A MUDDLE

Raoul pressed the access button so that Katze could enter the office. But he did not deign to turn around and acknowledge the ex-Furniture when Katze respectfully announced his presence. “I apologize for any interruption, milord. I trust everything is–?”

“Take the mongrel and go, Furniture.”

There was a marked pause, before Katze smoothly answered, “Yes, Lord Am. Forgive me. Come, Riki! Master Iason will not be kept waiting.”

Raoul would later regret his clipped tone, but in that moment, with Riki’s words ringing in his ears (“Try that glittering tech-nerd wit on Katze! He seems like he’d be down for a braingasm or two,”) Raoul suddenly felt…uncomfortable.

Raoul couldn’t explain it – a first for a man who could put words to any quandrary. He couldn’t even bring himself to meet the redhead’s eyes, despite them having spent several hours together in the Keeler Labs earlier that same day, doing upgrades to outdated equipment. And not to mention all the time spent together during Iason and Riki’s convalescence after the incident at Dana Bahn….

No, Raoul was being unreasonable. Lines must be drawn; distance maintained. He was a top Blondie, Second amongst the Thirteen! There was no way he would allow a rude slum mongrel Pet and a clever ex-Furniture to shake his calm. The sooner the both of them left his office the better.

“I have important work to do. I shall forward your Master the lab results myself; you need not tarry any longer, Katze. And further services at Keeler Lab will no longer be necessary. Other duties require my immediate attention.”

“Understood, Lord Am. Farewell.”

Riki scoffed. “Blondies doing their own bleeding work for a change! Will wonders ever cease, eh? Come on, let’s go. I’m hungry. Didn’t even finish my lunch. Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. Come. Time to get you home.” Katze escorted Riki off the premesis and back to Eos Tower. But for the rest of the night he drove around aimlessly. He had nothing else to do, now that his schedule was clear.

MY THOUGHTS

A whole lotta people in the fandom ship Raoul and Katze. But I don’t know…. Raoul’s such a effing scumbag IMO. You’re too good for him, Katze~! He doesn’t deserve youuuuu!