The Heart's Content
A quick story about the waning relationship between a writer and an artist. This is just a flash fiction, but I'm still very proud of it.
***
The searing warmth of the liquid reverberated onto Kees' paws as he held the plastic cup. Coffee. Or more appropriately, vanilla cappuccino. He loved that stuff. The soothing, foamy, caffeine-rich nectar always cheered him up when he was gloomy. Additionally, it worked as the perfect aid whenever he wanted to write; the perfect companion for consumption during productivity. But right now, the drink's purpose served in the former category.
As the white wolf sat at the table, bringing the cup to his lips for the occasional swig, his mind remained fixated on Silrin, his German Shepherd boyfriend. Their first two years together went beautifully. And he knew it would be that way; the two canines were so compatible with each other, had so much in common, and collaborated so well together. Kees was a writer, Silrin was an artist, and together, they'd done a few successful comics under their combined 'Kelsin' alias.
He was always the highlight of Kees' day. He even recalled the very moment the dog said an eager 'yes' when he'd asked him to be his boyfriend. It was probably the best day of his life. The spark between the two had been almost unfathomable. So why'd it have to diminish? And so harshly, at that?
Maybe it was the old adage of 'all good things must come to an end'. The very thought nearly brought the wolf to tears, and he tried to expel it from his mind. Was it the recent 'art slump' Silrin was having lately? He thought he'd worked through that. Or maybe it was hitting the German Shepherd harder, now, more than ever. It sounded like a reasonable explanation, but whenever Kees asked, it was always the same answer.
"No, I've dealt with that," the German Shepherd would often say to him. But was it really dealt with?
"You sure, sweetie?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
His answers always sounded somewhat terse, like he didn't even want to talk about it, and Kees, being the sensitive polite guy that he was, didn't want to press the issue.
But he never stopped worrying. He wanted more than ever to man up and just ask his boyfriend what was wrong with him lately. Was it the art slump still, or something else that was bothering him? Whatever it was, it was enough to hamper their relationship to the point where their previous spark felt artificial. And Kees hated it. Hell, they hadn't even kissed in a while, and the kisses they did share felt... fake. The opposite of the usual intimacy and passion he was used to.
A heavy sigh poured through his muzzle as he closed his eyes and imagined his boyfriend on the other side of the table; that gorgeous silver fur laying in a neat circular pattern around his neck, and coating his arms and legs in a somewhat-typical vulpine fashion while rich black fur adorn the rest of his body. Silrin's shorter, spiky hair was a nice contrast to Kees' own longer hair, but he adored it, nonetheless.
He was so lost in thought, he didn't even notice someone enter his apartment. By the time he finally opened his eyes, it was like clockwork; Silrin was right there in front of him across the table.
"Silrin?"
"Hey. I think we... need to talk." The dog scratched his head, feeling uneasy.
"Something on your mind, sweetie?"
"You're... not happy, are you? With... me." A noticeable frown befell his face.
"I..." The wolf tried, "I just... miss you. I miss... what we used to have."
"I'm sorry..." He sighed.
"Sorry for... what?"
"For not being honest with you, Kees."
Kees took a deep breath, reaching over to grab the Shepherd's paw. "I don't want to press you," he affectionately squeezed, "but I've been worried this entire time. I want to know what's wrong. Will you tell me, please?"
Silrin looked away for a moment, reciprocating the squeeze. "I guess... it's the art thing."
"You told me you worked through that. Right?"
"...I haven't."
"Are you... unhappy with the way you draw?"
"No! I guess it's just... the success we've had as 'Kelsin' has kinda made me uncomfortable. People are always expecting us to do the next best thing or something. I was never one who basked in the spotlight like that. I mean... I appreciate the fans and all the people who love our work, but... sometimes it's a bit too much for me. I kinda... want to take a break from it."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't want to disappoint you. I know how much Kelsin means to you, and I thought you wanted to keep going with it."
"You mean more to me, you silly dog," Kees teared up slightly, trying to balance it with a relieving chuckle.
He then stood up from the table, pulling Silrin up with him. "If you want to take a break, then we can. We can do whatever you want, so long as I still get to have my boyfriend." He wrapped his arms around him in the tightest embrace they'd shared in a long time.
"So... you're not mad?"
"Of course not. Just tell me what's going on, next time."
Silrin smiled widely. "Deal."
Kees wagged as he pulled back slightly. "So, can I have a kiss?"
"Only the best for you." The dog grinned, eagerly shoving his broad tongue into Kees' muzzle.
It was the intimate, yet heated kiss he'd been yearning to feel for months. He earnestly wrapped his own tongue around the tenacious organ, breathing in the dog's strong, familiar breath. A soft, well-deserved moan erupted between the two of them as their tongues danced a symphony of fire in their muzzles whilst they held each other.
"Kees?" The dog panted softly.
"Yeah?"
"You've been drinking too much coffee." He giggled lightly.