A/N: So I went with a real cat breed instead of making one up because I suck at those kind of things. Thank God for Google Images because I have trouble understanding genetics because it wasn't ever explained really well. I learned from a website on rare cat breeds that UkrainianLevkoy cats are down right funny looking. Enough of my rambling. Enjoy the story, y'all!
9: Alec POV
Magnus looks really worried about being taught. After seeing the videos Ragnor made of him, I understand why.
He's extremely intelligent. It's surprising in a way since pets are usually thought of as stupid.
"Do you wanna stop? Jace and Izzy will be home soon," I say.
"Yeah. Thanks for being so patient," he replies.
"There was nothing to be patient about. You're smart."
His ears prick up at the praise.
"Why's your last name different from the breed name?" I ask.
"My last name's the same as the last name of my breeder," he replies.
"They infused cat DNA in human embryos, right? That's how nekos started?"
"I think. I don't know."
"What breed was on your paper?"
"Siamese. That's what my mom was. But I don't have blue eyes; that's how they knew I was a mix. They think my dad was probably either a tabby or a Burmese; they bred both of those."
His ears droop a little. I know he's afraid I really do care about his breed, but I don't.
"I'm glad you didn't have blue eyes," I mumble.
"Would you have been mean to me if I did?" he asks.
"No! Magnus, why would I do that?"
"Because something about me displeased you."
"You can't control that."
"I'm glad you're not like the rest of them."
He doesn't growl at Jace today, but his ears still go back in warning.
"Can I take him to dye his hair?" Izzy asks.
"That's up to him," I reply.
He stumbles in his hurry to follow her. I think it's cute how excited he is.
"Any luck with Clary?" I ask Jace, placing my laptop on the coffee table.
"Nope. Maryse is supposed to be in tonight," Jace replies.
"Okay. How long's it been this time?"
"Three months."
Thanks to bills being automatically taken from my mother's bank account, all we have to worry about is food. She usually sends a check once a month for our groceries.
"She's not gonna be happy about Magnus," I mumble.
My mother's very anti-neko. She believes they're an abomination and should all be euthanized.
"She can get over it," Izzy replies, leading Magnus in.
His hair's been gelled into glittery spikes. The tips are bright orange. His ears show up better. It looks like one of them got hair chalk on his Siamese ears.
"I like it," I tell him.
"Thank you," he replies, smiling.
"Mom knows you need friends," Izzy says.
"Mom doesn't like nekos."
"I can act like I was trained," Magnus offers.
I don't want to do that to him. It goes against everything I've told him.
"Magnus, I don't want you to act like that. I'm gonna tell her I fell for you and had to adopt you," I tell him.
It isn't far from the truth.
"How am I supposed to act?" he asks.
"Have you ever seen a couple in love?" I reply.
"No. What am I supposed to do?"
"I'm not gonna molest you. Or rape you."
Slowly, I touch his face. Ears flicking nervously, he stiffens, but he doesn't move away.
"Is that okay?" I ask.
"Uh-huh. A-am I allowed to touch you?" he murmurs.
"Of course. I wanna work this all out with you before she gets here. What are you okay with?"
"Um, I guess anything. I know you're not gonna hurt me."
"Kissing? Sitting on my lap?"
"Both are okay. As long as you're not jerking my ears or my tail, I'm cool with whatever."
We barely come up with the plan in time; Mom comes in ten minutes later. Magnus is quick to curl up against me. He's tense.
"Relax. Think about something nice," I murmur, running a gentle hand down his back.
He raises up to kiss my cheek.
"If this was real, it'd be nice," he murmurs.
"It could be," I reply.
"What is that on the couch with you?" Mom asks, glaring at Magnus.
Magnus crawls into my lap. He's trembling.
"His name's Magnus. I adopted him from the pound," I reply, rubbing his back slowly.
"Why would you? They don't deserve to live. Why would you bring one here when you know I hate them?" Mom retorts.
"Because I fell for him at first sight. He's human. He just has cat ears and a tail. You're rarely here."
"How could you love an animal?"
"He's not an animal. I love him."
Magnus turns and kisses me. It catches me by surprise at first but I respond quickly. He's a very good kisser.
"You're disgusting," Mom tells me.
"Am I doing poorly?" Magnus whispers worriedly.
"Because I'm gay or because I love someone you think is beneath me?" I reply.
"When did you decide you were gay? I thought you were just horny and desperate."
Magnus looks down. His ears are drooping pitifully.
"I've always been gay. Don't talk about him like that. I haven't had sex with him, by the way," I reply.
"Like what?"
"Like he has no feelings."
"Please. They're animals in human skin."
"Stop insulting him. Would you have had the same problem if Clary was a neko?"
"Like Jace would bring home one of those animals."
"You don't know what I've done because you're never here," Jace retorts.
"You have more sense than that."
"I raped someone."
"You did what?!"
"I was drunk. I didn't remember it afterwards."
"What made you think that was a good idea?!"
"Clary dumped me. And I was horny."
"Who was it? Did you try to make it right? If you didn't, I will make you fix things."
"It was Magnus. He, um, he likes me about as much as we like Izzy's cooking."
"Oh. Well, that changes things. It probably didn't hurt it."
"No, it doesn't! Magnus was throwing up from being in so much pain. Stop calling him an it! He can hear you, you know," I snap angrily.
"If it's bothered by this, why doesn't it say anything?"
Mom pinches Magnus' bad ear. I jerk her hand away and move him from my lap.
"Stop it! He's trying to be good! Leave him alone! I don't care if you accept it or not. I love Magnus," I growl, standing in front of Magnus.
The truth behind my words hits me like a brick wall. I'm in love with Magnus, with someone who's beneath me by society's standards.