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[bringingdowndisaster]

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[zichen]

"Would you like a cat?" Zichen tips Xue Yang's head back and bravely kisses him.

Because.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"I don't think we're allowed to take the cats from here," Xue Yang says with a slight pout - that is immediately kissed away. "Mmm..." He easily melts into it and kisses back.

[zichen]

"Take them? No, I thought we could care for one." Zichen smiles at the pout and kisses the expression away, hugging Xue Yang against his chest.

So. A cat. One that would like to keep them company and end up terribly spoiled.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"I'd like that if we can..." Xue Yang murmurs against Song Lan's lips.

Oh, Xue Yang would definitely spoil that cat rotten.

[zichen]

"Will you come with me? I know where the cats and dogs are kept." Zichen whispers, kissing Xue Yang again with a small smile, "I miss having a little companion too."

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Mm, I've been to the cat café before," Xue Yang says, "During a flood of all things." When he'd gotten ridiculously emotional over the cats...

"Did you have an animal companion before?" he asks curiously.

[zichen]

Zichen takes hold of Xue Yang's hand and leads him towards the Infirmary. The cats and dogs should be kept somewhere close by...? Or so he had been told.

"Mm. A small grey cat. I left her in the care of my Master."

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Oh..." Well, Xue Yang doesn't remember seeing a cat when he'd paid his murderous visit to Baixue Temple, so he hopes she was able to hide out somewhere.

"I saved a cat and her kittens from a couple of dogs when I was still in Kuizhou," he says, "She would share food with me after that."

[zichen]

She hopefully escaped. Zichen would have looked for her if he hadn't been blind and in tremendous pain. He does, however, notice Xue Yang's concern and, yes, that is a good sign.

"Did you?" he smiles a little. The Xue Yang he had met during the Breach would have done just that too.

"Animals never forget an act of kindness."

Leading them deeper into the Barge, he looks around curiously. Maybe there is a sign...? Or no. He hears something better.

Barks. Hurrying his steps, he tugs Xue Yang along.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Mhm. She was trying to protect her kittens, so I threw stones at the dogs so they ran off." He'd become very fond of cats after that, determining that they were far better than humans. Animals in general, really. Even the dogs had just acted on their instincts. Killing so they won't starve. Xue Yang knows what that's like.

He chuckles a little and follows along when they hear the sounds of the dogs, lightly squeezing Song Lan's hand.

[zichen]

"That was very brave of you." Zichen glances back and pulls Xue Yang a little closer, "Did you help her with her kittens or did you become one of her kittens?" the latter seems more likely if the mother tried to feed him!

Finally... He finds the right door and takes a breath. He pushes it open and softens at the friendly furry faces that greet them. They are kenneled with a space between for them to wander and sniff in turns.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang laughs a little. "Aish, I don't know. Maybe both." They had certainly taken care of each other...

His expression and whole demeanor immediately softens at the sight of the sweet animals. One brave cat immediately makes their way up to them and winds around Xue Yang's legs. He leans down to pet the cat, grinning all the while. "I think this one is volunteering," he jokes.

[zichen]

"Mothers knows how to care for lost children." Zichen can't stop himself from smiling at the animals, glancing down in happy surprise when a cat greets them. Well, well. Aren't they pretty?

"Come here." he murmurs and gently scoops the cat into his arms, "This one is a little male. Do you like him, Xue Yang?"

The cat purrs and makes little biscuits on Zichen's robe, his tail waving lazily.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang immediately goes to pet and scratch the cat when Song Lan picks him up. "Zichen, I like all cats," he says with a laugh as he gives scritches to the underside of the cat's chin. "What a handsome boy!" he coos.

[zichen]

The kitty tips his head back, his green eyes closing blissfully. Oh those are good scratches!

Zichen chuckles and nods. "He has a good demeanor. Since he is so friendly, I wonder if he should have a companion? Then we can be certain they are never feeling lonely."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang smiles and nods. "He's so sweet..." The cat seems to absolutely love the attention too, soaking it right up from the both of them. "They probably have to stay here anyway, so he can be with his friends."

[zichen]

"We should bring him here, daily, to visit. But I think he should visit with us too." Zichen smiles at Xue Yang, "When you feel unwell, he would give you a warm embrace."

Something that, sadly, Zichen can't do anymore. Not as he is anyway.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Okay, we'll have to be sneaky about it," Xue Yang says with a laugh as he scratches the cat's head. He likes Song Lan's embraces though! He can be warm for the both of them.

[zichen]

"Why?" Zichen questions, snuggling the precious tom under his chin, "I am a Warden and if you are with me, why shouldn't you be able to see my cat?"

He might be a little more sneaky than Xue Yang planned.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang lets out a mock-scandalized gasp and grins, eyes bright. "You're pretty sneaky yourself, Song-daozhang." And he happens to find that very attractive.

[zichen]

Seeing Xue Yang happy...genuinely happy...makes it all worthwhile. He holds out the tom for Xue Yang to hold while he gathers the supplies they will need. Litter-boxes are truly very clever ideas!

Of course as he walks around, a kitten crawls on his foot and gives a mighty mew.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang holds the cat to his chest and scratches him behind the ears. "He's gonna need a name if he doesn't have one already. What do you think?"

He grins at the sight of the kitten. "Uh-oh. Looks like someone's jealous of the attention."

[zichen]

"I think you should name him." Zichen murmurs, smiling helplessly at the little ball of fuzz on his foot. He scoops the baby up and holds them against his chest.

"Is he your friend, little one?" he brings the kitten closer to the tom and the tom turns his head, kissing the kitten's forehead.

Oh yes. Clearly this is his baby.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"I'll have to think about it then," he says as the cat starts to rub its face against his cheek.

Xue Yang laughs a little. "He's adopted a baby too." He reaches out to gently scritch the kitten behind its little ear.

[zichen]

"He can wait for you to decide." Zichen kisses between the baby's too-big ears, "Who can resist a lonely kitten?"

No one, that's who.

Gathering what they need for two, he tucks the kitten into his robes. It's nice and warm there and the baby immediately calms.