Work Text:
December 2023 - Lakeport, Vermont
Safi was absolutely exhausted by the end of the week. She finalized the paperwork for her book deal while still juggling her TA work and helping her mom prepare for the holiday. She opened the door to the Hellerton House and started to set down her things when she felt something brush up her leg.
Safi jumped and yelped at the contact. She saw a flash of something dash under the couch.
Being more than a century old with just a few renovations, the Hellerton House was prone to the occasional mouse, raccoon and bird pests. Her mom always handled those issues out of her own pocket but that never fixed the actual issues with the home.
Safi, standing still, darted her eyes for signs of Max.
"Babe?" Safi called out. "Can you come down here?"
A moment later Max stepped down the staircase, greeting Safi with a warm smile.
"Is everything okay?"
"Max, I think a raccoon got in," Safi said with a shaky breath. "Or a large rat? Whatever it is, please help."
"Oh, I got this!" Max replied. Safi was confused by Max's chipper tone.
Max crouched down by the sofa and looked under. Safi watched as Max stuck her hand under and tapped the floor. After a few unintelligible coaxings, Max stood up and in her arms was a fluffy longhaired black cat.
Safi looked dumbstruck at Max, who was cradling the cat and saying everything was okay. The cat kept its eyes on Max as she turned to look at Safi.
"Max, when the hell did you get that?"
"He showed up at my door while you were gone," Max said happily. "He didn't have a collar or a microchip so he's mine now."
Max looked at Safi with a dopey smile and held the cat out to her girlfriend. The cat looked at Safi with huge pupils and blinked.
"I named him Moogle," Max said. The photographer kissed the cat and set him on the ground. Moogle carefully slinked over to Safi, who let him sniff her boots.
Safi watched as Moogle explored the space, and Max came closer to pull her into an embrace.
"Isn't he adorable?" Max doted, looking down at him.
"Max, I love you," Safi started. "But how are we gonna take care of...Moogle?"
Max stepped away and scooped up Moogle who was sniffing around the kitchen.
"I got more than enough food for him - he takes two meals a day," Max explained matter of fact. "And I have a litterbox set up that we only have to clean that out a few times a week. I had friends who grew up with pets I'm a pro at this, trust me babe."
Safi watched as Max hugged and nuzzled Moogle. Then without warning, Max put the cat in Safi's arms and the slightly startled poet looked down at the wriggly furball. He squirmed a bit getting used to Safi's touch but after a few seconds got comfortable and nestled his head against her.
Max watched with delight as Moogle relaxed in Safi's arms, and within minutes she could hear him purring loudly. Safi, who was still holding Moogle could feel how content he was, like a small little happy motor.
Safi couldn't help but smile, and Max noticed.
"So..." Max said hopefully.
She and Moogle looked at Safi, both with big warm eyes.
"Okay, we can keep him," Safi said.