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Herbert had never actually had the chance to spend Christmas with Dan before, at least not properly.
There was very little cheer to be gleed cooped up in Peru during a civil war.
Though the troops had tried to celebrate Dan was not in on the meremient. His mind still filled with the images of a failed Megan Halsey convulsing on the floor in front of him. Spewing up blood and reagent as she let out the most ungodly screams Herbert had heard, and that was saying something for him.
So Christmas wasn’t a particularly good time for him, and he didn’t hesitate to let Herbert know as such.
The arguments they’d gotten into that month had been the worst of all the ones they’d had while there. Dan making clear who he blamed for all this alongside how much he hated West.
Though there would always be the moment after where, in total desperation, Dan would join him at night when they were able to catch some sleep. Moving so close to him to any outside observer they would appear to be cuddling.
But he still hated Herbert.
Now, however, time had worn Dan down, and he was able to admit to himself that he did care about West.
Which made it all the more important to the mad doctor that he come up with a good enough present to give to his husband.
He didn’t care for holidays himself, his distaste of Halloween was made quite evident everytime the subject came up, but Dan always found a way to change his mind.
This time though it was all his own.
Born from a need to further prove his love for his companion as he toiled away in his lab he went through every possible option for what he could get.
Anything undead was off limits and he wasn’t a very good craftsman outside of that, so it would have to be bought.
But Dan was not the material type. Maybe if it was related to something he cared about, say Star Trek, but that felt too hollow to Herbert.
It needed to mean something, and show just how much he cared about this relationship.
With these thoughts churning through his head as he guts another cadaver it finally hits him.
A cat.
Dan had been so upset by Rufus’s loss, after all. So it was only fair to assume that he liked cats. And he wouldn’t even have to go into a shop to get one! He could find a stray and clean it up before handing it over to him.
It was perfect.
It showed that he cared and thought about what Dan would like.
Herbert honestly couldn’t believe he’d thought of it.
Stopping his process half-way he quickly throws on a coat and heads on the door. Dan was off at his job so, thankfully, there was no need to evade questions.
There always were questions whenever he wanted to leave the house.
He understood why, he would be a wanted criminal again if they found out he was alive. But he had gotten good at pretending not to be himself. And most common folks didn’t even know who he was.
The media circus had died down by now about his work.
Though the odd show would talk about it most people assumed it was exaggerated if they heard the true story, and on top of that the authorities hid most of the reality of it from the public.
Better not to cause an uproar and all.
This only ended up helping him however, as he found it easy enough to walk among the every men and not even have a second look shot his way.
Though Dan still worried. It was sweet of him to do so, but Herbert did get annoyed with it when Dan acted like he couldn't go outside ever.
He wasn’t here this time to stop him though, and it’s not like it’d do any good.
He’d still find his way out eventually.
He had to if he was going to get him a Christmas present of any kind.
As he walks along he scans every nook and cranny for any signs of cat or kitten, and keeps coming up short.
There was always the pet store, but he didn’t even want to try getting a cat at a place that would require ID.
That was far more complicated than finding a stray and just— grabbing it.
He continued his search throughout the day. Taking the occasional break to scribble something down in notes or take a breather.
Dan had joked at one time that he needed to start working out more. He was breaking into his late forties by now. He wasn’t quite ready to admit he did though.
His feet were only hurting after hours of walking. That’s all.
It was during one of these rest bites that he heard the faint sounds of mewling nearby.
High pitched and squeaky enough to make him perk up at it.
It had to be a cat.
He may not have been around them much, but that had to be one. That’s what they always sounded like on TV at least.
Getting up he carefully begins his approach. Being taken back to when Rufus has first come back.
Chasing down a flash of fluff with fangs and claws ready to tear out his throat in a heartbeat.
Remembering the yowls and hisses that filled the room, and the pain that followed the cat attaching itself to him.
He would swear to Dan he could still see the scars on his back, though Dan would argue otherwise.
The small scarred dots now appearing to have disappeared with the sands of time that Herbert hoped to resist.
But here he was, possibly repeating that same scenario just with a living creature. Not one of his experiments.
As the mews get louder and louder he begins to worry that maybe the animal had been hurt. That he would have to take it to the vet and figure out how to not be found out while there.
He wasn’t above it, but it would certainly cause more unnecessary problems for him than he’d already made.
With the cold wind of the winter season blowing up against him however he finds further reason to do this.
The poor creature was most likely freezing.
Finding a group of bushes now in front of him the meows are so loud he’s surprised he can’t already see the cat.
Pushing open the bushes though it jumps out to him immediately.
It’s small, fluffy, head peering up at him long enough to stop it’s cries and take him in.
A new stranger you gave off this imposing sense of danger, but was looking at it with a tenderness it hadn’t yet experienced.
So small that Herbert believes it couldn’t be older than a few weeks.
And it was all alone.
It was colored with the most beautiful grayish blue hue Herbert had seen on a cat.
A perfect specimen for the perfect husband.
“No more crying. I’m here to help.” He states in his usual tactical tone to the kitten. Leaning down to his level. Allowing it to sniff his hand, as taught to him by Dan, before giving it affection.
A fleeting head scratch and tender pet. Before he puts both hands under its stomach and lifts it up.
Opening his jacket and placing it inside to allow it some of his body heat. Already feeling the chill of the world around it had gotten under its skin.
“You’re going to be okay.” He soothes, beginning the long walk back home. Already knowing that he’ll have to give Dan this gift immediately.
Waiting was not an option anymore.
As he walks as fast as possible, retracing his steps with a determined purpose in the hopes to preserve a life for once, the kitten begins to muzzle itself closer to him.
Resting it’s head down against his chest with a tenderness that few creatures extended to Herbert.
His mere presence around them seeming to set off every possible alarm bell in their body. Leaving hisses and barks in his wake wherever he went.
This cat however views him as more than his disposition.
He was now a true protector of life. Saving something not after death, but before it. Bringing new purpose to his actions and the reaction to them.
At the halfway point the cat beginning to let out a beautiful purr that makes Hebert’s bones rattle.
Something other than Dan finding the love inside this cold calculating scientist, and accepting it with open arms.
Herbert’s skin prickling as the purrs remind him of the caring moments before he lost Dan.
The brief touches and moment of connection they had.
All this being brought up by this animal’s innate ability to express its happiness through sound.
This happy moment being backdropped by the twinkling of Christmas lights and a soft dusting of snow beginning to fall.
The sky beginning to start it’s decent into darkness around them.
The shades of pink, to orange, to purple, and finally dark blue contrasting with the reds, greens, and whites adorning the shops around them.
Practically begging Herbert to feel even a modicum of cheer as something so oddly perfect is laid out before him. Only ever seen in those coordinated movies trying to offer this exact feeling to the masses.
And he couldn’t help but be a little moved.
The universe finally taking a break from torturing him to let him enjoy himself again.
Opening up the beauty the rest of the world could so plainly comprehend for him to finally understand.
It was perfect.
As the shops begin to peter out and the road begins to lead into the neighborhood the once sunlight Christmas lights now give off their intended lighting.
Fighting back against the dark in a display of care and consideration. Formed to perfection by those that feel compelled to do as such for the season.
His choice to walk now feeling far better than he may have been thinking a few hours ago. As he could now appreciate these lights in a paced manner rather than the speed a car could afford.
Though the now freezing temperatures did dampen this sentiment it was still an enjoyable sight.
Their own house now having lights around the door. Calling out to Herbert in welcome of his return.
As he walked up the stairs he felt the kitten begin to squirm. It’d been so good up till now that he couldn’t help but think that it somehow knew they’d arrived home.
As he fidgets with the key he suddenly catches the sound of footsteps.
The door bursting open not long after as Dan stands there with fear, conercn, and a hint of anger all mixing together on his face.
“Where have you been!” He blurts out, moving aside to let Herbert in as he waits impatiently for his answers. “I thought they’d found you!”
“Don’t be so worried about that. They’ll never know I’m here.” He waves away, pulling his zipper up to try and hide the surprise a little bit longer.
“When you walk around town without me there they might!”
“And you being with me would only draw their attention because of our standing relationship.”
Dan grits his teeth with frustration before noticing the obvious bulge in Herbert’s jacket.
“I swear if that’s a possum corpse you have in—“
Unzipping his jacket Herbert shuts Dan up with the kitten quickly poking its head out and looking up at him with its large yellow eyes.
“Herbert, what is that?”
“An early Christmas present. I thought that you would appreciate being able to look after another life again. I never did apologize for Rufus after all.” He carefully picks up the kitten as he speaks. Offering it out to Dan as he finishes in the hope that he’ll take it.
“This is,” Dan gently takes the animal from Herbert and begins to cradle it like a baby. “So thoughtful Herbert. I don’t know what to say.”
“A thank you will suffice, and that you’ll accept it.”
“I will!” Dan quickly assures, running his hand through the small creature's fur and feeling the rumble of a cat’s purr run through his body again. He’d forgotten how much he liked it. “Their adorable, Herbert. Where did you find them?”
“Outside. In a bush meowing their head off. No one in the world to care for it.”
“Well they have us now, don’t they Herbert?” Dan practically coos down at the kitten. Herbert only knowing he was talking to him by the use of his name.
“Yes,” he says, moving closer to Dan till he is right up against his arms. Beginning to similarly pet their little body in pace with Dan. One coming after the other till the kitten was receiving as much love as possible. “They do.”
Dan leans down enough to kiss Herbert’s forehead. “Thank you, Herbert. I wasn’t expecting anything like this from you.”
“I love you, Danny. I only want to make you happy now. Especially during this time of year.”
“Well,” Dan says with a smile, leaning down even further till they were able to share a proper kiss.
The kitten pressed between their two bodies but continuing to purr as they could feel the love all around them, and knows that their safe.
A safety shared between two entwined people that are finally able to express that. Whether through physical affection or emotional care they’re there for one another now.
Just with the new addition of a little russian blue kitten.