5 - Brian meets ShdwKt

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#7 of Am - Brian

Everyone has their own hopes and expectations. Sometimes they clash. Written 2014.


There were bodies everywhere. They were alive this time, pressed together like a school hallway between classes. Humans and morphs were fighting, but there were so many, nobody could go anywhere. He couldn't see their faces, just arms and backs, fur and skin. Then he saw a glimpse of a short, black bear he recognized, "Gizelle!" She didn't hear him. He called again and tried to push through the crowd, but they pushed back and he couldn't catch up to her. Every time he shoved past someone, Gizelle was being pushed further away.

Just as he started to get frustrated, Julie Ann was there. She hugged him and told him everything was going to be alright. He believed her and cling to her arm as she pushed through the mob. Bodies shoved against them and she pushed back, making their way slowly towards the black bear. He was beginning to feel like they could make it, when he was ripped away from her. He was on the ground as furry and human legs kicked around him.

He heard her call for him, "Brian, get up!" He wanted to, but there were too many people."Come on Brian, get up! You're going to be late." He tried again, but was kicked over. He was losing Gizelle. Suddenly, someone grabbed his leg and started dragging him.

"Brian, come on. You have to get up. I know you didn't get much sleep; neither did I, but we need to get moving. Don called and I have to go."

This was real. The crowd was gone and Julie Ann was trying to get him out of bed. He groggily forced himself awake, "What? Did he find Gizelle?"

"No. It's a patient," she yanked him to his feet and swatted his butt. He suddenly remembered his dream from the previous morning and imagined his dick in her pussy as he waited for another swat. "Move, Brian!" She pushed him towards the door, then hit his butt harder. Satisfied, he opened the door and stepped into the hallway, then dodged aside as his sister rushed out. He watched her go as he tried to gather his thoughts.

Kristine came out of her room and stopped when she saw him. She almost said something, but just stared at him, instead. He followed her gaze and looked down to see his erection had popped the button on his pajamas and was pointing at his little sister. He reflexively covered it and hurried to his room as she ran off. He hoped she wouldn't say anything to their mom as he grabbed his clothes and quickly got changed. He felt like he was forgetting something, but as he looked around his room, he couldn't figure it out.

"BRIAN! Get dressed and get down here!"

His stomach dropped, now he was in trouble. He grabbed his bag and hurried out.

"What's got you sleeping so late? We said you could ride your bike to school because you showed us you could be responsible. Don't make us change our minds."

He looked at his little sister, staring at him from the kitchen table as she quietly chewed on a french toast stick, and felt like a weight fell away, "Sorry mom, I had a nightmare."

Her tone changed from authoritative to concerned, "Are you all right?"

He sat down at the table and put some of the sticks on his plate, then bit into one as he shrugged off her mothering, "It was just a dream"

His mom sighed, "Well, whatever movie or video you watched that caused it, you shouldn't watch those just before bed if it's going to make you late for school. Now come on, you need to get going." She walked around him and gave him a gentle shove.

Brian grabbed a couple more sticks and headed out the door to grab his bike and ride off to school.

Classes were boring as usual. He spent more time thinking about the rest of his life while the teachers re-explained things that he understood the first time. Julie Ann was letting him get closer and closer. He wondered if she knew that he wanted her and was just playing coy. That idea seemed even more exciting. She wanted him and was making him work for it, so he would enjoy it more. That didn't explain her rabbit. Though, she did insist that they hadn't had sex, even though she was old enough. Maybe she was just playing him along to get the job she wanted. That made sense.

He got on his bike at the end of the day with a smile on his face. With no distractions expected, he would see how far she would let him go this time. Maybe he would get to put his penis against her bare thigh. Maybe she would swat his butt. She had to know how much he liked her doing that.

He jumped his bike off of a rock as he started down the shortcut through the woods. The familiar scenery reminded him of his other sexual experience and he skid to a stop above the clearing. He stared into the trees, wondering for a moment if he would ever see her again, then left his bike and scrambled down the slope. Nothing had changed. The note was still pinned to the log where she had let him put his rod in her honeypot.

"Gizelle?" He didn't expect her to answer. He thought about running into the woods to look for her, but Julie Ann was right. He wouldn't be able to save her by himself. If they could hide a live bear in their house, they would have no problem hiding his dead body and nobody would ever find him. Or worse, they could kill her just to spite him. He shook off that thought and made sure the note was still firmly attached. He would have to trust that the rabbit doctor knew what he was doing.

He climbed back up and picked up his bike. He looked down again, wishing he had a better idea, then got on and continued down the trail.

As he got to the end, somebody called his name, so he stopped and looked around.

"Brian! Over here." Some guy was waving to him from an old, yellow sports car.

He walked his bike over and stood a couple yards away.

The car door creaked loudly as the guy got out. He had on a burgundy T-shirt for the morph show, Night Shift, and a pair of baggy, tan shorts with lots of pockets. "I called to you earlier, but you rode right by me at the bus stop. I saw you take the trail, so I came around to meet you. You ready to hang out?"

Brian took a step back, "Um, not really. Who are you?"

The guy laughed, "Oh, I guess I never sent you a pic of myself. I'm Shadow Kat. You can call me Tom, if you want. That's my human name. I've been looking forward to seeing you in person for a while, now."

He walked closer, but Brian kept the bike between them, thinking about everything ShdwKt had said to him online. "Um, okay."

Tom put his hands on his hips with a smirk, then stuck one out, "Here. Shake. Then we'll be okay."

Brian wasn't sure what to think, but cautiously brought up his hand.

The older boy took it and shook it eagerly, then patted Brian on the back, "Come on. I'll put your bike in the trunk and we can go someplace more comfortable." He picked up Brian's bike and headed for the back of his car.

Brian was still trying to process what was happening while the guy closed the trunk and walked back.

Tom put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Come on. I'll get you something to eat."

Brian felt like he was two steps behind. If this was ShdwKt, why did he say all those things about letting him put his dick in a pussy for real.

The guy led him around the car and opened the passenger door.

Brian looked up at him, finally putting together something to say, "I thought you were a girl."

Tom laughed again, "I get that a lot. My character is a female feline, but unfortunately, I was born human and male." He gently pushed the smaller boy into the car and closed the door, then ran around and got in. "If you still want to think of me as a girl, that's fine." He started the car and backed out onto the road.

"Well why did you say I could have sex with you, if you don't have a pussy?" Brian watched out the window as they drove down the road, beginning to think he had let this go too far.

"Well, you can play with my pussy anytime, online. As for the real world, we'll just have to make do with what we have. Want some?" He picked up a bag of jerky and offered it to Brian. "I can get something better later, but I got hungry while I was waiting for you."

Brian looked at the bag, then at Tom and shook his head. He wasn't sure he wanted to agree to anything else this guy offered. He stared out the window, just waiting until he could get out and go home.

"No? Okay." He put the bag down and pulled out a piece for himself. "I really liked that video. Nobody else said anything, but I liked that you used the same washcloth that she had just cleaned herself with."

Brian looked over at him and wondered if maybe this guy understood him. Then he saw his mailbox zip by. "Hey, you passed my house."

"I know. We're going to my place, so we can hang out together."

"I don't want to go to your house."

"Okay, how about a movie or something?"

Brian shook his head, "I don't want to see a movie with you."

Tom pulled onto a long dirt driveway and away from the road, then stopped. He turned off the car and turned to the boy beside him, sliding his knee onto the seat. "So, what do you want to do?"

"I just want to get my bike and go home." He wondered if this guy was going to let him go so easily as his heart pounded in his chest.

"You said you wanted to hang out with me, so let's hang out."

"I thought you were a girl." He tried to find the door handle behind his back.

"You'd hang out with me if I was a girl? So, you really just want sex. Well, we can do that."

"But you're a guy. It won't work. I'm not gay." He struggled for any reason to get out of there.

"There are plenty of things we can do." He pushed his shorts down his legs and spread them again, holding his balls out of the way. "I would love to feel your young dick in my ass."

With nowhere to go, Brian couldn't help but see the half-naked man. "That's disgusting!"

Tom looked annoyed. "You've been leading me on all week. At least give me something."

Finally, a way out. He didn't have much, but he'd give up his bike to not be in that car anymore. "Like what?"

"Show me your cock. I'd love to see it in person and stroke you off."

"What?!" That wasn't what he expected and he definitely didn't want this guy touching his penis.

"It's okay. If you're not ready for that, you can just stroke me off." He grabbed Brian's hand and pulled him over, then started rubbing it on his dick.

Brian tried to pull his hand back, but the guy was holding it tight as he stroked himself. "Let go!" He didn't and Brian panicked. He couldn't think of anything else to do, so he hit him, as hard as he could, right on his hanging balls.

Tom screamed and curled up, holding his aching crotch.

Brian turned around and unlocked the door, then shoved it open. He was stopped by the seatbelt and quickly turned back to unbuckle it, dodging Tom's frantic grasp as he escaped. He pounded on the trunk, but it wouldn't open.

"How could you? We're friends!" Tom got out of the car and looked at the scared boy.

Brian took off running. He wanted his bike, but he had to get away. He ran as hard as he could until he saw his mailbox, then pushed harder. He ran down the driveway and slammed into the door. Quickly pulling the key from his pocket, he unlocked the door, shoved inside and slammed it shut behind him, locking it just as quickly. He still didn't feel safe in the quiet house and ran up to his room, slamming that door shut, as well, and dragged his desk in front of it. He ran into his closet, closed the doors and sat huddled against the back wall, gasping for breath.

In the dark quiet, his mind replayed what he had just been through and he could see the man's hairy legs and hairy balls and big penis. It looked huge and even more terrifying, but his mind showed his own hand touching it. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the image and he saw Tom's angry face rushing towards him. He burst out of the closet and back into the light.

He was alone in his room. He waited quietly, afraid to make a noise. His legs were starting to ache and his lungs hurt and he really needed to pee, but he didn't want to open the door, in case Tom had gotten inside. He knew where he lived. He could come by anytime.

Suddenly, he heard a car rolling on the gravel outside. He cautiously peeked out the window and saw that it was his mother's car. Kristine got out and then his mom and he smiled, glad it wasn't Tom. He wanted to run down and hug her, but then he realized he would have to tell her what happened. He didn't want to try to explain who ShdwKt was or why he got into his car or that he had said he'd have sex with him or that he lost his bike or... No, he decided it would be easier to just forget that it happened.

He realized that he still had his bag on and slipped it off of his shoulders to fall on the floor. He stared at his desk in front of the door and decided that was something else that he didn't want to have to explain, so he dragged it back in place and picked up everything that had fallen on the floor. He didn't want his mom asking him anything, so he straightened up his room and opened his door. He still couldn't get Tom out of his head. He needed to talk to somebody, but couldn't tell anybody. Then he realized who he could talk to.

He opened his computer and sat down, waiting for the chat to connect.

Trickaphilia: It's still not enough to warrant that kind of assault.

Rutter: I wouldve killed him.

TheGreatO: He was as bad as the assholes that raped and skinned the morphs down in Australia.

O: No you wouldn't. You would've pissed your pants.

Yansil: He probably already did just hearing about it.

T: So, you arrest him and put him on trial. He didn't have any weapons and wasn't a threat. They didn't need to send in the SWAT team to beat him unconscious.

R: hah! I'm not wearing any pants.

O: I say they didn't do enough. He needed to be fed his own poison and suffer like the morphs he killed.

R: hey B

Brian started to regret coming in. They didn't seem to be in a mood to talk about his problem.

T: If you punish people without a trial, you lose the civility of society and you're nothing more than vengeant animals.

T: Morning, B.

Yansil greets Bearaiayen with a cookie.

O: He ran an anti-morph blog along with the website that sold species specific poisons and had boxes of the stuff addressed and ready to ship in his house when they went in. There's no doubt he's guilty. They should have drug him behind the cop car instead of putting him in it.

Y: They should arrest everybody that ordered from him, too.

T: I agree that he's guilty, but they needed to take him to court and make it official.

O: What good does court do? It just gives him a chance to get a lawyer that could get him off on some technicality.

T: You mean, like excessive force?

O: He wouldn't have the chance to use that, if they had just killed him.

Brian decided his best bet would be a private conversation.

Msg to Trickaphilia: Can I talk to you?

T: What happens when someone accuses you of something horrible? Should they just kill you and be done with it?

PM from Trickaphilia: Sure. What's up?

O: I'm not the asshole trying to kill people for being different.

Msg to Trickaphilia: Something happened today and I need to talk to somebody.

PM from Trickaphilia: What happened?

R: no youre just a regular asshole

Msg to Trickaphilia: When I was coming home from school, some guy tried to kidnap me and rape me.

O: Go fuck yourself, buck.

PM from Trickaphilia: WHAT!!!! Dude, that's serious. Did you call the police?

R: you first

Msg to Trickaphilia: I can't. They'd never believe me.

Y: Come over here and I'll fuck you both.

PM from Trickaphilia: Of course they would, it's their job. You have to give them a chance.

O: With what, Yancy?

Msg to Trickaphilia: I don't want to get in trouble.

Y: You can have my fist and I'll fuck your face with it.

KhakiFox has joined.

PM from Trickaphilia: Why would you get in trouble if he's the one that tried to kidnap and rape you?

R: FENNEC!!!

O: I'll shove your fist up your own ass first.

Msg to Trickaphilia: I got into his car and I told him I wanted to have sex

KhakiFox runs in and tackles the buck.

K: Hey, got your antlers, yet?

Msg to Trickaphilia: but I thought he was a girl when I said that.

Yansil rubs Khaki's big ears.

R: theyre growing but not very big yet. I hope to have at least 6 points this year

K: I'll give you till forever to stop that.

PM from Trickaphilia: Are you saying you tried to get a prostitute on your way home from school?

KhakiFox hangs from the buck's antlers.

R: hey dont crush the velvet }};-)

Rutter tickels the fenenc

Msg to Trickaphilia: No. We were talking online first.

KhakiFox giggles and rolls around.

PM from Trickaphilia: So, you know who did it.

K: So what's been happening today?

Msg to Trickaphilia: Kind of.

R: not much. trick and o were just arguing about that guy that was seling morph poisons. before that they were talking about a rabbit that got attacked in pennsylvania yesterday

Msg to Trickaphilia: I thought I did.

K: Its hard to believe that there are humans that still hate morphs.

PM from Trickaphilia: Who was it?

Brain wasn't sure he wanted to tell, but Trick was in California, so what could he do?

Y: No it's not. There's a guy where I work that is always grumbling something about how morphs are the reason for everything that's wrong with the world.

Y: No money? Morphs took it.

Y: Flood in Arkansas? Morph dandruff caused too much rain.

Msg to Trickaphilia: ShdwKt

R: thats stupid

O: Not as stupid as you. There are whole organizations against morphs. Did you think the Anti-Morph Proliferation League was a mammary club?

PM from Trickaphilia: What? You mean ShdwKt is a guy?

R: quit calling me that

Y: AMPLE is a joke. They think they can just convince morphs that breeding is a bad idea. They should try the same thing with humans. There are way too many of those around.

PM from Trickaphilia: What did he do to you?

Brian hesitated before answering.

O: They get plenty of dumb kids to get fixed every year and most of them regret it later.

Y: I'd never let them take my dick. I like sex too much.

O: they don't cut off your dick, stupid. They just make you sterile, so you can have sex without making babies.

Y: Cool. Where do I sign up?

O: Didn't you see me say you'll regret it later?

Y: I'm not like most. I don't want kids, ever.

O: Probably a good idea, as dumb as you are.

Msg to Trickaphilia: He was waiting for me when I got out of school.

K: Why are you so rude?

Msg to Trickaphilia: We had talked yesterday and I said I would hang out with him.

O: I'm not rude. I just tell it how it is.

Msg to Trickaphilia: When I thought he was a girl, he said we could have sex

Y: You're calling people dumb and stupid. That's not how it is. That's just mean.

Msg to Trickaphilia: He put my bike in the trunk of his car and I got in, then he drove past my house. When I said I didn't want to go to his house, he pulled over and took off his pants.

O: I can't help it if you're not even smart enough to realize you're dumb.

PM from Trickaphilia: Just like that? He took off his pants on the side of the road?

K: You must be talking about yourself. You're the only one claiming to be perfect.

Msg to Trickaphilia: It was down some dirt road a bit. I said I wanted my bike so I could leave and he tried to talk me out of it.

O: I AM perfect and you can kiss my fat tail.

PM from Trickaphilia: And he thought taking off his pants would convince you?

Y: Nobody wants your fat ass. Kiss it yourself.

O: I didn't say anything about my ass, idiot.

Msg to Trickaphilia: He wanted me to show him my cock, but I didn't want him touching me. That's when he grabbed my hand and put it on his dick.

KhakiFox kisses Rutter's perfect little fluffy tail.

PM from Trickaphilia: Dude, that's messed up. You really need to tell the police, so they can lock this freak away.

PM from ShdwKt: Are you okay, Brian? I guess I went a little too fast for you. We can try again sometime when you've calmed down.

Rutter hugs the fennec

Msg to Trickaphilia: How do I block someone?

Yansil hugs Rutter and Khaki, but not O.

PM from Trickaphilia: Is he on now and talking to you?

ShdwKt has joined.

O: Hey Shdw

Y: What's up, SK?

K: Gimme some love, kitty.

User ShdwKt has been kicked and banned. Reason (RAPIST)

K: What the hell?

Y: Seriously, who did she rape?

T: And a pedophile, as well.

O: What young boy wouldn't want a sexy pussy throwing herself at him?

T: ShdwKt is a guy.

K: Bullshit. I've seen pics of her and we've RPed lots of times.

R: I believe it

O: Where are you getting your information?

T: I trust my source.

O: So, one person feeds you a line and you jump to punishment? Hypocrite.

T: I weighed the evidence and took appropriate action.

O: And who made you judge, jury and executioner.

T: On my server, I am the law.

Msg to Trickaphilia: Thanks, but he knows where I live.

O: Are you going to kick me out next?

T: I've done it before. Just give me a reason.

PM from Trickaphilia: If I was near you I would do more, but you really should tell the police what happened.

O: Like you really need one.

T: Nope.

TheGreatO has been kicked. Reason (Try me)

PM from Trickaphilia: Maybe I can do something.

Rutter cheers

TheGreatO has joined.

O: Very funny. I get your point.

T: If you're not in a mood to play nice, go someplace else and come back later.

O: Maybe I will.

Msg to Trickaphilia: I don't feel like talking to anybody right now. Thanks for listening, but I think I'm going to log off now.

TheGreatO has quit.

PM from Trickaphilia: Alright, but seriously consider reporting this. The police are not your enemy and you haven't done anything

Y: A news article just popped up about something happening in PA.

Y: It says some humans attacked a rabbit morph yesterday, then came back and attacked a human girl and a cat morph in his house today. There's not much here. Anybody know anything?

R: hey B isnt that where you are?

Bearaiayen has quit.

Brian closed his computer and stared out the door. He took a breath and decided he was ready to face his mother, so he got up and headed to the kitchen.

"There you are. I was just about to message you for dinner. I just got a message from Julie Ann. She's on her way. Why don't you go wash up and we'll eat as soon as she gets here."

Brian smirked as he turned around and headed for the bathroom. His mother didn't ask anything about his day. He wondered if she cared that he was almost the subject of one of the crime shows she watched. _Poor Brian Garver; kidnapped, brutally raped and murdered, and left to rot in the lonely hills of Pennsylvania by Tom ShdwKt, a freak that pretended to be a female cat morph and preferred sex with young boys._He turned on the water and suddenly his bladder reminded him that he hadn't gone since school. He turned off the faucet and took care of that, then washed his hands and headed back to the kitchen.

Julie Ann came in as he sat down and their mother let his father know dinner was ready. Brian kept his eyes on his plate and focused on finishing quickly. Their mother tried to ask about everyone's day, but the only one that had anything to say was Kristine. Fortunately, she had a great day and plenty to talk about. Unfortunately, her cheerfulness was grating on Brian's already fried nerves. Julie Ann excused herself and cleared her dishes as she left. Brian finished his plate and followed suit with a disappointed sigh from their mother.

Back in his room, Brian stared at his computer. He didn't want to try the chat again. He wasn't in the right mindset for studying. He wanted to just go to bed, but he didn't want to sleep alone. He thought about sleeping with Julie Ann and all the things he was thinking about that morning. They seemed so far from reality now. He wanted to curl up safe in her arms, but that meant telling her what happened. He thought that of all the people he could tell, she is the only one that would react the way he wanted. He grabbed some fresh pajamas and got changed, then went to the bathroom.

When he was finished, he walked to her door and tried not to think about what he would have to tell her as he convinced himself to knock.

"What!"

She sounded upset, but he had already disturbed her, so he opened the door and peeked in. He quietly asked, "can I come in?"

"Oh, Brian, I'm sorry. Come here." She waved him over and he closed the door as he walked over and she pulled him in for a hug.

He could tell she had been crying, too, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'll be fine. A friend got hurt."

He could tell it was worse than she was admitting and wondered if it was worse than his day, "Are they dead?"

She squeezed his head and rubbed his hair, "Oh no, no. Thanks to Don, they're going to be just fine."

"I thought he was an animal doctor."

"He is. Belle is a morph and the hospital wouldn't take her."

He thought about Gizelle and wondered how many animals were hiding around the area, "Another morph? What is she?"

"She's a cat."

"Can I meet her?"

"Well, I... Let's let her heal a little, then I'll take you to see her when she's feeling better."

He sniffled, "Okay."

She stroked his hair soothingly, "What's bothering you?"

"Why wouldn't the hospital take her?"

She stopped and gave him an annoyed look for evading her question, "Brian."

"Well, why not?"

She sighed, "They were afraid that their other patients might be allergic to her fur."

"That's stupid."

"No, not really. Some people's allergies can be pretty bad. Its just a shame there isn't a place to help morphs around here."

"Don can do it."

"He's not trained for it."

"He helped your friend."

"Yes, but..."

"He can get the training and then he can help all the morphs."

"It's not as easy as that."

"Well, why not?"

"It ... it's a lot of training."

He laid his head on her chest, "Well, he better get started."

"Brian, what happened to you today?"

Here it was. He resisted a little longer because he was feeling good in her arms, "nothin'"

She pushed his chin up to look at her, "You're not crying for nothing. What happened?"

He fought to control his emotion and not yell it at her, "Some guy tried to kidnap me today."

"Oh, Brian! We should call the police!"

"NO! You can't!" He started to regret telling her.

"Why not? Brian, this is serious, and I know an officer that is very polite and understanding."

"No, I don't want to do it."

"Why not?"

"Because he'll put me in jail."

"No. Why would he do that?"

"Because I punched the guy in the balls!"

She snorted a laugh and pulled his face against her chest as she fought more laughter. She took a breath, then grabbed his cheeks and looked at him, "He won't put you in jail for that."

"What if I did worse? What if I killed him?"

"What? Brian, did you kill someone?"

He looked down, away from her gaze, "No, but I wish I had."

"No you don't. Never wish that..."

There was a knock at the door.

Julie Ann tried not to sound annoyed, "Yes?"

The door opened and their mother looked in, "Have you seen your ... Oh, there you are, Brian. Are you alright?"

"He's a little shaken up by something that happened." She rubbed his back as he stood up to look at their mother.

"Oh, I know. A young man just came by to drop off his bike and said," she looked at Brian, "he almost ran you over, then you just ran off and left your bike."

ShdwKt was there. He came to the house and spoke with his mother. Brian was ready to kick him in the balls until they were mush. "Is he gone?"

"Yes, he wanted to come in and see if you're alright, but I sent him away. I gave him some money for his trouble."

"Mom! He's an asshole!"

"Brian! Language!"

"Don't let him come back here ever again!"

"Brian, I don't understand why you're..."

"He's bad."

"Brian, accidents happen."

"Yeah, so do murderers, kidnappers and rapists."

"Brian, I don't think he was trying to kill you."

"Yeah? What does that leave?"

"Brian!"

Julie Ann caught his arm and held him back, while she spoke to their mother, "Relax, mom. I've got this. Just give us a minute."

"But I'm supposed to be the..."

"Yeah! Just go!"

"Brian!" She sighed and gave in, stepping back out the door, "Alright, I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

"Just get out!" Brian charged the door and pushed it until she let it close, then leaned on it with both hands as he calmed himself down.

"Brian, are you sure you're alright?"

He grumbled harshly, "I'm fine," then pushed himself upright and turned to look at his sister as he swallowed his temper, "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

She seemed to resist for a moment, then gave in, "Alright, I could use some cuddle time, too."

He walked over and hugged her.

"Go get in bed." She patted his butt and he smiled at the familiar feeling. She stood up and followed him to her bed.

He climbed in and turned around, "Aren't you going to change into your nightshirt?"

"No, I think I'll sleep in my clothes tonight. I don't feel like taking them off." She crawled in beside him.

He noticed that her shirt was covered in hairs, "Are those your friend's cat hairs?"

She looked at her shirt and picked a gray hair off of it, then smiled, "Yeah."

Brian snuggled in with his head against her chest and she stroked his hair. He closed his eyes and felt her body pressed against his. It wasn't what he had hoped for, but it was what he needed. Maybe tomorrow would be better.