Archive of Our Own ^beta

“… That’s a bobcat.”

“Hm? Okay,” the bored city council worker that had dropped off the ‘large moggy—wearing jeans, so clearly he belongs to someone’ hurriedly wrote down “Bob” on the cage’s name plate.

“I trust you’ll reunite Bob with his owner—or were you saying the owner’s name was Bob and that you knew him?” the man rambled to himself before shrugging. “Either way, love your work, and good luck!”

“No, I meant that’s his breed—”

“Oh cool! I thought he was just a domestic shorthair. Hear that Bob, you’re a fancy kitty!”

The sullen and confused lynx raised its head and let out a chirruping ‘Mrrw?’ before lowering its head down onto its very large, very murder-capable, mittens.

Isuka was so busy looking at the expressive cat’s depression that she was only brought back to her surroundings by the slamming of the door as the worker left in a hurry, clearly in a rush not to lose anymore of his lunch hour.

She grimaced, realizing she was truly alone with what was most likely a wild and deadly animal. He was probably a job for animal control, not her severely underfunded shelter.
But seeing the despondent fear of the lynx strengthened her resolve. He was an animal who clearly had a home and was missing them, and she was dedicated to helping whatever animals came through her doors.

“Oh, sweet Bob,” she murmured, the cat raising its head in confusion (and if its expressive face was anything to go by, outrage and snootiness) at being addressed by that name. “Whatever are we going to do with you?”

She decided it might be best to get him settled and comfortable before scanning him for tags. She gave him a small little wave and went to do her rounds feeding all the other animals—mostly cats, some dogs, a few rabbits—in their pens, cleaning up any obvious accidents.

Truthfully, she had never had to interact with a bobcat before. She doubted very much that he would let her walk him around like a dog, but enrichment and exercise was definitely needed. She hated seeing him slumped in his cage, staring at the ground as if assuming he was on death row.

It was one of the reasons Isuka hadn’t called animal control or any of her colleagues for advice. The jeans it was wearing pointed to heavy interaction with humans. It was likely it was either an exotic pet—legally or illegally owned was yet to be determined, but her state did allow for permits following stringent checks—or an animal that had been mistreated and pranked into people clothes. Over-familiarity with humans could very well be a death sentence for his kind to cut down on the chance of a human being injured.

Isuka circled around her volunteer office and the pens again in a daze, trying to think of what she could or should do. Should she check it for tags or a microchip? Would she have to restrain it herself or get someone to tranquilize the poor creature just to check?

She found herself back in front of his pen, looking in. The lynx raised its head, its intelligent eyes scanning her face. Isuka couldn’t help but feel that gaze was passing judgement, reading through her very being, and she held her breath rather childishly in anticipation for the lynx’s decision.

The lynx chuffed. It sounded like a friendly laugh. Rose to its feet and sauntered over.

Isuka kept her stance steady. She wasn’t sure if she should maintain eye contact—would he take it as a sign of aggression?—but she couldn’t look away from that steady gaze.
He walked right over to the bars of the pen. Then flopped in front of her. Lazily, it lifted its mighty head to rub its cheek along the bars while purring heartily.

Isuka melted. He was acting like any big ol’ housecat that had judged a person worthy of their attention and was demanding interaction. She lifted her hand on impulse before clenching it back at her side.

“Isuka old gal, what are you doing,” she shook her head, laughing at herself.

The lynx looked up. It was as if its eyebrow was raised in question. Like ‘What’s so funny.’

Isuka’s embarrassment rose and she looked down at her own feet. “Was just thinking I’m really gonna die patting something I shouldn’t, huh.”

The cat grumbled, its voice surprisingly squeaky and soft, but did not bare his impressive fangs at her, to which Isuka was grateful.

“If I let you out for a bit, do you promise not to eat me or get into any of the other pens?”

The cat turned its nose up at her, snooty and unimpressed with a huff as if it were deeply offended. It stood up and turned around haughtily, baring its back and butt to her as if she were beneath contempt. The tail swayed.

“Hey now, just taking precautions, don’t be so offended. If anything, you should know you’re quite mighty and fearsome, and I’m very impressed.”

The cat turned its face to show her one eye, tentatively happy as its ears relaxed as if saying ‘really.’

Isuka never thought lynxes could be so expressive. It was like the big cat could communicate in a glance and wore its heart on its sleeve. Isuka shook her head. Man, was she losing it.

As a shelter volunteer, she did try to keep an air of distance and professionalism, the goal of course being rehoming the animals and she couldn’t take them all home. Her rental situation unfortunately did not allow it. But she had always had an affinity for animals, particularly cats, and did find herself bonding to the occasional scrappy moggy on occasion.
Her landlord had said no to a simple cat. She doubted he’d budge for a bobcat.

Carefully, she placed the back of her hand against the mesh of the cage.

The lynx, who refused to go by Bob, sniffed her hand curiously. She kept her fingers facing inwards, hoping not to lose any of them. She thought she was in for some bite marks when he mouthed at the back of her hand, but the fangs never sank in. He rubbed his cheek against her knuckles. Isuka was proud of herself from restraining from giving him a tickle under the chin. Resolve lasting for all of ten seconds.

His fur was so soft and silky. She had expected it to be coarse, but clearly the bobcat was meticulous with his cleaning routine. He practically fell into her touch, leaning down into it, tail and butt in the air as his fluffy cheek melted into her palm. She could feel the feline’s strength and weight as he leaned most of his weight into her hand, as if trusting her to keep him upright and not faceplanting. She could feel the vibrations of his purr running beneath his chin, vaguely chainsaw-like.

Isuka was in awe.

His chin rolled around so she could get to the spot at the base of his ear that was clearly itchy. His back leg twitched and thumped.

Isuka laughed and carefully pulled her hand away (no sudden movement) as he turned and gave her a glare with narrowed eyes.

“Sorry, sorry. Got an itchy spot, huh? Not laughing at you, just chuckling because you’re adorable.”

The lynx chuffed and chirruped with pride, his eyes closing as he started rubbing his face all over her hand (more-so patting himself on the bars of his pen). He was completely trusting and very sweet. A little bit of dribble trickled down his chin as he pawed at the ground.

“You’ve had such a rough day, haven’t you big fella?” Isuka watched him with concern. The pen was one of the larger ones, usually used for bigger dogs like Rottweilers and greyhounds. But the large lynx looked so cramped in the space. She really wanted to let him roam in the grass fields out back, but he was bound to jump the fences where the dogs couldn’t. She felt guilty that she couldn’t do more for him.

She looked back to her cubicle out front. On her desk was her previously steaming lunch, now no doubt lukewarm or chilled. But she thought the lynx would appreciate it. Well, at least the meatballs, maybe not the spaghetti. She didn’t think he’d appreciate the kibble (no matter how high-quality) the cats and dogs consumed. Perhaps the wet food? She looked to the proud creature and shook her head. No, he’d probably turn his nose up at that. He deserved better.

“I have just the thing for you,” she smiled, straightening back out to leave. The cat whined, its mournful cries piercing her heart. He leapt up, clinging to the cage and climbing up as if it would help him get out. His body was extremely long. Almost longer than Isuka was tall. It was an imposing reminder of the creature’s strength and size. But the pitiful meows of the lynx as it seemed to beg her not to leave made her just want to cuddle him.

“I’ll be right back, buddy!”

“Mrrw!”

“Just a moment!”

She dashed back to the front desk, picking up her spaghetti, and dashed back, all while followed by the echoing din of what sounded like a screaming hell banshee repeatedly stubbing its toe. She’d never heard a sound like that, revving up to a chainsaw pitch before yo-yoing back. It made her head spin.

“Hey, hey, buddy I’m ba—what are you doing?”

Those fangs were trying to gnaw through the mesh of the cage. Sensing she was back, the cat stopped in its escape attempt, teeth pulling back behind its lips as it pretended it had just been harmlessly mouthing at the metal.

Isuka rose an eyebrow at his cheek in its pretend innocence when it was so obviously trying to escape after her. She crossed her arms across her chest.

The lynx pulled back with an embarrassed pop and sulking away into the back corner of the pen, curling up in a depressed huff.

“Hey now, bud, if you’re hiding back there, how on earth am I supposed to share my food with you?” She held up the microwaveable dish, scraping the meatballs off through the gaps in the mesh. They bounced off the floor with a sauce-wet plop and pooled together.

The lynx, forgetting its embarrassment (and that it was mad at her for leaving) jumped up and practically pranced over to its lunch, lapping lavishly at the meatballs and swilling it up and around into his mouth as if tasting vintage wine. Smacking his lips together, Isuka could hear the rumbling purr starting up. Clearly, her lunch was to his liking.

“Bet you’re spoiled rotten and your owner buys you all the best meat,” Isuka tutted before smiling. “It’s what you deserve, hey buddy.”

Isuka swore the cat nodded sagely after that and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“You gonna start that infernal hell noise if I leave you again?”

The lynx, again, nodded.

She sighed. “Well … if you don’t try and eat me, I’m sure we can come to an agreement.”

Before she knew it, Isuka had an armful of lynx, which quickly became a lapful of lynx. Well, not quickly enough. He was a heavy pussycat and she felt every pound of weight; indeed, the walk to the back desk had never felt so long. Every step was a strain.

The lynx latched onto her (thankfully just his arms wrapped around her shoulders, not his knife-thick claws) and clung on as Isuka waddled to the desk.

She figured people entering the shelter would be scared off if they found the worker at the front desk with a lynx, acting like it was totally normal to be baby carrying the near-puma sized puss around.

She huffed loudly by the time she finally flopped into her desk chair, taking a breather. The giant spoiled cat didn’t jump out of her arms or try to adjust its weight in any way to help her lungs. He merely shuffled a little to make himself more comfortable, nuzzling his muzzle into her neck.

She giggled nervously, partly because the whiskers tickled, and partly at the absurdity of having a bobcat with sabre-teeth so close to her jugular.

So. This was her life now.

She craned her neck to look at the content cat clinging to her front. Its face tucked under hers had its eyes closed and its lips curved in a contented smile.

He must have really appreciated the meatballs.

Isuka was grateful for this life. That it did not seem like it was going to lead to a sudden death anytime soon.

She gave his noggin a little kiss and then rested her chin on his head as she got to work reading over applications and emailing successful applicants for a meet-and-greet. She liaised with a foster carer through speaker phone, and after that took a call on a stray dog that had been caught and was on its way to being brought in.

After awhile the warmth and weight of the lynx across her was able to be zoned out. She made light adjustments when any sore and numbness was developing, but mostly the lynx was just a nice companion. Its rumbling purr continued even through its doze, and she was careful not to speak too loudly to disturb it or make any sudden moves.

Eventually the lynx woke up, but he didn’t scream or complain to be let down or to be let out for toilet. Instead he just readjusted himself so he could watch the computer she was working on, his gaze intelligent and intent, as if he knew what he was reading.

“You’re clever, aren’t you boy,” she scratched him behind the ears and the tufts twitched around in a circular way. “You for sure have an owner. You’re clearly domesticated. Must be so scary to be out there on your own. I really should check you for a microchip. Should have done it earlier but you’ve been such polite company I’ve not wanted it to end.”

The lynx chuffed happily and left a long lick up the side of her face. Isuka winced. It felt like sandpaper. Like the near-stripping of skin. But she smiled. Clearly, the lynx had become just as fond of her as she had of him. His supervision was keeping her on task.

“Honestly surprised we haven’t had a call. Anyone missing their bobcat must be fearing the worst in terms of lethal response. Your owner must be so bereft and confused. Did you slip your collar?”

The bobcat shook its head as if he knew what she were talking about, and then slipped down to sit in her lap before standing up, tailed butt in her face.

“Urgh, gross, I thought we were friends—oh! There’s a tag on your jeans, that’s so nifty. Kotatsu! Your name is Kotatsu! And your owner’s name is … Ace?”

The big cat chuffed, very still and polite as she checked the clips on his belt.

“This is a very stylish way to do it, huh buddy. And I really like your jeans.”

The cat fluffed up its chest with pride, nose to the air.

“Bet your human’s got you a kotatsu to sleep on,” she said, rubbing him behind the ears and watching as he smiled and leaned into it. She abruptly stopped and he chirruped in annoyance. “Unless he’s using you as one. You’re big and fluffy.”

The lynx shook its head and bunted its chin against hers in a rub. “Nooo don’t scent-mark me,” she grumbled, playfully batting his face away. He mouthed at her fingers, but the noms were in play and she found she was not afraid. He was very gentle and his body language was indicating he was happy and relaxed. She’d remain diligent and alert, of course, to not lose fingers. But for now, she was enjoying the big cat’s cuddles.

“Hey, you’re a real gem of a kitty, did you know that? Your human is very lucky.”

“I really am,” came an out-of-breath unexpected voice way too close for comfort.

Isuka screamed, spinning around to face the source of the voice with such force that both she and Kotatsu almost slipped off the swivel chair. Isuka’s scream and sudden movement caused Kotatsu to scream directly at the man standing behind her. Isuka wasn’t sure if it was the unexpectedness of her own scream or the sudden drill-sharp yowling and sharp teeth that had the man himself near-falling over backwards and letting out his own shriek.

Isuka had too much dignity to ever admit that his shriek caused another wave of screaming to ripple through them. Such things were too ridiculous.

At the end of the young man’s second shriek he allowed it to peter out smoothly into a warm baritone chuckle. “Sorry about that.”

“How’d you get back here?” Isuka glared with a frown she hoped was fierce enough to deter him if he was a robber. The lynx in the lap would also have helped. Kotatsu looked from her to the man, and mirrored her frown.

“’Tatsu, after all this time all it takes is for a nice pretty lady giving you a compliment and ear rubs and you’re willing to betray me? After I ran to every pound and shelter in town on my way here, the disrespect.”

“You sound upset,” Isuka consoled, then added lightly in a quip trying to keep the mood light after the man’s clearly stressful day looking for his (big) kitty “and jealous. Though whether it’s at me for temporarily stealing the affections of your cat, or your cat for getting nice compliments and ear rubs I don’t know.”

“Me neither,” he said earnestly while maintaining a steady smile, the only sign he hadn’t meant to admit to that a faint reddening of his cheeks. He had freckles, she noted, and high cheekbones, before realizing she was perhaps staring at his face a bit too hard. She hoped he couldn’t see the redness of her own face.

“So you’re Kotatsu’s owner?” she prompted when things were getting a bit too awkward with their mutual goofy smiles and red cheeks.

“Yep, that’s me!” he said, smile widening and growing proud. “He’s a bit of a handful, but a pretty amazing companion and fella.”

“He’s a good boy for sure,” Isuka said, ruffling the fluffy fur at Kotatsu’s chest much to the cat’s purring delight. “Bit of an escape artist?”

“Actually not,” the good-natured man stepped closer as if unable to not give his companion a rub on the head when he was purring so loudly. “This is the first time he’s ever done anything like this. Completely scared the crap out of me! Just imagining him alone on the streets like that, confused and not knowing what to do—hey, my poor little man, huh, you must have been so scared,” he cooed as he gave gentle pats around his back. Isuka had thought he would want his fluffy cheeks so had moved her own hands to start patting around his shoulders. This led to their fingers brushing as they accidentally moved for the same spot, both trying to be polite.

A spark seemed to rush through Isuka at the contact as they both rushed to pat other areas. Isuka told herself it was just the static from Kotatsu’s fur. Nothing more. The man chuckled, voice deep and rough and bashful. “Sorry about that.”

“No worries, my bad too—”

“No, nobody’s bad—”

“Especially Kotatsu,” Isuka nodded, firm. “He just got a little lost and had a bad day.”

“I don’t think he’s had a completely bad day,” the man beamed. “He seems to have hit the jackpot in terms of getting permanent cuddles. He’s a bit clingy, isn’t he?”

“Oh, he definitely carried on when I tried to leave him alone.”

“Yeah, he gets lonely and gets sulky as anything. I thought I trained him out of screaming but I guess the stress of the day caught up with him, and he just wanted to be around a nice person who treated him kindly. He’s a good judge of character like that, ma’am.”

“Yeah?” Isuka found herself getting even more flustered at his manners and gentle compliments. She mumbled, “my name’s Isuka,” and buried her face in Kotatsu’s back which graciously engulfed her face with its fluff.

“Nice name,” the man said gently. “Like a bird, right? Mine’s Portgas D. Ace. It’s nice to meet you, and thank you so much for looking after Kotatsu for me.”

“Anytime!” she said on autopilot, cringing at herself. “I mean. If you ever need a kitty sitter, he’s a great boy and we really hit it off I think.”

“Oh definitely. He doesn’t let just anyone give him cuddles. Usually he’s quite aloof, so you really won him over!”

“Well, thank you Kotatsu. I feel really honoured.”

Kotatsu chuffed and lay down, almost slipping off Isuka’s lap as he stretched out.

“Sorry to be back here,” Ace scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He was wearing a bright orange cowboy hat, and while it was absurd it was also strangely endearing. It suited him. As did the longer feathery strands of hair beneath it. “I’ve been running around to all the shelters on this side of town. Loof—my brother, Luffy, has been taking the left side of town. He got distracted while out walking Kotatsu. Well, more like running him around town like a madman. Kotatsu probably didn’t know how to orienteer his way back. Of course, Luffy didn’t mean to, and he’s been such a help in searching for him—anyway. Bit puffed. When I saw there were lights on and no ‘closed’ signs and could hear voices and what I could swear was the rumble of Kotatsu’s purr from the empty front desk, I just had to check out back. Sorry if that’s trespassing or made you uncomfortable at all. I just had ‘Tatsu tunnel vision.”

“Oh, I get it,” Isuka replied. “Of course, you’re not supposed to come back here without a shelter volunteer but we’re really understaffed lately and only I was on so … I get it. I’m glad you came back and could be reunited with your kitty. Losing a pet is so scary and hard—”

“Do you have your own kitty?” Ace asked politely, seemingly genuinely interested in Isuka’s experiences.

“Not since I was a child. Moving to a rental as an adult—they don’t really allow for pets—”

“That’s such bullshit,” Ace grumbled on her behalf. “You’d be the best cat mom.”

“Heh,” Isuka chuckled, ducking her face back into Kotatsu’s fur. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Ace was smiling when Isuka was able to remove her (no longer blushing) face to look at him. “So like do I just … take him and go or ...?”

“Ah, no sorry. There’s usually a fine on non-microchipped animals—”

“Oh,” Ace patted down his pants pockets, as if hoping to find his wallet. His face lit up when he managed to fish out a couple of bills. “Will this do?”

Isuka looked down at the crumpled handful of bills. It really wouldn’t even cover a fraction of the impound fee usually, but Isuka found herself willing to waive it. It would cover her spaghetti and meatballs lunch, at least. “Sure. But the bigger issue is—you know he’s a bobcat, right?”

Ace turned to look at Kotatsu. Kotatsu turned to look at him with wide eyes. “And is that … a bad thing?”

“No—well, yes—er, how do I put this. Kotatsu’s a wild animal.”

Ace gasped, offended. “No he’s not! Kotatsu, she doesn’t mean it. He’s the best, most polite big cat ever. Wouldn’t hurt a fly and has the best manners. When he’s not screaming for attention.”

“No I mean—lynxes, typically, are not classified as domesticated animals. In most places, you can’t own them at all.”

“Why not?”

“ … Because they have murder teeth and mittens and know how to use them?”

“Well, Kotatsu’s just a big ol’ pussycat,” Ace pouted. “You can see that, right?”

Isuka nodded. “He’s very much approachable, well-trained and has not displayed any aggression towards humans. But the thing is, you need a license and to register him in the system. You can own them in this island state, but it’s heavily regulated and there’s a lot of red-tape to get through—”

“So you’re saying I can’t just take my baby boy home?” Ace’s jaw dropped, and both he and Kotatsu turned to look at her with the most bereft, pleading expressions. It was a double psychic assault on Isuka’s soul. The pitiful, adorable dark eyes turned on her so full of hope, she couldn’t say no to them.

“Technically, I’m supposed to hold him here until you’re officially licensed to own him, but” Isuka said, putting her finger up to halt them as both immediately opened their mouths to let out sad sounds. Both immediately switched to quiet and attentive. “I am willing to bend the rules somewhat in this case. You are clearly a very loving owner and Kotatsu is very bonded to you. As no incidents have been reported to any of the shelters surrounding a domestic bobcat—and if there was anything, we would all know about it—I think for Kotatsu’s welfare, it would be best to keep him with you, but at your home, until your license comes in. House arrest, I’m afraid.”

Both whooped in sheer delight and gratitude. Kotatsu bounded off her lap to do excited zooms around the room. Ace pulled her close and out of her chair in an excited hug. She awkwardly smiled and lifted a hand to pat the biceps wrapped around her in sympathy, trying desperately herself not to smile too hard or nuzzle into the warm crevasse of his broad and appealing chest. That would be … inappropriate for a professional encounter.

Stiffly, and if she were honest with herself reluctantly, she pulled away from the sunshine-bright man. “We—you gotta fill out this form, though. But don’t worry, we can do that and send it off now. And I’ll advocate for you on the form. Of course, I’ll need to come around every now and again to do welfare checks on Kotatsu and the property he’s staying at, and to make sure there haven’t been any incidents—”

After she had finished and sent off the form, he turned to her with a roguish smile.

“Oh, you sure this is all necessary? If you just want to keep seeing and playing with Tatsu, I don't mind you coming to our place all the time to visit—”

“That’s not—” Isuka spluttered, voice cracking. “It’s very necessary! An essential requirement—”

“Kotatsu will be so happy,” Ace said, the lynx having barreled into his leg and sat down at his side, nuzzling into his hand. “We can like. Co-parent.”

Isuka squawked in embarrassment and Ace laughed. “I’m just kidding. But if you wanted to come around after your shift I’d be delighted. I’d love to buy you a nice dinner and show you my thanks. For being so kind and helping me and Kotatsu out,” he grabbed the pen off her desk and wrote down his name and address on her arm while she was gaping in flustered shock. He smiled as he wrote down the final number. It was totally unnecessary—she’d filled out all this information already in the form, but the action seemed personal. More suggestive of something else.

“Just give me a text when you’re done today. I’m cooking Kotatsu’s favorite tonight and it would be great to share a meal with you.”

The lynx looked between them, delighted and smug in the way of a cat who had gotten everything it could want out of a day.