Work Text:
Malleus was exhausted. His entire day was far from what he had imagined. He was under the impression that humans liked cats. After all, there were so many common items with cat designs in the human world. He had read humans worshiped cats a long time ago, and that the fascination of the modern man still kept that tradition alive, although it had lost its divine meaning. Nevertheless, he wasn’t met with much luck. Only a few students noticed him, one tried to pet him, and two tried to chase him down the hallway. It was, in fact the most fun Malleus had recently.
It was not so late in the evening and there were still students going on about their evening. Malleus wished to revert back to his usual form, however, he could not find a single place of privacy. Going back to Diasomnia was completely out of the question. He would’ve ended being chased out, even though the one his faithful thralls would die to protect was right in front of them. No. He needed a better plan. Experiencing the human world through the eyes of a small animal wasn’t uninteresting. He managed to sneak in some nooks and crannies he regularly wouldn’t be able to. He’d even had a hissing match with Kingscholar that he won, but had left him exhausted regardless. He needed a place to calm down and return to normal.
His four legs brought him to the woods behind campus. He did not come here very often. Not enough gargoyles around to keep him occupied usually, but now, it was the best place to be at the moment.
He goes a bit deeper into the forest, just to make sure there weren’t any young humans fondling each other in the dark that could see him.
He was trying to find a perfect place to complete the incantation when he notices something unusual in the middle of the forest. There were tiny sobs and an interesting blue light coming from deeper among the bushes. Malleus needs to check it out immediately. Upon realising who it was, Malleus calls out to him.
Idia quickly wipes his tears as he hears the ruffling of leaves around him. The last he needed was someone seeing him like this. He hears a meow coming from the bushes.
“Heeeey there sweet baby!”
meow
“Hiiiii…” he spoke slowly, as he tried to not move a muscle.
This was a miracle! He didn’t even have to pspspspsp its way, it was walking towards Idia. Well, that’s a first. It instantly made him feel better.
“Awh, you aren’t afraid of me?! Oh…aww… you sweet little ball of floof, you.” Idia spoke as he extended one hand towards the cat. It then rubbed itself against his hand, and Idia dared to touch its head and give it tiny scritches on top, with three of his fingers and and his thumb bundled together. The cat welcomed it, as it was now purring rather loudly.
“Aw, you like it? You liiiike it? Sweet baby. I like you too. Awh, I pet you.“
He moves on to pet the chin. “I pet you more. Awww.”
Idia continues with the gentle strokes around Malleus’ head. He must’ve noticed the tiny horns Malleus couldn’t get rid of, since his next comment was about them.
“Awwww you’re a magical kitty.” The scratches on Malleus’ chin increased, and Idia kept talking to Malleus.
“You’re one special kimtt, aren’t you? One of a kind special babie.”
The pets continue behind Malleus’ ears, but he welcomes them. He rejoices when he feels the hand go down his back.
“Ohhh you’re just the cutest, aren’t you? Look at your tiny littel wings…”
“Ouch, ouch, okay!“ Idia retreats his hand as Malleus unconsciously swatted at him. There was still much to learn about this form of his. Malleus didn’t even want to do that. His reflexes in this form were rather interesting.
“Kitty punch! Heheheh…”
Idia seemed to be imitating what Malleus did, although in mid-air. Malleus couldn’t place why this ‘kitty punch’ thing was so interesting, nor why it had a name on its own. No matter, if it made Shroud happy, Malleus had nothing against him having fun.
As a sign of good will, Malleus rubs his face against Idia’s leg. He’s relieved when the human’s hand lowers anew, glad that this ‘kitty punch’ thing did not discourage him from giving pets. Malleus was starting to like being a cat. No one was scared of him like this, and more importantly, he’s never seen Idia Shroud like this. Going through the entire transformation was worth it just because of this very moment.
“Sweet baby.” Idia repeated as he gave the cat more chin scratches.
“Kimtten! Sweet baby. Little baby. Cutie patootie!”
Malleus lies on his back, completely relaxed as Idia pets his chest.
Idia squeals at the sight of Malleus’ mouth opening for a yawn. He increases the frequency of the pets on his belly. Malleus definitely enjoyed this.
“You little floofster.”
Malleus never received this much endearments in such a short time span, although many of them were unintelligible words. The only thing that convinced him that was the case was the softness in Idia’s voice. Thrilled by all of this, Malleus’ excitement manifested itself as loud and continuous purrs. He wished to be picked up. Humans picked cats all the time, or so he thought. Idia, however, did not do anything of the sort. Well, then, Malleus will have to get what he wants himself.
“Ouch!” he said, half-jokingly as he felt the claws gently press in his skin in spite of him wearing pants.
Malleus was a bit insulted when Idia tried to separate his paws from his leg, but, ultimately, he got what he wanted. Gentle hands picked him up and placed him on the lap. It was comfortable.
“Look at you making biscuits!”
Idia then starts humming a song repeating those exact words.
It was strange, however. Why was this called ‘making biscuits’? Malleus just wished to let Idia know he was comfortable with him.
“Hey, kimtten!”
Malleus responded to the call, and was met with a second of Idia’s confusion that turned into a huge warm smile moments after. Did Malleus finally managed to speak? He hoped he did.
“Do you have a name?”
Malleus!
Idia smiles for a moment.
“How about I call you Meowleus?”
What a ridiculous name! Malleus wanted to protest, but Idia did not pick up on his dissatisfaction. If anything, he seemed like he was reminiscing of something very fondly.
“You remind me of someone called Malleus, you know.”
Idia scratches the fur close to his tail.
“Every black cat with green eyes is a Meowleus, by the way.”
He gives Malleus another scratch on top of the head. Malleus couldn’t help but think that this nickname preceded their meetings, and that, to Idia Shroud, any manner of creature who vaguely shared features with Malleus, was reminiscent of the real one. Malleus did not know if he should feel flattered or not. Because, if that was the case, then it meant that Idia Shroud thought of him rather often.
“And these tiny magical horns make you a 11/10 Meowleus.”
Idia repeats Malleus’ catified name in such an endearing way that he did not mind it anymore. He rubs his head against Idia’s hand again. If you wish me to be a Meowleus, a Meowleus I shall be!
Well, it is a good thing I remind you of myself.
Malleus stretches and exposes his belly to Idia. I know you want to, human .
Indeed he did.
Idia takes a strand of his hair and dangles it in front of the cat.
Excited by just looking at the shiny strands, Malleus is suddenly overwhelmed by a need to touch it. He follows its movement with a watchful gaze, and when he is sure he will catch it, he extends his paw to act. Malleus lost count of how many times he did that, and Idia Shroud smiled throughout the entire time, so, there was absolutely no reason not to do it. Malleus spoke too soon. He was getting tired of all the swaying, so he stretches again as he makes himself comfortable on his lap. With his eyes closed, he feels that wonderfully gentle hand stroke his fur again.
“Sweet baby.” he repeats for what was probably the thousandth time by now.
Playing with Idia’s hair turned tiresome, and he was not aware at first that he had dozed off.
When Malleus woke up, he was still in the same position, in the same warm lap as a moment ago. He was still being cuddled and pet.
“Awww those cute purrs, so cute, you’re so cute!”
Malleus wakes up, yawns, and makes Idia squeal again. Was something so normal considered this cute? Even as a cat, Malleus couldn’t fathom humans’ obsession with the tiny furry critters in the slightest. On the other hand, he was glad for the attention he was getting.
Idia was now very close to Malleus’ face. All of a sudden, he starts singing again. It was rather whimsical, and, although not a great connoisseur of human music, he had never heard something with such ridiculous lyrics.
“Welcome to the boop zone, population - you.
gonna poke that nozzle, whatchu gonna do?”
Then, just as the song promised, Idia pokes Malleus’ nose following a voiced ‘boop’. Idia did this a couple of more times in row. When Malleus decided he’s had enough of this, he wiggles out of Idia’s hands. Although he did enjoy the attention, this was becoming a little bit too silly for Malleus to handle.
“Okay, okay, sorry! Don’t leave!”
Not wanting to sadden Idia, who’s already had his hands outstretched towards him, Malleus turns back to where he sat, and, surprising even himself, jumped on Idia’s lap once again. Idia’s face lit up.
“You’re one sweet baby, you know that?”
Malleus felt good with all the praise and felt comfortable enough in Idia’s lap to stretch.
The cat was on his lap now, its belly completely exposed, and Idia felt so honoured. The utmost sign of trust, or so he read. Idia couldn’t resist. Apart from petting the fluffy belly, he used the other hand to gently poke his paws. As if Malleus couldn’t tell what Idia was doing, the human was making his actions very clear.
“LOOK AT YOUR TINY LITTEL PAWSIES! I kiss the paw.” Malleus did not protest, he’d even hoped Idia would do it again. He did. Then, out of the blue, Idia starts singing, again. How many tunes about cats did humans even have? Unbelievable.
“Toe beans, toe beans, toe beans, toe beeeeans…”
“Find a floof and boop it ‘cause you can…”
“Toe beans, toe beans, toe beeeeeans…”
Idia sang as he pressed the tiny back paws to his face. Malleus couldn’t remember the last time he was this…fondled, but he did not find a second of it unbearable. Maybe being a cat every so often wasn’t so bad, if it meant he could get this much of Idia Shroud’s attention.
Idia scratched Malleus’ chest. Malleus feels very relaxed with this kind of treatment. His eyes were only half-way completely closed, and he could see how happy Idia looked as he did so. Never in his wildest dreams did he think his day would turn out like this.
“Aww look at your littel TEEF,” he said, confusing Malleus as he had not heard those words before. Was this a part of cat anatomy Malleus never heard of?
The continuous strokes made him sleepy, so he gave up on thinking about the strange vocabulary that was being used. Maybe, some other time.
Malleus had his eyes half-closed. It was embarrassing to admit, but he, too, really enjoyed this. More than anything else, though, was the genuine and radiant smile on Idia’s face. It was something he’s never seen before. He chased Idia’s hand and tried to rub his face on it, hoping it would lead the hand back there. It was successful.
“You are so pretty.” he said.
“Shame you don’t understand me, Mr. Meowleus...”
Malleus wished to protest, as he was perfectly capable of it. It is you who does not understand me!
Idia meows back at him. Rather poorly. Malleus found himself anatomically unable to snicker, unfortunately. Idia, too, must’ve been aware of it himself, because he was quick to apologise how he’s really bad at animal languages.
“One day I’ll make a translator, so that everyone can talk to floofs normally. Just you wait!”
Malleus paid it no attention, as the only thing that mattered to him at the moment were the strokes on his belly.
“Are you hungry?”
No.
Malleus was sure that even in his cat form, he was able to convey the negative message. However, Idia started to panic.
“No cat will starve on my watch.”
It was endearing, really, how quicky he gave into Malleus’ charms. It was annoying that Malleus didn’t have this much success in his usual form. That ought to change sooner rather than later.
“Stay here…”
“Uh…yeah, that won’t work…Silly me, trying to give orders to our cat overlords…”
He paces around some more. Malleus is intrigued by what Idia said. Was he wrong about cats not being worshiped today? Or was it Idia that worshipped cats? He had not heard of cat gods from the Isle of Lamentation at all, so Idia’s words were rather strange.
“I can’t carry you all the way to the store with my bare hands, can I, now? Well…I mean, I could, but I bet you’d claw my eyes out half-way there…heh…heheh.”
That is not true, Shroud. I am a benevolent cat.
Malleus surprised even himself. Instead of a coherent reply, he realizes that a rather loud and prolonged meow escaped him. He was glad, however, because
Idia kneels down to him the very next moment, and pets him on the head. Then, as if he had thought of something brilliant, he gets up and starts unzipping his hoodie.
Malleus had a bad feeling about this. A few students tried to catch him by throwing cloth over him, and the hairs on his back stood up. However, Idia did nothing of the sort. If anything, it felt strange watching him take off and wear that type of clothes backwards, where the hooded part now hung on the chest.
“Okay, then, kitty, in you go.”
Idia gently wraps his arms around Malleus’ feline body, picks him up and then lowers him into his hoodie. Malleus did not even have to protest. Idia was so loving and towards him that the feeling of distrust and unease disappeared the moment those arms touched his fur.
“Wow. It actually works.”
Malleus shifted a bit in his new abode . It was surprisingly comfortable and warm. Also, the close proximity to Idia’s face was very welcome. Malleus could not stop the urge to kiss him. He acted on it, unconsciously at first, only realised that he was licking Idia’s cheek after the human started giggling.
“Heh…heheh, kitty kimses. Heh.”
Idia rubs his face against Malleus, and then kisses the back of Malleus’ head.
“Well I kims you back!”
Malleus has never seen this side of Idia, and was starting to fear he never will again, unless he remained a cat.
In all honesty, Malleus knew he was getting ahead of himself. Since the human was capable of love in such generous amounts, it surely couldn’t just be reserved for little critters. Surely, if done right, Malleus himself, could get the same amount, and even more, now when he was aware of this aspect of Idia. Alright! It’s settled, then. I shall try and earn his affection once again, without giving up this time.
Cuddled up close to Idia’s warmth, Malleus didn’t even notice that they were already at the Mystery shop.
Malleus was surprised when his ears reacted so eagerly to the sound of the can opening. He didn’t like the smell at all, and yet he was eager to sink his teeth in the strange-looking goo. Cats were very strange creatures indeed. Idia lets him out of the hood and puts the open can on top of the bench.
“Hungrie babie,” he repeated as he gently pet Malleus on the back.
“Hungrie Meowleus.”
Malleus found the cat food absolutely deplorable, but this sight of him eating somehow made Shroud happy, so he decided to sacrifice his own convenience for a short while. In all honesty, it was still better than anything Lilia’s ever made. Every time Malleus would look at Idia, he would continue pointing at the almost empty can and urged him to eat. As if he’d read his mind, Idia said there was more around the middle. This was such a bizarre experience.
The expression on Idia’s face was mixed. he looked like he would cry, but at the same time, he looked blissful. He’s never seen this expression in humans and it wondered what it meant. Something joyful, for sure, because Shroud kept cooing as Malleus ate. He was sure Shroud was taking photos of him as well. I shall allow it this time.
Malleus finished eating, and he decided to let Idia know by rubbing himself against the human’s leg. Malleus also liked how, every time he did that, he felt closer and closer to Idia. He was almost starting to feel like Idia was his . He did it once again, for good measure. Then again, if any other manner of cat tried to assume ownership of what was now already Malleus’.
Idia leaned his head against the upper brace, now looking up. He sighs.
“I wish I could take you with me…but I’ve broken waaay too many dorm rules to get away with a pet, you know?”
Idia chuckles, for what Malleus took it as him thinking of all the mischief he did.
“So, I’ll come again tomorrow. And the day after…And every day. To the forest. Okay, Mr. Meowleus?”
Malleus did not know why Shroud was so sad. To him, it meant they would meet again, and that, in itself was a reason to rejoice. The human gives Malleus one more rub on the head before he gets up.
Malleus watches Idia walk away, head turning back to where Malleus was every so often. When Idia was gone from his line of sight, Malleus returns to his familiar form, and a wave of inexplicable content washed over him. He had never been happier. Today, he will be loved as a cat, and maybe, in the future… Who knows?
Days turned into weeks, then into months, and Malleus kept transforming into a cat every day the school clock stroke seven times. Every day, he would transform half-way down the stairs to save time, then ran as fast as his tiny paws would allow it, knowing that he would get to hear his favourite words again.
“Oh, hello there, Mr. Meowleus.”