kitten contraband | atticus

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

THE KITTEN WAS TUCKED BACK UNDER ELI'S SWEATER. Nails digging in to his stomach, his hand clutching the lump of it on top so that it didn't fall out the bottom. But this time hiding it was a much bigger task. He wasn't hiding it from a dog this time, he was hiding it from his dad.

Ducking in to the foyer of their apartment, Eli toed off his shoes, shoulders up around his ears as he peered around corners and edged his way through the hallway. He had to pass the living room and kitchen to get to his bedroom and that meant possibly bumping in to his dad. And if he did, well the kitten was as good as gone. His dad had always been firm. No animals in my house! You get your own place, you get whatever creepy crawly you like, son! So, Eli was effectively smuggling in contraband to the Fleming household.

In the kitchen, his father cooked with his back to Eli. An antique gramophone played soft jazz from a listing shelf while Eli's dad chopped onions, a spelled brush scrubbing a pan while a spoon stirred something on the stove. He hadn't heard Eli creep in, but as he toed his way through the open plan living room, his father stopped chopping.

"That you, Eli?" He called, but in the direction of the now empty hallway. "Just me, dad!" He answered from behind him, power walking through the living room as he half-explained. "Absolutely bursting for the bathroom, gotta go! Smells great!" In a jumbled rush, disappearing around the hallway leading to the bedrooms just as his father turned, catching the tail end of his son as he sprinted out of view. 

Eli entered his bedroom practically panting, pressing his back to the closed door. Face red, eyes wide, the kitten tense under his sweater. "That... was close..." He breathed, still sweating as he took one look around the room and saw his little brother Atticus sprawled on his twin bed.

The boy's shared a bedroom in London, two twin beds pushed on opposite sides of the room. Eli's side was a mess of agricultural magazines, wildlife photographs he'd taken and developed, and Quidditch memorabilia. "Hey little bro..." He said conspiratorially, his mouth stretching in his signature troublesome grin, all of his teeth on display. "You'll never guess what I got..."

@atticus

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

It had been a quiet day, something that Atticus hadn't actually had a lot of since their move from America to Britain, it wasn't a bad thing though - despite the circumstances of them actually moving here. But it had been busy, one thing after another - preparing for Eli and him to begin at Hogwarts once Summer ended, there had been a lot to work out and supplies to buy, not to mention them both needing new wands - although that part Atticus had been a little excited for. The laws in Britain were different to what they had been, and here - here he was allowed to actually carry his wand around with him! It was super awesome of course.

But today he had a quiet day, spending most of it laying down and reading a few comics he had picked up the other day in Muggle London, he had of course picked up a few other books - A Quidditch Guide Book and one on Magical Animals, another on non-magical pets as well as a few others - all of which he had spread out on his bed with him as he lay there reading one of the comics. He wasn't a huge reader - but he did enjoy learning about things - particularly those he had a strong interest in.

Despite missing home a bit, and missing his old room - he liked the apartment they had been staying in, and sharing a room with Eli was something he enjoyed even more. It was their own space and like Eli - his side of the room was arranged and filled with things that the younger Fleming enjoyed. Dark eyes winded and looked up as the bedroom door opened and closed, blinking confused at the appearance of his older brother. Atticus pushed himself up, closing the comic he had been reading as he sat up, while he had been concerned at first - his brothers words and the grin brought a matching grin to the younger boys face, "You got something cool?" His eyes lit up as he moved, swinging his legs over to the side of the bed so he was sitting on the edge, "Is it a secret from Dad? Can I see it?" He had no idea what it was - but the way his brother grinned promised something good.

[Elijah Theron Fleming ]

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

ELI LIVED FOR THE EXCITEMENT LIGHTING HIS LITTLE BROTHER'S EYES. It was one of his great hobbies in life to surprise his brother with little things. Impress him even. Perhaps it was an egotistical pastime, but nothing filled him more with amusement and satisfaction like seeing the glittering expectations in Atticus's eyes as he sat up on his bed, already encaptured by Eli's impending story.

"Everything is a secret from dad," Eli answered slyly, his smile crooked as he rolled up the bottom of his sweatshirt slowly. If only to draw out the reveal. The kitten was bundled up under the fabric, gripping his belly underneath, an expanse of skin already littered with little puncture wounds. It'd been a long day.

With big blue eyes and a tortoiseshell coat, the kitten was as cute and fluffy as it had been when he'd first saved it. "I've been calling it Bean," He said, looking down at the ball of fluff, still small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. "I found it in the woods. It was an epic chase..." He began, his voice littered with dramatic expression. "Dog zero, Eli one." He said, kissing his teeth with a wicked smile. "Whatdoya think, Atty?" He asked, smile turning expectant as he looked up. "Wanna hold The Bean?" 

@atticus

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Atticus barely stopped himself from jumping up and down, it didn't stop him from wriggling on the bed as he shifted and leaned closer - eager to hear what his older brother was saying. It had to be something really - really good if it had to be a secret from their Dad. He nodded happily, leaning as close as he could without tumbling to the floor, a hint of confusion sparking when Eli rolled up the bottom of his shirt - what on earth was he hiding under his shirt? All his questions and confusion fluttered away though as a tiny kitten was revealed to him. The younger boys eyes lighting up as if he had just been told all his dreams were going to come true.

His own eyes caught sight of the tiny furry creature, its eyes beautiful and magical and his heart instantly was stolen.

"Bean?" He looked at his brother curiously, lips twitching slightly as he moved, slipping off the bed and moving closer - carefully though as not to spook the little kitten, "Its so tiny E..." he mumbled, hand hovering in the air before dropping to his side, "IS it okay? It's not hurt or sick right?" His concern instantly bubbling for the small creature held carefully in his brothers hand. His eyes lit up though, proud of his brother, "You saved it from a dog?" He offered a small grin before nodding and carefully holding his hands out, "Yes please" He almost made a grabbing motion with his fingers, his eyes locked once more on the super tiny but fluffy creature. "The Bean." He spoke again, lips twitching at the name, It did certainly fit with how small and tiny it was. "Is Bean a girl or a boy?"

[Elijah Theron Fleming ]

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

WITH GREAT BIG BLUE EYES, the kitten blinked in Eli's hands. There was a certain amount of satisfaction. To be the reason another person was so pleased and excited. Eli held Bean out for Atticus, carefully cradling the kitten so she wouldn't be spooked. But, there was still a colour of sadness to his adventure.

Sighing, Eli averted his gaze as he considered how he might tell his brother. "The kitten is fine, looks pretty healthy to me." His thumb rubbed along the kitten's spine in comfort. "Maybe a little skinny." He wasn't ready to mention why he'd had to take it home in the first place.

Passing the kitten over to Atticus, he managed another grin easily as it wriggled in his brother's hands. Attempting to get comfortable. With his hands free, Eli shoved them in his pockets. "I have it on good authority that it's a girl," He said, thinking back to Brigh and her insistent predication. "Though we probably won't know for a few weeks, she's pretty young." It would be a big job, not only keeping it from their dad, but also caring for the little thing.

"We have to look after her, Atticus," He said firmly, wrinkling his brows. It was perhaps not his grandest plan, but Eli didn't regret going to such lengths to bring the kitten home. Not after how long they'd spent looking for its mother. And then... burying its mother. "She doesn't have a mom anymore." He missed the lingering 'either' at the end. No point dwelling on that fact. 

@atticus

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Atticus was barely holding back the wriggling excitement he was feeling, although he was certain there was far more to his brothers story - to his adventure, as his own dark eyes take in the tiny kitten and lock with the big blue eyes his heart was instantly stolen and he vowed silently to care for the kitten. As soon as he felt the soft fur against his hand his face lit up, carefully holding the kitten closer to himself, allowing the kitten to wriggle as much as it needed to before getting comfortable, Atticus's hands carefully holding it close and protected from falling as it burrowed in against his chest. One hand gently moving, patting the tiny kitten as he looked up at his brother, finally tearing his eyes away from the sweet little creature.

He nodded seriously, he could feel how tiny it was - how tiny she was, "You're okay now girl.." he mumbled gently pressing his face against the soft fur briefly, eager to comfort the little kitten, "Kittens drink milk right?" He was thinking back on his research, he loved animals and often read about them for fun - there were so many things about puppies and kittens he had read, and with a brief look at the creature held ever so carefully and protectively against his chest he wondered if the kitten had still been being nursed by its mother. The thought of its mother brought along the question that without realizing it - his brother soon answered.

"We'll look after her." His voice wavered slightly thought, his eyes dropping back to focus on the kitten, "We'll be your family now, promise." He spoke to little Bean, fingers gently brushing back over her head, his lips pressing together, "She's so tiny - she needs milk, and a little bottle to feed from - was she all alone?" He asks softly, peering at his brother, he knew it was an odd thing - for a kitten to be on its own, usually cats had multiples. And by what his brother said - the sound of how he spoke of the mother - he knew the mother had not been alive when found. But was Bean the only kitten?

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

WATCHING ATTICUS REAFFIRMED WHAT HE ALREADY KNEW. It was the right decision. To take the risk and bring her home, knowing that their dad might find out before she settled. That he might force them to rehome her. So many possibilities, but Eli could only see one path. Where Bean grew up as Fleming, and that was that. For him, there was no alternative.

"Yeah..." Eli said absently, drawn out of his thoughts as Atticus addressed him. "Milk, yeah. But uh, it'll need to be a special formula." He told his brother, thinking back to everything he'd learned about kittens and cats in general. "They need a lot of nutrients that they can't get from any old dairy product." Walking across the room, he crouched beside his brother's bed to reach out and ran a finger along the little things spine, still infatuated.

Atticus thought like Eli did. They were an all in kind of duo, and Eli knew the moment he'd decided to take Bean home that his little brother would have his back. "Yeah we will," He muttered, smiling as Atticus made his own vow. "I can get all that stuff from a no-maj store," Eli said, looking up at Atticus before he stood up. "You'll have to stay on watch, though, because we'll need it for tonight."

Eli skimmed past Atticus's question about whether the kitten was alone or not, slipping in a dismissive, "Yeah, only child. Just her." Before he went back to thinking about a routine for their new addition. "I can take the first night... she'll probably need to feed her every couple of hours." He was mostly talking to himself now, his gaze far away as he counted on his fingers blankly. "I'd say she looks about... 3 or 4 weeks old... but that's just a guess-timate." Shaking his head, he brought himself back to reality. "It's not gonna be easy, but we can do it!"

@atticus

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Atticus was utterly smitten. There was no question about that as he ever so carefully held the little kitten against him, his face pressed gently against the soft fur, a wide smile on his face as he felt the purring that began. There was no way that he wasn't going to spoil Bean as much as he could. Bean was part of their family, from this moment onwards - he just hoped that their dad wasn't going to argue about it, he wouldn't though - would he? The thought made him a little worried and instead he decided to listen to his brother - for now at least, Bean would be their little secret. Between the two of them they would take care of her.

He looked over at his brother, nodding his head eagerly, "Do we have to buy her some special formula? Like - babies have a special kind, are there ones for kittens too?" He hadn't really thought about that before but now he was eager to know as much as he could - he had to help take care of Bean the best that he could, "What about a special bottle? Or does she just need a bowl?" Now the questions were coming, one after another. His eyes watched his brother as Eli came to join him, a wide grin forming, "We need to get her some toys and stuff too - I can give some of my money to help!" 

He was more than eager to help out, and wanted to do his best to play his part, his hand gently moved over the tiny kitten  still keeping her close to his chest. "I'll do my best to help." He felt a little better knowing that Bean hadn't lost anyone else - although it was sad that she was now alone - or, well she wasn't really alone - now she had Eli and him as well. "We have to write it all down I think.. so we remember when she was last fed and stuff - right?" His nose scrunched slightly, peering at his brother, "Do you think you should get a book about kittens when we get other stuff she needs?"

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

ELI'S BRAIN WAS ALREADY HEADING IN TO overdrive, carefully calculating just how extensive their routine and supplies would need to be. He didn't have a lot of money saved, but he had some. Enough to get their first batch of supplies, surely. Atticus was a better saver, and he didn't really have much shame in agreeing when his little brother said he would pitch in his fair share.

"Okay, great." For Bean, pride was not an option. "I think a bottle at first, with some special formula. Just until she's strong enough to wean." Eli was already crossing the room, lifting his mattress where he kept a small pouch of his 'savings'. It's not like he worked. He briefly wondered how mad their dad would be when he found out.

"I should go get the supplies now, I'll pick up a book when I'm out." Eli said, feeling the pinch now that Bean was in safe hands that weren't his own, and he was fairly hidden from their dad's observation. "You stay here, keep a look out." He thought about the idea of his brother maybe getting caught while he was out. The last thing he wanted was for him to take the fall.

"Just... stay quiet... keep a blanket in the closet to wrap her in if dad comes." He waited for Atticus to give him his own pouch, of which he knew where it was. They didn't steal from each other. Merely left IOU's. "If dad finds out... tell him it was my fault." He'd faced his dad's disapproval and wrath on various occasions. Being the one to usually trip up, fail a class, or get detention. Atticus was the smart one, after all. "I'll be back as soon as possible." 

@atticus
i figure we can finish this up so we can have a present thread soon! hope you don't mind!

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Atticus while not as studious or bright as many others were, he was still a bright enough kid and he knew having any pet could be an expensive thing. He had been for several years trying to work on getting a pet - putting aside money and doing his best to show he could be responsible. So he knew keeping Bean wouldn't be cheap but as he glanced back at the tiny little fur ball now curled up and purring on his lap and nuzzling against his chest - he knew what he always did. Expensive or not, having a pet was worth it for sure.

So there was no question as he offered his brother money of his own. Atticus was good at saving, great even - he always put aside money - from gifts, birthdays - Christmas - you name it. If he got any money - part of it was put aside safely. Usually if he offered to buy something or help out - it was rejected, usually by their Dad telling him to save his money. But Atticus was stubborn as well and he liked helping out when he could - for Bean he wouldn't have taken no as an answer anyways. So his brother agreeing made a grin burst forth on the younger boys face. Nodding as Eli spoke, agreeing with what was being said. Atticus gently pet the kitten as he watched his brother gather his little pouch of money.

Hearing Eli was going to go get the stuff now, Atticus carefully moved, trying not to jostle Bean all that much as he made his way over to his sock draw, pulling out a small box and a pouch - placing both on the bed carefully. He sat down, nestling Bean back on his lap as he used his hands to open the box. "Make sure you get her a couple little things - toys and stuff." He nodded again, pulling some money from the box and putting it in the pouch, making sure to add a few extra - so Eli wouldn't forget anything. "We'll be okay Eli - I promise, I'll take care of Bean and Dad won't even know she's here." He offered another small grin, cuddling Bean again after he handed the pouch over to his brother. There was no way he was going to let Eli take all the blame - regardless of what his older brother said - the two of them were a team. Besides - their dad knew that if one of them had a secret - they were both in on it, neither of them would let the other take the fall... Eli knew that for sure. "Go already Eli - the quicker you get it - the quicker you get back. We'll be here."

Elijah Theron Fleming (Thats fine! We can plot a new idea together asap! <3 )