⋆.˚ - FLUFFTOBER DAY 2 : PET SITTING !
character : ajax petropolus
warnings : none (i think), not proof read !
notes : sadly the shows sirens are a mix of mermaids and sirens instead of mythology accurate so please bare with if you're a big greek mythology nerd (like me), but yeah that's it
you weren't entirely sure how you'd gotten roped into it. one moment, enid had been ranting about some meeting with the super secret league thing she's a part of—the next, you found yourself standing in ajax's dorm room, clutching a crinkly bag of treats like a bargain.
at your feet, a sleek black cat stretched languidly on her velvet pillow, eyes glinting with the kind of judgement only cats seemed to possess. she blinked slowly at you, tail curling and flicking like she was testing you.
"don't worry too much," ajax said, shifting his weight and rubbing the back of his neck as if he was embarrassed. he adjusted his beanie, the faint rustle of snakes underneath betraying his cool act, "lyris isn't too bad, she's just a bit of...a diva, i guess. just make sure to give her a lot of attention."
you tilted your head, smiling softly, "so...every cat ever?"
ajax just shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets, "i guess. i dunno i never had a cat before i stole— found her in jericho."
from beneath his beanie, one of his snakes peeked out, flicking its tongue almost like it was poking fun at you, making you grin.
ajax was easy to be around—you liked that about him. you'd been circling each other for months now, friends with too many almost-moments. pet-sitting was just sort of another excuse to be near something relating to him.
"you'll be fine," ajax said finally, pressing the keys into your hand. his fingers brushed yours, warm and a little hesitant, and you swore you caught him blushing when he pulled back.
"lyris likes music. you should, like, sing to her. siren song and all that."
you rolled your eyes but tucked the advice away anyway, "right. because cursing your cat is definitely part of the job description."
the moment he left, lyris hopped onto the sofa, sitting perfectly still with her tail wrapped neatly around her body. she stared at you with narrowed eyes, as if she could see into your soul.
"okay..." you muttered, holding out a treat. all she did was flick her tail, clearly unimpressed.
you dangled a toy next, and she swatted it away with distain.
after ten solid minutes of trying everything ajax had shown you, you ultimately gave up, sighing and leaning back into the sofa's cushions.
"fine," you told her, tossing one of the many toys aside, "you win. boring ass cat."
that was when it happened. out of pure boredom you had started subconsciously humming—something you tend to do when you're alone, (key word : when).
it was soft at first, barely above a whisper, just for yourself. the melody wasn't anything special—just some lullaby you had been raised on (it went something like blah, blah, killing sailors, blah blah, you couldn't really remember."
but it made lyris' ears twitch immediately.
slowly, with the kind of deliberate grace only cats possessed, she padded towards you. you froze, completely forgetting she was even there. how does a siren song even work on a cat?
instead of running out of ajax's window and jumping to her doom, she hopped lightly into your lap and curled up against your stomach—her purrs rumbling like quiet thunder as you stroked her fur, still humming under your breath.
"well," you murmured, running your fingers through her soft coat, "now i know i can't kill cats with singing...unless it's because you're a girl..."
she just shifted, nudging your hand until you scratched the exact spot she wanted. it was absurdly domestic, the sound of her purring filling the small room, gently mixing with your own voice.
by the time ajax returned, the moon was high in the sky, spilling silver light through the curtains.
you were still stretched across the sofa, lyris curled fast asleep on your chest. your song had trailed off ages ago, but your lips still carried the faintest smile.
ajax stopped in the doorway. for a second, he didn't say a word—just leaned against the frame, his eyes softening as he took in the sight of you and his cat hugging like you were old friends.
finally, ajax let out a small laugh, his voice quiet but fond.
"it took me like— two months to get all buddy-buddy with her."
you cracked an eye open, your smile widening, "jealous?"
"maybe a little," he moved closer, crouching beside the sofa to scratch lyris' ears. she purred louder, not even waking up. ajax glanced at you then, his grin softer this time—almost shy.
"think i'm more jealous of her, though."
you breath caught, heat blooming in your cheeks. the siren in you thrummed with delight—new victim, new man to lure into the ocean.
but the human part of you gleamed with joy at the idea you didn't need magic to coax someone you actually like closer—you just had to be you.
"don't worry," you whispered, "you actually ask me out and this could be you soon."
