Alternatively - A Pob/Leon Fanfiction

Chapter Seven - Ghost of Pet's Past (Leon)

We decided to start with a relatively simple part of the shoot. But I'd been unsettled since I opened my eyes. This session with Topfah felt different and I didn't know why. Still, I dressed in the outfit that was labelled for this first bit of work, did my own makeup and air until I was satisfied then reported to the set Topfah had set up.

Something passed through his eyes when he saw me. It was familiar in a sense I'd seen it before. I trembled, bit my lower lip and dragged my fingers through my hair. He told me where he needed me and after a few test-shots, the actual shoot began.

After a few shots, Topfah sighed.

"Stop." He shook his head. "Are you okay?"

"Okay, khap."

"Take a few deep breaths and shake it off." Topfah wiggled his body.

I laughed softly and nodded. "Okay, P."

After jumping and shaking myself until Topfah broke into laughter, I settled into the photoshoot, feeling much better than I had all morning.

"Perfect." Topfah encouraged. "Keep that up."

We later took a break so Topfah could reset his camera and inspect the photos on his laptop he'd already taken. I peeked over his shoulders as he slowly clicked through them. We discussed the pictures and afterward, Topfah insisted on us taking a break to get a drink, stretch our backs and maybe legs. I left him to take a call from P'Leo and when I returned, he was in the back, hunched down.

Curious, I exited the house to see what had caught his attention.

"I think I'll name you Pobjer." Topfah was saying.

My heart lurched painfully in my chest and further pushed me to see what was going on. When I saw, my breath caught in my throat and I took a step back.

"Where'd you find a cat?" I wanted to know.

It wasn't an adult cat—a kitten that was white and orange and—I couldn't breathe.

"He just wandered here." Topfah replied without looking up.

"It—it can't stay here." I told him.

He did turn to look at me. "Are you allergic?"

"No—get rid of it."

"Leon! It's a living thing!"

"I don't care!" I snapped. "I. Don't. Care. Get rid of it."

"Are you always this big of an ass?" Topfah picked up the cat and turned toward me.

I backed up.

"Either it goes or you can take it and leave."

Without saying another word, I stormed into he house, grabbed my phone and the key for my car and sped out of the yard. I wasn't sure how long I'd been driving before the tightness in my chest started to lessen. Seeing that cat reminded me of Pobjer. It reminded me of the moment I'd seen P'Pob with the cat and how gentle he'd been.

I'd fallen in love with P'Pob in the rain, but his love for his pet made me fall deeper, harder. We'd spent time together with Pobjer and I remember how desperately P'Pob had hurt when the cat passed away.

Soon, the tears I'd been fighting blurred my vision and I pulled to the side of the road, pressed my forehead to the steering wheel and sobbed.

Strange, I thought I'd cried all the tears I'd been capable of.

Still, I stayed there, trying to reason with myself about freaking out about Topfah keeping the cat. It hadn't been wearing a collar which meant it was either abandoned or it was a stray. But this wasn't my fault—Topfah should respect my wishes.