eternitycoder | [musebox post]

[Russell blinks when he sees the ears, at first thinking they're just really good fakes. But then they twitch. And then the tail comes out from under his sweater and starts flicking back and forth. And now he can see why Artemis was hiding. Especially in this city.]

[He reaches out and softly touches the ear, almost petting him like he would an actual cat]

Huh. So I guess you've been stayin' inside and away from someone that might want to keep you as a pet, huh?

[Not that Russell wasn't getting the same idea...]

Y-yes, that was the idea... [He blushes more--Artemis' ears are sensitive when they're human ears. Now? It's just worse. The ear flicks under Russell's hand nervously.] At least, non-consentually. I suppose it would be flattering if someone asked, but I doubt the people who walk about at night are keen on asking.

Oh is that so? [Well since Arty doesn't seem to mind too much, Russell is just going to keep petting his ear and right behind it, running his fingers through the soft hair]

[He leans down and kisses the ear in question before whispering]

So does that mean that if I ask really nicely and pet you that you might come home with me?

[Oh that feels nice... Artemis feels a little dirty for doing so, but he can't help it: he starts purring low in his throat. He's not in heat, though! And he just slept in an alley for god's sake, he shouldn't be this happy about having his ears petted!]

I'm hungry and I want a bath. [He flattens his ear so Russell can't get at it for a little bit. It just wasn't fair: now his weakness was right there on top of his head.]

[Russell has never been a big fan of cats, but he thinks he can get used to this. So he'll keep scratching the ear and he nods.]

Well, we can't have that, can we? Come on then, I guess I should take this poor dirty kitten home.

[He has someone he can call to keep an eye on the club while he deals with this. Besides, he needs a day off. And it would be a good way to spend his time, getting to know his new pet right?]

[Artemis is a little nervous about what's going to happen once Russell gets him behind a closed door. He's mostly certain that Russell wouldn't chain him to the bedpost and just leave him there as a convenient pet. Russell is probably just being Russell: lascivious and aggressively so.]

I'm not entirely a cat. [Though if Russell didn't feed him soon, Arty was definitely going to start whining.]

[Well, Russell isn't quite that much of a bastard, so there will be no tying to the bed unless Artemis actually wants him to. Which he's pretty sure isn't going to happen.]

[He chuckles, flipping his phone out to make a couple of quick texts.]

I noticed that. Looks like it's just the ears and tail. [And possibly a couple of traits, because he's pretty sure that the Arty he remembers wouldn't sleep in an alley, especially not by accident]

Exactly. [He frowns, arms crossed, tail lashing agitatedly. He doesn't want to talk about his desire to chase small animals or bring back things he's killed to his master du jour. Artemis watches Russell text for a moment, but then he has to look over his shoulder.]

What are you doing?

So, no desire for fish and a bowl of cream? You don't want to go chase tasseled things or roll around on some catnip?

[He looks over at Artemis and reaches up to pet the back of his neck and run his fingers through that lovely, dark hair.]

Just making sure someone will keep an eye on the Toybox while I'm busy. Can't just run out to play without making sure things are taken care of.

No. [Artemis says this, clearly annoyed, though he does want some Alaskan salmon. Good Alaskan salmon, nothing cheap. The tassels and catnip he can leave.]

[He crosses his arms, looking ticked, at least until Russell starts petting his neck. That's certainly lovely...]

Well they should hurry. I'm tired from sleeping on the ground all night.

[Russell just chuckles, still petting since Arty seems to enjoy it.] Alright, alright, I get it.

[A quick message or two and the phone is tucked into a pocket and he's ushering Artemis to the door]

They'll be on their way before it opens for the night. Let's get you somewhere nice and warm and comfy, hm? [And where he could see what sort of games he could play with his new pet]

I'm for that, at least. [Even if Russell was taking him home to do god knew what, it would be warm and softer than the alley. He would make himself at home in Russell's room whether Russell wanted him to or not.]

[He followed Russell out of the Toybox and to Russell's room.]

Good. I have to say, you're better than a real cat at least. You aren't gonna get fur all over my suit. [Considering how much Russell likes to wear black suits, this is a very real concern.]

[He keeps up a steady petting, mostly over Arty's ears and the back of his neck as they make their way to the elevators, just liking having the young man tucked up against his side like this. It was rather nice.]

I would be a black cat, though. The fur wouldn't show on your suit... [He sounds a little petulant, but he's actively pushing into the hand petting and... purring softly.]

Fur always shows. [He can't help but smirk when he feels the purring, ushering him into the elevator and pushing the button for his suite]

And I think you'd be one of those tuxedo cats. Yanno, with the white bellies and paws. Little bit of white on the throat. [As if to demonstrate he kissed the hollow of the young man's throat with a little smile]

I would not. [He blushes, despite tilting his head up for Russell to land his kiss.] Solid black is much sleeker, more handsome...

If you say so. Not like the cat gets to choose the color of his fur.

[And since he's not protesting, Russell is going to keep kissing, all the way up his throat, past where his ears used to be and placing one on the shell of that much larger one. The furry texture is a little odd, but Russell can get used to just about anything. He chuckles and whispers in his ear]

And you say that like you wouldn't be sleek and handsome in any color.

[Ohgodwhat.]

[Artemis makes a sound that can only be described as a mewl. A pathetic, weak-kneed, embarrassed, turned on mewl. He can't even say anything in response to that.]

[Motherfucking bingo. Russell chuckles once more, holding Artemis close as he continues to kiss his ears, first one and then the other, a wide smirk on his face. He had to say that he really liked that sound]

[Hellfire.]

[Artemis blushes and tries to angle his ears away from Russell. He can't let Russell exploit his weak point so easily. Once the doors open, he scurries out, ears flattening in displeasure. Not in the elevator at least...]

[Russell just chuckles as he watches Artemis dart out the door, following him a moment later with a smirk on his face]

What's the matter, seemed like you were enjoying yourself.

[He walked by him and toward the door to his suite, waiting for Artemis to follow him.]

If you'd like to come in, Your Majesty. Several comfy couches and a lovely bed await your pleasure.

[Oh he was enjoying himself--too much, honestly. A few more seconds and he would have to be poured out of the elevator. Artemis just pouts in response, but doesn't answer in the positive or negative.]

[He just follows Russell to his suite, walking about a pace behind, but slipping in when Russell opens the door. Once he's in, he's out of that grubby sweatshirt and plain white t-shirt and sprawled happily on the couch. Oh sweet cushions that weren't garbage bags...]

Lovely...

[Russell fails to see how this is a bad thing at all. He would have happily carried any Arty-puddles out of the elevator and to his room]

[He watches as Artemis slinks past him, shedding clothes as he goes until he's not wearing anything but the blue jeans. He chuckles, toeing off his shoes and leaving his jacket hanging on the hook near the door]

Well, I don't suppose I have to ask you if you're comfortable.

[He grabbed a (good) beer out of the fridge and sat down on the couch near Artemis]

No, I'm quite comfortable. [He smiles, curling up with a pillow under his shoulders and pulling off the ragged sneakers. Those go under the coffee table as Russell joins him.]

Do you do this often? [He makes sure his tail is out of Russell's way--he doesn't want it sat on.] Bring home interesting things and get someone else to watch your Toybox? [He eyes the beer and nods slightly to it.] Or is this a rare vacation.

Not terribly often. Toybox seems to run better if I'm actually there. But I figure one day away won't bring the place crashing down around my ears. [He smiles and takes a sip of the beer]

It's just rare that I find something interesting enough to distract me from all my pretty toys.

[As much as it just sounds like flattery, it's also true. He spends most nights at the Toybox, and it's still considered work, even as much as he tends to enjoy what goes on.]

[musebox post]

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