Opossum Twelve

He was unbelievably giddy!

It was noon, an hour before Grim was planning to come by and help him move his things to his new home.

I'm going to live with Grim.

He still couldn't believe it.

Rubbing his hands over his face vigorously, he felt his inner cat flick an ear and twitch its whiskers. It was rare that it was awake during daylight hours and while it didn't seem very interested in the current situation, it was clear to Ian that his cat was just as excited as he was, if not more.

"We'll see him again soon!" he told it excitedly as he finished taping the small box of kitchen items he had.

He then added that box to a little stack near the doorway. That was all of his stuff besides the old desk and chair, which Grim had said to leave on the side of the road for garbage pick up.

Without those two bigger items, since his bed was just a little roll on the floor that was already tucked into its little carrying bag, it would be a very easy move.

"I think that's everything," he mused as he checked the empty living room/bedroom area, then went to the fridge and freezer.

He'd eaten every little bit of food Grim had made or brought him, even if he'd had to eat some of the veggies raw since his cooking skills just weren't up to par. He'd also gained two pounds in the process, which was exciting since he always struggled to keep weight on.

He did one final sweep of the area and made sure everything was spotless for his deposit, then waited.

It was the longest wait of his life, but when he heard his phone chime and glanced at it eagerly, he couldn't stop smiling.

"He's here!" he squealed, glad that his love wasn't within earshot yet. He wanted to dance, but Grim was waiting for him so he calmed his inner child and quickly opened the door and grabbed a few boxes to bring down.

His love was waiting for him, having just gotten out of his car in front of his apartment.

Grim popped the trunk as Ian approached so that he could put his things away, but instead of turning the car off, Grim left it running and headed upstairs to help Ian grab the rest of his stuff.

"Have a tag-along, have to keep the A/C going," Grim said as he easily picked up a box that Ian had struggled to move after having overpacked it.

He might have drooled a bit as the young man's muscles flexed, but he caught himself before he could make a fool of himself and quickly headed back downstairs with the boxes he currently held.

Curiosity got the better of him after he finished loading those boxes, however, and he walked around to the side of the car and leaned down to glance into the back window.

Huh?

His brow furrowed as his mind tried to make sense of what was now calmly looking back at him, buckled up in the backseat like a toddler.

What is that? Did he get a dog?

That was kind of hard to believe, since Grim had made it clear that he wasn't an animal guy, but then what was in his back seat?

"Hmm, no hug for your husband after being away from me for so long?" Grim said as he came up behind him and trapped him against the side of his warm car with his arms!

Ian about had a heart attack as he nervously looked over his shoulder, his face bright red at the dream he was currently somehow now living!

He'd always wanted Grim to press him up against his car, or a wall, or literally anything, yet now that he was, he couldn't manage to find his voice to say a single thing!

"You look like you think I'm about to eat you, babe," Grim teased, only making Ian's heart struggle further as the guy tugged on one of his ears playfully, then walked around his car a moment later.

"I locked up since there was nothing left. Let's go drop off your key at the office and head home, hmm?" he said.

Ian pressed his forehead against the warm exterior of the car as he tried to calm down his overheating body while simultaneously doing his best to piece together what Grim was saying. It honestly felt like he was trying to pluck his words out of a rushing river surging through his ears, then string them back together into coherent sentences again!

By the time he had figured out what had been said, Grim had gotten out of the driver's seat and walked back around to hold his door open for him.

"Home babe," he repeated, finally getting Ian to straighten back up and look his way.

Grim immediately chuckled and reached forward, brushing the warm spot on Ian's forehead from where he'd pressed it against the car.

"You can daydream about me while I drive," he added with a wink as he guided Ian into the passenger seat, then buckled him in.

Ian blinked as he stared at Grim's muscles as the man leaned over him to click the belt into place, because why not? He'd been told that he could daydream about him, but what was the need when the real thing was mere inches away?

"That's Bubba, by the way," Grim said as he slid into his own seat and began backing out of their parking spot.

Oh yeah.

Looking over his shoulder, Ian stared at the strange creature as it stared back at him.

"What... is he?" he eventually asked as the car slowed to a stop outside the office for his apartment complex.

Ian quickly took the key Grim handed him from his apartment and hopped out to return it. Thankfully it only took a minute, and soon they were on the road... and more nervous than ever.

I really am going to live with Grim.

He couldn't believe it. He couldn't understand how someone as amazing as Grim could look at him and think I'm okay with this guy living in my house. And honestly, he couldn't believe that he was even worth looking at, let alone living with!

"He's a capybara," Grim said, responding to his previous question.

Ian looked back at the animal. It had turned its attention to outside the window, but when Ian looked at it, it seemed to notice and slowly turned its focus back to him.

"Hi sweetheart," Ian said quietly, a warm smile on his face.

The capybara gave a little squeak of interest at the new attention.

"That's Ammo, by the way. He shifted and has been in that form for over a day now," Grim said, drawing Ian's attention for a moment before it immediately went back to the capybara.

"He did? Is he okay? He sounded a little stressed while we were playing the other day," he noted, now clearly a little worried about his new friend as he looked back at him, having turned his attention to Grim as he'd spoken.

Oh!

Before he could react there was a big fuzzy baby climbing across the middle console armrest and right into his arms!

It was a tad awkward because Bubba was quite a big boy, but Ian quickly made it work, and soon he had a capybara settled against him, purring just like his cat.

Oh my god, I think I'm in love!

He eagerly looked over the adorable creature that was snuffling at his shirt and hair curiously.

"Hi sweetheart. It's nice to meet you, Bubba," he told it, drawing its attention up to his face for a moment before it looked across the car to Grim.

"You're not coming over here right now. Play with Ian until we get back home," Grim told it as he glanced over after stopping at a red light.

Bubba looked from him to Ian slowly a few times, but didn't seem to process what was said, because soon enough, he was trying to step over the middle console.

Ian quickly but gently grabbed him and tugged him back against his chest, but the big guy seemed more stubborn than Grim, because he continued to try and slowly make his way back across the console.

"There's a bag of lettuce down by your feet," Grim said, drawing Ian's attention in that direction.

Oh.

He quickly reached around his new friend and picked up the bag. As soon as he opened it there was a big nose nudging its way inside, sniffing enthusiastically.

"He can be pretty stubborn, but he'll do anything for some lettuce," Grim said as Ian tugged out a large piece of romaine... and immediately had a capybara grabbing at his hand!

He didn't have it in him to tease the big guy, so he just let him have the piece.

The little chewing noises!

Ian happily fed his new friend as they headed home, making the time fly by.

Soon enough, they were pulling into Grim's driveway.

Oh? That must be Ammo's car.

They parked beside a black and dark blue Kia Soul. It was a cute car and, he thought, fit Bubba quite well.

Undoing his own seatbelt, he waited for Grim to come around and open his door before handing off Bubba to him.

He's a heavy boy...

Grim didn't have any trouble lifting the chunky baby, however, and easily carried him against his hip towards the house like one would a real child.

Those muscles...

He quickly got half of his things out of the trunk and brought them inside, then ran back out with Grim on his heels to finish retrieving the rest.

As they stepped back inside, Bubba was waiting right at the door.

Ian tried to make him back up a little so that he didn't try to run out the door, but Grim didn't seem nearly as worried.

"He won't run," Grim said as he went to set the rest of Ian's stuff down in the spare bedroom.

Ian watched him disappear into the hallway, then looked back down at Bubba, who was still sitting right at his feet staring up at him expectantly.

"You wanna stay with us, huh?" he told it as he gently closed and locked the door.

Before he could turn back around, however, he felt a warm body press up against him, nudging him forward against the door. At the same time, a hand slid into his back pocket before withdrawing a moment later.

"Your key, babe," Grim said as he patted his backside twice, then walked away.

Ian was melting.

He didn't even realize that he'd slid to the floor until he felt Bubba's head nudging its way beneath his arms, seeking attention.

Ian allowed him into his lap without a word, still in absolute shock from what Grim had done. He wanted to bury his face in Bubba's fur and squeal like a high school fan girl, but he knew that he couldn't do that anymore since the target of his affection was literally in the same house as him now.

So, instead, he squeezed Bubba until he gave an annoyed grunt, then released him and gave him a piece of lettuce for his trouble.

"Your bath is ready, Bub!" Grim called a few moments later, drawing Ian's attention over his shoulder.

Bath?

His fuzzy friend quickly dismissed him and hobbled away, drawing Ian's curiosity enough for him to stand up and follow.

Oh.

He watched with a growing smile as Bubba wiggled his way up and over the edge of the tub, then plopped down into the water below.

"He's only allowed in the bathroom if he has to use it or there's water in the tub. If he gets in otherwise, he'll sit in the toilet," Grim said from directly behind him, making Ian jump a little as he spun around, nervous about the man possibly touching him again so soon.

"Come see your room? I changed it a bit for ya," Grim said, making Ian blink in surprise as he looked to the right, as if he could see the room beyond the doorway.

He didn't need to be asked twice! Ian excitedly followed behind Grim, then paused in the doorway of the spare room he'd slept in just two nights ago.

The bedding had been updated with a black comforter and pillowcases, as well as dark red sheets. A large dresser was now sitting to the right of the bed, as well as a second nightstand. But those two things weren't what had his attention now.

Ian's eyes were on Grim as the gorgeous man walked inside and dropped down into a brand new red and black gaming chair in front of a brand new black desk... and brand new gaming computer.

"I've been wanting to put a computer in my spare room," Grim said as he turned it on, the beautifully-quiet hum of the computer making Ian inch closer in wonder.

"The password is IbelongtoGrim," the guy said, smirking up at him with a wink before typing it in.

The desktop was nearly empty besides the Discord app and the game they play. It really was brand new.

"You can just use your laptop for school now," he added as he got up, then gestured for Ian to sit.

He did as requested immediately, though he couldn't find any words to say as he blinked back tears and reached forward to run his fingers lightly over the new keyboard.

"There are some new clothes, too, though I'm not sure what actually fits. We can return anything that doesn't, or anything you don't like, though," Grim said as he walked over to the large closet and slid one of its doors open.

A row of shirts hung across the entire bar before him, drawing Ian back to his feet as he walked over.

At least fifteen pairs of pants were folded neatly in a tall cubby to the right, too, making his jaw honestly drop.

All of this is for me?

Reaching down, he picked up a pair of soft blue jeans and hugged them to his chest. He only had two pairs of pants to his name, and one already had quite a few holes in them. Heck, he probably hadn't owned fifteen in his entire life, let alone at one time!

"Cry for me when you're on your back too, alright?" Grim said with a chuckle as he ruffled his hair and stepped out of the closet.

Ian looked over his shoulder as his love made his exit, tears streaming down his face in earnest now.

He could hear Grim talking to Bubba in the other room, so he decided to leave them be for a moment so that he could absorb everything that he'd just been given.

He ended up walking over to the bed and falling into it.

The blankets smelled like Grim's laundry detergent.

Reaching over, he grabbed one of the pillows and hugged it to his chest.

I have a real bed.

He hadn't had a real bed since before he'd started high school and his younger sibling had been given it.

Rolling onto his side, he looked at the new computer and chair.

Grim is so amazing.

He'd always known that, of course, but he couldn't believe just how awesome the guy really was in person.

Getting up again, he set the pillow back on the bed and dropped down into his new fancy chair, but right as he was reaching for the mouse to look around on the computer, his hand paused.

Hmm?

Reaching past the mouse, he picked up a little collar that had evidently been left by mistake. It was simple, but extremely well made.

He grabbed the little nametag gently between his fingers and turned it so that he could re—huh?

Furrowing his brows, he read over the name again. Then again.

"It's for your cat, babe," Grim said, making Ian jump a little as he quickly looked up in surprise.

"M-my cat?" he asked, confused and still a little stunned.

Ignoring his worry, Grim walked forward and took the collar from him... then slid it around his neck.

"Just in case your cat wanders out of the house and gets lost, since this is a new area for it," Grim said as he fastened the little buckle near the back of his neck.

The feeling of the man's fingers brushing against the sensitive skin there had Ian's face burning again.

He didn't dare say that his cat had never shown any interest in wandering around outside, and instead simply gave a little nod of agreement.

"Good boy," Grim praised as he rustled his hair again.

"I'm going to go start working on lunch. Can you go check on Bub?" he asked as he offered a hand to help him up.

"O-of course," Ian replied as he stood.

He could feel the collar firmly press against his neck, but before he could start towards the bathroom, Grim settled a hand on his chest, then reached up to carefully adjust the item.

"Better?" he asked after a moment, prompting Ian to move his head side to side a little.

Ah, yeah. Definitely better.

It was still in place, but much more comfortable now.

"Good," Grim said quietly as he nudged the collar with his thumb, the rest of his warm hand nonchalantly settled against Ian's neck.

He waited patiently as his heart secretly hammered against his ribs.

Grim took his time caressing the item, though, seeming far more attached to the idea of it on him than one normally would simply putting it on their cat.

And then, just like that, the man smirked and left, disappearing down the hall and around the corner to begin cooking.

I...

Ian wobbly began walking toward the bathroom to check on Bubba.

I don't know if my heart will be able to handle living here...