Chapter 25
Julian wasn't even surprised when someone knocked on their door some time later, after they'd shifted to be more comfortable and everyone was feeling sleepy-purry and relaxed, humans and cats and even Horace.
"I'll get it," said Alex, standing up and not even swaying this time, clearly much improved for the enforced rest.
This time, however, it was a welcome incursion, as Smithson grinned at them from behind a laden tray of food and tea and even a carafe of cool water.
"It's not the full dinner, but I got them to make you a little preview tray for how much you two've been busy working," he said, coming in and then lighting up. "Oh, the kittens!"
"Yeah, they'll be wanting their own food any minute now," said Alex, laughing as they sent him yes-yes-hungry feelings through their bond.
"By which he means now," said Julian, getting up and letting Smithson set down the tray.
The cats, by now used to the fact that most human food wasn't good for them, all hopped down to see what Alex was up to as he extracted the self-cleaning bowls from under the bed and threetins of food from the stash they'd brought. These spoiled kittens ate almost all wet food, though they did get crunchy treats to ensure their teeth were also healthy.
They really liked their crunchy treats, but had categorically refused to eat kibble for even one meal a day.
"Does this meet your approval?" asked Alex, showing them the cans and sending an impression of what was in each one.
They meowed assent and arranged themselves according to who was craving what, which made life easier for Alex as he gave the cans' contents a little magical nudge in lieu of finding wherever the spoon had gotten to.
"They're right gorgeous," said Smithson, eyes locked on the adorable sight of them one-two-three lined up and eating, fluffy fan tails waving above them in pleasure. "What are their names?"
Julian and Alex spent a few happy minutes introducing them and explaining how they, too, were magical, which is how they'd known to choose their cans and lined up so very obediently, unlike many cats.
"They're good girls," said Julian fondly, looking down at the three of them eating, a sight they didn't often see as Alys mostly took care of that part of their maintenance. "They have a magical self-cleaning catbox, too, so no one's had to deal with that part while we're guests."
"That's just fancy," said Smithson, impressed. "We've got some cats on the property, but they're mostly mousers, aside fromAlice's kitten. It's from a fall litter, and still just a tiny pocketful of a thing."
"She didn't tell us she had a kitten!" Julian protested. "We will need to meet it and make sure it's as adorable as it sounds."
"Important guest business," added Alex with a laugh. "If she's willing, of course."
"Maybe once the cops've cleared it all up," said Smithson. "She's been keeping it in her rooms since the trouble started."
"Sensible," said Julian. "Us, too. We'd originally planned to let them roam, as Chudleigh's is generally safe for them, but not now."
"They're good girls, but that doesn't negate human bad actors," added Alex. "They've been a bit bored, but they'll be home tomorrow, and that helps."
"Horace played with them some, too, he told me," said Julian, remembering the way Horace had chirruped his usefulness to him as they cuddled earlier. "They're all friends."
"Horace is?" asked Smithson, looking around as if expecting some kind of giant animal to emerge from the shadows.
Horace flew over from where he'd been nestled in the warm bed, landing on Julian's shoulder and chirping proudly. "This is Horace," said Julian. "Alex made him years ago."
"But he's Julian's now, really," added Alex. Julian found the familiar banter a comfort in amongst the rest. "He married me so I could keep my bird."
Smithson sighed happily. "You two are just magic all around! Now, let's get you situated as before, tall one in bed with the tray, yeah?"
Alex laughed. "Yeah, that works," he said, letting himself be chivvied into bed and set up with the food.
Julian locked Smithson out with a promise to put the tray out when they were done, and an extra thanks for the treats.
"So, what've we got?" he asked, climbing into bed and snuggling up to his husband, and the tray of food.
Alex chuckled. "We've got very classic food, roast pork with apples, a couple of nice little salads, and two big bowls of a nice fall squash soup. Oh, and a giant bowl of mashed potatoes." He pointed at each thing, amused that they'd basically been given a casserole dish of potatoes, as well as a little tureen of gravy. "We are their pet mages now, I think."
"I will eat all of those potatoes with no regrets," said Julian, grabbing a salad first despite his words. "You'll have to force me to share."
