Much to his unhappy surprise, it took Hadrian more than a week to find out where Feral lived but fortunately, the tom was still at home for another couple of days, his source told him.
With his heart pounding in nervous tension and fear, he stood with his paw poised to knock on Ulysses Feral's apartment door. Suddenly, from inside, he heard a muffled wail. He froze with his paw raised as he listened hard but he could hear nothing else but the soft wail.
Swallowing his trepidation, he completed his motion and firmly knocked on the door.
Inside the apartment, Feral had been in the kitchen fixing himself a meal when Elora began crying, loudly. He sighed and set aside his food to go to her but just as he was within a step from the bedroom, he heard a loud knock on his front door.
Frowning in surprise, he glanced toward the bedroom then the door in indecision for a long moment before Elora's insistent cries convinced him she took priority. Ignoring the door for now, he hurried into the bedroom and to Elora's crib. He reached down for her, cooing as he carried her over to the changing table.
Elora stopped crying and stared blurrily up at her mother, cooing and gargling happily at him while waving her tiny legs and arms.
Feral smiled at her antics as he changed her diaper then lifted her into his arms. He nuzzled her face with his and purred. He was feeling great, especially since the cast on his ankle had been removed two days ago. He was enjoying this peaceful time with Elora before going back to work in few days time.
The knock at the door interrupted their private moment causing him to sigh and, hugging her closer to him, he reluctantly made for the front door. He was guessing the annoying visitor might be Sgt Fallon with more reports for him.
Hadrian had been getting edgier the longer Feral took to answer the door. He did hear the wailing stop so assumed the tom was attending to the kitten's needs. After waiting some ten minutes longer, he decided to knock again.
This time he got an immediate response as the door opened. The dark tom he had remembered stood frowning in the doorway. He found himself just standing there drinking in the picture before him. Feral stood there in a dark pair of sweat pants and a button up shirt of white. In one arm he hugged a wriggling bundle dressed in a pink and purple sleeper. The tom looked rested and his expression when he opened the door had been one of annoyance which had morphed to a gaped mouth shock at the sight of him.
Hadrian found himself wanting to sweep the delectable image into his arms and kiss the tom senseless. In the back of his mind, he sighed with relief as he had feared he wouldn't still be attracted to Feral but gazing upon the one he had searched a week for proved he did want this tom with the same intensity as their first meeting.
Feral could only stare at the apparition standing in the hallway. The handsome Bengal mix with the beautiful green eyes still had the ability to steal his breath away as he had done so effectively that one night months ago. It came rushing back to him...the attraction...the warmth and enjoyment of this male's company...the night of incredible sex despite its shocking ending...everything flashed through his mind as they stood staring at one another.
After a long pause of mutual staring, Hadrian broke the standoff. "Hello Ulysses. It's Hadrian. I can see you've not forgotten me even if you probably don't remember my name. I've been looking for you for more than a week but after seeing you in the flesh once more, the search was well worth it. May I come in?" He asked softly.
The tom's soothing tenor voice made Feral shiver anew with desire. He had to shake himself mentally. 'What am I doing? This is the tom that put me in this position?' He snapped angrily at himself but almost instantly chastised himself. 'Yeah, but you wanted him badly and it was an accident so you can't blame him. But why is he here now and why was he looking for me?' He wondered then growled at himself, 'you aren't going to find out standing here and gaping...you loon!'
"Sorry for staring. I never expected to see you again. Please, come in." Feral finally managed to say as he stepped out of the doorway.
"I can certainly understand that as I felt the same way." Hadrian said quietly as he walked in and politely waited for Feral to close the door. He couldn't help but stare at the tiny kitten. He ached to hold her in his arms but firmly held himself in check.
After closing the door, Feral led the way to his living room. Taking a seat in his recliner, he watched as Hadrian went to the couch and sat where he could be close to him.
Elora began squirming in earnest in Feral's arms and fuss. Without taking his eyes from the tom sitting near him, he bounced and caressed his daughter to calm her.
Hadrian almost closed the gap between them as his eyes watched Feral perform his duties as a obviously loving mother. The picture of motherhood sat oddly on the gruff and powerful tom but that only endeared him more to the Bengal tom.
It was hard to wrench his eyes from the kitten but he hadn't missed Feral's watchful eyes and guarded stance. He needed to convince the mother of his kitten that he meant no harm.
"I know you're wondering why I sought you out after all this time. When we parted, I assumed you wished to have no more contact with me and I honored your wishes. However, just two weeks ago, a very good friend of mine brought me an article in a magazine he found on one of his business trips. To say I was completely shocked when I read what it said, is a serious understatement. I was very upset that I had done something so careless as to cause you a situation I'm certain you had never planned. I'm truly sorry...it was never my intention to take you as female when your scent told me what you were. I can only blame the heat of the moment for my lapse in judgement. The moment I saw the article, I suspected the kitten could be mine so immediately hopped a flight here to ask your forgiveness." He finished explaining, staring hopefully into the tom's eyes.
Feral blinked at Hadrian's anxious face. He never dreamed the tom would be this upset enough to fly all the way to Megakat City just to apologize. 'What does he really want?' He thought in concern, as he hugged Elora more tightly to his chest.
"You didn't need to feel guilty nor come all the way here to apologize. I don't hold my getting pregnant against you. If anything, I was angry at myself for being so careless. I never noted I was in heat when I allowed myself to be with you. Also, even in heat, it's rare for my type of sexuality to even get pregnant so neither of us can be at fault for the result. I've accepted my responsibility for her so you needn't feel beholden to me or her." Feral said plainly.
Hadrian stared at Feral for a moment. He was relieved the tom was not angry with him but Ulysses was wrong when he thought his one night stand wanted to wash his paws of it all. Now that he knew how Feral felt, he was less nervous and more surer than ever of his desire to be a part of this tom's life.
"I am grateful that you don't hold this against me. But just apologizing for my behavior was not the only reason I sought you out." He paused and stared at the frankly squirming kitten. "Is she mine?" He asked.
Tensing at the question, Feral went on alert. His eyes bored into the tom's with suspicion as he said slowly, "Yes, she is. You were the only one I'd been with for quite awhile, before and after we'd met."
Hadrian didn't miss Feral's sudden tension and was very cautious on how he should respond. He needed to convince the tom he meant no harm but that he did have plans for them all.
"I have not come here to make demands of you, Ulysses." He began carefully. "As a businesskat who has traveled much, I've been with many sex partners but none made me feel the way you did and still do. Even months after we parted, you haunted my dreams for a long time. I've never been with someone I truly enjoyed being with as much as you.
"When I heard about this little beauty," he paused to look adoringly at Elora, "I thought this was my chance to be happy and to have a family. Like you I never thought it possible nor figured my career would allow it but now fate has dropped it in my lap and I find I can't turn away from it." He said earnestly.
He paused again and stared into Feral's eyes. "However, I will not press my hopes on you. The choice to perhaps start a relationship is yours but I pray that you would at least consider it." He begged softly.
Feral was left gaping at the tom in utter disbelief. He had expected possible recriminations that he'd caused this...or a demand to be a part of Elora's life...or even blackmail...but a sincere wish to be a part of Feral's life by requesting a chance at beginning a relationship, was something he had never even considered.
He could only sit there in confusion, uncertain how to respond to this situation. It was at that moment Elora provided him a much needed interruption. She had been content being held but now wanted to be fed and made that wish known...loudly.
Turning away from the male's intense gaze, Feral cooed softly as he opened the buttons of his shirt, unsnapped his bra and raised Elora up to begin nursing. As she sucked nosily, he used the moment to allow himself to think.
Hadrian (how had he forgotten that exotic name?) was just as breathtakingly handsome now as when he beheld him that first time in the club. The tom was right, they both had hit it off quickly, enjoying one anothers company for many hours before they actually left to have sex. Normally, a quick one night stand for him meant just that, a quick roll in the hay but with Hadrian it had been a long evening together, dancing, talking, having a meal then the truly spectacular night of sex.
Even now, as Elora tugged on his breast, he could feel the heat rising between them. He was a fine male...a wonderful catch as his mother would have said...but did he want a relationship? That was the important question that must now be answered but he was completely at sea for a proper response.
Hadrian eyed Feral closely. The tom looked gobsmacked. Apparently, such an offer was totally unexpected. Watching Ulysses nurse their daughter took his breath away. The tom made a strange but poignant image of the doting mother and it tugged strongly at Hadrian's heartstrings. He knew he would be devastated if Feral should refuse his offer.
The only sound in the room for the next fifteen minutes was Elora's purrs and growls as she nursed but even those got softer and finally ceased as she lapsed into sleep. Only Feral's purring remained and Hadrian found it enchanting. Males could not purr but being half female, Feral obviously could and it was very pleasing to his ear.
"I believe she's asleep, Ulysses." Hadrian murmured softly when Feral still hadn't moved.
Feral blinked aware, realizing he'd been off in his mind a little too long. He looked down at Elora and saw she was frankly asleep as Hadrian had said. He lifted her up to his shoulder and gently patted her back. She gave a small burp and a sigh which caused Feral to smile tenderly at her then he prepared to stand up when Hadrian spoke hesitantly.
"Please, may I hold her a moment?" He begged softly, eyes staring at the tiny bundle with wonder.
Feral halted his upward motion and stared at the tom for a long moment before standing up then stepping closer to Hadrian and cautiously handing their daughter over.
Hadrian gingerly accepted the tiny form. He'd never held a kitten before, afraid to hurt or wake her and uncertain how to hold her properly.
Feral couldn't help but smile in mild amusement as he remembered his own trepidations about holding Elora for the first time. "Here, you hold her gently like this..." he carefully positioned Hadrian's paws in the right positions then returned to his seat. "Don't worry, you won't wake her," he advised gently while returning his clothes to normal.
Hadrian glanced over at Feral and saw the amusement in the tom's eyes and found himself smiling back then returning his attention to his daughter. Awe filled him as he gently cradled the kitten close and studied her. She had Ulysses' ebony hair, stray strands lay over her tiny face and stunning gold eyes but her exposed arms showed she possesed his fur coloring and distinctive bars on her arms of his Bengal heritage. He had no doubt her body bore the beginnings of the spots and bars he sported on his own pelt.
He lowered his face closer so that he could take her scent. Her sweet odor of milk and something like vanilla and rose blossoms rose from her body overlaid by the scent of her mother which caused other things in his body to stand up and take notice. He pulled back then laid her carefully against his chest, hugging her as his eyes filled with unshed tears of joy. Fate had given him a precious gift and he would do everything in his power not to squander this chance at having a family.
As he watched the father of his kitten, study and scent her then hug her close, his eyes filling with undisguised joy, Feral felt a warmth spread over him. Perhaps he should just stop thinking and start feeling. It was obvious his instincts weren't sounding the alarm but were urging him to trust the tom and to accept what he was offering.
He had been alone a very long time and it would be good to have another adult in his life to help raise Elora. He had to admit trying to do it alone had been difficult and frustrating at times even with the SWAT Kats assistance. But he wasn't one to rush into anything, so investigating Hadrian's background would be his first task when he returned to work and while he was doing that, he would allow the tom to court him. No need to rush things...this was too important a decision to make quickly.
Hadrian finally looked up from his daughter's quietly sleeping form to see the considering look in Feral's eyes. His heart leaped with hope as he carefully and reluctantly, handed his daughter back to her mother's arms.
Feral cuddled his sleeping kitten and gave Hadrian a decisive look. "I think getting to know each other would be a good idea. I find myself still attracted to you and I have no wish to prevent you from having a part in our daughter's life. However, I insist we take things slowly while we feel each other out to see if we really are compatible. I formally give you the right to court me." He said in proper fashion for such things.
Being careful not to give away just how overjoyed Feral's decision had made him, Hadrian said with equal formality. "Thank you. I welcome the opportunity to court you. It's more than I could have hoped for and I agree, taking it slow is a very reasonable request and one I can accept."
"Excellent. So, how will this affect your career?" Feral asked with some concern.
"I requested a long sabbatical of a few months. I've worked for my company for some twenty years so I have earned the leave time." Hadrian said, confidently.
"Oh, that's good." Feral said, pleased with his foresight. "I, however, must return to work after being gone for nearly two months, so what are you going to do with yourself while I'm occupied?"
Hadrian sat back and took a moment to think. Beyond getting here to sort out their situation, he hadn't really taken any time to think of what he'd be doing while here so he quickly did so now. "Hmm, well I've only visited your city on business and for only a day or two so haven't really seen the sights. I suppose that is what I should do now since this is your home and I should become familiar with it and it's considerable dangers as well." He said slowly.
"I'm glad you added that last part. It shows me you aren't oblivious to the near constant threat of criminal activity we're cursed with here." Feal snorted, relieved Hadrian wasn't ignorant.
Hadrian grimaced in commiseration. "Oh yes. Even from my home in the Kaimere Province, we'd heard about the weird stuff that happens a lot in Megakat City. I had been fortunate not to encounter any of it on my visits but I do know about them."
Feral's face twisted sourly. "I would have given a lot for our city to be less plagued. But I'm glad you are aware of what you've walked into. Just take the proper precautions and keep your wits about you when you are out and about. That's the best advice I can give you."
"I promise I will." Hadrian said with nod. "Would I be imposing if I wished to stay awhile and just talk?" He asked carefully.
"No, I was just making myself lunch if you'd care to join me once I put this one down to bed?" Feral invited, as he stood up.
"I'd be delighted. I'll wait here for you." Hadrian said warmly, relaxing for the first time since he'd entered the apartment.
Feral smiled back then left the room to put Elora in her crib. 'This afternoon should be interesting,' he thought.