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- You know... - Neil stops talking to take a deep drag, inhaling the smoke into his lungs and releasing it a few seconds later as a small, shapeless cloud. - You've never talked about what you like.
Andrew doesn't react. With a flick, without even putting it out, he sends his cigarette butt into free flight off the roof right onto the wet post-rain asphalt. Reluctantly, slowly turning his body around toward Neil, Andrew turns toward him. His gaze is intense and attentive, but his face remains relaxed.
- I don't like anything, remember? - The rhetorical question is accompanied by a barely perceptible upward twitch of the corner of his lips.
- Yes. - Neil put out his cigarette on the concrete, smearing the ash on the rough surface. - But there has to be something. Something you're not completely indifferent to.
Andrew is silent. It never occurred to him that he might like something. Ice cream, chocolate and other sweets, cigarettes, kissing Neil... It was all part and parcel of his life, so why would he want anything else?
Although, come to think of it, there is something Andrew has never had and is unlikely to ever have.
- Cats, - he finally says.
- Cats? - Neil interjected, grinning. His mind instantly paints a picture of Andrew sitting surrounded by cats, petting and squeezing each one. It looks cute. Neil is pleased with his imagination.
Andrew casts him a grim look. He suggests that witty banter cannot be avoided. And Neil does make a couple of them, until he gets a slap on the back of the head followed immediately by a slow, lingering kiss.
__________
Is it worth mentioning that in just one morning Neil managed to look through about a hundred kitten ads, choose one in particular - the cutest and fluffiest ginger baby, pick him up and discreetly bring him to the dormitory? Andrew thinks he should. His bewilderment is beyond words.
- Where did you get this? - He asks, glaring at the little monster meowing loudly in Neil's arms.
- You said you liked cats, - Neil shrugs, absently stroking the soft fur in an unsuccessful attempt to soothe the poor animal.
- I didn't say that, - Andrew shakes his head.
- Oh. - Neil looks confused. - Then I can take it back or give it to someone....
- No.
Andrew ignores Neil's astonished eyes as he takes the poor thing from his arms and starts to rock it like a baby. Surprisingly, the kitten calms down almost immediately. Andrew strokes him, scratches his ear, kisses his wet nose, and mumbles something inaudible as he takes him to his bed, sitting him down on the blanket that hasn't been tucked in yet.
It's mind boggling that Andrew could be so soft and gentle with anyone. He looks incredibly sweet as he nuzzles the kitten and talks to it as if it were a person. Neil can't hold back a smile. His heart is melting.
- So, what's your name? - Andrew's voice is like a purr now, and this is the first time Neil has heard such a tinge in it. - Or don't you have a name? Then you'll have to make one up. - His fingers burrow into the fluffy fur. The kitten meows squeakily and nuzzles into his warm palm, demanding more affection.
- Bagel? - Neil suggests, squatting down next to the bed.
- Why? - Andrew arches an eyebrow. It's not a no, but it's not a yes either. It's a 'stupid'.
- It's just... It's funny.
Neil smiles as Andrew rolls his eyes, unable to help himself, but agrees to keep the name after all. And the kitten itself, too, of course.
- If anyone notices him, you're on your own, - Andrew says before kissing Neil. And that kiss means much more than a simple "thank you." It's gratitude for the fulfillment of a childhood dream, the gestalt of which Andrew never planned to close.
__________
- Damn it, Andrew... - Neil exhales, sliding down the wall. - I can't do this. Bagel... stares.
Andrew slides down next to him, running his fingers under the elastic band of his briefs again. He places his free hand on the back of Neil's head, hiding his head on his shoulder, only to hear a moment later a moan muffled by the clothes.
- He's going to grow up to be a traumatized kid, - Andrew hums, actively jacking the other man's cock and looking directly into the eyes of the furry creature, who stares back at him.
Bagel watches on, not the least bit embarrassed. He's probably just thinking about when his loving owners will decide to fill his bowl with food. But that's hardly something that even one of them cares about right now.