Tezuka regarded his opponent thoughtfully, wondering how best to make his point. "It's not as though much has actually changed," he tried, reaching out carefully. The opponent showed his opinion of that with a hiss and a flick of his tail, loftily ignoring Tezuka's peace offering.
Tezuka sighed, shifting on his knees. "I'm not trying to take him away from you," he informed the cat quietly. Karupin mewed rather derisively, sniffed once at Tezuka's hand, and then turned away, leaping up to the arm of the sofa. Tezuka couldn't quite escape the feeling that he was being looked down on.
"You'll always be his favourite," he pointed out, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "After all, I'm only a human."
"Prrt," Karupin told him decisively, reaching out to bat at Tezuka's fingertips with one paw, a hint of claw hiding beneath the softness. Tezuka leaned forward carefully, scratching behind the cat's ears when it was clear that he was permitted.
"Tadaima!" The front door slammed, loudly, and Karupin was across the room and into the hallway within seconds. Smiling despite himself, Tezuka rose easily to his feet, waiting with arms crossed.
"Karupin!" Ryoma exclaimed from the genkan; Tezuka could hear the contented purring even before his boyfriend padded into the room, cat cradled in his arms. "Hey."
"Okaeri." Tezuka raised an eyebrow at the smug look on Karupin's face as his human petted him. "See, what did I tell you?"
"Huh?" Ryoma blinked up at him, looking utterly confused.
Tezuka smiled as Karupin purred, tail curving contentedly around Ryoma's forearm. "Nothing."