Work Text:
From the moment Rell decided to move into her girlfriend's apartment after a year of dating, she sensed an obstacle separating them whenever Rell got too close, something she could no longer simply smile away. She and her girlfriend had just walked into their California apartment after leaving the Pride parade, having taken countless photos along the way.
After all, her girlfriend was Seraphine, an indie singer who had even collaborated with the globally famous group K/DA. She had a daily obligation to update her fans on her life, meaning Rell had to switch between taking selfies with her and acting as her personal photographer receiving plenty of kisses as her "paycheck."
Seraphine had come out a year earlier, back during her time with K/DA, when Evelynn and Akali helped her embrace her sexuality and eventually start dating Rell. Fan reactions varied; some were disappointed due to sheer prejudice or parasocial frustration that they would never date her, while the majority turned it into the week's hot gossip, trying to guess who Seraphine was dating. No one, however, would have bet on a gorgeous park ranger who looked like a total hero after finding a lost Seraphine in the woods after the singer had wandered off to take photos in spots too stunning to ignore. They had been inseparable ever since, their romance blossoming quickly and lasting long enough for them to decide to move in together, bringing them to this very moment.
Seraphine headed straight to the kitchen to make coffee; her experience as a former barista meant she was in charge of the task every morning and afternoon. Rell followed her into the kitchen, setting out ingredients for the omelets she and her partner loved so much. The singer's phone rang with a custom ringtone that Rell recognized as her father's number. While Seraphine was chatting with her father, switching back and forth between Chinese and English, Rell had just enough time to make the omelets before her girlfriend finished pouring coffee into their custom mugs. These mugs were silly gifts they had given each other: Rell’s was purple with carousel horses, while Seraphine’s featured a kitten saying "Meow love." Before Rell could let Seraphine know the food was ready, her girlfriend hung up the phone, poured the still hot coffee into their mugs, and carried them over to the round table in the living room.
"Is everything okay?" Rell asked as she and her girlfriend plated the food, checking for any important news she might have missed or not understood.
Seraphine had kept the same apartment even after her popularity, and consequently her streaming numbers, had soared however, the place, which used to be fairly empty save for the music posters, was now filled with decor and items she hadn't been able to afford before, such as musical instruments and high quality cameras to record videos she’d upload to her channel.
“Yeah, he wanted to know how we were doing.” The singer speaks, happy about the simple fact of being able to chat with her dad about trivial things, like how happy she and her girlfriend looked in photos, and other topics that would make Rell blush if she knew what they were discussing.
“That’s great; maybe we could watch a movie later.” Rell says, pleased that everything is fine, and plants a kiss on Seraphine’s forehead before sitting down. Then, she feels a sharp pain in her shin.
The major obstacle had appeared: Bao, Seraphine’s cat, arguably the most spoiled feline in the world.
“Ouch, he still hates me.” Rell complains, looking down at her leg, which had just added another scratch to its collection.
No matter what tactics she tried, cardboard boxes, tuna wet food, toy mice, and even techniques used to de-escalate potential animal attacks, Bao didn't seem to like her one bit, even after a year of her dating Seraphine. And unfortunately for her, his attitude had only worsened once she moved in. Hugging her girlfriend? He’d meow and glare at her with eyes that were more judgmental than her parents’ ever were. Cuddling with Seraphine? Off-limits; he’d jump onto the bed and bite her feet.
“He’s not used to having to share me all day.” Seraphine finds the humor in the situation, as always; she’s amused by her cat’s jealousy.
Rell knew she couldn't compete with a cat; it would be immature of her. But also because she knew that in such a battle, she would definitely get a thrashing from said cat which would then lick its paws after finishing her off.
“I swear, if I show a picture of him to Quinn, she’s going to tell me he must be that missing mountain kitten.” Rell says in frustration, eating her spice filled omelet and seriously send a picture of the ferocious cat to her friend and fellow park ranger.
“He’ll get used to you eventually, honey.” Seraphine reassures her, and the two finish their afternoon snack before settling in to watch something on TV.
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As they sat on the sofa together after doing the dishes, Rell remained on high alert, expecting to be attacked by a highly dangerous ball of fur at any moment. When that moment didn't come, she relaxed a bit and let Seraphine pick the movie, especially since the horror film Rell had chosen the previous week had given Seraphine a nightmare, leaving Rell feeling guilty for days afterward. The singer didn't take long to choose a romance about an actress with a banana allergy and a woman who was her doctor and her ex who treated her at the hospital while she tried doing everything in her power to get back together.
Perhaps having relaxed a little too much, Seraphine felt the full weight of Rell’s head and her voluminous blonde hair resting against her own, and realized her girlfriend had somehow fallen asleep sitting up. It was typical for Rell to get bored with romance movies, yet she still made the effort to share a moment with her romcom loving girlfriend. What Seraphine didn't expect to find, however, was a tuft of white fur purring away in her girlfriend's lap, and in that moment, she knew exactly what her new phone wallpaper would be.