Candles
So depending on how this is recieved, I might start this as a series. But it might not be until I update my other things, because god knows I haven't done that in ages.
<3
Candles
This may evolve into something else. Also sorry for not writing in forever, I've been busy, and rather uninspired to write much. Oh and this is inspired by Rent kinda sorta yeah. The song light my candle kinda brought this on.
Enjoy
A knock sounded through my near empty apartment. I put down the guitar I'd been quietly strumming.
"Not quietly enough" I thought to myself as I went to open the door, expecting to my old super, who hated almost any noise.
"Listen, I'm sorry for the noise I'll keep it d-" I stopped, realizing that it wasn't my super. In fact, if it weren't for the light reflecting out of the deep purple eyes I had to squint to see, I would've thought no one was there. But as my eyes adjusted I registered, I could see the mid to late teenaged panther standing in front of me, his head tilted slightly in confusion. I must've a little confused myself, because a look of amusement flashed over his face.
"Uh, can I help you" I asked him
"Oh, um... I have no power in my apartment, and I was wondering if you had any matches I could use to light some candles. I'm all out."
"Sure, I should have some around" I said. I noticed he was shivering slightly.
"You okay?" I asked him.
"Oh, it's nothing...they turned off my heat, and it's a little cold up there" He nodded his head up to emphasize his point.
"You're welcome to come in while I look" I said smiling at him. He blushed and walked in. I could see him better now. He was shorter and less muscled than I was which wasn't surprising, me being a wolf and him being a feline. He was wearing a tight fitting dark blue sweater, and black skinny jeans, with a long, fluffy, black tail that swayed back and forth slowly behind him. He had a lithe build, and what looked like purple streaks throughout his fur, the same shade as his eyes. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I'd seen him before. He went and sat next the guitar on the couch; he laid a paw on it, and gently strummed a few chords as I rummaged through my drawers.
"So it's you I've been hearing playing on the roof." He said "You're really good." He said looking over at me.
"Thanks, but I'm not as good as I used to be...I stopped playing for a while" I said, sadness flooding in to me at the returning memories.
"Really? Why'd you stop?" He asked, and though I couldn't see him, I could tell his head was tilted like it had been earlier.
"Well..." I said, hesitating to bring up the poisonous memories that had been eating away at me for as long as I could remember. "To put it simply, I lost my muse..." I finally said looking down.
"Oh...sorry, I didn't mean to bring anything bad up" He said
"Don't worry about it, you didn't mean any harm"
"Need any help?" He asked standing up
"You can check the drawer over there if you want"
"Mkay" He said smiling a little.
"He's cute when he smiles" I thought smiling. "Wait, where did that come from...I haven't thought of anyone in that way since Alec"
"Here they are" He exclaimed excitedly, breaking me out of my haze.
"Just keep the box" I said "I don't really use 'em anymore anyway."
"Oh, thanks umm...what's your name?"
"Brett" I said back
"Okay, well thanks Brett. My name is James" He said extending his paw. I took it in my hand and shook it.
"Stay warm James" I said, not sure what to say. As he turned to walk away, he stumbled over his feet, the box of matches flying out of his hands. He let out a squeal and braced for impact. But before he could hit, I ran and caught him in my arms.
"You should be more careful." I said chuckling "You could get hurt"
He blushed a deep crimson.
"T-thanks" He said nervously, looking down at his feet.
I realized that I still had my arms around him, and I let him go, a blush staining my cheeks as well.
"Crap!" He said dropping on to his hands and knees, and crawling around to pick up the now scattered matches. I watched his fluffy tail swish back and forth as he scanned for the remaining matches. My eyes ended up drifting down to his butt though. Because of how tight his jeans were, in that area especially, there wasn't a lot left to the imagination. My gaze lingered a little too long though, because a moment later he looked back and caught me staring.
"And what are you staring at?" He said sitting up on his knees and crossing his arms, his tail still swishing.
"I-uh, I mean" I stammered out trying to make up an excuse. He chuckled and stuck his tongue out at me.
"I was kidding. I'm used to it by now. I get it a lot with my line of work "They say that I have the best ass below 14th street." He said dismissively. "Is it true?" I stammered, trying to find a response, he just chuckled again.
"I'll take that as a yes. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, just trying to break the ice" He said with a wink.
"Where do you work, again?" I asked. "I swear I've seen you before"
He chuckled
"You ever been to the CatScratch Club" He said making a swiping motion with his paw, and gave a seductive growl "I dance there"
"Really?" I asked, incredulous "you don't look older than 16 or 17" I said
"I'm 19" He responded "But I'm old for my age."
"But why that, why dancing?" I asked.
"Because" He started "They gave me a home when I had none. The people there are like my family, and they treat me like it. The guys there are like the older brothers I never had to me, they've protected me since I've been there, and made sure I was safe or got in to any trouble."
"What happened to your real family?" I asked before thinking.
"They kicked me out...They didn't like some of my life choices." He said looking down, his hair falling over his face.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine" He said standing up "I'm glad they did it, or I probably wouldn't be here right now... and I've come to terms with the fact that they hate me. Thank you for the matches, and thanks for catching me. You should come up and visit me sometime...if you want" He said
"I will" I said back as I walked him to the door. He smiled his radiant smile.
"Goodnight" He said
"Goodnight" I said. He made his way up the stairs and I shut the door. I walked to my bedroom flopped down on my bed.
That night, a purple eyed panther danced into my dreams. ~~~~