Night's Warmth

Chapter 5 - Clothes

I close the front door and put my shopping bags on the floor before I take off my hoodie. I walk to the laundry room and put it in the basket again before walking back to the living room. I bring my bags to the bedroom. I enter the room to see Gab lying on the bed and loudly snoring. I chuckle as I see him making exaggerated snores, making it obvious that he's pretending to be asleep.

I approach the bed and sit next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Gab, I know you're awake," I say with a smirk.

"Nuh uh," he replies, his eyes still closed.

I roll my eyes, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

"Am not," he huffs, his tail thumping against the bed.

I can't help but laugh at his childish behavior. It's a welcome distraction from the heaviness of the situation, and I can't help but admire how playful he can be, even in the face of such uncertainty.

"Alright, fine. You're a master of deception," I say, giving him a gentle nudge.

Gab opens his eyes and pouts. "I don't appreciate the sarcasm."

I raise an eyebrow. "You're just mad because you got caught."

"I'm not mad," he grumbles, his tail swishing back and forth.

I can't help but chuckle at his antics. "Whatever you say, Gab."

"Mhmm.. So uhh.. Whatcha got there?"

I glance down at the shopping bags sitting beside me on the floor. "Oh, right. I bought some clothes for you."

Gab's ears perk up at that. "Really? Let's see!"

"But before that, I think we should change the bandages. If we leave it like that for a while, taking them off will be more painful for you."

Gab looks at his body and sighs.

"I guess that's a good idea.."

He sits up on the bed and turns his back on me.

"Just be careful not to rip my fur.."

I nod. "Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

I take some of the newly-bought supplies from my other shopping bag. With that, I slowly unwrap the bandages from his body. He flinches a few times but eventually manages to relax. After taking the bandages off, I take the ointment and gently apply it on his wounds. The wound on his back is mostly closed, and the bruise isn't that dark anymore. I apply the same ointment on the bruise. I take a new roll of bandage and carefully wrap it around his torso, arms and legs.

"There, all done," I say, smiling.

"Thanks, Alex," he replies, turning around and returning the smile.

With the bandages changed, we're ready to move on.

"Alright, let's see those clothes!" Gab shouts excitedly.

"Okay, okay, hold your horses."

I bring out the gray shirt with the cat logo first.

"Ooh, that looks comfy," Gab says, looking at the shirt with interest.

"Here, try it on."

I give the shirt to him and he inspects the shirt first before putting it on. It looks like it might be a bit small for him considering that I can see the shirt stick to his abs.

"How does it feel?" I ask, watching as he twists and turns, testing out the fit.

"A bit tight, but it's okay," he says, adjusting the shirt slightly.