[ When the cat doesn't bolt, Axis takes a couple tiny steps closer, extending a hand with his knuckles offered harmlessly to let the animal get his scent (as long as it doesn't bolt). ]
I'm not gonna hurt ya. Mind if I come say hi?
[ He's... so nice... to the cat...
Now that he's left the cart behind, he slips the bread out of his sleeve, holding it up in his other hand. ]
[... so he is an animal person. Kyo doesn't quite know what to do with this new piece of information. It doesn't seem to fit with Axis' rough disposition he always throws at people. And yet, it's annoyingly interesting too. He could get a lot of mileage out of teasing Axis about it. If he wasn't sitting here on this massive secret himself...
The cat leans in slightly towards the offered hand, though Kyo instantly finds the usual combination of smoke and cologne Axis normally has around him to be very strong as a cat. Sheesh. Makes him twitch his head back instinctively to avoid an overload.
Still can't believe he's hearing these kind of words from Axis. Kyo never thought the guy had it in him. But despite one part of him saying he should run, the other part... apparently stays right where he is. Bread? He even brought food?!
WHO IS THIS PERSON?! ... and why does he think cats eat bread? Whatever. Kyo glances at the roll regardless. Couldn't hurt to have a bite?]
[ Axis retracts his hand when Kyo doesn't immediately run, and he tears off a small cat-sized mouthful of the bread, tossing it gently to land at Kyo's paws. He isn't getting as close as he could or reaching out to try petting yet. ]
It's pretty good.
[ And as if to prove it's not poison, he takes his own bite out of the roll, chomping inelegantly and saying around an open mouth, ]
See?
[ This is why Axis likes being around animals more than people: he's about as domesticated as a feral badger and his table manners reflect it. (Which is probably reflexive and intentional after his upbringing, but Axis doesn't have a shred of self-reflection to examine those particular habits or rejection of them.) ]
[His head drops with the piece of bread, tracking it just like any cat would do. Movement = attention grabbed. Now, he knows what bread tastes like, obviously, but as a cat, he's really just eaten meat and occasionally other things, like some mochi once and potatoes. Not that he really stays in this form long enough to want to eat... This is a rare occurrence.
But his stomach is already clenching and he leans down to nip at the bread once or twice before grabbing the entire thing in his mouth. Gnaw gnaw chew chew before getting it down with a swallow, tongue flipping across his jowls in usual post-eat cat fashion. Okay, that wasn't bad.
It's kind of funny Axis would be trying to "convince" a cat to eat the bread. But there he goes, taking a bite and mouth-full talking like it'd help sway his actions. Kyo bets no one in the world has seen Axis act like this. Wow.]
[ Absolutely no human in the world has seen Axis like this. Maybe anyone around while he's been really drunk and saw a puppy or something. But for daily life?
He looks so pleased when the bread is demolished, and he just pulls off another chunk, tossing it to Kyo again – and taking one more step closer, within petting range. ]
I'd grab you some meat or somethin', but that's a little harder to get away with.
[ He doesn't expect the cat to understand or reply, obviously, but that doesn't stop him from speaking to Kyo in a soft, gentle tone. ]
[Wow. Kyo's so privileged. Then again, it's not like he hasn't seen people treat animals differently than they treat people. Kyo's never kicked a cat for ignoring him, but he's certainly tried to beat up other kids for doing the same (insultingly).
Axis looks happy though, and Kyo finds that expression stupidly attractive. This dumbass shouldn't look that good! But another piece of bread and he leans down to grab it in his mouth. Okay, he is hungry. The bread's not going to do him any damage; he'll change back and it'll be fine.
Whenever that happens... Oh, Axis is closer. Kyo looks up at him, tail flicking once or twice at the mention of meat. Not going to lie, that sounds really good right now. But he'd rather Axis not steal it?
Not that he can communicate any of that to Axis without, what, biting him if he tries to yoink a sausage?]
[ Could Axis afford to buy some meat? Easily. Does he want to? No. He's a cheapskate and he has meat at home. (Metaphorically and literally.) ]
Not gonna hurt ya, bud.
[ He holds his hand out to Kyo again for another sniff once he's had the next bit of bread, then moves to pet the top of his head and gently between his ears. So slow! So careful! He's ready to pull his hand back at a second's notice or a displeased ear twitch. ]
[Yeah that's exactly what Kyo would figure Axis to do. Only this idiot would risk getting fined (more than the cost of the meat he stole) or worse just for a damn shank of lamb or something. But instead, he's got a roll of bread Kyo doubts Axis paid for, so... that's something.
Kyo perks his ears up at the promise. Oh it's tempting to just bite him right on the finger. What's he going to do, smack a cat? Even though Axis totally looks like the kind of punk who would smack a cat... Kyo he doesn't. Meaning a second or two later, he's getting that strong hand rubbing at the top of his head and it's really annoying because it feels good.
Despite himself, Kyo leans into it. An affectionate touch is practically unknown to him. He'll take what he can get. Not like Axis would touch him if he knew the truth. It's deception but whatever.]
[ Axis keeps his touch feather-light at first, just a gentle stroke between Kyo's ears, but once that seems well-received, he's ecstatic. Still careful, he curls his hand around Kyo's ear, scratching just under it and along the cat's jaw. ]
Yeah, see? I'm not so scary, huh?
[ He keeps using that warm, soft voice that he fully and intentionally pretends he isn't capable of (unless he's wooing particular clients, but). ]
[Damn, this actually feels good. It's not like these kinds of touches aren't as effective when Kyo's not a cat... he just doesn't TELL anyone that because it's stupid and no one would bother to give a shit. But when that hand goes under his jaw, he tilts his head back almost instinctively, eyes closing as a purr starts up in his chest and throat whether he wants it to or not.
No, Axis. You're always scary. You look like a thug. But Kyo can't say that as he is, so he just... is going to indulge in this for a few more minutes until Axis is inevitably called away or something. Then it'll all be done and over and he'll have to figure out what to do from there.]
You can have all the scratching you want, lil guy.
[ Purring? Score! Axis looks terribly accomplished – triumphant rather than smug. He continues scritching under Kyo's chin, showing no inclination to break away.
Until—
The flash of lightning and following crack of thunder in the near distance makes Axis's head jerk up, getting an eyeful of the gloomy grey clouds overhead. Well fuck. ]
[Being called "lil guy" makes him want to scratch Axis on the damn hand, but since he's currently enjoying a rare moment, for both of them, then he gets a pass. Annoying. The purring is embarrassing as hell and Kyo really wishes he could, you know, NOT do it, but he's happy and content for a brief moment, and that... means purring. It's a cat thing, unfortunately.
At least until the sky decides it wants to rip itself open with a crash of lightning and thunder. Kyo spazzes immediately, jumping clear up into the air, fur poofed and tail on end, arched up on all fours as soon as he lands. Dammit! Why's it gotta rain now?!]
[ Axis manages to retract his hand before Kyo springs up like a shot, going from purring to poofy in seconds flat. ]
Shit.
[ He glares at the sky, then looks back at the very alarmed cat. Fuck, it's gonna suck to stay out during the storm... and Axis hates to see such a helpless animal left out in the cold...
Gnawing on his lip ring, he hesitates before taking a step closer to Kyo. ]
[It's like he was spazzing with all claws out. But probably a good thing Axis retreated a bit. He might've got nicked...
Kyo's still alert, ears up and swiveling a bit as he looks around as thunder rumbles again. It didn't look like rain earlier... but that was earlier. Axis' curse draws his attention again and he watches the guy bite down at his lip. What's he thinking abou-
... oh.
Well, on the one hand, that's really sweet, and really embarrassing. On the other hand, Kyo had been thinking about going back.
Stuck in indecision, it means Axis gets to pick the orange kitty up. Oof.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I'm not gonna hurt ya. Mind if I come say hi?
[ He's... so nice... to the cat...
Now that he's left the cart behind, he slips the bread out of his sleeve, holding it up in his other hand. ]
You hungry?
no subject
The cat leans in slightly towards the offered hand, though Kyo instantly finds the usual combination of smoke and cologne Axis normally has around him to be very strong as a cat. Sheesh. Makes him twitch his head back instinctively to avoid an overload.
Still can't believe he's hearing these kind of words from Axis. Kyo never thought the guy had it in him. But despite one part of him saying he should run, the other part... apparently stays right where he is. Bread? He even brought food?!
WHO IS THIS PERSON?! ... and why does he think cats eat bread? Whatever. Kyo glances at the roll regardless. Couldn't hurt to have a bite?]
no subject
It's pretty good.
[ And as if to prove it's not poison, he takes his own bite out of the roll, chomping inelegantly and saying around an open mouth, ]
See?
[ This is why Axis likes being around animals more than people: he's about as domesticated as a feral badger and his table manners reflect it. (Which is probably reflexive and intentional after his upbringing, but Axis doesn't have a shred of self-reflection to examine those particular habits or rejection of them.) ]
no subject
But his stomach is already clenching and he leans down to nip at the bread once or twice before grabbing the entire thing in his mouth. Gnaw gnaw chew chew before getting it down with a swallow, tongue flipping across his jowls in usual post-eat cat fashion. Okay, that wasn't bad.
It's kind of funny Axis would be trying to "convince" a cat to eat the bread. But there he goes, taking a bite and mouth-full talking like it'd help sway his actions. Kyo bets no one in the world has seen Axis act like this. Wow.]
no subject
He looks so pleased when the bread is demolished, and he just pulls off another chunk, tossing it to Kyo again – and taking one more step closer, within petting range. ]
I'd grab you some meat or somethin', but that's a little harder to get away with.
[ He doesn't expect the cat to understand or reply, obviously, but that doesn't stop him from speaking to Kyo in a soft, gentle tone. ]
no subject
Axis looks happy though, and Kyo finds that expression stupidly attractive. This dumbass shouldn't look that good! But another piece of bread and he leans down to grab it in his mouth. Okay, he is hungry. The bread's not going to do him any damage; he'll change back and it'll be fine.
Whenever that happens... Oh, Axis is closer. Kyo looks up at him, tail flicking once or twice at the mention of meat. Not going to lie, that sounds really good right now. But he'd rather Axis not steal it?
Not that he can communicate any of that to Axis without, what, biting him if he tries to yoink a sausage?]
no subject
Not gonna hurt ya, bud.
[ He holds his hand out to Kyo again for another sniff once he's had the next bit of bread, then moves to pet the top of his head and gently between his ears. So slow! So careful! He's ready to pull his hand back at a second's notice or a displeased ear twitch. ]
no subject
Kyo perks his ears up at the promise. Oh it's tempting to just bite him right on the finger. What's he going to do, smack a cat? Even though Axis totally looks like the kind of punk who would smack a cat... Kyo he doesn't. Meaning a second or two later, he's getting that strong hand rubbing at the top of his head and it's really annoying because it feels good.
Despite himself, Kyo leans into it. An affectionate touch is practically unknown to him. He'll take what he can get. Not like Axis would touch him if he knew the truth. It's deception but whatever.]
no subject
Yeah, see? I'm not so scary, huh?
[ He keeps using that warm, soft voice that he fully and intentionally pretends he isn't capable of (unless he's wooing particular clients, but). ]
no subject
No, Axis. You're always scary. You look like a thug. But Kyo can't say that as he is, so he just... is going to indulge in this for a few more minutes until Axis is inevitably called away or something. Then it'll all be done and over and he'll have to figure out what to do from there.]
no subject
[ Purring? Score! Axis looks terribly accomplished – triumphant rather than smug. He continues scritching under Kyo's chin, showing no inclination to break away.
Until—
The flash of lightning and following crack of thunder in the near distance makes Axis's head jerk up, getting an eyeful of the gloomy grey clouds overhead. Well fuck. ]
no subject
At least until the sky decides it wants to rip itself open with a crash of lightning and thunder. Kyo spazzes immediately, jumping clear up into the air, fur poofed and tail on end, arched up on all fours as soon as he lands. Dammit! Why's it gotta rain now?!]
shows up 15 minutes late with starbucks MY BAD
Shit.
[ He glares at the sky, then looks back at the very alarmed cat. Fuck, it's gonna suck to stay out during the storm... and Axis hates to see such a helpless animal left out in the cold...
Gnawing on his lip ring, he hesitates before taking a step closer to Kyo. ]
C'mere, bud, don't run, okay?
[ Just gonna... try to pick up the cat... ]
Sirrah, the Coffee, Tis cold.
Kyo's still alert, ears up and swiveling a bit as he looks around as thunder rumbles again. It didn't look like rain earlier... but that was earlier. Axis' curse draws his attention again and he watches the guy bite down at his lip. What's he thinking abou-
... oh.
Well, on the one hand, that's really sweet, and really embarrassing. On the other hand, Kyo had been thinking about going back.
Stuck in indecision, it means Axis gets to pick the orange kitty up. Oof.]