the cat & the dog (6)

“Which I don’t.” Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the furnace kicking back to life. The house filled with a low hum, and a wave of warmth seeped into the room. Moose heaved a contented sigh, his eyes half-closing.

Velvet remained where she was, her gaze fixed on the window. The silence stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Moose’s breathing grew steady, and Velvet’s tail flicked lazily. For a moment, the boundaries between them blurred.

They were just two creatures sharing a space, warmed by the same sunbeam. As the days grew colder, the furnace continued its erratic behavior, forcing Velvet and Moose into close quarters more often.