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When picturing Apollo’s apartment, the image is very simple. One bedroom, one bath, a small kitchen with a single desk and chair to the side, and a suitable living room. It was kept neat—a little barren to boot. The atmosphere is isolated for a man always on the run, now frequently spending his afternoons at the Wright Talent Agency. Whether it be a case or Fräulien Magician's constant plea to have an assistant, it seemed easy to believe that his home remained empty until he returned.
At least, that's how Klavier imagined it. When it came to size, he was right on target. But there was one surprise he wasn't expecting to see.
"Herr Forehead, you have a cat?"
The two had walked inside in search of a missing file. Apollo, in complete un-Apollo fashion, had left it behind on a whim. Both had already met to go over the case—as it wasn't Klavier as the prosecution—when he realized his mistake. And, not wanting to cut their interaction short, the rockstar decided to accompany him in retracing his steps. It was purely business after all. Plus, he was slightly curious to know more about his smaller rival.
It was on the second story of the complex, the third door on the right side of the hall. Nothing stood out at the front, but when Apollo unlocked and pushed the door aside, Klavier was met with the coo of an excited yowl. There, standing on a small dinner table, was a little calico. Her ears were perked, tail briefly swishing back and forth. And she was very, very vocal about her presence.
Until she saw Klavier. The momentary excitement fell to a dull silence, and her bright eyes were sharpened. Somehow, her judgemental gaze kept him in place by the side of the door. He was baffled. Was she judging him?
No, that would be ridiculous. It was likely because he was a stranger. Pets are always hesitant when it comes to first encounters—cats especially. They had an easier time picking and choosing friendly people and those deemed as a threat. For the most part, that is. Apollo though didn't seem to notice the intense standoff and walked deeper into his apartment, walking right past the calico and into the kitchen.
"Aha! Here it is!" he boldly claimed, popping out with a folder in hand. He wore a satisfied smile hidden underneath the anxious relief that he hadn't lost such important documents. It would have been a mess otherwise. Though, it was beginning to settle the off-putting sensation. He looked at Klavier with a questioning frown, following his line of sight to rest on the rigid feline standing vigilant. That's when it dawned on him.
"O-Oh! Right. Uh, this is Mikeko." He walked over to run a hand over the calico. In an instant, her stance melted and her back would arch to take the most out of a small, yet affectionate, graze. Her tail began to flicker once more, a short chirp following. It was a surprise to see her mood change so suddenly—though Klavier was the only one to see it. "Sorry for not saying anything sooner. I thought you knew? Or...oh. No, it was Trucy who asked about her." His thoughts were completely scrambled.
Klavier shrugged it off. "It's no big deal," he replied. "But I never took you to be a cat person, Herr Forehead." A short pause at the nickname, a typical glare sent his way. This time, however, it was paired with a second set of eyes. Only then would Klavier see the resemblance, and it was an immediate match. There was a cat-like appeal to their gaze and the way they seemed to bristle at an unfavorable nickname. But at this point in their relationship, it was more of a jest than condescending. So, to conclude, it was like a short hiss as a warning. He chuckled at such an outstanding revelation. “Ach, now I know why.”
Apollo paused, tilting his head. “What?” But his question would go unanswered. Klavier wouldn’t explain himself and frankly, he was too preoccupied to care. There was a case to solve; he couldn’t worry about some cryptic message surrounding his cat of all things--let alone his pet preference. He quickly shook his head, brushing the thought aside. “Whatever. I have the case file now, so we should get going. The trial starts tomorrow after all.”
“Right. By your lead then.”
Briefly scratching the side of Mikeko’s face, Apollo would make his way back to the door and briskly walk outside. There was a small chirp as he left her side. Klavier would follow, but not before parting one last glance to the calico. Her gaze rested on him as the previous unwavering stare.
“A pleasure to meet you, little fräulien,” he joked. It was rather foolish to show respect as if he were talking to a person, but the encounter alone seemed strange. Not only that, but he received a response in return. Mikeko snorted his way, the short puff of air distinct as her attention finally broke. She lowered her body to the table before hopping off. Seems she was content to end their little conversation.
Klavier recoiled slightly. Of all the things to happen in his life, being disregarded by a cat wasn’t on his list. Plus, he had a strong feeling that she wasn’t a fan. That fact alone left him puzzled. But they were in a time crunch, so Klavier would turn around and close the door behind.
It wasn’t until they were back at their original meeting place that he mentioned anything. “I don’t think your cat liked me very much.”
Apollo, who was reading over the file, looked up with a quirked brow. “Mikeko?” Klavier nodded. “She’s like that with everyone she meets,” he stated. “She was like that with Trucy, too. It took a couple of weeks for her to warm up to her. Something wrong with that? Don’t tell me most pets you come across are an instant fan, too.”
Ah, so they were taking jabs now, were they? Klavier laughed quietly, swiping strands of hair aside.
“Nein, I was merely curious.” After all, what good would it do to worry about something so small? There were bigger issues at hand, and it’s not like they would be meeting any time soon. The opinion of an animal would never hold a major impact.
---
Klavier, in hindsight, is a hypocrite.
The next time he visits Apollo’s apartment, it’s under an entirely new circumstance. They’re sitting on the couch with the tv turned on. A random, mind-numbing movie is playing in the background. The distant voices of actors turn into a simple backdrop of white noise. It’s irrelevant compared to the heat of the moment. A date--that’s what kicked it off. The start of the night was spent at some fancy Italian restaurant. Both were nervous, but as the hours moved on, walls slowly broke and the two found themselves walking up two flights of stairs and through the third door on the right in a giddy frenzy.
For as small as it was, the atmosphere was homely. It felt more welcoming than the icy chill of Klavier’s home. He wouldn’t dare go back and ruin what they have. And what they have is...something new. Something he desperately craved. Everything about it felt so right. Apollo’s hands are tangled in his hair, Klavier snakes an arm around his neck to keep them together. Apollo is sitting on his lap to close the distance and their hearts beat as one as they spend the time lavishing in the touch.
Kisses are exchanged frequently, feverishly, as if at any moment they’ll wake up from this dream to the sunrise. He can taste remnants of their meal on Apollo’s lips. He nips at them, kicking the moment to turn into more than gentle touches to explore the boundaries. He hears Apollo yelp in surprise, and he takes the moment to see how far he may go. The small whine is satisfying to hear as Klavier deepens the kiss. It’s intoxicating; no shot of alcohol could surmount to the tipsy he falls in. It’s incredibly addicting and he loves it. He loves this. Apollo lets go of his hair to move to his chest.
For a moment they break apart, panting to draw breath. But it’s not long before their lips meet once more, Klavier not attempting to move as Apollo pushes down to keep him in place. Part of his shirt is open and it’s there that he feels Apollo’s touch. It’s electrifying; he can’t describe it any other way. He’s fumbling with the buttons of his dress shirt, a small groan of frustration from the smaller man when they were uncooperative. Yet again, they broke apart. This time it was because of Klavier laughing.
“Someone is eager,” he cooed, grinning at the flushed man in front of him. Apollo sat in a daze, though he still held a semblance of sanity and scoffed at the rockstar. “You started it,” he mumbled, glancing off to the side with a sheepish blush. It was adorable. Klavier lavished in the touch. It felt genuine; everything about Apollo stood as the truth. Handsome, honest--the exotic thrill of this moment made his heart soar. He leaned forward, cupping Apollo’s chin to plant a quick kiss.
“I did, didn’t I?” And for it, he would comply. He would reach down to unbutton the shirt himself. Truthfully, it was growing too hot for his liking. But he barely managed to reach the final button before Apollo lurched forward to continue their previous excitement. He can tell there’s a sudden boost of confidence because he travels down from his lips to nip at his jaw. Klavier’s breath hitched in the back of his throat, eliciting a small groan as Apollo found a sweet spot along his neck. He succumbs to pure bliss, already standing as a disheveled mess. What can he do? He’s paralyzed and begs for it to continue.
Apollo’s hands are exploring his chest, traveling lower as the scene draws closer. It’s starting to feel a little too slow for Klavier’s liking. There’s going to be a few bruises on his neck by the morning, he can feel it. And he’s happy. But his body wants more. He chokes on an incoherent stutter as his hand rests right below his stomach. By then his chest is fully exposed. It’s all so enticing, every small touch now flaring beneath his skin. However, Apollo briefly leans back to admire what’s beneath him. His face is still flushed, yet he’s stunned.
“God you’re beautiful,” he said. It catches Klavier off guard. Blinking rapidly, he processes the sudden compliment before smiling at Apollo. It’s a fond smile filled with adoration, with complete trust. There’s a small whisper in return.
“It’s yours.”
Nothing more was said. Instead, Klavier watched as a glimpse of hunger passed through Apollo’s eyes. It’s enough to make him shudder in anticipation. He closed his eyes, feeling his partner draw closer…
Only to be broken by the call of a loud and very close meow. The two jolted upright, turning their heads towards the coffee table next to them. There, staring right at them, was Mikeko. Her prominent gaze remained on the two as she continued to meow, tail irritably flicking back and forth. Another similarity between pet and owner: the two were extremely vocal. Whereas Apollo had his infamous Chords of Steel, Mikeko seemed content constantly meowing until she got what she wanted.
Which is what happened; she sat there and talked as the two remained baffled.
Klavier cleared his throat, glancing at Apollo. “Does she...need something?” Apollo looked down for a moment to think, then his eyes went wide. “Shoot, she must be hungry.” Sheer embarrassment overcomes him as he, awkwardly, moves from Klavier’s lap to hop up and make his way to the kitchen. He briefly apologized before leaving. And, though a little disappointed, Klavier smiled reassuringly in return.
Mikeko’s protesting stopped, but she continued to sit on top of the table and watched her owner leave the premises. It was then, once he was out of sight, that she would suddenly leap forward and land on the couch. Klavier was surprised to see her this close, but he knew better than to get his hopes up to stay on better terms. She tucked her paws beneath her and sat there, a low hum rolling from her throat. And if Klavier so much as shifted to try and get up, she would start to growl.
Only then did it dawn on him what had happened. He was being shafted by a cat. His mouth parted slightly, completely stricken by the realization. He looked down at Mikeko, blinking slowly and perplexed.
“Unbelievable…”
This shouldn’t be possible. Klavier was unsure if he wanted to laugh at the situation or feel insulted. Well, not insulted. But it was surprising to see that an animal so small could hold so much power. This was her domain after all, and apparently, he was worthy enough to be deemed as a threat. Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable.
Once Apollo returned, there was an official roadblock between them. He looked down at Mikeko then back to Klavier. “It seems the little fräulien is wanting attention,” he said, casually waving his hand. Apollo huffed once, walking over to take a seat on the couch. With it, Mikeko jumped up to sit down in his lap, cooing sweetly with her chin tilted up. He followed with a couple quick scratches to satisfy the needy feline.
Klavier would try to move closer, but once again his advancements were thwarted by loud meowing. In the end, he figured that the mood was officially on hold. Apollo smiled sheepishly.
“I’m...really sorry about that,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. “She’s not used to extra company, that’s all. She’ll adjust in due time. I can put her in the other room if it’s a problem.”
Klavier perked up. “Hm? Oh. No need. I’m not in a rush. The night is still young, ja?” He offered a sly grin, looking back to the small hall connecting to the bedroom. Apollo caught on quickly, clearing his throat with a short cough. “R-Right. Of course.”
However, both would learn that night neither could outlast the persistent meowing and pawing of one determined calico. Turns out, above all else, her opinion was important.
---
Klavier isn’t the type to be jealous.
He’s dealt with enough fame to handle petty feelings like jealousy and turn those back to where they came. This though? This was an entirely different story. He visits Apollo whenever he can, spending the nights enjoying each other’s company. And Klavier has always considered himself to be an affectionate person. He enjoys the comfort of lowering a forced smile and leaning into Apollo’s embrace. The man is surprisingly soft and huggable. Minutes are spent carelessly running a hand through Klavier’s hair and he relishes the soothing sensation. He feels free to be himself.
Apollo doesn’t ask for much in return, but Klavier is always open to show how much he loves his little god of the sun. Over time, he learned that praise was the most effective way to melt him right on the spot. Every stutter and stammer is like a personal melody. In the end, his songs of praise are reciprocated with either a short hug or kiss. He's a personal fan of the latter; poor Apollo has to stand up on his heels just to meet him. The effort is rewarded with deserved sweetness.
It's become a daily routine at this point. Sometimes he still feels like he's dreaming. But there are days when he's reminded that he can't be complacent. It had been a rough week at the Prosecutor's Office. Just about every prosecutor was swamped with piles of endless paper and past files ready for documentation. Klavier worked from the morning to the start of a sullen evening. By the time he left his office, he wanted nothing more than to collapse on the spot.
But he had plans for the night; same plans as every night. He knew the route by heart, stepping through the door with a tired smile. Thankfully, Apollo kept the door unlocked."Schatzi, I'm home," he called out. It's muffled, but he can hear Apollo from the bedroom. "In here!"
Klavier closed the door behind him and made his way with a sudden sense of eagerness. The door is open, so he leans over to poke his head through the frame. Apollo is currently laying down with his phone in hand. He sets it down once he notices Klavier, smiling fondly at the prosecutor. One glance is all it takes.
"Long day at work?"
"Longer than most," Klavier replied, sighing. Finally, he stepped inside and made his way to lay next to Apollo. But there would always be someone waiting. By this point he was convinced she had a sixth sense solely for knowing when he would arrive.
Mikeko lay curled up by his partner's side, green eyes locked on Klavier. She shifted to stand up and knead the sheets. It was a harmless gesture up until it wasn't. She moved over, circled about, and planted herself on top of Apollo. Her head hung high, and if a cat could ever look smug, this was the time. Maybe it was the exhaustion taking over, but Klavier found himself irked by it—which he shouldn't. He took a seat on the edge of the bed to test her boundaries.
She didn't stir. Instead, she turned her head and started to paw at Apollo's phone, meowing loudly. That meant one thing and one thing alone: give me attention. And Apollo, ever oblivious, acknowledged her request and began to run his hand down her back. Soon she would start to purr, and Klavier caught a flicker of her gaze sent his way. And he caved.
Boundaries or not, he took his place beside Apollo and watched the feline puff out her fur. "I don't think the little fräulien is keen on sharing," he muttered, watching Mikeko's ears swivel down.
Apollo looked over at him, raising a brow. "What?" Klavier nonchalantly gestured to the cat in question. He couldn't be the only person seeing this. He wasn't insane. And to further prove his point, he would move closer and lean against Apollo's shoulder. For a moment he closed his eyes and relaxed, though Apollo would have to move slightly so that it was more comfortable for both.
Either way, Mikeko was not a fan. A low call rumbled in her chest as tufts of fur rose along her neck. She kept her paws underneath, glaring at Klavier. Who would have guessed that a multicolored loaf of bread would hold jealousy towards him? Klavier did. He knew when they first met; Mikeko was not a fan of sharing the attention. Which created a divide in the most absurd way.
When it came to love, Klavier never thought his main competition would be a small, six pound calico cat with the stubborn resilience of a bulldog. And never once would she hesitate to scream her opinion. No, she was more than willing to do it. Apollo, for as intelligent as he is, never noticed the hidden agenda to her actions. Why would he? It's his cat after all. Always the perfect angel around him, a secret menace when it came to Klavier.
Thankfully, she wasn't violent. It's been a couple months since the two officially started this relationship—plenty of time for Klavier to observe Mikeko's behavior. What she sought was to test his patience. A stranger entered her home and tried to take the spotlight from her pedestal. Which left Klavier to wonder why she was so attached to Apollo.
And so, there would come a time when the light finally clicked. Apollo watched Mikeko grow defensive, blinking a few times. Then he laughed. Both Klavier and Mikeko would sharply turn their heads to look at him.
"Schatzi?"
"I can't believe it," he snickered. "She's jealous. Is that why—oh my god." And he kept laughing. Normally, Klavier would object or drop a snarky comment. It took Apollo this long to realize it? Mind-blowing. But his laugh was a potent siren that he loved to hear, and he would follow along. "I'm surprised it took you this long to see it, Schatzi," he said, soaking in the symphony.
Briefly, Apollo paused. "You knew? All this time?" He hummed in return. "Klav, you could have told me! All this time—where do I begin? You...you haven't been jealous as well, right?" Klavier took a moment to think about his question. Jealous? Him? Never.
Not even when Mikeko conveniently intervened with several nights of personal attention. He shook his head. "Nein. I simply wished to stay on the little fräulein's good side. It must have been a shock to find the attention on someone else." Okay, maybe he was a little jealous; a tiny fraction from one night alone. He blamed the exhaustion. A quick glance to the bedside showed Apollo's bracelet sitting polished and proud next to them.
He sighed in relief. "But...I'm curious. How come she's so attached to you?"
"Well it's...only ever been us, really," Apollo answered. His gaze moved to the ceiling, recalling memories of the past he never thought would need addressed. "I found her as a stray when I was still studying law. Realistically, it wasn't a smart idea to get a pet; I could barely feed myself. But...it didn't feel right to leave any animal alone and starving. She was just a kitten, too. I don't know if her previous owners abandoned her or if she was born feral. I've never had the money to check, so I don't worry about it. But she was feisty and too stubborn to die so soon. That's when I took her in."
He reached forward and stroked the top of her head. Startled at first, Mikeko quickly leaned into the touch and chirped happily. "It's just been the two of us," he continued. "I never...looked for a relationship. If I hung out with friends, it wasn't in this small apartment. You're the first of many—for the both of us. Mikeko isn't fond of trusting others until she knows she's safe. I think it's because of what happened when she was young."
Through one small, simple explanation, everything became clear. And it made sense. Klavier nearly felt a strong sense of sympathy for her. She sought companionship—true companionship. Just like him; just like Apollo. It left him to wonder if Mikeko carried a fear of abandonment.
Klavier looked down at her, brows slightly creased. She looked back at him. Maybe there was more to her than he previously thought. He laid there and let the thought fester, slowly building the foundation of a crazy idea. "Have you considered getting a second pet?" he asked.
Apollo promptly shook his head. "No. It was a hassle to look after us both. And I don't know if Mikeko could handle another cat. She's very...territorial? I mean, you've seen how she acts and you're a person. It's like a disaster waiting to happen."
"What about a dog?"
Another pause. By now Apollo grew suspicious.
"Where are you going with this, Klavier?"
He smiled in return.
"Well…"
---
In the three whole months that they've been together, never once did Klavier mention he had a dog.
"Ach, but she wasn't mine at the start," he would say. The dog in question was named Vongole—one who had previously belonged to his brother. From what Apollo knew, she was a well-trained purebred of unknown origin. By unknown origin, he meant Klavier never elaborated on what kind of dog she was. But he said she was a delight around other animals, so they agreed to bring her next time they met.
Hopefully it will turn out better than expected. Being kept in the dark left room for Apollo to fill the gaps with various predictions. He sat there on the couch, Mikeko at his side, staring aimlessly in thought. He wasn't one for stereotypes, but he could totally see Klavier with a smaller dog. A pomeranian or corgi came to mind; he could see the prosecutor dressing them up to fit the rockstar appeal—maybe as a mascot. Celebrities were always crazy for smaller dogs.
Then again, some small dogs could be total assholes. Chihuahuas? That's not a dog. That's a rat. Mikeko makes enough noise without one running through his apartment. But that was all speculation. He knows by now that Klavier is full of surprises when away from the spotlight. Who knows: maybe his pet would reflect the same demeanor.
Only one way to find out.
A brisk knock at the door snapped Apollo out of his daze. He jolted upright, startling Mikeko beside him. The calico protested against his sudden movement, lazily lifting her head up and towards the door. She watched Apollo get up and make his way to open the door. An incoherent mutter of meows rested behind his shoulders. She'll thank him later.
If only that were the case.
"I was wondering when you were going to show up," Apollo said, turning the handle and moving it aside. There he was met with Klavier's brilliant smile. Though it only lasted for a second. Before he could say anything in return, a sharp jab collided with Apollo's stomach. A blur of yellow fills his field of vision and an imbalance of weight sends him stumbling backwards. He can't keep himself upright and finds himself falling to the floor with a happy bark following after.
The wind is knocked out of his chest and his senses are overwhelmed. He doesn't know where to start: the sudden attack or the fact his face is now covered in slobber from several ferocious doggy kisses. God he hoped his mouth wasn't open for that. He can feel the gag reflex kick in thinking about it.
Yet as he's dying, he can hear Klavier laughing as the scene unfolds. It's not a mellow chuckle like before: it's high-strung and almost giddy. Apollo now adds rising heat to the list of everything that's gone wrong. Thankfully, Klavier gains control of the situation.
"Vongole, down! Down girl! You're going to kill the man before you've barely met him!" On command, Vongole stops and the weight is lifted from Apollo's chest. He breathes in deeply, sputtering once to recover. She certainly spared little space. Turning his head, Apollo faces the lopsided smile of a peppy golden retriever. While sitting, her tail runs a mile a minute, and he can see the anticipation in her front paws dancing back and forth. She's broad and well groomed, golden fur contributing to a fourth of her body mass. A large dog; no wonder she could tackle Apollo to the ground.
"That's your dog!?" Apollo exclaimed.
"Ja. You were expecting something else?"
"I don't know! You never told me what kind of dog she was! She's huge!"
Another bubble of laughter filled the air. Klavier stepped forward, bending down to jostle the hair on top of Vongole's head. "Physically. Mentally, she's still a pup. A perfect companion, ja?" Vongole's tail now moved at light speed under cooing praise. She was a sap for attention, inching closer to Apollo with a small whine. Huh, where has he seen that before? Eventually, he gives in and scratches Vongole beneath her ears.
Pleased with her endeavor, she then growled happily. It was love at first sight. No introduction, simply immediate attachment. Though, it's not long before she stops in place, eyes locked past Apollo to settle on a smaller form bundled on the couch. Mikeko is frozen in place. Her glaring gaze bore holes into the stranger. But Vongole remained the same. In fact, Apollo was hit by her tail as she ran forward to meet a potential friend.
Apollo went rigid. "Oh no."
But it's too late. Loud yowling sends Vongole screeching to a halt. Mikeko is up on all fours, fur puffed and back arched. She spits a few times as a warning. However, it seems the retriever wasn't scared. Her tail continued to wag and she stepped forward to sniff the grumpy calico. She quickly learned that was the wrong path to take, earning several swats on the nose. Vongole recoiled, baffled, to see Mikeko sprint for safety.
Yet that wasn't enough to get the message through. She must have thought they were playing a game, because she ran after Mikeko with a playful bark amongst the screaming. Apollo scrambled to pick himself up, watching the two run back and forth. Vongole nearly ran into the table as Mikeko jumped up. She barely stopped herself, leaning down and barking at Mikeko. Wide-eyed, she looked up and yowled again, desperately seeking an intervention from a crazed dog.
"Was this your plan?" Apollo asked, shooting Klavier a sideways glare. He brushes it off with a short chuckle. "Nein. But it's a start, isn't it?" A start to what, exactly? Vongole was far too energetic for their own good. For now, at least. A sharp whistle later, she's up and returning to Klavier's side. The dopey smile remains the same. Apollo on the other hand walked over to Mikeko and carefully scooped her up. She was tense, staring right at Vongole.
"I don't think this is going to work," he muttered, looking between the two.
"Don't be so quick to doubt, liebling," Klavier replied, smiling. "Exactly how long did it take for you to warm up to me?"
Oh.
Well he had a point. Apollo shrunk down with a small frown of thought. Surely this wasn't the same? Granted there could be a few similarities here and there. The fact he couldn't stand Klavier, his persistence even in the presence of Apollo saying no—well damn. He glanced down at Vongole. The retriever looked back with big, hopeful eyes. Despite the brief retaliation, she seemed eager to know more about the small creature in his arms. Mikeko, however, was skeptical. He ran a hand along her spine and sighed.
History repeats itself.
"Point taken," he said. "But there has to be a better way to do this." He moved closer. So long as Mikeko was in his arms, she wouldn't protest. Klavier was pleased with the response.
"There will be." He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.
"There will be."
---
Klavier is a man true to his word.
After the initial disaster of a first encounter, the two decided it was best to introduce the two pets under better circumstances. This meant keeping Vongole tame and patiently waiting to have Mikeko come to her. Surprisingly, or not knowing her background, she obeyed. She sat still by Klavier's side and kept a near perfect composure. Her body remained motionless as, when the time was right, Mikeko took a progressive step forward.
She was willing to comply so long as Apollo was nearby. Every day was a little bit of progress chipping away at the calendar. What started as a blatant refusal turned into a cautious step forward. Then there was a second, then a third. And Vongole waited. She sat there and dipped her head to familiarize herself with Mikeko's scent. Whenever sudden movement set her off, Vongole would stop and realign herself.
Apollo was impressed at how well-behaved she was. Mikeko picked up on it as well. Though she still showed relative disinterest, she began to grow more tolerant of the retriever's presence. The day they could leave the two together without complications was a huge milestone. She kept her distance from Vongole if she felt it was necessary, but it was an achievement nonetheless.
"I can't believe your plan is starting to work," Apollo noted, watching the two interact. Mikeko currently rested on top of the dinner table, paws tucked beneath herself. Vongole wasn't far. He watched her stand in place and assess the situation. It was amusing to see her mind at work as she walked forward to point her snout upward and sniff the air.
Mikeko twitched, eyeing Vongole from the side. She remained at a distance and her tail began to wag. Was that hope he was watching? When Mikeko remained the same, Vongole bounced up and yipped happily, running off to grab a random toy from her newly installed toybox. It truly was a sight to behold; Apollo remained transfixed on Vongole's lasting patience. He knew how challenging it was for Mikeko to warm up to others.
And of all things, he never thought a dog would be up to the task, let alone that she would tolerate a dog in her home. Because in the end, Mikeko was the one who ruled the roost. For now.
"Did you truly doubt me, liebling?"
Apollo shifted to his side, letting out a content sigh as Klavier lazily snaked an arm around him. He pulled him closer to lean against his chest. It was Sunday. Neither were needed at work, so they decided to spend the day basking in each other's company. Neither were dressed for the day, either. Klavier kept his hair up in a messy bun; Apollo never bothered to slick his horns up to their usual point.
They were sprawled out along the couch watching a calculating golden retriever find the best way to approach a closed-off calico. That in itself was a story to tell. And though it was entertaining to watch, Apollo could feel himself grow drowsy from a steady heartbeat in his ear. He heard Klavier hum quietly to a tune he didn't know the name to. It wasn't important. All he cared for is that it was...nice.
Apollo was always known for being a stickler when it came to music—specifically the Gavinners. But it was a personal secret only he knew that he found Klavier's voice enjoyable. It was most prominent during reiterations of the Guitar's Serenade. Underneath all the pop and rock was an angelic voice. He liked it.
No, he loved it. That's what this is. It's love. It will always be love after all they've been through. He feels safe with Klavier's arms wrapped around him. He finds comfort in the steady rise and fall of his chest. And it makes him think how long he must have waited to have this. All because Apollo was stubborn and blind.
…
Huh. The parallels continue to strike him dead in the center. And the contradictions to life and hardship. "No," he mumbled, nuzzling into the embrace. "No, I didn't." And it was true. Yes, he thought it was a slim possibility, but at this point in his life he knew anything was possible. Even in a small chaotic paradise, everything was possible. As Klavier leaned forward to rest his head in the crook of Apollo's neck, placing a small and lazy kiss beneath his jaw, the world reminded him of its crazy miracles.
What a rollercoaster it was. He tilted his neck to the side and let his partner continue to plant small buzzes of affection that made his heart flutter. No matter the time, it was always the same. And Klavier had become a professional finding which spots brought the best results. When Apollo lightly squirmed in his arms, laughing under his breath, he knew he struck gold.
The light blush that would appear scattered brush strokes of freckles like little sun kisses. They were graced by the light himself. And to hear his voice soft and gentle compared to loud and confident did wonders. A little slice of heaven cupped in his hands. He wouldn't let go; he can't let go. He means too much, he's changed so much. Call him a romantic sap, but it will never change the truth.
He hasn't felt this open in years. Apollo never found security in the days of his youth. Both raised under different circumstances, different statuses, somehow finding each other across the battlefield of court. Someone could transform it to poetry. One day.
But for now, their lips soon meet with curled smiles. Both are hopelessly in love, snuggled comfortably on rugged furniture. Their laughter filled the room.
From the corner, Vongole lifts her head to watch. Her tail thumps against the floor in anticipation. She wants it, but she must wait to get it. Both owners are kind and give her attention when the time is right. But from the table, Mikeko watches with a lowered gaze. Her paws now rest on the table instead of under her chest.
She sits to ponder, watching with a prickle beneath her fur. But she doesn't move; she doesn't intervene. Something settles and she doesn't know what. Yet her gaze wandered to the dopey canine gnawing on a bone. From there, she licks at her paw and curls up with a sigh.
Perhaps another day.