Damian pulled the pan aside and flicked the fire off. “You’re soaked. Get that coat off, and to the shower with you.” He walked there and pulled at the coat when Gabe looked at him, turning a bit.
“Careful…”
Damian looked down at his arms, his hands curled around something in his coat. He met Gabe’s eyes. “What the fuck?” He blanched, somehow knowing. Those hazel eyes drowned in that kind light of his heart. “What… it’s an animal?” Breathing harder, watching Gabe’s arms unfold. He took that small bundle out of his coat, a scrawny, grey ball of fur with yellow eyes.
“Meow!”
Damian’s lips pinched. “Fuck.” He looked at Gabe. “What… why? How…” Not even understanding that sudden anger.
Armando had run to them, and he looked at that small rag ball, his eyes wide. “Gato?”
“Si…” Gabe was still looking at Damian, holding that kitten, which Armando had started stroking gently. “Uh… this homeless guy was selling it… and he was cold and drenched and needed the money… and well, look at him… her… it… barely has any flesh… and hungry too…” His lips trembled, but he held Damian’s cool gaze, determined. Watching those steel eyes go to the cat, to Armando petting it.
He looked back at Gabe, giving him a wry smile. “Well… what do you want to do now? It’s already here.”
“We won’t keep it if you don’t want it… here… but we could keep it, a bit, until I find a place…”
Armando looked up, silent, stroking the kitten’s head.
A slight irritation crossed Damian’s face. “Are you seriously afraid of me, Gabriel?” Almost laughing, but he tamed that grin, watching Gabe’s face fall.
“No… I mean… you have all the right to be angry… I haven’t asked you.”
Damian looked at Armando. “What do you say? We keep this gato?”
“Yes, yes! He’s cold and wet… and hungry!”
Damian ruffled his hair. “Like you. Always hungry.” He sighed. “Alright. Better warm him up and get some cat food.”
Gabe pushed the kitten towards his hands. “I’ll go! I’m all dressed up.”
Damian held his palm to his chest. “No way. Shower and change. I’ll go.”
Gabe crashed his mouth on his lips, holding that kitten tight. “I love you!”
Damian grinned. “I know. Warm up. I don’t want to have a pharmacy run, too.”
He dressed, watching Gabe and Armando warm that small animal in a blanket, pissed a bit that Gabe was still in his wet clothes, but he left, straight to the store on the corner. He had no clue, but bought all the kitten food he could find, a litter box, litter, and some small plates and a soft pillow.
Rushing back, soaked by the time he went up.
Watching that small kitten gobble up some canned food, and take a shit in the middle of the living room.
He arched an eyebrow at Gabe. “Your job starts now. I will shop for him or her? But that’s it.”
Gabe went for the cleaning products in the kitchen. “Sure… no worries. She… it’s a girl.”
Armando smiled at Damian, cradling the kitten with her fluffed up grey fur. “We called her Ginger.”
Damian cocked an eyebrow. “She’s grey.”
“So?”
“Nothing.” He stroked a finger on that small kitten’s head. “Ginger.” He sighed, but let Armando sit on the sofa, stroke the kitten until it fell asleep in his lap. Watching that glow on his son’s face, that bliss as his hands roamed that soft fur. He caught Gabe on his way to the kitchen.
“I’m full of shit.” Holding that small bag.
Damian grinned, holding him tight. “I know.” He kissed him, deep, feeling him go slack in his arms, lose his strength. “Mhm… later…” He stroked his cheek gently. “You can bring home a fucking zoo, ok?”
