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Everything felt off when Patton pulled in the driveway later than usual. He shut the garage door behind him and then spent several minutes outside before the kitchen door cautiously creaked open.
"Janus, honey?" He knew that tone of voice. Janus sighed because his husband was hiding something.
"Yes, dear? In the living room," Janus replied with a disinterested air, nonchalantly flipping a page in his book (despite a burning curiosity. Patton was not one to pull off surprises or deceptions). He heard shuffling and the click of their front door shutting before Patton slid into the room with his hands held behind his back. Everything from his nervous grin, hunched shoulders, and shifting stance told Janus that Patton was about to tell him something he expected would make Janus upset. "Oh, just spit it out."
Patton tittered, "okay, okay. So you know how we were talking about how great it would be to have a cat?"
"As I recall, you were saying it would be great and I was reminding you why we decided on no more pets when-"
"Shhh yes, I know. I know. It's been a long time since Aloysius, and I thought-"
"We agreed on no more pets," Janus interrupted, slowly putting down his book and growing more suspicious of the hidden hands.
"Yes, I know but it's been so long since we've had a cat-" Patton tried again.
" Patton Sunday, you are allergic to cats. "
Patton frowned, "I know that. There are hypoallergenic breeds."
"We are not getting a cat, dear," Janus replied firmly.
"Honey, please," Patton pleaded, "just hear me out!"
Before Janus could reply or Patton could continue, both were interrupted by a small mewling sound coming from behind Patton’s back.
Janus stood quickly, "Patton!"
"Her name is Fudge!" Patton replied quickly, pulling the kitten from behind his back. She mewled again, tiny and adorable with soft cream-colored fur, a brown patch over her nose, huge brown ears, and piercing blue eyes. Patton had wrapped the kitten in a blanket and was now cradling Fudge like a baby doll.
" Patton !" Janus exclaimed, barely tamping down anger and disbelief in his voice, "what were you thinking naming it!?"
"That her full name would be Fudge Swirl Sunday because she looks like a fudge swirl sunday…" Patton answered simply, gently stroking the kitten's face with his finger.
"I meant- could you stop making that thing sound so adorable?" Janus groaned, stepping over to wrap an arm around his husband's waist and tipping Patton's chin up to meet his gaze with the slightest touch, "I don't think we should keep it, dearheart."
Patton looked up from the bundle in his arms, "please, Janus? Mindy at work, her cat had a whole litter. She kept them with momma cat until they were socialized, got their shots, and weaned, but Mindy can't keep all of them- it's been so long since we've had a pet. You know how much I love cats, and this breed is hypoallergenic and so cute! Please, honey?"
Janus glanced down at the kitten and sighed, "we don't have cat food and all of Aloysius' old stuff is buried in the basement."
"Actually…."
"You bought the food on the assumption you could talk me into this."
"And her collar."
"I-"
"Honey, I'm sorry. You would never say yes without meeting this precious bean first," Patton spoke softly, "I know how much Al meant to you and I'm not trying to replace him. Our life just felt more complete when we were taking care of the little guy… I want to give her a home."
Janus stayed quiet for a long moment before pulling Patton into a loose hug, being careful not to squish the kitten, "okay, but no more surprise pets, or else I will get my boa without consulting you first." He chuckled and planted a kiss on Patton’s forehead.
"No! No snakes until Fudge is too big to eat!" Patton giggled and bounced on his toes, "here, you hold her while I get everything from the car!"
Before Janus could object, Patton pulled back, shoved the kitten into his arms, and dashed back outside. Janus started to carefully unwrap Fudge, letting her sniff his fingers. Once her front paws were freed, she batted in the air and tried to squirm away from her wrappings. Janus smiled softly, "oh you're a feisty one just like Aloysius, huh? Daddy was pretty mean to call you Fudge... What do you think of Alistair? Alice for short?"
Patton giggled from the doorway, "already trying to rename my kitty?"
"Our kitty."
"Oh, she's our kitty already?"
"Of course she is. And a Sunday deserves a dignified name," Janus grinned and knelt down to set Fudge on the ground, finally unwrapping her completely. Fudge poked her head around for a moment before dashing off to hide behind the tv.
"But she looks like a fudge ice cream, you goofball," Patton chuckled and set down his arm full of food and toys.
Janus smirked, "and it's my turn to name the pet."
"You know that's not fair," Patton whined playfully, kneeling to return Janus’ hug. "Thank you, my love, my honey bee."
Janus grinned and sat fully on the ground, pulling Patton into his lap, "you're welcome, sweetheart. I am serious about no more surprise pets though. You remember what happened to Lilypad."
"No promises," Patton grinned and leaned in to kiss Janus on the nose, "I know you'll always forgive me for it. And you’re right. No more frogs, no matter how much they insist on hopping home with me."
"And everyone said I was the bad boy," Janus smirked and kissed his husband sweetly just as Fudge padded back to the pair and mewed for attention. Patton quickly scooped her up into his arms.
"Good job winning Papa over, sweetie," Patton cooed to the kitten and Janus laughed at them both.
"You're a scoundrel and I love you."
"Love you too, honey!"
"Let's get little Alice settled in," Janus smirked at Patton's offended gasp.
"Her name is Fudge!"
"We'll see."
Fudge mewed her own opinion back at them and the little family sat curled together on the floor.