Puppy Love and Hate (Phoenix)

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The reaction that Oriel had to holding the little creature made Phoenix blink, a bit surprised. He had expected Oriel to jump at the chance, given how much he had been ogling the tiny things; but seeing the look in his lover's eyes, Phen frowned and glanced down at the fluffball.

He supposed he could be concerned about harming the kitten too; after all, he didn't remember if he had ever actually held one before. The way he cradled it carefully in his hands just seemed normal, natural. But then again, he was a pretty frail person himself, even given his (very) slowly growing health; hell, it was amazing Oriel hadn't hurt him any more than he had.

"I think you'll be just fine," he mumbled, pressing the kitten carefully against his own chest. "Y'ain't broken me yet; kitten can't be too much harder." Okay, that was probably pushing it, but Phen was determined. He gently pulled the fuzzy thing away from his chest and took one of Oriel's hands in his own, shifting the weight of the kitten onto his lover's hand before grabbing his other one so he could cup the baby creature in his hands while Phen held his underneath in support.

"Y'don't have t'be all rough an' hard all the time," he murmured, looking up at Oriel through his lashes. "See?"

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Oriel didn't really understand what it was he was afraid of. He knew very well he could be gentle, he could treat and touch his lovers as if they were as delicate as porcelain, he'd been taught specifically how reign in that inherent power that a man holds in order to hold and please a woman as if she were a fragile doll. It was a touch that he'd learned to wane in and out of when pleasing his current lover, Phoenix.

But there was just something intimidating about holding this kitten. Maybe it wasn't it's frailty at all, but it's innocence. And maybe Oriel just thought he was too sick a person to handle such purity. And maybe that was why Oriel couldn't….

He didn't dare finish that thought.

"Yeah…" Damn, Oriel was just acting all out of character today, and it was starting to get to him.

The kitten was literally like a cotton ball. It was so soft and warm, it's fur felt nice against his hand. But it also barely weight anything. It might as well have not been there at all.

Oriel shook his head, trying to cast of the fuzziness in his head. "Yeah, I know. I'm just being weird today, I dunno." It was so uncomfortable for him to be so far out of his element, both physically and mentally, but it was also kind of…nice. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this normal. Or if he'd ever felt it at all before.

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Phoenix could understand Oriel's uncertainty with holding something so young and innocent; he supposed he should feel that way too, but the little fuzzball was giving him such happiness that he just couldn't help himself. And he wanted his lover to feel that way, too.

He gave Oriel a soft kiss on the cheek. He knew the boy could be gentle; he had felt it. Usually only after particularly rough sessions, but it was there. Which was probably what had attracted him to Oriel more than anyone else since... Well, Rue.

Didn't mean he didn't enjoy the roughness too, though.

Phen smiled sympathetically. He thought he could understand how Oriel was feeling; and the longer he held the little kitten, the more he... Really really wanted to have it so they could feel like this more often. Feel... Sort of normal. He bit his lip.

He knew only little animals were allowed in the dorms. But... They could get a box... And keep it contained... Couldn't they? Granted, they had no money, and they would have to pay for food, and etc etc....

Well... He supposed he could ask... Junpei... For something... That boy seemed awfully rich to him, and he determined he could always pay him back, somehow. Right?

Pushing aside the possibilities of getting in trouble and other problems, he took the kitten back in his arms and gave Oriel a pleading look. "Think we could... Sneak one into the dorms?" he asked. "I, uhm... I know someone who... Might help us..." He glanced down at his little fuzzball, already feeling like it was his. How was he expected to just leave it here for someone else to take?