The New Toppat (Curtisson)

45: The End

"Doing paperwork has never felt so enjoyable before."

"Glad I'm here to help."

"You always help, Burt!"

Sven was scanning his desk as well as doing any lingering paperwork he found.

He had just finished one sheet and was looking for another when his fingers rested on something familiar.

He froze and lifted the thing to his face.

A book.

White Fang.

He sighed and set it down, immediately discouraged as memories and anxiety flooded his head again.

Burt noticed and narrowed his eyes, drawing White Fang closer until he, too, got a clear look.

He flinched in pain.

"Hey, hey, it's okay... That's past us now," Sven mumbled, although agony was edging his voice.

Burt picked up the book and held it for a moment.

"You wouldn't mind if... If I took this... To read, like I was going to the first time..? I never got to finish it..."

"Of course you can take that, Burt. Anything that... Might help with those memories..."

He looked away.

"Well, some memories are better than others."

"I'm pretty sure all of our memories together were... Painful."

"I can prove you wrong."

"Go ahead."

"That chair's squeaky."

Sven stared at him, a smile tugging at his lips.

Burt raised a brow and sat down on the other chair, sliding next to Sven with a smirk.

"You're so cute, Sven."

The Swede kissed Burt's nose.

"You didn't say that when this first happened."

"And I still regret not saying it earlier."

"This is why I fell in love with you. This is exactly why."

"Not for my stunning good looks, then?"

"That too."

Sven giggled and hugged Burt.

He heard a faint vibrating noise in Burt's throat and smiled.

He was purring.

Now, a commonly looked-over fact about humans is they can, in fact, purr.

They just don't.

But one of Burt's most common pleased noises was purring, probably because he didn't show pleasure or affection in his words.

So he purred.

He had become an expert at it, especially since he became Sven's boyfriend.

Sven sighed, breathing in Burt's aroma.

A sweet aroma.

Sven couldn't put his finger on the very scent, but sweet nonetheless.

"Do you wanna take a little break in the paperwork and have me do it?" Burt teased.

"If it's not too much trouble for you..."

"Nothing can bother me if you're here with me."

"You're so sweet, Burt..."

The sweet scent and the purring was almost enough to make Sven fall asleep, but he didn't let himself drift away so easily.

He'd stay there, in case Burt needed help.

"When's the last time you slept, Sven?"

"2..."

"2 what?"

"2... Days..."

"What?!"

"I've been caught up in paperwork, okay?!"

"You're gonna go to my room and sleep."

"No, I'm okay."

"That's not a choice, Sven."

Sven stood up, but Burt brushed his fingers through Sven's hair and shook his head.

"I'll carry you."

"Wha-"

Burt picked up Sven with ease and smiled.

"You're really light, Sven."

"You're flustering me, Burt..."

"You're adorable when you're flustered."

"Nooo..."

Burt carried Sven down the hallway, when suddenly, a figure stepped into view with someone in their control.

"Who... Who are you?" Burt asked warily, setting Sven down and standing in front of him defensively.

Carol...

Sven felt his blood freeze.

The person had Carol, arm wrapped around their neck and a gun pointed at their head.

"You recognize me, right, Burt..?" they asked coolly.

Sven swallowed when Burt shivered.

That happened last time when he recognized Charles.

"D-Dad..?"

Burt's father raised a brow.

"Mhm. Hubert Galeforce, for you. You haven't met me yet." Galeforce smirked. 

"What are you here for?!" Burt demanded.

"I'm here to get my son back."