Work Text:
Tommy jumped from rooftop to rooftop, trotting on the edge of each building and looking down at the people below. Tommy glanced over each person, taking in their posture and overall presence.
And most importantly, if they had food.
Tommy’s eyes danced through the crowd, landing on a tall brunet that had a bag of chips and a hot dog in hand. He was currently sitting on a bench, chomping away at his food.
Unaware he was about to become Tommy’s next victim.
Tommy’s paws pattered against the roof as he made his way to the fire escape, hopping down each metal railing with a loud thunk.
As soon as he made it to the bottom, he rushed out of the alley and into the crowd of pedestrians. He jumped over and under feet, skillfully maneuvering through humans that couldn’t care less if they crushed him under their shoes.
As soon as Tommy made it to the bench, he put on his biggest pleading eyes and the cutest, tiniest meows he could project from his little vocal chords.
Meow! Meow!
Tommy brushed against the man’s leg, rubbing his head up and down. The man startled, looking down.
“Awww!” The man cooed, setting his food to the side and reaching down. Tommy let himself go limp in the man’s hold.
The things he did for food.
The man held him up to his face, grinning. “Well hello there, little one! Aren’t you just the cutest little thing. What are you doing out here all by yourself? You’re just a kitten.”
Tommy glared but quickly schooled his expression.
As much as he didn’t like being called a kitten, people tended to give him more food if he just acted that way. (He was a kitten. He was much too young for this. He shouldn’t have been out here all alone. But people don’t like shifters. And Tommy found they were much nicer to a cat than a dirty 7 year old kid.)
“Well, my name is Wilbur. I think I’ll call you… Sunshine. Because your fur is very golden. I bet it would shine even more with a little grooming.”
Wilbur set him down in his lap, reaching for his hot dog and breaking off a piece of it. He held it out in front of Tommy’s face, letting Tommy sniff at it before chowing down.
Tommy’s stomach rumbled, pleased with the meal.
Wilbur smiled, running his large hand over Tommy’s back. His hand was almost as big as he was.
“I think…” Wilbur hummed as he handed the boy another piece of food. “I think I’ll take you home. I’ve been meaning to get a cat anyway. And I think you’re perfect.”
Tommy tried not to freeze, not wanting to alert the man that he understood what he just said.
It seemed Tommy had miscalculated. He thought Wilbur just looked like a friendly dude, not one that would try to adopt him.
Tommy finished off that bite, quickly standing up.
“Hold on, sunshine—“
Tommy leaped off Wilbur’s lap, the man letting out a startled sound. The man got up, ready to run after him but Tommy was much too fast and the crowd was much too dense for Wilbur to get through.
Tommy swiftly climbed back up the fire escape, hopping up as fast as he could. Wilbur watched him, a large frown on his face.
Tommy went on his way without looking back.
-/-/-/-/-/-
Tommy woke up to something shuffling, a warm feeling caressing his cheek. Tommy let one eye open, blinking blearily.
There was…
A cat. There was a cat licking him.
The dark brown, fluffy cat stopped, taking a step back and meowing at him.
What… was happening right now?
The cat sat down, putting itself lower to the ground and giving a playful look. Tommy blinked, shrugging internally.
Why not?
Tommy got up, preparing to pounce as well. Tommy let his tail flick behind him before he jumped at the older cat. The brown Maine Coon let Tommy strike him, rolling onto his back. Tommy bit down on its neck, not using too much strength. Truthfully, he doubted using full strength would help much.
The cat yowled over exaggerated sounds of pain playfully. Tommy smiled to himself.
This was fun!
The cat suddenly turned over, burying him in a blanket of fur and playfully batting at him. Tommy hissed, going after the Maine Coon’s paws. The cat simply moved its paws around, letting Tommy chase them as if they were mice.
And they played for Tommy doesn’t know how long. The moon was still out, but the sky was beginning to turn from inky black to a lighter shade of blue.
He better go get prepared for the day. Maybe he could get a couple bites from someone’s lunch box as they made their way to work in the morning. Tommy stood up, meowing a quick thank you before turning to trot off.
Before he could take any more steps, a jaw clamped around the scruff of his neck, lifting him into the air. Tommy yowled loudly, feet scrambling for purchase. The cat simply purred loudly, starting to head down the alleys in an unfamiliar direction.
Tommy kicked his paws, eyes wide.
Was he getting adopted by a random street cat?
Uh oh.
Tommy meowed louder, trying to shout his protests over the loud purrs from the Maine Coon. Though, it was difficult with his instincts latching onto the cat. Those purrs were so calming. Tommy shook his head violently.
Get it together!
He needed to get out of here!
Tommy glanced around, looking for any signs of humans.
They were alone.
Tommy held his breath, hoping no one would suddenly appear as he began to shift. The car let out a startled sound, jaw unclenching as Tommy flopped to the floor.
The boy groaned, feeling his joints and bones pop back into place.
Tommy looked at the cat, and he didn’t think he’d ever seen a cat with its jaw dropped before.
It stared at him in utter disbelief and befuddlement. It took a step towards him, Tommy smiling.
“Surprise!” He chuckled. “Not a kitten.”
Suddenly, another loud crack and pop sounded, Tommy’s eyes widened as he saw the cat shift.
Into the man at the bench.
Wilbur stared at him, standing at his full height. Tommy’s lips parted, surprise on his face.
“You’re… a shifter too?” Tommy asked quietly, a sense of hope sparking inside him.
Another shifter? Another shifter?!
Tommy had never met another one before!
Wilbur smiled, bending down to eye level with him and holding out his hands. “Yes, sunshine. I’m… I’m so happy I got to meet you!”
Tommy took Wilbur’s hands, smiling brightly. “My name is Tommy! And I didn’t know you were one either! That’s so cool!”
Wilbur chuckled, opening his arms. “Would you like a hug?”
Tommy nodded vigorously, letting Wilbur pull him into a gentle hold. Tommy melted, purring happily. Wilbur chuckled, purring back.
“Y’know… My offer still stands. Would you like to come stay with me? I’ve got enough to provide for you, and you can leave at any time.”
Tommy’s eyes lit up. “Yes please!”
How could he say no to a fellow shifter?!
Tommy wanted to learn all about it. He was sure Wilbur had lots of knowledge on it. And Wilbur had somehow settled enough in the human world to get a job?
It was perfect.
A home that Tommy could be his full self in. It was a dream come true.
Wilbur chuckled, lifting him up into the air as he stood. “Then let’s get going. We’ll figure everything out a little bit later. I’m sure you’re hungry though.”
Tommy nodded once more unable to stop grinning, Wilbur booping his nose before heading in the direction of his house.
The start of something new!