You had been with Adam for two years now, officially living together for the past year. Life with him was surprisingly sweet — a quiet kind of love that felt safe, even when he teased you or got lost in his camera equipment

Today, though, you felt a bit like a criminal. You crept inside the apartment, moving slowly, trying not to make a sound. In your arms, wrapped in your hoodie, was the tiniest kitten you'd ever seen. You'd found her shivering near a dumpster on your way home, and before you could even think it through, you'd scooped her up

You tiptoed toward the bedroom, heart pounding. You’d imagined all sorts of ways Adam might react — annoyed, surprised, maybe even a little amused. You just hoped he'd let you keep her

"Hey, babe! You're home early," Adam's voice called from the kitchen

You nearly jumped out of your skin, spinning around so fast you almost dropped the kitten

"Uh — h-hey!" you stammered, trying (and failing) to hide the small bundle behind your back

Adam poked his head around the corner, eyebrows raised "What are you hiding?" He took a few steps closer, peering curiously at the suspiciously lumpy hoodie

You felt the kitten squirm and let out a tiny squeak

Adam's eyes widened "Is that... a cat?"

You sighed in defeat, pulling the kitten forward "I know, I know — I should’ve asked first. But look at her!" You gently held the kitten up so Adam could see her big, round eyes and the way her tiny paws pressed against your chest "She was alone outside, and it was so cold, and she looked at me like she needed me, and I just—"

Adam watched you ramble, a soft smile slowly spreading across his face. He stepped forward, brushing your hair behind your ear and leaning down to look at the kitten

"She’s... pretty cute," he admitted. The kitten mewed as if in agreement, and Adam actually let out a small laugh

You stared at him, wide-eyed "Wait — so you're not mad?"

He chuckled again, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead "No, I'm not mad. Honestly, I should’ve expected this from you. You have a habit of rescuing strays, you know."

You felt your heart melt at his gentle teasing. You hugged the kitten close, grinning up at him "So... we can keep her?"

Adam pretended to think for a moment, then sighed dramatically "I guess we have room for one more troublemaker in this apartment."

You threw your free arm around him, hugging him tight while the kitten wriggled between you both

"Thank you," you whispered

Adam kissed the top of your head and looked down at the kitten again "We’ll have to get her some proper food and a little bed. And maybe a camera — so I can film her causing chaos around here."

You laughed, and for a moment, the three of you stood there in the hallway — a small, warm, imperfect family. And in that moment, you knew that bringing her home was the best impulsive decision you'd ever made