Stan's POV
My job at Pet.Co is hardly even a job. It's so fun to work here, and care for the animals that are here. I play with the ferrets for a little, feeding them and caring for them. I see someone I know walk past me. Tucker. I follow him and see him looking at the guinea pigs. Another one? I stand behind him and put my hands on my hips.
"So what number are you on?" I ask, he jumps a little then looks back at me with a glare. I could tell he was about to ask what I was doing here but he noticed my uniform.
"Ten." He answers, looking back at the little guineas
"Which one do you want?" I ask
"I don't know yet. I'm still looking." He answers
"How hard could it be to pick out a fucking guinea pig?" I ask
"Shut up, Marsh. Just fuck off. I can find another employee to help me." Craig shoves his hands in his pockets and looks at the little guineas. I sigh and push him to the side.
"Move it, Tucker." I unlock the little case they're in and pull it open. I take out the little house that they hide in and put it on the ground. "There. Look to your hearts content"
Craig looks at me and smiles lightly, he walks back to his spot and looks at the guinea pigs, reaching his hand in to pet them.
I chuckle "Careful, Tucker. They might bite" he flipped me off for that. What else would I expect from him? He looks cute when he plays with them though. He picks one up and holds it, going through a few others, until he finally doesn't put one down
"I want this one..." He says, his voice doesn't sound as... careless as usual. He sounds happy, loving.
"Uh-oh! You picked the most expensive one!" I joke
"Fuck off." He responds
"Learn to take a joke" I sigh
"Wanna teach me?" Craig asks, sarcastically, I put their little house back in and shut the cage, locking it.
"Let's go get your damn guinea pig" I take him up to the register and get it for him, Putting it in a little box for him.
"Hey... you should come by tomorrow... I work from 8am to 6pm" I smile
"Why would I do that?" He asks
"Because I wanna do something for you." I answer
"What?" Craig asks
"It's a surprise. Just... come back tomorrow." I insist
"I'll consider it" Craig walks away with his New Guinea pig. Stripe #10.
~The Next Day
I get into work exactly at 8am. I clock in and start feeding the animals, changing their cages and shit like that. About 2pm when I'm caring for the birds I hear footsteps.
"What the fuck do you wanna show me?" Craig asks
I smirk "C'mon" I take his hand and pull him into a room, it has multiple guinea pigs and hamsters in it. I don't know if Craig likes hamsters but they aren't too different than guinea pigs. Though that's debatable. He walks in and his eyes soften. Then he looks at me with the same expression.
"Why did you do this?" Craig asks, his voice actually holds some sort of emotion. Happiness.
"Because... you were probably here yesterday to get a New Guinea pig because your last one died... and I know how much it can hurt to lose an animal... so I want to help you though it... by doing this for you." I answer, Craig hugs me. I gasp slightly before I hug back. He pulls back and rubs the back of his head.
"Sorry... It just has been hard... I get really attached to each one and they live very short lives..." Craig Sighs
"I'll leave you here to play with them then." I say beginning to leave
"Wait! Stan!" Craig exclaims "Will you stay here and play with us?" He asks
"Craig I have a job to do..." I answer
"Just for a littleee?" Craig begs
"Fine. Let me go get them some food and toys." I walk over to Craig and cup his cheek. He gives me a confused look but smiles afterward.
"Thank you, Stan." He says, I walk out and get a bunch of food and toys for him, coming back and giving him the bag, Craig has gained a blush since I left. It's cute. He smiles and he gets out a carrot, playing tug of war with the guineas. I sit next to him. A few others come over to bite the sides of the carrot which makes him giggle. Holy shit his giggle is precious. I begin playing with some of the others, Putting them on Craig. His head, his shoulders, most go in his lap. The one I put on his head nibbles on his yellow poofball.
About twenty minutes of playing Craig decided to be done. I begin putting the guinea pigs and hamsters back, once I'm done putting everything away I take care of some of the ferrets.
"Uh... Stan?" Craig asks from behind me.
I turn around and smile at him "Yes?"
He hands me a piece of paper and hugs me once again. "Text me later.... maybe we can hang out sometime" When he pulls away from the hug he's got another blush on his face.
I smile with half lidded eyes "Sure"
~After Work~
I sit in my apartment, which I had bought right after I turned eighteen. Of course I'd want to move out of my parents house once I was of age. I look at the piece of paper with Craig's number written out on it. I smile at it and get out my phone. Typing out the number and texting him.
Stan- Hey dude, it's Stan.
Craig- Hey man.
Craig- Thanks for letting me play with the guinea pigs earlier, I really needed that.
Stan- Of course dude. You seemed a bit upset and on edge.
Craig- Yeah... Stripe nine was a really good guinea pig.
Stan- Hopefully the one I sold you was good too
Craig- So far he's doing good. He's so smart too. I've already taught him tricks.
Stan- Really? You can teach a guinea pig tricks?
Craig- Yeah! I like to play find the carrot with my guineas too. I let them smell the carrot and then hide it somewhere. Then they'll run around and find it.
Stan- Thats so precious
Craig- They are so cute! I love my guinea pig already.
Stan- Do you love anything else?
Craig- Boys.
Stan- No shit. You've been openly gay for a long fucking time.
Craig- Well you asked the question.
Stan- Any boy specifically?
Craig- That's none of your concern, Marsh.
Stan- Just wondering, fuck dude. So, you wanna come hang out with me? Or do you have some fuck buddy over?
Craig- Give me your address. I'm coming over to kick your ass.
I give him my address, and about ten minutes later there's a knock at the door. I open it and Craig is standing there.
"It's fuckin cold can I come in?" He asks, I step aside and let him in. He steps in and I close the door behind him.
"You gonna kick my ass?" I ask
"You say that like you want me to." Craig answers sitting on my couch. I go over and sit next to him.
"Soooooo...." I start "Who's the boy you have the hots for?" I ask, nudging him slightly.
"Oh god you make it sound like we're kids." He chuckles
"Oh so you do like someone?" I ask
"Are you gonna be a persistent fuck about it?" He asks
"Mmmmhm!" I answer
"Who's the only other person in the room with me?" Craig asks
"You love yourself? That's pretty narcissistic man..." I joke
"You fucking retard. Nobody said anything about love either!" Craig is quick to defend himself
"I did. Do you love him?" I ask
"I... I don't know dude! Stop asking questions about yourself!" Craig hides himself, I put my fingers under his chin and make him look at me.
"Craig. Do you love me?" I ask
He wants to look away but doesn't dare, he doesn't respond, but he gives me a nod.
I smirk "Good." I lean in and kiss him softly on the lips; just a peck though. He doesn't have time to respond to it, so I just see his face go dark red.
"You uh..." Craig starts, pausing to hold back any feeling he has "You just kissed me..." he finishes
"That I did." I respond
"Will you be my boyfriend?" Craig asks, oh fuck no, I'm not letting him ask.
"No." I answer
"Oh..." he looks down, sadly.
"Okay wel-" I cut him off "Craig?" I ask
"Yes?" He responds
"Will you be my boyfriend?" I ask
"Yes." He answers, leaning onto me, my arm goes around him. "Why did you decline my offer the first time?" He asks after a few seconds of comfortable silence.
"I wanted to be the one to ask" I answer, he rolls his eyes.
"Of course you did." He comments
"Hey Tucker..." I start "I love you" I add
"I... I... I love you t-too.." he responds, becoming a flustered blushy mess.
