#rick writes

              Everyone had sort of noticed, but no one knew how to deal with it other than let Adam do his thing and hope that he’d come into work the next day feeling better, that his tail would flick happily as they fucked around in GTA for a few hours. No one but Lawrence, that is.

              “Hey, Kovic, come home with me today.” Lawrence said, laying his hand on Adam’s shoulder and making him jump, ears flattening when he realized what had disturbed him.

              “I…” He tried to protest, cycling through excuses before settling on the fact that he was just being contrary. And he kind of couldn’t say no at that point. “Sure.” Lawrence only grinned, and Adam prayed to whatever higher power was listening that Lawrence didn’t have something… planned. He didn’t need to be cheered up, damnit.

              The hours crawled by, and Adam had resorted to nibbling on pens, denting the cheap plastic with his sharp teeth. It wasn’t the best of habits, and it was probably gonna kill him one day when he accidentally swallowed something, but whatever. It made him less stressed now.

              You ready to head out, babe? Adam’s phone buzzed, and he flinched a little, pulled out of his editing. His lips twitched with amusement when he saw who had texted him, seeing as he was sitting about five feet away.

              You could just like, talk to me. with your mouth. He shot back, tossing his phone on the desk and digging his claws (ha) back into Premiere.

              Yeah, but they’d all make fun of me if I called you babe. They don’t even let James and Elyse get away with that shit and they’re married! Adam looked over his monitor to see Lawrence engrossed in something on his screen, glasses whited out with the reflection.

              And when have you ever let them tell you what to do, hon?

              Shut up.

              Mmhm.

              I said shut up, I can see your ears twitching, which means you’re gonna be an asshole. Adam did his best to duck below his monitor, already feeling a smile pull at his lips.

              To my Larr? Never.

              When are we leaving, Princess Paws?

              Call me that again.

              “When are we leaving, Princess Paws?” Lawrence said, peeking over his computer only to see Adam slam his head down on his desk, to the amusement of everyone around.

              “You let him call you Princess Paws?” James asked, laughing raucously.

              “I don’t let him, he’s just a dick!” Adam protested, flipping the both of them off and making Lawrence chuckle.

              “Still haven’t answered my question.” Lawrence chimed in.

              “If you diiiicks would let me get this video to the render stage, we’d be done here!” Adam snapped, but Lawrence could tell he was smiling, and he saw Adam’s ears perky and flicking.

              “Let’s leave His Highness alone, hm?” Lawrence said, barely containing the smile in his voice.

              I hate you, Sonntag.

              Sure you do.

              Half an hour went by, and with a great amount of relief, Adam finally set the video to render and sat back in his chair.

              Ready to leave when you are, baby cakes.

              Baby cakes, huh? Adam heard Lawrence start to pack up, and figured he should do the same. The video was set to go, and whoever’s the last to go always wrapped shit up anyways. Adam grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and wandered over to the door, Lawrence quickly catching up to him.

              “His Highness is ready to leave now.” Adam smirked, his teeth peeking out, and Lawrence rolled his eyes.

              “That’s not a thing now, is it?”

              Adam shrugged, grinning and pushing the door open. “I don’t know, you started it, you’re the reason for it.”

              “Fine then, I’m never calling you Adam in a video again. Princess Paws you will be forever. Nameburn on Open Haus? I’m forcing it to be Princess Paws.” Lawrence deadpanned before he could deadpan no longer, and he snickered, Adam pushing him gently.

              “Take me home, you shit.”

              The second Lawrence did, and they were in the door to his apartment, Adam just melted onto the couch.

               “Seems like cats really are fluid.” Lawrence remarked, garnering an unimpressed grunt from Adam. He wandered over and squatted by Adam’s face, brow knit with concern.

               “You ok, Ad?” Lawrence asked, voice gone soft and gentle as he pet through Adam’s hair.

                “Mmnh.” He grunted again. “Work. Hard. Catching up with me.” Lawrence’s shoulders dropped.

                “Yeah, I could kind of tell. You were so jumpy at work.” He leaned forward and kissed Adam’s forehead. “None of that shit matters, ok?”

                “Your lips are really pink.” Adam mumbled again, and how quiet and soft he is hit Lawrence like a punch to the gut. “Anyone ever tell you that?”    

                “Think you just did, babe.” Adam closed his eyes and laughed, tail flicking slowly, contentedly, Lawrence had come to learn

                “Guess so…” Lawrence stroked a hand through Adam’s hair again, over the soft black fur of his ears as he buried a little further into his arms. “Hey, I’ll make something for us and put on a movie, how does that sound?” Adam nodded, and Lawrence smiled gently. “Ok, Ad, I got you. Get cozy, I’ll take care of you.”