Sweater Paws ☻ Malum AU

two - questions and answers

"I don't mean to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Michael asked.

"I'm just looking around," Calum answered.

"Okay," Michael mumbled, nodding his head.

Calum walked around the store and was about to walk over the gate that separated the customers from where Michael took care of Paws.

Michael eventually realized where Calum was going and wanted to run and stop him, but he just sighed and didn't say anything. Calum saw the expression on Michael's face and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No, I'm fine," Michael lied.

"Are you sure?" Calum asked, raising an eyebrow.

Michael sighed.

"What's wrong?" Calum asked.

"Why do you care?" Michael asked back, rolling his eyes.

"Look, I know we may not have started off on the right foot. I just want you to know you can trust me, even though we just met," Calum told him.

"What if I can't trust you?" he asked, raising his voice.

"I'm not one to give up so easily, Michael," Calum said, "I'll gain your trust even if it's the last thing I do."

Michael looked down at the ground.

"So, tell me what's wrong," Calum

"It's silly. You're going to judge me," Michael said.

"Why would you think that?" Calum asked.

"I don't know. I just feel like you would make fun of me if I told you."

"C'mon, Michael. We may not know each other very well, but I won't judge you."

"Promise?" Michael asked.

"I promise," Calum answered, nodding his head.

"Okay, then. I guess I'll tell you."

Calum sat up straight and was wondering what was on Michael's mind.

"So a few months ago, the kitten over there came into this very shelter," Michael began, pointing at Paws, "and I guess i became attached to her after a while. Seeing you go towards her scared me a bit because I thought you were going to adopt her. Don't get me wrong, adopting a pet is a great thing to do. I guess I'm just too attached to Paws and I don't want to let her go."

"I understand," Calum said.

"Really?" Michael asked, his eyes widening.

"Well, I've never been attached to a pet or anything, but if you would rather keep Paws than let someone adopt her, I completely understand," Calum answered.

"Thanks for understanding, Calum," Michael said.

"No problem," Calum replied,"I'll give you my phone number. Just text me if you need anything."

Michael handed his phone to Calum and saw him put his number in.

"Thanks for caring," Michael told Calum, "It means a lot."

Calum and Michael both smiled, but Michael's smile soon turned into a frown when Calum walked out of the store. They hoped to see each other again.