Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This is a story that will probably never change a life. This story is much more of a soothing story than a heart wrenching one, but that’s more to the reader’s thoughts than a writer’s own opinion, right? But let me tell you one thing that is essential in this story:

This is a story about cats

A story about a certain pair of cats whose beginning starts not together, but apart before they were brought together by fate. Let’s start with their names: they are Khan and Arthur.

Khan starts his life as the runt of the litter of his brood, but fate was kind and in the end he grew into the most elegant -as you can see from his shining black coat of fur-, fit -he at least spend the most of his kitten days running around and jumping from one place to another-, smartest -he knew as many things as a guide dog would, perhaps even more- and strongest -Khan can easily outmatched a bigger and more feral cat of twice his size- cat of his litter. A kindly old couple, whose life had been lonely after their youngest child moved out of the house to start his own family, adopted him. He loves his humans, mind you, and hates every other human who came to his territory although he is much to prideful of his own self to hiss at the strangers so he decided to ignore them altogether instead. All in all, Khan lives a life that should be envied by others.

Then something is becoming suspicious

The old couple often went to the park for sunshine and they would often take Khan as well. Khan usually comes and goes as he pleases, but for his humans, he would gladly accompany them for the much needed exercise of the day. There was another reason why Khan was so enthusiastic for these walks lately, which is what his humans are going to find out. His human lady, Molly, had noticed it sooner than her husband, Alfred Dimmock, had. Khan has been sitting more often at the sill of the window rather than his usual place in the middle of the beanbag he likes to pounce on. Khan would not answer Molly until she at least called him twice for food while he was staring aimlessly outside the window. Alfred noticed this strange behaviour of Khan’s when the cat had stayed longer than usual on his walk. Khan had always gone out and back on time each day, and this sudden change of schedule worries him.

“Do you think something is wrong with Khan, deary?” Molly asked while she was making her husband and herself nice cups of tea.

“Perhaps he has fallen into one of his epiphany again. Do you remember the last time?” Molly let out a laugh that was joined by her husband a moment later. Indeed Khan had had this kind of epiphany when he realizes that the electronic vacuum can evade him because of a certain mechanism inside the machine, not because it was alive. Khan had acted the same way he is now, sitting solemnly while staring at the vacuum cleaner when it was on and going around the house.

“But what could he be thinking about now? I think he’s managed to figure out about everything in the house!” Alfred could only laugh. Khan is a very special cat indeed and in the end the couple decided to leave it be. But when this epiphany continues for longer than their liking, they became worried. Molly was found stroking Khan’s head and back while asking the male cat what was going on in his head.

“Are you going to tell us what has been on your mind lately, Khan? It’s not like you to stay like this for long.” Alfred had thought about calling the vet to see if there is something wrong with their beloved cat, but Khan is a smart cat and he would always give them a sign if he felt sick. Molly and Alfred were sure to give Khan extra petting and cuddles when they assume that Khan felt unloved as of late. Alfred made sure he gets one of their grandchildren to come and visit and play with Khan, but nothing seemed to interest him enough to get him moving from the windowsill.

Then one day,

“Molly deary, come and see this.” Alfred beckoned from the windowsill. Molly quickly came to her husband’s side and looked at where her husband is looking before letting out a small ‘oh’ of understanding.

Khan was slowly approaching a smaller but chubbier cat. The other cat is beautiful and Khan is actually being skittish around this other feline! Alfred and Molly couldn’t determine whether the cat is female or male (hey anything can happen) with their old eyes, but they quickly realise that this other cat is the reason why Khan has been more solemn as of late. Molly and Alfred watch while holding their breath when they saw Khan placing a wounded bird on the grass before meowing to get the other cat’s attention. When the other cat slid its eyes over the wounded bird and started meowing in alarm as if chastising Khan for hurting the poor bird. Perhaps it was what the other cat was doing indeed, since it started nosing the bird while hissing and chirping rapidly at a deflating Khan.

“Poor Khan…” Molly breathed as Alfred shook his head. The couple then saw another bird, perhaps it was the small bird’s mother, coming down on top of the other cat’s head before snatching the smaller bird away while chirping its gratitude towards the object of Khan’s affection. Khan had lowered himself down to the ground and started meowing in remorse at the tortoiseshell. Khan kept on meowing, begging for the other cat’s forgiveness before the tortoiseshell’s ears flattened and it approached the black cat in wary.

To the couple’s contrary, the cat didn’t take a swipe of the claw at Khan for the offering. Instead, it leaned down towards Khan’s face and licked his nose, shocking the cat senseless into going rigid. The tortoiseshell took another swipe at Khan’s face before chirping at him in forgiveness before it slink away into the bush, disappearing from the garden. Molly and Alfred both let out their breaths and turned towards each other before laughing. Khan still hadn’t move from his spot on the grass, and he didn’t even flinch when Molly picked him up and cuddled him. Although he did meow dazedly when Alfred started scratching his chin, Khan stayed limp when the couple started turning him around to see if he’d move.

“Oh Khan, have you been in love with that pretty cat this whole time?” Molly cooed, lifting Khan’s still limp body from the beanbag to cuddle it between her and her husband.

“Meow…” is Khan’s shaky reply. Alfred sighed and gave Khan another scratch under the chin, he and Molly knew they’d have to give Khan more attention after this as to keep the cat’s spirits up.

“I wonder if the cat has an owner… it doesn’t look like the pretty tortoiseshell has an owner, but his coat is very clean. You really like this tortoiseshell, don’t you Khan?” Molly cooed as Khan let out another shaky meow before he started nosing both Molly and Alfred’s fingers for comfort.

“You’ll find a way, my boy, you’ll find a way.” consoled Alfred.

This is cat!Arthur:

And this is cat!Khan:

Chapter Text

The next time Molly noticed the pretty tortoiseshell, the cat seemed to be indulging in whatever Khan was telling him. The cat was grooming itself while once in a while meowing in response to whatever Khan is telling him with a look of fond exasperation. Sometimes the cat would lift a paw and bop Khan on the nose and Khan would then started showering the other cat with cat kisses despite the yowls of indignation from the other cat. Molly always giggled when that happens, and she even got it recorded to show Alfred later on.

Yes, it’s a he, Molly had gotten a closer look and she is very sure of the gender of Khan’s crush.

The elderly couple was ecstatic of course for their black cat’s growing relationship with this pretty tortoiseshell. Molly was surprised when she found out from Alfred, who had gone around asking if anyone have a tortoiseshell cat, that the cat is ‘half’ ownerless despite its shining coat. Alfred had explained that the cat goes around the town and his usual stops are either the vet, the old people’s home or the hospital. They named him Arthur, Alfred said, and that he especially likes the little children. One of the hospital staff had actually tried to catch Arthur when he was in the hospital, but the cat escaped every time and came back another day for more scratches from the little children.

“Why, he’s just like our Khan then! A very special cat.”

“Indeed he is… what are they doing?” Molly turned around to see Khan now draped over a defeated Arthur who seemed to be more than willing to have the black cat blanketing him.

“Khan seemed to be trying to impress Arthur by whatever he found today, they’ve been here since this afternoon. Surely you weren’t thinking about something else, are you Alfred?”

“For the sake of my already old mind, I hope not.”

-||-

In the silence, Khan’s relationship with the tortoiseshell cat began to develop much to Molly internal glee. Both Molly and Alfred had thought of Khan like another of their children, and seeing Khan so besotted and starts to make a fool out of himself trying to impress Arthur was so unlike him it was very entertaining to the old couple. They had seen Khan tripping over invisible things when he heard a single meep from Arthur outside the house, their cat had also skidded down the floor and crashed unto the beanbag (thankfully) when Arthur had dared to take a peek into the house from the catflap. Molly and Alfred had made themselves good acquaintances with Arthur, the dear tortoiseshell lets them pet him and on an occasion letting Molly groom his coat with Khan’s comb (Khan had actually refused to let go of that comb for the reason of Arthur’s fur and smell alone, it was adorable).

But then, the wheel of fate turns and both Molly and Alfred went home from the market to Khan’s distressed yowling. The two old couple walk as fast as they could towards their cat’s yowling and was welcomed with the sight of a bloodied Arthur while Khan kept vigil at his side and voiced his grief with another yowl. Molly quickly dropped to her knees next to Khan and with shaking hands gave Arthur’s head a brush. Molly had to strain her ears to hear a small weak meow from Arthur, but when she did hear it, she breathed in relief and yelled at Alfred to get the car ready to go to the vet.

After getting a towel to keep Arthur warm and ignoring the seeping red on the pristine towel, Alfred gently placed the injured cat on the back seat and Khan quickly jumped in to stay beside Arthur while grooming the grievously injured cat. Molly and Alfred then tried their best to ignore the grieving small chirps and meows from the back seat and held their cat back when the vet took Arthur away.

“Arthur will be okay, Khan. He will be okay, sweetheart, everything will be fine.” Molly cooed while Alfred pats Khan from head to toe.

“If it had been minutes later, I’m afraid it’ll be too late to save him.” The vet confessed hours later after doing an operation to save Arthur’s life. Molly can see Khan’s sleeping figure being placed next to Arthur’s finally stable one. The vet had needed an immediate transfusion, and they were lucky Khan had the blood type they needed. Khan would be very happy to know that he played a big part in saving Arthur, Molly thought while stroking Khan’s head and Alfred left to talk about Arthur’s further treatment with the vet. They were quite surprised when they arrived at the vet to find one of the nurses screaming for a vet when she saw Arthur, it seemed this vet was the vet Arthur frequents, it takes one elderly vet’s yells of order to stop the nurses from any more panic.

“Arthur has been going here to get his shots, despite how he hates them. He comes here every week at the same time to say hello to his friends and a special lunch before keeping Doctor Pike company and chasing Doctor Kirk around.” The head nurse, named Uhura, explained while tinkering over with the support Arthur is connected to and gave the cat a gently caress.

“I… Is Arthur really ownerless?” Uhura then let out a laugh and nodded at Molly.

“It is a surprise isn’t it? But I think Arthur doesn’t want an owner just because he loves excitement and adventures… and the small friendly children who like to give him loving scratches and snacks.”

“But nowadays, he’s been acting a bit silly. Perhaps it’s because of your cat, Khan. Arthur had never fell in love, usually other cats would fall in love with him. Believe me, I’ve seen cats going barmy over Arthur whenever they see him here.”

“Does he? My Khan has been acting like a lovesick fool whenever he hears a single meow from Arthur when he is near our house. You should have seen him crashing into his favourite beanbag when Arthur decided to peek his head in from our catflap.” Uhura laughs one more time and Molly’s tension started to seep out with the easy conversation.

“That sums about what Arthur does to other cats, really. No one can hate him. But it’s just a shame that Arthur doesn’t have a proper home to go back to…” Uhura said, glancing meaningfully by the corner of her eyes towards Molly.

“… Do you think…?”

“I can see your cat is very attached to Arthur, and I can see Arthur is attached to him too. If you offer him a home, I don’t think he will refuse. Arthur is a smart cat, and I heard yours is too, I’m sure they can compromise something.”

Chapter Text

“Arthur sweetheart, are you home?” Molly called and was rewarded with running footsteps and the tortoiseshell cat is seen running and skidding through the floor towards the woman. Molly laughed, of course, because not far behind the tortoiseshell their resident black cat is chasing the tortoiseshell up Molly’s chair while the woman picked Arthur into her arms.

“What did you two rascals do now? I hope you didn’t break anything.” Arthur meowed indignantly and swiped a sniffing Khan on the nose.

“I see Khan has been bothering you as usual. I don’t think taking care of our children are as silly as taking care of you two.” Khan then slipped onto Molly lap and leaned his front paws on the woman’s arms to stretch and nuzzle his nose against Arthur’s before purring like a motorboat. Alfred had once throw his arms up and said that their cat has become a lost cause because Khan was so in love with Arthur it was borderline obsession. Molly can feel Arthur’s reluctance, but in the end the cat gave up and purred in response, fuelling Khan’s purr to become bigger and making the black cat nuzzle his whole face onto the tortoiseshell.

“Alright now Khan, that’s enough rubbing. My arms are a bit full at the moment and you know I’m old, oh don’t you look at me like that young men, Alfred and I have grandchildren for God’s sake!” Arthur just mrrp-ed and wriggled out from Molly’s arm after giving the woman a welcome back lick and ran away from a determined Khan.

“Stay inside the garden alright!” Molly called out before she heard a yelp from the back door. Those two are like a newly wedded couple, Molly thought, who knows what kind of mischief they can be up to. A hiss and a mournful meow in the garden made Molly sigh, she had seen Khan trying to make leaping advances towards Arthur but was rejected every time. Sometimes Alfred had even daydreamed about having a litter of little kittens before Molly had to ruin his fun in reminding him that Arthur is a male. Molly had seen Arthur accepting nuzzles, rubs and kisses, but aside from that the tortoiseshell becomes a bit testy especially when Khan was determined to corner Arthur one day into compliance. Molly might as well call the vet and quarantined Khan before anything unwanted happens, such as Arthur suddenly despising Khan, which definitely won’t do.

.

But actually, one Alfred Dimmock may get his wish of little kittens after all.

.

“Molly, sweetheart, did you hear something?” Alfred asked. It was Christmas Eve and the two had just came back after a lovely dinner with their children and grandchildren. After telling their grandchildren the tale of Arthur the cat, they had driven back with the children’s promises of visiting the cat (if they can catch him on time before his usual walk). Alfred swore he heard little noises from the kitchen, but his ears are old, perhaps it was just the wind.

“I haven’t heard anything, dear. Now, where are those two cats of ours, Khan, Arthur! Darlings, we’re back!”

Nothing.

“Arthur? Khan? What are you two rascals doing now?”

“Perhaps they’re out in the garden?” Before the two could grow more worried, the sounds of meows carried over, but there is not just two sets of meows. Small mewls were also carried over across the house.

And that caught Alfred’s attention, especially when Khan sauntered over towards them with his head held up high in a show of pride. Molly quickly chastised Khan, asking him if he had managed to bully poor Arthur before the black cat flicked his tail and turned his back, beckoning his two human to follow him in. And so they did, and Molly have never thought she would ever see her husband look like a child with the sight they were bested on this Christmas Eve.

Because inside the living room, right in front of the fireplace, lay Arthur. With SIX newly born kittens greedily sucking milk from him.

Alfred Dimmock swore this was by far the best Christmas present he has been given. Molly is bemused.

“D-Did you just gave birth to them when we were out, Arthur…?” Molly knelt down despite her protesting knees and was about to give Arthur a head rub before Khan stepped in between them, his tail stood tall. Molly retracted her hand back despite Arthur’s protesting meows, mourning the loss of Molly’s good head rub, but was content by having his mate groom his head and the kittens who are now wobbling around after having enough milk.

“By stars… Molly, we have kittens!” Despite Khan’s yowls Alfred lay low until his chin touches the floor and stare in wonder at the kittens who topples over their siblings until Arthur picked them up to lay them side by side and groomed their fur. Khan let his paw fall on Alfred’s nose but the old man just grinned widely at his cat.

“You’re a father now, Khan! Which means now we have grandkittens, Molly! Grandkittens!”

“Oh Alfred… I’ve never seen you this happy since we met Khan…”

“W-We have to name them all! And have Doctor Pike check them and register them, I… I…” Arthur meowed patiently to get Alfred’s attention and the former officer looked at the unimpressed stare of their tortoiseshell cat.

“Oh… of course, give a few days for the kittens. Sorry about that, Arthur. Oh God, look at how perfect they are! Both of you did so well, I can’t believe you made them!” Alfred praised as both Khan puffed his chest out in pride and groomed the preening Arthur with utter adoration in each licks. And with the mewls of their kittens, Khan helped Arthur in grooming the little ones.

“Take deep breaths now darling, this might not be good for your heart. Let’s give everyone the happy news a couple of days from now on, okay? For now, let’s leave the new parents alone and we can bond with the kitties anytime you like.”

Chapter Text

“Well, this is marvellous indeed! Amazing! And I didn’t expect less from both Arthur and Khan.” Crowed Doctor Pike while stroking a purring Arthur’s head. Khan was watching the doctor with sharp eyes before shuffling the kittens back to the middle of the table when they started to get too close to the edge.

“Arthur is a male, right?” Molly asked.

“Of course, we are very sure of Arthur’s gender before we decided to name him. We registered him as a ‘domestic’ cat before, and we have given him a scan before. Never did found anything extraordinary. But we never did give a thorough check up, just a few things to make sure our Arthur is healthy and doesn’t have any problem with his body and organs.” Pike said, howling with laughter.

“Will the kittens need their shots soon? I’m afraid we don’t know much about that, our Khan is a very healthy cat, you see.” Giving Arthur one last scratch, Pike approached the kittens and squinted his eyes even though Khan stared him, daring him to touch his kittens.

“Well, seeing their parentage, I don’t think they will have much problem. Bring them for their first shots at around 7 to 9 weeks of age. I’m sure Arthur will remind you when it is adequate. I swore Arthur had memorised the shots schedule when he ended up buried in my archive.” Arthur gave Pike a satisfied chirp and jumped over towards his kittens to have them all shuffling up under him for warmth and milk.

“The kittens are as healthy as they can be at this stage, that I can assure you. Arthur and Khan will be very good parents to these little ones, and you can expect healthy jumping and playful kittens in a few weeks.”

“Oh good, Alfred has been complaining non-stop about spoiling the kittens. I’m sure Arthur will have a talk with him, Khan will fully support Alfred of course, and I can see Arthur hissing them into submission.”

“I bid you good luck, Mrs. Dimmock. I can advise you one thing, never get between Arthur when he is in a mission.”

“I will remember that, Doctor Pike. Oh my, is Arthur clawing up that young doctor of yours?”

“Ah, Kirk. Arthur’s favourite playmate in the vet despite Kirk jumping and yelling about how he hates Arthur. Just look at him, Kirk is almost as besotted as your cat is about Arthur, but don’t tell him that, I need Kirk here in one piece.” Pike turned his head right in time just as Arthur curled around Kirk’s neck and purred, making Khan bristle and hiss.

“Well, I need to detain your cat first before he castrate Kirk. Arthur will need to learn how to tone his affections for others aside from the kittens and his mate down.” Pike expertly caught Khan in his arms before the black cat could leap and sink his claws into Kirk. Seeing the suddenly huge black cat Kirk quickly pulled the purring machine around his neck away from him and down to his kittens before running out of the room before Khan can reach him. When Arthur was back at his side, Khan shuffled him towards the kitten before he curled around his mate and children possessively while Pike laughed and give Molly and Alfred a card about the shots schedule.

“If you let Arthur take a peek, I’m sure he’ll be able to know when he should come back here for the shots. Just have a calendar near him and put the card somewhere he can see easily it’ll be all fine. Now, to get the big happy family back into your car…”

-||-

“So then, you silly boy will be Stephen.” Molly said, tying a collar and a nametag around a gangly kitten’s neck before letting the kitten wobble away all limbs towards Arthur. Molly then began to give the other five kittens their names and collars: Tim, Regina, Charles, William, Vincent and Amanda. Alfred had thought the names are a bit too human, but he agreed when Molly pointedly turned towards Khan and Arthur. Molly had cooed for a moment when Regina’s little black body had appeared from underneath Arthur’s belly and quickly disappeared again after she had been given her collar and name tag. Tim is now trying to fend off Stephen when the ganglier kitten started lapping on his little face. Charles, William and Vincent seemed to be an all-boys brawl while Amanda decided she had enough watching and buried her face on Arthur’s stomach.

“Come down from up there you silly black cat! You look like a stalker watching from up there.” Alfred hollered towards the top of the cupboard, which has become Khan’s latest watch post since the kittens were born. Khan let out a protesting meow and Alfred yelled something about possessive cats and children-complex father and Molly wonders if her husband remembers how he was when their children were young, they would really have a field day watching their father talking to their cat about possessiveness and protectiveness.

“Well, it looks like both of our husbands are a bit loony on the head, darling.” Molly said, scratching Arthur’s chin as the cat purred in agreement. Molly then continued to ignore her husband’s yells and is more than happy to indulge the playful little kittens in a tickle game.

“Who would have thought our house will be this crowded again?”

“Mreow.”

Chapter Text

“Arthur, love, have you seen Stephen?” Molly then laughed when she saw that the cat she was looking for is currently trying to bury himself underneath Arthur, who is looking quite disturbed at the intrusion. Despite the children growing fast in size, it was very amusing and lifting old hearts to see that the children are all still so dependant in Arthur for a good TLC.

“Come on now, Stephen. Your Mummy can’t hide you underneath him anymore, you’re a bit too big for him now.” Stephen meowed mournfully as he tried to wriggle away from Molly’s arms and back towards Arthur who stretched his legs and stood up, revealing Timmy napping underneath.

“So that’s why Stephen has been trying to get underneath you! Oh Timmy!” Molly said, exasperated as Tim yawned and stretched before falling down again for another nap. Molly let Stephen go and the cat quickly scrambles over to his sibling and curls tightly around him, surrounding Tim’s majorly white fur with his black and brown one.

“Well, now that you two are comfortable for another nap, I’ll be taking your Mummy to find your Daddy and your Grandpa. Come along now, Arthur.” Arthur meowed and trotted next to Molly while taking notice of his kittens.

“It’s almost time for your vet appointment, can you herd the kittens then?” Arthur meowed again and Molly finally heard the running steps and stepped aside before Khan could crash unto her old legs and made her fall. Khan meowed to Molly in apology before he started purring and touched his nose against Arthur’s in affection. Arthur purred and chirped before he sat down and groomed Khan’s face while Molly tried to hold her coo in.

“I should have known that the only reason Khan can run like that is Arthur.” Alfred huffed as he stepped beside Molly, overseeing the cats’ affections for one another.

“Why did you whisk him away for? I was trying to find him to help me find Stephen, not that I have to go far to find the boy.” Alfred scratched his chin and looked towards Khan who is still purring and is happily lying down on his side with his legs wrapped around a curled Arthur.

“Well… I might have walked in on them doing something and I decided to give him a talk about promising not to take advantage of Arthur at any chance given if Arthur does not wish to.” Molly was silent before she guffawed, earning herself two pair of glares; one from her husband and one from her black cat. Arthur was ignoring everything, bless the cat.

“Alfred oh Alfred, you should know that Khan shan’t ever stop showing his love for Arthur. And I’m sure you know that Arthur can take care of himself quite efficiently especially when the kittens can bully their Daddy into leaving their Mummy alone. Believe me, if you caught them together it’d be because Arthur wanted to as well.”

“… Perhaps you’re right. Where are the kittens anyway?” Alfred’s questions were answered when six blurs dashed from the living room and pounced at the lounging cat parents. Arthur meowed in surprise when the kittens (they’re heavy enough to trample their poor Mummy) started climbing on top of him.

“Now now children, your Mummy can’t hold all of you together on top of him. Give him and your Daddy some time alone and go with Grandpoppy Alfred to play.” The kittens obeyed and they quickly meowed again and again until Alfred resigned and walks away to find some toys.

“Well, I do hope you’re not giving us another surprise present for quite a while. My heart couldn’t take that kind of surprises young men.” Khan meowed smugly while Arthur just purred.

“I can hear that tone you use, Khan. I know you’re planning something. Remember, today Doctor Kirk will be the one coming here so I hope you behave.”

-||-

“Um… Mr. and Mrs. Dimmock…” Kirk said hesitantly, a hand still on a purring Arthur’s stomach while Khan was caged back to ensure Kirk’s safety.

“Yes, Doctor?”

“… Are you ready for another litter of 6?” Molly and Alfred couldn’t stop their jaws from dropping, but the kittens had all woken up from their naps and started to make a protective barrier around a loudly purring Arthur while Khan tried to bite himself out of the cage.

-||-

“You’re lucky you’re cute, you know. And I know you know.” Kirk said cuddling Arthur close to him when he thought no one is looking. Arthur was purring and is on the edge of falling asleep on Kirk if not for the door suddenly opening. Kirk instinctively held Arthur closer, a rare occurrence if Arthur were to come with Khan, and heaved a sigh when a familiar face became visible.

“Oh it’s just you, Spock.”

“Doctor Kirk.” Spock nodded in greeting. Arthur then wriggled out from Kirk’s arms and rubbed his body on Spock’s leg before the hospital doctor dropped to his knees and gave Arthur a back rub.

“It is good to see you too, Doctor Arthur.” Kirk snorted at Spock’s nickname for the cat. Spock is a logical no nonsense kind of man, why he decided to nicknamed a cat doctor he doesn’t know. Spock told him amongst the line about Arthur being a good sensor if anything is wrong with the children and thus had most logically called the cat a doctor. Kirk still tells him it’s bullshite.

“I have been informed that he is expecting another litter, is this true?”

“As true as what Pike’s confirmation will be. Mrs. Dimmock has been talking about the first litter came on the Christmas Eve, I’m expecting that this second litter will have another meaning too.”

“From what I have heard from the conversation outside, it seemed that the old couple’s anniversary is soon.” Spock said as Arthur meowed in agreement and Kirk gave a smug Arthur a glare.

“I wouldn’t be very surprised if you suddenly talk back, Arthur. I’ve been swearing up and down to Pike that you’re psychic.” Arthur huffed and held his tail high before giving Kirk a show of his backside.

“Very mature, Arthur, very mature.” Kirk said, picking the cat up in his arms before giving the belly a raspberry. Spock lifted one of his eyebrow meaningfully towards Kirk before the other man sighed and transported his burden into the doctor’s arms.

“Congratulations seemed to be in order, Doctor. Your patients are missing you in the hospital, but if I tell them of this news, I am sure they will certainly be amendable to forgive you.”

“Meow meow!”

“I’m not sure if it can be done, but a visit from you and your kittens have never been refused. I advise you to be conscious of your present condition at best, or else your husband will have words for me.”

“Prrt.”

Chapter Text

“Oh you, you always knew how to give these two old people a heart attack. But your gifts are precious, so very precious, and we don’t know what we would do without you two.” Molly said as Khan lifted his chin up high in pride as their humans for the first time are able to touch their new kittens. Alfred was too busy cooing to hear a thing she said, of course, and the first litter of kittens were all watching protectively from every corner of the room in case unwanted guests happen to come and disturb the moment.

“Mreow.” Arthur meowed tiredly before laying his head back down for Khan to groom. Molly had been worried when Doctor Pike needed to be called in because of a little complications, but everything is fine now and Arthur will be back in full health as long as he had enough rest. These kittens are a bit smaller than the previous litter, but they are all healthy after Doctor Kirk checked them. Molly and Alfred have had guests from the vet as well as Doctor Spock from the hospital as to congratulate them and give them gifts like some milk formula and some wet food for the growing kittens. Children had peeked through their windows, trying to get a glimpse of the cats and parents had pass by here and there giving cat beds and cloths for them to lie on or play with. Molly and Alfred are grateful, not to mention their children and grandchildren had been most delighted by the news of more cats. Alfred was vehemently trying to refuse any offers of future adoptions supported by a very angry Khan.

No one dared to breach that topic again, especially when Alfred took out his sniper out from the old cupboard.

“Well, we’ve prepared names for them. It’s a bit early for name tags just yet, but what do you think of Charles?” Approving meows, Arthur nudged one of the sprawling kittens to christen the name.

“Alexander?” An unhappy yowl from one of the previous litter, right.

“There’s only one girl out of all six, I’m wondering about Joanne, it’s a sweet name.” Arthur meowed readily and affectionately nuzzled the nose of the female kitten. Then the other approved names are Julian, Kevin, Hector and John; the two last kittens seemed to be glued to one another as one would not go adventuring without another and it is just adorable, with how fluffy they are. And then there’s Julian who circles Kevin while the latter was sprawling on the floor before flopping down on top of him, they are all so precious and adorable Molly wanted to cry. Molly felt a nudge on her hand and came eye to eye to Khan who meows to her before returning to Arthur’s side.

“Yes, yes, give me a second. Oh Arthur, I’m so happy we met you.” Molly cooed, giving Arthur a good scratch under the chin as it is time for the kittens to milk once more.

“Keep an eye on Arthur, Khan. Doctor Pike did say he has to rest, but remember the last time you forbid him to go outside.” Molly warned before dragging her husband out of the room to get the food ready for the kittens and their cats.

“You can spoil the little ones later, Alfred, we have to get their food ready or else they’re not going to let you out of their sight.”

-||-

“Arthur, darling, you don’t have to push yourself… I’m sure Doctor Spock and the kids would understand…” Molly said worriedly as she followed a wobbly Arthur around the living room. It was only a couple of weeks after Arthur had given birth, and it seemed despite Pike’s assurance that Arthur will grow back into full health, it seemed the birth had given Arthur a bit of a strain. Lately Arthur will never go too far from his bed and Khan will always stay at his side in case Arthur needed a place to lean on.

Maybe it’s also the guilt Molly keep seeing on Khan’s face whenever he is following Arthur

Arthur then plops down to the floor and let out a heartbreaking cry, beaconing the kittens to run from wherever they were before towards their mother. Molly gently carried Arthur up into her arms and deposited him back into his bed before Arthur was buried in-between his husband and his twelve children.

“It’s alright, Arthur. You can let it out, Alfred and I won’t be mad. You’re as important as your children are, we love you.” Arthur kept on crying and it almost broke Molly and Alfred’s heart. Molly left the family for some alone time and decided to give Arthur his favourite food to cheer him up before calling Doctor Pike if the man can spare some time to come and see poor Arthur.

“What seemed to be the problem here?” Pike then took one look at Arthur who is buried underneath his children as well as his husband and turned towards Kirk who is standing next to him. Kirk gave Pike his kit and proceeded to herd the kittens as well as Molly and Alfred away from the room, and boy do Kirk felt like a juggler carrying a basket filled with twelve meowing fluff balls.

“Alright then, Arthur, will you allow me to touch your stomach?” At first Khan bristled when Pike approached closer, Pike could understand that, but then Arthur meowed and Khan deflated yet the black cat still stood strong next to his mate and watch as Pike placed a hand on Arthur’s stomach.

“Do you feel hurt anywhere?” Pike asked again and again as he moved his hand over Arthur’s stomach and back, giving a little bit more pressure at certain points. Arthur didn’t give any tell-tale signs of pain, that is until Arthur meowed rather sharply when Pike pressed a lower area on Arthur’s stomach. Khan had bristled, and quickly calmed down when he knew comforting Arthur is a much more pressing matter despite Pike’s apologies.

“Unfortunately, I may need to take you to the vet for a scan. You might have pulled a muscle, but let’s keep it on the safe side, okay?” Arthur meowed, and bumped his head against Pike’s palm before Pike gave Khan a cursory scratched and stood up, going to inform the worried owners about the condition of their cat. 

Chapter Text

“Can it even be possible? Two more?” Molly asked, worried. Pike frowned at the scan results Kirk had given him while the younger veterinarian went over to give Arthur a comforting cuddle despite Khan’s glares. Kirk didn’t care and kept on cuddling despite Pike’s amusement while Molly and Alfred watches gratefully as Arthur’s rigid frame slackened and a loud purr came from Arthur. Khan stays rigid, aware and watching, at Kirk’s sight bristling a little whenever Kirk stole a kiss on Arthur’s head.

“It’s… risky. But with careful care, we can deliver the two kittens safely. All I needed approval of is from the cats concerned and yours.” Molly and Alfred looked at one another before Alfred opened his mouth.

“I… we’d love to have more kittens, but we’re worried. We don’t want more if it meant we have to sacrifice Arthur. We would do whatever Arthur and Khan wanted. We always have, Arthur and Khan gifted us with kittens because they wanted to. This time, it’ll be their choice as well.”

In the end, Arthur had to be kept inside the vet throughout the pregnancy. Just in case, Doctor Pike said.

Khan is furious and grumpy, and so are the kittens. Which is why Molly and Alfred decided to schedule a daily trip to the veterinarian for their cat and the twelve kittens. It was a spectacle to be seen and remembered, a cat jumping down from the back of the car followed by twelve gangly kittens scrambling behind the adult black cat towards the vet. Some of the other patients coo when Khan and the kittens are all rounded up inside the waiting room, but with the news of Arthur’s condition, everyone seemed to give understanding distance.

All pats and scratches from the children are more than welcome though

“The poor dear, I do hope Arthur is going to be alright.” said one of the ladies in the waiting room. The kittens had all skittered into the extra examining room after Kirk had opened the door and let the little ones in while Khan followed behind sedately.

-||-

“They’re… a little bit smaller than the others.” Alfred said, holding unto one of the kittens with shaking hands, amazed and yet horrified when seeing the little kittens. Molly had cried when it was time for Arthur to give birth and had been praying so hard Alfred feared she might hyperventilate. Alfred had given the vaguely orange coloured kitten back next to its black furred sibling while Arthur only lifted his head and groomed the kitten and let it drink his milk once more.

“It is not that unexpected to see that the kittens are smaller than the others. His second litter was smaller than the first one, it may be because Arthur just couldn’t have any more.” Pike then explained that they might have to neuter Khan and Arthur altogether for their own health as well as the kittens’ future. Alfred and Molly couldn’t say anything but yes, and both of them knew that Khan and Arthur had known this would happen and let Pike and Kirk take care of the rest while they wait. The kittens had become agitated and could not be consoled to leave, not when their two youngest are struggling to even move their heads and mouths for their milk. Pike took both Arthur and Khan after the two tiny kittens had had their fill and fell asleep caged between their siblings warmth. This time Alfred joined Molly in her prayers, and tried to sooth the kittens when one of them cried out for their parents.

“It’s gonna be okay, they’ll be out soon. Your Mummy and Daddy will be out soon and they’ll be so healthy you don’t have to worry about going to the vet aside from having your regular shots done.” Alfred said, letting some of the awakened kittens to sprawl over his lap while the rest kept the two new kittens warm.

“Just… just let the kittens have their parents back yea?” Alfred mumbled, scratching the back of Stephen’s ears.

Chapter Text

“Joanne, darling, do you want to go with me outside today?” Arthur meowed from the back door. Joanne trotted from the kitchen happily, followed by the ever curious Bilbo and Ender who decided to rub themselves unto their Mummy like the spoiled kittens they are.

“Of course, Mummy!”

“Can we go too, Mummy? We promise we’ll be good.” Ender mewed, followed by Bilbo’s pleading chirps. Molly heard the cats talking of course, and walked over to see what is going on.

“Are you four going out? Have you all got your nametags and collars? Get back before dinner time, okay?” Bilbo and Ender meowed an affirmative while Joanne meowed, promising Molly that she’ll keep an extra eye on the little troublemakers.

“Well then, I think you’re all ready.” Molly said, opening the door for the felines to walk out and told them once more to get back before dinner. Bilbo and Ender had almost dashed in their excitement if not for Arthur meowing sharply and shuffled them over to his side. As they walked, some children would stop and give both Bilbo and Ender scratches and laughed when the two tried to bat those hands away. Arthur did not stop the children or the little ones, but he did notice Joanne looking around as if she is waiting for someone to appear.

“Are you planning on meeting someone, darling?” Joanne’s tail snapped upright when Arthur asked, and the older cat knew his daughter had something to say.

“Um… No?” Arthur gave Joanne an unimpressed stare as the feline kitten started shuffling left and right. When they stopped at the vet, Joanne’s ears perked up and lo behold, a ginger cat came out from the corner and quickly trotted over to Joanne whose ears flattened with a purr threatening to bubble from her throat.

Oh. Oh

“H-Hello Joanne.”

“Hello, Martin.” Joanne and Martin’s tails were almost touching one another and Arthur wondered how and why would his little girl (not little girl anymore, is she?) keep something like this from him. He can understand if Joanne wants to keep it from Khan, but him?

“Joanne, darling, Bilbo, Ender and I will be inside, okay?” The young man seemed to have jumped if not for their intertwined tails and Arthur gave Joanne a smile filled with you-better-explain-thoroughly-young-lady before shuffling Ender and Bilbo towards the catflap. Joanne smiled sheepishly towards a horrified and confused Martin before pushing her head against his.

“That’s my Mummy. I’ve told you about him, remember?”

“T-That was your Mummy? I didn’t even i-introduce myself!”

“Mummy knows, I think. Mummy always knows if there’s anything out of the contrary, I do hope you’ll still be here when Mummy comes out…” Martin looked rather terrified, his tail had gone rigid and Joanne really doesn’t like it when Martin’s tail went rigid. Joanne licks Martin’s nose, for the first time, and Martin looked either star-struck or love-stricken. Martin then happily rubbed his head against Joanne’s, both of them purring up a storm, that is until someone coughed and Joanne realised that Kirk was watching them with a brow raised.

“So… have you got yourself a male friend, Joanne?” Kirk asked, trying not to yelp when Joanne tried to claw his trousers for his surprise. Martin watched, his tail feeling rather empty without another to hold onto, with amazement and amusement. When both of them had met, he and Joanne were on edge, it was a given since they don’t know each other. But then they started to get friendly and after Martin had explained to Joanne why he seemed to be at a place and then another on different days, Joanne told him about her family. It was interesting, yet he envies at some times. Home is filled with warm and food and laughter, Martin doesn’t really have a proper home. And if what the humans he’s met with said, home is where the heart is, and his heart… is with Joanne.

“Well, sorry to disturb whatever moment you two were having… but Doctor Pike would like to see you, Joanne. And I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you bring Mr. Stranger over.” Joanne took a swipe at Kirk once again and the doctor bears it with patience, despite his trousers getting ripped again. All in a veterinarian’s work.

Well, this is one of the story that is the starting point of how Molly and Alfred adopted Martin. Arthur may also have persuaded Khan to be lenient and let Joanne’s mate live with them. Molly told Arthur and Khan that Martin is actually a very healthy cat despite how skinny and gangly he is, it reminds her of Stephen before the said cat appeared and started nosing suspiciously at Martin. Molly laughed when Stephen ran away from Joanne when the girl decided that her brother had sniffed enough and let poor Martin be. Arthur welcomed Martin with a lick and a bite at the ears, and told the boy to be strong living with the family.

Ender and Bilbo certainly loves to climb over him and let him drive them around though, Martin’s lucky they’re little. And maybe it’s worth Joanne’s purr, smiles and kisses, nope, it’s definitely worth it.

He has a home now, and he’s never going to let it go.

Chapter Text

“… Mummy is going to be so furious with me… Hector too…” John said, meowing in confusion at the unfamiliar roads. How in the world did he get here anyway? He was just walking in the usual road with Hector, the git was pushing him to take a walk with him. John’s been suspecting it has something to do with that cat from the coffee shop that has been staring at Hector lately. But hey, he does not want to be involved in Hector’s love life nor he ever will thank you.

“I don’t like this, I really don’t.” John said, trying to slip pass through people who tried to pet him or pick him up. He might be small, but that doesn’t mean he’s an easy pick, Daddy’s been teaching him. But from what Mummy told him (Don’t panic, he always says), he’s definitely in big trouble. John jumped off of a fence, and came face to face with bluish green eyes and swore he did not jump and mewled in surprise.

“Who in the world are you?!” John yowled, his fur all sticking up in caution. The black cat didn’t even twitch his nose or anything, and kept on staring at John. Despite the other cat being at least half size bigger than he is, John hissed, not really approving of him being stared at.

“… I should be asking you. You’re the one in my garden, my territory. So, who are you?” Realizing the black cat is correct, John’s ears deflated and the black cat’s ears twitched in interest.

“… I’m John. And I think I’m lost, I was with…”

“Your sibling, surely. You don’t look like someone who would walk alone in case you really need it. And going by your fur sticking out and flatting in various places you got separated because of the sudden influx of people on the street. You live in a house filled with many cats, your siblings surely going by the scents, and you love your family greatly as I stated you would not be persuaded to go out by anyone else.” John was speechless and Sherlock was getting ready to get up to his paws and walk back into the flat. This little cat piques his interest, he smells different, he wanted to try and impress this cat. Then again, not many is impressed by him, many would usually scream at him for being strange.

“… That’s amazing!” John said, his tail flicking in adoration and happiness. The black cat’s ears perked up and bluish green eyes turned to John in astonishment.

“Really…? That’s not what other cats would say…” John was practically jumping on his paws in excitement, and the black cat never knew he’d find someone so… cute.

“Oh? What would the others say, umm… I didn’t get your name.”

“I’m Sherlock. And mostly other would just say… scram, or piss off.” John chirped unhappily, making Sherlock’s heart beat wildly.

“Well, their loss. You’re really amazing, how did you do that?” John said, unable to keep himself from jumping. Sherlock suddenly stood to his feet though, it was so abrupt that John stopped jumping. Sherlock turned his back and John then heard the sound of a door opening from the house not too far from them.

“Sherlock, dear! It’s time for your lunch!” John jumped at the unfamiliar sound and Sherlock quickly stood between John and the unfamiliar human. John shuffled nervously, but Sherlock stood still, meowing to the human to tell her of the new guest. And Sherlock meowed again, telling John that this is his human, a widowed lady named Martha Hudson.

“Oh? You made a friend? That’s absolutely wonderful!” The human woman knelt down and reached out a hand to John who meowed nervously and the smaller cat quickly shuffled closer to Sherlock for protection. Sherlock nosed John’s side, actually pushing him closer to the human. But in his fear, John lashed out at Sherlock and in reflex, took a scratch at the other feline’s nose. Sherlock, strangely, didn’t yowl or swipe back, but he did flinch as he rubbed a paw over his nose.

“I-I’m so sorry! I am terribly sorry!” John meowed as the human woman began fretting over Sherlock, picking both of the cats and brought them into the house. It cannot be anything but Sherlock’s home, John thought, as he smelled Sherlock everywhere in the air.

“Poor Sherlock, I’m sorry I surprised your friend. I’ll get you a wet cloth to clean it up, okay?” Mrs. Hudson said, giving Sherlock a scratch behind his ear before walking out of the room. John had scrambled from his place up towards Sherlock, butting his head against the other and reaching a paw carefully towards the little bloodied nose.

“Oh Sherlock, I’m so sorry…”

“You are scared and nervous, it is not unexpected for you to react like that. But I didn’t expect you to have such sharp claws, but this is nothing, I have had worse.” Sherlock said, rubbing his nose once more. John was horrified, Sherlock has had worse? What did he do to receive something worse than I scratch on the nose? Khan had told him once that John might have the sharpest claw of the brood, but Sherlock just told him it was nothing!

“I’m still sorry…” John said, giving Sherlock’s nose apology licks. Sherlock was a stiff as a stone after the first lick and was thinking of retaliating, but it actually felt nice. Sherlock needed to catalogue this and ponder whether this is purely because of John, or because this is the first time ever someone would lick his nose. John continued licking Sherlock’s nose, and almost stopped when Martha stepped into the room with a warm wet cloth if not for Sherlock’s nosing.

“Oh look at you two getting along so well. Sherlock never really did have another cat he can get along with, let me see that nose for a second, Sherlock.” Sherlock reluctantly let Martha get a hold of his face and took a gentle wipe at his nose and leave Sherlock and John to it. Sherlock was rubbing his face with his paw, determined to at least let his fur dry a little bit more from the cloth before John took over and started licking again.

“Stay still. Mummy taught me how to do this, so stay still.” John mumbled, focused on trying to lick Sherlock’s nose clean. Sherlock obeyed, of course, and tried not to keen with lost when John took a step back to see his work. John nodded in satisfaction and quickly looks around in discomfort. Sherlock didn’t know what has gotten into him, but he moved his face forward and took a swipe of his tongue on John’s face. Sherlock waits for John’s reaction, but John was frozen. He can’t read whether it was from surprise or fright, so he tried again. And again. And again. That is, until John fell to the floor limbless.

It was strange, for John. His Mummy and Daddy licked him everyday; Bilbo and Ender like to lick him when they’re plotting something; Hector licked him just to get a reaction out of him; so why would this be different? The thing is, no one aside from his family had ever licked him, and he and Sherlock just met! Sherlock continued to groom him, he had finished grooming his head and is about to groom his back before John finally noticed the darkened sky and cried. John cried and cried, he wants Arthur, he wants his Mummy, he doesn’t know how to deal with this sudden strange feeling he’s having. He wants to go home and be petted by Molly and Alfred, he wants his Daddy.

“John…? John?” Sherlock was scared, and perhaps a little heartbroken when he sees John crying. He had ruined everything; he had ruined whatever was growing between him and John. He had a habit of ruining things that he wants, and when Sherlock was grooming John the black maine coon realised that he wants John as his mate, his partner. But he made John cry, he had his mate cry, what kind of cat is he if he made his mate cry?

Sherlock has fallen in love with John, yet he made him cry. Sherlock sat on his haunches, and watched John cry for his home with a broken heart. For John, he is utterly confused. He had only met this amazing eccentric cat and he felt so happy to befriend him, but then this amazing cat kissed him, what is little John to do? John wants to hide his head under Arthur until everything stops. There’s too many things going on in his head, he needed them to stop.

“John, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m sorry.” Sherlock meowed, but it did not placate John’s cries. Sherlock apologises again and again, but John was too buried in his confusion he did not even hear Martha coming in to hear where are the cries coming from.

“The poor dear, did something happen? Sherlock, you wouldn’t hurt a friend, right?” Sherlock yowled indignantly as Martha turned to see that John had been crying towards the window, towards the dark sky.

“Oh! Oh… are you trying to get back home? Are you lost? Oh poor dear, I am so sorry… let’s see if you have a number in your tag, yes?” John meow helplessly, his whole body trembling from his own cries. Martha did actually let out a gasp when she looks at John’s tag.

“You’re Molly and Alfred’s! You must be one of the kittens Molly and Alfred have been talking about! Oh thank goodness, what a small world this is. Just wait here okay? I’ll call your owners right away and you’ll be home in a jiffy.” Martha said, placing John back down on the floor, letting Sherlock curl around the smaller cat. Sherlock tried to sooth John’s cries by purring, although it did calm John down a little, it didn’t stop his cries.

Until both Sherlock and John hears the scratches on the back door, that is.

“… John? John?” John yowled, he leaped away from Sherlock and ran towards the back door, scratching it while meowing for it to be opened.

“Mummy! Mummy!” John yowled, desperate to be let out. Martha was quick on the uptake fortunately, and she opened the back door only to have Arthur barrelling in, cocooning John and licking him from head to toe.

“Oh John, don’t you ever do that to me ever again! I thought I lost both you and Hector!”

“Hector, I lost him, Mummy! I lost Hector!” Arthur continued to lick John until the small cat purrs before he stopped. Arthur then have John a punishing headbutt before nuzzling his son.

“Don’t you worry, your Daddy is looking for him and everything is going to be fine.”

“… John…?” Arthur’s tail straightened when he noticed that the smell all over his son is from this black cat in front of him and he hissed, of course.

“You! What did you do to my son!” Sherlock at least had the instinct to take a step back from Arthur, who is indeed the scariest when anything happens to one of his children.

“I-I…” “Mummy, it was nothing, Sherlock just…”

“I asked you once again, what did you do?” Arthur hissed, his tail and fur all puffed up in agitation. Sherlock had the audacity to lower his head in shame and quickly voiced his apologies.

“It was very straightforward of me, I am sorry. I am sorry if I had overwhelmed your son, I am… I had never made any contact with any other creature aside from my human… I understand if you’d forbid John from ever coming here again. I just… wanted to say that I am very sorry.” Feeling the misery waving off of Sherlock’s hunched figure, Arthur finally calmed down and turned towards his son, who kept on staring at Sherlock.

“Do you have anything to say to him, John? We have to go quickly.” Arthur then moved over to Martha, thanking her for taking care of his son by purring and nuzzling her legs, leaving John to approach Sherlock with caution. When John stopped in front of Sherlock, to the cat’s surprise, he purred.

“I forgive you, I… I think I might be at fault as well. But you are never to do that to me again, do you hear me?” Sherlock nodded, and quickly meowed his affirmative, anything to have John’s forgiveness. John then purred and lick him again on his nose (how wonderful it feels to felt that small tongue on his nose once more) before John rubbed his head against his and walked back towards his mother -Sherlock swore Arthur is a male, but if John calls him Mummy, then Arthur is his Mummy-. Sherlock braced himself for one last warning stare from Arthur before he walked out from the door, followed closely by John. Sherlock watches everything, and although his heart might have been fixed by John’s forgiveness, there is that little part left empty. The part that will never be filled until John stays forever at his side. He will look forward to the days after, waiting for John.

.

.

Come back soon, please.

Chapter Text

“… Damn it. John? John?” Hector looked around in worry at his surrounding. He and his sibling had been separated when they had unfortunately stumbled into a very busy street, it was never busy whenever Mummy brought them out! And now he’s lost John and although he’s in familiar street he can’t just go ahead leaving his sibling like that.

“John! Where are you?” Hector meowed and meowed, but even with his heightened ear, he still cannot hear his sibling, nor can he smell him. He’s becoming worried, as well as scared. He really shouldn’t have gone out on his own, he really shouldn’t have dragged John with him; his parents are going to be so angry. Hector then looked up and saw the familiar café they frequently pass by on the way to the vet. There was this cat, Siamese, Mummy would say. Okay, so there was this Siamese cat the café owner has, and he’s always staring outside the window whenever they pass through. Hector always tells John that the cat looks strange, but John likes to tell him that the cat might have a crush on Hector since he’s always staring at Hector. Hector snorted, as if!

And then he and John would brawl when John teased him about having a crush on the Siamese himself

He missed John already. He really needs to find his sibling.

“Hello there.” A shadow came over him and Hector looked up with a feeble meow at the unfamiliar human. The human seemed nice, at least he’s smiling kindly, and he’s crouching too, a good sign.

“Who are you?” Hector meowed, and then a head popped out from behind the human. The café’s Siamese cat; the one that’s been looking out of the window all this time.

“I’m Peter, and this is my human. You’re Hector, right? You always pass by here with your family, why are you alone?” Peter asked, walking away from his human to nose Hector’s head. Hector backed up a bit, his tail held high but his ears are down. He definitely needs to tell the truth here, but this is absolutely embarrassing.

“… I lost John, my sibling. We were walking together but then there’s too much human and I lost him… he might be anywhere…” Peter then under the watch of his human approached Hector once more and rubbed his head against Hector’s.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure your sibling will be fine. Both of you have nametags, why don’t you come in?”

“Come in…?” Peter moved his head to look at the café and then back to Hector.

“Come inside the café, of course! I’m sure you’re tired, I’m sure my human will be glad to give you some fresh milk!” Peter meowed enthusiastically, nudging Hector towards the door. Peter’s owner seemed to understand what his cat wants, so he scooped Hector into his arms and brought the cat inside while Peter followed him in excitement. When Hector was finally lowered on the cold floor, he meowed confusedly at Peter who looks so excited to finally have him inside the café.

“Come, let me show you around the café!” Peter said, nudging Hector towards the counter before jumping up, urging Hector to do the same. The owner watched with a smile, Peter had been looking miserable whenever the group of cats pass by. At first he thought perhaps his cat would like to join the group of cats walking around town, but then he saw Peter meowing at one cat with his tail swishing back and forth and he understood. Oh how he understood, especially when Peter deflated when that one particular cat hissed at him. The one cat, which is currently being led around by Peter around the café.

He would really want to know why the poor cat is alone though, he had never seen one of Molly and Alfred’s kittens to wonder off on their own, no matter how old they are now.

“Where are your manners, Peter?” The owner chastised, halting both cats from wandering over towards the crated beans. He held up a plate of fresh milk and saw Peter’s ears flattening against his head in embarrassment while the other cat’s perked up. After checking the cat’s nametag to make sure it is indeed one of Molly and Alfred’s litter, the man placed the plate on the counter and smiled when Hector always drowned his nose in.

“Careful now, you’ll be able to go around as much as you want. As long as you stay out of the processor and stay out of trouble. You look after you guest, Peter.” He said, giving Peter a good rub behind the ears before he went back to serving customers.

“This here is the till, I think they have tills in the vet, right? The one that rings when the human gives away paper and metal?” Hector was rather sceptical as he half-heartedly listened to Peter’s explanation. John is still missing, no matter what anyone said, his sibling is missing and that just won’t do. Peter saw Hector looking out of the window again and felt sad, he thought he can distract Hector from worrying about his sibling, he thought perhaps his presence would be enough to keep Hector here for a while.

“… Hector…?”

“Y-Yeah, what?” Well, his owner had told him about getting his courage together and approach Hector. Hector’s here now, but Peter wanted Hector to focus of their conversation, not worrying about his sibling who is probably safe, Peter cringed when that sounds a bit mean.

“I… I really like you.” Hector’s ears suddenly jumped up at Peter’s declaration and he stared at the Siamese as if he’s mad.

“I used to watch you and your siblings walk behind your Mummy whenever you pass by… I really really wanted to know you. I really do.” Hector was darting his eyes around as if he’s trying to find a way out, he really doesn’t like what he’s feeling like now. He feels happy, yet confused, and a bit scared. He really needs his Mummy at this point before he started going crazy. His brief distraction made him unaware of the fact that Peter had curled around him though, much less how he is suddenly lying down on the counter leaning against the other cat.

Peter is purring up a storm, and he is actually grooming Hector’s head. And he would probably have continued if not for the yowls and the scritches outside the café’s entrance. Hector know that yowl anywhere, especially since it belongs to his Daddy. Hector leaped away, not noticing Peter’s heartbroken stare, and started scratching the glass and noticed the dark sky outside. Had he been out for that long? The owner, realizing that a manic cat and Hector both are scratching the glass door, quickly opened it, letting the black cat it and smother Hector with his tongue.

“What do you and John think you’re doing going off on your own like that? You made your Mummy get into a strop!” Khan said, ceasing his grooming and snuffing his son all over. Hector, who is actually not a fan of being sniffed all around aside from his Mummy, let it slide.

“I… I lost John… I’m sorry, Daddy…”

“Your Mummy is going to find John, don’t you worry. They’ll be with us back home soon enough and you have a lot to explain for.” Hector’s ears flattened when Khan admonished him, but he shuffled close to Khan for comfort. Khan then sighed and pushed him out the door that was being held by the owner.

“Come on now, off to home.” Hector spared a glance to Peter who is staring sadly at him and meowed his farewells before letting Khan grab him by the scruff of his neck and carried him out like as if he was a kitten all over again. Closing the door behind the two cats, the man turned towards his now keening cat and sighed.

“Soon, Peter. I’m sure you’ll have your chance soon, now let me give you some good can of tuna and a plate of milk to cheer you up.”

-||-

Let it be known that Peter’s owner heaved a very relieved sigh when Hector came back (with supervision this time by his Mummy, the man noted) and impulsively licked Peter’s nose. But that is after Peter ran out from the door, grabs and drags Hector inside and off to his little bed at the corner and purring up a storm.

He swore he saw the maternal cat smile before it chirps away at his feed, as if telling him to keep an eye on his kitten.

Chapter Text

Oliver is a very well loved cat and cared for; you can see it from his fluffy tail and shining coat of fur. His owner, Mr. Chamberlain, is a very lovely man. Sadly, Mr. Chamberlain is also lonely which is why Oliver would always follow him everywhere when he is inside, keeping him company inside his beautiful garden and his big home. People would come and go, some he recognises as people from his owner’s office, some would be people he would hiss to. Oliver is a sticker to routine, only breaking it when he needs it for his owner’s sake only.

Then suddenly there’s this gangly white and brown coloured male perching elegantly and nonchalantly on top of the fence while he was grooming himself on one of the garden tables. Oliver was quick to jump at the sudden uninvited guest (and at his private moments too!) and hissed.

“Who are you and why are you here in my territory?”

“I’m Julian. Second litter of Arthur and Khan of the Dimmocks.” Oliver recognised the name of the Dimmocks, he’s heard his owner mention them to him a few times. Two kind elderlies, their cat falling in love with a pretty stray cat, lots of kittens and happy endings. His owner likes that kind of stories, and he told Oliver that he’s met the Dimmocks and the cats before and wished Oliver can be friends with them instead of keeping him company all the time. But that’s the thing, Oliver wanted to keep his owner company and want to be there when his owner is alone to tell him that he’s not alone. Well, maybe he felt a bit lonely but his owner is all he needed.

“Well, I was interested in your security camera, that’s all. I think one of the cable’s been cut off by someone, you really should tell your owner to take a look.” Julian said, dropping into the soft grass before padding towards a strand of cleanly cut cable, nudging it for Oliver to take a look. Oliver was quickly aware of course, and dashed towards the house to call out to his owner who quickly got out what the fuss is about.

“Oliver, is something wrong? Oh hello there, I think I remember you from one of the Dimmocks.” The owner said, who knelt down and was about to pat Julian’s head before the cat then meowed and nudged the stray cable. The man frowned, he gingerly held the cable and scrutinised it before looking towards the pair of cats.

“I’m guessing none of you did this?” Oliver meowed, telling his master he didn’t even know about the cable while Julian just licked his paw. The man took another look at the cable and give Julian a rub under the chin before picking Oliver up and took a peek at Julian’s tag.

“Well, I must thank you then, Julian. Come again anytime, I’m sure Oliver would be happy to see you.” Oliver yowled in protest but Julian just gave them a simple meow in answer and jumped wriggled away from a spot under the fences. Mr. Chamberlain then looked at his annoyed cat and amusedly kissed Oliver’s head.

“Come now then, Olly. Let’s go and see who would do such a thing and cut one of the security feed.”

‘BURGLAR CAUGHT ATTEMPTING TO ROB THE HOUSE OF A CEO’

“Oh dear me, isn’t this that young lad Chamberlain’s house? I do hope he is alright…” When knocks came over the door, Molly quickly opened it, to see the aforementioned young man with a cat in his arms.

“Mr. Chamberlain! I was just thinking about you, are you alright? I just read the news…” The man quickly placated Molly’s worries as he was led inside the smaller yet warmer house. Arthur and Khan greeted Charmberlain from their perch on the sofa while some meows come from every corner of the house, he smiled at them and knelt down letting the cat in his arms on the floor.

“It’s okay, Oliver. Don’t be shy.” Mr. Chamberlain said to his cat who retracted himself behind the man’s legs.

“They are all very nice cats, and I’m sure Mummy Arthur will be very cross if his kittens decided to be very rude to guest.” Arthur meowed an affirmative, leaping off from the sofa to greet the newcomer himself, his mate watching him with sharp eyes. Arthur had coaxed Oliver from Chamberlain’s legs, sniffing his face and rubbing their noses together, reassuring the new cat that he is welcomed. Imagine the smile that lit Chamberlain’s face when his dear Oliver let out a purr when the older cat continued to shower him with affection a mother would a child.

“Go on, Olly. Have some fun, I will be here with Mrs. Dimmock if you need me.” Mr. Chamberlain said, accepting Molly and Alfred’s offer for tea as he told them about the burglary as well as one of their kitten’s discovery.

“Go on now, Julian is over there with Kevin, as usual. He’s told me a few things about you and your home, Oliver.” Arthur chirped, nudging the other cat towards the kitchen.

“Oh, um… I… But we just met…”

“My Julian is good at hiding, and he’s always interested in that fancy technology of your house. I don’t know how in the world did he knew about all those strange human technology.” Arthur said, finally shuffling Oliver into the kitchen when Julian lay sprawled over one of his siblings.

“Julian, darling, we have a guest!” The black and brown cat then rolled over, the cat underneath him groaned in protest while murmuring about bone mass and whatnot before gagged when Julian gave him a slobbery lick on the face.

“Come on now, Kevin. Don’t be that way, say, have you seen Bilbo and Ender?”

“I think they’re with grandpoppy, Mummy. Can I go to grandma now that Julian’s not squashing me?” The previous cat under Julian then said, shaking his whole body until his fur all fluffed up. Arthur gave Kevin a few cursory licks on the face before deeming Kevin good enough to go.

“We have a guest over, so be polite.” Arthur chided while Kevin trotted away while meowing. Oliver stood then speechless while Julian took a look at Oliver and started licking his paw.

“I guess it was someone’s fault after all.” Julian said as Arthur walked away when they heard Bilbo yowling loudly for him while the humans chuckled/giggled. Oliver stared in confusion about what the other cat meant before Julian jumped up over the kitchen counter and pulled the morning paper to the floor, tapping the main article. Realising what the other cat was talking about, Oliver’s tail quickly went on alert.

“How did you know that?”

“Your house is the only one with so many cables around. I like to look at them, they’re interesting.” Julian said as he started grooming himself. Oliver doesn’t know whether he should be worried or not because that meant Julian has been snooping around his territory unknown.

“And it’s not like I want to take over your territory, your house is just interesting. I like my house as it is.” Julian suddenly said, catching Oliver off guard until the cat’s tail bristled.

“How do you know what I was thinking?”

“You said it out loud.”