𝔈𝔰 𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔞 𝔭𝔞𝔷 𝔡𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔫𝔞

It didn’t take long for Maddie to open the apartment door and shut it quickly behind her.

The apartment was tidy, with a few scattered pieces from some inventions and some sketches on the walls, but overall it was perfectly organized and comfortable.

— All set.

She opened her bag and carefully placed it on the floor, giving Carlos the freedom to leave.

But then, awkward little footsteps were heard. Another cat, orange with three legs, appeared.

— Cuteven~

Maddie stroked the little kitten, who purred softly, but soon his fur bristled. Something was wrong—Cuteven knew it.

The three-legged kitten cautiously approached the bag, his tail puffed up as he sniffed.

Wrong. That wasn’t a cat! Cuteven knew it!

— Meow! MEOW! MEEEOOW!

Cuteven meowed desperately, almost questioning Maddie: why did she bring Carlos?

— Cuteven, manners! You have to be nice to your new friend.

Maddie said, crouching down to try to comfort the poor kitten, but it didn’t work. Cuteven bolted to the other side of the apartment—his little kitty life was at risk! And his poor human’s too!

— Meow! MEOW!

Cuteven was outraged that Maddie didn’t run to save her own life. Well, he certainly would run for HIS life, hiding in the safest spot in the apartment—under the bed, of course.

— Hmm~ Don’t worry, he’s a little shy around strangers. Are you hungry?

She asked gently, petting the black cat.

The feeling of safety was short lived, and he heard another little pitter-patter of footsteps approaching. Another cat. He groaned internally. Gimme a break ...

An intelligent cat too. Apparently he could tell instantly that Carlos was not exactly what he seemed. He arched his back defensively and took a few little steps back. He didn't want any more fighting, but recognised that Cuteven - presumably his name - wanted to protect his owner which was an understandable response.

Carlos watched him flee and meow like crazy, like a panic alarm going haywire. He looked up at Maddie and purred at her, as if to assert that he wasn't a threat, and responded to her question with an eager meow that implied that yes, he was starving. Ravenous, even. He began to weave in and out of her legs, brushing up against them affectionately. Food first, worry about the other cat later.

— Ohhh~ So cute~

Maddie said sweetly, gently petting the cat, but soon frowned when she noticed a few scratches.

— Well, look at that, you little troublemaker… have you been getting into fights out there?

Carefully, she picked him up and lightly felt along his back, searching for a chip like the cats in Istanbul had—but she didn’t find anything.

— Poor thing~ You don’t have a home! I can’t just leave it like this.

She then opened her bag, which had a few things inside—like a lip gloss, for example—and gently placed the cat inside to protect him from the cold, leaving his head out so he could breathe and jump out if he decided not to go with her.

— Come on… I’m taking you home.

It didn’t take long for them to arrive at a building, but Maddie quickly stopped, hiding behind a tree.

— Shhhh~ No “miau” okay?

She pressed her fingers to her lips, then gently nudged the cat deeper into the bag, closing it—after all, the building didn’t allow pets. But that wouldn’t stop her; she just had to get past the doorman and the elevator and lobby cameras, hoping the cat wouldn’t make a sound.

It didn't once dawn on him how she might react when he is revealed to not be exactly what he seems ...

He didn't know where they were or where they were going, but he didn't really mind either way. He understood everything she said and made sure not to make a sound when she commanded him to be quiet. He lied low, hiding himself entirely within her bag, until the sounds of the outdoors were no longer audible and the wind was no longer chilling him. They were inside!

Carlos internally sighed with relief. Safety, at last. He tried not to make excited purrs and would save them for when they were actually inside her apartment and he could show his affection properly.

Her lips trembled as he began speaking again, desperately wanting to believe everything he was saying. She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt but...A shapeshifter? Really? There had been better escapes in dramas and movies than that. She truly didn't know what to make of what all he was telling her...

Until she saw it. Yet again, her eyes were fixed to him as he stood up, refusing to blink. The only movement came as they began searching for any sort of practical effect, expecting some sort of fog machine and quiet running to happen. But it didn't.

Her mouth fell open as her eyes widened at the sight of the cat laying on his clothes. This wasn't a magic trick. There was no distraction, no slight of hands or furniture blocking her line of sight. "...You...You're..." Color began draining from her face, causing her bright makeup to stand out even more around her eyes and on her lips as she stared at him.

It took her a few moments to gather herself, but she was soon in the floor beside him once she had. "I-I'm sorry! I thought you were tired of me or something...I'm sorry!"

He mewed at her, and it was a sound even more pathetic that what typically came out of his human mouth. But still he nuzzled against her, and climbed onto her lap to curl into her.

They remained like that for a while. Carlos didn’t know how much time had passed, but he eventually felt able to change back to normal. And so he did, after stepping a few feet away from her.

One thing he hadn’t considered was what state he’d be in when he changed back, and that his clothes were still pooled in a heap on the floor. He smiled faintly at Jinae once he stood before her again, and quickly realised his error. Heat flooded his cheeks, noticeably staining them red, and he urgently covered himself with both hands. There were things in the world that couldn’t be unseen, and Carlos was certain this would be one of them. He stared at her like a deer caught in headlights. Shit. Stark naked in front of her and there wasn’t even any sexy music or mood lighting to go with it.

“I … uh …” he stuttered, and began backing towards his bedroom so he could get dressed, and fast. He laughed nervously, but it did nothing to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation. “Give me um … 2 minutes … m-make yourself comfortable okay? I’ll be right back …Yeah.”

“ Um … so … I dunno if you remember, but on one of your streams a while ago you were doing a Q&A kinda thing? Well, I was watching. Anonymously, because I didn’t want you to think I was stalking you or something. I’m … I’m not, by the way!! Anyway … there was a question about being in love and having a secret. Do you remember? Because, um … that was me. I sent that. ” His gaze lowered to her hands and he grasped them within his own, shakily. Tightly. Don’t let go.

“ It wasn’t strictly hypothetical because … I am in love with you. And I have to be honest with you, but it’s going to sound really crazy and probably not make any sense, so bear with me, okay?

… Long story short, I’m not exactly human. Well, I am, but I’m not. It’s hard to explain … it’s more like a curse. I’m immortal. A Nahual to put a name to it, which in my home country is kind of like a shapeshifter. You ever seen a black cat around your place? Kinda following you around? Feels like it’s watching you? Yeah … that was me. I’ve told you about my brother … we were cursed at more or less the same time, only it was different for each of us. This doesn’t really change anything, except that I’m two hundred years old and my physical appearance won’t age. I totally understand if this bothers you … and I’m so sorry for not telling you sooner. I was just scared. Because you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I don’t want to lose you … but I can’t hide it from you any more. I want to be with you, Jinae, more than anything! But you need to be okay with this, and with who I am. ” Please be okay with this.

At least Carlos lasted longer than she had expected.

"...Wait? That was you?" Her face quickly grew confused, a puzzled look as she leaned her head to the side. That was not what she expected...It was a good thing. Why else would someone ask a question like that? She had thought it was one of those fans that grew increasingly closer to being a stalker again, but it wasn't. It was Carlos. It put her that much more at ease knowing it was him, and...More. She couldn't pin it down, but it was a feeling that brought a smile to her face as it soaked in.

Of course, she didn't get much time to soak in the feeling before he continued on, her attention snapping back to what he was saying. She started to smile again until he began talking about shapeshifting and black cats and curses. The confusion from moments before coming back. "...Wait...You're a..."

Suddenly, she felt her heart drop. He was driving her away. He didn't have the heart to tell her he didn't want her, so he was making up something ridiculous to chase her off. He could've told her this over the phone, or at least come to her place if he was going to chase her off...Why be so cruel?

"Prove it. Right now, prove it." Frustration. It was dripping in every word, and oozed from her eyes as she stared at him. "Prove it to me right now! If not, just be fucking honest with me! I can handle being rejected, I don't need some stupid little story about curses to leave you be!" With her heart in her stomach, she couldn't be bothered to be so nice and sweet. The usually shy, calm, and soft manner she held was gone in seemingly an instant as she fought back tears. "Turn into a black cat right now!"

Shit. Panic. Carlos needed to initiate some damage control here, and fast. His stomach dropped and he suddenly felt like he was going to throw up. “ I’m not making this up, I swear! I know it sounds crazy, I know it does, but I’m … I … ”

He froze up again. He should have kept his mouth shut. Kept it as a secret and never told her, let it be something she never had to worry about. Trying to do the right thing always seemed to land him in hot water, in every instance of his life. He sighed heavily, his heart feeling like a lead weight in his chest. “ I’m not rejecting you. I’m opening myself to you, I’m telling you things I’ve never told anyone else before … I’m showing you my most vulnerable self. ”

He’d never been able to change on demand, not that he’d really been in the situation where he’d been asked to before. His concentration of energy was all over the place, erratic and unpredictable. But he’d do whatever it took if it meant she wouldn’t leave him, which right now was a very real threat. He stood up and faced away from her.

“ Alright … but I won’t be able to change back for a while. It takes a lot out of me. Please don’t leave, Jinae. ”

Deep breath. Eyes closed. It was instantaneous, if Jinae blinked she would have missed it. When Carlos opened his eyes again, he was much closer to the floor, in feline form, curled up into himself on top of the clothes he’d been wearing. He stayed still in fear that he’d turn back and she’d be either gone, or completely freaking out over what she’d just witnessed. He couldn’t speak anything beyond a pathetic mewl that would maybe earn him some pity points if nothing else.

That half an hour seemed to go simultaneously slow and fast. Before he could even gather his thoughts, Jinae was knocking at his door. He froze. Entire body tensed, stomach tied in knots. It was like their first meeting again, like he’d forgotten how to function. Deep breath. He pulled himself together and smiled brightly when he answered the door.

“ Hey! Come on in, ” he said in a tone cheerful enough it would hopefully hide his unease. He stood aside to let her in, and closed the door behind her. “ Are you tired? You can stay over if you want to! I ordered some tacos, you don’t mind something kinda spicy, right? The food should be here soon anyway ... Um, can I get you something to drink? ” Whether she wanted to drink or not, he sure as hell did. He poured out a couple of glasses of white wine before hearing her response, deciding that he’d just double up if she didn’t want any. Alcohol. Alcohol will help.

“ Get nice and comfy but don’t fall asleep yet, okay? I need to talk to you about something … it’s nothing bad, I promise! I think … Just … well, I’ll explain. I’ll try to. ”

It was true. The way she rushed as soon as she read his message, and she was still in the clothes that she had worn for her stream. Though, it was covered up right now by a hoodie that reached her knees. Jinae was realizing that she was willing to jump whenever he asked her to, because she truly wanted to. Every moment of every day, she found herself wishing it was being spent with him than whatever else it was she was doing. She was obsessed with Carlos, and it made her stomach lurch when he said he needed to talk to her about something.

His reassurance that it wasn't anything bad didn't help much as she took the glass of wine from him. Any trace of being tired was almost wiped completely from her, with the exception of her eyes. They could never lie, and right now they were filled with fear while looking exhausted. The alcohol was a good idea, as she suddenly began drinking from the glass until it was empty.

"...What is it?"

“ Um … so … I dunno if you remember, but on one of your streams a while ago you were doing a Q&A kinda thing? Well, I was watching. Anonymously, because I didn’t want you to think I was stalking you or something. I’m … I’m not, by the way!! Anyway … there was a question about being in love and having a secret. Do you remember? Because, um … that was me. I sent that. ” His gaze lowered to her hands and he grasped them within his own, shakily. Tightly. Don’t let go.

“ It wasn’t strictly hypothetical because … I am in love with you. And I have to be honest with you, but it’s going to sound really crazy and probably not make any sense, so bear with me, okay?

… Long story short, I’m not exactly human. Well, I am, but I’m not. It’s hard to explain … it’s more like a curse. I’m immortal. A Nahual to put a name to it, which in my home country is kind of like a shapeshifter. You ever seen a black cat around your place? Kinda following you around? Feels like it’s watching you? Yeah … that was me. I’ve told you about my brother … we were cursed at more or less the same time, only it was different for each of us. This doesn’t really change anything, except that I’m two hundred years old and my physical appearance won’t age. I totally understand if this bothers you … and I’m so sorry for not telling you sooner. I was just scared. Because you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I don’t want to lose you … but I can’t hide it from you any more. I want to be with you, Jinae, more than anything! But you need to be okay with this, and with who I am. ” Please be okay with this.

She had heard her phone go off as she neared the end of her stream, finally checking it about a half hour later once she had properly wrapped up her stream and shut down the computer. Looking at the message, she couldn't help but to smile as she dropped herself onto her couch.

[TEXT >> CARLOS] Let's stay in tonight. I'll be there in a half hour?

It was a shorter text than usual, but she was exhausted. Still, she wasn't going to pass up the chance to see him. Whether he realized it or not, she was changing her life around so that more of it was spent beside him. She was taking an extra day off from streaming each week, and even her streaming hours had been shifted to start an hour or two earlier so she could finish earlier...All so she could still spend time with him.

A little over a half hour later, she found herself at Carlos' door, knocking loudly as she yawned. "I'm here!"

That half an hour seemed to go simultaneously slow and fast. Before he could even gather his thoughts, Jinae was knocking at his door. He froze. Entire body tensed, stomach tied in knots. It was like their first meeting again, like he’d forgotten how to function. Deep breath. He pulled himself together and smiled brightly when he answered the door.

“ Hey! Come on in, ” he said in a tone cheerful enough it would hopefully hide his unease. He stood aside to let her in, and closed the door behind her. “ Are you tired? You can stay over if you want to! I ordered some tacos, you don’t mind something kinda spicy, right? The food should be here soon anyway ... Um, can I get you something to drink? ” Whether she wanted to drink or not, he sure as hell did. He poured out a couple of glasses of white wine before hearing her response, deciding that he’d just double up if she didn’t want any. Alcohol. Alcohol will help.

“ Get nice and comfy but don’t fall asleep yet, okay? I need to talk to you about something … it’s nothing bad, I promise! I think … Just … well, I’ll explain. I’ll try to. ”

Late at night, they hear whispers in the dark. The portrait changes when no one is looking. And then they see Muse B—the subject of the painting—standing in their room.

everything is louder in silence