"Invite me over to your house."
Caught off guard by the sudden request as he was about to take off his shirt, Dein paused and looked at Grayson. As he continued to stare silently, Grayson spoke again.
"I have something for you. More precisely, for Darling."
"Something for Darling?"
Only then did Dein resume his actions, asking the question as he slowly put his shirt in the bag and took out a new one, his gaze still fixed on himself, which seemed to satisfy Grayson considerably. Leaning against the cabinet, Grayson tilted his head, then straightened it again when he realized he was much taller than the cabinet.
"Yeah, so I guess I have to go to your house."
Dein, still looking at Grayson, pulled out the shirt rolled up over his chest. Grayson briefly lost himself watching the firm chest disappear under the shirt but quickly regained his composure and returned his gaze to Dein's face.
"What is it?"
As expected, Dein showed interest. Grayson answered calmly as if it were nothing.
"A cat tower."
"A cat tower?"
Dein furrowed his brows and repeated the word, looking puzzled. Instead of explaining, Grayson took out his «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» mobile phone and showed him a picture of the cat tower he had prepared. Staring at the enormous cat tower on the screen, Dein slowly spoke.
"It's too big to fit in my house."
"It can be scaled down."
Grayson quickly said, pointing to one side of the picture.
"You don't have to assemble this part. And this part can be omitted too. If height is an issue, it can be limited to here."
As he pointed out each section, Dein was silent for a moment.
It can get that big, huh.
Indeed, that model was the very one Dein had been eyeing. This guy is presenting it as a gift when I had to save up for months to afford it.
Though irritated, he was a very pragmatic man. He left his emotions aside and quickly calculated with his reason. Having this would allow him to use the money he had saved for something else for Darling. Okay, not bad.
"So?"
"What?"
After Dein responded, Grayson hesitated. Dein asked him again.
"What do you want, really?"
Seeing Dein about to take off his shirt again, Grayson grimaced and soon sighed. Surprised by the reaction, Dein paused. Grayson spoke to him soothingly.
"It's not good to try to solve everything with your chest."
"What?"
Dein was taken aback and contorted his face. What is this, this breast fetishist...
Grayson continued calmly as Dein looked incredulous.
"I told you, I want you to invite me over."
And before Dein could say anything, he added,
"I want to see Darling."
Dein just looked at him, as if to say let's see what sort of nonsense you're spouting. Grayson, of course, continued.
"Cats aren't supposed to be taken out of the house, right? Especially since it hasn't been long since she was discharged from the hospital. So, isn't my coming over the only way?"
Watching him casually shrug up to his shoulders, Dein was momentarily lost in thought. His argument was flawless, as if he had prepared the answer beforehand.
Of course, he must have thought about it.
Dein, still skeptical, asked again.
"What's the reason you're so eager to see Darling?"
This was the trump card Grayson had prepared. He spread his arms wide with a familiar smile.
"I'm a fan of Darling."
Dein's reaction came a beat late.
"What?"
With a furrowed face, Grayson just smiled and looked at him.