He snorts, sound quickly stifled so he doesn't knock the kitten off. Some days he feels like there's a massive hole in him that can never be repaired. When he's with Nate, though, he feels more like he's whole and complete.

"And you are the love of mine," he says after he shifts the kitten to be on his nose rather than his mouth. He's loved before, but this is a love that has had time to become full-blown. "I can't believe I get to marry you. Or be buried in squeaky kittens."

Nate's cheek is gently rubbed before he returns to petting the kittens. "I'd a fantasy about being rescued by you, you know. Only I was a little more... coherent when you found me in it and I promptly offered to reward you. This didn't work out quite so well."