WHO: Lucius & Noah WHAT: Lucius gets a cat WHEN: March 7 WHERE: Cat Cafe RATING: PG WARNINGS: None
Noah was decidedly not an animal person. He could appreciate them from a distance, he understood the appeal, but he was never one to gush over a puppy or feel a strong need to have an animal companion. However, he had always been fond of cats (because you are one, Lucius had always teased) and now, sitting cross legged on the floor with a cat nudging his knee with her head, he could understand why people were so crazy about them. He had come here for Lucius, of course, and he would never admit it aloud but he found himself watching Lucius with the cats more than the cats themselves; it was sweet, really, how much his boyfriend loved animals, and Noah always had a weakness for his cute side (another thing he would never say to Lucius). Still, though, he surprised even himself when he looked up from the cat at his side, and said, “you really should adopt one.”
Lucius was laughing, eyes bright as he petted a kitty with one hand and let another one sit on his lap. It was a picture of pure bliss and Lucius just couldn’t care about anyone thinking he was weird for being so into it. Lucius loved all sorts of animals-- cats, dogs, name it, but when it came to cats specifically, he had a thing for the darker shades. Especially black cats that were supposedly known for their bad luck. Lucius took that as a sign of good luck instead, not giving a shit about stupid superstitions. “Huh?” Lucius looked up in surprise, staring at Noah in confusion; eyes wide open. The cat he was petting ran away because Lucius had stopped.
“Really? You think so?”
Noah nodded. The cat mewed at him indignantly at the sudden lack of attention, and while she climbed into his lap, his focus remained on Lucius. "It would make you happy, wouldn't it? You love animals, they apparently like you... Cats are easier than dogs, and they're nocturnal so they can keep you company at night." Another meow prompted him to finally look down at the cat, and he stroked her back lightly with a faint smile. "I suppose I could help take care if it too, until you allow me to go back to my own dorm, of course."
Lucius didn’t know how to act-- Noah was being almost openly sweet to him and all Lucius could do was-- to get embarrassed. His cheeks turned a bright shade of red and he only returned to reality when the kitten on his lap nipped at his hand for attention. He looked down and then gently petted him. “...Yeah,” Lucius decided to admit, chuckling sheepishly. “I’d like company since you’re always busy sleeping.” He teased in hopes Noah wouldn’t notice how happy he felt. Watching Noah with cats was so cute… “I’d… really like that, Noah.”
“Yes, us normal people do need to sleep at night,” Noah shot back. “There's no need to get so sentimental. Or red.” He smirked. “It will be your cat.” Speaking of cats… the one in his lap seemed to have tired of him, and she twisted away from his hand and jumped out of his lap. Well then. “Which is for the best as they seem to like you more.”
“Laaaame.” Lucius voiced, trying to ignore what Noah said, grumbling and looking away. He was definitely not pouting again, focusing on the cats instead of Noah. “I guess.” The cat that had abandoned Noah came over to him, so Lucius gently petted her. “You just need to be gentler. I know you can be.” He paused and then looked over at Noah. “I'll definitely adopt, but I don't know which kitty yet.”
“I am perfectly gentle with the cats,” Noah objected. “Cats are just fickle.” Which, really, was likely why he liked them; their independent nature resonated with him. Noah leaned back and surveyed the room. “You’re an incredibly easy sell,” he teased. “Which ones do you like?”
Lucius did his best not to say he needed to be gentler with him, too, simply arching his brow at Noah's words. Now he had two cats perched on his lap, but neither really wanted to be petted so he let them get comfortable. “Shut up, Noah. Uh, I like all of them. Tinkerbell, Jiji and Toby are very cute. All of them are.”
“I like Tinkerbell, despite that ridiculous name. I feel embarrassed just saying it.” He pursed his lips in vague frustration, but looking at the cat, it was hard to hold the name against her. Really, it was hard to feel anything but affection for her when he looked into those giant eyes. This was all Lucius’s fault, he thought; he was making him soft. But he couldn't really be irritated by him either, not when he had two cats in his lap and looked truly happy. Soft, he thought again. “But Jiji suits you.” Black cat, goddess of night; it made sense.
“I think she likes you, too.” Lucius smiled warmly at his boyfriend, watching him for a few seconds before looking down at the cats who now wanted his attention again. Did he really need more Noahs in his life? He stroked one of the kitten’s back and then had to do the same for the other because it got jealous. “How am I supposed to make up my mind?” Jiji and Tinkerbell were both lovely and-- Lucius could see the connection that Noah had with her, but also Jiji was so attached to him and.
Ugh.
“Can’t I just take both?”
Noah chuckled. “No, you can't, as tempting as I'm sure it is. It's likely unwise to impulse buy one cat in the first place, let alone two. I can't tell you who to adopt though. They will be yours so it's your choice.” Noah had his preferences, but he wasn't going to get a cat, and he didn't want to pressure Lucius into making the choice Noah wanted. “Take me out of the equation. Who do you feel more connected with?”
Okay, now for sure he was pouting-- even Lucius couldn’t deny that much. His heart was torn because he loved both kittens. “Are you sure you don’t want to adopt one?” It was his last attempt to convince Noah to let him have both. “They could stay with me while we’re at Milton.” But he sighed because he knew Noah wouldn’t agree. He looked over at Jiji and then at Tinkerbell-- Lucius just whined. This was not fair. He didn’t even care that other people were seeing him act this way anymore. Closing his eyes and crossing his arms, Lucius breathed out a soft sigh. “If I have to pick, then I think I’m…” Lucius didn’t finish his sentence. The cats on his lap finally moved away, both tired of him.
“I don't need a cat, Lucius,” he responded as patiently as he could. “And even if I did, if she stayed with you for nine months of the year, she would essentially be yours. And I'm not sure Amata would approve of you bringing home two cats. So.” His lips curled into a smile, “quit pouting and make a decision.”
Lucius sighed softly, clearly disappointed, but nodding his head to Noah’s words. As much as he didn’t like it, he was right. Lucius shot a brief glare at Noah when he called him out. “I’m sorry, Jiji…” Lucius’s eyes became misty, but the kitten was already busy moving away to claw at one of the toys on the floor. Tinkerbell, in other hand, had made her way to Lucius. “Hey there.”
Noah shook his head, holding back a laugh. “Lucius, don’t cry. You only just met these cats; you can't be that attached.” Still, despite his scolding, he slid closer to Lucius and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “He’ll find a good home. And Tinkerbell-” he couldn't help but wrinkle his nose at the name, “will have a good one with us, with you.”
“I’m not crying,” Lucius protested, reaching up to rub his closed eyes with the sleeve of his shirt. Smiling, he scooted closer to Noah, lightly bumping his knee against his. “Yeah, I hope so. Jiji deserves the best too.” Maybe he was being ridiculous right now, but unlike before, Lucius didn’t mind showing this side of him. Lucius didn’t say a thing, but those words-- he knew he was overthinking things, but those words made him really happy and he was doing his best not to show it, least Noah started making fun of him for it. Instead, Lucius leaned more against his boyfriend.
“You are,” he insisted. “I can see the tears in your eyes; there's no point lying.” He thought it was dramatic, of course, but he did empathize a little. And he was used to Lucius’s sentimental side. “It will be fine. I don't think your friend will let any of these cats go to bad homes,” he continued, grateful that Lucius ignored his slip in pronouns. He turned away from Lucius for a moment and held out a hand for the cat to sniff. She rubbed her head against his hand with a purr before continuing on to Lucius. “She apparently likes you better so you picked well,” he added dryly.
Lucius glared at Noah again, but he stayed quiet because he knew it was true, and honestly? He really didn’t care about being called out. “Yeah… he’s really good with animals, so I believe it. I’ll let him know to give Jiji a lot of love too. Maybe I can volunteer or visit him sometimes.” Lucius laughed softly as the cat rubbed herself against his hand. “I must smell friendlier,” Lucius joked, but he tilted his head to smile at Noah before he impulsively stole a peck from his lips.
“Anyway,” Lucius cleared his throat, glancing at the other people with them in the cafe, feeling just a bit of embarrassment. “I should tell Jonah I’m going to adopt Tinkerbell, so.”
Noah nodded. “Jiji will be fine. Go. I will be here with all the cats you rejected.” He flashed a teasing grin before he stood to go find another cat to play with.