Chapter Text
Though the work didn't pay much, Steve had called the number on the ad he picked up, back in the gymnasium. It was an old man who posted it, searching for any kind soul that might have been able to help him with repairing his roof. It wasn't an easy task, being tiring and most of all nerve-wracking, and Steve wouldn't definitely finish the job, having no proper experience with workmanship than the one his dad provided him with. But he knew his way around a hammer and some nails, and so, he quickly did his part.
He was glad his dad taught him something useful; that, along with how to repair cars too. If the man did one thing right in his life, it was at least teaching helpful skills to his son. The rest went wrong, but Steve couldn't blame him much.
Needing money and trying to entertain himself so as to not rot in his empty doorway all day, Steve went through such jobs multiple times; he even brought Robin sometimes, knowing her to be quite attracted to procrastination. They bonded even more.
And surprisingly, they talked. About Steve and his personal problems, but also Robin's love life which he was far too interested in. It felt like watching a movie, waiting impatiently for a sequel; since he saw both girls in the gymnasium, he couldn't wait about hearing the rest of it all. There were good and bad times, ups and downs, but Steve was here to reassure her and help her go through things, one at a time. It was sweet, to see her head over heels over her bandmate, and Steve couldn't be happier for her.
He got to spend time with the kids too, dropping by to look after them for an afternoon or simply to say hello. He was glad to see them all smiling again and enjoying life over a table, playing their complicated board game.
He truly missed Dustin's smile.
He also spent time in the forest near the trailer park, visiting Eddie's handmade grave. It felt safe, and it was quiet; the perfect place to ramble about everything and nothing at the same time, instead of doing it alone in his room. Only now, he had someone to listen.
He felt as if it was only natural to continue and visit the tombstone, keeping track of the days while updating the dead, if he could even hear him. It was also as to pay his respect and forever remember how he will stay thankful to Eddie Munson for the rest of his life.
But today, Steve was on his own. He finished his job and had no plans to go somewhere or meet someone. He was alone, and it was something that didn't happen often, at least after the events related to Vecna took place. Loneliness was not a thing he enjoyed unless he very much craved for it, but he didn't seem to mind it as of today. It was a peaceful, lone day, not an unwelcomed one.
He walked through the city, his home not being far enough to use his car. It was slightly windy, but Steve didn't mind, running his hand through his hair each step he made as to keep it off his face. On his way, he passed a few shops, some of them still open after the earthquake, smiling discreetly at the sight. No matter what happened, there were still people who wished their life to remain the same. Steve wished he had the same determination.
Not that he would like to work at Family Video for the rest of his life though.
His pace was quick and steady, his mind focused on his beloved bed he wanted to rejoin; he didn't leave any time for whatever distraction, until he came across a familiar back alley, if he had to recall. Memories flood back, unpleasant ones, and the only thing that got him away from them was the distant meowing he could hear, muffled by the other sounds of the town, if there were any left.
A glimpse of Nancy's hurt expression appeared before him, next to Jonathan's, accompanied by the ugly laughs of his ex-friends. The iron taste of cruor in his mouth was something he remembered too, along with a soft rub on his right calf-
The last part wasn't right.
Looking down, next to his leg was a cat. A beautiful, long-haired black cat, with a few patches of white hair next to its ears and chest, as well as profound hazel eyes. Steve took a step back, confused as to when it approached him, but mostly overall surprised; he never had luck with animals as they tend to avoid him and bark or hiss when his near. He seemed to scare them away, for an unknown reason.
But this cat wasn't afraid. It remained near him, near his leg, looking for any form of attention possible, laying its beady eyes on Steve and simply waiting. He met his gaze and hold onto it, until the cat meowed again. This situation was surely weird, but Steve crouched anyway, being now on the same level as the animal. Then, he hesitantly spread his hand to reach the cat's head, slowly and cautiously so as to not frighten it.
Again, it was not fearful; it waited for Steve's touch.
He was now petting it, careful in every one of his moves; after a few seconds passed, he became more relaxed, smiling to himself. It was nice. He always liked animals, albeit they didn't like him, except this one apparently.
Making sure no one saw him or heard him, Steve leaned a bit forward.
" Hey, what's your name little guy? " He asked, looking for a nonexistent collar. It couldn't possibly be a wild cat he thought, looking too nice and clean.
The cat simply leaned into his touch, closing its eyes in satisfaction and with a low purr. Obviously, it couldn't answer him, so he looked around for any clues. All he was met with was an empty, dirty back alley.
Slowly getting up, Steve kept looking around for something he wasn't quite sure of. An owner? Anyone that could help him? An idea of what to do with the stray cat perhaps, but he was stopped in his movements by the cat itself, quite literally jumping on him, aiming for his shoulder. Panicked, Steve remained immobile, until he felt himself and the cat steady enough to straighten up.
" Okay. " He took a breath, mindful of the weight on his upper back. " What the fuck just happened. "
The cat was simply there, gripping at his sweater like a child and Steve put his hands on it to secure it. Now, if he knew better, this definitely was an odd circumstance. Cats weren't that affectionate, especially with strangers. Confused and incredulously lost, he started walking away from the alley. He could feel the warmth and the softness of its fur, which was something he was not used to; his beige sweater was not beige anymore.
His first thought was to find someone who might recognize the cat. So he went through the nearby shops, and asked all the people he could; but no one knew it or claimed it. The animal was very calm, and seemed thankfully at ease on his shoulder. He could get used to it, but reminded himself that it was someone's animal; so, he had to return it. Its owner might be worried sick right now.
Exploring the city only tired him out, still not finding anything. He received some odd, gentle states and sometimes even smiles from the very few people he saw on the streets; but the cat remained homeless. Steve sighed.
His second thought was that the cat was abandoned. It was a fair theory, knowing how many families moved out of Hawkins. However cruel it was, it was a possibility; they could have simply left the animal behind. It would also explain its neat appearance.
During his walk, he kept petting it reassuringly, caressing its fur gently. It was an appeasing sensation he thought, the cat seemingly not minding at all. In fact, it loved it. This cat loved physical attention as much as Steve did.
His third thought was to go to a police station and report the animal. They were more qualified than him to know what to do; perhaps they had solutions as to how to find its owner. But then, the fourth thought came in, and Steve was exhausted enough to quickly forget the one before.
He could just adopt it. At least, for a little bit. He had no energy to walk all the way to the station, his house being close to where he stood. Maybe he could take care of it, as selfish as it was of him, and then go to the police to continue his research.
He won't have to grow emotionally attached to it because he already was, which was not a good thing technically, but he was pretty sure it was a willingly forsaken cat anyway. Its old family must have taken the collar off of it before leaving, so that they could remain untraceable. Maybe it didn't even have a collar in the first place. So, in conclusion, he could take it with him.
It's not like his parents would mind; they were never home. A little fur on the couch wouldn't hurt anyone.
Sticking to his idea, Steve made his way to his home. Before opening his front door, keys ready to be drawn out of his pocket, he took the cat in his arms only to put it down on the ground afterward. The animal seemed confused, responding with what Steve thought was a sad meow. He was already so fond of it. God dammit.
" Okay listen to me kitty, " He put his keys into his right hand, looking down at the cat. " here's your chance to back up. "
He felt genuinely ridiculous talking to a cat like that, but thankfully his neighborhood was almost a desert. Maybe that teen passing by on his bike saw him, but he didn't care. It would be embarrassing only if it was someone that recognized him.
" It's either you go in with me, we continue looking for your owner, and you possibly have to stay with me for the rest of your little cat life... or, " He gestured to the wild. " you just go wherever you wanna' go, and you just do... whatever cats do. "
While gesturing, he noticed that the kid had slowed down to look at him. Okay, it was actually embarrassing.
The cat stepped forward only to sit between Steve's legs, facing the door and waiting for it to open. He took that as an answer, thrusting his keys into the door, and opening it wide for his new roommate. He was already so affectionate of it, smiling and not feeling anything else than pure bliss.
Steve was ahead of the animal, throwing a weird look at the teen before closing the door behind them both, taking his shoes off in the process. Noticing the animal's relentlessness as to step further inside, he got in front of it, crouched, and spread his hand before it once again to show that it was safe. The cat understood the message, exploring curiously the corners of his hallway.
Now that it was here, Steve noticed how he had no idea how to properly take care of it. He never had experience with animals, and only heard generally bad things from cats especially. But this one was different. Interesting, even. Oddly enough, they got along. The cat liked Steve, and Steve was attached to it.
Taking a peek into his living room, he found the animal rubbing its body on every piece of furniture possible, leaving a trail of fur behind it. This was surely going to be annoying, but Steve had the magical ability to get used to almost everything, as uncomfortable or weird it was.
The cat was cute; it was all that mattered.
So, doing the only thing he could do at the moment and considered, he grabbed the mural phone in his right hand, the other one dialing a number he knew way too well. There was one person that could help him with such matter; a person that had actual experience but also just general knowledge. And surely, his knowledge would extend to stray cats.
" Hey uh, Henderson? " Steve leaned against his wall, playing with the chord. " Good to hear you... Yeah, 'just wanted to ask something actually, " He paused, not knowing how to quite formulate his question. "Any tips on, uh, how to take care of a cat? "