Work Text:
Neglect - ‘to not pay attention to; disregard’
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Katsum hummed as she pulled Aymeric’s face in and pressed her lips lovingly against his, the fingers of her other hand brushing down his bare-back from between his shoulder blades to the edge of the waistband of his night pants and back again as he caressed her waist through her silken nightgown and pulled his close in his embrace. It had been a long day for the both of them, meeting after meeting and report after report weighing down their already heavy platter of responsibilities. Everywhere they turned, even up to the moment they finally made it in the safety of the manor, someone would stop them and ask for a moment of their time as the matter was of ‘the utmost importance’. Hardly, Most could have been a proposal sent to them or something, but no, it had to be right then that they needed to talk.
The dragonet's question had been important though she had determined. Sure, it was to explain the purpose of human instruments to them and how they worked, but it was important. Far more important than the pompous noble that had sneered about them shortly after they left, which she promptly shut down immediately.
By the time Lord Borel and his wife got home at last and got upstairs to their room to settle for the night, they crashed into the mattress in unison, reaching for each other to finally relax from the stresses of the day.
Aymeric pulled back from their kiss to nestle his head under her chin, pulling his miqo'te wife as close as he could as he sighed deeply with a smile on his face, “I have been looking forward to this moment all day long.” He mumbled.
Katsum smiled as her ears lay back lovingly and she nuzzled his hair, combing her fingers through his soft raven locks, “I have too. It took far too long for the sun to set today.”
“Agreed. I thought the lords would never stop talking in that last conference,” He absentmindedly rubbed her back, “I could stay like this for an eternity. And how I wish we could.”
Katsum nodded, wiggling her tail under the covers to drape it on his thigh, “Me too.”
Before she could stop it, a long yawn escaped her, and her eyes grew heavy. Aymeric chuckled and kissed her collarbone as they snuggled close, “Let us get some rest, my love. Have sweet dreams, dear”
She hummed softly again, just about to reply to him when a loud mewl echoed from the foot of the bed. Both of them looked over to see Duchess, the old white feline of House Borel sitting pointedly staring at them. Her tail flicked lightly as her yellow eyes looked them over as if waiting for them to acknowledge her.
“Duchess,” Aymeric drawled sleepily, “It is time to sleep now. I will show you some attention later.”
He had been in the Congregation all day and afternoon so she hadn’t been able to sit in his lap while he read. Katsum too had been gone so she hadn’t gotten any scratches from the fellow feline either, so now it seemed she was quite unhappy at being forgotten.
In response to what he said, Duchess meowed again, this time louder, and refused to move or get comfortable on the edge of the bed. Her brow was furrowed and her ears turned back, her twitching tail accentuating what looked like a frown on her face.
Katsum sighed, “I think she’s feeling neglected.”
The elezen groaned lightly as he pulled away from Katsum to sit up, “Hasn’t everyone felt like that today?”
Katsum giggled, “You aren’t wrong.”
Aymeric leaned over and picked up the white cat, prying her claws out of the blankets as she fought with him to try and still look angry. Holding her in his arms, he laid back down and settled the grumpy cat between him and Katsum, shifting to give her some space while still snuggling as close as he could to Katsum without squishing the cat.
“How is this now?” Katsum laughed, “You get to sleep between us, a once in a lifetime chance. Do you feel better now?”
Duchess looked between them with a confused look in her eye, her earlier perturbed manner faltering. now that she no longer had the upper hand. After a moment though, she began to purr quietly and lay down between them, getting comfy on top of the covers and relaxing. With a roll of her eyes, Katsum sighed and snuggled her face against Aymeric, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before he turned his head and pecked her lips.
“Shall we try that again?” He chuckled and she giggled with a nod, “Goodnight, my love.”
“Goodnight, dear.” With their heads snuggled close and holding hands with a now satisfied white cat between them, the lord and lady of the manor finally drifted off to sleep.