Silence has come to be the safest and sweetest sound.
A subtle reminder that I am at peace, and everything connected to me is functioning and flowing as it should.
Solitude is about more than being selective or cultivating solace. In seasons of overwhelm, it has been my survival mechanism, shield, and a way to maintain my sanity.
It's my escape when I feel overwhelmed, unheard, misunderstood, or unable to manage.
It's the key that unlocks my creativity and opens my mind to greater perspectives, poetry, and the pieces of life that connect me to purpose.
It's a tool for revelation, giving me the opportunity to observe the behaviors and patterns of myself and others; one equipping me with wisdom.
Fic for my loveliest @sorcererinthestars ! Happy early birthday love!!
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/71552166
Summary: The apartment door bursts open with a gasp and water dripping everywhere. Hardison is panting, brushing water still soaking his face from the rain. Soaked bag of takeout in hand and arms bundling something in his jacket.
“Damnit Hardison,” Eliot grits, setting down his beer and moving right to him. Eyes methodically roaming over him as he helps him into the apartment. “What the hell happened?”
-
Then, a squeak comes from inside Hardison’s jacket. Parker and Eliot both freeze and slowly look back to Hardison, who at least has the decency to look sheepish.
“Don’t be mad-”
“Damnit Hardison! What the hell did you bring in here?”
In which the Leverage crew meets a kitten.
“Alec’s been out a while,” Parker’s voice rings just above a whisper across the room. The rain rings against the windows as the sun is dipping beneath the clouds, a quietness in the few moments they have between jobs. Parker perches on top of the couch, idly flipping between channels, as Eliot comes in from the kitchen, popping the top of a beer bottle off the granite countertop. Both feeling the absence of Hardison, even if he’s just grabbing their takeout from the place across the street.
Eliot’s brows furrow as he glances to the front door of their apartment. “How long has it been?”
“Twenty minutes,” Parker shrugs. “But it normally only takes him ten, our food is ready and it takes a maximum of five minutes to walk there,” Parker rattles off, eyes unfocused on the TV.
“Maybe he just got distracted with something stupid,” Eliot huffs, though pulls out his phone from his pocket. No messages.
“Maybe,” Parker murmurs, shifting where she sits. “Still… Maybe we should call him.”
Eliot sighs but Parker glances at him with those big, worried eyes and he can’t deny his own stomach twisting. This last job had a few close calls and it was probably stupid having Hardison go off alone at all, even for a moment. “Yeah, I can give him-”
The apartment door bursts open with a gasp and water dripping everywhere. Hardison is panting, brushing water still soaking his face from the rain. Soaked bag of takeout in hand and arms bundling something in his jacket.
“Damnit Hardison,” Eliot grits, setting down his beer and moving right to him. Eyes methodically roaming over him as he helps him into the apartment. “What the hell happened?”
“It’s raining like crazy, that’s what happened,” Hardison grumbles, shaking off. “And I got a bit distracted on my walk back.”
“Are you ok?” Parker says, jumping from the couch and moving to crowd him as well.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Hardison’s face melts, leaning over to kiss her head.
Then, a squeak comes from inside Hardison’s jacket. Parker and Eliot both freeze and slowly look back to Hardison, who at least has the decency to look sheepish.
“Don’t be mad-”
“Damnit Hardison! What the hell did you bring in here?”
“What is that?” Parker peels open the jacket to find a small, wet pair of eyes looking back at her. Another squeak comes as they both see a little head with furry ears and drooping whiskers curled in Hardison’s arms.
“I said don’t be mad!” Hardison huffs, finally taking the small kitten out. It shivers, water spaying over them, as it squirms in his hands.
“Why the fuck do you have a cat?” Eliot shakes his head.
“It was stuck in the rain! It’s cold outside and I couldn’t just leave it there! Look at it!”
Parker leans closer to it, blinking as her head cocks to the side. She slowly reaches a finger, gently poking its head. The kitten meows again, swatting at the finger. Parker giggles, poking at its paws as it swipes back.
“At least wash it before it gets fleas everywhere,” Eliot huffs. “Use the sink. I’ll get it a towel. Then, we take it to a shelter in the morning.”
Hardison grins and kisses Eliot’s head in thanks (not that he doubted for a second the cat wouldn’t be allowed) and they get to work washing the kitten up and feeding it scraps of whatever safe food they have in their fridge. Once the worst of the dirt and grime is off, they can see the kitten is mostly white, with gray patches across her ears and a few spots on her body. And fortunately uninjured though a little skinny. She seems to calm down as they take care of her, brushing up against them and playing.
Eventually the three of them end up on the couch, Hardison changing into non-soaked clothing, with the kitten having great fun with the strings of his hoodie. Parker chuckles, reaching to pet the kitten’s head.
“She is cute,” Parker hums. “But what do you do with a cat?”
“Play with it, feed it, love it,” Hardison chuckles and shrugs. “What you do with any pet I guess.”
“Never had a pet,” Parker hums. “Too much to look after. Though, one foster home had a dog. It just laid around all day though. Not very fun.”
“We’re not really in the life to be responsible for any pet right now,” Eliot sighs, though can’t help but reach over to scratch the kitten’s head too. “We’re on the move too much. We’re in too much risk.”
“I know,” Hardison says. “But, we can enjoy the kitten for tonight. Find her a good home tomorrow.”
“She deserves a good home,” Parker murmurs. “Someone to take good care of her.”
Hardison softens, reaching to pull Parker closer and kissing her head. “Of course. In fact, I think we know a few good clients of ours who might enjoy a new member of their family. How about the Smiths that just got a new home?”
Parker’s eyes light up. “I think that would work. The kids did talk about animals a lot.”
The kitten stretches and yawns, finished with the fun of strings. She glances to Eliot, giving a small squeak before moving from Hardison’s lap to his. She curls into a ball in Eliot’s lap, starting to purr as Eliot reaches down to brush across her back.
“Looks like she found her bed for the night,” Hardison teases.
“I’m gonna have to move eventually,” Eliot grumbles. “Why didn’t she sleep in your lap?”
“Because she knows where she’s safest,” Parker smiles.
Eliot blinks and then feels his face start to flush. Heart melting deep in his chest. “Well, maybe for a bit then,” he mumbles under his breath. “Then we bring her to the vet in the morning, get her checked out before we see where she can live.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Hardison nods. “She’ll be in good hands.”
Eliot nods, scratching between the cat’s ears as she closes her eyes and purrs under him. “Yeah. She is.”
My name was safest in your mouth And why’d you have to go and spit it out?
Oh your voice…
It was the most familiar sound
But it sounds so dangerous to me now
I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU
This Small Arizona Town Was Just Named the Safest and Wealthiest Place to Retire in the West
Several factors encourage retirees to settle in the American West—wide-open spaces, plenty of golf courses, and mild weather among them. The most desirable retirement locations usually come with a cost, though. And according to GOBankingRates’ recent study of America’s 50 safest and wealthiest retirement towns, there’s one particular spot that the most affluent retirees tend to flock to.
Oro…
