Guarded Whispers (GiyuuSane)

10

(＾ω＾)

The next day, Prince Sanemi couldn't shake the memory of Tomioka's curiosity about cats. It was a small detail, but it lingered in his mind, nagging at him as he went about his day.

"I want a cat. Order one." Sanemi interrupted abruptly during a meeting with his servant.

"But Your Highness, we're discussing the financial status -" the man began, disbelief coloring his tone. "We're doing fine. You're only wasting my time," Sanemi cut in sharply.

The man rushed out of the room as Sanemi rolled his eyes. "As you wish, Your Highness," the servant said, bowing respectfully.

A few days later, Tomioka was patrolling the castle grounds when he noticed a commotion in the garden. Curious, he approached and saw the Shinazugawa siblings and a servant cradling a luxurious, short-haired cat with a coat of pure white. The cat's large blue eyes blinked curiously at its new surroundings.

"Let me play with her!" the youngest sibling protested, trying to reach the feline. The cat hissed at the noise and darted away.

Giyuu's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "What's this?" he asked, his usually stoic demeanor softening a fraction.

The servant bowed respectfully. "His Highness ordered this cat. It is a royal breed, rare and expensive."

"Royal breed?" Giyuu asked, looking at the feline.

"Yes, a Khao Manee Cat! It was quite a surprising request! This is the first time Prince Sanemi showed any interest in cats!" the servant said with a smile, going to retrieve the cat.

Tomioka glanced at Sanemi, who was standing a short distance away, trying to look nonchalant. The prince's expression was unreadable, but Tomioka couldn't help but feel a warm surge of gratitude.

As the servant approached, the cat meowed softly, reaching out a paw towards Tomioka. He hesitated for a moment before gently taking the cat into his arms. The cat purred contentedly, nuzzling against his chest.

The younger Shinazugawa siblings complained about how she wouldn't let anyone touch her except him and the servant. "Aniki named her Blue." Princess Teiko mumbled.

Giyuu nodded as he scratched the cat's chin. Sanemi watched the interaction, trying to suppress a smile. "Well, it seems the cat likes you." he said, his tone casual.

Giyuu looked up, meeting the prince's gaze. "Yes, Your Highness. This means a lot."

Sanemi shrugged, a faint pink dusting his cheeks. "It's just a cat. Don't read too much into it."

Just then, the cat let out a loud purr, causing Sanemi to sneeze. He grimaced, rubbing his nose. "Damn cats," he muttered, though there was no real anger in his voice.

Tomioka hid a small smirk, which quickly disappeared as he remembered what the prince had said about his mother. "Are you allergic to cats, Your Highness?"

Sanemi sneezed again, his eyes watering slightly. "It's fine. I'll manage."

The cat curled up in Giyuu's arms, already looking like it belonged there. As they walked back towards the castle, Sanemi kept sneezing intermittently, but something about seeing Tomioka content made it worth it.

As they entered the castle, Tomioka looked down at Blue, then back at Sanemi. "Will she be in the castle for a while?"

The prince nodded, his expression softening. "Yes, only for two weeks. Then she'll be at the kennels."

Giyuu's heart felt lighter as he cradled the purring cat. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of belonging. And though the prince would never admit it, he had bought Blue to see this side of Tomioka. Giyuu could sense it but didn't want to jump to conclusions.

Giyuu's mind went back to Sanemi's words, "Mom was allergic." He frowned a bit, wondering if this was a good idea. "Your allergies?" he asked, still feeling guilty that the prince had gone out of his way to get an animal that could harm him.

"As if. No cat is taking me out." Sanemi scoffed, then looked at Blue. When they made eye contact, Tomioka swore they both rolled their eyes at the same time.

That evening, as Giyuu settled Blue into her new temporary home, he couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and appreciation. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about the prince's character. Sanemi might be gruff and tough on the outside, but there was a softer side to him, one that cared for those around him, even if he didn't always show it. That side caught Giyuu's attention, and he knew he wanted to see it more. Looking at Blue, the gesture brought a warm, rosy hue to his face.

Sanemi, on the other hand, found himself thinking more about Tomioka than he cared to admit. Seeing the usually emotionless bodyguard soften for the cat had stirred something in him. This opened a door that he didn't initially want to.

As the night settled in and the castle grew quiet, both men found themselves reflecting on the day's events, a small, unspoken feeling bubbling in them.

(＾ω＾)

Meow.
Thank you for reading 😽💝
Meow.