Chapter
Sixteen
DAY 7,607—THE (HOPEFULLY) PERFECT DATE
The next morning dragged, and Beel wasn’t sure who was more nervous. He was grumpy and croaky, and Jon was distracted and disorganized. He got fewer back pets than normal, but he didn’t want to be too vocal about it and have Jon feel bad and try to keep him around for the date—that would be a disaster in the making.
There was a bit of an afternoon rush, which made the time go quicker, but there was also a horrifying moment where a man tried to buy Beel for his son, and the kid looked like he was a total pet killer—he had been banging around the shop and Jon and Beel both winced every time he touched something. Beel felt bad that some poor unsuspecting pet was going to get either handled roughly or forgotten about entirely.
Jon eventually managed to convince the entitled dad that Beel wasnotfor sale, despite the increasingly high numbers the guy quoted because the kid kept insisting he wantedthat one. (He even stomped his foot, pouted, and eventually insulted Jon. Beel was more pissed at the dad though—kids didn’t get like that without parents encouraging that kind of attitude.)
The two finally walked out two minutes before closing without any pet. Jon had wisely decided that he wasn’t selling even a fish to the guy, and he’d cut him off to say they were closed and he’d just need to come another day. The dad had said he wouldn’t be coming backhere, and Jon had sighed happily and shown him the door.
“Well, he was an asshole. And I know I flipped the closed sign early, but I’m done. Let’s go, Beel. I have a date. Hopefully. And I have no idea when Damon is gonna show up, but I better hustle to shower off the pet store stink before he gets here,” Jon complained, shutting off lights and grabbing Beel’s travel aquarium before heading upstairs.
He got upstairs and settled Beel in his aquarium in the bedroom. Beel hunkered down on his heated rock and watched with half an eye open as Jon frantically went through his wardrobe to decide what to wear. Beel gave encouraging croaks at certain outfits, and once Jon had mostly chosen an outfit, he shut his eyes and pretended to drift off.
Jon came over, reached in, and pet his back. “Tired, little guy? I’d feel guilty about abandoning you for the night, but it seems like you have a date with your heated rock,” he chuckled. He dumped some food into the dish in the aquarium and added, “Wish me luck, Beel!” Then he headed out of the bedroom to go shower.
Jon had made up the casserole that morning, and it just had to go in the oven, and he’d also made some homemade brownies. It was all Beel could do not to transform and start knocking on the door, but he figured he better wait until he heard the shower turn off again. He didn’t want Jon to be out of sorts or not ready.
He couldn’t wait, though. He knew it was risky, but he transformed in Jon’s bedroom, checking out his outfit and making sure he looked good. He kept an ear out for the shower turning off or the bathroom door opening, because it would be just his luck that Jon would forget something and come in and find him. He thought he looked good. Hopefully. He did the distressed dark jeans and asweater again, although he made the jeans look slightly different and did a different color sweater.
As soon as the water was off, he was outside the door. He waited a minute (ok, maybe thirty seconds), and then he knocked loudly on the door.
He had excellent hearing (demon, after all), and he heard Jon mumbling frantically under his breath. Shit. He should have given the guy time to get dressed. He was an idiot.
“I’ll be right there!” Jon shouted from inside the apartment, and he heard frantic rustling.
“Take your time—I’m not going anywhere,” Beel said back through the door. He thought he heard a chuckle, which was definitely a good sign.
Jon opened the door three minutes later, his hair still damp, his feet sockless, but his clothing on and straightened out.
“Sorry, just got out of the shower,” he blushed, dragging a hand through his wet hair.
“Mmm, you could’ve met me in a towel. I wouldn’t have minded,” Beel flirted.
Jon blushed bright red and moved back, inviting him in.
Beel was bound and determined not to be awkward, and if this was a third date, it ought to start with a kiss, no? So he walked in and pushed the door shut behind him, cornering Jon against the wall. “May I?” he asked, leaning in slightly, not quite touching yet but making his intentions clear.
Jon nodded his head, that beautiful skin flushing again. His petsitter—maybe even his boyfriend?—was so damn adorable.
Beel leaned the rest of the way in and pressed his lips to Jon’s, letting the kiss slowly build. Just soft pressure at first, then a flick of the tongue, and eventually open mouths, tongues hesitantly touching. Beel didn’t let it get out of control—he didn’t want this to be just sex—so with a final nibble on Jon’s lower lip that had them both groaning, he pulled back, resting his forehead against Jon’s.
“Hi,” Beel murmured. Yeah, it was awkward, but Jonsmiled, so he figured it was ok.
“Hi yourself,” Jon whispered back.
“I’m really glad to see you. I thought about you a lot over the last two days. I had a great time the other night, and I couldn’t wait to hang out with you again. I mean, like, hanging out, too, not just… you know, the other stuff,” Beel admitted, blushing himself now. Always with the awkward. He wanted to smack himself in the head.
Apparently, for some inconceivable reason, Jon seemed to like his awkwardness, because he grinned broadly and said, “Yeah, me too. I had a great time with dinner and the movie… and with the other stuff,” he added, his face red but a cute little smirk on it.
Beel couldn’t help it; he gave Jon one more kiss, but he didn’t let it drag out before he stepped back. “So, what’s the thought for tonight? I probably should have asked if you wanted to go out or something,” Beel realized suddenly. Fuck. He knew Jon had cooked, but he still should offer, right? He frowned. He didn’t know any good restaurants, but it really wasn’t fair to keep asking Jon to host him.
“Oh, well, I thought maybe I’d cook again and we could hang out, but we can go out…” Jon started.
“That sounds perfect! As long as you don’t mind, I mean. I just realized I didn’t really offer to take you out, and of course I should have, but I just didn’t think of it—” Beel rambled, but it was Jon who kissed him this time, cutting him off.
