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It was a typical Thursday afternoon and Calliope was doing what she did not enjoy - physics homework.
If you asked her, subjects should be optional. Okay maths was probably important to learn, but physics was certainly not
Instead she would rather English. To get lost in the pages of a book and familiarise herself in the story. This translated into understanding, and easy grades for essays
She made it sluggishly midway through the paper before a sharp rap at the front door interrupted her thoughts about equations.
Her parents were both out, possibly monster hunting. Apollo was also out, with a girl, Calliope had assumed. And Theo was visiting Oliver and Carmen
This narrowed down the list of potential people, so Calliope abandoned the homework and headed downstairs to the front door
She pulled it open, surprised to see Juliette leaning against the doorframe. “Hello” she grinned, then her foot snagged on the doorstep and she almost tumbled down the porch
”Hey” Calliope reacted quickly, pulling the smaller girl into a protective embrace. “Well, I guess I fell for you” Juliette exclaimed and even Calliope couldn’t let that one slide
”That’s a terrible line” she commented, and Juliette nods her agreement. “It was pretty bad. How are you?” She beams.
Calliope takes her in, dressed in a short sleeved pale blue shirt, with a jumper over the top, reading “Bonjour” in wonky red writing. The look is paired with a blue skirt and converse sneakers.
It’s such a dorky look, which would probably look utterly stupid on someone else, but it suits her in such a Juliette way, that Cal can’t help but toy with the shirt collar.
“Hi” she replies, and instantly feels silly for it, the way how her voice rises in pitch. They hadn’t planned on meeting that night, but she was unbelievably happy to see her girlfriend after the past few busy days of school.
They stand at the door for a few moments, just looking at each other before Calliope blinks a few times and steps to the side. “Come in” she ushers, standing to the side as Juliette clumsily steps through the front door
“I wanted to see you” she announces, setting down a navy satchel with the careful precision of a surgeon. This is what piques Calliope’s interest.
There is a lot of words to describe Juliette Fairmont. Dorky. Bright. Uncoordinated. Cheerful. Talkative. Awkward. Just to say a few. Careful is not a word that Calliope would associate with the vampire, perhaps even the total opposite.
She had the grace of a bull in a China shop, probably similar coordination too. So the care of which she handled the bag, sparks Cal’s curiosity.
”Juliette” she begins, eyeing the bag. “What’s in the bag?” She sighs, caught out and takes a seat on the couch, steadying herself with a deep breath.
“Don't be mad” it’s not a comforting statement, actually quite the opposite. Calliope rarely gets angry these days, especially at Juliette.
Their opposing personalities ground each other in comforting ways. Juliette’s optimism and brightness balances out Calliope’s deep focus and determination.
Juliette sheepishly opens the bag, and out crawls a small bundle. “Jules!” Calliope hisses, jumping up from the couch as the small animal darts across the living room.
”I’m sorry! But he was all alone Cal. And it’s dark, and raining” Juliette pouts, her eyes soft and sad.
Calliope sighs but softens. “I’m not mad babe” she promises, “You’re too soft sometimes” she adds as an afterthought
Juliette crouches onto the floor. “He’s ran off” she notes, panic in her voice. Great, a runaway stray hidden in their house. All she needs.
But Jules looks worried, her eyes big and wide as they meet Calliope’s. She squeezes her girlfriend’s hand. “We’ll find him, it’ll be okay Jules”
She hopes it’s true. Because if the animal is actually lost, not only will it upset Juliette but she’s pretty sure that her parents will kill the pair of them, so finding him is imperative
They search the living room, before making their way to the kitchen. “There we go” Calliope spots a small dark bundle near the fridge and scoops him up in a swift motion
The puppy is small and clearly frightened, by the way he shakes in Calliope’s arms. “There we are” Juliette coos, stroking his fur reassuringly
”Where did you find him?” Calliope tightens her grip as the puppy tries to get out of her grasp. She walks back to the living room, taking a seat on the couch as she examines the quivering puppy.
He is a thin, wispy thing. His fur is dark and matted, damp from the rain. Wild eyes dart everywhere, before settling on Juliette’s face as she joins Calliope on the couch
”It’s okay buddy” she strokes his face, and he nuzzles into the touch. “He was just wandering around in the dark” She explains, hands smoothing over his fur
The puppy is clearly not a beloved family pet, Calliope can guess he is a stray. He is thin, much thinner than a dog of that size should be.
He scrambles again, paws pressing roughly against Calliope’s hands as he tries to escape her hold. “Hey!” Juliette admonishes, but takes the puppy into her own arms where he relaxes more
”I was walking home, then I saw him. And he looked so lonely Cal. And scared” Juliette explains, holding the puppy close to her chest like a mother might hold a child
Calliope listens to the story intently, watching how the puppy settles into her girlfriend’s embrace, clearly comfortable with her presence.
“What are you going to do Jules?” Calliope asks, stroking a tentative finger over dark fur. Juliette is uncharacteristically quiet before she looks up from the puppy to meet Calliope’s eyes
”Uh, uh! No way” Calliope shields her eyes with a hand, turning fully away from her girlfriend. “No way! Not this. Keep those puppy eyes away from me!”
Juliette snorts at the pun, but holds the puppy out to Calliope. “But Cal! It’s dark and cold outside” she whines. “He’ll be scared all alone”
“Take him back to your place!” Calliope retorts, and Juliette raises an eyebrow at this. “Seriously?” She asks, and Calliope considers it.
Then she remembers the story that Juliette told her, of the twins and a turtle when growing up. How their mother adamantly banned all pets from the household ever since
”Or an animal shelter” she suggests, and Juliette frowns. “They won’t take good care of him” she insists, and now it’s Calliope who rolls her eyes. “And you will?”
Juliette nods, determined. “One night Cal. Let him stay one night. Just look at his little face” she pleads. Calliope can feel her resolve breaking.
She can’t say no to Juliette, try as she might. Especially when she pouts, and she is right - the dog is pretty cute.
”And tomorrow? What do we do then?” She asks, Juliette pauses at this clearly not having thought so far ahead. “I don’t know Cal. But he’s cold and it’s raining outside” she pouts again and at this, Calliope finally crumbles
“Fine! Fine! One night Jules and he’s gone tomorrow” Her girlfriend almost leaps off the couch, pumping one fist high into the air and whooping. “You’re staying with us, Midnight” she tells the puppy, jostling him in wild arms
There is a lot to unpack about this, Calliope thinks. “Midnight?” Juliette points at the fur, “on brand” she explains with a wide grin
Juliette begins to pull more out the bag, and Calliope realises that she had anticipated her agreement to the situation when a small foldaway dog bed is pulled out.
“This is for you” she tells the puppy, who seems to be pretty content curled against Juliette’s lap. “And this is also for you” she continues, offering a small purple toy which Midnight shows more of an interest in
She is emotionally invested already, and it will not be an easy feat saying goodbye to Midnight tomorrow, Calliope thinks.
Her girlfriend has the biggest heart, and is the softest person she knows. But she is also impulsive and doesn’t actually think things through.
By the time they set up the dog bed and Calliope pours a small metallic bowl of water, the clock reads 11pm. The rest of her family will be home soon, and most likely won’t appreciate their new guest
The Burns aren’t really pet people, and she is pretty sure that Apollo has a deathly fear of dogs. So they take Midnight to Calliope’s room, and he thankfully falls asleep in Juliette’s arms on the trip upstairs
”Sweet dreams” Juliette tells the puppy, kissing him softly as she lowers him to the bed. The action is oddly domestic and tugs at Calliope’s heart in an unusual way
She hears the door unlock and the sound of her parents conversing with Theo, who must have arrived home at a similar time.
”I hope he’s quiet” she tells Juliette, perching on the corner of her bed. Jules’ hums in agreement, flopping backwards on the bed with an unceremonious thump.
She shuts her eyes, and Calliope traces her cheek gently, smiling when she leans into the touch. “Thanks for taking care of us” she murmurs, voice low but soft
Calliope chuckles. “You’re welcome Jules” she responds, laying back to join her girlfriend on the bed.