sing_for_me | PSLs/Memes/AUs

...That’s...that’s good, ahaha..

[The thought of him doing that to someone else bothered her a bit.. but she put that aside.]

Ah! I didn’t notice the time— I gotta get ready.

[She starts gathering the plates and putting them in the sink.]

Shizuo, I got you a button up shirt, right? You should wear that.

[ He'll just... eat some more of the ice cream before putting what's left away. At least he does help with the cleanup of things, unless it involved a smell that was too strong and not to his liking. ]

Yeah, I'll get it out and get dressed.

[ He's pretty sure Alex didn't like him walking around outside in just his underwear. Yet for as much as he's figured out, he still follows Alex when she goes to get dressed. At least he has the excuse of his things being there too. ]

[Alex was just about to take her top off when he walked in. She brings it back down when she sees him.]

Um...mind if I dress up first? I’ll let you know when it’s your turn.

[ His ears flash to alert before easing all the way back. After a moment, he turns back around to go out the door again. ]

I don't get what the big deal is...

[ She better have gotten used to him waiting outside of closed rooms, too. Because that's what he's doing. Not in a rush to get dressed, however, but because Alex was in there while he wasn't allowed. ]

[That was something she..might not get used to. Eventually she does come out dressed and with her bag. One of the staff called out for the week, so after she was done singing, Alex would switchging to waiting tables.

She looks down to see Shizuo sitting on the floor.]

You can change now.

[ Alex should invest in that 'Tom Cats and You' book that's been popular for a care guide. Looking up from his place on the floor, he slinks past to get the clothes together.

Of course he doesn't bother closing the door. He was just in his underwear before, anyway. ~~He wouldn't close it even if he did take those off, however.~~ Smoothing out his hair a bit, the blond is buttoning his shirt together when leaving the room and asking Alex. ]

So this'll be fine for going out?

[That, Alex doesn't really mind. She's seen enough naked men to not be bothered by it. When he walks back out, she smiles and walks over to smooth over any stray hairs.]

Yes, very handsome. Ready to go?

[ See, if she's not bothered by him doing it, he doesn't get what was wrong with the roles reversed. Not that he'll go back to arguing it. He would've been ready faster if they didn't take turns, though. ]

Yeah. You want me to take the bag?

[ It's what he's seen kept pets do when being taken out, back when he was on the streets. ]

[She smiles as they out the door.]

It’s fine, thanks. It’s not heavy at all.

[But she appreciated him asking. After locking the door, she leads him to the bar which thankfully wasn’t too far away. About a twenty minute walk. They go through the back so she can put her bag down in the staff room.]

You can stay here id you’d like, or you can check out the bar.

[The manager walks in just then.]

Oh, Alex. Perfect timing! It’s crazy out there. Do you mind waiting tables before you go on? I know I said it’d be after but—

[The manager looks over at Shizuo]

Ah..is that the cat you mentioned?

[Alex nods and gestures at Shizuo.]

This is Shizuo. Shizuo, this is the manager of the bar. And sure, I don’t mind. Let me just change into my uniform. Do you mind showing him the bar?

[The manager looka him over, then gestures for Shizuo to follow.]

Yeah, it’s fine. Come on, let’s let her change.

[ Shizuo generally wasn't chatty or the type to butt into a conversation, but it didn't mean that he wasn't reacting. Like the way his ears went to alert at the appearance of the manager. Or how they went back as, once again, he seems to be getting kicked out at the time of Alex needing to change. ]

I- ... Okay.

[ Keeping his tail close to him and hands in the pants pockets, Shizuo followed the manager. Yet there was a clear difference in how he acted around Alex, even when she first picked him up, and how the cat was acting around this unknown manager who did no wrong. Save for leading him away from his human. ]

So you’re the one she picked up, huh? Alex got a lot chattier after she got you. It’s all we’d hear about.

[The manager chuckles as he leads Shizuo to the bar counter.]

You can sit here. Just behave and no one will bother ya, okay?

[He leaves him there to start helping the rest of the staff. It was much louder in the bar then it was in the staff room, with everyone chatting and laughing, music playing in the background. That’s what Alex walks out to, grabbing the serving plate filled with drinks to hand out. She does catch a glimpse of Shizuo though, smiling at him when they make eye contact.]

It is...?

[ He wasn't expecting to hear that. Then again, it's not like he knew what Alex was like before she brought him in.

Loud sounds and lots of lights don't necessarily bother him, however. While it means that he's got something of a guard up, his golden eyes were darting and watching the entire floor- mostly to spot and make sure he could still find Alex. Which is why every time she looked for him, he was already watching her and relaxing each time she smiles.

It's how he gets through this first portion of her shift by only leaning away when someone reaches over to pet his ears. ]

[She manages to catch a moment to check on Shizuo. She sits next to him, placing a glass of water on the counter.]

Are you doing alright?

[ He hears and watches as she comes by, too, leaning on the countertop of the bar. ]

Yeah. Definitely better, though some people have been trying to touch me.

[ Though his ears do look soft, with the hair being just a little longer than a shorthair's. ]

[Alex gave a sympathetic look.]

You can stay in the back if you’d like.

[she did feel some pride in being the only one he let’s pet his ears, and she reached out to stroke them.]

[ Which will get him to contentedly close his eyes and bow his head towards Alex. ]

Nah. If I'm in the back I can't keep an eye on you.

What for?

[She laughs, stroking his ears.]

I'm not going to go anywhere without you.

[ See, you're getting him to really relax. Which means he'll be sad when the petting stops, At least he's content for the time being. ]

That's not why. I've said it before that you're mine.

[ That's usually his explanation for things. ]

Right, right...

[It was sweet that he wanted to look out for her though.]

Ah, did you want a drink?

[If he was able to eat human food, alcohol should be fine right..?]

[ His nose wrinkles up a little. ]

Nah, I'm not a drinker. I've had to smell it for long enough that I haven't even gotten curious about that kind of stuff.

[ Growing up on the streets, with senses like his, you don't get the best impression of alcohol. ]

Mm, alright.

[She can understand that kind of reason.]

Well..I should get back to work. I’ll come to check on you again.

[Alex pets him a bit more before reluctantly pulling her hand away. She didn’t like leaving him alone...but she had to work.

She walks away, and towards a group of men that were laughing heartily. They were friendly enough that Alex liked them, but sometimes they were a little too friendly, especially after a few drinks. Nothing too bad, maybe touching her hand or her arm, putting an arm around her shoulders, giving her a hug after a performance. Which is why Shizuo probably picked up quite a few smells on her.

It seems there was someone new in the group, and one of them wantes to introduce Alex..which wasn’t much of an introduction with him tripping over his own words, but she ended up stuck there with him holding her hand in both of his. Again, he was trying to be nice, but she really needed to get back to the other customers too.]

Okay.

[ Leaning into the final pet, once again his eyes are sharply following Alex most of the time. While he didn't always like what he saw, every time an unhappy growl came from his throat and chest, he'd get told off to let people do their jobs. While he was getting used to all of the smells that Alex came home with, seeing how they got there got to him even more.

With this guy taking and not letting go of her hand, Shizuo's ears pin back. It's a few seconds of trying to behave before he's over the counter and through the crowds with a grace and speed that has him there and pulling apart the stranger's hands and shoving him away. His tail was the bushiest that Alex has ever seen, while he was focused on the man. ]

'Wha- Who the fuck let an animal in this place?!'

I dunno. Who the fuck said you can hold onto someone doing their damn job?

'I- I'm calling animal control!'

[ The guy's friends looked ready to rally behind him, pointing out that it's just 'some stray', and one 'trying to recall' if it's still okay to 'take care of' the collarless cats. Which, while Alex knew that he wasn't a stray anymore, that didn't change the fact that he really wasn't wearing a collar. Either because it never felt comfortable, or because Alex hadn't gotten around to getting that done. ]

[Alex is surprised when Shizuo intervenes. He’s never looked this upset before. When the man threatens to call animal control, she immediately steps between them and takes hold of his arm with both hands.]

Please don’t, sir! He’s with me..!

[She hates to pull this card, but she’s not sure how else to get out of this one.]

It’s my fault, I haven’t taught him how to behave outside. I’m so, so sorry. Will you please forgive us?

[Alex hugs his arm against her chest, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

The man is hesitant, still upset, but the action seems to distract enough. He gives Shizuo another look before scoffing.

Get him under control. I’m only letting it slide because you’ve served us so well.

Thank you..! I won’t forget this.

[She gives his arm another squeeze before releasing it and taking Shizuo’s hand to tug him towards the back. Once their safely there, she let’s out a relieved sigh.]

That was close... Shizuo..what happened back there?

[ When she starts hugging the man's arm, pleading with the guy, Shizuo looks between them, unsure of how to process the way things just went. Mostly because he didn't see what he did wrong that had Alex apologizing for him.

Even when he's successfully pulled to the back, his ears are off to the side and his tail is practically hidden, though his expression looked to be nothing more than a frown. ]

What do you mean what happened? You weren't comfortable with what was going on and he wouldn't let you go. So I took care of it. It's not like I did what I really wanted to do.

[She really hoped her discomfort wasn’t as obvious to the guests as it was to Shizuo.]

I appreciate your intentions, but it really wasn’t a big deal. People have done worse, really...Holding my hand isn’t too bad. I’d hate for you to get in trouble just because of that.

[This time Alex squeezes his hand. She’s heard of what happens to pets that get collected by animal control. That was the last thing she wanted for Shizuo.]

Thank you for standing up for me..but please, don’t do something like that again. I can put up with at least that much.

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