Dreamland part two; a surprise visitor

Kedamono felt so excited for their six month anniversary.

He had gotten Popee flowers, chocolate, a card and…

A golden ring.

He wasn’t sure if he’d give it to Popee just yet, but he did know this—-

He was absolutely, positively—madly in love with Popee.

It was a gut feeling he was going with all the way. A feeling that all the nightmares were finally gone, and loving and being loved by the scientist was like living in a deep, quiet, beautiful dreamland.

He had hidden all of the gifts—hoping Popee wouldn’t find them until after he came home from work.

After coming home from his job, he was tired, but having Popee give him that very sweet and possessive kiss, Kedamono felt like that was it, Popee was the one for him. And also, the homemade fried chicken dinner.

“How was work, Keda, dear?” Popee asked, getting their plates ready.

“Ah. Same old. Not great. My boss has been a bit nicer, but it doesn’t matter now.” He sat down on the couch, sighing in an exhausted manner. “Now that we’re leaving.”

“So, this house is for sure?”

“Yeah.. it’s in that nice neighborhood we were looking at in the city on your phone, near downtown. No more small towns. It’ll be good. Good to raise a—”

There was a pause and they both looked at each other.

“Raise a what, Keda?” Popee’s tone was curious, and it made Kedamono’s heart jump a bit in a joyful pinch.

“Uh… you know, Popee…”

Popee frowned. “Raise a circus tent?”

Kedamono laughed. “No.”

“Then, I don’t know.” Popee looked at him in a bit of a sudden realization, but stopped himself from saying it. “I’m not good with understanding how most things are raised,” Popee laughed in a awkward chuckle, making Kedamono bit his lip and look at him gently.

“How was your day, baby?”

“It was fine. I missed you. I ran some errands, did laundry. My robot is done.”

“Oh? That’s amazing! When will you show me?” Kedamono jumped up and down excitedly on the couch.

“Soon. After dinner and dessert.”

“Congratulations, Popee!”

“Thank you, dear,” Popee said with a proud gleam in his eye. “Okay, dinner is served.”

Kedamono nodded, and started to get up.

“No, no,” Popee started. “Don’t get up. I’ll bring you dinner,” he smiled and went over to him, and handed the plate.

“Ohh, looks amazing! Thank you, my darling!”

Popee grinned widely. “You’re welcome!” He sat down next to Kedamono with his own plate as well.

“Hmm, you’re such an awesome chef!” Kedamono said, stopping before he took a single bite, he leaned in close, and said, “I love you, Popee. Happy six month anniversary.”

Popee blushed lightly and smiled softly, “Oh, I love you so much, Kedamono. Happy six month anniversary!”

They kissed again, gently and softly.

“I got us some apple cider!” Popee said, getting up. “We can toast!”

“You look very handsome, baby,” Kedamono said softly.

Popee put his thumb up in the air as he turned to get the glasses. “I know.”

“What about me? I must look so… down and out.”

Popee filled the two wine glasses with cold apple cider and looked at him with adoration.

“What? Are you serious? You look so damn cute, Keda.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Popee walked over and kissed the top of Kedamono’s head and then sat down.

“Keda, first, don’t argue with me… and now, let’s toast to our future.”

They raised the glasses and clinked the edges together.

“To our future!” Kedamono said with a grin.

Eating dinner in a silent and comfortable ambience, the two talked over their plans for the upcoming weekend and then Popee remembered Nina, the landlord, had spoken to him earlier.

“She talked to you?” Kedamono asked, finishing up his plate.

“Yeah. Well, she yelled out to me,” He laughed. “She called me, ‘The Tall One,’ and proceeded to say you’re my husband,” Popee grinned in a cheeky way. “She also wanted to confirm we are leaving this month. I told her we are.”

Kedamono blushed and bit his lip. “Husband?”

Popee nodded gleefully.

“Umm…”

“Did you tell her anything?” Popee’s brow raised, and he gave Kedamono a questioning look.

Kedamono’s blush deepened. “What would I tell her?”

“You know… about marrying me?”

“Oh. Um, Popee… you know, I feel… I want…” Kedamono’s face became flustered and he stumbled over his words.

“I’ll tell you what I want,” Popee said bluntly. “Since I did just put you on the spot.”

“What?” He said, a bit relieved to have some pressure put off of him.

“First,” he looked at Kedamono’s empty plate. “Do you want anymore food?”

Kedamono nodded. “I’ll get it, thank you baby.” He got up. “And I’ll get you more, too. Do you want any?”

“I’m okay, thanks.”

He saw Kedamono get another plate of food and sighed. He felt oddly nervous yet knowing how long they’ve been together and how much they trusted each other, it shouldn’t be something hard to just say what is on his mind.

But, thinking more and more about it, it was starting to feel that way.

Kedamono noticed the change in Popee’s demeanor and put his hand on Popee’s leg as he came back to the couch.

“You okay?”

Popee blushed, his heart fluttering as he felt Kedamono’s hand softly land on his leg. “Yes.”

“So,” Kedamono said gently. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Umm…”

There was a sudden knock on their door and they both jumped.

“I’ll get it,” Kedamono said.

Popee sighed. It was out of relief and frustration and he was glad he had another minute to collect his thoughts.

Suddenly, Popee heard something that sounded like a baby crying.

“Who is it?” Popee yelled. There was a brief, hushed conversation he couldn’t hear with someone who sounded like a woman, but he didn’t recognize her voice.

“That’s my son?!” Kedamono said suddenly, making Popee jump up from the couch in surprise.

“A son?” Popee said more to himself than anything, and felt his heart pounding.

As he stood up, a lithe, tall woman with a pair of yellow golden eyes was looking at him, directly.

And then, Kedamono turned around, and he was holding a small child in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. His face looked in awe, scared and overwhelmed.

To Popee, the baby looked just like Kedamono.