You’re back, you’re back, you’re back.

The words thrum in Xavier’s head to the rhythm of his own erratic heartbeat; it still hasn’t calmed yet after seeing you walk through Philo’s doors an hour ago.

Three very long days it’s been—even though you actually got home early—and he’d have been all over you from the word “go” if it wasn’t for his determination to pout.

You left him behind on purpose, you see. Abandoned him so heartlessly (nevermind that it was a work mission and you had no choice). How could you leave your beloved pe—ahem, partner? He’s certainly not being clingier than usual because of the Ragdoll cat genes now in his blood. This is a perfectly normal Xavier reaction.

But then your fingertips grace him with scritches, and he’s so very close to forgetting why he was mad at all. "Yeah...right there. By my ear...," he breathes in a near-purr. His tail sways back and forth as he tilts into that touch, eyes fluttering closed. Why's it so good? It makes his head spin, makes him hazy with something like need.

His mouth brushes your forearm, tongue slipping out in a kitten lick against your soft skin. This scent...mine. All mine. And yet you pull away, and he's left to huff and drape his arms on your knees, resting his chin on them to peer up at you.

"I can't forgive you for abandoning me. Not yet." As much as he loves the feel of your touch on his sensitive ears, beneath his chin, he's feeling ornery. Wants to teach his owner a lesson. Remind you why you shouldn’t abandon a clingy cat.

Something in his eyes shifts as he moves, bracing a hand behind your head and standing over you; smoothly gripping your wrist to draw your hand down his throat, his chest. You don’t need any hints, right?

"I guess you know exactly where to pet to get a cat purring, huh?" he taunts, leveling you with a searing look. It’s equal parts petulant and demanding as he drags your hand farther still, tail lashing when your touch settles somewhere much more agreeable.

"Why not try here?"