I'm in some big SoftDeathPuss OT3 feels rn.

Imagine a plot based around the three of them, but it's got a lot of longing and one-sided based attraction (for a while at least). Basically a big slow-burn.

Death starts hanging around Puss and Kitty, and there are romantic attractions that start to happen.

But in this case, Death becomes closer to Kitty, while Puss is left trying to win Death over himself. It's a case where Death is not use to affection or most personal relationships, but he has more respect for Kitty than he does for Puss (due to the way Puss has disrespected him so much in the past).

Therefore, he finds it hard to allow Puss the chance to win him over, but at the same time, he's still developing an interest in Kitty, who's already married to Puss.

It's one of those Poly related situations. Puss and Kitty are both happily together, and they have no issues allowing Death into their lives.

But Puss feels left out, and he feels hurt and guilty because Death needs extra time to warm up to him after the things he did.

So Puss tries his best to work on himself, and allow Death to open up to him naturally, but he goes through various moments of loneliness and confusion because he's doing what he can to show Death he deserves his love.... but Death struggles to show his own affections.

Even with Kitty, Death finds "difficulty", but at least they're on friendly terms. So they can maintain short but nice conversations, and greetings to one another.

But Puss? Puss finds himself being the one to seek out Death's attention. Death does not normally come to him, like he does with Kitty. Puss longs for that, he wants to know the man who he's so infatuated with, and who's grown to love his wife but not himself.

Though Death no longer seeks to take his life or pose a threat to him, Puss can tell Death avoids him (normally) unless close interaction is necessary, or Death wants to ruffle his fur a bit in his typical creepy fashion. He realizes that Death's feelings towards him are much more complicated than he initially anticipated, even if Death is grateful that Puss now lives a better life, he can't forget the way Puss insulted him for so many years.

And suddenly, Puss realizes his situation with Death is reminiscent of Kitty. He's hurt Death's feelings... and he needs to apologize properly. But Death takes time to forgive... he takes time to open up. Especially if his first impressions of a person are as bitter as they were with Puss.

Death doesn't hate Puss. He doesn't want him to suffer or be terrified anymore. But he is distant, quiet. He's introverted and less sociable. His body language screams, "I need space" or "Please don't talk to me". Like a shy animal who doesn't trust easily (which is essentially just what he is).