S T R A Y
shipping meme
Taking in strays is, all in all, an understandable vice. The dips in between their ribs, those large and forlorn eyes, they can help you forget the claws and the teeth and the danger lurking beneath fur. But the habit's a knife edge; your efforts may not be rewarded with kindness (animal instincts aren't discretionary) and you may get bit despite what you've overlooked. A stray doesn't care about pity. All it can know is survival.
These warnings apply to strays of the more human(oid) sort, too.
But what may even more perilous with this type than any drawn blood is what you can get when they grow to trust you. You can earn their undying loyalty...or their love. Either from such a wild thing is a precarious path to go down, if you allow yourself to do it.
- Comment with your character, preferences, desired roles, etc.
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- Thread!
ＰＲＯＭＰＴＳ
- ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ — Who's that? They're no ordinary passersby! Were they in an accident? Are they foreign? ...should you approach them?
- ʀᴀɪɴ, ʀᴀɪɴ, ɢᴏ ᴀᴡᴀʏ — The elements make this night no time to sleep out of doors.
- ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ — Cuts, broken bones, injuries all of sorts...you have to stitch them back up, then make sure they don't get any
- ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɢᴜᴇsᴛ — It's all you can do to show gratitude to the person who took you in. Fix them a meal, care for their house, whatever you can do once you're able.
- ʙᴀᴅ ɢᴜᴇsᴛ — FUCK THIS PERSON AND FUCK THEIR COUCH. You didn't ask to be brought here. Let them clean up after you, you don't even care.
- ᴡʜᴏ ᴀᴍ ɪ? — How you got into this situation is a mystery. Even more of a mystery is your identity, and why the person you were would be so displaced.
- sᴇʟғʟᴇssɴᴇss —
- ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢ — If you've been injured badly enough or can't remember all too well, you might have to relearn a good deal. Luckily, you have a helping hand.
- sᴄᴀʀs — Scars from the encounter that lead you here or scars from prior, you don't want them to see either. You still have your secrets to keep.
- sᴛᴜʙʙᴏʀɴ — Ugh, your house guest is so stubborn! They always get up when they should be resting, have the worst habits, and completely disrespect your home! You'll get to them, one way or another. Or you'll throw them out. You don't want to, but you will.
- ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛ — Bad memories or nightmares wreck you; your host and nurse comes to your side unexpectedly.
- ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴄʟᴀsʜ — The person who's taken you in is from a different culture or lifestyle than you, and adapting is harder than you thought.
- ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ғᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ — Think learning about a new culture is hard? Try being a different species. Can you keep your little eccentricities at bay for the good of your station?
- ᴊᴇᴀʟᴏᴜsʏ — Now that your emotions towards your caretaker/host/jailer are softening, you're finding yourself unusually jealous of those in their life who were close to them before.
- ɴᴇᴡ ᴀᴄᴛɪᴠɪᴛɪᴇs — You never thought you'd have fun after all that's happened, yet such simple gestures as a picnic or a movie make all the difference.
- ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ — You love them, this person who's taken you in or this person you've found. It's not a pity or a thankfulness, it's love, and you know that now. What you choose to do with this information is
- ʜɪsᴛᴏʀʏ — Suddenly, the person who's been so nice to you finds out that the two of you have a history. You killed their loved ones or caused something terrible. How can they forgive you?
- ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ — So much has been done for you. The least you can do in return for the one who helped you at your lowest is make sure they never have such a low point.
- ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴄᴏᴍᴇs ᴋɴᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ — Anyone in the way of getting to you will be destroyed, and that includes the person you're staying with.
- ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇᴍ — You've been given a home, maybe which you've never had before. You don't want to leave.
- ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ — Not only are you living with them, but you're starting a proper life with them.
- ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟ — All secrets are laid out on the table. You've decided to tell about your past and what lead you here.
- ʀᴇᴠᴜʟsɪᴏɴ — What you've done and who you are is so heinous, they want nothing more to do. You're to leave their home and leave them alone.
- ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ — It doesn't matter what they've done. You've opened your home and your heart to them, and nothing's changed.
- ᴘᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ — All things must come to an end. No matter what you feel for each other, it's time to leave. Hopefully, you'll see each other again.
- ʜᴀᴘᴘɪʟʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ — Come what may, you've decided to stay at your new home with the person you love. Now, it's safe enough to do so.
- ᴡɪʟᴅᴄᴀʀᴅ
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sneaks) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bakerstreet2017-10-22 07:48 pm
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[He listens and is struck by the fact that the inevitability of death seems to have moved into the past tense. That was obviously the preference, of course, but some part of his heart- lights up a little, at how he says that. Even if Midoriya was the catalyst for that kind of revelation (because of course he was and maybe someday he'd understand Toshinori's blatant favoritism), he could have a place there, too. There was extra meaning it imparted on when Toshinori had told him he helped twist his fate in the hospital.]
[Here they are again, standing like this, looking at each other. He looks up at the other with a sort of quiet expectation. He just demanded they date; he was truly okay with it. He was asking for so much; it was fine for Toshinori to be selfish. A stranger might not view it as a happy reaction but the tension immediately drains from Aizawa's shoulders like it's such a relief for Toshinori to just say it.]
[He's even relieved enough to look a bit embarrassed when holding hands is mentioned.]
... so, you noticed that... [he lets out a small hiss of breath through his teeth, briefly glancing down at the floor. After a moment's pause, he reaches out to grab the other's hand and pointedly lace their fingers together. Any one of those sounded fine. Even the hospital would be more tolerable, if he could fluster the other by saying "boyfriend" openly. He meets Toshinori's stare.]
Do I look like someone who would change my mind after coming this far? [A firm squeeze of the other's hand, even though his is smaller.] I chose you. I'd make the same choice any number of times... because, I love you.
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Months ago, you were the last person I'd ever expected, holding my hand like this.
[The world is a very funny place. Good funny, a lot of the time. That's why he gave as much as he possibly could to keep it safe. Blood, sweat, and tears stifled by overly large grins.]
All Might notices everything, of course! [That's a lie, but he figures he gets to say this sort of ridiculous stuff. It's in his retirement pamphlet, right? He stands there for a breath, clasping Aizawa's hand back and feeling a little like reeling. Where do they go from here? How do they work this out, working here, living as a hero and retired hero, surrounded by uncertainties? He supposes he's blessed by the fact that Aizawa really does know him inside and out, back at his apartment. There's nothing to really hide anymore.
He takes a hand and scrubs it through Aizawa's hair, almost like he's a kid or little brother.
Really, to tease him right now...]
If I remember right, you also liked to do this sort of thing to people who nap on you. Just like how you buy them socks and eat their bento boxes. [A soft sigh.] Because of things like that... I love you, too -- [A pause. If this was really happening... well.] Shouta-kun.
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[Or, well, should they do anything slowly? On one hand, there's the fact it's Toshinori's first relationship (and there's a really selfish sense of satisfaction in that), but on the other if they were limited in time why bother waiting? Maybe he'd just see there the boundaries were and push them when he felt like it. That was enough of a plan for now.]
[He's not ashamed of anything Toshinori lists off, he's not embarrassed to exchange "I love you"s, but...]
[Logically, it shouldn't be a problem, and if Toshinori hadn't he would have started insisting he be called by first name. It's not even a case of underexposure, since Hizashi's always been yelling "Shouta, Shouta" at him for years. So, why the hell are his cheeks getting so warm at hearing it? He dips his chin down, sinking into his capture cloth, which actually does very little to hide how red he's getting.]
Ah, well. [It was love, of course.] You remembered right, Toshinori. [He at least had the edge of trying it out once before, so it didn't feel as awkward on his lips.]
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Aizawa-- aah, Shouta goes red, and he can't help but find some satisfation in making the otherwise straight-faced man embarrassed about the whole ordeal. It's cute, just like it had been before, in the hospital. Very cute. Hand still close, he pulls Shouta into a hug, because he's been wanting to do this since forever. He's always looked comfortable to hug, you know. Not in expression, of course; he had his concerns about getting clawed at like he was embracing an unruly cat.]
I'm glad to have come across you, Shouta.
I'll -- do my best to be what you deserve.
[However long he can.
Maybe this is another reason for living he can use to try and keep those embers alive.
... Boy, it'd be awkward if someone walked through that door.]
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Idiot. [To have "come across" him was akin to giving fate the credit for it. Sure, it was coincidence for the two of them to end up at UA here, at this time. It's just a bit frustrated considering he spent the last two months making a concentrated effort to be in Toshinori's life. If Toshinori "came across" him, it was because he'd been carefully watching his route for days.]
Just giving me what you have is enough. [It's what he'd asked for, after all. It was like him, at least, to promise to try and do better. If he dedicated himself even slightly to being a better partner for him- ... he was going to have to keep an eye out for another stupid "For Dummies" book, wasn't he? Good thing he'd already figured out most of Toshinori's hiding spots. He makes the mistake of relaxing a little, and, as perusual, the universe needs to punish him for it.]
[In the form of- a mouse, a dog, a bear? It's everyone's favorite principal and the second Shouta hears his voice asking "What's going on here?" he's pushing himself away from this hug with lightning speed. It's a more comical panic than earlier, more akin to a teenager that was just walked in on by their parent.]
[There's a moment of silence in which every person in the room knows just about exactly what is happening and now must come to terms with what to say about it.]
Ah, Principal. I was just feeling a bit light-headed. [he says, fully aware that everyone in the room knows it's a lie. He's relying on everyone in the room for this lie. He's got to stare at Nezu in the doorway and hope those black, beady eyes felt mercy today.] I suppose I was tired.
["I see. That was always one of your weaknesses, wasn't it? That reminds me, I was reading about some sleep studies recently, and," as he continues talking, Shouta's entirely unsure if this is mercy or not. Is this going to turn into a lecture. He glances sharply over to Toshinori, in whatever state of recovery from the abrupt shove he was in, with a stare halfway between this is your fault and please help you idiot.]
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[He rubs the back of his neck. A-ahaha. He got too wrapped up in the moment, didn't he?
He clears his throat, more seriously. And then, in defeat:]
... I'm sorry, Aizawa-kun, but I can't defend you here.
[He folds his arms, frowning and looking away.]
He'd been pretty off all day, Mr. Principal. I thought he was going to fall over during homeroom, and he nearly fell out of his seat here... And he's really pink in the face, though he wouldn't let me check his forehead... [He waves a hand toward Aizawa.] I know you're not really one to accept help, but I think you should probably visit the nurses station, just in case.
Considering how sickly I'd gotten this month, I think germs are spreading something awful at our school right now. It would be irresponsible of him to continue on this way.
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I'm absolutely fine. [He says, more part of the ruse than any actual refusal.] I just need to get some rest. [He brings a hand up to rub at his cheek, like he might dissipate some of the heat there just by trying hard enough. Even if it was excused away as sickness, the heat was embarrassing. The principal looks like he might say something and so Shouta keeps going, despite the fact that interrupting was a cardinal sin.]
I was planning on heading back after this anyways and if All Might wants to talk about responsibility, then he can escort me. [There, he wanted to get that out. It continued the outward appearance of disliking Toshinori while still demanding his attention. He manages to hold Nezu's gaze for maybe thirty seconds before glancing back down at the pile of papers on his desk.]
["Well, then," says Nezu in the tone of voice that really suggests no part of the lie has worked but, since they went to all the trouble of telling it, he'd play along. "I suppose that's acceptable for now." It's small and muted, but Shouta lets out a relieved breath.]
["Don't have too much fun, you two." Any relief from the moment before it entirely spoiled by the fact he knows and even though he clearly wouldn't tell a soul, that's still embarrassing to Shouta on a level he won't admit. There's the tiny tap, tap, tap of sneakers walking away from the office.]
... ... show some restraint while we're at school, please. [Never mind that he liked it, never mind that he wanted to do it, too.]
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Sorry, sorry...! You just looked like you could use a hug to de-stress.
[.... Nezu totally knows, doesn't he? Shit. He does. He definitely does.
At least he burst in before he'd done something extra bad looking, like, you know. The kiss he'd been planning to try on him. What? They'd just confessed their love, or something. He thinks that what you do. Right? Cough. Cough.
.............
He stands there, rubbing his arm, expression relaxing.]
... Are you still going to go home? After... work?
[Your home, that is. Are you... you know.]
Because I have -- a lot of leftovers. And... Everything.
[Smooth.]
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Hm? [For a moment, he seems to feign ignorance, considering what Toshinori was saying with a sort of detached interest. It only lasts a moment, though, before a kind of satisfied smile spreads on his lips. Not bad, maybe fifty points. It's was a poor delivery but he knew better than to just let them go back to separate, empty homes.]
I'm going back with you, of course. [And he turns to his desk to start shuffling papers away. He wasn't properly done here but, well- they needed to show proper restraint at school. So he'd like to leave, effective immediately, to go somewhere where restraint was less necessary.]
I'd like a chance to just enjoy being in your bed, after all. [maybe give in and snuggle, too]
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It was a lot easier to talk about sleeping in the same bed when it was just... sleeping... but now that they've established something, it's hard to keep up a 'friends only' illusion for that sort of thing. Hopefully he can get away with his ears going a little red at the thought. God, he's so out of his element. Is Shouta experienced at this? How far behind is Toshinori? He runs a hand through his hair, huffing and smiling apologetically.]
It wasn't that enjoyable before?
[He can guess why. Probably the same reason he had stayed awake a little longer than he expected, staring at the wall until his messed up body complained at him. But then... there are a few things he hasn't told Aizawa, for good reason; he's a little embarrassed at some of his more private thoughts.]
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I was panicked half the night. [he says, with the usual expression that makes it really difficult to believe he was so flustered. Then again, he was just entirely red in the face in the last twenty minutes. He wouldn't lie about something so embarrassing to himself. He doesn't need to share his previous worries, they were clearly wrong, yet he still feels the need to explain.]
I figured that if I did anything, you'd hate me... or, at least, be disgusted. [Instead, Toshinori loved him and still invited him into his room. Honestly, that's a bit satisfying, that maybe he had even a fraction of the uncomfortable closeness.] So, I restrained myself at great personal cost.
[...]
Mostly.
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Because the last thing they need is someone else filtering in at that exact moment. Though... it does leave him wondering if it's going to be hush-hush in general. He wouldn't mind... but it'll make things quite the espionage mission. And he's never been very good at subtlety like Aizawa. He nearly makes a determined fist at the thought of doing his damnedest. If that's what Ai-- What Shouta wants, anyway.
But another thought hits him, and it makes his heart stutter.
Is he going to be more unrestrained, now?
There's something instantly mortifying about not knowing how to handle a relationship when he's as old as he is. He's entirely green about something he should have learned -- forever ago. God, he knows how to pick 'em.
... He walks with Aizawa, but he's clearly in deep, spiraling thought.
Save him from himself, it's all happening so fast.]
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[They'll walk together, make it out of the high-security part of UA together. The atmosphere shifts, a tiny bit, as they're outside of school. There's the briefest brush of their hands together before Shouta realizes that Toshinori's definitely... distracted. Ah, great. Way to make him start to think the whole thing was a bad idea.]
Toshinori. [Think, Shouta, Hizashi always told you it was important to talk in relationships and you're finally in one again. Say something.]
Are you wasting your time [with me] worrying about something pointless? [Yes, that's an excellent way to ask someone what they're thinking about. It definitely doesn't come across as dismissive at all. This is how you open communication pathways in a relationship, he's an expert. ... Or, well, in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is a king.]
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[He says with some oomph, with the complete obliviousness that he probably does so quite often. But this time it's true either way -- there's nothing more important to worry about! He isn't really sure how to approach the topic without sounding grindingly self-deprecating or insecure, though, and the last thing he wants is for Aiza-- Shouta to give him a routine glower and lecture about it, so he flounders for something to replace his concerns with.]
-- Did you like the bento?
[The rice was cat-shaped, with little whiskers and everything. He wishes today hadn't been such a ball of anxiety for the two of them, but...! He'll make it up to him with another, better box! With less concern over sudden revelations of love. Yep.]
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[Still, the other's able to ask a question, so that moves the conversation along. If they're going to be spending so much time together, he can slowly needle the other into telling him. He was selfish but that didn't mean he wanted the relationship entirely at his own whims. Asking Toshinori to confide in him, being one of the few people who could hear his worries... he selfishly wanted that, too.]
I did. [There's a small shift of his head, a little embarrassed but, not going to lie about it.]
It was- ["cute"] -good. ... it was kind of a shame to eat it. [Since it was so nice, after all. Really, making something cat-shaped then asking him to eat it is just cruel. Logically, he knows there's nothing wrong with it, but...]
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Aa, don't worry, I can make plenty more. You don't have to worry about running out! [But if it helps, he does finally grab Aizawa's free hand, giving it a firm and supportive squeeze; this came a lot easier when he's dead set on silly comforts -- there, there, the bento will continue being made, it says. With less loud determination:] ... It's nice to make something for someone, really.
[Is he going to turn into a housewife overnight?
Truly, his calling in life. Not symbol of peace, no, maker of cat onigiri. It's just. It's been a long time since he had real company like that. Tsukauchi, maybe. A truly good friend, that detective...! The last few weeks have been admittedly... too good. It's why he didn't expect it to last...]
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... mm. It's not something I'm used to. [He doesn't say it like it's sad, just that it's a statement of fact. That sort of doting attention, like a housewife or a concerned parent, just wasn't something he'd ever really had. As if to clear the air of that statement, he falls back on his old standby: griping.] And it was a bit embarrassing, you know. If I eat with Mic tomorrow, he's going to say something. He'll probably even whine and try to get me to trade something with him. [Because a cat onigiri made by All Might himself isn't just something you can let slide by. It's a priceless treasure.]
[There's a pause, though, where he realizes he's just griping. He doesn't actually have much to complain about and while with someone like Hizashi he'd just let it stay like that- he's trying to be a bit better. He's trying to be a bit easier for Toshinori who he entirely believed when he said he'd never dated anyone. So, he quickly adds,]
I don't- ... please keep making them, though. [and softly squeezes the other's hand]
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He squeezes the hand in return.]
Even All Might themed ones?
[He looks at him, grinning mischievously.]
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[There's an appropriately horrified and mildly disgusted face at the idea of his heartwarming cat bento being replaced with some tacky All Might themed one. For someone in love with All Might, he sure doesn't seem to like All Might much.]
... I'll throw it out, if you do that. [He won't even let Mic touch it, no one's allowed to touch it, it needs to be cleansed from the earth.]
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But...!!]
What if I make myself an Eraserhead themed one to match?
[... Worth a shot?]
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... ... I don't know why you'd want to so badly. [Well, he sort of has an idea. Still, the fact Toshinori wants to is winning him over more than anything. Really, he was such a fanboy...]
Just... Just once, if you really want to.
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[Never forget -- HAPPY BASSDAY ALLLLL MIIIGHTAHH.
He wonders if Mic-kun just keeps track of all of the dates of birth in the faculty, honestly.
A warm smile follows, and he feels a little more confident as they walk -- because this was them before the confession, too. It was. Just... without the handholding. But it was the same, no doubt. It makes his walk a bit more confident, his stare a bit less worried, like this was all going to fall apart around him at any given moment. It's a good feeling. A good, good feeling.
Casual conversation makes him lose track of distance; they're at his apartment, climbing a few stairs -- he gets a little winded at the top and stops, per usual, to catch his breath -- and then... they're here. Door swinging open, both of them standing in what is so blaringly normal. They saw this often, after work, a little apartment waiting for them. But it's different now...? He's not leaving today. A letter is burning in his pocket, and he thinks about the kitchen. The couch. The bed. How is this going to change things there?
The idea of having to keep up and be worthy intimidates him, but...
He was a hero, once. Plus ultra -- strive, push forward, aim for your goal.
Turning slightly, he smiles.]
Want some tea, Shouta-kun?
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[It's a little strange for Toshinori to have told him he was going to die but still so casually talk about his future birthday. Better to plan for the future than just press on pointlessly, he supposed. It's not like he wanted the other to die, either... Well, if Toshinori makes it that far, Shouta will gladly indulge him. Or at least with minimal complaining. That year and the year after that.]
[Then they're back at Toshinori's home (not quite his, yet, that was too presumptuous), where he doesn't have to feel as spied-upon by the world, and before he can say anything-]
[... tea, huh. That wasn't the first thing on his mind. Still, that stupid smile makes him a bit more inclined. He's such a softie.]
Ah, sure. One thing first, though. [There's a quick wave of his finger, motioning for Toshinori to lean down a little. The height gap between them made it a little irritating for things like this. It was hard enough to be spontaneously affectionate.]
[He gets the feeling that Toshinori would just overthink the importance of "firsts," if he approached romance with any fraction of the seriousness he took heroism. While he didn't really think anything of them, he can compromise and get what he wants while preserving some sense of specialness for "firsts." The compromise, if Toshinori will let him, is a quick kiss on the cheek. It's a little scratchy, not perfect, and technically not their first kiss by romantic standards. Still, it satisfies him enough to patient. It will last him through tea, at least.]
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He leans back, blinking, before a hand reaches to smooth the spot.
And then he laughs -- a deep, humored laugh.]
Shouta's been dying to be cute all this time, huh?
[What? If he's going to be the virgin, he can at least get some teasing in before he totally makes an ass of himself later.]
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[After all, the connection between the two events has to be his preference for idiots. It's not like it could just be him.]
I'm just doing what I want. [His shoulders hunch up a bit as he turns to go start placing his belongings around the apartment again.] If you think it's cute, that's your messed-up eyes. [Anyways, this coming from someone who made cat bento in an apron and said "don't forget your lunch!" after him in the morning? That was definitely cuter!]
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