Chapter 11: Epilogue: What More Can I Want?
Three years later…
"We're back," Kirsch called out when he entered the home.
Zora looked up from his phone, where he had breakfast waiting for him and his husband. "Did Peanut bark at every dog you passed again?"
The tap-tap sound of their dog's nails echoed off throughout the house. Peanut, their one-year-old beagle puppy, walked into the kitchen like she owned the place to get some food and drink from the bowl of water and food.
Kirsch chuckled as he entered the kitchen. "She did not. She was a good girl." Kirsch sat at the table and grabbed the cup of coffee. "Hopefully, we'll be able to take her to a dog park soon. It'll do her good to spend some time with other dogs. Where's Ash?"
Ash was their five year old tabby cat, who showed up at the house one day two years ago and never left, so he and Kirsch adopted him. Ash was a terror, but treated Peanut like his kitten. It was hilarious.
Zora grimaced. "Sleeping in the office on your laptop."
"Brat," said Kirsch, sighing. "He never sleeps on yours."
"He loves me more," said Zora, half-jokingly, half-serious, because they couldn't really tell if Ash liked them or not.
"That's because you let him do whatever he wants," said Kirsch, rolling his eyes. "Thank you for breakfast, love."
"You're welcome," said Zora.
They ate their breakfast and spoke about their day's plans. Zora had evening practice with the Black Bulls. Kirsch was going to have lunch with his parents.
"What do you want for dinner tonight?" Kirsch asked.
"Whatever you make is fine with me," said Zora. "But not tofu."
Kirsch laughed. "Of course, darling, I know you don't like it."
Zora was truly lucky to have Kirsch as his husband. They got married last year and bought a house together, near Zora's parents' house (but not too close) and they were "pet parents" as Mimosa so kindly put it. Zora was beyond smitten with Kirsch. He adored his man and every day Zora wanted to do nothing but cuddle Kirsch and dote on him, but they did have other things to do and couldn't do that all the time.
"Good God, Magna was right. We sound like we're on the same wavelength all the time," said Zora, snickering.
"Well, we give "old married couple" vibes," said Kirsch, rolling his eyes. "I love you so much, anyway. Even if we sound ridiculously sappy to everyone else."
"Forget everyone else," said Zora, grinning. He reached across the table to hold Kirsch's hand. "I love you so much too. I'm so happy with you."
"I'm happy with you too." Kirsch squeezed Zora's hand back.
Peanut barked to get their attention and ruined their sappily sweet moment.
Zora snorted, as he let go of Kirsch's hand to give attention to their sweet puppy. "Alright, alright, come here, pup." Peanut rushed to Zora to get some head scratches.
"The animals steal all your attention," said Kirsch, pouting.
Zora coyly smiled at Kirsch. "Until the night, then you have all of me."
"Zora!" Kirsch still flushed a pretty red whenever Zora teased him.
"What? It's true." Zora said, pleased.
Kirsch scowled. "Oooh, you're lucky I love you."
"Love you too baby," said Zora, smirking.
~fin