Nico was in the kitchen making two cups of tea. Jamie leaned against the counter, looking exhausted but strangely steady. Usually, by this time, Jamie would have three different playlists fighting for dominance or be halfway through a dramatic, hand-waving retelling of his trip to the grocery store. Today, the usual chaotic energy was dialed down to a low, contemplative hum.

"Feeling better today?" Nico asked, sliding a mug across the countertop. Jamie managed a small, tired smile. It wasn't the blinding, thousand-watt grin he usually reserved for selfies, but it wasn’t broken, either.

"I will be," Jamie said, wrapping his hands around the steaming ceramic. "Hot tea? In this heat? You're weird." Jamie took a tentative sip. "Anyway, work is going great, at least. And..." He hesitated, his finger tracing the rim of the mug in a slow circle. "I found a small studio flat, with a cute balcony. I want to move in a couple of days."

It was sudden, sure, but Nico knew deep down Jamie was never meant to be a permanent fixture. He was a hurricane that had happened to stall over Nico's life for a while. A very loud, messy, charismatic hurricane. Now that the storm was passing, he had actually gotten used to the chaos. He had actually started liking it.

"We'll help you move," Nico said, keeping his voice light, refusing to let the melancholy land. "I'll call Yani and Romy. Yani's only job will be to order the 'we-give-up' dinner for when we inevitably fail to mount your sofa or something."

Jamie laughed, a genuine sound that eased the tension in Nico’s shoulders. "Deal."

***

If Jamie leaving was a slow, dull ache, the animal shelter was usually the distraction Nico needed. It was hard to dwell on your roommate abandoning you when you were being actively judged by a dozen cats.

Nico and Ben were in the catio, moving with an easy, comfortable synchronicity. Nico sprayed the window and wiped it down, the rubber squeegee cutting through the quiet with a sharp skree-skree. A few steps away, the kibble rattled into metal bowls as Ben topped them off.

"You missed a spot," Ben murmured, stepping around a sleeping tabby who refused to move for anyone less than the president, to get to the next bowl.

Nico paused, scanning the glass with feigned offense. "No, I didn't. This is pristine." He fought back a laugh, turning to look at Ben. "You're inventing things to talk about because you're obsessed with me."

"Maybe?" Ben didn't even look up, but the corner of his mouth twitched. He walked past Nico to get to the sink, passing close enough that his arm brushed against Nico's shoulder. The soft heat of it lingered on Nico's skin even after Ben moved away.

Suddenly, a black blur launched itself at the glass. Prunya batted at the moving squeegee from the cat tree, her claws making a tiny tink-tink against the pane.

"Prunya, you're not helping," Nico told her affectionately. She gave him a slow blink, and began aggressively grooming her paw.

Just then, Chloe walked in through the door of the catio. She was followed closely by a woman and a girl who was likely her daughter, around eight years old. They looked like they had stepped out of a catalog for wholesome suburban living. Chloe looked happy, which was standard for her, but there was a wistful edge to it today.

"Well, guys," she began, her voice a little too bright. "It's official. Prunya is getting adopted today."

Nico's hand froze mid-wipe. The squeegee stopped with a sharp squeak against the glass. "Oh," Nico said. The word fell out of his mouth. He forced the corners of his mouth up into a shape that resembled a smile. "Wow. That's... that's great."

It was great. It was literally the goal. It was the entire point of their volunteer work. So why did it feel like someone had just kicked him in the stomach?

Chloe gestured across the room. The little girl was kneeling in front of Prunya, who was gently sniffing the girl's outstretched hand.

"They're a lovely family," Chloe continued. "Big house. It's the perfect home for her."

Ben had stopped filling the bowls. He was watching Nico's face closely, his expression unreadable but his eyes soft. "She deserves it," he said, his voice quiet.

They stood there, a silent trio, watching as Prunya rubbed her head against the little girl's fingers. A deep, rumbly purr started up. The girl giggled, her face lighting up with joy.

It was a perfect match. It was exactly what they worked for.

Twenty minutes later, the paperwork was signed. It was happening. The mother and daughter were at the front desk, while Prunya was already secured in a carrier, looking confused through the grate.

"We're going to call you Jade," the little girl whispered to the carrier, peering through the holes.

Nico and Ben knelt down for one last goodbye. Nico's chest tightened, compressed by a giant, invisible hand. He kept the smile plastered on his face, a brittle mask of forced cheerfulness. He poked a finger through the grate. Prunya's wet nose bumped against it.

"You be good, you hear me?" Nico whispered, his voice trembling a little, betraying him. "You let them spoil you. And don't scratch the furniture unless they deserve it."

A loud and desperate thought in his own head: Please don't forget me.

Ben knelt beside him, his shoulder pressing solidly against Nico's. The steady, grounding weight of his presence was the only thing holding Nico together.

Then, it was over. The family picked up the carrier. The little girl gave them one last happy wave. "Bye! Thank you!"

The bell on the door jingled again with a cheerful, tinny sound, almost mocking in the sudden quiet that swallowed the shelter. And then they were gone.

Nico stared at the empty space where the carrier had been, the silence pressing in on him. His shoulders started to shake. Don't cry, he commanded himself. Do not cry in front of Ben and Chloe.

But the dam had broken. A choked sob escaped his throat, a jagged, ugly sound that startled him. He quickly turned away, bringing his hands up to cover his face as the tears spilled over, hot and fast. He wanted to shrink into the floor.

Ben stepped in from behind, wrapping his arms firmly around Nico's chest. He pulled him back against his solid frame, resting his chin on Nico's shoulder. He held him tight, absorbing the tremors in Nico's body.

"I've got you," Ben murmured into his ear, his voice low and steady, rumbling against Nico's back. "It's okay."

Nico leaned into the embrace, letting the warmth of Ben's chest seep into the cold, empty space Prunya had left behind.