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Ten's eyes are stuck at the many white and red betta fish swimming leisurely in the mini fish tanks. Their fins stir so elegantly against the water, he thinks they could be doing contemporary dance with the gurgling noise of the water.
He feels a presence beside him, yet he never stops staring. They are so beautiful and relaxing, no one would ever think they are one of the aggressive type of fish.
"I really like them. I want them in your aquarium again but you never brought them back," he says after a while.
Taeyong sighs. "You know how they bully my other babies. Gorgeous, feisty little thing like you."
"I'm glad you never get rid of me like you did to your betta fish." He turns his face to him, finally.
The other shrugs and protrudes his lower lip. He then shoves his shoulder gently. "Let's go see others."
Ten lets himself be coaxed to the next ones but still tries to convince him about the betta.
"We could separate them then. Pleaseee? Aren't they so relaxing? I think it would ease our minds when we're stressed."
"And where will we put them? The fish tank's already big enough for the cabinet top, we can't put another one on it."
Taeyong leans down to read something in front of the fish tank with a tiny printed fish. He does the same and sees that they're cory catfish.
"I think they would get along with the shrimps. They are sweetlings, it says," Taeyong points at the written details.
But Ten tugs at his shirt's collar and tried again. "But the betta–"
"Ten, maybe we could see some time. You're gonna have to help me free up some space then before we buy them, okay?" Taeyong explains calmly as always, and could he throw a fit if he's like that? No.
So he just pouts and waits for Taeyong to kiss them away, and it's okay.
Going to the cashier to pay for the catfish, Ten halts his steps when he spots something.
He stares at it and starts feeling chills with the icy blue eyes staring back at him. He feels the comforting cool caress in his skin as his heart melts for the blue-eyed creature.
"Hi, hi~" he coos and it almost sounds like a mew.
He passes a hand between the cage and lays his fingers below its nose to let it sniff him. The cat mews and butts it once, and again, and again with a harder push each time, wanting to be pet, which Ten would not have a heart to not give.
"Aw. It's so cute!" Taeyong coos, too, and copies him.
"I know!" Ten laughs softly, his chest filled with bloom.
The cat, then, licks the pad of his index finger. "Oh my God!" He exclaims, covering his mouth that's ripping up till his ears, and his eyes are teary.
"He likes me, Yong."
The other nods beside him and pecks at his cheek. "No cat you've met has ever disliked you so far."
He smiles wider. "I want this cat…" he mumbles. "A 'him' and a Siamese breed like our eldest one, blue point Siamese."
With mushy chest, he relieves through a sigh as he pets the cat. "Yong…" He hears himself pleading.
"Baby, I like it too, but home is already so messy with just the two. Let's arrange our apartment some more before we decide."
It's true that they only had their home totally tidy maybe five times a year since they've had the cats. It's hard to always clean up, but it's not that bad. They enjoy it that way with the amount of cat toys and equipment they have scattered around. They use it daily, anyway, so it's not like they're just litters ignored. They are used to it, it's what makes their home. Another cat wouldn't hurt.
"But he might be taken away if we don't get him now."
"They have other cats of the same breed."
"But they are not him. "
"What's the di–"
"We know each other now."
Taeyong scoffs, amused. "Oh my Ten. You're infatuated. Think properly first at home, please?"
The gentle tone is the same as earlier, but it does not pacify him that much.
"I am thinking properly."
"Just think about it at home and see if we could handle another."
He slowly retracts his hand away from the siamese, so it does not startle, with a seed of sulk in his heart. Next, he huffs on Taeyong's face and deadpans before marching off.
A tense cackle is what he hears from Taeyong who follows after him to the cashier.
"Baby, please."
They leave the pet store shortly after.
The walk to the car, Ten does not hide the red fire enclosing his figure. Taeyong knows he's a bit mad, and he proves it better once they are sitting in the car.
"Have you chosen where should we eat?" He risks asking.
The smaller crosses his arms, still looking ahead. "No, I haven't been thinking properly. "
The sarcasm in his voice is funny, but he chooses not to laugh. He wouldn't want to make it worse.
"Really? Why not?" He muses as he starts to drive.
"Will you even obey? Just decide on your own."
Somehow, that makes him shut up and feel bad. Had he been so selfish?
The spiking cold air Ten emits when he's around continues for days, although they are doing the same routine as before as live-in partners; they still kiss each other in mornings and nights; they still sleep on the same bed; they still bid each other goodbyes; but they love each other less. It's a common thing to happen between two people living together. Living together means putting up with each other despite disagreements. They don't always love each other the same; some days they love each other beyond measure; sometimes they love each other less to the ground; and of all the days, they love each other endlessly no matter the amount.
On a weekend night, Ten comes home. When Taeyong sees him, he startles at his beautiful smile after long days. He wonders if it's the day the cold air ceases.
"Johnny finally proposed to Taeil! They're getting married, holy fucking finally!" Ten tells him animatedly, feet springing like he's trying not to jump over him.
Ten has been rooting for Johnny, his best college friend, this is truly good news to him. He had called dibs on organizing his wedding if he gets married, and now he gets to do it soon.
Taeyong rushes to him, excitement rising as well. "How? I mean, did you help prepare for the surprise or something?"
"Ugh no! That fool didn't even tell me! I just found out after he did. I have soooo many proposal ideas, and he just put them to waste!"
"Anyway, I am so happy for them. I'll finally become a wedding organizer for once."
He laughs at that, passing his arms behind him to a light hug, then he presses his lips on him. His cold as ice lover—only for days until now—thaws against his hold as they kiss softly, lips moving unhurried and sweetly.
When they stop, Taeyong tells him: "Maybe you could share your ideas to me instead."
He wriggles his eyebrows and Ten punches his chest. "Oh shut up!"
"Why~ Are we not okay yet?"
"No! As long as the cat is on my mind." With that, he rolls his eyes and leaves him yet again.
"Damn."
On a normal night after a long day at work, Ten opens the door of their home. The distant smell from the litter boxes welcomes him the same time Louis and Leon do.
He squats to scratch their heads and bellies. "My babies, I got home before your dad hm," he mumbles in a squeaky voice.
They play for more minutes on the floor before Ten finally stands and heads to their shared room to wash and change before his partner comes home. He still hasn't texted him that he's back early, but he worries not. At lunch, Taeyong texted him that he would be late due to excess work he needs to finish.
By the door of their room, he freezes when he hears noises inside, so he steps closer to press his ears against it. When he hears clearer, his jaw drops.
"Oh my God?" He gasps inaudible, his heart rate increases every passing millisecond.
Hushes after tiny mews and more hushes.
"Meow."
"Shh. Please, just a bit more."
"Meow~"
Ten bites his lip, blooming flowers filling his chest. He also tears up hearing their conversation.
"Please, please, let's go to the other side. Ten might hear you here if we stay here."
He hears paw scratches on the door and Taeyong's whisper cry.
He stays listening for a while. He has to compose himself before he goes in. He would surely melt down in front of him in his sweet glory.
"Where is your new daddy? Should I peek quickly?"
"Meow."
"No? Yeah, I might get caught. Better be patient."
That's when he barges in, hitting Taeyong, who's behind the door, in the process.
"Ouch."
"You're already caught though."
"Ten, baby! Why are you here?"
"It's my home too," he deadpans and shifts his gaze to the, surprisingly, same icy blue eyes from the pet shop.
He picks him up from the ground and rocks him in his arms. "Hi, baby!"
"Hi."
"Meow."
"How have you been?"
"Meow."
"Well, I obviously lied about work, I'm actually stress-free at wo–"
Ten guises his amusement.
"Am I talking to you, Lee Taeyong?"
"You said 'baby.'"
"Yes, I'm talking to Levi. The new baby."
Taeyong smirks suddenly. "Levi? You named him so fast!"
"I already named him the day we pet him at the pet shop," he glares at him again to which Taeyong lifts his hands up to.
"Well, we got him now. How did you recognize that it's actually him and not another cat? You're a genius, Ten!"
"Cats aren't all the same to me even if they're the same breed. They just have differences, I can't explain it but you get me."
Taeyong nods and hugs him from the back.
"Yeah, yeah. I noticed. I did recognize him when I went back there last Friday, but I still had to make sure from the staff that it's still him when we went there almost two weeks ago."
Then he starts kissing his neck, sometimes nipping.
"You went back on Friday!? And you only brought him home now, it's Tuesday!"
Taeyong stops his wonders on his neck to answer. "Yeah. You're cute when you're mad at me, but in love with me still."
"You jerk."
And he cups Taeyong's face with his free hand, tilting his head up to reach his lips. Their lips move together slowly at first, until Ten shifts his head to kiss him better, tongue extending to be welcomed into his mouth.
Levi took the initiative to remove himself out of Ten's hold. They just chuckle at that and continue the dance of their mouths. The room is filling up with a wet smacking sound when two firm yet furry round heads shove on to their legs. Now, they stop to look down.
Louis and Leon walk up to Levi at the foot of the bed. They all stretch their head towards each other, noses doing a squeezing movement. They mew altogether like a choir, but it's Louis who closes the space between him and Levi first. They greet each other with their heads butting and the side of their bodies rubbing. It doesn't take long for Leon to join the intimacy of getting to know each other.
"Welcome to the family, Levi," Taeyong whispers beside him.
Ten grabs his hand to wrap it on his back to waist, then he hugs him all to his side. He relaxes in his hold. "Our family."