The scent of tea and books lingered in the cozy walls of Maka and Soul’s apartment. Maka was off at the library, and Soul was passed out on the couch with one arm draped dramatically over his eyes, headphones on full blast. It was peaceful, minus the occasional distant snore and the soft, almost imperceptible padding of tiny paws against the floorboards.

You’d only just adopted the kitten yesterday— a tiny, white tabby with mismatched eyes and a meow that sounded like a broken squeaky toy. Naturally, you named him “Tofu.”

Crona sat stiffly at the farthest end of the couch, eyes glued in horror to where Tofu had just waddled in from the hallway. The kitten stopped, blinked slowly at Crona, and gave the tiniest chirp of a greeting. Crona flinched like it had just hissed fire.

“I.. I don’t know how to deal with that,” Crona muttered, sinking lower into the cushions like they could somehow melt into the furniture. “It’s.. staring at me. I think it’s plotting something.” You looked down at Tofu, who had promptly flopped over and was attempting to attack his own tail. Viciously. “He’s literally just existing.”

“He’s existing aggressively.”

You bit back a laugh and crossed the room, scooping Tofu up into your arms before the little guy could attempt any more high-risk tail combat. You brought him over to Crona carefully, but the moment you got within arm’s reach, Crona tensed like a deer in the headlights.

“Nonono, please, it can smell fear. I am fear,” they whispered, knees pulled tightly to their chest. “What if it climbs my leg? Or touches me with its tiny feet? What if it likes me?”

You sat down next to them with Tofu curled in your lap. “That would be the worst thing imaginable, huh?” Crona side-eyed you, a slight pout forming. “You're making fun of me.”

“Only a little. He's not gonna hurt you, Crona. He's.. basically a warm loaf of bread with opinions.”Tofu stretched, let out a tired mewl, and then nestled deeper into your hoodie. Crona glanced at the tiny creature, their expression twitching between suspicion and the tiniest flicker of awe.