🦇

     Eros opens her mouth to speak and then shuts it. Teeth clench together for just a moment and she raises a hand. A signal for needing just a moment. Just one as she turns away and pinches at the bridge of her nose.

     He wasn't a kid anymore. He was an adult. He was going to do things whether she liked it or not and he was going to behave a certain way. She had this same conversation when the girls were growing up. Even if they were grown they were still her babies after all! She just needed to be more mindful of treating them like both her precious children and like the adults they were.

     When she turns back, that easy smile returns on for it to be replaced with confusion as she looks between them.

❝I showed him damnation, and he's been stuck on that guy since.❞

As if he wasn't the exact same with characters he liked, but come on. Of all the characters in the world, that one?? Ignoring once again that he liked many worse characters and probably would've named a pet after them when he was his age. Shocking that he didn't.

❝He's very handsome and charismatic.❞

And infected! Which made it work for this little werewolf baby, he also looked... different in a cute way. And if this kitten's behavior so far was any indication of how he'd be when he got bigger and older, then it was also fitting!

     “ At least there was that. ”

     Eros shifts absently, swirling their drink in their glass. It's too loud in here. Too many people, he really doesn't want to be here. As much as he adores Mason and the other side of his family – this is the worst experience he's had in a very long time. When his partner makes it known he wants to leave, the smaller follows close behind.

     “ Oh – okay. ”

     They stay pressed against him as they make their way through the crowd. At the very least they can just get out of here. It's too hot. Too loud. Too many people. It keeps replaying in his head. If anything else, Eros can offer himself as an excuse. When your spouse to be got overstimulated, what could one do but leave? It would be like torture to keep them there.

❝She doesn't care about that kind of stuff, color, style, length, she doesn't care. It doesn't involve her in any way so why would she give a fuck?❞

Other relatives, sure, but not his mother. She was almost ever only focused on herself, no one else mattered even remotely as much as she did in her mind. It was surprising to him when he even got a comment on his own appearance, crazy to him at those moments that she even slightly remembered what he looked like- enough to point out a change or something new.

It is almost exactly as he expects when he does finally greet his mother. The excited "hi baby!" as if she really gave a fuck about him showing up and quickness to hug him always threw him off a bit mentally, that's how she always acted, but he never expected it. Ramblings about her husband of the hour mixed with updates of things that absolutely weren't drama given freely and in abundance, just to be swept away the moment an aunt comes to give her greetings. Attention tossed aside with a quick "tell Asher I miss him!" as if that was all he was ever needed for, but hey, he'd take it. Meant they could leave.

     “ Why – why did y'name a foster? ”

     Mason did have a point. Unless he had come up with the name just now, it didn't make sense at all. Eros had never fostered, but all the same.

     And again, she'd taken forever to come up with Libra's name and she'd known they were getting her from almost the time the puppy had been born. Didn't most fosters come with names? Or – temporary ones at least?

     “ Well, he is now, but – Ana. ”

❝I didn't name a foster. I named my cat.❞

Shaking his head as if that made it make any more sense. Eyes moving from the baby to his father just to be met with a weird look. Ughhhhhhhh, head lulling back slightly for a moment before setting back.

❝I didn't name him before I got permission, I just knew what I wanted to name a next pet. I'm twenty, not five. I know how fostering works, not all of them are gonna be like Maya or Саша.❞

It's an explanation that takes him a bit back. Surprised by the hint of annoyance in his son's voice. Guess it made sense, he was kinda treating him like a child and not adult. It was just hard not to treat him as a "baby" when he was their sick kid.

     “ I get what y'mean. After all, I never even met m'Mama. I jus' know she's there. ”

     The way he'd heard it, she had passed shortly after Eros had arrived on their doorstep. Alexi had said before he was lucky that they'd found him when they did. That he wouldn't have known what to do without her. Even if they knew it was coming, it had still been hard. And yet he'd pushed through all that hurt to make sure Eros grew up well. That was what had mattered in the end.

❝Really nothing. He never told me about when his appointments were so I never had the chance to attend with him to help out, but he had his caretaker at least.❞

Shrugging lightly as his eyes turn to focus on his drink. The noise was starting to get to him, giving him a headache. Who needed music this loud? Ever? A party, sure, maybe a college party. Definitely not a wedding reception. It was a question now though, who made the actual playlist? It all sounded like generic stuff to him, but hey he wasn't into "romantic" pop music for older straight people.

❝I'm giving up, I have to go tell her hi at least so we can LEAVE.❞

A quiet "loud" emphasis on leave, didn't need any of his relatives overhearing and ratting him out. He'd get a novel of a text later if they did, and he just didn't wanna deal with his mother whining and crying as if his presence even mattered to her. Scanning the event room to try and find her for a moment, for once luck striking as she seemed like she was alone for a moment. Well, aside from Jess, but she never acknowledged him anyway.

     “ Eh? S'my choice? ”

     Eros looks between the two of them, her finger pointing at herself. As if she hadn't just said it was fine! if anything, it just sort of made her want to get a pet again. Seeing how Ana interacted with the little thing was already incredibly heartwarming. Like when he was a baby and Agape would lay by him with her head in his lap. She loved him when he was just a chubby little thing…

     “ I – well – like I said – oh, I sound like a teenager again. Ahem. If s'really what y'want and y'er Dad says he'll help keep a medical eye on him, then I don't mind. I know y'er plenty responsible enough t' take care of a livin' creature. ”

     Having two parents that loved animals and him growing up with so many was proof enough of that. 

❝Oh, but he has a name.❞

Shrugging it off as if it was a known fact. A reply that gets a questioning look from his father.

❝No he doesn't..? Ana, you're not supposed to name the temporary fosters. You get attached that way.❞

This was somehow worse than when Asteria picked up a stray on the way home from work. Guess the cat would be staying, but hopefully that habit didn't. He couldn't think of how he'd be explaining temporary fostering to an adult like a child would work.

❝Well, he's not temporary now. You guys just said.❞

Gently holding the kitten up and out before his parents as if he was putting him on display.

  A frown passing by his face as he turns his attention back to the small kitten in hand. It was hard being as he was, but it made it all the more fun when his father did bring home animals that were abandoned and needed temporary homes. And who better to help him learn what he would need to do than his father?

  ❝He's got no one, not even the people who found his mom wanted to keep 'em.❞

     Ah. Suppose that explains it. That doesn't make Eros like it any more, but this isn't about what she likes. It's about their little boy.

     There's a pause between when Ana speaks and when the smaller comes to bring her hand to her chin. As if she's thinking it over. He is asking her permission, it seems. Or at least for her approval. It's not like he gets to do much thanks to his health. If it gives him more of a reason to get up, then that's what matters. How could she ever deny him that when she had felt the same when Agape was just a puppy. 

     “ If y'really want t'… then I don't see an issue with it. If y'feel like this l'il guy s'meant t' be with ya more th'n anyone else, then go f'er it. When y'er grandpa and I got Agi, there were so many other puppies – and everyone said they would be better f'er what we needed done. But Agi and I picked each other – and tha's what matters. ”

     It still hurt sometimes – remembering those days when she was so young. Deep breath. It was fine, they were just talking.

❝I did though, it's your house.❞

Their house, but he didn't really pay the bills, didn't do housework often either! Not for a lack of trying, but more often he was told to stop and go back to resting after pushing himself too far. Pitching in with his money when he could from working the few days he was allowed was enough, he knew- they told him all the time-, but still.

❝I think he's chosen, ever since dad put his little basket bed down he's been yelling if I walk away. I think he thinks I'm his mom.❞

     “ Well – I want Daddy and our friends there at least. ”

     He wasn't good with crowds, but he at least wanted something nice. Something small and intimate. Even if it was some backyard ceremony surrounded only by those people. That was all that mattered, really. 

❝We've never been spiritual people, or religious, but it does bring me comfort to speak to his grave. Like you said somehow.❞

His father wasn't too present in his life most of the time, but he knew it wasn't out of malicious reasons. He tried to be there, tried to make time, he just had a demanding job. Was tired from it most of the time, but he still made events like Asher's concerts when he could. That's all that mattered to the both of them, to see that he tried and wanted to be there.

     Confusion is clear on the smaller's face the moment that she hangs her coat up upon returning home. Only to met with that familiar whine of her baby boy.

     “ Well, there's nothin' wrong with that – oh. ”

     Silence for a beat. Grey eyes looking between her husband, her son, and the cat. It's been awhile since they've had a cat in the house, but – she hadn't expected this to be the first one back.

     “ What a cute kitty~. If y'think s'one y'really want, then I don't mind, but if y'do that, remember y'might not get as many opportunities since not all fosters c'n be kept with other cats. ”

The silence doesn't go unnoticed, really he had kind of the same reaction when he first learned about the breed so many years ago. They were certainly something...

❝It's the breed.❞

Quiet as to not interrupt their son's fawning, with a slight shake of the head. It wasn't bad that Ana wanted the kitten, but it just seemed like a lot of work for him. Being sick all the time made it hard for him to even get out of bed some days, a kitten on it's own this young needed attention all the time. But on the other hand, it would give him something to do, something to look after, he knew how boring it could get staying locked up in your bedroom all day.

❝I know, but I don't get many opportunities anyway. Maybe if I could go and apply for an actual foster program, but that's a lot of risk for me.❞

A frown passing by his face as he turns his attention back to the small kitten in hand. It was hard being as he was, but it made it all the more fun when his father did bring home animals that were abandoned and needed temporary homes. And who better to help him learn what he would need to do than his father?

     “ ‘m surprised y’even wanted t' actually show up. ”

     All he'd heard from anyone was how awful their mother was. Her odd shopping habits. The way she seemed to jump from man to man. Now – Eros wasn't going to judge people for not settling down with just one person, but to be on your fourth marriage was… certainly a choice. Plus there was the issue of his sister and that was a whole other thing. A sibling that seemed to just hate his very existence half the time. Eros couldn't even imagine.

     The smaller rolls his eyes at that look, an arm crossing over their chest before they're taking a drink. They could just leave. And Eros had said multiple times he'd support Mason if he wanted to ditch it altogether. But he'd also said he would be here if his partner chose to stay. And that meant that despite how uncomfortable this whole thing made him, he was going to stay right where he was.

❝I don't want something like this either. It's a lot of people, a lot of stuff that doesn't matter, I don't need it.❞

Applied to a lot of things his mother did honestly. She always had to have some grand display, always a ton of people over. Holidays back when he was a kid were almost unbearable, but at least then he and Asher could sneak away to the garage and stay with their dad as he avoided everyone else too.

     This whole thing… was so boring. Eros didn't know anybody here. Nor did he particularly care about Mason's mom. Maybe that was rude - but they hadn't met before now! He was only here to accompany Mason since he didn't want to go alone. Now they were just kind of standing there together and Eros was unsure of what to do or even say. Thank goodness none of these people were trying to talk to him. And thank goodness he'd been off getting drinks when that uncle had snagged Mason's time. He didn't want to hear for the tenth time that he looked out of place, too.

     The drink is handed off and they're leaning absently against the other. Silent for a moment as he speaks and they have to stifle a laugh.

     “ No, no. Y'er not allowed, cuz ‘m not bein’ surrounded by this many people alone. Especially since I couldn't bring Agi. ”

     There were far too many people he didn't know. Usually he could handle crowds or strangers, but not this many in such a close proximity. That was asking far too much from the smaller. This wasn't a lecture hall or something he was interested in. It was stuffy and awkward. If he had one more person asking if his hair was real, he was going to scream! What was so unbelievable about his hair being this nice and this color? It was just annoying to answer questions like that from people he didn't even know.

❝I don't even remember a majority of these people.❞

Understandable when he was so removed from his family on his mother's side. Growing up having chosen to live with their father after the divorce his mother never really reached out past a birthday card here and there, not even every year, and maybe a call or text on Christmas. Even when she called him to come visit it wasn't ever anything past making him do chores and listen to her ramble and ramble on about her perfect life, and of course getting irritated replies and looks from Jess when she wasn't actively ignoring that he existed.

Taking a drink before turning to give his partner a look, silently saying "yeah right". That wasn't gonna be any time soon, not unless he sought her out himself. And he absolutely could, he could go over to her say hi and then disappear, she wouldn't ever notice that he left early anyway. But, he really didn't wanna go put himself into that circle right now of so many relatives talking about stuff he didn't understand or know anything about. Still... really he just wanted to leave. He didn't care about what was going on in her life, they never lasted, and his invite was only given out of "necessity" 'cause he was her son anyway.

     “ Eh, who's t' say, really? ”

     A small shrug before he's following her inside. Not like he can say much on the topic or what he thinks. He knows things that she doesn't, after all.

     “ I appreciate it. Love talkin' and listenin' if an ear's needed, but y'know… boyfriend time. ”

     He gives a wave before heading upstairs and slipping into Mason's room. The door is shut and locked before he's fluffing his hair back out and his tail is wagging as he crouches down to love on Nocturne.

Nocturne's excitement is greater than usual, even a few rare yips given as the tiny dog is spinning around. Bounding over to his stairs and the small part in the bed's curtains made just for him, jumping around on his father's unconscious body. Maybe if he was a larger dog it might stir him a bit, but Nocturne's best efforts were often too small to break past the fact that he weighed as much as a bunch of paper clips.

     It was one of the first things to come to his mind. Back when he was a child, if Alexi were busy, he'd still let Eros sit with him while he colored or worked on schoolwork. It let him know the other was there if he ever needed him. Surely the same idea went here, right? They'd be in the same space knowing that they were there. Even if they were busy with other stuff, what mattered was that they could do it side by side. 

     “ I mean – I suggested it. ”

     Ah, but that was what he meant. Being around more people than usual – dealing with the noise that came with that. A hand comes to rub at the back of his neck and his brows knit together for a second. 

❝Right.❞

He'd rather the other have that space, their space now really, to retreat to than come to have any rifts with the others. The entire second floor really was a safe space, no one ever really bothered with heading up except Adam- and Adam was the first person to notice any kind of disturbance starting.

❝I mean, I would like to.❞

A tilt of the head as he speaks. It wasn't super intrusive on his end, so it'd be the best way to get used to being around the other's home and father. Something he needed to do to better adjust in the future.

     “ Hi, hi! I figured I'd surprise him today, s'been a bit since we got t' jus' sit together, y'know? ”

     Half a lie, but that was alright, surely. They had been needing a nice day to just sit inside together like this. Last night was hardly what they'd call a get together or a proper date.

     “ Ah, he was out that late? I wouldn't expect that from him. Always th' busy one, huh? I'll have t' talk t' him about it when he's up. ”

❝If he's going to listen to someone it'd probably be you. Or Asher, but he's another thing.❞

The boys of this house honestly. What a pain they were at times! Grown adults yet they acted like children. But, she wasn't gonna stop that, couldn't really.

❝Two jobs, all nighter secret projects, I don't get it, but oh well. I guess I don't need to.❞

So long as he wasn't hurting himself she supposed.

❝Anyway let me let you go before Susie hears you, you won't be able to go anywhere for a few hours. Stressed from the school week.❞