You should’ve known the peace wouldn’t last.
When you woke up the next morning, the first thing you saw was Chaewon, hair a total bird’s nest, sitting cross-legged on the floor in her pajamas, staring at Kim Catwon like she was plotting an elaborate heist.
The cat sat across from her, regal as ever, licking his paw with the quiet dignity of someone who knew he was above everyone else in the room.
You yawned. “Why do you look like you’re about to declare war?”
“Because,” she said gravely, “he stinks.”
You blinked. “What?”
“He rolled in something last night,” she whispered, wrinkling her nose. “Something evil.”
You stared at her for a moment. “…You mean dirt?”
“Evil!” she repeated, pointing dramatically at the cat, who looked deeply offended. “I sniffed him earlier and almost died.”
You rubbed your temples. “Chaewon, he’s a stray. Of course he’s a little—”
“Don’t say it,” she hissed. “My son is perfect.”
“He’s filthy.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Then we must purify him.”
You froze. “…Please tell me you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking.”
She stood up, fists clenched, voice full of determination. “It’s bath time.”
Ten minutes later, you were both in the bathroom, sleeves rolled up, staring at Kim Catwon in the tub like two generals facing their greatest enemy.
“Okay,” you said cautiously, “we’ll do this gently. Cats hate water, so we’ll take it slow.”
Chaewon nodded. “Got it. Gentle.”
Then, with absolutely no hesitation, she reached out and splashed water onto him.
Kim Catwon made a sound that could only be described as the cry of a betrayed god, launched himself out of the tub, and scrambled up the shower curtain like a caffeinated spider.
“CHA—”
“I panicked!” she yelled, ducking as he launched a counterattack, his claws swiping through the air with the precision of a ninja.
“Why did you do that?!”
“I WAS TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT!”
You grabbed a towel, trying to block the feline assault, while Chaewon, now crouched behind the toilet, yelled, “CATWONIE, PLEASE, I’M YOUR MOTHER!”
He hissed.
She gasped. “He hissed at me!”
“Because you splashed him like he’s in a carwash!”
“He needed cleansing!”
The next five minutes were absolute chaos. You were both slipping on wet tiles, yelling battle plans like you were storming a fortress.
“Distract him!” she shouted.
“With what?!”
“Offer him treats! Or— or— sing to him!”
You blinked through the chaos. “You want me to serenade the cat?”
She threw you the treat bag. “DO YOU HAVE A BETTER PLAN?!”
Miraculously, after an exhausting twenty minutes, the feline fury calmed down long enough for Chaewon to gently towel him dry.
He glared at her with the intensity of someone vowing revenge.
“There,” she said triumphantly, wrapping him in a blanket burrito. “Clean and adorable. He’ll forgive me soon.”
You stared at the three scratches on your arm. “…He’s definitely plotting your death.”
She pouted. “He wouldn’t hurt his mom.”
Kim Catwon immediately turned his head away.
Chaewon gasped. “He’s giving me the silent treatment!”
You tried not to laugh. “Guess betrayal runs deep.”
She frowned, clutching the cat-burrito closer. “No. I’ll win him back. I’m good at this.”
“Good at what?”
“Emotional manipulation,” she said proudly.
You blinked. “You mean apologies?”
“Same thing,” she said sweetly.
For the rest of the day, she followed Kim Catwon around the apartment like a desperate ex trying to make up after a fight.
“Come here, baby,” she cooed, shaking the treat bag. “Mommy didn’t mean to almost drown you, okay?”
The cat ignored her, sauntering past like a furry celebrity avoiding paparazzi.
She gasped dramatically. “He walked away from me!”
“Can’t imagine why,” you muttered.
“You’re not helping!” she snapped, glaring. “He’s my son, I can fix this.”
She tried baby talk. He flicked his tail.
She tried food. He refused.
She tried to bribe him with the laser pointer. He blinked once and left.
Finally, she flopped down beside you on the couch, face buried in a pillow. “He hates me.”
You chuckled, patting her back. “He’ll get over it.”
“No,” she mumbled dramatically. “I’m a terrible mom. This is my villain origin story.”
You rolled your eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
She peeked up at you. “Then why do you love me?”
“…Because you’re ridiculous.”
“Good answer,” she said softly, smiling.
You leaned over, kissed the top of her head. “You’re also covered in scratches.”
She groaned. “Motherhood is pain.”
Just then, Kim Catwon hopped onto the couch, still damp, still regal, and settled beside her leg.
Her eyes widened. “He forgave me!”
“Or he wants your warmth.”
“Same thing,” she whispered, smiling as she gently petted him.
The cat closed his eyes. Chaewon beamed like she’d just won an award.
“See?” she whispered smugly. “My love always wins.”
You sighed, watching her cradle the cat like a trophy. “You’re out of your mind.”
She winked. “And you love that too.”
That night, you walked into the living room to find her fast asleep on the couch, hair messy again, Kim Catwon curled up in her lap like a furry crown.
There were empty treat wrappers on the table, a damp towel on the floor, and pawprints leading into the hallway.
You smiled.
Chaewon mumbled in her sleep, “My son’s perfect…”
You whispered back, “So’s his mom.”
And from the couch came the faintest sound — a soft little purr, and a sleepy “pupu” sigh that made your heart melt all over again.
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