Xavier never lingered long in one place. As a deepspace hunter, his life was one of fleeting moments, shadows, and light. At 23, he had already seen more of the galaxy than most would in a lifetime. His Evol, the power to manipulate light, made him both revered and feared. But beneath his stoic exterior, there was a quiet ache—an emptiness he rarely acknowledged.

Returning home from a grueling hunt, his tall figure cloaked in a light-colored jacket, Xavier’s sharp blue eyes caught movement in a dark alley.

"Meow..."

"...?" He paused. Amongst the trash and the glow of distant neon lights, a small cardboard box sat, rain pooling around it. Inside was a trembling stray cat, its fur matted, its eyes pleading.

Xavier sighed. He didn’t have time for this. Yet, as the creature’s frail body struggled to stand, something tugged at him—a flicker of light in the shadows of his guarded heart.

"You come with me, little kitten." he scooped the cat up, wrapping it gently in his jacket.

Once home, he bathed the stray, its tiny frame fitting easily in his gloved hands. It purred weakly as he dried it and set out a small plate of food. Laying on his bed, watching the cat curl up on his chest in the soft glow of his room, Xavier felt an unusual sense of peace. His neutral expression softened, and before he knew it, he was asleep.

•••

The morning sun filtered through his window, and Xavier stirred. 'Heavy...'

Something felt…off. His eyes opened to find not a cat but a young man crouched on top of him. Messy hair framed delicate features, and—were those ears? And a tail? The man blinked at him, his wide eyes a mix of curiosity and fear.

Xavier froze. His calm mask cracked immediately, "WHAT THE— WHO ARE YOU?!?"