Flowershop

Chapter Thirty One

Kiku missed the presence of Yao in his house, and as much as he would hate to admit it to himself, he even missed the presence of the big, hunkering man Kiku was struggling to call father. 

But they were already whisked away, already back in Japan, but probably just sleeping the day away. 

Which was something Kiku would love to do, but he had work to do today. Well, not actually work, as the flowershop was not opened today, but a favor. Today was the day he had to watch Feliciano's and Ludwig's dogs. He had forgotten about it for a little while, forced it out of his mind, even, but today was the day of the thing he promised, and he could not go back on it now. Sighing, he called Feliciano, Alfred already by his side. 

"Hello? Yes? Feliciano?" Kiku asked, holfing the phone with a hardened grip. "Was today the day I had to watch your dogs..? Oh, or course I can, not to worry, not to worry. Just making sure," He said, a somewhat sour and disappointed expression betraying his voice. 

"Yes, don't worry. I'll see you in about three hours!" He said, flipping his cheap phone shut. Yes, addmittedly, he was hoping he could do it another day, but it was alright, because at least he got to do it with Alfred. He liked dogs a lot better than cats, seeing as he had one for most of his life, back in Japan. He could not bring the dog with him, though, so now, his brothers were looking after it. He really hoped they wouldn't kill it. But even as he thought these thoughts, he looked over at that dumb cat Jonathan, or "Little Johnny", as Alfred liked to put it, in guilt. With the presence of his family over, and all of the craziness going on lately, he completely forgot about his presence. He reached over to pet it, and despite being looked over for a couple of days, he hurried to meet Kiku's touch with his ear. 

He seemed like a peculiar cat; most cats liked to be pet in a few places, but this one... This thing liked to be scatched everywhere. He lked, no- loved taking baths as well, and had even gone as far as hopping in with Kiku at one point. But the cat almost reminded him of Alfred, so he not only tolerated him, but welcomed his presence. 

In the early morning light Kiku watered his plants with Little Johnny running around. Damn, he was active- Yet he was still a plump cat. Kiku watched him with an almost fond look in his usually dull eyes as he watered his ferns- the flowers that the cat had nearly knocked over with a playful tail once. With that swishing tail of his, he had knocked down a couple of pictures, including a vase of delphiniums. 

"Er, Alfred, dear?" Kiku called from the livingroom. Alfred looked over from what he was doing straighaway, slightly blushing. Well, that sure got his attention. 

"Yes, Kiku?" He said, wlking over to Jonathan and picking him up wit gentle hands. 

"Remember, two weeks ago perhaps, we agreed to watch Feliciano's dogs? Well, that's today..." He said, looking him over. He was a little scared of what he'd say. He didn't know if he remembered, or if he even wanted to go to such a place on his day off with Kiku. Would he blow him off and tell him no way? Or come up with an excuse like, "I completely forgot, and I have work today?" But to his surprise and relief, Alfred nodded, putting on his glasses. Looking at the way Alfred smiled at him while he did it made Kiku stand rigid. Really, Kiku thought sighing in satisfaction, how could his smile be so perfect?

Three hours that were spent sitting around went by unusually quick, and with the help of Alfred's talking, it was already time to go visit Feliciano.

"Alright, the dog food is in the garage. There's food in the fridge for when you get hungry, help yourselves..." Feliciano trailed off, putting his shoes on. Using Ludwig to balance himself, he walked out of the door, completely forgetting his goodbyes, though not out of rudeness, or indifference. Perhaps ignorance?
"Alright, see you in a few. And Alfred? Try not to put your feet up on the table," Ludwig sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Locking the door, he nodded to Kiku.
"Have a pleasant stay, Kiku."