Disclaimer: I own very little.

A/N: As in Hope You're Hungry, the Taka-san and Dan here are based on their respective characterisations in the LJ-based roleplaying game Tenipuri University. Shortly, Dan studies Electrical Engineering, while Taka-san is a Culinary major. Both have recently gone through a break-up, so they are somewhat careful about relationships.

Of Kittens and Fluffballs

Dan was purring.

Well, not exactly. It was something between humming and mumbling, a soft, warm sound of contentment that sent vibrations through Taka-san's chest as Dan leant against him. The ones doing the actual purring were Saika and Seiun, stretched all over Taka-san's lap as though to draw attention to how much they had grown already. Nevertheless, it was Dan's little sound of happiness that contributed the most to the smile on Taka-san's face.

Dan was lazily petting the kittens, smiling down at them even as he snuggled closer to Taka-san. Taka-san set a friendly arm around Dan's shoulders, drawing him just a touch closer. "You sound happy." He smiled gently at Dan.

"Huh?" Dan looked up at him, looking somewhat confused. "What do you mean, sound?"

"You're doing this funny purring thing." Taka-san grinned. "If you don't look out, I'm going to start petting you as well."

"Hey, now." Dan hit him lightly, pouting in the sweetest way. "I'm not a kitten, you know. Haven't got the ears desu."

"They might look cute if you had, though. Who knows? I remember you saying you'd look ridiculous with earrings, and now look at you!" He still couldn't help but smile whenever he happened to look at the transistors decorating Dan's ears.

"Yes, look at me. I do look ridiculous." Dan grinned. "It's just that I like these so much, I'm willing to look ridiculous to wear them."

"I think it's cute, not ridiculous. And it takes bravery to wear something so unusual."

"Bravery or insanity desu." Dan shrugged. "Maybe I'm just too stupid to know not to wear them."

"I'll go for the bravery." Taka-san ruffled Dan's hair in a non-petting way . "…I think Saika's asleep."

"Isn't that what cats do? Establish their power over us and then start napping." Dan fell silent, petting the kittens. Soon enough he started his little purring thing again.

"You're doing it again." This time, Taka-san did pet Dan's hair. "That's it. Next time someone asks, I'll say I have three kittens."

"So I'm yours now, eh?" Dan smirked.

Taka-san froze, startled, before flushing. "Ano – that's not what I – I mean –"

Dan snickered. "Sorry, Taka-san. I couldn't resist desu." He patted Taka-san's flushed cheek. "'Tis okay desu. After all," Dan smiled happily, "I have three fluffballs, too desu"

"…Ah. Guess so." Taka-san blinked. "Wait, do you mean…"

"Mm-hmm." Dan purred again, snuggling even closer to him. "Taka-san's so fluffy desu…"

Of all the compliments he'd received in his life, Taka-san decided, "fluffball" was perhaps the most delighting one."