once he opened the door, letting the welcoming bells ring above him, he noticed the cafe was pitch black. Lynx set the bag down onto the floor nearby, confused as to why all the lights were off. He had just paid the electricity bill yesterday and there was no noticed of any potential power cuts, so all he had left to rely on was his curiosity.
“Tiger?” Lynx called out, carefully walking through the map he had entrained in his head of the cafe, guiding himself with ease through the dark.
He suddenly came to a halt when he bumped into something, something tall with a soft fabric. He flinched slightly, taking a step back from the unfamiliar object. The lights swiftly buzzed, emitting the soft glow that made up the cafe.
Lynx squinted his eyes at the harsh transition, his lashes slowly frittering open to see what was in front of him. It was Tiger.
“Tiger?” Lynx asked, puzzled by what he had planned now. He looked around, finding the cafe altered from before he left. He glanced to the side, finding a deliberate trail of cat biscuits formed into the words ‘I LOVE YOU, LYNX! =^•^=‘ Lynx parted his lips to say something, yet he couldn’t figure out what to say. At least the cat emoticon was cute…even if it was drawn with cat food. “what’s all this?”
Tiger smiled down at Lynx, gently slithering his hands to Lynx’s, snugly linking their fingers together. Lynx observed their connected hands, Tiger’s palm exchanging a surge of warmth to Lynx’s cold hands as he had just come back inside. “do you like it?” Tiger asked.
Lynx chuckled, almost nervously, but mainly just because he was confused. Was this the ‘special occasion’ Tiger mentioned about earlier? Maybe it was a date with his own twist? Lynx nodded slowly, his hands becoming warmer with each passing moment. “yes, but…why?”
“well, i think it’s time i show you.” Tiger sighed, battling a small smirk on his lips. Lynx raised an eyebrow, still baffled by what on earth Tiger was talking about!
“show me what?” Asked Lynx, yet he was only met with silence. Tiger stepped back, their hands quietly sliding apart from eachother. Lynx watched him intentively, waiting for any unexpected surprise Tiger might be trying to pounce onto him with.
However , what Lynx did not expect was for Tiger to kneel closer to the ground, one knee propped up. Lynx’s eyes widened perceptibly, the shock almost knocking him off his feet. A hand hovered around his mouth, unsure if he was currently on the verge of crying or screaming.
Tiger is proposing to him? in the cafe? surrounded by cat treats? Tiger is proposing?!
Tigers hand reached for Lynx’s, his touch featherlight, and delicately guided it closer to him. He turned his hands slightly, but Lynx was too frozen to notice. He was sure he could feel his eyes getting watery.
“Lynx…” Tiger whispered, moving his free hand behind his back and to his pocket, grabbing something and holding it behind his bulky figure. In one swift motion, Tiger revealed the ring…only for it to be twice the size to fit on a human finger and was instead…a cat toy. “will you meow-rry me?”
Lynx’s expression fell flat, dropping his hand towards his side frustratedly. “what are you playing at?!” Lynx huffed, crossing his arms with a displeased tsk. He looked like an angry cat that was very obviously showing withdrawn body language; Tiger was smitten, he found it adorable!
“i thought it was the right time to ask.” Tiger teased, standing up to meet Lynx’s gaze. Tiger felt a little guilty, especially when he was convinced he saw Lynx getting teary, but he had saw the toy in a nearby shop and couldn’t help but torment Lynx. “it’s better then giving you a mangled ring that the cats got their paws on first.”
“you’re so annoying.” Lynx scoffed, still in a huff after Tiger pulled his, in Lynx’s words, very unfunny prank.
Tiger sneered under his breath, taking a step forward and wrapping his arms around Lynx. “i’m sorry, it was only a harmless joke.” He spoke into Lynx’s thick hair, gently planting a kiss against his forehead.
Lynx let himself be swallowed by Tiger’s embrace, resting his head against his shoulder. He knew it was a joke, and he could admit that the extra large toy rind was ridiculous, but Lynx felt so excited when he saw Tiger down on one knee. He really thought it was time.
“it’s fine,” Lynx sighed, “but next time maybe don’t use a stupid toy one.” Lynx added, smirking slightly through his words.
Tiger could feel his face heating up, the simple suggestion catching him off guard. “next time, hm?”
Lynx slowly pulled away, already missing the warmth from Tiger’s larger figure. He nodded triumphantly, enjoying the light blush he had scattered across Tiger’s face. Tiger looked back down, focusing on the rounding that he was still loosely gripping on to. “well, will this do for now?”
Lynx chuckled, nodding lazily. Tiger grabbed Lynx’s hand again, with just as much delicacy as before, hovering the ring between them. “Lynx, will you meow-rry me?” Lynx chuckled, pretending to think about it. “wow, don’t think too hard.” Tiger huffed, rolling his eyes.
Lynx couldn’t help himself from laughing, attempting to nod his head through the laughter. Tiger seemed to be infected, catching the same smile Lynx was wearing. He inched the comedically large ring onto Lynx’s ring finger, the toy immediately slipping off once Lynx flicked his wrist, creating a thud as it collided with the floor. One more breathless chuckle escaped from Lynx, his eyes travelling back to Tiger.
“may i kiss the groom?” He asked, his arms already halfway around Lynx’s small waist.
“you may.” Lynx said, a sly grin still lingering on his lips. His lips twitched up, slotting against Tiger’s like a perfect puzzle piece. Tiger grazed his tongue across Lynx’s bottom lip, requesting entry. Lynx happily adjusted his lips, tilting his head to the side to give Tiger better access, Their tongues brushed against each other, unhurriedly lapping up the other’s flavour. Lynx chuckled halfway through the kiss,
remembering how ridiculous this whole situation was.
Tiger reluctantly pulled back, breathlessly laughing along with Lynx. “you know, in my opinion, this is so romantic.” He said, squeezing Lynx’s side lightly.
“you’re so weird.” Lynx commented, resting his head against Tiger’s broad shoulders one more time. Tiger formed an adorable pout on his lips, one hand rustling Lynx’s fluffy hair nonetheless. Lynx smiled at the relaxing sensation, nuzzling slightly closer to Tiger as he hid the uncontrollable smile from Tiger’s sight.