₍^. .^₎Ⳋ

A change of scenery should keep him awake — so Genjirou foolishly thought. He lasted about five whole minutes before his upper half ended up sprawling across the cafe table. Fatigue drags at him, shifting invisible fingers through liquified consciousness. It doesn't occur to him that half of the paperwork ended up fleeing. Not until a voice chimes nearby and sheets of wayward notes are returned.

ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤNyaNya, was something of a sanctuary. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Tourists, locals ; ALL were welcome there.

Cerulean blues rake over the table, over him, as he does his best to rouse himself. Depth of his voice betrays just how EXHAUSTED he is ; they don't mind it. Hands find their hips, as their lips purse. The strongest drink they had ?

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ❝ Likely our Nyaspresso. ❞

A double - shot of high - caffeine espresso, topped with a bit of whipped cream. Well, they topped THEIRS with whipped cream. Slightly, do they lean over, nails tapping at tabletop. Something of WORRY lingers in their gaze, beyond the crinkle of their smile.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ❝ Take a moment to wake yourself up ... I'll bring it right over. ❞

And, so they do ; heels click against flooring, as they make their way behind the counter, flicking the machine on and setting a small mug beneath the drip - faucet. Gentle hum of inner workings echoes through primarily - empty shop, and they bring a small croissant out of the pastry - case. They, personally, could not TOLERATE such a bitter drink without something sweet. It left the sort of taste in their mouth, that blanketed around their tongue and fouled anything else they'd eat for the rest of the day that lacked sugar.

Espresso finishes dispensing in a short time, ceramic mug and snack brought back to table, as promised. A chair, then, is pulled close and they take their seat, legs crossing at the ankle as they look over documentation. Most of it is lost on them ; while intelligent, they lacked any sort of SPECIALIZATION ... as any feline - turned - person would.

𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐘

' i'm human. '

at least that's what he continues to tell himself. there was certainly something else going on with him at this point in time, something that had fundamentally changed him as a person after he'd made that deal with the fey. yet, he refused to believe he wasn't still human. much like he refused to believe his brother wasn't still human even if there was something off about him.

' what sort of question is that for someone ? how would you like it if i asked you that, huh ? '

defensiveness comes naturally, arms crossing over chest as he stares at them. he says nothing else but golden gaze stares them down as he waits for an answer.

ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAnd yet ; naught but DOUBT festers within them. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤNot a MALICIOUS breed ── no, they were ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤsimply the SORT to know when they were ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤright.

A huffed laugh, comes gently. It's not at his expense, entirely, but merely the SITUATION. Were they to ask, what would give them cause to believe otherwise ? Perhaps the lick of heat that came from close proximity with them. Perhaps how PUPILS formed into thin slits, only to fatten and round out once more. Perhaps, a dozen little things that lent credibility to the belief they were OTHER.

first off, mega massive thanks to my lovely and brilliant friend @whatspoilers for the EXCELLENT title!! hi my loves! so this is a list of scenarios in which the receiver has an opportunity to look at the sender in a different light, resulting in... something. a kiss? a punch? a declaration? a confession? i know you guys, i know how spicy your brains are, so spice away! i do want to stress that the outcome of the "feelings" does NOT necessarily need to be a romantic one. it could be anger, it could be a sudden revelation, a betrayal, a heartbreaking plot twist, whatever you want! i insist on making this very clear: if you send this, there is NO expectation of the receiver to make it romantic UNLESS they want to. likewise, if the feelings ARE romantic, it's not force-shipping, this is just the receiver's muse getting a minute to evaluate their relationship with the sender and how they want it to continue! and ofc DO NOT ADD TO OR EDIT THIS LIST!

[ DANCE ]: while the sender and receiver are slow dancing together, their close proximity and the intimacy of the situation causes feelings to rise to the surface.

[ BED ]: while the sender is sleeping beside them, the receiver has a moment to watch them and consider their own feelings, resulting in clarity and a realization.

[ CONSTELLATION ]: as the pair lie down in a field and watch the stars overhead, the receiver turns to watch the sender gazing skywards, leading to them confronting their own feelings.

[ NURSE ]: after a battle gone wrong, the receiver begins to tend to the sender's wounds, fading adrenaline and rising fear causing them to realize their feelings.

[ OBSERVATION ]: when showing the sender something they've been working on, the receiver can't help but address their feelings as the sender gazes in wonder at their work.

[ ENTRANCED ]: while the sender works on something they're passionate about, the receiver has a chance to look at them properly and consider their own feelings for them.

[ DEFENCE ]: when the sender rushes to defend the receiver against a threat of any description, the receiver takes a moment to consider how they feel about the sender.

[ COLLABORATION ]: as they work together on a project, the receiver has a moment in which they contemplate their true feelings regarding the sender.

[ CONFLICT ]: during an argument with the sender, the receiver realizes there's an unspoken depth to their feelings, and takes a second to consider them closer.

[ DEFIANCE ]: after realizing there's a situation which could threaten one of their lives in order to protect a larger group, the receiver and sender have a fierce argument in private, leading to a realization of their real feelings.

[ TRAINING ]: during a sparring session, the sender and receiver end up on the floor, leading one of them to seizing the upper hand and straddling the other. the receiver has an unexpected realization of their feelings regarding their sparring partner in the process.

[ FAMILY ]: watching the sender interacting fondly with others, the receiver (from afar) takes a moment to take a closer look at their relationship.

                                                      He  was  getting  better,  though.

𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎  𝐌𝐎𝐂𝐇𝐈  𝐈𝐒  𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍  𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎,  dark  eyes  blinked  up  at  the  blonde,  hand  still  upon  the  doorknob  of  their  family  home.  So  ...  this  was  the  person  that  was  leaving  these  at  their  doorstep?  He  figured  they  were  for  his  father,  but  Han-gyeol  would  share  them  with  him  regardless  (  and  sometimes,  Hyojun  wouldn't  tell  him  there  were  any  and  kept  them  for  himself  ).

"  Oh...  yeah.  I  like  mangos  and  strawberries,  so  my  Appa  lets  me  have  most  of  them  because  of  that.  The  mochi  I  mean,  we  share  the  sandwiches--  "  Gaze  shifted  back  to  the  tray,  then  back  up  to  Toshihiko,  hand  moving  to  rub  the  back  of  his  neck.  This  was  ...  awkward.  Was  his  father  seeing  someone  and  he  didn't  know  ...  ?

ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤMangos, and strawberries ; good to know.

Invitation, extended ; though they hesitate still. Was it polite, common rather, for born - humans to enter a home without the permission of the HEAD OF HOUSE ? Still ... It's better than lingering outdoors like some sort of creep. An hour was not long, and though they'd anticipated a nap this afternoon, in perhaps their favorite sunny spot ... ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤWell. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThis seemed more appropriate.

Footfall, is silent as they step through threshold, tray set aside as hands then rub together. They bend down and remove shoes, placing them neatly by the door ; no matter the policy or preference, they'd remain polite. Eyes wander, taking in little photos, and other decoration. That man was certainly proud of his boy. It was charming.

❝ Thank you. ❞ Their voice is quiet, but earnest ; wishing to convey the depth of their appreciation, but perhaps not for Han - gyeol to hear. Hand gestures to sandwiches. ❝ I'm not certain where you'd like them, but don't let them sit out too long, alright ? I'd rather avoid giving you a stomach ache ! ❞

ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤYour whole life, YOU have been predaceous. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ The hunter, the chaser ; the danger.

Now, as you weave through trees, lips agape as you attempt to catch your breath ... you're not so sure. There have always been things and people larger than you. You've seen them, you've interacted with them, hell you've SERVED THEM at the shop ... but this was a vast gap, between THIS, and coffee with a smile. Your legs are burning, and you can hear him growing closer and closer still, and the moment he POUNCES, you let out a strangled cry, cut short as whatever remains of wind is knocked from your lungs. He's dense, in terms of weight, and it all bears down on a far more fragile sort of body ; but it's not with intent to break anything, or any real malice.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤTo you, this was terrifying. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤTo him, it was foreplay.