You Are My Only Future: 12, An Outsider's Reaction

Something that happened a while ago:

Ritsuka sat alone on Soubi's couch. The apartment was empty save for him, a just barely seventeen year old boy bearing no feline signs of virginity. He was in his last year of high school and diligently studying for upcoming entrance exams.

Soubi, who had recently become something more of a lover, wasn't home. He had gone out to pick up some art commissions and would be coming back with his friend Kio. Kio hadn't seen Ritsuka in at least a week.

Ritsuka was just sitting around browsing a text book- fairly uninteresting. What was interesting about the scene, though, was the light flush adorning his cheeks. A perpetual pink that had rarely left him the past few days. Caused by the berating, though not unlikeable, thoughts of Soubi.

Had he still worn his kitten appendages they would've then twitched when Soubi's front door came open. Now Ritsuka just felt a light, lingering phantom twitch. Soubi and Kio walked in carrying a conversation from outside, "Kio that's what I'm saying," Soubi retorted calmly to his friend before turning his attention to the couch and Ritsuka. "Hello," he greeted warmly.

Ritsuka smiled and welcomed Soubi's return.

"But Soubi, they kept insisting that it was-" Kio stopped mid-sentence, completely lacking concentration. "Hey Ricchan!" he shouted, having apparently just noticed the boy.

Ritsuka said hello nervously, as if expecting some fatal explosion.

Kio went on with he and Soubi's conversation and Soubi walked over to the couch to kiss his lover on the forehead.

"They were saying that it should be more like the previous one, where- Ehhhh!" Kio suddenly went wide-eyed. staring right at Ritsuka.

Ritsuka dropped the book and hid his face behind legs and arms, clearly knowing what was coming.

"S-S-S-Sou-chan..? Soubi?" Kio wasn't sure how to react. He blushed deeply, as if from some unwanted fantasy of the mind.

Soubi remained unfazed and wore a smile that had become normal for him in the past few years since he and Ritsuka became more mutual, ever since he felt more free and human. He rubbed his hand across Ritsuka's soft hair calmingly.

Finally he spoke, quizzically, "Kio, is something the matter?"