#familiar!keith

The familiar sound of muffled voices and a key being jingled into the lock had Shiro up on his feet, circling eagerly as he held back his excited barks, tail slicing through the air. The moment the door was open wide enough, Shiro barreled past Allura and jumped on Lance, barking and panting and trying his best to lick at Lance’s face.

“Kashi!” Lance yelped, stumbling to regain his footing with the added weight of his familiar. “I missed you, too, you big baby. But I’ve got to get inside.” Shiro got down from Lance’s waist and followed him as he entered Allura’s home, rolling in luggage. He shifted his weight from paw to paw like he was dancing as he watched Lance put all of his things down near the couch, stretching his arms and back, no doubt sore from carrying his belongings.

Lance let himself flop on the couch. Not even a moment passed before he was patting the spot next to him and Shiro was in his lap, soaking his face and any other part he could reach with his saliva, squirming with excitement. All Lance could do was scrunch up his face and futilely try to avoid Shiro’s rough tongue while burying his hands in his fur, scratching and petting lovingly.

The two were engrossed into their own world, oblivious to the way Allura and Keith watched them silently. A soft smile graced Allura’s features as she witnessed a bond like no other. Her thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of Keith brushing up against her, demanding her attention. She didn’t hesitate to bend down and scoop him up in her arms, cradling him to her chest as she gently scratched between his ears. As much as she loved watching Lance and Shiro together, she didn’t know if she could handle such a bundle of energy.

“Takashi, stop climbing all over me!”

“Sometimes, I think that’s the only reason you stick around,” Allura teased as she blew on her own cup, watching the steam move in the direction she blew.

Lance didn’t deny her comment, bringing his mug back to his lips with raised eyebrows as he avoided eye contact. He heard a dramatic gasp next to him before there was pain blossoming in his bicep where Allura smacked him, making him yelp and almost spill his tea.

“Can you maybe chill?” Lance hissed as he shot Allura a glare. “You almost made me drop my tea!” That was the last thing he wanted to do. He gingerly sipped at the hot drink, brows still furrowed in mild irritation.

“Well, what did you expect when you don’t deny my comment?” Allura hissed back, face set into her own annoyed expression.

Lance rolled his eyes. “You know that you’re more than just the Queen of Tea to me,” he reassured her as his face relaxed, losing its traces of irritation. His gaze drifted back to Shiro, only to see that his familiar was now awake and gazing back at him, tail swishing lazily against Allura’s carpeted floor. They must have woken him up. And if he was up that meant—

“Did you enjoy your nap, Keith? Hey, wait! Let me put down my tea first,” Allura rambled as she hastily set her mug down on the coffee table in front of them. Keith, the Bombay cat that was resting on Shiro, took up the vacant space in Allura’s lap, purring lowly as he felt hands gently run through his fur. “You’re such a needy cat,” Allura huffed despite her fond smile. Keith only purred louder.

A sudden cloud of red and black smoke engulfed the feline, causing both Allura and Lance to cough violently. The smoke soon fell away to reveal a slender male with black cat ears jutting from his head and a sleek, black tail swaying languidly in the air. A red silk robe clothed him and stood out against his pale complexion. He oozed everything Lance associated with cats: elegance, laziness, superiority, spoilt.

Allura wasn’t fazed by her familiar’s sudden transformation, continuing to pet the head that rested in her lap. Lance opened his mouth to ask her about how she got Keith to wear clothes, but that’s when Shiro decided he was a lapdog, much to Lance’s dismay.

“Takashi!” Lance exclaimed as the Siberian Husky hoisted his entire body onto Lance’s lap, forcing him to lean against the back of the couch in order to accommodate his size. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips as Shiro twisted his head to try to lap at Lance’s face, wanting his attention. “You’re just as bad as Keith.”

Allura giggled softly as she watched Lance bury a hand into Shiro’s coat, giving the canine the attention he so desired. They were two whipped witches with their spoilt familiars. She couldn’t help remembering the first time they met, both them and their familiars.

Allura had taken Keith to the park, letting the cat bask in the sunlight on the bench they occupied. To many, it was unusual to see a cat at a park, but Allura liked getting Keith out of the house every now and then. Besides, he seemed to enjoy the direct sunlight if his constant purring was any indication.

With a book in her hands, the pair relaxed on the bench, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere around them. Until it was suddenly shattered by a frantic stranger running up to them.

“Hi! Sorry, uh, have you seen a Siberian Husky by any chance? He’s my dog and he’s seemed to run off,” the stranger rambled, eyes full of panic as they continued to flicker around, searching for his companion.

“No, I have to say—“ A loud hissing interrupted Allura’s words, surprising both her and the stranger. They turned their gaze to where Keith was standing, hackles raised, hair standing on end, and spine arched. The picture of a ticked off cat. “Keith! You stop that,” Allura scolded with pinched eyebrows. Keith ignored her and continued to hiss at the guy who interrupted his sunbathing, ears pressed flat against his head.

Suddenly, there was distant barking drowning out the hissing, and it got louder as it got closer until it was right next to them. The stranger looked beside him and gasped, dropping to his knees to face the dog that joined them.

“‘Kashi, where did you go?!” He exclaimed, scratching behind the Siberian Husky’s ears, but the dog was focused on the cat still hissing at them, challenging him with his own growling. “Takashi, calm down. It’s just an irritated cat,” the stranger reassured. When his dog didn’t quit, he got back to his feet and shot an apologetic smile towards Allura.

“I’m sorry about all this. He’s usually so friendly, even if others aren’t,” the stranger explained with a shake of his head. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

Allura had an inkling as she stared at the Siberian Husky. She’s been a witch for quite some time now, and she knew when she spotted another familiar. “Well, cats and dogs never really get along,” she commented. “Name’s Allura, by the way.”

“Lance,” Lance replied as he tried to hold his familiar back. “We should get going. It was nice meeting you!” He turned on his heel, and directed his familiar away from Allura and Keith, chastising him all the while. Allura could only watch with a small smile. She had a feeling they’d see each other a lot more.

“Allura, how did you get clothes on Keith?” Lance’s question pulled her out of her reminiscing. Shiro was now straddling him in his human form, and was very naked, nuzzling his face. The fact that the dog familiar was comfortable enough to transform in front of them made Allura grin. Their bonds had definitely come a long way, especially Keith’s and Shiro’s.

“I’ll text you the spell so you can use it at home.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Lance gushed as Shiro flicked his tongue against his lips, making Lance turn a dark shade of red.