Combustion ✦ STEVE ROGERS² [✓]

20 | UNVEILED

BEFORE THEY TOOK OFF FOR VIENNA, KATO HAD NATASHA DROP HER OFF AT HER APARTMENT. She had to go set Cherry up for her time away, and since she'd asked Luca to watch her cat, she had to go over all the rules with him before she left. Though Cherry was a cat (and a smart one at that) and could take care of herself, she was still an animal at the end of the day, and still needed someone to watch over her in Kato's absence.

When Kato arrived at her apartment, she went up the stairs before unlocking her door and stepping inside. Almost immediately she was greeted with a series of loud meows, and she looked down just in time to see Cherry rushing around the corner to greet her. Kato chuckled, squatting on the ground before stroking her cat's spine and scratching her chin. Cherry purred heartily, her small tail waving up in the air as she spun in circles, rubbing against Kato's hands and legs.

"I know you're not gonna be happy," Kato said to her cat. "But I've gotta go away for a few days." Cherry abruptly halted and gave Kato an accusing look, but Kato went on, "I just need to help some friends out, alright? They're having us sign something and I said I'd be there. But it's just for a few days, I promise."

Cherry stared at Kato for a moment before huffing and turning around, sticking her rear end in Kato's face. Kato sighed in response, rolling her eyes as Cherry walked off. "C'mon, Cher," Kato insisted. "I promise it's just for a few days."

But the small ginger feline ignored her, instead jumping on the couch and turning away. Kato huffed herself, shaking her head before standing up and walking to her bedroom. She needed to change out of her funeral clothes into something more comfortable.

After changing into a faded red tank top and jeans, Kato left her bedroom just as she heard a knock on her door. That has to be Luca, she thought, then walked over to the door to answer it. And her suspicions were confirmed when she opened the door, seeing her cousin standing there with a smile.

"Hey, Luca," Kato said, smiling back.

"Hey, Kato," Luca replied.

Kato stepped aside and motioned for him to enter. "Come on in. I just gave Cherry the news." She then led her cousin into her apartment, saying to him, "I really appreciate you doing this on such short notice. Usually I have Paz come over and watch Cherry, but we both know she's in Cuba for the month."

"Of course," Luca said with a nod. "Anything for my favorite cousin."

Kato grinned and rolled her eyes. "I'm your only cousin, dumbass."

Luca grinned back. "All the more reason to help you out."

Kato rolled her eyes again as Luca walked further into the apartment. Then, she turned and gestured to Cherry, who was still sulking on the couch. "Well, this is Cherry. She's usually a bit more cheery, but she's just pissed I'm leaving again."

"Give her a day or so," Luca told her. "By the time you get back, she'll be happy to have you home again."

Kato sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "I sure hope so."

Luca was silent for several long moments as he stared at Cherry before a frown worked its way onto his face. After a while, however, even Cherry seemed to notice his intense staring. So she turned around, cocking her head at Luca as she gave him a curious trill.

"You said she's a bengal, right?" Luca asked.

Kato nodded. "Yeah." She then frowned as well. "Why do you ask?"

"Because she's not a bengal," Luca replied.

Kato's frown deepened. "What do you mean, she's not a bengal?"