Chapter Text
Night in Gotham had a way of making the city feel larger than it really was. Buildings stretched higher, alleys seemed deeper, shadows thicker. Streetlights flickered like tired eyes, and somewhere far away a siren wailed before fading into the endless hum of traffic and rainwater dripping from old rooftops.
You walked through the narrow streets of the East End, hands tucked deep in your pockets, shoulders slightly hunched against the chill. You knew these streets better than most people who actually lived in apartments here, you knew which alleyways were quiet enough to sleep in without being bothered, which dumpsters behind restaurants still had edible leftovers, which convenience stores had broken security cameras.
You also knew exactly where the cats liked to hide. They were everywhere if you knew how to look, small shapes slipping between trash bins, eyes glowing briefly in the dark before vanishing again. Tonight you had three cans of cheap cat food hidden inside your jacket and a small bag of dry kibble you’d managed to swipe earlier from a pet supply store. It had taken longer than usual, the clerk had been paying more attention than most.
By the time you turned down the alley you had claimed as your usual spot, the sky above was already dark enough that the tops of the buildings blended together into a single jagged silhouette. The alley was quiet except for the soft clatter of a loose metal sign shifting in the wind. You crouched down near the wall where you normally fed them and tapped your fingers lightly against the pavement. It didn’t take long, first came the gray one with the torn ear, the one who had found you that first night months ago. He appeared from behind an old crate like he’d been waiting all evening, tail held high like some scruffy little king inspecting his territory. Then two more slipped out from under a car. Another dropped down from a fire escape with the silent grace only cats seemed to have. Within minutes there were half a dozen weaving around your legs and bumping their heads against your hands. You sighed quietly, though there was something softer behind the sound. “Relax,” you muttered, already pulling one of the cans from your jacket. “You’d think I forgot you or something”
The gray one meowed loudly in protest as if to say you absolutely had. You rolled your eyes slightly but scratched behind his ear anyway before prying open the first can using the little piece of bent metal you always carried.
You set the can down and they dove in almost instantly, little bodies pressing together as they ate. You opened the second one and pushed it toward the others. A few new strays had started showing up lately, thin things with wary eyes that kept their distance until they realized there was food involved.
Tonight one of them approached slowly from the far end of the alley. This one was different from the others, its fur was sleek despite living outside, black as the shadows around it with bright green eyes that reflected the streetlight above. It moved confidently, not creeping the way most strays did. You noticed that immediately and tilted your head slightly.
“You’re new” The cat paused only for a moment before stepping closer. Unlike the others it didn’t hesitate, it sat down near the food like it had every right to be there and looked up at you with calm, unbothered eyes. You squinted at it. “You don’t look starving.” Still, you reached into the bag and poured a small pile of kibble onto the pavement near it. The cat lowered its head and started eating, you watched it for a second, arms resting loosely on your knees. Then a voice spoke from somewhere behind you. “They’re already fed.”
The words were calm but carried a certain firmness to them. You froze for half a second before turning your head sharply. A woman was standing near the mouth of the alley, leaning casually against the brick wall like she had been there the whole time. You hadn’t heard her approach, that alone made your eyes narrow slightly. She looked completely out of place and yet somehow perfectly at home in Gotham at the same time. Her dark hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, and the streetlight caught faint hints of green in her eyes. Her clothes were simple, dark jacket, fitted pants, boots, but everything about the way she stood suggested quiet confidence, like someone who was always aware of exactly what was happening around them. The black cat continued eating the kibble without a care in the world. You glanced down at it, then back up at the woman. Your voice came out flat. “Good for them,” The woman’s eyebrow lifted slightly. You gestured toward the cats with a small shrug. “They’re eating again.” Your tone carried its own hint of stubborn authority. She studied you for a moment, eyes flicking briefly to the pile of cats gathered around the food. Something about the scene seemed to amuse her. “You feed strays,” she observed casually.
“Obviously.” The gray cat meowed loudly and climbed halfway into your lap like he wanted attention. You absently scratched behind his ears while still watching the woman. “You’ve been doing this long?” she asked. You shrugged again. “Long enough.” The black cat finished the kibble and licked its paw, looking entirely satisfied with itself. The woman pushed away from the wall and walked closer, her footsteps light but deliberate. You stiffened slightly as she approached. Most people in Gotham didn’t walk into dark alleys just to chat with strangers but she didn’t seem threatening exactly, if anything she looked… curious. She stopped a few feet away and crouched down smoothly, reaching out to scratch the black cat under the chin. The cat immediately leaned into her hand like it knew her. Your eyes narrowed again. “Your cat?” The corner of her mouth curved faintly. “One of them.” You snorted quietly under your breath. “Figures.” She glanced up at you. “Figures?” You gestured lazily at the cat. “Too clean. Too confident. And not starving.” Her smile widened just a little, like she appreciated the observation.
“You noticed.” “Not blind.” The gray cat pawed at your sleeve demanding more attention. You scratched behind his ear again without looking down. The woman watched the motion carefully. “You don’t seem like the type to run a charity,” she said lightly. Your eyes flicked back to hers immediately. The coldness in your expression returned in an instant. “Didn’t realize feeding cats required a personality type.” She laughed softly at that. It wasn’t mocking, more… entertained. “Fair point.” The black cat finished grooming itself and hopped up onto a nearby crate, tail swishing lazily. The woman straightened slightly but didn’t leave. “Still,” she continued, studying you in that quiet assessing way again, “most people in this city steal for themselves.”
You didn’t react right away, you just slowly opened another can and set it down for the smaller cats who were still trying to push their way into the earlier piles. Then you finally looked back at her. Your voice was calm but blunt. “Most people in this city aren’t worth stealing for.” That made her laugh again, this time a little louder. “You’re a blunt one.” You shrugged. “You’re the one standing in an alley criticizing someone for feeding animals.” “Not criticizing.” Her eyes flicked toward the cats again. “Just observing.” You watched her carefully. “You always observe strangers in dark alleys?” Her smile sharpened slightly. “Only the interesting ones.” The word interesting hung in the air for a moment, you didn’t look flattered, if anything you looked slightly more suspicious. The gray cat climbed fully into your lap now, curling up like he owned you. You rested a hand on his back absentmindedly. The woman watched that too, something thoughtful flickering briefly across her face.
“They trust you” she said. “They’re cats,” you replied. “They trust whoever feeds them.” She tilted her head slightly. “Not always.” You didn’t answer that.
For a moment the alley was quiet except for the small sounds of cats eating and the distant noise of Gotham traffic echoing between buildings. The woman finally stood up, brushing her hands lightly against her jacket. “Well,” she said casually, “I suppose I’ll let you continue your… charitable activities.” You gave a small dismissive shrug. “Do what you want.” She started to walk away, then paused after a few steps and glanced back over her shoulder. The amusement was still there in her eyes. “You know,” she added lightly, “if you’re going to steal cat food, you should probably avoid the pet store on Grant Street tomorrow. They’re installing new cameras.” Your head snapped up slightly. She winked. Then she turned and disappeared down the street before you could say anything else.
You sat there for a moment surrounded by cats, staring toward the empty alley entrance. The gray cat meowed impatiently in your lap, demanding more attention. You sighed quietly and scratched behind his ear again. “…weird lady.” But somewhere across the street, hidden in the shadows above the rooftops, a familiar pair of green eyes lingered on the alley just a little longer, watching you with unmistakable interest.