Sometimes I wondered why I ever bothered asking for someone else's opinion when I know that they are going to misinterpret everything I write to have an ulterior motive or sub-text. I'd spent hours in the library chasing up obscure references and had little to show for an afternoon's work. No doubt Ivo would berate me for 'evidently being idle'.
The apartment was warm but depressingly messy. Ivo always tells me that dishes should never be left out or they would attract vermin but I just never have the motivation to clean them.
"Tim?"
"Hmm? Ivo, what are you doing home so early," I asked happily hoping I could distract him from the mess.
"Close your eyes."
He looked so eager and excited that I knew I should play along for his sake.
I stood with my arms held out and my eyes clenched shut.
"Ivo, if you're about to put a fossil in my hands you're going to get the exact same react-"
"It's not a fossil," I heard him call from the kitchen. His footsteps echoed closer until I could feel him in front of me. He set my surprise in my hands and I immediately opened my eyes. Big eyes looked up at me warily and the kitten meowed.
I didn't know what to say.
"I know that you couldn't possibly replace Shadow but I put us on the list to foster a kitten so you could see how you feel about it."
He said all of this in a rush.
"I got him a new bed and some toys."
He disappeared back into the kitchen and emerged with a bag from the pet store.
"I'm at the University a lot during the day so I thought you would like the company and maybe you could think about getting a cat again."
"You hate cats," I muttered as I held the kitten close to me.
He gave me a look.
"I don't love them but if it keeps you happy then cats it is."
"Thank you."
"You don't get to keep this one though, so try not to get too attached."