The Purrfect Companion - Chapter Six

Catch up here

By the time Bakugou's career as a cat-father became a week old, Cat had started to warm up to the other people in his class. It was already a common event for someone to drop by after a stressful day at school or training or their internships, putting a pathetic look on their face as they pleaded to visit with Cat. As much as Bakugou wanted to tell them to stay the hell out of his room, he'd become too damn soft for his own liking. 

His kitten was a spoiled brat, but he couldn't bring himself to stop.

“Yeah,” he sighed, when Kirishima showed up with a bag of spicy chips in his hand as a peace offering. “Come in, I guess.”

Cat no longer shied away when her Uncle Scratching Post arrived, instead remaining right at Bakugou's feet and watching them with big eyes. She lifted a paw when Kirishima bent down to say hello, batting at his hand the moment he tried to pat her.

“Is it play time?” Kirishima asked fondly. “Where's your mouse, Little Cat? Let's play!”

Bakugou tossed it to him from the bedside table, and immediately Cat was all over him: running circles around his feet, clambering up his pants, bounding across his knees. With a laugh, Kirishima sat down properly, wiggling the little pink toy and watching her dive for it.

“She's such a sweetie,” Kirishima fawned, as Bakugou lay back on his bed with the full bag of chips and his laptop. “I'm so happy she likes me.”

“She pretty much likes anyone,” he admitted. “Once she's met them a few times and knows they're here to play or cuddle, she doesn't run away anymore.”

“Has she met everyone yet?”

“Nah, maybe half.”

“When did you buy her the collar?”

Bakugou grimaced at the words, glancing over at the sparkly pink thing wound around her neck. Todoroki had shown up at his door the night prior, impassive as ever, enquiring with a straight-faced politeness whether “Cat was available for petting tonight”. When he'd waved the weirdo in with a sigh, he'd handed Bakugou a little paper bag, closing the door behind them before he opened the bag.

“I asked Midoriya and he said she didn't have one,” he explained. “I know she's not likely to get outdoors, but I'd hate for you to lose her if she did.”

Inside the bag had been a neon-pink collar, patterned with glitter hearts – Cat had been all over it, much to Bakugou's dismay. Damn kitten would go for anything if it was pink enough.

“There's a spot on the inside for your contact information,” Todoroki continued, waving a pink bird to regain Cat's attention. “Hopefully she won't mind wearing it. Some cats don't like them, but it's safer for her and easier for you if she'll wear it.”

Bakugou conceded a nod, hunting down a pen to fill out his name and phone number. When the ink dried, he waved Cat over, fastening it around her neck with absolutely no problems.

“You're a good girl, aren't you?” Todoroki praised, the slightest hint of emotion sneaking into his tone. “Now you can get back to Daddy if you get lost.”

Bakugou nearly choked on his own spit, quickly composing himself into a scowl.

“If you call me that again, you'll never be allowed back.”

“But Midoriya does it.”

“Because he's an asshole nerd, but he's an asshole nerd I've known since kindergarten. He gets... The smallest of passes to tease.”

“Noted.”

“Hello? Earth to Bakugou?”

He jolted to attention, eyes widening as he stared at Kirishima's concerned look.

“Um, I didn't,” he explained quickly. “It was... A gift.”

“Oh? From Midoriya?”

“Haah? No, from the rich bastard who wanted to pat her. Deku told him it had to be pink, so he found the pinkest thing in the world. She seems to like it, though.”

“She looks very pretty! Don't you, Cat? Who's a pretty girl?”

Bakugou lay back on his pillows, closing his laptop lid in favour of shutting his eyes, and Kirishima glanced over at him with a little smile.

“Been working hard today?”

“Nah,” he shrugged, pausing for a moment. “Haven't been sleeping well.”

“Does Cat keep you up all night?”

“No, before her,” he grumbled, rolling onto his side but keeping his eyes carefully shut. “Just... Y'know.”

“Oh,” Kirishima said softly. “Okay. Well, I mean, if I can do anything to help...”

“I'll be fine,” Bakugou shook his head. “It's whatever. I just need sleep.”

“I'll leave you in peace, then.”

“No, it's fine, she's having fun,” he yawned. “Entertain her for me until she's tired again.”

He nodded, even though Bakugou wasn't looking, and twitched the little mouse again for her to chase.

“You should leave your door open sometimes,” Kirishima suggested quietly. “She can come hang out with me and Shouji if she feels like exploring. You shouldn't be neglecting your own stuff just because you feel bad not giving her all the attention she wants.”

“Don't want her to get into the elevator or some shit.”

“I'll make some signs reminding people to close the doors,” Kirishima offered. “Do you think we could fence off my balcony too? In case I want to open the door?”

“F'you want,” Bakugou mumbled. “I have spare shit you can use.”

“Cool,” he smiled faintly. “Hey, you've got a visitor.”

Bakugou cracked an eye open to see Cat struggling up onto the bed beside him, purring as she wriggled in under his hand to curl against his chest.

“Sorry,” he sighed. “Come back in like an hour, she'll want to play again.”

“Okay, I'll see you in an hour,” Kirishima chuckled, pulling the blankets up to Bakugou's waist. “Have a good nap, bro.”

“Mm-hm.”

The door clicked shut quietly behind him, and Bakugou's fingers curled lightly against the soft fur, stroking her tiny head as she nuzzled him and purred.

“You gonna take care of me?” he asked quietly, kissing her ears. “Hunt down the dreams, yeah?”

With a tiny chirp of agreement, Cat settled in to sleep, and Bakugou smiled faintly as he did the same.

─────

Bakugou woke up to his phone buzzing beside him, grimacing as he hunted it down to check the screen. He was ready to dismiss the call and go back to sleep, but when he saw the nerd's name lighting it up, he paused.

“What?” he growled, holding it to his ear.

“Are you okay, Kacchan?” he asked right away, concern lacing his tone. “You sound weird.”

“Was asleep,” he admitted, glancing at the clock and sighing. “Shut up, I didn't go to bed at five o'clock, it was a nap.”

“Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to wake you up!”

“It's whatever,” he grumbled, stroking Cat's fluffy ears when she cracked her eyes open to peek at him. “What do you want?”

“W-Well... It's okay, never mind!”

“What, nerd? Spit it out.”

“I was gonna ask to come cuddle her,” he explained sheepishly. “But if you're napping, it's okay!”

“You have a shitty day or something?”

Midoriya didn't answer right away, and Bakugou could practically hear the nerd overthinking it, wondering why Kacchan was showing concern, of all people.

“You can come pat her,” Bakugou added, when Midoriya stuttered wordlessly. “Or, well, you can try. I ain't movin' though, I'm comfortable here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Would I say it otherwise?” he challenged. “Either get your ass in here or don't, I don't care, but I'm going back to sleep in three minutes with or without you in my damn room.”

“Coming!” Midoriya squeaked. “See you soon!”

“It's unlocked, nerd.”

He hung up and set his phone aside, pausing before he reached back and plugged the charger in, just in case he slept right through the night by accident. Cat was still rubbing against him, her purr bigger than her entire damn body, but when Midoriya poked his head inside she shot up with a “meep”.

“Hey, Catchan,” he whispered. “You having snuggles with Daddy Kacchan?”

“Told you not to call me that, asshole,” Bakugou growled, moving his hand to let Cat slip away easier and greet the nerd.

“Sorry! It just fits so well!” he giggled. “You're so good to her!”

“She makes it easy.”

“Yeah, I'm sure,” he smiled warmly. “What's got you tired, Kacchan? You don't normally take naps.”

“Didn't sleep well, or whatever. Doesn't matter.”

Midoriya hummed faintly, but didn't argue with him, scooping Cat up obediently when she pawed at him.

“You been taking good care of him?” he cooed. “What a good Cat, keeping Kacchan company when he's sleepy.”

He rubbed his face on her lightly, relishing the comforting feel of the softest fluff ever against his cheeks, but he set her back on the bed quickly when she turned to look at Bakugou again.

“So what, your day was shit or something?” Bakugou asked quietly, eyes remaining firmly shut.

“Maybe I just wanted cuddles,” Midoriya pouted. “Does my day have to be bad to want to hang out with Catchan?”

“Just figured I should ask or whatever, jeez.”

Silence fell across them, and Midoriya sat carefully on the edge of the bed.

“Were you worried about me?”

“Like hell.”

“Thanks, Kacchan,” he smiled faintly. “I'm glad someone cares.”

“Ugh. Just lie down, shitnerd.”

“Huh?”

Bakugou shuffled backward a little, pressing himself closer to the wall, and Cat happily followed him to sit within arm's reach. She was never far from his side, when she had the option.

“You gonna get your cuddles or what?” Bakugou asked, cheeks flushed with a faint tinge of pink. “She's right here, lie down and pat her.”

Nervously, Midoriya obeyed. He half expected Bakugou to yell at him for actually doing it, but he just lay on his pillow, eyes closed, fingertips caressing Cat's fur.

“It's okay?” Midoriya asked, as he slowly lay his head on the second pillow. “I can stay?”

“Mm-hm.”

Bakugou felt warmth as Midoriya reached out, his scarred hand joining the mix as the spoiled kitten got double cuddles. From her two favourite people, no less.

“The collar looks cute,” Midoriya smiled. “I was surprised when Todoroki said he wanted to get you one.”

“Gave me a stupid lecture about her escaping,” Bakugou grumbled. “Getting lost and shit, y'know?”

“Yeah. I'm glad she has it, I would hate for her to go missing.”

“Mm. Me too,” Bakugou admitted.

“It's been years since I saw you so happy,” Midoriya pointed out boldly. “I'm glad you found each other.”

“She's too damn fluffy,” he pouted, cheeks glowing a little brighter. “Can't help but smile at the fluffball.”

“I know,” Midoriya giggled, shuffling a little closer to scratch her ears. “She's perfect for you.”

“Shut up.”

“Fluffy kitty for the fluffy boy,” Midoriya teased, scratching Bakugou's hair next. “Does Kacchan need cuddles too?”

“Fuck off.”

When no explosions came, and Bakugou didn't shove him off the bed or kick him out of the room, Midoriya moved a little closer again, his arm creeping slowly around Bakugou's waist.

“You've been having nightmares again, huh?” he asked quietly. “That's the only time you don't sleep well.”

“Shut up.”

“It's nothing to be ashamed of, Kacchan. I get it.”

“Ugh. You suck.”

“I'm gonna stay here, okay? Go to sleep, I'm gonna stay and take care of you. You and Cat.”

“Whatever, dumb nerd.”

Despite his complaints, when Midoriya pulled him in closer, he obeyed. He laid his head on Midoriya's chest when guided, sighing faintly, and smiled when Cat crawled up on top of him.

She snuggled herself into her usual spot, beneath Bakugou's hand, only this time that happened to be atop Midoriya's chest. She didn't have any qualms about the spot, more than happy to snuggle with both her boys, and Bakugou chuckled at her quietly when she gave them a contented meep.

She purred extra loudly, that evening.