#cat vale

Would you fake date your best friend if your boss offered you $500,000 to do so? Because Bez would. So he did.

“Pecco,” he whined. “Please? It would be really good! I promise! Who would not believe it?”

Pecco glared at him across the counter. Bez was sitting on a bar stool, watching Pecco as he worked his way through the kitchen in his motorhome. Pecco was the better and more experienced cook between the two of them.

“You want me to pretend to date you? No, no.”

Bez rolled his eyes. “You know me so well! We have been friends for years, and there are already dating rumors. It is a lot of money. Who wouldn’t believe it?” Bez pleaded.

Pecco sighed. He moved around the kitchen once more before stepping out, making his way towards Bez. He leaned against the counter, his elbows keeping him up. “Marco, are you sure? Is this really what you want to do?” His eyebrows knitted together, all his focus zeroed in on Bez. It made Bez feel strange, as if he was under a microscope, especially when it was Pecco.

Pecco made him feel things that he doesn’t feel with people normally. He loved that. They knew things about each other that nearly nobody else did. There were things they kept from their parents, Luca and Franky, even Vale, that they only told each other. It made Bez treasure their friendship.

“I am very sure, Pecco. So sure.”

Pecco sighed. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

…

The next part was coming out.

Bez had never thought he would ever be so nervous to tell anyone anything, especially the other boys. Pecco had told him that the boys would be fine with it. They were all already friends. Why would they not be supportive of them? Bez tried not to focus on it, but it was still there.

(Pecco held his hand every time they told anyone.)

First, they told Franky. Franky smiled and laughed and brought them in for a hug, praising them for finally realizing their feelings.

Bez was confused by that. They didn't realize their feelings because there was nothing there. What was he even talking about?

Luca was next. He kissed them both on the cheek, happy. He was clearly excited for them, and he even mentioned that they might influence him to bring his boyfriend along to the ranch soon. Bez was happy with that. Everyone wanted to meet the mystery boyfriend.

Celestino gave them that look, the look that reminded Bez of Valentino when he told him something obvious, something he already knew. He was happy, told them not to do anything stupid, and wished them luck.

The last one they told was Valentino. They were visiting the ranch with everybody else, and Bez was starting to worry. Everybody else had been so happy, so welcoming to their new relationship title, but he was mostly concerned with Vale's opinion. He was almost like another parent in Bez's eyes. His opinion was almost above everyone else's.

Bez suddenly felt a shiver climb up his spine, something that would be normal for everyone but himself. That means he was going to change, and he was going to change soon. He looked at Pecco, and he was already looking at him.

Bez nodded and Pecco stood up. “There's two things I need to say. First, Marco and I are dating. The only person who doesn't know is Valentino, so that's one thing. Secondly, Bez shapeshifts uncontrollably, and if anyone has any problems, they can deal with me.”

Pecco looked at Bez, and Bez looked back. He felt protected and loved in that moment.

“Do you need to go somewhere, Bez? You look pale. That is normally a sign of a quick change.”

They all turned to Valentino. He shrugs as if his intimate knowledge of shape-shifting is common. Bez nods, and Valentino leads him to the house.

Bez has always felt safe with Valentino, and he never knew why. Maybe it was the parental guidance or the care after a crash. His senses were beginning to go into overdrive to compensate for the dog form, and that's when it hit him.

Valentino smelt like a cat.

…

Bez doesn't remember transforming. He never does. His mind blocks it out, makes him forget everything.

He does remember when he is a dog. So, when he sees a flash of light, he has to go investigate. What he isn't expecting is to see Marc Marquez, dazed, standing in one of the rooms at the ranch. Marc turns to face him, and his face pales slightly.

It is only then that Bez realises he's growling.

"Hey," He raises his arms up, palms facing Bez. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Yeah, right. But Bez stops growling anyway. He walks closer to Marc, curious. He knew he could teleport, everyone did. But why would he teleport here? He sniffed him as Marc stayed as still as a statue, and if Bez was human, he would have laughed.

He sat down, and looked up at Marc. Let us put him to the test---

He cups Bez's face, scratching him at just the right angle, just where he always needs scratching. He hears his own tail thump against the wood, but he doesn't care, this was blissful.

“You scared me, y’know?” Marc chuckled. “I thought I was about to be attacked by Valentino’s scary guard dog. What a way to go out.” Marc crouched down to the ground, and Bez moved forward to meet him. Not even Pecco scratches him this well. “Well, I guess we can wait for Valentino to find me here.” He sighed.

“I wonder if you know about Valentino…” Marc mumbles to himself. If only he knew. Bez had an idea now. He shapeshifted, like him. Except---

“I mean, he must smell like a cat to you. He shapeshifts into one.”

Ah, he does. Wait. How does he know?

"Bez are you in here?" Valentino calls. Bez looks to where Valentino should be, but he could hear Marc's heart rate accelerate just a bit.

"Uhm, Valentino?"

Valentino didn't speak again, and Bez decided to go check it out. He was just standing there, staring down the hall. As Bez walked past, he scratched his head, leaving Bez with a wagging tail once again.