Affectionate kitty

— So, Mia, did you manage to make the chicken broth? — Lauren’s voice sounded weary, but even through her cough, a restrained smirk slipped through.

"Mia" silently stared at her own reflection in that ridiculous costume. The white dress Lauren had forced "her" to wear to play the part of a nurse today clung tightly to her new, oversized chest, which practically jutted out, her nipples clearly visible through the thin fabric. It was nearly impossible to hide the mix of embarrassment and anger she felt, which, of course, Lauren was relishing. Charlie’s betrayal of his—now certainly ex-girlfriend—who turned out to be a witch, had cost him dearly.

— Hey, who am I talking to here? — Lauren propped herself up slightly from the bed, frowning.

— What, can’t you get up and make your own broth? — Charlie muttered, casting an angry glance at Lauren. — I’ve done enough already, — he continued, referring to the silly costume and all the chores he’d done that day. Crossing his arms over his chest, he scowled as his soft, large chest compressed under his small arms. Flashing his eyes at her, he added, — And stop calling me "Mia." You know damn well who I really am.

Lauren shook her head with a smile, like she was looking at a stubborn child, not an outraged “kitty-maid.”

— Oh, Mia, — she said with exaggerated tenderness, though there was an edge of warning in her tone, as if she were scolding him. — I think you’re a bit confused. Charlie? I don’t know any Charlie. But Mia, my sweet little kitty maid — she’s standing right in front of me.

Charlie gritted his teeth, barely holding back from lashing out. He wanted to fire back at Lauren with a few choice words, but her calm gaze and visibly tired face made him roll his eyes and bite his tongue.

— Well? Where’s my broth, Mia? — Lauren sank back onto her pillows, pulling her legs up under the covers, her body shivering slightly from fever. — And where’s my affectionate kitty? Where did she go? Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, — she cooed softly.

Charlie flinched at the humiliating "here, kitty, kitty" and clenched his fists, knowing exactly what she meant. Under his breath, he whispered, barely audible,

— I’m not going to meow…

— You’re not going to meow? — Lauren’s lips pursed, her face forming a sad expression, as if she was on the verge of tears. She placed a hand over her heart, putting on a childlike look of innocence before suddenly snapping her fingers.

In the next instant, Charlie felt his throat tighten as if something had seized his vocal cords. He opened his mouth to swear, but instead of words, a soft, pathetic "meow" slipped out.

Charlie shut his mouth, his face flushed bright red. He tried again, but all that came out was another, slightly louder, "meow."

— Meow! Meow! — it echoed out of him again, as if he were no more than an annoying house cat.

Lauren burst into laughter, sinking her head back onto the pillow.

— Ah, Mia, you’re just adorable, — she chuckled, her tired face breaking into a smile. Charlie, feeling the heat of humiliation spread across his face, barely held back the urge to throw something at Lauren. This was beyond infuriating. He gritted his teeth and raised a hand, glaring at Lauren as she prepared to snap her fingers again. But just as he was about to do something, he felt an invisible force stopping him. Then came another miserable “meow,” interrupting the sound of her double snap.

Behind him, something suddenly appeared and twitched. Charlie froze, feeling something soft and furry slowly extend out from beneath the dress, trailing down his back. He whipped his head around, and what he feared most was now there — a tail. A real, twitching cat tail, now a part of his new body, moving seemingly on its own whenever he felt a flash of anger or fear.

— Oh, how precious! — Lauren laughed, watching her ex-boyfriend stare in shock at his new “accessory.” — Mia, it suits you! Now you can’t deny you’re a kitty.

— Lauren… what the—?! — his voice was back, but that didn’t make it any better; it was still high-pitched and squeaky. Lauren, paying no attention to his protests, settled comfortably on her pillows, folded her hands over her chest, and squinted at him with a satisfied smile.

— Mia, sweetie, do you still want to question me? — Her voice was soft, but behind that softness was iron. — Do you think I can’t do even more? — She lifted a finger as if to remind him. — In this house, there are rules for kitties, and you know them.

The tail behind Charlie twitched nervously, reacting to his rising irritation, which only made him angrier. Trying to suppress the new sensations, Charlie licked his lips, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over him. He turned toward the kitchen, his tail brushing against the wall as he moved, and he heard Lauren snicker softly.

Reaching the kitchen, Charlie stumbled over his tail several times as it caught on the corners, finally grabbed the tray with the steaming broth, and returned to the room. He avoided Lauren’s gaze, feeling the burning blush spread over his cheeks.

— Here, take it… — he grumbled, but then he remembered the rules and, cursing everything, quietly added, forcing himself to say it, — Meow.

Lauren accepted the tray with a sly smile, fluttering her lashes playfully. Taking a big sip of the broth, she closed her eyes with satisfaction and smiled at him.

— Mmm… smells so good, Mia. You did a great job, my little kitty, — she reached out a hand and beckoned him closer with her finger. — Now, Mia, come over here and lie down next to me so I can pet you. Don’t be shy; come on over.

Charlie felt his anger bubbling up, but he knew he couldn’t refuse. Another snap, and his new tail could become something much worse, and he knew Lauren wouldn’t hesitate to come up with even more ways to humiliate him. He slowly approached the bed, hesitating before answering, his tail twitching irritably.

— Meow, — he forced out, each “meow” grating on him more and more.

— That’s it, good girl, — Lauren stroked his head, gently running her fingers behind his ears. Charlie felt a warm sensation spread through his chest, moving upwards, filling him with a strange, unfamiliar feeling. His body involuntarily relaxed, and before he knew it, a low, vibrating "purr" slipped out of his throat.

Lauren smiled in satisfaction, continuing to stroke his hair.

— That’s better, — she murmured softly, savoring the way her "kitty" submitted. — Now you can purr, Mia. Doesn’t it feel… nice?

Charlie tried to look away, hiding his shame and anger, but his chest vibrated again with another betraying "purr." The soft sound rising from his throat irritated and embarrassed him to the core, but he couldn’t stop it. Lauren’s hands moved slowly, her touch drawing him further into a strange, soothing calm that he couldn’t resist.

He looked up at her, horrified, as he felt a soft, contented smile creep onto his face against his will. Every effort to keep his anger and seriousness faded away, lost in the warm wave that seemed to envelope him from within, obeying every touch from Lauren.

— So, how’s my kitty feeling? — Lauren brushed her fingers along his cheek, almost tenderly, though her eyes glinted with the very mischief he was beginning to despise.

— I’m not a kitty… — Charlie whispered, trying to sound angry but coming off as soft and plaintive, too weak to intimidate.

Lauren only smirked, her fingers gently scratching under his chin, making the “purr” even louder, and he felt his own sound choke him with frustration. Her smile grew wider, and the warmth spread through his body, as if a drug was making him completely helpless. His mind was torn between anger and the strange, sweet relaxation that flooded every cell of his body. And the more Lauren pet him, the louder and more unwillingly his “purr” vibrated, as if he was losing control of himself.

Lauren leaned back on the pillows, pulling her hand away from him, and he instantly felt a strange emptiness, as if something he needed had vanished. He quickly turned his head away, trying to ignore this foolish, pitiful longing to feel her hand again.

— What’s wrong, Mia? Feeling sad? — Lauren chuckled, watching his reaction and picking up the TV remote. Charlie frowned, pressing his lips together in silent protest, though his chest still softly vibrated with that damn “purr,” even when he tried to suppress it. Lauren turned on the TV, raising the volume slightly, leaning back on her pillow with a satisfied smile.

— Oh, "Simple Happiness"! Mia, what do you think of this show? — she asked, turning on her favorite melodrama, the very one Charlie had loathed… back when he was himself.

Charlie gritted his teeth, his entire expression showing his disgust. He hated this show—a sickly-sweet romance with sappy dialogue and completely predictable plot twists that had once turned his stomach.

— The show’s crap, — he muttered, but quickly corrected himself, feeling Lauren’s gaze on him, and reluctantly added, barely squeezing it out, — Meow.

— Oh, my kitty, but it’s so romantic, isn’t it? — she purred, running her hand over his head, letting her fingers glide through his silky hair, and continued, — I hoped my sweet kitty would understand that sometimes she has to support her mistress, especially when she’s sick. Her touch spread another irritating warmth through his body, and his chest began to purr with that detestable “purr” again.

— I think it’s… just silly, — he mumbled, trying to resist the smile tugging at his lips again. — How can anyone… meow… watch this? — he forced out, trying to squeeze out that hated “meow” to avoid her punitive stare.

Lauren closed her eyes, smiling faintly.

— Come on, sweetie, don’t be upset, — she cooed, continuing to pet him, making the purring in his chest grow louder, and the “purr” crept back into his voice. — Just relax and see how happy they all are! Look, what a touching moment, — she said, pointing at the screen where the couple was finally confessing their feelings. — Isn’t that sweet, Mia? Don’t you want to tell your mistress it’s sweet? — Lauren squinted at him slyly, waiting for his answer.

Charlie clenched his teeth, trying to swallow his anger. Snapping at her would be disastrous, but praising this melodrama felt even worse.

— It’s… meow… sweet, — he muttered, barely audible.

Lauren nodded in satisfaction, continuing to look at the screen.

— What a tender, romantic kitty I have, — she said, without taking her eyes off the screen. — You’re so much more interesting to be around than I’d ever thought. You never even tried to be… romantic before.

Charlie bit his tongue in silence, feeling the comforting sensation of her petting make it impossible to pull away. His gaze drifted to the screen where the male lead was staring into the heroine’s eyes, promising to stay by her side despite every hardship. Lauren observed Charlie—or rather, Mia—whose face was flushed with embarrassment, helplessness, and even enjoyment.

— Meow… you’re serious… that I’m here forever? Meow… — Charlie murmured, barely moving his lips, trying to hide his irritation. — I mean… meow… I’ll go back to my real life… back to the people I want! — His frustration and desperation made it unbearable to accept the idea that Lauren planned to keep him here as her "kitty."

— Go back to your old life? — she whispered with a smirk, as if she didn’t believe a word. She straightened up, stretched slightly, and slid her hand through his soft hair again. — Mia, you’re wrong. This is your life now. Don’t you… like it? Isn’t it wonderful?

She ran a finger along his cheek, tickling behind his ear, and Charlie, to his horror, felt himself purring louder, entirely against his will. The warmth of that ridiculous “purr” filled his body, as if reminding him that every attempt to resist would only trap him further in this state.

— You’re my sweet little kitty now, and there’s nothing you can do about it, — she added, her voice almost contemplative. — You’re part of my home now. You’re my caring kitty maid, who will look after me while I’m sick, and brighten my days every single day.

Charlie gritted his teeth, his tail twitching nervously, betraying the turmoil within him. But Charlie already knew: resisting Lauren was pointless, especially in this house, where her rules were not just guidelines but his very reality.

— Mia, bring me a pillow, — Lauren ordered, pointing to a shelf.

Charlie, filled with resentment, obeyed. He no longer knew what irritated him more at that moment—the end of the ridiculous but strangely blissful sensation of her petting or the fact that he was now her “kitty,” obeying silly rules in this girlish body, now even with a tail. It felt as if each “meow” and “purr” was erasing who he once was, replacing it with obedient, affectionate “Mia.” Taking the pillow and carefully placing it under Lauren’s head, he felt her hand lightly brush his cheek, petting him like a cherished pet. Just as he opened his mouth to mumble something, another “meow” escaped his lips.

He knew this was how it had to be—that any resistance would only make her power over him stronger, so he lay down beside her, knowing what Lauren expected.

— Good girl, — Lauren whispered, stroking his head as warmth washed over him again, and he barely even registered the word “girl.” — Tell me, you enjoy taking care of me, don’t you, Mia?

He wanted to protest, but the words stuck in his throat, and instead, a soft, contented “purr” came out. Charlie felt ashamed and oddly comforted at the same time. This strange feeling of submission was taking over him with new strength.

— Meow… — he whispered softly.

Lauren smiled in satisfaction, pleased with his submission, and leaned back on her pillow, whispering almost to herself,

— Now I have everything I ever dreamed of. A kitty who’s always by my side. Lauren suddenly removed her hand and looked at him with feigned sternness, raising an eyebrow. — Mia, you understand that if you behave badly while I’m not home, — her voice grew soft yet demanding, — I might never pet you again. Ever.

Charlie’s insides went cold. This threat, so simple and even silly, suddenly hit him harder than he expected. He tried to turn away, but his tail, that annoying tail, began swishing from side to side, betraying his restless inner protest.

Lauren noticed and let out a theatrical sigh, shaking her head at his reaction. There was a gleam of enjoyment in her eyes.

— Poor kitty, scared? — she whispered softly, then reached out and hugged him, pulling him close, petting his head gently. — There, there, everything’s fine. Mia wouldn’t leave her mistress, would she? She’s a good girl who listens, right?

Pressed against her, he felt the warmth wash over him once more, making him forget his worries. His tail stopped twitching; it went still, and Charlie, almost without thinking, let out another contented “purr,” feeling all his resistance melt away, leaving him in a strange, serene dependence on her touch.