(no subject)

[phony-king.insanejournal.com]

Who: John and Isabelle
When: Monday evening
Where: John's flat
What: bribery and surprise guilt gifting



"Isabelle? I'm home," John called, stepping into the flat with a box held carefully under one arm. The girl must be getting lonely if she was accusing John of ignoring her, and he didn't want her to be miserable. If she was sad she was more likely to go back to her parents, and John really did not want that to happen right now, not when he was just getting back on his feet. He was a bit later than he'd expected to be, but when she saw the reason why, she'd not be angry.

"Sorry it's so late, but I brought you a gift," he called again, setting the box gently on the table and peeking inside at the sable burmese kitten curled up in it. It blinked golden eyes sleepily at him, and he smiled and set the lid back down, to wait for Isabelle to emerge.


Isabelle had just gotten out of her bath. It calmed her nerves and made her relax. She towel dried her hair, slipping into one of John's t-shirts when she heard him come through the door.

She'd gotten used having him around, but now that he kept late nights she felt lonely. She had her friends, but she suspected she had expected more from this situation. She came around the corner at the sound of his voice. "Hey," she padded toward the box. "What's this?"


"Just a little something to cheer you up," John replied with a smile, "I think you'll like it." He bent down and lifted up the lid, then lifted out the kitten and held it out to her. "His name is Rex. Well-" he paused, then shrugged, "I mean, I thought a good name would be Rex, but you can choose a different one, if you like. He's pedegree. So you'll have something to talk to if I'm late from work,"


Her eyes instantly lit up the moment the kitten was in her view. The previous depressed mood was cast aside when she put all her attention onto the little kitten. With her mouth gaped open in surprise she took hold of him, the soft meow following. "Oh, he's so cute!" she squeaked, holding him close to her chest. "John, he's adorable!"


John smiled and kissed Isabelle's forehead. "I knew you'd like him. Burmese are supposed to be extra friendly, he'll suit you." He went back to the front door and carried in the extra bits he'd purchased, a litter box and a bed and a box of food. "Make sure not to let him out. He's an inside cat."


The kitten took to her with a sweet whine, curling up against her neck. He nudged her with his nose on the cheek. Her face was near tears. "Thank you," she said giving John a quick kiss. She didn't want to let the little thing go now that it was softly perched on her shoulder purring. "I won't. Could I at least take him outside on a leash?" she asked, feeling bad about cooping the poor thing up all the time. All cats wanted out at some point. It seemed cruel to not let them enjoy it sometimes.


"We'll see how he settles in. We are in an apartment, after all." John was internally amused at the idea of walking a kitten like a dog. "And he's pedigree. I don't want him being stolen." He went into the kitchen to make up some pasta. Coffee only took you for so long. "I hope you've not been too bored all day. How is that Kindle I bought you?"


The kitten's wide eyes were now thing slits as it purred, flopped on her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She rubbed her fingers gingerly against his short hair. Already the sweet kitten had latched onto her as mommy.

It was still too early for Isabelle to realize John was buying his way around her. It was a lifestyle she was used to, so it was hard to complain too much when he'd allowed her to stay at his apartment. "It's great!" she beamed, "I've been reading the Hunger Games." All these things did come in handy when she wasn't out or had him around.


"Oh, is it good?" John asked absently, putting some water on to boil. "Did you already eat?" He hoped the cat didn't shred his furniture, but if it kept Isabelle happy then it was a decent payoff. And happy girlfriends are more-likely-to-put-out girlfriends.