Work Text:
It had been a cruddy day at work.
While it's true that Sunny made a lot with commissions online and from art galleries, it wasn't nearly enough to help Kel and Sunny live comfortably. While Kel is figuring out what he wants to do with his life (going to college on a sports scholarship is great, but what was Kel going to major in? That was yet to be determined), Sunny picked up the slack. Every day when he came home, Sunny was greeted with immense affection. Perhaps it was an apology for being unemployed, but Sunny was happy to do it.
As aforementioned, however, it was a terrible day at work. He worked part-time at Othermart, and several Karens came in that day, being difficult about a shipment that wasn't going to arrive until the next day. They screamed at the socially anxious and extremely quiet boy, as if he was hard of hearing instead of selectively mute.
For now, he was definitely selecting the "mute" option. He just wished he could do the same for every rude customer that came in.
As soon as Sunny opened the door, he half-expected to be attacked with hugs and kisses from his excitable and wonderful boyfriend, or at least see him playing with their cat, Patches.
Kel was nowhere to be found.
Sunny vaguely remembered Kel mentioning talking to Hero, who had come home from Harvard to spend spring break with his family. They were going to talk about colleges, he'd said.
He's probably not home yet, Sunny reasoned in his mind. That's fine. I can cook dinner ahead of time...
Sunny headed to the kitchen, briefly remembering Kel's request for steak. Sunny had zero problem with that—after all, steak was Sunny's favorite.
(Except that one time he microwaved it when there was no power a few years ago. That tasted awful and made Sunny throw up.)
"Sunny!"
Sunny looked up the stairs to see Kel rushing downstairs with a shopping bag in his hands.
Sunny gave Kel a small smile, then tilted his head to the side.
"Oh, this?" Kel held up the bag. "Just a surprise! Wait in the living room, please?"
Sunny nodded and went into the living room, temporarily wondering what Kel was going to do. He sat on the couch and waited.
A few minutes later, Kel strutted out of the kitchen, beaming, and Sunny's mouth almost dropped open.
Kel was wearing dog ears and a clip-on tail, and instead of his usual outfit, he was wearing what Sunny referred to as a Hawaiian dad shirt that was open, showing Kel's chest. He was still wearing the basketball shorts, though.
"Sooo? Whatcha think?" Kel grinned.
Sunny blinked rapidly, his face warming up. He cleared his throat, still eyeing his boyfriend up and down.
"I wanted to pay you back for the other day. I understand if you don't like it. I just wanted to try it out. I'll take it off now." Kel reached up to take off the dog ears.
Sunny stood and grabbed Kel's arms, gently moving them so that they were in front of him and his hands were holding Sunny's.
"Don't you dare," Sunny whispered.
Kel's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Sunny closed his eyes, embarrassed. Am I really about to do this?
...
Yes. Yes, I am.
"Sit," Sunny commanded.
Kel blinked, presumably surprised. However, he complied, sitting more like a frog than a dog.
Sunny pat Kel's head. He mumbled with a smile, "Good boy."
Kel practically glowed. "Woof!"
Sunny giggled, making a petting motion on the top of Kel's head. He bent down and took Kel's face in his hands, peppering kisses all on it.
"I really needed this," Sunny murmured, putting his forehead against Kel's and closing his eyes. "Thank you."
"Aw, no problem!" Kel smiled. "I love you, Sunshine, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you!"
The bad day Sunny'd had melted away. "I love you, too, mi amor. So, so much."