Chapter Text
Sylvie's eyes slowly fluttered open. It was a freezing, crisp Chicago morning, yet she was ridiculously warm. A giggle bubbled from her lips, shaking through her body when she realised why.
Matt Casey.
He was clung to her like a magnet. His chest was pressed firmly into every inch of Sylvie's back. One arm was snaked under her pillow, his arm bent resting over her chest. His other arm was wrapped securely round her waist and one of his legs had found it's way nestled in between both of hers.
The movement woke Matt and he rolled over onto his back, yawning loudly before returning to his previous position, pulling Sylvie impossibly closer than she had already been.
"Good morning" Sylvie purred, unable to stop the smile that followed.
"Yes it is" Matt murmured into her shoulder, placing feather light kisses over her skin as his hands started to wander...
A loud creak from behind them interrupted what would have been a very pleasant experience, if last night was anything to go by.
"Oh God" Sylvie groaned. Matt rolled over again to see what had caused the noise.
Veronicat.
"I better feed her or she'll be even more vicious than normal." Sylvie hopped out of the bed, and threw on Matt's t-shirt that had been discarded on the floor. As she made her way towards the door, Veronicat pinned her ears back, baring her teeth and hissed loudly.
"If you want fed, you have to let me out" Sylvie rolled her eyes.
"Wow, she's really something..." Matt chuckled. Veronicat snapped her head in Matt's direction and Sylvie took advantage of her distraction to leg it out the door. Veronicat turned round, swiping a clawed paw in the air but was too late, her prey had escaped. She turned back to stare at Matt.
"Um...hi there" Matt said awkwardly. Veronicat tipped her head to the side, eyeing him curiously.
Matt could hear the sound of dried food tinkling into Veronicat's bowl in the kitchen. The cat's ears pricked at the sound but her attention stayed focused on Matt.
"Em...I think Syl-er your mom? I think she's got your breakfast for you?" At the sound of his voice, Veronicat took two steps closer to the bed.
"What are you doing cat?" Matt was getting a little nervous. He'd seen all of the welts over various parts of Sylvie's body.
Veronicat took two steps further to the edge of the bed, bending her head and front legs into a crouch.
"Oh boy..."
Veronicat launched herself onto the bed as Matt instinctively brought his hands up to protect his face. After a few seconds, Matt felt a paw tentatively touch his leg, before the rest of Veronicat walked onto his lap. Matt removed his hands from his face slowly and held one out a little away from Veronicat's face. She leaned her head into his fingers, scratching the side of her face against his fingertips. Veronicat padded in a circle round his lap before settling, tucking
her front paws underneath her.
"Veronicat" Sylvie called, making her way back from the kitchen.
"Um...I can explain" Matt said as Sylvie entered the bedroom.
"You TRAITOR" Sylvie said loudly as she clocked the scene in front of her.
"Who me?! Or the cat?!" Matt asked guiltily.
"Both of you!" Sylvie took a step closer but Veronicat removed one of her tucked paws and waved it menacingly in Sylvie's direction.
"Now Veronicat, that's not nice" Matt said soothingly, scratching under the cat's chin.
"Unbelievable! I'm away in the shower!" Sylvie huffed, stomping out the room.
Matt extracted himself gently from underneath Veronicat. She looked a little annoyed but was placated by another chin scratch. He put on his boxers and wandered through the apartment to the bathroom. The door was ajar but he knocked before entering.
"Sylvie, please can I join you?" Matt asked politely from outside.
A curt "yes" could be heard over the running water. Matt entered the bathroom and removed his boxers. Sylvie had her back to him, her head tipped back, letting the warm water wash the soap suds from her chest. Matt stood behind her and slipped his arms around her waist.
"What-how-why?!" Sylvie didn't know where to begin. "I have been nothing but nice to Veronicat and for my effort, I'm covered in scratches, she has ruined several items of clothing and the back of my couch is ripped to shreds!!"
Matt chuckled. "You're cute when you're angry you know" he teased. Sylvie turned round to respond but was cut off by Matt Casey's lips on hers.
*****
One long and very satisfying shower later, Matt and Sylvie were sitting on her (shredded) couch having coffee. Veronicat had eaten hers and gone back to the bedroom to reclaim Sylvie's bed.
"I need to get back to the loft, I've got a construction job on in a little bit but are you free tonight? Can I take you to dinner?"
"I'd love to. Would you...um...like to stay over tonight again?" Sylvie asked shyly. "I'm not sure I'll get my bed back without you."
"I'd love to" Matt echoed.
*****
At 7pm on the dot there was a knock on the door. Sylvie was really nervous and really excited at the same time. After years of being in love with him, Matt was finally hers. The memories of last night flooded Sylvie's mind causing her cheeks to flush brightly. Everything about it was just...perfect. She couldn't wait for a repeat performance tonight.
Sylvie opened the door but she could barely see Matt. He was obscured by a giant bouquet of flowers in one hand and a very elaborate looking scratching post in the other.
"Matt!" Sylvie laughed taking the lighter of the two objects.
"Good evening" he smiled, giving her a kiss. "I brought gifts for my girls."
"The flowers are beautiful, thank you Matt. Where on earth did you get that scratching post? It's incredible!" Sylvie gasped.
The bottom had four pillars, two wrapped in a type of rope and the other two in a tough looking material. A little hammock hung in the middle. The first tier had more
pillars and a cubby hole that served as a step to the top tier where a very comfy looking bed sat.
"Em...I made it" Matt said shyly.
"Wait - was that your construction job today?" Sylvie asked.
Matt nodded. "Hopefully this will stop her from ruining any more of your furniture."
Sylvie put her flowers on the table and threw her arms around him. Could this man be any more thoughtful.
"Where is our little friend?" Matt asked, scanning the apartment over Sylvie's shoulder.
Sylvie leaned back to look him in the eye. "Our little friend has commandeered my bedroom" she replied, a hint of amusement and annoyance.
Matt chuckled and reluctantly let go of Sylvie in search of Veronicat. He opened the bedroom door and found her sprawled in the middle of the bed. Veronicat snapped her head up towards the door.
"Hi there missy. That's not your bed." Matt walked towards the cat slowly and sat down on the edge of the bed, offering his hand. Like this morning, Veronicat scraped her face over his fingers. "Will you let me pick you up little one?"
Sylvie watched in awe from the kitchen as Matt emerged from her bedroom, holding Veronicat in his arms like a baby. He set her down in front of the scratching post, and she gave it a tentative sniff before launching herself into the cubby hole on the second tier. She poked her head out the door and Matt gave it a scratch.
"Ready to go?" he asked Sylvie, trying but failing to hide a little bit of smugness.
"Ready" she replied, shaking her head and smiling. He deserved this win.
*****
A few hours later, Sylvie opened the door to her apartment with difficulty. Matt was distracting her from behind, his arms round her waist and nuzzling into her neck. They stepped inside to find Veronicat in their line of sight, sleeping on the top tier of her scratching post. Matt chuckled into Sylvie's ear before letting her go to see his new friend.
"Hello you." Veronicat gave a little meow as Matt petted the top of her head gently.
"Sylvie, come over here" Matt said as he continued to pet Veronicat. Sylvie walked over slowly. Veronicat was watching her, but seemed to be too engrossed in the attention Matt was paying her. She stood behind Matt, resting her hands on his shoulders.
"Put your hand on top of mine." Sylvie leaned forward and did as he asked as Matt continued to stroke Veronicat's head.
"After three, I'll take my hand away and you continue, okay?"
"Okay" Sylvie said nervously.
"One, two, three" Matt pulled his hand away and Sylvie continued stroking Veronicat's head, not breaking the rhythm.
"Oh my God" Sylvie whispered. "She's never ever let me do this."
After a minute, Sylvie's back was beginning to hurt. It was an awkward position, leaning over Matt and not wanting to push her luck, she stopped stroking Veronicat and stood up straight. Matt gave Veronicat one last chin scratch and stood up to pull his girlfriend close.
"Just when I think I can't love you anymore Matt Casey" Sylvie gushed, pulling him in for a heated kiss. Matt walked her backwards to her bedroom, undoing the zip of her dress as they went.
"Remember to close the door tonight" Matt chuckled.