Seamus walked with her until they were back behind the gryphon cage.

"It's more private back here," he said. Then he leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss.

Brit blinked at that before she smiled a little and kissed him again, still a little hesitant. She wasn't used to this, but she was willing to learn.

Seamus gave her a small grin and kissed her again softly. He didn't mind going slow for her, not in the slightest.

Brit moved a little closer, starting to experiment. She sort of knew how this went, but she had no practical experience.

Seamus had very little practical experience, so he didn't mind the experimenting. He let her try for a few minutes, and then kissed her back on his own for a bit. Finally, he broke the kisses for air.

Brit was still red and a little out of breath, but she looked pleased. And not quite so nervous as she had been the last few times.

"You're getting good at that," Seamus teased her gently. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her a little closer.

Brit smiled a little and stayed there, resting her head on his shoulder for the moment. They still had a little while before anyone noticed they weren't working, anyway.

Seamus held her close, rubbing her back gently. This was something he could get used to, definitely.

Brit stayed there for a while, just relaxing, very pleased. Finally, though, she pulled back a little.

We should get back before someone comes looking. We still have to give out dinners too.

Seamus nodded and reluctantly let her go.

"Yeah, you're right," he said. Grinning, he gave her one more kiss. "Alright, let's go."

Brit nodded and went to go feed the various animals that needed dinner and make one last round to check on everyone before dark.

Seamus did the same, making the rounds of his part of the ranch. He was fairly sure his brother was in the main building kissing Hazel senseless, so he didn't go looking for him quite yet.

A few days later the two creatures that Kaladin had brought back arrived at the ranch. The first was a male cerberus, as he'd said, that he handed over to Brit to take care of. The second was a leopard about the size of a large tiger, only it had two tails.

"Apparently there's a big cat version of nekomatas." Kaladin grinned as he looked at Hazel and Seamus both.

Seamus was astounded.

"How did you manage to get this thing back?" he asked his brother. "Better yet, how did you manage to stay in one piece doing it?"

"Mostly I kept it unconscious, or at least partially so." Kaladin shrugged. "It's calmed down some, and it recognizes that I feed it so it likely won't kill me. It'll take more time to get it to the point that it's safe, though." He smiled a little. "And that's the one that scratched me."

"Gods," Seamus said. "You're lucky you still have a face." He looked at the massive paws that undoubtedly hid wickedly sharp claws.

"I'm lucky I'm fast." Kaladin watched as the nekomata was herded into the cage he'd rigged for the creature, giving it a few trees but making sure it was entirely enclosed, and making sure that everything was very sturdy. The nekomata looked at them, both tails twitching, before it started exploring.

"You're just lucky," Seamus snorted as he watched the nekomata explore its new surroundings.

Kaladin grinned briefly and shook his head. "Hey, I'm just glad it's decided that it can be civil. Apparently it's more intelligent than your average big cat. It's already started recognizing words."

"Like what?" Seamus asked. He snickered. "'Goddamn cat'?" Because if he knew his brother, that phrase had been uttered at least once.

Kaladin snorted. "Like 'snarky little brother'," he teased right back. "And 'food'. And quite possibly it's putting those two together at the moment."

Seamus snorted, but gave the feline a wary look all the same. Domestic nekomatas were intelligent, after all. The bigger ones had to be, too.

Kaladin laughed quietly and shook his head, clapping Seamus on the shoulder.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you, little brother."

"You're evil, Kal," Seamus muttered. "You really are."