“Not really. Mostly just a few quiet customers that already knew what they wanted. I got to spend most of my shift just reading and sorting stuff. Pretty ideal.” Beckett liked his job quite a bit- he was paid decently, and it was mostly just small chores around the shop.
"Hm." Simon shifted to lay on Beckett's lap. "Did you find any cool books?"
Beckett’s stomach flipped, his cheeks flushing slightly. ”Ah- There were a few that I bookmarked mentally. Figured I’d come back to them later when I have more free time to look them over.”
“Is this alright?” Simon asked, catching sight of Beckett’s blush. “You know you just have to ask me to stop.”
“Nonono, this is good! I was just surprised is all, this is …very all right.” Beckett laughed somewhat nervously, glancing away for a second.
“Just making sure,” Simon murmured, setting a hand on Beckett’s knee.
“I appreciate the concern,” he responded softly, sure part of him had to be melting. How ironic that Simon’s touch made him feel so warm, he mused, looking him over with an affectionate gaze.
“I missed you today,” Simon said. “More than usual, I mean. Can you scratch my head?”
Beckett cracked a smile. “Of course,” he hummed, beginning to comb his fingers through Simon’s hair, gently messaging his scalp. “I wonder how Zelda feels about you stealing all her head scritches.”
"Oh, she's positively green with jealousy." Simon pressed into Beckett's touch, closing his eyes.
Beckett chuckled, glancing to the kitchen where the cat was aggressively sniffing the fridge for no apparent reason. “You know, I think she’ll manage.”
"She's very strange," Simon said, following Beckett's gaze. "Very strange."
“She’s a genius, Si. We just don’t understand her ways.” He shook his head slowly. “She could kill us all.”
"She probably has henchmen. She's the cat mafia leader." Simon watched Zelda, suppressing a smile.
“She’s worshipped by her followers.” Zelda looked over at the two of them, making a loud ’mrrow’ noise before head-butting the fridge and falling over on her side. “…She’s dangerous.”
“Eh,” Simon said. “She’s cute, so I think we should keep her. Zeldy,” Simon cooed. “Come here, kitten.”
The cat sat up quickly, making a soft ’mrrow’ noise before padding over. “She’s definitely worth the dangers of housing a mob cat,” Beckett chuckled as she jumped up onto the couch.
“Hello, my dear.” Simon watched Zelda with a slight smile. “How are you, beautiful?”
Beckett rolled his eyes playfully as Zelda immediately made her way over to Simon, headbutting his thigh affectionately. "How long until I get greeted like that?"
“Aw, are you jealous? You have me, you know, honey.” Simon shifted on Beckett’s lap, stretching his arms over his head.
“Honey, huh?” Beckett grinned down at him, raising an eyebrow. “That’s new.” Still feeling slightly nervous about initiating a show of affection, he simply continued carding his fingers through Simon’s hair.
“Good new or bad new? I’ll call you basically whatever you want, you realize.” Simon looked at Beckett and poked him lightly.
“Good new,” he decided after a moment. “…Oh? Whatever I want?” Beckett poked him right back, cocking his head to the side with a mischievous look in his eye.
“What. Do you want me to call you Stud Muffin? I would, if you asked nicely,” Simon said, catching Beckett’s hand.
“Pfft- I think I’m good. Good to know for the future, though.” He allowed Simon to catch his hand, diverting his gaze to the cat as he hesitantly twined their fingers together.
“You can show affection, dear. I’m not going to stop you,” he said, slightly amused. “Stud Muffin.”
“I know,” Beckett said with a laugh. “It’s just new. It’s… nerve-wracking. Not that I don’t want to, of course, because I do it’s just- y’know. It’s hard to figure out.”
Simon’s expression softened, and he sat up, pulling Beckett into a hug. “That’s alright. You don’t have to be nervous. I know that won’t just make it go away, but still.”
He froze for a split second, but quickly melted into the contact and embraced Simon in return. "Thanks," he mumbled, smiling into his shoulder. This was good, he decided. Whatever he was feeling, it was very …good.
Simon pulled away for a moment, holding Beckett at arms’ length. “God, you’re cute. I like you.”