Or, "The Curious Case of Narcissistic Cat Disorder (NCD)"
Today, I'm sharing a fictional tale inspired by my friend's very real, very entertaining two-cat situation, where a few truths are sprinkled into a whole lot of playful imagination.
Meet the Brothers Fluff
In a cozy, well-loved home filled with sunbeams, strategic cat towers, and the occasional overturned plant pot, live two very different kitty cats: Damien and Angel.
Angel is the embodiment of feline calm—a zen master in fur. He purrs with purpose, meditates near windows, and silently judges your snack choices with a soft, serene stare.
Then there's Damien.
If Angel is the yoga instructor of the house, Damien is the misunderstood rockstar. He enters a room like he owns it, flicks his tail like it owes him money, and occasionally asserts his feelings with the subtle grace of a velvet wrecking ball.
Is it Jealousy? Boredom? Or... Narcissistic Cat Disorder?
We say this with love, but sometimes it seems like Damien might have a touch of Narcissistic Cat Disorder—NCD, for short. It's not in any official vet manual, but if it were, the symptoms would be obvious:
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Excessive self-admiration
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Moments of complete insanity
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Haughty stares from atop bookshelves
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The belief that Angel is merely an unpaid extra in The Damien Show
Don't get us wrong—Damien isn't mean. He's just... confidently assertive with opinions. Strong ones. Usually about who gets to walk through the hallway first.
But under that puffed-up tail and occasional glare is buried a lovable, complex little guy trying to express himself—with flair and the occasional dramatic pawticipation.
Good Kitty vs. Dark Side Kitty: The Yin-Yarn of Household Harmony
Angel, as his name suggests, radiates tranquility. He walks gently, naps deeply, and is basically the Dalai Lama with whiskers. He even tolerates belly rubs (well, occasionally—let's not get crazy).
Damien? Damien is more "Darth Vader in a cat costume." He doesn't just swat toys—he interrogates them. He doesn't just jump on the counter—he conquers it.
But they're brothers. Opposites, yes, but bonded in a cosmic way that transcends the frequent hiss. Like Batman and Superman, only with more fur and slightly worse communication skills.
Kitty Mom & Dad: The Real Heroes of This Saga
Before you picture total fur-coated anarchy, rest assured: kitty parents are on top of it.
They've read articles, watched expert videos, adjusted feeding schedules, and spent more on calming pheromone diffusers than they care to admit. They know the signs: the sideways glance, the twitchy tail, the silent prelude to a high-speed chase, and a Damien pounce.
This is not a home of chaos—it's a carefully managed feline society. Structured playtime? Check. Individual love sessions? Check. Strategic furniture placement to support vertical hierarchy? Check, check, and cat-tree-check.
They even have contingency plans for when Damien channels his inner drama queen and needs a solo timeout with his "special area for shame and comfort."
The Occasional “Oops-I-Pounced-You” Moment (a.k.a. Cat-Fu Theater)
Now, let's talk about the cat pouncing.
Not the lighthearted "boop" of affection. We mean the real, committed kind—when Damien struts past Angel and delivers a swift, unannounced "just because" paw body check that clearly means, "I am the boss for the moment."
These moments are not always daily occurrences, but when they happen, ohhh, they happen.
Sometimes Angel absorbs the swat like a Buddhist monk, blinking slowly as if to say, "You're projecting again." Other times, he returns fire, and within seconds it's a full-blown Feline Face-Off—starring Fluff & Fluffer.
No claws, no blood, just a thunderous 12-second flurry of tail flicks, dramatic glares, and a series of rapid-fire sound effects that can only be described as "angry sock puppets in a wind tunnel."
It's not violence—it's performance art. And like all great artists, these two have a lot of feelings.
That said, it's always under close supervision. Kitty's mom and dad know when to redirect the energy with toys, throw out a snack distraction (aka the Peace Treat-y), or simply separate them for a cool-down session. Even if Damien occasionally leads with his paws instead of his heart, he still tricks everyone into believing he is a lovable fluff with a complex emotional soundtrack.
And Angel? Well, he's probably off journaling in the laundry basket again, processing his growth.
In Conclusion: Two Fluffs, One Home, Infinite Drama
Whether Damien is secretly auditioning for a feline soap opera or just navigating big feelings with small paw gestures, one thing's for sure: these brothers are deeply loved and wonderfully cared for.
Their home isn't perfect, but it's full of love, laughter, and the ongoing quest for peace between Angel kitty and his slightly more… theatrical villain sibling.
Sure, there's drama—but they still curl up under the same roof as any siblings who haven't quite agreed on who's the favorite.
**Heads up: Kitty names are pseudonyms to protect their purr-sonal privacy!
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🕮 I hope you enjoyed this latest flash fiction piece :)
🕮 If you're in the mood for more, a few weeks ago I shared a flash fiction story about Gracie at age 8—full of childhood wonder—and before that, one about Gracie at 82, rich with wisdom and reflection.
If you're looking for a spiritual short story, I penned this one in 2021.
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🕮 I've also published 50 Years of Poetry—We Will Have Morning Smiles, Available on Amazon (a lifetime of my poetry).
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Being a life-long cat person, I really enjoyed, and could well relate, to this darling story about Damien and Angel. Your writing is such fun to read, Barbara. Very clever indeed.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved reading this, Barb. Your gift of gab is a true blessing! I smiled, laughed, and appreciated the expert verbal swordplay. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteA fun read and delightful depiction of typical feline frolics and sibling rivalry. As always, your words and phrase choice were purr-fect and quite humorous and entertaining.
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