Chapter Text
A perfect morning for Gabriel consists of a few things. A nice, sunny morning, a warm breakfast, a slow, easy rise from sleep. Maybe even tea if he wants to put the kettle on.
It does not include being jarred awake by the sound of his amazing, loving, wretched partner tweaking out somewhere in the den and not being in bed with him.
Gabriel sits in bed, wrapped in a unicorn-print blanket and mourning his forgotten dream before even thinking of getting up. It's too early- the clock to his left dings and reminds him he's missed 4 alarms- for any of this. It's the day of rest, for God's sake.
He resolves to at least see what's happening- his bed won't go anywhere, but unfortunately he has to. They don't sound distressed out there- more excited, which means either V2 is over for a visit and they've both gotten into some bullshit, or V1 went scavenging and found something interesting. He puts on his helmet just in case it is V2 or Mirage.
Pushing the door open, he peeks out to see the state of the hall. It's suspiciously clean, so that lowers the chance of it being V2. He steps out, ducking so he doesn't smack his helmet against the doorframe again. A worse headache is the last thing he needs right now.
Nothing seems out of order, which is even more suspicious, considering V1 starts bouncing off walls the second they get even a little worked up. He can't say he hates it, just the clean up after. Gabriel steels himself outside the entrance to the den, expecting nothing short of an active warzone and a few new bloodstains on the carpet.
V1's back is to him, and they're… sitting. Definitely buzzing with energy, wings flicking up and down and fans whirring audibly, but they're sitting still. It'd be disturbing if he wasn't distracted by what exactly is keeping them in place.
It's a cat. A massive, fluffy grey Maine Coon, actually. She sits contently on V1's lap, purring and happily accepting the gratuitous headpats the machine is dousing her with. Gabriel stares for a minute, shocked and also very confused.
"Machine? Where the fuck did you find a cat??" He's careful to not come off as angry- he doesn't want to scare the fluffball.
V1 swivels their head around and chirps, beckoning Gabriel with their knuckleblaster. The feedbacker is occupied currently. He drops the retort on the tip of his tongue- don't beckon me, machine- and follows, sitting down across from the warmachine on the floor.
"I'll repeat myself- where did you find this?" He tries to gently brush the cat's back, gloved fingers gliding through oddly clean fur easily. The purring echoes up his arm and reminds him of V1's own pleased rumbling.
They click and shrug lightly, whiplash signing for him. "Near the Elevator. She was alone and killed a Stray."
"And she is… not Hell matter?" Gabriel tilts his head, still petting the little kitten that apparently shares his partner's bloodlust. V1 shakes their head in the negative, completely absorbed in the animal. He's not sure it's even looked at him yet, let alone bid him good morning!
He pauses when V1 swings their head towards him, staring with one big yellow optic. They don't sign anything, so he sit confused for a moment, trying to figure out what they want.
Then it clicks.
"Oh, no. No way. We don't even have any supplies for a pet!" Gabriel sputters for a minute, then falls silent when his beloved machine points to the left. Lo and behold, there's a bag of unopened kibble. Heaven knows where they even got that. Did he ever mention how insufferable this robot is?
"And where will she sleep? And don't you dare even think about our bed, I will not be waking up with cat fur in my mouth." V1 deflates, then perks up again and signs.
"I'll make one." They seem very proud if the idea.
Gabriel pauses again. Well. They seem… oddly set on this. And he'll be completely honest, a cat is probably the least offensive thing they could ask for as a pet. And if they're so dedicated to it already…
"Fine." He sighs lightly, but he's kind of lost the fire in him. Fighting with V1 is just tiring when it's not in the language of bullets and blades. "But! You found her, you take care of her. I will not be changing any cat litter. This is final."
V1 has no complaints and chirps excitedly, ruffling the cat's fur gently, getting a pleased meow in response. Gabriel just about explodes from cuteness aggression, watching them purr at each other. Maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all.
"Say, machine, do you have a name in mind? We certainly can't just call her 'cat'."
"Kitr."
"…better than nothing, I suppose."