TRIGGER WARNINGS: animal death, grief, and self-blame.
Lars was always a cat person.
He usually tried to take stray cats home, but obviously Mom and Dad never allowed it.
Han Solo, though, was different. The poor cat was in a rough shape, and he followed Lars all the way to his house. And this time, Lars really… felt the connection. His parents realized that as well.
So, Han Solo Barriga was the newest addition to the family.
He would be stubborn, but never aggressive. He loved attention and pets. When Ronaldo used to come over, he would love to play with the cat. On the other hand, Han Solo didn't meow often. He was quiet and observant. Though he would often try to interfere with Lars' baking time.
Every time Lars came back to an empty house, after another bad day at school, Han Solo was the one who got his back. The only one who understood him.
Thus, even after he lost Ronaldo, Han Solo was the one good thing that made his life a little easier.
Han Solo got sick.
Really sick.
Too fast.
Someone poisoned him.
And it was too late.
The cat was only three years old...
He waited and waited, only to receive the news from the doctor. Lars didn't want to believe her. He begged her to save his cat. And when that didn't work, Lars screamed, and released burning tears. His mother tried to comfort him, but it was useless.
The kid ran until he was outside of the clinic, the cold, biting night welcoming him.
Lars was so angry.
He knew he should've been angry at the person who poisoned Han Solo.
But Lars was furious at himself.
Because he should've never let Han Solo get out of the house. He should've figured it out earlier, that his cat was sick. He should've…
Han Solo died because of Lars.
Because that's what Lars did. He always ruined everything. He pushed people away. He ruined every single good thing that came to his life.
And that was the last straw.
Lars grieved at an empty parking lot.