Hsien-Ko flipped through channels on the living room television. It was late in the day; too late in the day to head out for a walk or run errands, but, as she discovered after turning on the television, not late enough to find a decent show to zone out in front of. She rustled impatiently on the couch, trying to get her tired brain to think of something to do.

That's when Cobalt entered. He had been cooped up in his bedroom that doubled as his art studio, working intently on his latest project. He saw his snow leopard roommate sitting on the couch, and flopped down beside her. His long hair, loose as usual, flew about his lanky frame and then settled around him. He looked as tired as Hsien felt.

"Long day at the office?" Hsien asked.

The goat-lion hybrid could only huff a strand of hair out of his face. "It's getting done, and I'm really happy with the work...I just wish I could get it done faster."

"Everyone needs to take a break sometimes," Hsien said as she flipped to the next channel, finding yet another early evening news program.

"Well here I am, taking a break. No more art until tomorrow. What were you watching?"

"Nothing, sadly," Hsien said as she flipped to an old sitcom she'd seen far too many times to find funny anymore.

"Ah," Cobalt said, sympathizing with her plight. Then he smirked.

"Well, in that case, want to busy yourself cooking some dinner?"

"Cute," the cat smirked back.

Cobalt shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry. Bad joke."

Hsien glanced at him, and was struck by an idea. "Actually, I think I know just what we both need." She got up off the couch and tossed the television remote in Cobalt's lap.

The quizzical kimera watched Hsien slink her way into the kitchen. As he surfed through the channels, he heard the filling of the kettle, a light bang on the stove, and the flame lighting up. Cobalt wanted to go see what she was preparing, but told himself that his roommate knew what kinds of things he liked. Hsien wasn't one to steer him wrong.

He had found his way to a cartoon channel and parked the tv there. Meanwhile, the sound of teacups clacking together could be heard from the kitchen, and the kettle began to whistle. Within a minute, Hsien emerged from the kitchen with two cups of steaming hot tea on saucers. She handed one to Cobalt. He sniffed it and knew quickly that it was Earl Grey.

"Thank you, Hsien," Cobalt said as the snow leopard sat back down on the couch. He took a deep sniff of the soothing steam from the teacup. "What put you in the mood for tea?"

"Just a thought that popped into my head. It's a nice evening. Quiet. Why not compliment it with a relaxing cup of tea?"

"Well then, cheers." Cobalt held up his cup and Hsien tapped hers against it gently. Cobalt sipped a bit and found it still too hot to drink. The roommates passed time for a few more minutes watching the television. Cobalt tried his tea again and this time was able to drink several sips. It was delicious, and quite soothing. He felt much calmer already. His mind, wired from drawing all day, was finally relaxing.

"Ah..." Hsien said, troubled, as she looked down at her tea. "I forgot to add the sugar cube."

"I didn't know you liked sugar with your tea."

"Sometimes," Hsien said. She held her tea out to Cobalt. "Could you be a dear and put one in it for me?"

"Me?" Cobalt asked.

"I don't feel like getting up again."

Cobalt thought her request unusual, but his brain was tired of thinking so much. It was easier to do this little favor than to press the matter. He set down his cup on the coffee table and took hers. "All right, sure." He went into the kitchen, got out the packet of sugar cubes and dropped one in her cup. He stirred it a bit and brought it back to Hsien-Ko. "There ya go. All sugared up."

Hsien took the cup and sipped it. She withdrew it from her lips dramatically, as if it was poison. "I'm sorry, I forgot, can you also put some honey in it?"

Cobalt sighed. "Why don't you go ahead and take care of it? You know what you want better than I do."

Hsien shot Cobalt a disgruntled look that caught him off-guard. "Cobalt, I made that tea for you, without even being asked. Don't you think you could return the favor by doing what you're told without putting up a fuss?"

Cobalt was suddenly frightened to make eye contact with Hsien. He looked down at his hooves instead. "Uh, I didn't think it was that big of a deal..."

Hsien continued looking at him sternly. "Since you've been hiding in your bedroom all day, it may surprise you to know that out here I've had a busy day. I've had to prepare my own breakfast, my own lunch, and run all sorts of errands. All I'm asking is for you to put a few drops of honey in my tea."

Cobalt briefly shot a glance at Hsien's frowning expression. She never spoke to him so sternly about trivial things like this. Nevertheless, his ears drooped in shame for making her so upset. "I'm sorry. You're right. I should be more appreciative."

"I'm glad you understand. Now, may I please have that honey?" she asked, handing him the cup once again.

Cobalt took the cup and nodded. "Yeah, I'll get it right away. No complaints."

"Thank you. And it couldn't hurt if you spoke more politely. Just because we're roommates, it's no excuse not to treat each other with proper respect."

"Yes, of course."

"Of course...?"

"Of course, Hsien-Ko. I shall treat you with the respect you deserve. Please forgive my rudeness. One moment and I will have your tea prepared the way you like it." Cobalt clopped hurriedly back into the kitchen and Hsien smiled. She kicked up her feet on the ottoman and relaxed on the sofa.

In a minute, Cobalt returned, handing her the teacup once again. Hsien-Ko rejected it a third time. "Now it's too cold."

Cobalt bowed his head. "I am sorry, Hsien-Ko."

"You should have had the common sense to warm it up with some more hot water from the kettle."

"I apologize, Hsien-Ko. Please forgive me. I will be more thoughtful in the future."

"I should hope you will be," Hsien said, getting up. "Until then, there won't be any tea for either of us. Take these cups back to the kitchen and dump them out."

Cobalt was so ashamed he couldn't manage to look Hsien-Ko in the eye. He quickly took the cups and saucers in his hands and scurried to the kitchen to wash them out. He cleaned them diligently, then on an unusual impulse, grabbed a towel and started drying them off instead of putting them on the drying rack like he usually would.

"Cobalt!" Hsien called. "What's taking you so long in there?"

"I am cleaning the teacups, Hsien-Ko." Cobalt answered.

"Finish quickly and come back in here!" she called impatiently. Cobalt rubbed the towel quickly across the last cup, returned them to the cupboard and then rejoined Hsien in the living room. She had moved from the couch to the recliner. Her bare paws were held aloft on the footrest. "Ah, finally. My feet have been aching from all the running around I did today. Can you rub them a little?"

"You want me to...?" Cobalt asked. It wouldn't be the first time he had given her a foot massage, but it was a rare request.

"Yes, I'd like you to massage my feet. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, Hsien-Ko, I am just not used to you making so many requests at once."

"Are we not roommates? Good friends, even?"

"Yes, Hsien-Ko."

"And you want me to be as happy as possible, don't you? I am kind to you, and you are kind in return. Isn't that the way it should be?"

"Yes, Hsien-Ko. That is...er..." Cobalt felt there was something slightly off about Hsien's statement, but he couldn't wrap his brain around what it was. As with her first instruction to add sugar to her tea, it felt like things would be easier if he just accepted what she told him.

"Yes, period. You are a good friend to me, Cobalt. A kind friend. And I would very much appreciate it if you would massage my feet."

"Yes, Hsien-Ko," Cobalt said timidly. "You are right, we are good friends and I must repay your kindness." With that, Cobalt knelt down in front of the recliner and began rubbing Hsien's paws. His knobby fingers, having keratinized tips, were an excellent configuration for such work. Hsien soon began to purr and settle into the recliner, enjoying the loving footrub.

Cobalt found the work enjoyable too, in his own way. Seeing Hsien-Ko in such pleasure made him feel good. Her purring motivated him to massage her more firmly. He carefully kneaded his fingertips into her aching paws, finding the muscles and pressing, rubbing, and prodding, all with a firm but loving touch.

NEXT PART

Hsien-Ko owned by  YurikoKinai
Cobalt owned by me