#moonboys

Within a few moments, Jake walked out of the bathroom. "You better not get in there. I have blood on my stuff. I don't want you looking at it."

A frown appeared on your forehead but you followed him back to the hallway, not questioning anything else.

"How was your day, cariño?" Jake asked, trying to catch your attention.

"I made dinner and tried to reach you but you didn't answer my calls. Was everything okay? I'll wash your stained clothes. Do you want me to wash your jacket as well?" You replied with a frown still on your face.

Sitting down, Jake protested, "None of that is necessary. I can take care of it myself. You don't need to worry yourself."

You proceeded to set the kettle on fire to make Jake his afternoon espresso. It wasn't until you could swear you heard a loud meow sound coming from the bathroom.

Jake heard that too and cleared his throat loudly. "That crazy lady next door. I wonder how many cats she has there."

With a raised eyebrow, you left the kitchen and headed straight to the bathroom. "She only has three of them and none meows like that."

Immediately after getting up, he grabbed your hand tightly. "Since when do you know how her cats meow? I told you not to go there."

"Why not? She's just an older lady. I sometimes help her with shopping and I've been there a few times. She's very kind and her kittens are cute. Also, none of them meow like that, so stop making fun of me, Lockley, and tell me what you're hiding in our bathroom."

Jake continued to argue, "Just blood on my stuff. I don't want you to even look at it."

Another loud meow and a small paw reaching out from under the bathroom's door sold him out.

In a nod, Jake pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. "Okay fine. It's a cat... A kitten to be exact."

"Bring it here," you instructed your boyfriend and walked to the living room.

After rolling his eyes, he went to the bathroom only to return with a kitten in his arms. "Here."

You immediately approached him and rubbed the kitten's head.

"I just found him in the trash can outside and I couldn't leave this little guy there," Jake shrugged.

You made a quiet awww sound and picked the kitten out of Jake's arms.

"I was also unsure if you would let me keep him here," Jake added.

"Why wouldn't I, silly?"

"Because the building owner is weird and you don't want to have any trouble?" Jake gave you one more shrug. "I hope the kitten isn't a problem."

"Like I'd care about the groaning of that old prick," you told him, cradling the kitten in your arms. "How are we going to name the baby?"

I was going to ask you for a name idea, honey. You always come up with great ones."

You picked the cat up to have a brief look between its legs. "It's a boy. So maybe Nuka?"

Jake rolled his eyes with a soft chuckle. "I know it's a boy, silly. Well, you will have to think about more names then."

"You can give your thoughts too, love," you told him. "We need to take our baby to the vet."

"Babies, cariño," Jake muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I have a box full of his siblings in my limo."

You blinked. "What?"

"Well... There was more than one kitten."

"How many?"

"Four more," Jake said quietly.

You gasped quietly. "Mr Lockley, I never thought you would care about the plight of poor stray animals."

"I just like cats, okay?!” Jake groaned, not too happy with your teasing.

You put the kitten down and turned to Jake to give him a deep kiss.

He didn't even dare to protest and kissed you back, grabbing your sides. Once you pulled away, he smiled. "What was that for?”

"For bringing this beautiful furball home. Now, chop chop, move your round ass and get his siblings here."

"You want to keep them all?"

"Why not? Our flat is spacious."

This time he grabbed you by cheeks and kissed you deeply. "I love you."

"Go, go and bring them. I can't wait to see those babies."

🙀 STEVEN 🙀

Steven was busy with a new book you gave him recently. Your return to the flat after work caught his attention. "Evening, luv!" He said cheerfully. "Look, I'm reading the book you got me!"

You entered the flat with something nestled in your arms. "Baby! Can you help me out here?"

In the blink of an eye, Steven sprang from the armchair, abandoning the book on the desk. "Did you go shopping again?" Steven asked softly. "One more trip like that and we'll drown in your dresses."

As you shook your head, a soft chuckle escaped your lips. "This time, no. Take a look at who I brought with me."

A small, red-haired cat was curled up in your arms.

Steve smiled, surprised, and gently touched the kitten. "Who might that be?" He chuckled. "You're a cute one, aren't you? Where did you find this poor thing?"

"I noticed him limping down the street near my office. He was so tired that he kept falling, and it appeared that his back paw was injured. I couldn't let him live on the streets any longer... I had no idea what else I could do."

"Did you take it to the vet? Shall I call someone?"

"Actually, I didn't. I wasn't sure if you'd let me keep him because I live by your house, so first I wanted to see if you'd agree," you explained everything.

The kitten you were holding opened his eyes and meowed loudly, his gaze fixed on Steven. The tiny creature was trembling.

As Steven picked up the kitten from your arms, he gently wrapped it in a blanket from the couch.

"Poor little thing. We need to get you warm and cosy. Then we should take you to the right doctor," He abruptly stopped, looking at the fish tank. "Oh, bloody hell. We cannot have cats here. Gus... Cats eat fish."

You blinked as you listened to Steven's words. "But, babe? Gus lives in his tank. The tank is covered from above. And the kitten is too young to comprehend the significance of his own cat nature and hunting abilities. Not to mention that he's hurt. If he grows up around Gus, he will never attack him..." You made an effort to make your points clear.

"He will learn how to get under the covers if he grows up here," Steven explained, looking at the kitten.

You approached Steven and gently took the cat wrapped in a blanket from his arms. "So, why are you holding such a raging beast?" You couldn't pretend not to be angry with Steven. "It's only a kitten. A furball. He will not attack your goldfish. But if you take him as a treat, I'll take him with me to my old flat, where he won't try to hunt, kill, or eat anyone nor anything."

Don't act so dramatic, darling. I didn't say I wanted to throw him out."

"I'm not being dramatic, but you're accusing him of something he'll never do. You stated that cats consume fish. That is, you attempted to find him guilty before he committed a crime. Are you playing Ammit?" You started raising your voice.

Grabbing your arm gently, Steven protested, "Don't pull that card on me now, luv. I don't judge the kitten. I am just worried about Gus. That's all."

"Do you honestly believe I won't teach the cat not to eat Gus, and treat him like a part of the family instead? Do you think I'm a horrible person? You already know how much I adore your goldfish," you protested.

I never said I thought anything like that. Now you put things into my mouth, and that's something I don't like," Steven said, shaking his head. "Let's get the little guy to the vet, okay?”

"Yes."

Steven nodded and gave you a small smile. "Then we will go to the pet store and get him everything he needs."

"And you promise to not accuse the little one of anything, deal?'

"I promise."

It had been two months. Freddy, the kitty, was doing much better after his injured leg was treated by the veterinarian. He was a bouncing ball of energy who was too cute to not be liked by everyone in the house.

You got home earlier one day because your boss had to close the store where you worked a bit earlier due to computer problems. How surprised were you that Steven wasn't there to greet you right away.

He was on the couch with the kitten on his lap. He was moving his finger right above the kitten's head, giggling when Freddy tried to catch it. "Look at you. Jumping like a little bunny. Someone is getting better."

Your heart melted at that precise moment. You were annoyed with Steven at times for being too harsh with the kitten, but the man was still concerned about his beloved goldfish. However, the scene you witnessed convinced you that Steven adored your new pet. "Hey, boys, I'm back. I can see you two are having a lot of fun!"

"Oh yes we do!" Steven cooed, stroking Freddy's little cheek. "He was a good kitten the entire day. Today, I woke up with him sleeping on my chest. I-it's okay, right?"

"I've been convincing you that he's not a beast, but a sweet, fluffy furball," you flopped on the couch next to Steven and briefly kissed his cheek. "Thanks for giving him a chance. You did the best thing possible by saving his life."

"Although I try, I still get nervous when he sits under the tank and watches," Steven admitted, kissing Freddy's head. "But he is indeed a cute, little furball."

"He watches Gus because it's interesting to him to see other animal just floating so peacefully in the water," you explained. "It's nice to see you two getting along so well. I'm pretty sure you both are the cutest boys around."

😾 MARC 😾

Marc loved visiting your flat. Your cat was the only thing he didn't like. The animal hated Marc, despite your claims that it was sweet and cute.

Your cat was a lovely black girl with a pointy nose and big, golden eyes. She was a sweet furball around you, but whenever Marc came into your flat, she transformed into a demon, as if possessed.

When Spector entered the room that day, your kitten ran up to him and hissed loudly.

Marc frowned in disbelief at the cat. "Yeah. Glad to see you too," Spector groaned, already annoyed before he looked at you. "Why is she like this?"

"Maybe she's just a bit jealous of you, you know? You're the only man that visits us and you pay all of your attention to me," you told him after making it to the hallway to greet him.

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. There is no doubt in our minds that she is your one and only baby."

"But she can sense that you're a leader type here," you commented. "Maybe we can run a short test?"

"Test? Should I be worried?"

"No. Just come with me," you grabbed Spector's hands and led him behind you, right to the living room.

Reluctantly, Marc nodded and followed you, squeezing your palm.

You asked him to take a seat on the couch.

As reluctantly as before, Marc took a seat and got comfortable. "What are you planning?”

You took a seat by his side, and asked him, "Kiss me now."

Before pulling you into a deep kiss, Marc teased, "So demanding."

The moment you started kissing, your cat jumped on the couch and aggressively poked Marc's lap with her paw.

He glared at the cat, then at you, with an annoyed growl. "She seriously has a problem with me getting close to you. What now?"

In the softest voice you could muster, you advised, "Give her some attention. And change your tone, she can sense your exasperation."

As soon as I touch her, she's going to try to scratch me, you're aware of that, right? She's done that before."

"At least this time, trust me."

As Marc rolled his eyes, he decided to gently scratch the cat behind the ear. It was a hit with cats, wasn't it? What could possibly go wrong?

You knew everything you said was true when you heard a loud purr of approval filling the room.

"I wonder when she'll happily sink her claws into my hand," Marc joked.

The kitten jumped on his lap, made two small spins and laid down, purring loudly. Some moments later, a meow accompanied.

"I still don't trust her. I saw her sharp teeth," Marc said, scratching the cat's back.

"If you give her the attention she seeks, there's no way she'll think of attacking you."

"Are you sure about that? It's a mini version of a tiger."

"It's just a kitten, Marc. You're several times bigger than she is."

Marc was brave enough to pick up the cat and display it to you like a little lion. "Look at those paws. Mini tiger."

You couldn't help but chuckle. "Marc, it's a small kitten. She won't eat you alive and all she needs is love."

The cat meowed loudly, wiggling her tail.

"She agrees with me,” Spector added, happy that the kitten finally stopped hissing at him.

"You see? We can say you tamed her in some way," you smiled at Marc.

Marc chuckled and took a look at the kitten. "Yep. When she's not hissing at me, she's not so bad.

The cat freed herself and instantly placed herself on Marc's lap again, purring loudly as soon as her golden eyes were closed and Marc started scratching her back again.

BONUS

🐱 KHONSHU 🐱

Khonshu asked, watching you carry a cat in your arms, "What's the point of this creature even being here?"

A small frown crept on your forehead after you heard Khonshu's words. "Well, she's my cat, and I love her. Do I really need some deeper purpose in keeping a cat at home?"

He scoffed, "In my time those were treated like saints and not like common house mascots."

"Would you tell me more, Khonshu? Of course, I've heard they were worshipped in Egypt."

“Is there anything else you would like to know, woman?" Khonshu asked.

"How did it start?"

"Have you heard about the goddess Bastet?”

"Yes, I did."

"There's no need to discuss that then," the god nodded, getting closer to gently rub the cat's head. "The Egyptians believed cats brought good luck. To honour them, wealthy families dressed them in jewels and fed them royal treats."

Your kitten tried to grab Khonshu's hand, meowing loudly. "This is what I need to do for my beautiful Nea," you smiled, looking at your cat.

"Do you know how to mummify it?" Khonshu asked curiously.

You blinked in disbelief, shaking your head.

"You don't? And you house a cat? Pathetic.”

"I won't mummify my cat after she passes away," you said with a frown. "She'll be buried, that's all."

A roar came from Khonshu. "What? You all lack even a shred of respect these days! I knew humans were stupid, but now it's ridiculous and disrespectful."

"What's your problem this time, 'ol bird?"

He scoffed, scratching the cat's head as he said, "You humans have no respect for old customs. Poor thing will die and be buried without respect."

Your cat tried to be picked up by the creature as best she could.

Khonshu picked up the cat and scratched its chin. During my time, owners would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. They would mourn until their eyebrows grew back," the god stated simply.

You blinked and frowned more. You thought to yourself that as much as you loved your kitten, there was no way for you to shave your fucking eyebrows as a sign of mourning. "Well, it was centuries ago, Khonshu. And now we live in the modern world and we have modern ways to worship our dead, beloved ones."

By burying them like ordinary animals. Modern people are so pathetic and weak."

"Even though you think we're weak and pathetic, we've gained longevity not only for us but also for others thanks to medicine and science," you argued with Khonshu.

A life full of nothing. Hardly worth extending," Khonshu muttered, absorbed in the care of your feline companion.

Your kitten climbed on her back legs and licked Khonshu's beak.

"I will ensure that you are respected after you are gone, my dear," Khonshu promised, stroking your kitten's head carefully.

The rain was unstoppable and it easily covered the sound of your voice, you wrapped one of the blankets around your body while you tried to make some sense of the nightmare you just had, as if it wasn’t enough, it was replaying again and again in your head, something that felt so real as you slept and so ridiculous as you woke up, you walked with your hands still shaking, wondering if Jake would be the one fronting when you found them, he was the one that wished you good night after all.

Although, most times you would find Steven up reading or Marc watching TV, just then realizing you didn’t know what Jake did when he couldn’t sleep. Your steps were faster anytime you remembered any part of your nightmare.

You found them sitting comfortably on a chair, with their headphones on, scrolling through music with an adorable small smile. Just watching them relaxing, and obviously happy with whatever song they were listening to made you calm down a bit, you took a step forward, already having an idea of who might be fronting.

“Jake?” You wanted to make sure it was him, he noticed your presence and let the headphones fall on his neck, giving you a little nod.

“What happened, corazón?” His brows came together as he made his way to you, noticing you were shaking. 

“Can you come back to bed with me? Just for a bit” you wrapped your arms around his waist and he held your face with the delicacy only a few people got to see in him. “I had a dumb nightmare” you admitted with a sigh and held closer onto him.

“Ugh, I hate nightmares” He muttered raising his upper lip in disgust, you were about to say something when a glimpse of your dream came to your mind making you flinch out of reflex, Jake looked at you for a second and took a deep breath. This had happened before, whenever you were anxious or scared he would take a deep breath knowing you would copy him, sometimes you got to do it for him as well.

“What was it about?” He asked once you had calmed down a little. 

“I don't really wanna talk about it” You rested your forehead against his shoulder “I’ll only say that it was awful, everything was so weird and terrifying” you let out a sad chuckle and he gently stroked your back.

“I understand. Come on, I’ll make you company” He pulled away and took your hand in his, trying to warm it up, gaining a loving smile from you.

“What were you doing?” You asked knowing the curiosity would make you forget about the nightmare. “Were you crafting some playlists for your passengers?” you teased him as you walked back, letting yourself fall on the bed once you got there.

He grabbed you in his arms with a side smile and you let out a laugh “Not at all, they don’t deserve my playlists” he faked seriousness and moved you a bit so he could lay next to you.

“You could’ve just asked me to move” you replied with a giggle and got comfortable beside him.

“Yeah, but I made you laugh and that’s better”

“Ok I can’t argue with that” he grinned and gave you a peck on the cheek “So? What were you listening to?” you said playfully

“Right, a song called ‘Luna de Xelaju’” He took off his headphones and looked at you after you stayed silent.

“I understood Luna” He let out a chuckle at first but soon his laugh grew louder when you joined him. “Stop, stop laughing” you tried containing your own and he shook his head while he placed his headphones over your ears.

“Here” Jake took out his phone and searched for the song “Let’s see how’s your spanish, yeah? I hope the volume is ok” You nodded when the song started playing and you leaned closer to him, the faint scent of his cologne reaching your nose. 

Just by hearing some bits of the song he could tell when certain lyrics were coming and translate them for you “I come to sing to my beloved, the moon of my Xelajú” his voice was a soft whisper as his eyes followed your reaction to the song, he couldn’t stop smiling as he realized you enjoyed the song as much as he did, even if you only understood some parts of the song, the melody was enticing and the vocals were beautiful, the instruments were telling a story of their own and it made everything come together perfectly.

“Mi amor! I know that one!” You smiled proudly and frowned slightly when the song was over “Play it again, please!”

He looked at you for a second with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen from him and leaned in to kiss you softly and slowly in the sweetest way possible. “I thought you would like it, but I didn’t know how much you would” you still had your eyes closed wanting to kiss him more.

“And now you’ll have to do that again as well” you whispered jokingly. “So is this your thing now?”

“Kissing you? I hope it’s my thing for a long time” 

“I already knew that, I’m talking about the playlists” you grabbed his chin and he smirked.

“Don’t give me that look” he huffed “Yes, it is”

“That’s better” You smiled “how many do you have?” 

“Let me see” He looked at his phone giggling as you still were grabbing his face “una, dos tres…Ten, wow, I thought I had less. I do them whenever I have free time, and that’s more often now that some of the life-threatening situations have gone down, I feel less… on edge, by the fact that we are handling better being a system, and of course, now that we are with you, it’s just been good lately and it helps to relax” He sighed and looked down, happy that he finally was able to tell you that. “Look at me I have hobbies now” he joked and you chuckled, subtly wiping away a tear that’d escaped your eye.

“I love to hear that, honey” you carefully brushed a curl away from his face

“Now, you should really go to sleep” He kissed your forehead and took his headphones off your ears.

“Why?” You whined dramatically “ I was being serious when I said I wanted to hear it again”

“Don’t you have to work tomorrow, cariño?” he asked with a side smile

“And??” you replied playfully “The song is short and I still haven’t asked to hear the whole playlist, you should worry then” 

“Damn, that’s a good point” He bit his lip and played the song one more time, now both of you hearing it loud and clear after the rain had stopped. You caught him humming the song from time to time and singing quietly in some parts, his voice was one of your favorite things.

“Please, you need to start singing more” You drew circles around his arm, and he thanked the darkness in the room for hiding his burning face.

“Me?” He asked incredulously, rising his eyebrows.

“Yes, I love your voice” you knew the effect you were having on him.

You could hear his heart racing when you laid your head on his chest, he let out a nervous laugh (so unlike him), he was acting as if it was the first time you complimented him. “You become cuter at night, don’t you?” He tried to play it cool but you knew him better than that, you placed soft kisses along his jawline and smiled against his skin.

“You’ll sing me to sleep next time I have a nightmare?” you muttered in his ear and he felt butterflies all around. 

“You’re gonna be the end of me, dulzura” 

If you like the drawing above you can have it as a sticker! :D

Translations 

Corazón: Heart <3

Luna de Xelajú: Moon of Xelajú ( The cover is done by Oscar and Gaby Moreno)

Dulzura: Sweetness

Mi amor: My love

Cariño: Sweetie

Una, dos, tres: One, two, three hehe