Work Text:
STEVE
Male, 1-3 Years
Domestic Longhair
Bonded with Robin
Looking for a semi-quiet home with lots of sunny patches to sleep in.
ROBIN
Female, 1-3 Years
Domestic Shorthair
Bonded with Steve
Looking for a place where I can talk as much as I want!
.
Steve and Robin lounge in a sunny spot under the big window. The other residents haven’t bothered them since the first day. The big tom, Vecna, tried to swipe at Steve and Robin didn’t stop screaming until their caretaker separated Vecna from the group.
Steve grooms Robin. Her tiny ears perk up and she purrs.
Robin nips his ear.
He doesn’t want to play. The patch is warm on his belly and a nap sounds so lovely—Robin pounces his belly. Steve bats her face and kicks his back legs. Robin twists and tumbles over Steve’s lanky body. Steve sits on top of her. He licks her face. She purrs.
The caretaker enters the room. “Steve, Robin. You’ve got visitors.”
Steve purrs. Visitors mean pets and snuggles and kisses. He lets the caretaker pick him and Robin up and out the door.
.
Max reenters the adoptive play room. “Here are Steve and Robin.”
Steve crosses his arms. “I can’t believe they let you name the animals.”
Robin elbows him. “Watch it, these might be our future children.”
“Okay, no, don’t get attached. They might not even like us.”
Cat Steve and Cat Robin dart to Robin’s chair, twirling and twisting around her legs.
“Well they like me.”
“Let me know if you need anything. You’ve got fifteen minutes,” says Max and she shuts the door.
Robin leans down and scoops up Cat Steve. “Oh he likes me! He’s purring.” She smooshes her face against Cat Steve’s fluffy tabby coat.
Cat Robin paws over to Steve and sniffs his shoes. “Is she judging me?” asks Steve.
Robin looks away from Cat Steve. “She’s a cat. Yes.”
Steve lowers his hand for Cat Robin to sniff. “Hi. I promise I’m not going to hurt you.”
Cat Robin noses his hand. She chirps and pushes herself against Steve’s legs. Steve pets her tiny head and she starts to purr. “They are pretty cute.”
Cat Steve has climbed Robin and perches on her shoulder. Robin scratches his back. “So we can have them?”
Steve brushes his fingers over Cat Robin’s creamy coat. “Yeah, why not.”
Robin grins and boops Cat Steve’s nose. “We’re going to spoil you.”
Cat Robin meows and paws at Steve’s jeans until he picks her up and deposits her on his lap. “But we have to rename them.”
“No!”
“Yes! It’s going to be too confusing.”
“Fine, Robin can be Britomart.”
“Is that from a nerd thing?”
“ The Faerie Queene is an epic.”
Steve whispers in Britomart’s ear. “Nerd.”
“And what will Steve’s name be?”
“I think Stripes is a good name for a cat. And he’s got a whole lot of stripes.”
Max reenters. “Fifteen minutes are up. Made a decision?”
Robin lifts Stripes. “Meet Stripes and Britomart.”
Max rolls her eyes. “You guys are dorks.”