Chapter Three

Sit pretty, Kitty

It would have been weird to just go off with a stranger without thinking twice. It was only reasonable for Emmett to ask the stranger out for coffee before being confined in a small space with him for days on end. It was reasonable to get to know him first. 

Hell yeah! You have a place in mind? I’ll pick you up :) -ROADTRIPBUDDY

His response was almost instantaneous and contained a certain amount of charm. Even Emmett couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at it. Any fear he may have that this guy was some psycho murderer was out the window- this dude texted like a tween girl. 

Yeah. There's this coffee place I like. Do you like cats?

Emmett winced as he pressed send. Did he text like someone that has no clue how to interact with other humans? 

Lol does THIS answer your question?

-ROADTRIPBUDDY

It takes a few moments before Emmett gets another text
/ᐠ-ᆽ-ᐟ !!!

-ROADTRIPBUDDY

“Pfff-” Emmett couldnt help but snicker. This guy was grade A goofy. 

Lol- did you have to google to find that?

Send.

Are you bullying me Mr.serious?

-ROADTRIPBUDDY

“Ah-” Emmet gulped. This was getting…odd. 

No.

Short, simple and send.

The last thing Emmett needed right now was complications. 

A few moments fly past before Emmett’s phone buzzes. 

Welllllllllll how’s tomorrow morning sound?

-ROADTRIPBUDDY

At least he hadn’t made things too awkward.

Sounds good.

And with that, he presses send.

★

Emmett woke up with his stomach in knots. God, it’d been a while since he’d been so damn anxious. 

It’s just my nerves. He inhales deeply, holding it in a moment. Just breathe. He exhales slowly.

It doesn't take long for Emmett to get dressed at all. And by ‘it didn't take long’- it actually took Emmett seventeen minutes to finally decide on an outfit.

He settled on a blue and black striped long sleeve underneath a navy blue graphic tee depicting a kraken like creature with illegible graffiti style writing below it. He threw on dark washed ripped jeans and black and white vans to top it all off. 

Be there in five :) 

-ROADTRIPBUDDY

The twisting feeling in Emmett’s gut worsened. This was terrifying. Why did he agree to this? It was his idea wasn’t it? In fact, Emmett was the only reason for this little predicament he was in.

His brain was just spiraling on. If it kept up, it wouldn't take long before he thought about-

Bzzzt.

I’m here

-ROADTRIPBUDDY

Oh shit. 

Emmett pats Mufasa who is looking especially pathetic today before leaving.

When he opens the front door he immediately locks eyes on Dawson.

He’s standing tall in front of Emmett, his shoulder length hair pulled up into a loose ponytail. He greets Emmett with a wide friendly smile, and god, his dimples. It truly wasn't fair for one man to be so perfect. He’s wearing a brown tight fitting crop that in bedazzled letters reads ‘Save a horse, Ride a cowboy’ and loose fitting jeans.

“Howdy.”

His voice is deep, and the southern twang to his words is so…

Emmett shifts a bit awkwardly before nodding his head low. “Uh- yeah. Hey.”

“I thought I should get to meet this dog. ‘Specially ‘cause we’ll be traveling together and all.” Was it weird to say his voice reminded Emmett of maple. Strong and syrupy and sweet. Was that weird?

“Oh, uh yeah. Uh… C’mon in.”

Emmett awkwardly waved him in. Dawson took little time following suit. 

Mufasa rushed towards the stranger, huffing Dawson’s jeans like his life depended on it. A low chuckle slipped from Dawson’s lips as he crouched low enough to pet Mufasa. Mufasa leaned into Dawson- nearly knocking him over.

“Good boy.” 

Dawson’s voice was low as he scratched behind Mufasa’s ear. 

Huh.

Mr.Southern Hospitality himself looked up at Emmett with his ocean eyes. “Great dog you’ve got here.”

Emmett couldn't help but smile at that. He crouched down beside Dawson and patted the pittie. “I know.”

“Oh my- Do my eyes deceive me?” Dawson gasps dramatically. “Is that… A smile?” His teeth are pearly white as he grins wide. Emmett rolls his eyes, hard. “You should get your eyes checked.” He couldn't hide the slight upturn to his lips, or the subtle warmth to his voice. “Hah!” Dawson nudged Emmett a bit before finally standing up. “I didn't realize you were such a joker.” His laugh filled the room, hearty and strong.

Emmett gives Mufasa a few more pats before standing up, dusting off the stray fur that had clung to his clothing.

“I’m not.” Emmett grumbled out- he really wasn't much for joking and teasing. Especially with a man he had just met a few nights ago. “Sure,” How could someone’s smile be so bright? “Anyhoo- we have a cafe to go to don’t we?”

“Oh uh, yeah.” Emmett nods slowly. “Let’s go.”

They leave and step into Dawson’s worn down truck. 

“So, where we headed?”

Dawson glances over to Emmett. His eyes are so bright and clear in the daylight. 

“Oh shit- yeah. Here let me put the address in my phone. One sec.” Quickly, Emmett typed the address into his maps and Dawson chuckled.

Emmett quickly peaked up at him from his phone, lips upturned slightly. “You laugh a lot.” He stated, hoping that it didn't come off as an insult. Dawson just blinked through long blonde lashes before huffing a laugh. “Do I?” 

Emmett simply nods before sinking into his seat a bit. He felt so confined. 

Dawson began driving, humming to himself. For someone who’s father just died he seemed awfully put together. He still made an effort to smile and be friendly and even go out. He seemed so strong. 

They arrived at The Sitting Pretty Kitty cat cafe after eleven minutes of idle chit chat and blaring country music. 

“Oh my god-”

The pure delight and awe on Dawson’s face as they entered the cafe was priceless. He was practically grinning ear to ear and his eyes were practically sparkling as he laid eyes on the plethora of cats and kittens before them.

“Welcome to The Sitting Pretty Kitty Cat Cafe! Do you have a reservation?”

A young woman stood before them behind the counter. Her hair was chopped into a short black bob with accents of fuchsia. She flashes a small friendly smile.

“Yeah. Should be under Emmett.” he nodded cooly at the woman as she searched her computer for a moment before looking back up.

“Awesome! Alrighty! You both get an hour to cuddle the kitty-cats and you each get a drink on the house! Have an a-meow-some time!”

The woman leads them into a large open room. It’s pink with many sitting-pillows scattered throughout the floor. There's a lush supply of cat toys ranging from little feather type toys and fake mice. 

There is an insane amount of cats- there had to be at least twenty.

Dawson lets out an instinctive squeal before looking at Emmett, pointing at an older grey cat that had just brushed past his leg. “I think I can die happy.” 

“Pff-” Emmett leans down to pick up the grey cat, coddling it. “I think you’re being a tad bit overdramatic.” Dawson laughs a bit and strokes the old cat’s fur. “Nope. I’m not being dramatic enough.” He jests, nudging Emmett playfully.

He tenses a bit at the sudden contact. Exhaling a slow breath before feigning a small smile. 

“We should take a seat.” Dawson nods- not seeming to notice Emmett’s little moment of unease. 

They sit on two cute little cat shaped pillows next to a large bay window. A few cats are resting on it, soaking up the sunlight. 

It doesn't take long for a few cats to surround them.

“Lookit that one!” Dawson practically squeals. He holds up a grey tabby kitten with extra toes on his left paw. 

“He’s polydactyl.”

Dawson looks up at Emmett- almost like he’s impressed. “You know what a polydactyl is?” He beams. “Uh, yeah. Had one growing up.” Emmett looks down at the kitten, scratching its chin as it purrs.

“Awe, that's so cute.” 

Before long the woman comes back with their drinks. Pink strawberry shortcake frappe with pink and yellow sprinkles with house made whip to top it all off in one hand, and hazelnut oat milk latte with light ice in the second.

“Here you gentleman go.” She smiles and it almost feels genuine. She hands the latte to Dawson and the frappe to Emmett before nodding at them and heading out.

Dawson glances up at Emmett sipping the pink drink before erupting in laughter. Heat crept up Emmett- he knew he shouldn't have ordered such a cutesy drink. It didn’t suit him.

“You drink like a fucking hamster. Why do you hold your drink with both hands?” His voice didn’t hold any judgment. No, he spoke with so much half-hearted humor that Emmett started to think that maybe that he had two settings, and joking was one of them. Emmett continued to sip his drink, two hands wrapped around it as he held it a little too close to his face. 

“Ha ha.” He laughs sarcastically, but it started to sound a little like a genuine laugh near the end.

Dawson smiles, before letting it falter. He looks down at his drink awkwardly. “You can still say no- if you want.” Emmett simply blinked and before he could get a word in, Dawson looked back up, not exactly at Emmett. More passed him.

“I know how weird this is. And well- you were drunk when you offered. I wont be mad or anything.” His voice rushed out, like his confidence was dwindling and he needed to finish speaking before it dissipated. 

“Oh.” Emmett shifts awkwardly, running and hand through his locks before shaking his head slowly. “Nah, uh, I…uh…” He trails, not quite sure what to say. “It might be good for me too. To leave.” His voice came out slow, deliberate even. 

“Ha.” Dawson let out a deep breath before smiling. “Cool.” This might really be mutually beneficial. It seemed as if they needed to clear their heads and what was a better way of that than a road trip with a stranger to a funeral.

★

That went… surprisingly well.

Emmett didn't expect to enjoy it as much as he had. Maybe it was the influence of the adorable cats or maybe Dawson was genuinely someone Emmett might be able to get along with. Not that he wanted to. Or should, for that matter. 

This felt dangerous. Emmett knew very well that it was. He could feel something that he buried deep inside trying to make an appearance. He’d work so hard burying it all these years, he wished it would just rot and die. He hated it, he was scared of it. Of himself.

Immediately when Emmett arrived home he threw himself on his bed, Mufasa following suit. He places his massive dome of a head on Emmett’s stomach, letting out a loud huff.

“Ha, hey boy.” His voice was quiet as he absent-mindedly pets Mufasa. 

Even with Mufasa his bed felt so empty.

There was Maddie shaped void, one that ached like a lingering bruise. The hurting didn't stop.

The last time he’d seen her smile was a month before the break up. They were sitting in his apartment, sitting on his couch playing some random co-op game he’d got on sale. It was so bad and broken they couldn't help but giggle.

“I swear I pressed B like thirty times!” She tossed her hands up. “This is rigged!” She frowned. Even when she frowned she was somehow the most beautiful thing Emmett had ever witnessed. He’d smile at her, laughing. “Sure it is.” He chuckled. She shot him a glare before smiling and returning to the game. 

It’s hard to believe she’d left after all this time. 

His chest ached, why did sadness have to take such a physical toll on him? His gut twisted as if someone dug a blade in it and twisted. 

No. He removed his glasses with one hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes closing tightly. We aren’t going to do this…

He grabbed his speaker and played music loud enough to drown out his anxieties.