Researching and finding cures for illnesses is what Dr. Evan Kidd is passionate about. When he’s asked to help determine what’s making the children of Felis Forest sick, he can’t resist the mystery or children in need. Evan accepts, and even understands, why Rene has to follow him around town. It’s not every day a human is allowed in the “cat people only” town. But being attracted to someone who doesn’t seem to trust him, much less like him, brings back painful reminders of his past.
Rene has plenty of his own baggage, and having to shadow a human -- who happens to be a doctor -- isn’t helping. Evan challenges all Rene’s carefully crafted defenses and makes him dream of a life out of the shadows. If they can survive all the obstacles while uncovering the truth, they might just discover they aren’t so different after all.
There are several Felis in the airport. Being so near to their colony, there are bound to be more than in human-dominated areas. Evan spots a tall man holding a sign, though, with 'Dr. Kidd' written on it.
The guy is a huge Felis, the black fur outlining his face going back, and it's hard to tell where the fur ends and his long black hair begins, but his hair goes down his back. He has green catlike eyes, and plump lips. He's not smiling, though. In fact, his whole vibe shouts, Get the hell away from me.
Evan takes a deep breath, a little intimidated, and heads over.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Evan Kidd." Evan introduces himself, holding out his hand to be shaken, but the Felis just looks at his hand with distaste before looking him up and down.
"You're the doctor?" the man asks. Nanook had said the man picking him up would be Rene Cornell.
"Yes, I'm a friend of Dr. Wayra. He called me to consult," Evan confirms, trying not to take the man's snub personally. He's handsome, in a fierce, rough-edged way. He's all broad shoulders, long legs, and large muscular thighs.
Evan has met good-looking Felis before, but this one blows all of them out of the water. It's a shame that, from his actions, tone of voice, and the look on his face, Rene isn't pleased about Evan being here. Hanging out with him should be a ton of fun, Evan thinks sarcastically.
"My car's outside." Rene doesn't even bother to introduce himself. He just starts walking, and Evan is left with few options but to follow if he doesn't want to be left behind. He hurries after Rene, who has longer legs than Evan and can walk much faster.
Evan has had more than enough encounters with bullies in his life, and he's not in high school anymore, even if Rene wants to act like it. Evan isn't going to put up with it. He's been picked on for being gay, for being half Native American, for being pretty, and for being a geek. He's never been disliked just for being human before, and Evan is sure that's what's going on here now.
"Will you slow down!" Evan calls out, stopping in his tracks outside the airport. He has a suitcase and a carry-on bag, and he's a lot shorter than Rene, only being five foot two. He can't keep up, not without running, and he's not running through a parking just because some asshole, no matter how good looking, can't be bothered to show some consideration or even basic manners.
"What?" Rene stops, looking mildly annoyed, like Evan is just some irritant he's having to deal with.
"I get it. I'm not an idiot. You clearly don't want the job as my babysitter. You don't want to be here, but I didn't ask for you. This isn't my fault. I'm not asking you to be my best friend. I'd just appreciate you not running away from me -- maybe tone down being an asshole." Evan is aware that Rene could easily kick his ass, but Evan's had his ass kicked before, and he's found that the humiliation of just putting up with being treated like shit stung worse over time. Black eyes fade, but the soul deep feeling of being worthless isn't as quick to leave.
"Did you call me an asshole?" Rene asks with a growl.
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