#it feels like a mama cat who keeps looking for her kittens because someone took them away

[heph]

House and his Ducklings 🐤

[justafoxkit]

Tfp Agere Headcanons

Team Prime edition!🤖

Optimus Prime:

❤️ Toddler regressor! Ironically he regresses to the youngest age of all of them.

❤️Started regressing before the war, as a way to cope with stress.

❤️ Absolutely clingy baby, a CG has to be in his line of sight at all times, or he WILL lose it.

❤️ Sometimes when he's little, OP forgets how tall he actually is. As a result, he often bumps his head on things, and will usually run to whoever's closest for comfort.

❤️Still has his white blanket and blue cat plush Ratchet gave him when they were teens and learning to navigate the CG/little relationship. The cat's name is Nova.

❤️When he comes out of littlespace, OP is always so embarrassed about how needy he is as a little, but his family absolutely adores it. They wouldn't trade their clingy baby for anything.

Ratchet:

🚑Caregiver! Initially only took care of Optimus, but when others on his team came out as regressors, of course he had to step in! What kind of CMO would he be if he didn't take care of his team's needs?

🚑He genuinely loves being a caregiver; so much of his job is high-risk, it's nice for the biggest problem to be that someone's comfort item is missing, or that someone needs a cuddle session. It's as much stress relief for him as it is for them.

🚑Often lets the little ones cling to him; Ratchet can often be seen with a smaller bot hanging on his back like a koala.

🚑Sooo protective. Can and will hoist a little one into his arms to keep them from harm. June called him a Mama bear once, and Miko refuses to let him live it down.

🚑 He's often bad with feelings, but tries his absolute best to understand and validate his little ones.

Ultra Magnus:

🔨 preteen regressor! He's in a smaller headspace, but still independent.

🔨Hates being doted on, in typical preteen fashion grumbles when Ratchet reminds him that no one regressed is allowed to go on patrol alone.

🔨 He's one of those teen regressors that pretends not to want to help with the smaller ones, but when no one's looking he hovers protectively nearby. Ratchet and the other CG's pretend not to notice.

🔨Kid loves tool sets, Ratchet built him one that he can hammer fake nails onto and saw on stuff(all fake, mind you. Wouldn't want him to hurt himself on accident)

🔨Magnus absolutely refuses to talk about his kidspace when not regressed, he's very insecure about it.

Arcee:

🐈Kitten regressor! Started regressing after Tailgate died, Cliff used to be her CG. She stopped for awhile, and it took her realizing that Jack wasn't going to abandon her for Arcee to become more comfortable starting again.

🐈Loves, loves, loves plushies!! Arcee adores the huge stuffies that are super soft, and soft things in general.

🐈Can and will spend as much time as possible in someone's arms. She loves attention and affection.

🐈She and OP get along like a house on fire usually, but look out when they're both little. Arcee is the only one who can make OP truly embrace the erratic energy that comes from toddlerhood.

🐈The only time she's ever unhappy in petspace is when she regresses because of a bad or stressful situation. Then she either wants to be left alone, or she never wants you to leave.

Bumblebee:

🐝 Middle Regressor! Younger than Ultra Magnus, but older than Optimus.

🐝Kind of a big brother regressor, Bee loves playing with the other regressors, and helps where he can.

🐝Bee is prone to a lot of meltdowns while regressed; poor baby has so much trauma in his little head. One of the CG's is always there to cuddle and comfort him though.

🐝 Actually saved a lot of toys from his childhood, and he's more than happy to share with the other little ones.

🐝Lots of baby talk! He's a very chatty little guy, and will often stick to Ratchet's side to chatter away. The medic happily listens.

Smokescreen:

Puppy regressor!

🐕Hoo boy, the energy on this pup! He regresses as a way to destress, and loves it!

🐕 Smokescreen loves chew toys! He chews as a nervous tick, so chewable toys are a must.

🐕He will absolutely run through a mud puddle, with no regard for cleanliness. Then whine and fuss when he gets a bath.

🐕When he finally does run out of steam, surprisingly the person he goes to is Ultra Magnus. They have a sort of 'boy and his dog' relationship when small, and the caregivers find it adorable. His energy helps Magnus come out of his shell.

🐕 Nonverbal when in petspace, but he will yip and paw at someone to get their attention. He has a hard time asking for help or something he needs, but he gets better slowly.

🐕Uses his alt mode to race around base(basically a bot version of zoomies!)

Bulkhead:

⛰️Caregiver!

⛰️Soft boi, soft boi, soft boi! He's the type of guy who freaks at the sight of a little one.

⛰️ Definitely coos and babbles right back at them("Ooh, I've got a chatty baby here, huh?")

⛰️ Bulkhead was initially Wheeljack's caregiver, but now he and the other CG's tag team to care for all the little ones.

⛰️ Absolute cuddle king! No matter how fussy, or weepy, or hyper a little or pet is, put them in Bulk's arms and they're out in minutes.

⛰️He's the type of CG to ask his little questions like 'how many of those do you see?' or, 'what color is that?' He's very interactive with his little ones.

Wheeljack:

🐺Flip!wolf regressor lean!

🐺When a CG, loves to hear his little ones babble! He'll nod along, pretending he understands the slurred words and baby talk.

🐺As a regressor, think guard dog. Absolutely will not let anyone hurt his littles. If someone made them upset, you better believe it'd take everything in him to keep from biting.

🐺A chaotic goblin in and out of petspace. He's just not allowed to use his bombs when small. No matter how much he whines and whimpers.

🐺Will growl at you, but give him pats and you've won his heart. A big soft pup at heart.

Nicknames:

❤️: Little Boss, Pax, Honeybun(only June calls him that), Baby, Little one.

🚑:Mama bear, Chee, Doc.

🔨:Kiddo, kid(not a fan of nicknames).

🐈:Kitty(OP calls her that when little), KitKat, Ceecee, Putty Tat(courtesy of Jack).

🐝:Babybee, Little Bee, Honeycomb, Squeaker.

🐕:Pup, puppy, McQueen (Miko's nickname for him), Lil Pup.

⛰️:Bulk, Papa.

🐺: Wolfie, Chomper, Jackie, Little Puppy.

Humans next, hope you enjoyed these!

[jalicecookie]

Kitten got Claws!

Headcanon Tigress as your Mother

#.Besides her agressive nature, she is very gentle with you and loves the Nighttime Routine, when putting you to Bed

#. Once Tigress found out she was pregnant with you, she thought about baby Names and it was no Option not to get threw this Shit! The first Baby of a New Vile Generation? Let´s rock this! Her favorite Name for a Boy was Scar for a very long Time. For a Girl the Villain fall in love with the Name Selina (both famous Cats so of course she would pick one of these!)

#. It was a though way for her to accept the Mother Role and new way of beign kept on short Ground, after you had made your way to this World full of evil Villains, Danger and Secrets. The freedom of running around with her `Friends´ to cause Trouble and go in Missions for Vile, caused Tigress to set new daily routines. But her little Baby stole her heart with the first smile, you gave her, and all the sleepless nights were forgotten.

#. Once you reached the Toddler Area and ruined one of her favorite green Jackets while throwing a Tantrum at Lunchtime because you hated green Beans and your Lunch lets say, added some more green to the Jacket, Tigress indeed hold a grudge against you for this Crime. Ignoring you for the rest of the Day and let one of your Guardian - Paper Star or Le Chevre - deal with you for Bedtime.

#. When your first Word was Mama, she started crying and giving you a big loving hug, before telling everyone from Vile about it (whatever they like to hear it or not)

#. Once you got very scared of Thunderstorms and seeked comfort and safety in your Mothers Arms, Tigress told you a Story. A Story about an mean Enemie of Vile, who caused the Thunderstorms to spread a warning. A evil Lady with a Red Hat and the Name Carmen Sandiego.

#. Tigress besides her often arrogant Character Traits, seeks Help and Advice from the Leading Heads of Vile, when overwhelmed with parenting you in different Situations. The CEOS know how to lead this Place, so they sure gave your Mama some tipps. (well mostly Coach Brand & Professor Maelstrom tried to gave Instructions, while Countess Cleo tries to keep more Distance between your Mother and that Thing, as she called you)

#. Your Mother is very talented with showing her gymnastic Talent and started teaching you little tricks, as soon as you could walk. Not withouth setbacks but for the little and more huge Ouchies, she had a first aid kit, of course with Tiger Stripe plasters.

#. Your Mother gets very aggressiv, when someone is messing around with you or calls you a brat. Her protective instincs kick in and you know the saying - mess around with a Mama Bear and get hit by hers Claws. Or in Tigress Case - Keep annoying and insulting her Baby and end up in the Hospital!

#. Tigress once you where able to walk stable without needing the support of holding her Hand, showed you how to hurt a person with you tiny toddler fingernails.....and because you wanted to be as strong a super cool like your Mama, you started copying her attacks moves and using your ´claws´ to hurt the Enemies (wich often where the poor Guys - the Cleaners uhm i mean our very hard working Boys Boris and Vlad)

#. Your Mother calls you by many Nicknames to show her Affection and Love towards your. The top 3 are Mini-Tigress, Dollface or Kitten.

#. For your first Birthday she bought you a Stuffed Animal Plushie that looked like a Baby Tiger and you loved it, took it everywhere with you and gave it the Nickname Tiana - Tiana the Tiger.

#. Tigress is that Kind of Mother who brags about everything you do and dosent care if her Friends get annoyed by it or not.

#. When you push her Limits to far, she sometimes snaps at you and yells at you for beign so stupid and annoying....before 15 Minutes later her guilt feelings hit her hard and she tries to solve the Situation by giving you a Choclate Bar or anything sweet to calm her own Guilt down.

#. You cannot be angry at your Tiger-Mama for very long Time, you love her very much and Tigress loves you. She would steal anything for you to see you smile.....but if you dare to steal her pink Lipstick one more time to play with it, she is going to send you in the longest damn Time Out there is!

#. Tigress hates Bath Time, because what Cat doesent? So when you once wanted to splash a lot of Water super high and got both of you wet.....it took a lot for Tigress to remain calm and not even your ´Love ya Mama´ could helped in that Moment. Cats dont like Water....but you seem to be a Water Rat. Damn.

#. No Matter if you are a boy or a Girl, Tigress because she is so proud of her own Goals, gave your her Name as a Second Name. So your Second Name goes by - Sheena - .

#. Tigress once she came back from a Mission for Vile, always sneaks in your room to check on you and gave you a goodnight kiss on the hair.

[graveyard-of-buried-hope]

Wildflower

An lgbtqia+ love story

I was a 15 year old girl then. I met her by a lake on a Saturday afternoon in early march. Her soft brown hair was plaited neatly, and her honey brown eyes trained on the water. On an impulse, I pushed forward and crossed the overgrown grassy path to see what she was doing. She barely acknowledged me.

After a long while, she pulled my sleeves slightly and asked,"Do u see that fish? I named him Matt." She pointed somewhere in the water. I saw only a slight movement under the foul smelling lake water. I nodded. And we fell back to our silence. It was awkward how I didnt feel awkward standing silently with a girl I hardly knew. "He must have gone to the other side. I can't find him. Come with me, I'll show u some interesting things." I didnt know how to say no, so i went with her.

We crossed the MBB college and walked into dubious alleys. She would spot some flowers or wildness here and there and talk about it, name the tiny pieces of nature. I think that was when I fell in love with her. She took me past the GB motorstand and to the Shyamali Bazaar. We took an abrupt turn and reached a lane. The road there was broken at many places.

We paced down a high land and she pointed towards a house at our right. "That's my home. It isnt interesting. But I have somethings that are marvelous." And she pulled me to a warehouse. It was like a picture out of a gothic story. Probably a fire accident, I thought. Broken glass phials were scattered everywhere in the grass, the left wall had collapsed, and the other walls were burnt. As for the building, it was in a crooked shape, dark and damp inside. But nature had taken its course. There were mosses and ferns and wild bushes everywhere.

She pulled me to a corner and removed some planks from what looked like a broken railings. Underneath it, tucked warmly within a carton was a little kitten. It purred fondly at our sight, or rather, her sight. "She was paralyzed after a bad fall when she was a few days old. Her mother abondaned her", she sighed, "I named her Shirin." She fed the cat with some dry moori.

"What is your favourite flower?" It was the white plumeria and I said so. "I love those wildflowers. They dont have a name. They are just... wild... and unloved... unappreciated. No one bothered themselves to keep a name for it." She pointed to a green bush rising from the right wall. They were beautiful! Violet and yellow. Uncannily beautiful. She plucked a flower and gave me. I threw it away immediately.

"It smells so foul!" I exclaimed. "This is her tragedy", replied the girl gravely and she plucked a few more of them, engraving them in her tangled hair.

We sat at the broken bench in a corner for a long time, talking about our lives. It felt nice to speak about my mother's passing to someone who understood pain. She had a lot of family issues, and then she came to the point. As sun was setting low, the evening spent with her, she clutched my hand tightly leaned on me and whispered, with glassy eyes, " I m leaving town tomorrow, will u look after my little family here? Please." "Why?" "My parents signed their divorce. Tomorrow I will be far away from here never to return. I cannot take Shirin. Mama shall never allow. I cannot take my wildflowers. What if I gift them to u?"

"Why me?" I asked, not out of spite, but out of curiosity. "Because, u r my only friend and I love you." And she kissed me on my cheek and buried her face on my jacket. "I will", I promise....

--------------------------------‐--------- —---------

"Shit!" The alarm rang the hundredth time. It was 8 AM. She had probably already left. I rushed past the ferri driver, and took an auto-rickshaw to GB motorstand and I ran my way. I fell asleep thinking about the girl last night, or rather this dawn. I was lost in her. Drunk in her completely.

I felt panic and then lost. There I stood, in the middle of the warehouse. There was nothing. No one. She was supposed to start her journey on a van from here. It was long gone.

I sat down, feeling hollow, empty from the bottom, when I heard the purr. I rushed to Shirin's abode. There was a note there:

everything is more beautiful because we are all doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.

She never striked me as someone who would read Homer. But I felt a pang of grief. I would have loved her. The way I thought love was supposed to be lived.

Today as I m writing this account, she is still with me. She is the sunlight that enters through my window; in Shirin's kittens; in the fishes that swim in the college tilla lake; in the fresh bunch wildflower every morning by my bed; and in the withered bunch I keep in my drawer, counting the days we will meet again.

I never asked her name. I never knew her name. Indeed she lives as the unnamed wildflower in every corner of our home.

[wilted3sunflowers]

characters made for @oznitus​ dorm, ling already knows Mara but now they also get to meet the new group on the block

They all hail from The Emerald Plains 

Mara Malice Species: human Inspired by: Madam Morrible  Height: 5′7″ Age: 21 Favorite Food: salt water taffy Hated Food: Corn [popcorn is the only corn allowed]  Fun Fact: Would have been part an important family but her father ran off with his “true love” in poverty instead of just marrying who he was arranged with. Mara doesn’t know this.  Unique Magic: The Fates Design She can set the goal and things will fall into place, if its further into the future or a very hard to accomplish goal it will take a lot of magic, and even saps magic from her a bit for each day as fate gets rolling into place like she wanted. so shes not seen doing a lot of magic, especially if she has plans going on behind the scenes. Most don’t know her unique magic. 

A teachers assistant that typically while helping grade and work on other things is stationed in Oznitus. Kind of like a baby sitter but not that Crowley would say that. She’s actually earned the nickname ‘mama’ from some more ornery students. As her first year being a teachers assistant she kind of wants to put the best example forward and typically will just say white lies.

“Oh no, Trien sir, i just passed those students in the library. Are you sure that it was them you saw? Come, let’s talk this out, i’d love to help you solve this mystery” taking his arm and leading him off meanwhile the students in question hiding under her desk or throughout the room just out of sight.  Actually has grown close friends with the main Oznitus trio, especially Mika who she talks a lot more casually with and interacting more with him like a best friend especially when off the clock so to say. Gets along well with Evett and Theo too.  Mika started a joke of telling the first years to call Mara and Evett ‘Mama’ and ‘Pops’ because they can be quite the more paternal of them trying to keep everyone in line and orderly 

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Viridian Hunter Species: Human Inspired by: The gate keeper Height: 5′1″ Favorite Food: Filet Mignon Hated Food: Chocolate covered Cherries Year: 2nd Age: 18 Class: 2-D  Best Subject: Summoning Club: Light Music - he feels remiss they don’t actually practice their instruments much and a lot of it is just ‘socializing’  Fun Fact: Thinks women are amazing, it’s a common thought from the Emerald plains that the women are the more highly regarded ones. Typically better at magic than the others Though has that actually been put to the test? Where are those stats? How did they test the magic? Seems a bit of just another one of Viridian’s biases  Unique Magic: Lock and Key  He can make anything un-openable but also he can just as easily open anything he wishes with a magic formed skeleton key. He usually can’t open things enchanted though. he’s trying to see if he can though, he wants to see if he can eventually get to that level. 

Met Tsavorite while very young and actually was an orphan the family took in and while they technically adopted him it was very clear he was more of a live in friend because Tsavorite wanted him around. Playing a lot of dress up, playing fun games, telling Viridian to break some rules that were in place that usually would get Viridian so worried and wound up but bending to Tsavorites will to do as she asked and if he got caught Tsavorite would just coolly say “ I told him to.” and that was the end of the conversation. She has surprised him by saying this when he was caught once actually trying to sneak seconds in the middle of the night because he didn’t eat much that day from playing all day with Tsavorite. They sat there in the kitchen with Tsavorite eating with him after the staff made something fresh. It’s one of his most appreciated memories. 

He admires Tsavorite greatly and does anything she asks of him. To him Tsavorite can’t do wrong, he knows rules, he knows morallly that some of the things she does do....isn’t the best. But rules don’t apply to Tsavorite. He learned that one early on. 

He is more akin to a butler and handmaiden for Tsavorite, picking out outfits, getting them clean, making appointments, doing Tsavorites hair, he even bathes her as if she was a genuine princess that gets pampered. Though Berenice was the one to point out that was a bit ‘odd’ before Tsavorite hushed her and told her she could do it if she found it so ‘odd’ which had Berenice not saying another word on the matter. 

Viridian is slightly jealous of the fact Berenice seems to be the favorite, though he does sometimes wonder if it’s actual favoritism considering Berenice does get called ‘Little Kitten’ and petted often as if she was an actual pet and more closely scrutinized by Tsavorite if shes not groomed to the usual expectation and wearing what she told her to. Though he often shrugs this thought off to the back of his mind. After all he was Tsavorites doll first before Berenice came into the picture. Tsavorite cares about those close to her, even if she shows it in...odd ways. He’s sure of it. 

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Tsavorite Diona Proserpine Species: Human ( ? ) has some fae blood in her Inspired by: The Emerald City Height: 6′ 6″ Favorite Food: Green Apple slices with Caramel  Hated Food: Tapioca Pudding Year: 2nd Age: 19 Class: 2-E Best Subject: Magic Practice Club: Gargoyle research facility  Fun Fact: Doesn’t yet know how to genuinely interact with people on a personable level, even those closest to her don’t get the full her and her emotions she keeps locked tight. Kind of considers those closest to her more like pets or toys with appreciation but it feels there’s not actual thought of them as their own free willed people. She needs to work on this.  Unique Magic: Emerald Spires Creating dazzling green stone columns and working more and more each day to forming them into other shapes and see how far she can stretch them. She has successfully been able to make walls which, if you think about it, is just a horizontal column...kind of. 

Tsavorite Proserpine. A name that strikes fear into those of the Emerald Plains. Those who are smart enough to know who really runs the capital. Coming from a long family who’s said to even started the capital base of the Emerald Plains. Born with a Silver spoon in her mouth and treated more like royalty than just simply someone rich due to the power of both financials and magic prowess her and her family possesses. What Tsavorite wants, Tsavorite gets. 

She knows money and power get you everything and connections are how you strengthen keeping your station. She very much lives by the ‘Keep your enemies close’ rule but it should be no shock that Berenice and Viridian are the closest to her. While it may seem that she treats them as lackeys, those who actually have seen Tsavorite interacting with general working class staff and those who she’s not close to that Viridian and Berenice are obviously more favored by her with more ‘niceties’ given to them. 

Viridian is the one trusted fully to handle her appointments, her outfits, keeping everything organized and in place. He’s trusted enough that she knows he could never do anything of his free volition that would come at her. If something caused him to turn on her, she would no doubt know it was a fake or a spell that caused something like that to change 

Berenice she finds simply adorable, such a predator, such a beauty, Berenice has a lot of physical power but she’s just such a lap cat, its where she should be is what Tsavorite thinks of her. A powerful girl by her side, dressed looking cute how she likes. She thinks the meekness she can have is cute but finds her unique magic the most interesting aspect of her. Such contradictions in Berenice. It’s fun. She doesn’t fully trust Berenice though. Not yet. Not on Viridians level.

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Berenice Kelly Lemongrass Species: Lion beast folk Inspired by: The cowardly lion Height: 5′10″ Favorite Food: Seared Ahi Tuna Hated Food: granola bars Year: 2nd Age: 19 Class: 2-B  Best Subject: Flying skills Club: Basketball Fun Fact: doesn’t originally hail from The Emerald Plains, her family moved there when she was 12  Unique Magic: Trapped Her magic inflicts psychological damage trapping people in their minds for a short period of time with fears and horrible memories coming back to eat at them. Rarely used longer than a few minutes, if used longer the victim will pass out, if used too long...they might not be the same person they were at the start. But she hasn’t used it that long and doesn’t know what might happen. 

The supposed Bodyguard of Lady Tsavorite and while she is strong she’s just...not cut out for being that intimidating or strong willed. Often more easily curling in on herself and doing whats told of her. Lady Tsavorite personally decided she’d be her ‘bodyguard’ even if her magic is more impressive than Berenice’s and can go on much longer using it than Berenice as well. Berenice does have genuine power and strength and does her best to keep it up. 

Lady Tsavorite typically calls Berenice pet names, but immediately shuts down others who try saying any pet name to Berenice. Her favorite to use is usually “Little Kitten”. It was Lady Tsavorite who chose how she gets her hair down and expressed to her to wear those cute bows and make up as well and what Lady Tsavorite says, goes. 

Berenice thinks Viridian is the favorite, Lady Tsavorite doesn’t snap at him for his outfits or make up but then again...he’s never out of proper attire or looking ‘sloppy’ or ‘messy’ but also she wonders just how close two people can be. She’d consider them the closest people two can be platonically really that it’s almost admirable but she can’t feel at ease with Lady Tsavorites behaviors sometimes. While its nice having her head pat and ears scratched always needing to be dressed to her standards is kind of tiresome and does get her worried to being a rough around the edges as she can be sometimes as she likes to run and honestly she has a little bit of dramatic flair and has tried out for theatre. She’s quite good at getting into dramatic proses. 

[rwby-diaries]

Happy birthday Blake!

The bestest kitty is up next! Blake was born on November 8th (Total Lunar Eclipse date)! This cute cat has had a lot of hardships in her life, but if there is one thing that’s absolutely certain, it’s that RWY love her to bits and always will!

Art piece sketch, background, and colouring editing by: @yang-diary

Line Art by: @thetopazvulpix

Coloured by: @catsofhorror

Shading by: @narwhalish 

Fic by: @lameclub

Edited by: @thetopazvulpix @yang-diary @jackedupjack

Fic under the cut!

"Why can't you just admit we took a wrong turn?!" Weiss' shrill voice echoes across the vast corn field. Ruby scoffs loudly as she turns back on her heels to face Weiss - hands on her hips with a slight pout.

"Because we didn't!"

Weiss scoffs in response causing the bickering back and forth to grow more heated. The two stragglers behind them giggle amongst themselves. Blake and Yang, not wanting to be dragged into the argument, walk beside each other at a steady pace at the back of the group. Both would occasionally glance towards the other with shy smiles before their gaze falls back to the ground shortly after.

Yang snorts as Weiss lets out a rather indignant shriek when Ruby blows a raspberry at her, "At least these two make for good entertainment."

Blake nods with a fond little hum as they continue to walk down the winding paths of the maze - nothing familiar seemingly jumping out to her.

As they pass by a separate path, in the near blind-spot of her vision - a low pulsating glow catches Blake’s attention. She pauses for a moment and looks towards it with a curious stare, but it wasn't long until its warm glow disappears behind the wall.

Almost on instinct, Blake feels her body move on it's own accord, her heart racing and her pupils widening suddenly. Blake could hear the bickering of Ruby and Weiss becoming more distant - but she wasn't thinking about that right now. Turning on her heel, Blake follows in the direction of where she saw the light go - leaving a confused Yang staring after her.

"Blake, where on Remnant are you going?"  She calls out only for Blake's head to turn back slightly.

"Something went down this way - let's go check it out!"

Yang pauses for a moment as her eyes shift in the direction of where the other two went - seemingly pondering on what to do. Blake could feel her ear twitch in the direction of where the light had scampered off to and shrugs.

"I can meet you guys at the exit," she tells Yang before she turns back around and darts in the other direction  - barely giving Yang the time to react. The other watches for a moment before curiosity gets the better of her and Yang smirks, chasing after Blake with a gleam in her eye.

As the two jog down the path, Blake does her best to focus on the small glow, as it would keep vanishing just out of her reach - much to her annoyance. For a few moments, the two remain silent and focused on the task at hand, but it isn't long until Yang couldn't keep quiet any longer.

"Do you even know what we're chasing?" That question has Blake's left ear twitch under her bow and she glances behind her.

"Not a clue," she answers plainly as she suddenly picks up the pace. Yang quickly follows suit as they sharply turn at another corner and the world falls silent once again.

As Blake moves through the night with ease due to her excellent night vision - she doesn't realise how little she is interacting with her partner. She was so focused on her goal she didn't hear Yang's numerous attempts to grab her attention. It isn't until the third 'ahem' does Blake jolt at Yang's voice - it sounds so loud in her head.

"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," Blake says, awkwardly laughing and scratching the back of her neck. Yang smiles at her warmly and waves her off.

"Don't sweat it - I know how focused you get." Yang says with an eyebrow raise. Blake giggles to herself as she covers her flushed face and finally looks around  - realization setting in.

“I...I have no idea where we are," she says quietly as she steps forward on her tip-toes and strains her neck in an attempt to see over the corn stalks. The maze around them seems to go on forever with the horizon stretching out of their view.

Yang hums to herself as she wanders around the small area, inspecting the different paths that lead in a variety of directions.

Yang shrugs, "Yep we're lost." Blake groans to herself while burying her face in her hands.

"Darn it, if only I hadn’t gotten distracted. I’m sorry Yang," she mutters, shaking her head and looking up at the paths again.

"Might as well keep going - we're bound to hear the other two eventually," she says quietly as she takes Yang's arm gently and the pair begin down a path of Blake's choosing. Little pumpkins dotted the sides of the trail - some painted and carved - likely by the local kids from around the area.

"I used to love pumpkin carving," Blake says, more to herself rather than to Yang beside her. The other tilts her head in Blake's direction, signaling her to continue. "It was a yearly tradition with my parents, during simpler times at least. I was eleven the last time I carved a pumpkin."

"Watch out!"

The pumpkin begins to roll off the table - causing Blake to shriek in horror as it falls. Before hitting the ground however, a hand catches it at just the last minute. A big burly laugh is heard as the pumpkin was placed back on the table.

"Be careful, my lil' puma," her dad says with a fond chuckle as he holds the pumpkin in place. "We don't have many of these lying around." He ruffles Blake's hair, who just giggles in response.

"Daaaad! You know I'm not a puma, I'm a Bombay and mama is a bur… a bur…" Blake starts but finds herself stammering mid-sentence as she stares down at the table, thinking intensely.

Ghira laughs as he pats her back "A Burmese, kitten," he explains and that causes Blake to jump up in excitement - nodding frantically. Ghira chuckles and kneels down beside Blake, as the two nuzzle each other's foreheads affectionately.

A small laugh sounds from behind them, "Looks like someone's excited for pumpkin carving." Kali smiles while taking the spot beside Ghira and crossing her arms. Blake nods enthusiastically as she slaps the pumpkin - it sounds like a drum.

"What do you want to carve into it, baby?" Kali asks, which has Blake pausing for a moment as she ponders the question. Pursing her lips, Blake reaches over and takes the marker carefully and sits back on her seat - humming to herself while inspecting it.

Both Ghira and Kali exchange soft looks between them before they sit down at the table and smile at their child whose eyes light up as an idea pops into her mind.

"I think I know!" she cries out as she sets herself upright and pulls the pumpkin closer in front of her. Picking up the pen marker on the table beside her in exchange for the larger one, she bites off the cap off it with fierce determination; but the moment the tip of the marker is pressed against the orange skin, Blake stops in her tracks.

"I don't know how to draw it," she says with a small pout. As her ears go down, Kali looks at Ghira with a small smile before she sits down beside her daughter.

"You don't need to be a master artist, my love," she explains while running her hands through Blake's frizzy hair. "You just need to try your best." Those words seem to do their job in bringing up Blake's spirits once more as her entire face lights up.

"What are you doing for your pumpkin, mama?" Kali giggles as she kisses the top of her daughter's head.

“As if I couldn't get any more stereotypical - I'm doing a tuna fish!" She answers her with a smile on her face.

Ghira let out a rumbling laugh beside her, "That's terrifyingly perfect for Halloween, ain't it my dear?" His teasing tone cases Kali to playfully jab him in the ribs. Blake could feel her stomach rumble at their antics as she hums to herself.

"Oooh tuna, my favourite!" Blake hums happily. Ghira nods in agreement.

"It's my favourite too, maybe we can catch some for next week! For an after-birthday celebration dinner!" He suggests with a smirk on his face and Blake claps her hands together in excitement.

"Sounds amazing, dad!"

Kali laughs warmly, "Going back on topic, what are you carving, dear?" She places her hands on Blake's shoulders, as the girl is practically thrumming with energy, and her eyes focus on her husband. Ghira stops for a moment as he thinks to himself and a serious look washes over his face.

"What do you think, Blakey, what should I carve?" He asks while turning towards his daughter who looks at him with big doe like eyes. Blake then proceeds to place a finger on her chin as she gives a thoughtful hum - her mind wild at work.

"You should make something super scary papa!" A devious look creeps onto Ghira's face as he leans on his elbow with smirk.

"Oh? But we already have you!" He says in a joking tone and Blake sticks her tongue grumpily but with no malice behind her actions. Ghira leans back with a hearty chuckle.

"I think my pumpkin will be a surprise!" Despite not fully being satisfied by that answer, Blake nods in agreement as she once again turns to her pumpkin, a focused look in her eyes.

"Then mine will be a surprise too!" She shouts out loud with a determined nod. Ghira and Kali both laugh to themselves as they accept her decision, and stand up.

"We'll give you space then, my love," Kali says as she pulls Blake in for one final hug but proceeds to blow raspberries into her neck. Blake snorts loudly as she pushes her mom off but can't contain the laughter that is rising up her body and escaping past her mouth.

As she is left to her own devices, several different ideas begin to bounce around inside of Blake's head - her tail wagging behind her. Thought after thought would rattle around but nothing seemed to stick or jump at her - much to her frustration. Groaning as she face plants the table before her and her attention falls elsewhere.

Spotting the slew of halloween decorations that littered around her house and several others, Blake sits up suddenly as she notices a particular one. A miniature, howling Beowolf animatronic with large fangs and smoky fur sits in the hallway. A grin creeps up her face as the pen marker is soon sketching the design on the pumpkin.

"Mama, papa! I'm finished!" Blake shouts excitedly as she runs over, tugging on her father's sleeve and trying to lead him in the direction of her pumpkin. Her dad laughs as he places his hand on his head and smiles.

"We're just finished ourselves, we're coming!" He says while tucking his own pumpkin under his arm. Blake jumps up and down before rushing off in the other direction, frantically urging her family to hurry up before sprinting ahead once more. Ghira and Kali smile to one another before following their daughter at a steady pace.

As they arrive back at the table, Blake's pumpkin is turned in a way that hides her carving. Blake plops herself back on the chair and pats the table while beaming brightly. Her parents arrive not long after and place their own pumpkins down in front of them.

"Do you want to go first, sweetheart?" Kali asks with the crinkle of a smile in her eyes. Blake nods as she eagerly taps her pumpkin, a big toothy grin present on her face. Kali giggles "Go ahead, dear, we're watching," she says with a look of encouragement.

With a small amount of effort, Blake turns the pumpkin around, revealing a rather choppy carving with random jagged points and no clear outline. Both of her parents glance at each other for a moment before they let out gasps of bewilderment.

"Wow darling! It's so unique!" Kali compliments warmly.

Ghira nods "I agree, honey - this is a true masterpiece!" He says as he takes in every aspect of her handiwork. Blake becomes quite bashful as her ears go down and she gives an awkward giggle.

"Beowolves are hard to carve, I was scared you wouldn't get it," she says, smiling. Kali shakes her head while walking over, ruffled Blake's hair before inspecting the pumpkin. Placing a finger to her chin, Kali hums in approval as she turns back towards Blake.

"A boo-wolf more like, very spooky!" She responds by playfully growling and hugging her daughter from behind and Blake lets out screams of laughter as she tries to wriggle out of her mother's grasp.

"Mama! That tickles!"

Kali eventually let's go of Blake and smiles down at her, her amber eyes swirling with warmth and love. "I don't think my pumpkin could ever compare," she says while turning around the orange vegetable, the careful carvings and details on the tuna fish has Blake lost for words as she stares.

"Mama, that's so cool!" Blake exclaims as she stares at it with her mouth agape. Ghira beside her whistles in admiration as he crosses his arms and nods - agreeing with Blake's statement. Kali softly blushes and leans up to kiss her husband's cheek, requiring her tip-toes just to reach him. Ghira's face mimics her blush, eliciting a giggle from her lips at the sight.

Blake looks up at her parents happily as they show affection to one another - it always made her happy.

It wasn't long, however, until Blake's attention was diverted somewhere else. "Come on, papa, you're next!" Blake calls out, gesturing to the pumpkin  that was still somewhat hidden away - causing the man to become rather embarrassed all of a sudden.

Kali's features soften as she places a tender hand on his arm, "Like I said to Blake, darling - you don't need to be a master artist--"

"--You just need to try your best!" Blake finishes with a smile.

Ghira finally brings his gaze back up to his family and a small fond smile makes its way back onto his face. "It might not be as much of a masterpiece as yours or Blake's, but..." he quietly says as he spins the pumpkin around with great ease.

Kali puts her hands up to her mouth with tears in her eyes while Blake gasps loudly.

Despite being crudely carved, the clear outlines of three people could be seen: two small stick figures with cat ears and a tail stand next to a tall, more squared figure.

Blake jumps from her seat "It's us!" She says loudly, running over to her dad who easily picks her up and hoists her onto his shoulder, keeping one arm over her legs for stability. Kali giggles as she nuzzles into Ghira's other arm.

"I love our family," Kali muses with purr.

Blake nods "Me too!" She says proudly, her tail wagging happily behind her. For the next few seconds, the trio embrace each other in total silence -  just enjoying each other's presence.  

Blake wipes her face and looks towards the sky, noting how much darker it's become. "Time flies when you're reminiscing," she muses. She holds her hand toward the sky and a soft glow lands on her finger. She brings it closer to inspect it, realization dawning on her.

“Wait, was I chasing a firefly before?” Blake asks, gaze shooting up from the tiny glowing insect in her hand. Yang chuckles, scratching the back of her head awkwardly.

“Yeah, I was pretty sure that’s what it was, but I didn’t wanna embarrass you,” she says, still grinning. Blake huffs to herself, watching the tiny bug as it takes flight with a passing breeze, a silence falling between the two.

As they both watch the small bug flitter off into the newfound darkness, Yang tilts her head in the other’s direction, “You’re pretty close with your parents, huh?’’ Yang mentions with a smile, but it didn’t garner the reaction she was hoping for - as tension falls on Blake’s shoulders.

“I-I’m sorry you don’t have to answer--’’

Blake shakes her head frantically as she crosses her arms, holding them over her chest with a sigh “N-No I want to… It’s just a little hard for me,’’ she explains while staring on ahead - her body feeling heavy at the thought. Yang’s features soften as she places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and immediately Blake eases from the touch.

Blake inhales deeply before speaking “I-I left home when I was very young - on my birthday in fact,’’ the more Blake speaks, the more shame starts pooling into her chest.  All Blake was waiting for was for Yang to lash out or feed into her guilt - but to her surprise it never comes.

In fact, the hand on her shoulder squeezes it in reassurance and a look of understanding washed over Yang’s face, “That explains why you were so hesitant to let us know it was your birthday, huh?’’ She suggests.

Blake nervously gulps and nods “I-I… I just didn’t want to be reminded of it,’’ she mumbles under her breath as her hands fall to the side of her body limply “It wasn’t just me leaving that bothers me the most - it was the reason behind it.’’ Blake’s voice is shaky as she explains further, her mind becoming rather hostile towards her own self.

“The reason behind it?’’

Blake opens her mouth to finish her sentence, but finds her eyes wandering towards the stalks of corn once more - only to notice a figure standing not that far in.

A man in the corn?

A man with horns...

Adam?

Blake stumbles back, eyes going wide with shock. Yang reaches out and catches her, steadying the other as Blake’s eyes readjust to the gloom. A scarecrow. It was a scarecrow, not Adam. Blake sighed in relief, only then realizing that Yang is helping hold her upright.

"You okay, B?" Yang worriedly asks, watching as Blake's frantic breathing finally returns to its normal pace. It takes a few seconds before Blake could compose herself and she sighs.

"I-I… I thought I saw someone-- something." Blake quickly corrects herself, all while staring down the scarecrow not far ahead of her - an uneasy feeling nestled within her chest. Following her line of sight, Yang takes a quick glance at the figure and then back to Blake.

"I wouldn't blame you for being scared of this thing," Yang starts as she walks over, inspecting the scarecrow carefully and shrugging, "This fella is very poorly made - we have more goofy looking ones back at home!" She explains while flicking the scarecrow's head and it barely budged.

"I don't even think they're meant to be scary - this poor one just got the short end of the stick… literally!’’ Yang says as she gently kicks the stick holding it up with her boot before walking back over to Blake, a big grin on her face. "You have nothing to be afraid of, especially when we're together!" She says with full confidence in her voice.

Blake blushes, "It's hard to argue with logic like that," she mumbles while playing with her thumbs, smiling down at the ground. Suddenly, Blake finds herself overtaken by a new and funny feeling  - it flutters in her stomach and makes her nervous.

What was this feeling?

All Blake knows is one thing - she wants to be close to Yang. Without warning, Blake wraps her arms around Yang and buries her face into her chest, much to the surprise of her partner. After the initial shock wears off, Yang pulls Blake in and hugs her even tighter.

"Thank you, Yang."

Blake's heart is beating like crazy, finding comfort  in how warm Yang's body is - a welcome change from the nippy autumn air. The two don't move a muscle nor do they speak a word - Blake enjoying the peace she has been withheld from for the longest time.

Everything was perfect… until-

"Take that, maze!" Screams a  voice, knocking the two out of their daze and drawing both of their attention. The blade of crescent rose slices through the corn, revealing Ruby and Weiss - the latter of whom was standing there and shaking her head.

"I will slay the hay!" Ruby screams.

Weiss raises an eyebrow "It's corn, you dolt."

Ruby blinks a few times before triumphantly holding crescent rose up high once more "I will slorn the… corn?" When Ruby loses momentum halfway through the sentence, Weiss groans.

"You're honestly going to get us kicked out.''

Yang laughs, "I think she has the right idea!" She calls out with a smirk, as she wanders over towards the other two. Blake watches as the excessive chatter starts up once again but she can't stop herself from giving a wistful sigh.

"You need to stop encouraging this behaviour, Yang!" Weiss says while sticking her nose up and huffing.

Yang rolls her eyes and yanks Weiss in with the crook of her elbow, "Lighten up, Weiss!"  She teases much to the annoyance of the trapped individual.

Blake snickers, "I like Ruby's plan," she says and Weiss gasps while pushing Yang away and staring at Blake in mock betrayal. Ruby fist pumps the air with a quick 'woo!' with a grin painted across her face.

"Birthday girl's wishes are to be followed-"

Ruby stops herself and covers her mouth, shooting an apologetic look in Blake's direction. The other blinks for a brief second before she manages a short laugh - confusing the others around her.

"It's okay Ruby - my birthday wish is to slice our way through this maze," Blake says while placing a hand on her hip and nodding. Ruby sticks her tongue out at Weiss who just responds with an irritated huff.

"Feisty! I like it," Yang says with a wink while she readies her gauntlet, "I'd love to see that side of you more." She comments, causing Blake's cheeks to burn brightly and she was thankful that her friends couldn't see in the dark like she could.

"Onwards, Team RWBY!"

On their way out, Blake makes sure to slice up one particular scarecrow, leaving its head all alone on the dusty ground.

[lucy-268]

New Family Members

A/N – It’s National Cat Day in Canada (August 8, as a start to write this); it’s about cats, I don’t care if I live in the USA (our National Cat Day is October 29, you may see more cats then, too). I received an anonymous request to use the prompt Aw did I hurt your wittle feelings. Thanks to @oofchoices for pre-reading. My masterlist is here.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to PB

Warnings: Mostly cute fluffy, but also animal cruelty

Series/Pairing and characters : Open Heart - Ethan x f!MC (Charley Valentine); Sienna

Word count: 1,172

“I’m glad your boyfriend had to work today. We never get to just hang out anymore.” Sienna linked her arm with Charley’s as they left the diner.

“I’m sorry! I don’t spend enough time at home anymore! I’ll stay there more.”

Sienna laughed. “It’s fine. We’re all busy and we see you at the hospital. Except for Aurora, but she’s always at her hospital, too.”

“I’m glad the two of us have today. And I’m glad you were able to come over here for breakfast. Ethan and I love that diner. He’s lived right across the street from it for five years and never set foot in it until last month, just because I wanted to try it. Now we go once a week for breakfast.”

Sienna smiled at her friend. “You're good for him, you know.” Charley shook her head, about to disagree, when Sienna continued. “He’s good for you, too.”

Charley did agree that that was probably true.

“What other neighborhood gems are here for you to show me?” Sienna asked. “Charley?”

“Did that bag move?”

“Huh?”

Charley rushed into the street, causing a car to slam on its brakes and honk. She grabbed a plastic bag out of the path of the car and hurried back to the sidewalk.

“Did you seriously just run in front of a car to grab a bag? It’s already been run over.”

“No, it was in the center lane, no tire hit it. I saw it move.” Charley knelt down to untie the knot.

“It was probably just the wind.”

Once the bag was open, they found two calico kittens. “Sienna, call Danny’s cousin, Kima, please.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ethan opened the door to his apartment and was greeted by Charley handing him a drink and wrapping him in a hug.

“What happened?”

Charley took a half step back, her arms still around Ethan’s neck. “Why did you think something happened?”

“You are being affectionate.”

Charley tipped her head to the side, she ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “Are you saying I’m not normally affectionate?”

“You’re affectionate, but not normally-” Ethan jerked his head to the right. “What was that?” He pulled away from her and walked to the living room. He saw something dart under the sofa.

“That would be either Honey or Nutmeg.”

Ethan whirled around to face her. “What, pray tell, are  Honey and Nutmeg?” When she looked at the ground, Ethan grasped her chin and lifted her face so she was looking at him. “Explain”

“They’re two calico kittens that I brought home.”

“When did we discuss getting a cat, much less two? This is the most irresponsible thing you could have done! Do you know why Jenner lives with my dad? I don’t have the time to deal with a dog! Do you ever think things through?”

Ethan walked away from her down the hall and she heard the bedroom door slam behind him. Charley sat on the floor and leaned under the sofa. She reached her hand under and called to the kitten she saw. It came to her and she picked it up. The kitten started to purr and snuggled under her chin. Charley pulled the kitten back to see who it was. The darker brown color let her know that it was Nutmeg. “Let’s find your sister.”

Charley walked throughout the apartment looking for Honey. The whole time she was talking to Nutmeg. “Where did your sister go, hmmm? She’s found a good hiding place, didn’t she? I had a cat when I was at home and she liked to hide on top of the refrigerator. I know Honey can’t do that because there isn’t any space here, is there, sweetie.”

After she looked in the laundry room, even climbing on top of the washer to look behind the appliances, Charley gave up. “I guess I need to go beg Ethan for help.”

Nutmeg meowed at her. “Don’t be scared of him. I know he yelled, but it’s me he’s mad at. He’s also a real softy at heart. You and your sister are probably going to live with Sienna. She has lots of roommates. There’s Jackie and Aurora and Elijah. I’m there, too, sometimes. We also have a box turtle, a chinchilla, and a fennec fox. Wherever you live you’ll be very happy.”

Charley hesitated at the bedroom door and got an idea. She opened the linen closet and pulled out a white pillowcase. She opened the bedroom door and thrust her hand holding the pillowcase through the opening. “I have a white flag; I’m surrendering. Can I come in, please?”

“Come in,” Ethan’s voice called quietly.

Charley walked over to the bed, still cuddling a kitten. “We-, I mean I have a problem. I’ve lost a kitten,” she began, crawling onto the bed. Nutmeg and I have been looking for Honey everywhere and…”

Her voice trailed off as Ethan opened his sweater to reveal Honey sound asleep on his chest. Charley leaned against his shoulder and Nutmeg crawled over their arms to see her sister.

“How do you tell them apart?”

“Nutmeg is a darker brown and her nose is part pink and part black. Honey’s brown is a little blonder. Her nose is also all black, since she has black all around her nose.”

Ethan looked at her. “What made you decide to bring home two cats today?”

Charley could tell he wasn’t as mad. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Aw did I hurt your wittle feelings by not talking to you?” She sat up and looked at him. “Someone threw them in the street. Just tied them up in a plastic bag and dropped them in the middle of the road. Sienna and I found them this morning and we took them to Danny’s cousin Kima.”

She reached over to pet Honey. “Sienna and I talked about it. I’m a cat person and wanted a cat. If you don’t want a cat-”

“Or two.” Ethan corrected.

“-or two, we can move them over with my roommates. And if Sienna can’t convince the others, Kima said they wouldn’t have any trouble placing them with a new home.”

“As someone who has never had a cat, what do I need to know? If we’re going to keep them.”

“Really?”

“Maybe. Convince me.”

“Unlike dogs, they don’t need to be walked. If there are two of them,” Charley indicated the two, “they keep each other company.”

“How do they know to use a litter box? I don’t want them going to the bathroom where they aren’t supposed to.”

“Honestly? Sometimes they miss. It’s generally easier to train a kitten to use a litter box. In fact, the mama cat will generally train them if they have access to a box.”

Charley reached over and picked up Honey. “We know they were around at least one person. They didn’t tie themselves in a bag.”

“Cat litter is your responsibility.” Both kittens were on his chest and he scratched both of them. “We’ll try this.”

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[my-wonderland-imagination]

Mother Russia's Ice Tiger

Prologue-

If you had told me three years ago that I’d would have won a gold medal in the Grand Prix, with a skate choreographed by that shit head Viktor Nikiforov, winning against that little piggy, Yuuri Katsuki, and falling in love with my first ever best friend, WHOSE A FUCKING GUY, Otabek Altin... I would’ve cut you with my knife shoes, laughing manically as you screamed in pain... but here I am, winner of the Grand Prix, with Katsuki second and beside me, smiling proudly, Beka smiling over at me with his thumbs up, Viktor clapping and screaming that he’s proud of his fiancé and his son(WHICH I AM NOT!) and for once, I don’t feel angry, I don’t want to hit or throw anything, for once I feel truly... happy... I’m happy, I’m proud of what I’ve managed to achieve, for being able to finally show that I’m more than a kid with anger issues and that I can do anything, that I’m not just some liability...

A liability... That’s what she called me, a worthless liability... My supposed mother, she never cared, and she couldn’t have given a damn about me, when I was younger to me now. And that sperm donor that she called my father, I couldn’t give two shits about him nor who he was. He left us both, he didn’t care, the minute he found out she was pregnant with me, and he was out of the door faster than you could say “Pirozhki”. Ha, who could ever give a damn about someone like him?!

That’s when everything went downhill... Mama decided drugs and alcohol were the way to go... They were more important than me, more important than food or the house, and far more important than her job. The day I was taken away from her, I screamed for my mother, crying out her name, clinging onto her thin, sickly arms, begging for her to keep me. I’ll never forget that day... The anger in her eyes, the hatred burning towards me, igniting me from the inside out as she screamed back, screaming abuse at me, putting all the blame on me... I suppose she was right, if I hadn’t been produced, HE would’ve stayed, SHE would’ve been able to further her career, THEY’D be happy together... And Grandpa wouldn’t have been burdened with me, a stupid five year old, clinging to a ratty old cat plushie, given to me by one of Mamas junkie friends in pity after I got slapped again, after asking her where my daddy was for the supposed hundredth time, she hated me for driving him away, maybe she was right... It was my fault he left, neither of them wanted a kid, especially not a weak, worthless one like me...

No one wanted me, why would they? I was nothing, no matter how hard I try, no matter how many medals I win, I wasn’t ever going to be good enough. She was rig-

“Yurio! I’m so proud of you, you truly did deserve the gold. And I’m grateful that you did, as much as I wanted to retire to give Viktor his chance to go back, I felt as if we were going too fast and I didn’t want to give up what I loved doing, even if I’m a terrible skater. Thank you.” Yuuri smiled down at me and pulled me into a tight hug, holding me close to him as he laughed softly. Tears started to fall from my eyes and onto his chest, I’ve never experienced motherly love before but now, from Yuuri, it’s all I could feel.

“Sh-sh-shut up, p-p-pig! I d-d-didn’t do it f-f-for you o-o-okay?! I h-h-had to w-w-win, I d-d-deserved to!” it was hard to get my words out whilst sobbing against him, he didn’t say a word though, just tightened his hold around me, I have never felt so loved or protected in my life, not from Yakov, or Lila, not from Otabek, my best friend turned crush, not even from my beloved Grandpa.

“You know, Viktor had mentioned adopting you, he wanted us to become a proper family, and as much as I would love that, I told him that it isn’t up to us to decide, it’s your decision. But even if you say no, you’ll always have a place with us, no matter what happens, we’ll always accept you with open arms. You’re like a son to us and we both love you very much, even when you have those god awful temper tantrums of yours, ha ha.” I couldn’t help but let a strangled laugh as he laughed.

I felt him shift as he looked up at the extra idiot he calls a fiancé. I couldn’t help but wonder if he really meant it, adoption... Living as a family... It sounded like a cruel nightmare and they were just joking, that they didn’t really want me...

“Do you really mean it…? About adopting me…?” I asked timidly, too scared to even look up at him, just in case it was a cruel joke,

“Of course, we’d love to adopt you. You’re like our son already, we just wanted you to have a say in all of it too, Viktors excited about it, he started making a room for you in his apartment and started to teach Makkachin to be nice to cats, though I doubt he’s going to succeed, the man himself isn’t overly fond of them either. What do you say, be our small, angry Russian son?” He chuckled and pulled away slightly, a soft smile decorating his face, ruining his Eros image he made on the ice. I nodded slowly, letting more tears fall down my face.

I had a family now... A real fami-WAIT WHAT DID HE SAY?!

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN HE ISN’T FOND OF CATS?! HEY, OLD MAN! WHAT’S WRONG WITH CATS?!” I yelled over at the idiot, his stupid heart shaped smile widening as he waved over at us, laughing stupidly at my comment. Did this bastard think I wasn’t serious? I can’t have someone who dislikes cats in my life, fuck that! I’m just glad Beka likes them, and tigers, because I would seriously kick his ass if he didn’t.

I looked over my best friend, my Beka, with his weird ass bear that he named Kitten after me. I admit, it was soft and cuddly and damn did it smell good, it smelt like him and that was my favourite scent in the world, my own piece of catnip. So whenever we were hanging out after practice, I’d fall asleep against him, clinging to that stupid bear that I claimed as mine after having a little wrestling match, that he always let me win after I pouted at him, and I’d end up waking up to myself curled up against his chest with his hoodie on me, which he somehow managed to slip over me and keep the bear out of it, his fingers tangled in my messy blonde hair and his eyes closed, dead to the world and yet cradling me close to him, almost as if he was protecting me from the outside world, from my past and the darkness that still lingers around me. I loved those nights, Grandpa wouldn’t mind me staying with him, Beka usually sent him a message to tell him that I fell asleep again and that he would bring me back, dressed in clean clothes, fed and happy, with the amount of times it happened, I now have clothes in his suitcase, though I usually stole something of his, one of his hoodies, a scarf, a tee, just something that was his (He’d always give me this look then would chuckle at me, shaking his head before making sure that the helmet was tight and sturdy on my head). Lila would’ve told Yakov that I was allowed to spend the night with my best friend because I’ve been training hard enough to get a little break and it's good for my body to relax in comfort, seeing as I usually had nightmares when we stayed in hotel rooms and I was away from my personal drug that was the only thing that could comfort me.

It’s weird how easy it was to get used to Beka, it took me years to get used to Yakov, I’m still not used to that old hag, Mila, no matter what she tries. I’m still trying with Lila, even if she’s nicer than Yakov and helps me keep my flexibility. I will never get used to Viktors extra, stupid ass, and Katsudon… He’s just there, whenever I need him or need someone to yell at, he always takes it and helps me. But Beka, when he told me about how we met years ago, and what he thought the moment he saw me... Fuck, I melted, he’s everything to me, my best friend, my crush... He’s always there to cheer me up when I need it, with his totally awesome bike, he’s always there to save me from crazy fangirls and I don’t know what I’d do without him there to make me laugh, he makes me feel more... Human, he’s my Agape... My Agape, fuuuuuccccckkkkkkk, why does he have to be so cool, and sweet and fucking hell, he’s so fucking hot... But most of all, why did he choose me? Why did he want to be friends with me?

No one’s ever wanted to be friends with me before, everyone’s always thought of me as the angry, spoilt, Russian child who hates the world and everyone in it, I may look delicate but my personality ‘clashes with my innocent look, especially when I skate’ but he didn’t say that, he said that I was rude, arrogant, angry, resentful, crazy, foul-mouthed but that’s what made me so unique, especially when I skate because it showed how human I really was, I was real not some fake like some people * cough JJ cough * and I was able to show everyone that you should never judge a book by its cover... He was good with words like that, he melted my icy heart and settled into a special place in it, and I’m terrified he might leave once he finds out about my past... He might think I’m a liability, that I’m worthless, just like Mama said, that’s why I keep everyone at arm’s length, because of how terrified I am that they’ll leave once they see, that they’ll lie like she did and will throw me away like I’m nothing.

I may act like I’m this scary, angry, Ice Tiger of Mother Russia but really, I’m this scared, broken, lost, little kitten, desperately trying to survive in the big bad world of sharks, that’s all. But with my Beka, with the idiot Viktor, and the piggy, Katsudon, I think that maybe I can become a real Ice Tiger of Mother Russia and do them proud, I have to make everyone proud, so then they won’t abandon me, I can’t have anyone else abandon me, it’d destroy me...

[fallen029]

Dirt Poor

They were poor.

Dirt poor, is what Lisanna had heard someone whisper once about her family, one of the rare times that Papa took them all into town as a treat. He went frequently, to sell product, and the only other person that usually got to go with him was Mirajane, because she was the oldest and that meant she got to do things they didn't. Or at least that's what Mira always said.

But one day, Papa had taken them into town with him and told them that they could each pick out a pick out a piece of candy from the general store. It was while they were in there, her and her two siblings agonizing over their decision, when she heard someone from behind them say it.

"Look at 'em," a man muttered to the woman he was with. "Muddy and ragged. Must be from the village."

"Poor things," the woman whispered. "Dirt poor."

And that didn't make sense to Lisanna. At all. Which is why, with some confidence, she turned around to inform them, quite loudly, that they were not 'dirt poor'. Rather, they in fact had a bunch of dirt, back home.

Her mother was not pleased with her exclamation to the store at large that, no, see her, family was hardly dirt poor; if anything, they were stinking rich in it. She scolded her, on the long walk home as Lisanna sobbed and Mirajane, when their mother wasn't looking, patted her gently on the head while Elfman kicked a pebble and awkward twiddled his thumbs.

Papa though, always Papa, was the one who took her to the side, later that evening at home, and spoke to her in not nearly as harsh tones. Mama was always stressed and high-strung, carrying the weight of the world on her back, but Papa battled their challenges with a smile on his face and and insistence that it could always be worse.

But what could be worse, Lisanna wondered that evening as they laid out in the grass together while Mama and her siblings prepared a meal in their little shack, than being dirt poor?"

"A lot of things," he'd assured her. "And you were right anyways. Not that Mama's was wrong. You shouldn't be rude to others. And you have to respect adults. But we have something they don't have, in that town. That they'll never have. We have our land. We'll always have our land."

"Our dirt?"

"Our dirt," he agreed. "No one can ever take your dirt from you, Lisanna. And don't forget it."

Papa was easy to talk to and make see your point of view. That's why he was always the one that Lisanna (as well as her brother and sister) went to when they had something unreasonable to ask for. If Mira wasn't happy with the dress Mama sewed her, she knew to mention to Papa that it didn't fit right and have him butter Mama up. If Elfman had tore a hole in his shoes, as he was prone to do, he knew to tell Papa first, who could either patch it up or find someone in the village who would, without working Mama into a tizzy over it.

And Lisanna, little Lisanna, her wants and desires weren't quite so as her older siblings. Mira seemed to be much like Mama, worried and scared often about their meager earnings, while Elfman, from an early age, was aware of how he just didn't quite fit in with the other boys, spending far more time with his little sisters than the other kids in the village.

But Lisanna was different. She was the baby and was treated as such. It was s hock to her, as much as the definition of the term was, to discover that they were, in fact, very poor. She'd never known it. Everything that she ever wanted, ever knew to want, she had. She got any clothes Mirajane (and sometimes Elfman) outgrew and had all of their accumulated toys to play with. Papa never would let any of his three children stare and though they might be a bit scrawny, no one could say that the three Strauss siblings were underfed. Elf had to help Papa in the field and Mira did too, but when she wasn't, was very busy with Mama in the house.

Their younger sister though, she had...other things to keep her occupied.

From the time she was a babe, Lisanna loved animals. Dogs, cats, frogs, heck, she'd even been known to protect creepy-crawlies from facing the underside of a boot or two. Lisanna saw all living creatures as deserving the same love and shelter she'd always received. And while no one in her family felt otherwise, they all seemed to understand that, in their one room slapped together home, with limited water and food, they just couldn't accommodate this.

But Papa wouldn't let anyone tell her otherwise.

"We'll make it work," he'd insist to her mother when, after a day spent exploring alone in the forest, Lisanna would inevitably wander home with a stray animal or two. "We always do."

And they always did.

She had all sorts of pets and late nights, now distanced from those times, she liked to test her memory by trying to name them, in order of acquisition if she could. Kittens and puppies and even a pet snake or two.

She'd have them all.

She'd loved them all.

And then…

And then…

It was harder for her to recall now, how it all happened.

Mama died first. And Papa caught the illness from caring for her. It nearly wiped out their entire village. They were lucky, people always said, the three of them, to have not caught it, but Lisanna just couldn't see how.

Mirajane turned more and more like Mama. In a lot of ways. Mainly though, she got a...well… Lisanna didn't wanna say meaner, because Mama wasn't mean! But…

And Elfman fell in on himself, getting quieter and more unsure of his actions. He felt like a failure, maybe, because he wasn't the one taking charge, taking the lead, even though he was the brother, and he should be looking out for his two sisters, should he?

Isn't that what Papa would do?

As Mira worked hard at keeping them afloat, Lisanna was in for the harsh realities her other two siblings had long faced and now, without her father there to explain it all to her, she found herself in even more need of her animals. And the comfort they brought. The wonder.

The innocence.

But her father was the one that was right then. Just about as much as he was wrong.

It could always get worse.

And no, they wouldn't always have their land.

It all blurred now, nonsensically. When Mirajane…absorbed the demon.

She'd saved the village. The town. But in doing so, she sealed their fate and they had to leave the only home they'd known, with only what they could carry on their backs, and it was all for the better, of course, but in the immediate period following it…

"Lisanna," her sister snapped more than once, finally completely crushed by that weight that had always dangled just out of reach. "Enough about your animals. They were alone when they found you; now they'll just have to find someone else."

But it hurt. Leaving them. Leaving home. Leaving the place where their parents were buried and where they'd been born.

Leaving their land.

Their dirt.

Now, truly, they were dirt poor.

But they wouldn't be forever. Of course not. Because life had far bigger plans for them. It had to.

Didn't it?

Fairy Tail was...different than home. They had to work there too, very hard, to learn magic, earn respect, complete jobs.

But it was there that she found that fun again. In the struggle. That brought the grin of her father back to her face. She could play and have adventures again, now equally scaled into jobs, and found companionship with the other children, abandoned or orphaned, that Makarov found himself tending to.

It almost made the bad times fade completely. Almost. But they were still etched, frequently, in her older sister's face, and while Lisanna adjusted with ease to their new surroundings, she knew it would take her siblings a bit to shake the trauma of what they left behind.

She held it together better than the two of them. Perhaps because she was younger or maybe hadn't had the most responsibility with all that had gone on, but maybe...maybe she was just different. Than the two of them.

Maybe she was more like Papa.

There were sometimes though, late at night, when her stomach would hurt and she'd find herself getting upset over the past. Over things she hadn't been able to control. So much of her life, her childhood, up to that point had been out of her control..

But one night in particular, as she sat in a tiny hut built by her best friend Natsu Dragneel, while they attempted to keep the egg he'd found warm, she found herself really feeling low about something so stupid.

Not her parents.

Not her home village.

Not even the fact that her older sister was growing colder and her brother was, once more, struggling to adjust to his peers.

No.

As she and Natsu yawned through trying to warm the egg, she found herself feeling crummy about something else entirely.

"I had a lotta pets," she admitted to him softly. "Back home. Cats and dogs and snakes and… I just think about how much they missed me. I wasn't a very good mama to them, leaving them behind."

Natsu, at the moment, was trying to stile a yawn, but did glance over at her with a bit of a frown.

"You didn't wanna leave," the little boy reminded her. "Just like Igneel didn't want to leave me. Sometimes people get separated. It's no one's fault."

She nodded some before sighing, "Still..."

For a moment, the boy stared at her in a way he usually wasn't able to. There was a bit of concern in his gaze, if not empathy. He didn't know these thoughts well, having been raised by a rough and tough dragon, but the more time he spent hanging around the guildhall, with these new kids and these new ideologies, he was discovering just how much he...cared. About things.

"You're the mommy, right? That's what you said? About this egg?" Reaching out to pat at it, he gave her a toothy grin as he insisted, "You're gonna take good care of him, aren't you? Whatever's in here? And every single animal that you left back at your home will understand that. They'd get it. You had to leave to come here, to help me take care of this egg. And I bet you're going to do a really good job at it."

For a moment, she only stared at the young slayer before they both giggled, Lisanna with a grin and Natsu with a hand tossed behind his pink locks and as they fell to the ground, eventually, exhausted for their tiring day of caring for the egg, Lisanna reached out to gently pat at the ground beneath them. Feel the warmth. The dirt.

And as she drifted off, she tried to remember all of the different animals that had become before the one in the egg currently, the ones that she'd loved so much, but had to leave behind, just to be here. In that moment.

It was with a smile on her lips, at the very last one, all named in order and full, that Lisanna was able to fall asleep.

[louhooo]

Surprises

Warnings: Swearing, adult themes (no smut), fluff

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 2.4k

Summary: Sometimes, the best way to surprise someone is after dessert.

A/N: I’m really trying to get into the groove of writing one-shots. Props to everyone who does them regularly, because OH BOY, ARE THEY TOUGH!! Also, ‘Dear Theodosia’ definitely got stuck in my head while writing this.

Feedback is always welcomed! 💘

“No.”

“But, Bucky–” He bent until he was eye level with her.

“No.” Bucky could see the flame brewing in her narrowed eyes, but he didn’t care. He was perfectly okay with sleeping on the couch for a couple nights while she was mad at him.

Y/N clenched her jaw and balled her fist. Bucky had told her once that she looked “adorable” when she was pissed at him. She showed him just how “adorable” she could be after that.

Bucky raised a brow, anticipating a slew of crude words or gestures from his girlfriend. Y/N could have done a multitude of things that would have hurt him, but she took a deep breath and relaxed her body, making Bucky tense. He kept his face neutral, but inside, Bucky was terrified. She was calm. Too calm.

“Fine.” Y/N turned on her heel and walked out of their room. Bucky blinked before his mind snapped back. He quickly caught up with her just as she was leaving their apartment at the compound.

“Fine? What do you mean, ‘fine?’” She glanced up at him, a look of disbelief clearly on her face. He rolled his eyes, “Yes, I know what the word means, but  when you say ‘fine’ and it does not usually mean ‘fine.’” She snorted and waved to Wanda as they entered the common room. 

“I mean what I said, Bucky. It’s fine.” She walked into the shared kitchen and grabbed a glass and filled it with water from the fridge. 

“Right...” Bucky stood in the doorway, his brows pinched, trying to determine how much he should believe her. Y/N glanced at him and smirked. His eyes stayed on her as she set her glass on the counter and walked up to him. She brought her hand up to his face, and thumbed the crease in between his brows. 

“If you keep doing that, you’ll get wrinkles.” Bucky’s defense fell, and he relaxed into her touch. She carried her hand down to his jaw, his stubble prickling against her palm.

“’M sorry. I really expected you to get mad at me.” She grinned, her eyes twinkling up at him. Bucky gave a lopsided grin back, his flesh arm looping around her waist to pull her closer.

Y/N wasn’t mad. Annoyed? Yes, but not mad. But Bucky didn’t need to worry about that. It would all work out eventually. He lowered himself and kissed her forehead, pleasantly surprised with how the events were playing out. 

Y/N hummed and let him kiss her. They grinned at each other one more time before he announced he was going to meet with Steve and Sam to train. She gave him a quick goodbye kiss and returned to her glass of water, and started scrolling through her phone.

“You’re lying to him.” Wanda spoke from the doorway, an amused grin on her face. Y/N peered through her lashes at her, a faint grin still on her face.

“It’s not a bad lie, he just doesn’t know that yet.” She just needed to help him figure out that it was something he wanted, too. Wanda chuckled and shook her head.

“I hope that works out for you.” Y/N smirked and took another sip of water. Her plans always worked out.

Bucky had been gone most of the day for press. Had he of known being a “superhero” entailed talking to journalists about his “skin care routine while on missions”, he would have just stayed in Wakanda. He was ready to put on sweatpants and lay on the couch with his girl. He turned the handle to their apartment and was startled to see Y/N already standing there.

She smiled up at him. “Hi, baby. I was gonna get some ice cream, want some?” She stood in the entryway, blocking him from walking into their apartment. He smirked, and let her take his metal hand and pull him to the communal kitchen. She had F.R.I.D.A.Y. close their door and looked up at Bucky with a dreamy smile. “How was the press conference?” Bucky sighed and scratched the back of his neck.

“I still don’t understand their line of questioning. Do people really care where I buy my jackets?” Y/N smirked and patted the chair at the counter for Bucky to sit. He sat down while she zoomed around the kitchen gathering everything she needed for sundaes.

“They’re snazzy jackets, babe. People just wanna dress more like ‘Bucky Barnes’.” Bucky raised a skeptical brow at her as she slid two blue ceramic bowls on the counter and popped open the carton of vanilla ice cream.

“I think people just feel the need to know everything, nowadays. I don’t remember wondering where Cary Grant got his suits.” He watched her get scoop after scoop and plop them into the bowls.

“You would’ve looked good in those suits.” Bucky snorted and reached to open the chocolate syrup. He went to stick his finger in for a “taste test”, but Y/N pulled the jar back. “Not just ours, Buck.” She gave him a warm grin and drizzled it on the frozen dessert. She added all of the “fixin’s” that he liked: nuts, chocolate and caramel syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkles and three cherries. 

She made hers, stabbing a spoon into each bowl before sliding them towards Bucky. She put all of the ingredients away and sat next to him at the counter. Bucky pushed her bowl towards her and thanked her for the treat, clinking their spoons together before taking their first bites.

They devoured their food, Bucky helping Y/N finish hers when she was too full to do so herself. Y/N kept at least one hand on Bucky the entire time, whether it was his back, his thigh, or his bicep. Her touches were innocent, but the looks she was giving him weren’t. Bucky cleaned up the bowls and deposited them in the dishwasher, before turning his attention back to his girlfriend, who was now perched on the edge of the island.

Bucky smirked and placed both of his hands on either sides of her, resting between her legs. She licked her lips, her fingers working the top buttons of his shirt. She unbuttoned two, just enough his chest hair was peeking through. He watched Y/N scratch her nails over the tufts of hair and his chest grumbled with contentment. She looked up at him, her free hand wandering lower and lower until it hooked on his belt.

“Know what I was thinkin’…?” Bucky hummed, her fragrance intoxicating him more and more with each second. She leaned in, her forefinger tracing arbitrary designs on his chest, “We should go lie down,” he hummed, “preferably without clothes on.” In one motion, Bucky picked Y/N up and attached his lips to hers, and started stalking back to their apartment. The chocolate on her tongue only added to her already sweet taste. His digits gripped into the flesh of her thighs, pulling her closer to him until he was positive there was no space between them.

She felt her back go against their door, and she moved her hand from his hair down to the handle. She needed to convince him to go to her old room, or really anywhere that wasn’t their apartment. Bucky’s lips worked over her jaw and down her neck, softly nipping at her pressure point.

“Baby?” He hummed, the vibrations sending a shiver up her spin. “Can we–” Bucky paused, separating from her neck to look at her. A very distinct meow came from behind the door. Oh… fuck. Bucky stood up straight.

“Y/N...? Why am I hearing meowing right now?”

“I don’t know…. We should go find Tony and tell him about that.” She was still being held up by Bucky, her grip on the handle tightening. He tilted his head just slightly, not believing her in the slightest.

“Baby.” She batted her lashes at him. “Open the door.” He felt her muscles tense.

“I… don’t want to.” Another meow, and her resistance started to waver. “Okay, I will, but,” she gave Bucky a pointed look, “you need to stay calm, and remember that you love me.” He lowered her to the ground and she kept her eyes on him. He finally nodded, and she slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open.

Bucky’s eyes immediately landed at the foot couch, where two orange kittens slept, and a black kitten ran from, scurrying underneath the coffee table. Y/N walked in quietly and lowered herself to her knees by the coffee table and held out her fingers for the frightened animal. A large orange cat, presumably the mother, came out of their kitchen and eyed Bucky.

“Y/N–”

“No one would take them, Buck, and the kittens are still too little to be away from their mom.” He looked over at her and saw her staring up at him with big, hopeful eyes. Bucky let out a deep sigh and gently shut the door. He walked over to his girlfriend and kneeled beside her.

“Stark said no more after the last dog you brought home.”

“Mr. Bojangles was an old man who needed a nice place to retire with people who would love him.” The mama cat hopped on top of the coffee table and meowed for her attention. Y/N smiled and scratched behind her ears, the sound of purring filling the silence. She looked back at him with a look similar to a child who got caught doing something they shouldn’t have. “Please, Bucky? It’ll just be until they’re old enough.” Goddammit. Bucky chewed on the inside of his cheek, and felt little pricks digging into his thigh. He looked down at the black kitten who meeped up at him before clawing up his leg.

He sighed and picked the tiny ball of fur up, bringing them closer to his face. They stared at each other for a few moments before Bucky sighed again. “Okay.”  

Y/N squealed and threw her arms around his neck, almost toppling them both to the ground. She peppered kisses along his jaw and up his cheek, proclaiming her love for him after each peck. He laughed and let her continue until she was satisfied. Stark wouldn’t stay mad for long once he saw them, Bucky was sure of that. 

Well... seventy-two percent sure.

A few hours later, the three kittens and their mom laid on plush dog bed in the corner of their bedroom. Y/N laid horizontally across their bed, propping her head up with her hands to watch the cats wind down for the night. Bucky came out of the bathroom, his shorts hanging low on his hips.

“They’re gonna keep us up, ya know?” Bucky laid down beside her, his feet hanging off the bed. Y/N grinned.

“We’ll be fine.” Bucky smirked. She looked over at him, “So, the other people called her ‘Cat’–”

“They called her ‘Cat’?” Y/N rolled her eyes and nodded.

“Yeah, I know, and I don’t think it was to be clever or anything. Anyways,” she rolled so she was on her side facing Bucky, “I think we should call her ‘Fitzgerald.” Bucky gave her a dubious look.

“‘Fitzgerald?’” She hummed with a grin.

“Like Ella.” Bucky chuckled. “‘Fitz’ for short. Her song came on in the car and she seemed to like it.” 

“And the kittens? I’m sure you’ve already picked out names for them.” She grinned bashfully and rolled back and pointed out the kittens as she talked about them. The orange kitten with all white legs was Theodosia (Y/N really just liked to sing her name to her), and the other one was Astaire, because just like Fred, he too had big ears. The black kitten had been following Bucky around all night, and was very quickly making a spot in Bucky’s heart.

“I think you should name the other one.” Bucky glanced at her with a raised brow. “She likes you best.” Bucky snorted and looked at the animal in question. He pursed his lips and thought. 

“I don’t know, baby…”

“C’mon, Buck! They’re your furry babies, too!” Bucky stored that conversation for another day. He hummed and tilted his head, hoping that would help him come up with a name.

“What about…” Bucky was bad at naming things. He had a gold fish when he was 12 and he named it ‘Spot’, because he desperately wanted a dog, but his parents said no. He watched the kitten chase her tail, before tipping over once she finally caught it. “I don’t know.”

“How did you name the goats?” Bucky shrugged.

“Well, I knew them for a while before I named ‘em.”

“We can wait on a name, so you can get to know them?” Y/N gave him that warm grin that he loved so much. He noticed on the first mission they ever worked together that she only smiled at him like that. 

“Vienna.”

“Vienna?” Her brows pinched, “Why ‘Vienna’?” Bucky chewed on his lip before glancing at her.

“She kinda reminds me of you.” Y/N raised her eyes in amusement.

“Oh? Is that so?” She giggled.

“Mm-hmm…. You followed me around the first time we met, too.” She gasped and backhanded his shoulder in offense, but the smile on her face said otherwise.

“I did not!” Bucky laughed and laid on his side to face her, his flesh hand propping up his head.

“You did, though.” She scoffed, still smiling and mirrored his positioning.

“Okay, maybe I did, but it wasn’t like I had a choice. Steve made me.”

Bucky chortled, “A likely story.”

“He did!” It was her first mission with the team. Everyone had already partnered up, so Steve paired her with Bucky. She was still young and scrappy, so working with a super soldier was a dream come true for her. Bucky, however, felt like he was going to have to babysit her the whole time, so he was less than thrilled. She exhaled through her nose, fighting back a smile, “Doesn’t really explain her name though.”

Bucky smirked and plucked off a piece of orange hair from her shirt. “That mission was in Vienna.” Y/N blinked before an unhurried smile spread across her face. She always told Bucky he was more romantic than he claimed to be. 

“I like it.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek, “And I like you, too.” Half of his mouth lifted.

“Only ‘like’?”

She smiled and kissed him softly, “I love you, too, I guess.”

“You guess? You guess?” Bucky sprung onto Y/N, tickling her until their bedroom was filled with loud laughter and quiet meeps of curiosity. 

Bucky would tell her later that she was right for not listening to him, and getting the cats anyways. 

But not yet. 

He’d save the “I told ya so’s” for another day.

[bleedingthirium]

Everything I Love Becomes Everything I’ve Lost (Reed900)

Title: Everything I Love becomes everything I’ve Lost. Words: 2740 Genre: Angst. Hurt-Comfort. Grief. Characters: Reed900 Warnings: Death of pet and litter. Authors Note: Not sure why I wrote this. Just wanted Gavin to suffer like the sadistic lil shit I am. Who doesn’t love a quietly supportive and comforting Nines? No one? Just me then? Okay, I’ll yeet myself out. Also, sorry if its all out of character.

 It was funny, no, horrible, how someone can lose so much within the space of just a few hours, and almost lose themselves in the process. Nines witnessed it happen to Gavin. 

At the beginning, Nines was only meant to be there to watch what is considered the most beautiful humanitarian act on the planet; giving birth to life.

The cat Gavin rescued 2-3 months ago had been abandoned because it was pregnant and the owners couldn’t deal with more cats. Gavin took the Mama Cat in, literally renaming her ‘Mama’ and had told Nines about her. Nines seemed curious about the pregnancy and how it excited Gavin, and as something similar to an educational experience in the role of humanity, Gavin offered for Nines to watch the birth. 

Being on call wasn’t new to Nines, however, he couldn’t deny the very vague mix of nervousness and excitement that lingered in his system at awaiting the phone call any moment. 9:23pm, Nines received the call from Gavin, who had barely managed to form a structured sentence as he breathed out in a singular incoherent sentence, “She’sherethey’recominggetyourassoverherenow!” It was lucky that Nines was fluent in the language of Gavin Reed; able to decipher when the man was being sarcastic, covering up emotions or when his brain was working faster than his mouth – such as this particular instance. Arriving at Gavin’s 15 minutes later due to roadworks hindering him from arriving earlier, he expected to be greeted by an excited Gavin. However when he knocked on the door, it flung upon to see a panicked Gavin on the phone to someone. Gavin walked away from the door, focusing on the conversation on the other end of the phone while Nines stepped in. Immediately those cold, calculating blue eyes of his began to scan the room – blood, towels, half-full bowl of water tinged pink, and a cat loudly panting and mewling. Nines LED began to swirl to a bright yellow. Something didn’t feel right. His attention was brought to the conversation Gavin was having, and he noted how Gavin held the phone tightly to his ear as though he feared he’d miss a single word from what was being said. “Yes… about two hours… No, no…no… There’s blood…A lot…Okay, yep…yep… Okay, okay, thank you. Bye.” Gavin dropped to his knees with a curse (“Phk!”) that held heavier emotions that even Nines wasn’t used to dealing with from the Detective. “Detective Reed? What’s the problem?” Nines inquired, slowly stepping over to where Gavin was crouched on the floor with Mama. “Gavin?” Nines voice dropped to a more gentler tone as he knelt down on one knee beside Gavin. Gavin’s shoulders hunched over, phone slipped from his fingers as he sat helplessly by Mama’s side, unable to do much more but physically be there for her. Nines opened his mouth to try and gain the Detective’s “She’s uh… she’s not gonna make it. Four kittens were stillborn. She’s struggling to push the last one out.” “Is there anything I can do to help?” Nines asked, a hand reached out to place upon Gavin’s shoulder in physical reassurance but his original program conflicted with his newly found deviancy and he retracted his hand back to himself before Gavin saw the odd gesture. Gavin was silent. He knew if he spoke, he would break down. He had been fighting that panic in his chest since the beginning, the panic caused an intense fluttering which he knew if he opened his mouth, his chest would constrict tightly and instead of words forming, it would be god knows what kind of sound he was currently pushing down. A shaky breath in that did not go unnoticed by Nines, Gavin tried his best to keep it steady, “There’s uh… the kittens…in…in the….kitch…the table…Can you just, can you just…” Fuck. How to explain to a fucking android how to take care of the deceased as though they need a comfortable place to lay when it was a comfort to Gavin’s soul knowing they’re resting comfortably. “…wrap them up nicely or something?” “Of course.” Nines LED still swirled yellow, but not out of incompetence at the request given, but at Gavin’s levels of emotions. He was distraught but wasn’t showing it. However, if this small request would help ease Gavin’s internal struggle with his emotions, Nines was more than happy to oblige. He found the deceased kittens wrapped up loosely in a blanket, no doubt in a rush with everything being handled by one person, so Nines began looking for something more suitable to place them in. He found a small empty box and lined it with some tea-towels before placing each individual kitten in the box, next to each other, and then placing a final tea-towel over the kittens. Nines made a mental note to replace Gavin’s tea-towels since they were the only linen available that would fit in the box. Nines came back and quietly knelt down beside Gavin. He swore he felt Gavin lean just a centimeter or two towards Nines but he didn’t overanalyze anymore than this situation being out of the emotional norm for Gavin. “This wasn’t how tonight was supposed to go.” Gavin mumbled as he stroked Mama’s forehead, trying to offer any type of reassurance he could to the cat who was quickly becoming exhausted. She was refusing water, even milk. She hadn’t had any liquids since Gavin got home. The veterinarian he was on the phone to earlier had said that it sounded like her organs were shutting down. They needed to get the last kitten out, even then, the chances of survival were slim. “This was not something you had any control over, Detective.” “I should have stayed home. Maybe seen that something was wrong earlier. I could’ve taken her to the vets. I could’ve done more than just sitting here waiting for her to fucking die.” Nines remained quiet. He could throw facts and statistics at Gavin, but the Detective would likely refuse to take them into consideration and would probably further upset Gavin, which was something he had no desire to do. Silence past by for a moments longer until Nines broke it with another question, “Is there anything else you’d like me to do?” As with every question he’s asked, he’s met with a moment’s silence before Gavin finally whispered one request. “Stay?” Nines watched as Gavin’s head dropped down in defeat before bloodshot eyes lifted to actually see Nines for the first time since opening the front door to him. “Please?” In all the history of ever knowing Gavin, Nines has never ever heard him use the word ‘please’.  If this didn’t send software instability errors his way, he didn’t know what will. “Of course, Detective.” Nines firmly stated, being the rock of reassurance that Gavin needed even though this was completely out of his depth of emotional response to this type of situation. He would have suggested calling Lieutenant Anderson over despite the Lieutenant owning a dog, he might still have far more of an insight to animal companions than Nines did. However, there were several factors to take into consideration, 1. Lieutenant Anderson was drinking himself into a stupor and would be of no help to them whatsoever. 2. There was a risk that Lieutenant Anderson would say the wrong thing and further upset Gavin. The night quietly dragged on. Nines fetching whatever Gavin needed without question or hesitation. The only sounds were the distressed mewling coming from Mama, and Gavin softly cooing to her, gently trying to hush her with reassurances. The mewling’s became louder and more distressed as the final kitten arrived and Mama took her last breath. “No.” Gavin’s whispered plea went ignored by whatever high power was out there as Mama Cat passed away from the blood loss and organ failure. However, the squeaky cry of a newborn kitten pulled Gavin out of his grief as he quickly scooped up the tiny being. Nines sprang into action as he grabbed the syringe that was filled with formula for the surviving kitten in place of its mothers milk, passing it over to Gavin who had the kitten wrapped in the last tea-towel he had (courtesy of Nines retrieving it earlier), Nines placed a towel over Mama in respect as Gavin tended to the kitten; who was the current priority despite all the tragedy that occurred. Not much transpired between Nines and Gavin. Gavin was more focused on the surviving kitten than anything, Nines was just the grounding support Gavin needed. Because, honestly, if Nines wasn’t here, Gavin wouldn’t have kept himself together as well as he did. For now, Nines sat down and watched in curiosity as Gavin attentively helped the kitten. He tried to coax it with the syringe to give it the nutrients it needs, he comforted the squeaky little cries, immediately hushing them with the softness of his voice. It’s amazing what a complete douche-head he is at the Precinct, yet he’s soft as a plush teddy bear right now. No doubt if anyone dared even breathe the wrong way towards the kitten, they’d find themselves staring down the barrel of a gun drawn by Gavin.

“What’s the matter?” Nines suddenly asked as he noticed Gavin frantically began looking around for something. “My phone. I can’t find it.” Nines had moved it from where Gavin had dropped it on the floor, to rest it upon the coffee table. Reaching over, Nines handed the phone over and he saw the distress resting back on Gavin’s features. “What is it Detective?” “She’s not eating anything.” Gavin said, holding the toweled bundle closer to his chest in protectiveness as his other hand was preoccupied in find the veterinarian’s number, luckily there was an afterhours number he could call for emergencies; it was the same number he called earlier when Nines showed up on his front door. Nines stood helplessly by as Gavin was frantic on the phone, the veterinarian managed to calm him down but Gavin steel repeated a few questions in hopes that something would change. “Fuck!” Nines LED flickered to red at the violent response as Gavin threw his phone in the corner, almost shattering the screen entirely. “Is there nothing more we can do for her?” Nines enquired, his LED spinning back down to yellow. “…No…Phk! Why is this happening?!” Nines didn’t have a logical answer to provide Gavin with, at least, none that would be comforting enough to the Detective. The next few hours wore on. Gavin switched between sitting down and trying to coax the kitten into taking some of the formula, to standing up and slowly pacing around the room, gently cooing to the small being that was still protectively wrapped up in a bundle. Nines offered to take over, give Gavin a break, but the Detective refused. It wasn’t until 6:30am, where the sky outside the window began lighting up and Gavin moved to stand by it, watching the sun rise. Nines eyes snapped up from staring at the table trying to figure out a way to entice the kitten to eat to beat the low survival percentile, when Gavin’s voice began a quiet melody. He swayed ever so softly with the kitten huddled close to his chest, softly singing an old song, “Here comes the sun, doo doo doo doo Here comes the sun, and I say …It’s alright.” And then he stopped swaying. He stopped singing. Nines quietly unfolded his legs that had been crossed over, and stood up, eyes trained on Gavin who hadn’t made a single move or sound. He slowly and quietly made his way over to the Detective and stood by him. He didn’t say a word as Gavin pulled the kitten from his chest, not saying a word but his quiet volumes spoke loudly to Nines. Slender fingers brushed over Gavin’s as he took the now deceased kitten from Gavin, allowing Gavin the time he needed to fully let go. A quick glance up at Gavin’s face allowed Nines to observe him momentarily. Gavin was broken. He was also the type that didn’t handle his emotions well. Especially when they were too raw for him to be able to hide behind his asshole sense of humor. So, when Nines finally held the bundle of towel with his own two hands, the breathy gasp emitted from Gavin didn’t escape Nines’ attention. “I’ll put her with her brothers.” Nines said quietly as he walked away to do just that. Gavin stood there; arms dropped to his sides as he glanced around the dimly lit room. It was quiet. Too quiet. No cats mewling, no cats walking around his ankles causing him to trip over into an unceremonious heap… within the space of a few hours, everything had been ripped from him. Torn from him. What did he do to deserve this?! Why him? Why!? Better yet, why did the universe decide to take Mama?! The pregnant cat, abandoned by her owners for bringing life into this world!? Why punish her!? And the innocent kittens who clearly weren’t even given a goddamn chance!? WHY!? “FUCK!!” The cry ripped through the deadly silence, yanking Nines back to reality as he just finished tucking the towel-come-makeshift-blanket around the last kitten. He strode back into the living room to see Gavin crouched in the middle of the living room, fists gripping his hair as his lungs struggled to breathe against the painful twist of the knife that seemed to enjoy repeatedly stabbing him in the heart where it hurts. LED flashing a dangerous red, Nines quickly found himself kneeling down on the ground once more, this time, in front of Gavin. Two strong hands wrapped themselves around the two fists that were gripping the head of brown hair. A sob tore from Gavin’s lips as he allowed Nines to pull his hands away. It was a heartbreaking scene that unfolded right before Nines’ eyes; it was something he never wanted to witness. The whimper that tore from Gavin before he screamed in such emotional agony that Nines stress levels peaked. A slender hand found the back of Gavin’s head and he pulled the Detective into his shoulder, the other hand holding Gavin protectively around the back of his shoulders. Body trembled beneath his embrace but it wasn’t rejected. Instead, Gavin’s hands swapped from gripping his own hair to gripping the front of Nines’ white jacket. His face buried in his shoulder after scream after scream of grief-filled pain spilled from his lips. Despite it being muffled against the material, it was still a sound Nines never wanted to hear. Nines barely spoke a word since first arriving at Gavin’s but he figured his colder tone was something Gavin didn’t need right now, nor his inept response to providing the correct source of verbal comfort in situations like this. Eventually, those screams had quietened down to sobs that violently engulfed Gavin’s body, but Nines continued to hold onto him since Gavin had no intention of letting him go. Nines is still understanding a lot of things, but he knew how important Mama was to Gavin. The day Gavin rescued Mama, he told Nines all about her and continued to update Nines on the progress Mama was making… “It wasn’t supposed to end like this.” “I know.” “It’s not fair.” “… I know.” Nines' voice had softened a great deal to the point where it was barely recognizable as Nines. However, his hold on Gavin still remained. Fingers cupped the back of Gavin’s head, lacing his fingers through the brown locks as he continued to hold Gavin for as long as he needed the physical comfort. Nines had to admit, even he wasn’t prepared for the turn of events tonight. He wasn’t even prepared to see Gavin in such emotional distress. In fact, he never took it into consideration whether the Detective could even be broken like that. “Stay. Please? God, just stay. Don’t… Don’t leave. Don’t fucking leave me too.” “I had no intention of leaving.” Gavin had lost a lot within the past few hours. Nines had no intention of leaving him alone. He had fully intended to stay until Gavin was alright. If that took hours, days, weeks even… Feeling Gavin shift slightly beneath him, ever so slightly relaxing against Nines’ frame, Nines’ slender fingers gripped Gavin just a little bit more protectively. He'll stay.  

[flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash]

Hi Ash! :) I've spent the last 20 minutes or so going through your cat tag and your cats are so adorable! It seems Lydia is very talkative and she's really cute. I love her little antics lol. But I saw that you had another cat before Lydia and I think her name was Sybil? May I ask why you chose to find a new home for her? Did Julian not get along with her? Hope you don't mind me being nosy. 😉

Hello! I’m so glad my cat content just gave you 20 minutes of entertainment! Lydia has gotta be the most talkative kitty I’ve ever owned, and does she ever have a unique personality lol! She’s as loud and obnoxious as Julian is quiet and calm, but they balance each other out perfectly. 

I’m gonna put a keep reading bar for the rest, because my response got way longer then I expected, but also that situation wasn’t one I could explain in just a sentence or two.

I did have a previous black kitty named Sibyl. I got her as a kitten after a previous adult cat I owned (named Sebastian - I had adopted him as an adult cat and he had a lot of health issues and ended up having to be put down at a pretty young age after a battle with cancer). My first cat, Julian, who I got back in grad school, is superrrr social and grew up when I lived with two roommates, a dog, pet rats, and various foster kittens. So I’ve always wanted him to have a furry buddy, especially when I moved out on my own and had a job that kept me from being home during the day. So originally I got Sebastian, who passed away after I owned him for about 2 1/2 years, and then I got kitten Sibyl, and her and Julian got along fantastically. Julian loves kittens and is such a sweetheart. I owned her for about a year and a half, and though she was easily startled by noises and hid from everyone else, I never had any issues with her and she was such a love bug. 

There was an incident one evening where, to my best knowledge since I only heard it and didn’t see it, she was in the litter box and I don’t think Julian knew. He went to run in the box himself and I think scared her so badly that it’s like she flipped on him (one big lesson I learned from this is make sure the entrance of your litter boxes face out across the room, so that a cat can see immediately when they enter the room if another cat is already in there). She attacked him, and I separated them for the night, thinking she just needed to calm down. Well, she never did. I spent almost two months trying to slowly re-introduce them, and every time she had any sort of access to him, she’d attack him. And not in a regular cat spat kinda way, she was trying to kill him (he still has a scar on his mouth from the time she got away from me and flew into him for not even 10 seconds before I grabbed her). I’ve seen plenty of little cat spats, but I’ve never seen a cat focused on legit doing as much bodily harm to another as possible, and it was honestly pretty terrifying (and the ultra weird part was I could run in between them and grab her and not once did she ever turn on me). And Julian never fought back, he’d just huddle there shaking in a ball until I got her off him. I went to two different vets, consulted with an animal behavioralist, did alllll the medical tests and tried allll the behavioral techniques, and nothing worked. I think I watched every video and read every article on the topic that I could find, hoping there was some magical answer if I just tried hard enough. It was one of the most helpless feelings I’ve ever had, and on top of that I live in a one bedroom apartment, so I had them separated with one in my living room and the other in the bedroom. And since they both loved attention from me, I literally had to take shifts when I wasn’t at work with playing and cuddling with one while the other meowed and scratched at the door, then would switch and vice versa. It really took a toll on my mental health, and I have so much empathy for anyone who ever has to go through a similar situation. 

So, eventually, as Sibyl’s hypervigilance and aggression towards Julian started to get worse, not better, I made the heartbreaking decision that Sibyl needed a home where she could be the only kitty. I kept telling myself if she’d just give me one little sign of progress, I’d keep going, but she never did. If anything, she became so hypervigilant that she never relaxed and would just pace back and forth in front of the closed door and growl and hiss. It was heartbreaking, and it started to get to the point where I was afraid it was going to traumatize Julian because he was, understandably, scared a lot of the time because of it. I really wish I knew what happened in her little brain that made her see her harmless brother as the enemy, but I resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never know. I tried finding her a home through some FB groups, but let me tell ya, people can be horrible. The amount of judgment and poor advice I got was horrendous. So instead I came onto tumblr and made a post, and my followers were SO supportive. And because of this lovely site, one follower reached out to me and said her sister had recently lost her own little black kitty friend and was looking for another one. I spoke to the sister on the phone, who was just the sweetest human being ever (ya know that feeling when you get all the positive vibes and can just tell someone is a good soul? Yea, I got that immediately), and the very next day I packed up Sibyl and drove her a few states down South to her new home. Leaving her that day was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I cried the entire drive back. But her new mama loves the crap outta her, and I know now that I was just a step along the way for her to find her real furever home.

Now, even after being attacked multiple times and dealing with all that stress, Julian was still depressed af that his sister was gone. The apartment just didn’t feel right and I knew that he would hate being an only cat, so I started looking online at kitty rescues, and a couple of weeks later, we got Lydia. She was exactly what both he and I needed to lift our spirits and get us back on track. And though that situation was one of the hardest I’ve had to deal with, emotionally (which might sound ridiculous to some but my cats are my kids and I always swore I’d do whatever it took to make them happy - never thinking it would mean having to give one up), it ultimately led me to this little floof ball who is currently sleeping on my lap, and so I think it’s safe to say that it all worked out exactly as it was meant to in the end :) 

[uppastthejelliclemoon]

Munkstrap HC: he doesn’t take care of himself in the least bit. Not intentionally tho. He literally forgets to eat or sleep until he collapses from exhaustion/malnutrition. He’s always so focused on protecting the other cats that he forgets that he’s not a robot that can keep going. One time he almost died because he got a fever and his body was weak from no food or sleep. (Tugger got really scared and Munkstrap thought he was angry because Tugger yelled at him but then he broke down crying)

oops my hand slipped

It was just a normal day in the Junkyard. No attacks from Macavity, which meant a peaceful afternoon with nothing to do. Kittens were playing in the main stage are under the watchful eyes of Munkustrap and Alonzo, Jennyanydots and Jellylorum were chatting away with Exotica and Demeter, and Bombalurina and Cassandra were resting in the sun. Tugger was resting as well, comfortably warm with his mate tucked close to his side as they watched with amusement as Plato twitched his tail back and forth for the eager kittens to try and catch.

Then, the world seemed to go in slow motion as Tugger watched his brother’s eyes roll back and he fell backward off the tire. Tugger was on his feet and racing across the Junkyard as Plato leaped up, he and Alonzo catching Munkustrap before he hit the ground. 

“Munk!” Demeter cried, running towards her mate. 

Tugger knelt beside his brother, pressing a paw to his forehead and hissing softly. “He’s burning up.”

Demeter bit back a sob. “He told me he was fine, that he’d get over it in a few days.” Tugger looked at the gold and black queen. “He woke up a few days ago feeling under the weather, but he said that it wasn’t anything serious and that he’d take it easy.” Tugger shook slightly, and he wasn’t sure if it was from anger or fear. He lifted his brother into his arms with ease, and worry filled him. Munkustrap wasn’t supposed to be so light. He wasn’t supposed to feel so thin. 

“I’ll take him to Dad’s den.” he said, snapping into a rare mode that he only took on during emergencies. “Alonzo, see if you can find something for him to eat when he wakes up.” The black and white tom nodded and rushed off. Tugger sighed, held Munkustrap a bit tighter, and looked at the kittens, whose eyes were filled with fear. Jemima was standing beside her mother, staring at Munkustrap. Tugger’s face softened, and a smile appeared on his face. “He’ll be okay, kits. He’s just got to take a nap and stop being sick. Then he’ll be back to watching you troublemakers in no time.” The adults quickly ushered the reassured kittens back to their play, except for Jemima, who followed her mother as Tugger brought his brother to their father’s den, laying him down on the pile of blankets within. 

Jemima sat beside her father, frowning slightly. “Is this because Daddy hasn’t been eating?” 

“What do you mean?” Tugger asked, glancing at Demeter.

“Well, he tells Mama that he’s going to have breakfast with Uncle ‘Lonz, but I never see him eat, and he always tells Mama that he ate during the day when she asks if he wants anything for supper.” Jemima explained. “But I always see him making sure that everybody else is eating.”

“He hasn’t been sleeping, either.” Demeter added softly, and Tugger tensed. “He’s always awake when I fall asleep, and he’s always awake when I wake up in the morning.”

Jemima looked at Tugger. “What do we do now?”

Tugger reached out, grasping his niece’s paw tightly. “Now we just have to wait.”

And wait they did. It took nearly two days for Munkustrap to finally wake up. During those two days, Demeter and Tugger both stayed by his side, Alonzo taking over the duties of protector temporarily. Mistoffelees would pop in and out of the den, occasionally accompanied by Coricopat and Tantomile, and the trio would use their magic to help heal their tribe’s future leader. Tugger was alone in the den when Munkustrap stirred, and he looked at his brother expectantly. 

“Where am I?” the silver tabby groaned.

Tugger sat down beside him. “You’re in Dad’s den. You’ve been out for the past two days.”

Munkustrap frowned as he looked around. “What happened?”

“What happened?” Tugger scoffed in a controlled voice. “What happened is that you nearly died, Straps. You haven’t eaten in days, and you haven’t been sleeping, either. You get so caught up in taking care of the tribe that you forget to take care of yourself!”

“Someone has to always be at the ready, Tugger!” Munkustrap replied sharply. “I can’t be taking time for myself when the tribe needs someone to watch out for them.”

“Did you ever think about what would happen if you went too far, Straps? If you didn’t get lucky like you did this time? What if you had died, Straps?” Tugger asked, his voice shaking slightly in what Munkustrap thought was anger. “What would have happened to Demeter? She would lose you again. And Jem? She’d lose her dad. Having uncles isn’t the same as having a father. And Everlasting Cat, Straps, Dad’s already lost Macavity, and he can’t lose you!” Munkustrap slowly sat up in realization. Tugger’s voice wasn’t shaking with anger. The tears in the maine coon’s eyes betrayed him, and Munkustrap surged forward, grabbing Tugger in a tight hug. His younger brother clung to him, shoulders shaking. “I can’t lose you, Straps. I need my big brother.” 

Munkustrap felt tears fill his own eyes, and he squeezed them shut, holding his brother as tightly as he could. “I’ll do better, Tugs. I promise.” And sitting there, listening to his strong brother cry like a kitten in his arms as he listened to toth e sounds of the tribe outside the den, Munkustrap swore that that was the one promise he would always keep. 

He would never put his family through anything like that again. 

[spikeymarshmallows]

last post about CATS

HAVE I TALKED ABOUT THE KITTENS I BECAME FRIENDS WITH?

Okay, I have a few stories.

So. IDK, cats and I are pals.

When we had a “welcome to your grad degree” party, I found the cat of my one-day-advisor, and became best pals with her cat. TBH I think that’s why my advisor liked me, because her cat doesn’t like many people.

And generally, that’s how it goes.

And last Feb or so, I was walking home and this gorgeous lil friend (never found out the sex) started walking with me. They were very chatty, and would walk with me most days. I found out they belonged to the street--that is, everyone on the street kinda loved ‘em.

And one day, we had a huge hail storm. And FIL was all “hahahaha, I’m surprised you’re not out there trying to save your friend”

And I was just “!!!!! CAN I? IS IT OKAY TO BRING THEM HOME???”

And it was.

So, like the fooool I am, I went out in a hail storm to find this angel.

And. Miraculously. I was running down the street. And they came running up to me. T.T

So I carried them home in my coat, and they didn’t scratch me once, and we got home with minimal damage. They hung out in my bathroom, ate some food, dried off, slept on my bed, and then demanded to be let out at 3am. I named ‘em Sweetpea :3

Anyway, Sweetpea still says Hi when I walk down their street.

*

NEXT STORY

So, I came home from a trip out of the country a day after the inlaws had left. And MIL messaged me saying “hey, there’s a stray family of young cats, please keep feeding them”.

OF COURSE I WOULD.

And they were adorable. There was a grey one that went missing after the first day : ( I hope someone picked them up and nothing bad happened....

And I was thinking, well. Babies. I’m gonna bond with them.

So I started just sitting there, reading my book, putting food about 15ft away. And over time, moved them closer. It was violently hot, and I started letting them into the back porch and putting cool water and a fan in there for them in the hottest parts of the day.

Anyway. I was sitting on the back porch playing with them one afternoon, thinking “okay, I gotta do a TNR on these angels” when.... I realised.... Mama Cat was pregnant.

SIGH.

She got bigger and bigger and bigger.

And then one day, the belly disappeared, but we couldn’t find the kittens. I was heartbroken, thinking she’d miscarried... It had been so hot... : (

But then one day, I come home from school and... The babies are in the box I set out the front a few weeks back, with blankets and comfy things, etc.

Mama didn’t miscarry!!!

She’d had them!! But IDK where she hid them.

But she’d brought them out for me!!

I sat there all evening, getting bitten apart by mosquitos but snuggling these tiny, tiny angels. Mama cat did not give a shit, other than the fact that when I was snuggling the babies, I also needed to be petting her.

And like. Wow. This stray, possibly feral cat, let me just... cuddle her two or three week old babies??

We were gonna let her wean, etc... But I learned cats get pregnant quite fast after... so, feeling like a monster, at about 6 or 7 weeks, I TNR Mama Cat and Daddy Cat...

And there’s no fucking way I’m gonna be leaving 6 week old kittens outside to fend for themselves.

Now, I hadn’t been paying too much attention to the babs over the weeks because I had some stuff happening. I’d have a look, and snuggle them, but I tried to let them have their space.

And when we took away Mama and I went to capture babies...

One of the babies had a severe eye infection T.T And I burst into tears.

Like, I won’t describe it. But it was gory.

So I bring all three into the only room in the house with doors, that aren’t bathrooms. Set them up...

They’re feral little fuckers. Hissing all the time.

Take Baby Boy to the vet... Get him eyedrops and antibioticis. His sister also had a mild eye infection....

So for the next two weeks, I get the pleasure of giving them antibiotics and eye stuff twice a day. 

They were VERY unimpressed with that.

And I earned myself a few scars.

And I ended up crying in their room a few times because the eye was getting better, but god, how the fuck was I gonna socialise these little fellas when they seemed so terrified of me every time I came in.... : (

And Baby Boy ended up so sick. He was 0.7lbs when he should have been 1.5lbs. His siblings were that big... And then, even after the eye infection healed, he couldn’t gain weight. He was such a sad little baby...

I took them all to the vet for shots etc, and I was a bit “*sniffles* I can’t seem to socialise them” and the vet reassured me that I’d done an excellent job, because of a few reasons. So... I had hope...

And I started giving Baby Boy kitten meal replacement and coconut cream and tiny bits of salmon, to fatten him up. And so he went from the biggest, to the runt, back to... a BIG BOY.

His sister was adopted really quickly, incidentally, by a vet!! Couldn’t ask for a better home for her.

She was a DEMON CHILD and had actually started as the runt... But she was A RASCAL. She’s in a good home now.

Then the brother went eventually, but he took a bit longer. He was a good boy too.

And then we were left with Baby Boy.

Baby Boy, who had gone from a hissy little dying thing... To... A MONSTER. But I didn’t wanna part with him... He was special... But. A lot of stuff in my life is uncertain.

And then... Sister In Law visited over Christmas and bonded with him. And in early February, inlaws drove my son up to her city, and she became his new fur mom.

Anyway. Turns out, aside from some scarring, Baby Boy can see out of his previously-infected eye! We thought he’d lose it entirely. Then we thought he’d be blind. Nope! We think he can see from it ^.^

Anyway, there’s not a real point to this story other than... It’ll probably be one of my proudest moments that I managed to turn three feral little monsters into perfect angels :)))))))

I love cats so much

[cloudshapedpatch]

Well, I’m 3 days behind but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to participate in Marichat May. Here is the start of a continuous fic, following the prompts on the Marichat May 2020 calendar. Thanks @marichatmay ~!

The Unusual Connection We Share

Day 1 - Witch AU

Chapter 1/31 - The Witchy Debate

💚 💚 💚 💚

“Obviously you’ve got your head screwed on wrong. Chat Noir is a walking disaster.”

Marinette looked up from her sketchbook, turning her full attention on Chloe. The offending party had flicked the artificial hair of her blue wig, one of the pigtails swinging slightly.

Mlle. Bustier had ended class early and stepped out of the room, leaving the children to do as they please. Not a good idea when they were already hyped up on sugary treats and anxiety for that night. For it was Halloween, and the excitement of the annual All Hallow’s Eve party at the Grand Paris Hotel was enough to rustle everyone’s nerves.

“He is not a disaster! He may not be as important as Ladybug, but he’s not incompetent.” Came Alya’s snarky response.

Marinette dreaded conversations like these. She knew they were inevitable, but she never would know how people could be so ignorant.

“Ladybug would be much better off without him.”

“As if! He’s a great helper.”

“Is not!”

“Is too!”

Finally Nino came in and pulled his girlfriend back a few paces, successfully stopping the two girls from continuing. Unfortunately, due to Alya’s slick bodysuit, Nino was unable to get a good grip on her. Alya lunged forward and criticized Chloe’s Ladybug costume, saying she looked like a frog in her wig.

“And what are you supposed to be? Superhero wannabe? You don’t need a costume for that.”

“I’m Majestia.” Alya said plainly, crossing her arms.

Marinette could only slam her head into her desk. It was so infuriating. She wanted to tell everyone off, inform them of the black cat and ladybug’s unique connection. But she couldn’t, not unless she wanted her identity revealed.

Her only solace was that Adrien looked just as uncomfortable as she was, though it was a double-edged sword. If she could help it, Adrien would never feel sub-par.

Speaking of which, when she looked up to steal a glance at him, she found him already staring at her.

“Marinette, are you okay?”

My, how gorgeous his eyes were! They were so concerned for her, and so sweet! They looked almost glossy, but maybe that was the light. Marinette noted how they looked even more green with the black hooded cloak he wore. Black was definitely his color.

It took her a few seconds to realize that she hadn’t responded.

“Oh! Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” She gave her best smile and hoped it was enough.

“Marinette, back me up,” Alya interrupted their moment (if you could even call it that), “Chloe won’t listen to reason.”

“Well, your reasoning is ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.”

Marinette sighed and scooted out from her chair, careful not to step on her long black dress. “What now?” She muttered, mostly to Alya, as she descended the stairs.

“Tell Chloe that Chat Noir is necessary.”

“Um, he is necessary?” She sheepishly told Chloe.

“Like I’d believe that. Ladybug could do so much better. Like moi.”

Marinette rolled her eyes, wanting to go sit down again. Everyone was watching the argument go down, and she was wishing she had stayed out of it. Chloe kept on talking, much to everyone’s chagrin.

“Honestly, if I have to see that stupid cat boy on TV again, I’m gonna hurl.”

Don’t say anything. She just wants attention.

“Paris would be better off without him. She should just take his miraculous and find someone better.”

Her opinion is just one of many. Deep breath.

“Even a homeless bozo would be better than him.”

Marinette snapped like a rubber band pulled too tight. Grabbing Chloe’s shoulders, Marinette stared her down. Everyone was mortified at her sudden outburst. Marinette was never one for violence, but everyone had a limit. And apparently, the small bluenette drew the line for a certain black clad hero.

“Chat Noir is just as important as Ladybug. Just because he can’t de-evilize an akuma doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value. He is a person just like you or I, with feelings and complex life experiences.”

Chloe could only stare in shock as Marinette continued.

“Ladybug needs him. He’s there for her when she’s down, he encourages her. Ladybug gets insecure just like the rest of us. Chat Noir is always there to be her shoulder to lean on when she doubts herself, and he is the greatest thing that ever happened to this city!”

You could have heard a pin drop as the tension in the air weighed on everyone’s shoulders. Taking in a shocked breath, Marinette released her hold on Chloe and took a few steps back.

The silence lasted only a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity. Had she comprised her identity? Had she lost her friends’ trust once again? Her mind ran wild until Alix laughed.

“Come on Marinette, be real. Ladybug doesn’t get insecure; she’s a hero. And a perfect one at that.”

Everyone nodded and murmured in agreement.

Cheeks red and heart racing, Marinette walked up the few steps and sat at her desk. She could feel eyes on her as she deflated. Her pointy witch’s hat fell off as she laid her head on her desk once again, bringing her cloaked arms to shield herself from the world and from Alya and Chloe continuing their argument.

Unbeknownst to her, Adrien was fighting back tears. His heart was getting shredded to pieces not only by Chloe, but by the rest of his classmates as well. They all seemed to think that Chat was more of a bother than a help to Ladybug.

Except Marinette. She had stood up for him, taken the embarrassment of having a different opinion. But the kind words she spoke about his alter-ego weren't the only thing that caught his attention. Her comments about Ladybug stood out to him like a sore thumb. Nobody else seemed to realize that Ladybug doubted herself. Apparently, Marinette did her research.

Well, she did confess her love for Chat Noir at one time and claimed to have followed him around. Perhaps she was just more observant than everyone gave her credit for.

No matter how she knew these things, he was grateful that she said them aloud. More grateful than anyone would know.

* * * *

“Marinette, can you watch the register for a moment? I need to take this phone call.”

“Sure mama, no problem.”

Marinette had just walked in the door when her mother answered the call. Marinette straightened her witch’s hat and plopped her backpack behind the counter. It was not uncommon for Marinette to finish her homework in-between helping customers. Today was sure to be busier than usual, for people would need treats for their parties. Occasionally a small child and their parents would come in to trick-or-treat, preferring the daylight hours so their young child would get to bed on time. Though celebrating Halloween was still quite new (and mostly an English thing), the traditions were picking up popularity.

After a few hours, Alya came by (still in her Majestia costume) to pick Marinette up for the party. She bade her parents goodbye, then left with Alya.

The girls talked of random things to pass the time as they walked to the hotel. Mostly the evening was quite uneventful. No akuma attacks disrupted the party, the snacks were good and Nino played the newest songs at the disk-jockey table.

Things were quite normal for a Bourgeois party. Well, until it was time to go home.

Alya had gotten a ride home from Nino, leaving Marinette to walk home alone. The hotel wasn’t too far from home, and she could always use her Ladybug speed to zip home.

After looking around, the coast was clear. Just before ducking into the alley to transform, a voice called out from the street.

“What are you doing alone out here, little lady? Don’t you know it’s not safe to be out alone after dark?”

Marinette yelped in surprise. So much for being alone. “Huh?”

A quiet thud reached her ears as Chat Noir jumped down from atop a lamppost.

“I thought you were smarter than this, Marinette. Why are you alone, anyway?”

Marinette crossed her arms over her chest. “I was just walking home. Not that it’s any of your business, anyhow.”

“But it is! It’s my job to protect damsels in distress.”

“Then go find one. The only distress around here is caused by you.” Marinette smirked at him, though she wasn’t sure whether she was annoyed or amused.

“Meowch, little lady has some claws.”

Marinette just rolled her eyes and started walking down the road. Unfortunately, Chat just bounded up next to her.

“Anyway, I wanted to thank you. For your kind words.”

This caused her to stop walking. The surprise was evident on her face. “I don’t recall speaking to you earlier.”

“Not to me, you spoke about me.”

Finally, the recollection of the school debate came to the front of her mind. Groaning, she threw her face into her hands.

“You heard that?”

“Oh course; I hear everything. Perks of being a superhero.”

Marinette knew for a fact that was not how the Miraculous worked, but of course Chat couldn’t know that. She was so caught up in keeping her own identity a secret, she did not think about how he may have heard.

“Well don’t let it go to your head. I was just defending you.”

She looked over to find him flexing and being a general show-off. “Don’t worry too much about it. Your words will forever be in my heart.”

A snort escaped her lips before she could stop it. “Sure, whatever.” She started walking again, only for Chat to run in front of her, successfully cutting her off.

“Let me take you home. To return the favor.”

“I got it, thanks though.”

“You’re going to turn down a ride with your favorite hero?”

“Who said you were my favorite?”

“You did, at one time. Did you change your mind and fail to tell me?”

His face turned down into a little pout. Damn, he looked just like a kitten, and unfortunately Marinette was a sucker for the big, sparkly eyes.

After a long sigh, she gave in. “You better not drop me.”

Marinette would not admit it, but feeling the wind whipping around her dress was exhilarating. It was truly different than swinging around Paris with her own yo-yo. And something about not being in control made her shiver in fear and delight. She wondered idly if she had ever swung around the city with Civilian Chat in her arms (she had, after the battle of Style Queen, but she was blissfully unaware of this occurrence).

Almost as quickly as Chat had scooped her up, he was setting her down by the side entrance of her home.

“Well, until we meet again, little lady.”

Expecting his signature two-finger salute, she was surprised when his hand came to his chest and he bowed, using his other hand to grab her own and give it a chaste kiss.

Even after he left, she could still feel the warmth across her knuckles, keeping her frozen in place. It took a few calls from Tikki and a poke on her nose to snap Marinette out of her shocked daze.

That dumb cat.

[lollipop1141]

Of Friends and Christmas Sweaters

Summary: The Christmas season had always been somewhat nostalgically lonely for him. But maybe, this time, things could be different.

10 years ago…

Multi-colored baubles and Christmas lights decked the halls of the Agreste Mansion as soft holiday music floated around the house, smells of cinnamon and hot chocolate filling the air, bringing in the Christmas magic.

Laughter spilled through the crack underneath the door leading to the living room where a large evergreen tree was on the process of being dressed up in traditional and handcrafted decorations by a happy family.

"Mama, look! I'm a Christmas tree!" A young five year old with golden locks called out to his mother through a mouthful of green garlands. His parents looked over to him and burst out laughing. His limbs stuck out at odd angles as he hobbled around, wrapped in the wreath like a present.

His mother reached out to grab a loose end and pulled it. Adrien spun around before slowing down in a drunken stagger, giggling all the way before falling on his mother's lap. He gave them a toothy grin. "I'm a bare tree now!"

Gabriel Agreste chuckled as he ruffled his son's hair. "Just like this tree, eh? C'mon, this one won't get dressed by itself without our help."

"Okay Père!" Adrien piped as he jumped up and grabbed a Santa decoration. Raising his arms up, his father lifted him and Adrien hung it in a bough. Then he paused. Gabriel looked at his son and grew shocked at the tears spilling down his face. He cradled Adrien in his arms. "Son, what's wrong?"

"Santa won't be able to come and give me presents." The child sobbed. His parents exchanged puzzled, worried looks.

"Why is that, ma cherie?" His mother asked gently. Adrien's crying was too hard that his reply was a blubbering mess. Fortunately, his mother deciphered what he was saying. "Is it because we don't have a chimney?"

Adrien nodded miserably. He didn't notice the repressed laughter of his parents as he was too sad with receiving no presents this year.

“Don’t worry, mon minou.” His mother said as she kissed his forehead. “Santa always finds a way.”

And find a way Santa did because on Christmas Day, footprints of snow came from the large window leading to a present-filled Christmas tree.

“Santa came! He came! He even ate my cookies!” Adrien shouted excitedly as he ran in the living room. Gabriel Agreste yawned widely, as he watched his son talk animatedly about his presents. He smiled and kissed his wife lovingly, one arm wrapped around her waist.

“Joyeux Noël, ma amour.”

…

It was on nights like this – cold and bitter, outside looking in warmth-filled houses – that Chat Noir wondered how Marinette could stay the optimist that she is when all these akuma attacks happened around her.

It was on nights like these – dark and lonely – that his thoughts were magnified. Especially one particular thought which the object of his affections was.

Ladybug.

He wondered if she was spending this night alone or with her family or with her special someone. Just thinking of the latter one made his chest ache. She wouldn’t think of him on this Christmas season. Why would she?

It was on nights like this –

“Chat Noir?”

Chat Noir snapped out of his self-deprecating woes as Marinette’s voice carried out from the opening in her balcony. She stepped out, a quilt blanket wrapped around, beckoned him. Chat Noir hesitated for a moment and then leaped down from the rooftop and onto the railings, hands and feet gripping the cold steel.

She was quiet as he looked at her. Tension seemed to rise, but he didn’t know why. Her steady gaze matched his as she waited for him to break the silence.

“Why’re you up so late, Princess?” He finally said. Then he smirked. “You don’t want to cut down on your beauty sleep now, do you?”

“I could say the same to you.” Marinette snorted. But then her expression turned serious. She looked around. “Why are you out? Is there an akuma attack?”

“Relax. Paris is safe and sound in my paws.” Chat Noir said easily. “I’m just out on patrol for possible akuma victims. Y’know, the usual.”

She gave him a skeptical look and he wondered if she saw through his lie. Seems like she did because she shrugged and with a smile, she said, “Would you like to come in?”

Chat Noir gaped at her. He peeked in her bedroom, all Christmas lights and pink, and said, “But your parents-”

“Oh they’re asleep. As long as we stay quiet, no one will be the wiser.” Marinette said with a wink. Chat felt his heart skip a beat. He knew Marinette was filled with brilliant ideas, but this one didn’t feel brilliant at all.

“Are you sure? I mean, what if I try to do something to you?” Chat called out from behind her.

Marinette climbed down, saying easily, “Oh you wouldn’t do that.”

“How do you know?” Chat said, peeking down from the opening.

She looked up at him and grinned. “Because I know you, Chat Noir.”

He was taken aback. For a moment, a fleeting thought of ‘did she discover my identity’ passed through his brain. But then he shook his head and jumped inside her room.

The smell was what first hit him. He had been in her room before, but that was on a summer day with the smell of leaves and sunshine. Right now, the scent of cinnamon, chocolate, and peppermint filled his nose.

Chat Noir watched as she pulled out two large beanbags and laid them in the middle of the room. Marinette grabbed her laptop and put it on the floor. With an ‘I’ll be back’, she ducked downstairs. Once she came back up, she was balancing a tray of Christmas cookies in one hand and two mugs filled with hot spiced cocoa and marshmallows topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on the other.

He helped her set them down. Once again, she was a flurry of activity as she opened her drawers and pulled out small candles. There was a smile on his face as he watched her light them up and arranged the candles around them.

“What’s wrong?” Chat Noir tilted his head. Marinette was standing in front of him, her brows furrowed.

“I feel like I’m forgetting something.” Marinette mumbled. Then she brightened up. “Oh right!”

His eyes widened as Marinette pulled out a large red box from her closet. She handed it to him. Chat Noir was speechless. He looked from the box and back up to her blushing face. “I-Is this for me?”

She nodded her head. Chat Noir cradled the box in his hand, as if it was something incredibly fragile. Marinette pushed him down on the beanbag and flopped down beside him. She said excitedly, “What are you waiting for? Open it!”

Chat Noir pulled the green ribbon. It fluttered on his lap. He looked hesitantly at Marinette who just gave him a grin. Ever so slowly, he took off the lid and looked inside.

A wide smile grew on his face as his eyes lit up in delight. Marinette’s smile echoed his as he pulled out the present. It was a large red sweater with green paw prints distributed around. On the front were the words ‘The Chat’s Meow’.

“I – It’s amazing! You made this for me?!” Chat Noir looked inside. He took out a red Christmas hat with two peaks meant for his cat ears.

Marinette rested her chin on her hands. “Do you like it?”

Chat’s face popped out the hole of the sweater. “Are you kitten mew? This is the meowst pawsome present I’ve ever received!”

Marinette groaned, but there was a hint of a smile on her face as she watched Chat Noir inhale the scent, wrapping his arms tightly around himself. Her smile dropped when a solemn expression took over his face.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“I don’t have a present for you.” Chat said guiltily.

Her eyes widened. But then she gave him a soft smile and scooted a little closer. Bringing her laptop on her lap, Marinette said to him, “Your company is a good enough gift for me.”

“Are you sure?” Chat Noir gave her a skeptical look. “I mean, you must’ve spent hours making these-”

“And you’ve spent a thousand more keeping me safe from akumas.” Marinette interjected, stopping his tirade. “So trust me when I say that you really are the best present. You’ve kept me and all of Paris safe. And what’s more, you’re one of the bestest friends I ever had.”

Chat Noir stared at her, agape and touched. Slowly, his small smile turned into a full out grateful grin and he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. “Wow, you’re really not pulling any punches on the compliments, huh, princess.”

Marinette shrugged as she played their favorite anime series. “Well, they are true. So don’t ever second-guess yourself, Chat Noir.”

He smiled as he settled down beside her. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

A few episodes later, Chat Noir gently laid down a sleeping Marinette on her bed. Pulling up the covers, he took a moment to commit her peaceful face to memory before leaning down and giving her a light kiss on the cheek.

And with a “Joyeux Noël, Marinette,” he bid farewell.