Kev felt like he'd only shut his eyes for a moment before a knock at the door pulled him from a deep sleep. He felt Fang stirring behind him. "Relax, I'll get it," Kev said, pushing himself off the couch. He was a bit sad to go; even if he was on the edge of the cushion, nearly falling off, Fang's body was warm and comfortable.
He blinked his eyes a few times, getting used to the dimming light now that the sun was growing low outside the window. He checked his watch. Five-fifteen. "Looks like we slept in a bit," he chuckled.
"What?" Fang bolted up from the couch and strode to his desk before realizing the office was still in shambles. He knelt down and began searching for something.
Kev pulled the door open to find Horns. The mooseman was in his suit and looking a bit high, a goofy grin on his face as he twirled Kev's keys on his finger.
"I gave you as much time as I could, but I've got to head downstairs," Horns said. He stepped into the room and looked quizzically down at Fang, who was holding a small desk clock up and shaking it vigorously. "What did the bad clock do to you, Fang?"
"Horns!" Fang snapped his head over to the moose. "What time is it?"
"It's time to go get ready," Kev said. "We aren't late."
Fang stood and placed the clock on the desk. "This clock is broken. I thought it was new."
"Isn't that the weirdest thing?" Horns said with a grin. "Don't worry about it, boss. This will all get sorted before you get back."
"Get back? From what?" Fang asked.
"I don't know," Horns said, passing Kev his keys, "but I doubt you want to go in your PJs."
Fang looked down at his silken night garments, the blue and white stripes matching on his shirt and pants. "I'll be right back," he said, walking out the door.
Kev grinned and shook his head. "You manage to get any sleep, Horns?"
"No, but I got to smoke a bit and take a shower," Horns stretched his arms. "Thanks for that. I hate working without a shower."
"Anytime." Kev walked with Horns out to the top of the grand staircase. "I've got to go get changed too. I'll see you down there."
"See ya, buddy," Horns said and headed down the stairs.
Kev tossed his keys up and caught them. He was feeling good. Although his body still ached, the little nap with Fang had refreshed his spirits. He made it to his apartment and pushed open the door.
He took one step into the room and found himself nearly bumping into someone. Kev panicked. The man, who had been inspecting the player piano, slowly turned. He was wearing a blue and green argyle suit. Was he one of the enforcers? All of these thoughts quickly disappeared when he saw the intense iguana-man's face looking at him. "Lanon? What are you doing here?"
"I was just inspecting this marvelous gift that Fang procured for you," Lanon said, turning back to the player piano and running his hands over the instrument.
Lanon looked different, but he was still the same. The usual sensual furs, leathers, and other ridiculous outfits were gone, replaced by the preppy, almost conservative blue and green argyle suit. Yet, the material clung to his lean, reptilian frame in a way that still felt indecent, and the way his long, slender fingers traced the polished wood of the piano, slow and possessive, made Kev's skin crawl.
"Yeah, it was very generous," Kev said, walking into his kitchen, putting some distance between them.
Lanon turned from the piano and followed him. "I heard it was quite the exciting day," he purred, "but if I remember correctly, that does not... excite you."
"No, not my idea of a good time," Kev said, pulling a glass from his cupboard and filling it with water.
"Would you say it was traumatizing?" Lanon asked. The iguana-man was making Kev feel crowded in the small kitchen. He wasn't physically pinning him against the counter like Rex did, but Kev felt like Lanon was on top of him regardless, his presence invasive and dissecting.
"It sucked, but I wouldn't call it traumatizing," Kev said.
Lanon snatched the glass from Kev's hand and drank it down in one long gulp. He sighed and passed the empty glass back. "Thank you, dear."
Kev frowned and put the glass down on the counter. "I need to get ready," he said, his voice clipped. "Just do whatever, I guess."
As Kev grabbed his clothes and headed to the bathroom, Lanon continued to pepper him with questions.
"When I got here, I found Horns smoking on your couch. Where were you?"
"I was assisting Fang. It's my job, remember?" Kev replied, his hand on the bathroom doorknob.
"Was Fang having one of his episodes?"
"I don't know what that means, but the answer is probably yes."
"Did that excite you?"
"No," Kev said, and closed the door to the bathroom.
"You don't have to lie to me!" Lanon called through the door.
Kev rolled his eyes and locked the bathroom door before getting ready for the night.
Horns was right, a shower really does make the night feel official. Kev looked in the mirror, feeling much better. The hot water had helped relax his neck and back. His arm was still bruised, but he'd survived worse. He flattened down his sleek silver suit. The deep blue undershirt he'd chosen matched the silk pocket square peeking from his breast pocket, the color a stark, pleasing contrast to the suit's metallic sheen and his own pale skin. With his hair styled and his shave fresh, he looked less like a traumatized castaway and more like... well, like Fang's personal assistant.
He took a deep breath before stepping back out into his apartment. When he looked around, however, Lanon wasn't there. Kev walked into his kitchen and grabbed a fresh glass of water, filling it up. As he raised it to his lips, a movement in his peripheral vision caught his eye. Lanon was in his bedroom, looking around, his long, slender fingers rummaging through one of Kev's drawers.
"Hey! Get out of my bedroom!" Kev yelled, slamming the glass of water down on the counter.
Lanon looked over at Kev through the open door and said, "I'm almost finished."
"What?!" Kev said, his voice incredulous. "Get out!"
Lanon looked down at the drawer and sighed, pushing it closed. "I was hoping to learn more about you," he said, "but it seems that you have no style other than the suits Fang had made for you."
"Hey! I have style," Kev said, a bit offended. "Wait, just get out of my room!"
"Your clothes are an odd amalgamation of sizes and styles. I can't get a read on you," Lanon said, passing Kev as he exited the bedroom.
"I haven't been out shopping yet," Kev explained. "All my clothes came from Horns on my first couple of days."
"Well, why haven't you gone out to buy some?" Lanon took the glass of water from the counter.
"I, uh... didn't have any money," Kev said, watching Lanon drink it down in one long sip.
"Ha!" Lanon laughed, the sound dry and reptilian. "We both know you only need to ask him. As if Fang would not spoil his unconventional pet."
A knock rang through the apartment before Kev could protest and kick the iguana out of his room. "Not everyone feels so comfortable asking about things all the time," he muttered as he went to open the door.
Talon nodded as he entered. "Who is the golfer?" he asked, his sharp gaze landing on Lanon's argyle suit.
"Ahh, Talon," Lanon turned his attention onto the eagle.
Kev used this opportunity to escape to the kitchen and finally have his glass of water. When he returned, Talon was looking a bit cornered, Lanon was pressing him with questions. "So, you carried him? Did he feel fragile?"
"He seems proportional," Talon stated, his voice flat.
"And how did it make you feel? To carry and maneuver such a small person? Was it... exciting?"
"Hey! Cut it with the creepy questions," Kev said before Talon could answer.
"I merely want to know more about those I work closely with," Lanon smiled at Kev, his sharp teeth gleaming.
Kev wanted to say that searching through people's bedrooms and asking if they'd consummated their relationship was a terrible way to get to know someone, but once again, he was interrupted by a knock.
Talon used this opportunity to escape from Lanon. He did a wide sidestep around the iguana and pulled the door open. "Mr. Fang."
Fang walked in, impeccably dressed as always. His fur was smoothed down, and his eyes were relaxed… or they were, until they landed on Lanon. "What are you doing here?" he growled. "The club is about to open."
"Fang, get with the program," Lanon chuckled. "It's my day off, remember?"
"Oh, right." Fang walked in and pulled Kev into an embrace. "Someone would have to be real amazing to make me give my employees a whole day off to themselves."
"Oh ho!" Lanon said. "If you two are getting aroused, I can wait outside."
Fang sighed and stepped away from Kev. "Lanon, it's your day off, but why are you here?"
"Fang, are you still not with the program?" Lanon replied, his tone one of mock exasperation. "We are going to Marybelle's fashion show tonight."
"I'm with the program! Are you with the program?" Fang growled, his fur bristling slightly. "There was a raid on my home, and I need to respond!"
"Fang, you are going to have another one of your episodes if you keep getting worked up like this," Lanon said calmly. "This is why you should get away from the club for a bit."
That's actually a good idea, Kev thought. It seemed like the raid had gone over about as well as it could have. A mystery bird with no description, and paperwork signed and handed off without incident. The captain of the enforcers even kissed Cindy's hand. Fang should be celebrating, not on a warpath. Getting him away from the scene of the crime might actually be the best possible thing for him tonight.
Kev cleared his throat and said, "We should go support Marybelle."
Fang turned to Kev, his amber eyes still flashing with agitation. "They could be planning another raid as we speak."
"Well, if they are," Kev said, grabbing Fang's hand, his grip firm, "then the best place to be would be not here."
"Listen to the human," Lanon said as he and Talon fell into step behind Fang and Kev, the group exiting the apartment and traveling down towards the awakening club.
"I need to talk with Cindy," Fang said weakly, his resistance already faltering.
"You can talk to her in the morning. She needs to focus on work now that the club is open," Kev countered smoothly.
"And the VIP dinner is tomorrow. I need to make sure the room is perfect."
"That only takes a minute and can be done when we get back."
"What if Reepia needs to change the menu last minute?"
"And so what if she does?" Kev squeezed Fang's hand. "Would you dare second-guess her when the knives are so close?"
They reached the bottom of the stairs. The grand entrance in front of them was wide open, a spattering of early-bird customers filing in already.
"Where are you going?" Lanon said, stopping Fang, who was already beginning to lead Kev towards the VIP booth in the main bar.
"I'm hungry," Fang grumbled. "Fashion can wait for food."
"You think I don't know you?" Lanon shook his head. "We have reservations. Hurry up."
Kev and Fang looked at each other before following Lanon out of the club.