( CW: Dead Animal, Blood + This is more of a Hatzgang story but there will still be Ross and Robert stuff lingering around! )

Robert's POV

"I don't get why we have to take the long way, Ross!" Roy complained loudly, we all walked alongside each other by the downtown-city streets, passing alleyways and shops. "Stop complaining dude, today's such a nice day." The air outside was nice and cool while the sun was beaming down on us, it was kinda hot but the cool wind made it not so bad, I watched as Roy and Ross were arguing back and forth. "This is stupid! I'd rather be inside with the AC!" "Dude shut up! We're almost at my place anyways." I zoned out while Ross and Roy were yelling at each other, their constant bickering slowly fading into the background as I started looking into the alleyways we were passing and we quickly passed by a box that caught my attention, I slowed down while Ross and Roy kept walking until Ross noticed I backed up and stopped walking with them. "Rob?" 

Ross came up behind me as I walked into the alleyway and stood over the box, trying to get a peak as to what was in it. "Sorry Rob- We totally forgot about you and-" I shushed Ross and he gave me a confused look, Roy came up behind us and crossed his arms. Me and Ross peeked into the box to see a bunch of kittens, from brown tabbies, gingers, black cats, and calicos. "OH MY GOSH!!" I yelled dying of pure cuteness, "Holy shit dude," Ross muttered, leaning more toward the floor to get a better look at the kittens. "Move it, morons!" Roy said as he pushed us out of the way for him to get a better look. "What the? Cats? Is that what you idiots are really getting worked up about?" He said turning to us with a grumpy look on his face. "Well yeah! Look at them!! Little babies!" I said bringing my fist up to my chest and smiling, Ross crouched down and put his hand in the box, and started petting the kittens. "Dude gross! You don't know where those things have been!" I was in awe until I snapped out and wondered if someone abandoned them here, "Does it say they're free kittens? Maybe someone left them here?" I asked turning to Ross who looked at me and then back at the box, he looked around the box but there was no sign that someone left them here. "No, doesn't seem like it, they must be stray, especially how dirty they are, Ross said while carefully picking one up and looking at how dirty it was.

Ross' POV 

"Then where's its mom? Don't they take care of the kittens until they are old enough?" Robert asked, I noticed Roy wander more into the alleyway and look around. "Um, yeah. That's weird. Where could she be?" I picked up some of the kittens to look at them and noticed the bottom of the box, stained a red color. "What the..?" I said, moving more kittens out of the way to get a better look. "Hm?" Robert looked at me and tilted their head slightly, "Is that.. Blood..?" The bottom of the box had droplets of dried-up blood on it. "What?" I pointed at the bottom of the box the kittens were in and Robert had a worried look on his face for a second. "But.. The kittens don't look like they have any blood on them." "Uh, guys?" We heard Roy shout from down the dark part of the alleyway, "I think I found the mom." Me and Robert look at each other before getting up and walking down the alleyway to where Roy was, we come up behind him and peek over his shoulder. 

A full-grown calico cat laying on the ground with a pile of blood around it, and a large amount of blood-stained from around its neck. Robert covered their mouth with pure shock and I stared at the cat's lifeless corpse, "Holy shit." "What do you think killed it?" Roy asked turning to me, "Probably a bigger animal or it got caught in a net of some sort and it damaged its neck, most likely a bigger animal though. "Poor thing.." Robert whispered. We all looked at each other sadly before we heard a small meow that made us slightly jump and look at the mother cat's lifeless body, a small calico kitten came up from behind the mother, slightly covered in a little bit of blood from around its paws, probably from stepping into the blood. Roy and Robert stared at the kitten and I walked towards it, picking it up with ease, as it didn't fight back. "Dude it has blood on it! Don't pick it up!" I turned around and looked at Roy and Robert, Robert has more of a sad worried look on his face while Roy had more of a disgusted look because I just picked up something that had blood on it and was also dirty. "I think the mom put all the kittens in the box to try and keep them safe, she must have gotten injured recently, and yet the first thing to come to her mind was to hide her babies." I frowned looking down at the corpse. 

Roy and Robert looked at each other frowning, "What about the kittens?" Robert asked. "We'll have to take them back to my place, my mom will definitely do something about this, if we leave them here they're gonna die." "Well, I'm not carrying those things! Not until they're clean." Roy said. "I know Roy," I said sarcastically and Roy gave me a pissed look while I walked passed him and made my way back to the box of kittens, putting the one I picked up in the box with the rest. Picking up the box, slightly wobbling while I picked it up. "Let's go guys," Robert grabbed my shoulder and I turned to them, they were looking down at the ground and fiddling with their fingers. "What about the mom?" He asked, I looked down the alleyway and frowned, "Let's put some new's paper on her, let her rest." We walked back to the corpse and Robert put a few pieces of newspaper on her, covering her body. "Let's go home already!" Roy groaned, annoyed with how long we were taking. Me and Robert sighed at each other, not wanting to hear any more of Roy's complaining. "Okay dude, Let's get going," I said, as we made our way out of the alleyway, and started walking to my place. 

-

We were now inside with the cool AC, all sitting at the table. Two cans of tuna spread around on a plate that the kittens were feasting off of, while my mom sat in front of me and the boys. We were all looking down at the kittens and watching them eat from off the plate on the floor, before my mom spoke, making us all look up at her quickly. "Ross, Honey.." I started to sweat nervously, I know my mom was definitely going to do something about this but her being mad at me was also a possibility. "Y-Yeah?" I asked, slightly stuttering. She sighed before speaking, Roy and Robert looking at me awkwardly, they could clearly tell I was nervous. "What are we going to do in this situation? You know we can't keep them here." She spoke, more of an upset look on her face rather than mad. "Mom, their mother is dead, we saw it. We can't just put them back, they'll die out there. Can't you just drive to the shelter and they'll take care of them?" My mom sighed again before speaking, "I suppose I can, but I have to go to work first, and then after I'll take them. For now, you boys will be looking after them, make sure they don't go on any furniture and don't do their business while I'm gone, when I come back I'll take them to the shelter, my shift is only two hours so I won't be very long." My mom said, getting up from the table and grabbing her jacket from off the back of the chair. "Alright, Mom." She tried ruffling my hair before she walked towards the door, but all really did was just make my beanie crooked, I fixed it and gave her a light smile before she kissed me on the forehead. "Be good boys! Food and drinks are in the fridge if you get hungry!" She shouted before she closed the door. "Okay!" We all yelled in sync before she shut the door.

We all looked at each other before looking back down at the kittens, "Now what?" Roy asked. I thought for a second before an idea popped into my head, "I think I have some string upstairs, I'll go get it." I said getting up from my seat, and Roy gave me a shocked look before yelling at me as I walked up the stairs quickly. "Wh- HEY! Don't leave us here with these dirtballs!" I ignored Roy, plus Robert was there with him anyway! Rob knows their way around animals. I opened my room door and started salvaging through my closet and, looking for things to bring downstairs to the kittens. I grabbed some string, a few rubber balls I had laying around, and little pom-poms I had around from one time I was doing arts and crafts with my mom one night. As soon as I was about to walk out of my room I got a peek at an old scruffy blanket I never use, I stood there for a few seconds debating if I should bring it down or not, before shaking my head and grabbing it, quickly making my way downstairs. As I was walking down, Robert was now sitting down on the floor with the kittens, while Roy was still in his chair watching from afar. "What did you get?" Robert asked, turning to me as I slowly sat down beside them. "Some string, rubber balls, pom-poms, and a blanket," I said as I started folding the blanket before placing it down on the ground, making it so that it was nice and puffy for them. Without hesitation one of the kittens instantly made its way to the blanket, climbing on itself and laying down in it. It was the one with the blood on its paw from its mother's blood, I grabbed a few more and put them on the blanket and let the ones that were still eating do their thing. 

- 

Robert's POV

We were all playing with the kittens, It's been about an hour and twenty minutes, we ate, and watched some tv, but most of our attention was focused on the kittens, even Roy was starting to play with them. They were SO cute! They let out little "mews" now and then, I turned to Ross who was playing with a kitten using a piece of string, little laughs coming from him as he watched it desperately try and get the string Ross was teasing it with, he had his main focus on that kitten. It was the one with the blood on Its paws, It was a calico with blonde, black, red-ish brown, and white. He had a soft smile on his face, and I blushed slightly looking at how happy he was with animals, I knew Ross liked animals but he was always talking about how he wanted a reptile, he never mentioned anything about dogs or cats. Ross noticed me staring at the corner of his eye and turned me to with a smug look on his face "Whatcha lookin' at?" I laughed and then smiled at him, "Oh, just a bisexual guy, do you think I have a chance of asking him out?" I said leaning closer to him, "Ehhh, maybe. Don't get you're hopes up though, I heard he's taken." I laughed and kissed Ross quickly on the lips before Roy coughed loudly. We both turned to Roy who was looking at us with a disgusted face. "AHEM, I'm right here! You nerds can do your gay stuff when I'm away!" I let out a nervous laugh and Ross crossed his arms, "You're gonna have to deal with it, dude. You can't pray the gay away in this house!" Ross said jokingly, which slightly made Roy smile, and he tried to cover it. 

Ross was petting the kitten he was fascinated by and to his surprise it crawled into his lap, leaving him shocked for a second before placing his hand back on top of the kitten and petting it, another smile occurring on his face, I turned to Roy who had his hands on his face while his elbows leaned on his knees, using it for support in order to keep his head resting. He was watching two kittens fight over a pom-pom, he had a slight smile on his face while he watched them before speaking. "Okay, I gotta admit, They are pretty cute." Roy said while staring at the kittens in awe, "They really are, I like this one." Ross said looking down at the kitten in his lap. "Isn't that the one covered in blood?" Roy asked, looking up from the kittens, raising an eyebrow. "Well yeah, but I don't know, something about this one just.. Clicks to me, I think I kinda wanna keep this o-" Ross was cut off by the door swinging open and Jaune walking through the door, she took off her jacket and hung it up before turning back to us. "Oh! Boys, I got off work early so we could set these kittens off, put them in the box and let's go." Ross stood up and looked at Jaune while holding onto the kitten that was in his lap. "Uh- Actually... I was wondering if we could uhm- Keep one?" Ross asked, me and Roy looked at each other shocked, surprised that Ross actually asked something that was a big deal. Jaune stared at Ross for a few seconds with a shocked confused face before scratching her neck and avoiding eye contact with him. "Ross.. Honey, I'm not sure that's a good idea.." 

"Please Mom? It'll just be one kitten, I'll take care of it and buy everything we need for it! It'll stay in my room and I'll look after it, It'll be my responsibility, not yours." Jaune looked at Ross and then at me and Roy who was staring at her waiting for a response. She sighed and looked back to Ross, "Fine Ross, but it will be your responsibility, and you'll have to clean it because they are dirty." I watched as Ross worried face turns into a bundle of excitement, "Yes! Thank you Mom!" "Of course, Now choose which one you want and we'll send the rest of them to the shelter," Jaune said as walking off, Ross turned around with a huge smile on his face while he held the kitten close up to his chest before walking over to us and sitting down. "Dude, I can't believe she actually agreed to that." Roy said, his legs and arms crossed. "I thought you were a reptile person  Ross?" I asked, turning to him. "I am! But I've never really had my own pet before, I'm not gonna miss out on a chance like this." "Which one are you gonna chose?" Roy asked, looking at all the kittens scattered in front of us. Ross stared at the kittens before looking at the one he was holding up to its chest, it had its face leaning up against Ross' chest with its eye closed. I noticed how attached Ross was to this one, "You really like that one huh?" I asked, Ross looked up and me and then back down at the kitten. "Uh- Yeah, something about it is just attaching me to it." The more I looked at the kitten the more I noticed things about it, It had all of our hair colors! Roy's red-ish brown hair, my blonde hair, and Ross' dark black hair, along with a little white scattered around it's body, mainly it's belly and face. 

"It has our hair colors!" I exclaimed, scooting closer to Ross to get a closer look. Ross picked it up and looked at it, "Huh, I guess It does! I never noticed that." Ross looked at the kitten once more, it yawned while he held it out and he smiled. "This one it is then!" He said happily, putting the kitten back in his lap. "What should we name it?" Ross asked, me and Roy turned to each other before Roy smirked. "Slayer! It's got blood on its paws as if it punched someone to death!" Ross let out a small laugh, "No dude! Something nice." I thought for a few seconds before speaking, "What about Speckle?" "Speckle?" "Yeah! It's got a bunch of patches and speckles all around it." Ross smiled and looked at the kitten, "Speckle it is." Jaunes mom shouted at us through the bathroom, washing her face. "The cat is a girl!" We all looked at each other before Ross spoke, "How do you know?" He shouted back, "It's a calico right? Most calicos are girls!" She shouted back. "Oh." We all said in sync. "I didn't know that," Ross said. "Neither did I." "So she's a girl then!" Ross said picking her up and noticing how dirty she was. "Oh, she really is dirty.." Jaune came up behind us and spoke to Ross "Put the kittens back in the box boys, and Ross, we can stop by the pet store to get things you need for her. But Roy, Robert, you two should get running home by now, I don't want your parents thinking I'm keeping you for too long. Me and Roy let out a groan before standing up, "We're gonna be dads Rob!" Ross said with a huge smile on his face. "Yeah, we are!" I said, looking down at Speckle who was pushed up against his chest again. "Hey, what about me morons! I wanna be her dad too!" Ross looked and Roy and had a smug smile, "Well.. If you wanna be her dad you have to admit that you're gay then!" Ross gave a shocked look before dramatically saying "Ew! No! I'll just be the cool uncle!" 

Ross laughed and put all the kittens in the box, including Speckle. "She'll come on the trip with us." Ross smiled and turned to me and Roy, "You guys should head to your places, I'll update you on how this stuff goes." I smiled at Ross before walking towards him to place a kiss on his cheek, "Gimme a call sometime tonight you dork." Ross let out a small chuckle before kissing me back on the cheek. "I will." "BOOOO!! GAY! Let's go, Robert!" Roy said while waiting at the door with his shoes already on. "Okay! Cya Ross!" "Bye guys!" "Cya loser!" Roy said before they both left out the door. My mom turned to me and I looked up at her, "Let's get going, Ross." "Okay, Mom." I said, my mom opening the door for me since my hands were full from holding the box.