Geoff had been out all day at work and just wanted to come home and cuddle with Awsten. The customers were particularly hard to deal with today; maybe it was his lack of sleep, or maybe it was the full moon, but everyone was just being an asshole. It was still light outside when Geoff came home, something he would miss in winter.
He trudged up the stairs to their apartment and turned the key in the door. The fairy lights, that Awsten had decorated the living room in, were on. It was unusual for the time of year, but it didn't bother Geoff. He dumped his things on the kitchen counter, his head full of Awsten and cuddles. That was until he noticed the pet food bowls that were filled with kibble and water. He glanced up at the living room.
Awsten was sat on the sofa, eyes wide like a skittish deer. He noticed that the boy was moving his hand in a stroking pattern and a soft purr seemed to be emanating from his lap. Geoff walked a few paces, so he stood in front of Awsten.
He took a moment to look at the furry creature on Awsten's lap. "Awsie..." Geoff starts, but doesn't know how to frame what he is about to say politely. "That's a cat. Can you remember why we don't have a cat?" Geoff looks at Awsten expectantly. He knows that Awsten is in a funny mood because his his eyes are twinkling with mischief.
Instead of answering, Awsten buries his face in the cat's fur. Geoff tried to stop it, but it was too late. Awsten had entered a sneezing fit that had disturbed the cat enough to make it get up and leave. Geoff calmly sat next to Awsten and placed his hand on the small of Awsten's back, while he finished sneezing.
"Baby?" Geoff asked when Awsten had finished sneezing and was laying his head on Geoff's shoulder. Awsten glanced up at him. "Can you explain to me how we have a cat now?"
Awsten began with a cheeky, childish grin - like the one a child gives their parents when they've kicked a ball in to their neighbours garden for the fifth time that week. It wasn't a good sign to Geoff. "Well, Travis and I... We were walking past a pet shelter and I wanted to go in and long story short - I got a cat."
"Yeah, I can see that." Geoff sighed. He leaned back against the back of the sofa with his arms stretched out behind him.
"No, but Geoff, you didn't see her!" Awsten whined. He attached himself to Geoff's side, so that when Geoff retracted his arms, they would wrap around him. Which they did. One hand stroked his side to keep him calm. Geoff raised his eyebrow at him. "She was scared of the lady there!" He insisted in an almost imitation whisper, as if he thought she would come out and get him. "The lady looked mean." Awsten concluded and rested his head against Geoff's chest.
"I'm sure she did, honey, but you know you have allergies." Geoff reasoned. He knew this was something he'd never win, but he tried nonetheless.
Awsten thought for a moment, "I'll get shots!" He jumped up from the sofa, escaping Geoff's arms. "Yeah! And I will take care of her and call her Jet and I will love her forever." Awsten, by this point, was jumping around excitedly.
"Sure, baby, okay. Come sit down with me, I had a hard day." Geoff patted the seat next to him and Awsten crashed down in it, a wild grin plastered on his face. Geoff wrapped his arms around Awsten and kissed his head, switching on the TV and winding down. Jet sat across them and Geoff thought 'maybe this won't be so bad'.
