#fauaki

Faust gently ushered a mug of tea into Akira’s hands before turning to the white, fluffy cat kneading happily at his bedsheets.

Lemongrass. With a hint of sweetness. Akira accepted it gratefully, feeling the warmth travel from the mug to their fingertips as a pleasant tingle.

The two of them were outside for some time as they tried to coerce this cat inside. Even with all of Faust’s patience and gentle words, it still took the better part of a half hour. Plus, they had encountered Bradley in the hallway and had gotten an earful about “potential allergens,” and “getting that thing out of here”. The cat, unsurprisingly, wasn't well- received in the manor.

“Goodness…” Faust mused. “Look at you, all content now that you’re inside. I have half a mind to believe you’re in fine condition after all.” He paused, watching as the cat resigned to licking its paws. “Spoiled.”

Akira chuckled at the scene, carefully setting his mug down on Faust’s desk and going to stand beside him near the bed, giving the animal a healthy amount of space.

“So it’s alright?” Akira asked. The cat meowed, surveying both Faust and Akira curiously as if it’d never seen the two of them before–as if it hadn’t been leading them in circles around the outskirts of the manor for ages, making sure to coat its fur with mud and leaves thoroughly.

“Seems like it. Other than the obvious,” Faust said with a sigh, taking his hat from his head and dusting it off before turning to Akira. “Sorry for dragging you into this unnecessarily.” Akira shook their head and dropped to their knees near Faust’s bed to offer the back of their hand to the cat, who sniffed it with disinterest. Faust put his hat back on.

“I don’t mind at all! I quite like cats. They remind me of home.” They reached a hand out to stroke its fur, watching how the cat followed their movements with wide, light blue eyes. They really did remind Akira of home. Late nights at work and the constant grind were reduced to nothing in the face of certain fluffiness.

“Ah– don’t dirty your hands even more. Let me go get a washcloth,” Faust gently reprimanded, turning to leave. The cat seemed to notice the intent, perking up and reaching its feet. Its eyes scanned Faust’s retreating form before leaping from the bed, using Akira’s shoulder as a launch pad. Its claws effortlessly ripped through the fabric of their shirt and into their skin as the cat grappled for traction, making Akira wince as they felt the sting. They grimaced, turning their head to inspect the scratch.

The cat mewed innocently as it landed, weaving between Faust’s legs and nearly tripping him. He clicked his tongue.

“Nothing but trouble with you…” Faust said in the cat’s direction, returning to Akira’s side in a few strides to inspect his shoulder. They pulled the neckline of their shirt down, lamenting more over the torn fabric than their injury. Then, they felt Faust’s chilled fingers brush their skin gently, taking over and holding the shirt. Akira pressed their arm against their side in an attempt to make his job easier–whatever job that was.

“It’s fine, just a scratch. I’ll just go wash it with soap and water,” Akira reassured, voice quiet and hesitant to break the silence. They shifted slightly under Faust’s attentive gaze.

“Satillquinart Mullcreed,” he whispered after a moment. Akira felt the familiar rush–

No, that’s not the word.

Faust’s magic was akin to a river, yes. But a river during the middle of summer when the mountains lacked snowmelt to feed it. Not raging, not entirely unforgiving, but not meandering either. Still plenty powerful. Akira felt it run through their veins and coax a sigh from their lungs, gently healing over the cut and taking their worries along with it. What a kind sort of magic, Akira thought.

“Ah… thank you, Faust,” Akira said, embracing the smile that tugged at their lips. Faust pulled his hat down just a touch.

“It was just a small scratch, as you said. Don’t mention it,” he said with an air finality that told Akira that he, quite literally, didn’t want them to mention it. With some effort, Akira smothered his smile for the sake of Faust’s Eastern nature. “I’d still go wash it if I were you. And find Chloe to mend your shirt,” Faust continued. Akira nodded in agreement.

“You’re right. I’ll leave the cat to you for a while, then. Seems like it’s made itself at home under your bed, for now,” they said, heading for the door. They heard Faust’s clothing shift behind them.

“That wasn’t me kicking you out, by the way. I wouldn’t mind an accomplice for escorting it back outside so I don’t get into too much trouble,” Faust managed. “The others listen to you more.”

“Yes, sure! I’ll be back in a moment.” Faust nodded, eyes following Akira, who was suppressing further words of thanks, out and into the hall.