Chapter Text
The rain was coming down in sheets, cascading off the roof of the antique shop below and pooling on the cobblestone street. The sound of it was a steady rhythm that should’ve been soothing, but Bible’s mind refused to settle. He sat at his desk, fingers poised over the keyboard of his battered laptop, the screen blank save for the blinking cursor.
Grey, his tabby cat, perched on the windowsill, his green eyes fixed on the storm outside. Every so often, his tail flicked in annoyance, as if the weather offended him. Bible leaned back in his chair with a sigh, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
“You and me both, buddy,” he muttered. “This storm’s got us trapped.”
Grey turned to look at him, blinking slowly in that cat-like way that always seemed both dismissive and affectionate.
The novel Bible had promised himself he’d finish months ago remained a jumble of fragmented ideas and half-written sentences. His thoughts were a tangled mess, much like his life had been since he’d moved to this sleepy seaside town six months ago.
The move had been impulsive, an escape, really. After Tasha, after the countless nights of waiting for her texts or calls that never came, he needed somewhere quiet. Somewhere he could breathe. The town, with its colorful houses and winding streets, had seemed like the perfect place to disappear. And it had been, for a while.
Except now he was stuck. Stuck in his writing, stuck in his solitude, stuck in his head.
Grey jumped down from the windowsill, his paws making soft thuds on the wooden floor. He padded over to Bible’s feet, looking up at him expectantly.
“What?” Bible asked. “You’re not hungry again, are you?”
The cat meowed in response, though Bible wasn’t sure if it was an affirmation or a demand.
With a sigh, Bible pushed back his chair and stood. He walked to the kitchen, Grey trotting behind him, his tail held high. Pulling open the cabinet, Bible reached for the bag of cat food.
The bag was light. Too light.
“Great,” Bible muttered. “We’re out. Guess you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
Grey let out a loud, disapproving yowl, and Bible rolled his eyes. “I’ll add it to the list, okay? You’re not going to starve.”
Grey didn’t seem convinced. He sat by the door, his ears flicking toward the sound of the rain.
As Bible turned back toward his desk, Grey suddenly bolted for the door. In one swift, practiced motion, he pawed at the door handle and pushed it open, darting out into the hallway before Bible could stop him.
“Grey!” Bible shouted, scrambling after him.
By the time Bible reached the hallway, the cat was already halfway down the stairs. Bible’s socks slipped on the polished wood as he hurried after him, cursing under his breath.
“Grey, get back here!”
But Grey was gone, his striped tail disappearing through the crack of an open window in the stairwell. Bible groaned, running a hand down his face. Of course, the cat had escaped during a storm.
Pulling on a jacket and shoving his feet into his sneakers, Bible rushed out into the rain. The cold droplets soaked through his clothes almost instantly, but he didn’t care.
“Grey!” he called, his voice barely audible over the downpour.
The streets were empty, the shops closed and their windows dark. He scanned the cobblestones, looking for any sign of his mischievous cat. His search took him around the corner, past the lighthouse, and down to the waterfront. Still, no sign of Grey.
Frustration mounted in his chest. “Stupid cat,” he muttered.
As he turned to head back, Bible caught a glimpse of light spilling from the porch of the building next door, Jes’s studio.
Jes.
Bible didn’t know much about him, other than that he was an artist and their neighbor. Jes’s easy charm and loud personality were everything Bible avoided. He seemed to be the kind of guy who thrived on chaos, a stark contrast to Bible’s quiet routine.
But as Bible approached, he saw Jes sitting on the porch steps, his paint-stained sweatshirt damp from the rain. In his lap, curled up like royalty, was Grey.
Bible stopped short, relief flooding through him, quickly followed by irritation.
“Really?” Bible said, crossing his arms.
Jes looked up, his face lighting up with a crooked grin. “Hey, Bible. Looks like your cat prefers my place to yours.”
Grey didn’t even stir at the sound of Bible’s voice. The traitor.
“Grey!” Bible called, but the cat remained stubbornly nestled in Jes’s lap, his purring audible even over the rain.
Jes chuckled. “Don’t think he’s leaving anytime soon. He’s been here for, like, an hour.”
Bible sighed, running a hand through his wet hair. “Sorry. He’s a pain sometimes.”
Jes shrugged. “I don’t mind. He’s good company.”
Bible hesitated, unsure what to say. He wasn’t used to casual conversations, especially with someone like Jes—someone who exuded confidence and ease.
Jes tilted his head, studying Bible. “You look like you could use a break. Want to sit for a bit?”
Bible shook his head. “I should get him home.”
Jes smirked. “Good luck with that. He’s not moving unless he wants to.”
It was true, and Bible knew it. With a reluctant sigh, he sat on the edge of the porch, keeping a safe distance.
Jes leaned back, his arms resting on the steps behind him. “So, what’s got you out in the rain tonight? Aside from chasing this guy.” He nodded toward Grey.
Bible shrugged. “Just…needed some air.”
Jes didn’t press, which surprised him. Instead, he reached down, scratching Grey behind the ears. “You know, he started coming over here after you moved in. Guess he misses you when you’re busy.”
The words hit Bible harder than they should have. He looked away, pretending to watch the rain. “Yeah, well, he’s got a funny way of showing it.”
Jes laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Cats, man. They’re weird.”
For a moment, they sat in silence, the rain a steady backdrop to the unspoken tension between them.
“Thanks for keeping an eye on him,” Bible said finally, standing. “I’ll take him now.”
Jes carefully lifted Grey, who gave a disgruntled meow, and handed him over. Their hands brushed briefly, and Bible pulled back quickly, clutching the cat to his chest.
“See you around,” Jes said, his grin softening.
Bible nodded, turning toward home. As he climbed the stairs to his apartment, Grey squirmed in his arms, letting out an indignant huff.
“Don’t give me that,” Bible muttered. “You’re lucky he found you.”
Grey didn’t respond, of course. But as Bible shut the door behind him, he couldn’t shake the image of Jes’s smile or the warmth of his voice lingering in the rain.