Hustle cat love story

Gravy and bad food

I look to Nacht who is eyeing me carefully, his mind is probably telling me to keep my mouth shut about this whole ordeal.
"I'm Doing great actually. There's no sign of Nacht anywhere" I lie. Nacht grins as if he wants to laugh.
"That's good to hear, if you don't mind I can come pick you up and we can walk together, just to be safe." Graves asks, his voice is kind and he definitely doesn't deserve to be lied to like this.
"Yes please, I'm already ready but take your time"
"Right, I'm on my way" he hangs up, and I look down at my phone. I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out.
"Cat got your tongue?" Nacht snickers looking at me amusingly.
"Whatever, I would hide if I were you, Graves will see you when I open the door"
"No problem kitten" he says, standing up, he goes to the kitchen where a wall guards him from being seen. Moments later the door opens, and Graves greets me with a bright, but worried smile.
"Hey Graves"
"Good morning Avery, how is Mochi doing?"
"He's fine, loves the treats you gave him"
"Ahh, may I see him?" He says almost stepping inside.
"NO!.. I mean... I just think he's sleeping.. he gets grumpy when he's woken, besides we should get to work"
Graves eyes me for a moment but nods
"Ahh yes my apologies, shall we depart?"
"Of course" I say leaving the apartment with graves. Man that was close. I should be more careful. Me and Graves walk side by side, until we finally reach the cafe. When we get inside everyone comes a bit close, asking if anything happened. I reassure them and they all get back to work with ease.
"Follow me Avery" graves waves his hand, motioning for me to follow.
I nod and follow him to his room.
"Avery.. are you sure your okay?" He said with a concerned look
"Yea of course why?" I say quickly.
"Well you seem rather nervous than usual, and I couldn't help but notice the rust by your door" he said his cold and fiery eyes piercing me. I stiffen up a moment of panic runs through me.
" oh that was just from the can.. I guess I forgot to clean it up!" Graves nods  suspicionin in his eyes.
"I'm going to call him." Graves blurts out
"What?! What if that draws him closer?" I frantically yell.
"It won't.. don't worry" he reassures me. He takes out his phone and rings up Nacht. He also puts it on speaker so I can hear.
"Heyyy gravy~" he coos "awfully nice of ya to call"
"Nacht we know your hanging around here, it would be ideal for you to leave"
"Calm down, it was just a quick pass by nothing perm--MROWWW!" I hear Mochi screech on the line I sit up, but make sure Graves doesn't notice my panic. Graves looks confused
"What was that?" He questions
"Tch a stupid stray using me as a scratchin post" he scuffs angrily, hey Mochi is not stupid!
"I see, make sure you keep yourself away from here" he commands
"Sure thing gravy" he laughs and hangs up. There's an awkward silence between me and Graves
"That sounded an awful lot like Mochi" graves says.
"Haha yea weird right?" I nervously blurt out. Graves nods his head, he's eyeing me again. I bet he knows something's up. God I'm a terrible liar.
I stand up and look down at graves. I'm sorry graves, but I have to.
"Erm.. I guess I should go get to work then.." I turn my back And begin to leave when graves grabs onto my hand. I jump a little, surprised by the sudden movement. I turn my body to face him and instantly I'm a lot closer to him. His arm are wrapped around me.. is he.. hugging me? I'm surprised at first but I hug him back, sadness tugging at my heart.
"My apologies Avery, I just don't want to lose you, I don't want you to rust away." Hearing him say that really makes me feel like crap.. I'm living with Nacht for gods sake what am I doing. But if I kick him out I won't be the only one used as a rusted statue. He lets go of me, I'm already missing the warmth of his body. I smile at him weakly.
"Thank you Graves" I feel my eyes watering but before he gets the chance to see me cry I run out of the room.

I was at least strong enough to keep any tears from flowing while I worked. By the time the sun started to set most everyone was gone. Leaving me Reese and Graves alone. Reese was probably upstairs again studying or sketching out new outfits. Graves was feeding the cats for the night while I waited by the door. Graves walked up to me, watching my eyes the whole time.. I'm worrying him aren't I..
"Ready to go?" He asks reaching out a hand. I take it and he wraps his fingers around my much smaller hand. We walk out, traveling down the dark alley. Hopefully Nacht knows better than to lounge on the couch right now.. Graves has me extra close to him, as if he's protecting me from anything that could pop out and attack us... but nothing does, and I know nothing will...
"Thanks Graves, I haven't seen any sign of Nacht so it must be true he has left by now." I say pretty loud hoping Nacht heard me through the door.
"I suppose... but if you still don't feel safe enough to be walking alone just call." He hugs me again, shorter length but it's just as sweet. I wave at him as he begins to leave. I sigh slowly opening the door. Nacht isn't on the couch. I think that's a good thing? But then we're is he? I walk, aiming towards my bedroom.
"Boo"
"AHHHHHH!" I scream, he was hiding in the damn kitchen again. That little.. ugh calm down Avery. he snickers seeing my reaction, I breath heavily holding my heart as if I had a heart attack.
I'm about to say something but he takes my chance to talk.
"Scaredy cat" he pats my head and of course, goes back to the couch. I angrily huff out air from my mouth. Guess I better make dinner. What an ass.