----
For a while, the house was peaceful.
This meant, of course, that there were six separate noises happening at once.
The tabby had discovered the new feather toy and was attacking it with the dedication of a warrior avenging generations of insult.
The black cat had stolen one of the small plush mice and carried it beneath the table like treasure.
The black-and-white queen sat on the couch arm, watching everyone else behave beneath her dignity.
The grey scarred cat remained pressed against Asuka's side, purring with its eyes half-closed.
And Kayden remained in the box.
The box had lost structural integrity.
One side bulged outward.
The bottom sagged.
The tabby had tried to climb in twice more and been rejected both times through the threat of violence.
Kayden sat in the middle of it like a king in a collapsing throne, expression dark and proud.
Asuka sat cross-legged on the floor nearby, moving the feather toy in slow arcs.
The tabby launched itself after it.
Missed.
Rolled.
Immediately pretended that had been intentional.
Asuka's mouth curved.
"Very agile."
Kayden scoffed.
"That thing fell over."
"It recovered quickly."
"It has no dignity."
The tabby jumped again and smacked the feather with both paws.
Asuka hummed.
"It has enthusiasm."
"Same thing as lack of dignity."
"That explains much."
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
"It was something."
"Yes."
The grey cat bumped its head against Asuka's wrist.
She lowered her hand and stroked its back slowly.
Kayden watched.
Only because he was making sure the cats did not become spoiled.
Obviously.
Asuka shifted the toy again, letting the black cat join. The room filled with little paws skidding across the floor, soft meows, and the occasional offended chirp when someone missed the toy.
It should have been ordinary.
It almost was.
Then Kayden scratched behind his ear.
Once.
Twice.
Then along his side.
Asuka's head turned.
Kayden froze.
"What?"
She said nothing.
His tail flicked.
"Don't look at me."
"I am not looking."
"You are doing that thing."
"What thing?"
"That silent judging thing."
Asuka tilted her head.
"I am assessing."
"That is worse."
He scratched again, this time near his shoulder, a quick irritated movement that made his fur ruffle oddly.
Asuka set the feather toy down.
Several cats immediately pounced on it.
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
"Asuka."
She stood.
"No."
"I have not said anything yet."
"You are going to."
She crossed the room toward him.
Kayden rose inside the box, ears flattening.
"No."
"Mr. Kayden."
"No."
"You are itchy."
"I am not."
"You scratched five times in twelve seconds."
Kayden stared.
"Why are you counting?"
"To assess."
"Stop assessing me!"
Asuka crouched in front of the box.
The box creaked under Kayden's defensive shift.
"You need a bath."
The room went silent.
Not because the cats understood the exact phrase.
Because Kayden's energy changed so violently that even the tabby stopped attacking the feather.
Kayden stared at her.
Then, slowly, his expression became one of ultimate betrayal.
"I do not."
"Yes."
"I can clean myself."
"You are injured and recovering."
"I am still capable of basic hygiene."
"You cannot reach properly."
Kayden's eyes flashed.
"I can reach."
Asuka looked at him.
Gently.
Quietly.
Like she was giving him time to reconsider lying to both of them.
Kayden's eye twitched.
"I refuse."
Asuka reached into the box.
Kayden backed up.
There was nowhere to back up to.
The box wall collapsed slightly under his weight.
His ears flattened harder.
"Asuka."
She slid both hands beneath him and lifted.
Kayden stiffened.
"Put me down."
"No."
"I am your teacher."
"Yes."
"You cannot bathe your teacher like a pet."
"I can if my teacher is currently cat-shaped and itchy."
"I said put me down."
"You will feel better."
"I will feel humiliated."
"You often survive that."
Kayden's mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
"You little—"
Asuka tucked him gently against her chest and carried him toward the stairs.
The cats watched in fascinated silence.
The tabby followed.
Kayden twisted his head around.
"Stay!"
The tabby stopped on the first step.
Then sat.
Offended.
Asuka glanced down.
"Good."
Kayden hissed, "Do not praise it."
"It listened."
"It is mocking me."
"It is sitting."
"Mockingly."
Asuka continued upstairs.
Kayden remained stiff in her arms, body radiating outrage.
And yet he did not struggle hard enough to scratch her.
Not even once.
The bathroom light clicked on softly.
Asuka set Kayden on the closed toilet lid while she turned on the water. Steam began to gather in the small room, warming the mirror, softening the air.
Kayden sat rigidly.
Wet doom awaited him.
He glared at the bathtub.
"This is unnecessary."
Asuka checked the water temperature with her fingers.
"Warm. Not hot."
"I do not care."
"You should."
"I am not fragile."
"No."
She turned her bandaged face toward him.
"But you are recovering."
Kayden's ears twitched.
That was unfair.
Very unfair.
He hated when she spoke like that.
Not teasing.
Not laughing.
Just calm concern dressed as practicality.
Asuka gathered a small towel, cat shampoo, and a cup for rinsing. Everything was prepared already because Jiwoo kept cats and Asuka was Asuka.
Of course she had supplies.
Of course.
Kayden clicked his tongue.
"You planned this."
"No."
"You had the shampoo ready."
"We have cats."
"You planned this."
"I considered the possibility."
"That means yes."
She lifted him again.
Kayden's paws pressed against her forearm, claws carefully sheathed.
"Asuka."
"Yes?"
"If you tell Jiwoo about this, I will deny everything."
"I do not need to tell him."
"Good."
"He will probably notice."
Kayden's face went blank.
"Notice what?"
"That you smell clean."
The betrayal deepened.
"I hate this house."
"No."
"I do."
"You like the box."
Kayden stiffened.
"That has nothing to do with the house."
"You also like the cushion near Oppa's bed."
"Tactical position."
"And the sunny windowsill."
"Efficient warmth."
"And the treats."
"Recovery nutrition."
Asuka lowered him carefully into the shallow warm water.
Kayden went utterly still.
Every hair on his body seemed offended.
The water reached just below his belly.
His tail lifted slightly out of it, stiff with horror.
Asuka's hands remained steady around him.
"There."
Kayden stared ahead.
"I have been betrayed."
"You have been bathed."
"Not yet."
"Yes. Unfortunately."
Asuka wet his fur slowly, keeping water away from his face and ears. Her touch was careful, steady, almost absurdly gentle. She cupped water over his back, smoothing down ruffled orange fur with patient fingers.
Kayden remained tense for the first minute.
Then slightly less tense.
Not relaxed.
Never relaxed.
But less like he was seconds from declaring war on plumbing.
Asuka worked quietly.
No teasing for once.
No smug comments.
No calling him cute.
That somehow made it worse.
Her hands moved over his shoulders, along his back, beneath his chin, careful around sore areas that still held traces of old injury beneath the cat body.
Kayden's gaze lowered.
He should complain.
He did complain.
"This is taking too long."
"You are very dirty."
"I am not."
"You have been rolling in boxes, fighting criminals, and being chased by cats."
"None of those count."
"They do."
"The criminals count least."
"That is concerning."
"Your priorities are backwards."
Asuka's fingers paused near his shoulder.
Then gently massaged through the fur where he had been scratching.
Kayden's mouth snapped shut.
The itch eased.
Warm water, careful pressure, her strange healing sense brushing just beneath the surface without actually using too much energy.
His eyes narrowed.
Not in anger this time.
In reluctant betrayal by comfort.
Asuka noticed.
Of course she noticed.
She said nothing.
That was merciful.
Annoyingly merciful.
She rinsed him slowly, making sure no shampoo remained.
Kayden endured the process with the grim dignity of a warrior surviving captivity.
When she finally lifted him out, she wrapped him immediately in a warm towel.
The towel swallowed most of him.
Only his face showed.
Round.
Damp.
Furious.
Asuka held him against her chest and pressed the towel gently around his body.
"Done."
Kayden stared at the wall.
"I will remember this."
"I hope so. It means you will scratch less."
"I meant as an insult."
"It can be useful."
He turned his damp face toward her.
"You are impossible."
"So I have heard."
She carried him to her room instead of setting him down on the bathroom floor. Her room was quiet, dimly lit by a small lamp near the bed. Books were stacked neatly near the desk. Fresh bandages sat on the dresser. A folded hoodie lay over the chair.
Asuka sat on the floor with Kayden in her lap and began drying him.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The towel moved over his head first, then his ears, then down his back.
Kayden tried to look offended.
The effect was weakened by the way his eyes half-closed when she rubbed gently behind one ear.
Asuka's mouth softened.
"Better?"
"No."
"You hesitated."
"I was gathering anger."
"Of course."
Her fingers moved to the other ear.
Kayden's eyes closed again.
Only briefly.
A terrible accident.
He opened them immediately.
"I said I can do this myself."
"You cannot dry your back properly."
"I can."
"No."
"Asuka."
"Mr. Kayden."
Their voices carried faintly into the hall.
Soft.
Familiar.
Argument shaped like comfort.
Jiwoo arrived home later than either of them expected.
Shinhwa had only let him leave after several checks, several warnings, and one very calm look from Jiyoung Yoo that made even Jiwoo promise not to run.
Inhyuk had driven him.
Jisuk had complained loudly that Jiwoo was being discharged first despite being the one who looked most likely to apologize to the wall if he bumped into it.
Wooin had said quietly that Jiwoo should rest.
Jiwoo had promised he would.
Then he had spent the entire ride thinking about home.
About Asuka.
About Mr. Kayden.
About the cats.
The moment he opened the front door, the cats greeted him.
The tabby launched itself at his ankles.
The black cat meowed from the couch.
The black-and-white queen stood and stretched lazily before approaching.
The grey scarred cat came last, pressing its head against his shin with quiet insistence.
Jiwoo's face melted.
"I'm home."
The cats meowed.
He crouched carefully, mindful of his injured leg, and held out both hands.
"How are you? Did you eat well?"
More meows.
Jiwoo smiled.
"Good. I missed you too."
The tabby sniffed his clothes and immediately looked offended.
Jiwoo laughed softly.
"I know. It smells weird."
He petted each of them carefully, counting automatically.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Then he paused.
No orange.
No Asuka.
He looked toward the living room.
"Asuka?"
No answer.
"Mr. Kayden?"
Silence downstairs.
Then, from upstairs, he heard voices.
Asuka's calm tone.
Kayden's irritated one.
Jiwoo blinked.
Then smiled.
He went up slowly, one hand on the railing, the cats following halfway like a procession.
The door to Asuka's room was slightly open.
Jiwoo knocked lightly against the frame.
"Asuka?"
Inside, Asuka sat on the floor with Kayden wrapped in a towel on her lap.
Kayden was damp.
Fluffed.
Deeply humiliated.
Asuka was carefully rubbing the towel along his side.
Both looked up.
Jiwoo stared.
Then his eyes brightened.
"Oh."
Kayden's ears flattened instantly.
"Do not say anything."
Jiwoo stepped in, smiling warmly.
"You took a bath?"
Kayden's face darkened.
"No."
Jiwoo tilted his head.
"You look very clean."
Kayden looked betrayed by reality.
Asuka continued drying him.
"He was itchy."
Jiwoo's expression softened.
"Were you uncomfortable, Mr. Kayden?"
Kayden looked away.
"No."
Asuka hummed.
"He scratched repeatedly."
"Asuka."
"He needed help."
"Asuka."
"He protested."
"Asuka."
"But he feels better now."
Kayden whipped his head toward her.
"I do not!"
Jiwoo crouched carefully in front of them.
His hand reached out, then paused.
"Can I?"
Kayden narrowed his eyes.
"No."
Jiwoo waited.
Kayden stared.
Jiwoo smiled gently.
After three seconds, Kayden looked away with a furious click of his tongue.
"Do whatever you want."
Jiwoo's hand moved carefully over the top of his damp head.
Soft.
Light.
Affectionate.
Kayden's entire body went stiff.
Then, against his will and dignity, his ears relaxed slightly.
Jiwoo beamed.
"You're so soft."
Kayden's soul left his body.
Asuka's shoulders trembled.
Kayden glared at her.
"Do not laugh."
"I am not."
"You are."
"Only emotionally."
Jiwoo laughed quietly.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he reached over and gently ruffled the top of Asuka's head too.
Asuka went still for half a breath.
Then she hummed softly.
Small.
Content.
Her bandages covered her eyes, but her mouth relaxed into something warm.
"Welcome home, Oppa."
Jiwoo's smile softened.
"I'm home."
Kayden looked between them.
The gesture was simple.
A hand on Asuka's head.
A soft hum.
Jiwoo smiling despite the bandage visible beneath his pant leg.
Asuka sitting on the floor, towel in hand, caring for Kayden like he was not one of the most feared awakeners in the world.
Annoying.
All of it.
Too warm.
Too easy to get used to.
Kayden flicked his damp tail.
Unfortunately, the towel caught it, making it flop heavily against Asuka's knee.
Jiwoo's eyes widened with delight.
Asuka's mouth pressed together.
Kayden stared at both of them.
"Do not."
Jiwoo covered his mouth.
Asuka looked down.
Kayden's voice sharpened.
"I said do not."
Jiwoo's shoulders shook.
"I'm sorry."
"No, you're not."
"I'm really trying."
"You're failing."
Asuka gently rubbed the towel around his tail.
Kayden jerked slightly.
"Hey!"
"It is wet."
"I noticed!"
"You may catch cold."
"I am an awakener."
"You are damp."
"That is not an argument."
"It is enough."
Jiwoo watched them, heart strangely full.
Mr. Kayden sounded angry.
He always sounded angry.
But he was sitting there.
Letting Asuka dry him.
Letting Jiwoo pet his head.
Complaining, yes.
But not leaving.
Not scratching.
Not truly fighting.
Jiwoo smiled again.
Kayden noticed immediately.
His eyes narrowed.
"Stop smiling."
Jiwoo blinked.
"I didn't say anything."
"Your face is saying it."
"Saying what?"
"Something annoying."
Jiwoo's smile turned sheepish.
"I'm just happy you're okay."
Kayden froze.
The room quieted.
Asuka's towel slowed.
Jiwoo's hand rested lightly on his knee.
"I was worried after yesterday," he admitted. "You used your power, and Asuka said you're still recovering."
Kayden looked away.
"Tch."
Jiwoo continued softly, "So I'm glad you're here."
Kayden's ears twitched.
Damn this brat.
He said things too directly.
No sense of self-preservation.
No warning.
Just soft words thrown carelessly at people who had no defense against them.
Kayden glared at the floor.
"I told you I can recover anytime."
Jiwoo nodded.
"I know."
"You clearly don't."
"I still worry."
"That is pointless."
"Maybe."
Kayden looked at him sharply.
Jiwoo smiled.
"But I'll probably keep doing it."
Asuka's mouth curved.
Kayden turned his glare toward her.
"And you."
She tilted her head.
"I did not speak."
"You agree with him."
"Yes."
"Stop that."
"No."
"Asuka."
"No."
Jiwoo laughed again, softer this time.
Then winced slightly when his leg shifted.
Asuka's hand immediately moved from the towel to his knee.
"Oppa."
"I'm okay."
"You moved too quickly."
"I know."
"Sit."
"I am crouching."
"Sit properly."
Jiwoo obeyed at once, lowering himself carefully onto the floor beside her.
Kayden stared.
"You listen to her faster than me."
Jiwoo blinked.
"Asuka worries quietly."
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
"And I don't?"
"You worry loudly."
"I do not worry."
Asuka resumed drying him.
"You do."
"I do not."
Jiwoo nodded.
"You do."
Kayden looked between them in betrayal.
"You two are ganging up on me."
"Yes," Asuka said.
Jiwoo smiled apologetically.
"A little."
"This is why you are both troublesome."
Asuka's towel moved over his back again, now almost finished. Kayden's fur had puffed out from drying, making him look rounder than usual.
Jiwoo's eyes sparkled.
Kayden noticed.
"Do not say it."
Jiwoo pressed his lips together.
Kayden's voice lowered.
"Jiwoo."
"You look very fluffy."
Silence.
Asuka closed her eyes behind the bandages.
Kayden stared at Jiwoo.
Jiwoo smiled nervously.
"In a dignified way."
Kayden's eye twitched.
"There is no dignified way to be fluffy."
Asuka said, "I disagree."
"No one asked you."
"You are very dignified."
"Do not patronize me."
"And fluffy."
"Asuka."
Jiwoo failed first.
A small laugh escaped him.
Then Asuka's shoulders shook.
Kayden looked toward the ceiling like he was asking the universe why it had placed him here with these people.
Unfortunately, the universe did not answer.
The grey cat appeared in the doorway and meowed.
The tabby pushed past it.
Then the black cat.
Then the black-and-white one.
They gathered around the three of them.
Jiwoo's smile softened again.
"They came too."
Kayden muttered, "Of course they did."
The tabby approached the damp towel.
Kayden's head snapped down.
"No."
The tabby sat.
Stared.
Then reached one paw toward his tail.
Kayden hissed.
Asuka gently lifted Kayden a little higher in her lap.
"Not while he is drying."
The tabby looked at her.
Then at Kayden.
Then meowed as if deeply wronged.
Jiwoo petted its head.
"You can play later."
Kayden glared at the tabby.
"You cannot."
Jiwoo laughed.
Asuka finished drying Kayden's side and carefully loosened the towel around him.
"There."
Kayden stood in her lap and shook himself once.
His fur puffed everywhere.
Jiwoo stared.
Asuka stared.
The cats stared.
Kayden froze mid-dignity.
"Not. One. Word."
Jiwoo's face turned red from holding it in.
Asuka's lips trembled.
Kayden's glare intensified.
Then the black-and-white cat stepped forward, sniffed him once, and calmly licked the top of his head.
Kayden's entire body went rigid.
Jiwoo collapsed sideways laughing, then immediately grabbed his leg.
"Ow—laughing hurts—"
Asuka caught his shoulder with one hand while trying not to laugh.
Kayden stood there, freshly bathed, freshly dried, freshly groomed by another cat, and looked like the weight of existence had finally defeated him.
"I hate all of you."
Jiwoo smiled through watery eyes.
"No, you don't."
Kayden opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Looked at Asuka.
She looked far too pleased.
He looked at Jiwoo.
He looked far too warm.
He looked at the cats.
They looked far too comfortable.
Kayden clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
Then he stepped carefully out of Asuka's lap and onto the floor.
The tabby immediately tried to sniff him.
Kayden smacked it lightly on the forehead.
The tabby looked delighted.
Jiwoo wiped his eyes.
"I really missed this."
Asuka's hand rested briefly on his shoulder.
"We missed you too."
Kayden turned.
"I did not."
Jiwoo smiled.
"You came to the hospital."
"I was dragged into the mess."
"You stayed."
"I was supervising."
"You worried."
"I was irritated."
Asuka said, "You paced."
Kayden whipped toward her.
"You were not here."
"The cats told me."
Jiwoo blinked.
"The cats?"
Asuka's mouth curved.
"Metaphorically."
Kayden stared at her.
"That better have been metaphorical."
The grey cat meowed.
Kayden turned slowly toward it.
"Do not involve yourself."
Jiwoo looked between them, smiling like the world had somehow become gentle again for a moment.
The burns still hurt.
Wooin was still recovering.
Jisuk was still probably yelling somewhere.
Shinhwa would have questions.
The awakened world was still dangerous and strange.
But here, in Asuka's room, surrounded by cats and warmth and the lingering scent of cat shampoo, Mr. Kayden was clean, Asuka was safe, and Jiwoo was home.
That was enough.
Asuka leaned slightly into Jiwoo's side.
He noticed and rested his hand lightly on the top of her head again.
She hummed.
Kayden saw it.
Looked away.
Then, after a long moment, settled near them on the floor instead of leaving.
Not close.
Not too close.
Just close enough.
Tactical position.
Obviously.
Asuka smiled.
Jiwoo smiled too.
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
"If either of you mention the bath to anyone, I'll kill you."
Jiwoo nodded solemnly.
"I won't."
Asuka tilted her head.
"Define anyone."
Kayden stared.
"Asuka."
"I am joking."
"You are not."
"No."
Jiwoo laughed softly.
Kayden sighed and tucked his paws beneath himself, clean fur puffed around him like an offended cloud.
The cats circled closer.
The house settled.
And for the first time since the Klein brothers, since the hospital, since Frame's name had brushed against Asuka's future like a warning, the night felt almost normal again.
Almost.
----