A new family addition

[seemagicshit]

[Rain pattered against the windows at a steady rate. It made a nice backdrop to the soundscape of Zhao's apartment. The rice cooker chirped pleasantly, miso soup burbled on the stove and the clink of dishware all harmonized and emphasized that a meal would be forthcoming.

Zhao whistled a little tune as he got everything ready. He'd opted for more traditional Japanese this time around, but had an extra dish of grilled chicken for his boyfriend's extra protein needs. He eyed the rain beginning to increase outside. Joon-gi Han would be perfectly fine in his coat, but it was going to leave a mess.

He eyed some of his more threadbare towels, wondering which he could throw on the floor to sit under the sopping coat when he heard the door unlock.]

Hey, baby, you made it just in time for dinner.

Comments

[seemagicshit]

[It felt so good to warm up in the shower, letting the heat sink in. It gave him a chance to think on what they were gonna do about the little squeaky creature taking up residence in their home.

Like any kid, he tried to sneak home animals to take care of. He'd been doing a good job of giving a home to a local stray dog, making a nice little place to be by a dumpster and sneaking it food from the restaurant.

Until his father had found out. What he hadn't realized is that he kept careful account on all supplies at Qing Jin and noticed some errors. So with ruthless efficiency, he got to the bottom of it and found Zhao feeding his pet with high quality meat. He'd been punished, of course, punched hard enough to knock him on his ass. Then it was explained to him that he'd been technically stealing and to work it off, he'd be studying at Qing Jin and helping out with various tasks to make things right.

It had inadvertently set him on the start to restaurant management, so a bright spot. But his dad and the old guard had to always go one step further. It was funny, it had been so devastating as a kid, but now he could look back at that memory as an adult and just sigh. Was it really necessary to have some trainee assassins break the dog's neck right in front of him? Like, what the fuck?

He'd forgotten about that whole thing, but the more he thought about it, probably why he didn't go for pets in general. With the situation now, he might have a chance to do it right, but they'd be smart. Practical.

Shower done, he toweled himself dry, wandered to their room, got dressed in the warmest clothes he had and set himself at the table where his food sat for him, along with a steaming cup of tea.]

Thank you, baby. [He'd been so hungry and goddamn if the food didn't revive him. Especially the tea and he raised a cup and nodded to Joon-gi as if to say "well done."]

New plan. Every four hours we gotta feed the beast. Tomorrow, we'll go to a vet. If the vet says "this cat is diseased and fucked up" then we do the humane thing and say goodbye. We are not naming her until we know what we're dealing with. If the vet's like "actually she's a fucking tank and not that bad," we're going to have a whole other conversation about what we're doing. That conversation might involve names. Does that sound fair to you?

[joongipan]

[ Joon-gi lifted his eyes from his cup as Zhao approached and offered a small smile as he seated himself at the table. ] Feeling better, now?

[ He certainly looked better, that's for damn sure. He watched as Zhao reached for his tea, noticing the small chips in his black nail polish. Maybe he'd offer a manicure and a touch-up as a way to show his appreciation for Zhao braving the weather to gather kitten supplies? Joon-gi did enjoy spoiling his boyfriend, and he certainly deserved a little spoiling after nearly catching his death out there.

Joon-gi shook his head, denying the praise, though a part of him still appreciated the thought. ]

Don't give me all the credit. You're the one who cooked everything; I just warmed it up for you. [ He paused, taking a sip of his tea. ] By the way, thank you for dinner. The miso soup was perfect, as usual.

[ He held his cup between both hands, savoring the warmth seeping into his fingers. He spared a glance at the box tucked near his chair, seeing the kitten curled comfortably on her side, sleeping soundly. He watched the rise and fall of her chest with each small, shallow breath; the occasional twitch of her limbs; the way her tiny pink tongue peeked out of her mouth.

He listened as Zhao spoke, and Joon-gi's fingers tightened around his cup. He kept his eyes firmly lowered, staring into his tea, and met his own stoic reflection staring back at him.

Several long moments passed in tense silence before he finally spoke, softly: ] No. It's not fair.

[ Slowly, Joon-gi lifted his gaze and met Zhao's eyes. Something was brittle in that look, his dark eyes like two pieces of obsidian—sharp but hopelessly fragile. ]

Not giving her a name is like saying you've already given up hope. Well, I haven't! She's a fighter, I know it. I almost crushed my arm trying to fish her out from behind a dumpster because she was so determined to get away from what she thought was a predator. Even when I finally managed to drag her out, she kept trying to squirm out of my hands. That's how desperately she wants to live, don't you see?

[ As Joon-gi spoke, his voice hitched sharply in his throat. He took a breath, and tried to regain control of his voice. To maintain the calm, cool facade that he had always cultivated ever since he took up the name of the former Joon-gi Han as his own.

But he couldn't. Not when the memory of his father's cold, dispassionate face surfaced in his thoughts.

Don't you dare bring another filthy animal like that into my home. Or the next time, you'll have the pleasure of disposing of the trash yourself.

He tried to school his features, but he could feel the threat of tears stinging at his eyes. ]

I know you think it's a waste of time, but I want to give her a name. I want to at least grant her that one, small dignity so that, should the time come, I can give her a proper farewell. Then she'll know that she was loved, if only for a little while...

[ He never got the chance to say good-bye to Eun-so, never got the chance to beg her forgiveness. By the time he had returned home from school, the deed was done, and all her belongings were already in the trash. There was nothing he could do.

Maybe that's why he couldn't simply leave this kitten to die. Maybe, in some small way, he could make amends to Eun-so, if only to her memory.

Joon-gi averted his gaze and hastily scrubbed a hand across his face, hoping that it would be enough to halt the tears threatening to overflow. ]

[seemagicshit]

[Man, you think you know someone. Zhao looked at Joon-gi like he'd grown another head. He hadn't expected this kind of reaction about a random kitten. However, the more he thought about it, it made a kind of sense. He took his role at being a bodyguard very seriously. Maybe this was just that kind of instinct being transferred over to someone in his care.

It just clashed so much with his boyfriend's stoicism. But everyone had that secret thing they were passionate about. Maybe for Joon-gi it was cats?

Usually he was the practical one and Zhao was the passionate one. Obviously that dynamic got flipped on its head for this scenario. He sipped his tea and finished his miso soup, already feeling some of the chill being chased away.[]

All right. [He could escalate this to an argument, but what would be the point? Joon-gi was setting himself up to be really hurt and all Zhao could do was be supportive when the inevitable happened.]

We're still taking her to the vet tomorrow. But you can name her whatever you want. Everything I've looked up, we gotta feed her every four hours. So if you take the next shift and I take the one after that, we'll alternate until appointment time.

[He didn't have to work tomorrow anyway and it'd give him a chance to sleep a little bit in case he felt like ass in the morning. He stood up and took all the empty dishes and began to clean them. It gave him an extra chance to rein in the impulse to say something stupid. It was the kind of thing he'd live to tease Joon-gi about, but that would end up biting him in the ass. He was so emotional about this right now and his boyfriend did need to show more emotion on a daily basis.

He wished it was something else, but what the hell could you do? With the dishes done, he kissed his boyfriend on the cheek.]

You're a good man, baby.

[joongipan]

[ Joon-gi hazarded a sidelong glance at Zhao and nodded minutely, not trusting himself to speak, for the moment. He'd already tipped his hand too much with that unseemly display of emotion, and his first instinct was to withdraw into his stoic shell and slip the mask back in place once more.

But that wouldn't be fair to Zhao, now would it? He promised to be more open with him, to let the mask down every now and again, at least while they were in private. ]

You don't have to do that. I know you've been pulling double-shifts at the restaurant, so you need the rest. I'm more of a night owl, anyway, so it makes more sense if I stay up with her. [ His eyes narrowed with determination. ] Besides, I'm the one that brought her home, so that makes her my responsibility, doesn't it?

[ As Zhao began to clear the table, Joon-gi reached into the box and stroked at the sleeping kitten with the tips of his fingers. He noticed a little silver patch of fur between her ears, and he brushed against it with his thumb. She merely twitched in her sleep, and he couldn't help but smile because she was too tired to pull her tongue back into her mouth.

Maybe he would call her Eun-so, for now. It was a fitting name, given the silver spot on her head. Perhaps the spirit of the old Eun-so would watch over her, too.

He sensed Zhao's approach, and then felt the sudden press of warm lips against his cheek. Joon-gi looked at him, wide-eyed, expression softening.

He never really knew how to respond to such assertions. He wasn't a 'good' person, not by his own estimation, anyway. He'd done terrible things while serving under his predecessor, things that couldn't possibly be forgiven. He'd killed people in cold blood, tortured them for information, and blackmailed those in power who threatened to move against the Jingweon Mafia.

He was cold, ruthless, calculating. Just like his predecessor. He had to be, in order to bear the name of Joon-gi Han. He had an image and a reputation to maintain, after all.

He could try and rationalize his reasons and say it was for survival, but it would never be enough to wipe clean the blood staining his hands.

There was no point in expressing such thoughts, though, because Zhao was already privy to his terrible deeds. And still, he chose to take him in, a worthless stray with neither home nor purpose.

Slowly, he reached for Zhao's hand, just as he was pulling away, and drew it toward his lips, pressing a tender kiss against his knuckles. ]

You're far too good to me, jagiya. More than I deserve. [ He gazed at Zhao demurely though half-lidded eyes. ] That's why I want to be good for you. I don't want to cause trouble for you, especially after you went through the effort of opening your heart and your home to me.

[seemagicshit]

[It had been forever to get Joon-gi to be a fan of casual affection in private. He definitely wasn't a fan of PDA and Zhao could respect that. Hell, the only thing they'd ever done in front of the gang was hold hands during movie night.

So it always caught him off guard when Joon-gi let himself be affectionate. It was sweet of him. But seriously? Not wanting to cause trouble? You'd think he was a stray--

Oh fuck me, he thought. This whole evening instantly made so much more sense. He felt a little bit like he'd seen the man in his underwear and not in a "we're about to have fun" kind of way, but in an accidental seen too much kind of way.

Forget being hurt, Joon-gi would be devastated if the kitten died. This was a huge emotional step he took. But he certainly couldn't just blurt that out. He did smile at the kiss on his hand and did what always worked best when facing a difficult situation. To be confident everything would work out.]

C'mon. My house is your house is our house. I'd be happy to feed little stinky after some sleep, which frankly I think we both need. So set an alarm and you take the first watch and then reset it for me, okay? We've had an evening and she's nice and warm, so why don't we go to bed?

[joongipan]

[ Even after nearly two months of cohabitating, it was hard for Joon-gi to feel like he had any ownership of the space. There were small nooks and crannies he had carved out for himself, such as the window in the living room where he kept his air plants in hanging globes, the suncatchers dangling from the frame. There was his corner of the dining room table where he worked on various projects; his half of the bathroom sink crammed with way too many skincare products.

His mugs, Zhao's dishes. His fashion magazines, Zhao's extensive DVD collection. His mess, Zhao's mess. In his mind, there were strict delineations between who owned what, and Joon-gi had tried his best to take up as little space as possible in Zhao's home.

But maybe it didn't need to be like that. Maybe it was okay for Joon-gi to use Zhao's favorite mug, or to shelve his books next to Zhao's DVDs. To allow their messes to bleed into one another, to stop holding himself to some impossibly rigid standard of conduct. ]

You're right. I think we've all had a rough evening, some more so than others...

[ That last comment was meant for the kitten and Zhao, of course.

Slowly, he stood, keeping a loose hold of Zhao's hand. He could feel the familiar calluses on his fingers from where he gripped a knife or a saber. His thumb gently traced the shape of his knuckles. ]

In case you've forgotten, my phone is dead and buried in a jar of rice, so I'll leave the alarm to you, if you don't mind? [ He smiled a bit cheekily, but his eyes were full of warmth as he leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss against Zhao's mouth. ] I'll get Eun-so settled in our room, okay?

[ He slipped his hand from Zhao's grasp and picked up the box containing the kitten, taking it to the bedroom. He set it on the floor near the nightstand, just out of the way enough where no one would accidentally kick it while getting out of bed.

He sat there on the edge of the bed, contemplating the consequences of skipping his nightly skincare routine, just this once.

It probably wouldn't kill him. Probably. ]

[seemagicshit]

Aw fuck, that's right. Gotta be my phone.

[He named it that quick? And the damn thing was going to be in their room? Well, that might make sense for feeding and 'cause it was so young. So he set the alarm for four hours in the future and set it by Joon-gi's things.

Zhao brushed his hair and teeth, feeling exhaustion claw him. The food definitely helped, but he still felt a little bit of a chill. He crawled into bed, mindful not to kick the box and tried to find the warmest spot under the covers.]

C'mon. Curl up with me.

[At least that was the sentiment he wanted to get across before he shut his eyes. If that cat didn't live after everything his boyfriend did, then it wasn't due to lack of effort. It was his last thought before he drifted off...]

[joongipan]

[ Zhao didn't even need to ask. As soon as he was comfortably settled, Joon-gi burrowed under the blankets, slotting his body behind Zhao's, draping one arm across his waist. Joon-gi had grown accustomed to playing the little spoon, taking comfort in the warm press of Zhao's body against his own.

It was a strange, yet not wholly unwelcome feeling, having their positions reversed. For a moment, he simply lay there, listening to the sound of Zhao's quiet breathing and feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. He could smell the clean scent of soap and Zhao's favorite shampoo as he nuzzled his face against the nape of his neck.

Joon-gi pressed a brief kiss to his slightly damp hair. ] Good night, jagiya. Sleep well.

[ It felt as though he'd only just drifted off to sleep before the sound of soft mewling pulled him out of his slumber. Joon-gi rolled over and fumbled for the phone, finding that it was fifteen minutes before the alarm was supposed to go off. He set it to go off again in another four hours and turned it facedown on the nightstand.

He sat up and stared blearily into the darkness for a moment before hazarding a look down at his boyfriend. Zhao looked like he'd hardly moved the entire time, his measured breath indicative that he was still dead asleep.

Good. Joon-gi hated the thought of disturbing him when he was clearly exhausted from the day's most recent events, not to mention all the extra shifts he'd been putting in at the restaurant. Though Zhao tried to brush it off, Joon-gi could see how the extra work had been steadily wearing on him.

He glanced back toward the phone. He said he'd let Zhao take the next shift, but the man really could use the sleep...

Carefully, Joon-gi slipped out of bed, tucking the blankets close around Zhao so he'd still be warm. He picked the phone up and stuffed it in his pocket before grabbing the kitten box and quietly making his way toward the kitchen.

Eun-so continued to mewl plaintively, though with less urgency than before. Probably because she had just been fed recently and, hopefully, she understood that another meal would soon be forthcoming. At least, that's what Joon-gi wanted to believe.

He set the box on the floor in the living room next to the couch, then made his way to the kitchen to prepare another bottle. Once that was done, he settled himself on the couch with Eun-so on his lap, holding her steady while she drank. Maybe he had a better angle, or maybe she was just less ravenous, but it seemed like she was getting more milk in her mouth than on her face this time. That was a good sign, wasn't it? Joon-gi smiled as he felt her tiny paws kneading against his chest, her floppy ears twitching every now and again.

She was going to make it. She was a fighter, just like him. He could feel her tiny heartbeat fluttering against his palm, strong and determined.

Eventually, she finished her bottle, and Joon-gi wiped her down and gave her a chance to use the litter box before putting her to bed. He tucked the heating pad under the blanket next to her, watching as she waddled around the confines of her box on unsteady feet. He gently stroked his fingers along her back, scratching at the silver spot between her ears. ]

[ Settle down and go to sleep. ] [ He had slipped back into Korean, now that he was alone. It was the language he had always used around the old Eun-so. ] [ You have a big day tomorrow, and you need your rest. ]

[ It took a while, but Eun-so finally waddled to a comfortable corner and flopped over, blinking her eyes several times before falling asleep.

Satisfied, and knowing that there was nothing else he could do for her, Joon-gi lay back on the couch and stared at the ceiling, resigned to the fact that he wasn't likely to get much beauty sleep tonight. Even so, he was fine with taking on the burden. He'd been the one to bring Eun-so home, so that meant she was his responsibility.

He closed his eyes and hoped that he would drift off swiftly, before Eun-so or the next alarm woke him up again... ]

[seemagicshit]

[Zhao slept like a rock and the only reason he woke up when he did was a massive need to piss. His sleep fogged brain took care of that in the bathroom. Only after he'd washed up and looked at himself in the mirror and saw a litterbox in the reflection that he recalled the previous evening and that he was supposed to feed the beast. And slept through his alarm.

He ran into the bedroom again, not seeing kitten or boyfriend. He sprinted down the hall into the living room and looked around in a panic.

Everything was all right, apparently. Kitten was asleep in her box bed, boyfriend was at the table and apparently breakfast was served?]

Do I have to feed stinky? Or...you...you let me sleep in, didn't you?

[His panic began to settle with no, he hadn't slept through anything, just that his boyfriend decided to take on the task himself. And also got breakfast. Zhao sniffed with early morning congestion and got himself a tissue before sitting to eat.]

Did you get me crepes? What kind?

[joongipan]

[ There was a plate of strawberry crepes covered in sweet cream in front of Joon-gi. More accurately, there was only half a crepe in front of him, the rest of the plate carefully cleaned of its contents.

He'd been hoping to finish before Zhao woke up, so he wouldn't bear witness to his shame. But after the everything that happened last night, he deserved a cheat day, didn't he?

Joon-gi lowered his fork, which had been hovering in the air midway to his mouth when Zhao announced his presence. ]

Yeah, I did... [ He smiled a bit sheepishly. ] When I saw how peacefully you were sleeping, I just couldn't bear to wake you up. You've been looking so rundown the past few days, I thought you could use the extra sleep.

[ By the time the sun had risen, Joon-gi decided there was no point going back to sleep. So he took the opportunity to put on his face, dabbing a bit of extra concealer under his eyes to hide the unsightly dark shadows around his lower lids. He looked perfectly immaculate, his cheeks shimmering with a dewy look.

No one would ever guess that he had clocked in less than four hours of sleep last night. And he intended to keep it that way.

He pointed with his fork to the paper bag sitting on the counter. ]

There's a salmon crepe in there for you, with a house-made balsamic drizzle. Everyone's raving about it in the reviews, so I thought you might like it. [ He twirled his fork, jabbing it in the direction of the coffee maker. ] Coffee's ready for you, too. I put in an appointment with the vet for ten today, so that should give you enough time to eat and get ready before we have to go.

[ The kitten wobbled into a seated position and yawned, pink tongue curling. She craned her head to stare out of the box and chirped a morning greeting. ]

[seemagicshit]

Oh thank fuck, I can have breakfast and it smells amazing.

[He decided that he'd say nothing about his boyfriend's cheat food and dug into the ready breakfast and caffeine. It helped him perk up and much to his delight, he no longer felt that chill in his bones. He must have gotten that food and shower last night just in time.

He made sure to look his best for the vet, full accessories and hair styled. With Joon-gi also looking immaculate as always, they were certainly a pair for the vet. Among the many things Zhao had purchased at the pet store, they'd gotten a little bag with a zip up door to easily transport a kitten. He let Joon-gi hold the carrier the whole time while little stinky occasionally squeaked an opinion.

Shit, this was going to be so hard for him. It's not that Zhao didn't believe in miracles but it was just so stacked against the little thing. They explained the situation to the doctor, who examined the kitten while she screamed her displeasure. A little blood was drawn, a little examination. The doctor came back to them after a bit and pored over her notes and looked at the pair.]

I can say with honesty that had you not picked up the kitten yesterday after all that rain, it'd be dead. It's definitely the runt of whatever litter, but as long as you're sticking to feedings at every four hours and keeping her warm and safe, she's got her whole life ahead of her. She might not end up being very large, but barring any future illnesses, she should live a good long life for a cat.

[It was certainly not the news he'd been expecting. He'd braced himself for the worst so he just blinked when it didn't come.]

Wait, really?

[He spared a look at Joon-gi at this incredible news.]

[joongipan]

[ His mouth literally fell open at the news. Though he'd felt confident that the kitten was going to live, it was nice to get confirmation from a professional. ]

Really? [ He schooled his features once more, trying to temper his excitement, but he couldn't keep the stupid, boyish grin off his face. ] That's... that's great news!

[ She was going to live, and what's more, she was healthy. It's more than he could have asked for.

The doctor handed them some paperwork pertaining to vaccine schedules, along with some pamphlets about the proper care and socialization of kittens without littermates. There would be some unique challenges involved, given that the mother was the one who taught them how to groom themselves and communicate with one another, but with a little effort, she could still learn, even from human foster parents.

Joon-gi leafed through the paperwork briefly before handing it to Zhao. His expression was impossibly hopeful. ]

You're really okay with this?

[ Eun-so was still screaming unhappily about the whole affair, so the doctor handed her off to Joon-gi. He carefully cupped her between both hands and planted a kiss on her silver spot. She mewled sulkily, but at least appeared to have settled down a bit. ]

[seemagicshit]

[Well fuck him, they had a kitten. A squalling little life that was going to stick around for a good long time. Most of him was still in shock. But he had the wherewithal to thank the doctor and tuck the kitten back in her little carrier.

Zhao knew if this was how it was going to be, he'd have to do something first.]

What I think is that you should take little miss here. I gotta do a bit of shopping but I'll meet you back home in a bit, okay?

[Zhao knew that might have put off his boyfriend a little bit. But he couldn't explain himself at the moment. Just that he absolutely had to do this.

About two hours later, he came back to their apartment laden with a bit of groceries for meals to be had, but mostly for a few important things.

One was a little cabinet decorated with kittens and yarn with multiple drawers and labeled "Purrsonal Items." The other was a soft plush cat bed that looked like a crown and labeled "Spoiled Princess." The very last one was a set of collars small enough for kittens. He had one little butterflies on it.]

If you're going to live here, you're going to be stylish, do you understand? Because...

[His practical nature broke as he could finally accept that they didn't have to say goodbye. He could instead say hello. His voice broke as all the emotion he'd dammed up spilled out as he sat and pet the tiny little thing.]

Just...just because, y'know. You gotta grow into this so I can put it on you! I mean...shit...we gotta name you right. We can...we can do that right? Give her a name that'll last? Or or do you want to keep what you were calling her?

[joongipan]

[ He fixed Zhao with a questioning look, one brow raised in curiosity. He was plotting something, for sure, but Joon-gi quelled the impulse to interrogate him. He'd simply have to trust that Zhao knew what he was doing.

He took the opportunity to feed Eun-so again and check on his phone. He cautiously powered it on, sighing audibly when the homescreen popped up and several notifications chirped in quick succession: Kasuga posting memes in the group chat, some work related emails, a text from Seong-hui—

Ah, shit! He perused the text chain, but fortunately, it was just some simple errands she wanted him to run. Though, knowing Seong-hui's tastes, there was nothing 'simple' about it.

He fired off a quick response, explaining the events of last night, and graciously asked for an extension on running those errands.

It was about that time that Zhao returned home, bearing quite the burden of gifts. He'd thought Zhao had been a bit overboard with his purchases before, but now?

He could only stare incredulously as Zhao proudly displayed the cabinet with its bright colors and garish decals, the ostentatious little bed for their 'spoiled princess'. ]

Zhao... This is all so much...

[ If Joon-gi had been the one shopping, he certainly would not have gravitated toward such a loud and flashy style, but Zhao...

It was his style, and Joon-gi admired him for his bravery; to live his life so authentically and unashamedly. It was something that Joon-gi was still struggling with, trying to find himself after living within his predecessor's shadow for so long.

Carefully, he lowered himself next to Zhao and pulled him into a fierce embrace, holding him tight. It was a struggle to find the words to properly express his gratitude, so he simply held his boyfriend in silence for a few moments.

The kitten was still too young to make use of even half her gifts, but the fact that Zhao had bought them anyway meant that he was planning for the future. A future with him and Eun-so together, as a family.

He held Zhao even tighter as he leaned close, speaking softly against his ear: ] Thank you, jagiya. It's perfect. I'm sure she'll grow up strong and healthy under your careful guidance.

[ He pulled back, still keeping one arm wrapped around Zhao's shoulders, and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He gently lifted the kitten with one hand and placed her into Zhao's lap. She wobbled forward and set her paws against his belly, staring up at him with impossibly blue eyes, and mewled. ]

See? She's saying, 'thank you for looking out for me'. [ Joon-gi gave her a little scratch between her ears. ] I think, seeing as we're taking care of her together, we should both decide on a name for her.

[ This little one was no replacement for Eun-so, and never would be. She deserved to have her own name and her own identity. ]

[seemagicshit]

[He didn't know why a little kitten would make him burst into tears, but maybe it was simple relief that the past hadn't repeated itself. Not to mention something about the kitten just brought out both of their emotional sides. Maybe this was a good thing for them to both process?

He picked up the tiny thing with both hands and kissed her on the head. That was going to be hard to not do constantly, right on the silver spot.]

It should be something badass. Feminine and bold. Fuck it, her name's Chun Li.

[Yes he was a Chun Li main as a child and he was tickled he could do a tiny bit she could.]

[joongipan]

[ Seeing the tears running down Zhao's face gave him pause. Never, in all the time he spent in Zhao's presence, professionally or privately, had he ever seen the man break down in tears. Not even after he survived being beaten within an inch of his life by Mabuchi and his men.

Something tightened within his chest as he watching Zhao gently pick up the kitten and kiss her on her tiny forehead. The gesture was so sweet and tender, and part of him wondered if Zhao had ever owned a pet before. He wouldn't have thought him the type before, but now...

Joon-gi chuckled softly. Naming a kitten after a video game character would certainly not have been his first choice, and yet... he had to admit that it wasn't a bad name. Feminine and bold, just as Zhao said. ]

Chun-Li, is it? Well, I suppose it's a fitting name if we wish for her to grow up into a strong and energetic young lady. [ His eyes narrowed with a teasing grin. ] Just don't complain when she starts tearing around the place and kicks all your dishes off the table.

[ Reaching forward, he laid his hand against Zhao's cheek, feeling the wetness of his tears against his palm, and gently turned his head so they could look at one another. His thumb brushed away a trailing tear as he focused on those soft eyes veiled behind smoky lenses. ]

Thank you, jagiya, for allowing her into your heart, just as you did for me. I think... it's so much larger than you care to admit, and I am grateful each and every day that you have granted me space within it.

[ Joon-gi leaned forward, lips brushing against Zhao's mouth, and kissed him softly. His lips parted briefly as he deepened the kiss, just enough to taste him, before he drew back. But just barely. His dark eyes reflected only warmth and affection and infinite patience.

He could spend an eternity in this moment, if he were allowed. ]

[seemagicshit]

[Well forget his tears, now he was flat out surprised at how easily his boyfriend initiated a kiss. He definitely wanted a bit more of whatever Joon-gi felt like giving to him.

Except the kitten, newly minted Chun Li, gave a little squeak.]

Aw, what's this? Don't want to watch your dads making out? Fine then. You are going to get a proper bath with shampoo because you still stink.

[He beamed a smile at Joon-gi, feeling his heart grow light.]

I think...I think having her here is something we didn't know we needed but I'm so goddamn glad. We gotta learn to share our space and integrate with little stinky.

So! We gotta follow the instructions and make a little playpen for her. I bought all that too so we might as well get it set up so she can get used to it and feel comfortable. We're gonna have to figure out a feeding schedule so we might as well call the gang and have them help because I sure as fuck want to get some sleep while she's this tiny.

So let's get you a good bath, Chun Li.

[The constant mewling JGH heard for a while was a kitten not happy with having a family that insisted on cleanliness. She did smell a lot nicer once the process was complete.]

[joongipan]

[ He watched the shift in Zhao's expression, the subtle widening of his eyes and parting of lips. Joon-gi must have caught him off-guard with that intimate display of affection.

Truth be told, Joon-gi was surprised at his own forwardness, as well. But how could he simply sit there and do nothing in the face of his loved one's tears? Though he felt honored to bear witness to such vulnerability, he also wanted to see Zhao smile once more.

And he did. It was like watching the sun break through the clouds, after the rain. Beautiful and breath-taking. ]

Well then, why don't I make us some lunch while you bathe her? Then we can work on setting up her playpen. We can take some pictures and send them to the group chat. I'm sure Kasuga will lose his mind once he lays eyes on our cute little daughter.

[ Joon-gi put together some sandwiches and sliced apples with tea while Zhao gave Chun-Li yet another bath. Her fur looked a bit brighter, and she certainly smelled much cleaner than before.

After lunch, they sat down and put together the playpen. It wasn't terribly complicated, though Joon-gi did puzzle over a few of the illustrations accompanying the instructions.

By the time they were finished, Chun-Li had passed out yet again, so they took the opportunity to pose her on the fancy cat bed while Joon-gi snapped a few quick photos, being rather generous with the sparkling heart snapchat filters. He sent it to the group chat and waited for the reactions to come in, holding his phone for Zhao to see. Several notifications followed in quick succession, all from Kasuga, with various iterations on heart emojis and keyboard smashing. Joon-gi couldn't help but laugh out loud at the reaction. ]

He wants to know when he can come by and see her. [ His brows furrowed as a sudden thought occured to him. ] Though, we might want to hold off on having too many people over until her immune system becomes stronger, and so we don't stress her out.

[seemagicshit]

[Lunch was excellent, of course, just the thing for everything they'd experienced together already today. Putting together the playpen was a bitch but they'd finally managed and Chun Li slept through all of it. Even through her glamor shots and the well wishes from everyone in the gang.]

Well, Nanba says he wants to be the first one and so does everyone else, but you're right. We should let her get settled in before we introduce new people to feed and play with her.

[And speaking of feeding, Zhao took on bottle duty and fed the kitten yet another meal. Following the hefty instructions they were given, he took a bit of a washcloth and dampened it, then made little grooming motions over Chun Li to get her used to the idea. After that, he parked her in the litterbox for a bit just to make sure she pissed in the right spot.]

This is going to sound weird, but I swear she already feels bigger in my hands. Maybe she just needed some steady milk to start plumping up.

We...we have a cat daughter. [He laughed at the very idea. Chun Li wobbled about, having done her duty and Zhao helped her to go back to sleep into her warm bed.]

Should we put something in the bed that smells like us so she feels comforted or is it that she has to get used to what we smell like so she knows she's in a safe place?

[joongipan]

I'm pretty sure the mother cat rubs her scent over any bedding she brings to the nest. That way, the kittens don't try to wander off when she leaves them to hunt for food. It probably wouldn't hurt to leave a shirt in there with her. Then she'll feel safe, even if we're not in the same room with her.

[ Anything with buttons or zippers was a no-go, since buttons were a choking hazard, and a zipper had sharp edges where she might hurt herself. Luckily, Joon-gi happened to be wearing a plain t-shirt, at the moment. ]

I'd be willing to sacrifice mine for nesting material.

[ Without hesitation, Joon-gi grabbed the hem of his shirt and peeled it over his head, ruffling his hair in the process. He looked up to find Zhao had peeled off his shirt, as well, the yellow-patterned fabric dangling from his arms as he stared back at Joon-gi with a confused look. ]

What are you...?

[ Well, this was awkward. ]

[seemagicshit]

Well...she's got two dads so it makes sense she gets a shirt from each of us.

[He tucked his shirt by one part of the princess bed and took Joon-gi's shirt to add to the collection. The kitten didn't react at all, still off in dreamland. With shirts off, Zhao openly admired the absolute dedication to his boyfriend's workout routine.]

You know. We could let her sleep here and we can just finish what we just started.

[Emboldened with a wicked grin, he ever so slightly rubbed a thumb over one of his boyfriend's tits and walked to their bedroom, whistling.]

[joongipan]

[ Okay, he can't exactly argue with that logic...

He leaned back on the heels of his hands, watching as Zhao carefully tucked their shirts into the nesting box. But it wasn't long before he felt those sharp eyes raking over his physique, and Joon-gi felt his nape prickle as Zhao fixed him with a heated look.

He averted his gaze slightly, feeling a sudden warmth rush to his face. Zhao took the opportunity to close the distance, his palm gliding over Joon-gi's chest. He sucked in a breath at the sudden contact, and turned just in time to catch sight of Zhao's wicked grin before he slipped away. ]

We could...

[ It had been awhile since they did anything more intimate than spoon together in bed or have sloppy make-out sessions during some TV romcom that neither of them were paying attention to. Generally, Zhao was the one who initiated things while Joon-gi followed his lead, but now...

He couldn't say precisely what had changed. Maybe it was witnessing that moment of vulnerability, or maybe it was a newfound understanding of his place in this shared space of theirs, but he felt more confident in lowering his guard and revealing his own vulnerabilities, as well.

Joon-gi took to his feet, sparing one last look toward the slumbering kitten before trailing after Zhao. He slipped his arms around the other's waist, pulling him close. His lips brushed teasingly against the shell of Zhao's ear as he spoke softly. ]

Can you promise me you'll be quiet? [ His fingers traced a line beneath his navel, halting at the waist line of his pants. ] Well?

[seemagicshit]

[Okay, he hadn't expected to have his boyfriend talking right in his ear and his hands where they were. Zhao was honestly distracted for a moment before he could answer.]

I can certainly try to be quiet but I promise to be just as enthusiastic.

[Holy hell, this was happening. It'd been too damn long and Zhao wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by. He did take one moment to remove his shades, but leave his magatama and rings on. Sometimes metal warmed with body heat did fun things in the moment. Like when he grabbed the back of Joon-gi's neck right at the nape to continue with that kiss where they left off. Now if his boyfriend wanted to either continue standing or throwing him down on the bed to continue, Zhao was more than happy.

So good to have options.]

[joongipan]

[ Zhao removed his shades, dropping them on the dresser, then turned within the circle of Joon-gi's arms to face him. It was such a rare thing, to look into Zhao's eyes without the dark lenses of his shades disguising their true color— a deep, rich brown that shifted to honeyed hues in certain lighting.

But now, they were dark and full of desire. Joon-gi shivered beneath that heated look as he felt Zhao's fingers tangle in his hair, guiding their faces close for another kiss. There was no hesitation as Joon-gi leaned into him, lips parting as he took the kiss deeper into familiar territory. His fingers dragged down the length of Zhao's spine as he held him close, pulling their bodies flush against one another.

God, this is just want he wanted, what he needed. This warmth, this closeness. A strong, guiding hand. Fingers pulling tight against his hair.

He wanted to take his time, to savor this moment. To not rush too quickly to an inevitable end that would leave him feeling cold and bereft...

Except Zhao would never leave him feeling that way. Even when they eventually parted, he'd still have the lingering warmth of his hands on his skin, the memory of hungry kisses against his throat. And it would be enough. ]

[seemagicshit]

[Oh you want to go slow like this is some romance novel? Sorry, but you're in the House of Zhao and that means going full tilt. He shifted his grip, put both hands firmly on Joon-gi's ass and threw them both across the bed.

He broke the kiss to laugh at the sheer joy of having his boyfriend's full weight on top of him. He spread his legs wider, just so he had more to grip Joon-gi with around his hips and ran his hands all over the other man's back. He did have the wherewithal to reach across to the nightstand and fumble for some condoms and lube because Zhao was nothing if not prepared for whatever Joon-gi wanted to do. While he waited for that to happen, Zhao would settle for shamelessly grinding. It'd help with the decision process and look, he was even being as quiet as he could about it.]