Corpse in the Cupboard

***** CHAPTER 25 *****

A month had passed since the confrontation in Laguna’s room and Kiros was overjoyed that finally things were going smoothly for all of them. Vincent and Laguna had consummated their new relationship and hadn’t stopped consummating it since, as far as he could tell. The gunman was living with the President again and Laguna seemed to be back to his usual, cheery self. He hadn’t been forgotten and Vincent still came to see him every Friday night to have a few drinks and unwind from the week.

A loud knock at the door awoke Kiros from his daydreaming and he stood to open it, eager to see Vincent. He was unable to hide his shock when he opened the door to find Laguna standing next to Vincent. The gunman smiled at him, stepping inside to embrace him affectionately. Kiros was surprised that the young man was being so affectionate to him in front of Laguna. Usually it was only when they were alone that Vincent showed this side of himself and Kiros had thought that Laguna was unaware of the gunman’s change in behaviour towards him when no one else was around.

Laguna stepped into the room and shut the door with a nervous smile. Vincent kept one arm around Kiros and turned to reach out with the other one, grabbing the President and pulling him into a three way hug. Laguna squeaked in surprise and Kiros couldn’t help but laugh at the gunman’s sudden transformation into hug mode. He would have never believed it himself if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes on so many occasions.

“I thought it was time I dragged him out of his office and made him join in our weekly get together. Besides, it’s been weeks since you two spent time together out of the office,” Vincent’s deep voice purred in his ear. Kiros tried and failed to stop the shiver that ran up his spine. Vincent released them both and Kiros glanced at Laguna to see him smiling oddly at him.

“I hope you don’t mind me butting in,” the President said nervously, chewing his bottom lip and looking down at his feet. Kiros couldn’t resist how adorably vulnerable he looked and reached forward to lift Laguna’s chin with his hand.

“Don’t be silly. Of course I don’t mind,” he said brightly. Laguna smiled and Kiros stood lost in his eyes until Vincent cleared his throat beside them. Kiros dropped his hand guiltily. Fuck. He looked at Vincent but the gunman simply smiled warmly at him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“What are we going to eat? I’m starving,” he said, pulling Kiros towards the kitchen. He heard Laguna chuckling behind them and he couldn’t help but feel a little freaked out. Why wasn’t Vincent pissed at him? And what the hell did Laguna find so funny about the whole thing? He quickly forgot his worries as all three began to argue over what kind of food they were going to order and ten minutes later a pouting Laguna had finally accepted the fact that they’d be eating pizza after being out voted by the other two men.

Two hours and three bottles of wine later, all three sat back on the couch, watching some crappy black and white movie that Laguna had insisted on. Honestly, the guy’s taste in movies really sucked, Kiros thought to himself as he leaned back and yawned. He glanced over at Vincent, who was looking rather pained at having to sit through such crap and then looked at Laguna who was, of course, completely glued to the dramatic ending playing out before him. The credits finally rolled down the screen and Kiros had to suppress the urge to cheer. He rolled his eyes at Laguna as he started raving on about the movie.

“Hey! It wasn’t that bad,” Laguna sputtered, pouting and crossing his arms. Kiros couldn’t help laughing out loud and the President punched his arm in mock offence.

“It’s time you told him baby,” Vincent interjected, changing the subject and saving Kiros from further abuse. Kiros looked at both men curiously, a little worry creeping into his face.

“Don’t panic Kiros. Now I know how you feel about birthdays and yours is tomorrow. Every year you lock yourself away in your room and refuse to come out for the whole day. It’s just not right. No one should spend their birthday alone and cooped up in their room. Vincent and I wanted to make you dinner and celebrate with you. How about it?” Laguna prattled out excitedly.

“No Laguna. You know how I feel about birthdays. I am not about to change my birthday routine for you or anyone,” Kiros mumbled out, frowning deeply and moving to stand. Vincent put an arm around his waist and held him in place and Kiros’ temper began to flare. Every year it was the same argument. Why couldn’t the guy just forget his damn birthday for once?

“Come on Kiros. Would it be so bad to spend your birthday with us?” Vincent asked.

“Yes, it would be bad. I do not do birthdays, ok? Why the hell can’t you two just accept that?” he growled out, pushing away Vincent’s hand roughly and standing up to stomp out onto the balcony. He took a deep breath of the cool night air and looked out over the city below. Damn it, he couldn’t help it if he loathed birthdays. It was the most depressing thing to be reminded that yet another year had passed him by and he was still alone. Why would he want to celebrate being another year closer to death?

Kiros heard footsteps approaching but didn’t turn around, still to pissed to let it drop. Arms wrapped around his waist from behind as Laguna hugged him fiercely.

“Please don’t be mad,” he whispered into Kiros’ shoulder. “I’m sorry I pushed it. I promise I won’t bring it up again if it makes you this upset. Please, just forget the whole thing and come back inside.” Kiros felt his heart flutter and cursed his traitorous body. He wanted Laguna even when the guy was pissing him off. It was just pathetic. Breathing in deeply and sighing in frustration, he turned around, moving Laguna’s arms from his waist and stepping back to look at him stubbornly.

“You promise, no more birthday shit?” he muttered. Laguna nodded vigorously before grabbing his hand and pulling him back inside towards the couch. Vincent was looking at him with his best ‘kicked puppy’ expression and he felt a stab of guilt at his behaviour. His friends had both meant well, simply wanting to celebrate his birthday with him and he had over reacted and bitten their heads off, like some immature spoilt brat. He dropped into the chair beside the gunman and hugged him tightly and Vincent apologized softly in his ear.

“I’m sorry I over reacted,” he mumbled, shame faced, as Vincent released him and Laguna joined them on the couch.

“Lets have another drink and forget I ever brought it up,” Laguna said cheerily and handed Kiros another glass of wine. Kiros nodded and downed his drink quickly, only half listening as Laguna began telling another tall tale about their army days to Vincent. Vincent was listening intently and leaned back, wrapping an arm around Kiros’ shoulders and pulling him back against his chest. Kiros had heard the story a hundred times but he still smiled warmly at the memories that it made resurface in his mind. His anger forgotten, he relaxed fully into the gunman’s embrace and suddenly felt so tired that he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. The last thing he remembered was Laguna’s voice lulling him off to sleep.