standing outside my house? Come to think of it, how do you know where I live?”
Robin shivered, not entirely the result of the cold night air.
“I think you’d better answer that question in here,” Mr. Quentin said quickly. “It’s freezing out there. Come on in, and I’ll make us a hot drink. You can leave your bike out here. It’ll be safe.” He smiled. “I have good neighbors.”
Robin wheeled his bike up to the house, and leaned it against the exterior. His heart pounding, he walked over to the door, pausing at the threshold.
What the fuck am I doing here?
It was way too late for that.
Mr. Quentin stood aside and gestured for Robin to enter. As he stepped into the warm hallway, Robin sent up a brief prayer.
Please don’t let him kick my butt.
Chapter Five
Robin walked into the hallway, and before Dean could ask him not to track snow into the house, he stomped his boots on the mat, toed them off, and left them by the door.
Someone’s house-trained.
Lady strolled out of the living room, obviously to investigate, and Robin let out a low cry of delight.
“What a gorgeous kitty! What’s his name?” He crouched beside her, and that was all the invitation Lady required. She brushed against his ankles, winding in and out of them.
Dean smirked. “Lady.”
Robin bit his lip, and Dean was overwhelmed by how freaking adorable he looked. “Oops.” He stroked along Lady’s back, and she turned around to butt his hand with her head. “She’s beautiful. How old is she?”
“Eight. She was a rescue.”
Robin stared at him, aghast. “Seriously? She’s adorable. How could anyone not want her? Can I pick her up?”
Dean laughed. “Do that and she’ll love you forever.” Robin scooped the cat into his arms and snuggled her. You have to like someone who loves cats. “I promised you a hot drink. Go into the living room there on the right, and sit by the fire. Though I warn you, there’s a little furry bundle of mischief in there by the name of Loki, and he will talk to you. A lot.”
Lady nuzzled Robin’s neck, and he chuckled. “That tickles. You gonna come with me and sit by the fire, pretty girl?” He went into the living room, and Loki’s loud meow sounded almost immediately.
Dean headed for the kitchen, puzzled. What is he doing here? Robin’s sudden appearance wasn’t an unpleasant surprise, but Dean was intrigued. He poured milk into a pan, set it on the heat, and retrieved the hot chocolate mix from the cabinet. Robin’s laughter came from the living room, and Dean figured Loki was entertaining him. The only visitors to the house were his Sunday guests, so he wasn’t about to complain. Seeing Robin again at the boatyard had recalled pleasant memories. The efficient way he’d gotten on with his tasks made Dean sorry he’d never had the opportunity to teach him.
Robin was certainly nothing like his twin, who Dean had been… lucky enough to teach for a year. One very long year.
Once the hot chocolate was ready, he carried the two mugs into the living room. Robin had removed his hat. He was on his knees on the rug in front of the fire, holding up a soft furry mouse on the piece of elastic, and Loki was leaping into the air to try and grab it with his paws.
“He loves that one,” Dean told him. Robin’s coat was on the arm of the sofa, and Dean took it. “I’ll hang this up in the hall. It wouldn’t be safe to leave it anywhere near Loki’s claws.” He went into the hallway, loving the way Robin laughed at Loki’s antics. It was such a bright, happy sound.
Dean walked back into the room, heading for the bookcase. “Watch this.” He grabbed the talking hamster from a shelf, flicked its switch, and set it down on the floor. Loki’s reaction was instantaneous. He scurried away from it like he always did, then approached it with a kind of hopping–bouncing motion, almost as though he was launching a sneak attack. He batted at it with his paw, only to bounce away again a second later. Then he bounced back with yet more bats of his paw.
“He’s so cute.” Robin seemed mesmerized by Loki. Lady sat beside him, paws tucked under her chest, watching the kitten with obvious disdain.
“I didn’t think so when I got home this afternoon. The little bastard had destroyed half the bathroom.” He handed Robin a mug. Robin took