Two Birds On A Wire

ch 43

Julian perked up his head from under the shower with knotted eyebrows as he washed his hair. The continuous rustling voices that came from his bedroom concerned him. An involuntary sigh escaped his lips when he heard his pet cat, Kumo, meow.

Maybe it just brought a frog as a humble gift for its owner.

Julian quickly finished showering and put on some fresh clothes. He didn't want Kumo to put the frog in his bed. Drying his hair with a towel, he stepped out into his bedroom.

"Kumo-- GAH!!" Julian screeched and almost fell over when he saw the silhoutte of a man by his window, holding Kumo in his arms. The room wasn't lit and the flying curtains only made the situation look worse.

A gasp escaped his lips when the stranger stepped further towards him with a grin plastered on his face. "Hey Jules!". The voice was so familiar and Julian scowled.

Ivan held out his arms, handing over Kumo to  Julian. "It's a really fluffy guy you got here. What's it called?"

"Kumo" Julian said in a low voice as he took his animal friend and let it snuggle closer to him.

"Huh?" Ivan couldn't quite decipher what the name was supposed to mean, no matter how hard he thought of it.

"It translates to cloud" Julian muttered out before he turned around briskly and made his way to the flight of stairs leading downstairs.

Ivan thought Julian looked kind of pissed. He should be worried. But interestingly, he found it funny. He chased after the boy. "Why the long face"

"My heart almost gave up just now, Ivan"

"I just wanted to give you company" Ivan grinned and halted abruptly when Julian turned around on his heels to face him. "This is trespassing. I could report you"

Ivan just laughed it away. The Julian he knew would actually report him if compelled. He didn't wanna risk anything.

•••

Julian scratched his head as he switched channels on the television. The both of the boys had settled down on the couch with some snacks and were switching between shows. Nothing seemed to be entertaining enough. At some point, Julian had slid down to the floor and had just sat there, leaning his back on the couch.

He threw his head back and stared at Ivan who was playing with the cat.

His cat.

Feeling the weight of his gaze on him, Ivan turned his head and passed him a grin. "Where did you find this little thing? So cute" he asked and pulled the cat's face, only to get smacked in the face and he let out a yelp.
"This thing sure behaves like a spoiled street cat"

Julian scoffed at Ivan's remark. "It's a British short hair, silly. You don't just find them wandering in the freaking streets"

Ivan made an impressed face. "I was wondering where you found a grey street cat anyway"

Julian rolled his eyes. "It's blue"

Ivan made a smug face. As much as he was sure the color he saw on this fat cow was grey, he didn't have the energy to argue on it.

Silence fell upon them and Julian carelessly switched through the channels as he massaged his own head with the other hand, his elbows resting on the couch.

"You see" Julian's sudden voice made Ivan flinch. He had almost started to fall asleep. "I was planning to have a taste of the champagne my dad keeps in the kitchen cabinet"

Julian looked up at Ivan and saw his face show interest, his eyebrows raised. He clicked his tongue and lifted himself up. "I'm going to go get a glass anyway. I don't wanna waste this one oppurtunity I get"

"Get two glasses"

Julian halted and stared at Ivan, who gave him a nod. "I wanna try too"

Julian cocked his head to a side and watched to see if the boy was joking. After a few moments, he snickered and walked into the kitchen. "Sure, princess"