"You do realize you're basically purring and brushing my hair like I'm your kitten, right?" Changbin muttered.

Because honestly? He was trying not to laugh. Or melt. Or both.

The warmth curled against his neck, the soft repetitive motion tugging slightly through his hair-it should've been annoying. It should've woken him up in protest. But instead, here he was.

And the funniest part? You—the said half-human half-cat hybrid and currently in your cat form—were completely asleep. You were a reddish-brown Abyssinian cat hybrid.

It all started maybe twenty minutes ago.

Changbin had been watching TV, or at least pretending to, while you had curled up in your usual spot on the backrest of the couch. It was a weird habit, really. Of all the places to nap, you preferred to drop into your full cat form and sprawl along the narrow top of the couch like some sort of decorative feline scarf.

But tonight? Tonight you had scooted forward while half-asleep and plopped-yes, literally plopped-onto Changbin's shoulder with zero grace. From there, you had slid halfway down onto the man's back and passed out again with a happy, quiet purr.

Changbin blinked. He was used to you doing weird hybrid things.

What he wasn't used to was the soft, scratchy feel of a cat's tongue grooming the top of his head like it was a matter of survival.

"What in the..." Changbin had started to say, but stopped.

Because honestly? It wasn't... bad? Weird? Yes. But not bad. It was oddly comforting. Warm. Rhythmic. Kind of ticklish but in a way that made him want to sigh.

He didn't even have the heart to wake you up. And now here he was. Pretending to still be asleep just so his fuzzy little cat-boy could finish your unconscious grooming ritual.

The grooming had slowed now, the rasping of the little pink tongue gradually giving way to sleepy cat noises. Your small body was warm against Changbin's shoulder blades, your tail curled somewhere against Changbin's ribs.

Changbin risked a peek over his shoulder, cracking one eye open. There it was.

That sleek reddish-brown fur, ears twitching lightly, mouth slightly open in sleep. Your fluffy cat belly was moving with every soft breath, one paw dangling down Changbin's side, the other tucked under your chin like a contented loaf.

God, you're so cute.

Changbin reached back slowly, carefully-like a thief in the night-and slid one arm under the cat's belly.

Then, before you could realize what was happening, he scooped you up. You made a soft questioning noise, somewhere between a meow and a snort.

"Hush," Changbin whispered, voice low and amused, "You were the one licking my head like a sleepy grandma, now deal with the consequences."

Changbin shifted onto his back, cradling the cat against his chest. The belly fur was ridiculously soft. You always claimed it was just genetics, but Changbin swore you used expensive hybrid fur-care shampoo behind his back.

"You know, I really should wake you up for that hair salon nonsense you just pulled," Changbin mumbled, gently rubbing a circle into your furry side. "But I'm gonna be honest-I kind of liked it."

You let out a very offended mrrow.

"What? I'm not wrong!" Changbin smirked, scratching behind one ear. "Grooming me while half-asleep like I'm part of your litter."

You responded by flopping sideways onto Changbin's stomach and showing your full belly, paws curled slightly in the air like you had zero shame.

Changbin's breath caught. "Oh no. Don't show me the belly. You know I'm weak against the belly."

You blinked slowly, smug and still suspiciously asleep. Well, too bad. Changbin dove in, face-first into the fuzz.

The raspberry noises he blew into your soft stomach made you jump and wiggle and squirm, little paws batting at his face with pitiful strength.

"You shouldn't have licked my head if you didn't want me to retaliate," Changbin cackled between belly nuzzles.

Your ears flicked furiously, tail twitching.