"What an incredibly shitty week," Venti growled, rubbing his forehead as he laid out on the sofa.

Art sat on Venti's chest, patting a pec. "It could be a lot worse, you know."

"I know, but still...Alexander comes back into my freaking life, Charles is going to the same gym as mine, and they cut my hours in half again."

Art leaned forward, cupping his hands together. "At least you have a potential job at the library and will be getting paid to have pictures taken of you."

"Which is being photographed by Alexander."

Art nodded. "A mixed blessing, to be certain, but hopefully you won't have to deal with him for the next photoshoot."

Venti raised a finger, pointing to Art. "If there's a next photoshoot."

"My dad would tell me if life gives you lemons, you make yourself some damned good lemonade."

"Well, the Internet tells me that if God gives me lemons, I find myself a new God."

Art leaned over to kiss Venti's upright finger. "If you're making jokes like that, you must not be feeling too upset over this."

"Maybe you just have an effect on me." Venti forced himself not to grin, and failed as the corner of his lips quirked up.

"I see you trying not to smile," Art said smugly, smirking down at the jackal.

"Lies and deceit. I never smile when I'm being serious."

"And you're not being serious," Art pointed out.

Venti encircled his arms around Art's slim waist. "OK, so maybe things aren't as bad as they seemed at the beginning of the week."

Art ran his hand through Venti's bright red mohawk. "Good. You shouldn't be so mopey. That's not the arrogant, vain jackal I fell in love with."

Venti sat up, flipping Art over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "I think I'm going to have to punish you now in the bedroom," Venti growled playfully. "I am so not arrogant."

"Just make sure to kiss me to make it all better," Art said, rubbing his hands along the broad landscape of Venti's muscular back.

"Oh, you can count on that," Venti said as he ducked through the bedroom doorway.

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