The day had dawned a chilly one, the first touches of winter gripping the morning air. The sky was grey, and clouds hung low threatening to drop massive amounts of snow at any given moment. It was on this curious day in december, that Plague found herself alone. Completely so, in that she didn’t have Catch or Rabies around, normally at least one of them was about with her but not this day. It didn’t bother her terribly but at the same time it was a bit annoying, boring more the case.
She had awoken in Catch’s bed, having spent the night, alone and a touch chilly. It wasn’t that she didn’t know he was going to be gone so much as she didn’t enjoy being chilly and waking up alone. It had set her in rather dim spirits, she hated being bored, loathed it even.
Her morning had started off slow with her spending the better part of it curled up in bed, tucked around Catch’s pillow. It was around midday when she finally managed to drag herself out of bed and into the shower to warm up. Shower completed, she found herself wandering around the house in a towel for the better part of an hour before finally getting hungry and in truth lonely enough to venture out into the world. Armed with a scarf, gloves, boots, and Catch’s hoodie as protection, not including her normal everyday clothes, she set out into the blustery streets to find something to eat and some source of entertainment.
Much to her dismay she found that not only was her favorite little cafe closed for the day but the streets were practically empty of all life. It left her sullen and in a sulky mood, causing her to wander around in the chill for quite some time. She was just about to give up and head back home when the sound of a firecracker went off behind her making her jump into the air and whirl around. She for a moment almost thought it was Catch and was about to give him a piece of her mind when instead she noticed a kid.
The little girl couldn’t be more than twelve and she was armed with firecrackers. She had a devilish look on her face, one Plague had seen many a time before and it was that look that had Plague tilting her head to the side in amusement. The kid was a little grimy, clearly having ruffed it for a bit, a day or so maybe, but her clothes were fairly clean though they looked a little warn.
“Oh kid, what on earth do you think you are doing?” She asked putting a hand on her hip as she cocked it out to the side. If only she had remembered to bring her water gun with, she would have shown this squirt. She noticed the kid looked about ready to run but before the girl even had a chance she was being lifted up and placed over Plague’s shoulder.
“HEY! Put me down lady!” Came the rather screeched reply which Plague ignored.
“Nope, don’t think I will.” She gave no other explanation as she toted the little girl all the way back to Catch’s house. Once home she plopped the little kid down on the couch before looking her over. She looked a bit like a thrown away puppy and Plague couldn’t just leave her like that.
“So kid, what are you doing out in the streets scaring people?” She asked as she stepped to the kitchen to finally grab herself and the kid something to eat. Thrown away puppies just weren’t right, or at least that’s how Plague felt over the whole ordeal.
“It’s amusing.” The kid called, staying planted on the couch, the warmth of the house being a welcomed change from the chill of outside. “Besides, it’s not like anyone cares anyway. I bet the stupid orphanage doesn’t even know I am missing.” She called out crossing her arms and looking off to the side.
“Woah now...” Plague called stepping back placing a plate of sandwiches between them as she plopped out on the couch beside the girl. “You are an orphan?” The question was a rather obvious one, and still Plague felt the need to ask it.
“Well duh.” The kid stated, clearly finding Plague’s intelligence lacking in some aspects. “Hence the orphanage.” The little girl stated looking at the sandwiches before finally plucking one up and nibbling on it.
“So why did you run away?” The question was a simple one.
“Because I hate it there. I never want to go back, the kids are stupid and there are too many rules.” She huffed crossing her arms for a moment before she realized it meant she couldn’t get at her sandwich.
“Well... I see.” Plague stated a bit lost for words. “How about you stay here, with me... and Catch when he gets home. I’m sure he won’t mind.” Plague stated waving a hand. It would be several hours yet before Catch got home anyway and she was sure she would have plenty of time to stop him at the door and explain.
“You would really let me stay here?” She asked causing Plague to shrug.
“Sure why not, you can go back and forth with me. I don’t live here per-say but I am over an awful lot.” Plague stated shrugging her shoulders as she stood up waltzing towards the TV. “You game?” She asked rifling through Catch’s insane amount of just... crap for his entertainment purposes.
“O-ok.” The kid stated not about to turn down a place to stay, it was getting colder and colder at night. She thought this woman might be crazy but it was better than sleeping in a church or something. “I’ve... never tried.” The girl admitted honestly looking a little sheepish.
“Well, let’s fix that. We have a few hours till Catch gets home anyway.” She said sliding in a game before waltzing back over to plop down beside the girl and hand her a controller. Catch would probably be a touch... upset... at the sudden intrusion but Plague was sure he would see it her way in the end. How could he not want to keep the thrown away puppy? It had no home!
It had been a long day for Catch, and he was so ready to head home and curl up with his snuggly little miss kitty. It was nice having someone at home that enjoyed a good cuddle. He had managed to get off work early just to stop at the store to pick up something for dinner that wasn’t in a box, some flowers for Plague because he was feeling exceptionally sappy, and an early Christmas present that he couldn’t wait to give her.
As he made his way up the flights of stairs to his apartment door, bounding up them more like it in his excitement to see his girl, his brows furrowed together as he could hear her, but someone else, along with the sounds of gaming. “That little brat... “ he thought with a smirk, thinking that his daughter was home and actually playing a game too. He turned the knob and pushed the door in, all smiles to see his girls “And here all this time I thought that....” The sight of Plague was a happy one, one that he had been waiting for all day, but he saw a little pipsqueak on the couch beside her, and that was not okay.
He dropped everything by the doorway and shut it quickly, giving that half-assed, ‘hi, what are you doing here?!’ smile to the kid as he walked by, whisking his darling little kitty aside. His face turned to instant anger and concern as soon as they were near the kitchen entrance, hoping they were out of earshot for the most part. “Plague! What the?!... Where in the world did that little... little.... squirt come from?!” One couldn’t quite tell if he was more panicked, mad or what!, but it was obvious he was far from the happy guy he was when he climbed those stairs.
Plague had been all smiles when she noticed Catch enter the room and it was when she saw that look that her ears fell back slightly and she looked to the side. She placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder whispering something before being drug off toward the kitchen. Once in the doorway she pulled him further into the kitchen stepping from foot to foot. “Oh hey sweetie.” She commented leaning over to hug him around the waist. “How was work?” She asked with a small smile as she tried desperately to calm him down from his agitated state of being.
Once she was clear that this wasn’t going to work she leaned back to look out into the living room making sure the little girl was still playing games before looking back at Catch. “Well... you see... thats a funny story really. She came from outside, ummm alone. See I was out walking this morning cause I was lonely and it was... well boring and dull. You were at work and I didn’t have anyone else so yeah. She sorta popped out of nowhere really, scared me half to death.” She rambled for a moment before shaking her hands slightly. “Then well... I just sorta brought her home.” She said with a bright smile. “She has no family or anything, ran away from her orphanage... she is all alone and it’s cold out... and awww Catch I can’t let her go back out there. She is cold and hungry and... all alone. A little abandoned puppy... can we keep her... please?” She pleaded with him looking up with big puppy dog eyes.
Oh how he was irked by her as she tried calming him down. Yes, he knew freaking out wouldn’t help anything or anyone, but there was a freakin’ little strange kid in his house! Had this been a different situation, one that a strange kid wasn’t in his house, he’d love her arms wrapped around him, but not like this. Not right now. “Ohhohohoh... Don’t you ‘Oh hey sweetie’ me, Plague!” He shot her a most angry look, growling, but not loud enough for the kid to hear. Though, the harder he tried staying mad, the harder it was to stay mad. Damn she was good at this.
He let her ramble on and on after her failed attempts to calm him, knowing he’d never hear the end of it if he didn’t at least give her the chance to say something. At first he didn’t even want to hear what she had to say, but even he had to admit that the parentless part in him wrenched at the thought of that little dirty thing not having anyone... well aside from the orphanage. But oh... that ‘puppy’ part got to him. he grabbed her upper arms, pulling her back in the kitchen further, peering over her at the kid, then back to her, his expression most serious. “Plague... c’mon baby. She’s a little kid, not some puppy. You can’t just grab her up off the street, feed her, and call it good. She’s a kid! You remember everything that your family had to do to take care of you when you were that little right? Plus, even if she did run away, you can’t judge where she came from just on what she said... Think about things for a minute here. It’s a life changing thing... not just getting a new pet”
Flustered, grumpy, but mostly upset because he had to be more realistic over the little squirt sitting on his couch. “Orphanages... Good or bad, will be looking for her. We need to take her back...” though the moment he said those words, he nearly regretted them. “C’mon, baby... We really should take her back...” The expression on his face was sad, regretful, but he didn’t really know what else they could do.
The moment he said those words she flinched. She didn’t want to take her back, how could they? She didn’t want to be there and Plague could understand that. Not wanting to be somewhere, how could Catch want to drop the poor baby back off there? She took a few steps back from him shaking her head. “No, Catch, I don’t really remember what they had to do to take care of me. I was a kid at the time, one that could vanish at will and drop acid on things. With an uncle that made guns and an aunt that was an assassin. Another aunt that hunted monsters several times her size for a living, grandparents that were decidedly strange, and parents that didn’t make much sense at the time. I was a bit of a special case!” She snapped at him, not really meaning too it just coming out as such.
“I can’t take her back Catch. She doesn’t want to go and I won’t be a part of it. She needs someone!” She stated with a pout at Catch. “I wanna keep her, she needs me, I just know it.” She said wrapping her arms around herself. “Can she at least stay the night? You can take her back tomorrow... but I will have no part in it.” She stated looking at him before turning and walking out of the kitchen. She would just... kidnap the puppy back once Catch had dropped her off. It wasn’t like Plague didn’t have a home she could go too, and keep her hidden there. It would be simple to steal her away into the night, especially if she asked Auntie Glaive for help. Catch could drop her off, and Plague would pluck her back up and Catch would be none the wiser. It would all work out in the end, but damned if she didn’t feel guilty for lying to him. She was also honestly a bit hurt that he seemed to not want anything to do with her new little puppy.
He sighed, groaning and turning about, frustrated beyond anything and scrubbing his hands over his face. UGH! Why couldn’t she see that this was so much more than just claiming some new little pet?! They both had crazy as hell childhoods for many reasons, but that was all the more reason to put more thought into something like this!... right? He stood there, back turned to her and hands scrubbing his face, groaning.
He let her say her piece, get it all out, listening to what she had to say. It was painful, really. Having a kid right there that needed someone, but just the fact that she kept calling her a puppy, well, she wasn’t a pet! He gave her a most pathetic look, rolling his head back then , looked to her again. “Fine. She can stay the night, but only if you go back with me. I know you don’t want to, but that’s the only way she can stay the night.”
He did not like this. Did not like the feeling of scolding his girlfriend like a dad would his daughter, but... puppy?! Sighing, still so flustered, he shoved his fingers back through his hair before slumping some. “I mean... I get that you want to make sure she has someone to care for her, but... she’s not some pet.” He took a chance, reaching out and resting his hands on her shoulders, smiling, his turn to try and lighten the mood. “I brought home some not craptastic food. What’s her name? Maybe she’d like some, too?” His smile was a sad smile, this situation affecting him more than he could have thought.
She looked at him pitifully for a moment before sighing and looking away. “Fine... I will go with you, but I will not be happy about it. Not at all happy about it.” She stated crossing her arms. That did make it a bit more difficult but still something she could pull off. She couldn’t wrap her mind around why Catch couldn’t understand her want to keep the kid. It wasn’t like they were alone, like they didn’t have her family to help. She gave a soft sigh looking up at him for a long moment. She would have to talk to him about it later, was it because he had his little girl? Could it be because of that he had no love for another? She realized that yeah it was a kid, yeah that didn’t make much sense, but her family had adopted before in a sense so why couldn’t she do it?
She shook her head, looking off to the side for a long moment. Would she be willing to risk what she had with Catch to give this little girl what she wanted and needed? She sighed lifting a hand to place it over Catch’s for a moment before shrugging. “Alright, I will go with you tomorrow.” She said the sound of defeat in her voice apparent. “Food sounds nice, we had sandwiches earlier but um... yeah food’s good. I’m sure she would love some. She seems to be hungry a lot. Her name is Ellie by the way.” Plague stated softly turning to look out into the living room at the girl.
“Hey Ellie, tootsie pop, you hungry?” She called her voice taking on a lighter note because she refused to bring down the kid.
“Yeah!” Came the enthusiastic reply from the living area.
“Kay, Catch and I are gonna cook. Then it’s shower time for you little missy and then bed.” She called out again before looking back at Catch. “We need to talk later.” She said softly patting his hand.
The next few hours were spent in relative happy, until Plague had settled Ellie down to sleep, tucking her in before returning to Catch. A question weighing very heavily on her heart, one she didn’t really want to ask but needed the answer to.
“So... why won’t you let me keep Ellie? Is it because you already have a daughter? You can’t love another? I mean I’m not asking you to take Ellie on as your daughter, I’m not. It’s just something that struck me... Ellie can be mine like Arisa is yours. She doesn’t even have to stay here.. I just... why don’t you want me to keep her?”
Even though he couldn’t admit it to Plague that he was actually enjoying the little one’s company, that still didn’t change what had to happen the next day. When she came back out, he tried giving her a small smile, but it was there, then gone fast as she got down to business. Her questions honestly floored him. “Wait... what? What kind of question.... Plague! No! No, no, no. It has nothing to do with Arisa, what’s mine, what’s yours... You keep talking about her like she’s some little pet. Why would you even... C’mon. It’s nothing against the kid, or you... well... like I said, you keep talking about her like she’s a pet, but...”
He stood there, frustrated again, reaching back and rubbing the back of his neck, before just sighing. “Why are you so set on her? On ‘keeping’ her? Kids are so much more than just hugs, kisses, food, play, and bed time... You said you don’t even remember what it was like for your family to take care of you, How are you even going to do this yourself?... as you so seem to insist on” He knew what it took to be a parent... a single one at that, and it was hard, not that he regretted anything.
Plague was stunned for a moment just watching him with confused eyes, referring to her as a pet? What was he going on about? How was she referring to her as a pet and of course she wanted to keep here, what other word was there for it? She just shook her head before sighing and then pinning him with that look she had. Her multicolored gaze which was normally so light shining with a darker heavier tone. “What do you mean I keep referring to her like she is a pet?” She asked her voice sharp and demanding for a moment.
“Why am I so set on keeping her? Catch you aren’t really asking me that right? She is a pup, a kid, a baby alone in the world and she reached out to me for help. What exactly would you have me do? Leave her? Abandon her?” She snapped her eyes sharp as was her tone. “No I don’t remember but going by my childhood is hardly fair. Hello, cheshire, dragon, demon, stuffed animal, alien princess thing. Last I checked Ellie couldn’t vanish at will, or drop acid on things. Nor can she open a door to a different dimension, or make other’s body parts vanish.” She shook her head. “You think I am going to do this alone?” She asked blinking at him. “I said without you if that is what you wanted, that I wasn’t making you do this.” She stated point blank pointing at him in the process. “I have a family, one that has reared plenty of thrown away kids, I’m not alone in this. I have an uncle, grandparents, two aunts, a mom, a dad, and a sister to help me raise the pup so I’m not sure where you get this ‘alone’ deal. In my family we don’t just abandon kids that need us.” She said it firmly crossing her arms.
UGH! Everything this woman was saying was just making him feel like crap. It’s not like he wanted the little thing to be without a family, but why did she have to be so insistent on it be her and her family?! Granted, he knew what it was like to have no parents to care for him. It was so rough. That made him feel so bad for the little thing, but yet she wasn’t seeing that she couldn’t just take her the way she wanted. “Okay, fine. I get it... you and your crazy family would take care of her! But you know you just can’t take her like that! There’s a process to all this crap! Dammit, Plague. Your family may function on craziness and disorder, but that’s NOT how the rest of the world works!”
“There is so much more to all of this, than just getting a kid. She was from an orphanage! They watch over and take care of the kids. You don’t think they haven’t noticed she’s been gone all day?! There’s prolly missing child reports filed and everything by now! You would get in so much damn trouble if they saw her with you. She has to go back one way or another!”
This was it... this was turning into something that would destroy his first bit of happiness he’s had in a good, long while. They may not have been together long, but damn, he was crazy about Plague, and now this little kid was coming between them... or their sights on how to handle the situation. He scrubbed his hands over his face again, sighing and letting his arms slump down at his sides. “Plague... c’mon baby... Do you honestly think you’re ready for a kid and everything they come with? Your family may love her, but she’d be your responsibility...”
He didn’t like the thought of her doing this on her own. It was hard. And he didn’t like all this ‘you’, ‘me’, ‘alone’ stuff, but really... they had only been together such a short time... would she even think about staying with him and raising a kid? They’ve had a bunch of fun, gotten in a good amount of trouble themselves, and also had some pretty serious moments together... He knew he was absolutely head over heels for her, even more so than his ex -- there was no doubt in that -- but... “Baby...” he said with a soft sigh, stepping toward her and reaching his hand out to stroke her cheek. “Let’s get some sleep.. Tomorrow is gonna be a rough day...”
Plague was hurt and she wasn’t sure what to say or how to get him to understand. At the touch on her arm she pulled back. “That was insensitive and rude.” She stated snappily at him. “Yeah I get it, my family is crazy. That’s great, wonderful even. Fine, my family doesn’t work the same way the rest of the world does. That doesn’t mean for one second that we aren’t capable of adapting to social norms and that we couldn’t return to the orphanage and adopt her.” Her words were harsh and bit out in agitation. She cared for Catch so much, so very much, and this was honestly the first fight she had ever had with him. It was trying and she wasn’t sure what to say to him about how much he was hurting her.
“Well obviously the orphanage isn’t that great since she manage to escape from it, and it’s been several days since she has been there and they still haven’t found her. Clearly that place is so adept at what they do.” She gave a soft grumble before holding up her hands. “Fine, you have hurt me, and upset me. Tomorrow is going to suck, so yes lets just go to bed.” She stated pulling back from him and walking towards his room in a tizzy. It was a strange sort of being she was in currently, wanting to punch Catch and curl up with him for comfort all at the same time.
The next few days were rough, near horrible. They had taken Ellie back to the orphanage, Plague had sulked about some, but she wasn’t around as much as she had been and that left Catch with far too much time on his hands to think on things. There was so much hurt between them in what had been said, almost to the point he was almost certain she wouldn’t stay with him, especially all the awkward and tense silence between them.
He had gone out for a walk, sighing heavily, his heart aching. He didn’t like taking Ellie back and he hated hurting Plague so much.. UGH! It was so frustrating because there was so much to this! But as he walked, he saw a happy little family together, stopping in his tracks and watching them some. That... that was something he didn’t get to have. Yes he had his brother and sister. He had a love in his life for a short time, and they had kids, but that... that right there... Well now he knew what he had to do and what was right.
It took him a few hours more to come home, slowly and quietly making his way into the apartment. “Plague?” he called out somewhat urgently, though he was almost certain she wouldn’t be there. He wouldn’t blame her at all for not staying around... or even with him at that. “Baby.. You home? I really need to talk to you!”
Plague had sorta wandered around in a haze since taking Ellie back. She knew in her own way, that she wasn’t completely ready for a child, but then who ever was? Who was ever truly and completely ready for a child when they appeared? She had gone over it a million times in her mind, and while in a way she knew, knew that this was driving a wedge between herself and Catch she couldn’t bring herself to fight it. She had been listless for days and despondent. Drifting away from someone she had come to care so much for because she couldn’t her head straight and just didn’t care to do so.
She was sitting on his bed, debating on how to approach the topic of what had come between them when he got back. She had snuck in, letting herself in while he was away. She had heard the front door open and her name called out but she didn’t at first have the want to answer. It was the second time he called out that she lifted her head. “In the bedroom.” She had called out, not overly softly but her voice lacked it’s total range of pleasure and bounce.
It was silent, lonely so as he didn’t hear a reply after he had called out to her, not that he could blame her. One hand was in his pocket, the other now scratching at the back of his head, sighing to himself as his heart sank in his chest. Then came the sound of her voice and it was the most amazing sound in the world to him... though far from her usual tone. It took everything in him not to bound into the room, grab her up in his arms, spring all his thoughts and words on her, and apologize endlessly... but that would not cut it for this situation. He stepped toward the bedroom, pushing the door open slowly, and leaned against the doorway with a sigh. “I didn’t think I’d actually find you here...”
He took a breath, just slightly trembling as he stepped in, closing the door behind him. “Baby... I need to talk to you and I hope you’ll hear me out....” Taking slow steps toward her, he sat down on the bed, keeping close but still letting her have some distance from him. It was obvious he had so much on his mind and on his heart, nervous.
Plague looked up at him as he entered taking note of the way he held himself and the tone in his voice. She tilted her head at him waiting, for what she didn’t know but for something. “I... came a little bit ago.” She whispered softly looking off to the side before watching as he moved to sit down beside her leaving some space between them. She was still for a long moment before moving closer to curl against his side, a pitiful little ball.
“Yeah, go ahead, I’ll listen.”
There was a small hint of a smile on his face, more or less laughing to himself at his sneaky kitty coming back while he was away. It felt so difficult to keep the distance between him when he wanted nothing more than to hold her close and apologize, but this wasn’t exactly just that moment yet. The moment she moved herself against him, curling up, he let out a soft sigh of relief. Okay... she didn’t hate him completely... His arm curled about her, pulling her closer against him, leaning his head against the top of hers for a moment, placing a soft kiss to the top of her head.
It was a bigger relief hearing that she’d hear him out. He had been thinking long and hard on so much and there was a lot he needed to get off his chest. “Baby... I’m really sorry for the things I said, especially toward your family. I was being stupid and.. there’s no excuse for what I said. I can’t take those things back.” He sighed, his chest feeling tighter as he braved continuing. “And... I’ve been thinking about what you said with wanting to keep Ellie.... I think I misunderstood your calling her a puppy. It just sounded like you wanted to take in a little pet, but I get what you meant now. I still think that it might be too hard for you to take on a kit by yourself, even with your family helping you out...but I was also thinking and wondering on something....”
But he left it at that for the moment. He was sure she had a million things she wanted to say, maybe even yell at him, but he did have them coming and he wanted her to get everything out there too. It was obvious that this whole thing weighed her down so much, and he hated the fact that he hurt her so.
She blinked at the kiss on her head, it felt nice and she was about to say something when he spoke. She listened to him, as she promised she would have and when he ended, or paused for a moment she looked up at him. She wasn’t sure what to say at first and it made her squirm a bit. “I forgive you, for the things you said about my family. We are crazy... and we do tend to hold ourselves above the law.” She shook her head before looking off to the side.
“I... wasn’t thinking of her as a pet. Pup, or puppy is what my Aunt use to call us. It pissed my mom off so bad, she said we were kittens if anything, cause she was a cat not some slobbering dog. Aunt Glaive refused to submit though and kept on calling us pup or puppy up until... well she still does it from time to time.” She gave a small laugh. “So... I don’t know, little kids are just... puppies. They are pups or yeah. You get what I mean.” She stated waving her hand lightly in the air as if to dismiss the thought. “But... you were thinking... thinking about? I know it will be hard to keep Ellie on my own but... I wanted to give her someone to love her so bad. I hate seeing thrown away pu- … kids.”
He had to peer down at her as she seemed to freeze some at the small kiss to her head, wondering if it had made her uncomfortable or something. As he wasn’t pushed away or yelled at, he figured it would be okay, his hand gently rubbing up and down her arm. He gave the smallest amused chuckle as she spoke about her family. He hadn’t gotten to know them very well yet, but he knew enough that it was amusing to hear her say that. He wondered if she saw something, peering off to the side as well, then back down to her as he realized she was looking off, thinking.
It was amusing to hear about how her family was. They were so different from what he had known growing up, and so amusing. He chuckled to himself, nodding, placing another little kiss to her head. “I know... I just figured it out way too late. I think the shock of you wanting to take in a kid pushed me into a bit of an overdrive.”
Smirking at the wave of her hand, he stayed silent another few moments, going over things he had practiced saying before he came home. “I know you just want to give her a home and love... and well... I’d like to be a part of that.” He smiled, pulling his arm from around her and reached` back to his back pocket, pulling out a small water gun and held it out. “I think this is... a little more up your alley and more safe for a kid than firecrackers.” He held it out to her, smirking, his other hand still tucked away in his pocket.
It was a sort of slow realization process for her. As she listened it didn’t quite register and then he was pulling out a little toy water gun and handing it to her. One could almost see the understanding dawn in her eyes and the way she seemed to almost light up at what he was saying. “I... I...” She took the water gun hugging it a moment before placing it on the bed and launching herself at him; wrapping her arms around his neck in an almost crushing hug as she kissed him rather forcefully. “You mean it?” It was a whisper against his lips as she snuggled into him. “You wanna adopt her with me?” She asked the joy and sheer pleasure in her voice just overwhelming. “Can we go today? She will be so shocked and excited!”
His amusement grew as she was oh so slowly processing what he was saying to her. The fact that it took the little water gun being presented for it actually sink in. It felt like almost the weight of the world off his shoulders as she held to the little toy, but boy did she catch him off guard as she flung herself at him, laughing as she captured him in such a kiss, his free arm curling around her tightly. His eyes closed as he felt her whispering against his lips, nodding slightly before looking to her again. “I do. It seems pretty crazy still, but I think... I think we could give her a happy home together. Arisa always did want a little sister.” he said with a chuckle “Hmmm... Well.. I think we might be able to, but... there’s one really important thing I want to talk to you about first...” His face fell into a most serious look, staring at her most intensely.
She moved to sit in his lap, looking up at him curiously. “It does seem crazy but we aren’t doing it alone ya know. It’s crazy insane, but still... oh Arisa... eh heh... I bet she hates me again huh?” She stated shaking her head before looking back at him curiously once more. “One more really important thing?” She asked tilting her head to the side curiously and cutely all at the same time. “What is it babe? If you are worried about me loving Ellie more than Arisa, I promise it won’t happen. I mean Arisa isn’t mine and I would never make her accept me that way but I love her to death when ya know she isn’t trying to kill me.”
He couldn’t help laughing some as she curled up in his lap. This felt good. Felt right. He knew that this wouldn’t be their only fight, but it was a relief to know that they could get back to being happy like this. He buried his face in her hair, taking in a deep breath and sighed it out softly. Smirking, he bobbed his head some. “I wouldn’t say hate, but don’t expect to be able to raid her closet or dresser anytime soon.” Of course he wasn’t saying just exactly how pissed Arisa was, then again he didn’t think Plague deserved her wrath since he was the one who had to say ‘no’ at first. He chuckled as she tried guessing, shaking his head. “Nah baby. It’s.. more of a you and me thing...”
Slowly he pulled his hand out of his pocket, a small jingle being heard as a key dangled from his hold. “I want you to move in with me. It’s good for a kid to have one place to call home, and well... I’d love for you to be here with me baby.” He was still holding what the key was dangling from tightly, smirking to her. “I know it’s only been a couple months, but...”
She gave a small smile hanging her head. She figured Arisa was pissed with her once more, which was unsurprising but still a bit upsetting. She brushed it off though, she would make it up to Arisa somehow. She tilted her head to the side as he stated it was more about them. She watched as he pulled his hand out of his pocket, her ears catching onto the slight jingle which made her stop and tilt her head. She took note of the key and her eyes went wide her ears falling back against her head. “You... you want me....” She blinked and stuttered over herself her finger going up to poke at the key.
“I... would love that.” She said with a small smile. It would give Ellie a base home and it wasn’t like she didn’t spend all her time over here anyway. It wasn’t much different than everyday, but at the same time it was. This was a big deal, and it would be a change for both of them and both the girls in their life. “If you are sure that is what you want. It will be a change, a big one and I am sure Arisa will be displeased to find out. However if you are willing... then so am I.”
His focus was now on her and the key, so hopeful that she would accept it. He couldn’t help laughing at her first stuttering words, smirking to her. “Baby... I’ve wanted you from the moment I turned around to see you with that squirt gun in your hands.” Of course it was a more... simple want of her back then, but all his wants now were much more. Holding his breath, he waited for her response, a yes or no... or a variation of said words anyways.
His heart stopped dead in his chest for a moment, before racing, grinning as he grabbed her up tightly, still keeping what the key was attached to tight in his hold. “I want this so much. I came home, scared that you would be gone.. that you wouldn’t want anything more to do with me. This won’t be our only fight, but I think the first fight is the start to more... Maybe that’s just me, but... Call me a little hopeful....”
With a smirk, he dangled the key again, but this time showing what it was hanging by. A small gold band with a pink stone. “Extremely hopeful... Now it doesn’t have to be what you automatically think if you don’t want it to be, but we can talk about that more after we see if they’ll let us have our little girl. I think it’ll be fun to have another little brat to spoil on Christmas day.”
She was floored, stunned, and completely at a loss for words. Plague had never in her life been at a loss for words before. She stuttered something hard to tell what it was, before nodding her head, her hand coming up to cover her mouth in shock. She was so surprised, unsure of what she could possibly say. “I can’t believe... I... you... we?” She shook her head before wrapping her arms around him. “Yes, yes... what to say.” She shook her head again. “I know, this is probably something everyone is going to say is too soon. I know that, but I don’t care. Because I’m happy, I want this, and even if it’s hard at times, and we have fights and it seems like there is no hope for us... I know there is.” She stated snuggling him tight before reaching up and taking the ring and the key.
“So yes, yes, yes a million times. We will make this work.” She whispered kissing him gently. “But first, lets go get Ellie, she will be... so surprised and oh so happy. I hope.” She leaned over and plucked up the water gun putting it in her back pocket as well as pocketing the key though she held the ring between her thumb and forefinger. “Shall I put it on or would you like to?”
He watched her, nervous as hell now as she was shockingly speechless. Oh boy. Did he do something totally out of her comfort zone? Was this not okay? He had moved way too soon... he knew it!... especially as she shook her head, his ears falling back. Though the moment her arms wrapped around him, he nearly melted, wrapping her in his arms and holding her tight. “Nothing is ever going to be easy... it make things worth it even more if you have to work for it.... but for us... I think they just make sense, y’know, baby?”
He snickered as she snatched up the ring and key. He hoped so much that she’d at least accept the ring as a gift, but the fact that she truly wanted to be his and that this was the start to not only their lives together, but hopefully the start of a better life for a special little lady... This was going to be an amazing Christmas. He just hoped that she would get her wish... as she just gave him his. “Yeah... let’s go and get her. I hope they’ll let us have her.” He laughed as she stashed the water gun away, taking the ring from her. “I get to give her the water gun” he said, smiling as he took her hand in his, slipping the ring on her finger before giving it a kiss. “Let’s go, baby”
Plague wasn’t sure she had ever been this happy in her life. She was though, extremely excited to have her life moving forward like this. Yes it would take some talking with her daddy to get him to come around but she doubted he would say no to Ellie when they got her. Which yes they were going to get her, she was just sure of this. “You can give her the water gun.” She stated as she followed after him a bounce in her step. She retained that bounce and then some all the way to the orphanage where she promptly made Catch fill out the paperwork while she and Ellie squealed and played games. The start to such a beautiful little family.
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