Took me a while to finish this. Eid was here, and my friend was feeling depressed so I had to be there for her (she's much better now!). This was rotting on my phone's notes since April lol. I used to add any idea to it during class.
Warnings: none I think? except swearing from Kaiser, and maybe some punctuation mistakes, or grammar mistakes?
The playground was empty at this hour. The children already left, making it depressingly quite. No laughter, nor any playful fighting between kids. It wasn’t too late, but everyone had gone home before they got scolded.
"What are you doing alone out here?"
"Michael?" He was wearing a black leather jacket. His breath a reminder of how cold it was getting. He was also carrying what looked like a shoebox? It was definitely bigger than normal.
"What are you doing here?" you asked.
"You answer me first." He walked towards the bench, sat next you, and faced the swings. "That bastard called me saying you left the apartment with a note. What the fuck were you thinking leaving me with his ass?"
"Yoichi's not that bad." You huffed looking away from him towards the playground.
Ever since you three had started sharing an apartment together, there always seemed to be a reason for those two to biker. Be it what movie to watch during movie nights, what to make for dinner, or who would get the luxury of driving you back home from work. It honestly feels like babysitting two grown men without earning minimum wage.
"He's nice, you two just never gave each other a chance to communicate. Plus, I needed to clear my head a bit.." You rubbed your arms. The weather was getting a bit chilly. "I know..., I should've let you guys know I was heading out. Sorry."
Michael was still looking at the swings as the wind swayed them slightly. "Were you searching for her?"
You look down at your boots and sighed, feeling more deflated and blue, "I only looked around the park near the complex, and this playground..."
A squirrel came down a tree looking for pine cones under the slides, and you both watch it silently.
Your cat had gone missing just a week ago, and the hole she left in your heart was still as wide as when she disappeared. She was so cute, warm, and fuzzy. She had white fur with brown and orange spots all over her, and she would always nap with you.
Loosing her not only affected you, but also Michael and Yoichi. She wasn't their cat but they still played with her and took care of her for you when you were out. And seeing you this upset and depressed was also dragging them down. Who wants to see their dear roommate in this situation?
"What if i never find her again. What if something or someone hurts her. What if she-"
"Shut up and take this." Michael dropped the shoe box at your lap.
You blinked at him, then look down at the box, "huh, NiQe shoes? Why would you get-"
A small, barely heard, sound came from inside the box stopping you in your tracks. It can't be...
You look up at him to confirm your thoughts, but Michael looked away a bit nervous...
"meow," it happened again!
You looked down at the box in your lap, then back at Michael. "Michael, did you..."
He didn't face you. He just scratched his neck, averting his eyes from you.
You slowly lifted the lid, anxiety at your fingertips. Your suspicion was correct. A small kitten peeked its head out -A gray British Short hair - with bright, greenish-blue eyes.
The kitty was scared and wary of you. She stuck to a corner in the box looking at her surroundings. Did you expect it to be your lost cat? You're not so sure anymore.
The gesture left you speechless. You didn't expect something like this from Michael. It wasn't that he was a heartless guy, no. Even tho he could be rude and egoistic, which is most of the time, but this was so sweet and thoughtful coming from him.
"Look." he sighed, pushing his hair back. "I know how much Cloud meant to you... but it's eating at me seeing you like this for days." He curled his hand into a fist as if this whole thing was somehow his fault. "I am not saying you should give up on searching for Cloud. And I know you won't treat this cat as a placeholder-"
He was cut off by your sudden hiccup, and when he turns to look at you, he saw tears starting to stream down your face.
No, this is not the reaction I wanted, he thought.
He can barely regulate his own emotions, let alone someone else's.
"Hey look," he said, turning his body to you raising hands as if hoping that they'll magically calm you down. "Why the hell are you crying?, if you don't want it, I'll take it back, or give it to someone else-"
"NO! Don't do that!" You hug the box tightly to your chest, tears still spilling from your eyes you almost wet the cat. "I love it so much...thank you Michael." You sniffed, wiping your tears and runny nose in your sleeve.
"*sniff *Even tho you are awfully egoistic and so full of yourself, and I still want to rip those rat tails from your hair…" You look at him through fog of tears. "I'll forever thank you for this...you have a thoughtful side to you i guess."
Michael just sat there, staring at you as you wiped your face. He didn't expect you to cry over this. But he was glad you liked his gift nonetheless.
After drying your eyes, you set the box down to your left and hug him tightly on the side.
He froze. He didn't know whether to be happy about your reaction, be mad at your insults (even if they were facts, and he knew it), or push you away entirely.
"O-oh I-i am so sorry!" You pull away once you remembered his issues with physical touch, "I-i forgot, I didn't mean-"
"No." He placed his hands on your back and pulled you right back in. "It's fine..."
You hum peacefully, and wrap your arms around his waist, "thank you Micha."
That definitely showed some development between the two of you. Even tho Michael was still uncomfortable with being touched, he still layed his head on yours and closed his eyes.
"Okay, you can let go now." He playfully shoved your shoulders. "You can ask the emperor for a hug next time. And don't fucking call me that."
This guy.. of course he'd say something like that!
"Fineee, understood, your majesty.."
You grab the box. Luckily, it was covered in warm cloth, so you didn't need to worry about the kitten catching a cold.
"C'mon." Michael got up first, glancing at you over his shoulder. "Let's head back before Yoichi starts spamming our phones."
He was already walking ahead by the time you caught up to him.
"How about we put up missing cat posters yeah?"
"Sure, that's a good idea."
[-------------------------------------------------------------------------------]
Just as you two reached the entrance to the apartment complex your name was called. "[Name]-chan! Hold on!"
You both halt your steps and look over to see who it was. It was Yoichi.
What the hell is that bastard doing out here? Kaiser thought, giving Isagi a dirty look.
"Yoichi? What are you doing here?" confusion was visible on your face. Shouldn't he be inside the apartment? it was getting late, and the weather was becoming more chillier by the minute.
Michael looked thoroughly irritated, while Isagi was still catching his breath, panting heavily.
"Oh! actually...I was looking for you after I read your note..." He sheepishly scratched his neck.
"Yoichi, thank you, but there was no need." It was cold and getting late, which only made you feel guilty for burdening the two of them with your troubles.
"Is that a shoe box you got? You bought NiQe shoes? I thought you hated that brand?"
"Oh, this?" you smiled warmly down at the box before facing him. "It's-"
"I. got her the box, and it's not shoes in there. It's a cat," Michael butted in, lifting his chin slightly with a look of pride in his eyes.
"Okay, emperor." Isagi grimaced, and then walked up to your right side, took off his scarf, and wrapped it around your neck. His action caused you to blush a bit. He was always so attentive.
He then glared over at Kaiser."She is right next to you freezing, and you didn't even bother giving her you jacket? your still an asshole-"
"Stop it, you two! We're literally outside!" You sighed, holding the box a little closer. "And thank you, Yoichi, I am fine now…" Barely two steps inside, and they already started fliping each other off, and sticking their tongues at one another behind your back.
EPILOGUE: A few days after that day at the park.
The three of you had just finished having lunch and were lounging in the living area. The kitten was much more accustomed to you now; she would always favor your warmth and attention over the other two.
"Boys." You said, gently stroking her fur. "I think I have a name for her now."
"Sure, what's the idea?" Yoichi looked invested in whatever name you had come up with. Michael was casually scrolling on his phone, but he was listening in nonetheless.
"Since she has green-blue eyes-almost teal-like-I thought of naming her after-"
The doorbell rang, cutting you off.
"Don't worry, I'll get it." Michael said, taking the initiative and walking to the door.
He regretted doing so the exact second he opened it and saw who it was.
Standing on the threshold with an irritated scowl was Rin, holding a very familiar Calico cat.
"Your cat ate all the sushi I had. Tch. Don't lose it again," Rin muttered.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Isagi snapped. He did NOT want to deal with two of his rivals in one house.
You gasped, jumping up from the couch. "RIN! OMG, YOU FOUND CLOUD?!"
Moral of the story: the more cats the merrier.
Note: my friend helped me with the epilogue and title! all thanks to her! love you boo!
Another important note: the cats gif is not mine I found it on Pinterest, so if you know the creator, plz mention them thank you.
