🐾 mochi 🐾

It started innocently.

Sae's cat, a fluffy little gray furball named Mochi, had somehow wormed itself into every part of Sae's life. Sae pretended not to notice when it perched on his shoulder during morning stretches or stole bits of his dinner.

Shidou, however, noticed.

He noticed everything.

THE JEALOUSY SPIRAL BEGINS

Shidou was sprawled on the couch, legs dangling, arms crossed, pouting like the world had personally offended him.

Sae was in the kitchen, calmly preparing tea. Mochi was perched on the counter, rubbing against Sae's legs, eyes half-lidded with obvious smugness.

Shidou tilted his head, watching. "...You love the cat more than me, don't you?"

Sae didn't even look at him. "I'm giving it a cookie, not a soul transfer."

Shidou hissed dramatically. "Liar."

Sae finally glanced over, eyebrow raised. "What?"

"I'm right. You cuddle it more than me. You feed it before me. It's soft and cute and probably better at football than me, too."

"...Better at football?" Sae repeated flatly, setting the tea down. "Shidou. It's a cat."

Shidou folded his arms tighter. "...Exactly. You give it attention for no reason, but you ignore me when I beg."

Sae pinched the bridge of his nose. "...Do you want me to ignore it as punishment?"

Shidou's eyes went wide. "...No! I mean—yes? Wait—no! I mean—don't!"

THE CAT INCIDENT

Later that afternoon, Sae was sitting on the floor, reading, Mochi in his lap. Shidou entered the room slowly, watching from the doorway.

"...You're literally petting it," he muttered, voice full of wounded indignation.

Sae glanced up. "...I'm showing affection. Is that not allowed?"

Shidou stomped forward dramatically, squatting beside Sae and pouting. "I demand equality!"

Mochi's ears twitched.

Sae sighed, putting the book down. "...Shidou, the cat doesn't compete for attention."

Shidou leaned closer, nose almost touching Sae's arm. "...Then why do you pet it like that?"

Sae blinked, flustered. He opened his mouth to answer, but Shidou wasn't giving him a chance.

"...Prove you love me more than the cat," Shidou demanded. "...Do it now."

Sae froze.

"...Excuse me?"

Shidou's blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "...Kiss me. Show me you love me more. Prove it."

Sae's ears turned pink. "...Shidou—"

"I'm serious!" Shidou whined. "Do it. Before I throw this cat across the room."

Mochi, of course, leapt onto Shidou's shoulder, tail swishing like a little gray flag of victory. Shidou groaned. "I hate it, but also..." He rubbed the cat absentmindedly. "You're cute. But you're not my favorite."

Sae's composure snapped. He leaned forward, cupping Shidou's cheeks gently. "...Fine," he murmured, voice low. "I love you, Shidou. Only you."

Then—soft, shy, barely-there kisses pressed to Shidou's forehead, nose, and finally, lips.

Shidou's jaw dropped. His tail (if he had one) would have wagged like a dog's. "...What—what was that?!"

Sae shrugged, eyes focused firmly on the floor to avoid the overwhelming intensity of Shidou's gaze. "...That proves it. You're my favorite. Not the cat."

Shidou's grin returned—wide, triumphant, chaotic. "...I KNEW IT!"

SHIDOU'S GLOATING

After the kisses, Shidou leaned back, patting Mochi absently on the head. "...You hear that, furball? You're cute, but I win. I'm the favorite. Clear?"

Mochi blinked slowly, probably unimpressed, but Shidou didn't care.

He spun around to Sae, eyes shining. "...See, this is why you can't have a cat that's too cute. It makes me jealous. I demand cuddles, immediately."

Sae groaned, but obliged. Shidou collapsed into his lap, pressing his forehead to Sae's chest. "...I'm still mad at the cat," he whispered, muffled against the fabric.

Sae smirked, running a hand through Shidou's hair. "...You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculously loved," Shidou corrected, voice soft. "...By you. Only you."

Sae felt his chest tighten. "...Shut up."

"Never," Shidou whispered back, nuzzling him like a cat. Mochi hopped onto Shidou's back, tail swishing happily. Shidou giggled. "...Even the cat knows I win now."

Sae stared, a mix of exasperation and warmth hitting him. "...You really are insufferable."

"...And adorable," Shidou added, wrapping his arms around Sae's waist. "...You knew that when you kissed me, right?"

Sae's hand froze on Shidou's shoulder, and he finally gave in—just a little—pressing a soft kiss to the top of Shidou's head.

"...I love you," he muttered quietly.

Shidou's grin stretched impossibly wide. "...I win. You said it. Out loud. I win."

Mochi mewed in agreement—or maybe protest—but Shidou didn't care. He had Sae, and that was more than enough.

art credit: https://nikonautic.tumblr.com/post/798925946651623424/drawing-my-favorite-characters-my-favorite-pair