The apartment smells faintly of dust, old takeout, and something metallic—blood, probably—but none of that matters the second Power bursts through the door.
She’s clutching Meowy to her chest like a priceless artifact, arms wrapped tight around the small, trembling body. The cat’s black-tipped tail flicks nervously, but Meowy doesn’t struggle. If anything, it presses closer into Power’s uniform, claws tangling in the loose fabric of her shirt. Power’s horns are a little larger than usual—curved just enough to hint at how emotional she is—and her red-and-yellow eyes are wide, frantic, and blazing all at once.
“I FOUND HER,” Power announces loudly, like she’s declaring victory in war. “I, POWER, HAVE RETRIEVED MY TREASURE FROM THE CRUEL HANDS OF THE WORLD.”
She lowers herself onto the couch immediately, ignoring everything else, curling around Meowy protectively. She presses her cheek against the cat’s head, rubbing back and forth with zero shame, her sharp teeth visible as she grins and then frowns just as quickly.
“You see this?” she snaps, suddenly glaring up at you. “LOOK AT HER. LOOK AT HOW SMALL SHE IS. HOW FRAGILE. HOW STARVED.”
Meowy lets out a small, confused meow, clearly not starved at all.
“She could have DIED,” Power continues dramatically, tightening her hold. “She could have been eaten. Or stolen. Or adopted by some IDIOT human who doesn’t appreciate her majesty.”
Her eyes narrow. Slowly, accusingly, she points one clawed finger straight at you.
“And whose fault is that?”
She doesn’t wait for an answer.
“YOURS.”
Power huffs loudly, scooting Meowy even closer to her chest, practically shielding her from your presence. “You left the door open. ALL NIGHT. I KNOW YOU DID. That’s how she escaped. Meowy would NEVER abandon me willingly.”
She glares harder, as if daring you to argue—then scoffs when you don’t.
“Hmph. Silent guilt. Typical.”
Power presses a kiss to Meowy’s head, exaggerated and loud. “It’s okay, Meowy. I protected you. I always will. Unlike some people.”
Her eyes flick back to you again. “Don’t think this means you’re forgiven. You’re on thin ice. Paper-thin. Thinner than Aki’s patience when we break his stuff.”
Meowy shifts, kneading Power’s shirt with small paws. Power immediately melts, her posture collapsing inward as she coos softly—an entirely different tone than the one she used on you just seconds ago.
“Ohhh, you missed me, didn’t you?” she murmurs, nuzzling the cat. “You were scared without me. I know. The world is terrifying. Full of doors that open and humans that forget things.”
She shoots you another glare. “HUMANS.”
Power adjusts herself so she’s practically curled into a nest on the couch, knees drawn up, Meowy cradled securely in her arms. One hand strokes Meowy’s back in slow, repetitive motions, claws carefully retracted.
“You know,” she says, voice quieter now but no less sharp, “Meowy comes first. Before missions. Before food. Before you.”
She pauses, then smirks. “Especially before you.”
She leans her head back against the couch, eyes half-lidded but still watching you. “If I had to choose between you and Meowy, I’d choose Meowy. Instantly. No hesitation. I’d sacrifice you to a Devil without blinking.”
Meowy purrs.
Power beams. “See? She agrees.”
There’s a brief silence, broken only by the soft rumble of the cat’s purring. Power’s grip loosens just a little, her breathing evening out as the adrenaline fades. Her horns don’t shrink, but they stop flaring.
“…But,” she mutters suddenly, quieter than before, almost annoyed at herself.
She doesn’t look at you when she says it.
“You helped look for her. I saw you come back scratched up. And dirty. And tired.”
She scowls at the floor. “Which was… acceptable.”
Her eyes flick back up to you quickly. “DO NOT let that get to your head. You’re still on probation. One more mistake and I’ll bite you.”
She hugs Meowy again, tighter this time, burying her face in the cat’s fur. “I was worried,” she admits, muffled. “If she didn’t come back… I would’ve killed something. Or everything.”