#altuggerweek

“What do you want for lunch?”

Alonzo didn’t lift his head from his book. “Italian?”

“Too heavy for a day like today.”

“Pub?”

“We go there all the time.”

“Because you like it.”

“Not today. Menu doesn’t change.”

“How about that fusion place?”

Tugger pulled a face. “We had the worst dumplings last time.”

“There are other menu options.”

“You want to risk it?”

“Fair. Hmmmm seafood?”

“We had that two nights ago.”

“So?”

“We had the leftovers last night.”

Alonzo sighed heavily. He marked his place and looked up, propping his cheek in his palm. “How about McDonald’s, then?”

Tugger recoiled in horror. “Alonzo! Seriously, what are you saying?” He climbed into Alonzo’s lap and pressed his paws to their foreheads. “You don’t feel warm.”

“I’m not sick!”

“You must be if you’re suggesting lowering your standards to that,” Tugger exclaimed. His tail swayed like a metronome. “Are you sure you don’t want me to make you soup?”

Alonzo rolled his eyes. “Bast preserve me from your fickle nonsense.”

“What?”

Alonzo grabbed Tugger’s collar ring and pulled him down, until their lips barely brushed. “If you want to cook, just say so.”

Tugger flushed and looked away. “You just. Didn’t seem all that impressed last time.”

“Huh?” Alonzo blinked.

“Never mind,” Tugger mumbled quickly. “We can go to the pub.”

Alonzo tightened his hold on Tugger’s collar before he could try to move. Tugger stayed put, carefully not making eye contact.

“Tugger. When was I not impressed?”

Tugger winced. “When we had mac and cheese and greens the other night.”

“You made that? That was a homemade three cheese bechamel!”

“Wasn’t a big deal,” Tugger said, pouting.

“Obviously it was. Why not tell me?”

“I didn’t— nobody really thinks I know how to. I mean, nobody thinks I know how to live on my own, let alone cook. Last time I expressed interest I got laughed all the way into culinary classes.”

Alonzo lifted himself up and nuzzled his nose into Tugger’s cheek. He purred softly, working his way along Tugger’s face until their lips met. They kissed for several long moments until Alonzo finally released the collar ring.

“Mac and cheese isn’t my favorite food and yours was delicious enough that I had seconds.”

Tugger smiled sheepishly. His ears perked and his purring kicked into a pleased hum. His tail lifted behind him. “You really liked it?”

“Please trust that I would not have had seconds if I didn’t.” Alonzo shoved Tugger gently off his lap. “Go impress me with lunch, you terrible annoyance.”

Tugger leaned down and stole another kiss before scuttling off to the kitchen. Alonzo watched him go, smiling fondly.