Sevika was not one to panic but coming home to an empty apartment after not seeing you at The Last Drop today sent an unfamiliar chill down her spine. She prided herself on being calm and collected, someone who could face the chaos of Zaun with a steady hand. But when it came to you, her composure had limits.
Usually by the time she walked through the door, the warm scent of dinner or at least an attempt at dinner would fill the air. She could count on you to greet her with a teasing smile or a quick quip about her day, your laugh like a charm against the city’s constant tension.
Tonight,however the apartment was eerily silent. The absence of your voice or even your usual clutter put her on edge.
The first thing she did was check the usual places. The bathroom door creaked softly as she pushed it open, calling your name. Nothing. The bedroom was next, where she half-expected to find you napping tangled in the blankets with one of your books abandoned on the pillow beside you. But the bed was untouched, its emptiness a sharp reminder that something was off. Even the small storage closet—where you sometimes hid your collection of random trinkets, tools, and half-finished projects offered no clues.
Sevika stood in the center of the living room, her sharp gaze scanning the space. Your jacket was gone, so you’d left the apartment but without telling her? That wasn’t like you.
A tight knot of worry formed in her chest. You never disappeared without a word.
Never.
She hated the unfamiliar sting of dread creeping up her spine. Something wasn’t right.
Her instincts kicked in, pushing her to act. She grabbed her coat from where it hung by the door, her mind already racing with possibilities. Maybe you were stuck at work, though the lack of a message said otherwise.
Perhaps you were caught up with a friend and lost track of time but again, you would’ve told her. No, something must’ve happened. She didn’t care if it meant scouring the winding streets of Zaun herself, she’d find you.
As Sevika yanked the front door open, her boots ready to hit the pavement, she froze mid-step. Standing there, looking as smug as ever was Jinx.
The younger woman leaned casually against the doorframe, her blue hair slightly disheveled and her mismatched eyes gleaming with amusement.
“Looking for your girl?” Jinx asked, her tone dripping with mischievous delight.
Sevika’s brows furrowed, her patience already thinning. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Jinx giggled, swaying on her heels. “Oh, don’t be so grumpy! I’m here to help. Well, sort of.” She tapped her chin pretending to think it over.
“Spit it out, Jinx,” Sevika growled, crossing her arms over her broad chest.
“Okay, okay!” Jinx held up her hands in mock surrender, her grin widening. “So, your lovely little spouse is on the roof… trying to save a cat.”
Sevika blinked, certain she’d misheard. “…What?”
“Yeah!” Jinx continued as if the absurdity of her statement was the most natural thing in the world. “Apparently there’s this stray, right? And they’re climbing after it. Like full-on ‘don’t-tell-Sevika’ mode. Told me not to snitch, but here I am!” She giggled again, clearly enjoying the way Sevika’s scowl deepened with every word.
Sevika dragged her hand down her face, muttering a string of curses under her breath.
“You’re telling me they’re climbing a roof to save a damn cat?”
“Uh-huh,” Jinx chirped. “And they’re actually pretty high up. You might wanna hurry before they splat!” She punctuated the last word with an exaggerated gesture, as if mimicking someone falling to their doom.
Sevika didn’t waste another second. She brushed past Jinx, who trailed behind her like an amused shadow. As they approached the building in question, Sevika’s sharp eyes scanned the rooftops. The streets around them were dimly lit, the faint glow of neon signs casting an eerie light on the crumbling facades of nearby buildings. The air was thick with the usual industrial tang of Zaun and the distant hum of machinery served as a constant backdrop.
Then she spotted you.
There you were, balancing precariously near the edge of the roof, one hand outstretched toward a small, frightened cat huddled against a chimney. The sight sent a surge of frustration and panic through her.
She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, “Get down here!”
You froze mid-reach, your head snapping toward her.
“JINX, YOU SNITCH!” you yelled, your voice echoing off the walls.
Jinx, standing smugly beside Sevika, waved up at you. “Hiya!”
“I told you not to tell her!”
“You also told me not to blow up that building that one time, but we see how that turned out!” Jinx called back, her grin widening.
Sevika stepped closer, her jaw tight. “What the hell are you doing up there?”
“Uh… nothing!” you lied, shifting nervously.
“Don’t lie to me,” Sevika growled, arms crossed and her tone sharper than a blade.
You sighed, glancing between the cat and your very unimpressed partner. “Look, baby, I’m just trying to get… something. It’s fine! I’ll be down in a minute!”
Sevika’s glare could’ve burned a hole through steel. “Get down now, or I’ll come up there myself.”
You knew she meant it. The idea of Sevika stomping up to drag you off the roof wasn’t exactly appealing but you weren’t leaving without the cat.
“I’m almost done, okay? Just-just give me a second!”
Jinx, clearly enjoying the show, leaned closer to Sevika. “Betcha five coins they fall before they get the cat.”
“Shut up.” Sevika muttered, shooting her a warning glare.
For the next thirty minutes, Sevika alternated between barking at you to hurry up and pacing in frustration while Jinx kept up a steady stream of sarcastic commentary. The younger woman found every opportunity to poke fun, her laughter grating on Sevika’s already frayed nerves.
You, meanwhile remained entirely focused on coaxing the terrified feline into your arms. It was a painstaking process, your voice soft and soothing as you inched closer. Every time the cat flinched you paused, your patience unwavering.
Finally, with a triumphant smile you began your descent, the scruffy gray cat cradled securely against your chest. Your clothes were torn in a few places, fresh scratches lined your arms, and a smudge of dirt streaked your cheek. But none of that mattered you were beaming.
“I got him!” you announced proudly, holding the cat up like a trophy.
Sevika pinched the bridge of her nose, her patience hanging by a thread. “Unbelievable.”
Jinx meanwhile, clapped her hands in mock applause. “A daring rescue! Truly heroic!”
You ignored them both, scratching behind the cat’s ears. “His name’s Smokey. Isn’t he cute?”
Sevika raised a brow. “No.”
“Sevika,” you whined, clutching the cat closer. “I just climbed a roof for him. He’s coming home with us.”
“I said no.”
“But look at him! He’s adorable!”
Jinx chimed in, clearly enjoying the chaos. “Come on, let ‘em keep the little furball. It’s not like you’re allergic or anything.”
Sevika shot her a warning glare, but Jinx just grinned, unfazed.
You turned your best pleading expression on Sevika, your eyes wide and shimmering with unspoken promises. “Please, baby? I swear I’ll take care of him. You won’t have to do a thing!”
Sevika’s jaw tightened, her resolve wavering under the weight of your gaze and the pitiful meow Smokey let out, as if he were in on the plan.
Finally she sighed, running a hand down her face. “Fine. But if it scratches the couch, it’s gone.”
“Thank you!” you squealed, throwing your arms around her, careful not to squish Smokey in the process.
Jinx laughed, throwing her hands up in victory. “The cat stays! I knew you’d cave!”
“Get lost Jinx.” Sevika muttered, her tone half-hearted.
A few weeks later, you came home after a long shift at The Last Drop. You were exhausted, your feet aching and your mind buzzing with thoughts of curling up on the couch with Smokey.
Pushing the door open, you stepped inside and paused. The sight before you stopped you in your tracks.
There, sprawled across the couch, was Smokey purring contentedly on Sevika’s chest as she dozed.
The scene was almost too perfect. Sevika, who had initially grumbled about bringing the cat home, now lay with one arm draped protectively over Smokey as if they’d been inseparable for years.
You couldn’t help but grin. “Told you he’d grow on you” you said, your voice laced with smugness.
Sevika stirred at the sound of your voice, blinking blearily as she realized what you’d caught her doing.
Her scowl was immediate, but there was no hiding the faint blush that crept up her neck. “He wouldn’t leave me alone” she muttered, her tone defensive.
“Sure babe” you teased, setting your bag down and walking over to ruffle Smokey’s fur.
Sevika groaned, burying her face in her free hand. “Unbelievable.”
But when you leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek, she didn’t push you away.
The truth was, Smokey had wormed his way into her heart just like you had. And though she’d never admit it out loud, Sevika knew she wouldn’t have it any other way.