Work Text:
Cisco was surprised when he checked his email and there was a email from Hartley, specifically for him, at first he thought is was going to be a scolding email. He was surprised to be greeted by a picture of four adorable kittens, Hartley's email read, "I heard you were looking into adopting a kitten, I found these kittens, would you like one?" Cisco got excited, the kittens were so adorable and had such soft looking fur. He scanned the pictures and his eyes landed on jet black kitten, even it's nose and paws were black. It's had the sweetest looking eyes. He quickly looked around for Hartley, he was no where in sight. He emailed Hartley back, "I am interested in one of the kittens!!! Please get back to me soon!!!" And get back soon Hartley did, Cisco refreshed the page and a reply was there, he opened and he got a creepy email, "Look behind you." Cisco jumped and turned around.
"So your interested in the black cat?"
"Don't do that! You scared the life out of me!"
"Not my fault your unobservent, anyway works almost over. Want to meet the cats and dogs? I know this is on short notice."
"Sure I got nothing to; how far away is your house? I walk to work."
"I have car, I do live a bit fat away. I'll just drive you home after you meet the kitten." Cisco thought the offer was nice, Hartley's never driven anyone in his car he says he doesn't like anyone in his 'personal area' meaning within five feet of him. They walked to the parking garage in silence and Hartley unlocked his car, Cisco got in the passenger seat while Hartley got in the driver's seat. The car was a decent car, a light blue car with brown leather seats. It was pristine and not one thing out of place. Cisco turned to Hartley as they pulled out of the garage,
"So how did you get the kittens?"
"I found them, after work I went to get lunch and I heard meowing from the alleyway and there they were. I took them, I've never had pets, I don't really know how to care for them."
"Baby animals are hard to care for, I'm sure you did a fine job so far." Pulling into the drive way, lucky to get one in a city, Cisco could see the house was decent sized, about the same as Joe's. Hartley unlocked the door and they were both greeted by little high pitched meows. The little kittens scrambled on top of each other, there were four in total, he spotted the black on right away, getting trambled by her brothers and sisters. Cisco crouched down and started petting and letting the kittens sniff him.
"They haven't been eating, they look to young to be away from their mother too."
"Yeah they do look to young, I think I know why they aren't eating though."
"Really? How." Cisco pointed to the bowl of food, containing solid food, "They can't eat solid food yet when their this young."
"Oh... I didn't think it mattered. What do I give them then?"
"Hartley Rathaway accepting criticism! Have these kittens turned you soft?" Cisco laughed as Hartley turned red and sputtered out an excuse about the kittens well being.
"Why don't we go walk down to the corner store and get some food, I don't want them starving..."
"Sure, and I can grab some kitten supplies for my new family member!" Cisco cuddled the little kitten closer as her siblings used him as a climbing post, their little sharp claws digging into his skin (they are to cute to stop). Hartley offered a hand to help Cisco up, surprisingly, and Cisco took it. Once he was up Hartley didn't let go at first, Cisco noticed how cold his hands were and how they were calloused from hours of building the accelerator. Hartley seemed reluctant to let go at first, but released Cisco's hands. Cisco tried to make eye contact, but Hartley avoided his eyes. The walk was bit awkward, Cisco wanted to ask about the hand thing, but didn't know how to approach such a touchy topic of why Hartley was being so nice and sweet to him and being reluctant to let go of his hands. They picked up the proper food and Cisco got most of the supplies he would he, he could go in depth shopping on his day off. The sun was beginning to set and soon it would be night, "It's getting late..." Cisco kinda didn't want the night to end, he was enjoying his company.
"It's dinner time, uhhh, are you hungry?" Hartley fidgeted with his hands and the can of cat food.
"I am hungry, I see a small restaurant up ahead, we can grab something to eat, if your okay with it." Yeah Cisco told himself be bold! They stopped at the place, a Thai restaurant, and ordered some food to go. Cisco couldn't place his feelings, yeah maybe Hartley has been less dick headed the past few months and his teasing has felt a but more like flirting, but should Cisco really be sure Hartley secretly wasn't about to lure him to his death? Kittens are a good lure for him, he likes dogs too, but cats are a bit better. Well a little to late now, he was having a good time, and a flustered and shy Hartley was as cute as a kitten right now. The arrived back at Hartley's place and Cisco picked a movie and sat on the couch, kitten in lap. Hartley sat down too, suspiciously close, with the other kittens snoozing in his lap. They ate and learned more about each other, Cisco learned of Hartley's adorable obsession with rats and Hartley got to hear Cisco ramble about the debate between which is better: Star Trek or Star Wars. Ciscos eye lids got heavy and was about to turn to tell Hartley, if he wasn't to tired, that he should be getting home. Hartley's head fell on Cisco's shoulder. With kittens in his lap and a belly full of good food, his sleep deprived brain figured this was a perfect place to sleep.