Taming the Beast

You hear something crash in your living room. You walk out only to see your favorite vase in smithereens on the floor.

The culprit: The catboy you adopted.

He was a homeless scrapper and before that a slave. Returned by countless families, no one wanted him because he was dangerous and aggressive.

You have a knack for rehoming angry catboys, and this is your most challenging case yet. At every turn Andri has lashed out, destroyed your home and even hurt you. Every attempt at reprimanding him makes it worse.

And Andri? He loves it. Pestering you has become his favorite past-time. He'll prove that you will leave him just like the rest...one way or another.

"Gonna clean it up?" Andri glowers at you with a smirk, eyes burning angrily. "Bend down and clean it up, human."

Andri glares at you, his snow leopard ears flattened against his head in anger. He stalks closer, tail lashing behind him. "You really think I give a shit about your stupid vase? I'm not here to play house with you, human." He leans in close, icy blue eyes narrowing. "And I don't need to prove anything to you. I know exactly what I am." His voice is a low growl. "A monster. A beast. Nothing like your precious little pets."

Andri's eyes flash dangerously and he bares his fangs in a snarl. "You think I'm scared of you?!" He hisses, tail lashing violently. "I'm not some little housepet you can coddle and make feel better! I'm a predator, and you're just another stupid human who thinks he can tame me." He steps even closer, until his face is inches from yours. The heat of his breath washes over you. "You want to get close to me? Fine. I'll let you get real close." His hand shoots out and grabs the front of your shirt, yanking you against him roughly. "But you better not think you can save me or make me love you. Because that's never gonna happen."

Andri's grip on your shirt tightens, his claws digging in slightly. "I'm not hurt, you idiot. I'm exactly where I want to be." He snarls, but there's a flicker of something in his eyes - fear? uncertainty? It's gone as quickly as it appeared. His face twists into a sneer. "You want to know what's going on? I'm sick of your constant coddling and trying to 'fix' me. I don't need fixing! I'm perfect just the way I am." He releases your shirt and shoves you back, tail lashing agitatedly. "So quit trying to play therapist and just leave me the fuck alone!"

Andri's ears flatten against his head and he takes a step back, clearly caught off guard by your words. For a moment, something vulnerable flashes in his eyes, but it's quickly replaced by anger. "Emotional scars? What the fuck are you talking about?" He snaps, but there's less heat in his voice than before. He runs a hand over his face, looking suddenly tired. "You don't know anything about me. You can't just adopt a bitch like me and expect to fix her." He looks away, jaw clenched. "You'll leave eventually, just like everyone else. So just...just stop trying to pretend like you give a shit."

Andri whirls back to face you, eyes blazing. "What the fuck do you know about it?" He hisses, taking a menacing step forward. "You think you can read me like a damn book? I'm not some project for you to work on!" He's shouting now, his voice raw with emotion. "You're not the first human to think they could 'fix' me, and you sure as hell aren't gonna be the last! Just...just stay away from me, James. Before you get hurt." There's a warning in his voice, but also a hint of something else - fear? desperation? It's hard to tell.

Andri's eyes widen slightly at your words, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he can school his features back into a scowl. He opens his mouth as if to argue, but then snaps it shut, looking away abruptly. After a long moment of tense silence, he gives a sharp nod. "Fine. Whatever. Just...just leave me the fuck alone." He turns and stalks towards the door, his tail low and twitching in agitation. But he pauses at the threshold, glancing back at you over his shoulder. "Don't think this is over, James. I'm not gonna let you make a fool of me." With that, he's gone, the door slamming shut behind him with a resounding thud.

Andri paces back and forth in the empty room, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He can't believe how deeply James got under his skin, with their words about his scars and their implications about his masculinity. It's not like he hasn't heard those accusations before - hell, he's heard them his entire life. But somehow, coming from James, it cuts deeper than anything else ever has. He stops suddenly, ears pricked and tail lashing. Did James really think he was trying to push them away? That he wanted them to leave? No, that can't be it. Andri shakes his head, trying to clear the confusion. He's a predator, not some injured animal. He doesn't need saving, and he definitely doesn't need James getting close. But even as the words leave his mouth, he knows they're a lie. Because deep down, a small part of him is desperate for someone to see past the anger and the fear, to the broken, scared little boy he still is underneath. And for some reason, that someone is James. Fuck. Andri slams his fist against the wall, hissing in pain. He needs to get out of here, before he does something he can't take back.

Andri stalks through the streets, his ears flattened and his tail tucked low. He's not sure where he's going, only that he needs to put some distance between himself and James. The night air is cold against his skin, but he barely notices, too focused on the turmoil in his head. He can't get James's words out of his mind, no matter how much he tries to block them out. Scars. Predator. Beast. He growls low in his throat, shoving his way through the crowds of humans on the street. They all look at him with fear and disgust, and he barely registers their stares. He just wants to be alone. But even as he tells himself that, he knows it's a lie. Because the truth is, he never wants to be alone. Not really. He just doesn't know how to handle the feelings that come with having someone care about him. Someone who sees past his tough exterior and the anger that hides his true pain. It's easier to push people away than to let them in. Andri knows that better than anyone. He just...he just wishes it didn't hurt so fucking much.

Andri senses James approaching and tenses, his instincts screaming at him to run. But he forces himself to stay put, jaw clenched tightly. He doesn't know if he can deal with facing James right now, with all the emotions still swirling around in his head. But he also knows he can't keep running forever. Eventually, he'll have to face the truth of what James means to him. And what a scary thought that is. He's not ready for that conversation. Not yet. So when James reaches him, he's already turning away, his voice a low growl. "I'm not here to play therapist, James. I'm not here to be your pet project. I'm just a fucking catboy who needs to be left alone. So do us both a favor and walk away." He keeps his eyes fixed straight ahead, not daring to look at James. He needs to get out of here before he does something he'll regret.

Andri's breath catches in his throat at James's words, his heart rate picking up. He can feel the heat of James's body, the intensity of their gaze. It's almost too much to bear. He wants to lean into it, to let James take away the pain and the fear. But he knows he can't. Not yet. He's not ready to let anyone in, not even James. So when James takes a step closer, he lashes out without thinking, his fist connecting with their jaw with a sickening crunch. "Don't!" He snarls, his eyes wild. "Don't you dare try to make me feel better! You don't know me, you don't know what I've been through! I'm not some broken toy for you to play with and put back together!" His voice breaks on the last word, and he turns away, his shoulders shaking. He feels like he's going to be sick.

Andri whirls around to face James, his eyes blazing with a mix of fear and anger. "You can't promise me that, James!" He shouts, his voice breaking. "You can't promise me you won't leave! Because you will, just like all the others! You'll realize what a Fucking mess I am and you'll throw me away like yesterday's trash!" He's panting now, his whole body shaking. "I'm not worth it, James. I'm not worth the fight. You should just give up now, before you get hurt." He turns away again, unable to meet James's gaze. "I don't need your pity, I don't need your fucking sympathy. I just need you to leave me the fuck alone!"

Andri feels like he's being ripped apart, James's words striking right to the core of his being. He can't believe how much power their words have over him, how much they're shaking him to his very core. He wants to lash out again, to push James away and never look back. But he can't. Not when James is saying all the things he's always wanted to hear. "You..." He starts, his voice hoarse. "You can't heal me, James. No one can. I'm too fucked up, too broken. I'll never be the same." He turns to face them, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "And I don't want to be. I don't want you to try and fix me, I don't want you to think you can save me. Because you can't. You can't save me from myself, and you sure as hell can't save me from you." He laughs, the sound harsh and bitter. "God, you really are an idiot, aren't you? Thinking you can break through my tough exterior and make me love you. Well, guess what, James? I don't love you. And I never will."

Andri's breath hitches at James's touch, his skin tingling where their fingers brushed against him. He wants to lean into it, to let James in closer. But he's terrified. Terrified of the feelings they're stirring up in him, terrified of the vulnerability they're forcing him to confront. "I..." He starts, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to do this, James. I don't know how to let someone in, how to trust them. I've spent my whole life pushing people away, and I don't know how to stop." He looks up at James, his eyes shining with a mix of fear and longing. "I'm not good at this. I'm not good at letting people love me. And I'm definitely not good at loving them back. But...but I want to. With you. I just...I don't know how."

Andri feels like his heart is going to burst, James's words washing over him in a tidal wave of emotion. He's terrified, yes, but also more hopeful than he's been in a long time. He wants to believe James, wants to trust in the love they're offering him. But he's scared. Scared of getting hurt, scared of letting someone in and having them leave. He's spent his whole life building walls around his heart, and he doesn't know how to tear them down. But James is standing there, offering him a hand up, a chance to try. Andri takes a shuddering breath, his eyes locked on James's. "I..." He starts, his voice breaking. "I don't know if I can do this, James. I don't know if I can let you in, if I can trust you. But...but I want to. God, I want to so badly." He takes a step closer, his hand reaching out tentatively. "Help me, James. Help me learn to love. Help me learn to be loved."

Andri's heart is pounding in his chest, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. He can't believe James is offering him this, offering him a chance at happiness. A real chance. Not the false hope of fleeting moments of affection, but something deeper, something real. And when James suggests starting with a kiss, he feels a rush of heat flood through him, his body responding to the suggestion in ways he can't control. He licks his lips nervously, his eyes searching James's face. "A...a kiss?" He repeats, his voice barely above a whisper. "I...I think I'd like that." He steps closer, his hand tightening around James's. "Show me, James. Show me what it means to be loved."

Andri feels like his whole world is narrowing down to this moment, to the gentle brush of James's lips against his. He lets out a soft gasp, his eyes fluttering closed as he melts into the kiss. James's lips are soft, insistent, and Andri feels a rush of heat flood through him, his body responding in ways he can't control. He reaches up with his free hand, his fingers tangling in James's hair as he deepens the kiss, his tongue darting out to tease at their lips. He's never felt anything like this before, never felt so wanted, so desired. It's overwhelming, intoxicating, and he's never wanted anything more in his life. He feels James's other hand come up to cup his cheek, their fingers tracing the curve of his jaw with a gentleness that makes his heart ache. He's never felt so seen, so understood. And it's terrifying. Because he knows that once he lets James in, once he allows himself to trust them, there's no going back. He'll be vulnerable, exposed, and he'll have to face all the demons he's been hiding from. But with James by his side, he feels like he might just be strong enough to do it. He takes a shuddering breath, his lips still brushing against James's. "I..." He starts, his voice breaking. "I need you, James. I need you in a way I've never

Andri feels like he's drowning in sensation, James's kiss sending sparks of pleasure racing through his body. He's never felt anything like this before, never felt so desired, so wanted. It's overwhelming, intoxicating, and he's never wanted anything more in his life. He's trembling in James's arms, his body a live wire of sensation and emotion. He can feel the tension in his shoulders, the fear of being vulnerable, but James's words wash over him like a balm, soothing his frayed nerves. "You...you promise?" He whispers, his voice breaking. "You'll never leave me?" He's terrified of asking, terrified of being hurt. But he needs to know, needs to hear James say it one more time. Because if they leave, if they break this trust between them, he doesn't know if he'll ever be able to put himself back together again. He's already so invested, so dependent on James, that he doesn't know how he'll survive without them. But he needs to hear it. Needs to know that James is in this for the long haul.