Stray cats have a tendency of following people around when they want something, so when a pretty bird named Y/N flies into Lorenzo's life, he can't help but jump at the chance to use her. What he doesn't realize is that she knows how to play his gam...
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It had nearly been a week since Lorenzo had stormed out of Y/N's house, and he had seen no sight of the bird since. Good, he thought. Perhaps, it's better this way? To his relief, the snow had melted and had mostly gone way, lingering in puddles as nasty, grey slush with the occasional white patch on the ground. It was only faintly warmer, though, so he still wore the coat she had given him. As rude as he was accepting the gift, he had used It often. It was warm.
It had been a while since he's had something warm to wear. Usually, he'd rely on the cats to warm him, or if he was lucky, someone might've tossed some clothing his size into a dumpster he'd be sifting through. Not the most lavish lifestyle, but as harsh as it may seem, it was practically Heaven in comparison to where he had been. He has the family he had always wanted in the cats that surround him. They support him, comfort and love him. That was enough, and on top of it all, he was free— Free to do anything or go anywhere.
There were no restraints; no "yes, sir" or "yes, mam". He didn't have to mind his manners and he was free to speak his mind. Living with Clover and her kittens had taught him confidence to do as he pleased, as cats always did just that. If they had a thought, they didn't hesitate to share it. If they hated a person they'd hiss and fight. He needed that confidence. He needed that strength. Yes, living on the streets might not have been the ideal life, but here is where Lorenzo learned to be himself and to not take shit from those who would put him down. He cherishes those lessons and held them close to his heart.
"Hey boss," greets Puka, who stations himself at the man's hip, breaking him out of his trance. Lorenzo side-eyes the black feline, but gave no trace of a smile. He could not muster it. "You feelin' okay? You've been up on this ledge for a few days now."
"I'm just... thinking." He sighs, crossing his arms over his knees and resting his chin upon them, tail sweeping back and forth.
"Is it about ma again?" the feline wonders, his demeanor coming off a bit solemn.
"Sort of. I miss her."
"We all do." Puka purrs and rubs his head against Lorenzo, who in turn, pets his back. Toni and Pascello join them on the ledge.
"I remember when she brought you to us." starts Pascello. Toni would've given a laugh if he could.
"I still think you're funny looking. Knowing ma, she just liked ya for your name." Lorenzo huffs, but smiles softly. It was sort of their inside joke about Clover's obsession with names. She used to say they complete a person and that one had to find their right one, even if they weren't born with it. That resonated with Lorenzo. That awful witch had called him Lori for most of his life, and that made him feel like he wasn't himself, like a part of him had been stripped away. A name truly is a special thing that people take for granted.
