Chapter Text
It wasn't that Alexander hated animals or anything like that; quite the contrary, really. He loved animals, all species, all breeds. This, however, was starting to border on ridiculous. Cat hairs had become a part of his wardrobe, and it wouldn't be dramatic, in Alex's opinion, to say that they were permanently in his lungs. John hadn't brought home every cat he saw on the streets, of course not. But if they came to him, if they let him pick them up, they were his. So far, that had only resulted in three strays becoming their new dictators. Alex worked from home, so he spent more time with the hell beasts. He loved them, how couldn't he? They warmed his lap while he worked, kept him company when John was working long hours, but God, they were picky with affection. John only saw three angels.
"Hey, babe, I'm home," John slammed the door shut, tossing his hair covered apron on the coat hanger. He was going to be a vet, but as soon as Alexander convinced him he could do whatever he wanted in his life, without his father's permission, he became a professional groomer. John was too sweet, too tender hearted to be a vet. Each death would be personal. Each one would kill him. So, groomer was a much better idea. He loved cats, and spent all day grooming show cats, but his heart was truly with the ugly, disfigured, deformed, and unloved cats of the New York streets.
In his hands was a gentle mewling kitten, recently orphaned, and just as recently born. He's had to deal with kittens before, so making a bottle of feline milk was easy with one hand. As John fed him, he wandered into Alex's study, where the man was hunched over, ponytail asunder, back hunched. John leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to Alex's temple.
"I've got a surprise," he whispered, setting the kitten down in Alex's lap. It mewled loudly at him, digging it's tiny, sharp, claws of death into the mans jacket, climbing up his chest and onto his shoulder. Alex sat back, letting out a puff of amusement.
"We're gonna get evicted one day," He picked the cat off his jacket, cradling it in his hands and softly stroking it's fur. "All 'cause of you and your damn beautiful heart." He turned to press a kiss to John's lips who obliged. They had a few more gentle, chaste kisses till they heard another mew, this time, from one of three cats standing at the door.
"Yeah, yeah, dinner time, I know," John said, following after the cats who led him towards their bowls in the kitchen. Alex followed after, new family member in tow. The loving, caring gaze in John's eyes as he pet each one of their three stray beasts was like the sun at midday, so bright, so wonderful it could blind you, but you'll still look. Alexander had more love for this man than the sky had stars. Perhaps cat fur can be a fashion statement after all.