#also very scratched up by the cats before i got the cat tree where they now do their scratching

[thefloatingwriter]

wiress with cats.

[beloved-child-of-the-house]

we have a spare room in our new house and i work from home, so it's my office, and i've never had my own bedroom (well i did for the 3 weeks in august 1995 between when we moved out of my grandma's house to our new apartment and when my sister was born) and then again for my senior year of college but i was basically living with my spouse off campus at the time so i didn't hang out in My Room much unless we were on the outs which was very infrequent)

anyway, i've been slowly fixing up my office over the last 6 months or so, and. well she's beautiful. i got some pink glass candlestick holders from the dollar tree today and put beeswax tapers in them. i filled up an old jam jar with pink florists sand and attractive selections of my tumbled minerals collection and stuck wooden roses into it (which are scented with essential oils). got all kinds of art painted by my friends hanging up. most of my stuffed animals are in here. got a mini cat tree so my kittens will hang out with me while i'm working. there's a suncatcher in the window so that in the morning, the room is full of rainbows. it's just so pretty in here i love it. some place for me to have the lights very dim and the music very loud. i love it. i want to have my friends over and play spin the bottle.

[beesspacedotorg]

Handle With Care

Summary: You've had a truly awful day, luckily, your adoring boyfriend Minho is there to make it better. 2.5k words

Warnings: there's sex, but honestly it feels like someone accidentally got porn in my fluff so do with that what you will. reader is as gender neutral as physically possible. reader is also lowkey a crybaby, sorry but actually I'm not

Notes: Hello adoring public. It turns out, I can write fanfiction, and with the encouragement of Juno and Ems, I can also post it! There is a cat in this, she was inspired by a cat my family used to have and a cat my family currently has. They're both calico which I think explains everything you need to know about them.

There’s a lot you can say about the day you had today, and most of them start with sh- and end in -itty. You’re thinking on this as you dive head first onto the rough material of your couch, great for sitting, bad for face planting. You hear a scratching by your head and absentmindedly bat your cat away from the arm of the couch, mumbling something about how she has a perfectly good cat tree two feet away before resuming your completely justified sulking.

“Oh, hello. I didn’t hear you come home. How was your day?” There’s a voice above you and you can picture him in your mind's eye, leaning against the back of the couch as he stares at your limp form, probably eyeing the shoes you didn’t take off by the door. You mumble something half hearted in response and he huffs before the sound of walking hits your ears and all the breath leaves your body at once. He’s sitting on you. This motherfucker is sitting on you.

“Get off, Minho” You had to tilt your head to the side, it’s hard enough to breathe through couch fabric as is, much less when there’s a full grown man sitting on your back.

“You should answer people when they try to talk to you, jagiya.”

“You shouldn’t sit on people while they’re laying down, yeobo.” Your voice is a lot more acidic than his was and a twinge of guilt settles on you before it dissipates as he shifts and manages to place more weight on your back.

“Hmm. I guess we’re both doing things that we shouldn’t then. How tragic.” His voice is deadpan, and you still can’t see him from where your head is turned- your view is limited to the back of the couch and his arm in your periphery- but you can feel the dead stare he’s aiming at your skull. There’s a silence for a few moments while you engage in a war of attrition, neither of you willing to give up just yet, but it’s getting genuinely hard to breathe and your back is starting to hurt.

“It sucked, please get off.” He does, patting your back consolingly.

“See? Was that so hard?” He guides your head to his lap as you both sit back down, petting over your hair like he would his cats. “Tell me, what’s got my baby in such a tizzy?”

You grumble at him, rolling over to shove your face into his stomach, tired and petulant. He sighs softly, but keeps patting your head, so you know he’s mostly just doing it for show.

“That kind of day, hmm, jagi?” And you nod again. Honestly, it wasn’t much different from a normal day, it’s just that the right things managed to go very wrong and subsequently ruined your day in a way that has pressure forming behind your eyes and your voice cracking stupidly every time you try to talk.

You both sit for a while before he puts something on the TV and gently shoves your head off his lap.

“Hey-”

“Do you want the dinner I worked so hard on to go cold?” He has his hands on his hips in front of you and you laugh slightly at how funny he looks. He rolls his eyes and goes, coming back with two bowls of something before he forcefully sits you up and shoves it in your hands.

“Eat.”

“Yes, chef.”

The food is delicious, it always is when Minho cooks it, he’s got a talent for it you’ve never really seen firsthand, and you consider yourself truly blessed to be able to eat it as often as he’s able to make it for you. Still, gratefulness and taste aside, your day was shitty enough that every mouthful tastes like ash and turns to rot in your stomach, leaving you with an unsettling queasiness that shouldn’t ever be attributed to your boyfriend’s cooking. You’re shoving the contents around with a spoon before he huffs- a real one this time- and takes the bowl from you, setting it on the coffee table next to his own before he mutes the TV.

“Okay. Quite clearly something is wrong. What can I do to help you?” You think he knows, but you like that he asks anyway. Minho always asks, always lets you talk and sort out whatever’s going on before he tries to help. Even if your answer is a simple shake of the head, a simple, I don’t feel like it, become a mind reader, he always asks before he helps. Sometimes you wonder how he always knows what you need, others you just decide to not look a gift horse in the mouth.

You huff and your lip wobbles pathetically and he coos, slightly condescending.

“Crying already? I haven’t even done anything.” He’s teasing, but his hands are gentle as he pulls you into his lap, his hands are gentle as they find their way under your shirt, his mouth is gentle as it kisses down the side of your face to your neck.

“‘M sorry,” you’re not the biggest fan of crying, neither is he, but for different reasons. He’s not someone who’s brought to tears easily, you are, but there’s an inherent shame in it, you think. Something so embarrassing about getting worked up enough to start crying like a baby, and so as much and as often as you feel like crying, you don’t. This he also knows, because he knows everything.

“Aish, why are you sorry for? I didn’t tell you to apologize, did I?” He taps your cheek lightly, causing you to look up at him, he plants a kiss on your nose, then your mouth.

“Sweet thing, don’t worry about anything except for what I tell you to, okay?” And you nod and he smiles.

You’re not much for talking in times like these, everything is so sensitive and soft and talking feels like a cheese grater on this cloudlike moment so you don’t and he knows, so he doesn’t chide you for it. Usually, he would. He’d crack a hand down on your ass or grab a fistful of your hair and tell you that he asked you a question so he expects an answer, but that’s not what you need right now, so he doesn’t. He just kisses your jaw again before he puts both of his warm hands under your shirt and lets his fingers poke at your chest.

He always says his hands are small, but really, you wouldn’t be able to tell, not with the way he cups your chest in his hand and lets his thumb brush over your nipple, gentle and reverent. It’s not much, not as much as he usually gives you, but it’s enough to have your mouth dropping open with a gasp and your back arching into his hand, it’s enough to have him giggling softly at your reaction.

“Sensitive today?” He’s teasing again, as soft as he is right now, he’s still Minho, he still likes to poke fun. You huff, biting at his shoulder softly in retaliation and he lets you, pinching your nipple just this side of too much in retribution before one of his hands wanders down to your ass, groping and squishing the flesh. Your breath stutters in your chest as he pushes your hips forward onto his, friction sending sparks up your spine.

“Min-” You’re desperate and he hasn’t even done anything yet, not really. A few stray touches and you already feel yourself shattering to pieces in his grasp, you’re not afraid though, and not quite ashamed. He’ll take care of you, he always does.

He does it again, guides your hips forward until you’ve gotten the hint to keep going by yourself and you’re struck with the urge to kiss him, so you do, removing your head from the home it’s made on his shoulder and making a go at his mouth. It’s messy, your coordination shot already, and you almost smash your forehead into his nose before he catches your head with a laugh.

“Easy there. Bloody noses aren’t exactly sexy.” You disagree, he could make anything sexy, but you don’t have time to voice that thought as he pushes his mouth onto yours and lovingly shoves his tongue down your throat. The kiss is messy, they always are. However gentle he is, he can never seem to stop himself from kissing you until your face is covered in drool and spit, and if it were anyone else, you’d be mildly repulsed, but you like the way he looks at your mouth after it’s over, so you let it slide. 

You pull away, chest burning and heaving and look at him before you still, eyes drawn to something by his head.

“Baby? What’s wrong?” You don’t answer, gaze still drawn away from him.

“There’s a little white girl staring at me.” He turns his head to the side and laughs as he comes face to face with your cat, her green eyes boring into him. He scratches her head affectionately and lets her headbutt him before your center of gravity is shifting drastically and you’re clinging onto him for dear life.

The bedroom door shuts before you’re very aware of it and suddenly there’s a mattress under your back and a Minho over your front and his hands are up your shirt again, this time shoving it off of you until your chest is bare. You shiver slightly from the cold and then there’s a blanket being shoved around your shoulders and you smile up at him. He knows you so well, he loves you so much and your eyes are welling with tears.

“Aigoo, my little crybaby. It’s just a blanket,” there’s a kiss on each of your cheek bones, “silly thing. Save your tears for when my cock is in you, hmm?” Your breath stutters again and your hands are tugging at his shirt until he takes it off, he laughs again when your hands immediately find his chest.

“I’m glad someone appreciates my hard work.”

“They’re nice boobs.” The sentence catches him off guard, makes him laugh hard enough that he loses his balance a little and his weight settles onto you more. It’s comforting, like a weighted blanket that can talk and walk and kiss you silly.

Then, his hands are under your bottoms, tugging them off your legs and you’re suddenly wearing nothing and he’s still in his pants, which you find disgustingly unfair. You reach down and tug on the hem off his sweats, pouting and huffing until he gets the message and tugs those off too.

“You just want to get me naked,” he starts. “I can’t believe you just want me for my body.” You nod cheekily in response and he smacks your shoulder.

“Yah! See if I’m ever nice to you again!” But he’s kissing your neck again as his hands guide your legs to cross over his hips before he’s touching you in a way that steals the breath from your lungs and makes your head tip back into the pillows.

“There we go. So pretty when you’re like this, hmm? So soft and sweet for me.” His fingers are in you now, pressing insistently against that spot that makes white splash in your vision and reflexively forces your legs shut. He grunts slightly as your thighs squeeze around his hips, pressure just this side of uncomfortable. He doesn’t say anything though, just keeps his pace steady inside you until you’re almost tipping over and he stops. You look at him with something akin to betrayal, fresh tears springing to your eyes, but before you can open your mouth to complain he’s sliding home and you don’t have enough air to say anything anyway.

He catches it though, rolls his eyes as he sees the way your attitude was about to flare up.

“What did I tell you earlier, jagiya? Don’t worry about anything unless I tell you to worry about it. I always take care of you, don’t I?” He does, he’s good to you like that. He sounds slightly out of breath already, unusual for him, but you don’t mind because it feels like you’re seconds away from God’s doorstep yourself.

His pace is slow and deep, bass knock steady even as you squirm under him. If this were a normal situation, he’d stop, hands gripping your hips unforgivingly until you stayed still, but this isn’t a normal situation so he lets you wiggle, only huffing in mild irritation before he leans down to kiss you again.

“You’re gonna knock us off the damn bed, baby.” But he doesn’t make any move to stop you, and you feel too good to really process his words anyway. You love him, you really do, and you’re struck with the overwhelming urge to tell him, to let him know, to make him know. You grip his shoulders tightly, nails digging in until he hisses and levels you with a glare, one that instantly softens when he meets your eyes.

“I love you,” it comes out of you as a sob, like it was wrenched from your vocal chords before you gave yourself permission to think it. “I love you so much.” You’re rambling now, repeating those three words over and over and Minho coos, hips faltering just slightly. He always goes weak when you tell him you love him, and you keep it in your back pocket like a weapon for the times that you’re in trouble.

“I love you, too, jagiya. ‘S that why you’re crying? Hmm? Love me so much it’s gotta spill out from your pretty eyes?” You nod in response, breath hitching from the pleasure and the tears and his hand drifts from its place on your hip to touch you again and you’re spilling liquid heat before you can really register what’s happening. You feel him inside you, too, insides suddenly molten warm but you’re floating too high for it to feel like it’s happening to you, like you’ve been temporarily ejected from your body.

When your soul settles back into your bones, Minho is laying next to you, staring at you with his wide eyes, you look over at him and smile.

“Is boba really worth it?” He looks confused at your question before you poke him on the eyelid and he laughs.

“Feel better?” You consider for a moment. Your teeth don’t feel like they’re too big for their sockets and your bones no longer feel itchy. You’re hungry, but mostly, your mind is quiet. There’s no overwhelming pressure behind your eyes and when you talk your voice cracks from sleep instead of from the force of choking back tears.

“Much. I’m hungry, though.” You give your best impression of puppy eyes at him and watch as his eyes roll to the back of his skull. You’ve been told that your pleading face looks mildly perturbing, but Minho always says you remind him of Soonie when you do it. It makes you feel slightly bad for Soonie, soon the cat isn’t going to be able to get anything off of Minho because you’ll have rendered him immune.

He comes back with your reheated bowl in one hand and your cat in the other.

“She screamed at me until I picked her up. Stood on my feet and hollered.” He winces slightly. “I should’ve put on boxers because she almost mistook my dick for a toy.”

[suugarbabe]

completely fine if not!! just wanted to ask if in the end you were going to write the Mattheo x animagus!reader thingy i sent in some time back, but absolutely just out of curiosity!! i hope i don't come across as pressuring or similar, because i'm also very excited for your other projects and i can't wait to read them!!🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Omggggg I’m trash I’m trash I’m trash! I swear I did have this done. It’s right here. I’m so sorry I had this in my Google docs and lately I’ve been working straight from my inbox so I forgot I even completed it. Please don’t hate me I’m so sorry love :((

One of your favorite things about being in your cat form was basking in the sun. It really helped whenever you were stressed, or anxious, or tired, or whenever you really just needed to get away from other people. Today's basking came from just needing to clear your head.

You stretched your little black paws out, letting out a soft meow like yawn before turning on your side right in a sun spot. You were nearly drifted off into a light sleep when you hear someone slump against the other side of the tree.

Curiosity getting the best of you, you slowly stalked around the trunk to see none other than Mattheo Riddle. He didn’t notice you at first, his head sitting in his hands and breathing deeply.

You nuzzled your head against his thigh, his head snapping up at the motion. “Well hello there, beautiful,” he get your head an affection pet, looking around the courtyard for another person, “Are you out here by yourself? Where is your owner?”

You nudged his hand with the top of your head. He laughed lightly, “Okay, okay, I get the picture.” He started to lightly scratch the space between your ears, earning an affection purr from you.

You stayed cuddling with Mattheo like that for a good hour before he had to go. He said his apologies to you, saying he hoped he ran in to you again soon. You rubbed yourself against his legs before he left, then you went and sat in the sun again.

Later that day at lunch, you were talking with Susan Bones when Mattheo came and sat down next to you, a rather large smile on his face. You rested your head in your hand as you turned to look at him, an inquisitive look on your face.

Mattheo caught you staring, “What? Something on my face, Princess?” You laughed, dipping your finger in the pudding bowl next to you before tapping his nose, “You’ve got some pudding right about…there.”

Mattheo’s mouth dropped open in shock, “Oh you’re gonna pay for that later, Y/l/n. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood.” This sentence caught your attention, “Oh? And what has put Mattheo in a good mood today?”

His smile was smug, “I made a new friend. Well, she’s a cat. But she’s beautiful and cuddly and…you know what I should just show you. She seems to hang out in the courtyard.”

Mattheo grabbed your hand, dragging you out of the Great Hall. You gave Susan an apologetic look, but see only seemed to be smirking. When you reached the courtyard, Mattheo was disappointed to see the cat was not there. You tried to give him a sympathetic look, without giving away that you knew why the cat was no longer there.

The next morning Mattheo found you again, in cat form. Giving you cuddles and ear stretches and belly rubs. It was the most physical affection Mattheo had shown you, even if he didn’t really know it was you. But you couldn’t give it up, not with the crush you’ve had on him for the last two years.

At lunch the same day Mattheo tried to show you the car, again. But again, it wasn’t there. For obvious reason. It went on like this about every other day for two weeks. Mattheo would find cat you in the morning, he started talking to you, telling you why he was upset, or about his day, his worries.

You started to feel a little bad every time he tried to show you the cat and it not being there. But nothing could prepare you for what Mattheo was essentially confessing one morning.

You were laying in his lap, stretched out while he made gentle circles on your belly. “Have you ever had feelings for someone that you weren’t sure if they liked you back?” You looked up at him from his lap, your little black ears perking up at his question.

He huffed to himself, “What am I saying, you’re a cat. You just look for rubs and cuddles. Ugh, gorgeous I really like this one girl. But we’re such good friends I don’t know if I should tell her. I keep trying to show her you. I really want to have something just between us, think maybe it’ll bring us closer,” Mattheo picked you up, holding you so your body stretched down but your little cat nose and his were nearly touching, his tone turning to baby voice, “but you always seem to be gone when I bring her, don’t you beautiful?”

He sighed, setting you down. You felt so guilty. You had to tell him the truth, you started running towards a set of trees on the other side of the courtyard. Your mad dash away startled Mattheo, him getting up and trying to chase after you.

Once behind the pair of trees, you transformed back to your regular self. Mattheo peaked around the trees, jumping back slightly when he saw you, his face quickly turning in to a smile, “Y/n/n, did you see her? The cat. She came right this way.”

You looked at him with an expression he couldn’t quite read. “Teo…I, I am the cat.” Mattheo let out a chuckle, “What do you mean, love?”

You took a deep breath, looking down at the ground, “I, erm, I’m an animagus. A black cat more specifically. It’s why…why, erm, you could never show me her. Well, I was her.”

There was silence. You waited a beat, expecting him to be upset for keeping a secret or get upset for allowing him to be so vulnerable and essentially lying to him for the last three weeks.

What you didn’t expect was his arms to wrap around you, for him to pull you close and squeeze you tight before pulling back, “That is so bad ass.”

Your face broke out into a smile, “Really? You’re not, like, made or anything? I know I should’ve told you sooner but I just…liked being close to you. Even if it had to be that way.”

You met his eyes shyly, only to be met by his shining, “Y/n/n, this is seriously so cool. Merlin, I thought I loved you before but this is so amazing. You’re so amazing, beautiful, gorgeous. Human form and cat.”

Mattheo’s eyes widen at the realization of his confession. “I, erm, I’m sorry I-”

“I love you too, Teo,” you cut him off. He flashed you a dimpled smile, “Yeah?” You nodded your head, lifting up on your tip toes to press a light kiss to his cheek, which instantly flamed.

He looked at you with shy eyes, scratching the back of his neck nervously, “Now that you’re secrets out, don’t think we could maybe…erm, use your animagus to prank the other boys one day?”

You couldn’t help but laugh, nodding, “Under one condition.”

Mattheo placed his hands on your waist, “What’s that, love?”

You couldn’t resist the urge to be cheesy in the moment, “You call me officially yours, both human and cat form.” Mattheo’s smile widen impossibly larger. “That I can do, Princess,” he leaned in, stealing another sweet kiss from your lips.

[thekeeperof-thefandoms]

HAZBIN CHARACTERS IF YOU GOT A CAT

This is a follow up to my aninal lover post.

Alastor

Confused as to where you got an actual cat in Hell.

At least it's not a dog.

Will say he doesn't like cats and complain about it getting fur everywhere but constantly has the cat near him while he's boradcasting, idly petting it.

If the cat is a menace and knocks things over a lot, especially while he's broadcasting he's using his shadows to restrain it or throw it out.

He literally makes a shadow cage for it sometimes when it has zoomies and attacks his feet.

Is annoyed with you for laughing and calling it "baby jail".

The cat better be useful and actually hunt the pests around the hotel.

He's feeding it flesh as a treat guys. Just accept it.

Charlie

OMG YOU HAVE A CAT!!! AN ACTUAL CAT!

She wants your cat and Kiki to be best friends.

Buys all of the cat toys. Expensive multi level cat trees. She cooks for it.

If it's not a cuddler, she's willing to suffer dozens of scratches just to hold it.

Has dozens of nicknames for your cat and spoils it all the time with treats.

Vox

Prefers dogs probably, but won't complain about the cat because it's more practical for people who are as busy as you all are.

He's mildly annoyed by all the cat hair everywhere, especially if it gets in his wiring or joints. Is also annoyed because he generates heat and hums from his mechanical parts, so the little shit literally won't leave him alone. It's hard to be an intimidating Overlord when there's a ball of floof on your lap/chest, and it purrs really loud to match your humming.

He swears he doesn't enjoy it, and you can hear him scolding the cat like it's a child whenever it does something, it shouldn't. Also has a kennel/cat carrier made to put the child, he means cat, in timeout. Threatens to feed it to his sharks while he watches it bap the tank glass for hours.

Buys it little ties and suits with his colors and logo on it since the damn thing wants to be with him at all times. If the child (cat) wants to come to meetings it's gonna dress the part. The cat is literally your child with him he just refuses to acknowledge it.

Valentino

Let's go with him not being the type of guy to shoot a pet for being annoying.

At first, Valentino doesn't like it because he just isn't an animal person. Like I said before he likes the idea of them more than actually having one. He does get annoyed with cat hair on everything and the little shit knocking things over.

However, let's say this cat is very sweet and snuggly. I think overtime he'd get used to it and begin to enjoy petting it and snuggling it. Maybe you, him, and the cat, all cuddled up to watch a movie. It helps him relax, especially if the cat is purring. He's also the type to dress it up and take photos with it.

Overall, I definitely think it's still more your pet than his, but he doesn’t hate it, and it does help him a lot, and he enjoys seeing you happy.

Lucifer

Cat dad. Immediately commits to that being your first child together. Like Charlie he will suffer unholy amounts of scratches to pet and cuddle it. Buys it fancy clothes and collars. Cooks homemade food for it. That's how I view it going down no matter where or how you acquired the cat.

However,

Honestly, he's probably the only one where you suggest outright getting a pet and pick out the cat together. You didn't even know an actual normal cat was an option for a pet in Hell, but he surprises you by taking you to some fancy ass place where high ranking demons have collected things from the mortal world and sell them. Running an actual high class, well documented, and strictly maintained cat breeding business, is a cat demon, and you two spend days meeting different litters of kittens and interacting with them in various scenarios to get a feel for their personality.

You guys definitely get a snuggler, because Lucifer really needs as much extra love as he can get. He excitedly tells Charlie she and Kiki are big siblings now and posts dozens of pictures on day one of owning it. You guys have a family portrait with the cat, Charlie, Vaggie, Razzle, and Kiki.

Refers to it as his child when speaking and calls himself dad and you mom (regardless of gender. You're mom)

Alternatively, he's mom and you're the father. He thinks gender norms are bullshit anyway. He can be a mom, he can shapeshift. (Also ya know, he apparently birthed Charlie).

Charlie loves her new feline sibling and brings Kiki and Razzle over to play all the time. It helps her spend more time with her dad too.

Angel Dust

He's a pet mom too! Will bring Fat Nuggets with him to play with your cat.

You guys dress them up and do photo shoots with your cats. Angel has an entire social media account now dedicated just to your cat and Fat Nuggets and eventually the other Hotel Pets.

He likes that both your cat and Nuggets can tell when he's had a bad day, and therefore you can tell. He likes that you can just sit with him in quiet solidarity, or play music, or a podcast, or just talk shit to distract him. He loves Cherri, but her method of getting through stuff is kind of exhausting for him sometimes.

Your voice, a kitty purring (if only it was Husk), Nuggets nuzzling his floof, that's kind of all he needs right now.

Husk

He and the cat just stare at each other, sometimes for hours, just staring. The cat will make little chirps, and he'll do it back if he's not thinking about it.

If the cat hisses at him he hisses back.

Skippity baps. The cat started it, he swears, and he just bapped it back.

Both of them high and catnip with zoomies. So much shit gets knocked down. Alastor strictly forbids Husk to ever get near the stuff again afterwards.

Alternatively, he, Kiki, and your cat, sprawled in a patch of sunlight, and all purring as they doze.

[writeforfandoms]

State of My Head 1

Find the series masterlist

Your life is pretty good. Run around as a cat, get into places you shouldn’t, and get back out. Occasionally shift back to human to flirt. And on your way again you go. Until you make the mistake of trotting right into a military base and getting caught.

Warnings: Lying, mentions of hunting and eating small critters, reader is a literal cat (cat shifter), swearing, minor violence, world building, shifter etiquette, some self-deprecating humor, mention of death, threats of violence. 

Word count: 4.8k

Eventual Kyle “Gaz” Garrick x f!shifter!reader (I swear this has a happy ending)

Nighttime jaunts were your favorite. Fewer people to avoid, less noise, fun hunting. Plus, as a cat you could see pretty well in the dark. It was great. 

Tonight, though, you had a new goal in mind. There was a military base you’d never seen the inside of. And the middle of the night would be a perfect time to explore. 

It didn’t take long to find a gap at the bottom of the fence big enough for you to squeeze through. You were small as a cat, no bigger than the average house cat. You trotted past a dirt path, ignored an obstacle course altogether, and finally started sniffing around some buildings. The base was big, larger than you’d anticipated. Interesting.

Also lacking in rodents to chase, at least at this time of night. Damn. 

You scaled a perfect tree next to one building, sharp claws making the task easy. One leap and you went from the tree to the roof of the building, padding up to the very top of the roof. Then you sat, curling your tail over your feet, to observe your temporary territory. This was a good spot - you could see a good part of the base, there was a nice fresh breeze up here, and all was quiet. 

Honestly, a good napping spot.

You’d just wake up with the sun and be on your way again before anyone noticed you. 

Things didn’t quite work out that way. You woke to a creak and a sudden shift in the lighting, sunlight blocked by something. You blinked your eyes open, expecting a shadow. 

And found yourself looking instead at a man. 

You were on your feet a moment later, hissing as he reached for you. 

“It’s okay kitty,” he said, voice soft and easy. “C’mere, I’ll help you down.”

As if you needed help down from the roof! You hissed again for good measure and then bolted, running straight past his outstretched hand and ignoring his shout. You jumped to the tree, pausing to regroup. 

An entire group of soldiers stood around watching events unfold. There was some good-natured laughing and teasing as the man on the roof got back down, swearing. 

You eyed the drop, thinking about how best to proceed. This had definitely not been part of the plan. 

“Here kitty, kitty, kitty,” another man cooed, both hands lifted towards you. “We’re just trying to help. You’re okay. Nobody is gonna hurt you. C’mere, pretty kitty.”

Almost despite yourself, your ears pricked forward, listening to him. He sounded nice, at least. You crept forward slowly, and a few of the soldiers moved closer too. You backed up, and the man hissed at them and flapped one hand at them until they backed off again. So you started forward again, carefully, until you could sniff the tips of his fingers. 

Well. He smelled okay, at least. Still moving cautiously, you moved closer, letting him grab you. He was gentle, so you decided not to attempt to murder him. Even better, he promptly cuddled you into his chest, scratching your ears. 

Okay. This one could live.

“Wonder where she came from?” one of the others asked, sneaking closer. Not sneaking very well though. 

“No idea,” the one holding you said. “Doesn’t have a collar.”

“Could be a stray.”

“What would a stray be doing in here, though?”

“I’m sure there’s mice and things for her to catch, that’s probably what brought her here.” 

You let the talking wash over you, amused. This wasn’t bad. You’d let them coddle you for a few more minutes and then be on your way. You could run faster than them, after all. 

“What’s all this?”

The soldiers all stopped and turned to look at someone new. He was wearing a silly-looking hat. 

“We found a cat, sir,” the one holding you said. Very unnecessarily, if anyone asked you. (They didn’t. Nobody ever did. It was enough to hurt a girl’s feelings after a while.) 

“I can see that. It doesn’t belong on base.”

“We thought she might be a stray,” one of the others offered. “We were going to bring her to you, sir.” 

He snorted, finally walking over closer, eyeing you. One hand reached out, and for a moment you thought he was going to pet you. Rude, since he didn’t let you sniff his hand first, but whatever. 

Except he scruffed you.

You yowled plaintively as he held you aloft, dangling uncomfortably from his hand. Squirming only got you held tighter. This was embarrassing - you hadn’t been scruffed like this since you were a kitten. 

“She doesn’t belong on base,” the hatted man said. “I’m sure you all have things to be doing.”

With a despondent scattering of “yes, sir”s, the soldiers all left you to your fate. 

“Well, guess you’re stuck with me until I can get animal control out here.” His voice was low and rumbling, and he carried you with him towards one of the buildings. It was really uncomfortable, and you yowled again, trying to grab something to hold on to. 

“Captain,” a new person called, and, really, how many people were there on this base? 

“Gaz.” The captain paused, at least. 

“Why do you–nevermind. Give me the cat, you’re making me sad just watching you carry it like that.” 

“It’s a stray,” the captain pointed out, even as he held you out. 

Gaz was quick to scoop you up, one arm sturdy under your paws, his other holding you steady. “She, I think,” he said, looking down at you. You blinked up at him, already relaxing again now that you weren’t being dangled about. “Doesn’t look like a typical stray.”

He may not have meant it as a compliment, but you took it that way. You knew you looked striking as a cat, with bold rosettes and spots, eyes and ears rounder and bigger than a typical housecat. 

The captain grunted. “Still doesn’t belong on base,” he grumbled. 

“Aw, c’mon, cap. Can’t hurt to let her hang around for a few hours.” Gaz shifted his grip on you to let you sniff his fingers. Oh, you approved. And he smelled nice! You liked this one. 

“Just don’t let it get into any trouble.” The captain waved one hand, heading back inside. 

“You won’t cause any trouble, will you?” Gaz murmured to you, low and soothing. He had a nice voice. 

You blinked at him and very deliberately meowed. Human-raised cats did that, and you didn’t want him thinking you were more than a typical cat. 

“Good kitty.” He scratched under your chin, and you stretched your neck out to give him more room. Mmm, that felt nice. 

“Hey Gaz, whatcha got there?” 

“Soap.” Gaz shifted his grip on you just a little, and you blinked at the new person. Soap, apparently. Ridiculous. “Someone found a stray cat on base and I rescued her from Cap.” 

“Pretty kitty,” Soap murmured, holding out a hand for you to sniff. Oh good, you’d found the polite ones. “Bit exotic, isn’t she?”

“I thought so too, but she’s well-behaved.” Gaz stroked one big hand down your back. 

“Huh.” Soap tickled under your chin. “Ye wanna come cuddle, kitty?” 

“Nuh uh, she’s with me.” Gaz turned slightly away from Soap, much to your amusement. 

“Ye can share,” Soap wheedled. 

“Maybe later.” Gaz smirked down at you as he started walking. “You’re on duty with me, cat.” 

Well. Not the worst thing in the world. You did wait until he had stopped somewhere again to crawl up onto his shoulder, balancing across his shoulders easily to watch the world from this new vantage point. He didn’t even protest, just let you get settled there. 

And you stayed there until lunch time. Gaz sat at a table with Soap, the two bantering. But you mostly ignored them, because Gaz tore pieces of meat off his sandwich and fed them to you. You accepted each morsel delicately, careful not to bite him by accident, quite content with how this was going. 

A good-smelling man hand-feeding you bits of his own lunch? Yes, thank you. 

“My turn,” Soap declared once lunch was over, picking you up and cuddling you to his chest. You made a disgruntled noise but decided to show mercy and not kill him. 

“Take it easy with her, yeah?” Gaz did not try to grab you back but he did watch Soap as the Scot left with you. 

“Well, pretty, let’s torment some rookies, aye?” His fingers scratched through your fur, which was acceptable. For now. But you still scrambled up onto his shoulders as soon as you could, much preferring this to being cradled like an infant. 

Soap was okay, but he was a little too handsy. He kept reaching up to rub your fur or play with your tail or even rub his nose into your side. That got him a gentle swat to the head. But otherwise you bore the indignity with aloof grace. 

“Johnny, if you're not careful, that cat’s gonna kill you.” 

You did not jump at the voice behind you, because that would be undignified. You did not hiss either. You might’ve dug your claws in, but Soap turned too fast anyway. 

“Nah, she’s a right sweet li’l thing,” Soap cooed, reaching up to tickle your chin again. 

And that was enough of that. You tensed, gathering yourself, and jumped from him to the big masked man, who didn’t even flinch when you scrambled up to his shoulders. Ha! Even taller now! 

“Easy, cat.” This one had a nice voice, deep and rumbly. But he let you settle in without touching you, which you appreciated. 

Soap was pouting when you looked at him, and you turned your face away from him, haughty. That’s what he got for ignoring your signals to stop. 

The big masked man didn’t seem to mind you perching on his shoulder as long as you kept your claws to yourself. And you were well-mannered, so of course you kept your claws to yourself. He didn’t annoy you, after all. 

It was an arrangement that worked well for both of you until dinner time. 

You spotted Gaz across the room and shamelessly abandoned your current perch, trotting under tables and around soldiers until you could leap up onto the table next to Gaz. You sat, tail curling around your paws, and chirped at him. 

“Hi there, beautiful,” he greeted, holding out his hand for you to sniff. You headbutted his palm, eyes half-lidded. He already smelled warm and familiar, like safety. 

And, just as you’d hoped, he fed you bits of his dinner. You could get used to this kind of treatment. 

“Gaz, I thought you were going to get rid of the cat.” The captain sat across from him, looking disgruntled. 

“She’s sweet,” Gaz defended. “And she’s not hurting anything.”

The captain grunted, eyes narrowing at you. “At least get her off the table.” 

Gaz didn’t protest, just picked you up gently and settled you on his lap instead. You hunkered down there, gently kneading his thigh. This was a comfy spot. 

After dinner seemed to be downtime. Soap once again attempted to nab you, which you deftly avoided by skittering out of the mess hall. 

Which meant you had some time to yourself. 

You meandered around the base, staying out of reach of the soldiers with ease. Honestly, it was amusing to watch them light up at seeing a cat. Especially since none of them had any idea that you were more than just a cat. 

You did a bit of hunting, more for fun than anything. You were still satisfied with the meal Gaz had shared with you. 

The base quieted, settling in for the night. And you crept towards the barracks, slipping in an open window and then making your way through the halls, sniffing under every door until you found the right one. 

And then you sat and scratched at the door. Politely. 

When that didn’t elicit an immediate reaction, you scratched some more. And then stretched up on your hind legs to sniff the handle and see if you could turn it without shifting back to human. 

“Hey, kitty.” 

You startled, tail poofing up, and spun to look at Gaz. He looked abashed, crouching down slowly with his hands out. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he cooed, gentle and warm. “You looking for someplace to sleep?” 

You chirped at him, consciously willing your tail back to normal. You’d still have to groom it later. When Gaz hesitated, you chirped again and threw yourself against his calves, winding between his feet with obvious affection. 

Amused now, he opened the door for you, letting you in first. 

An opportunity you didn’t miss. 

His room was neat, of course. And smelled like him. Which was amazing. You checked under his bed (boring), on top of his bed (pillow was too flat), and even batted at his footlocker (smelled interesting but also closed). 

“Mischievous,” he said, still amused. “Alright, if you wanna stay you gotta settle down, right? I need sleep.” 

You meowed at him, but made sure you weren’t too loud. That would count as agreement, right? 

He ran gentle fingers over your head and behind your ears before he turned to start undressing. You thought about watching… but gave him his privacy, turning instead to sniff the rest of his room. Humans were so body-shy, for reasons you’d never understood. 

The bed creaked, and you trotted back and jumped lightly onto the bed. He laid down, getting comfortable, and you followed suit. 

You only took up part of his pillow.

“Cat,” he spluttered, one hand gently nudging you to the side. “Oi. I need to breathe, yeah?” 

You lifted your head to give him a supremely unimpressed look. 

“Don’t look at me like that,” he grumbled. “This is my bed.”

You put your head down again and closed your eyes, pointedly. He huffed something between a sigh and a laugh, but he settled down and stopped moving. You took it as agreement. 

You woke when he got up, stretching out and giving him a bit of privacy to dress for the day again. 

“Don’t think I can keep you with me all day,” he admitted, reaching over to pet the top of your head again. “Probably don’t wanna come running with me.”

No. No you did not. Smart man. You rewarded his intelligence by headbutting his hand. 

“Well, tell you what, I’ll see if I can spot you for breakfast, yeah?” He smiled, scratching under your chin gently. “Just don’t let Price catch you, he’ll toss you out.” 

You purred your agreement. You couldn’t entirely blame the captain - he just didn’t seem to like cats. (You could take that personally. It was in your nature to take that personally. But you decided to be the bigger person here and simply decide he was tasteless.) 

So you had some time to yourself. You avoided the many feet and scaled the nearest tree, using trees and rooftops as your highways. The day was beautiful, sunny and not too warm, and you found a good napping spot on top of a roof. Out of sight from below, this time. 

You did not show up to breakfast, because you didn’t want to be too predictable, but also because you didn’t want to seem too smart. So you napped through breakfast, content to just lay in the sunshine. 

You could get used to this kind of life. Quiet. Having your own territory, not having to fight for space or food. Especially being hand-fed by a gorgeous man. 

But then you also ran the risk of being discovered, if you stayed. And that could end poorly. 

Someone wearing a new cat scarf kind of poorly. 

You stretched languidly before getting to your feet. The safest thing to do would be to stay another day or two and then be on your way. If you really wanted stability, you’d find somewhere in a city to be a human too, carve out your own space as both cat and human. 

It was something to consider, at least. 

Going across rooftops, you investigated more of the compound. You could smell the shooting range, making your nose wrinkle and your ears flick back. But you gamely kept on, sniffing around and exploring. 

This really was a good spot, though. No competition. Lots of room to roam. 

And mice. One of which you caught, shaking until its neck broke. You weren’t really hungry, didn’t need it for kittens or anything. 

So you trotted off to a quiet spot near the fence and buried the mouse. 

By the time you meandered your way back, the sun was high in the sky. Probably lunch time. Mmm. Hopefully Gaz would agree to give you food again. 

You peeked into the mess, looking for your person. He was, of course, near the back, with Soap and Ghost (although Ghost didn’t have food in front of him). Pleased, you trotted over to the table, tail held high. 

“Hi kitty!” Soap reached one hand down, wiggling his fingers at you, clearly trying to tempt you closer. You ignored him and jumped into Gaz’s lap. 

“Looks like she likes him better,” Ghost drawled. 

“She has good taste,” Gaz agreed with a proud smile, offering you his fingers to sniff. You headbutted his hand before tipping your head to invite chin scratches. He obeyed easily. Such a good human, you really needed to think of an appropriate way to reward his good behavior. 

Especially since he once again began offering you pieces of meat. 

“Gonna spoil her,” Ghost warned, though he made no move to actually stop Gaz.

“She’s just a cat,” Gaz said with a shrug. “Besides, if she’s really a stray, she might wander off again.”

“Not likely, with how you’re feeding her.” Ghost watched as you delicately took another piece of lunch meat from Gaz. 

“She’s fine.” Gaz smiled down at you. You slow-blinked up at him, warm and content. 

And he let you ride around on his shoulder the rest of the day, so long as you kept your claws to yourself (which you did). 

You could get used to being a shoulder cat. 

You spent the next two days similarly - hunting for fun and to keep your reflexes honed, eating the bites Gaz gave you, running around base, and sleeping on his bed. If you hadn’t given up on the concept of having your very own person, you would have wanted someone like Gaz. Someone who treated you gently, and gave you room to be your own cat, and gazed at you with affection. 

But it was not to be. For one thing, he thought you were a cat. For another, you knew you needed to move on soon, before you got any more attached. 

You stretched in the early morning light in Gaz’s room, and then blinked. Wait. Something felt wrong about that stretch. 

Your hand bumped Gaz’s shoulder and you blinked again. Hand. Not paw. 

Oh fuck.

Gaz opened his eyes, still sleepy, and you froze, your own eyes wide. He blinked once. 

And then yelled, startled, falling out of bed. You yelled too, because oh shit this was bad. You dove off the bed, uncaring that you were human and nude, and yanked the door open. You shifted mid-step, skittering on the slick floor for a few moments as you tried to get enough traction to run. 

By now other doors were opening, people looking out in sleepy confusion. You were half-way down the corridor when you heard Gaz behind you shout, “Get that cat!” 

Soap got close, attempting to straight-up tackle you. He almost managed it, except you swiped at his hand and then used him as a platform to leap off. 

Your paws didn’t even hit the floor as Ghost grabbed you out of mid-air, scruffing you firmly. You yowled, as loud as you could manage, twisting and fighting like hell. At least until someone swaddled you in what smelled like a t-shirt, forcing you to stillness. When your claws poked out through the shirt, a towel was added to the mix.

Leaving you thoroughly burrito’d and helpless. 

“Gaz?” Soap asked, even as he took you from Ghost. “What the fuck, mate?” 

“Price’s office,” was all Gaz said, staring hard at you. You flattened your ears to your skull, growling low and threatening. It was all you could do in this position. 

The three made their way to Price’s office, still sleep-rumpled but wide awake now. Price joined the group, unlocking the door and ushering everyone in.

Gaz deliberately locked the door again. 

“What’s this about?” Price asked, arms crossed over his chest. 

Gaz, however, was staring at you. “Change.” 

You hissed a little, trying to wiggle out of your forced cocoon. You had no idea what would happen if you shifted while you were so tightly wrapped, but you didn’t think it would end well for you. 

“Put her down.” Gaz flicked his gaze to Soap before focusing on you again. 

Soap obeyed slowly, putting you on the couch. You immediately rolled to loosen the towel and then wiggled your way free of the layers of fabric. A quick glance around showed no way out. 

This was going to be unpleasant. 

You shifted back to human, wrinkling your nose at the shift in perspective. Soap swore, Price grunted and stood up straight, and Ghost pulled a gun on you. Where he’d had it, you had no idea. 

“Gaz?” Price demanded, low and furious. 

“Apparently, she’s not a cat.” Gaz was still staring at you, lips thin, jaw clenched. Oh he was angry. “Woke up to her like this.” 

You sighed. “Shifted in my sleep,” you admitted. No point denying it now. 

Price’s jaw clenched and he grabbed one of the extra chairs, pulling it over until he could sit in front of you. With the three others behind him, it was quite clear who was in charge here. “Put that on.” He nodded to the shirt still laying next to you.

You huffed but obeyed. Humans and their weirdness about nudity. Honestly. The shirt was soft at least and covered you well enough. 

“Why are you here?” Price watched you carefully, but you were less concerned about him. Your gaze drifted to Gaz, taking in the tense line of his shoulders, the anger in his eyes. 

“I was curious.” 

“Yeah? About what, exactly?” Gaz asked, voice sharp. 

You didn’t flinch, but you did look down. “This is unclaimed territory, figured I’d stick around for a few days, do some hunting. Relax. And then move on.” 

“Hunting, huh?” Price leaned forward. “And who have you been contracted to hunt?”

“What?” You blinked at the non-sequitur. 

“Or you could just tell us who’s paying you.” Gaz rocked forward a little on the balls of his feet, hands clenched into fists at his sides.

You blinked. Twice. “You… think I’m a spy?” 

“Fits, doesn’t it?” Price tipped his head a little, restrained violence in his eyes.

“Not really.” You leaned back, drumming your fingers against your arm. “Look. We don’t like people to know we exist, that’s how we got nearly hunted to extinction before. I’m not a spy, I really was just wandering through.”

“Wandering through a top security military base. Sure.” Gaz sounded unimpressed. 

“Really!” You held your hands up, palms out, at your sides. “I haven’t got a clue about anything here, except that the food is pretty good and I don’t have to fight for the territory.” 

“Then why were you sticking so close to Gaz?” Price again. The two were doing pretty well at tag-team questioning you. 

You shrugged, struggling to put your thoughts in order. “He smells good,” is what you settled on. At the disbelieving scoff from Soap, you shrugged again. “He never smelled… wrong. Angry.” You couldn’t help looking at him again. Sure, your sense of smell was muted as a human, but you could still smell well enough to smell the anger pouring off him now. “It’s hard to explain.” 

“You expect us to believe that you chose Gaz, at random, because he smelled nice?” Price raised one eyebrow slowly, conveying exactly how foolish it sounded. 

“That and he never grabbed me.” You grimaced. “Things are simpler. As a cat.”

Price leaned back in his seat slowly, considering. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t have you arrested and shipped off to a lab.” 

And there it was. Well. At least it came from Price and not from Gaz. You weren’t sure you’d recover if it came from Gaz. “Being turned into a scarf isn’t on my list of things to do this year.”

Soap was the first one to get it, his eyes going wide. He glanced at the others, shifting his weight. Gaz stayed perfectly still. 

“Cap,” Soap murmured. 

Price pushed to his feet, narrowing his eyes at you. “Do. Not. Move.” The four of them moved, stepping out of the room, although Ghost remained in the doorway, both blocking your exit and keeping his gun on you. 

He was absolutely prepared to shoot you. You were absolutely prepared to be shot before they could ship you off to a lab. 

Unfortunately, they spoke too quietly for you to hear much, just the murmur of their voices. Gaz still sounded angry. Maybe one day he’d forgive you.

Sighing softly, you closed your eyes for a few moments. This was a right mess, one you’d be lucky to make it out of with your life. How many had you used up by now? At least five. At least. 

Here’s hoping you still had one left. 

They must have reached a consensus, because they trooped back inside and shut the door again. Price sat again. This time Gaz stayed back, arms crossed over his chest. 

“You have two options,” Price told you, calm, collected. “You tell us everything we want to know, or you get sent to a lab.” 

“I’m not telling you where to find my family.” You narrowed your eyes at him, testing. 

Price didn’t respond to that. Instead he started asking you where you’d been before. Who you knew. Who you saw. Where you stayed. 

Most of it was easy to answer - you’d spent most of the last two years as a cat. You hadn’t been kidding when you said life was less complicated as a cat. Food was less of an issue when you could hunt for yourself. 

The questions about how you shifted, though. Those were harder. You gave as little detail as possible, very well aware that they could hypothetically use that information to find others. 

You had no idea how long you sat there answering questions. A long time. Hours. Long enough for your throat to go dry, for your stomach to complain. Both of which you firmly ignored. 

Finally, though, Price nodded once. “You’re to stay with one of us until further notice. Any attempt to leave will have you shot. Any attempt to shift without permission will have you shot. Understood?” 

“I understand.” You shifted your weight, part of you railing against being threatened. The rest of you was far more pragmatic and simply accepted it. 

Still better than being sent to a lab. 

“Good.” Price stood and fished out a pair of sweatpants, tossing them to you. “Put those on.” 

You obeyed silently, though you had to roll them a few times so they didn’t trip you. Price stepped out of the office first, and you followed quietly. 

The meal that followed was easily as tense as the last one you’d had at home. And silent. Nobody seemed inclined to talk, and you weren’t going to be the first. You just picked at your food, absently wishing to go back to the day prior, when you’d settled on Gaz’s lap and eaten morsels from his fingers. 

Damn you were in deep. That was a problem. Especially considering you could tell he was still mad at you. 

“Stay with Soap,” was all Price told you as he rose. Gaz was quick to follow his captain without a single look at you.

Ouch.

But you stayed with Soap. Because you did not want to get yourself shot just yet. 

“Ye really were just gonna leave?” Soap finally asked, once the two of you were outside, walking around base. He didn’t seem inclined to hold still, something you were rather grateful for. After the stress of the morning, stretching your legs felt nice, even if it was only two legs. 

“Yes.” You shrugged. “I’ve spent a lot of time wandering. Wasn’t planning to settle down just yet.” 

He went quiet again at that, and you let him think. You had your own things to think about, after all.

[georgiapeach30513]

A Snowflake Melts, Part 2

Summary: a blizzard is coming

Pairings: Steve Rogers X Reader

Rating: mild

Warnings:  mild language, just one bed, stalking, 18+ ONLY

Word Count: 3.5K

Previous

Series Masterlist

A scent. It wasn’t much. But Jack has gone off less than that before. It was getting a bit close to Christmas, but he had already made early rounds. Who cares if winter is longer than usual? He had bigger problems; finding you. You are what’s important. Your family even said so. They are growing suspicious of him, which means you are talking to someone, but spreading lies about his relationship, and what actually happened.

He never got a chance to explain. Winter relied on him. And you, just like a coward left. He growls, sitting down on the tree branch as he looks at the beauty he created. Once you told him that he made things look magical. That you loved winter, and would always stay in winter. You promised on your stupid cat that you couldn’t live where there wasn’t snow…

He jumps onto the crystallized snow, his feet leaving large craters in the icy white, and he just walks. He smelled you. Marshmallows. The best thing he’s ever smelt. You are close. He knows it. Blowing out a long breath a large gust of wind stirs up more snow. He cracks his neck as he starts to trudge through what you called the most beautiful thing on earth. Fresh fallen snow. Purity. A new start.

He would find you. And you would be his.

“Don’t look at me like that,” you get on to your Mistletoe who perches on the counter beside you. Her judging green eyes watch you as you look out your kitchen window. Winter is getting worse. You thought you had chosen a place that snowed a lot, but this is different.

“I know what this means,” you are out here all alone. And with winter like this, you shouldn’t go outside and care for the animals. The very ones that were keeping you alive. “Missy, they’ll starve if I don’t.”

She snarls and hisses at you, looking out towards Steve’s cabin. “I can’t…we barely know him.”

Meow.

“I can’t go out in the snow even if I wanted to. Jack will find us. And judging by this storm that wasn’t on the radar…Missy, he’s close.”

Meow.

Mistletoe jumps down from the counter, and lifts her paw to scratch at the door. This cat is too smart for her own good. She wants to collect Steve. And you’re sure he doesn’t understand her way of communicating. You aren’t even sure you did, or if it’s because of your seclusion.

“What are you going to do, tell him to get his butt down here with Sugar Cookie, and we live in the cabin for the rest of the winter and make him sleep on the couch?” Missy stares at you, pawing at the door again.

You couldn’t stop looking up the road, waiting for him to come back down here to you. It is ridiculous how everyday you would hope for a visit from him. You enjoyed his company. He made you not feel so alone, while also it was nice to look at him. And he was funny. He was kind. He was everything you had always wanted.

His eyes. My goodness he had the sweetest eyes. His dog is very cute as well. And…

Mistletoe scratches at the air and lets out an angry hiss towards you. “You know I can’t go out in the snow, and I don’t know how to get in touch with Steve. He just shows up at the right time.”

She growls at you again, and you exhale loudly. “Fine,” walking over to the door, you give it a tug, letting her shimmy out. Her toned legs carry her directly towards Steve’s house. With a bit of a struggle, you close and lock the door immediately. Dropping the curtain.

Jack would want your Christmas to be miserable. Bitter and cold. Sighing, you start to close all the curtains around the house. If he couldn’t see you, he couldn’t find you. If you didn’t invite him in, he couldn’t get to you. There is enough stuff in the basement to keep you well fed. Steve had even stacked up firewood beside your heater, even more on the porch.

You didn’t talk about Jack. He just knew you were afraid of winter. And they were the same thing.

—

Steve jolts in his chair when he hears the tiny scratches, and even Sugar Cookie wiggles her entire body as she moves for the door waiting on her owner to open up. Mistletoe dashes in, meowing up at Steve. “Well, hello, you little bully. What can I do for you today?”

Circling Steve’s feet, she walks over to the door, looking back to the man, and Sugar Cookie joins in to look at him. “She’s not in trouble is she?” Mistletoe huffs, looking up at Steve. “So…is your mom just wanting me to visit? Clearly we need to exchange phone numbers. I don’t turn my phone off. Okay, okay,” he grins, grabbing for his phone and coat. Opening up the door to let both animals out, but Mistletoe stops.

Her ears twitch around, and her eyes look all around before she dashes down the road. “Sugar, let’s go, sweetheart. That cat never gets in a hurry.”

His feet slams into the snow as the wind whips around the odd trio. Beating the animals to the porch, he knocks quickly on the door, and it isn’t until Mistletoe lets out a blood curdling meow that you look up from the middle of the floor, “Missy?”

Walking to the door, you press your head against it. Fear courses through your veins after that sound, “Baby, are you alone?”

“Holly, it’s me.”

“Steve? She brought you? I’m being so rude,” you get an eerie feeling when you open the door. Inhaling deeply, just to be sure. No peppermint. You are safe, for now, “Thanks for tapping the snow off,” even if you hadn't known him long he always seems to remember your needs.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” You couldn’t deny your splotchy face and red rimmed eyes. But you don’t want to talk about it either. Steve would think you’re crazy. No one would ever understand your family dynamic. Instead you just shake your head, wiping away the stray tears on your face.

“I don’t want to force you, but you gotta give me something. Missy kinda scared me.”

“There’s a storm going on, and…it wasn’t on the radar, and I don’t want to be alone,” unannounced storms always meant Jack’s anger. He still hadn’t forgotten. He is still looking for you.

“Okay, you gotta couch,” even though his fingers are ice cold from outside, when he touches your arm, and pulls your body into his, it’s pure warmth. A coziness that feels like hot chocolate running down into your tummy. “I’ll leave the animals here. Let me get some more firewood loaded up, and clothes, and some extra food because I eat a lot. We’ll have a freeze-in, okay?”

“Did it smell like peppermint out there?” You hate that scent. It always meant Jack was near. He doesn’t laugh or look at you like you’re crazy. His smile softens as he hugs you again.

“No, let me get all that ready. The way this snow is coming down, I don’t have much time. I’m sure it’ll be piled all the way up to the windows. You stay here. Keep the doors locked, and breathe. When I come back, I’ll let you make some of your amazing soup while you tell me what’s really going on. I’ll even make brownies.”

You don’t want him to leave, and still understand why he needs to. Biting at your lip, you nod your head. “Don’t start cutting any vegetables until I get back, okay?”

“Okay,” he bundles himself up before heading towards the door again, “Steve, be careful, okay?”

“I will. You stay right here. Wood, more food, and clothes.”

“Toothbrush.”

“That, too. Stay warm,” he playfully demands before swiftly squeezing through the door.

“So, you gonna tell more about it?” You take a sip of your hot chocolate, your eyes staring blankly at Sugar Cookie and Mistletoe snuggling together by the door. Mistletoe always stayed close to the door in winter. Sometimes she’d hop into the bed with you, but she stood her guard by the main entrance. She is a smart kitty after all.

It had been so long since you fully got to snuggle with someone during your favorite time of year. You should be joyful, and instead you let your photography stop, you quit calling your parents, hell you left the most magical place in the world all because of Jack.

You now lived in so much isolation, you lost a bit of yourself. You turn your head away from Steve as you gaze at the curtains covering the big window in the living room. You loved snow. Loved to watch the tiny little snowflakes drift to the earth. You would have never had the curtains closed. You couldn’t even remember if Jack watched the snow with you.

So much of the good times were forgotten as his forever cold heart couldn’t take your glowing warmth. A joy that burned brightly in your soul like embers in a fire.

“You love and fear the winter,” he isn’t even asking. He hasn’t known you long, but he can see it. You nod your head, still keeping your head turned away from him. Having to wipe away a tear that didn’t want to stay put. “You don’t have to talk about it, Holly. I’m just trying to understand. We got a few days of being trapped in here.”

“You’re right,” sniffling, you turn to look back at the girls, as Steve sweetly calls them. They’re comfortable. Missy actually looks like she’s resting. “It’s hard being alone, and scared of winter, and still, I can’t leave.”

“An ex?” Of course Steve could sense that you were running and hiding from someone.

“Yeah,” you sigh, turning to fully look at Steve. “He wasn’t always bad. He’s different. Very powerful, and thrives this time of year. He became cold and unkind, and then possessive and obsessive, and…Steve, he wasn’t nice,” Steve looks away for a few seconds, his jaw clenching tight, and his knuckles turning white from how hard he’s gripping the couch.

“Did…did he,” he takes a deep breath, finally looking at you. “Did he hurt you?”

“It’s complicated,” his hand moves towards you, and you have to look at Missy, and her lazy self is snoring with Sugar Cookie. She was comfortable with Steve. She never had this sense of comfort with Jack. “No, it is complicated. He just…he’s always trying to compete with my dad, and…”

“Did he hurt you?” .

“He’s out of my life though.”

“And you’re still hiding, and afraid to touch something that you love,” even though you can feel his anger, you don’t fear him like you did with Jack. Steve’s anger is protective, and it gives you this strange feeling of importance. He wanted to keep you safe.

“He’s very powerful. You don’t understand.”

There’s a moment drifting between you and Steve, and only the girls’ snores and the crackling of the fireplace can be heard. You aren’t even sure if you’re breathing anymore, just waiting on what he has to say. This is going to be awkward starting off with an argument.

“I want to understand, and I’ll listen whenever you want to explain it to me. For now, why don’t you tell me about your family. Your dad is still alive?” You love talking about your family. They are the best family, and you hate that you’re having to be away from them in any capacity. “What’s his name?”

“Kris. My mom’s name is Carol.”

“There’s that smile. The one you were too shy to share with me. Why do you love winter so much?”

Your body relaxes into the couch again. Finally a topic you didn’t mind talking about a bit more. You can’t say too much, some things you just have to ease into, and him knowing about your family is one of them. Maybe one day things could be different.

“People dread winter, but there’s so much beauty in it. We get Christmas, and the world freezes for a moment. It stops and slows down, and everyone with it. We learn to appreciate the more simple things in life. The world just rests, and we do, too. And if you’re lucky to get snow, it’s beautiful. It looks like glitter. Do you not like winter?” You ask, biting at your lip.

Steve hadn’t stopped smiling at you. With every word you said, you just lit up. You had a calmness about you as you spoke about why you loved your favorite season, instead of hating it. You are absolutely stunning. Breathtaking even.

“Steve, stop staring at me like that,” Missy peeks open her eyes, and then settles herself right on top of Sugar Cookie. Neither you or Steve notice anything outside this bubble you had created.

You fear that if you say anything else that the warmth inside the bubble would dissipate. You wanted to keep it forever. What is it about Steve that makes you want him closer to your body? So you scoot a tiny bit closer. Close enough that your knees brush against each other, and you feel his warmth.

“W-what is it that your father does?” He hiccups, still not breaking the gaze he has on you.

“He’s a delivery man of sorts.”

“Amazing,” he whispers out. His finger brushes back some of your baby hairs, and they tickle along the shell of your ear. “The hot chocolate. It’s…it’s amazing. And your life sounds incredible,” he didn’t even know the half of it.

“Thanks. I used to put peppermint in it. The smell makes me sick to my stomach now. What about your family?”

“They passed a long time ago. I don’t really like to talk about it. So explain to me, you love your home and your family, and you came here to hide from your ex?” Saying it out loud sounds silly. You’re sure your parents could help you out. In some ways, your dad was Jack’s boss. But did you want them to? Did you want them to know how Jack really was?

“What did you do?” Steve really wanted to change the subject away from his family. Hopefully one day you hope he will open up to you. Even though you had secrets concerning your family, you’re telling him enough for now.

“I take pictures. My social media did well. I focused on Christmas. Traveled to different places to see how they celebrated, and what they ate. What their traditions were. I love every aspect of Christmas. It’s in my blood. Like…kinda like it’s in my blood,” you correct quickly. Steve had that same dopey look on his face as before, and you aren’t sure what to make of it. But it makes you feel fuzzy, “What?”

“I love to hear you talk about your passions. So if you’re not on your social media, who is seeing your work?”

“No one.”

“Can I see?”

You hadn’t logged in for so long. It was a creative outlet for you. Everyone always admired your parents, never even realizing who you are. What you could do. You enjoyed it. “You don’t have to show me.”

It was time that you stopped being so scared. You could turn off locations on your phone, Jack could find you in other ways. Why did you allow him to control so much of your life? It was time. Especially now that you were no longer alone.

Sighing, you stand to go get your phone, feeling Steve’s eyes watching your back until you return. The lazy Missy didn’t even stir. Her comfort relaxes you even more. She trusts Steve. She trusts no one outside of your family.

Turning your phone on, you click on the app, and hand it over to him. Letting him browse through your photos and reels. Each second his smile gets larger. Spreading wide across his face, “The spirit of Christmas, huh?”

“It’s what my dad always called me. Said that my enthusiasm towards the holiday is what made everything so holly and jolly,” you giggle thinking about how winters held so much warmth when you were home.

“So,” he says, putting down your phone. “What are our holiday traditions going to be this year? You don’t even have a tree up,” why and how is this man so adorable? Saying all the right words. “I’m just saying, it is very close to Christmas. What about these cookies? Triple chocolate oatmeal cookies, we should make some for Santa.”

“They’re my dad’s favorite,” you haven’t smiled like this in so long. Even though a blizzard is happening outside, the cabin is so warm and cozy, and it has nothing to do with the fireplace. You didn’t feel so alone. And then his hand naturally lands on your thigh, and you lean into his touch. It feels like flurries stir around in your belly, but you don’t want to pull away.

There doesn’t seem to be this veil of awkwardness looming over the two of you, it just is, and it is so amazing. “Okay, so it is late. Tomorrow we put up a tree of sorts.”

“I have a fake one under my bed. I don’t like walking in the snow.”

“I could pick us one out, but it’s not the same if we’re not together. I think the fake one will be perfect this time. Maybe next year, you’ll be more comfortable venturing out into the snow?” You nod your head with a smile. You already feel more confident about winter. “So the cookies?”

“I always have the ingredients for those cookies,” you look over to your bedroom. You can’t even believer you’re thinking this, much less ready to say it out loud. Steve is such a large man, and this couch was kind of small. What kind of host would you be? You needed him and basically invited him into your home. He is keeping you safe, and you can’t make him think you don’t want to extend some hospitality, “I feel bad that there’s only one bed.”

“You have a comfy couch,” huffing out a laugh, you look towards the girls, and Missy and Sugar Cookie have their heads lifted up, staring at you. If you were a crazy person, you’d think they were encouraging you to invite him into your bed. But you’re not that crazy.

“I have a big bed, too. I mean, lots of blankets, and there could still be enough space between us, and,” both the cat and the dog lay their heads back down, pretending to sleep. Now you worry that you are going crazy, “You don’t have to stay on the couch.”

“I won’t sleep in your bed if you’re not comfortable.”

“I wouldn't have asked if I wasn’t comfortable. But before bed, maybe we can watch a movie or something, and you decide how you feel? It doesn’t have to feel weird. And if you want to sleep on the couch you can, and if you change your mind in the middle of the night, you can.”

“I think that sounds amazing. Only if Missy will let me sleep in the bed with you,” she doesn’t look when Steve says her name, just stretches out a bit more on Sugar Cookie. “Here’s to new traditions,” Steve says proudly with his mug held high.

“To new traditions, and new friendships,” friendship. Even if you wish it could be so much more. “Wait! A new picture for my grid!” You snap a photo of the two half-drunk mugs. Editing the photo in a way that you can’t see nothing but the wooden coffee table and mugs. Your parents will be shocked to see two.

To new traditions, and new friendships.

And you hope to forgetting your ex.

Jack’s hand shakes with fury, and he cracks his neck, screaming up into the frosty air as he slings his phone onto the ground. “Little bitch!” He screams. You are playing games with him. Friendships. Traditions. Traditions weren’t new. They were what you did every year.

He just can’t believe you would come back to social media with a stupid post like that. You were supposed to spend Christmas with him! Winter with him.

Jingle bells.

Why the hell could he hear jingle bells as his snowflakes float to the ground. There is a warm smell in the air…marshmallows mixed with cinnamon. Oh, he’s angry. Furious. You are spending time with someone that is not him. If you want to spend your time elsewhere, he’ll make sure that they can’t get to you ever again.

Wherever you are, you’ll be trapped all alone. And with your scent becoming more powerful, he is close. And he will find you. And you’ll be all snowed in. Just the way you belonged.

Next

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season @marveloustaylortot @pono-pura-vida @peaches1958 @seitmai @smile1318 @andydrysdalerogers @cjand10 @midnightramyeoncravings @kmc1989 @floral-recs @pandaxnienke

[00belle00lovely00]

Well if you also have more ships headcanons, so you also have Bobby x CatNap Headcanons?

G A S P

OH MAH GAWD IM GETTING SO MANY GOOD ONES-

ALRIGHT, I got you bestie! 🫶

💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️

ALR. I WILL SAY IT. THIS SHIP SHOULD BE LITERALLY NAMED CUDDLES. DON'T ARGUE WITH ME, YA'LL KNOW IT.

Quiet sleepyhead/introvert x lovely and mushy extrovert

Catnap isn't one to go out of his house much. It is either to lay down on a tree and sleep the day away or lay down on any surface that he finds. So, he is quite fond of Bobby because she's the only one who wouldn't complain about his sleeping habits. I mean, sure, she gets quite down whenever Catnap doesn't come along to the group for something fun, but unlike people like Dogday, Kickin, or Hoppy, she would actually encourage his need for sleep as she is aware he does it for his own self-love (in some strange way).

Catnap would TOTALLY randomly slump onto the floor on purpose and act passed out for Bobby to get worried and carry him into his bed. Why, do you ask? Because she ALWAYS. And I mean, ANYWAYS give a forehead kiss before going. Earning a purr from the cat.

They are all on with PDAs. ALL the time. Every second of it. But that's just because Bobby is the one to start it and Catnap is the one to just melt into it.

She'd be pinching on his cheeks like an aunt coming to see you.

Their date? Laying on a beanbag. That's- that's it. That's all they need. A scenario you say? Well...

Craftycorn: "Um... hey Bobby? Everyone's asking where you are, we were supposed to be at Dogday's house to... oh!"

Bobby: "CrAaAaaFtYYyY... *SNIFF*... THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE... I CAN'T ESCAPE THIS... LOVELY... ADORABLE... PRISON!" *Bobby sobbed as she laid on a beanbag, Catnap lying down on her lap.

Bobby would be sending flower bouquets DAILY for Catnap. Charmingly enough it being lavender and rose buds.

Smooches on the kitty!💜❤️ mwa! mwa! mwa! SMOOCH!

Catnap was always very laidback in many times. Tired much, soft-spoken, never really got anybody or anything for that matter. But often times he would get a bit pissy about how Bobby's mushy attitude is to everyone around them. He may not be a jealous typo, not at all, but he can feel a bit detached from Bobby's love from seeing her much more active than he is. So whenever THAT happens, he gives her the ice treatment. And oh boy, ain't that TORTURE for Bobby. The ONE girl who adores hugging and loving others more than anything else in the world is being given the cold shoulder is something worth weeping for. So whenever that happens, Catnap quickly regrets it and makes it up to her by spending the night with her.

Not surprisingly enough, I always headcanon Bobby having attachment issues (which would explain the last headcanon) so whenever she is also she sends as many love letters to Catnap as she can, even though half of the time is given back due to Catnap not being good with words, it eases her to know he is at least reading it

Bobby would pretty much spoil Catnap ROTTEN! In exchange? Catnap would probs call her "little Rosie". Now, you can imagine her kicking her feet, squirming and going absolutely NUTS for that small compliment.

They both like cuddling a lot, while also watching old Disney movies.

EXTRA:

DogDay: "Catnap? Caaatnaaap? Jeez! Where is he at? I can't find him anywhere!"

Bobby: "Let me handle this, 'Day!" *Bobby stepped in, taking a deep breath before kneeling down and making a gesture with her fingers* "pspspspspspsppspspspspsppsspspsp"

*Instantly, Catnap appears.*

Kickin: "... that's disgustingly corny" Kickin added.

Bobby: "Oh, hush" *she turned to look at Kickin while scratching the back of Catnap's ear* "We all have quirks here and there, that is just what makes you the loveliest you can be"

[onboardsorasora]

I'm firing on all cylinders today! I know its not day 9 but I really wanted to do this prompt. (also unedited)

Part 1 | Part 6

Part 7

F1 Flufftober Day 9 - Mistaken for a Couple

They were wandering around the city centre now, Daniel had asked to see more of Monaco and Max had asked if he wanted to hike. Daniel, of course, sang his yes because there was nothing more fun than prowling through nature.

Max didn’t realize or anticipate that this would include singing, lots of singing. And animals. Soon after they made it maybe halfway up the trail, Daniel had deviated into the forest eagerly. Max, anxious because he had literally just glimpsed through the trees what could have been a fox, a deer or a boar– he truly wasn’t sure, dashed after Daniel.

He climbed over small boulders and through some dense underbrush– who knew Monaco was so lush? Before coming to a stop before a large tree, he bent over and rested his palms on his knees panting. 

Daniel was– Daniel was humming, as evidenced by the unusually large flock of truly random birds that hovered above where he sat cross legged on the ground. There was a…weasel on his shoulder, peering down into his arms. Daniel looked up from whatever he was cuddling to grin broadly at Max who was dumbfounded.

So dumbfounded that he ended up taking a picture and sending it to his groupchat with Lando, Alex and Charles just to….capture…just to prove that he was actually seeing this. He needed confirmation that this truly wasn’t all just a fever dream. When the boys didn’t respond in shock or concern, he placed the phone back in his pocket.

Because, Max truly believed he was taking this whole thing….really well. All things considering. His current baseline state of being remained neutrally surprised. If that even was a thing.

“Max!” Daniel whisper shouted, not wanting to frighten whatever it was he was holding. “Come look!”

Max, helpless to Daniel, picked his way forward. Stepping lightly to avoid any smaller animals that were wandering underfoot. He saw a field mouse skitter away and made an apologetic sound. This was all mental. He was apologizing to a mouse!

Still, he got closer, stepping around a lounging deer that tilted its head for a scratch. Without even thinking about it….Max gave it a little scritch between its ears. The small happy noise in return made him smile.

Daniel gazed up at him from the ground in wonder and Max swallowed the lump in his throat. Daniel shifted his arms, his oversized sweatshirt sleeves parted like a lavender cocoon and Max’s eyes widened in delight at the sight of two snuffling fox kits. They were tiny things, just growing their red fur.

The hike had been derailed after that and they’d spent the next hour in that glade as Daniel gossiped with each of the animals. They came to Max for a scratch or two, after he’s overheard Daniel telling one of the owls that Max was a friend and he was wonderful. Jimmy and Sassy were brought up a few times, described as happy cats, which also seemed to lend Max a little bit more credibility. He never realized he needed it or wanted it until now.

So now they were wandering around looking for a place to have lunch. Daniel wanted burgers but he also wanted ice cream. They’d found a shop that sold sorbet and Daniel had wanted that instead, so they got that and when they left the shop, Daniel had hugged Max tightly before frolicking off.

Max had stood there, stunned every time Daniel showed affection freely, and watched him eat his cold treat and follow a butterfly. An older lady tugged his sleeve and he blinked down at her diminutive frame, completely surprised that she was there. She smiled sweetly at him, in the way a grandmother does when they see something you don’t.

“You are such a beautiful couple. Take it from an old lady who loves love– you make him very happy, cherish him always.” She patted his cheek and walked off, going on her way.

Max’s eyebrows raised to his hairline, he opened his mouth to say something– correct her, but she was across the street now and he didn’t feel like yelling. He blushed as he thought of her words and then looked back to keep track of Daniel.

Only to find Daniel right where he had last seen him, already looking back at Max. Daniel smiled a softer, smaller smile and turned away, ducking his head to lick his spoon. And Max felt his rose blooming.

Part 8

[madamudeeaaarr]

December 17,1991 Arthur made sure the Box was sealed up before walking to the front door of his house he check the time again to make sure Miranda would be home and awake,it was a comfortable but chilly sunny afternoon on a saturday and he decided to take the day off just for this occasion, the days after he brought the girl to live in his home have been more worrisome than he had anticipated and with the holidays approaching it wasn't exactly the right time for him to be away from the company.

The harmony & play like every single one of its competitors have a entire year of sellings and advertising to prepare for this very específic week, christmas was the most profitable period for the company but also the most stressful and it wouldn't stop until february of the coming year,until then there's is stocks,demand and money to think about and after all of this that was the plans for whatever potential disaster scenario they might have to deal in a near future,the thought of said situation already made him feel physically tired. this used to be her job and should still be her place,I still can't believe that hippie head to be the one of us with talent for business.

his personal theories are that the woman understood the capitalist game so well it was the sole reason she hated it so much and her ideas are what helped arthur to rise the company and his own pockets in the last few years lies & fraud she used to say is a shame she didn't want to make it by his side otherwise the three of them could have been living a dream by now.

at least i have my girl and a few years to make it up for.

and this is what he was going to do today or at best try it,Miranda was everything he imagine his children to be: well behaved,sweet and for the little she have opened up to him a bit curious which made it more important for arthur to be around and observe what will be necessary to shape her for into someone capable of fulfilling a place in company on a near future and everything that will come with it, for now however his only worries are that she was lonely and he would need something or someone to keep her company while he is away at work.

when he walked into the big living room the sound of the television playing a random movie indicated a possible place to where the girl was,he looked at the brightly decorated christmas tree near the dining table and placed the Box at the bottom with the piles of smaller gifts before walking around the couch that was placed in the same room, she was spotted laying on the floor sleeping on her stomach head against one of the couch pillows

you're going to get a stomach ache like this.

He knelt down beside her and gently shook the girl's shoulder while waiting for a response.She started to move her head and flipped to the side before noticing him,”good afternoon." he said while she was dizzy sitting “weelo.”,”did you sleep well?”his hand touched the dark wavy hair to move it away from her eyes,”yes.” she replied while looking at him with a gaze that reminded of a pair of black obsidian jewelry ”i got a surprise for you.”,

”you do?”she didn't sound excited or happy in the slightest

“yeah,there's a special gift on the tree right now and it has to be opened today." he pulled her up and waited for the girl to start walking before following right behind.

when she approached the tree they could hear the sound of scratching coming from inside the box Miranda looked at him puzzled “go on.” he tried to encourage and she hesitantly took the gift from the Christmas tree with a expression of suspicion but when she opened a fluffy head with pointy ears came out, arthur couldn't help but smile at the way her face lightened up and she squeal while hugging the cat in her arms jumping was if the happiness was too much to contain “thank you!”

”Did you like him?”he chuckled.“I love him!”, the feline was a almost classic tuxedo with bright yellow eyes that are highlighted by his perfect markings the only exception being the tail and one black paw,arthur had made sure it was a young adult so the cat would be trained and ready to be her first pet since he or anyone else in the house could lost time in training a young kitten,he took a seat from one of the dining table chairs and left the girl enjoying the gift for a while before asking something important “what is his name?” the cat much like miranda herself was still going through a adoption process and right now still needed a official name for being settled with them permanently,he made a deal with the shelter to bring the cat home earlier instead of normal procedures of the formal adoption when he asked why so much bureaucracy just for a pet they told him it was to make sure the people are responsible and there wasn't any risk for the pets and yet all of that formality was throw out of the window at the mention of money,a generous donation and the people in charge allowed a exception for him.

something in the back of his mind wondered if there was potential here,the arcadia project was still in need for more ideas and given it was too early for taking out of his private lock the space for concepts was very much open for whatever he could use,a loud giggle made him stop the brainstorm and he was back to at the house and i'm losing myself in thought again.

The girl was now using a ribbon from the gift box like an improvised toy and the cat seemed to be catching on to whatever game they were having,raising his paws or biting once while rolling from one side to another She didn't hear me.

he slapped his fingers a little “darling,what is his name?”,she stopped and looked at him “martin.” she said.

”yes…hum?no!not that one!” The girl was holding the cat again but higher up was if to show the cat to his face “why not he kinda looks like it.” ”like martin?”,”uhum from there!” she walked to the cabinet full of alcohol bottles and put one finger in the glass “this one.” After trying to understand what she was saying he noticed one of the bottles with a man wearing a tuxedo suit and the brading said Martyn in golden italian letters.

”oh well but you still have to choose something else,is not…very polite to have someone named after a drink.”

”o-okay…than bowtie?” “Sounds good to me.”

She nodded and walked excited to the entrance behind them. Great, do I get my own martin too?Does my next incarnation come in the form of a furball? he was debating with himself about the odd possibility before a voice coming the other room interrupted “good afternoon mr greywhinder.” the woman coming from another part of house said “hello lynn.'',lynn was one of three baby-sitters that worked in the house since miranda came to live with him, as much as he wanted to be around her the work and personal research took most of his time and now more than ever he felt the need to keep a tight grasp on things that could dictate the ways of both the company and the girl, unfortunately Miranda was still too young to take care of herself and so arthur was left with no choice but to hire people to look after her for the next few years or so i will teach her to be more independent but this is how things are for now even if i'm not very happy about it. ”you're free to go home for the rest of the day i'll take from here,you know the schedule.” ”Thanks, I just need to take my things first.” “Just one more thing, don't let her sleep on her stomach again is not good and I cannot have her sick even for a single day for the entire month.”

“right.” He could tell the woman was bothered by the tone of his words but it didn't matter he was not paying anyone to see his girl being neglected anyway, he watched the woman leave the room and turned his attention to Miranda again.

She had returned to the tv in front of the couch with bowtie by her side, the cat seemed to not mind the ruthless affection from before or anything the girl did to him, he is good at this. Most animals became very aggressive or uncomfortable at his presence which made the search for a pet difficult for him but for some reason this specific cat has not shown the same reaction even when provoked and that made him the perfect candidate for a companion.

Arhur tried to think of anything that she would like after he noticed that the first days of readjustment have not softened up their relationship. She is scared of me but doest say it. And he couldn't blame her neither the people around him would smile and treat him like he was a normal person but their faces never manage hide the uneasiness, despite having one eye now his vision was still sharp to see the true but miranda was still a child and children are easily scared by anything and so he decided try to gain her favor by the only means he was familiar with: gifts, it was a good idea at first but when arthur tried to actually find something that wasn't trivial he found out quickly that every idea he had could go very wrong i could commission someone or make something myself but nothing felt right.

The worst that could happen is that she hated it and he would have yet another thing to worry about in the form of an undesirable relationship. He asked for advice from multiple people and the answer came in the form of a passing comment “have you thought about a dog?One of my ex boyfriends got me one when I was seventeen,we broke up but I kept the dog and that relationship lasted for twelve years until sharky died.” he was not so interested with having his new house infested by constant barking and dirt but the idea stuck was the perfect solution still a dog even a small one would be a nuisance however a cat might be a better candidate for his small family necessities and so here we are.

About an hour later Lynn came to said goodbye to them and walked away from the place leaving the three of them alone in the house. He decided it was about time to have an important talk with the girl and sat on the couch near her. “Miranda come here, I want to tell you something.” when she was in front of him,he looked at her and started to speak “i know you don't feel at home here yet and that i'll have to do a lot for your wellbeing from now on.”he continued “but i want you to understand that you're my daughter now and that like any father i want you to be happy,just know that you ́re important for me and there would be never anyone else that can take that spot from you.” after those words left Arthur's mouth he thought saw a glimpse of something black & white in the corner of his vision but when he turned to see it there was only bowtie leaving the room to explore the house on his own, his attention was back at Miranda's face again “I'm promising you that things will get better but it takes time and I can't always be around so he is going to be your friend while I'm out.” He waited and her response took a while but after a bit of an awkward silence she finally managed to gather some courage and said “thank you.” In a shy tiny voice that did not have a single indication of confidence in the slightest. I guess that's a positive answer…well I have an entire day off now soo what now?. He figured it was up for him to break the tension If he was being honest Arthur didn't feel like being stuck isolated in his office again specially on a saturday,so he look at her and said “What do you want for dinner?I'm not cooking so you can ask for whatever you want because I am just going to lay on the couch and watch TV for the rest of the weekend.”

author´s note : english is not my native linguage so i´m at risk of making mistakes despite having revised this three times also this is my first fic so is mostly exposition dump, i will work to make the writting better for the next ones but for now is just this and yes is a light fluff sorry if you come from something gruesome or depressing these i´m saving for later.

[adiduck]

.....88. kissing under the stars????

You got it, my dear.

Sorry for skipping the last couple days, everyone! I had guests, and my brain was cottage cheese.

Only two more days left in SaintSpy May! Send in your prompts if there's anything else you'd like me to write!

-

88. Kissing under the stars

Their first attempt to go camping with Cat is…

Well. Call it an experience.

“That,” Jude tells their dog very seriously, holding her by the collar and pointing her in the general direction of the campfire, “is fire, Miz Hunt. You cannot go into the fire, because it is very hot.”

Cat, apparently unmoved by Jude’s reasoning, leans her long, elegant snout forward, clearly attempting to sniff the crackling logs, ears perked up with far too much interest. “No,” Jude says, and pulls her away again. “I am doing this for you. Your curiosity is going to end in singed fur and distress.”

Ethan, from where he’s watching this exchange in the seat Jude had abandoned him to in order to save their too-adventurous puppy, cracks up.

“You could help,” Jude grumbles at him, frowning in the way that means he only sort of means it. “You will also have to deal with the consequences of this if she jumps into the fire.”

“You’re doing great, sweetheart,” Ethan tells him, but he relents under the scowling, and reaches for the bag of liver treats they brought with them—Cat’s favorite. He shakes them, and watches Cat’s ears perk up.

“Kitty-Cat,” he croons, and gets a cocked head. “Come.”

Cat, being the very, very good and very, very food motivated girl she is, abandons Jude in a beautiful twist that breaks his hold on her collar and scrambles up to Ethan enthusiastically.

“Yes,” Ethan praises, and pulls out a bit of treat to give her. “Sit.” Cat sits. “Yes!” Another treat. “Down.” Down she goes, and accepts a third treat. “Stay,” Ethan says—the hardest by far. Cat starts to stand up. “Eh! Stay, Catherine.” Cat settles back down, still up on her haunches. “Settle,” Ethan says, and with a big doggie sigh, she flops down to the side. “Yes! Good girl. Stay.”

“She only holds a stay if you stand over her with a bag of treats,” Jude says, as he pulls himself to his feet and treks back over to them. “What, are you going to stand over her all night?”

Ethan looks up, a smile playing over his face. “I mean, it’s that or we move her leash anchor back to the tent.

Jude makes a face. “She’ll be cold,” he complains, and the treat Ethan was holding vanishes from his hand as Jude leans over to give it to Cat. “Won’t you? Good girl. Good stay.” He leans down to kiss her right between her ears, scratching under them the way she likes. Cat’s tongue lolls out of her mouth, tail thumping like a metronome on the ground. She starts to stand up—”Eh! We didn’t say ‘okay’—”

Cat springs to her feet, tail wagging furiously.

“Beginner’s move,” Ethan observes as Jude sighs.

“Yes, yes. Cat—sit. Yes, good girl.”

Ethan looks up through the trees as Jude resettles Cat into lying down. From here, the stars are laid out all around them, peaking through the windows of the canopy bright and beautiful. He traces the Milky Way above him with his eyes, picking out constellations and breathing in the smell of wood smoke, the trees around them, the warm summer air.

His view is eclipsed by Jude’s face for just a moment before his lips are taken in a kiss, slow and relaxed and warm.

“Mm,” Ethan says, and kisses back, lets Jude settle over him again, bracing to take both their weights.

“Hm,” Jude agrees, free hand sliding slowly up Ethan’s arched back. Ethan can feel the other hand braced behind him, Cat’s leash wrapped firmly around the palm. “Where were we?”

Ethan smiles, and sucks Jude’s tongue into his mouth past his teeth, slides his own over it the way that always earns him that low rumble in Jude’s chest, deep and interested and happy—

He feels the leash go taut barely a fraction of a second before Jude’s sitting back up and catching their ridiculous greyhound as she makes another leap towards the fire, nose going furiously. “Catherine Hunt,” Jude snaps. “No!”

Ethan collapses back onto the blanket, laughing again.

“It’s not funny,” Jude insists.

“It—it really is,” Ethan says. “Put her by the tent!”

“She’ll get cold.”

“Take a blanket, then, sweetheart—”

Cat belly crawls towards the fire again, pulling herself out sideways in an attempt to inch closer.

“Eh! No. Why are you like this?” Jude asks, exasperated as he pulls her back enough to catch her with his other hand again. “You are going to get banished to the tent, and I will be unable to save you.”

Ethan laughs again. It’s a beautiful night, he has his husband and their ridiculous dog, and above him, the stars spread out above the trees, their own beautiful canopy. It’s a good night. He doesn’t think he could be more full.

-

[lake-archive]

Chapter 3 - Were You Ever Going To Tell Me?

AO3 Link

Fandom: Bungo Stray Dogs

Characters: Osamu Dazai, Annette 'Ann' Droste-Hühlshoff (OC)

Pairing: Annzai (Ann/Dazai)

Words: 954

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

Where was this guy? No, seriously, where the hell was Dazai now? Was he running late or something? Why didn’t he say a word? Ugh, it was always some type of pain to be honest, having to figure out where this guy is. Living in the same space as him was a mistake, or so it felt like sometimes, and yet there was nothing they could do about it. He had insisted. Why?

“Well, your Dad told me to keep an eye on his little girl! And I’ll do just that~ Let’s get along from now on!” 

That had been his words to them, literally, but it had been nothing but chaos ever since as well as a lack of organization. Sometimes he wouldn’t even show up for days which got not just the cat in this small space worried but also Ann themself. Yeah, sure, he was a pain in the ass, but the three were still living together. And it has been like this for a good while. So of course they are going to worry! Not to mention the searching going on! And whenever phoning in they would just hear the usual excuse. “ Dazai? He’s going to show up somehow somewhere. Now go to bed! Don’t you have a shift tomorrow? ” Yeah well that was not really assuring Ann! Nor was it Ole!

Ole is the little kitten who had tagged along with Ann when they had left their home. His fur was black for the most part yet white around the belly as well his paws. Though the most outstanding features were his wide, green eyes and his nose with a white dot right on it.

He was not the youngest cat around, but three years was not that old either. He was still very green to the world, always wandering around curiously when going outside, exploring the whole wide world at his paws. Well, unlike a certain someone Ole always came back before it would get dark, wanting to get snuggly inside the four walls. But it was impossible for him when someone was missing. In fact, his ears were always vibrating like crazy, as if fearful that something had happened if only one person was missing. So the so–called ‘words of reassurance’ were not helping at all! They never were!

Not to mention Ann themself had gotten impatient as well. At this rate they were worrying more for Ole’s sake than their own, given the cat has decided to hide under the table to calm down, scared out of his wits. 

“If something happened it better be–” They were about to complain in the open and yet were interrupted with a sudden knock from the window. No, scratch that, it was loud bashing which made Ole jump away from the table yet hide beneath one of the shelves in said room. Ann only watched him make an escape out of fear and sighed. Yet they could understand, especially given how loud and sudden this noise was. Plus Ole was a cat, of course he would be sensitive to stuff like that. 

“This better be someone I can teach a lesson…” They grumbled, not pleased with this turn of events as they walked over to the window to shut it open in one go. They had not seen who it was due to the curtains being in the way. And thus they were yelling at first: “Alright punk! You got some guts knocking on that thing! How ‘bout I—” And yet they would be shut up the moment they saw who it was… Dangling from a tree, upside down, both legs tied together. And yet, that person had a smile plastered all over, seeming to be rather carefree when interrupting them.

“Haha, Ann! Perfect timing! I knew you’d be home!” A laughter came out of that mouth. “My head hurts! Can you please help me down from here?”

“D… Dazai?” They said, not really surprised but impressed in a very negative sense. They had some many questions to be honest “When did you get here? And more importantly, how did you— Wait nevermind, I don’t want to know how or why actually.”

“Eh!? Why not? Ask ahead~ I’d be happy to—”

“No thanks, pass. I can already imagine what this is about.” All too vivid. They learnt quickly what this man was known for… Much to their dismay. “Doesn’t answer since when you were here.”

“Oh that? Two hours ago I think.” He responded, sounding ever so carefree. But it only made one of their eyelids twitch instead. Oh how they wished to snap his neck at this point but were trying so hard not to.

“T… Two hours?”

He nodded. “Anyway, can you help me down? My head’s really starting to—”

“YOU WERE GOING TO TELL US WHEN!?” They yelled from one moment to the next, perhaps even the neighbors heard it. But Ann certainly did not care. They did not even wait for an answer nor an excuse and instead slammed the window door close. “Stay outside for a little while longer!”

“ Eh!? Don’t be so mean now! Help me! Pretty please!”

“Forget it! You can ro—”

“Won’t little Ole be sad if I don’t come in soon?”

And a moment of silence… That dirty bastard! Playing the cat card! Urgh… The only thing they couldn’t say no to. And thus opened the window shortly after some thinking, even if only peeking out at first. “Ugh, fine. You win. But only for Ole’s sake.”

“Haha, I knew we’d come to an agreement! Now, pretty please?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll get you down there… Urgh…” He would make things easier if he didn’t pull stunts like this though… Idiot.

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

[sidhewrites]

Chapter 8! Kind of! Flailing in the general direction of a narrative and excessive use of brackets to move the action along!

Project Info

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

The second Josie sees Renfield, she cries out in relief and pulls him close to her chest, peppering his fat head with kisses. "Thank you, Kaz. [I was so worried]." Now that she's got her cat back, Josie can focus on other concerns. Her gaze drifts over to the circle of light where a valiant effort to get a modicum of work done after all the chaos.

"Josie...?" I warn, but there's not much heart behind it. After nearly losing Renfield, it's hard not to want to give her something nice. Maybe she could at least say hello. I look over my shoulder and sigh. "Be cool. Okay?"

"So cool. I'm very cool."

"I believe you." I don't believe her.

"Do you...?"

She pauses, looking down at Renfield in her arms. He's happy as can be, face buried in the crook of her elbow. I know Josie wants to take him to the vet to get looked at, and she'd be right to, but the risk of missing out on meeting the archivists. It's such a small thing, but I can still see it weighing on her.

I don't want to make her make a hard decision, not after tonight. "Listen, come by tomorrow. They're probably going to be pissed at me in the daylight and want to talk to Mr. Ngo about things. Might as well have you stop by too. Yeah?"

She hesitates before nodding, and despite her exhaustion, there's a distinct glimmer in her eye. "Sounds good."

"Let me know what the vet says?"

"Will do." Josie looks down at Renfield and sighs. "Thank you, Kaz."

"Sure thing. I'm glad we found him."

Josie heads off, and I turn back to the team, plastering my best customer service smile on my face, and get ready to grovel once more.

#

[Kaz checks in with josie in the mormning, renfield is fine and seems healthier than he was in his last visit which is wild. But he's behaving oddly, hiding under tables, and refusing to be pet. So she's gonna keep an eye on him and keep in touch with the vet.

She also talks with the haunted archivists, gets permission to use the video with the cat in it, etc. she gets a selfie with them and ts delightful.]

Josie looks like she barely slept, but the fear and tension is mostly gone from her shoulders.

"Good news, then?" I ask, and she makes a face. I try again: "Bad...news?"

"Weird news."

"Tell me."

Josie pulled out her phone in search of the after-visit summary. "The vet says he's in perfect health."

"Well, that's good, isn't it?"

"As in, perfect health. No bladder infections, no kitty arthritis. Nothing. Even his breathing seem to be doing better."

"Definitely weird news, then." Renfield was a smush - faced cat. He'd been examined back when Josie first took him in the day she found him in the trash, and the vet said he'd likely suffer some issues in his old age. Sure enough, he'd slowly started to huff and sneeze and wheeze a bit as the years went by, though it was a mix of issues that lead to him being less active and more determined to fall asleep in your lap and drool on your pant leg.

"So..."

"I don't know. I scheduled a follow up at the end of the week with his usual vet, and we'll see. But here, look. See? He's totally fine." She flipped the phone around to show me a video of Renfield noisily chowing down on his breakfast.

"Aww, look at him." I cooed. "A little scrungus man."

"Be nice," Josie whined, even as she moved on to the next video of him scratching at his cat tree.

"An old scrunkly bungus."

"No, he's a sweet baby!"

I fully intended to continue insulting her stinky baby boy but the front door swung open again. "Hang on just a second," I said to Josie, then leaned back in the chair to call out the office door, "I'll be with you in a second!"

A familiar voice answered, "No need."

Ah. The Archivists were back. I felt my whole body cringe, hoping against hope they hadn't reported last night's chaos to Mr. Ngo. A quick glance to Josie told me that she matched my dread with her own levels of excitement. "Be cool," I hissed.

"So cool." She nodded aggressively.

Neither of us were capable of being cool. I was fully prepared for another round of groveling and apologizing until Lourdes poked her head in the door with the biggest smile on her face.

"Morning!" She chirped, and waltzed in, followed by Mick and Maddie. I would have questioned their energy levels after last night were they not all sporting cups of coffee from a local cafe. I had similarly loaded up on caffeine before work and had a backup cup ready to go under the office's coffee machine.

"Morning...?"

"Sup." Josie crossed her arms and leaned against the desk, which would have been perfectly casually if she also wasn't visibly restraining herself from fangirling over both Archivists and their manager standing less than five feet away. She does not miss the dubious glance I shoot her way, but manages to say nothing.

"So the three of us were talking last night," Maddie begins, glancing down at notes on her phone.

"Look, I'm sorry. I swear that one wasn't planned. Josie's cat never runs like that, and he--"

"We'd like to use it in the video."

"What?"

Maddie gives me a look that seems to say keep up, we're talking business here! "It's great content. The team's in the middle of a successful [seance? what's the word] and in comes a cat. I think the audience would be disappointed if we don't do a little Q&A with him, too. You know, just as a little bonus."

I glanced to the side. Josie's practically steaming with the effort of keeping her calm. Frankly, I'm more than a little impressed. "I mean, you'd have to ask his owner, right?"

"Of course, yeah," Maddie says, and the team nods in agreement.

"No, I mean... the owner...?" I gesture to Josie.

She waves.

"Oh -- oh, hey, cool! Hi, I'm Maddie." She reached out to shake Josie's hand, and gestured to the other two. "I don't know if you know us...? This --"

"Mick and Lourdes, Haunted Archivists. I know you guys. Um -- that is, I've seen your show, and --"

I kick Josie lightly, and she clears her throat, getting a hold of herself.

"Yep, yeah. So cool. Um, yeah, that was my cat Renfield that you... want to use in the video, apparently?"

[They greet Josie and talk and of course she's excited.]

She talks about some of the local legends, and points them in the direction of the librarian

Tag list:

@adaughterofathena

@ambreeskyewriting

@carnelianflames

@feather-dancer

@halfbloodlycan

@nadunacreates

@serenanymph

@vigilantdesert

[plusreaderswhenever]

I just had the greatest idea! Cat person scratches a non-cat behind their ears! The non-cat scratches them like that a lot, so one day they return the affection. Or as soon as they are scratched the first time, they scratch back right then and it’s super cute! Or maybe, a cat person was scratched by a non-cat before so when they meet another non-cat, they scratch them too. Also works with any other animal that likes their ears scratched!

Below is an example story I made.

Elise had been on a journey for a few months now. She was tired, and she was still lost in a huge forest she entered a couple hours ago. It was autumn, and she didn’t have a sweater or jacket to help her with the chilly weather. She didn’t have a map either, so all she could do was wander until she found civilization again. Eventually, a lone cottage was visible through the trees far away. It was very old, covered in vines and moss with the stone it was made of clearly having been weathered down by many seasons. It still stood though, and looked cozy, even. To Elise’s delight, there was smoke coming from the chimney! That meant someone lived there, and she could ask them for directions out of the woods! She excitedly ran to it, happy for a chance at not being lost anymore.

Unfortunately, when she was just a few yards away from the front door, she put a little too much energy into running towards it at such a long distance. The cold and exhaustion she felt even before being lost finally caught up to her, and she collapsed.

Elise woke up on a couch with a blanket draped carefully over her. There was the sound and heat of a fireplace nearby. Nearby, a shuffling of fabric caught her attention.

She sat up and looked where the sound came from to see a stranger walk toward her from a chair next to the fireplace. He moved slowly so as not to overwhelm her. “Hello, my name is Anthony. I found you unconcious near my house. Are you okay?”

He was a sapient, anthropomorphic cat of some sort. He crouched next to the couch to be on eye-level with her, and had a concerned expression. Elise nodded. “Yeah. Thank you for helping me.”

“No problem.” He sat on the couch next to her, and the two sat in a nice silence for a bit while thinking of a good conversation topic.

“So,” Said Elise, turning to Anthony, “Do you like rain? I heard it’s forecasted to rain next Tuesday.” Anthony complained, “No, I hate getting wet! But I like the smell when it’s over.” Elise smiled and looked forward again. “Mhm.”

And so they talked like that for a good, peaceful while. In a lull in the conversation, Anthony reached a paw over to Elise’s head and gently rummaged around in her hair as if looking for something.

“What are you doing?” She asked confusedly. “Looking for your ears. Cat ears are more visible, so I’m curious where yours are.” He continued to search her, but was just a little too high to feel them. She took his hand and put it over her ear. “Oh!” He lightly exclaimed. He then tucked her hair behind her ear to get a better look at it. After studying it for a minute or so, he turned forward again and went back to that comfortable silence with her.

Just a little bit later, he began to scratch behind her ear. He scratched carefully to not cut her with his claws. She was confused, though. “What’s this?”

Anthony pulled his paw away apologetically. “Sorry.” She waved her hands. “Oh no it’s fine! You can keep doing that if you want.” He gladly kept going, but after a few seconds, he got a sad look on his face and stopped. Elise asked concernedly, “What’s wrong?”

Anthony looked away slightly. “You’re not purring…” Elise froze a little, then laughed softly. “Don’t worry, it’s just that my species can’t purr.” Anthony was shocked and worried. “They can’t?!” Elise shrugged to show him it was fine. “Yeah, it’s okay though.”

He went back to scratching her. It was kind of nice and relaxing, actually. She enjoyed it.

After a while of him doing that, she asked, “Why are you doing this, anyway?” He was a bit surprised at being asked that, but he answered nonetheless. “I just thought humans liked being scratched behind their ears.” Now Elise was more confused. “Huh? Why?”

“Well…” Anthony closed his eyes for a second, as if going back to a dear memory. “There was once a human I was friends with, who had to stay at my house for a while due to… unfortunate circumstances. They would scratch me behind the ears all the time, so I figured that was just how humans show affection. I never got the chance to scratch them back before they… had to leave…” He held his face in his hands. Clearly he didn’t want to talk about what happened, so she just patted him on his back comfortingly.

“Do I remind you of them?” Anthony shook his head. “No, I couldn’t leave someone collapsed outside like that! I just remembered them a few minutes ago. I thought, ‘Hey, isn’t she a human? She must like ear scratches then.’”

“Hm.” She continued to pat his back. Then she felt like she was forgetting something…

Elise snapped her fingers in realization. “Oh right, I came here for directions to get out of the forest. Do you have any maps?”

“Yes, I do! Just wait here a moment.” Eager to help his new friend and wanting her to be safe and free, he left the room fast and came back a very short time later, handing her the map quickly. “Here you go!”

“That was fast! Thank you!” Elise cheered. Then she thought for a second, getting a little more serious. “Before I go…”

She lifted her hand and scratched behind Anthony’s ears. His eyes opened wider and he made a surprised “Mrrp!” Then after a few seconds he closed his eyes slowly and began to purr.

He seemed to like it, so she started scratching more vigorously. He pushed his head up into her hand and purred louder, with a big smile. She giggled a little and scratched with all the heart she could muster. He now sounded like rolling thunder, in a good, comforting way, like being inside while the rain sounds relax you and the storm is far away enough to not scare you with big claps of lightning.

She tried to pull her hand away, but he softly took it and placed it right back on his head. Obviously it was too soon to do such a thing. Soon he finally mumbled, “You can stop now.”

She did so slowly, and turned to leave. “Thank you!” Anthony then smiled back. “Thank you! That was nice.” They bid each other farewell, and after just a few minutes of walking, Elise was finally out of the woods once more. It could have been just her, but the weather seemed a little warmer than before.

I just made up these oc’s for this. I can’t belive I put such thought and time (A few hours!) into that story, but I’m definitely not complaining! It was very fun!

Thank you for reading!

[running-in-the-dark]

I felt like I got nothing done today because everything looked more chaotic by the time I was 'done' (aka too exhausted to keep going, and also it was late so I had to be quiet). I put up the pegboard I got from IKEA a few days ago, I cleaned a bit in the bathroom and hallway. and then thought I'd just quickly put up the new fabric (it's actually a cheap rug from IKEA lol) that I bought to fix a cat tree that we got for free months ago. the old one was very shredded.

anyway. I realised I couldn't properly remove or replace it without taking the tree apart, so I did that. then I attached the pieces of the rug (I was so glad that I have an electric staple gun lol), etc. etc.

it took so long. soooo long. I broke a piece a little bit so I spent at least 30 minutes just trying to fix that. and when I was mostly done it was too late to finish the rest.

but! I talked to my friend on the phone, that was nice. and I cleaned the hallway in the end so at least the cats can go in there again, even if their cat tree isn't done.

and!! then I ordered food!! by myself! I know that's literally so normal but. I've only done that once before (like 10 years ago. it did not go well!). I didn't even call or anything, just ordered it in the app, but still! I would normally find that impossible! just. going downstairs to get the food when it gets here. it's so stupid but that's really really hard and scary. or it used to be, I guess!

our doorbell is a bit broken, so I went outside when I thought I saw the delivery driver. it was another car, but, there was a stray cat outside that loudly meowed at me! so instead of going back inside, I sat outside and petted the cat for 10 minutes 😄 it was super friendly, jumped up on the bench with me and sat on my lap. my legs are all scratched up now from where it kneaded them lol but it was worth it 💖

[larcenywrites]

some general hcs to think about 💭

There's a few random domestic things for bachelor Tony I like to think about sometimes (and would love to know if you have any of your own ❤️)

✏️ We all know he's a very talented individual in many ways, but he drew up that first blueprint of the suit (or at least some of it) and then went home and did it again (with better help from his AI pal, mind you). And considering all the other things he's built, he probably drew those up too, right? He had at least some part in designing his house, and he would've had to draw up designs for those college projects, too

✏️ Now he's not out here drawing headshots and detailed forest sceneries, but he can probably sketch up a decently cute corner café from the plaza, or the city's skyline towering around Central park where the trees might look a little awkward but that's okay! He might not necessarily be considered "good", but enough to where an onlooker or friend might be like, "hey, that's pretty good!" He might doodle when he spaces out. Don't give him a pen and notepad during a conference where all he's doing is listening because there will be silly looking cats or various new designs for things he's decided to start on now that he's trapped and bored somewhere. It's also a fun little pass time, or a fun challenge to get his mind off things when he's staring mindlessly through the window of that little corner café on the plaza.

🎹 We know he loves music, and we also know his mother played piano. And that he loved to listen to it growing up, even falling asleep on the sofa a few times! His mom probably tried to teach him growing up, but he was too restless to sit there long enough to learn much. Though, he can probably still recall a few little tunes he did learn, occasionally tapping them out every so often on a baby grand piano just to see if he remembers. He always gets it mixed up and goes too slow the first few times, but once he hears the right sounds he smiles a little and plays it another time or two at the right tempo.

🎹 Sometimes it strikes a nerve when he's at a party or fancy restaurant and hears a familiar tune that he never learned so he could go take apart an RC car in the backyard instead. He doesn't sit around listening to a playlist of classical music or anything like that, but he does enjoy hearing it from time to time. And music in general helps fill the silence in that empty house when the silence gets a little too loud.

🐈 Pets. Never grew up with them, never had them. He's probably a little afraid of animals and their spontaneity, anyway. Sure kittens and rabbits and what not are cute or whatever, but... they're also dirty, need more attention than he can give, and would scratch the shit out of his floor and furniture (and him! He already gets hurt enough!). Plus,, taking care of a living thing is scary, let's be honest, though he has probably considered it. Things can get lonely in such a big, isolated house, after all. He can never commit, though.

🥀 Perhaps plants could be a safer option? Unfortunately not. He hates being sick in any way, and swears that he's always allergic to the pollen in the spring. Half the time he forgets the last time he watered them, or forgets to water them altogether. He leaves them out on the balcony for too long, or forgets to bring them inside before the storm that he got a notification for hours ago. He probably feels an oddly heavy guilt when they die or get yellow spots, and decides he'd rather avoid that feeling altogether. Just like a pet, they are pretty and give his home some extra life! But he has a hard enough time taking care of himself

🥘 We know he's... well, an okay cook! It might take him a few hours longer than it should... but he has the money to by extra ingredients for redoing it when it doesn't work out the first time (or two)! Cooking for only one is hard, but relying on takeout and frozen foods gets boring and a little depressing. Plus, its another way to pass the time, at least, and it makes him feel a little proud of himself

✈️ He goes on vacations alone when he's bored and cramped, but it's not usually as much sex and fun as he makes it out to be. He's getting out of town for a reason, to escape his normal everyday life and have a different kind of peace and quiet; and perhaps somewhere the locals won't treat him so stiffly and regard him so highly (and only try to get him in bed like one time instead of all night, every night). Maybe he can have some normal fucking conversation for once, too, that's not about him or the company or business ventures

🥃 Unfortunately we know he drinks a lot. He knows he needs to watch it, but at least he can't get into anything when he's home alone! But maybe it does help to soothe that talkative brain and fill in the lonesome gaps here and there...

💠 Talks to JARVIS a lot. About normal ass things sometimes and not just work related projects. Who else is he going to talk to? Himself? At least JARVIS makes sense most of the time, and sometimes tells a joke or two! Oh, wait, those were meant to be serious, weren't they?

💠 It's a constant struggle between enjoying the solitude and actually wanting some sort of companionship, but that's probably too hard right now. Look what happened to those plants! He'll get around to it later... probably :(

💠 But... isn't this the dream that everyone wants? At least he can walk around, doing as he pleases without being yelled at, or argued with, or nagged… right?