Chapter Text
The Byers house was too quiet.
That alone was suspicious.
Jonathan noticed it first. Not a sound, not a crash—not even a meow. Just the absence of chaos. Rocket, their tiny furry menace, had been out of sight for at least ten minutes.
Ten minutes.
Way too long.
—This isn’t good… —Jonathan muttered, glancing around the kitchen.
Nancy didn’t even look up from her notes.
—He’s a cat, Jonathan. Sometimes… they just exist.
Jonathan slowly turned his head toward her.
—Rocket never just exists.
That made Nancy raise an eyebrow.
—Maybe he’s sleeping.
A loud thump echoed from the hallway.
Both froze.
Then another noise.
And another.
Like something small crashing into things… at full speed.
Jonathan straightened immediately.
—He’s not sleeping.
Nancy sighed, but a smile tugged at her lips.
—Alright, detective. Let’s go see what crime he committed now.
They stood up at the same time.
Big mistake.
Because at that exact moment—
Rocket appeared.
A blur of fur, wide eyes, ears back… running like his life depended on it.
—ROCKET—!
Too late.
The cat shot right between them.
Jonathan, stepping forward, didn’t see him.
Nancy, turning at the same time, didn’t either.
The result was instant.
Jonathan tripped over Rocket.
Nancy tripped over Jonathan.
And then—
Perfect chaos.
—Jonathan—!
—Nancy—!
They stumbled.
Tried to grab each other.
Made it worse.
Hit the table.
Papers flew everywhere.
A chair tipped over.
And finally—
THUMP.
They both hit the floor.
Silence.
A very short silence.
Because then—
meow.
Rocket sat a few feet away, calmly licking his paw like nothing happened.
Nancy slowly lifted her head, hair a mess.
—…are you kidding me?
Jonathan blinked.
—I think… we survived.
Nancy looked at him.
Then at Rocket.
Then back at Jonathan.
—That cat… —she pointed— did that on purpose.
Jonathan glanced at Rocket, who stared back innocently.
—He didn’t.
—Jonathan!
—He’s a cat.
—Exactly!
Nancy pushed herself up slightly, which only made Jonathan shift too—ending up way too close.
Too close.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Until—
meow.
Rocket walked over… and jumped onto Jonathan’s chest.
—oof—
He started kneading his shirt like it was the best place in the world.
Nancy stared in disbelief.
—Are you serious right now?
Jonathan smiled, gently petting him.
—He just wants attention.
—He just knocked us over.
—It was an accident.
Nancy crossed her arms.
—That cat runs like he’s possessed.
—He has energy.
—He has violent intentions.
Rocket lifted his head like he understood.
And meowed.
Jonathan laughed softly.
Nancy looked at him.
And her expression softened a little.
—You’re impossible…
—Not my fault —he said—. Look at that face.
Nancy looked.
Rocket looked back.
Slow blink.
Nancy narrowed her eyes.
—I’m not convinced.
Jonathan laughed again.
And then shifted slightly…
Which brought his face even closer to Nancy’s.
Silence again.
Longer this time.
Nancy felt her face heat up.
—We should… get up.
—Yeah…
Neither moved.
Rocket, completely unbothered, adjusted himself—and pushed slightly with his paws.
That tiny movement was enough.
Jonathan lost balance again.
—Oh—!
And fell.
Right onto Nancy.
Again.
Nancy let out a half-laugh, half-groan.
—See?! That one was the cat!
Jonathan, completely red, tried to get up.
—I’m sorry—I’m sorry—
—Control your homicidal cat!
Rocket meowed, offended.
—He’s not homicidal…
—Jonathan!
They both ended up laughing.
Really laughing.
The kind that comes from pure, ridiculous chaos.
Eventually, they sat up.
The kitchen was a mess.
Papers everywhere.
Chair knocked over.
Rocket walking through it like a proud inspector.
Nancy shook her head.
—This is your fault.
—Mine?
—You defend him too much.
Jonathan shrugged.
—Someone has to.
Nancy looked at him.
Then smiled.
—Yeah… his hero.
Jonathan looked down, a little embarrassed.
—It’s not like that…
Rocket jumped onto the table.
Knocked a pencil.
Then another.
Nancy pointed instantly.
—Look at that!
Jonathan sighed… but smiled.
—He’s… exploring.
—He’s destroying.
Rocket walked over to Nancy.
Sniffed her.
Then suddenly—
jumped onto her lap.
Nancy froze.
—…what is he doing?
Jonathan smiled.
—He chose you.
—I don’t want him.
Rocket started purring.
Nancy looked down.
Big eyes.
Loud purring.
She hesitated.
Just a second.
Then slowly… reached out.
Pet him.
Rocket closed his eyes.
Jonathan watched, smiling softly.
—You like him.
—No.
—Yes.
—No.
Rocket curled up comfortably.
Nancy sighed.
—…maybe a little.
Jonathan laughed.
And something about the moment felt… easy.
Light.
Like the chaos had melted into something softer.
Nancy looked at him again.
—But it’s still his fault.
Jonathan nodded seriously.
—Definitely.
Rocket opened one eye.
As if he knew.
And without warning—
He jumped again.
Straight at Jonathan.
Pushing him slightly.
—ROCKET—!
Jonathan fell back for the third time.
Nancy burst out laughing.
—Okay, that one was definitely him!
Jonathan laughed from the floor.
Rocket settled on his chest again.
Like nothing happened.
Nancy shook her head, smiling.
—Yeah… it was the cat.
Jonathan looked at Rocket.
Then at Nancy.
And smiled.
—Yeah… but worth it.
Nancy didn’t answer right away.
She just looked at him.
And smiled too.
While Rocket… purred victoriously.