Sheepskin Rabbit's Foot

@"King"

Rhu bounced, watching Rich and just. He was so excited. He had to watch carefully, he had to see every moment of the bunnyfox's reaction. This was the single best room in the shelter. It was even better than the Happy Tails room with all its happy pictures because it was

FULL
OF

KITTENS

and just eeeee!

Rhu squeaked at the thought, and then again at Rich's squeal. Yes, yes! He wanted Rich to be happy and it was working! He ducked into the room after him, wasting no time and honestly rushing enough to push against him. He had no time to waste, he had to get everything set up!

First was the sign. It had to be completely covering the window. No peeking at all nope. Good. It was good. THEN FOR THE CAGES Rhu just opened them all, or at least all of the ones with the kittens, and then lifted down all the ones that were too young to take the jump.

He spun around with an armful of kittens, beaming at Rich and laughing and red in the face with excitement, and then he pressed the cats on the bunnyfox, giggling wildly at the mewing and squirmy catflesh and the whole situation and just-

leaned over the cats and kissed Rich, light and sweet, on the lips.

@"King"

Rhu'd kissed Rich on impulse, and hadn't expected much to come of it.

He definitely hadn't expected Rich to grab him, drag him closer, kiss him hard - his heart pounded, colour rushing to his spotted cheeks, and his head spun for quite a while after Rich let him go.

When he sorted himself out again, he was leaning against the bank of cages and Rich was coaxing a kitten. Ooooh, that kitten. "She came in alone and is super shy still," he said. "But super cute."

While Rich was still watching the kitten, Rhu touched his lips. Yes. That was. ..Yes.

@"King"

Rhu really wanted to go over and lean on Rich's shoulder, but he was also very much aware of what that would do to the poor kitten. He could be mature and restrained and patient for a kitten.

For a bit, anyway. Patience wasn't one of the sheep's strong suits.

He was honestly twitching and vibrating by the time the kitten finally started to creep out, and then he remembered that he had something special in a pocket still from earlier.

Rhu sprinkled a small handful of loose catnip on Rich for the kitten.

@"King"

Rich was good. Really good. Like, if it were in Rhu's power he'd hire him full-time-top-of-the-pay-scale right then and there.

Well, if Rhu had that power he'd have already hired Rich and made sure that they were on exactly the same schedule. BUT ANYWAY. KITTENS!

"The intake crew punched in 'Clown' before anyone with more than a quarter of a brain could stop them," Rhu said mournfully. "She'll definitely be one of the kittens that gets renamed on adoption. Especially if I'm involved. She is not leaving here named 'Clown.'"

...

"If you liiiiike, I can put her on Pending status so no one else can take her home," Rhu said innocently, hands clasped behind his back and hips swaying from side to side.

@"King"

Ooohhhhh Rich was so cute and doing so well with the kitten! Rhu very nearly swooned right then and there, but he was also a professional shelter worker and stepped over to the board covered in cards about each resident animal in the room. He found this kitten's card and quickly scrawled ON HOLD in the margin, signing his initials in case anyone got super confused.

His cheek burned as much as his lips did now, but at least he could walk. Was he getting used to Rich's touch, or was the magic wearing off? Nah, his heart pounded too much still for him to be getting over the bunnyfox. Rich was way too cute, and besides they'd barely kissed. It took way more than that for Rhu to be satisfied.

Rhu gently moved closer again and leaned against Rich, careful to stand where the kitten could see him and not be surprised at his presence. He'd worked with her, of course, and she knew him, but he still didn't want to startle her. Other cats still ran around on the floor, and a kitten was now sitting on one of his feet, but his attention was on Rich.

"I'm glad I ran into you," he said with a happy sigh.