𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Alley Cat

I stare out of the window and into the darkness beyond, the heavy rainfall makes it hard to see much of the city, but regardless I feel glued to the spot, my hands wrapped around a long cooled mug of tea as I wait for my boyfriend to come home. He's already four hours later than what he texted me this morning, and with the storm warnings...I just hope nothing's happened to him. I blow out a shaky breath, a sudden boom of thunder makes me jump- the tea sloshes out of the mug- just as the lock on the front door clicks. I swivel, eyes widening as I watch Leon step through the door, water drips onto the floor as he shakes his head in a dog like fashion, drips of rainwater sprinkle everywhere as he grunts and meets my eyes, stilling since he's been caught in the act. "Shit, sorry sweethea-" He begins, but I'm already rushing to him, putting my mug on the windowsill before leaping into his arms, clinging to him as if my life depended on it. 

"I don't care about the mess." I scold him lovingly, a small sniffle escapes me as Leon rests his chin on the top of my head, "I'm so glad you're back, I've been worried sick about you." I mumble, earning a chuckle from Leon as he rubs my back and literally peels away from me, his clothes cling to him like a second skin, his blonde hair's plastered to his forehead as he brushes it back, only succeeding in it sticking up. He's got a bruise forming on his cheekbone, and there's a few bloodspots on his shirt. I frown at his dishevelled appearance, more worry forming in the pit of my stomach until Leon reaches out, gently lifting my chin to meet his gaze. 

"I'm alright, don't worry about me." He murmurs, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips until his teeth begin to chatter. I notice the slight shivering he's trying to hide too, I shake my head, stepping back and already attempting to undress him as he holds up his hands playfully, eyebrows wiggling in a teasing manner, but I'm not in the mood for his games, especially not when he looks two seconds away from dying of hypothermia. I peel off his jacket, letting it hit the floor with a plop whilst Leon tries to wrestle with his belt, but his shivering fingers can barely grip it. I gently swat his hands away and do the rest for him, helping him take off the rest of his clothes until I go grab some warm, comfier ones as well as a towel for his hair. Leon stands there, arms wrapped around his chest until I come back and kneel down, holding the sweatpants for him to step in. "Baby, I'm capable-" He begins, but when I shoot him a look, he sighs ruefully and does as silently instructed. Once in warm, dry clothes, I lead him to the sofa, pushing him down as he insists on being useful, but once more I shake my head and wag a finger at him. 

I get the first aid kit from the bathroom and come back to sit beside my boyfriend, but instead he tugs me onto his lap, making me straddle him as his arms wrap around me. He groans, shoulders slumping as he lets his head fall back against the cushions. "I'm just going to put some ointment on this bruise." I softly say, grabbing the cream and warming a bit up between my fingers before carefully smoothing it over Leon's cheekbone. He fights back a wince as I massage it on with my thumb, Leon's hands gently stroke either sides of my hips, soothing me as I take care of him. His eyelids fall a bit as he exhales, the usual frown now replaced with a more content look, I sit back, admiring him until he arches a brow and smiles. 

"Thank you, sweetheart, I appreciate it." He hums, reaching up and cupping my cheek as I lean into it, but I still can't help but to notice how cold his usually warm skin is. I can't stop the shiver that runs through me as Leon's smile fades, he moves his hand, already muttering an apology until I grab his hand and press a kiss to the back of it, blowing my warm breath onto it too. 

"Let me make you something warm to eat, I bet you're starving." I say, already getting up and refusing to listen to his arguments as he huffs a laugh and watches me with a look of pure love and gratefulness. I quickly heat up some soup in Leon's favourite mug- it's a duck holding a gun that says 'don't duck with me'- then I take it back to where Leon's still settled on the sofa, teeth chattering once more and a blanket draped over himself. I gnaw at my lip, passing it to him as he takes it with shaky hands, I sit next to him, grabbing an extra blanket and bundling him up as he gives me a stoic look under the nest I've made of him, but his lips tilt up as soon as he sips the soup. Leon seems to savour the warmth, but the soup soon disappears as he swallows deeply, sighing afterwards as if it's made a massive difference. "Better?" I ask, setting the mug aside as I tug him towards me. Leon lets me cradle him in my arms, his head resting on my chest as he hugs my middle. 

He nods in reply, making a low sound in agreement. 

"Good. I'm glad you're letting me take care of you for once, you're always so focused on everyone else, you forget that you need it too." I say. Leon shrugs as I let my fingers wander to his mussed up strands, I smooth them down, brushing his hair with my touch. 

"I don't know what I'd do without you Y/N, I love you so much." 

"I love you too, my little alley cat." I smile down at him, watching as his brows scrunch up in the most adorably confused face. I let out a small laugh, "It's true, you remind me of an alley cat, always coming home with a few scratches from a fight, you always need feeding and you practically purr at the slightest touch," I make my point my massaging his scalp, and I swear his eyes roll back as he buries further into me, groaning at the feeling, "it's okay though, I won't let you fend for yourself all the time." 

Leon huffs a laugh, voice softening as he tickles me. "I guess I'm in good hands then." 

I nod, noticing how he's already falling asleep. "You're home, that's more than good." I whisper, letting the rainfall outside and the sound of Leon's breathing evening out lull my anxieties until they're completely gone, and my boyfriend's sound asleep right where he belongs.