Video | un: paimon

[emergencysnack]

Uhm, does anyone here know anything about taking care of a cat?

Or... someone who turned into a cat?

Paimon really doesn't know what to do! And Paimon can't just ask him what he needs, because all he can do is meow!

[The camera shifts to a pretty little cat, looking very disgruntled as it sits on what some people might recognize as Aether's signature white and gold scarf.]

[Did you know Kizuna can turn you into a cat?? Consider this an important PSA.]


[ooc: Replies will come from emergencysnack or nyaether!]

Comments

[oneandoni]

[cute . . . Itto steps over to the pile and sits down next to it, laying a careful hand on the lump he assumes is Aether]

You can come out, it's just me.

[nyaether]

[When Itto sits down, Aether pulls himself into the lump of blankets so he can turn around -- eventually poking out his head and front paws instead, eyes turning up towards Itto.]

[He wants to ask what they talked about down there -- he only really heard the first part, after all. But he's also not sure he wants to know. Compared to all the heartache he's faced in Nippon, things with Itto were always so comfortable. And maybe on some level, he forced himself not to think about things beyond what they already had -- fearful of losing him as well.]

[For that reason -- even if Itto makes another wish, Aether won't turn back into a human again right now. Because he's not so sure he wants to just yet.]

[oneandoni]

[welp, he may as well be straight-forward about it. It hasn't failed him in the past - mostly, and only because he is real bad at lying - and besides - it's going to come up sooner or later, even if they dodge it now.

Which is why he doesn't automatically try to wish Aether back to normal, and instead:]

So uh, your little friend is on to us. Eeeexcept she thinks we're dating. Secretly! She's almost scary when she gets protective of you, it's kind of cute.

[nyaether]

[Ahh. Is that what it was, then? He can't say he's surprised. Out of everyone he knows, Paimon's the only one who knows about each and every hardship he's faced -- here, and back in Teyvat. Perhaps, because she can't protect him from physical harm, when it comes to matters of the heart, she's more protective of him than usual. And recently, even more so than usual.]

[He crawls out further, sitting up properly -- and then resting a paw on Itto's knee.]

[What does Itto think about that? If it's just Paimon thinking it's true, then it doesn't have to be a big deal... does it?]

[oneandoni]

[how can a conversation be both easier and harder at the same time? Itto doesn't know, but that's what it feels like right now.

He lifts his hand to scritch behind one of Aether's ears - briefly cuz he knows they really should really talk about it. Here he thought he'd just come over and help out or something, today's been something else]

I maybe kind of told her we were. [he coughs in that awkward-nervous way of his] Which, y'know, if that isn't okay I'll go face the little one's wrath and tell her we're not.

But I was thinking . . . it'd be cool if we actually were, too. I mean, I'm cool with whatever you wanna do, but - y'know, throwing that out there.

[Arataki "smooth criminal" Itto]

[nyaether]

[It's easy to lean into Itto's hand when he goes for his ear, eyes briefly sliding closed. It helps to put him at ease -- a feeling that he always felt around Itto to some extent.]

[Perhaps that's why his reaction to Itto's words comes rather slowly: eyes widening when Itto admits to going along with the lie -- and then further still when he says he wouldn't mind if it were true. He even wonders whether he may have heard him incorrectly.]

[In a way, it's a good thing Aether can't reply, his battered heart still aching from all too recent heartache, bringing a flurry of anxious questions to his mind. "Is that really what you want?" "What if it changes things too much? What if it ruins everything?" "Do we even want the same things? The same kind of relationship?"]

["Is it okay for me to want this?"]

[For only a brief moment, Itto will see tears welling up in the eyes looking up at him. But only for a moment -- because in the very next, Aether jumps up into Itto's lap and stands on his hind legs, leaning forward to bury his face into Itto's chest.]

[Hopefully that's a decent enough answer for Itto. But just in case it isn't-- the sparkles twinkling around him are shaped like little hearts.]

[oneandoni]

[in the oni's head, it's a lot simpler. Not that it's any surprise, since he's new to most of this. It's like he told Paimon - he isn't embarrassed, and even if it came out that it was just sex, it wouldn't really embarrass him either - at least, not because of it's with, but just with getting caught.

But it's not like it's a secret he cares about Aether, and this is just - adding on top of that! He doesn't ask just anyone to join the gang, and he already considered him family, so - there's just more feelings involved now.

Simple, but - now he has a lap full of kitty traveler (a sparkling one, even), and while he can figure out the response, he's just, y'know, making sure]

So - I guess you're cool with it?

[nyaether]

[He's content with just clinging to Itto like this, but when he's asked to clarify -- Aether pulls back and nods.]

[Maybe Itto's way of thinking about it was better. There was no need to make it complicated, and Itto wasn't the kind of guy to make things complicated. Even if the worst happened -- if Itto were to leave and forget about all this, too -- Aether wouldn't feel as conflicted as did with Childe and Zhongli. Because it's just as he told Paimon -- Itto's a good guy.]

[Wanting to be closer, Aether opts to jump from Itto's lap and up onto his shoulder instead, turning so he can nuzzle his face against Itto's cheek. He's practically a little motor against his ear for how loud he's purring, clearly happy.]

[oneandoni]

[oh no cute . . . well, there's no doubting it now.

Itto laughs and lifts a hand to make sure Aether doesn't fall, then lightly scratches his claws against the top of the head. Coming over here really was a good idea]

I dunno if I wanna try wishing again, you're pretty cute like this.

[nyaether]

[Ahh... those claws really do feel good, Aether leaning up into his hand as if encouraging him to scritch more. He really hated this at first, but it's far easier to tolerate with someone he feels comfortable around. And now it feels even better knowing he's with his--]

[...boyfriend? Is that what they are now? For all his romantic endeavors, he's never been in a situation where he had to give a name to what he had.]

[But that's hardly a conversation he can have while he's a cat. But you know what he can do? He can lean over and give his cheek a little smooch... s-sorta. More like pecking him with his nose, really.]

[oneandoni]

[that's a conversation Aether will have to bring up when he's human again, because it's not like Itto will bring it up . . . mostly because it isn't something that comes to mind right away.

It does feel like a nose pressing against his cheek more than a cute kiss but at least he gets what Aether's trying to do (thankfully). His nails slip down to lightly scratch under his chin instead]

Is that agreement?

[nyaether]

[He seems to actually think about this for a moment... buuut as cute as he probably looks, he's pretty done with being a cat. He'd like to wear clothes and not have people discuss how he uses the bathroom on a public forum anymore.]

[So he shakes his head, and then nudges Itto's cheek with his nose again -- before hopping back down into his lap. Please wish him into a human again! Maybe this time the transformation will stick?]

[oneandoni]

Haha, all right, all right, I'll give it another shot.

[but not before he gives Aether a few more good scratches behind his cute little ears.

But okay, this time he's concentrating super hard, so maybe this time when he wishes for the traveler to turn back to normal it'll work! Fingers crossed]

1/2

[nyaether]

[He gets one last little meow for his efforts-- gotta enjoy this cuteness while it lasts!! After all, Aether didn't have the cat ears and tail anymore, right?]

[brilliantdiamond]

[Except when Aether turns back again -- still completely naked, but at least in a less humiliating position this time -- he absolutely still has the cat ears and tail. The latter is even wagging happily, a soft purr just barely audible.]

--you did it! Hopefully I don't turn back again this time... I think I've had enough of being a cat for one day.

[Ear twitches... no, he has no idea those parts are still there.]

[oneandoni]

[he startles a little at suddenly traveler in his lap, but, well . . . Aether being naked in his lap isn't a new thing either]

Welcome back!

[oh hey - he grins wide and immediately goes for one of the ears, because of course he's going to] You and these, looks like some parts are sticking around.

[brilliantdiamond]

[It really isn't. It's his favorite seat in the house, honestly. Which is why he's not in any hurry to move off.]

[Though he does jump when Itto goes for the ears -- one hand flying up to feel what's there.]

Huh? Ah... maybe the wish just didn't work all the way?

[oneandoni]

[is it because of his wish? Itto put all his effort into it! Though it could be a lot worse . . . or worse at all, really]

Maybe? D'you want me to try and wish them away?

[brilliantdiamond]

[...]

Can you scratch behind them again, actually?

[Okay, maybe he doesn't actually dislike them as much as he claims.]

[oneandoni]

[of course he can, Aether barely finishes asking before Itto's nails are scratching behind his ear. Both ears, the other one's coming up to join in]

Like that?

[brilliantdiamond]

[Ahhh... that feels nice. He doesn't even reply, he just closes his eyes, hums in affirmation, and then leans forward against Itto's tiddies.]

[Today has been weird, but he can't say he's complaining about how it's ended.]

I guess I should probably get dressed and tell Paimon I'm back to normal...

[He says, making no effort to move.]

[oneandoni]

Uh huh. [Itto keeps scratching, even as Aether leans against him. He is entirely too amused for his own good but the ears are really cute. And y'know, they've sat like this enough that he's just used to it]

Probably. But we don't gotta tell her just yet, right?

[brilliantdiamond]

[He nuzzles against him -- is that a little purr rumbling out of his chest? Maybe.]

No, we can wait a little longer. It's not like she'll burst in here, after all.

[And he peeks up at him, cheeks flushed with a shy little smile on his face.]

Since... she already knows we're dating now.

[oneandoni]

[it's totally a purr, there's no mistaking that sound. He pauses as the traveler looks up at him and the grin on his face softens into a dumb little smile instead]

Heh. She does.

Soooo, let's stay here a little longer. [wait boyfriend means he can steal kisses, right, he's doing that] I told ya I was gonna come hang out anyway, right?

[brilliantdiamond]

[Yes, he absolutely can steal kisses, and it turns the shy smile on his face into a bright grin. Likewise -- the tips of the cat ears atop his head deepen into a red color as if to match Itto's horns.]

Well, then why don't you just stay the night? Then we can stay like this as long as we want.

[....]

[You know, he is naked.]

[Which is why he says this while resting a hand on Itto's chest, slowly drawing his fingerstips down over his skin. Will Itto catch the hint?]