Matty Healy Imagines

Not A Cat Person

Word Count: 1,262
Summary: While walking home, Matty comes across a fluffy friend that forces him to consider that maybe dogs aren't the only cute creatures he's willing to let live in your shared household. 

If there was one thing certain about Matty, it was that he was a dog person.

Sure, other animals were fine. He liked other animals, though he was known for giving them flack. They just never could surpass the fantastic nature of dogs. He loves how dogs were always happy, always wanting to be on the go. They reminded Matty of himself sometimes, especially on those days he couldn't sit still. They kept him happy and busy. His own dog, Allen, was the light of his life. He loved dogs. Damn near worshiped them, his girlfriend, you, had told him. You, of course, were a cat person. Opposites attract, he thought. However, they did not attract enough for Matty to agree to getting you a cat. Some things, love couldn't push him to do.

The universe works in weird ways though, and Matty was not someone that exactly had the best karma going for him. That bad karma came back to bite him in the butt after a long day of recording, when it was pouring rain and his car decided to ultimately die on the spot...after everyone had already left. Rather than deal with waiting for someone to pick him up or fix his car, he decided to walk home. It was raining hard and the studio they used was a good three miles away from home, but Matty couldn't be bothered to do anything else. He wanted to get home, curl up by your side with Allen, and ignore the day's shitty nature. Buttoning up his coat, Matty threw the hood up and made his trek home.

Though he was fuming, and the rain was pouring loudly, Matty was not unaware of his surroundings. If anything, the darkness outside and the fact he was slightly a target being a lone celebrity walking at night made him more aware. So, when he heard a small noise coming from a bush he was passing, he did not ignore it. Bending down, he peered into the bush and inspected its origin. He most certainly did not expect to see the poor creature he found huddled and mewling. It was a kitten, barely over two months old he assumed. Matty was not a cat person, but he also was not soulless - though you liked to claim he was for not liking them.

He had to coax the kitten to trust him and let him pick him up. Upon getting up, Matty could see the little thing had a broken leg, and quite a few scratches.

"You've been through a lot huh," he spoke to it. The kitten meowed, a pitiful sound. Carefully picking it up, he brought it under his jacket. It situated itself there, held close to Matty's warmer body with Matty's hand. Now with extra baggage, Matty walked even faster home. This now became more of a rescue mission than simple journey back home.

"Hey love," Matty called as he came in, slamming the door shut with his foot. You, who had been lounging on the couch with Allen, quickly hurried over to greet him at the door. Allen followed at your side until you both came upon Matty's soaked and slightly shaking figure. Allen instantly went to sniffing at his jacket. Matty swatted him away with his free hand.

"Dear lord look at you," you gasped, stepping forward to examine Matty. "Did you walk home?"

He nodded and leaned forward to kiss you hello. "My car decided to end my day with ending its life."

"Oh no."

"Oh yes."

"Well take off your clothes, you need to get something warm and dry on before you catch a cold!" You reached forward to unzip Matty's jacket for him. Your eyes narrowed confusedly as he moved away from your touch. "Matty, what's going on?"

A small meow left his jacket. Allen barked, and your eyes widened. "Before you freak out-"

"YOU FOUND A KITTEN!"

Moving at the near speed of light, you had Matty's jacket undone and the kitten revealed. The poor thing was shivering much alike Matty, though it was far worse off than him. You gently brought it into your arms and rushed to the nearest bathroom to grab a towel. Matty slowly followed, going for some towels behind you.

"It's so beaten up," you mumbled sadly. "Look at it, its ear is all bitten and it has so many scratches. Some animal must have attacked it when it lost its mother. Oh, Matty, when you get cleaned up, go get me some milk pl-"

"We aren't keeping it."

Your face fell. "Matty-"

"We'll nurse it back to health, but we aren't keeping it," he repeated. His heart broke as he saw your face fell at his words. He did not mean to hurt you. He just hated cats, and had no clue how Allen would react to a cat. He already had barked at it. The last thing he wanted was for a fight to break out between the two and them to end up with two hurt animals. But man, did you look sad.

"She's already been through so much Matty," you whispered, dabbing away some of the blood on the kitten, apparently a girl, with a washcloth. "She doesn't deserve to sit in a shelter when we have a perfectly good home here for her."

"{Y/N}-"

"You won't have to take care of her," you pushed on, "and you'll not be bothered, either. I'll train her to be very courteous of you. She'll just keep me company, not you. Please, Matty?"

"But Allen-"

"Can learn to share us."

"Look, love-"

"Don't you 'look, love' me, Healy." Matty's eyes widened at that. You were rarely sassy with him. Hearing your sass really meant you were serious. "I know that I'm the one that entered your house, and I know you aren't a fan of cats, but this little girl needs us, and frankly...I need it. Not to guilt trip you into this, but you are hardly here sometimes during tours. I get lonely. She could keep me company alongside Allen. Please, Matty?"

Shutting his eyes with a sigh, Matty sat in silence. You thought for sure this meant he would snap at you, or even consider taking the kitten elsewhere right then and there, but then you noticed him nod. Brightening up, you took a step forward. His eyes fluttered open, catching yours in the light of the room.

"Was that a yes?"

Another sigh. "I was wondering what awesome gift I could give to you for our anniversary next week, anyway. Happy early anniversary, love."

Matty winced at the sharp squeal you let out. Careful not to smush the kitten, you jumped forward and hugged him tight. Punctuating it with a kiss, you giggled and looked down at the creature wrapped up in your arms.

"Oh thank you so much, Matty! Ahhh, I'm so happy! You're going to be so happy here little girl," you cooed to the little kitten. It looked up at you and meowed, as if to answer in its own excitement. Matty rolled his eyes and looked over to Allen, happily sitting by the door and wagging his tail. He motioned the large dog over and scratched at his head.

"Girls," huffed Matty. He shook his head at you cuddling the kitten. "You and I are going to have to get used to this one, Allen." Seeing you kiss the top of her head and giggle, he smiled. "But you know what? I think we might just be able to tolerate cats. Eventually."