A Pet To Keep

Time Passed

"Hello? I let myself in?" Kurt toes off his shoes at the door, plastic sacks in hand.

"Did you get the stuff," Jack is calling across the house from his place at the dining table. He is slowly inputting numbers into a brick sized calculator.

"I did," Kurt comes into the dining area, setting a plastic sack on the table next to Jack's laptop. The distinct shape of a bottle of juice is clear.

"Thanks man, you're a life saver. " Jack looks up from the calculator. "I'm almost done. I'm sure Jay will be awake and whining about juice again any minute. "

"Ah sorry man, I didn't realize he was napping. I wouldn't have shouted." Kurt pulls the juice from the bag and goes to stick it in the fridge.

"It's alright. I put him down early because he's been fussy all day. Mostly about the juice," Jack cleans his glasses a moment before returning to the class work.

"You almost done?"

"Hopefully?"

"I'll wrangle the kid for you."

"What would I do without you, Kurt?"

The red head smirks as he heads for the stairs. "Probably suffer more then you already do. Sleep less? No sleep?"

Jack only laughs as his focus zeros in on his homework. He only had these 3 classes to finish then he will be completely done with grad school next month and would accept his diploma before fall rolled in. He was excited, but also trying to knock it out of the park with his final grades to boost his GPA, and hopefully by extension his job offers.

He had never imagined he would go back to school, but he had never imagined supporting another life. Jack wants more money. He wants to buy a house, one with a yard, in a nice neighborhood full of other people with big nice yards and their own little families. He wants a bigger car, one that can fit Jay's car seat better. He wants a job with a better schedule and that pays better so he can afford better things.

Jack submits another answer to the homework he has for his business statistics course. He only has a few more questions for the day. Hopefully he could finish quickly enough.

A couple quiet minutes later and Jack hears Kurt and Jay coming down the stairs, listening to them talk quietly.

"Where daddy?"

"He's doing his homework bud."

"Ooh."

"I brought you some juice. You want a snack before your walk?"

"Yes peas."

Just a moment later and Jack feels small hands prying at the underside of arm and pushing at his elbow. Jack lifts his arm as he rounds a decimal down with his other hand. Jay wiggles himself into the tight space, pressing into Jack's side and rubbing his face against the man's shoulder.

"What do," Jay whispers.

Jack smirks slightly. "I'm doing my homework."

"Oooh. Be quiet," Jay continues his whisper.

"Uh huh. Good boy" Jack leans over and kisses Jay's head.

"What are you doing pumpkin," Kurt speaks up, " Come here. Come eat your grapes. We can watch Youtube while daddy finishes."

Jay turns back to Jack, "Almos' done?"

Jack smiles at the boy's whisper, "Yes baby. Go have your snack then daddy and Kurt will take you for your walk."

"Okay," Jay leans in close and expectant.

Jack kisses him and gives the boy a squeeze. "Go. Go on." He releases Jay and nudges him towards Kurt.