A/N: the next 2 chapters take place during the middle of 'clean time'. I decided to fully write out the scenario. these chapters are optional and don't need to be read. some things however are explained in these chapters that are very... particular.
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I look down below Inv's stomach. Contrary to belief, nothing is actually there. Were you expecting something specific perhaps? Well, too bad.
It seems Inv at least has the weird biology a slugcat has when it comes to their… 'privates'.
I'm not sure why but we can… uhh… command 'it' at will. So if we don't want it out. It doesn't have to be out.
It would be extremely inconvenient walking around all the time with it out. Just thinking about it alone sounds painful…
'Also extremely distracting…'
Simply put. We never have our… 'privates' out. It would make surviving harder than it already is.
Knowing this however. I still debate if I should clean the area… we're partners and all… and I would definitely be willing… but I'm not sure if I should while Inv is asleep…
…
…
…
'It's not like I'm going to do anything bad… I'm just cleaning the area…' I seriously debate with myself.
…
Thinking over what has happened between us over the last couple of cycles… I come to the conclusion that I don't think Inv would mind. I mean, he was literally going to pounce on me earlier! Which he sadly didn't do since I kept stopping him…
'Ok, just a quick clean. That's all. Nothing else' I think to myself with resolve.
Pulling in all my confidence, I bend down, going below Inv's stomach around his pelvis area. Or where the pelvis would usually be??
I can't tell since Inv is so flexible that I'm not sure Inv even has any bones… well, besides one.
Sticking my tongue out, I slowly start cleaning around the area.
…
What did you expect? I may have wild fantasy's but that doesn't mean I would actually act on them!
Although there is definitely a different taste… but I'll keep that to myself…
With nothing 'blocking' the area. I'm able to easily clean all the fur. Giving it the same fluffy feeling the rest of the fur I've cleaned up to this point has.
Standing up I let out a sigh of relief.
'Alright, that wasn't so bad… just like cleaning any other part of his body. No big deal!' I think as I try to calm my rapidly beating heart.
'Man, if this were a fan fiction I would feel like I just accidentally crossed a line making the story explicit!'
With the strange thought, I look at Invs legs.
'Alright… legs next…'
Observing Inv's legs for a moment, I can't help but be flustered on how… wide Inv's hips are.
I never really noticed before… Although comparing myself to Inv, my hips are also sorta wide. But I just assume this is how slugcats usually look like. Inv on the other hand…
Gulp*
'Definitely wider. How does he even fit in pipes?'
Maybe it's just because Inv is much bigger than me but… it's just really hard not to notice…
…
'FOCUS JOSEPH! This… this isn't the time to be thinking like that… just cleaning Inv. that's all… not getting distracted by Inv's wide hips…'
…
'Shit, I did it again'
Shaking my head to try to get myself in order I start licking the fur on Inv's legs. The process itself being the same for what I've been doing so far.
…
…
…
After a bit, most of the fur on both of Inv's legs are cleaned. I'm not sure why, but this part was somehow more difficult for me to do compared to Inv's pelvis area.
It's definitely not because I kept getting distracted… definitely not…
The only part left is Inv's feet…
…
'Look. I'm not really a feet guy, but uh… I'm definitely a Inv sort of guy. So if it's attached to Inv… can I really say no???'
…
'Also I'm a slugcat! This sort of thing is normal! I think…' I try to convince myself as I bend down towards one of Inv's feet.
Getting close enough to it, before I start the ritual of cleaning I notice a detail I didn't notice before.
'Huh, he has three toes?'
Looking at Inv's foot, instead of the standard 2 toes a slugcat should have. Inv has three instead.
Just another detail showing that Inv is just different to the normal slugcat.
Although I'm the only slugcat I have reference for…
Seeing this all I can think of is how adorable it is. I could care less how different Inv is compared to me. In fact, I just find it more endearing.
With these thoughts, I start the cleaning. No, it's not as great as you would expect. Just a bunch of dirt and whatever else we walk on while traveling.
Although the action itself definitely gave me a bit of satisfaction. Call me a freak all you want, but have you ever cleaned your partners feet clean before?
…
I didn't think so.
…
'I really need to stop thinking to myself like this…'
Standing back up, I admire the now floofy Front side of Inv who is still snoring. Such an amazing view…
But with his front side now done, a question pops into mind…
'Should I try to clean the fur on his backside?'
I feel it would only make sense if I want to give Inv a full clean. Knowing how much fur is on Inv's back, that definitely needs some proper cleaning!
But the problem is how do I get to the fur on his back?
…
'Maybe I could just… flip him over?' I simply think to myself.
Looking at Inv, it seems he's sleeping pretty peacefully. Also remembering how hard it was to actually wake him up last cycle that I actually had to bite him to wake him up…
I don't think he will wake up if I flip him over.
'Jeez Inv, you're lucky I'm the one in the shelter and not some malicious slugcat…' I question Inv's sleeping habits to somehow sleep so deeply.
Walking to Inv's side, I bend down and put my paws beneath Inv's side. With a lot of effort, I'm able to lift Inv from off his back onto his side. Carefully I gently lower Inv back onto the ground now with his front side to the ground.
Making sure Inv's limbs aren't in an uncomfortable position and moving Inv's head to be able to breathe, I finally take a break.
Just like how I struggled to carry Inv on my back earlier, flipping Inv around also used a lot of my strength…
'I really need to get stronger…'
…
Trying to not get caught up in my self depreciation. I start admiring what I see.