𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 -- 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬
            𝟎𝟏𝟒: The Purrsuit of Happiness
               (𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙚, Stay Ready)

𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 truly was a sweetheart behind her sharp exterior. And though Ekko had been on the receiving end of her snarky tongue and pointed glares more times than he could count, he knew her heart was softer than she liked to admit.

She had her ways of showing care—subtle, almost shy ways, like slipping snacks into his bag because she "had extra" or quietly fixing Powder's broken toy and leaving it on her pillow without a word. When Claggor's jacket started fraying at the seams, she stayed up late stitching it back together, claiming it was "just practice," even though her fingers were raw by morning.

But nothing captured Moon's tender heart quite like her devotion to Zaun's smallest, scrappiest residents: stray animals.

She'd once walked half a mile in the rain carrying an injured bird, muttering the whole way about how Vander was going to "lecture her into oblivion." And he did, every time. But for all his protests, the animals stayed until they were healed—just like the limping dog, the one-eyed rat, and that hedgehog Powder swore was plotting world domination.

"Moon, this is getting out of hand," Vander had groaned one night, watching as she cradled a drenched kitten she'd found by the docks.

"They have nowhere else to go!" Moon had shot back, hugging the trembling creature to her chest.

"That's the fifth one this week," Vander said, rubbing his temples.

"Then maybe you should apply for a shelter license," she quipped, her smile sharp enough to cut steel.

She turned to Ekko, her eyes wide and expectant. "Back me up, here."

Ekko, hopelessly caught in the crossfire, had shrugged. "I mean... it's cute, Vander."

Vander groaned, throwing his hands up in defeat, and Moon had grinned like she'd won a war.

Of course, she always won.

So today, when Ekko spotted a tiny, shivering kitten in an alleyway on his way back from Benzo's, there was no question about what he had to do. Not because he wanted to, exactly—he wasn't even sure he liked cats—but because he could already hear Moon's voice in his head: You're really just gonna leave it there?

At first, he'd tried to walk away. Someone else would take care of it, right? But the image of the tiny creature, huddled beneath damp rags, haunted him the whole walk back. It wasn't guilt, not entirely. It was the thought of Moon's disappointment—those sharp words, that soft look of pity she'd give him if she found out he'd left it behind.

So, against his better judgment, Ekko turned back.

"All right, buddy," he muttered, crouching down. The kitten hissed, its tiny back arching like it was ready to fight God. "Wow. Okay. Feisty."

He pulled off his scarf, wrapping it gently around the kitten. It screeched in protest, its claws catching his sleeve as it tried to escape. "You're welcome," he grumbled, scooping it up.

That was ten minutes ago. Now, as Ekko neared the Last Drop, his arms were covered in scratches, his scarf was in shreds, and the kitten was writhing in his hold like it had a personal vendetta.

"You're so cute but so complicated," Ekko muttered, wincing as it swiped at his wrist. "Why do I always go for your type?"

The kitten yowled again, and he sighed. "You know, you could at least pretend to be grateful. Moon's gonna love you, though. She'll probably cry. Then she'll make fun of me for being soft. So, thanks for that."

The Last Drop was quiet when he stepped inside, its usual chaos replaced by a rare stillness. Moon was seated at her usual table, hunched over a sketchbook, her pencil moving in quick, purposeful strokes.

Ekko hesitated. The kitten squirmed again, letting out another loud, indignant yowl. Moon's head snapped up, her dark eyes narrowing in confusion.

"What the—Ekko, what is that noise?"

He stepped closer, his tone casual despite the wild animal thrashing in his arms. "Uh, so... I found something. And I thought of you."

Moon arched a brow, already suspicious. "You found something? If this is one of your weird inventions, I swear—"

"It's not an invention!" Ekko cut her off, his voice defensive. "It's... alive."

Her eyes widened. She set down her pencil, rising slowly. "No. Ekko. Tell me you didn't."

"I absolutely did," he said, smirking as he unwrapped the remains of his scarf, revealing the kitten's scruffy, glaring face.

Moon's expression softened instantly. "Oh my god," she whispered, her voice breaking into a coo. "You didn't."

"I did," he said, holding the kitten out toward her like a peace offering. "Don't act like you wouldn't have."

She reached out carefully, scooping the kitten from his arms. It hissed at her, too, but she just smiled, cradling it against her chest. "You poor baby," she murmured, stroking its scrappy fur. "You're so tiny. Who let this happen to you?"

Ekko watched her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're bleeding, by the way," she said, glancing at his scratched-up arms.

"Worth it," he replied.

Moon gave him a look—half exasperated, half amused. "You're hopeless."

"Yeah, well," he said, leaning against the table. "You're welcome."

She didn't respond, too focused on soothing the kitten. "We're keeping it," she announced firmly.

"Figured," Ekko said, smirking. "What's its name?"

She tilted her head, considering. Then her lips curved into a small, mischievous smile. "Clawdeen."

Ekko snorted. "Clawdeen? Seriously?"

Moon shrugged, unbothered. "You got a better idea?"

"Nope," he said, grinning. "Clawdeen suits her. She's got your attitude."

Moon rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered. "Thanks, Ekko," she said quietly. "For bringing her to me."

"Anytime," he replied, and he meant it. If it made her this happy, he'd endure a thousand scratches.

Mylo let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he leaned against the bar. "God, he's whipped," he muttered under his breath, watching Ekko intently.

Blood dripped down Ekko's arms, but his eyes were locked on Moon, who was cradling the kitten gently. The sharp claws had long stopped scratching, the kitten now nestled in her arms, calm and content.

"Come on," Moon said softly, her voice soothing, as she reached out to him with a small smile. "Let's go get you patched up."

Ekko didn't move right away. He just stood there, his gaze fixed on her, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You don't need to do that," he murmured, though he let her guide him toward the makeshift first aid kit behind the counter.

Ekko let her lead him toward the back, his smile soft and grateful. Blood still dripped from his arms, but he didn't mind. Watching Moon hold that kitten was worth every scratch.

As they disappeared into the makeshift first aid station behind the bar, Mylo just shook his head and muttered, "Some people have all the luck."

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒!

I keep trying to give them more chapter to build them up but this book is already longer than the original and they still aren't together so lmk if this is enough build up or if you want more.

Vote and comment I love to hear from you! (Nobody has been commenting on any of my works recently it's making me really nervous.)

Moon is 16, Ekko is 18