The sensation started out as a small tickle against the back of his neck, easily ignored. Tao was absorbed in his computers and cameras, his eyes focused as he stared intently at the various monitors, his fingers moving rapidly, flying over the keyboard as he conducted his research.

The pressure was increased, and there was something rubbing insistently against his back, nudging him forward, so that he leaned down towards the keyboards. "Knock it off, Takeo," he muttered. "I'll play with you later." The pressure ceased at his words, and Tao leaned back, going right back to what he'd been doing, quickly losing track of time as data and images flashed in a scrolling melee on the screens in front of him.

A low growl, followed by the sharp pinprick of claws around his waist, and Tao was brought abruptly back to reality. "Ow!" he yelped, as sharp fangs pricked against the back of his neck, a sharp warning that their owner had finally grown impatient. "Dammit, Takeo! I told you – " he trailed off abruptly, staring into the sparkling gray eyes of their third member. "M-21?" he asked, uncertain.

There was a chuckle off to the side, and Tao glared over at his lover. "What the hell is going on?" he snapped.

Takeo ignored him completely, looking over at M-21, who had settled back on his haunches, out of Tao's reach unless the other man used his whips. Since they all knew he wouldn't dare use his electricity while surrounded by his precious computers, M-21 was correct in feeling safe. For the moment. "See? I told you, didn't I? Once he gets involved in something, it's nearly impossible to distract him." He glanced at a corner of one of the screens. "Three hours."

Tao blinked. Had he really been so focused on his work that three hours of M-21's interference had gone by all but unnoticed? His stomach gurgled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't fed it since breakfast, which had been nearly nine hours ago. So that's why they had been trying to get his attention. Oops.

"Ah, haha," he chuckled weakly. "Feed me?" He offered them his best pleading look. M-21 was unimpressed.

Takeo smiled affectionately at him. "Of course," he replied easily. "Let's go." He headed for the door, M-21 giving Tao an indecipherable look as he followed right behind him.

Rising gracefully, Tao left behind his precious computers in favor of following his even more precious comrades. Takeo and M-21 were waiting patiently for him in the hallway. Grinning widely, Tao slung an arm around each of their shoulders as they moved down the hallway.

"Soooo…" he drawled, waiting until he had their attention before asking his question. "Why M-21?"

The werewolf snorted, and it Takeo who answered him, his voice smug. "Because," he replied, "if I had distracted you, you'd miss dinner, too."

Fin.