Beyond LifeBirthdayIt was evening already, and Culgan had promised to come home early tonight. Seed glared at the door accusingly, then wandered across the room for the third time in the last half an hour and sat on the couch, pretending to be looking at the TV. He didn't even know - or care - what the program was about, he was too busy sulking. "You suck, Culgan," he mumbled. The older man had promised - and although Seed wasn't sure if Culgan remembered, he had another reason to be sulking about. It was his birthday, and Seed didn't actually like birthdays that much. In his life so far, nothing good had ever happened on his birthdays. Ten minutes passed and he finally got annoyed enough and picked up the phone. He then stared at it, a little uncertain. He didn't want Culgan to know that he was annoyed about him being late, but then again, making the older man feel guilty about it... He shook his head. It was childish. It didn't change the fact that he wanted to know if Culgan gotten stuck working late. He looked at the phone for a long while, then grinned to himself. There were other ways of finding out such details. He called his work number, a little guilty about using it for this, but it would certainly get him the information he wanted. "Daviaux, Caswell & Associates, security," answered a familiar female voice, belonging to the only female guard, Nancy. "Did you forget something here this morning, Seed?" "How did you know it was me?" Seed asked without really thinking. He knew the answer well enough, considering he worked there. Nancy laughed, giving him the obvious answer. "Caller ID? Come on, you know how this system works just as well as I do. So, can I help you somehow?" "Eh, I didn't really forget anything, I just..." Seed sighed. "Do me a little personal favor, okay? Would you check if Cu... Ah, I mean, Mr. Black is still in the building?" The woman laughed again. "What, calling work to get the security to spy on your lover now? Aren't we in a stalking mood. He's not here anymore, though. He left a little over an hour ago if I remember correctly. If you give me a second I'll..." There were quiet sounds of her doing something, and then a sound of a computer. "Yeah, security systems shows he left an hour and a half ago. Why, isn't he home yet? The traffic could be bad or something. Or he could have something else in mind." "Like what?" The redhead asked, a little annoyed. "Maybe he went to get you something. I didn't see you at work today, by the way, so I'll just use the opportunity to tell you happy b-day," Nancy said. "Sorry I couldn't be of more help." "It's fine. Thanks anyway," Seed mumbled, then closed the phone. He muttered a few curses, dropped the phone on the table and resumed sulking, sprawled on the couch. He woke up sometime later to the sound of the front door closing. He blinked, noticing it was completely dark outside. There was some show on the TV that was certainly not the same he had been idly watching earlier, either. He didn't know how much time had passed; apparently, he had fallen asleep. The sound from the door could only mean one thing, though. "Seed?" Culgan's voice asked, and the younger man decided to not reply. He was still angry, and with his lover being late, he was certainly going to make Culgan pay for this. There was a soft 'thud' as Culgan dropped his briefcase on the floor, making Seed idly ponder why. Culgan was always careful about his papers and anything he brought from work, and it just wasn't like the older man to abandon his things like that. "What?" The redhead asked, the annoyance showing clearly from his voice. He stood up then and took a few steps at the silver-haired man, glaring at him accusingly. He had waited long enough, and he had never been too good at keeping his feelings controlled. "Where the hell have you been anyway? It's been hours!" He snapped, not that he was actually sure if it had been that long between Culgan returning now and the phone call to work he had made earlier. "I was about to ask you come here for a moment but guess that's unnecessary," the older man replied calmly, making Seed more irritated. How come Culgan was always so calm, even now that he was wishing he could have strangled the silver-haired man? Seed mumbled a curse and grabbed his lover by the collar. "You suck. I've been waiting all evening, and you promised to come home early! I should just-" He was about to continue, but he blinked then and just stared. Something moved under Culgan coat. "I apologize," Culgan said, apparently not noticing. "I went to town to pick up something and got stuck in the traffic for two hours. It wasn't too much fun, you know. Especially with..." It was Culgan's turn to trail off; what had moved under his coat suddenly crawled out and onto Seed's arms, then clung to him and meowed pathetically. "Uh..." Seed stared at the reddish brown kitten that was clinging to him. He then picked up the little creature, and looked at her. "Culgan...?" "Happy birthday, Seed," Culgan said with a warm smile on his face. "Believe me, being stuck in traffic with this little thing was hell. Kept clawing at me and gnawing on my arm. I probably have scratches all over. Should go check..." He didn't get to continue. Seed grabbed the older man for an embrace then - before moving away and kicking him in the shin. "You crazy or what? You don't drag cats around like that! They need a box or something... And look at the little thing, all scared and hungry and..." Seed rambled on, making his way to the kitchen while petting the kitten who was still clinging tightly to his sleeve. "By the way, your cat - and your responsibility now," Culgan called after him, then just watched, smiling. He guessed that Seed had thought that he didn't know about the birthday. He shook his head. At least the redhead seemed quite happy about his gift.
END.
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