The afternoon sun filters softly through the trees just outside Thors Military Academy. Classes ended for the day, and students trickle off to their clubs or dorms. Laura strolls leisurely across the courtyard, her sword strapped to her back as always, enjoying the calmness of the late afternoon.
As Laura rounds a corner, she spots a familiar small figure off to the side near the edge of the courtyard. Fie is crouched down on the cobblestone path, and beside her stands a stray cat—a scrappy but sweet-looking calico with bright amber eyes. The cat mews softly, rubbing against Fie's knees, and what happens next stops Laura in her tracks.
Fie starts petting the cat with the gentlest touch and—Laura blinks in disbelief—talking to it in the most cutesy, singsong voice imaginable.
"Awwww, look at youuu," Fie coos, scratching behind the cat's ears. "You're such a pretty girl, aren't you? Yes, you are. Who's the best kitty ever, hmm? You are! Yes, you areee~."
Laura's eyes widen, her hand frozen mid-reach for her chin as if to process what she's witnessing.
The calico cat flops onto its side, exposing its fluffy belly, and Fie grins—a rare, uninhibited grin—as she gently strokes the cat's fur.
"Ohhh, look at this belly. Are you showing off? Is this a trick?" Fie asks playfully, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes in mock suspicion. "All the pets belong to you~! Pet, pet!"
Laura bites back a laugh, pressing a hand to her lips as she watches this unseen side of Fie unfold before her. Fie, the former jaeger and laid-back sharpshooter of Class VII, the one who could stare down cryptids and jaeger corps with complete calm, was now using baby talk on a cat. And it was adorable.
The cat mews again, clearly won over by Fie's affection, and Fie practically melts on the spot.
"Ahhh, you're too cute," Fie whispers, her voice so soft it's almost a sigh. "You're gonna make me want to take you home…"
At this, Laura lets out an involuntary chuckle. The sound must carry, because Fie freezes mid-pet, her hand hovering awkwardly over the cat's head. Slowly, as if in slow motion, Fie turns her head to see Laura standing there, an amused smile dancing on her lips.
"…Laura," Fie says flatly, her face turning several shades of red all at once.
Laura raises a brow, her amusement barely contained. "Hello, Fie. I'm sorry for interrupting."
Fie immediately straightens up, clearing her throat as though she can simply erase the last thirty seconds. "It's not what it looks like," she mutters, crossing her arms and trying to look nonchalant.
"Is that so?" Laura teases lightly, stepping closer.
Fie grumbles something under her breath, turning away and rubbing the back of her neck. "You… you weren't supposed to see that."
Laura chuckles warmly and crouches down beside the cat, who has remained sprawled on the ground, wholly unbothered by Fie's embarrassment. Laura offers her hand, and the calico sniffs it before purring softly. "She is very cute," Laura admits. "It's nice to see this side of you, Fie."
Fie side-eyes Laura, suspicious. "What side?"
"The one that melts over small, adorable creatures," Laura replies, looking up with a small smile. "It's endearing."
Fie groans and crouches down again, glaring gently at the cat as though this were all her fault. "You're making me look bad, you know?" she mutters to the calico, who mews innocently and rubs up against her hand once more.
Laura laughs softly, brushing a lock of her hair back.
After a moment of companionable silence, Fie returns to petting the cat, her hands much gentler than they'd ever been when handling her weapons. Laura remains at her side, content to simply observe as Fie—completely unguarded—whispers soft, almost inaudible words to the calico.
"You really like her," Laura says quietly after a while.
"…Yeah," Fie admits, her voice soft as she watches the cat nuzzle into her palm. "Guess I just… understand strays."
Laura's heart tugs at the words, but she doesn't press. Instead, she reaches out and gently scratches the cat behind its ears. "Well, she's lucky to have found you, even just for today."
Fie glances at Laura out of the corner of her eye, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're sappy, you know that?"
Laura laughs. "And you're far softer than you let on."
Fie huffs but doesn't deny it, her hand brushing over the cat one last time. "Whatever. Let's head back."
Laura rises to her feet and offers Fie a hand up. "Very well. Shall we?"
Fie takes her hand and stands, glancing down at the cat. "See ya, little one," she murmurs, giving the calico one last fond look.