Page 30 of Conflict Conclusion

“What about Luna?” James said, clicking his seatbelt into place and wrapping both arms around Purrsephone.

“I feel like that’s a good name for a black cat,” Leon said, pulling out of the parking lot.

“Lily?”

“Seems more like something you’d name a dainty little thing. Purrsephone is large and in charge. She needs something regal and befitting of her stature.”

The car fell suspiciously silent, but Leon hit several green lights in a row, so he didn't have a chance to look over until he finally hit a red light a few blocks from his apartment. James was staring through the windshield, his face unreadable as he absently rubbed Purrsephone’s head.

“I was just joking, darlin’. If you like Lily or Luna or⁠—”

“No, I…I’m just thinking about everything that owning a cat entails. We’re going to have to get a carrier of her own, and she’ll need her own food and water bowl, and probably her own toys. It’s going to take a while to introduce her to Yarmen, I do know that much, and I just…I really don’t want to bother or inconvenience Yarmen…or you.”

Purrsephone’s tail wormed its way across the center console to rest on Leon’s leg. “You said that before, love, and like I said, you’re not a bother. Neither is Purrsephone. We’ll figure out all the logistics and shit together.”

James hummed softly but didn’t say anything more. Leon could almost feel James spiraling, but he would be more capable of having this conversation when he wasn’t driving. While it was true there were a lot of things to figure out for Purrsephone to move in, and if James also moved in, there would be even more to sort out, he was sure that if anyone could figure it out, it was James. He no doubt already had plans on plans on plans for his mom’s move. Not having a plan for himself had probably been stressing him the fuck out.

And Leon hadn’t even noticed, too caught up in his own shit.

He pulled into a spot close to the elevator and threw the car into park. Before he even turned the car off, he pulled out his phone and thumbed out a quick email to Kaden requesting they go back to weekly meetings.

James was far too busy trying to reposition Purrsephone in his arms to notice as Leon took another moment to text Hailey.

Leon

Don’t come over today, but if you come by tomorrow, there will be another furball for you to meet.

“Purrsephone, work with me,” James grunted as he managed to get both arms under the cat, and she gave her first yowl.

“I think that means she’s getting comfortable with you,” Leon said as he turned off the car and got out.

He was pretty sure he heard James mutter “fucking fantastic,” but he would never be able to prove it. He hurried around to the other side of the car to open James’ door for him, and Purrsephone gave another unimpressed cry.

Leon bowed at the waist. “Your kingdom awaits, my furry Queen.”

Both James and the cat eyed him, but after he deepened the bow, he received a single dimple from James, and he mentally high-fived himself. He wasn’t so lucky with Purrsephone, who narrowed her eyes at him, keeping him in her sights as they boarded the elevator.

“Where are we going to put her? Yarmen loves the office, so I don’t want to take that away from him. She could live in the bathroom for a little while, but it's so small and cold,” James said, deep frown lines wiping away even a hint of a dimple. “I guess I could always make up a bed on the floor and sleep with her tonight? I just really don’t want her to be alone right now.”

“First of all, love, she’s a cat. Cats are fine being alone—but!” he said as both James and the cat glared at him. He slotted his key into his door and pushed it open, sticking out a preemptive foot to stop Yarmen as he came barreling towards them. He bent down and scooped Yarmen up, turning away from James so the two cats couldn’t see each other. “I hear you on not wanting to be alone.”

James mirrored him, turning so his back was pressed up against Leon’s. “I don’t want her to be alone.”

Leon had enough experience with Yarmen to hold him one-handed, so he dropped his other hand down to squeeze the side of James’ thigh. “I think maybe you’re a little scared of being alone, too.”

There was an audible hitch in James’ breath, and he pressed back against Leon. “You’re probably right, but…I guess I won’t be alone anymore. I’ve got my little forever friend now.”

Leon thought of the title on one of the pamphlets he’d been handed. He had no intention of reading any of them, but he would definitely be watching a slew of tutorials later. Hopefully, he and James could watch them together, but first things first.

He had been avoiding hard conversations with Hailey, Hailey’s mom, and even his own therapist for months. That had to stop, and now seemed as good a time as any.

“Now we just have to find you both a ‘forever home,’” Leon said, pressing against James’ back.

James’ breathing picked up. Leon could feel it in the way his shoulders were rising unsteadily against Leon’s back.

“Do you think…this could be her forever home?” James whispered.

Yarmen sunk his claws into Leon’s shirt, attempting to climb up his chest to get to James and the new friend he was holding, but Leon maintained his grip, both on his cat and his sometimes skittish boyfriend.