Keith Kogane x Reader One-Shots

27 - Kittens and Cuddles

In the year or so since returning to earth with everything having settled down, your relationship with Keith had continued to flourish, becoming one of what you hoped to last forever. A few months after getting back and living in the shack, the two of you got an apartment together, and every moment since then had been bliss, the memories made nothing short of beautiful.

Now, with the house decorated and nothing more to do, it still felt as if something was missing. Well, rather, someone. Though you didn't tell your raven-haired partner, you longed for a cat. As much as you loved sharing a home with him and working from said home, the days that Keith was out of the house were so lonely for you, and you felt that a furry friend would help fill that hole.

So, one morning after Keith had headed off for work, you got yourself ready for an outing, messaging your partner in crime, Lance, asking him to be your personal driver before heading off into the shower, emerging half an hour and a private concert later to see Lance sat on your bed, legs crossed as he smiled at you. Shocked, you screamed and clutched the ends of the towel tightly, the fabric having almost fallen when you loosened your grip.

"Oh my god, you scared the shit out of me, Lance!", you scolded, turning to your wardrobe and rummaging through, grabbing out a pair of jeans and an oversized f/c sweater along with your underwear, slipping them on under the towel then releasing it to put your outfit on. Lance had been your friend for years, so you were more than comfortable with changing in front of him, and your undressing didn't faze him in the slightest.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm just excited to hear about where we're going today. Care to explain?", he asked, walking over to your dressing table and grabbing your hairdryer, motioning for you to sit down. "Are we doing anything illegal? Robbing a bank? Cause, you know, I'm totally down for that, but I don't think that's exactly maintaining our 'saviours of the universe' image, y'know?"

"It's nothing illegal, Lance,", you rolled your eyes playfully, speaking loud enough that he could hear you over the hairdryer as he brushed through and dried your hair. "I want to go get something, and I was hoping you'd be my wingman. I need help,"

"Oh, quiznack. Please don't say you're pregnant. That's great, but shouldn't Keith be the first to know?", your eyes widened at the question, and you quickly shook your head.

"No, no, I'm not pregnant! Jesus Christ, Lance,", you sighed, calming yourself down. "I want to adopt a kitten, but Keith doesn't know, so I want you to help me choose one,"

"Oh, sure!", he chirped, though, after a moment, he seemed shocked. "Hold up, Keith doesn't know? Isn't that, like, the number one thing you tell your partner about? I don't want to be involved with something that might end in my death, y/n,"

"You were a paladin saving the universe, and you already died once, so zip it. Also, Keith won't kill you. I'm sure he'll like the kitten,", you explained, although even you found that last statement slightly hard to believe. Sure, Keith had never expressed not wanting animals, and he loved his space dog, but that doesn't mean he'd like a cat, too.

"I'll take your word for it, but if this comes back in our faces, I'll be blaming you,", he finally agreed, placing the hairdryer down and fluffing your hair out one last time before grabbing your coat and passing it to you.

"I didn't expect any less,"

---

"I think I want this one. He's so adorable!", you cooed, picking up the kitten and petting it, making the small animal purr and nuzzle its head into your hand. The kitten you had in your arms was a simple, silver-furred creature with bright green eyes and a button nose. He had originally been curled up in the corner by himself, not associating with the other kittens, but upon seeing you, he immediately perked up, his small paws carrying him over to you and rubbing himself against your leg.

"I have to admit, he is cute,", Lance grinned, reaching out a hand to stroke the kitten, but he flinched away nervously when the cat made a hissing noise. "Nope, never mind. That cat is a savage!", you rolled your eyes and held the cat closer to your chest, watching in awe as it curled up in your palms and shut its eyes.

"He's not. Don't be so dramatic. I'm getting this kitten,", you concluded, turning to the shop owner. "I can get this kitten, right?", the older, grey-haired man laughed and nodded, ushering you over to the till and giving you all the things you'd need for your new addition to the family, then talking you through everything before totalling up your bill and wishing you good luck as you left with your kitten, smiling brightly.

"I can't believe you got that thing,", Lance huffed as you drove away, eyes glancing from the road to you briefly. "What if he's secretly a beast, and he ends up hurting you and Keith in your sleep, maybe even killing you, then taking over your house and-- and making a cat army?!"

"This isn't Animal Farm, idiot,", you giggled, stroking your new kitten. "Theodore is harmless, so stop being salty just because he hissed at you once,"

"First impressions are important, y/n, and this furball has absolutely butchered his chances at getting any affection from me!", he argued, pulling up outside your apartment and grabbing the bags out of the boot. "Now let's go set your house up for that fur beast of yours."

"y/n, love? I'm home,", Keith called out as he hung his jacket up, brushing a hand through his hair before dropping himself down onto the sofa. He looked around the room upon hearing no response, eyebrows furrowing when he noticed a small pet bed in the corner. "Hey, why do we have a pet bed? You know I trust your sense in decorating the house, but this is just random,", he rose from the sofa, wandering into your bedroom, where he was met with the sight of you sleeping, a ball of silver fur curled into your side. "Oh, my god,"

"Keith? What's wrong?", you mumbled, rubbing the sleep away from your eyes and sitting up, immediately taking note of the aghast expression on your boyfriend's face. "Did something happen? Why are you so shocked?"

"Did you get a cat, or did that thing just sneak in through an open window?", he asked, stepping closer to get a better look at the kitten that was now stretching beside you, the movement of you sitting up having woken him. "That's an actual cat. On our bed. In our apartment,"

"Yes, Keith, it is. Surprise?", you smiled nervously, scooping him up into your arms and holding him up for Keith to see. "This is Theodore. He's nine weeks old. Do you like him?", your boyfriend, speechless, sat down next to you and reached a hand out to the small creature, who immediately started licking his hand, purring softly. "Aww, he definitely likes you,"

"He's adorable, darling, but why, exactly, did you get him?", he asked, continuing to stroke Theo.

"Well, I've been feeling sort of lonely while working at home and all, and I've always wanted a cat, so I went out today and got one. I don't know, if you don't like him we can always--"

"No, I love him! If he makes you happy, then we can keep him. I'm sure a kitten can't be that bad,", he reassured, kissing your forehead and bringing an arm around your shoulder, Theodore comfortably snuggling himself into both of your laps. Sighing contently, Keith leaned back onto the headboard. "I could get used to this,"

"I'm glad you like him,", you smile, resting your head on the ravenette's shoulder.

"Who wouldn't? He's--", Keith cut himself off with a small sneeze. "He's adorable, is what I was trying to say,", he managed to get out once more before sneezing uncontrollably.

"You're allergic to cats, aren't you?", you laughed, watching as your boyfriend continued sneezing.

"Apparently, yes,"