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Kacytober 2K25: Luckyverse Edition

Summary:

Collection of feel-good (super) shortfics, featuring Lucky AND Fanta. Takes place after Lucktales. Each chapter is around 1,000-ish words.

Latest Chapter: #1 FANta

aka: The one where Fanta intercepts the touchdown pass.

Notes:

Aloha! I'm back... ish. Life has been busy (in a good way! But leaves less time for fun things like this). The first chapter takes place about 6 months after Fanta joins the family, which means this whole fic takes place after Lucktales. I have so much more planned for this FANTAstic family, but finding the time to actually sit down and get all these thoughts together hasn't been the easiest. Shorter chapters are more manageable for me right now, and Kacytober seemed like the perfect excuse to dive back into writing regularly. It's been such a helpful form of self-care for me this year, and I’m hoping you all are able to find pockets of time for yourself as well.

I can't promise I'll post every single day, but I'm hoping to get through all the prompts by year's end. I have the whole thing mapped out already and I'm excited to share the path this little series is headed. This first chapter is being posted before October because I just couldn't wait to share it!

For those following Lucktales—don't worry, it's not forgotten! Chapters 16 and 17 are already outlined and just waiting for me to carve out the time to sit down and write them properly.

Thank you again for those still following this verse. Your support really does make a difference. Also, big thank you to Yas/@sxpphicvibes for taking the time to create these prompts each year! And as always, thank you to my emotional support Canadian, Scilla/@surfboardstrong for looking this over!

Chapter 1: Game (Over)

Summary:

Game over,” Lucy surrenders, hopping into their bed.

Kate's smile is triumphant and tender all at once. “I was wondering how long it would take.”

“Shut up,” Lucy murmurs against Kate's lips, and then they're kissing with three weeks' worth of pent-up desperation, hands roaming, bodies pressing together like they're trying to make up for lost time.

aka: The one where Lucy and Kate place a bet…

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Lucy flips a fourth pancake in the skillet, humming softly to herself as she makes breakfast. Kate rustles around behind her, the hum of the coffee maker finishing its cycle, and the gentle sound of the cool morning breeze flowing through the open French doors that leads to their backyard. All familiar sounds of their home surround her.

Lucky and Fanta sit patiently, both having already finished their breakfast. They watch Lucy's every move, hoping for a stray piece of food that might accidentally fall their way. Lucky's tail swooshes softly against the floor while Fanta perches on the kitchen island counter, perfectly still except for his twitching whiskers as he tracks Lucy's movements around the stove. Lucy and Kate have resolved to just let him claim the counter. He's a cat, after all, and enforcing rules with cats is generally a losing battle.

“Don't even think about it, you two,” Lucy says without turning around, but her voice is warm with affection. Six months of living together has turned Lucky and Fanta into the perfect dynamic duo. Lucky still the patient big brother, Fanta the mischievous little orange tornado with a single brain cell who somehow manages to knock something over every single day.

Kate moves behind her, pressing a soft kiss to Lucy's forehead before reaching into the fridge for the carton of oat milk for her coffee. The familiar scent of Kate's guava shampoo lingers, and Lucy finds herself relaxing into the simple intimacy of the moment.

Her phone then buzzes on the counter with a photo memory notification. Lucy glances at the screen and nearly drops the spatula when she sees the image. It’s a selfie of her and Kate from a few years ago, back when they were still doing that ridiculous dance of “we're not dating” while absolutely being unable to keep their hands off each other.

“Oh my god,” Lucy laughs, showing Kate the phone. “Remember this? We took this the night we insisted to Ernie we were 'just colleagues having a business dinner.'”

Kate leans over Lucy's shoulder to look, setting the milk on the counter. “Yeah. You practically pushed me through my front door and kissed me senseless that night. Then we went to work the next day and acted like nothing happened.”

“Hey, you were the one with all the rules about not complicating things,” Lucy protests, but she's grinning at the memory. “I couldn't help myself. You looked so good that night. And we tried so hard to throw everyone off with all that sniping at each other during briefings.”

“Right, because our colleagues are idiots and couldn't see right through us,” Kate laughs. “Ernie especially knew something was up the whole time.”

“Though I have to admit, there was something about all that tension…” Lucy trails off.

“The forbidden aspect?”  Kate suggests, her voice dropping to that husky tone that always makes Lucy's pulse quicken.

“The passion,” Lucy corrects, turning in Kate's arms. “Everything felt so... intense. Like we were constantly on the edge of combusting.”

Kate's eyes darken slightly. “We still combust pretty regularly.”

“True,” Lucy concedes, sliding her hands up Kate's chest. “But remember how worked up we'd get? How desperate we were for each other after pretending all day that we weren't completely gone for each other?”

She watches Kate's pupils dilate, and feels the subtle shift in her breathing. “Are you suggesting we were better at this when we were miserable and pining?”

“I'm suggesting,” Lucy says, leaning closer until her lips almost brush Kate's ear, “that maybe we should play a little game. Place a bet. See if we can recreate some of that... tension.”

Kate pulls back to study Lucy's face, a competitive gleam entering her eyes that Lucy recognizes and simultaneously loves and fears. “What kind of game?”

Lucy's heart starts beating faster, arousal and anticipation coursing through her. “How long can we go without... you know. No touching, no kissing, no anything until one of us breaks.”

“A sex ban?” Kate raises an eyebrow, but Lucy can see she's intrigued.

“Think of it as delayed gratification. Building up the tension until we can't stand it anymore.”

Kate's smile turns predatory. “You do realize I'm incredibly competitive, right?”

Before Lucy can respond, Lucky huffs loudly, fixing them with a look that clearly says 'here we go again.' He picks up his favorite tennis ball in his mouth and pads toward the back door.

“I think he's officially sick of our shit,” Lucy laughs, watching Lucky's retreat.

As if he heard her, Lucky pauses at the door to give them one final look of pure canine exasperation before disappearing into the backyard.

Fanta immediately notices Lucky heading outside and scrambles to follow. But in his rush, his paws slip and he crashes into the milk carton, sending it tumbling to the floor.

“Fanta!” Lucy exclaims, but she's laughing as she reaches for paper towels. “Every. Single. Day.”

“And there's Fanta's daily destruction,” Kate sighs. She kneels down to help clean up the mess, but Lucy catches the calculating look in her eyes. “So, this game of yours. What does the winner get?”

“Bragging rights?” Lucy suggests, though her voice wavers slightly as she realizes what she's potentially gotten herself into.

“And the winner picks our next three date nights,” Kate counters. “Complete control…”

Lucy feels a thrill of excitement mixed with trepidation. Kate's competitive streak runs deep, and Lucy has a sinking feeling she may have underestimated exactly how far Kate will go to win.

“Deal,” Lucy says anyway, because she's never been one to back down from a challenge.

They shake hands with mock seriousness, but Lucy doesn't miss the way Kate's fingers linger on hers, or the way her thumb traces across Lucy's knuckles.

“Game on,” Kate whispers, and the low promise in her voice sends heat shooting straight through Lucy's core.

As Kate walks away, hips swaying just a little more than necessary, Lucy realizes she may have just made a terrible mistake. But watching Kate disappear around the corner, she can't bring herself to care.

This is going to be interesting. So very interesting.

 


 

Three weeks later

Lucy stares at the ticking clock on the guest room wall, watching the hand sweep around for what feels like the millionth time. Sleep has been elusive lately, especially since she resorted to sleeping downstairs. Being next to Kate every night, feeling the warmth of her body just inches away while knowing they couldn't touch—it was torture.

Three weeks. Twenty-one days of pure, unadulterated torture.

But this was her idea. She did this to herself. She'd expected maybe four days, a week tops. She figured Kate would crack when she started her campaign of walking around in just a sports bra and tiny shorts, or when she began her daily yoga routine in the living room where Kate couldn't miss the view.

She was wrong. So very wrong.

Kate didn't just rise to the challenge, she embraced it with the strategic mind of someone who'd clearly been planning for psychological warfare her entire life. The woman had stopped wearing pants in the house, opting instead for oversized shirts that barely covered her thighs and silk robes that seemed to slip off her shoulders at the most inconvenient moments.

Lucy rolls over, pressing her face into the pillow. Even at work, she couldn't escape it. Jane had cornered her yesterday in the break room.

“Is everything okay with you two?” Jane had asked, studying Lucy's face with concern.

“Everything's fine,” Lucy snapped, more harshly than intended.

Jane's eyes had widened with sudden understanding. “Oh god, nevermind. I don't want to know.” She'd thrown her hands up and practically fled the room, leaving Lucy alone with her sexual frustration and Ernie's knowing smirk from across the office.

Now, lying in the dark, Lucy admits defeat to herself. Kate was right. She is incredibly competitive. And Lucy, despite all her bravado, is about to lose spectacularly.

She slips out of bed, padding upstairs to their room. The door to their bedroom is slightly ajar, and she can see Kate sleeping peacefully, one long leg thrown over the covers, hair spread across the pillow.

Lucy's resolve crumbles entirely.

She pushes the door open, and Kate's eyes open immediately, sensing her enter the room.

“Hey,” Kate whispers, her voice rough with sleep.

“Game over,” Lucy surrenders, hopping into their bed.

Kate's smile is triumphant and tender all at once. “I was wondering how long it would take.”

"Shut up," Lucy murmurs against Kate's lips. She pulls Kate closer by her tank top and they're kissing with three weeks' worth of pent-up desperation, hands roaming, bodies pressing together like they're trying to make up for lost time.

From somewhere in the house comes the sound of something else crashing to the floor. Probably Fanta knocking over his water bowl again, followed by Lucky's resigned huff. But Lucy and Kate are too busy remembering exactly why they fell for each other in the first place to care about anything else.

This is the kind of game, Lucy thinks as Kate's hands slide under her shirt, that is definitely worth losing.

 

Notes:

Har har har. No smut here. Sorry, not sorry. The tease is more fun for me to write!

Mahalo again for tagging along on this adventure! If you enjoyed this, comments and kudos are much appreciated!

Chapter 2: Subway (Sandwich)

Summary:

They round the corner to find both sandwiches on the floor, the fillings scattered across the hardwood. Lucky sits exactly where they left him, tail still swooshing on the floor, looking between them and the mess with an expression that clearly says “I didn't do it.”

“Oh, come on,” Lucy groans, looking up at the coffee table where Fanta sits primly, paws tucked under him like a perfect little loaf. She shakes her head at her own unintentional pun. His whiskers twitch with what she swears is satisfaction.

aka: The one where Lucky and Fanta’s gameplay leads to a fumble recovery.

Notes:

This chapter was inspired by the silly antics of my own animals, who are absolutely capable of conspiring together for food.

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The kitchen smells like heaven as Lucy pulls the third batch of bread from the oven. Garlic, rosemary, oregano, parmesan, and that perfect yeasty aroma that reminds her of that summer she spent working at her college roommate's parents' Subway franchise. She'd eaten more Italian herb and cheese bread that summer than any human probably should, but her real bread obsession started a few years later when she discovered Jersey Mike's rosemary parmesan bread.

“How's the bread experiment going?” Kate calls from the living room, where she's setting up their usual game day spread of chips and napkins.

“Third time's the charm,” Lucy says, tapping the crust and listening to the hollow sound. Perfect. “I think I finally nailed it.”

She'd been at this since morning, determined to recreate that specific texture and flavor of her favorite bread from Jersey Mike's. That rosemary parmesan bread used to be seasonal, and Lucy would literally plan her lunch runs around when it was available. She was so happy when they finally added it to their permanent menu.

But then she got the brilliant idea. Why not try to make her own version? Better than the original. The first batch came out too dense. The second was close but missing that perfect balance of rosemary and sharp parmesan that made Jersey Mike's version so addictive. Though this one, this one looks exactly right, if not better.

Kate appears in the doorway, already dressed in her Cowboys jersey, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. “You know I would've been perfectly happy with regular bread, right?”

“But this isn't just about regular bread,” Lucy says, carefully slicing into the loaf. The inside is perfect, soft, and airy with little pockets of melted cheese and herbs distributed throughout. “This is about nostalgia! And also proving I can make it better than the original!”

“Of course it is,” Kate laughs, stealing a small piece of the warm bread. Her eyes widen as she chews. “Okay, yeah. This is definitely better than the original.”

Lucy grins, already spreading Kewpie mayo on the slices. She layers on the turkey, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, banana peppers, and just the right amount of pepper jack cheese. Two perfect turkey clubs, just in time for kickoff.

She glances at the clock—lunchtime for the kids. “Lucky! Fanta!” she calls, and immediately hears Lucky trot into the kitchen with his Cowboys bandana tied neatly around his neck. Fanta follows, his new blue Cowboys collar with the tiny bell announcing his arrival with each step.

“Look at you two,” Lucy says in aww, adjusting Lucky's bandana so the star sits perfectly centered on his chest. "All ready for the game."

Kate helps get their food bowls ready, filling them with their usual kibble and meat toppers, but both boys are completely ignoring their dishes. Instead, they're both fixated on the sandwiches, noses twitching as they catch the scent of bacon.

“That's not for you,” Kate tells them firmly, pointing toward their bowls. “Go eat your kibble.”

The boys reluctantly pad over to their food, though Lucky keeps glancing back at the sandwiches with longing eyes.

After Lucy places their bowls down, she catches her reflection in the kitchen window. Cowboys jersey, snapback hat turned backwards, the works. Kate had rolled her eyes when Lucy insisted they all needed to “properly represent,” but she'd put on the jersey anyway. Now their whole little family looks like they're ready for the stadium.

Lucky and Fanta finish their lunch and immediately trail after their moms as Lucy carefully carries a serving tray with the sandwiches to the coffee table in the living room. She sets them down next to the carefully arranged snacks and steps back to admire her work. “Perfect timing. Pregame starts in ten minutes.”

“Leave it,” Kate tells Lucky automatically as they head back to the kitchen for beer and the last of the chips. Lucky immediately sits, his tail wagging but his eyes fixed on the sandwiches.

“Good boy,” Lucy says over her shoulder. Lucky is always the most well-behaved meal companion. All it takes is those two words and he'll sit there like a statue, no matter how good the food smells.

They're debating whether to get the jalapeño chips or stick with regular when they hear it—a loud thud followed by the distinctive jingle of Fanta's collar.

“Oh boy.” Kate sighs as she already knows what happened.

They round the corner to find both sandwiches on the floor, the fillings scattered across the hardwood. Lucky sits exactly where they left him, tail still swooshing on the floor, looking between them and the mess with an expression that clearly says “I didn't do it.”

“Oh, come on,” Lucy groans, looking up at the coffee table where Fanta sits primly, paws tucked under him like a perfect little loaf. She shakes her head at her own unintentional pun. His whiskers twitch with what she swears is satisfaction.

“Fanta,” she tries to say sternly, but it's hard to stay mad when he looks so small and innocent on the table, blue collar standing out against his orange fur.

Lucy kneels down to assess the damage. Most of the turkey and bacon is still good, just scattered around. The bread held up pretty well too. Lucy doesn’t like wasting food, so she decides to give some pieces to Lucky as a reward for waiting patiently. “Lucky, you want some bacon, buddy?”

Lucky's whole body wiggles with excitement as she offers him a piece of bacon, and then ends up giving him part of the sandwich, bread included. Even Fanta gets a tiny bit, despite being the obvious culprit.

“Good boy for leaving it alone,” Kate tells Lucky, scratching behind his ears. “Even when it was right there on the floor.”

Lucy watches the interaction, a thought slowly forming. Lucky sitting perfectly still while food literally falls in front of him. Fanta, who despite being a kitten, is getting smarter and more coordinated every day. Still one orange brain cell, but a smart orange brain cell that’s learning from his extremely intelligent herding breed of an older brother. The innocent look on both their faces.

“You know what?” Lucy says slowly, looking between their two pets with a skeptical expression. “Maybe this was their plan all along.”

Kate pauses, a piece of turkey halfway to Lucky's mouth. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it,” Lucy continues, the pieces clicking together. “Lucky knows if he's good, he gets rewarded. And Fanta's still young enough to get away with pretty much anything. What if Lucky was in on it? Just sitting there, knowing Fanta would knock the food down, and knowing we'd give them both some when we cleaned up?”

They both look at Lucky, who tilts his head with that same innocent expression. Then at Fanta, who has started grooming his paw with the casual air of someone who definitely didn't just orchestrate an elaborate food heist.

Kate shakes her head, but she's smiling. “They're both too smart for their own good.”

“I can't believe we got played by a dog and a kitten,” Lucy laughs, heading back to the kitchen to make new sandwiches. The pregame show is starting, and she can hear the announcers discussing the Cowboys' chances this season.

“At least you scored a touch down with your bread experiment,” Kate calls after her. “Even if our boys blocked the two point conversion.”

Lucy pops her head back out of the kitchen, eyebrow raised and clearly impressed. “Look at you, knowing your football terminology now.”

Kate shrugs, but there’s a satisfied smirk on her face as she settles onto the couch. “Well, what can I say… I’m rising to the occasion.”

Lucy groans, shaking her head as she disappears back into the kitchen. “That wordplay needs more time to proof.”

 

Notes:

This fic is also partially inspired by the summer I worked at my college friend's parents' Subway franchise, and my recent attempt to replicate a better version of Jersey Mike's rosemary parmesan bread at home. Spoiler alert: It took more than three tries!

Mahalo for tagging along on this adventure! If you enjoyed this, comments and kudos are much appreciated!

Chapter 3: Trust (Fall)

Summary:

Another desperate meow cuts through the air.

They both rush outside to find Lucky sitting at the base of their coconut tree, his head tilted back at an almost comical angle. His tail wags slowly, like he's not quite sure what to make of the situation but is willing to provide moral support.

“Oh no,” Lucy breathes.

Kate follows Lucky's gaze upward and her stomach drops. Fanta clings to the trunk about twenty-five feet up. His claws dig into the bark as he presses himself flat against the tree.

aka: The one where Fanta gets stuck in a coconut tree.

Notes:

Cats have exactly two modes: Completely innocent and absolute chaos. There is no in-between.

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Kate hears the meowing first.

She's at the kitchen counter, slicing mango for their afternoon snack, when the sound filters through the open French doors to their backyard. Not Lucky's usual contented sighs or the birds chattering in the trees. This is high-pitched, frantic, and very clearly Fanta.

She'd only stepped inside for a few minutes to prep their snack while the boys sunbathed in their yard. They always supervise outdoor time, but Lucky's so reliable that Kate and Lucy have gotten comfortable letting him lounge outside when one of them is home and nearby. It’s a fenced-in yard after all. They leave the back doors open, letting them hear everything, and Lucky never wanders far. Fanta usually stays glued to his big brother's side. Usually.

“Lucy?” Kate sets down the knife and moves toward the doorway. “Do you hear that?”

Lucy looks up from the living room couch, tilting her head. “Is that…”

Another desperate meow cuts through the air.

They both rush outside to find Lucky sitting at the base of their coconut tree, his head tilted back at an almost comical angle. His tail wags slowly, like he's not quite sure what to make of the situation but is willing to provide moral support.

“Oh no,” Lucy breathes.

Kate follows Lucky's gaze upward and her stomach drops. Fanta clings to the trunk about twenty-five feet up. His claws dig into the bark as he presses himself flat against the tree.

“Fanta!” Kate calls. “Baby, come down!”

The kitten meows again, somehow managing to sound both pitiful and accusatory at the same time.

Kate's stomach twists with guilt. She should have checked on them sooner. Should have realized that Fanta's growing confidence might lead to something like this. “How did he even get up there?” she asks, though she already knows the answer. Fanta's been getting bolder every day, following Lucky everywhere, testing boundaries. Of course he'd eventually try climbing the tallest tree in the yard.

“Cats are good at going up,” Lucy says, already assessing the tree with the focused look she gets when she's problem-solving. “Coming down is the hard part.”

Kate watches Fanta shift slightly, his back paws scrambling for purchase. “Should we call the fire department?”

“And be those people?” Lucy shakes her head. “The chaotic couple who can't keep track of their kitten? No way. I've got this.”

"Lucy…"

“I was a flyer, Kate. I've been lifted twenty feet in the air by people who'd only been doing stunts for a few months. I can climb a tree.” Lucy's already moving, standing by the base of the trunk. “Just spot me.”

Kate wants to argue, but she knows that look on Lucy's face. The stubborn set of her jaw that means she's already made up her mind. “Be careful.”

“Always am,” Lucy says, which is absolutely not true, but Kate keeps that observation to herself.

Lucy takes her slippers off and starts climbing. She finds footholds easily, pulling herself up inch by inch. Kate positions herself below, hands raised uselessly like she could actually catch Lucy if she fell from that height.

“Hey, Fanta,” Lucy calls as she gets closer. “Mama’s coming.”

Fanta meows, but doesn't move. His claws remain firmly embedded in the bark.

Lucy climbs another few feet, using the natural ridges of the tree for grip, until she's level with a cluster of coconuts hanging heavy from the fronds. She wedges her foot into a groove and reaches up higher. Now she's maybe three feet below Fanta, close enough to see his whiskers flicking.

“Okay, buddy,” Lucy says softly, extending one hand. “Come on. Jump down to me.”

Fanta meows again, this one more of a question than a complaint.

“He doesn't understand what a trust fall is!” Kate yells up, her heart hammering.

“I'll just try to grab him.” Lucy stretches, reaching for him.

Fanta shifts, his back paw kicking out. It connects with one of the coconuts, sending it tumbling down.

“Ooof, look out!” Lucy shouts.

Kate jumps sideways as the coconut crashes to the ground exactly where she'd been standing. It bounces once, rolling across the grass.

Lucky's head whips around. His ears perk up, and before anyone can stop him, he's chasing after it like it's the world's most interesting soccer ball. He nudges it with his nose, pounces, nudges it again, his tail wagging with each playful attack.

“Lucky, not now!” Kate says, but she can't help the nervous laugh that escapes. Of course he thinks this is playtime.

“Almost got him,” Lucy calls down, her voice strained with concentration.

Kate looks back up to see Lucy stretched as far as she can reach, her fingers inches from Fanta. He watches her hand with wide eyes, his body coiled tight.

“Come on, baby,” Lucy coaxes. “Trust me, I promise I've got you.”

For a long moment, nothing happens. Lucky continues his soccer game with the coconut in the background. Kate holds her breath. Lucy stays perfectly still, hand extended.

Then, finally, Fanta unsticks one paw from the bark.

“That's it,” Lucy encourages. “Good boy.”

Fanta takes a tentative step down the trunk, then another. Lucy shifts carefully, ready to catch him. With a final plaintive meow, Fanta launches himself forward.

Lucy catches him against her chest, wobbling slightly but keeping her balance as his claws latch onto her arm. “Got ya!”

Kate lets out a sigh of relief as she watches Lucy make her way back down, Fanta clutched securely with one arm while she uses the other to navigate down the tree. When they're finally close enough to the ground, Kate reaches up to take Fanta, letting Lucy jump down the last few feet.

“Never again,” Kate says, checking Fanta over for injuries. His fur is ruffled and he's shaking slightly, but he seems okay. He burrows into her arms, purring despite his obvious distress. “You couldn't have climbed the shorter mango tree? Or the banana tree?” she says gently to him. “Had to go for the tallest one in the yard, didn't ya?”

Fanta just purrs louder, already forgetting his mistake.

Kate then looks over at Lucy, noticing the red scratches on her forearm where Fanta's claws dug in during the rescue. “Are you okay? That's going to leave a mark.”

Lucy glances down at her arm and shrugs. “Battle scars. Worth it.”

Lucky trots over, coconut temporarily forgotten, to sniff his little brother with concern.

“I'm thinking we need to build him a catio,” Lucy says, brushing bark off her shirt. “Something enclosed. Safe.”

Kate nods, still holding Fanta close. “And maybe get him a harness. For supervised outdoor time only.”

Lucy nods back in agreement and reaches over to scratch Fanta's head. “You scared us, little man.”

Fanta just continues purring, completely unbothered by the chaos he caused his moms.

Lucky returns to his coconut, giving it another enthusiastic nudge. It rolls toward the back door, and he follows it happily, clearly pleased with his new toy.

“Well,” Kate says, watching their dog play. “At least someone enjoyed the excitement.”

Lucy laughs, sliding an arm around Kate's waist. “Come on. Let's get this troublemaker inside before he finds something else to climb.”

They head back into the house, Fanta still clutching Kate's shirt, Lucky trotting behind with his coconut prize.

Later that evening, after Fanta has recovered from his adventure and is napping peacefully on Lucky's bed, Kate sits at the dining room table researching catio designs on her laptop. Lucy joins her with two mason jars full of wine, noticing the focused look on Kate's face as she does her research.

“Ya know,” Lucy says, setting a jar in front of Kate, “we're going to make mistakes. We're learning as we go.”

Kate looks up, meeting Lucy's understanding gaze. “I should have been watching more carefully.”

“We both should have,” Lucy corrects gently. “But we figured it out. He's safe. And now we know better.” She reaches across the table to squeeze Kate's hand. “That's what matters. We adjust, we learn, we keep them safe.”

Kate nods, feeling the guilt ease slightly. They're new to having a kitten. New to juggling a dog and a cat together. It's different from when they were kids with adults to help guide them. Now they're the adults, figuring it out on their own. It's okay to not have all the answers right away.

“Besides,” Lucy adds with a small smile, “at least now we know my tree-climbing skills are still solid.”

Kate laughs despite herself. “Please never do that again.”

“Deal.” Lucy points to Kate's laptop screen where a beautiful enclosed catio design is displayed. “What do ya think about this one?”

Kate makes a mental note to call a contractor tomorrow about that catio. Because of course, she knows a guy.

 

Notes:

Based on real kitten chaos from my own cats throughout my life. If your cat has ever gotten themselves stuck in a pickle, you are not alone. What's your best “how did you even manage that?” pet story?

Mahalo for tagging along on this adventure! If you enjoyed this, comments and kudos are much appreciated!

Chapter 4: Cat (is out of the bag)

Summary:

“You forgot this at…” Kate starts, but her words catch in her throat as a small orange head pops out from inside her bag. “Oh my god.”

Fanta blinks up at her with those innocent olive green eyes, letting out a tiny chirp as if to say, “Hi Mom!”

Lucy's eyebrows shoot up, her mouth dropping open before breaking into a surprised laugh. “Best delivery ever. Forget DoorDash, you brought me something way better!”

aka: The one with the surprise delivery…

Notes:

Once again, these silly little antics are inspired by real life events. Because apparently my pets are committed to providing endless story material. 🤪

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Kate moves around the kitchen, packing lunches and snacks into her oversized work bag. It's the same bag she carries everywhere, the one Lucy always teases her about. “Preparing for the apocalypse again?” Lucy likes to joke, but Kate doesn't care. She likes being prepared, knowing she has whatever anyone might need at any given moment. Extra phone chargers, power bank, protein bars, mini first aid kit, collapsible pet bowl, you name it. Today she adds Lucy's forgotten lunch to the mix, wrapping it carefully before tucking it inside the bag.

The doggie daycare bus already picked up Lucky half an hour ago, and the house feels unusually quiet without his happy panting and the tippy tappies of his paws on the hardwood floors. Kate sets her bag down in the living room before heading to their home office to gather her laptop.

“Fanta?” she calls out. “Where'd you go, buddy?”

No response. Not even the telltale jingle of his bell collar. Kate shrugs. He's probably napping somewhere. Maybe on the window sill that catches the morning light perfectly in their bedroom, or curled up in the clean laundry basket Lucy forgot to fold last night. Or, more likely, he's sprawled across their entire bed, claiming all the space for himself despite weighing all of five pounds.

She checks her watch. If she leaves now, she'll make it to the field office before lunch time. The team needs help with a particularly complex case involving encrypted communications, and Ernie specifically requested her expertise. Kate grabs her bag, surprised by how heavy it feels today, but she did pack extra snacks and that cookbook she's been meaning to return to Kai.

The drive goes by faster than expected. Kate keeps the music low, letting her mind wander through the case details. She pulls into the parking garage, grabs her bag from the passenger seat, and heads inside.

The bullpen has its usual morning chaos going on. Agents weaving between desks, phones ringing, the smell of burnt coffee drifting from the break room. Kate heads straight for Lucy's desk and unzips her bag to grab the lunch container.

“You forgot this at…” Kate starts, but her words catch in her throat as a small orange head pops out from inside her bag. “Oh my god.”

Fanta blinks up at her with those innocent olive green eyes, letting out a tiny chirp as if to say, “Hi Mom!”

Lucy's eyebrows shoot up, her mouth dropping open before breaking into a surprised laugh. “Best delivery ever. Forget DoorDash, you brought me something way better!”

Kate stares down at Fanta, still processing how he got there. “I... he... when did he…” She reaches into the bag and pulls out both the lunch container and Fanta, who seems perfectly content. “He's been in here the whole time. The entire drive. I didn't hear a single meow.”

“Our little stealth operative,” Lucy says, taking Fanta from Kate's arms and immediately nuzzling her nose against his head. “You snuck into Mama's bag this morning, didn't ya? Thought you'd come see what we do all day?”

Several nearby agents glance over with amused expressions. Jane waves from across the bullpen, clearly entertained by the scene.

Kate runs a hand through her hair, her mind racing back through the morning. “I thought my bag felt heavy, but I just assumed I packed too many snacks again. He must've snuck in after Lucky left for daycare.”

“Sneaky little guy,” Lucy says, scratching behind Fanta's ears. His purr rumbles loud enough to be heard across the desk. “And he stayed quiet the entire drive? That's actually impressive. Remember how vocal he was the first week we had him?”

“I should drive him back home,” Kate immediately says, though she's already calculating the time it would take. Round trip in traffic, settling him back in the house, making sure he has food and water...

“Nonsense. That'll take forever,” Lucy says, waving her hand dismissively.

Kate sighs, knowing Lucy's right. “So what do we do? You can't exactly bring him out on the field.”

“Ernie's lair,” Lucy suggests. “It's tucked away, and you'll be in there working anyway. You can keep an eye on him.”

“Lucy, he's a kitten. A mischievous kitten with zero impulse control in a room full of expensive tech equipment.”

Lucy grins, already heading toward the hallway with Fanta still in her arms. “Come on. Ya know Ernie loves animals.”

Kate follows Lucy through the bullpen toward Ernie's office, her mind racing through all the potential disasters. Ernie's office is a tech wonderland filled with monitors, servers, and his collection of vintage gadgets. Adding a hyperactive kitten to that mix seems like a recipe for CATastrophe. No pun intended.

Lucy swipes her keycard and pushes open the door. “Heeeey Ernest, we have a situation.”

Ernie spins around in his chair, his eyes widening when he sees the orange kitten in Lucy's arms. “Is that... did you bring Fanta to work?”

“Not intentionally,” Kate says, stepping inside. “He was a stowaway in my bag. Didn't make a single sound the whole drive here.”

“Stealth operative in training,” Ernie says with a grin, rolling his chair closer. “Can I?” He reaches out cautiously, and Fanta immediately headbutts his hand, purring even louder.

“We were hoping he could hang out here while you and Kate work on the case,” Lucy says. “It's too far to drive him back home, and the bullpen is too chaotic right now.”

Ernie scratches behind Fanta's ears, looking delighted. “Are you kidding? I'd love another coding buddy for the day. We'll be fine.”

Kate surveys the office with a critical eye. “Maybe we should move some things first. Anything breakable or…”

Before she can finish, Fanta squirms out of Lucy's arms and lands on Ernie's desk with surprising grace. His attention immediately locks onto a glass jar filled with chocolate-covered espresso beans.

“Fanta, no.” Kate says, but it's too late.

His paw shoots out, batting at the jar with determination. It tips, sending espresso beans cascading across the desk and onto the floor. Fanta's eyes light up like he's just discovered the best toy ever invented. He drops from the desk and starts batting the beans across the floor, chasing them under the chairs.

“Well,” Ernie says, watching the chaos unfold with amusement, “Let me just... baby-proof a few things.”

Lucy bursts into laughter, crouching down to try and wrangle Fanta away from his new toys. “I'm so sorry. We can replace those.”

Kate helps gather the scattered espresso beans while Fanta continues his rampage, thoroughly convinced this is the best game ever. “Are you sure about this, Ernie? We can figure something else out.”

“Honestly, this is the most entertainment I've had all week,” Ernie says, setting up a cardboard box in the corner with some crumpled paper inside. “Besides, look at him. He's having the time of his life.”

Fanta pauses mid-pounce to look up at his audience, an espresso bean held captive under one paw. His tail swishes back and forth, and his expression clearly says he regrets nothing.

Lucy stands up, brushing off her hands. “Okay, well, Uncle Ernie is officially on kitten duty. Kate, you two try to actually get some work done between Fanta's tornado sessions.”

“Try being the operative word,” Kate mutters, watching Fanta discover the paper shreds in his new box.

Lucy gives Kate a quick kiss on the cheek before heading back to the bullpen. "Text me updates. I want photographic evidence of every adorable thing he does."

As Lucy leaves, Kate settles into the chair next to Ernie, pulling up the case files on her laptop. They fall into their usual rhythm while Fanta entertains himself with the cardboard box for approximately seven minutes before deciding the blinking lights on Ernie's server are far more interesting.

“Fanta, down,” Kate says without looking up from her screen, somehow sensing his intention to climb.

He freezes mid-leap, looking genuinely surprised that she caught him.

“She's got eyes in the back of her head,” Ernie tells him. “Trust me, I've tried sneaking snacks during meetings. Never works.”

An hour passes with only minor interruptions. Fanta knocks over a pencil holder, gets briefly stuck behind the filing cabinet, and attempts to join a video conference call by walking across Ernie's keyboard. Kate manages to intercept him just before he accidentally unmutes them to a room full of concerned analysts.

“See?” Ernie says, completely unbothered. “We're doing great. This is fine.”

Kate raises an eyebrow but doesn't argue. She shakes her head with a quiet laugh, thinking of that dog meme surrounded by flames. But they are fine. They're actually making progress on the case. And watching Fanta try to catch the cursor on Ernie's screen is admittedly adorable, even if it's completely derailing their productivity.

“Welcome to 'bring your kid to work day,'” Kate says, saving her work before Fanta can cause any more digital mayhem.

Ernie grins, already snapping a photo of Fanta sprawled across a stack of file folders to send to Lucy. “Best workday ever.”

 

Notes:

Never underestimate the stealth capabilities of a five-pound kitten on a mission. And RIP Ernie’s chocolate-covered espresso beans.

This actually happened to me during undergrad. I was running late for class, grabbed my bag, and didn't think much of the weight. Figured it was just my laptop (which my ADHD brain had actually forgotten to pack). Nope. It was my cat. I was halfway to campus when I discovered her through my rearview mirror, climbing up my back seat. 🙀

Mahalo for tagging along on this adventure! If you enjoyed this, comments and kudos are much appreciated!

Chapter 5: Meowt of this World

Summary:

“Is this really necessary?” Lucy asks, but there's amusement in her voice.

“Absolutely.” Kate turns around to survey their setup. The coffee table sits pushed against the wall, replaced by an air mattress positioned directly in front of the couch. Blankets and pillows cover every surface, creating the kind of nest that screams “we're not leaving this spot for at least six hours.” “Sci-fi movies require proper ambiance. You can't properly appreciate the visual cinematography in daylight.”

Lucy shakes her head, but she's smiling as she carries over two massive bowls of popcorn. “You're such a nerd.”

“You married this nerd.”

aka: The one where Kate shares her favorite Sci-fi films.

Notes:

Are you an Alien? Because you’re meowt of this world!

Enjoy! 😜

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Kate adjusts the blackout curtains, making sure no sunlight peaks through. Their living room transforms into a perfect home theater. Fairy lights strung along the walls, just bright enough to see but dim enough to keep the movie-watching atmosphere intact.

“Is this really necessary?” Lucy asks, but there's amusement in her voice.

“Absolutely.” Kate turns around to survey their setup. The coffee table sits pushed against the wall, replaced by an air mattress positioned directly in front of the couch. Blankets and pillows cover every surface, creating the kind of nest that screams “we're not leaving this spot for at least six hours.” “Sci-fi movies require proper ambiance. You can't properly appreciate the visual cinematography in daylight.”

Lucy shakes her head, but she's smiling as she carries over two massive bowls of popcorn. “You're such a nerd.”

“You married this nerd,” Kate reminds her, thumb pointed back at herself as she settles onto the air mattress and pats the space beside her.

It's been a brutal week at work. Back-to-back cases, late nights in the bullpen, barely enough time to breathe. When Friday finally rolled around, they'd both agreed that this weekend needed to be about nothing except staying home, being comfortable, and spending time with their little family.

Lucy drops onto the mattress next to her, immediately reaching for one of the fleece blankets. Lucky wastes no time hopping down from the couch to wedge himself between them, his head resting on Kate's thigh. Fanta perches on top of the couch cushions above their heads and stretches out.

“So,” Lucy says, getting comfortable. “What's first on the agenda?”

Kate grabs the remote, settling back with a grin. “We're starting with Alien. The 1979 masterpiece. Ridley Scott is a directorial genius. One of the greatest sci-fi horror films ever made.”

“And there's the movie nerd I married,” Lucy teases.

“Just wait. You’re gonna love this.” Kate pulls up the movie on their streaming service. “There's this one scene… I won't spoil it, but most of the cast had no idea what was going to happen. The director kept it a secret. Veronica Cartwright, one of the actresses, got sprayed with blood during filming and her scream is completely real because she genuinely didn't know it was coming.”

Lucy blinks. “That's actually kind of brilliant. Terrifying, but brilliant.”

“That's Ridley Scott for ya.” Kate hits play, settling back against the couch cushions. Lucky shifts slightly, making himself more comfortable. “Oh, and there's an orange cat in this one. Reminds me of a little shit-head we know.” she says affectionately, glancing up at Fanta behind them.

On cue, the bell on Fanta’s collar jingles as he readjusts his position.

The opening credits roll, and Kate finally relaxes. The Nostromo fills the screen with that classic slow pan across the ship, Jerry Goldsmith's score doing exactly what it's supposed to do. They don't make films like this anymore, Kate thinks to herself.

“Why is everything so dark?” Lucy asks about ten minutes in.

“Atmosphere,” Kate explains. “Ridley Scott wanted to create this sense of claustrophobia and dread. The ship is supposed to feel both massive and confining at the same time. Plus, the lighting design emphasizes the isolation. They're in deep space with no help coming.”

Lucy nods, eyes fixed on the screen. “That makes sense. It does feel kind of suffocating.”

They fall into a comfortable rhythm. Lucy asks questions throughout the movie, the kind of running commentary that might drive some people crazy during films. But Kate doesn't mind. She answers with enthusiastic detail, geeking out over the practical effects, the symbolism of the xenomorph design, the way Ridley Scott uses negative space to build tension. Lucy listens intently, genuinely interested in every explanation.

“See how you almost never get a clear look at the alien?” Kate says during one particularly tense scene. “That's intentional. The less you see, the scarier it becomes. Your imagination fills in the gaps.”

“I hate that it works,” Lucy mutters, eyes glued to the screen as she blindly reaches for more popcorn.

When Jones the cat appears on screen, Fanta immediately perks up. His ears twitch forward, tracking the orange tabby's movement across the screen.

“He knows,” Lucy laughs quietly.

The tension builds steadily, scene after scene pulling them closer to the edge of their seats. Kate's seen Alien probably thirty times, but she still finds herself holding her breath during certain moments. That's the mark of truly great filmmaking, when you know exactly what's coming but it still affects you.

Meanwhile, Lucky is knocked out between them. He’s upside down on his back, belly up in the air, and completely unbothered by the suspense. Fanta remains alert on the couch, watching the movements on the screen intently.

Then it happens. The alien lunges from the shadows with a shriek. Lucy yelps, throwing her hands up reflexively. Her sudden movement startles Lucky awake and sends Fanta leaping off the couch in surprise. Lucky scrambles upright, colliding with Lucy's outstretched arms just as Fanta lands on the air mattress. Both popcorn bowls go flying, sending kernels raining across the blankets and floor.

Lucky's eyes light up. He immediately abandons his spot between them, diving into the scattered popcorn like he just won the lottery.

“Lucky, no!” Lucy tries, but she's laughing too hard to sound authoritative.

Fanta spots the kernels and his hunting instincts kick in. He bats at them with his paws, sending popcorn skittering across the floor. Lucky then chases after them, thinking it’s play time.

Kate pauses the movie, watching their chaos unfold. “Well, that escalated quickly.”

“That scene got me good,” Lucy admits, still laughing as she shakes popcorn from her sleeves.

“That's the power of great filmmaking.” Kate starts gathering the blankets and shaking out the popcorn. Lucky immediately hoovers up anything that hits the floor.

They settle back onto the mattress with fresh popcorn, and Kate restarts the movie. Lucky eventually returns to his spot between them, though he keeps glancing around hopefully in case more snacks decide to rain from the sky. Fanta claims Lucy's lap, curling into a ball and purring contentedly.

Lucy tucks herself against Kate's side as the film continues. On screen, Ripley fights for survival while the alien hunts her through the ship's narrow corridors.

“What makes Ripley such an iconic character?” Lucy asks during a quieter moment.

Kate's face lights up. “She basically redefined what a sci-fi action hero could be. Before Alien, women in horror movies were usually just victims who happened to survive. But Sigourney Weaver made Ripley this competent, intelligent character who fights back on her own terms. She changed the entire genre.”

“She's incredible,” Lucy nods, watching Ripley prepare for the final confrontation. “I can't believe I haven't seen this until now. I know I haven't watched a lot of movies, but I'm glad we're starting to change that.”

Kate pulls her closer, practically beaming. “Me too. There's so much I want to show you. Getting to share all my favorites with you? We're barely scratching the surface.”

The credits finally roll. Kate reaches for the remote, queuing up the next movie. “Ready for Aliens? Fair warning, it's more action-heavy than the first one. James Cameron took Ridley Scott's horror concept and turned it into a full-blown sci-fi action film. Really different vibe, but equally incredible.”

Lucy settles more firmly against Kate's side. “As long as you keep answering all my questions. I know I ask a lot during movies.”

“That's my favorite part,” Kate says warmly. “Seriously. You asking questions means you're engaged, and I get to geek out. It's perfect.”

“Even for the next thousand movies?” Lucy asks with a small smile.

“Always,” Kate promises, pressing play.

 

Notes:

Find yourself a partner who geeks out over their favorite things and loves sharing them with you! I'm nowhere near as much of a cinephile as my partner is, so I'm constantly asking questions during movies just like Lucy. 😅

Technically I could feed two birds with one scone with this chapter (since Day 13’s word is ‘Always’), but I have something special planned for that one!

Mahalo for tagging along on this adventure! If you enjoyed this, comments and kudos are much appreciated!

Chapter 6: Surfboard Strong

Summary:

Now, three years later, Kate steps into the familiar Saturday morning surf with Lucky already positioned on his board. His board. The one they'd spent an entire evening making alterations on.

It had been Lucy's idea, actually. She'd noticed how Lucky's paws would sometimes slip on the waxed surface.

“What about grip tape?” she had suggested one night, showing Kate her phone screen. “We could customize the placement for his paws.”

aka: The one with Lucky’s custom surfboard.

Notes:

I had a burst of writing energy this past week and managed to get this chapter finished. Starting my doctoral program tomorrow (this is my last weekend of freedom!), so the next chapters might take a bit longer to write. Life's about to get busy again, but writing this gave me a much needed break.

Mahalo for all your support. It truly means so much and helps motivate me to keep me writing. 🥹

Big shoutout to Jackie for helping bounce around ideas with this one!

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Lucky sits patiently by the door holding his leash in his mouth, tail swooshing against the floor. Fanta waits by his cat backpack, his tiny harness already secured, looking significantly less enthusiastic about the early wake-up call. He's learned that the backpack means they're going somewhere, though he clearly has no idea what’s coming today.

“Ya know,” Lucy says, emerging from their bedroom in her usual beach attire, “I never thought I'd be the person who willingly gets up at the crack of dawn on weekends.”

Kate grins, heading outside. “And yet here you are. Up with the best of us.” She walks to the surfboard rack mounted on the side of their house and selects a longboard.

Lucy appears in the doorway with Fanta in her arms. “Yeah, well.” She adjusts Fanta, who chirps curiously as she settles him into his backpack. “It's Fanta's first time at the beach. Gotta document all the firsts.”

Kate smiles as she straps the board to her car’s roof rack. She heads back inside to clip Lucky's leash on. “Ready, buddy?”

Lucky's entire body wiggles with excitement. This is his second favorite day of the week, next to ‘Pup Cup Day’, and he knows exactly where they're going.

Most Saturdays follow a different pattern. Kate leaves for early morning surf sessions with Kai and Jesse while Lucy and Lucky sleep in and then go on their morning run. But every few weeks, Lucy decides to join them at the beach instead, camera in hand, ready to capture Lucky in action.

The beach is already familiar territory now, but Kate still remembers how it all started almost three years ago.

 


 

Lucy had surprised her that first time, showing up with Lucky while Kate was preparing for her surf session with the guys. “I want to see what all the fuss is about,” she'd said, though she kept a careful distance on shore.

Lucky had sat perfectly still on the sand beside Lucy, his eyes locked on Kate in the water. Every wave she caught, every turn she made, he tracked her with intense focus. That's the Aussie herding instincts for ya.

When she'd paddled back to shore after her first set, Lucky had charged straight for the waves, pulling so hard on his leash that Lucy had to brace herself.

“Whoa, buddy!” Kate had laughed, catching him before he dove in. “Not yet.”

But Lucky's eyes had been so focused, so determined, and Kate could tell he wanted to be out there with her, to share in whatever joy she found riding those waves.

“He wants to go with ya,” Lucy had said, and Kate hadn't been able to ignore the longing in Lucky's expression.

Kate had crouched down, cupping Lucky's face in her hands. “You really want to come out there with me?” Lucky looked at her, his tail wagging with hope. “Alright then.”

They'd started the very next week. They bought Lucky his very own bright yellow life jacket, because safety first. In the shallows, Kate held her longboard steady while he stepped onto it, his herding dog instincts helping him find his balance almost immediately.

“Good boy,” she'd reassured him, keeping one hand on his life jacket while the other steadied the board. Lucky had stood perfectly still, trusting her completely. His ears stayed perked forward, focused entirely on Kate's voice.

“Okay, we're going to paddle out just a little bit,” Kate had said softly, keeping her movements slow and deliberate.

Lucky had let out a small “boof” of acknowledgment, and Kate felt incredibly proud.

Week by week, they'd progressed. Deeper water. Smaller waves. Kate paddling with Lucky positioned in front of her, his paws planted wide. She'd talk to him the whole time, praising every small adjustment he made.

“That's it, buddy.” Kate would say, her voice calm and encouraging. 

The first real wave they caught together, Kate had felt Lucky tense slightly as the board started to move.

“Good boy! I've got ya,” she'd said immediately. “Just trust the board. Trust me.”

And he had. They rode it all the way in, Lucky's stance steady the entire time. As the wave carried them closer to the beach, he'd turned around and licked Kate's face so enthusiastically she'd nearly fallen off the board.

“Yeah? Was that fun?!” Kate had laughed, hugging him close.

The moment they reached the sand, Lucky had leaped off and sprinted straight for Lucy, water spraying everywhere as he ran. He jumped up, soaking her shirt and shorts completely.

“Whoa! Hey buddy!” Lucy had laughed, not even flinching as Lucky wiggled his entire body against her, his tail wagging so hard it created its own breeze. She'd crouched down to his level, letting him shower her face with kisses. 

Lucky had let out little happy barks, spinning in circles, as if clearly asking if she'd seen his big moment.

“Yes! You were amazing out there!” Lucy had assured him, scratching behind his ears while ignoring the fact that she was now completely drenched. “You're a natural, baby boy.”

Kate had jogged over, board under her arm, grinning at the sight. “Lucky! You got your mama all soaked!”

“Are you kidding?” Lucy had looked up at Kate, her eyes bright despite her usual wariness of water. “How could I care when he's this happy? Look at him!”

Over the following months, Kate and Lucky’s bond deepened through these shared surf sessions. Kate learned to read Lucky's body language on the board, knowing when he was comfortable pushing further and when he needed a break. Lucky learned to trust Kate's cues implicitly, understanding that when she said “ready,” it meant a wave was coming, and when she said “easy,” it meant to adjust his weight. Australian Shepherds are incredibly intelligent, and Lucky was no exception.

“You know what I love about this?” Kate had told him one morning after a particularly good run. “It's just you and me out here. Just us and the ocean.”

Lucky had pressed his head against her face, his tail wagging gently in agreement.

Now, three years later, Kate steps into the familiar Saturday morning surf with Lucky already positioned on his board. His board. The one they'd spent an entire evening making alterations on.

It had been Lucy's idea, actually. She'd noticed how Lucky's paws would sometimes slip on the waxed surface.

“What about grip tape?” she had suggested one night, showing Kate her phone screen. “We could customize the placement for his paws.”

They'd measured everything carefully. Lucky's natural stance, where each paw fell, how he adjusted his weight. Kate had marked each position, then cut and applied grip tape in those exact spots. They'd added padding to the center, reinforced the edges, even painted a small four-leaf clover near the nose.

“Now it's officially yours,” Lucy had told Lucky when they'd finished, and he'd sniffed the board thoroughly before giving it his approval with a “boof!”

The difference had been immediate. Lucky's confidence doubled. He could adjust his stance mid-wave now, the grip tape giving him the traction he needed. He'd even drop into a play bow position, front paws low and rear-end high.

“He's going to be better than all of us,” Kai had said, watching Lucky ride a small wave with precision, a skill that took some people several months to develop.

 


 

Kate paddles out now, Lucky steady in front of her with his new shark fin life jacket on, scanning the horizon like he's done this his entire life. They wait for the right swell, and when it comes, Lucky's ears perk up. He knows.

“Ready, buddy?” Kate asks.

Lucky's tail wags once, his signal that he's set.

They catch the wave together, Kate popping up smoothly while Lucky maintains his stance. His tail acts like a rudder, his body adjusting instinctively to the board's movement. They ride it all the way to shore.

When they paddle back out, Kate glances toward shore where Lucy sits with Fanta. The little guy had discovered that the beach is apparently one giant litter box and is enthusiastically pawing at the sand, sending it flying everywhere, including all over Lucy.

“Fanta!” Lucy's voice carries across the water. “You little shit-head,” she says affectionately, but Fanta just rolls onto his back, stretching out like he's sunbathing. He looks ridiculously content snuggled against Lucy's leg while she tries in vain to brush sand off both of them.

Kate catches a few more waves with Lucky and the surf squad before paddling back in for a break. The moment they reach the shallow water, Lucky leaps off the board and races up the beach toward Lucy and Fanta.

“Lucky, wait—” Lucy barely gets the words out before he reaches them, shaking vigorously and spraying water everywhere. She throws her hands up, laughing despite being drenched. “Of course! Every time.”

Fanta immediately scrambles into his backpack, peeking out cautiously. Just like Lucy, he's not a fan of the water.

Lucky presses against Lucy's legs, tail wagging proudly, completely oblivious to the chaos he's caused. Now Lucy's soaked and sandy, with an offended orange kitten hiding in his bag.

Kate jogs up with the board, laughing at the scene. “Remember when you used to say our love wasn't surfboard strong?”

Lucy looks up at her, squinting against the sun. “I never said that seriously!”

“You said it enough times that I remember.” Kate grins.

Lucy shrugs, a small smile on her face. “Well, look at me now.”

“Thanks to Lucky,” Kate says matter of factly.

Fanta cautiously emerges from his backpack now that the immediate water threat has passed.

“And Fanta,” Lucy adds, scooping him up and holding him in the air like Rafiki presenting Simba in The Lion King. He dangles limply in her hands, looking deeply unimpressed with the entire situation.

Kate laughs, looking at Lucky and gesturing back toward the water. “Alright, one more set before we head out?”

Lucky's ears perk up immediately, as he jogs along next to Kate.

They head back out, and Kate positions them for the next wave. “You ready, buddy?”

Together they catch another wave, riding it smoothly toward shore. Instead of paddling straight in, Kate lets the board drift and they sit there for a moment. Lucky settles on the board while she takes in the whole scene around them.

Kate thinks about how far her and Lucy had come. Moving in together, adopting Lucky, buying their house, getting married, rescuing Fanta. Building this life together, piece by piece.

She scratches behind Lucky's ears, and he leans into her hand, perfectly at peace. “Surfboard strong,” Kate thinks to herself as they finally paddle the rest of the way in. “The strongest love there is.”

 

Notes:

I've always loved the idea of dogs surfing, and Australian Shepherds (herding breeds especially) are smart enough to learn just about anything if you're patient enough to teach them. Lucky's surfing journey felt like the perfect way to show how Kate and Lucy's family has grown together. 🍀

Mahalo for reading! Until next time!

Chapter 7: Doggles

Summary:

Kate blinks at the image. A dog wearing what looks like ski goggles.

“They're called Rex Specs,” Lucy continues. “Professional working dogs use them. They protect against debris, UV rays, wind, water. Everything.”

Kate sits up, fully awake now. “You think Lucky would wear them?”

“I think Lucky would wear a tutu if it meant getting back in the water with you.” Lucy scrolls through the product details. “Look. Impact resistant lenses, vented frame for water drainage, foam edges for comfort. They're specifically designed for active dogs. They even have replacement lenses. They’re fancier than our sunglasses.”

aka: The one with Lucky’s “glasses”

Notes:

Ok, I lied. I found some time to write this chapter today. 😅 I wrote something that mentions glasses in Chapter 8 of Lucktales, so figured I’d give this prompt a different spin. Dog “glasses” it is!

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

They've just caught their best wave of the morning when Kate notices it the moment they paddle back to shore. Lucky's left eye is squinting more than usual, and he keeps lifting his paw toward his face.

“Hey, buddy.” She steadies the board, reaching for him. “What's wrong?”

Lucky shakes his head, then immediately paws at his eye again. It's not his normal post-surf shake. This is different. Distressed.

“Luce!” Kate calls toward the beach, concern clear in her voice.

Lucy's already moving, Fanta secured in his backpack as she jogs across the sand. “What happened?”

“I don't know. Something's bothering his eye.” Kate carefully lifts Lucky off the board. He presses against her chest, and she feels his paw come up again, trying to rub at his face. “No, baby. Don't touch it.”

She gently catches his paw, holding it away while Lucy leans in to look.

“It's definitely his left eye,” Lucy says, “Maybe something got in there during that last wave?”

Kate thinks back. They'd caught a good wave, but right at the end, there'd been some spray. Ocean water, maybe some sand kicked up from the shallow break. “Could be debris. Or salt water irritation.”

Lucky whimpers softly, and Kate's heart clenches. He never complains. This has to really be bothering him.

“Let’s take him to the vet,” Lucy says, already pulling out her phone.

 


 

Dr. Kamaka's office squeezes them in within the hour. Lucky sits perfectly still on the examination table, but Kate can see how anxious he is. Lucy stands beside her, one hand resting on Lucky's back while the vet examines his eye with a small light. Fanta sits patiently in his bag on the chair, watching his brother through the mesh window of his bag.

“There's a small scratch on his cornea,” Dr. Kamaka explains, switching off the light. “Probably from sand or a piece of shell debris. It's not deep, but it needs treatment.”

Kate's stomach twists with guilt. “Will he be okay?”

“He'll be fine.” Dr. Kamaka scratches Lucky's ears reassuringly. “I'll prescribe some antibiotic eye drops. Three times a day for two weeks. And no strenuous activities during that time. No surfing, no running, nothing that could aggravate the injury or risk further debris getting in his eye.”

The words hit Kate harder than she expects. No surfing. For two weeks.

Lucy must sense it because she squeezes Kate's hand. “Whatever he needs.”

Dr. Kamaka demonstrates how to apply the drops, and Lucky tolerates it with his usual patience. But Kate sees the confusion in his eyes when they load him into the car afterward. He knows something's different.

 


 

The first Saturday without surfing is brutal.

Kate wakes to her alarm out of habit, then remembers. No early morning session. No waves. No Lucky positioned on his board, tail wagging as they wait for the perfect swell.

She rolls over to find Lucy already awake, scrolling through her phone.

“Hey,” Lucy says softly. “I've been researching.”

“Researching what?”

Lucy turns her phone screen toward Kate. “Eye protection for dogs.”

Kate blinks at the image. A dog wearing what looks like ski goggles.

“They're called Rex Specs,” Lucy continues. “Professional working dogs use them. They protect against debris, UV rays, wind, water. Everything.”

Kate sits up, fully awake now. “You think Lucky would wear them?”

“I think Lucky would wear a tutu if it meant getting back in the water with you.” Lucy scrolls through the product details. “Look. Impact resistant lenses, vented frame for water drainage, foam edges for comfort. They're specifically designed for active dogs. They even have replacement lenses. They’re fancier than our sunglasses.”

Kate takes the phone, reading carefully. The reviews are overwhelming. Hunting dogs, motorcycle riding dogs, dogs with eye conditions. All raving about how well the goggles stay on, how much protection they provide.

“They come in different colors,” Lucy adds. “But I was thinking the Mountainview Mint?”

“You've already picked a color?”

Lucy shrugs, but there's a smile on her face. “I might have already ordered them.”

Kate laughs, pulling Lucy into a kiss. “You always know exactly what to do.”

“I just want him safe,” Lucy says simply. “And I know how much surfing means to both of you. This way, he can still do what he loves without risking another injury.”

 


 

The Rex Specs arrive in a few days. Kate opens the package while Lucky watches curiously from his bed, his cone of shame preventing him from investigating too closely. The mint green goggles catch the light, looking both ridiculous and oddly professional.

“Alright, buddy.” Kate kneels beside him, taking his cone off. “Let's see if these fit.”

The adjustable straps slip over Lucky's ears, the foam edges settling gently against his face. Kate secures the clips, checking the fit.

Lucky sits perfectly still, letting her adjust and readjust. When she's satisfied, she steps back.

Lucy bursts out laughing. “He looks like a tiny fighter pilot.”

And he does. The goggles wrap around his face, making him look equal parts adorable and badass. Lucky tilts his head, clearly feeling the weight of something new, but he doesn't paw at them or try to shake them off.

“Good boy!” Kate praises. “You look so handsome.”

Lucky's tail wags once, uncertain.

They practice around the house first. Short intervals of wearing them, followed by treats and praise. By day three, Lucky associates the goggles with good things. By day five, he brings them to Kate in the mornings, ready to try.

 


 

One week later, Dr. Kamaka clears Lucky for normal activities. His eye has healed completely, the scratch gone without complication.

That Saturday, Kate puts on Lucky's shark fin life jacket, then carefully fits his Rex Specs over his face.

Kai does a double take when he sees them. “Is Lucky wearing doggles?”

“Rex Specs,” Kate corrects. “Top of the line eye protection.”

“When did Lucky join the special forces?” Jesse jokes.

Kate just grins. Let them laugh. Lucky's safe. That's all that matters.

They paddle out together, Lucky steady in his usual position. Kate can see him looking around through the tinted lenses, his head turning to track the waves. When the right wave comes, they catch it just like always. Lucky's stance is perfect, his tail wagging as they ride it in.

On shore, Lucy captures it all on camera.

 


 

Later at home that evening, they end up on the couch catching up on what Lucy insists is “officially the gayest season of The Great British Bake Off.” Fanta's already claimed his spot curled up on Lucy's chest. Lucky's stretched out with his head in Kate's lap. Kate scrolls through the photos from earlier while Alison and Noel deliver their usual baking puns that have Lucy giggling every few minutes.

There are dozens of photos. Lucky mid-wave, Lucky shaking water off on the sand, Lucky investigating a piece of driftwood. But her favorite is the one where he sits on his board, looking out at the ocean like the professional surf dog he's become with his fancy Rex Specs on.

She saves it as her phone's lock screen.

“Good choice,” Lucy says softly, glancing over.

Kate looks at the photo one more time, then down at Lucky in her lap. She thinks about how they've learned to adapt, to find solutions. How they keep their little family safe while still letting them live fully.

She scratches behind Lucky's ears. “Best decision we ever made was bringing you home.”

His tail begins to wag slowly, gentle thumps against the couch cushion. In moments like this, Kate knows he understands. How loved he is. How safe. How lucky they all are to have found each other.

 

Notes:

We are not sponsored by Rex Specs, but we do highly recommend them! 😆

Chapter 8: #1 FANta

Summary:

Lucky's head pops up from the floor, startled by the flash when the screen went out. He looks at the TV, then at his moms, then settles back down and sighs. Just another day in the Whistler household.

“Did he just…” Kate finally manages.

“He broke the TV,” Lucy says, still staring. “Fanta just broke our TV.”

aka: The one where Fanta intercepts the touchdown pass.

Notes:

Inspired by the time my two year old nephew accidentally broke the 75" TV. 💀 Cats and toddlers have the same energy and you can’t tell me otherwise.

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The coffee table is covered with all their game day essentials. Lucy's homemade sandwiches take center stage. A bowl of tortilla chips sits next to homemade queso, two bottles of beer, a plate of jalapeño poppers, and buffalo wings with extra ranch on the side.

Lucky's already positioned himself strategically on the floor near the table, his Cowboys bandana tied around his neck, hoping for dropped crumbs. Fanta sits on the back of the couch wearing his tiny #4 Cowboys jersey, his head tilting as the highlight reel plays.

Lucy settles onto the couch with her sandwich while Kate grabs the plate of wings and sits beside her. They both watch as Fanta's attention locks onto the screen with intense focus.

His ears twitch forward, pupils dilating as the football arcs through the air during the highlight reel. He's been obsessed ever since the season started. The way the football spirals through the air, the quick cuts between players, the unpredictable bounces and tumbles. It triggers every single one of his hunting instincts.

“He's really locked in today,” Lucy says, taking a bite of her sandwich.

“Bigger fan than you at this point,” Kate jokes.

“That's my son!” Lucy says proudly through a mouthful, watching Fanta's tail flick once as a pass completes on screen.

Every time the ball snaps, his haunches wiggle slightly. When the quarterback drops back to pass, his gaze locks onto the ball's trajectory.

The game continues, and Lucy and Kate settle into their usual rhythm of eating and commentary. But Fanta remains completely still on his perch, eyes never leaving the screen.

The Cowboys line up again. Dak takes the snap, drops back, scans the field. His receiver breaks free down the sideline.

Something about this play catches Fanta's attention differently. He stands up on the back of the couch, his entire body tensing as his tail swishes back and forth.

“Easy, buddy,” Kate says absently, eyes still on the game.

Dak's arm goes back. The throw releases in a perfect spiral, heading downfield toward the receiver. Fanta's entire body tenses.

Then he launches himself off the couch, hitting the floor in a full sprint. Not toward the table. Not toward Lucky. Straight at the TV.

He jumps up parkour-style and launches himself at the screen. His front paws hit it with surprising force for such a small cat. The TV is mounted well, so it doesn't fall. But the pressure from Fanta's jump causes the screen to spiderweb with cracks. Right as the ball spirals through the air toward the receiver in the endzone, the screen flickers once and goes completely black.

Lucy and Kate's faces go blank. Their jaws drop in perfect synchronization.

For several seconds, neither of them moves. Neither speaks. They just stare at the dark screen, processing what just happened.

Fanta lands gracefully on the TV stand, completely unbothered. He sits down and starts grooming his paw like he didn't just destroy several hundred dollars worth of electronics.

Lucky's head pops up from the floor, startled by the flash when the screen went out. He looks at the TV, then at his moms, then settles back down and sighs. Just another day in the Whistler household.

“Did he just…” Kate finally manages.

“He broke the TV,” Lucy says, still staring. “Fanta just broke our TV.”

Kate's mouth opens and closes. “We didn't even see if it was a touchdown.”

Lucy turns to look at her, eyebrows raised. “That's what you're worried about right now?”

“I mean…” Kate gestures helplessly at the blank screen. “It was a perfect throw. Perfect. And we just missed a possible touchdown.”

“Since when are you the one freaking out about missing a play?” Lucy asks, though there's amusement creeping into her voice despite the situation.

Kate shrugs defensively. “You've been talking about this game all week, going on about how much you hate the Eagles. I got invested.”

Lucy sets her sandwich down carefully. She stands, walks over to Fanta, and picks him up. He purrs immediately, nuzzling into her arms.

“You little troublemaker,” she says, but there's no anger in her voice. Just resignation. “What are we going to do with you?”

Fanta chirps happily, completely unaware he did anything wrong.

Kate joins them, reaching over to scratch under Fanta's chin. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“So lucky,” Lucy agrees, then glances down at Lucky still lounging on the floor.

Lucky's tail thumps a few times when he hears his name.

She shifts Fanta in her arms, looking from the broken TV to Kate. “Well. I guess we're going to Costco.”

“Right now?”

“Unless you want to spend the rest of the day staring at a broken screen.” Lucy looks down at Fanta with mock suspicion. “Starting to question if you're really a Cowboys fan when you're out here pulling Eagles fan moves on our TV.”

 

Notes:

My family is full of Eagles fans. If 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' tells you anything, Fanta pulled a classic Eagles fan move. 🤣

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