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How long has it been now, since Rui escaped the apartment? It couldn’t have been more than a few days, but it already felt like an eternity.
His attempt to escape the apartment this time was obviously a success, compared to his past attempts. If he had just waited for Tsukasa to come home drunk enough, he wouldn’t have failed to get out so many times. He slipped out without the other even noticing…!
… But… there wasn’t anywhere for the cat to go once he’d gotten out.
Rui couldn’t even be sure where in Shibuya the apartment was, he couldn’t get a good view of anything in the kennel he’d been brought home in.
Home… No, that apartment isn’t his home. His home is with his parents, his childhood home, where he should be. Not under this dumpster, wasting away.
Rui sighed, shifting to lay on his other side, curling in on himself to huddle for warmth.
His fur was soaked through, the rain pouring down around him and pooling on the ground. The sound of the droplets hitting the dumpster was beyond awful, but where else could he go to get shelter? Under a car may be warm if they’d recently turned it off, but if someone were to get in it and start driving, he’d be crushed.
Maybe under a car would be better. He’d still be laying in water, but he could be warmer than he was now. Maybe he would get- No, no, don’t go there.
He wanted to go home. Home to his parents. Back to his life as a human. He didn’t see Nene nearly as much as he did when they were younger, but… she still visited sometimes, if only briefly.
Though more time passed between each visit once Nene found a job and started college. And his parents were off at work, like always, leaving him home alone…
Rui couldn’t go home. His dad is allergic to cats, allergic to him. There’s a reason his mom kicked him out when she found him in the garage.
And Nene’s mom is allergic to cats as well, so he couldn’t go to Nene, even if she were a better option than Tsukasa to go to.
And Mizuki… well, he hadn’t seen her since she graduated with Nene. There was never a good time for them to meet in person, between their job and looking for schools. Rui hadn’t ever been to their house. There was no way Mizuki was an option to go to, unfortunately.
But aside from Mizuki and Nene, and his parents… Rui had no one. No one… except Tsukasa. And Rui despised that fact.
He’d rather have gone with Saki than stay with Tsukasa, to be with ANY of the Tenma's but him! But of course, he had no such luck.
Which is why he escaped, to get away from Tsukasa. Rui can’t stand the guy! He couldn’t in high school, he couldn’t now! And he had to deal with him constantly, the damn human fussing over him as if he were a baby.
He doesn’t need constant care, he’s 19…!
… A 19-year-old human in a cat’s body… A body that can’t easily get its own food or water, and needs its toilet cleaned daily…
What a way to live…
Rui shifted, loafing under the dumpster to watch out from under it.
The rain still poured relentlessly, only adding to his misery.
He could be inside, and warm, maybe cuddled up with him, anywhere but soaking wet under the dumpster… His belly could be full, he could be happy…
He was so hungry, all his attempts to try and catch something to eat failed. He was cold, and wet. He hadn’t had clean water to drink since before he escaped, and only drank whatever dirty water he could find when he really needed to…
Rui sighed again, lowering his head.
His choices now were limited.
He could stay out here, where he’d most likely end up dead one way or another. He could end his misery sooner, though he would do so painfully, and slowly. There weren’t really painless ways to go out, definitely not as a cat on the street.
As for his other option… he could return to the apartment, go back to him, and accept his life as a cat. Live out his days with the blond, be taken care of, and be cared for…
Minus the whole ‘being a cat’ part, could a life like that really be so bad…?
… Despite wanting to just be done with everything, Rui really did want to live, even if this wasn’t the life he wanted, wasn’t the life he’d imagined having. But it was better than dying alone and miserable, never to be seen again. Even if the only company he could have wasn’t ideal.
Even if he never got to see his loved ones again… Though that was the case with whichever choice he made.
Rui hesitated, before he decided to climb out from under the dumpster, shaking off the rain water that immediately hit him.
Perhaps it was a good idea to stay under the apartment’s dumpsters, he didn’t have very far to go, and he was pretty sure Tsukasa hadn’t gone to work.
The cat left the alley, turning the corner to head for the stairs, hopping up one step at a time, and stopped in front of the door with the nameplate ‘Tenma’ beside it.
He could turn back. Maybe find a new person to take him in. He could find Mizuki, if he was lucky to cross her path. He didn’t have to come here…
But what guarantee does he have to find another welcoming and loving home? He could die before he finds someone willing to take a random cat off the street, or he’ll end up with a family that won’t care for him the way Tsukasa has.
Did Rui really want to risk that…?
… No, no, he didn’t.
With a grumble to himself, Rui took a breath.
‘Tsukasa!’
He wouldn’t hear Rui if he meowed so quietly.
‘Tsukasa!!’
‘Tsukasa, open the door!’
‘Let me in!’
‘I’m cold… I’m hungry… Please… I…’
‘Please…’
Could he hear Rui? Did he even care? Maybe Rui should just give up now and go die like he wanted to- No, he doesn’t want to die, but what choice does he have as a creature dependent on others?!
‘Tsukasa…’
Stupid of him to think that idiot would want him back. That he actually cared for the cat. That he could ever have a chance despite how awful he was to the blond in high school.
‘... Tsukasa-!’
The deadbolt turned, and Rui backed up, ears alert as the door slowly creaked open.
And there he stood. Eyes red, no doubt from crying, the tear streaks made it all the more obvious, bottom lip trembling, breath hitching when he saw Rui.
“Ah- RuRu, you-... Ah…”
Tsukasa couldn’t speak, but his eyes teared up. Slowly, carefully, he knelt down, holding his arms out.
“C’mere, kitty,” he sniffled, keeping the distance between them.
Rui glanced over Tsukasa, taking in his awful appearance. He was a mess, a bigger mess than usual.
Was he really that distraught over Rui escaping…?
But, despite how awful Tsukasa looked, there was no denying the hopeful look in his eyes as he held his arms out, waiting for the cat. Though as the seconds wore on, Rui could see that hope fading little by little.
“You still don’t fully trust me, huh?” Tsukasa murmured, letting his arms fall back to his sides.
His head lowered, a pitiful, emotionless smile on his face.
“That’s alright. We scooped you up out of nowhere. You probably had your mom taking care of you before Saki found you. She has good intentions, not wanting me to live alone, especially when she’s on tour with her girlfriends. Though we took you from everything you knew.”
Rui didn’t know much from being a cat. He hadn’t even been a cat for a full 24 hours before Saki found him. He had nothing until he was given to Tsukasa. He might have even died that day, if Saki didn’t take him.
“Or maybe you had another family you got away from. If you had owners before, they still haven’t reached out, if they saw the posters we put up.”
The only other family Rui had, he couldn’t get to as a cat. And there was no way they’d take him back, if they even remembered what he looked like.
“I… Rui, I-...”
Tsukasa sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“We… got off on the wrong foot. I can’t force you to come back, I’ll find you a new family, if you don’t want to stay with me. But I… I want to do better. If… if you’ll stay… I’ll do better. You won’t have to be around me. If you’d rather stay hidden all day, I’ll respect that. I’ll do better, I’ll be better, I-...”
The blond choked on his own words. He sniffled, wiping at his eyes as a fresh wave of tears spilled over.
Rui watched as Tsukasa drowned in his misery, breaking down in front of him.
The cat needs a home, a place to be cared for. And the human needs comfort, someone, or something to be there when he is lost and alone.
With a flick of his tail, Rui stepped closer, stepping back into the apartment and towards the blond. He hesitated once more, slowly placing his paw on Tsukasa’s knee to climb into his lap.
‘I’m cold,’ he said, trying to justify his actions.
Tsukasa looked at him in shock, but didn’t stop him, letting the cat settle onto him.
“Goodness, you’re soaked…” The blond mumbled, voice hoarse, as he lowered his hand to pet Rui.
But he stopped himself.
“Ah… can I… can I pet you…?”
Rui blinked, letting out a quiet ‘Mhm’, shifting to bump his head against Tsukasa’s hand.
Tsukasa is warm. Tsukasa will take care of Rui. He’ll accept the cat, won’t turn him away… Maybe… Maybe this will be Rui’s home, from now on… It will take getting used to, but… but if this is what he needs to continue living… then so be it.
The cat settled himself against the warmth, eyes closing with content. He began purring, allowing himself to relax, to accept the care from the guy he once hated.
~ * ~
Rui’s shoulders relaxed when he saw the apartment complex come into view as he rounded the corner.
He’d headed out sometime before lunch, taking a walk to go exploring, seeing what had changed in the time he'd been a cat. He stayed out well after lunch, the ache for food setting him on his way home, only after realizing he’d left his wallet, phone and keys at the apartment.
Rui hadn’t needed them in so long, they hadn’t crossed his mind once while Tsukasa bid him farewell from the couch when he left.
Though on the way back to the apartment complex, it had started sprinkling, which quickly grew into a downpour. Rui stopped at a convenience store, ready to wait out the rain. And he would have stayed… if it hadn’t felt so awkward to just stand around near the entrance, since he couldn’t buy anything and left a puddle everywhere he stood.
So, with no money, and no way to call for a ride home, Rui headed off into the rain to wander his way home.
It wasn't so bad. While it was pouring, it was nice and cool for a day in early September. And it didn’t take too long to get back to the apartment complex, either!
The only problem now being that he had no way in. There was cover from the rain, at least, so he wouldn't have to stay soaked. But he was still stuck outside, and couldn't get full cover from the rain, or change out of his wet clothes.
What a predicament he got himself into.
But it wasn’t so bad. While his wet clothes are uncomfortable, the pitter patter of the rain is quite comforting to listen to.
Rui spared a glance at the parking lot as he walked by, his shoulders dropping at the empty spot Tsukasa's car usually occupied.
Either he went to a store after Rui left, was called into the office, or went looking for Rui once the rain had started. There was no way to know for sure, though.
With a rather dramatic sigh, Rui climbed up the steps and trudged over to the door, taking a seat beside it.
It will be fine. Tsukasa will return home in due time, and let Rui back into the warmth of their apartment! Until then, Rui had all the time in the world to think.
Which… wasn’t always the best. But he was in a positive mood, despite the dreary weather!
Rui had yet to find a job, something simple to start out while he continues adjusting to life as a human. He'll have to steal Tsukasa's laptop and look at some openings later. There were a couple he’d been eyeing recently!
He also hadn't gotten in touch with Mizuki yet. Rui thought he'd remembered the password to his Nightcord account, but it appeared he didn't when he'd locked himself out of his account after trying too many times.
He hadn’t tried accessing it from his old computer yet, but he'd also spent an embarrassingly long time just watching bird documentaries, and other bird related videos, while Tsukasa was at work…
He'll have to check to see when his parents will be home to let him in, or if Nene still has her keys. If not, he can work on reaching out to old acquaintances to see if he can get Mizuki's number or address. He really wants to see them again.
A strong gust of wind pulled Rui from his thoughts, the wind blowing the rain drops towards him, almost taunting him for not being able to fully escape the rain.
Rui shivered, bundling himself in his soaked cardigan as best as possible in a poor attempt to shield himself and warm up.
Tsukasa will warm Rui up when he gets home. They both can cuddle together and have a lazy afternoon!
Cuddling does sound wonderful at the moment… So does a warm bath.
Thinking about it more, Rui could’ve gone to Nene’s parents house. Though he would’ve had to walk in the rain for longer, and he didn’t feel like leaving his half shelter. And there was no guarantee that Nene would be there.
Would it have been better to get more soaked, but be fully out of the rain? Or not get as soaked, but be stuck outside?
… It would probably take longer to see Tsukasa again, if he had gone to the Kusanagi’s.
Footsteps downstairs alerted Rui, his head perking up to stare at the end of the landing in hopes of seeing his boyfriend. To his dismay, a door opened on the ground floor, and Rui sunk back against the wall.
He did get pretty impatient for Tsukasa to return from work when he was still a cat. Especially on colder days. Once Rui had warmed up to the blond, he often wanted cuddles, or just to be held.
It was comforting, during a time where there wasn’t much comfort for Rui.
Especially after he returned, after running away.
The first few months Rui spent as a cat were rough. It wasn’t until that day, a day with similar weather to today, that things had started to improve for him.
And it was all thanks to-
A car door slammed shut down below. Rui scrambled to the edge of the landing as fast as he could, peering down to see Tsukasa standing beside his car.
Rui didn’t have to think twice before he was rushing down the stairs, nearly slipping on his way down. The blonde didn’t notice him approaching as he locked the car, a grocery bag hanging from his arm.
“Tsukasa-kun!”
“AHHHHHHH!!!!!”
He jumped onto Tsukasa, nearly knocking them both to the ground. The shorter stumbled back into the car, steadying Rui against himself, who chose to bury his face in the other's neck.
So warm… Tsukasa is always warm.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!?! ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK?!?!?!?! WHY ARE YOU SOAKED?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!”
“You were gone for so long, and it’s cold, and I missed you, and I left everything in the apartment, and I haven’t seen you for hours, and-”
“Oi, I get it! I get it!”
Tsukasa huffed, shaking his head fondly at Rui. He didn’t hesitate to hug the taller back, gently patting his head with his free hand.
“Alright, now let me go! I forgot my umbrella when I left, and we should hurry and get you inside before you get sick-”
Rui turned his head away and sneezed, Tsukasa’s nose scrunching the slightest bit as he untangled himself from the taller. Tsukasa nudged Rui, pointing towards the apartment as he headed for the stairs.
“Straight to the bath with you! I was thinking of making soup tonight, it seems that was the right idea! We’ll get you warmed up-”
“Can we cuddle?” Rui interrupted, trailing behind the blond.
“I’ll think about it. As long as you’re not sick, we can cuddle after dinner!”
Rui nuzzled his head against Tsukasa’s shoulder while the shorter unlocked the apartment door, a happy sigh escaping him.
Tsukasa brings him so much comfort. He never imagined his life would turn out like this, not with how it was four years ago. But thanks to his boyfriend, things got better, and he somehow turned back into a human!
And Tsukasa is very warm. If only they could cuddle now…
“Hey, stop rubbing your face on me and go get your bath started. I’ll work on dinner so it’ll be ready by the time you’re out.”
“Mhm, I love you,” Rui hummed, quickly pecking Tsukasa’s lips, leaving the blond stunned in place while the taller slipped his shoes off and headed into the apartment with a content grin.
“I… I-I LOVE YOU TOO!!!!!!!” Tsukasa called from the front door, his voice echoing down the hall, and no doubt, echoing outside.
Rui couldn’t stop the giggles that followed after, him sneezing again moments later being the only thing to disrupt him.