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Powder knew he was going to find out sooner or later.
She just had to beat him to it.
It’s not like they couldn’t accommodate a pet – their flat was big enough to fit a bunch of toys, a litter, maybe even a cat tree! She was giddy at the thought alone. They had a balcony as well, so the little guy wouldn’t have to be trapped inside all the time, and they could take walks outside with him too. And anyway, they already talked about adding a new member to their small, two-person family. Granted, it was last night and they were talking about a distant future, but they did talk about it nonetheless! She just needed to convince Ekko that he wanted the fleabag as much as her.
And want him, she did. He was a bit ugly-looking and it made her fall in love with the creature at first sight. He looked like he was born in a wet cardboard box, which she guessed wasn’t that far from the truth, considering the shape he was in when she found him and brought him back home. A scraggly little thing, big blue eyes that stared into your soul and brown fur mixed with some grey and orange in it. She cleaned him up the best she could with all the experience in cat care she had, which was none at all. He still looked a bit rough though, but he’d get better once he was in proper shape, she figured.
Powder nervously waited in the living room, picking at her nails, as she waited for Ekko to come home after his shift in the library – it paid enough, plus, he’d bring a book or two from time to time that they’d read and discuss together once they were done, which was an added bonus. Finally, she heard a key turning in the lock, followed by Ekko opening the door and walking inside, an irritated look on his face. Alright, she’d probably have to put more work in convincing him than she originally planned, but no biggie! Powder had her methods.
“What’s got you lookin’ all wound up, wonder boy?” it could honestly be anything, but she already had a guess by the tired sigh he let out.
“We had to call that Jayce guy to remind him that his deadline came up. Again,” Ekko dropped his bag, letting his body fall on the couch next to her. She scooted a little closer, playing with his locs.
“The romance novels guy? Probably jizzed all over the pages and now he’s all freaked out about it,” the guy would come to the library and pick up the novels every once in a while. Sucker. “Maybe he finally came back to reality and got some, figured he doesn’t need the books anymore”
“You’re disgusting,” despite the groan, she could see the corners of his mouth lift up slightly in that fond smile of his she loved so much.
“I can go raid his place for you, just need an address and a hairpin,” she winked, a wicked grin on her face. Ekko turned his head towards her, scoffing as he closed his eyes, humming in content.
“Give me a couple more days and I might take you up on that.”
She put her legs on his lap, trying to figure out how to break the news of the kitten currently sleeping in their bedroom. As she was running through her options, she noticed him glancing at her out of the corner of her eye.
“Hey, you okay? What’s up?” damn him and his annoying, perceptive mind.
“Pff, me? I’m fine! Nothing’s up with me, what’s up with you?” the nerves shook her voice a little, “Are you seeing things? And I thought I was supposed to be the Madness to your Genius here”
“You’re biting your lip,” shit. “And you stopped playing with my hair” he smirked, his thumb gently drawing circles on her knee. “Seriously, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but– I’m always here for you y’know?”
Alright, there’s no getting out of this then. Here it goes,
“I found a cat today. On the street. He was covered in mud and fleas and all,” she started.
“Oh. Well, that’s… sad?” Powder always had a weak heart when it came to animals, but she was never nervous about it, more. Dramatic. Sometimes, she’d even cry a little too.
“He’s in our bedroom” That made him freeze up a bit. She continued, “But listen, okay, he was–”
“You brought a cat filled with fleas into our bedroom?”
“Just listen! He looked so sad, okay, and I couldn’t–”
“Powder.”
“I couldn’t just leave him! He’s so small and… and ugly”
Ekko chuckled in surprise, “You brought a cat here because he looked sad and ugly?”
“That’s not the only reason! He’s kinda cute, if you don’t look into his eyes for too long! And he was alone, and hungry, and mewling for his mom and– God, I didn’t want to leave him there, okay?” she finished, frustrated. She could still win him over, she knew she could. She just had to–
“Alright”
Alright?
“Alright?” Well, that was easier than she thought it would be.
“Alright,” he sighed, pulling her legs off his lap, “Show me the depressed, ugly cat”
“I didn’t say he’s ugly, he’s just… a little bit ugly. That’s not the same,” she was already walking towards their bedroom, Ekko in tow.
“...Pow, you did say he was ugly. You said he looked sad, small and ugly”
She groaned, “Whatever, tom-a-to, tom-ah-to. He’s still kinda cute”
Ekko knelt down, looking into the box Powder used to bring the cat inside. The creature was already looking up, blue eyes pulling him in, as it let out a small mewl. The man rubbed his face in exhaustion.
“Have you named him yet?” Powder beamed at the question,
“Yes! His name is Zebby!” Almost there.
“You– you named him after your bomb,” he deadpanned.
“It wasn’t a bomb, it was– it was a… passion project. It was filled with glitter, what kinda bombs are filled with glitter?”
“Yours are”
“Oh, shut up,” this was annoying, he was so annoying.
Ekko laughed quietly, as to not startle the kitten – Zebby, apparently – and slowly reached out his hand, inviting the cat to greet him. Zebby sniffed it cautiously and then rubbed his head against Ekko’s palm. Powder waited in anticipation.
“Can we keep him?” she whispered. Ekko hesitated. Alright, it’s time to bring out the big guns,
“Please?” that would get him, she knew it would. She put on her best puppy-eyed look, biting her lip – double strike. He was down for the count.
“Fine,” shoulders falling in defeat, Ekko scratched Zebby behind his ear, which earned him a loud, vibrating purr. The cat kept rubbing his hand in content.
Bingo! K.O. motherfucker! Powder squealed in excitement, immediately regretting it, as she watched Zebby back out a little, his head snapping in her direction. They would work on that.
“I knew I married you for a reason,” she murmured, her arms wrapping around his neck tightly. Ekko shook his head and kissed her cheek.
“Yeah, I love you, too,” he said, making her giggle.
Oh, he would fall in love with Zebby, sooner or later. Until then, she was content with being a single mother.