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Echo knocked on the door of Garroth, Dante, Laurance and Travis's home. She stepped back and as the door open, she smiled softly.
"Oh, hey Echo, what's up? Y'know you can just come in right?" Dante said with a smile.
"Hey, is Garroth home? I need to ask him something." She smiled.
"Oh, yeah! He's in his room. I think he's sulking about that cat again. It's been months, you'd think he would've forgotten by now." Dante rolled his eyes. Echo frowned lightly at Dante’s comment. She was a bit worried about Garroth.
"Is it okay if I go up to him?" She asked, putting her hands behind her back.
"Oh, yeah, go ahead." Dante stepped aside.
Echo walked up the stairs and stopped at Garroth's door, swallowing as she knocked on the door. She smiled again when Garroth answered, to which the taller blonde responded with a smile in return.
"Hey, you." He said softly, affectionately patting his friend on the head. He was fairly close with the shorter meif'wa.
"Hey, Dante told me you were sulking again." She said lightly, and Garroth rolled his eyes.
"I'm not sulking." He huffed.
"Are you sad over... you know who again?" She asked quietly.
"You don't need to beat around the bush, Echo. Yes, I am sad over sprinkles again." He said defeated. Echo's face softened.
"Aw.." she said sympathetically. Garroth rolled his eyes.
"It's stupid. She wasn't even my cat."
"It's not stupid. You cared about her." Echo said softly.
"Do you wanna come around to mine? It might distract you from being sad." She offered lightly. Garroth just seemed to nod. And with that, they made their way to the meif'wa's house. Echo unlocked the door and they went inside. Echo's house was a lot smaller than Garroth's, which was ideal because she lived alone.
"I have something to show you... I have a feeling it will cheer you up." Echo smiled and led Garroth to the room she usually used for her music practice, although right now there was nothing in there aside from... a little fabric play pen?
"What's this?" Garroth asked curiously. "Clearing this room out for your little niece?" His voice was cheerful.
"No, Irene no.." She said lightly and went over and reached into the pen.
"Close your eyes..." she said softly, and that he did. She took something out of the pen and held it close to her chest, before walking back over.
"Open," she said softly. Garroth opened his eyes and his eyes widened when he saw she was holding this teeny tiny calico kitten in her hands.
"Oh my Irene... hello little one" he said, pure awe in his voice as he scratched the kitten's head gently. Echo smiled as the kitten reacted to his touch by closing her eyes and letting out a rattly purr.
"I usually only take kittens in during the summer... but this ones old enough to not need constant attention. That, and she was by herself..." Echo explained.
"She's so small..." he said with a smile. This had definitely cheered him up. Echo felt proud at that fact. Garroth had always been so soft when it came to animals, especially baby ones. This little kitten seemed to trust him so much already.
"You can hold her if you want." Echo offered, and Garroth took the tiny kitten from Echo's hands and held her close to his chest, gently stroking her tiny, fuzzy head with his thumb.
"Have you named her yet?" He asked quietly. Echo shook her head. "Not yet... Do you have any suggestions?"
Garroth hummed, being so damn careful not to hurt the tiny creature in his larger hands. His heart just about melted when the kitten started falling asleep in his hands.
"Oh... she's so tame isn't she?" He said softly. Sprinkles was the last thing on Garroth's mind right now, not when a pretty girl had invited him over to hold the smallest cat he has ever held. He kept gently petting the kitten's head, ensuring she was calm, which she was.
"Of course she's tame, Gar. She's been handled by people since birth." Echo explained, coming over and resting her hand on his shoulder.
Garroth thought for a moment. "Hmm... how about muffin? It suits a little calico cutie like herself." Garroth said, glee in his tone. He had only known the kitten for a couple of minutes and yet he had fallen in love. He'd need to talk to Dante, Laurance and Travis about this.
~~~
It had been just about 4 weeks since Garroth had met Muffin for the first time. It gave him an excuse to be over at Echo's house more. He got to watch the kitten grow up, and become less shy. The more he was around the kitten, the more he grew attached to her. he was at Echo's house yet again, watching over the kitten as the meif'wa prepared food for the small creature. As Echo entered the room, she spoke up.
"She got adopted." She spoke casually, Muffin meowing loudly as Echo placed the bowl down. Garroth could feel his heart dropping in his chest.
"What? Already?" He said, trying not to seem sad that this kitten he had grown so attached to would be going to her forever home.
"Mhm! Her new owners should actually be here to pick her up soon. I better go get her carrier ready." Echo skipped off to go prepare the carrier, having bought a special blanket and toys to put in it. Garroth looked down at Muffin.
"Goin' to your forever home, huh?" He said sadly, stroking her tiny head with his finger as she ate from her bowl, listening to her rattly purr. "I hope they're good to you, little one. I'm gonna miss ya." He said. Echo came back into the room not long later and set her carrier down.
The next 20 minutes dragged on for Garroth, waiting in agony for Muffin's new owners to come and get her. When the doorbell rang, Garroth stiffened. Muffin had since finished her food, used the litter box, and settled in Garroth's lap. He sighed, stroking her soft fur as he watched Echo leave the room to answer the door. Echo opened the door, and Garroth immediately recognized who was at it.
"Hey, Echo!! Is the kitten ready?" Dante asked with a smile. Echo nodded and stepped aside.
"She is, come in." Echo stepped aside to let Dante and Travis in.
"I can't wait to meet the little thing. Garroth hasn't shut up about her." The white haired man laughed quietly. Garroth got up slowly, placing Muffin in her carrier. He left the room, a confused look on his face.
"Dante? Travis? What are you two doing here?" he asked, looking between his two friends with a raised eyebrow. Echo was grinning, very clearly in on what was going on.
"Well, we know how sad you've been about... uh, she who shall not be named, and how much coming over here to spend time with Muffin has helped you." Dante started.
"It was Echo's idea, but we decided to adopt Muffin on your behalf." Travis continued and then gestured to the excited meif'wa. "She couldn't stop gushing about how you were the perfect owner for this kitten." Garroth looked between the three of them.
"and Laurance?- Does- does he know?" He stammered. Echo nodded excitedly.
"Mhm! I made sure to check with all of them first!" She said, bouncing on her heels.
"You guys..." Garroth said, his voice unintentionally cracking with emotion. "That's so sweet of you all." He spoke, and then Echo briskly led him to the kitchen.
"You need to sign her adoption papers. Proof of ownership and all. I'll be sure to let you know when she's old enough to be spayed." She spoke, handing him a pen and gesturing to the papers. So this cat was really his, huh? Garroth signed the papers and Echo quickly ran off to get the kitten. She came back and handed the cat carrier to Garroth. "She's all yours, Gar." She smiled. Garroth grinned back.
"I'll take care of her, I promise."
~~~
Later that night, Garroth lay on his bed. Muffin was settling surprisingly well. She had taken a liking to Dante, Travis and Laurance. Of course, Garroth was still her favourite out of the boys though. As Garroth lay on the bed, watching TV, he could feel a small weight on his chest. He looked down and noticed Muffin had laid down on it. He smiled and pet her gently, hearing that rattly purr he never thought he'd hear again. He spoke up, his voice soft and gentle;
"Welcome home, Muffin."