A/N: Hey there guys and gals, let me start this off with an apology to Veratis. I said I'd do your one shot next, but for some reason the angst just isn't flowing, and I didn't feel like it was good enough. So after being stumped for a while, I decided it would be better if I cleared some other shots out the way, and got your's out when I felt like it was good enough. I really hope you understand, and once again, sorry for failing to meet my own terms. Instead, I've moved to the next one on the list, a fluffy little comic relief shot from Kyoni, with the ultra high quality, super rare trash ship of Eridan X Nepeta XD. But no, I hope you enjoy this. And, if anyone else has an idea for a pairing, make sure to drop it in the reviews, and I'll get on it. But for now, enjoy this chapter, and as always, stay Jammy.
Story 5: The Cat Burgler.
Eridan handed the cash to the girl behind the counter, giving her a beaming smile and receiving a blush, a giggle, and a goodbye wave in return. He took his coffee, and left, taking long strides down the street, sucking down deep breaths of fresh morning air, swigging coffee, and watching the clouds fly past. It was a good day to be alive, he most confidently decided. He didn't have much on the agenda today, so he'd decided to simply take a walk about town, pick up some coffee, maybe pop into a store or two. He had the time. And with his position as the son of a high up business man, he certainly had the money. He took a seat at a table, set out next to a cafe, and surveyed the street, taking slow sips of his drink, and debating what to do with his morning. Unbeknownst to him, a certain kitty cat was stalking him from the shadows. And she was about to dump his day straight on its head.
The aforementioned feline was leaning against the wall of a Burgerking, observing her target from the shadows. A pair of expensive looking blue trousers, sensible black shoes, and a white business shirt. Over that was a very well made long coat, almost a cape, and a purple scarf wound tight around his neck. The purple patch in his otherwise brown hair was certainly a very nice touch, and the thin rimmed glasses gave him the air of a business man, though he looked to be in his late teens, like her. He didn't seem to be doing much in particular, just sitting around and sipping at his coffee. Purrfect. She pushed off from the wall, and strode over to where he was sitting. It was all about the walk. Pretend you've got a purpose, and they'll likely not refuse you.
Eridan looked up as a girl, seemingly his own age, appeared at his table, smiling down at him.
"Hi! Is anyone sitting here?"
He was slightly caught off guard by her abrupt entry, but he wasn't one to refuse a lady a seat.
"Oh, no. Feel free to sit!"
Her smile grew wider, somehow, and she pulled the seat out and slumped down. She turned, searching the tables, and waved to a waitress. The women came over to her, and Eridan watched in amusement as she ordered the cafe's famous ultra-uber-deluxe hot chocolate, which was only slightly more drink than it was soup, what with how full of flake chunks, marshmellows and cream it was, alongside who knows what else.
He watched as she reached into her coat for her wallet, frowning and rummaging through her pockets. Eridan saw her face become more and more panicked, before he leaned over and tapped her wrist. He raised an eyebrow, before turning to the waitress and handing her a ten pound note.
"Keep the change for your tip" The waitress smiled and turned, going away to fetch her hot chocolate. Eridan sat back, and the woman let out a sigh of a relief as she finally found her wallet.
"Thank you. Sorry for making you pay her, here-" She tried to hand him the money he'd spent, but he waved her off.
"No no, don't worry. I've always been raised never to let a lady pay for her drink. Take it as a treat"
The girl giggled. "Well, thank you all the same. My name's Nepeta, Nepeta Leijon. Pleased to meet you" She extended a hand across the table, and he took it, his grip strong.
"Eridan Ampora. Likewise"
They released their grips a few seconds too late, and looked away, flushing. They sat in silence for a few seconds, before the waitress came back with Nepeta's drink. She took it in gloved hands, blew off the steam, and took a sip, smearing cream across her upper lip. Eridan gave a little chuckle, and she looked him, blushed and wiped the impromptu moustache away. They sat in silence for a while, each swigging their respective beverage. Eridan took that oppertunity to fully take in her outfit. It wasn't much, but she carried it well. A white T-shirt advertising a band he'd never heard of, a pair of ripped blue jeans, battered converse shoes, a roomy longcoat, and to top it all off, a bright blue, cat shaped hat. She looked up from her drink, and they locked eyes.
"Hey?"
Eridan blushed, she giggled, and the conversation continued. Jokes got laughs, stories got gasps, and charged remarks got blushes and giggles. All in all, they'd been together for close to an hour when Nepeta looked down at her watch, and frowned.
"Oh, grr. I'm gonna have to leave you. Duty calls, you know?"
Eridan, smiled. "Work huh?" He stood, tucking in his chair. "Well, hope you have fun"
They drifted closer.
"Yeah, I'll try..."
They locked eyes once more, and the moment just felt right. She stepped forward, and pressed her lips to his. He was shocked for a second, before he reciprocated. The came apart, and she gave him a final, fleeting grin, before she turned and hurried into the crowd. Eridan watched her go with a goofy grin.
Nepeta power walked through the milling people. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! That had not gone anywhere close to plan. She hadn't been expecting him to be so...Nice. She gave an unhappy sigh, before she slipped his wallet out from her baggy sleeve. She'd managed to bag it on the kiss, but...She couldn't say it was the reason she went for the kiss. Dammit. And her foul mood fell so much lower when she heard a: "Excuse me?" From behind her. She gave no sound as she started sprinting. Fuck it, he's nice, but I'm not going to jail today.
Eridan ran after her, darting into alleys, crossing roads, and slipping past pedestrians until they reached a low wall. She vaulted over it with cat like grace, not expecting the ten foot drop into a path below. Eridan heard her hit the ground with a thump, and a cry of pain. He slammed into the wall, before climbing over it, and dropping to the ground carefully. She lay on her back in the middle of the path, groaning in pain. She tried to lean up, but as she moved her foot, her groan turned to a cry and she slumped back down. He knelt down beside her.
"Are you OK?"
She looked at him through teary eyes.
"Uh...Yeah, I think I sprained my ankle...Oh god..."
His eyes went wide, and he reached for his phone to call an ambulance.
"Ok, I'll call an ambulance. But...Why were you running?"
"Cause you were chasing me!"
"I just wanted your number!"
Her face when slack, and she mumbled: "Oh"
He shook his head, and grabbed his phone, noticing as he did so a somewhat conspicious space in his pocket. He frowned, and looked down, to watch her pull his wallet from her own pocket.
"What?"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was gonna take it, but then you were really nice and I felt really bad but I did it anyway and then I ran 'cause I didn't want to go to jail but then you were still nice and now I kinda think I love you"
She finished her miniature breakdown, and fell silent, breathing heavily.
Eridan stared down at her for a few, charged seconds. And then, he started laughing. At first a chuckle, and then a full on guffaw.
She gave him a confused look. "What? What's funny? Stop laughing!"
He did, and he wiped the sudden damp from his eyes. "Oh, nothing. I just...Don't worry. You're not going to jail" He sent Feferi a message, and slid his phone back in his pocket, before taking his wallet from her limp hand and replacing it within his jacket. "If it's just a sprain, I could take you back to mine, if you want. My friend Feferi's really good with first aid. And from this little story, I doubt you have much to go back to yourself"
He extended his hand. She took it, starry eyed, and he pulled her up, arm over his shoulders, and supported her injured leg. He stood there for a second, before he gave a sigh, and quite literally swept her off her feet, picking her up in his arms, bridal style. Inwardly marvelling at how light she was he carried her towards the road, setting her down and sitting beside her. They stayed that way for a while, until Nepeta finally summoned the courage to break the silence.
"...Why...Are you doing this?"
As a red convertible pulled up to the curb, driven by a girl dressed for a summer festival, he turned to her, and as he pulled her up from the curb, he whispered.
"Because I think...I kinda love you too"
