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A collection of meek meows interrupted Daniel and Armand’s conversation during an evening stroll. On the side of the street was a litter of tiny, black kittens in a cardboard box, all shivering and wet. Abandoned and discarded like trash. Daniel crouched down to look at them, shaking and small in their box. ”It feels wrong to just leave them here,” Daniel mumbled, staring at the pathetically sad little creatures. “Should at least take them to a vet…”
He glanced up at Armand, who simply shrugged, “Do as you would like, my love.”
So, not wanting the kittens on his conscience (an ironic thought for a man that killed without even blinking), he found the closest open vet on his phone and carefully picked up the soggy box. When they got there, one taxi ride later, the vet was happy to check the animals. She informed them that while the kittens were suffering from malnutrition and showed early signs of developing hypothermia, all in all, they would be fine with some care. But, then, she went on to tell them that all the shelters in the area were either closed or full, so the two of them may need to look after them just for the night. A lot more responsibility and effort than Daniel originally thought, still he’d come this far and it was just for a night so he agreed.
The five stray kittens were brought home and given a little area in their living room with blankets and pillows, where they lay peacefully sleeping. Armand observed them from a distance, refusing to get too close, like they were some bomb about to explode or a dangerous creature. “When I told you to do as you like, I was not expecting this.”
“Relax,” Daniel rolled his eyes, “it’s just for tonight.”
For the first couple of hours the kittens stuck to themselves, still warming up and adjusting to the change. When Daniel attempted to bottle feed them as the vet instructed, they were frightened and tried to run away, but with his new quick vampiric reflexes he managed to grab them, careful not to use too much force or strength. They felt so tiny and vulnerable in his hands in a way that was so unfamiliar to him like when he held his baby girls for the first time.
Eventually, the kittens settled and started to wander and explore the home. Daniel watched amused from the sofa as one kitten pounced onto its sister and they rolled around swatting at each other. Armand, meanwhile, watched confused, “Why are they fighting?”
“They’re playing,” Daniel corrected and then chuckled as the kittens chased each other around, their tiny paws pattering against the floor. “They’re natural hunters, just like us, finding thrill in violence,” he smiled at Armand who smiled back at him.
The night went well, Armand stayed apprehensive around the kittens, especially when one managed to climb up onto the sofa and approach him. Daniel had laughed at him and taken a photo when he froze as it walked onto his lap. “Do not laugh, Daniel, remove it,” he responded, tensely.
Carefully, Daniel picked up the kitten, speaking to it softly, “Don’t mind him, I’ve got you now.” Armand frowned at him—or more accurately pouted, so Daniel responded with a raised eyebrow, “Don’t be jealous.”
Armand scoffed, “I am not jealous of a fur ball you will be giving up tomorrow.”
Daniel brought the kitten to his face, speaking to it in a teasing voice, “Maybe I’ll keep it.”
“No,” Armand responded swiftly and sternly, “You will not.”
Daniel hummed, “I thought you said you would give me anything I desired?” He turned his head to look at Armand, a smirk on his face. Armand’s eyebrows were furrowed as he huffed and went to say something, before Daniel interrupted, “I’m joking, babe. Relax, I don’t want a pet.” Then, he dropped the cat on the floor and brought a hand to Armand’s cheek, “You’re all I need.”
Armand looked into his eyes, vulnerable and soft. He was like putty in Daniel’s hands. Daniel loved it.
The whole night passed with little issues, at one point Daniel even got Armand to stroke one of the kittens’ heads with the back of his finger. “Yes, quite soft,” Armand had commented. Eventually morning came and Armand’s left to return them to the vet. The house felt so much emptier and quieter without them, the constant meowing, the thump of their little hearts and their purrs like a motor engine all gone.
When Armand came home, he joined Daniel, who was sat waiting while reading a book, on their bed and dropped a stuffed animal of a cat on his lap. “There you are, beloved, just as soft and cute.”
Daniel closed his book and glanced at Armand unimpressed, “I’m not a teenage girl, Armand, I don’t want this.” Still he placed the stuffed animal on his night stand, where it ended up staying, along with his book.
“You’re just grumpy from lack of sleep,” Armand replied, “Come.” Armand placed his arms around Daniel’s waist and huddled against his back, cuddling as Daniel fell into the most comfortable sleep he’d had since he was turned.