Here, Gun || OffGun

Chapter 8

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Off was hiding.

He had gotten up early, leaving Gun sleeping peacefully on the bed, and snuck out of the room. He paused long enough in the kitchen to get something to eat before running to his lab, closing the door behind him.

Gun didn't know the security code.

Off couldn't face the cat right now. He had done the unforgivable last night and gave in to his desire for the man.

Off couldn't bear to see the condemnation he knew would be on Gun's face, or hear it in his voice.

Off picked up another slide and slid it under the microscope, looking down through the lens. Bringing the image into focus after adjusting the objective lenses to medium. He had been looking at the slides all morning, seeing how different chemicals and elements affected the Nanos.

He had to be careful as he had a very limited number of nanites, only the ones the doctors had given him. And he wasn't going to ask for more, it would be for everyone's best. He also couldn't go to his local lab supply store and get more.

Wouldn't that be nice? Unfortunately, the Nanos he was working with had some kind of encoding in them that made them unique and not just your average everyday nano.

Off was pretty sure that was significant. If he used a different type of nano, he would not get the same results. And he needed to replicate the chemical reactions from the accident or he would never be able to turn Gun back into a cat.

Off swallowed hard, bile rising in his throat at the thought of turning Gun hairy.

Off had always been a bit of a loner, especially since he had such a hard time relating to people. His beloved cat and his brother were practically his only family. That meant he had a non-existent love life, backroom hookups, and the occasional one-night stand. He hadn't been in a relationship that lasted more than a couple of weeks since college.

That was a pretty lonely existence.

Off filled his life with his job, his brother, and his cat. He adored his cat, but the feelings he was beginning to have for the newly transformed man were much stronger.

The idea that he would only have the night before with Gun was making Off resent his scientific work, for the first time in his life. He didn't want to find the solution to the formula. He didn't want to change Gun back to being a cat.

He wanted to keep Gun in human form.

Off put the microscope away and wiped his eyes. He had been looking at the slides for most of the morning. It was the only explanation for the suspicious pain in his eyes and the throbbing in his head.

It certainly wasn't because he wanted to cry. He was a scientist.

He wasn't crying. He was dealing with cold and hard facts and the cold and hard facts were that he had accidentally changed his cat into a human being, and now he had to change him again.

Even though he didn't want to.

Off jumped when he heard a crash above. He looked up at the ceiling, biting his lower lip. What was happening? Had Gun fallen again?

As much as he didn't want to confront Gun right now, his concern for the man was greater. Gun had been a cat just a couple of days ago. He was still learning what it takes to live as a human being.

He wasn't very good at it either.

Off took slowly one step at a time, until he came to the landing at the top where the security door was located. He typed in the security code and opened the door slightly, tilting his head toward the door to hear the noise.