Chapter Text
Rain pelted down at her form, her stupid, forgetful form that forget her umbrella and now has to suffer through a storm!
Lumine sped-walked home from her job, her steps quick yet careful to ensure she wouldn’t slip in a puddle and fall flat on her ass. The distant crack of thunder only seemed to make the rain come down faster, and she felt every fibre of her being become completely soaked.
Usually she’d take the bus home, but she had to stay overtime and missed it, and the next bus would be in two hours. She thought it’d be fine to walk home, sure it’s like half an hour away by foot, but of course it had to rain. She shouldn’t be surprised though, the forecast clearly stated it, it’s her fault she ignored it.
Following a stroke of thunder, she heard a noise from besides her. Snapping her head over, all she saw was a bush. Thinking herself stupid for stopping, she was about to keep going when another noise was heard following the thunder.
Was that… a meow?
Crouching down, she peaked forwards to look in closer, and amongst the brambles was a black form. Though dark, she could just make out a shivering kitten curled up in the bush.
Poor thing.. how’d it get out here?
She really shouldn’t be taking in a cat right now, but… Lumine always did have a big heart, too compassionate for her own good, that’s what her brother always said anyways.
“Hey little guy,” she said softly, to which the kitten looked up, its eyes looked almost as if in tears. That didn’t make sense, but she couldn’t help but feel bad for the little feline.
She reached forwards to pick it up, it hissed at her in warning.
“I’m not trying to hurt you, I promise.” She ignored it, and endured the scratches it gave her as she cradled it to her chest, slipping it under her shirt to avoid it from getting wetter.
It stilled as she held it close, so Lumine took that as her chance to start heading home. She was much closer now, only about ten minutes away. She softly whispered to it as she made it home, which was a thankful sight as she made it inside.
She quickly got a towel, focusing on drying it off first. Now that she was in proper lighting, and it’s fur freshly dry, its black coat almost seemed a rich purple. It was small, and very cute, she couldn’t help the coo that fell from her lips, which she received a hiss in response. It was a grumpy cat, it seemed.
She tried to pick it up again, but it gave her a nasty scratch and ran under the cupboard besides her front door. She took that as her chance to focus on herself, getting the second towel to dry herself, moving to her room to change into some pjs. She felt little eyes on her as she changed, which she found to be the cat which followed her into her bedroom and was now peaking out from under her dresser. A little creepy, but it was so cute in its own sense.
Looking through her pantry, she managed to find a tin of tuna, that’ll be good enough until she can go to grab some actual cat food for it. She opened it, leaving the tin in front of the kitten’s newest hiding spot. She turned back to make some instant noodles for herself, hearing the faint footsteps of the cat before the sound of it lapping down the food.
She ate on the couch, watching some tv to enjoy her time off. She noted how it was slowly edging closer to her, until it sat curled up besides her. She held back a coo, reaching down to scratch behind its ear. She received a displeased meow, but it seemed to not be bothered by it all.
“What’s your name, little guy?” She mumbled slightly to herself, noting the fact it had no collar. Must be a stray, she really did hope it didn’t have any diseases on him. It looked up at her with its teary eyes, as if asking her what she meant.
“You were just wandering out there, huh? Maybe that should be your name. Wanderer,” she said, now talking to the cat, giving it another pat, and it gently leaned into her hand, a slow, quiet purr coming out from him.
“You like that name?” She asked, to which the purr hiccuped slightly, suggesting he did. She didn’t know much about cats, but that’s what it sounded like to her, anyways.
She found herself falling asleep on the couch next to her little feline friend.
-<~>-
He didn’t like humans.
He didn’t like anything really, especially storms. He hated them. It was just bad timing that he was spotted amidst a storm. He didn’t want to be taken home, and he tried to tell her that.
(If he really wanted to, he’d have taken his other shape and told her off for touching him)
She cradled him so close, held him with such care that it seemed his brain short-circuited. It’s the storms fault. Probably.
When they got into a house, he finally got a good look at her. She was… not bad. And she seemed nice. Maybe he could stay a while… till the terrible storm was over!
He didn’t want her to like him, he was mean to her, but she didn’t really seem bothered, just sighing and walking away. So he followed. And if his cat form could blush as she shamelessly stripped out of her dripping dress, then he’d be brighter than a rose. She had a nice… what was he saying!
She gave him some food, then left him alone. She wasn’t like those other pathetic humans that’d take him home. They’d hover and tick him off, acting as if he was some damn helpless creature that needed all their attention.
But she left him alone, and he almost felt like he did need attention then. What was this silly human doing to him! He’s going crazy from just existing near her.
But that didn’t stop him from getting closer. Slowly, as if she wouldn’t notice, he sat besides her. She patted him after a moment’s hesitation, as if offering her hand in question of if she’s allowed. He let out a meow at her foolishness.
She gave him a name.
‘Wanderer’
He… supposed it’ll do. Better than his last one anyways.
When she fell asleep, only then did he let himself shift, rearranging his parts until he resembled her. Human; that is. He looked very different, of course.
He reached out to touch her, and she didn’t do as much as move. A heavy sleeper, it seems. He cradled her face, feeling ever curve of her plush cheeks, fingers lingering over her soft, pink lips that he begs to caress further. Maybe with his own.
He really was going crazy. What a silly human she was, making him feel this way.
But… he didn’t want to be betrayed again; he couldn’t handle the pain.
He slipped his hand into her hair, feeling those soft, golden locks twirl around his fingers as he fiddled with it. He felt like she wouldn’t though, his heart begged him to hold her close, to trust her and let himself fall in love.
Pfff-!! What was he on about! Love?!
He quickly shifted back into his other shape, fur curling over his limbs as he settled himself on the opposite end of the couch.
She was driving him crazy. He had to leave, quickly.
-<~>-
When she woke up, it was much later on the day then she had meant to wake up at. Oh well, it’s her day off goddam it! She rolled off the couch, back sore from sleeping on it all night. She noticed Wanderer was sleeping on the opposite end, must have moved when she was asleep.
Whilst making a quick breakfast, she went over some things she had to do today. Get some cat food for Wanderer, arrange a vet appointment, and get some groceries. After eating, she began getting ready to head out. She felt his little eyes on her again as she changed, seeing he was awake, back under her dresser.
She tried to pat him again, but he hissed and ran away. Oh well, she’s used to grumpy pets, nothing new there.
She grabbed her bag before heading to the door, she noticed Wanderer following her intently.
“I’ll be out for a while, please don’t wreck the place, ok?” She asked, praying to Celestia that he would somehow understand.
He obviously didn’t get the memo, following her out the door.
“What- no stay here, I mean you could leave, but I don’t want you to be on the streets, you don’t deserve that.” She pleaded, hoping he’d stay. She didn’t want him to leave, it was nice having company, especially when her brother is out and she hadn’t seen him for years now.
He clawed at her pants, pleading with her, but she didn’t know what.
“I can’t stay… do you want to come with me?” She opened her bag, hoping that he’d just jump in and didn’t turn and run like he should’ve. But to her shock, he got in, settled at the bottom looking so small.
“Ah-… alright!” She muttered to herself, before heading out, keeping her walk steady as not to shake him up too much. The walk is short, much shorter than that to her work. Just around the block, down the main road and a left onto the shopping block. She can feel Wanderer shift and she murmurs soft apologies to him.
People blur past an if almost in a blink of her eyes, she’s found herself in front of the cat food. Wanderer peeks his head out, looking at all the colourful cans as if he was carefully considering each option. What a silly fella.
“Seems somethings peaked your interest, huh, Mr grumpy pants.” She says softly so no passerbys could hear her practically talking to herself.
She brought the bag up to shelf, following the direction he was facing until she finally landed on a purplish can, tuna with vegetables, it seemed. She moved the bag a bit, watching the way his eyes seemed glued to it.
“This one it is then.” She muttered, stacking a few into her basket, walking into another isle to pick up some other things she needed. As she rounded the corner, she spotted a familiar face, casually browsing through some different bags of almonds.
“Xiao!” She said, alerting him to her position, and he turned to face her with a dusting of pink lighting his cheeks. This observation was not made by Lumine though, rather a particularly grumpy cat.
“Lumine,” he said softly, looking just below her eyes, and she chuckled at his shyness.
“I didn’t expect to see you here today! But I can’t say I’m disappointed,” she giggled, and he turned away slightly, cheeks turning from pink to red.
She heard a strange sound coming from her bag, and by extension, coming from Wanderer. She reaches hand down to try calm him, and he gently pushes his face against it in turn. It’s sweet, but she wasn’t really focused on him, much to the feline’s dismay.
“I was just getting some things for almond tofu, you’re still coming over to make it tomorrow… right?” He asked, finally looking her in the eye.
She takes her hand previously petting Wanderer to his, squeezing it lightly to assure him a bit.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Xiao gave a curt nod before looking back at the almonds, picking up the same pack he always got. He didn’t really look at her after that, awkwardly sifting his things in his own basket.
“Hehe, I’ll leave you to get back to your shopping then, Xiao. I’ll see you tomorrow at eight then?” She said and he nodded stiffly, and in turn, she gave a playful wave. She continued down the aisle, finding her way down to the very end to pick up some other items.
She could feel Wanderer moving in the bag, as if pacing it in thought. He was so human-like, unlike the very stupid Persian cat her and her brother had together, Paimon. She loved Paimon, but she wasn’t the smartest cat, always getting herself in a jam.
Unlike Wanderer, he almost seemed too smart to be a cat, mannerisms so much like a person she found it funny. How a cat could act like that would be a mystery she will never get an answer to.
She finished up and paid, ignoring a snide comment sent her way by the checkout worker. He was a creep, but she ignored him, not an uncommon thing. She would go somewhere else, but not only is this shop so close to her house, it also sells the cheapest things here, no better deals to be found elsewhere.
Gods, she’s sounding like a walking advertisement.
Walking inside, she quickly let Wanderer out to roam, and he slowly walked under the table by the doorway, peering out like usual.
“You must be pretty hungry, here, let’s get you some of that found, grumpy man.” She said, dropping her bag on the bench and opening the tin. He hopped up onto the table to eat it, not even letting her finish before devouring it. She felt bad for making him wait so long.
She gently pet him as he ate, a quiet purr rumbling out from his chest, whether from the food or from her pats, she doesn’t know. Maybe a bit of both.
She didn’t wait for him to finish, hopping onto her couch to watch some tv, letting herself relax. She didn’t even feel herself fall asleep, but maybe she had been working herself a bit too hard lately.
Regardless, she never finished that episode, rather, drifting off into peaceful bliss.
-<~>-
When his human fell asleep, only then did he shift.
He would rather not have his little secret coming loose so soon, enjoying this peaceful life with her, but fuck, did some other pathetic mortals make him want to blow that cover, and tear their faces off.
It started with that Xiao man. They seemed close, and he didn’t like the way the human looked at Lumine.
Lumine.
What a pretty name for his human, fitting for the light of his dark existence he supposed.
Regardless, he plans to find a way to stop Lumine from going over there, any way possible. To stay with him.
He especially didn’t like that cashier. The little comments he made to her were deafening, and watching the way her face tightened in discomfort, he knew what he needed to do.
Slipping out of the house, he was careful to swipe her keys. So he can get back in, and to make sure his human is locked in, tight and safe in their home. Yes… theirs.
He stalked down the shadowed streets I his human form, slipping through the night like he was born from it. He saw as the man began closing up the shop, watching as the crowd of three or so split up to leave.
Oh what a lucky cat he was.
He followed the snivelling human, watching as they tapped their way down the street. ‘Wanderer’ didn’t let him slip too far though, seeing a perfectly good alleyway only to leave it alone? How could he do that?
He pushed the human, his strength making the cashier fall to the ground in the alley, and Wanderer couldn’t decide between grinning like a maniac, or the cold wash of rage that took over his features.
The human didn’t even get a chance to scream before ‘Wanderer’ was finished with him. He didn’t want to leave Lumine for long, no that wouldn’t do. He carefully cleaned off one of his finger bones, leaving it a gleaming white, contrasting the dark reds and blacks painting the scene around him.
A souvenir, his first act of devotion. Not that she would know.
Slipping back inside, he curled up besides her this time, slipping the bone into her coat pocket as he dosed off to her warm skin brushing against his fur.
His human.
And he’s going to keep it that way