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Phainon grumbled. Having to let go of Beagle Coconut for a week was difficult already, let alone find a trusty looking pet sitter. He didn't want to entrust his baby to just anyone, and no picture of the countless advertisements on this godforsaken website seemed convincing enough to Phainon. Ready to give up and text Castorice yet again, his eyes landed on the profile of a very well reviewed pet sitter: "Mydeimos", it read simply. Needless to say, the reviews were surprising considering the guy's grunge look, all dark eyeliner and silver piercings sparkling under the camera flash. The image looked more suitable for a punk magazine's cover than a pet sitting services website, but Phainon felt like trusting the grumpy pout staring back at him on the screen - he definitely did not message the guy because he found him deadly attractive, absolutely not!
Phainon eventually arrived at the pet sitter's loft on the next day, cradling Beagle Coconut lovingly in his arms and whispering reassuring words to the undoubtedly less stressed gray chimera.
When the door opened, Phainon forgot how to breathe for ten solid seconds. The grainy picture on the pet sitter website's had not done this man's beauty justice. Blond locks erupting in flames at their ends framed a perfectly sculpted face and blazing eyes, the regal look he carried inviting anyone to fall to their knees in reverence should they hold his gaze for too long. Even old fashioned aunties couldn't deny how well his red tattoos suited him.
Phainon suddenly felt very jealous of Beagle Coconut. He would spend an entire week getting pats from this model-looking blonde while he would be suffering through many cycles of business meetings.
With a raised eyebrow at Phainon's prolonged staring, Mydeimos invited him inside. Phainon's poor heart jumped and squeezed when the blonde's scowl morphed into a soft smile as he greeted Beagle Coconut. Mydeimos listened attentively as Phainon told him about Beagle Coconut's routine and needs, rambling like an anxious dad and glad the blond didn't comment on his visible anxiety. They exchanged numbers just in case, and Phainon's nerves calmed down slightly as Mydeimos promised him Beagle Coconut would be taken good care of.
After a tiring flight and an even more tiring first day abroad, Phainon finally had time to check his phone. Texts from Cyrene - spamming as usual, really -, a missed call from Castorice, but most importantly…
[Mydeimos 😳]
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Look, he's already pawing on the couch.
[Phainon]
MY BABY HES SO CUTE MAKING BISCUITS AW
tysm for the pic!!
[Mydeimos 😳]
Making biscuits?
[Phainon]
?? you don't know what it means?
[Mydeimos 😳]
No, should I?
[Phainon]
wow i know you're younger than me but imma have to call you grandpa for that
[Mydeimos 😳]
HKS.
Phainon chuckled, heart now warm and the day's exhaustion magically forgotten. He hadn't expected Mydeimos to send him a picture of his baby while he was away - it wasn't part of Mydeimos' pet sitter duties… He could see why the guy was an esteemed pet sitter. Heck, the blond was handsome and thoughtful!
To Phainon's surprise and delight, it wasn't a one time thing. Over the course of the next days, Mydeimos sent him varying shots of Beagle Coconut: his baby napping under the sun in front of a window, climbing the highest piece of furniture he could find, playing with Fig Stew - the blond's own chimera. Phainon even started taking sneaky glances at his phone during meetings to reply to Mydeimos, a smile threatening to break free on his lips each time he saw the blond's name pop up on his screen. It was becoming more and more difficult for Phainon to not look forward to receiving texts from the blond instead of focusing on the board.
˜˜˜
Sipping his morning coffee, Phainon perked up when a familiar name popped on his screen.
[Mydeimos 😳]
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Good morning. Look who decided to use me as a pillow.
Heads turned in concern in the main hall as Phainon choked on his coffee, the warmth on his cheeks unrelated to the hot espresso he had been drinking.
The picture Mydeimos had sent him… Was a selfie. Not only did that mean Phainon was blessed with the sight of the blond's gorgeous sleepy face, which was already more than he had ever dared to dream of, but it also framed Beagle Coconut sleeping on Mydeimos' chest… Between his very naked, very plump pecs. Could they even be qualified as such when they looked like tits?!
They looked so soft… Drooling in his coffee, Phainon couldn't help but wonder how they'd feel under his touch, if they were sensitive, how Mydeimos would react if he were to bite them…
Phainon cursed Beagle Coconut through the screen and the smug look his chimera was wearing, very much aware of his privilege and teasing its owner.
Needless to say this was one of the hardest days Phainon had ever been through, in every sense of the word.
˜˜˜
Phainon sighed for what was most likely the 25th time of the day. Or more like the 10th time if he dropped the drama queen crown.
He missed Mydei. Yes, as pathetic as it sounds considering their non existent relationship, he did.
How was he supposed to spend a day without getting texts from the blond, when that had been his routine since the start of the week? How could he go back to boring meetings without their bickering or heartfelt conversation to keep him awake?
Phainon spent the day silently cursing whatever group project kept Mydei busy at college; whoever invented college, too.
When at last his phone pinged with a text from the blond, Phainon had already made it back to the hotel, trying and failing to unwind.
Mydei texted him that he was finally done for today, so why was he still not answering Phainon?
A genius idea popped in Phainon's head. Why not just call him? He desperately needed to check on his baby Beagle Coconut after all. No other reason!
Without thinking twice, Phainon pressed the call button. After one, two rings, a deep and steady voice picked up.
"Phainon?"
No, Phainon was not kicking his feet like a schoolgirl from hearing his crush's voice. He could've sworn!
"Mydei! Hi! How are you?"
"Why are you calling?" The blond immediately inquired, making Phainon laugh under his breath. It would've been almost offensive if he didn't find Mydei's forwardness so charming.
"Where's my daily Beagle Coconut picture? I'm worried to death about my baby!" Phainon put all his acting skills to use, drama queen crown back atop his head.
"HKS," Phainon swore he heard Mydei roll his eyes, "You know I've been caught up with college stuff all day. I just got back home."
"So you would rather have me dying of worry than calling you?" Phainon whined like the grown up man he was.
"Of course not." Mydei grunted and wow why was that so hot? Was he shirtless just like he had been in the selfie he'd sent Phainon? Would he grunt more if Phainon told him he liked his voice?
Phainon shook his head to shake the thoughts away. He couldn't afford such dangerous musing when he had the other on the line!
A sound resembling an "Awoo!" came up through the speaker, making Phainon perk up.
"Yes, yes, food is coming." Mydei said to the chimera before turning his attention back to Phainon, "Your baby is just as eager and impatient as you are, it's quite entertaining."
Phainon felt his poor heart jump and squeeze. Mydei found him entertaining! If he were to die now, he'd die a happy man.
He heard ruffling and Beagle Coconut demanding more attention from Mydei.
"Perhaps too eager, actually. He won't stop trying to climb up my leg until I scoop him up and allow him to cuddle on my chest." Mydei sighed before laughing, soft and fond.
Phainon couldn't believe it, but he truly felt jealous of his pet. Before he could reply anything, Mydei spoke again.
"I'm gonna have to hang up, I might need both hands to fill his bowl and give Mr. Impatient here some pets unless he ruins my pants beyond saving."
As if sensing Phainon's incoming complaint, he quickly added:
"I'll send you more pictures to make up for it. Deal?"
Emboldened, Phainon decided to push his luck, "If you include another selfie with Beagle Coconut, we have a deal."
He heard Mydei snorting instead of answering.
"Talk to you later, Phainon."
"Good evening, Mydei!" Phainon chirped right before the call ended.
Dropping his head on the pillow, he sighed like a lovestruck maiden. No matter the selfie, hearing the blond's voice was everything he had needed after a long day.
Titans, he really was a lost cause.
Exciting the shower, Phainon nearly dropped his phone when he saw Mydei had ended up granting his wish.
Shameless, the white haired man swiftly changed his phone's wallpaper.
˜˜˜
At the end of the week, Phainon found himself excited to go home, not only to find his dear chimera, but also to see the gorgeous blond again.
The flight back to Okhema couldn't pass quickly enough, yet Phainon felt scared his return would mean not talking to Mydeimos anymore. They had only known each other - if he could even say that - for a week, yet Phainon couldn't imagine not texting him every day anymore, their banter having become the light of his days.
The door opening on Mydeimos looking as handsome as when he last saw him left Phainon struggling to find his words. Past the blond's frame, he caught Beagle Coconut and Fig Stew licking each other's furs and purring in contentment, and his mouth ran before he could think.
"Hey Mydei, don't you think it would be good for Fig Stew and Beagle Coconut if we moved in together so they don't have to part ways?"
Mydeimos raised a brow, "Well, good to see you again, Phainon."
Realizing what he just said, Phainon's face heated up in an instant, his hands lifting to gesture uselessly in the air, "Oh Titans I'm- Hello- I mean yeah it's good to see you again too, Sorry-"
The blond's lips curled in amusement as fondness seeped into his words, "How about you take me out before we start talking about moving in?"
Phainon blinked, then nearly jumped through the roof in excitement.