Chapter 1
I often thought back to the day I met Caesar. As soon as I had laid eyes on him, I was captivated by his alluring aura and calm smile that was always set on his lips.
"Harrison! I'm home." Quickly getting up, I ran to the door to greet my older brother, Declan. Every day I greeted my brother when he got home. Being in middle school while he was in high school with a part time job led me to be home first.
I stopped short when I laid eyes on a man behind him. "Who's that?"
"This is my friend, Caesar. He works down at the movie theater with me." I peered at Caesar warily. Declan's never brought anyone home before.
He was tall like my brother, sporting shaggy black hair that laid over his eyes in a mess, and a polite, calming smile.
Everyday after that, Caesar came home with my brother, helped make dinner, and left. "You're like a dog." He observed one day. I glanced up from my position on the floor while he sat on the couch, watching me closely.
My cheeks warmed even as I tried glaring at him. His large hand reached out and cupped under my chin. He smiled before patting my head. "A cute little dog."
Looking back on it now, I think that was the moment I realized I liked him for more than just my brothers friend. Maybe it was the masochist in me talking.
"Harrison?"
My eyes snapped to Declan's. "Huh?"
He ruffled my hair, only causing me to grumble and fix it. "I'm going to order, what do you want?"
"Oh, um-" I looked back down at the menu and searched quickly for something simple I'd like. There were so many options but none that looked appetizing.
"He can get what I'm getting." I lifted my head and gazed at Caesar, "You like Fettuccine Alfredo, don't you?" I nodded mutely.
Caesar just ordered for me.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and gave my menu to Declan. "I'll be right back." He walked off to the main desk.
I fiddled with my fingers nervously and snuck a glance at him. His raven black hair was slicked back today in a messy way as usual, much different than the unruly hairstyle he used to have. Loose strands framed his face perfectly, I was almost jealous. His dark eyes gazed back into mine with an intensity that made me look away.
"Your face is always so flushed, Harrison." My eyes snapped to Morgan. He smiled with his blue eyes cast down on his drink, twirling his ice around with his straw. "Does Caesar make you flustered?" Morgan was another one of my brothers friends but we were the same age, punlike Caesar who was seven years older than us.
Declan only met Morgan this past year when they were filming a movie together. Declan worked as a camera man and Morgan was one of the editors for the script.
Morgan, unfortunately, knew I liked Caesar and constantly teased me about it no matter who was around. I confessed to Caesar a couple years ago when I had too much to drink and had never lived it down. He simply smiled and called me a stupid dog.
Still, I couldn't help but like him more after.
I think the only one oblivious to my feelings for him was Declan. I doubt he'd take me out every Friday with them if he knew. Our aunt raised us since we were little but as soon as Declan was old enough, he took me into his care.
Declan soon returned with a number in his hands to show what table number we were. He sat down next to me and ran a hand through his brown hair that I also inherited. "They said about ten minutes."
In that waited amount of time, I listened mutely to the stories the three of them would tell about work. They didn't necessarily work together but they could all relate in some sort of way. Caesar was an author, Morgan an editor, and Declan a camera man.
"Ah~ Tell him about what happened on set, Caesar!"
"Quiet down, Morgan." Caesar patted his head, effectively silencing Morgan. I've only known him just short of a year but throughout this time, he's always been so energetic and full of life. His blonde hair always bounced with all the movement he made. He wasn't one to listen all that well but as soon as Caesar told him something, he'd listen. Although, that didn't stop him from giddily waiting on his response.
"Are you going to tell it then?" He reminded me of a child a lot of the time. He certainly didn't act like a 22 year old. "Are you?"
Caesar turned his head and assured him calmly. "Patience." Morgan rested his head in the palm of his hand and stared off into his eyes, awaiting his story. His eyes were wider than normal, in an innocent way, anticipating when he'd speak.
"The other day, Philip..." I watched Morgan the whole time the story was told. He was captivated by his every word and added parts in himself.
He reminded me a little of myself at times, hanging onto whatever Caesar said.
"No, no~ Remember he said..."
"Mm, yes." Caesar nodded and patted Morgan's head in a praising manner. "I can be forgetful at times."
"Want me to tell the rest of the story?" He inched further in his chair and waited for his answer giddily. After a nod of his head, Morgan rushed out the story in just a mere minute. He had a tendency to rush his words when he got excited. It was a little cute.
Declan and I merely listened until he was done. My brother laughed along while I just observed silently.
I looked around until Caesar's eyes met mine. He rested his head in his palm, elbow on the table and full attention on me. The thought had me squirming on the spot.
He at times, would also tease me about my feelings with him. Not like Morgan would by outright saying I liked him, but more with his actions. I never told him to stop, and I'd never admit it, but I was happy enough that he even acknowledged my feelings, even if it was only because he was teasing me. "Dogs are supposed to interact." My lips parted in surprise, not expecting that.
Declan clasped a hand on my shoulder and shook me. "Why do you let them tease you so much? Tell them to knock it off and they will."
"He doesn't mind. Do you Harrison?" My cheeks burned dimly and I could only gaze shyly down at the table. I managed to shake my head no and he smiled softly. "You see, it's just some playful teasing. Nothing he can't handle." I tensed when his large hand came down and rubbed my head. He retracted a few seconds later.
"Awe, Delcan~ Your little brother's so cute." He grinned at me. "You should hang out with us more."
Caesar let his hand come down on Morgan's head, patting gently. "Y'know Harrison's older than you. Don't talk to me him like he's younger."
Morgan huffed and slumped down in his chair. "He's only a couple months older." He grumbled.
Caesar looked down at him. "What was that?"
"Nothing."
Declan chuckled and shook my shoulder again. "It's good to put this day aside and meet up. I've been so busy with Kailyn and Pricilla lately." He explained, referring to his wife and daughter. My brother was 27 years old standing at the second oldest in our small group. Caesar took the number one spot at 29. Morgan and I stood lamely at 22.
Being in my last year of college, I'd planned to move out a long while ago but Declan insisted I stay. He was my only family so I did. He had a daughter now, family separate from me so I felt I was just getting in the way.
When I first brought up moving out with him, the other week, he was instantly against it but I got his wife, Pricilla, to also help me persuade him. He'd only let me leave if he gave his approval of the place I was staying in.
"Thank you!" Morgan chirped when our food was set down. We repeated after him and the waiter left. "This is so good! Wanna try some Caesar?"
"I'm all right." Morgan didn't seem to mind the rejection as he continued to stuff food in his mouth. His appetite never failed to amaze me.
The past year Morgan was introduced to our secluded group, I've noticed him and Caesar were very close. I didn't have enough courage to ask if they were seeing each other, not even sure Caesar liked men like Morgan and I did. I tried not to think of it because it only made me upset he'd end up with a woman some day.
"I'll call you tomorrow, all right?" Declan brought me in for a hug and I stood stiffly once we were done eating and waiting outside.
"What? You're too old to hug your brother now?" Caesar watched us closely from the distance him and Morgan stood.
"No." I mumbled, hugging him back. "See you." He gave my head a last ruffle, which I sighed at before he got in his car and drove off.
Him, Pricilla, and Kailyn were all going on a trip to see Pricilla's family and I kindly declined to go as well. He came here last minute but he's going to meet them at the airport right now. Which meant, I had the house all to myself.
"Oh Harrison!" Morgan called me cheerfully after Declan drove off. "I hear you have the house all to yourself. Is that right?" I turned to him and nodded. "What are you going to do? Throw a party? Totally invite me! I'll bring tons of drinks, I have lots of friends I can bring too."
"I'm not having a party."
"Oh? Are you going to invite some men over? Count me in for that too." He grinned and I softly pushed his chest when he got too close, ears turning pink in the process.
"You're a perve."
"Guilty." He laughed happily and slung his arm around my neck.
"Come on." Caesar interrupted when an Uber pulled up. "Are you going home now?"
"Um, yeah." I responded meekily, realizing I probably wouldn't see them until Declan came back.
"Why don't you come with us for a bit? I can take you home before it gets dark. It'd be a shame to spend the rest of your day alone when we're already having a lovely day."
"Oh yes! Please come Harrison, it will be so much fun." Morgan clasped his hands together and pleaded me while Caesar stood with a calm smile.
"If it's okay with you.."
"I offered, didn't I?" Morgan cheerfully climbed into the Uber and insisted I sit next to him. I ended up being seated between him and Caesar.
"Are you staying together?"
"Mhm! I'm Caesar's signed editor right now so I thought it would be easier to live together instead of always having to call to nag him about his deadlines." The only time I've ever really seen Morgan serious was when he working or talking about work. It was an interesting sight.
After going up the elevator, we reached his apartment door. I walked in after them nervously. I've only ever been here three times and that was only when Declan was with me. "I'm going to take a bath! I'm stuffed." Morgan groaned and rubbed his stomach. "Wanna join me, Harrison?" My breath caught when he slung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me along.
The idea didn't sound too bad.
He suddenly stumbled back when Caesar grabbed him by the collar and tugged him back. "Go take your bath."
"Caesar," He whined while rubbing his neck, "that hurt."
"Go on." Morgan left, grumbling something under his breath about how poorly he was being treated.
I slowly followed Caesar around, not really sure what to do. I waited while he dressed out of his work clothes and into some more casual ones, waited in the kitchen as he washed his hands and a few unclean dishes, I even waited when he made a phone call in the next room over. Without Declan here, I felt even more out of place.
He got off the phone a few minutes later looking annoyed. This time I didn't follow him. He didn't look like he wanted to be bothered right now.
He stopped before he turned into his room. "Aren't you coming, dog?"
"Oh- um," My feet carried me over to him before I could even think, "yes." His lips twitched up.
"You act even more as a pet when Declan isn't with you. Are you that dependent on others?" He pondered in light amusement.
I shrugged and looked around his room. "Maybe."
He stopped in front of me and peered down curiously. "Are you bothered when I call you dog?" I shook my head. "What about pet?"
"No." Now that we were behind closed doors, he didn't give me his usual calm smile. No, his lips pulled into a teasing smirk.
"What would you say about being my pet?"
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