Work Text:
Sniffling.
Laika pushed herself up. The apartment had been quiet since Momo had come home. Ken had been isolating.
Alone.
The door gave way under her weight. Nosing her way in, Laika found her way into the room.
Her boy was laying in bed, curled in on himself and clutching a hoodie in his hands. Momo’s hoodie. His shoulders shook with soft sobs.
Why was she not here? Ken found comfort in Momo, where was she?
Laika could not let this stand.
Sliding from the room again, Laika found her way towards the living room and towards the window. Her teeth clasped easily around the latch and popped it open. She'd done this plenty, she'd known the route like the back of her paw. A five minute run at best— one her boy usually took, yet had not like normal.
Easily wriggling out the window, she crawled along the wall and down into the alleyway.
Find.
Retrieve.
Make Ken happy.
The property was quiet. Uncomfortably so.
Where was everyone? The lively noise and gentle laughs.
Where was family?
Laika pressed forward. Momo meant comfort. She always brought warmth, so finding her meant finding warmth.
The same route her boy had followed countless times to sneak into Momo’s room, Laika followed. Leaves crunched under paw. She licked her jaws. Momo always gave extra treats. Maybe she'd get more for fixing Ken.
Claws digging into the brick, she followed the path. The window was wide open, as if she was Ken. But she was not, she'd bring Momo to Ken this time!
Laika pushed open the window and tumbled onto the bed. A yelped escaped her. Ken’s jacket was underneath her, scent filling her nose.
These two were rather obvious.
“I don’t know why he’s here, Grandma, but my head hurts and I really don’t wanna hear about whatever TV shit you all are doing!”
Momo!
Her tail lashed wildly. Momo! She'd found her! Now to bring her back and make her boy happy.
The door slammed open and Momo stood in the doorway, in all her beautiful cosmic glory. She'd shut it just as easily. Laika yipped loudly and tugged Ken’s jacket from underneath her. Pride bloomed in her chest.
“What the fuck-?!” Momo slammed into the closed door behind her. “What- how-”
Laika let out another muffled bark and bounced off the bed. She plopped down in front of Momo. The jacket hung limply in her mouth.
Momo scrambled away from her. Why?
Momo does not run from Laika.
“What the fuck are you and how did you get into my room?!” She shrieked.
Laika whined, trotting closer. Momo was backed against her desk.
Something glinted in her hands. A pair of sisccors.
Why?
Why why why?
Momo jabbed it in Laika’s direction. “Back up! I'm not afraid to use these?”
Why would she not follow? She followed she always did, she loved Ken. Her boy was sad, Momo was meant to follow.
Why would Momo not follow?
Laika took a tentitive step forward. Momo swung the sisccors towards her. Anger. She looked upset.
The jacket dropped.
Laika took a few steps back. Why was she acting like this? Was this why her boy was sad?
What was wrong with her?
Laika stumbled back as Momo hissed insults that didn’t register. Launching herself onto the bed, she took one last look back. Momo looked so lost. Alone. But she would not follow to light.
Why?
Laika crawled out the window and tumbled into a bush. Twigs stabbed into her fur and flesh but she could not feel it. Cracks. Splinters. They were stabbed through her happy little family.
Shattered.
Laika ran. Her boy needed comfort, but his comort was not coming. Something was wrong, horribly so.
Momo was lost, and would not follow.