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The garage was cool, which was why Philip figured Mikku was in there. It was a hot day, after all.
“Hello, Mikku,” he said absentmindedly, ready to look up marbles, as he had found some while helping Shoutarou find a pet frog , of all things.
Mikku didn’t answer, predictably, instead settling down on the couch and watching Philip.
Philip didn’t know how long it had been when he set down the marker, confident he had learned everything there was to know about marbles, but considering that Shoutarou hadn’t come to drag him to eat or anything, it couldn’t have been that long. He was going to need to find some marbles, though, and put what he learned to reality.
He was about to leave the garage, ready to tell Shoutarou they had to go to the toy store, when Mikku caught his attention. He was stretched out on the cement, and Philip had to smile.
“Sleeping, Mikku?”
Mikku raised his head, blinked slowly, before going back to the position he had been in. For a reason he couldn’t quite name, Philip came down to see Mikku better. Mikku didn’t move, and Philip saw no reason to disturb him. Instead, he settled down on the floor, lying down and putting his head on his crossed arms, content to watch the old cat.
He was mildly surprised when Mikku stiffly sat up, stretched, and came over to Philip, turning around but close enough to hear some rusty purrs. Philip carefully reached out and put his hand on Mikku and was rewarded with more purrs. Philip smiled, delighted. So Mikku liked it when he was on his level.
As Philip had been up since early morning, and with his tendency to ignore his body’s needs, he hadn’t realized he was tired. He yawned and fell asleep, prompting Mikku to put his head on Philip’s outstretched hand.
“Oi, partner! Come on, Akiko is on our case aga-- are you okay??! ” Shoutarou said frantically before realizing that Mikku was staring at him grumpily. He put a hand over his face. “Nearly gave me a heart attack, Philip, but noooo you’re just sleeping with the cat, on the floor, when we have a bed, not that you remember that half the time…”
Philip stirred but stayed asleep, softening Shoutarou’s heart.
“He is sort of cute, isn’t he? The cat, I mean…”
Mikku made some sort of grumbling noise.
“What? I called you cute, old man!”
Mikku settled back onto Philip, clearly ignoring Shoutarou.
“I see how it is, but you know what, considering how hot it is, I think Philip here might actually be on to something…”
He settled next to Philip, placing the fedora on his head on Mikku, who gave him a look but didn’t leave.
“Ah, mou, what am I to do with you,” Shoutarou said fondly, kissing the top of Philip’s head before rolling on his back to enjoy some peace with his partner.