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final part of my random story.

Conner found himself staring at the ceiling of someone elses room. It happened most nights honestly, to the point that he grew accustomed to the style of guest rooms his various spots entailed. Mary Jane had the plushest bed, with a blanket wrapped tight to the point of it being difficult to get under it. Eric's basement never had solid pillows or even pillow cases. Beth's guestroom had a weird pine sort of smell and was themed in a creepy victorian manor with various figurines on the dresser.

And currently, Benji's attic. It was honestly his favorite, the sounds of the party seemed more distant than at any other location he frequented. It might not have been the comfiest, but with his buzz Conner didn't particularly care or even notice the flatness of the mattress he would feel in the morning.

Whenever he actually slept at home he could never manage more than a few hours at a time. It was infuriating that he felt such a discomfort in his own home. Granted, he was usually alone there and had no reason to stick around. His mom was a hardworking single mother with a pot problem and a bitchy attitude. Conner appreciated what she did but did not respect her in he least. His dad had been a working class drunk, but at least he was upper blue collar. After he died he forced his widow into a second job and his son to the bottle.

The bear growled to himself, turning over to look at the blotches of black covering the rest of the attic. Ed wasn't at this party, and Conner hated when Ed wasn't there. He had only hung out with the otter for a few months but, at least he felt, they had grown close. Despite his first impression of the little rich kid, Ed was chill, down to earth and opinionated. It was relieving having a friend he could actually stand talking to.

The reason Conner hopped group to group was because he always hit a limiting point. He hated to word it as such, but the bear was too sophisticated for a highschool setting. He had adult tastes, the need for quality stimulating company, and all the strength to never feel the need to settle. Despite his regular disappointment in his classmates, Conner always tried to find another group.

The otter was the same way. Confident, fun and not bound to his fucking phone like the rest of those preps. Nothing seemed ruder to the polar bear than being in someones company and talking more, so indirectly, to a third party.

Conner sighed again, rolling over and looking up at the rafters. He missed his friend. Still, he didn't imagine that the water dog would be at every party just because he was. Most people had parents who cared enough to wonder where they were and got mad when they were away from home too often with friends.

He rubbed at the tufts of fur on his chin, noting he needed to trim them. Too much longer and he'd look painfully like his old man. The buzz he was running on made him feel a larger pang than he usually did for company. He realized he did this party thing seeking company like some lost dog. It was pathetic, but it kept him sane. And right now he wanted company. He wanted the bed to be not so empty, like when Ed was there.

He gulped guiltily. Ed had hinted more than once at his drunken shenanigans. That first night at Mary's that he had pulled Ed into the bed he had been only half aware of what he was doing. He didn't think he would see enough of Ed to regret any of it. But once it strung into a more regular thing, Conner made a point to drink just enough to make it seem like an ordinary reaction. He loved the feeling of Ed there. The way his lithe form fit into Conners arms. The may his back rested on his abs and his tail would coil lazily around Conners leg.

Conner didn't see any of it as gay. He still saw women as attractive, but was still a virgin. He was of the mind that the insides were genuinely what mattered more. Not once, even in all of his drunk nights did he fuck for the sake of fucking. He wouldn't claim to be a gentleman, solely because he didn't do it out of a sense of pride. The bear did not want to ever have sex with anyone he did not respect. His dad never respected his mom and it led to an accidental kid who inherited his drinking. None of his mom's boyfriends respected her, and she didn't respect them. There was no pride in his Mother's eyes anymore.

Glowering into the night Conner pulled up the blanket and wrapped it around a pillow. He held that in his arms, trying to at least trick himself into thinking here was company. This wasn't the first time.

The polar bear laughed his hearty laugh into Ed's ear, another round of twister went bad but this time not thanks to Ed. Some tipsy ferret sat beside her date giggling silently like an idiot. It was prom night, the dinner and dances were already over and they were in a location Conner was not familiar with. Apparently some redneck, backwoods badger had a ritzy cabin his parents were letting him and friends stay at for the night and morning. The bear almost questioned their parenting style, but kept the comments to himself.

The dance had went well, Conner had went stag, Ed had brought another otter named Rita. Ed had to remind Conner (and Rita) that it wasn't a long term arrangement; but it wasn't seeming to stick. In his experience watching others date, Conner had made a sort of checklist of dangerous signs. Rita his four out of seven so far, but the night was still young.

Her trespasses so far were forced hand holding. (when she went to hold Ed's hand, he denied her casually, and then she returned with a vengeance and forced a laugh.)

Hard liquor before all else. (the first thing she brought Ed and himself at the Gulling Cabin was rum, which incidentally was Ed's least favorite.)

A continuous bringing up of plans together after the one night he kept assuring her would be it. (self explanatory.)

And lastly the phenomenon he had come to call 'The Technical Agreement'.(in which Rita would refer to her and Ed as a 'them' 'we' and 'us' whenever talking to her friends; as opposed to 'he and I' 'Ed' or 'me'. It is a claiming ritual of some sort to the other females that she has her claws in him.)

The bear sipped slowly at his bourbon and eyed the little tramp. He had gathered a lot of info about Rita from her ex's. Apparently she was not the type to one and done, which should have been a plus mark on her card if:

A: Ed was interested.

And B: she wasn't.

He eyed his friend lazily from across the room, he and Rita were talking casually with some horse a the kitchen island where the first keg was siting. Conner thought his name was Tony but he wasn't sure. She had her one hand hovering over Ed's free hand and the other wrapped around a cup. Ed wasn't stupid, but he wasn't the best at social cue's. He had assured Conner he had been clear with Rita, but he was apparently blind to her not getting the memo.

Another thing the bear noted, about himself this time, was that he was starting to notice Ed more. It wasn't the same notice he gave other people, or even women. A women he could once over and have an accurate analysis of what he liked about her. Ed's features just seemed to crispen. He noticed his solid facial features and the way his smile made his teeth show only when he was actually laughing. He noticed how well his clothes fit, accentuating his thin form. Almost uneasily he realized how aware he was that it wasn't just lean, but Ed's stomach and arms were fairly muscled for someone who didn't go to the gym regularly. Even the way the Otter stood seemed nobler that before or anyone else in the room. It wasn't cocky, but aware, he knew he could stand like that and not seem out of place; back straight, chin up, eyes active and drink ever so casually down and away from where you were looking. Red solo cup in hand he still looked like he belonged somewhere important. His vest and tie were as black as his pants, and his white cotton shirt still, even after all the dancing, looked unwrinkled or even out of place.

Conner realized he was staring and got another drink.

"Your a fuck head." Ed grinned, hiding his annoyance.

"I'm telling you she expects sex dude. Like, expects the whole prom boyfriend package." Conner shrugged, his arm over the back of the couch, fingers playing lazily with Ed's collar, eyes studying what was left of his beverage. He swore he would remember this night of all nights and that he wouldn't over do it.

"I already told her I'm not the dating type." the otter chugged the rest of his beer. "She's not even my type, AND this beer is terrible." he grumbled, standing to find something that didn't taste like dirty water.

"How is she not your type? She's an otter, you're an otter, you could have lovely otter babies together after she informs you that you are giving her the D."

Ed was getting upset that Conner was hung up on the idea that Rita had the wrong idea. Honestly, she might have, but the fact that the bear kept harping on it despite Ed's hints he wanted the conversation to end was trying. His mind was on other things, like the fact that Conner went stag and the way his pants outlined his rear and his vest made his chest stand out. The bear looked amazing in black.

"I didn't even bring condoms." Ed stated like it was the be all end all, and he was honestly hoping it was.

"Ha! You think she didn't? Chicks are crazy man, you shoulda stagged with me if you didn't want anyone getting the wrong idea." he offered again.

"Is stagged even a word?" Ed asked distractedly, leaving the sitting area.

"You knew what I meant so yes!" Conner called after his retreating friend, realizing he should probably back off. The last thing he wanted to do was directly ruin Ed's night. Before the otter returned Conner had jealously guarded the couch space from two football players and a shy looking mouse who seemed afraid of him.

"So you were right about the condoms." Ed breathed, his face looking worried.

Conner stopped mid sip and went wide eyed. "You didnt."

"I did." Ed hid his face in his hands, some of his drink spilling out on the floor.

"What the fuck compelled you to ask her if she had brought condoms?" the bear demanded.

Ed sat as far back into the couch as he could go, holding up his red solo cup, "Probably this. Jesus H Christ. I'm an idiot. Now I'm stuck here with her and a pack of trojans. I don't even know what size I wear man," he looked up, "How embarassing will it be to have a roomy condom if I grab the size too large."

The bear couldn't help but grin despite how serious he was taking this. "She brought multiple sizes?"

"I'm pretty sure everything short of HORSE. She seemed pretty proud of her collection, they practically overfilled the purse, I dont know how she got other things out of it all night without spilling them out on the floor."

They looked up at each other, the familiar buzz in the air and in their brains, having a conversation that mattered immensely to every guy in highschool. And they just started laughing at each other. With each other, cups completely upturned and eyes watering laughter.

"Oh my god I would have paid to see that!" Conner erupted "Wi-with the sexy names written over the package getting a close up." he held his hands just apart in the air and gave the moment a title, pannign them out "Ecstasy. Size:L"

"L-lets not forget," Ed mimicked the bear "Fusion: Hot and Cold, now with vibrating rings." he hardly managed to finish the word before he snorted out a laugh, laughing harder because of the noises he was making.

"Ultra Slim."

"Red Rocket." they continued, enjoying the night completely and entirely for the first time all evening.

"Ed?" a small voice broke the thunderous noise of drunk laughter. "Ed, sweety (rule five: pet names on a first date) people are dancing outside, join me."

The otter looked up, face blushed with laughter but reddening even brighter because of the weight of the situation. He stood up a little fast, like it had been his duty to stand and he had been caught lazing around. "Coming?" he immediately asked Conner, his paws rubbing nervously over his pant leg.

The bear rolled bis eyes but followed the otters with interlocked fingers. Hehadn't actually danced with anyone all night. He had danced with Ed's 'friends' but as a group and not much more than swaying and bobbing his head.

Outside was a large wood deck with strung up lights and music playing on a boombox. It was electric, so not really something you dance too though everyone tried. Conner, in all of his grace, left Ed to Rita, leaving him only with the terrifying instructions to "Lets crazy chicks down easy." the bear stood drinking on the sidelines by the speakers, watching the pair with particular interest. Groups and couples seem to go in groups since the deck wasn't large enough for everyone who showed up. Conner just hoped in the off time that Ed would tell her what he wanted to happen that evening, and what he didn't.

He knew Ed wouldn't let it be so easy, but he could hope.

It was almost painful watching the otter dance now. At the actual prom he had been smooth and calm and almost bored, but now he looked anxious and fidgety. Ed shopt the polar bear the occasional glace for help, but there wasn't much Conner could do so he just waved, hoping it would ease Ed into confrontation.

On Ed's fourth trip to the dance floor, and Rita moving in closer Conner was wondering if it would ever end. They had been out there for at least a half hour and it was really trying his patience and forcing him to refill his cup. It inexplicably bugged him that Rite was making Ed so miserable, and that she was dancing with him at all.

Finally, the Badgers girlfriend got to the boombox and some slow song came on and couples got together on the floor. Conner found himslef joining them before he had a real plan or was aware of the consequences. He gently took Rita's place, his arms hanging lazily on Ed's shoulder.

The otter infront of him looked confused and relieved, the otter beside him looked angry and offended.

"Excuse me!" she boomed, probably louder than she intended. "I was dancing there."

"I want to dance now sweety." the bear replied ironically.

Looking around for anyone to back her up, and no one was, she huffed off to the sidelines, in wait of her date.

"Thanks for that." Ed laughed, looking anywhere but up at Conner or over at Rita. If he laughed and over motioned with his dance moves it would be played off as a joke.

They looked into each others eyes, only for half a moment before Conner surrendered and kissed him.

~~~~~`

Conner held Ed tight to him that night, and every night they were together. They no longer shared sleeping problems, suffered from loneliness, or had to hide anything.