Lou waved a polite goodbye to the man and his sister as they shut the door. Bean made a small whimper, sad to see the man go. But as Lou looked down and gave the dog a big smile, its tail was wagging furiously yet again. So easy to please, Lou wished he was a pup. How easy life would be.
Not that his life wasn’t— just that… he had to go back to work in a few days. And he certainly wasn’t happy about it. But… he’d enjoy his time off as much as possible.
And with that, he was off, in a slight jog. Bean was at his heels, for Lou had taken the leash off. He was beginning to trust the pup more in public.
He picked up the small terrier in a while, walking into a nearby cafe.
“What’d ya say we try tea today?” he asked the pup. “Jay inspired me to veer from coffee.”
Jay and Marco went through breakfast and then piled onto the bus with the others. Marco was slowly getting better, but he was still a bit shaky and somber from his conversation with his mother the day before.
Just as promised, Lou ordered some kind of tea. Since he was hardly knowledgeable in the topic, he had no clue what he had ordered. Even as he spoke its name it fluent French to the barista, who was slightly occupied with the small pup Lou carried in his arms.
Still, he didn’t complain. The drink was good, and brought him a sense of peace as he took it outside, sitting by a table in one of the metal chairs. He gave a long sigh, holding Bean in his lap.
He might as well have jumped back in time. Besides the coffee, nothing was different from the day he had met Jay.
Jay sent a quick text to Lou.
Hey. I have no idea if you're up or not, but could you give Marco's number to Matt and tell him to text him a bit? Marco really isn't doing so great rn. Thanks 😘♥️
He took a deep breath, attaching Marco's number to the text.
Lou looked down as his phone made a clattering buzz on the table. Reading the message, he raised an eyebrow.
Sure. I’ll sent it on over. And don’t worry. Matt’s pretty good at cheering people up. ;) <3
He took the attached number, forwarding it to Matt and saying discriminently along the lines of “text this man he needs help.”
Matt picked up his phone on the other end, seeing the text and immediately sending over a message:
Oye, cofrade! Es Matt. Qué tal? How’s it going? Got your number from Lou. Wanted to say hola ✌️
thank youu. He just needs someone else to cheer him up. The convo with his mom really got him down. Thanks again. Did you have a good night? Tell Bean hi for me
Jay texted back, letting out a breath.
Marco blinked at the message, looking at it.
i don't understand half the words u just texted me. But...idk. im so-so.
Lou gave a nod, although knew full-well Jay couldn’t see. He gave Bean a pat on the head as he read the message.
Yeah, last night was pretty good. Matt stayed over but we were so tired we just crashed on the couch. Bean says hi back :P
Matt gave a tight laugh.
Don’t worry about it, amigo. I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling así-así! Today’s a beautiful day, no? Just warm enough so the shade is biting, but the sun is nice. And you’re in France! There’s plenty of reasons to be más que así-así!
(Translation: “Así-así” = So-so / “Más que” = More than)
Jay smiled a little bit as he read the text.
haha nice! Ohhhhh hi puppy!! 😍🥰💗😘 Kisses and hearts are for both of u not just Bean
Marco bit his lip, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.
yeah, i know. I'm just in a bit of a funk ig. Convo w/ mom really fucked up my head. Thanks, tho 🙂 youre a saint
Lou gave a gleeful smile, looking down at Bean and mumbling to the pup excitedly. He flipped his phone around, taking a picture of him and the dog together. His eyes were closed and he had on quite a goofy grin, as the little terrier had licked at his face. He didn’t mind though, sending the picture anyway.
We both say thank you! <3
Matt gave a sigh, but kept on the smile.
It’s alright. You just gotta remember— you are who you are, amigo. Not even she can change that. You’re awesome as you, cofrade🔥 🔥🔥 Don’t you dare forget it
Jay was smiling happily. He sent back a picture of his smile, head cocked slightly to one side.
mhmm <3
Marco chewed on his lip a little bit.
thank you, Matt. you don't know what that means to me. :) really.
Lou held Bean up so the pup could sit upright and see the phone with him. When Bean saw the picture of Jay and recognized him, his tail started to wag. Lou gave a small laugh.
Bean saw the picture and recognized you. Lookin’ good ;) That’s your new contact picture
Keeping true to his word, he changed the picture, so Jay’s face smiled back at him.
Matt cocked his head to the side, leaning back on his own couch. He put his feet up, hearing his sister move around upstairs. They’d be leaving soon enough.
Anytime, man. Went through... kind of the same stuff. Not exactly, but pretty darn close. I know how it is. You just gotta be true to yourself. Sounds generic, I know, but I’ll back you up if you ever need it. Never be afraid to ask
Jay grinned, and set the picture of Lou and Bean as Lou's profile pic.
And urs is the one you just sent :) and tell Bean that he's the most adorable thing ever. you come in as a close second, tho ;)
Marco took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, before opening them again.
yeah. i just...i feel like i should be used to it by now?? she's been like this since i was 11 years old (when i first figured it out/came out to her) and she hasnt ever changed, and i feel like i should be used to it. but it always feels like a gut punch
Lou’s smile grew.
A close second? Damn, that’s rough. But I don’t blame you, Bean’s a pretty cute dog
Matt’s smile dissappeared fully, and his gaze shone cold down to the screen. His sister walked passed, noting him typing angrily and was about to ask, but thought better of it. She knew how heated her brother could get.
Nothing along those lines should ever be anywhere near normal, confrade. Don’t endure that kind of pain, and don’t think of it as being “used to it.” No one should have to go through that for that long— yourself included. I stg, let me talk to her. Le enseñaré una o dos cosas sobre con quién está jugando...
. (Translation: “I’ll teach her a thing or two about who she’s messing with“)
Jay let out a quiet little laugh, smiling down at his phone.
mhm. sorry, darling, but ur dog's cuter ;)
Marco bit his lip a little bit.
but it IS normal. she wont accept me and im not a girl. thats just how it works in our family. my dad was the one that paid for my T when i was younger, and he helped me with the surgeries and stuff. meanwhile my mom tried to take the T from me if she found it while i was staying with her, saying i was "poisoning my body" and i should "just be content with the way god made me" and shit. and im sorry for bothering u with all this. i didn't mean....im sorry
Lou raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of his tea.
“See that, Bean? I’ve been replaced. You booted me down to second place,” he murmured into the pup’s fur. “You slimy little adorable bastard.”
Unfair. He’s a dog. Can I at least be first place in your human department? Or is Bean so cute he spans across all sections
Matt took his feet from the coffee table, leaning forward and gritting his teeth.
Don’t you DARE apologize, man. None of this is your fault. And I swear— if you need me to sprint outside, down a few blocks, and give you a hug— I’ll DO it. And if you doubt me, I’ll do it just to prove you wrong. So what’ll it be, hot-shot? Be happy or make me bust a lung running for you. I’m happy to help do either ;)
hmmmmm. fine. you can be first place human. but Bean wins overall cuteness. sorry darling, but i don't make the rules <3
Jay sent back, smiling a little bit.
Marco took a deep breath, letting it out again.
im on a bus. i dont think you can sprint to me. sorry :) but...thank you, Matt
Honestly, at least I’m on the leaderboard. Fine by me ;)
Lou gave a small smile, scratching Bean behind the ears and mumbling indistinguishably.
It’s funny you doubt me still. And no problemo, amigo. Comó siempre. Anytime
Matt let out a breath he seemed to have been holding, finally leaning back on his couch.
“You ready to go?” Addie asked, ruffling his hair on the way past. The charms on her wrist clanged and clinked together as she did.
“Yeah, I’ll be right there,” he mumbled back.
<3 mhm. I better be on YOUR leaderboard tho, darling
Jay was smiling happily, leaning his head on the window.
thanks again, Matt
Marco sent, then put his phone to sleep, closing his eyes for a moment.
Of course you are, but Bean still beats you. Might be truth, or out of spite, but he’s a cute dog and I’m just playing by the rules
Lou kissed the top of Bean’s head, the small pup reeling back to lick the man’s face. Lou sputtered, trying time keep the small dog from doing so.
Matt clicked his phone off, slipping it in his pocket and following Addie out the door. It clicked shut behind them, Addie locking it as Matt continued down the street. Addie followed shortly, skipping up to his side. They both veered off down another road, walking to quite the elegant building in the distance. The Charpentier Theatre.
<3 obviously. Bean beats everyone :) Bean beats both of us
Jay was smiling softly, looking down at his phone. He was already falling for this Frenchman and it hadn't even been very long.
Marco sat beside Jay, closing his eyes and leaning back in the seat.
Well yes, Bean is the supreme overlord. We know this <3
Bean, wanting attention, began chewing on Lou’s phone case. It didn’t matter, though. The multiple teething marks didn’t mind company, and many more were added. Lou scratches the pup’s head, shaking his own mockingly.
“You little fox,” he muttered. “Stealing hearts, are we?”
Bean gave a small yip.
Lou didn’t know how stupid he looked, talking to his dog alone. But he didn’t care. The majority of the town knew him and Bean by now.
OBVIOUSLY. But we're close seconds :D
i assume
Jay was smiling happily, though the bus was nearing the stop.
of course ;) <3
Lou paused after hitting send, taking a moment to just enjoy the interaction.
so what’s up today? What’re your plans? If you don’t mind me being nosy.
well, we're going around to places again to look at stuff, and like...going on tours ig? and i think there's an art museum planned as well.
Jay texted back, smiling softly.
idk what else, i dont get to decide anything.
Lou gave a small nod to his phone, still scratching Bean behind the ears. He was about to text back when a sudden message dropped down from the top of his screen. It was Matt.
All the message said was:
Lo siento, hijo. Kay’s in town
Lou’s eyes went wide and his body sat uncannily still, his hand frozen behind Bean’s ear. He carefully moved it, setting the pup down and leaning forward, resting his newly freed hand over his mouth. Before he could do anything, another one of Matt’s messages popped down.
I told her you weren’t around today. Hopefully I bought you some time. I didn’t know what else to say.
Lou slowly began typing back to Jay.
Hey, I gotta go. Something came up. I’ll text you in a bit.
With that, he rested his elbows on his knees and head in his hands, eyes wide and barely breathing.
Just when life was perfect, something would make sure it didn’t stay that way for long. And apparently, his ex was that thing.
