FSE

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Originally planned to be titled 'Goodnight' this is a short story im almost done with to re-kindle my writing mojo. im only planning one or two more chapters honestly. this is parts one and two. please give a critique if you would as i need to get back to my critical writing again, my conversations still feel awkward compared to before and im trying to improve my 'inner thought' writing. Enjoy!

"Goodnight," Conner waved some of the last of his guests out the door, the Dalmatian giving her husky boyfriend a much needed guide down the apartment's steep stairs. "Drive safe!" he called playfully, knowing Clair didn't need to be told twice. She gave him a knowing smirk while Derek thanked Conner for the fourth time for the party, apologizing for anything he probably did.

"Thanks again! I mean it!" the dog pointed, suddenly very serious, but breaking into giggles and looking at his girl, "I love you babe. You're so pretty." He told her, leaning closer.

"Aww thanks big guy." She kissed his nose, and his tongue was all over her in a moment, "Stop! Not here you drunk!" she laughed.

"And I love your spots. All of your spots. DID YOU KNOW!?" he shouted and turned towards the human host in the doorway a few stairs above them, "That she has a three spots on one ass cheek and not the other? I mean why not both, you know? I still love 'em though..." he told her, leaning more, a suggestive growl in his voice.

The human blushed and Clair yelled something about indecency. "No I did not." Conner answered truthfully with a grin.

"Well good. You shouldn't. But she does and they are so damn cute man." The husky laughed, being dragged away by the panicky Dalmatian. Conner giggled a bit to himself and locked his door, then turning around to see the damage done.

He was the proud owner of a medium sized apartment fitted with a standard apartment kitchen and living room, but with a good almost household sized kitchen and bedroom. His front door opened into the living room, the kitchen just off of that, and the bathroom and bedroom off the kitchen...Simple and cozy.

At the moment he was facing the mess that was a living room after a house party. First was the livingroom, home of the rowdier drinkers. Cans and red solo cups were scattered about, the television was on but nearly muted, one curtain drawn, pillows out of place, and coasters everywhere, but seemingly never under a cup or can. He sighed, his mind already traveling to the wonderment of drink circles.

In retrospect it was not so bad... he could spend a good half hour cleaning and be totally done. He walked to the kitchen to see here the markings of a different kind of party goer, the 'chatter' as opposed to the 'cheerer'; the glass sipper and not the drink guzzler. Beer glasses and cups sat atop coasters, the snacks were in bowls and the recycling bin was full. Conner smiled, incredibly happy he had these sets of guests to balance the destruction, but passed through to go check on his last guest.

He opened the bedroom door with the small 'do not disturb' sign, that a friend had brought as a joke, hanging from the doorknob. Inside was a desk, dresser, twin sized bed, and a rather large collection of DVDs and video games. The majority of his favoured possessions were in here to keep them away from the unsteady hands of any drunks. The only worthwhile objects out in the living areas to face the brunt of such a battle, were his guitar hero and a few of his disks. He spied the remains of the last guitar someone had smashed in the corner, totally busted, but already graciously paid for.

The human tip toed in and heard the soft but loud snoring of Will. The lion had decided it was a good night to pre-game before the party. He was there by nine and out like a light by ten. To be honest, the human and lion didn't know each other that well. Will was a friend of a friend, and Conner was typically very liberal about his invitations. If his friends thought it was okay to bring someone it was cool with Conner, but that luxury was always easily revoked. Derek had not steered anyone too bad in yet so it was fine, and technically the lion didn't do any damage...

Conner watched the lion sleep for a moment; his nearly black mane was flared red at the tips. He slept soundly and thankfully did not drool over the pillows. He lay on his back, one hand almost clichédly laid over his belly, the other behind his head. Conner would not be the last to say the lion was very attractive. He was well muscled from a job in a warehouse if he remembered correctly, days spent lifting and stacking heavy objects. Will had joked about being paid to work out when he was able to talk.

But Conner was not one to be a total creep... he blushed realizing how long he watched his unconscious friend of a friend simply breathe. Had it really been that long since he had been in the room with any physical interests? The human stood away from his own bed and quickly grabbed some clean clothes and left the room, bee-lining for the bathroom.

The answer was obviously yes. Damn...how long had it been since he had even slept with anyone? Not even gotten laid but just slept? A few months at least, shit almost ten months...that's almost a year. Almost three hundred and sixty five days without another man's touch. Sad. He laughed to himself, and here he was literally ogling the only eye candy readily available. Still...it wasn't like being with the lion would be settling in any way; the guy was a total hunk.

"Stop." He said out loud for good measure, taking a few deep breaths. He placed his things in the mercifully clean bathroom and returned to clean the apartment. If there was anything he hated about parties it was the clean-up, but if he didn't do it now he definitely would not feel like doing it in the morning. Conner grabbed a garbage bag and went around picking up all the returnable that had not made it to the bin.

And if there is one thing a semi-fuzzy brain was good at it was finding distractions. "Hey baby won't you look my way I can be you're new addiction," he began singing under his breath, unable to resist the song stuck in his head. "Hey baby what you gotta say? All you're giving me is fiction." He didn't even know the band, probably not much more than the opening and the chorus actually, but it was catchy and he could probably improvise the beat when it got to anything unknown.

"I'm a sorry sucker and this happens all the time, I found out that everybody talks everybody talks, everybody talks to much...It started with a whisper!" he yelled ironically, laughing and continuing to pick up cans, admittedly dancing a little bit, hopping around the room, "That was when I kissed her! Then she made my lips hurt! Dah dah dah dah chit chaaaaat! Take me to your love shaaaaack! Dah dah dah dah back track! Cause everybody talks!"

A few more failed verses later and the living room was relatively clean, clean enough that it was a normal level of dirty anyway. Conner shrugged, fluffing a pillow as if he knew that was the last piece out of place, then heading down to the garbage with the bags, and his car with the recyclables.

No sooner did he stop singing was his mind opened up to that of the Lion again. Really, this level of purely physical allure was both unlike him and unhealthy...okay, maybe TECHNICALLY it was 'healthy' on a level of some sort, but that was not justifiable enough with the unconscious, probably straight man on his bed being the centre of his dirty focus.

Distractions...recycling distractions...bottle deposit...

"It's not about the money money money, we don't need your money money money. Just wanna make the world dance, forget about the price tag." He started up again, never actually ever singing. Conner could not sing, he spoke the songs he liked, never really a note more than a speech. His hands were free of the bags in time to rub his thumb and pointer finger together in a 'money' gesture, "Not about the oh yeah cha ching cha ching, aint about the yeah, ba bling ba bling. Forgetting when the world ends...it's not about the price tag, to me. So can I take a shower but before that go pee?" He rhymed, grinning like a dope at his own word play. "I'm sure the lion would find that veeeery attractive." He added, locking his door and ascending the stairs. "No wonder you can't get laid, you're an awkward dummy." Conner breathed, entering his living room again and almost fell down the stairs when he saw Will standing there.

"Oh shit man, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Conner right?" The lion asked in a tired sounding, hung over voice. He rubbed his eyes and looked around "Shit I'm sorry dude. I didn't know where I was and...well where is your can? I gotta piss something awful," he said bluntly, hand descending to is crotch as if it would help Conner understand what 'pee' was.

He was shirtless, Conner didn't notice when he had been under the blankets but Will stood there shirtless, abs very lightly outlined on his large frame. His arms were solid as well, flexing and moving about...all the things he could do with those arms; nothing scrawny about him. His body was a dark grey and black, somehow looking 'cool' as opposed to 'old', more punk than maturity. God effing damn it...what did Conner do to get such a teasingly cruel bit of un-attainable eye candy? What devil did he piss off?

"The other door in the kitchen...Can't miss it," Conner stammered out still trying to regain his ability to focus on anything but abs.

The lion nodded and put a big paw on Conner's cheek for no particular reason. "Thank you," he said simply, taking a moment to have a dramatic pause before walking off slow and steady, thankfully not tipsy and knocking anything over that would have to be cleaned up again.

With an awkward blush painted on his cheeks, Conner made an escape for his room, a bit of private safe haven. He quickly got to his mirror to do the only sane thing he could do. Yell at himself.

"What are you doing? He probably isn't even gay you doofus! Wait until he leaves to fantasize about him, God knows no one will be here to see yah for a while after his is gone." And as a mental note no more out loud pep talks about sexy fantasies with the object of said fantasies only two very small rooms away.

He looked down with a heavy sigh and back up. He was greeted by a tired looking, moderately attractive face. The human wouldn't say he looked fantastic EVER, but he could at least say he wasn't ugly and was very well kempt. His blue eyes normally stood out but seemed dull in the odd light and above those darkening eye circles. Conner had a short crop of dirty blonde hair and terribly light facial hair, making any of it difficult to see. His shirt was crooked so he fixed the collar. Then he realized he was sweating bullets and just removed the sweater, now standing there in just a plain white tee.

A shower. He just needed that shower. Showers were a God sent, time to just sit in comfort and think for a moment. Conner took a deep breath and left his room to the kitchen where he patiently waited for Will to finish up. It was astounding normally how much pee a Furred could keep pent up, bigger organs but still impressive. Now though Will had the magnificent power of alcohol to seemingly double the amount of fluids in its strange way. But no bladder was never ending and eventually Will opened the door.

"Thank you." He said simply, looking around in a daze. "I take it everyone left for the night. What uhh...what time is it?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Ummm...about two forty five," Conner replied, checking his phone as the microwave clock was always wrong, "Feel free to crash here for the night, I'm not sending you out in your condition."

The lion looked taken back. "I couldn't! Dude I hardly know you yah know?" he scratched the back of his head. "I'll be fine I promise ok?"

"I know, but as long as you can promise me you won't kill me in my sleep I'm insisting you not go out. You were pretty messed up earlier and it has not been that long." Conner hated it when drunks thought they were capable of more than they were. It was like arguing with a child and Conner hated being bossy, but it was for the lion's own good.

The human stood up and walked over to the bathroom. "But I really need to shower off okay? So feel free to sleep wherever. There are blankets and pillows in the bedroom closet, you can just nab the bed honestly cause the couch is just as comfy. Whatever you want to do."

"I'm not gunna steal your bed! What kinda!...who do you think I am? I don't wanna freeload!" the lion cried out again, louder this time, almost offended but it had a strange second aura about it. Pleading? Will seemed both offended and scared Conner had offered him his own bed.

"You're not freeloading and I said you can do whatever you want to! Take the couch its fine." Conner replied in a normal tone, making the lion blush and cover his mouth with both hands, eyes a bit wider than they ought to have been.

"I'm yelling aren't I? Sorry." he apologized like Conner had seen him stealing from the cookie jar.

The human laughed a bit, making the felines tail flick back and forth. He was a silly drunk that was for sure, but still timid and slightly rational. Loud and maybe not as refined as he might have been, but he didn't have the over boisterous false confidence as he had earlier in the night.

"It's fine, no need to apologize."

And then things got...interesting.

Will brought Conner in for a large hug and started crying, his chin and cheek nuzzling the top of the smaller man's head. Conner was completely thrown off and at first just stood there frozen. A part of him immediately shuttered...Male contact. It was as beautiful as he remembered. Firm, strong, warm... but Conner snapped himself out of the daze and hugged back, a large smile on his face, but concern in his voice. "What's wrong dude?" He ran his fingers through Will's soft back fur, grasping lightly at the tufts of mane that hung down. He had to be carefully not to seem grabby though, which was difficult when he was grabbing.

"Everything is wrong!" the lion burst, that wet sobbing sound in his voice. "I got dumped a while back, work is just awful. Derek only said I could come because I begged him! And I mean begged," he emphasized "Derek can be a real asshole you know and- wait no! Derek is your friend I can't call him an asshole!" he realized and backed up, waving his hands around for all the emphasis "umm sorry but uhh..." he clung for more reasons, desperate it seemed to make himself look as pathetic as possible. "my car is one more problem away from being a lost cause...Fuck I'm just all wrong and I don't want to be." He sobbed and started to nuzzle more, pressing Conner more into his firm chest. "And you are so nice to me right now and I don't know what to do and I can't think straight because I got myself wasted before I could even have the chance to try and make new friends and I don't want more drinking friends because drinking friends and partyers are always just one night away from hating you and I don't wanna have to drink to be liked cause that is pathetic...And...and I'm crying to you! Cause you said I could spend the night! Cause you said it was no big deal!" he grabbed Conner's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "You didn't treat me like a problem and I...thank you," he sobbed again and resumed the large hug.

Conner was too stunned to respond at first, so he just got into the hug for a bit. It was nice being in Will's hold even if it was supposedly for Will's benefit... Conner couldn't deny he was benefited as well. "It's okay there bud. If it helps I'd love to be your friend." He replied honestly, libido or not it was true.

It was the first part in a planned line of comforts, but Will interrupted quickly, going back to holding the human's shoulder, "Honest? Honest to goodness no lie?" Conner nodded, interrupted before he could get another word out by yet another hug and a little whimper "Why though? I'm just a problem so far and I haven't done much for you..."

"Oh shush, it's no problem on me to let you spend the night," Conner chided, pulling back from the lion with a grin and walking over to his pantry, "Are you a tea guy? Or coffee?"

Conner almost melted when he saw the lion's grin. It was a true honestly relieved smile; Innocent and kind, sweet and ever grateful, "I don't think I like either honestly, they both taste like dirt." A bit brunt, but no offence meant or taken.

"Well I can agree with coffee, but not all tea tastes like dirt," Conner retorted, putting the kettle on.

"There is more than one kind of tea? Huh, never knew. And why are you making drinks?" the lion asked, there was an over exaggerated look of bafflement on his face.

"Well you seem like you want to talk about stuff, and yes; there is most definitely more than one kind of tea." Conner laughed, his mind shuffling through the dozens of flavours he possessed on hand, and the plethora of flavours and brands that stocked the multitude of shelves worldwide. Honestly the thought made his lightly intoxicated head spin for a moment; taking that mental detour one's head does when inebriated.

"Yeah I didn't know about the tea, but I probably shouldn't talk as I'm a bit drunk. But at least I know I'm drunk," he said with a dopey grin, "That means the hangover won't be as bad right?" he asked with a rhetorical tone.

Conner didn't want to disappoint so he simply nodded and turned off the stove. "Ok, well I'll let you get to sleep, I'm sure you have work in the morning. I hear warehouse jobs have dreadful hours."

"Nope," Will said simply and looked down scratching his bare belly, well, if you could call a lithe stomach with the outlines of abs through fur a 'belly'. "I was actually about to ask you about your work cause I wanted to hang around a bit more in the morning. Maybe uhh...talk then or something. But you have work don't you?"

"Nope," the human mocked, "I threw the party today 'cause I'm off tomorrow. I wouldn't dare be up so late for a shift in the office. I'd be dead by noon."

Will's tail wagged and he let out a purr, quickly trying to stop it with a blush, "So I can stay?" he asked excitedly. Conner wouldn't have been able to say 'no' if he tried, he simply nodded to the adorable and over active lion that then let out another purr and a yawn.

"You go to sleep and I'll shower," the still dirty host stated, "Like I said I don't care if you want the bed or the couch."

"And like I said, I'll take the couch amigo," he added with a large poke to Conner's chest, "I won't do you wrong as a friend I promise."

Conner could only laugh at the antics and held both hands up in surrender, "Never doubted you for a minute bud."

That earned him another smile, but it quickly led to another yawn and the lion nodded and walked towards the living room, "Okay then, see you in the morning. Sleep tight and stuff and I'll be right in here if you need anything," he pointed towards the living room as if Conner was the guest.

"Blankets are right in the bedroom closet," Conner re-iterated, finally getting into the bathroom and starting up the water. God he was just adorable. Hopefully he wouldn't lose that charm in the morning. Unlikely as it was with the frustrations that come with a hangover and the sickness he would probably have. Still a guy could dream. In some weird place in his mind Conner almost didn't want to bathe now that he had been exposed to the lion, like it would be washing off his scent or something. Something the human shouldn't have been focusing on as it would be Will that would smell him for a while, Conner hoped he smelled pleasant.

The blonde man stripped himself and made sure there was a towel at hand. The last thing he needed to do was risk a naked walk through the apartment in search of a towel after. The idea was both hilarious and terrifying. He crossed his arms with a bit of a chill standing there nude, tapping his toe on the floor and rocking on the balls of his feet. Damn water heater always took its dear sweet time getting hot water up to his floor. It didn't help that he had a desk fan and an open window as a temporary replacement for the bathrooms broken ceiling fan, and the night air gave him goose bumps.

At last he saw steam rising from the shower and snuck inside, eager to rid himself of the chill. Conner let out a little sigh of relief, feeling the hot water rain down over him casting away the cold. He went through his rituals, zoning out in the comfort of the water. Running his hands over his form, making sure he was entirely cocooned in the warmth as if the water alone would cleanse him of the sweat and gross of the day.

Conner loved his shower times. They were when he was at his most comfortable, like anyone else. He could relax and let his trouble pour away. Showers were a strange type of calm, somehow Conner could always tune into the proper mind-set in a shower. He either thought of everything at once and it all made sense or he zoned out and got away from any thoughts at all. Absolute focus or just static. Right now he was zoning, but only letting key thoughts in, Will. He was outside this very room sleeping soundly on the couch. He would be flexing out before bed, laying there with his legs splayed and...well...these were the thoughts to be having when you made promises of friendship only a minute before.

Guiltily Conner cast Will from his shower mind too, going for the shampoo and running his fingers through his hair, sure to get in to the scalp. He reminded himself that physical attraction was not all there was; subconsciously he fingers traced a scar on the back of his left shoulder. Will seemed nice enough, but for fuck's sake...there were only twelve people there that night, statistically Conner was the only one playing for the 'other team'.

His thoughts of Will on the couch spawned a quick self-evaluation and he was really out of his league. Conner was not fat, but he was not athletic like Will was or even moderately fit. His belly was flat and he ate right but that was all he really had going for him in that department. He noticed certain things about himself too and how he had ceased caring about his appearance to the extremes he had whilst previously dating. He had a hard time recalling if he even bothered brushing his teeth that morning...or the previous one...It was a rather disappointing and embarrassing realization.

He finished up his shower and dried off quickly, throwing on the sleep pants, boxers and shirt he had placed their earlier. He allowed himself one quick look in the mirror to admire his shaggy hair that needed a trim, dark eye circles and a need to shave. Will was much more tidy, Conner realized he had just been kidding himself earlier when he imagined he was still spick and span. He had fallen from his physical aesthetic driven rituals.

The bed seemed so welcoming now, his bones and brain cried for rest. He poked his head into the living room to see Will out like a light, arms once again being cliché, one on his stomach and the other hanging off the couch, the blanket he chose not really covering him. It was a small one with dinosaurs Conner had from his parents' home, a childhood memento really, small and not exactly practical yet priceless. Conner then set his view to the pair of jeans and boxers strewn on his living room floor and blushed profusely, quickly fleeing to his bedroom.

It was not un-common for Furs to dress lightly; in fact it was a necessity in a lot of cases. In less formal situations Conner had been around plenty a Fur of both genders who have just felt comfortable enough around him to wear less. It was a social thing that was interesting to try and follow the complexities of, but Will was different. Well that wasn't true; Will was just different in Conner's head. It was less friendly and more temptation. With a heavy groan and a lot of strength he managed to get to sleep.

~~~~

By the time Conner woke up it couldn't even be considered the morning aside from strict technicality. He looked up at his phone which he had forgotten to charge thanks to Will's lack of clothing. "Eleven forty three..." he groaned, trying to do math so early into his day "Solid eight hours, not too shabby." He stretched out, arching his back and cracking his toes, rotating both shoulders.

His hangover headache was very mild, but he felt extremely groggy, his mind slow to catch up on things. He made a point to sit there and get his head on straight about what exactly he was dealing with.

Home. Bedroom. Food. Party is over and cleaned up after. Will is on the couch naked. Dinosaur blanket. He blinked a few more times and sat up, finally daring to throw off his blankets.

With a quick shiver and a brave face he went off to play host for a bit longer, honestly a bit anxious about it all. Will was right in the kitchen, idly flicking through a magazine, a bored expression on his face and a whole set up on the table. There was Conner's tea set, a simple little thing he bought on a whim with little grey cups and a modest kettle. The plates were empty, but a box of doughnuts on the counter was not.

Conner stood there a bit baffled by the sincerity of it all, still waking up honestly. Will looked up with a little grin, "Good morning." He put down the magazine and placed his chin in his palm resting an elbow on the table, "I have stuff ready for yah to say thanks. I don't remember much of last night but I remember you were nice to me. So thanks."

It was sincere and dopey. Lovable, and painfully only meant as a thanks and not to be adorable like it was. He wasn't going to make this easy...

"You didn't have to get doughnuts; I have some stuff in the pantry," Conner tried to wave off, "And really it's no biggie."

"Well I think it is." Will shrugged, "And so I brought snacks. I don't really know what you like, so I just got some of everything." He stood up quickly, a ball of energy really, walking past Conner to open the box immediately beside his host, "I got custard and glazed and peanut and some pumpkin thing for the fall and apple fritters and a jelly filled. I kind of ate two of the chocolates, but there is still half of one. Sorry bought that he-he." He scratched the back of his head again, smiling and standing really close, looking at Conner, waiting for a reply.

It was like Conner was his teacher and he was looking for approval. Did he do okay? Was he a good lion that day? Was everything exceptional? Where could he improve? Will's actions all carried an overwhelming sense of uncertainty.

"Will you can relax." Conner said plainly, "You didn't have to do all of this and I appreciate it." He really did too...Conner had almost forgotten what it was like to wake up to another person smiling, let alone get him breakfast ready.

"I'm so glad," Will said, going back to the table to collect the kettle and put it on the stove, "I didn't know when you were going to wake up or what tea you like in the morning or whatever," the lion went on. He sat back at the table and looked up again about to say more but saw Conner's bewildered face and stopped. His ears lowered and he looked down at the table, "I'm talking a lot aren't I? I'll shut up, you go pee, I'll be over here." He returned to the living room.

Conner's head finally caught up to everything again. With a silent curse he went to go relieve himself of his very apparent morning wood.

-2-

Conner waited patiently outside the movie theatre, his watch reading six thirty. Will got out of his shift only half an hour ago, but he did only work down the road from the plaza. It had been a few weeks since he and Will had started hanging out, and although Will had calmed down a lot since the first day, he was still very fun and energetic. Conner could not really comprehend how he and the lion got on so well, whenever Will was even remotely around other people he stiffened up, got quiet and shy. It was completely against the character Conner had gotten to like who was always tossing in his two very sarcastic cents.

Even some of their other mutual friends noted how startlingly energetic Will was being around Conner meanwhile Conner was truly surprised at how mellow the lion was being. "Does he ever talk to you guys?"

"Only once in a blue moon when he isn't spoken too first, and never more than a few words honestly," Clair noted one night their little group went to a local club, "He's so shy and he doesn't like that attention I guess." She had shrugged, returning to her drink.

Still, it wasn't like Conner never asked. Only two weeks into them hanging out and Will was already spending the night with greater (and more intentional) frequency. One night he just happened to ask to know more about the lion's life and got quite a heartfelt and somewhat twisted story about his old girlfriend Eva and his old connections.

Will didn't have the most 'legal' background, and by that the feline meant he used to sell drugs for a living. Every week from a run-down piece of shit apartment he would get a delivery and be expected to sell it by the next delivery. He made quite a profit for a recent high school graduate living on his own, even when the share was split 40-60 in the gang's favour. Hell, Will even went into all of his tattoos and piercings with a very cold voice. This tattoo meant he was in the BRZRK'S, that ring meant the leader had him on call for deliveries, and that one was an 'Alpha Marker' which meant he was regularly checked up on and his absence would be noticed should another gang do anything against him. Still the one he emphasized was a small gold gauge that was a sign of physical neutrality, he had and would never be sent to do anyone else harm. He needed money and he was an intimidating guy, but he was no killer.

Conner watched on in a sort of fascination, always listening and not commenting unless Will clearly expected it. Truly it seemed the lion just wanted to tell someone, get that kind of history off his chest. "I don't do any of that anymore though, and the tattoos will be gone soon." Fur inks didn't last forever and they were already fading only a year and a half after he left that life. "But that is where I met Eva dude. She was so great, such a riot you know? The kind of person you see and just...it clicks. You want to be around them you know? As much as you can you want to just stand by that person."

The human nodded, he knew that feeling as well. "Well back to what you were saying before Eva, why don't you take out those rings Will?" The human asked, feeling the metal in his friend's large left ear then suddenly noticing the answer to his own question.

"My ear would be as holy as shit dude," he chuckled, feeling at the only empty hole near the top, "I'm trying but it's something I'd rather ease myself out of. You are the only one I have really told all that too. Derek knows some of it but not all. I don't need people questioning me."

"Understood, sorry I interrupted carry on." Conner replied softly, knowing how important this was to his friend.

And he did, Will went completely into how Eva was the girl for him, his girl, perfect and loving and just a blast. She gave him purpose and was eventually why he quit the drug business. As much as he was making, it wouldn't support them and he wanted them out of that life. Shortly after he left BRSRK she left him because he was 'no fun anymore' that he was just an asshole suit trying to play by the rules. Eva had been the one to inform the gang leader, a nasty German Shepard named Lex, where he lived after he had moved. It started low key and naturally, a peaceful route. The first delivery was made and Will had done nothing with it. When the second showed up and he didn't have the money, Lex had showed up personally with a crew and trashed his place.

Will felt at his ear again, there was a tear near the top Conner had just assumed was natural. "He ripped one right out on the spot," he noted that night, "Just looped a finger right threw and tugged. I'm kind of thankful he is strong and it just tore, no real mess." Conner couldn't help but give his friend a hug at that point. The lion snickered and returned it. "Thanks. Anyway that's my story. They beat me up real bad and some neighbour called the cops. I moved real fast and never told Eva, I've been too scared to even contact her."

The human spent the night consoling his friend who was a mess of emotions after going into the ordeal. Clearly he was remembering too much and Conner was all too happy to get closer to the lion. He was truly an amazing friend to Conner and it made him happy to be able to be there for him and be someone he could trust with his story.

Conner smiled a bit, flashing back to that night. It was one of the happier of his life honestly, sad in content, but fantastic in meaning. He and Will had been nearly inseparable since. Still he felt kind of low, Will had shared this life threatening secret, and he couldn't tell the lug he himself was gay. It wasn't something he boasted or told may people, but still he knew it would have to be relatively soon that Will was told, so as too not make anything to awkward.

Finally he saw the lion's car put into the lot and with a grin he waited by the doors, watching the lion sprint up and burst through to get out of the rain.

"Quick come on dude, I'm sorry I'm late!" the lion said, hastily getting in line. He waited there a few panicked moments, looking up at the signs. Will was always late, this time though Conner anticipated it and just smiled, standing next to his friend in line without a word. The lion stood, breathing heavy, re-reading the sign and snickered to himself finally figured it all out, "Am I always late?" he asked finally, calming down.

"Yes, you are," the human nodded, pulling out his wallet, "Two for The Hobbit at seven," he told the woman at the ticket stand. He turned to the lion "You also can't pay." The human teased, watching the lion reach into his pocket for the wallet in his car.

The feline dropped his head and shook it "Jesus I'm sorry, one second, and don't you dare pay for the snacks!" he pointed, running back out into the rain.

It really was a case of 'leave the past behind you' When Will was with Conner at least. He smiled and laughed and joked around a lot. There were moments when it was more apparent he had some skeletons in the closet, but he was just like everyone else in that aspect. Everyone has that something in their history, that smudge that can't be cleaned entirely. And as everything else it was to be taken with a grain of salt. Conner thanked the smiley fox for the tickets.

"Enjoy the movie."

"Thanks, you too."

~_~_~_~_~_~

After the movies they headed out to a large scale, locally owned bookstore slash café. The two separate businesses had simply torn down the walls between the two. It was always interesting to see the pair, as the owners obviously did very little coordinated planning aside from the demolition. Cup-A was a quaint little spot with a heavenly aroma and character. It was decorated for the seasons, played music from every genre and had a bubbly staff hopped up on caffeine. Conner had a friend work there once who informed him that at the start of every shift the manager was required to ask if they would like a free espresso shot to perk up.

Meanwhile Paige Turner's self-titled bookstore was less cramped and had a more regal feel. The seating throughout was all leather seats in sets of twos with a small table between them. The lighting was mostly fake candles and everything was remarkably same and toned down. The music was orchestral and quiet, the children's section was in no way decorated, and the apparent dress code was dress shirts and glasses for the employees who treated the space like a library. Two personalities, the same customers, no coordination, and still incredibly popular, it was an especially favoured spot for the pair.

Here though was one of Conner's favourite versions of Will. The lion had a face for everything, around friends it was stoic and brooding even though he would try and smile it always seemed sad. With Conner it was a crazy frat boy-esque persona, fun loving; a real 'dude'. At Paige Turner's it was almost scholarly and appreciative. Despite geeking out at the movie and pointing out half the cast and their appearances in other things (particularly an otter who appeared in some British Sherlock Holmes adaptation and his counterpart who played Bilbo) Will was quiet and calm at Turner's, even if only this time he still bore a blown away grin.

"That sneaky fuckin' hobbit," he grinned, the two having found a seat in the back of the bookstore with drinks and books in hand.

The human shushed him but laughed, "There are kids here!" he snickered.

"Oh yeah," Will chuckled back, the two sitting down and getting comfy, drinks on the table and books in hand. They started reading and in the midst of a scene setting opening paragraph Conner felt Will nudge him, "Remember 500 Days of Summer?"

"We are not playing the Penis game here," Conner said simply without looking at him, a little smile on his face.

They managed to read for a bit, off handedly discussing the movie now and then, Conner was happy, one of his book series had added another volume, the lion had no such luck and found some graphic novel. "Penis..." The human heard from his right. It was quiet but completely threw him from his world of assassins and espionage.

The human looked up with a surprised and seriously expression, the lion looked up as if nothing had happened and returned his face to the colourful pages of O'Malley. Conner recognized the challenge and tried to shake it off, refocusing on the print in front of him.

He couldn't help it. "Penis..."

He caught the lion's grin out of the corner of his eye and tried to hide his own. He always had so much fun with this goof. It reminded him briefly of his old boyfriend but he waved it off trying to focus on the current happiness and not the past. The human also tried not to compare a good friend with a boyfriend. It wasn't healthy for his imminent future.

~~~~

"I can't believe they kicked us out," Will brooded, closing the door to Conner's apartment. Both of them still holding half cups of steaming beverage from Cup-A, "Unfair."

Conner laughed out loud, "How do you figure that one? You shouted 'penis' with a small child literally right in front of us. You're lucky her dad didn't beat your ass." He added as-a-matter-of-factly, tipping his tea at the lion for effect.

"HA! I'd like to see him try!" The lion flexed both arms, almost spilling his beverage. "And this is America, I have my freedom of speech or something don't I? Stupid Retriever..." he grumbled, taking a sip from his near depleted cup.

"It's not like they arrested you strong man." The human pointed out with a grin, sipping his own brew, remembering he still needed to find some tea that Will enjoyed. Black tea and chai were out so the next try was green or white. Conner still could not fathom Will's dislike of black tea or his numerously mentioned distaste for coffee, as he watched the lion sip at a double espresso caramel macchiato.

"Not the point," Will grumbled back, removing his jacket and flopping on the couch, careful not to sit on a pillow.

"Entirely the point!" Conner laughed from the kitchen, hanging his jacket on the hook of his bedroom door.

"Whatever, I still didn't get to read any more Scott Pilgrim so I'm pissed ok?" Will tried, 'cut me some slack' Being the obvious overtone.

"Oh get over it nerd, it's just a comic, besides I know for a fact you already read it," Conner badgered, leaning against the small half slash sill that divided the kitchen and livingroom.

"GRAPHIC NOVEL!" Will burst, "It's a graphic novel and NOW they are in colour. And shut up with the 'nerd' comment, you just went to see The Hobbit!"

"With my nerd friend," he continued to tease, getting under the lion's skin, shooting him challenging eyes.

Will roared a little, getting up and walking purposefully at his friend who fled quickly while laughing, having anticipated this, "Stay away!"

"Put down the drink," Will warned, placing his own on the kitchen table. Conner had received such warnings before and obliged, putting his on the counter, but still trying to shut the door to his bedroom on his large friend. A big arm stopped it and forced its way in.

"Will I'm warning you, back off," the human said firmly with a finger pointed, in mock severity, backing away from the intruder, a grin hardly hidden. This had to be one of the most annoying and entertaining things Will had a habit of doing. Ignoring the warning the lion wrapped his arm around his friend and easily hoisted him into the air over his own massive shoulder keeping him teeting there with no way down. "Put me down Will!"

"Not until you admit you are a nerd too," the lion stated flatly, shaking his head backwards so his coarse mane continuously brushed his friend's face.

Conner spit bits of lion fur from his mouth "Will stop!" he laughed. He couldn't help but love the exchange though. Conner tried to enjoy the physical level of play at work but didn't want his mind to make inappropriate anythings with his straight and unaware friend. A little sadness crept in and Conner stopped struggling for a moment. Would things change if Will knew he was gay? He didn't want a single thing to change but he knew that was impossible.

"Say it," Will reiterated snapping Conner from his mood and to his current hostage situation.

"I'm a nerd," the human sighed, knowing there was no way down no matter how much he struggled. Will just never seemed to tire.

"And who is the best at everything?" the lion questioned with an elfish smirk.

"Don't push your damn luck kitty cat. I still have you beat in most video games and nerd trivia," Conner bolstered. The lion didn't move a muscle and gave a little 'ahem'. The human groaned this time, "Will is the best at everything."

"He-he damn straight I am," Will put Conner down with a big dopey smile and a wagging tail, "So how are we going to kick off the night? If I remember correctly you are off tomorrow and I don't work until three." Conner didn't even have time to answer before Will was waving a paw in his face, "Strike that...you never have any fun ideas when I put you on the spot Mr Tea-time Fancy-pants. We are going to play twenty questions."

Conner was going to comment on his actual name but just crossed his arms and gave the lion a knowing yet suspicious look. "You are going to make this a drinking game aren't you?" Will nodded, "Every time we ask a question we take a drink?" Another nod. "Slowly but surely getting drunk off our asses and way too personal for anything good to come of it?" One last big goofy nod shaking all the hair on his head. Conner rolled his eyes, "Ok you have definitely told me before you don't like drinking friends."

"Not exclusively." The lion clarified, "But you are not that friend Mr. Tea-Time, I trust you with a drink." He added with an 'eat shit' smile knowing it wasn't exactly the most full proof rebuttal.

"I'll get the drinks." Conner caved, eyes still rolling.

~~~~

"Okay okay, that's gross," Conner commented giggling, taking another jello shot. They had taken the time to concoct enough of the colourful little suckers so every two questions Conner would have one, and every question Will would to make up for the liver difference and the level of drunken openness. At the moment they were both quite tipsy and not exactly filtering their thinking from their speaking.

"Yeah yeah, whatever I was in high-school and broke, twenty bucks was twenty bucks." The shrugged and put his chin in his hand, studying his little friend, "My turn, question eight." He pondered for a bit, scratching his beard "Who was your first kiss lover boy?"

Conner blushed, even only with three shots in his system, he could feel his face redden more than they should, "Her name was Mary Andrews and we kissed under the bleachers at a middle school football game because she thought it would be cute."

"Was it?" Will prodded.

"It was hardly a kiss and some little kid saw us and laughed, running around telling people what happened," Conner rubbed his temples, "It was awful."

"I'll say, you didn't even get any," the lion noted.

"It was a fucking middle school!" Conner burst out in half seriousness.

"No, it was not! It was a chaste middle school!" the lion roared back "Totally different!", taking another shot he started grinningthat toothy grin again with his sharp pearly whites, "Slow your roll there muchacho, I'm just teasing. Wow not even the double digits and you are touchy, this is gunna get heated."

Conner pouted and took two more shots for good measure even though it wasn't required by the rules yet, "I'm not touchy," he scowled, "And fine who was your first kiss huh? You get any?" the human dared his muscular friend.

"As a matter of fact," the lion sat up taller on the couch where they were seated with the tray of little cups in front of them, "I did."

Conner blushed, "N-no fucking way. I don't believe you."

"Scout's honour" the lion crossed his heart. "I got a lot that day. Soooo much...." he emphasized looking off in the ceiling as if day dreaming.

"Who was it?" the human asked, a bit upset and actually interested in the question on that unwilling level that conflicted him. Conner was most certainly red under the collar.

"I was thirteen. Sister Casey. Church lawn fete." The lion listed the details as if he had said some movie star, "I got so much you wouldn't even believe. Each of those nuns...a few moms, some girls ooo." He reminisced. Conner almost felt dizzy he was so red in the face. "They were all over me. I got so much money for the church with that kissing booth." He fell into fits of giggles at the end, "Holy shit the look on your face! White as a sheet! Ha-haa!"

"Not funny! Holy shit I thought you got molested!" the human punched his furry friend's arm who was in silent tears, hands over his belly. Despite his frustration Conner grinned and kept hitting his friend playfully, "Stop fucking laughing at me!" he whined, eventually just head butting his friend's side, on the second butt just leaving his head there in a little fit of giggles.

Eventually Will calmed down, "What am I comfortable to you?" he asked sarcastically. Conner nodded and didn't get up, not exactly up for it. He was getting tired and the solid amount of alcohol was warming his belly and made him drowsy. Still...Will was a friend and he didn't exactly volunteer as a pillow.

"Well do you want me to get up? I can." Conner noted.

"You are just fine where you are bud," the lion said, putting an arm over his friend and rubbing his exposed arm with his soft paws. Conner shivered at the touch and his heart raced for a bit. God damn it if he got a boner... "Do you want to stay there? It is getting late..." Will noted.

Conner nodded again. His head was racing, all sorts of wrong ideas and scenarios. Two drunk friends and this hug and the...no, this wasn't porn, shit like this didn't just happen... Oh god he thought porn. He could already feel his pants tightening and he tried to shift and only ended up rubbing the rest of his body further into his friend who let out a little purr and blushed, "Sorry. that's awkward." Will spat.

"What is awkward?"

"The purring," Will said, "It's kind of natural and you didn't rub my belly but still...Did you think it was awkward or am I just being weird?"

"I didn't think it was awkward," Conner said simply again. His head was still racing, "I uhh...I think that was a few questions." He noted, his brain finding the immediate excuse to get another drink. He rationalized it was called 'liquid courage' for a reason and would help him now.

Will took the hint and passed out more drinks. They both downed their set and lay exactly as they were, "Your turn," Will said quieter than he normally would. The air was thick with anticipation and silence. Giggles and laughter had been filled in with deafening silence.

The human sat there a moment, hardly making a thought let alone filtering it. "If I was gay would you hate me?" he asked quietly. He immediately regretted it, his mind telling him how stupid he was for even thinking it in the first place. Stupid shots... 'liquid stupidity' be grumbled in his head.

"No," the lion replied a bit louder and sitting up to get a better look at his friend "Do I strike you as the type?"

Conner looked up and blushed again, "Gay?"

"No, too be homophobic," the lion clarified.

Conner shook his head 'no' "Oh, uhh no, not at all."

"Good, cause I'm not," the lion replied in a flatter tone, his eyes looking distant and distracted so Conner stopped looking into them a and just looked straight ahead. The lion's paw rubbed his side more, "What do you uhh...think about Furs? In relationships to be specific."

Conner didn't know how he could function properly with all the blood in his pants and cheeks. "It's a good thought...Typically." Will didn't question it so Conner moved on, driven by this new conversation but to embarrassed to elaborate on his response. "What do you think about humans? S-same context you know?"

Will shrugged and reached for another shot, the human in his lap stopping him with a hand on his paw. The larger clasped Connor's hand, "There is one I'm partial too. Most aren't appealing because they don't compare." Will said softly, sounding distant. His eyes though were gazing only at Conner.

They sat there in silence for another long moment. "Do you want to go to sleep?" Will asked. It seemed separate from everything else and made Conner look up. Maybe he had been wrong all this time. Maybe too much had been said. His heart suddenly dropped into his gut and sat there. Tears were on the verge of spilling out and he tried to sit up. He couldn't lose Will because if a damn game!

"I-I guess," he choked out, trying to somehow play it cool whilst tearing up. How could he have been so stupid? Stupid drinks! Stupid God damned fucking colourful drinks! He made a move away from the lions soft embrace, trying to remember the feeling forever as it would no longer be available.

Will stopped Conner from moving, "Here is good," Will breathed out, hardly above a whisper, "I think here is a good sleepy spot..."

Conner held his breath again, unable to wrap his head around what he thought he heard.. He whipped his face and felt Will settling hum back into his side between him and the couch. Two powerful and warm arms wrapped around him and the rest of Will cocooned him. He felt a leg wrap around his own, Will's breath in his hair, and hands hold his...Conner was immediately entranced and off into a deep and sound sleep.