The atmosphere was pretty cozy; the smell of newly made coffee could fill the air. It was the start of summer, in an afternoon day but the vibe of the place was never hot but warm—just like how one could describe what home feels like.
Anthony was sitting by the blue-colored sofa and sat on all fours. A pen was placed around the top of his ears; his raven hair on his usual man bun hairdo. His face was rather serious; brows crumpled, lips sealed in a tight frown as he intensely set his gaze to the notepad on his hand; full of writings. On his right is a trash bin, almost full of the papers he tore from his notes. He is finally home, now faced with another hell he needs to confront.
He badly needs to come up with chapters or his goblin editor will have his head.
Sighing, he placed his note on the table in front of him. Sitting properly; he went to reach the cup of coffee he has on the table, took a gracious sip and placed both of his hands on his laptop's keyboard and began typing.
It certainly looked like a normal day for him as if nothing had changed but that would be a big fat lie. He took a quick glance to the floor where another 'person' lay; gray cat tail moving side to side as he was happily coloring an adult coloring book. For a cat-man, he was more tidy than him because the cat always placed the crayons back on its box after using, afraid to break it into pieces. On the cat's side was a large cat-bed where two tabby kittens were sleeping.
Anthony looked at the time, it was already three in the afternoon. He called Aegir out; who was now finishing coloring a tulip flower. "Hey, do you want some snacks? " he asked him, genuinely worried that he might starve himself especially he's been too absorbed with the coloring book he gave to him. He bought a new notepad and it happened that he got a coloring book as a freebie.
Aegir stopped what he was doing and turned his head to his master. He smiled at him and shook his head. "I am not yet hungry. But maybe we should get an early dinner today? You cook, I'll wash the dishes," he suggested; turning his attention back to coloring; taking a peach crayon from the box to color skin.
Anthony hummed in response; approving Aegir's proposal. Anthony resumed writing again. It's his Chapter twenty already and he needed to write five more chapters. He was too preoccupied with all the happenings lately and he wasn't able to finish his quota.
Aegir, who suddenly remembered something placed the color in between the folded section of the coloring book. "Is that weird man not calling you again? " Aegir sounded like he's investigating the occurrence; tone rather worried and somehow annoyed about the thoughts of the weird man who's been calling his master for so many times since yesterday like he's nuts.
Still eyes on the screen of his laptop, Anthony replied, "Yes. Saint called again a while ago. I already put my phone on mute, don't worry. I already texted him to only message me if it's important. " Anthony sighed. He doesn't want to press deeper on this issue but Aegir seems annoyed by Saint's action.
Frowning, Aegir closed his coloring book. It seems thinking about the man had sour his mood. "What does he want anyways? It's not work, I am sure! Are you sure he didn't see us fighting that creepy creature back in the forest? He might be lying! " Aegir placed both of his hands on his chin; taking a deep breath.
Anthony pressed the save button on his document office. "If he did, we'll be taken by the government by now. But in the worst case scenario I hope it isn't the case... I know he likes magic and stuff if he indeed had seen us... he wants to pester us about it and we'll only lead him to danger. " Anthony's face was sullen; scared that they had dragged someone again to this mess.
Aegir's expression softened, he went to sit near his master's lap; placing his cheek on it; rubbing it like a cat would do when they find that their master was sad. "Maybe Artemisia could help us right? She gave us that big mirror that connects to her house. Maybe she knows about a magic that'll make that annoying guy forget? " His voice was hopeful, he just wanted the guy to stop annoying them.
But his master couldn't find his words to respond. He was perplexed by the action Aegir did. Upon contact, he felt his whole body jolt and his throat ran dry as if it was the one affected by summer.
"W-What? " Stammering, he found himself staring at Aegir who he found so damn cute. Especially the way his tail swayed back and forth and how his fluffy ears twitched. Anthony choked on his saliva and started to cough because of his own thoughts.
'Maybe this is all because of shock and there's nothing wrong admiring someone's physique, yes.' He tried to convince himself; trying to gather his thoughts by inhaling and exhaling.
Aegir's brows crumpled to his master's face, especially that he looked kinda pale and was trying to catch his breath. With his knees in a kneeling position; he propelled his body forward, inches away from Anthony's own body. His hand went to reach his chin; eyes darted on his master's face, his other hand went to check his forehead's temperature.
"You're not sick, master! '' Relief washed Aegir's voice. Ever since the training they did, Aegir's worrywart attitude tripled and he became more clingy.
Anthony was clearly not fine with the situation, his usual calm demeanor slowly slipped away from him; now screaming like a madman. His heart hammered crazily now that he found himself in close proximity with another being's body. His breathing hitched and he could feel his cheek heat up. Especially that he could see Aegir's face up close; expressive green eyes with long lashes and pinkish cupid bow lips. The man was beautiful and for him it's a sin to have a face like that because it can sink a thousand ships. At this point, Anthony's mind had gone blank and he even forgot why they're having a conversation.
He wasn't like this either. He was used to Aegir's clinging nature but suddenly right now it felt different especially when he steeled his resolve to protect him.
Aegir blinked his eyes repeatedly; he found his master's intense staring weird especially there's something in his eyes he couldn't understand. And it was a mistake for him to stare-as if it was flames, ready to engulfed him in whole. Maybe he's just overthinking it, probably he was. It wasn't the case, right?
"Are you really okay? " Aegir held his master's chin. Anthony looked away, his hand was cold and shaking when he tried to move Aegir's hand just so he could breathe.
Aegir was baffled yet he couldn't find himself getting offended by the action. And deep inside him he felt that his guts agreed to the actions taken by Anthony.
"Y-Yes, I am. I am fine. Can you distance yourself for a bit? Don't get me wrong I don't want to shoo you away, you can sit beside me if you'd like while I'm writing. " Anthony motioned his shaking hand to his side; still trying to avert his gaze to the person who's inches away from him.
Aegir didn't argue but immediately did as he was told yet he also couldn't stop himself from holding Anthony's hand which he thought looked cold. He just wants to warm it out for a bit even though he finds it weird that his master's hand was freezing when it's summer.
Anthony half-hissed and half-whispered some incoherent words he hoped Aegir didn't hear. "Why are you cussing at me? Did I do something wrong?" He was proved wrong when he heard Aegir's voice increased; indicating that he's already pissed.
Anthony bit his lips and tried to reason out. "I am not mad at you. I just thought of this novel that's right! I am having problems regarding it! " He used his novel as an excuse; although that was also half true. He was having a hard time introducing his story's villain.
Anthony immediately went to take his coffee and almost like it's just water, he chugged the contents down like he's thirsty.
Aegir found solace on his master's word. He doesn't want him to hate him. Maybe he'll even try to help him with his novel this time. "Care to share with me about it? I know I am not a writer like you but I really want to help you. I don't want to see you all stressed out. " Aegir was pouting; he even gripped his hold on Anthony's hand.
Anthony's heart skipped a beat especially to the last sentence Aegir had said.
'It must be palpitations from too much coffee. ' Now he blamed the coffee and he could even rationalize his reactions by just being too soft to genuine kindness afterall, it's the first time he had felt this way from another person.
He went to slap his cheek with his palm. He needs to focus on the chapters and not these kinds of thoughts. "I... " Anthony stared at the screen of his laptop before continuing, "I was having a hard time making a villain evil, like downright evil and make it feel right. " His head was low; lips in a tight frown.
Aegir placed his index finger to the side of his forehead; tapping it repeatedly like he's thinking. After some seconds, he beamed brightly coming up with an idea.
Anthony could only beat himself not to find the action cute... Because his novel should come first, it is a grave matter.
"You see, I personally believe that evil does not pre-exist inside a being. It's like the seed we planted before; it's sowed and eventually grew inside of them. I hate humans for abusing me before but there's a small side of me thinking that what if they weren't loved right that's why they turned bitter? Not all could be optimistic and the least they could do to continue living is sometimes be like what tormented them. " A small sad smile slipped to Aegir's lips.
"What they did was wrong but sometimes the greatest of all evil was the one who has no choice but to turn their backs to the world because they were discarded, " Aegir continued; fear etched on his face especially on the mention of the last word.
He fears that someday Anthony will throw him out.
Anthony could not help but to agree. Because he also had the impulse to do revenge before and expose the image he took of his first love and two other guys she's messing with.
Aegir wasn't serious most of the times but when he is; Anthony always felt in awe and admire his words. He warmly looked at Aegir and smiled. "Thank you! I'll note that. And you don't need to worry, I promise that I will never turn my back on you. " He planted his hand on the top of Aegir's head and messed up his hair. He already picked up that Aegir must've been terrified of the thought of being abandoned.
Aegir was taken aback for a good second but soon he grinned; his face painted pink like newly bloomed roses. He lunged himself to his master's body; embracing him fully. "I will also be here for you, master! Forever and ever! "
Anthony could hear his own heart beating but damn all the reasons for now; he hugged Aegir back-the closest one he could rely on when his family was nowhere to be seen.
Their moment was cut short when they both heard continuous meows and cat cries from the cat bed; face still buried on Anthony's chest, Aegir grumbled.
"Go get them, master. You feed those kids. "
And Anthony wouldn't dare to complain... he doesn't want Aegir's sharp claw printed on his face.
He was supposed to be the master but he's rather very compelling to the cat's desires on his own accord.
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