Chapter Text
“That stray tabby is back. I saw it run under those cars just now”, Mira shouted into the house as she brought the groceries in, no other greeting necessary.
The tap-tap-tap of Zoey sprinting across the living room brought a smile to her face that widened even more when her girlfriend popped her head into the hall, eyes wide.
“Oh my god, really!?”, she asked, peering out the little glass window on their front door in an attempt to see. As if the cat hadn't already hid somewhere. Undeterred, Zoey left again, apparently toward the kitchen. “Hold on”, she shouted. “I’ve got the cat food I bought! I’ll put it out!”
Mira did not ‘hold on’, since there was really no need for her to. She carried her bags into the kitchen and watched Zoey pry open a can of wet food, dumping it into a newly purchased cat bowl. It had turtles on it, obviously.
“Careful, you might attract rats”, Mira told her without any actual concern, as she followed her back to the front door where Zoey carefully considered where best to put it.
“I’ll watch it like a hawk, I promise!”, Zoey said as she finally made her decision. Her face was sullen as she came back to Mira. “I just feel so terrible for the little thing. It looks half-starved.”
“Hey, I don't disagree”, Mira said with a shrug, opening her arms for Zoey to come closer, laying her hands around her middle once she did. “I wouldn't mind a new roommate”, she mused, thinking of the tabby snuggled up on their couch. “But that cat is more skittish than my brother’s hamster used to be and he tormented that poor creature”, she warned Zoey, not wanting her to get too optimistic. Strays could be difficult. She should know, since she was one.
“I know, I know”, Zoey said with a roll of her eyes and a sigh. She wrapped her arms high around Mira’s neck and then looked back out the door’s window at the food bowl. “I hope this is far enough from the door?”
Mira tipped Zoey’s face back toward her with a single finger against her chin. “You’re overthinking it”, she warned. Then she leaned down and pressed a quick, reassuring kiss to her lips.
Zoey sighed again when Mira was done. “I know”, she said. She perked up again when she asked: “How was work?”
Mira shrugged, extracting herself from their embrace to take off her jacket and finish putting away her stuff as she spoke: “It was good. We still have a lot of new-years-resolutioners, so there’s a lot of form correcting and trying to pick up the vibe of each person so you don't correct anyone who’ll take it personally.” Mira grumbled as she thought about that kind of person, wondering why they’d even go to a dancing gym if they didn't want to learn. “Those people never last long.”
“Any good ones among the newbies?”, Zoey asked, always so adorably curious and still looking out the window. “Multitasking”, she called it. “Easily distracted”, was Mira’s far more accurate term for it, in her opinion. She didn't mind. It was cute.
“Oh for sure”, she said. “One girl apparently used to dance competitively before she strained her ankle. Now she’s back just for fun and I sometimes feel like she’s better than m–”
Zoey’s excited gasp interrupted her. “Mira!” Zoey immediately shouted, waving wildly with her hand in Mira’s direction until Mira moved close enough for her to grab. “Ohmygodohmygod! It’s eating it! Look, look!”
Mira looked and indeed, where Zoey had placed the little green bowl, the same tabby she’d seen earlier was carefully chewing small bites of the food, always anxiously looking around the street between every bite. Its stripes were pretty unique – at least as far as Mira had seen – with interesting zig-zags to them. It was hard to appreciate how pretty it was though, with how its ribs showed under the scruffy fur.
“Nice”, Mira noted, already planning out how best to wash it if it ever let her. Who was the one being too optimistic now, she wondered. “I guess it was more hungry than afraid.”
“Of course it is!”, Zoey said, once again pouting, face nearly pressed against the glass. “Poor thing. I’ll get it in here, just you wait!” Zoey poked a finger toward the cat, determination in her eyes. “You are going to learn to trust me, kitty! And then I’ll cuddle you every day!”
Mira couldn't help but chuckle. “What am I going to do then?”, she asked playfully.
Zoey turned towards her with a big grin on her face, wrapping her arms around her again. “I’ll obviously keep cuddling you too”, she said, going up on her toes for another kiss. Mira relished how easily she could ask without asking and Zoey could give without hesitation. She was so god damned lucky. “Impossible, by the way”, Zoey said once she’d broken the kiss.
“What?” Zoey’s chaotic brain had gotten away from her again.
“That that new girl is a better dancer than you”, Zoey clarified. “That’s impossible.”
Mira laughed warmly. “You have to say that, you’re my girlfriend.”
“I speak only truth”, Zoey insisted, lifting a finger she promptly used to boop Mira’s nose. “You’ll see. That kitty will learn to trust me – trust us – and then you’ll see that I’m always right.”
There was no way Mira could argue with that so she just smiled and said: “Sounds good to me.”
=^•×•^=
“I think I’m going to call her Pumpkin Spice Latte”, Zoey said six weeks later, sitting on the living room couch with the very offended, half-dried cat sitting pressed into a corner across the room. It was closer to the hall with the front door open wide enough for the cat to leave – but it didn't.
It had taken days of moving the food bowl closer and closer towards the door and finally into the house. This cat was truly unusually wary, but Zoey had patience and an abundance of care for animals to draw on. Eventually the cat had been comfortable enough to come all the way inside, though it dashed for the door the moment anyone made a move to close it. It wasn't keen on getting trapped. Hadn't been at the start and wasn't now, though today the cat had let its guard down far enough for the first time for Mira to come up behind it and scoop it into her arms.
The hissing and snarling and scratching had been instant but Mira had been ready for it and somehow she’d managed to keep a hold on it. She’d checked it for ticks and bathed it, getting halfway through the drying off process before it had finally escaped her again. Now Zoey and Mira were on the couch across the room from it with the first-aid kit, Zoey lovingly bandaging the scratches on Mira’s arms. Her brave warrior returned from battle. It brought back bittersweet memories, but she was so grateful that Mira had agreed to do this.
“Why?”, Mira asked her about her name idea and Zoey grinned, even though she’d known Mira would ask. She was still excited to get to tell her.
“Because I had one yesterday, and I think it sounds cute, just like this kitty. And obviously it’s a spicy one but ultimately soft and soothing, just like the toasty winter feeling of pumpkin spice lattes! Also, how funny is it to call a cat Latte? You know. Because they’re lactose intolerant?”
Mira chuckled as she looked at the cat who was watching them with its amber eyes, so bright they almost looked golden. “I don't know about soft and soothing”, Mira complained, but Zoey knew she didn't mean it. Mira was a big softie on the inside and so was the cat, she just knew it. It hadn't left despite the rough wash, so that had to mean something, right?
“I just hope she doesn't leave before her fur is done drying. It’s too cold outside for that”, Mira said. Still considering the cat she added: “It feels like she knows that though.”
“She?”, Zoey asked, eyes widening in excitement.
Mira just shrugged. “I’m pretty sure it’s a she. Might become a problem if we end up having to deal with a litter.”
Zoey took an offended gasp. “Mira, how dare you imply more kittens is a problem.”
Mira laughed, brushing a hand over her head. “Maybe not to you, but our bank account–”
“Is more than prepared!”, she pointed out. “We’ve been saving for ages, Mira!”
“For a vacation”, Mira argued back. “Not to raise seven cats.”
Zoey rolled her eyes. It was almost funny how Mira insisted on that purpose and then any time Zoey suggested a vacation spot Mira shut it down. Mira didn't want to go on a vacation, Zoey knew that. She didn't mind. She just wished Mira would be honest about the fact that not having money saved up made her anxious. She wouldn't insist on keeping a whole litter of cats if it came to it though, she wouldn't do that to Mira, nor would she make Mira talk about why she really wanted to hold on to that money.
“I’m sure it’s fine”, she finally just said, letting the whole conversation slip away unresolved. “I haven't seen any tomcats around anyway. They’re usually really good at keeping animals off the street in this neighborhood. This kitty has to be especially nifty to have made it here.”
“I’m sure you’re right”, Mira said, leaning back on the sofa since Zoey was done with her cuts. Zoey quickly followed her, cuddling up against her side. Mira kissed her on her forehead in thanks. “And I am equally sure that you are perfectly capable of bankrupting us even if we're just fostering one cat.”
Zoey giggled in Mira’s arms. “I’ll try to hold back, I promise.” She knew Mira wasn't actually upset, just as much as Mira knew Zoey was capable of holding herself back. These were the accommodations they made for each other, easily and happily.
=^•×•^=
“Ready for your lunch, Pumpkin?”, Mira cooed as she put down the bowl next to their kitchen counter. Zoey was out on a meeting with a client, or she would have never used that cutsie voice. Zoey was already teasing her about how much the cat had grown on her.
Pumpkin Spice Latte – or just Latte, most of the time, which Mira had complained made her sound like a white cat but Zoey had vehemently defended (“Naming cats after the colour of their fur is so lame!”) – trotted over to the bowl and ate, even before Mira had taken several steps back like she’d still had to do just two weeks ago. After the bath she had stayed in the house, to both Zoey and Mira’s surprise, even when they’d closed the front door. She’d meowed in front of it for a moment until Zoey had opened it again, but still hadn't left (making Zoey feel a bit taken for a ride, which had made Mira laugh). An open window for her to sit by also seemed to make Latte feel better, so when it wasn't too cold, Zoey – who was the one who worked from home – tried to accommodate.
The cat had continued to be more wary of Mira than of Zoey, which Mira couldn't blame her for after the whole bath thing. Mira had noticed pretty quickly that Latte would eat turned in whatever direction Mira was – keeping an eye on her. Accordingly, Mira had taken several steps back and sat in Latte’s view until she was done whenever it was her turn to feed her. Latte already looked much healthier than she had two months ago.
Which was good because the one time they had attempted to get her to a vet had ended in complete disaster. She’d disappeared before having her breakfast, like she’d sensed Mira even just saying the word vet and when they’d finally found her, no trick would let them catch her. She’d torn through the house like she was rabid, jumping up on high shelves and hiding under furniture. When she didn't come out for lunch either Zoey had gotten worried and they’d given up. Somehow the fiend had been able to tell, because she came out for dinner just fine, walking a wide berth around the cat carrier sitting abandoned in the living room as well as Mira.
She also still wasn't letting herself be pet, or played with, even though Zoey was really trying. Latte’s favourite activity was watching from as high up as she could get, closely followed by hiding somewhere until there was food to eat. All of Zoey’s attempts to lure her with toys, coaxing noises and even treats or catnip still remained fruitless, and Mira could tell Zoey was starting to be sad about it. She was probably blaming herself for coming on too strong. Mira had already told her that the cat just needed more time, but in truth, there was a chance Latte was just never going to be an affectionate cat.
“I know Zoey can be a little overwhelming sometimes”, Mira told Latte when she was done eating, the sound of her voice making the cat startle from where it was cleaning its paw, its ears swiveling toward her, wary. Always wary. “She means well, she really does”, Mira continued when Latte didn't run away. “She just thinks it’s her job to make everyone like her and it’s a personal failing if they don't. I’d really appreciate it if you’d give her at least something for her efforts.” Latte looked at her, staring with those intelligent eyes. Mira almost laughed. What the hell was she doing, talking to a cat? “I don't know why I even worry”, she said, shaking her head. “Zoey won me over – she’ll get you too.”
=^•×•^=
After Zoey came home that night she immediately got started on dinner. Meetings always left her with a lot of anxious energy that it was easiest for her to shake by doing something. She still couldn't believe she’d actually managed to follow her dream and be a freelance music writer, even if what she did was small-scale. Currently she was working on an indie game soundtrack, which was so cool, but client feedback still scared the shit out of her. Thankfully today had gone pretty okay, just a few kinks to iron out.
She put on her headphones and jammed as she cut vegetables, tuning out the world – when she suddenly felt something soft moving against her leg. Immediately hitting pause on her headphones she tried not to make any sudden movements, looking down to find Latte rubbing against her leg as she walked past. Just for a brief moment, looking up at Zoey as she stopped. Blinked. And then slunk away.
Zoey immediately dropped everything and told Mira about it. She nearly cried. When she came back to the kitchen Latte was on the counter, eating pieces of bell pepper, but Zoey couldn't bring herself to be mad. Obviously the cat hopped down before Zoey reached her but Zoey took the remaining bell pepper pieces she’d already cut and put them in Latte’s bowl for her to finish, which she did. Maybe cat treats had been the wrong approach. Maybe her cat craved vegetables.
The next morning Zoey had some carrots and didn't dare hope as she squatted down to where Latte watched her from the corner of the counter, holding out her hand. “Here, kitty, kitty”, she coaxed. “Want some more veggies?”
Latte walked toward her very slowly and Zoey nearly held her breath. She sniffed Zoey’s hand, finally biting into the piece of carrot and running off with it. Zoey heard it crunch between her teeth as she ate it. Hell yes! Vegetables were a winning strategy!
Except, cats were carnivores and should only have vegetables in moderation. She wasn't going to poison her cat for affection, that wasn't worth it. Zoey sighed. Maybe it would be enough to keep building trust. She really hoped it would be. Mira was still suffering the brunt of Latte’s scepticism and Zoey felt really bad about that.
“I promise, I really don't mind”, Mira assured her for the fifth time the next evening while they were watching a movie, cuddled up on the couch. Latte was watching too from on top of a shelf behind them. “We’re totally chill. We’re mealtime buddies and we also have the shared hobby of being left the hell alone. We’re having a great time doing that together when you're not here.”
Zoey laughed, knowing that had been Mira’s goal – to cheer her up. Mira truly didn't seem bothered and Zoey had before come home to the two of them sitting in the living room, at opposite ends of the sofa, Mira reading or working on her laptop and Latte just… sitting there. Comfortably, she presumed. Compared to the scared, starved animal that had hesitated for two food-less days to cross the threshold into their home, it was a huge improvement. Zoey just had to remember that.
The next day Latte brushed against her legs again when Zoey came home and she felt bad that she had no vegetables to give her for it. She was failing at this positive reinforcement thing. “I’m sorry I don't have a treat for you today”, Zoey said, mostly to herself. “But I won't try with the toys today if that’s any consolation.” Latte didn't seem to have much of a hunting drive. If Zoey swatted or dangled something around for her to chase she just followed it with her eyes, if she didn't walk away from Zoey altogether. It was a shame and Zoey still had some hope that it might change one day, but she was coming to terms with it.
It was made easier to accept when the next morning, after Mira had left for work, Zoey decided to take her laptop and midi board to the living room to work from the couch rather than the desk in their bedroom and Latte joined her. It took a while, thirty minutes of Zoey sitting there, but eventually Latte walked up and just… curled up next to Zoey’s feet. Zoey did not move an inch for the next three hours. The urge to reach down and pet her was overwhelming but Zoey knew from previous tries that this would only make Latte walk away so she stayed where she was, enjoying the soft warmth of the small body.
She kept coming to the living room to work after that, even if it was kind of inconvenient long term: She had to juggle the laptop and midi board and didn't have her full e-piano to mess around with if she got stuck on something. It was worth it though, because Latte kept joining her and Zoey finally felt like she was beginning to crack the code. Latte was such a strange cat. Not nosey at all, she hadn't even gone into Zoey’s and Mira’s bedroom, she was too shy or something, too wary. But the living room was apparently safe to her, so that’s where Zoey worked now.
It took another two weeks for Latte to curl up on the couch next to her thigh instead. Zoey got a lot more work done with her little work buddy, unwilling to go if Latte was still there, so she might as well mix another song. She hummed along quietly, careful never to startle the cat.
One day she got so lost in the song that she stopped paying attention to her surroundings, to what her body was doing, so it wasn't until the cat that had been warming her left thigh bolted away that she realised her left hand had instinctively reached down into soft fur. She looked after Latte who disappeared into the hall and quietly cursed herself. “Sorry”, she said a bit louder, then sighed.
The song was still popping around in her brain, so she kept working on it – until a wet nose poked at her left hand. Zoey’s eyes widened as she saw Latte sitting there, looking up at her – expectantly, if she hadn't known better. Carefully, ever so carefully Zoey reached over to her and Latte sniffed her hand for a moment before rubbing her head against her knuckles. Oh my god. This was really happening. It was finally happening. Zoey worked hard not to squeal. She brushed careful fingers over Latte’s head, scratching behind her ear. Latte closed her eyes. Oh my god that means she trusts me, Zoey’s mind screamed in excitement but she managed to stay quiet and kept petting the cat. Her cat. Her cat who actually liked her. She couldn't wait to tell Mira about this.
Mira was really happy for her, especially as it didn't stay a one-off. Latte kept sitting with her and letting herself be pet. When Latte purred under Zoey’s hand for the first time she couldn't help but sob, immediately startling her. Latte looked up at her teary eyes for a second, seeming almost offended, before scurrying away, making Zoey sob harder. There was a brief break in Latte joining her then and for a few days Zoey thought she’d blown it completely. But Latte came back. The next time she purred, Zoey kept it together. She was beyond happy.
=^•×•^=
If Zoey was happy, Mira was happy. It probably sounded stupid to people and Mira didn't live just for Zoey, but ever since she was young she’d never really wanted much. At first she didn't want for anything, so the thought of having material things just didn't interest her. Everything she could possibly ever need, she already had. Except for one thing. She learned pretty quickly that what she did crave, what she did lack wasn't material at all. Care. People who cared about her. Acknowledgement. People who acknowledged her for her contribution, her skill, her interests. And love. People who love her. She eventually got the first two from her martial arts master, but the love was all Zoey. Now, with a reliable job she genuinely enjoyed, a nice house, a large distance between her family and herself – if Zoey was happy, Mira was happy.
Getting to pet that cat made Zoey really happy so the cat also made Mira pretty happy. “Thank you”, she told Latte one morning before Zoey had gotten up, after Zoey spent all evening raving about how cute Latte had been all day, how cuddly, how she even let her pet her belly now and purred the moment her head came to rest against Zoey’s thigh. “I’m glad you’re happy here too.”
The cat clearly was. She still didn't quite behave like a normal cat – there was still no chasing things, no widening of her territory. Latte traversed the hall, the living room and kitchen (which were really just one big room divided by the kitchen counter with a small table for eating shoved against one wall and their TV against the other) and the small walk-in closet they had for out-of-season clothing and that was it. Even with the door wide open, Latte never came into the bedroom. She slept on the couch and had a covered box of kitty litter in the hall. But she seemed… content with that. She looked to be closer to a healthy weight now and she didn't startle at every noise, every movement. She didn't watch Mira like she expected betrayal and didn't avoid her anymore either. She’d even brushed against Mira’s legs a few times by now, though when Mira read on the couch, Latte still stayed on the opposite side of it, tail twitching idly.
They were sitting there like that one evening, in companionable silence, waiting for Zoey to get home, when something unexpected happened. Mira had seen some weird shit in her life but she’d never seen something like this. She wasn't sure what had made her look up from her book – some strange intuition she supposed – but just as she did, purple smoke puffed outward from the cushion Latte was sitting on, engulfing the cat. Just as quick as it had appeared the smoke disappeared again, leaving in its place – not the cat that was there before – but a girl. A woman. A naked woman, cat stripes quickly fading purple from her skin like an afterimage, who looked at Mira with even more shock than Mira was feeling.
Perched on the sofa on her hands and knees, long black hair hanging down past the cushion, the woman stared at her. She had pale skin and a round face with soft features, her wide, terrified eyes dark-brown rather than amber but they had that same familiar sharpness to them. Mira didn't get much time to look at her and was almost glad, considering the poor thing was – as mentioned – completely nude.
Before Mira could get her bearings the smoke was back: A quick, purple flash, and then Latte – the cat – jumped down from the sofa and ran into the hall like a demon was chasing her. Then she came shooting back to the living room and jumped up to the windowsill of the window Zoey had kept open regularly. Right now it was closed. The cat hesitated, turned to look at Mira, hairs on end, then ran again, back into the hall. Mira blinked.
What the fuck had just happened?
=^•×•^=
Zoey startled hard when she unlocked the front door only to hear a thunk, yowling and Mira’s shout the moment she cracked it open.
“Zoey!”, Mira shouted, panic in her voice. “Close the door! Quick, quick!”
Zoey rushed to comply on instinct, squeezing herself through the door to slam it shut behind her, heart hammering. In front of her she beheld Mira wrestling with a frantic Latte, a cat scream sounding alongside Mira’s yelp as claws dug into her skin. When Mira heard the door close she dropped Latte, who landed on her feet and was gone in an instant, disappearing into the living room.
“Jesus! Mira!”, Zoey complained, still baffled, unsure what to think of the frazzled state of her girlfriend. “What the hell is going on!?” Peering into the living room and not finding the little fur ball she added: “What did you do to poor Latte?”, not quite able to keep anger out of her voice. She’d worked so hard – both of them had – to get her to trust them.
“Nothing, I swear!”, Mira immediately said, holding her bleeding hands up placatingly. From the looks of it, Latte had bitten her too. Yikes. “Just–”, Mira briefly caught her breath, gulping down air. “Okay, I know this is going to sound hard to believe, but after everything we’ve seen I just need you to trust me”, she pleaded.
Mira looked serious, so Zoey gave her an uncertain: “Okay?”
Mira took a deep breath. “I was just sitting on the couch reading and Latte was curled up on the other end of it and then suddenly– she turned into a… a woman.”
Zoey blinked at her. “What?” Shaking her head she said again: “Mira, what!?”
“I know!”, Mira said, gesturing helplessly. “I know it sounds insane, but I swear on my Gok-Do! There was a– a puff of smoke and then in place of the cat there was a woman with long, dark hair. Like a korean Rapunzel.”
Zoey processed this information. She knew Mira wouldn’t lie to her – not like this, never swearing on her weapon. And they had seen crazy things before… but their cat? A naked lady?
“Huh”, she said, trying to picture it and failing. “Was she cute?”
“I–” Mira was taken off guard by that question. Zoey wasn't sure why – it was a perfectly logical question to her. “I mean she was crouched on all fours like a cat and looked terrified, but… I guess?”
Zoey scowled at her, remembering how Mira had just manhandled her poor cat, cute cat woman or not. “What do you mean she looked terrified?”, she demanded. “What happened then?”
Mira sighed, deflating a little. “She turned back into a cat and ran off. To the door, then to the window, like she was trying to find a way out. Then she hid in the closet until she heard you open the door.”
Her heart clenched for Latte. “And you stopped her from running out.” It wasn't a question, Zoey had seen it after all.
“I– of course I did!”, Mira said, sounding almost offended.
“Mira, you said she turned into a woman”, Zoey reiterated.
Mira shook her head, not understanding. “Yeah?”
Zoey threw her arms wide in exasperation. “You’re keeping a woman trapped inside our house!”
Mira froze, then frowned. “But– no, I just–” She floundered, and it was a shame Zoey had to actually be upset because she looked adorable doing it and it happened so rarely. Mira shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut to reorient herself. She looked back at Zoey with pleading eyes. “She’s just freaking out but she's not safe out there. Zoey, if this is… I don't know, if Latte is really somehow a woman she can't just go back to starving on the street! Woman or not, actually.”
“Obviously I agree”, Zoey said equally desperately. The thought of letting Latte just run away… “But you can't decide that for her, Mira.”
Mira pressed her lips together in a tight line, thinking. Finally she sighed. “You’re right”, she relented. “You’re right. I just… I want to make sure she knows she's still welcome here.” After a moment of hesitation she added: “You’re okay with that, right?”
“Are you kidding?”, Zoey said, offended she even had to ask. “Of course! I love Latte! And if what you’re saying is true, that's fascinating and I want to know more! So let's go do that!”
Mira’s brow furrowed. “Do what?”
Zoey rolled her eyes. Mira could be adorably dense sometimes. “Tell her she’s welcome here”, she said, taking Mira’s hand, careful not to hurt her fresh cuts. Growing a bit somber she added: “And then… let her choose.”
Mira hesitated, but after a bracing breath she gave Zoey a nod. Okay. They could do this. Gosh, this was happening so fast. Five minutes ago everything had been fine and suddenly Zoey was maybe saying goodbye to her kitty cat? She could only hope this would work and she would stay.
Latte wasn't in the living room or the kitchen. At least they couldn't find her anywhere.
“Pumpkin Spice Latte!”, Zoey called out for her. She’d never come when called but she usually at least looked up when she heard her– Zoey stopped dead in her tracks, tapping Mira’s arm frantically. “Oh my god, Mira”, she whispered. “What if she has a name?”
“She probably does”, Mira answered in a normal volume.
Zoey was still hissing under her breath, because it felt weird to think she could hear them. “We’ve been calling a grown woman Pumpkin Spice Latte”, she whined, then snagged on a thought again. “She is grown, right?”
“She looked a bit skinny, but definitely like an adult”, Mira said with a shrug. “Probably twenty-something.”
Huh. More for Zoey to turn over in her brain. The woman/cat probably not called Latte wasn't in any of the living room hiding spots and the kitchen didn’t really have any. Sharing an uncertain look and shrug with Mira they headed into their bedroom, Mira closing the door behind her. Zoey flinched. She knew it would be a lot easier to find and talk to not-Latte if they did, but it felt so mean.
Looking around, Zoey mumbled: “How do I even… can I still say ‘Here, kitty, kitty’?”
“It’s technically accurate.”
“Not helping, Mira”, Zoey bit out. She crouched down to check under their bed and gasped as she spotted the cat squished into the farthest corner under it. She immediately lowered herself down further, holding up her hands soothingly. “There you are”, she said, beckoning Mira down with one hand and extending the other towards not-Latte. The cat didn't move. “Hi”, she said, cringing as she waved awkwardly. How did one talk to the woman who had been your pet? “We… um… we just wanted to say…” The words wouldn’t come – a lyricist’s worst nightmare. “Help me out here, Mira”, she whined.
Mira sat down on the floor next to her, craning her neck down and to the side a little to look under the bed at the huddled up cat. “I’m really sorry if I freaked you out earlier”, she said calmly. “And I’m also sorry for grabbing you and keeping you from running away. That wasn't okay.”
“Yeah, Mira was just worried about you”, Zoey added with some frantic nods. “You are so welcome to stay here even if you aren't… entirely a cat I guess?” She cringed and pushed past it quickly. “The point is, we don't mind.”
“And we’d really rather you would stay safe”, Mira added, her worry bleeding into her voice. “We’ll keep giving you food and stuff. Whatever you need.”
“Yeah. We could even–” Realisation struck Zoey like lightning. The vegetables! “Do you want human food?”, she asked. “I could totally cook for three! I’ve been wanting a good excuse to get more elaborate anyway and there's this kimchi recipe that–”
“Zoey”, Mira reigned her in gently. “Slow down.”
“Right. Sorry”, Zoey said, trying to see if her intense energy had made not-Latte even more frightened. It was impossible to tell. “We won't keep you here against your will”, Zoey finished towards her. “But you are welcome to stay.” Then she turned uncertainly to Mira. “Do you think… do you think she understood all that? Can she understand humans when she’s a cat?”
“I’m not sure”, Mira said, brow furrowed again. “But I think so. It would explain the vet freakout. Come on.”
Mira got up and offered Zoey a hand to pull her to her feet as well. Keeping hold on one of her hands she walked out of the bedroom again, leaving the door open behind her. Too soon they were back in the hall, where Mira opened the front door wide. She gave Zoey a small smile, then backtracked into the living room to sit on the couch. Not-Latte was already peeking out of the bedroom door and came in further when she saw Mira and Zoey sitting on the couch, cuddled up together. Zoey held on to Mira tightly as she begged the cat to stay with her eyes. Not-Latte looked at her. Blinked. Then carefully but briskly made her way across the room to the hall, intermittently looking back at them.
“You can always come back!”, Zoey shouted after her desperately when she was in the hall. Then she couldn't help herself anymore and jumped up from the couch to check the hall and – Latte was gone. Out the door to who knew where.
A sob clawed its way out of Zoey’s throat and then Mira’s steadying arms were around her.
“We did the right thing”, Mira said against her hair as Zoey cried.
“I know”, Zoey said, trying to believe it. Trying to believe that maybe… “I hope…”
“Me too, Zo”, Mira immediately said. “Me too.”
They waited another hour before finally closing their front door.