Dinner ended in laughter and teasing, and Queenie, humming a soft tune, flicked her wand. The tableware leapt into the sink and began scrubbing itself.
With a satisfied nod, she scooped Garfield into her arms and stepped out for their nightly walk through New York.
The city had not changed.
Dim streetlamps buzzed weakly. The air carried the familiar scent of dust, metal, and old newspapers.
The economy was suffocating and prohibition made the nights quieter, and only policemen and late-night wanderers drifted through the streets.
After wandering for nearly an hour, the pair stopped at their usual spot… near the Rogers' family home.
Across the street, the small shop window glowed faintly. Inside, Mrs. Rogers fussed over her fragile son, while little Steve and Bucky played with mismatched toys.
Queenie followed Garfield's gaze. "You know… using Tina's logic, it wouldn't be wrong to give him a little more help."
Garfield flicked his tail. "I've helped him plenty."
"The kid needs to walk his own path eventually. And I already helped educate his future wife, that's more than enough."
"Future wife?" Queenie blinked.
She hugged Garfield face-to-face, eyes sparkling. "Then what about me, Your Majesty Garfield I, future emperor of all cats?"
Garfield tapped her forehead with a paw. "Queenie, your fate is sealed… you'll be my head maid."
"Only a maid?" She huffed.
"I'm a cat right now., what do you expect?"
Queenie pouted dramatically. Garfield sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. You'll be one of my concubines."
"But kings only have one queen!" Her eyes widened.
"That's small-kingdom logic. Kings have concubines."
"How many?"
"The full set… three palaces, six courtyards, seventy-two concubines."
"Seventy-two?!"
Before Queenie could scold him again, she squeezed him so tightly Garfield felt his bones rearranging.
Across the street, Steve and Bucky happened to glance over.
"Bucky… look. That lady's abusing a cat."
Bucky followed his gaze and saw Queenie shaking Garfield like a ragdoll. "Steve, should we stop her?"
Steve clenched his tiny fists. "Of course! A creature that cute should be treated gently!"
"I agree," Bucky said solemnly, remembering Steve's stories about the cat god. "Let's go, Commander."
Garfield heard the hurried footsteps approaching. His ears twitched.
"Queenie. Stop. We need to go."
She sensed the boys running toward her, took two quick steps into the shadow of a streetlamp, whispered a spell…disillusionment and the woman and cat vanished into thin air.
Steve and Bucky reached the spot and halted abruptly.
"Steve…"
"Bucky…"
"They vanished," Steve muttered. "Like magic."
"I think we missed something cool." Bucky sighed. "Steve, the cat god you talk about… he's always an orange cat, right?"
"That's right." Steve nodded seriously. "No wonder he said he'd keep an eye on me."
"Do you think that lady was a villain?"
"I… don't know. Maybe she was his wife."
Bucky nodded sagely. "Makes sense. Wives can be fierce."
"Tom next door is always yelling at night: 'I'm sorry, honey!' I hope your future wife is gentler."
"Maybe," Steve whispered.
The boys returned to the shop still talking, their silhouettes fading into the warm light of the window.
From the alleyway, Queenie and Garfield watched them disappear.
"See, Queenie?" Garfield said smugly. "Even kids know you shouldn't bully your spouse."
Queenie's face flushed rose-pink. "I… hate you."
She lightly smacked him on the head.
Garfield accepted the hit with regal dignity.
…
Three days later.
The calm didn't last long, word spread through the wizarding world. Grindelwald had been transported back to the American Ministry of Magic.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Phantom your way through a treasure trove of chapters waiting on P@treon!
PhantomDream