Apollo accepted the video call to find Klavier laying on the bed with his head hanging upside down off of it.
"Couldn't I have just come with you?"
What a greeting. "Klavier. We went over this. It's only for a couple months to help with the transition."
"... I could come see you on the weekends."
"Why would you do that to yourself?"
"Because I love you."
Apollo sighed but his expression softened considerably. "I love you, too, but I don't want you flying out to Khura'in every weekend just to see me."
"What if I only flew out every other weekend to see you and flew out on the rest to see the mountains… and also you."
Apollo laughed. "Klav, you can't be serious! We promised to video call at least once a week already, and we've been texting each other almost non-stop. I promise you can survive without having me right there until I'm done here."
"And you're coming back on the seventh of October, right?"
"That's the plan. And if I don't, I give you permission to come haul my ass back."
"Oh, you give me permission," Klavier smirked.
"That's- That's not what I meant and you know it!"
"Ja, I know, I know. You're still just so fun to fluster, liebling."
"If you can manage to behave until I'm back I'll let you take me out to that fancy place."
Klavier sat up quickly, making himself a little woozy in the process. "Really?!"
"Really. I'll let you spoil me for one night only."
"I'll behave! I'll be so good."
Apollo chuckled. "I know you will. Now how was your day at work?"
"Ugh," Klavier flopped back on the bed. "Herr Samurai let his bird steal my fuzzy pen."
"What did Taka want your pen for?"
"I don't know, but she won't give it back."
"And that ruined your whole day?"
"Yes! That pen was very important to me."
"The knock off Gavinners fuzzy pen that I found in a dollar tree?"
"It's not what it was that was important… That was the first gift you ever got me…"
Shit, that was cute as hell. "I'll just have to get you more gifts to make up for it, then."
"More gifts from mein Schatz? Mein Stirnchen?"
Apollo laughed. "Of course. I've literally gotten you gifts since then, did you think you wouldn't get any more?"
"I cherish every gift from mein Hase as though it will be the last."
He was blushing and he knew it. "You're such a sap. I already picked you up something, anyway."
"Really?! What is it?!"
It was times like these that Apollo truly believed Klavier was a retriever in his past life. "It's a surprise. You'll have to wait until you get it."
"Ach, how will I survive the anticipation?!" He put one of his arms over his forehead.
"I think you'll manage. After all you've been through it would be a little sad if the thing that took you out was not knowing what's in the package I sent you. You know, assuming I didn't send you anthrax or something, that wouldn't really be on you. Well it would be all over you, but- uh, nevermind."
"It's fine. I know if you wanted to kill me you would have done it before you left for Khura'in and not via a trackable package."
"... You ever think maybe we should take a vacation from the murder cases?"
"What, is our pillow talk concerning to you?" Klavier smiled.
Apollo smiled back. "Maybe if it was anyone other than us. Hey, it's getting pretty late for you over there, isn't it?"
"It's fine. I've gotten less sleep before."
"Yeah, but before you didn't have me to tell you to go to sleep."
"Five more minutes?"
Apollo chuckled. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Hnnn."
"I love you."
"Ich liebe dich auch."
"Sleep well."
Klavier yawned, then scowled at himself before sighing. "For you I will do my very best. Have a good day, Herzchen."
"For you I will do my very best."