Eras ship one-shots

🖤🩷

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this one, but I figured it out. There are no trigger warnings for this, just fluff.

Requested by AllyKittyCat22

Enjoy! :)
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The city streets felt as familiar to Reputation as her own reflection. She moved through them like a shadow, slipping into dark corners and keeping a safe distance from the noise of the world. Solitude had become her constant companion, and she convinced herself she was fine with that.

It was late—late enough that the city was winding down, with only faint echoes of distant traffic filling the air. She walked aimlessly, using the night to clear her head when she heard something unusual.

A soft meow echoed from an alley beside her.

Reputation paused, tilting her head toward the sound. It was faint but persistent, a small, almost pitiful cry. Against her better judgment, she approached, her eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering from a nearby streetlamp.

There, tucked between a garbage bin and a stack of old boxes, was a small cat. Thin, dirty fur clinging to its small frame, it looked up at her with wide, pleading eyes.

"What's your deal, little guy?" she murmured, crouching down for a closer look.

The cat meowed again, louder this time, and padded toward her, rubbing against her leg as if seeking comfort. A flicker of something unfamiliar stirred in her chest. She didn't know much about cats—hell, she barely knew how to take care of anything. But she couldn't just leave him there.

"Alright, alright," she muttered, scooping the cat into her arms. He settled against her without protest, trembling slightly. "Looks like you're coming with me."

She made her way back to her apartment, the cat cradled against her chest. He seemed oddly calm for a stray, making her wonder if he had an owner somewhere searching for him.

Once inside, she gently placed him on the couch and grabbed an old towel to clean him up. He watched her with big eyes as she wiped away the grime. "You're not too bad under all this," she mused.

After cleaning him up, she found some leftover chicken in the fridge and offered it to the cat. He devoured it with enthusiasm, and a small smile crept onto her face as she watched him eat. "Guess you were hungry, huh?"

The more she observed him, the more convinced she became that this wasn't just a random stray. He had to belong to someone—he was too comfortable around people. She just didn't know who.

The next morning, she took the cat to the local vet to check for a microchip. Sure enough, he had one, and the vet pulled up the owner's information. His name was Benjamin, and his owner lived not too far from her apartment.

Standing in front of the townhouse where Benjamin's owner supposedly lived, she wasn't sure what to expect. She figured it would be a quick drop-off, a polite exchange, and then she'd be on her way. But the door that opened revealed something entirely different.

The woman who answered wore an oversized sweater, her hair casually tied back in a loose ponytail. She had the kind of smile that instantly warmed you, like sunshine breaking through clouds after a storm.

"Hi!" she greeted, her voice bright with relief. "Oh my gosh, you found Benjamin! I've been so worried!"

Reputation shifted slightly, holding Benjamin in her arms as he meowed happily at the sight of his owner. "Yeah, he was wandering the streets last night. I figured he belonged to someone."

The woman's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you so much! I don't know what I would've done if he hadn't come home."

She reached out to take Benjamin, who eagerly nuzzled against her. "I'm Lover, by the way," she said, looking back up at Reputation with a smile.

"Reputation," she replied simply, feeling a little out of place in this warm encounter.

Lover's smile didn't falter. "It's nice to meet you, Reputation. Seriously, thank you again for finding him. I owe you one."

Reputation shook her head. "It's not a big deal. I just didn't want to leave him out there."

"Well, it's a big deal to me," Lover insisted, her voice sincere. "I don't want to sound too forward, but would you like to come in for a cup of coffee? As a thank you?"

Reputation hesitated. She wasn't used to being invited into people's lives, especially not someone like Lover, who seemed effortlessly kind and open. But something softened inside her at the offer, and before she could overthink it, she nodded.

"Sure. I could use a coffee."

Lover's smile widened, and she stepped aside to let Reputation in. The inside of the house felt cozy, filled with light and warmth, a stark contrast to the coldness Reputation usually surrounded herself with. Pictures adorned the walls, books scattered across shelves, and the faint scent of something sweet lingered in the air.

"Make yourself at home," Lover said as she disappeared into the kitchen. "I'll get the coffee going."

Reputation stood awkwardly in the living room, her eyes wandering over the details. This place felt lived-in, loved—so different from her minimalist, almost sterile apartment. She wasn't sure what to make of it.

Benjamin had already settled himself on the couch, curling up as if he had never been lost. Reputation watched him for a moment before sitting down on the opposite end of the couch, her hands resting in her lap.

Lover returned a few minutes later, holding two mugs of coffee. She handed one to Reputation and took a seat on the other side of Benjamin, who purred contentedly between them.

"So," Lover began, taking a sip of her coffee. "How did you end up finding Benjamin?"

"I was just out walking," Reputation replied with a shrug. "He was in an alley, crying. Seemed like he needed help, so I took him home."

Lover smiled softly, glancing down at Benjamin. "He's always been a bit of an adventurer, but I've never seen him wander off that far before. I'm really lucky you found him."

Reputation nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. She wasn't sure what to say next. She wasn't used to conversations without a clear purpose, especially with someone as open and friendly as Lover. But for some reason, sitting here with her didn't feel as awkward as she expected.

After a brief silence, Lover spoke again. "You know, Benjamin seems to really like you. He's usually shy around new people."

Reputation glanced down at the cat, who had rolled over to expose his belly, clearly content in her presence. She chuckled softly. "I guess he knows I'm the one who saved him."

Lover laughed, the sound light and warm. "I think he does."

For the first time in a long time, something close to ease washed over Reputation. There was no pressure here, no expectations—just a simple moment shared between two strangers brought together by a lost cat. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

As the conversation flowed easily between them, Reputation felt her guard lowering, if only a little. Lover's kindness was infectious, her warmth undeniable. And for a brief moment, Reputation allowed herself to imagine what it might be like to let someone in.

Even if only for a little while.
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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this one-shot. If you liked it, please leave a comment or share your thoughts. I'd love to hear your feedback and any requests you may have for future one-shots!