Work Text:
~1~
The cat was back. It was staring at Abbacchio through the kitchen window as he prepared the coffee. It was a grey cat with a white tip on its tail, it’s green eyes staring through the window as he tried to ignore it.
He had heard Giorno and Fugo talking to it the day before. They had stopped when he walked in the room but they were whispering about something.
The cat meowed, pawing at the window. Glancing around to make sure no one would see the display of affection he was about to commit, Abbacchio pressed his hand to the window. The cat rubbed against it. He scoffed. The cat couldn’t even touch him, it was just rubbing against the glass.
He was startled when he heard a voice behind him, “I think her name is Smudge.” Bucciarati was leaning against the door of the kitchen.
Straightening his back he turned away from the window. “Why is this cat hanging around?”
“I think the kids fed her and she just kept coming back. They fled when I asked them about it. Can I have some?” He gestured to the coffee pot as he started to get a mug out.
“Sure, help yourself.” He held the pot out, waiting for Bucciarati to take it.
As Bucciarati started to fill up his cup there was a thunder of footsteps. Narancia came first, followed by Mista, Fugo and lastly Giorno. They gave greetings to Abbacchio and Bucciarati as they filed through the kitchen and out the door.
Outside Narancia rushed over to the cat, “Smudge! C’mere kitty!”
The cat padded over, rubbing against Narancia’s outstretched hand.
Abbacchio and Bucciarati followed the teenagers outside, “I guess you were right, they named it Smudge.”
Fugo groaned as Mista said, “It’s Smudge”
“That’s what I said.” Abbacchio deadpanned
Naracia laughed, “Smudge, not Smudge.”
Abbacchio gave him a confused glare, “We’re saying the same thing.”
Fugo responded before it got more confusing, “Narancia insisted the name be an acronym-”
“Super Mega Ultimate Defenestrate Geranium Eggbert!”
“That’s what it stands for.” He said with a pained sigh, “That isn’t even the right use of Defenestrate. It means to throw someone out a window! How is that an appropriate cat name?”
“It was your word. I think it’s a great name, see S.M.U.D.G.E likes it.” Narancia pet her and she started purring
“I didn’t-” Fugo
“Giorno suggested Geranium!” Mista interjected
Giorno had wandered over to S.M.U.D.G.E who gave a small meow and rolled around on the ground. As he pet her head he explained, “Geranium means “True friend”-” Narancia bumped shoulders with Giorno as if prompting him. “It can also mean “stupidity” and S.M.U.D.G.E can be an idiot sometimes.” Giorno started stroking her side as she wiggled across the ground and batted at his shoes.
~2~
Bucciarati grinned as he heard them explain the name.
Smudge continued to be a fixture of the gang’s daily life, popping in often to demand skritches and food.
~3~
The gang felt at ease with Smudge wandering around the house to the point where even Abbacchio— who found it hard to warm up to newcomers— enjoyed the cat's presence.
~4~
This isn't to say that Smudge didn't have their moments, though—it wasn't long after they first brought the stray in to realize the affectionate cat's most notable quirk was an obsession with shower curtains.
~5~
Needless to say, everyone was careful to keep Smudge out of the bathroom after they nearly gave Mista a heart attack. Being woken up at 6 in the morning by shrieking about bathroom ghosts attacking him in the shower once was enough.
~6~
As Smudge grabbed the last of what he knew Mista's favorite snacks were, all he had to do was wait, and the gunslinger that was horrible at gunslinging would get the piss scared out of him- once and for all!
Mista, back in the kitchen, was confused out of his mind. "Where... Where are the snacks??? Narancia must've eaten them all again!! The tiny bastard, thinking just because he's the fourth oldest he has any power over me..." With a dejected sigh, he headed into the living room, and Smudge prepared his attack. With a roar, he lunged at Mista, who stared in shock for just a minute...
...only to say joyfully, "Wait, he set out the snacks for me?? Oh wow, he really is a bro!!" What? No!! He can't see me??? Okay... whatever, take THIS! Enraged now, Smudge tries to possess him... only for Narancia to tackle-hug Mista just as the spirit reached him.
"Ready for some Mario Kart, loser??"
No!! Why?
"I sure am!! Thanks for getting all the snacks out for me!!*
This isn't pain!! There's no mortal fear in his eyes- okay, fine. I'm done here.
The spirit slinks off, defeated... Mista, entirely oblivious, asks Narancia "Hey, when did your hugs get so tight? I felt like you phased right through me!"
Narancia smiled and laughed. "Guess I'm just excited!"
"...But what did you mean earlier? I didn't bring our any snacks!"