Chapter Text
A beep. Klavier flipped open his phone to see who it was from, then beamed at the sight of a new message from ‘herr forehead’:
Klavier, could I request something of you?
Klavier chuckled. Even though they were dating, Apollo still texted Klavier with the formality of a work email. It was unbearably charming. Without hesitation, Klavier tapped out a response on his flip phone’s silver buttons.
always, mein schatzi. what is it?
All of Wright & co. are busy the upcoming month, but Mikeko needs food and attention. And it would be good to have someone water the plants and just generally check on the house. Do you have the time to come over?
do i get paid?
No.
not even with kisses ;(
Ok. Three kisses.
i need more. what about nine? ten? thirty?
Let’s settle on five for now.
sweet lol. and ja, i can totally do it, i love Mikeko!!!
There was a longer pause compared to the last couple texts. Klavier picked up a nearby guitar and started plucking at it, anticipating a reply calling him out on his bullshit. Objection! it would probably read. If I recall correctly, you mentioned your aunt’s cat hated you! And you have an allergy to pet hair!
Instead, Apollo’s text appeared without a single accusation in it. Great, thank you so much. I just need you to visit about twice a week. The key is in its usual place. Mikeko’s automated feeder gives him dry food, so make sure that’s full. And he needs wet food, which is kept in the fridge. Give him half a can a day. He likes to be brushed and his favorite toy is the wand with the rainbow feathers. And for the plants, just give them all a bit of water except for the succulents.
More typing from Apollo’s end. Klavier tensed up.
And if it’s not too difficult, send pictures! I miss seeing him. :( And I miss you too. Lots of love from Khura’in. <3
ja, miss your cute forehead
I take back all of my love.
too late, i already absorbed all the love. it’s mine now
Apollo sent a blushing emoji, and Klavier responded with a few hearts for good measure. Klavier could imagine Apollo on the other end of the conversation, face reddening at the messages. If he were close by, Klavier could reach out and kiss his hand, flustering him further. Instead, Klavier flipped his phone closed to get out his agenda. Without the screen in his face, he became all too aware he was alone in his apartment—lounging on a sofa from which the walls seemed so far. Walls that had vast windows that gave a gorgeous but isolating view of the city outside. While the buildings towered above him, the cars looked like bugs below. And Klavier was caught within his glass box in the middle, living in his own mess. Still, he didn't bother to change his conditions. Cleaning up the place only made it seem even bigger and emptier.
He put his mind off his lonesome to search through the coffee table. After sifting through a guitar, some old case files, and several empty bottles and mugs, he finally grabbed his pen. Triumphant in his discovery, Klavier capped it and flipped open his agenda. The datebook was the first step to make something in Klavier’s life cleaner. It had been a decent effort so far. Klavier had recorded most significant dates in the calendar, but still found events escaping his conscience sometimes.
After marking down the upcoming Mondays and Fridays of July for checking on Apollo’s house, Klavier flipped through the past few months. On the way, he caught sight of his and Apollo’s anniversary of getting together. It had only been five months ago at a fancy sushi restaurant. They’d had dinners before where Klavier tried making moves, all which had flown over Apollo’s head. But that night as they were fighting over the final tuna roll on the platter, Klavier finally got the courage to directly ask out Apollo. And wildly enough, Apollo had said yes. A few months went by, the relationship solidifying. Then in May, Apollo flew out to Khura’in. Within a few weeks, Apollo told Klavier that he’d be staying in Khura’in—that they’d be going long distance.
“I’m sorry if I’m letting you down,” Apollo said on the call where he broke the news. “I know we’ve only just started dating, and all of the sudden everything’s changing. But there’s good work I have to do here. I have to help Nahyuta.”
Klavier shook his head, speaking gently. “There’s no need to apologize.”
“I know, but I still feel bad! Things were going good, and now I’m going to be on the other side of the world!”
“Well I don’t mind. I love you no matter what face of the Earth you’re on. If you have to do this, I’m going to be here for you,” Klavier replied. “Besides, long distance is nothing! We’ll make this work.”
That soothed the worry in Apollo’s voice. “Okay. We’ll make this work.”
Long distance wasn’t nothing. Before, Apollo had been a ten minute ride away. Klavier could send a heads up text then stop by like nothing. With each day, Apollo had been beginning to become more affectionate. They were kissing and holding and waking up next to each other more and more.
Then with little warning, Apollo was halfway across the world. The places he'd been beginning to fill were absent again.
Still, Klavier was determined to make things work. Apollo had more important things, and they were still able to keep in contact electronically. Soon enough, they would be reunited in person. So until that point, Klavier would be the best overseas boyfriend ever. If that meant stepping up to watch Apollo’s house when no one else could, then Klavier would, cat aversion could be damned.
The big obstacle—at least, other than the fur allergy—was that Klavier did not know a single thing about pet care. That was why he kept guitars instead of animals. That was why Vongole—although Klavier adored the dog—stayed with a family friend and not at Klavier's apartment. And cats were even more elusive than dogs. However, the thought of impressing Apollo quickly overpowered any doubts. Klavier could figure it out for Apollo.
The first time that Klavier had heard about Mikeko was just before he’d started dating Apollo. While searching through the court archive, Klavier spotted Apollo at one of the desks, old files spread out over the workplace. In one hand Apollo tapped a pen, and with the other he pinched his temple as he did when in deep thought. Klavier thought it made Apollo look brooding and intelligent. It was the perfect chance to swoop in.
“Guten tag, Herr Forehead.” Klavier perched on the edge of Apollo’s desk.
Apollo glanced up from the papers, then went back to reading. “Come to make fun of me?”
“No! I just wanted to say hi and give you a little break from reading those heavy files.”
“Huh.”
“You know, this case is about wrapping up. Once it’s done, what are you doing for the rest of the week?”
Apollo shrugged. “Not much. I’ll probably just stay home and hang out with my girlfriend.” He stilled after he said the last word, then stared into the middle distance.
Klavier had to grab the edge of the desk to steady himself. “Girlfriend?” After weeks of admiring Apollo, his heart was being swiftly shattered.
Apollo fumbled with the pen in his hand. “I’m sorry, I meant to say my cat!”
Klavier took a moment to process what Apollo had said, his heart starting to patch up a little. “Why would you call your cat your girlfriend?”
“It’s an inside joke between me and Trucy! Sometimes I forget not to call him that to other people. My girlfriend, Mikeko, he’s actually my cat and not my girlfriend. I’m not dating anyone! I just say he’s my girlfriend because, ugh… Never mind. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”
“Well. I guess I get it. Kind of.” Klavier smiled and laughed softly in relief. “I was scared you had an actual girlfriend for a second there. It’s good to hear you’re still single.”
“Yeah.” Apollo paused and frowned. “Wait, why would it be good?”
Klavier shrugged, leaning a little closer to Apollo. “You know, so someone else could come into your life.”
“I don’t know if anyone’s even interested in me like that.”
“You can never be so certain. By the way, are you free this Friday evening?”
“Sure, what for?”
“Well, there’s this nice sushi restaurant by the beach. I was wondering if you’d want to check it out with me…?”
Afternoon on Friday, Klavier headed out on his motorcycle. At this point he knew the route to Apollo’s house with ease.
It took him about ten minutes to get to the neighborhood of little houses where Apollo lived. It wasn’t as urban as the area Klavier lived in. But it wasn’t quite family suburban either, no front lawns or picket fences, and largely cheaper with a demographic of struggling students and others down on their luck. Most of the gray houses looked nearly identical, but Klavier knew to stop at the place with the flower bed perched out on its one street-side window. After parking and dismounting his motorcycle in the driveway, Klavier glanced over the house. Thankfully, there were no broken windows or jammed open doors.
i’m here. the house looks good, Klavier texted, then pocketed his phone. It was June, meaning hot as hell in California, so Klavier rushed up to the window.
Along other little decorations in the flower bed perched a ceramic Blue Badger figurine. Klavier picked it up, checking the hole at the bottom. Hidden within the Blue Badger’s hollow body was Apollo’s house key. A little creepy, but an effective deterrent as most robbers probably wouldn’t check the Blue Badger’s underside.
With key in hand, Klavier unlocked the door. The moment he stepped in, it smelled, not bad or good, just the amorphous smell that some people’s homes had. Klavier took it in for a moment, then closed the door and kicked off his boots.
Klavier had been over to Apollo’s house a few times before. The door opened up into a living room, a counter separating the entrance from the kitchen. A short hallway led to doors for the study, the bedroom, and a bathroom. And that was all. Klavier’s apartment was nearly double the size of Apollo’s house. Apollo’s house was kept neat and homey, another difference from Klavier’s apartment.
Klavier scanned over the living room. There wasn’t any space for a dining table, Apollo had to eat dinners at the counter barstools. Houseplants dotted a few corners of the house, adding spots of green to the otherwise warm toned decoration. A TV and bookshelf took up most of the back wall, but in the space that there was left on the beige plaster, Apollo had hung up several frames: Apollo’s law degree; photos of Apollo’s friends and family, including a few of Klavier; posters of dorky sci-fi shows Apollo liked. In the center stood a red armchair and mismatched lumpy brown couch, draped with a plaid blanket. Klavier remembered thrumming with excitement on that couch when Apollo fell asleep and rested his head on Klavier’s shoulder.
Everything was about the same since Klavier had last been over. It was almost like Apollo would round the corner any moment. But he didn't. The house was hauntingly still.
Klavier sighed, setting down his motorcycle helmet and the key on the counter. Across from him, the fridge was plastered with colorful sticky notes: “Miss you Polly! -Trucy ☆”, “Stop eating all of the corn chips! Save some for me. -Athena”, “Athena, can you pick up another spider plant that looks similar to the one that was on the bookshelf? And throw this note away when you’re done. -PW”.
Klavier settled his back against the counter and side eyed the bookshelf. On second glance, the spider plant did look a little off. Then he looked down to the carpet floor for any signs of the cat. If Mikeko had been in the room, he had probably ran upon the sound of the door opening. Although Klavier was familiarized with Apollo’s house, he was still strangers with Apollo’s cat. The first few times he’d been over he hadn’t even seen Mikeko. Apollo said not to take it as an insult, Mikeko always squandered away in some corner whenever anyone new came over. With repeated visits, he began to make appearances. But he never got close, always observing from afar as if recording Klavier’s every move.
The most involved interactions with Mikeko had been negative. When Klavier tried to give his boyfriend a kiss while the cat was on Apollo’s lap, Mikeko gave him a nasty hiss and bit Klavier’s sleeve jacket. As long as Mikeko remained there, Klavier had to keep a distance while Apollo cooed at the wretched animal. Another day, Klavier had left his jacket on the counter and Mikeko jumped up to leave a hairball on it. Klavier was certain it was a deliberate act of sabotage.
But Klavier had to put the hostility in the past, hairballs and all. He was the primary caretaker of Mikeko now, and he’d have to draw the cat out for feeding and playtime.
“Mikeko?” Klavier called out softly, hoping it would lure the cat in. “Meow meow?”
No reply. Klavier sighed. He supposed he’d just have to give Mikeko time. Within a few minutes Mikeko would slink out of his hiding hole. Then he’d probably spend the rest of the day on the opposite side of the room, staring at Klavier with big yellow eyes.
Klavier supposed while he waited for the animal to emerge he could just busy himself with the other chores. The plants were probably thirsty and there was a watering can on the back porch.
He stepped through the back and screen doors, out into the squat back lawn. Apollo didn’t maintain his lawn at all, the grass was patchy and yellowing. However, he kept a few potted plants on his back porch, and was trying to cultivate some flowers in the ground.
When questioned, Apollo had replied, “It’s such a waste of water for lawns, and they don’t look particularly interesting. It’s more important to me to take care of plants that are native to the area, or at least ones that consume less.” Then he’d gone red once Klavier praised him on how sexy his environmentally conscious attitude was.
Picking up the metal watering can by the door and using the hose to fill it up, Klavier went by all of the outdoor plants and poured them each a healthy splash. He refilled the can before heading back to the door, ready to get the indoor plants.
Upon Klavier placing his hand on the screen door handle, he stilled at the sight of a furry shape past the mesh. “Oh, there you are.”
Mikeko stared up at Klavier. He was a little calico cat, even smaller than most other cats. And he was pretty cute, with a little round face and big baby eyes that made him look like he was about to burst out cry-meowing any moment. But cuteness didn’t make up for being a horrible rascal.
Klavier glared at Mikeko. “Of course once I open the back door you come here. I bet you want to try and make a break for it the moment when I enter. But I’m not letting that happen.” He opened the screen door just enough to squeeze his body in but not give Mikeko a window to escape. The cat slinked away as he got close.
With the cat situation handled, Klavier continued his watering within the house. The bookshelf spider plant, the palm in the study, and the money tree on the bedstand were all given nourishment while Mikeko watched from afar. Once Klavier had gotten through all the plants and put the can back outside, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling out, he smiled at a message from Apollo.
Glad to hear the house is good! Can we video call?
damn. you’re always coming up with excuses to look at me. do you think i’m cute or something? ‘,:/
I mean, you are my boyfriend
huh. and yes i want to call
A few moments later, Klavier’s phone went off with the Love, Love Guilty ringtone. Klavier found a comfy place on the couch and ran a hand through his hair to smooth it out. Then he pressed the call button, the little screen on his flip phone loading for a few moments.
Finally, a tiny image of Apollo appeared. Klavier could make out Apollo was wearing an oversized t-shirt, his hair prongs not even gelled up yet. Other than a lamp in the backdrop, there was no light. It must have been early morning in Khura’in. Timezone differences, yet another curse of long distance.
“Oh gott. I can feel my hand burning. I think my phone is starting to overheat!” Klavier said.
Apollo’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? Is there something wrong?”
“Ja, I think your handsome face is overwhelming it! You’re too hot!”
Apollo’s cheeks colored red. “It is too early for you to be flirting with me.”
“Good afternoon, süßer."
"Good morning." Apollo rubbed one of his eyes.
"Sheesh, Herr Justice, how early is it for you?”
Apollo rubbed one of his eyes. “Ehh.”
“You’re thirteen hours ahead right? And it’s about two here.” Klavier paused, doing the math in his head. “Three AM! What the hell?”
Apollo shrugged and shifted his phone camera. Klavier hadn’t noticed before, but Apollo was perched against pillows on a headboard. “I already couldn’t sleep. This’ll give me something to do rather than just sitting in bed. Plus, Nahyuta has me wake up at ridiculous hours anyways.”
“Okay, but go to sleep after this.”
“Fine, fine. How's the house?”
Klavier nodded. “Everything looks good. I just finished watering the plants.”
“And Mikeko?”
“He’s here.” Klavier turned his phone and pointed it at Mikeko, who had settled on the floor. “He’s been staring at me while I was watering.”
“Mikeko!” Apollo's formerly drowsy voice cheered up. “There’s my little man! My girlfriend!”
Mikeko seemed a little startled by the sound of Apollo’s voice, but then went back into his usual calm stupor.
“I miss you, meow meow! Keep on watching over the house. I love you!”
Klavier turned the camera back to himself. “He’s still kind of skittish around me.”
“He just needs some time. You’ll be the only person around, I think he’ll have to warm up to you. By the way, help yourself to anything around the house. I won’t be using any of it.” Apollo’s eyes narrowed. “Plus, I think the Wrights have already ransacked my fridge. You can’t do much more damage after that.”
“Got it. How’s everything in Khura’in?”
Apollo shrugged. “It’s… a lot."
"Yeah? Tell me about it if you need to."
"I mean, I’m helping reform the entire justice system of a country. It’s a pretty busted ass system too. I mean, they were executing people with barely any regard! So sometimes, I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing." Apollo sighed, rubbing his eye again. "But I’m getting through it. There are smart people working with me. A lot of lawyers who were part of the Defiant Dragons know a lot more and are guiding me.”
“I’m sure you're doing great. And when you get home help you should start helping reform our own busted ass justice system. It can’t be that hard after Khura’in.”
Apollo laughed. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything. And how are you, Klavier?”
“Not much. I took a little break from prosecution work for the last week, but I’ll get back into it soon. And then I have to watch over the house of this cute boy.”
“Hmm.” Apollo leaned further into one of his pillows. “How cute?”
“Breathtakingly cute. A solid ten for sure.”
“Damn.”
“That’s what I think every time I see him.” Klavier smiled at Apollo, who seemed to be drifting off. “You look exhausted, I’m going to let you go back to sleep.”
Apollo looked like he wanted to protest for a moment, but then stopped himself. “Hmph. Okay, fine.”
“I love you, Apollo. Good night.”
“Love you too. Send lots of pictures of Mikeko!”
“Sure thing, schatzi.”
Apollo’s image disappeared, leaving behind the call screen.
Klavier smiled, still thinking of Apollo. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Mikeko sitting upright on the window sill. With his phone out, Klavier took the chance to snap a photo of him. After taking the photo and flipping his phone closed, Klavier watched the cat for a moment. “I know you’re Apollo’s phone wallpaper.” Klavier leaned down to eye level with Mikeko. “But I'm afraid to break it to you, soon enough I’ll be his new phone wallpaper.”
Mikeko blinked at Klavier.
Klavier groaned and stood to his full height. The cat was entirely apathetic to his threats. “Whatever. Want to play?”
He looked around for a second. There were cat toys scattered all around Apollo’s house, so Klavier picked up a wand with feathers attached to its end. He started shaking it around Mikeko.
Mikeko watched with intrigue, but after a solid minute of Klavier waving the toy around, he still didn’t budge. Usually with Apollo, he’d be bounding after it already. But with Klavier he kept his distance, like Klavier was some natural predator trying to lure him into a trap.
Klavier sighed, tossing the toy down. “I think we just both need space from each other. It’s dinner time for you and then I’m out of here.”
He headed to the kitchen, opening the fridge. It was mostly empty, Apollo was correct in suspecting that it had been cleared out by Trucy and Phoenix. Usually there was a lineup of seltzers or a jug of mango juice Klavier could nab from, but those were unfortunately absent. Even Mikeko’s canned cat food was starting to run low, only three tins left. Klavier took one of the last ones remaining, pulling the tab and tearing off the metal top. As soon as he did, the smell of cat food filled the kitchen.
Mikeko jumped to attention, leaping off the window sill and staring at Klavier more wide eyed than usual.
Klavier grimaced at the brown meat mush in the can. “That’s abhorrent that you eat this,” he told Mikeko, who only stared at him in return. Grabbing Mikeko's bowl from the floor and a spoon from a drawer, Klavier halved the wet food portion into the bowl. Once he was done, he dropped the spoon in the sink and put foil over the open can so it could go back in the fridge. Then he dropped the food bowl back on its place on the mat, thankful not to look at the processed cat food anymore. Klavier then left the kitchen, trying to escape the smell. Mikeko only went to the bowl once Klavier had walked away, chowing down on the food.
Internally, Klavier checked feeding Mikeko off the list. The security inspection and watering had been finished as well, and there was nothing out of place to clean up. Apollo had said to play with Mikeko, but it didn’t seem like Mikeko was particularly interested at the moment. Otherwise, everything had been taken care of. So Klavier picked up the house key and his motorcycle helmet.
On other days, Klavier would be looking for excuses to stick around Apollo’s house. But without his boyfriend it seemed pointless. He was more used to being solitary at his own place anyways. Plus, his nose was starting to itch, so he wanted to get out before that became worse. Klavier exited, locking the house, returning the keys, then driving away.
That night, Klavier sat in his bed alone, staring at his laptop. It was dark except for the glow of his screen. He’d even shuttered his curtains closed so he didn’t have to catch sight of the bright window across from him, within which there were two backlit figures basking in each other’s company.
At first, he’d tried researching cat care, but eventually got bored and just started scrolling his social media timeline. He hadn’t talked to another person all day, but God, he so desperately wanted to. Although he liked seeing Apollo in video calls, he was achingly aware that they weren’t in contact the way a human being needed. Klavier wanted a presence in the same place as him, to hear someone’s words up close and look at them in a way cameras could never capture.
A few years back, he could have easily met up with his bandmates or any of his famous friends. But the Gavinners had broken up and most of his other friends were on summer vacation. In the past, Klavier would even drop by Kristoph’s for tea and to play with Vongole. He supposed he could still drop by Kristoph in his cell, but scoffed at the idea. That would just make him feel sick instead of any better.
So Klavier scrolled, occasionally hitting like for glamorous selfies and photos of beach vacations. And he sat there in his room that was too big for one person, lit in the cold blue light.