Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Caleb!”

Caleb's fluffy ears perk up at your call. He runs over to you, letting out an excited “Woof!” before kneeling in front of you. You scoff at him, nudging your finger against his forehead.

“Sit up! What did I tell you about sitting in front of me!” Caleb pouts as you scold him, rubbing his head against your legs as he lets out a whine. “You’re more…human than dog! Act like one!”

As Caleb is lost in his devotion for you, he suddenly smells an unfamiliar scent. He pauses, sniffing loudly with his nose, slowly following the scent until he bumps into a new pair of legs.

“G-Get him off of me!” The voice shouts, moving back from Caleb and bumping into the door behind him. Caleb looks up at the cat-person, eyeing his brown folded ears.

“Caleb, this is your new brother, Rafayel!”

Caleb tilts his head at Rafayel, analyzing every inch of him. Meanwhile, Rafayel glares down at Caleb with contempt. “This is my brother? This dumb mutt?”

“Rafayel!” You pout at him, crossing your arms. “Be nice!”

Rafayel sighs, rolling his eyes as he moves away from the both of them. He sniffs every corner of the house before laying down, not in the bed you brought for him, but in yours.

Caleb looks down at Rafayel resting on his side of the bed before looking up at you with pleading eyes.

“Sorry Caleb, looks like Rafie took your spot…” Caleb whines, but doesn’t attempt to move the sleeping cat-boy, instead laying down beside your side of the bed on the floor.

---
Day One:

Rafayel lounges on the couch, completely bored out of his mind as he stares at the tv. Beside him, Caleb watches some obnoxious YouTuber screaming at the top of his lungs at a video game, and it starts to annoy Rafayel, unconsciously retracting his claws.

“Can you keep that down?” Rafayel grumbles, brow twitching as he glares over at Caleb. Caleb looks up and stares at Rafayel, not saying a word. Rafayel starts to become a bit uneasy, sweat trailing down his neck as his tail starts to flicker.

But then, Caleb’s finger moves to the volume button to turn it down before moving his eyes back to the screen like nothin happened. Rafayel let’s out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in before glancing away, still anxious due to the puppy’s weird behavior beside him.

---
Day Two:

Rafayel had informed you that he wanted an easel and was suddenly into the fine arts and wanted to paint, so you gave him an easel and a set of brushes and paints to keep him occupied before going to work.

Rafayel was focused as he got to painting whatever came to mind, his brush flying across the canvas with a small proud smile on his face.

Caleb watches as Rafayel paints, curious, but also fascinated. Caleb decided to move closer to get a better view.

Rafayel jolts as he feels Caleb breathing down his neck. “C-Could you give me some space?!” Rafayel rubbed the back of his neck as Caleb scooted back some, the mutt’s expression on his face unreadable, which pisses off Rafayel even more and causes his face to completely flush red. “D-Dumb pup! Go find something else to do yeah?”

Caleb stared at him for a moment longer before moving away and going into his room, closing the door behind him. Rafayel never saw Caleb again that day, but he didn’t care, finally happy to get some alone time.

---
Day Three:

Rafayel was quietly painting for hours undisturbed before he heard the front door open, catching his attention. He hesitantly moves to the front door, a slight blush on his face as he greets you.

“W-Welcome back,” he mutters, tail swaying in the air. You smile, but then as you look around, your smile starts to faint.

“Is Caleb hiding again? How weird…” You completely walk past Rafayel and towards Caleb’s room, walking inside to check on him.

Rafayel impatiently sits on the couch, hands tucked into his thighs as guilt starts to overcome him. But then you walk back out, and he looks over at you, noticing the grim look on your face that makes his heart ache.

“Rafie, did…something happen yesterday?” You ask sitting beside him. “Caleb’s been acting weird and I’m starting to worry…”

Rafayel tries his best to not let his own worry show, tucking his head down as he shrugs his shoulders. You sigh, running a hand through your hair as you lean back on the couch.

Dinner was awkward, to say the least.

---
Day Four:

Rafayel stands in front of Caleb’s door, fist clenching as he hesitates to knock.

“L-Let me in,” he mumbles, knocking lightly on the door. He sits and waits, almost about to walk away when the door finally cracks open. Rafayel nudges it slightly, peeking in to see Caleb resting on his bed all defeated.

“What’s your deal lately?” Rafayel walks closer to Caleb, hands resting on his hips as his cheeks puff up. Caleb glances up at him, completely exhausted, shaking his head before looking away once more.

“Can’t you speak?” Rafayel raises his voice, making Caleb flinch. “You’re such a pain in the ass! I don’t know how Master-“

Caleb bares his teeth at Rafayel, letting out a growl as tears fall down his cheeks. Rafayel pauses, frozen as he watches the man slowly get out of his bed and stand, towering over him.

“I...I know that!” Caleb stutters, hands shaking as he stalks closer to Rafayel. “You d-don't have to…to tell me!” Caleb ends up pinning Rafayel against the wall, leaving almost no space in between them. He lowers his head, eyes wide and alert. His hand rests next to Rafayel’s head, twitching slightly.

“I don’t know how…how t-to,” Caleb becomes frustrated as he tries to speak, biting his bottom lip. “M-Master wants us to be b-brothers…but I-I don’t know h-how…”

Rafayel lowers his head, guilt coming at him again as he processes Caleb’s words. He tugs at his tail awkwardly, feeling Caleb slowly move away from him and back to his bed. Rafayel doesn’t know what to say, too stubborn to admit he was wrong, so he doesn’t say anything as he walks out of Caleb’s room, closing the door behind him.

---
Day Five:

Caleb lays on his bed, staring up at his ceiling. He feels himself needing to use the bathroom, so he gets up and does what he needs to.

As he walks back to his room, he yelps, feeling someone bite his tail. He whips around, eyes wide and fangs out until he realizes it’s Rafayel looking up at him with beady eyes.

“I wanna go outside…come with me.” Rafayel sits on his knees as he looks up at Caleb, his lips puckering out as he blushes. Caleb stares at him for a moment, then nods, leading the younger man to the front door.

When you get home, you can’t believe the sight you’re seeing. Caleb lays on the couch while Rafayel snoozes on top of him, head resting against Caleb’s chest as his ears flicker in his sleep. You quickly take your phone out to take a picture, but Rafayel must have heard you as his eyes peer open before hissing, waking up Caleb underneath him.

---
Day Six:

“Boys! Come here!”

The two of them make their way to the front door, eyeing the bag in your hands with suspicion and curiosity. Rafayel walks up to sniff you, while Caleb sniffs the bag.

“I’ve got a gift for you two!” You exclaim before taking out two collars, one green with apple patterns and one pink with luminescent pearls.

You put the green collar on Caleb first, him being obedient and a good boy, it was quite easy. Rafayel however, had more issues. He fought you for a short while before he finally relented and let you put it around his neck.

“Aren’t the two of you just suuper cute?”

Rafayel glances over at Caleb, watching as the man tugs at his collar, intrigued by the foreign object around his neck. Rafayel snickers, a smug look on his face. “Puppy looks quite dumb with that on, actually. It looks hideous.”

Caleb turns to Rafayel, his face cocking to the side as his eyes meet the other man’s collar. He scoots closer, causing Rafayel to become bashful at the proximity. “Yours is…pretty,” Caleb murmurs, tugging at Rafayel's collar and rubbing his fingers on the pearls before Rafayel swats his hand away.

Caleb pauses, and you start to grow anxious, wondering how Caleb would deal with the rejection…but then his tail starts to wag, and a smirk slowly forms over his face before he pounces at Rafayel in a blink of an eye.

“H-Help!” Rafayel whines and squirms as he tries to avoid Caleb nuzzling against his face. “The dog is attacking meeee!”

But Caleb seems content, finally figuring out how to deal with the bratty kitty underneath him. Anything for his Master.

---
Bonus:

You slip off your shoes, looking around the room before frowning when you don’t see your boys anywhere.

“Guys?” You call out, searching for them around the house before you walk into Caleb’s room.

Your heart warms at the sight in front of you. Caleb and Rafayel lay beside each other, Rafayel grooming Caleb’s hair with his tongue while Caleb opens his eyes to meet yours, greeting you with a bark as his tail wiggles.

“Aren’t you two the cutest! Don’t mind me!”

You close the door, leaving the two of them alone once more. Rafayel continues to groom Caleb, aggressively swiping his tongue in the dog-man’s hair. Caleb starts to grow angsty, needing to move and stretch. Caleb starts to whine, but Rafayel ignores him, wrapping an arm around Caleb's waist to keep him still.

“R-Rafie-!”

“Shh!”

Caleb becomes overstimulated, squirming against Rafayel before snapping, his teeth suddenly gripping onto Rafayel’s arm. It isn’t super painful, but it’s enough for the kitty beside him to flip out.

You hear a loud yowl, followed by a thump. You get up from your seat, rushing into Caleb’s room.

Caleb pins Rafayel down on the floor, a huge cut on his face that threatens to bleed any minute now. Rafayel is underneath him, chest heaving as his mouth is agape, fangs out and ready to bite.

“M-Master, I-“ Caleb pouts, ears drooping.

There’s still more work that needs to be done with these two, after all…

Chapter Text

Caleb and Rafayel cuddle against each other on the couch. Rafayel's got him pinned, licking behind his ears with his harsh tongue. Caleb starts to fall asleep underneath him before he hears someone at the front door. They both do. Caleb springs up, almost knocking Rafayel off the couch as he rushes to the front door. Rafayel stares daggers into Caleb's back as he follows close behind, trying to school his anger.

You creak the front door open, but don’t fully open it yet. Caleb sees your eyes peeking out, his head tilting in confusion.

“Boys. Go in Caleb’s room for a bit, okay?”

They’re on edge, already smelling the presence of someone else beside her, but they obey their owner anyway. As the two of them lean against the door, they hear the sound of two pairs of footsteps, confirming their suspicions.

“Lover?” Rafayel whispers, his tail starting to flicker around at the thought. Caleb is even more tense, letting out a growl that catches Rafayel off guard. “…It could just be a friend, too-“

”Master doesn’t h-hide friends,” Caleb mutters, gritting his teeth.

Meanwhile, you stand in front of the man in front of you, twirling with the tuft sticking out of his pointed ears.

“I read that you’re not supposed to introduce Hybrids so quickly just like any regular cat or dog,” you let out a sigh as you cup his cheeks. “I’m sorry Sy. I don’t want another repeat of Rafayel and Caleb. You’ll be able to explore soon, okay?”

Sylus nods at you, a smirk on his face that you fail to notice as you search for the clothes you brought him.

Yeah, he wasn’t listening.
---
You leave for work the next morning, making sure that Sylus had enough food, drinks, and snacks while you were gone.

Sylus had slept for a while after you left, but he wasn’t ignorant of the two men standing in front of your bedroom door.

And well, they weren’t exactly quiet, either.

“I say we just confront them.”

A whine can be heard than, followed by a quiet, ”M-Mad-“

“I don’t care if Master gets mad!” The other voice snaps before grunting. “There’s a stranger living in this apartment! We should have the right to-“

The door suddenly opens, leaving Caleb and Rafayel on guard. Their eyes widen at the tall, and for some reason, nude man standing in front of them, scratching his ears with a slightly annoyed look on his face.

“You’re too loud.” He sighs, letting out a yawn. Rafayel’s tail starts to whip around, his ears flat. He notices the man’s unique ears and tail. He’s unable to stop the ache in his chest, wondering if you had already gotten tired of him and replaced him with another cat. A cat that was more exotic and handsome than he was, in his opinion anyway.

“W-Who are you to tell us to quiet down!” Rafayel snaps back, raising his voice. Caleb notices the tension and moves in front of Rafayel, trying to put some space in between them, but it’s no use as Rafayel just shoves him away before getting closer to Sylus.

“What a feisty kitty you are.” Sylus smirks, not at all intimidated by the shorter man. He watches as Rafayel’s face turns red with embarrassment, chuckling before letting out another yawn. “Unfortunately, I’m not in the mood to play right now, so-“

When Sylus tries to move aside, Rafayel hisses at him, blocking his way. Sylus raises an eyebrow at him but shrugs after, completely unfazed.

“Last chance kitty,” Sylus warns, narrowing his ruby eyes. Rafayel doesn’t move, continuing to glare and growl at Sylus.

“Uhm-“

Before Caleb could finish his sentence, Rafayel suddenly pounces on Sylus, letting out a loud yowl. Sylus quickly grabs Rafayel’s wrist before the man has a chance to scratch at him. Sylus manages to fling Rafayel around to the floor before pinning him down to the floor, his weight causing trouble for the man underneath him.

“C-Caleb! Get him off!” Rafayel hisses and squirms around. Caleb lets out a whine, not really knowing what to do since he’s never been involved in a cat fight until now. When he decides to step forward, Sylus’s eyes meet his.

“No need, puppy. I don’t plan on hurting him.” Sylus looks down at Rafayel with slight pity, but nonetheless tightening his grip on the man’s wrists.

“I’ll let you go if you promise to leave me alone-”

“Yeah Yeah, whatever, just let me go already, you perv!” Sylus cocks his head to the side at the accusation, but gets off of Rafayel as he promised. As Rafayel attempts to groom himself, Sylus gets up and fixes his own hair a bit.

“I can tell the two of you will be quite…interesting to live with,” Sylus hums, walking past Caleb before stopping and turning back around. “Oh and, name’s Sylus, by the way.”

The two of them watch as Sylus makes his way to the kitchen for something. When he returns to the hallway, he holds a wine glass filled with milk and sprinkled with cinnamon on top. Sylus pays no mind to their staring as he makes his way back to your bedroom before closing the door behind him.

“Don’t like,” Caleb mutters, pouting at the realization that he has to deal with two arrogant cats now. Rafayel pouts for a difference reason as he tugs on his collar. “Yeah, I don’t either...” Now he has extra competition over his love for you.
---
“Sy!” You call for him as Caleb lays on your lap. He approaches you, resting a hand on the armrest of the couch as he leans forward.

“Yes, Master?” He smiles, staring at you with his ruby eyes, a hint of admiration in his gaze just for you. You point to the bag on the coffee table, and he brings it to you. You pull out a red collar with a small black crow drawn on the side of it.

“Couldn’t I have gotten a collar that is a bit more…elegant, Master?” You giggle, shaking your head. “But it’s cute, Sy! Come closer.” Sylus does as he’s told, leaning even closer to you and completely ignoring the sleeping puppy underneath him as you put the collar on.

“See? Doesn’t it make you look cooler?” You hold up your phone on selfie mode and show it to Sylus. He checks himself out before frowning, not caring for the simplistic design at all. Caleb stirs underneath him, letting out a yawn as he blinks a few seconds, realizing that it’s Sylus towering over him.

“Oh, Caleb! How do you feel about your brother’s new collar?” You exclaim, watching as the still-sleepy puppy squints up at Sylus’s neck before taking a second to think.

”It’s-“

“Lame. Tacky.” Rafayel interrupts from the kitchen as he grabs a few snacks. Once he grabs the final snack from a wall cabinet, he suddenly feels someone pin him against the counter with their weight, preventing him from moving.

“Shall I take your collar instead,” Sylus whispers against his neck, using his teeth to tug at Rafayel’s collar. Rafayel screams, but Sylus finds it amusing as he lets out a deep chuckle when you and Caleb rush over to the kitchen to see what’s wrong.

At least Sylus was wearing clothes, this time.