Page 16 of Under Construction

"Oh my goodness!" She coos over the kitten, holding it right up to her face. “Who’s this little guy? Where’d you get him from?” She turns it around to peek under its tail. “Her!”

Ah, another friendly giant. The kitten pushes its forehead against Sasha’s nose, Chris and Dennis forgotten.

"Another rescue?” says Lila, another volunteer, jogging up to pet it. “You're our guardian angel, Dennis, I swear,” she gushes as she catches his eye, holding the gaze for a beat too long. “When are you going to let us convince you to adopt?" She grins and adds, "I know this great cat who comes as a package deal with dinner Friday night."

Dennis clears his throat, ears bright red, pointedly ignoring how Chris’s snort turns into a hasty cough. "You know my building doesn't allow—"

"Move," they both interrupt firmly, their heads nodding in unison. The sudden seriousness cuts through the air like a whip, all attention now focused on the kitten. The banter is gone—nothing matters more than the cats.

"These babies need you,” scolds Sasha.

“You should see how they light up when he visits," Lila says to Chris whoohs, terribly friendly and extra interested at the information on offer.

Dennis fantasizes about wiping off that stupid smirk playing at his lips with his fist when Chris glances over like he’s learnt one of Dennis’s secrets. But he better be good. He’s done enough damage as it is.

Instead, he excuses himself to pay a visit to Mr. Whiskers and the other cats. The last thing he needs is Chris having more ammunition to jab him at work with.

Dennis heads to the cat room, aware of Chris trailing behind him like a curious shadow. He's barely through the door when Jess from the medical team "happens" to need something fromthatexact shelf, and Marcus from adoptions suddenly remembers he has to check on that one specific cat in this specific room rightnow.

It's the usual song and dance—though today there seems to be twice as many volunteers finding excuses to pop in, stealing glances at both him and Chris.

"Oh Dennis, could you help me reach that toy?" Lila asks, pointing to something definitely within her reach. "You're so tall..."

"I can get it," Chris offers with a dimpled grin, reaching past both of them in a move that shows off his arms.

Lila’s eyes widen appreciatively.

Marcus leans against the doorway. "You guys should come to our fundraiser next week. It’s a car wash." He winks at Dennis. "We always need big, strong volunteers." He turns toChris, eyes bright with interest as he looks him up and down. "And who’s your friend? Don’t think we’ve had the pleasure."

Chris practically glows at the attention, stepping closer to shake Marcus's hand, his whole demeanor shifting into something warm and inviting that Dennis has never seen at work. At least not with him.

Dennis watches as Chris laughs easily with Marcus, who’s now pouring a kitten into his arms, while Sasha rests a hand on Chris’s shoulder, laughing at something he says.

He seems so at ease, like he fits here. Like he’s a genuinely nice guy.

A small pang of regret twists in Dennis’s chest.

Maybe they got off on the wrong foot? Had he ever done something to offend Chris?

The thought nags at him, but he steels himself. If Chris had a problem, surely he’d say something. He’s not a child, after all.

Dennis turns his attention back to the cats that have gathered at his feet, meowing insistently, clearly wondering if he brought treats. He crouches down, letting their little noses and paws tug him back into the present, where the air smells like kibble and fur and everything makes sense.

One extra long visit and a small mountain of charity cat treats bought and fairly distributed later, they’re filling out paperwork, side by side.

Well, Dennis is filling out the paperwork. Chris is standing way too close next to him, so that their arms and legs touch.

"Every Saturday, huh?" Chris grins, stepping closer so they’re touching again when Dennis surreptitiously inches away from him.

"Shut up," he snips, his handwriting turning into a scrawl as he tries to finish up so he can get the hell away from Chris.

"No, it's... nice." Chris's voice loses its teasing edge. "Didn't think you had it in you, princess." Chris nudges Dennis in the arm with his elbow.

"There's a lot you don't know about me," Dennis mutters, his voice flat, eyes glued to the form. He shifts sideways again, dragging the clipboard with him like a shield, the movement just exaggerated enough to make a point.

"Yeah." Chris takes another step to close the gap, sticking them back together. He laughs softly when Dennis sighs—loud, obvious, and thoroughly long suffering. "I think I’m starting to get that," Chris says with a chuckle.

"Come back soon!" the girls and Marcus call out in unison, waving as Chris and Dennis leave. "The weekend kittens miss their favorite volunteer! And we could always use another one!"

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