Choose Your Own Adventure (Yaoi style!)

“Huh? I wonder what’s going on over there?” I thought aloud.

“Nothing good, I’d bet,” Eric said, steering me to away to the other side of the building. “It’s nice to see you.”

I smiled, my ears perking up. “Good to see you too.” Then I wrinkled my nose. “Something around here smells like rancid fish.”

Eric glanced around and nodded. “Want to go somewhere else?”

“Sure. Oh, but I came with my friend Trace. Hang on.” I rushed back inside the club and wondered how to handle this. I didn’t want to just ditch Trace. In the past we’d both had nights were we’d gone off with someone even though we came together, but that was usually when there were other friends with us. If no one else was here, she’d be left alone and I didn’t want to do that to a friend.

“Hey Trace!” I called as I stepped up to the booth, “Do you-” I paused. She was talking with a very pretty pixie. Leif was his name, if I recalled. He was lithe and beautiful as always. Usually too full of himself to notice how awesome (and enamored) Trace was.

“Hey Ferd!” Leif said cheerfully, shaking my hand in greeting.

“Hey.”

“Ferd, weren’t you talking to Eric?” Trace said pointedly, giving me The Look.

“Um, yeah. Just was checking with you before I go.”

“K, no problem. I’m good.”

I somehow held in my smirk and gave them a wave as I left. Guess it was a lucky night for us both! And as I walked toward the exit, thinking how benevolent the universe was, something grabbed me from behind and I spilled onto the floor.

I sputtered, trying to catch my breath and determine if I’d be pushed over by accident, when one of the thug club stooped down over me.

“I thought cats always landed on their feet?” he said, smirk over his wide-jawed face.

I pushed up and glared at him, not bothering to reply to that. But when I moved to walk by him, he stood there like pillar of stone.

“Excuse me, I’m trying to get by.”

“I noticed.”

What the hell? These guys were usually all bark and no bite, and we were in a public place, so I wasn’t worried—but it still irked me that this guy was being such a dick.

“Move,” I snapped.

“He doesn’t have to listen to you,” came a voice over my shoulder, and I saw another meathead taking up the space behind me. Great.

“What are you in third grade?”

A finger poked my chest. “Leave Eric alone.”

I scowled. “Seriously? We must be back in grade school now. Afraid I’ll give him koodies? Give me a break.”

The tower before me grinned and grabbed me by the front of my shirt. “Since you asked so nicely…”

Suddenly I found myself pushed through the door and tossed over the pavement. The palms of my hands screamed as I tried to catch myself. My knees banged hard. For a moment I couldn’t fathom that this was actually happening, then I turned to see both cavemen looming over me and it was all too real.

“Why are you so pissed off?” I yelled. “What do you care?”

The only answer I got was a kick in the ribs. The guy’s foot felt as solid as an anvil. Fuck.

“You think we want one of our friends associating with little neko rat like you?”

Another kick as I tried to rise. Oh lord, I hope nothing was broken, because everything radiated pain now.

I’d honestly never expected this. I caught the whiff of alcohol on the air and glanced up through tearing eyes. Yeah, they were so fucking drunk. Lucky me that I was the bastard who happened to come across their path. How did Eric stand their company?

Speaking of…

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” came his voice. I’d caught his scent and knew he wasn’t far, thank heaven!

“Eric, get your head out of your ass! Why’re you sticking around this bitch?”

“Bruce, did you just pound a half bottle of whiskey? I didn’t realize you were this drunk- and this stupid!”

They shouted at one another, and I did my best to crawl away back toward the bar, where the bouncer seemed to finally take notice of the commotion. Better late than never I supposed.

“Hey, what’s going on here?”

I heard pushing and shoving and swearing, but I kept my eyes shut and tried to assess how much damaged I’d taken. I was bruised but not broken. Yep, lucky me.

“Ferd! Ferd, are you alright?”

“Eric?”

“I’m sorry, I had to deal with those jackasses and I didn’t see where you’d gone at first. The cops were already here for something else so they dealt with them. Can you stand? How badly are you hurt? Shit, Ferd, I’m so sorry!”

I declined a hospital visit, but Eric insisted he drive me home. Apparently he had a car as well as a bike and that’s what he’d taken that night. It was a rare instance I was damn glad to opt for a reclining seat in a car rather than deal with my bike.

As we drove, I realized my body wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. Fear being the operative word. I’d never been in a situation like that. My neko instincts usually kept me well away from trouble before it happened. Not tonight.

As the car slowed, I blinked out the window at my building. “Thanks, I can see myself in.”

“Like hell!” Eric turned off the engine and came around to open my door and help me out. And they say chivalry is dead. I almost smiled as he put an arm around my waist to stay me and shut the car door.

“I can walk ya know.”

“And I can help.”

I snorted, but let him.

By the time we reached my door, I could feel where distinctly where I’d have some livid bruises the next day, but I also knew I’d be fine.

“Well, thanks again,” I said, opening my door.

“And I’m sorry, again.”

I paused on the threshold, looking at him. He seemed truly miserable. I had to ask, “Why do you hang out with those guys in the first place?”

He let out a long breath. “I haven’t lived here that long. They were the only people I knew; we were on the wrestling team together in high school.”

“I don’t think they’ve moved on since then.”

His eyes skittered away. “No, it seems that way. I won’t be hanging out with them again.”

“Good.” I nodded and waved. “Night.”

“Wait, Ferd.”

I turned and was met with warm lips over mine. “I hope I can still see you again,” he whispered against my lips.

With a sigh, I nodded. I was glutton for punishment, Obviously.

“Do you might if I, umm, sleep on your couch tonight?” he asked. “I’m still worried about you. I won’t try anything. I just want to make sure you’re ok. I could even make you breakfast,” he ended hopefully.

It was a bad idea. I said yes.

He didn’t sleep on the couch, and despite my bruises, it was a damn good night. He was skilled and tender and the hottest thing I’d seen naked in my life. His hands caressed me like I was as delicate as porcelain- and I felt about as fragile that night.

But it was the first of many nights, and we never looked back.

The End