Chapter Text
Jordan Henderson was the unluckiest person on earth when it came down to pets. The fish he got in first grade ate each other and he was too scared to get new ones. Then was the dog that was on strictly left-shoe diet. It ruined so many, that years later Jordan still kept his shoes over his clothes in the wardrobe. He had an unfortunate hamster, who could skip out of his aquarium and wander around the house. But it’s survival instincts weren’t too great and more than few times he or his mom would find it under the fridge, starved and almost frozen. First pet he got when he moved out was a white rabbit, looking like a plush toy. It’s innocence was a mask, though, and it’s teeth were causing damage to flesh and inorganic materials alike (Mostly charging cords and occasional wire). After Jordan missed a Merseyside derby waiting for the electrician and had to buy three new phone chargers in one month, the rabbit had to go. He gifted it to his little cousin, letting it be her problem now.
Jordan loved animals, though, and felt alone in his apartment, so he thought to try one more time. After careful consideration, he decided on a cat. But fate just couldn’t be fortunate to him. The sweet, dark-grey colored, kitty he picked from the shelter, turned out to be a panther wannabe. Anything left on an open surface was either broken or have disappeared. Any food left unattended was gone in mere minutes and what she didn’t like was all over the carpet. Cabinets made for good hiding spots for toys, food and the cat herself. Jordan had to baby proof the place! And buy new sheets the day he forgot to lock his bedroom door on his way out. Unforgettable was the day she found a pack of powdered sugar and rolled in it. Jordan took pride in even surviving the bath time that night. But by far, the worst thing was happening now.
Jordan was climbing through the open window of his neighbour’s apartment. The only neighbour he didn’t know. Jordan was easygoing and sociable, but the guy had moved in about a month ago, and wasn’t home most of the time. Tonight Jordan made the mistake of leaving an opened window (Just a tad for Christ’s sake!) and his home panther escaped. He looked just in time to see her going up the emergency staircase and sneak into another opened window, just a floor up. Jordan went to his neighbour’s door and rang the bell and knocked for five minutes straight. Each minute a new apocalyptic view popping in his mind – broken vases, eaten food, torn wallpaper and ruined furniture. Apparently no one was home and any delay could cause even more damage. So he made a decision that led him to this – standing in the middle of a stranger’s place, having just broken in, and no sign of the cat around. To make things even worse there were footsteps in the hallway, that stopped in front of the door, and the unmistakable sound of keys turning in the lock.
~~~~~
Adam tossed the keys on the antre table and watched them slide and fall to the floor. Too tired to care, he just kicked the door closed behind himself. All he wanted was some food, a shower and his bed. Mentally examining the contents of his fridge, he remembered buying chicken breasts and cream few days ago. Maybe they were still good to eat. Adam laughed to himself – a starving restaurant owner seemed pretty ironical. Taking few more steps inside, he stopped dead. There was a stranger in his living-room, looking no less shocked than him. His demeanor wasn’t intimidating, and in his loose sweatpants and football jersey he seemed safe. On second glance his messy blond hair and bright, baby-blue eyes made him look like a lost puppy. And yet here he was, in Adam’s apartment, not even trying to explain himself. Until…
“It’s… not what it looks like. I’m not a burglar. I’m looking for a cat.”
~~~~~
The confused look on his neighbour’s face showed Jordan that his words didn’t make much sense. So he composed himself and tried again.
“Hi, my name is Jordan and I’m your neighbour. I live under you. I left an opened window and my cat ran away, and sneaked into your apartment. I knocked, but no one answered. She’s pretty destructive and hates new places. So I thought… I don’t know… to get her out before she causes any damage?” he finished, uncertain. Thinking about it now, it probably wasn’t the best idea, Jordan admitted to himself. His neighbour didn’t seem convinced, but he wasn’t attacking him or calling the police, either. He spoke after a while.
“You realize that sounds mental, right?”
“Well, it’s not the best story, but it’s the truth.”
“OK” the guy nodded “I’ll play along. If you’re my neighbour, how come I’ve never seen you before?”
“Cause you’re never home.”
“Hey, I’m busy” great, he was irritated now. “But I’m usually home by midnight.”
“I’m in bed by eleven” Jordan exclaimed. He was losing his conviction, so he changed the tactic. “You can ask mrs. Robinson of 12C. I helped her carry her new TV. Or call the landlord, he’ll vouch for me.”
“Mr. Dalglish is out of town for tonight. I can ask him tomorrow. Now could you just leave? I’m too tired to argue.”
And that was the last thing Jordan expected to hear in a situation like this.
~~~~~~
Sending the guy away was probably not a good choice, but Adam really didn’t feel like dealing with this. But the blond (Jordan, was it?) shook his head.
“Believe me, I would walk away right now, but my cat hates strangers and I can’t leave her here.”
He seemed panicked now.
“OK” sighed Adam, surrendering. “Where is your cat?”
“I don’t know! I’ve been here for only couple of minutes.”
The incredibility of the situation finally caught up to Adam and he bursted out laughing. Jordan looked at him, expression between surprised and offended, and he opened his mouth to apologize. Then a sound came from his kitchen – a long, sad meow.
“So you weren’t lying” he asked, disbelieving.
“Who would make up a story like that?” Jordan blurted out and started moving towards the meow. Adam followed him, only to find the second biggest mess, that ever happened in his kitchen. (The first was the memorable day he tried to teach Studge the art of real pizza dough and chocolate soufflé.) Glass shards from the cream bowl were scattered around the opened fridge door, there were grated cheese bits everywhere, and Adam could see the chicken breast half eaten.
“You weren’t exaggerating the destroyer part, huh?”
“Shit, I’m so sorry” hissed Jordan. “I’ll pay for everything she ruined or ate.”
“Well, let’s find her first.” replied Adam and listened for the direction of the noise. It sounded like it came from the cupboard under the sink, so he kneeled to open it. He pulled the handle, but the door creaked, and opened only an inch.
“The door is stuck” he noted. “Maybe she pushed something in front of it.” Adam put his fingers in the crack, but withdrew them with a cry. “Your cat scratched me!”
“I told you, Bagheera doesn’t like strangers.”
“You… named your cat Bagheera?” he looked at Jordan with astonishment.
“It seemed proper.” shrugged the blond and looked at the door. “Can’t we do something?”
He sounded on the verge of tears now and Adam felt bad for him. He got up and patted him on the shoulder.
“I’ll look for something to use as a lever, but you’ll stay in front of the door. I don’t want to risk injury.”
Jordan felt almost sick listening to his cat’s scared meowing, but Adam didn’t take long. He got back with a mop handle, stuck it in the crack and pressed. A ladle and a spatula fell off the cupboard, along with a very scared grey fluff. She cuddled up at Jordan’s arms and hissed at Adam.
“Yeah, Bagheera does seem proper” Adam huffed out, watching the fondness Jordan was hugging the animal with.
“Look mate, thank you so much for helping me and I’m sorry for everything. I’ll make it up to you.” Jordan looked so apologetic, Adam just couldn’t be mad. Plus it was a hilarious story to tell.
“No worries, Jordan. It’s OK.”
The blond smiled, obviously relieved.
“My friends call me Jord.”
“I’m Adam.”
“Well, sorry again and good night.” Jordan said as he was heading to the living-room.
“Goodnight and keep her away from trouble.” Adam replied and almost doubled over laughing, as Jordan tried to leave the same way he had gotten in.
“Jord? You can use the door this time.”
After realizing what he was about to do, Jordan turned an adorable shade of pink and stuttered.
“Yeah, sure. Thanks.”
Adam chuckled to himself, as he headed to clean the kitchen mess. Some neighbour that was.