Killy Cat: 5th July - 1/1

“Killy Cat, seriously, you’ve been under there all night.“ Emma sighed, on her hands and knees beside the sofa as she looked under at the quivering black kitten, “You knew there would be fireworks, there are always fireworks on the 4th July, but it’s the 5th now, you should be safe to come out.“

A meow that sounded more like a whimper was the only response she got from her pirate cat who was curled up tightly in a ball as far under the sofa as he could get. He’d been enjoying a nice cuddle from his wife the evening before when the fireworks had started and the loud bangs, fizzles, cracks and pops had proven too overwhelming for his delicate kitten hearing. The only safe space he’d been able to get to in his panic was under the sofa and he’d not emerged since.

“If you don’t come out soon then you’ll change back into your human form and be stuck under there.“ she said, trying to coax him out, “Come on Killian, you’re a pirate Captain, a few fireworks are no match for you.“

Killian gave a little shake of his furry head and somehow curled into an even tighter ball, still feeling both sensitive and nervous from the noise that had continued long into the early hours of the morning.

“Right, out.“ Emma decided, reaching under and pulling him out by the scruff of his neck. She was as careful and as gentle as she could be with him, lifting him up and holding him in her arms as he trembled.

“I know the noise upset you.“ she sighed, “But we don’t have fireworks very often, so you need to calm down and move on.“

He grumbled at her words but cuddled into her neck, knowing that a cuddle from his Swan could always make him feel better.