Summary:

"Shane," Ilya says slowly. "Are you aware you are holding a cat?"

Shane has the decency to look slightly sheepish, as Ilya steps forward, the kitten peering at him with large green eyes while he reaches out a hesitant hand to lightly brush his finger against the cat's nose.

"Um, so a funny thing happened," Shane begins, and Ilya knows he's about to launch into a lengthy explanation. "We were out for our jog, and this kitten started running with us, so Anya just gently picked it up by the scruff of its neck and started carrying it, and I couldn't just leave it, you know? And when I took it from Anya it just curled up in my jacket like it knew it was safe, and I know this is kind of impulsive and our lives are crazy, but…" he finally stops and takes a deep breath, his gaze locking with Ilya's. "I think I want to keep this cat."

Anya wags her tail and barks, and Ilya looks from Shane's endless dark brown eyes down to the striking green ones that close as the kitten yawns so widely Ilya can see all of its tiny baby teeth. It's too cute. He's a goner. 'Fuck', he thinks, 'I'm totally screwed' and then promptly sneezes.