Cursed... (part 4)
#4 of Cursed...
I'M NOT DEAD!
err... yea... I didn't forget about the story unfinished either, I'm just leading a busy life, and I mean a BUSY life... =X
To think it took me 1 month to get to the next part, and to think it doesn't have any yiff scenes in it... I think I'll be kicked in the ass should anyone finds me in RL... I do apologize for the delay, and believe me I'm not planning to rush the story, that's why you might feel that the events aren't happening fast.
(I've already explained that in _____'s personal message, but I thought I'd just write it to everyone)
Well then, I leave you with the fourth part...
human, tiger, M/M, no-yiff, doubts, kissing, bad language, mild drama, story progression
___________________
"Well, I'm off..."
"H-Hey!"
Yzmar was inside his room, changing quickly as he just stepped out of the bathroom, getting ready for work. He almost tripped over his bag (yes, he has yet to unpack it since he entered the apartment) as he opened his room's door dashing out, he turned at Turbo opening the apartment's door, preparing to walk out.
"Wait up, I said I'm going-"
"And I said no, you need to rest. I'm not taking you with me."
"I've had enough rest, I'm fed up with it."
"I don't mean sleep, you dense human, I mean your wound."
"It healed completely, why else would I want to go?"
Turbo turned back to Yzmar in doubt, he kept the apartment's door open as he walked slowly to Yzmar, bringing one paw down at his underbelly.
"Is that so?"
"What are you-"
"I'm making sure of what you said."
"I said I'm fine, you'll just get us late."
Yzmar blocked his paw in nuisance and gave him an irritated look, Turbo stood still for a second, then he immediately reached for his underbelly again, getting him off-guard. Yzmar shuddered in surprise as Turbo's paw slipped under his shirt resting on his tummy, stirring upward and getting his shirt raised up. Yzmar reached with both hands to his arm, wanting to stop him, but his body liked the touch, not that his skinny hands are any match to Turbo. He burned red, from embarrassment or anger, it can be anyone's guess. Soon, Turbo's paw stopped over the bandage and tingled at the pendant softly, as the tiger smiled in triumph at the human.
"Completely healed, was it? Heh... Busted!"
"It... it's alright, it doesn't hurt anymore."
"Nonsense, it almost reached your lungs. Stop being so stubborn."
"I'm honest, I feel perfectly fine!"
"What did the doberman tell you before we leave? The bandage isn't off yet, you need to take it easy for a bit more."
"Don't treat me like a small kid, Turbo!"
"Well, I 'am' older than you, after all..."
"I'm an adult, I know when my bod-"
Turbo loomed suddenly in front of his face and planted a quiet, slow and passionate kiss on his lips. Yzmar halted completely, his face getting more and more rosy as Turbo's other paw reached for his back and cornered him, blocking any possible drawback from the tiger's kiss. He hated it when Turbo uses a kiss to shut him up, but his body always played along... Turbo's paw massaged over the bandage as it played a bit with the pendant, as his kiss grew weaker gradually. Turbo finally broke the kiss but kept his face in front of him, losing himself for a bit in his green eyes as he finally licked slowly at his forehead. His voice came calm and slow in whispers, but it was clear that he's not going to let him have his way.
"Enough, don't argue with me, mate. You'd hurt me more than you'd hurt yourself should it get worse. I was close to losing you once already, and I'm not planning to put up with such a thing ever again."
Yzmar said nothing, frowning at the tiger as Turbo stood still, rubbed his head like a man would do to a small kid, then turned to leave.
"Keep the pendant on you at all times, it will keep you safe."
"Tch..."
"And don't get angry or your heart will go bad on you."
"Like I need you to remind me..."
Turbo walked out the door, and made sure his wallet, cell phone and keys are all with him, he reached for the door's knot without turning, preparing to close the door.
"Turbo..."
The tiger halted a bit, Yzmar's voice was calm this time. By now, Turbo got used to his attitude and behavior, he knew when Yzmar was acting rash and when he was being calculative. He stopped there at the door, saying nothing, waiting for the human to finish his sentence.
"... I... really want to go."
"... I know, Yzmar, I would have hated it too if I were you."
"Then why-"
"Still, if you were me, you would have done the same... right?"
"..."
Turbo looked back at him, and the human was clearly annoyed, being left behind like that just because some stupid 'bandage' didn't drop on its own yet. The tiger smiled to himself, moved out and closed the door behind him, juggling the keys in his paw as he stepped down the stairs.
Yzmar sat on the living room's chair, staring at the turned-off TV and managing to make his reflection from the dark screen.
'What is it, Yzmar? Why didn't you tell him?'
"..."
'You don't want to make him sad, do you? Then tell him, no?'
"... I don't know... I..."
The room began to get dimmer and dimmer, but Yzmar's gawk at the dark screen never changed. The place around Yzmar wasn't the apartment anymore, he stood in the middle of a sad and dark graveyard, as the full moon was the only source of light that made him feel helpless, he can see where the light is coming from yet he's caged in darkness all around him. A big black figure emerged near him, almost thrice in height, wearing ragged loose cloth as a robe, his cloak covered his head completely in darkness. Although the moon was behind him, the robe gave a strange glow in some spot, there was something glowing under his robe as the figure had one bony hand out on his side, holding a grotesquely big scythe, it was so clean it screamed to be fed and bathed in red. Only two small blue dots can be made out under his cloaked face.
'You fragile life source, you still want to live?'
"... I..."
'Must I remind you of your fate, little fly?'
In a flashing speed, the scythe went up and then immediately descended down, cutting a clean straight mark on the ground that was just a couple of centimeters away from Yzmar's foot. The figure then extended his other hand out, holding a glowing sand watch... the sand in the upper half was clearly so little in comparison with what went down the lower half.
'It's just a matter of time, Ramzy.'
"... *pants~*"
'Once your time comes, it will feed.'
"No... it's different now, there's a cure for-"
'A cure?'
"..."
'You don't believe in that, Ramzy. There has NEVER been a cure for death itself, lying to yourself won't make it happen.'
"Just who the hell are you? WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?"
The figure stood in complete silence, levitating in place as its blue flashy eyes kept him in place, threatening Yzmar with just a cold glare.
'I will take your life soon enough.'
"No, I'm not alone anymore, I have a will to live now, I'll beat my curse."
'Willpower alone isn't enough for a cure, Ramzy.'
"We'll figure something out, I want to believe-"
'Oh, you don't need to ask, I'm taking him with you after I finish with you... so you can be together forever.'
"..."
'No one is immune to death, Ramzy, not you, not your tiger, not anyone.'
The glowing of the sand watch began to build in strength gradually, blinding Yzmar's eyes, as the figure began to vanish behind its rays.
'I... shall snuff you all out of your misery... all that lives, dies!'
Yzmar suddenly found himself staring back at his dark reflection through the screen of the TV, he stood up, turned around himself a couple of times... no good, he's in the apartment and there was no freaky stranger with a scythe no matter how hard he looked. He went to the kitchen and drank a glass full of cold water... then he filled almost half of it, and drenched his own head with it as he bowed to the sink.
"It's... my God... these things are getting more and more realistic. I need to stop thinking intensively like that, and the only way is-"
+++
10 minutes later, Yzmar stepped out the apartment, he was wearing his engineering garment and made sure his gloves are in his back pocket. He hesitated for a second as he remembered Turbo's insisting wish for him to stay, but he soon shook his head and whispered to himself reflectively.
(Sorry, but I think you would have done the same as well.)
He got down to the ground floor, stepped out and took a long deep inhale, getting the fresh air inside his lungs. He placed his hand on his chest, making sure the pendant was there under his clothes, then he started walking.
"If I have to walk there, so be it..."
After a while of walking, a shiny black limo reached near him on the road, it slowed down in speed and finally stopped a couple of feet away, a big buffalo in a black tuxedo suit got out from the passenger's door, turned around the limo from the front and was now stopping in Yzmar's face, eyeing him in cold stares. Yzmar, being a little alarmed at the sudden limo stopping near him, sighed and shook his head in boredom; what now? Can't this human among all other humans get one normal day in this fairytale of a planet?
"Mister Razorfen?"
"..."
"Would you kindly-"
Suddenly, the driver's door flagged open, as a hyena in the same suit stepped out, only his messed-up hairdo was enough to scream what kind of character he was.
"You big emotionless corpse, put some feeling to it, at least. Would you kindly? What the hell was that? Anyone who hears you speaking like that would say you're kissing up to the guy... seriously..."
The buffalo didn't move his cold gaze from Yzmar, but it was clear that he was ignoring his friend. The hyena shrugged in defeat and punched his arm, not that he felt anything. The hyena turned to Yzmar and smiled, as he waved his hand.
"Hey, human. Our master would like to have a word with you."
"... I'm in a hurry, I can't possibly-"
"Oh please, don't reject us; we were given strict orders to... only accept a 'yes' answer from you."
"..."
The hyena stepped to the back door of the limo and opened it, inviting Yzmar inside with a wicked smile and a bow.
"Don't make me force you in, human."
"... if I must."
Yzmar felt something strange going on here, but it was clear that he better play their game for now, just to avoid any possible mishaps. He sat inside and noticed that he wasn't alone, on the other end of the seat sat a rather old fox. He looked at him with one sky-blue eye as his face was still facing forward, he sat calmly as both his paws rested in front of him on the head of his golden staff that stood proudly between his parted legs. His fur was dark blue, only the fur under his lower jaw and down to his neck was white, as the rest hid under his bronze suit.
"I apologize for my boys, good sir."
"No formalities please, I had enough of them already."
The hyena and buffalo returned inside as the limo moved again. Yzmar felt the car moving and instantly tried to open his door, only to find it locked. The old fox gave out a low chuckle and swayed one paw at him as it rested again on his staff.
"Do not be alarmed-"
"Where are you taking me?"
"Relax, you work for FEVA, right? We'll give you a ride there since you're as kind as to give us a minute of your time."
"..."
"Do not be like that, now. I so wanted to have a word with you, young man. Let us just talk a bit, and judge for yourself."
"... just talk."
"Indeed. I just want to make sure first, though. You 'are' the human that got employed by FEVA recently, right? The one by the name Yzmar Jade Razorfen?"
"... who wants to know?"
The buffalo turned back at Yzmar, eyeing him in wide daring eyes through the glass, not believing how rude this human is with his master. But the fox shook his head slowly at him, and the buffalo sat straight again, grunting in anger.
"I apologize again, they hold me dear, you see."
"..."
"Where are my manners? I'm so sorry for not introducing myself earlier, I go by the name of Amado Ambrosio, a businessman."
"... Amado... Spanish?"
"I have been raised there, yes. But enough about that, would you please confirm being the man I am looking for?"
"... yes, I am he, I'm your Razorfen."
"Marvelous! I thought maybe we can become friends..."
"Cut the crap."
"... I beg your pardon?"
"And could you please cut to the chase? I am grateful for the ride, but I don't want your 'boys' to take the long way around on purpose."
The hyena couldn't stop his laughter at that comment, he nudged the buffalo by his elbow and blasted.
"Man, this guy really means shit!"
"..."
The fox smiled, then nodded for the hyena to do what Yzmar said, as the limo soon changed its destination to take the shorter route.
"Very well, Ramzy."
"!!"
"Surprised?"
"... how-"
"Oh, you'd not believe how much I already know about you, Ramzy."
"Who told you my name? How much do you exactly know?"
"I have a lot of spies, boy. Not just in Velencia, in your Planet Earth too. More than you could ever imagine working for one lousy old fox like me. I have eyes and ears almost everywhere, if I need to, even in FEVA."
"..."
"But none of that matter, I wanted to speak with you for something else entirely, Ramzy..."
"Stop calling me Ramzy, it's no longer my name."
"Then I'll be honest and quick this time, since we're taking the shorter route anyway."
"Please."
"I want you to leave FEVA."
"... come again?"
"I'd go as far as paying you handsomely for quitting the contract."
"..."
"After that, maybe you can come and work for me instead? I can guarantee doubles and triples of the wages you get in that damp marsh of a junk field."
Yzmar remained silent, this fox, this Amado guy, he's trying to buy him from his own contract. Yzmar smiled as he lowered his face down, looks like troubles just keep dashing to his face no matter which side he turn, might just get used to troubles and break through them head-on...
"And if I refuse this 'kind' offer?"
"Oh? I never expected to live long enough to hear a refusal to my 'kind' offers... Are you sure about this, young man?"
"Why, is finding a man that loves his current job impossible?"
"Now, now, good sir... everyone has a price."
"... you sick fox, you think you can buy me with money?"
"If doubles and triples won't work, I will make it four times as much... if not, five times... I would reach ten times as much and still want you in."
Yzmar turned to Amado, and the fox was now facing him in a mysterious smile, as if the fox is almost certain he'd get his hand on this human.
"Look at me, Mister Amado... What do you see in front of you?"
"An Asshole?"
The fox lingered at the hyena as he shouted from his chair, and without even saying a word the buffalo reached with his hand and hit his head.
"Oww... Hey, watch it, I'm driving here!"
"Be quiet when the master is speaking."
"Tch..."
Amado turned his attention back to Yzmar again.
"... I see an honest young man, a man that has a big future just waiting for him to open the door and march forward."
"Then take a good look at me, Mister Amado, take a long look at this face, dig it in your old eyeballs... for this is the face of the honest young man you can never buy with money."
"Do not be so hasty, young man. As I said earlier, 'everyone' has a price."
The fox began chuckling calmly, as the limo finally reached the front of the factory's gate. Amado turned to Yzmar and smirked, raising one finger in his face to get his complete attention.
"I know your kind, Mister Razorfen, and threatening you won't do me much, it could even backfire and make you more hard-headed."
"Bingo."
"But!"
"..."
"I have other methods of winning you for my own."
"... By force? Abduction? Torture?"
"Hmhmhm. We're here, Mister Razorfen, you better get going or you'll be late on work, hmm?"
"Don't bother showing your face again, it makes me want to puke..."
"Do not worry about a thing, I will give you some time to think about it."
"You think I'm going to-"
Suddenly, Yzmar's door exploded open, as the buffalo snatched him from his shirt's collar out the limo. The buffalo was seriously mad, not even saying one word as he breathed heavily to control himself. He soon sighed calmly and let go of Yzmar, as Amado smiled at him.
"Good boy."
"..."
Yzmar turned to Amado, still furious.
"Our talk is over, my answer is final-"
"Do not worry, Mister Razorfen, I will find your price someday..."
"You... you don't get it, do you!? What the hell do you want from me?"
"I want the downfall of FEVA."
"..."
"I pray we will be seeing one another again soon, with a different answer and a wiser decision."
"... dream on."
"Hahahah... I bid you a great day, Mister Razorfen."
"There won't be one, Mister Amado, you just killed it."
Yzmar walked away from the limo and spoke with the guard to let him inside, as Amado glared at him from inside the car. The hyena turned back at his master and inquired.
"What's so special about a weak human?"
"It's not his race I'm interested in, it's his degrees and knowledge; I could step on all my rivals just having this one wearing my leash. He could prove a great and valuable ally to us... and in the same time, as long as he works for FEVA, a strong foe that we better not underestimate, also..."
"Also what?"
"If I can get him, then my plans are all complete, it would be just a matter of time."
"The Grim?"
"Still, because of it, I need to get him quickly, or it would be such a waste... get us back, boys; this place is a sore to my eyes."
+++
"Look, he's here!"
"He?"
"That new guy... the human... what was his name?"
"Didn't they say he's not coming today?"
Yzmar, fully dressed and equipped with his tools, walked quietly inside the warehouse as the rest of the engineers locked their sights on him. He stopped and turned around him, then wore a frown on his face.
"What's this? Why did everyone stop? What's wrong with you lots?"
Silver drew near and tapped his shoulder to get his attention.
"We've been told that you're getting this day off."
"Well, that was, apparently, just a rumor, so get back to your engines, all of you. I'll be doing my regular checking tours now."
"Wow... just arrived and already tipsy..."
"Enough chatter, if you want to say anything, keep it for the brea-"
Suddenly, the bell rang hard and, just like that day, all the engines' blowing sounds eased gradually until they died. Yzmar fell silent as everyone began exiting the warehouse for their breakfast. Silver looked at Yzmar in a sarcastic smirk.
"Well, I guess we can 'chat' now, right captain?"
"... Tch, I was this late on work?"
Silver stared long at Yzmar as the human turned, not noticing his strange look while scratching his head.
'Yzmar... there's something strange about you, something that captured a tiger without knowing. Even after knowing about your illness, that tiger didn't move one inch away. Out of all the furries out there, I can hardly believe that it was him who started to open up for you first.'
The wolf smiled to himself, this human doesn't really sound all that bad, after all. He still values work so high, it made the wolf think about himself as an engineer, he sure could learn a thing or two from him.
"Hey, Yzmar."
"Hmm?"
"May I... ask you a question? Would you give me an honest answer?"
"... yes, sure..."
"At your first day at work, after what happened in the washroom... Why didn't you tell Gemik?"
"... you too want to know, huh?"
"... it's not like I'm not thankful for it or anything."
"Is that why you came with Turbo when he said I was in trouble?"
"What? No... I... sort of... yes..."
"You came because... you felt guilt?"
"..."
Yzmar turned to Silver who just looked away, avoiding eye-contact. The human stretched up his arms and began walking out, saying nothing, Silver didn't like to be left like this without a clear statement of anger or forgiveness, so he turned at him, walked fast to catch up and then grabbed his arm.
"Yzmar, you're angry at me, aren't you? Just say so."
"... am I?"
"Yes, I can see it, I can feel it and smell it in you. If you're angry, then shout at my face, why are you trying to hide it?"
"Silver, I'm not angry with you."
"Don't lie!"
"... what makes you think I'm angry?"
"What makes me think?! Wh... Yo... Back there, you were about to... by me... I mean, anyone would have."
"Stop judging me based on this 'anyone would have' theory."
"... what?"
"I was a little upset, Silver, I'll be honest just like you said. But I didn't talk because I do what I see is right, and I avoid what I see isn't."
Yzmar turned his head back and looked him in the eyes, his face was shallow, empty, it was hollow without any emotion, but his half-closed green eyes were almost piercing through Silver's head.
"Silver, Turbo asked me the same thing, he wanted to know why I protected you and never gave you out."
"..."
"And I told him that there were two reasons, one of them is you being a fine engineer, so telling Gemik about it would only harm the factory."
Silver took a long sigh, and smiled, shaking his head.
"... I see... so it was just for the factory..."
"No... I said there were two reasons..."
"... then what's the other one?"
Yzmar diverted his gaze to the arm Silver was grabbing, Silver noticed his sudden sight shift and then realized that his grip was starting to hurt his arm. He released his arm and bowed in apology.
"Sorry."
Yzmar rubbed his arm and gazed at his feet in his turn.
"I was... embarrassed, or maybe afraid to say the other reason back then. I was wondering if it was alright to feel that way about a bunch of people I just met, I wondered if those feelings would be accepted or not at that time."
"... embarrassed?"
"I wanted to experience how it would be... how life would feel, when I'm surrounded with friends."
Silver's head rose up to look at him again, his eyes were wide open, what does that mean? Didn't Yzmar make any friends all his life? The human turned around again and began walking away, leaving the warehouse. Silver didn't move this time, his mind was still trying to decode what he just heard... how it would feel? Those words he said were heavy and only left Silver more and more puzzled.
Yzmar stood out the warehouse, raising his head up and taking a long breath, Claus saw him from afar and waved at him from under the tree. The human turned away, he hesitated for a second, until the wolf caught up on him and pulled him by the hand. He turned in surprise to Silver, and he was already shirtless, holding his shirt with his other paw as his chest fur swayed lazily with the wind.
"Whoa... S-Silver?"
"Forgot where your 'friends' gather already?"
"... h-huh?"
Silver smirked again, pulling his hand forcefully this time as he led him. Yzmar's face turned a bit red, even though he wore a panicked face, his skin couldn't hide the joy. He felt somewhat accepted, this feeling was strange and alien to him, but it was just as he always thought it would feel... fuzzy and warm...
Claus tapped playfully at both the human's shoulders as he chuckled, overjoyed to see him again. Soon, the owl came and was just as gay and playful as the rabbit, Flok and the bear just made do with a warm smile and small hello. Silver brushed his paw over Yzmar's hair and smiled.
"Heh, you wouldn't believe how everyone was worried sick about you."
Yzmar immediately remembered how they all showed up, they must have been there too when he was at the hospital. He suddenly got hugged by Claus and Zed at the same time, one from his left and the other from his right. Zed blew up as he overreacted.
"Yzmaaaaaaar, we thought you were gunna daaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiii~!"
Silver and Flok turned to one another and smiled sarcastically; the damn owl didn't give a care in the world back then and now is acting all drama queen on him. Yzmar felt awkward as he couldn't even push these guys off him, even the weakest looking two in the group had a strong grip.
"Enough, you guys... stop making a scene."
Everyone turned at Turbo as he finished his sentence and drank almost half of his soda bottle, he was sitting on the same bench, having the same soda in his hand and putting one foot over the other knee. Zed and Claus let go of the human and turned their attention to Turbo.
"So Turbo, why act so cold?"
"Yeeeeeeah, he's your mate after all, is he nooooooooot?!"
Yzmar blushed instantly, he knew that it would be out eventually but not that quick, he shook his hands in front of him in denial.
"Y-you guys... just because we live in th-"
He soon got cut off as Turbo stood again, took his shirt from his shoulder, placing it back at the bench and went for a hug without a word. Yzmar's face burned up even more, as Turbo broke the hug but still had his paws around him.
"T... Turbo?"
"They'd have known, anyway. They can smell me on you."
"... b... but..."
"Did you think putting colon will hide it? You should know better about furries, mate. Why do you think we never use colon or perfume?"
"..."
Silver tingled at Yzmar's chain from the back of his neck and smiled.
"Not just the smell, you're wearing a chain now."
Zed instantly pulled at Yzmar's collar a bit to uncover the bite mark on his shoulder, and laughed in innocence.
"Oooo, he's marked already, he's marked! Ohmegod, Shhhhock-KING!"
Yzmar, from his killing embarrassment, didn't say a single word, he just looked up at Turbo as the tiger gave him an I-told-you-so kind of a look. Zed snatched Yzmar from Turbo's embrace and began to check his body all around, then finally ended up with a violent handshake.
"But wow, you humans sure recover faaaaaaaaast~"
"... th-th-th-thank-k-ks f-f-f-for y-y-your c-c-c-cons-s-cern."
"Say, we never actually got the chance to introduce ourselves properly! And I bet you don't know my name yet, do you naaaoooooooowwww~?"
"... th-th-th-there's n-n-n-no n-n-n-need r-r-r-real-l-ly."
Zed stopped the handshaking and banged on his chest proudly, closing his eyes in self-admiration.
"Right, so here goes! Hi, I work in the Information Department, I'm Claus' instructor. My name begins with the letter Zed, and it sounds like the letter Zed... can you guess it?!"
"... Zed?"
The earthquake handshake came back once again.
"HOLY CRAP, VERY GOOD!!! My, oh my, I'm so lucky to have such intelligent friends... All of you guessed it right on the first try!"
'Er... I was just confused from the clues...'
Zed left Yzmar alone as he laughed and jumped around, thinking - for real - that he got yet another 'smart' friend. The human was stunned, however, still his mind needed some time to realize that there was actually no earthquake. Flok came closer and whispered in Yzmar's ear.
(He's always like that, just... play along, I guess... we all do.)
(... how can HE be Claus' mentor?)
(Well, the guy has talent, but he sure lacks reason.)
Silver gave a short mafia-like beckon with two fingers close to his left eye as he wore a bad glare.
"I'm sure you know it by now, but let's do it fashionably. Yo, I'm Silver, I'm your pupil in the Mechanics Department, nice to meet-cha!"
"Yeah... it's nice to meet you, too."
"Also... hey..."
"... hmm?"
Silver came close and held Yzmar's hand, he stared at him with his black eyes in a serious expression and lowered his head a bit in shame.
"I really want to come clean on things. I'm... err... sorry about that day, you know... it must have been difficult on you."
"Hey, don't worry about it, I've already forgotten that."
"..."
"Silver, we're friends now, are we not?"
"... yea... thanks, man!"
Flok smiled and crossed his arms in front of him, his feathers buffed out, looking somewhat bigger.
"Hey there, I'm Flok, and I work in the Supplies Department."
"... supplies?"
"Oh, it's the department that provides raw materials for the factory to work on, the Equipments Department - where Turbo works - depend on us for resources so they make the equipments that you, mechanics and engineers, need for work. The Information Department employees-"
Zed and Claus pointed at their selves as if saying 'that would be us' and smiled bashfully.
"-make a lot of research about the many test runs and experiments the factory holds, so we're connected with every department."
"Wow, I didn't know that... almost an independent factory!"
"Yeah, you can say that."
Kuma stepped up blankly and smiled shyly, holding the back of his head as it bowed down a bit.
"And I'm Kuma, me work with Flok, he's my senior... hiya..."
"Hey, nice to-"
"Me hug now, Bear Hug Time!"
"Eh?! Bear what now-?! HUNGGGGH!"
Kuma didn't wait for a second, he bashed his way in, held Yzmar up and gave him the most massive bear hug of his life, Yzmar's eyes got open wide, arcing his body back as he felt his bones screaming and begging for mercy. Claus' jaw hung down in shock as he went to Kuma, panicking.
"Oh, no... Kuma! He's a human, you'll get him killed!"
"Mmmmm, human skin feels nice~"
"KUMA!"
Turbo - surprisingly calm - came closer, held Kuma's claw and opened his hug slowly even though Kuma was squeezing hard at the human. Yzmar dropped down, out of breath, as Turbo pat Kuma in consent.
"Kuma, it's fine... bear hug time, but must you torture the poor guy?"
Kuma felt sad, as he eyed Yzmar with longing looks.
"But he felt good against my fur..."
"I've heard wolves are just as good, if not better."
"R-Really?!"
Kuma turned to Silver, who got alarmed by the looks on his eyes.
"Huh? H-Hey Turbo, you sick bully, don't give him funny id-"
"BEAR HUG TIME!"
"Ggg-haaaaaack!"
Claus helped Yzmar stand up again, as Turbo examined his chest.
"You alright?"
"... *pants~* I... *gasps~* think..."
"The wound didn't open again, did it?"
"No... *gasp~*... I'm ok... phew..."
"Tur... bo... you ff...fffuck... er..."
Everyone stared back at Silver as he got squeezed real hard, and just his luck; it looks like Kuma was seriously enjoying how his fur and mane felt against his hold.
"I... I-I'll... get y... you... for th-th-this... sss... I... sssswear!"
Turbo smiled back in a devilish stare, being a rascal from time to time sure feels good. Yzmar nudged the tiger as he looked at him seriously.
"You're... not angry, are you?"
"... I am... a little..."
"I told you I wa-"
"I also knew, somehow, that you wouldn't listen."
"..."
Turbo sighed and looked at him again, the human had his eyes hooked to the ground, still thinking if he did the right thing or just made him worry.
"Yzmar, you don't need to push yourself like that."
"... sorry, I..."
"Just try to remember that you need to keep your body in mind too."
"Excuse me"
Everyone turned to a brown lion in a white suit as he drew near and asked for their attention.
"I've been sent to look for the new human recruit."
"Yes, that would be me."
"The boss wants you in his office after the break."
"... Mister Lernar?"
"Yes, he wants to speak with you."
"About what?"
"Beats me, something to do with an 'abusing' behavior, he said."
Turbo's face stiffened up, he went back to his shirt and put it on.
"I'm coming with you, Yzmar."
"Err... is this really ok? He called for-"
"He probably will talk about what happened at the harbor."
"... I know, but-"
"I'm going, that's final."
Zed threw a playful smack at Yzmar's neck as he struck a cool pose.
"We're all going too, we all took part in that mess, riiiiiiiiiiight~?"
Yzmar turned around himself as he was surprised once again by everyone's support, they looked at him in reassuring glares and reactions. They weren't kidding at all, they were ready to go with him.
"But... but Mister Lernar might get-"
"Oooooooh, don't worry about hiiiiiiim, I'll take care of iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit~"
"... now I feel even more worried since it was you who said that."
"ORLY!? Glad I could help! Heheh... Juuuuuust leave it all to Zeddy!"
(... we're doomed...)
+++
Reaching Lernar's hallway, everyone could make the dragon's angry snarls from his office, seems like there's someone there already being loaded with stones and disappointment. It only helped in making Yzmar hesitate more about bringing everyone with him.
"Guys? Umm, maybe it's best if I enter alone, just wait at the door."
Everyone kept quiet for awhile then slowly nodded, agreeing fully at this sudden change in plan, only Turbo seems to still follow him.
(Turbo, what are you doing? You want to get me in trouble?)
(I said I'm coming, didn't I?)
(Yes, but he looks already angry enough to-)
(Then enough about this already, let's get in.)
(... still angry at me for coming, eh?)
(Shuddup and let's get this over with.)
They both entered as Yzmar knocked gently at the open door twice, Lernar was facing the big window when he turned his head a bit, looking back at them with his left eye. Gemik was standing there near his office, sulking and darting at the ground in shame. It was a strange sight; since Yzmar arrived, he could have sworn the undetached loyalty of Gemik to Lernar, and here he was scolding him for some reason.
"S-Sir Lernar?"
"Ah... you're here, please c..."
Lernar stopped as he noticed the tiger getting in as well.
"... is something wrong, Bosconovitch?"
"I wanted to come as well."
"... for what matter?"
"I believe I'm involved in your discussion, boss."
"... fine, go ahead and take a seat."
Yzmar sat on the couch, but Turbo stood near him, still eyeing Lernar in serious glares.
"... take a seat?"
"I'm good like this, boss."
"Suit yourself."
"Thank you."
Lernar returned to his chair and sat with a dreadful sigh, he brought his claws together and crossed his fingers as he rested his muzzle on top of his hands, his long purple tail hung motionless from his chair, only the tip getting sudden jerks at times.
"Mister Raz... Pardon, Yzmar."
"... *gulp~*"
"... are you nervous?"
"A little, yes."
"I wanted to have a quiet talk, if possible... about how three of our employees ended up dead not long ago."
Yzmar shivered as he recalled the three bulls that kidnapped him that day, he remained silent, wondering if there was really a way to stop what happened.
'Why didn't you tell them about the disease?'
'I was... scared... I-'
'Scared of what?'
'...'
'Whatever it was, does it really weigh heavier than three lives?'
'!!'
'Are you proud of yourself now, Yzmar?'
Lernar lit his pipe and went on.
"All medical expenses, as the contract agreed, are covered by FEVA, therefore we get updates and reports on every visit a staff member pays for any clinic or hospital."
"..."
"You've been there twice already, the first time is none of my business, but the second was timed with the time of those employees' death. And, based on what Gemik told me, they were abusing you."
"What?! Gemik was... there?"
Gemik looked at him and smiled, a little bit too excited, and - in a situation like this - it was uncalled for.
"I've kicked some asses there, man. I was invisible when everything turned to one big freak show! Wish you could have seen me-"
"ENOUGH~!"
Lernar thundered in his office, his shout almost made Gemik freeze in paralysis or turn invisible, Turbo and Yzmar just remained as silent as they could; Lernar's nature wasn't the feisty one, but everyone knew how dangerous a dragon get when he's aggravated. He took the pipe and, although the ashes didn't die completely, emptied it in his ash tray and sighed in effort. Gemik sulked again as he bowed in apology and stood silent, the dragon rubbed his forehead slowly, trying to calm down.
"Yzmar, I'm sorry, but I'm forced to change our contract a bit."
"... ch-change?"
"I'm asking to remove the limitation of your medical records to the whole factory, you know what I mean, right?"
Yzmar shivered again.
(Oh, no! It's the walking disease!)
(Waaaaaaaah~ I don't want to die!)
(No... St-stay away!)
(Why would they allow him in school?!)
(Beat it, corpse!)
(Go die somewhere else!)
"The whole..."
Yzmar turned to Lernar in shock, the dragon could almost feel some fear in his voice as the human's words came out weak, but there was nothing Lernar could do to make this easier.
"Hey, y-you can't do that..."
"I'm so sorry; I don't want anything like this to reoccur."
"But-"
"Yzmar!"
"..."
"I do respect your terms, that's why I agreed at first. However, if that-"
Turbo came close to Lernar's office and banged hard on the table, still glaring at the dragon. Yzmar and Gemik trembled in fear as they felt jolts rising in the room. Lernar didn't move a muscle, his eyes got fixed on the tiger in questioning glowers. His eyes were so fierce he could kill any weak-hearted person with just a glare, but Turbo was in his turn angry.
"With all due respect, boss... but I think you're going too far."
"... Bosconovitch, I agreed on you staying here because I don't want him to panic, do NOT... make me regret my decision."
"To hell with why you allowed me to stay, I would have stayed anyway!"
"Listen, you insolent tiger, this doesn't concern you in any way."
"I'm his friend, it concerns me a great deal."
"Aren't you over-reacting for just a friend?"
"SO WHAT IF WE'RE TOGETHER? YOU'RE BEIN-"
"DO NOT RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME, YOU CUR!"
Gemik and Yzmar almost swallowed their own tongues at this scene, both Lernar and Turbo aren't ready to back off from the other, and they are getting more and more intensive. Gemik turned to Yzmar in worried looks, but Yzmar was in no better shape than him, they both wanted to stop it but were also afraid of getting mixed up in all this. Gemik finally gathered his courage and stepped forward, waving his hands at them to calm them down a bit and get their attention.
"P-Please, don't fight like that, you'll only-"
"SHUT IT, YOU!"
"!!"
Turbo snarled at him in anger, and turned again to Lernar, who seemed to actually get Gemik's message, he lightened up and sat back at his chair.
"BOSS, DON'T YOU DARE-"
"Shut up for a second, Bosconovitch."
"NO, YOU LISTEN TO-"
"Shut up or I'll have to shut you... Bosconovitch..."
"..."
"This is no small matter here, the factory lost three employees even if they were the ones at fault. The factory can give felonies to anyone breaking the rules or commit such degrading acts, but now FEVA needs to act quickly to bring worthy replacements or else the whole factory's work will be delayed."
"... but still-"
"I'm sure you, above all, can understand my point of view."
"... I..."
Lernar turned back again to Yzmar, he was listening to him all this time in thought, the dragon felt a little guilty for his resolution but it has to be done.
"Yzmar, I didn't want to do this myself as well, but try to understand the position I'm in-"
"Alright."
Turbo opened his eyes wide, not believing what he just heard, he turned to Yzmar and his face was full of questions aimed at the human, but Yzmar kept staring at the small table in front of him, lost in his own mind.
"Yzmar!"
"..."
Lernar stood up and went to the big window behind his chair, not the least happy about what he just forced his new recruit to agree on.
"So you approve of scratching that item from the contract?"
"... I guess I don't have any other choice... should I refuse, you..."
"..."
Yzmar sat there for awhile, not believing that he will have to go through all this again. His tension suddenly decreased a little, as he felt a warm paw pressing on his right shoulder. Yzmar took a big breath, then finally his voice came back to him, his eyes returned strong again, and said without hesistating this time.
"Alright, Sir Lernar, I don't mind."
Lernar turned slowly back, looking at Yzmar in confusion. The human stood up in a blank look about his face while Gemik was just as puzzled. But Turbo was glaring at him supportively, he kept quiet since he knew that Yzmar must have a good reason for hiding it.
"... are you sure?"
"I no longer need to hide it, I was scared from telling everyone, I was scared that I wouldn't be seen or approved of as the person I am."
Yzmar smiled at himself, hiding it was a must before. But now... now he has friends who are still by his side, even after knowing about The Grim. He has been shutting himself away from everyone, but he'll no longer do so, for he's stepping out and letting what happens happens. He walked slowly from the couch to the office's door, just to stop there and turn again to the dragon who was looking back at him.
"Sir Lernar, I agree, the factory's progress comes above everything."
"... I am sorry for doing this, Yzmar."
"No, don't be... I admire your choice."
"..."
"But only the medical report, nothing else."
"I'll make sure the new item in the contract strictly clears that part."
"Much apprecia-"
"No, it is I who should be thankful, Yzmar. You're a great asset to the factory yet you didn't think twice about giving up on your rights for FEVA, your loyalty to us strike me speechless and puts me in shame. I'm wondering if we really deserve having you as a fellow employee."
"Sir Lernar, you complement me way more than I deserve. Well, then... if there isn't anything else?"
"Only one remark, and a rather bold one at that too."
Yzmar stood silent, grieving at himself for giving that formal question before leaving.
"Yes, Sir Lernar?"
"I'm giving you this week off."
Yzmar's look suddenly changed, he couldn't hide his irritated face though he tried, and his mouth just moved on its own.
"... what the hell? What for?!"
Lernar smiled at his reaction, it's rare to find an employee who frowns on having days off. Yzmar was the only human in the factory, and such a human he was.
"I've smelt your blood, you still have a fresh wound on you."
"... so? What if my wound didn't heal completely yet? I can still-"
"I believe you're skipping on your doctor's recommendations to rest."
"!!"
"I did say your medical updates are carried on straight to FEVA since we cover the expenses, so I want you to take good care of yourself first. I know what's best for the factory, but that also means what's good for the employee is good for the factory too."
"I have no objection there, but... a whole week?!"
"Consider it... a punishment?"
"For wha-"
Remembering the three bulls, Yzmar stopped, he glared down in anger and finally gave up aruging. Turbo's face lightened up a bit, he turned to Yzmar and smiled.
"See? Even the boss thinks you should rest!"
"... tch."
"Hey, that's no way to accept your boss' kindness..."
"... *grumble~*... th... thank you for your concern, Sir Lernar."
Lernar shook his head.
"Just don't push yourself too hard, you can stay today until the end of your work hours, after that you need to rest."
"Thank you for your good guidance, Sir Lernar."
Lernar bowed, as Yzmar and Turbo left the office. Gemik took a long breath and smiled at Lernar, all cheery again.
"God, I was really afraid for a second... but I was shocked, they mated?"
"Yes, I was worried too since Turbo hated humans, but Yzmar was clearly drenched in his smells, not to mention how Turbo reacted."
"What are the odds to that?!"
"Maybe Turbo doesn't hate humans anymore after meeting Yzmar."
"..."
"I know you aren't anymore, Gemik..."
Gemik smiled as he disappeared, walked out side the office and closed the door behind him. He looked at Turbo and Yzmar walking away in the hallway, as Turbo soon got his paw on Yzmar's further shoulder, pulling him a little bit closer to himself as they met the rest of the group.
"Heh, Yzmar had nothing to do with it, I just hate a particular human, that's all there is to it. Yzmar is... important to me, too... heheh..."
+++
"Alright, everyone, thank you for your hard work today."
Everyone took a sigh of fatigue as they shut off their engines, smiling in satisfaction as test runs are proving to be much smoother lately, all relating to the arrival of Yzmar to the factory. Yzmar washed a sweat drip off his forehead as he continued jotting down his notes in a test form, wanting to at least finish what's in his hand before calling it a day. But soon, his form got snatched off his hand, he turned right to the doer, and Silver was smirking at him devilishly.
"Work's off, didn't you hear Gemik?"
"Hey, give that back!"
"Not gunna happen."
"Silver, I want this form done before I go, don't be a jerk!"
Silver hung his tongue out and began running around in a comical way.
"Not if you can't catch me, you won't."
"Silver, you retard!!"
Yzmar started running after him, as the wolf deliberately slowed down until Yzmar was so close to catch up, then he threw the form to someone else. The fox caught the form and laughed lightly as he waved the form at Yzmar, provoking him. The human started running from one furry to another, as they began teasing and playfully running away from him. But suddenly, Yzmar's face turned pale, he dropped on one knee as he bowed his body forward, one hand to the ground and the other on his chest, gasping and panting. Silver, alarmed by that, got quickly to him down on one knee.
"Hey, hey... you ok?"
"... I... *pants~* yes, it's just..."
"You're tired... I'm sorry, we were just fooling around."
Silver helped him up, as he held the form in his other paw, Yzmar instantly snatched the form and took a step back, while Silver got taken aback by his swift movement.
"Eh?!"
"Wops, somebody's letting his guard down."
Yzmar smiled and stuck his tongue out in his turn, which got Silver smiling in amazement. He caught Yzmar with his arm around his neck and dug his paw in his head, as the human laughed at him wickedly.
"Dude, what was that for? That looked almost real!"
"Heheh, I'm sorry, I'm *ouch~* Hey, I said sorry... please stop, it hurts..."
"Damn, I was like, oh shit, what should I do? Turbo's gunna kill me."
Everyone gathered around him as they all laughed it out, Silver let go of his neck and gave him a playful push, wearing his usual smirk. He noticed the human wiping off a tear from his eye despite his laughter.
*"... you alright?" *
"I'm fine, I'm just... don't worry, something got inside my eyes, it's nothing."
"Heh, you sure got me scared, almost wetting my pants."
"I apologize for worrying you all, I really wanted to finish this form before leaving since I've been forced to get this week off."
"Alright, have it your way, workworm."
Finally finishing up, Yzmar returned everything to its proper place and had one last look at the engines before walking out the warehouse's big shutter door. He rubbed his shoulders as he stepped out, and noticed that Turbo was waiting for him at the factory's gate.
"Took you long enough to leave the warehouse."
"... sorry, did I make you wait long?"
"Don't worry about it, I was just hoping you don't have plans tonight."
"... plans?"
"Guess that's a no?"
"..."
Turbo flashed in happiness, he stepped to his car and opened the passenger's door as he invited Yzmar in.
"Great, we'll go to the apartment to change and we'll be off."
"We'll be off to... where?"
"That's the surprise, don't be hasty."
"..."
+++
"Well, we're here!"
Yzmar took a long look at the dashing cruise in front of him, the ship was white in color and the countless lights reflecting on the sea made it look like the ship was soaring on black space.
"The surprise was... a sea tour?"
"Actually, it's a restaurant. A really stylish one, and while everyone's aboard, it will go side by side with the city, and then back to these docks. The whole process will take around three hours, so we'll-"
"You said to 'wear whatever makes you comfortable', you jerk..."
Yzmar turned to him and he was in a clean black suit with a small red tie, the tiger was just glittering with fashion while he wore a simple pair of trousers and a white shirt with a brown, almost aged-up jacket.
"... and then I find out that you meant 'wear something stylish' instead?"
"What? No, I really meant anything that makes you comfy."
"Oh please, and that suit 'makes' you comfy?"
"It... does."
"... *sigh~*... forget it..."
"..."
"But why did you want me to take off the pendant?"
"Well, you're with me, you don't really need it."
"True, but it was strange."
"Oh, stop worrying about simple details!"
'... simple, he said...'
"We're here, so let's just enjoy this evening, ok?"
"... I suppose we might as well."
The tiger smiled warmly, as he led the way with Yzmar following him, still not sure if he should stop this or not, but he was tired to even think or care about this any further. Turbo was nice enough to take him out for this cruise, he could at least show some gratitude.
The inside was way more tasteful than the outside, it felt like they were in a five-star hotel or something. The design of the ship was amazing; there were three levels, on every floor scattered countless tables and chairs, with a particular theme, colors and furniture for every floor. Turbo booked a table for two in the top floor, and - little did Yzmar know - that was the most expensive one. The place was full of red and gold, a mixture of jasmines and roses decorating every possible corner, and a big statue of a tree leaf stood proudly in the middle.
Yzmar suddenly came back to his senses as he realized he was standing at the entrance in awe while blocking on other couples and rich families to step in. He gave a hasty apology as he turned around and almost broke a sweat just finding where Turbo have disappeared to, he made his way to the table and sat heavily in discomfort while the tiger was satisfied with the blow he aimed at him.
"This... this place... how the hell?"
"For you to be this impressed, I think it's job well-done."
"What is this?! This is no average place at all!"
"Well, I... might not be the 'average' tiger you thought I was?"
"... cut the crap, Turbo, or else you wouldn't be working for FEVA-"
"FEVA is a big company, just because I'm working at some factory, it doesn't mean I'm poor or anything."
"Just how 'rich' are you to manage something like this?"
"... is that how you show gratitude?"
"Gratitude?! When you said wear something comfy, I never expected anything like this!"
"Back with the little details..."
"Turbo, I'm freaking serious, what the hell's goin-"
"Look, just settle down and take a chill pill, ok? Why so panicked?"
"..."
"Don't worry about expenses or anything, I'm taking care of all that."
"H-Hold on, now, that's not the point at all..."
"Hey..."
Yzmar fell in silence as Turbo's look turned serious now, he sat straight on his chair and his glares showed concern.
"Relax... alright?"
"... but, Turb-"
"No buts."
"..."
"I know this might be so sudden and without even a short notice."
"It's so freaking sudden, yes!"
"I said I know, I promise I won't do it again."
"..."
"Please, just try to have it cool, it's my way of saying sorry."
Yzmar looked at him for a bit, puzzled.
"What are you being sorry for?"
"..."
"Heavens, man, is it going to be like this everytime you apologize?!"
Turbo couldn't stop a chuckle, although Yzmar was still confused. Just what is he doing? This is way unexpected for just an apology, what was Turbo thinking? Turbo reached with his paw across the table and held Yzmar's hand reassuringly.
"This time just happens to be special, don't worry."
"... your birthday?"
"... *chuckles~* no, not my birthday."
"Mine?"
"Like I even know th... wait, is it yours today?"
"No."
"... ugh."
"Then what?"
"Let's just eat first, aren't you starving?"
Yzmar said nothing, getting even more puzzled, a panther waiter came and placed two menus in front of them, as he awaited their orders patiently.
"Lovely evening, gentle men. So what will it be for the night?"
Yzmar just looked for something and didn't really care what he was having; his need for food didn't really strike him that high yet, he handed the panther the menu again, picking something cheap at random... although even the cheapest choices weren't so... cheap...
"I'll be taking Che's Creole Crab & Chicken Jambalaya, please."
"A great choice of seafood dish, sir. May I suggest a kind of Champaign that would go along just perfectly?"
"I... ugh... I don't drink that kind of stuff. A typical fresh orange juice would make my day."
"Very well, sir. How about any appetizers?"
Yzmar was struck silent... appetizers? What are those? He never had to eat his meals in a restaurant before, and so he didn't really know what or how he should reply.
"Uhmm..."
"... If you like, I can suggest a couple of things-"
Turbo closed his menu and handed the panther, cutting him off as he did.
"I'll pick an appetizer for him."
"... sure thing, sir."
"Bring for him well-chopped Green Garden salad, sprinkled in olive oil."
"A fine combo to go with the seafood dish, excellent choice, sir!"
"And for me, I'll make do with just a main dish, Imam Bayildi. Bring two, as I plan to let him taste it."
"And your drink, sir?"
"Red Cherry."
"Of course, sir. Right away."
Yzmar thought about the name and sighed in his thoughts... he looked at Turbo and tilted his head a bit.
"Imam... what?"
"Heheh, I don't know what it means myself, I just-"
"I know what it means, I was only surprised by the name..."
"Really? I just like how the meat tastes... it's so awesome I could faint."
"You... almost guessed the meaning of the name right there."
"... eh? Seriously? What does it mean, then?"
"Imam Bayildi... it means 'the priest has fainted' in Greek, if I remember correctly..."
"For real?"
"Not really sure if it has anything to do with a myth or something, but that's what the name means."
"Wow, good thing I'm no priest."
Turbo laughed at his own comment, while Yzmar eyed him laughing. He looks in a good mood tonight, telling him tonight about it might be the easiest time, if it was ever easy. He was about to open his mouth, but he didn't want the food he ordered to taste awful later, so he thought the best time would be telling him all about it after they eat.
+++
"Man! I just can't resist this place."
Turbo relaxed his back to the chair and closed his eyes in glee, feeling stuffed. Yzmar, however, couldn't enjoy his food as much as Turbo did. He tried his best to eat as much as he could from his plate not to look rude, although he didn't feel hungry. He gaped at the table's fancy designs and couldn't help but shiver at the thought of the costs.
"... just the look on this ship, it must be so expensi-"
"Oh, would you stop worrying about the bill? I told you I had it all taken care of."
"..."
Turbo finished his Cherry glass as he burped quietly, looking back at Yzmar and noticing his empty glares at the table. The human isn't so pleased for some reason, it puzzled him why he wasn't enjoying himself being at such a delicate place for a change.
"So how did you like that dish?"
"I said it was one of a kind, should I say more?"
"Just saying 'one of a kind' doesn't necessarily mean you liked it."
Yzmar rolled his eyes at him, annoyed and bugged by his question.
"It tastes like... seafood?"
"God, we should really work on that... you sound like a delinquent."
"I'm sorry, I never had-"
Yzmar diverted his gaze at his half-filled juice, mesmerized at how the two cubes of ice were floating one over the other.
"I've never had the honor to live a day like the rich."
Turbo fell in silent for a bit, irritated that something just had to happen and ruin the mood of this night, this wasn't supposed to happen. Maybe this cruise wasn't the best place after all.
"Hey..."
"..."
"Remember what I said yesterday? Don't worry about the past so much, you can start from square one today."
"It's... hard to forget your past, Turbo."
Turbo lost his words in silence again, remembering how he himself couldn't move from his past until he met him. He suddenly lost himself thinking about his own past...
'Dad... mom...'
He instantly shook his head and smiled to himself.
'There are... good humans after all... just like he said.'
Turbo looked at Yzmar again while he was spacing out, and words failed to express his feelings right now, Turbo wanted to tell him how lucky he is to find him, he wanted him to know that he, without realizing it, saved him from his own cage, he wanted to tell him a lot of things... the tiger just didn't know how to do that, he was never so good with words...
"Yzmar..."
"Huh?"
Turbo stood from his chair, pushed it back and then walked near him. Without a word, he fell on one knee, kneeling in front of Yzmar's shocked eyes, it also brought the attention of the tables around them, and the tables beyond also stole stares. The whole floor got almost quiet it made Yzmar burn red again.
"Turbo?! What are you d-"
"Yzmar..."
"... the heck are you kneeling for? Get up, everybody's lookin-"
"I know it's an almost unspoken fact that we're already together."
"... what..."
"I just couldn't relax, the way I declared it was inappropriate at all back then."
Turbo put one paw inside his tuxedo's inner pocket, then took out a small red cube, holding it with both paws as he looked at him.
"I wanted this to be... as fitting as it should."
"... you're... prop-"
"Yes, Yzmar..."
Turbo's voice suddenly got louder, as if he's announcing their engagement to the whole floor, which made Yzmar even more embarrassed.
"I, Turbo Autumn Bosconovitch, love you to no end, and want you as my mate."
"!!"
"Yzmar, do you... accept me as yours?"
"..."
Turbo smiled warmly, his paws opening the cube and revealing the pendant, resting proudly on a small pink pillow. Yzmar finally realized why Turbo took the pendant from him, he looked away from him, staring at the table while Turbo was kneeling to his right, awaiting his reply in eagerness.
"Just say yes..."
"..."
Yzmar sat there for awhile, his mouth sealed and his thoughts deep, he was afraid to open this issue to him, but it seems like Turbo was planning to start from this night for it to be official. He was almost ready to tell him about it, but Turbo just had to go on and propose like that in public. His heart raced quickly, but his mind's voice was stronger.
'That's your chance right there, Yzmar.'
'...'
'You've been troubled about how you should confront him with it, the guy still didn't decide any engagements since he seeks your formal approval first. You can end it all here.'
'...'
'Yzmar, no second doubts now, you've been thinking about it since this morning, you should do what's right... do not think otherwise.'
The crowd around them were all silent; seeing such a scene wasn't unexpected in this restaurant, but it's always worth observing. This is the start of a new couple, and every couple deserves a good start, that's why everyone remains silent and watch in support, as if their minds are with the proposing tiger, even the waiters stopped their work and stood still while watching that particular table.
What happened next was shocking, Yzmar stood up from his chair, his eyes fixed at the table and never looked at Turbo for even a second. His face had no emotions whatsoever, nothing that suggests refusal or acceptance. It was scary the way it happened, Turbo's eyes got wider in disbelief, his ears twitching as it didn't catch yet the words he thought he'd hear, nor did his eyes see the emeralds he adored for so long.
"... thank you for the meal."
"Y-Yzmar?!"
The human didn't utter another word, even his sport shoes walked silently on the red carpets. Turbo wanted to stand, his mouth wanted to scream the word 'stop' and his paw wanted to grab his arm and plead for an explanation, on what account is he acting like this? Despite his exploding need to get an answer, his body never responded at that time, his bent kneeling leg couldn't stand no matter how much he tried, it felt like it was chained down to the ground. His jaw was open a bit from the shock, but never moved... all he could do was darting his eye on this one human as he left the hall, in front of thousands of paralyzed customers and waiters, as he tried his best to keep his heart from cutting itself in two.
Whispers suddenly scattered across the tables, whispers questioning the relationship of them, the reason behind this strange behavior, the possibility of them getting along... all kinds of guesses suddenly emerged as well, but none of it really mattered for Turbo, he finally snapped as the panther waiter laid his paw on his shoulder.
"Sir..."
"... what..."
"Sir, are you alright?"
Turbo's senses suddenly came back, he stood up again and turned at the panther, still not believing the last 5 minutes of his life. His foot was still heavy and his eyes were still wide open, his mind rushed to work twice as fast, just to digest what happened, where he went wrong this time and what he should do. The panther stood silent, a little sad at how his customer ended up, he bent down taking the red cube, and took Turbo's paw as he helped him to take it back in his paw.
"Sir, be strong."
Turbo's stare turned to the cube as he felt it being place in his paw, his emotions and feelings from his past rushed back to his head.
"He... he's..."
"... sir?"
Turbo let out a small chuckle, as he brought his other paw to his face, covering his eyes as he tried to shut his past and push it away whenever it came too close to his vision. He thought he could finally live again, live away from this killing feeling of vengeance and all that crap. He wanted to believe that all those years he was wrong about humans, even now on this very table he was about to actually realize such a thing...
"Sir?"
The waiter's voice brought him back to reality, as the panther stared at his face in concern. Without any more words, or any more wasted minutes, Turbo pressed on the cube and turned to the exit, running out the hall.
'If I have time to wonder about why it happened, then I have time to find him and know for sure... face to face...'
Everyone looked at the exit as the tiger disappeared as well, their hearts suddenly sunk down lower than they should, maybe this was the first rejection in this hall's history, the first and probably the most memorable one indeed, as it was between a couple that stand out so easily in the hall; a well-built handsome tiger, and a calm, surprisingly green-haired-green-eyed thin human. From the first moment as the tiger knelt near him, everyone's heart stopped momentarily as they thought 'I knew it' or 'Oh wow, a couple?'... But now, it was as if the tiger's sorrow loomed over the floor, this was the first time the 'top' floor ever felt so... down...
+++
'Why the hell did you walk away like that?!'
'Oh, give him a break, will you? It's already hard enough as it is."
'That's exactly why he should have said it and not delay this any further.'
'Brain, you should understand Yzmar's emotions better than that.'
'To hell with his emotions, we're talking about a tiger's life here!'
Yzmar kept walking, sulking in blank as his mind and heart exchanged turns in their everlasting arguments. He let out a dried-up sigh, feeling dizzy all of a sudden.
"Uunngh~!"
He sat down on the lowest deck and put a hand to his chest.
'Yzmar!'
'See? Now he's all worked up trying to figure out which path to take.'
'Shut up, you bastard, how can you say that?'
'What good does it bring? His case isn't-'
"ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU!"
His thoughts finally became blank, he was no longer able to hear their quarrel as he turned and laid his back to the wall, still feeling dizzy from the sea.
"... breathe... be strong... that's it..."
He soon got up, in front of a couple's confused gazes since his shout at his heart and mind was way out loud, they were exchanging flirts when he shouted at them.
"... wow, what's wrong with him?"
"Heh, he must be straight, feeling disgusted at us."
"..."
"Don't give him any attention, love."
"Oh Flin."
Yzmar began walking again on weedy feet, rubbing his face with his hands several times as the cold blowing wind almost freezed his nose and cheeks. And all the while, Turbo was searching from one side to another in the ship, cursing his bad luck that Yzmar doesn't own a cell phone. The tiger kept asking around, one after the other... did you see a green-haired human nearby?
The atmosphere was unbearable at the top floor now, everyone's heart felt heavy. The panther waiter stared at their table, noticing how the human didn't finish his plate, and remembering the troubled looks about him ever since they entered the ship. He was hard to ignore since a green-haired human was strange and interesting, not to mention him being with a good-looking tiger. His mind played the moment again as Yzmar stood, not even looking at Turbo, thanking him coldly for his treat and walking out on him. That was no normal refusal, there was more to it than refusal; the human clearly didn't want to refuse, but couldn't accept either, it troubled the kind waiter greatly. He soon unbuttoned his jacket and loosened at his ribbon as he began walking towards the hall's exit in short strong steps, other waiters also walked his path, and surprisingly enough even some customers left their tables to join them... all having one thought in mind:
Find that human.
Turbo was breathing heavily by now, the ship was too big, and he wasn't as athletic as he used to be back at his former job. He stood at the top deck, placing both paws at his knees as he bent his chest down, panting. His mind was still bothering him with his past.
(Marcus, stop!)
(...)
(Don't move! Please, don't force me to shoot you!)
(... you do realize that you're pointing an empty gun, right?)
(... crap!)
(You know what I always say...)
(Marcus, don't do this.)
(When you point a gun at someone, you should be ready to shoot OR READY TO GET SHOT!)
(Marcuuuus!)
(TURBO, DUCK!)
_ _
Turbo shook his head again, pushing the past back to the depths of his mind once more. He knew that sooner or later all this will have to explode inside him one day, but he begged his body to stay strong tonight, at least tonight.
"Sir tiger!"
Turbo turned at the familiar voice, it was the same panther from before. Turbo's gaze gradually changed into a surprised gawk; there were lots of people with him, they all looked at him in reassuring eyes and - without saying a word - everyone scattered about the place, looking in every corner and checking every turn. The panther helped Turbo to stand again, as the tiger looked at him in confusion.
"W... what's going on?"
"I told you to stay strong, sir. We're all with you."
"... huh?!"
"You're looking for him, aren't you? We'll help you find him."
"... you guys..."
"Let's go, sir."
"... right!"
The top deck suddenly was full of movement and motion, there were all kinds of furries running about: businessmen, family, couples, schoolgirls, waiters, cleaners... the rest of the furries who happened to be on the top deck were amazed and asked them what's going on, and - after grasping the whole thing - some of them even joined the search. The look of all these people helping out struck Turbo hard, they have no benefit in helping out, absolutely nothing at all, yet everyone's so eager to make this work.
With pointless steps, Yzmar ended up at the far end of the ship; the rear deck. he noticed the place being filled with couples and lovers, all taking a spot as they stood close to their mates, staring at the the starry night. A group of otters took a corner on the deck and were practicing their band's preformance, the sounds of violins and string instruments filled the air with a romantic atmosphere that added to the beauty of the place. Yzmar stood there, in the middle of them all, still thinking about how he should face Turbo with his thoughts.
After a while, two schoolgirl kittens rushed from afar, heading towards Turbo and shouting.
"You! Sir! The... err... orange tiger with black lines!"
"..."
They both panted as they stood near him, looking seriously at his face. One of them clutched at her cell phone as she managed to speak.
"Our friend... *pants~*... she told us on the phone..."
"... told you what?"
"She was going to the middle floor where the souvenir shop was, and she said she came across a green-haired human not long ago, just at the steps in the middle deck."
"Middle deck! Is he there now?!"
"She wasn't sure, she didn't know what happened at the diner since she left early. I asked her on the phone and she said she'll keep looking."
The panther turned to everyone around him who overheard the girl.
"All of you go to the middle deck and look for him too, the rest should stay in case he returns here."
Turbo suddenly realized how grateful he was for everyone at that moment, he couldn't imagine how he'd find him alone in this maze of a ship, he patted the panther's shoulder as he rushed his way to the stairs.
"S... Sir!"
"I'm going to the middle deck too, I'll keep you in charge here."
"... you can count on me, sir."
'I'm really indebted to all of you.'
Yzmar was at the far end of the deck, looking down at the water being disturbed by the ship as he held the fence with both hands, allowing the musical tunes to play in his ears. His face was empty, a lonely glare of misery swarmed in his eyes. Everyone around him was struck speechless at the beauty of the night, all of them were in the hold of their loved ones, relishing every second of their time together... everyone but this human, who stood there with nothing but the blues of his curse as a companion for life. His grip at the fence tightened more, but quickly eased up and relaxed, as Yzmar didn't think it matters anymore.
'You need to tell him, you'll just hurt yourself more the longer you delay it.'
'Just shut up, alright?'
'...'
'Yzmar, listen to me, I know you love him, I know you want this as much as he does, maybe you want it more than he does, in fact.'
'Pssh'
'Quiet, you!'
'... whatever...'
'Yzmar, I understand completely, you want to walk away so you won't hurt him. But even if-'
"It's alright, I don't mind..."
'W... what?'
"... it hurts me a lot, like million needles poking at my heart to the point of piercing... but never really get inside... they just stay there... forever."
'Yzmar...'
He reached with one hand and held the middle of his chest, feeling the bandage under his fluffy shirt. He stood silent, and the voices in his head didn't say more than that, already catching the full meaning of his pain.
Turbo, meanwhile, was breaking many sweats just trying to find him, he went to the middle deck's far end and looked again at the furries, couples and families there, he narrowed his eyes a bit, thinking he might have missed him the first time he checked, but no good... Yzmar wasn't there. He turned around himself twice, repeating 'where are you' several times in his mind.
"Sir!!"
Turbo looked up at the panther's shout, as the panther looked down at him from the top deck. He shouted something but the honk of the ship spluttering almost broke the panther's voice entirely, the only thing Turbo was able to make out was the word 'human' and 'there'. The panther tried calling again, but the honk didn't seem like it would shut up anytime soon, so he stepped with both feet on the middle of the fence's horizontal iron bars and pointed over yonder several times. Turbo, instantly getting the message, went to the end of the middle deck and looked over his own fence down to the lowest deck... and there he was... Yzmar was still there, both his hands at his ears from the honk's strong blow. Turbo called his name... twice... twice more... he soon banged at the fence in anger, as he stood on it, and dropped down to the lowest deck.
Everyone soon got news of finding the human, and so - from all the ship's decks - they all went to the ship's rear, as they stood there, needing to witness how this is going to end, and see if they can help more in any way. Their hearts all merging as one with Turbo as he gulped and stood straight behind Yzmar, around fifteen feet away. Finally the honk died out, and Yzmar brought his hands off from his ears and rested them on the fence again. The otters were about to continue their practice, but soon noticed - as the rest of the couples there - that something was going on, they remained quiet like the rest and observed in curiosity.
Even after finally finding him, the tiger was suddenly struck in fear, he wanted to move closer, but there was something... unseen, blocking his way, his lips parted to speak, but his mind was afraid of hearing an answer that it didn't want to hear. His paws clutched tightly to encourage himself, his eyes shut tight, trying his best to control himself... but Yzmar spoke to him first.
"... Turbo."
"!!"
"Is that you?"
"Y... Yzmar..."
Remembering the way he left the hall, Turbo suddenly sat on his knees in front of everyone's surprise, his feet were bent under him as his paws rested on his legs, as if he was sitting in some kind of a dojo... or just begging... Yzmar was still facing down the water.
"Yzmar, did I say something... awful?"
"..."
"Is it because of the place? I wanted to bring you to something classy, I just... I thought you'd be impressed by the luxorious cruise."
Yzmar smiled at himself, remembering how that Amado fox wanted to hook his attention using money too. Turbo went on...
"Or... is it the way I proposed?"
"..."
"It is, isn't it? It was too bold, and in front of many people without any notice... I should have-"
"Turbo, it's none of that."
Turbo instantly stood again on his feet, worried even more that he couldn't pinpoint the problem yet.
"Then... what... what is it?"
"Turbo... I'm sorry, I... I don't think it's going to work out..."
Once again, his past swarmed in his mind, but - with gritting teeth - Turbo succeeded again in pushing it back. He looked with teary eyes, unsatisfied.
"Yzmar, I need a clear answer... what's wrong?"
"..."
"If you... if you were planning on ending it all here, then... what about all what you've said yesterday?"
"..."
"TALK, DAMIT! WHY AREN'T YOU SAYING A DAMN THING?!"
Everyone's existence trembled, afraid of this sudden burst of anger to screw everything. Yzmar turned slowly, looking back at him with his face still empty of any emotion, Turbo noticed his eyebrow scar bleeding slowly from the stress. Instantly, he understood the meaning of that sad look; Yzmar didn't want it to be like this too, he's being forced by something... something he doesn't know about...
"Yzmar... please... I thought we already opened up to one another."
"... we did."
"Then tell me... you can tell me whatever that hurts your mind."
"... I..."
"... what is it?"
"I'm sorry... I don't think it would... work out..."
"Was it too soon?"
"..."
Turbo sighed and let out an awkward smile, hoping inside himself that this is all there is to it.
"It's alright, I don't mind... take your time thinking about it, I'm sorry I jumped into-"
"Turbo... I meant it wouldn't work... at all..."
Turbo stood silent, the string that he caught with his paw suddenly disappeared, and his mind was drowning in questions again. Yzmar's gaze went down, staring at the space between them.
"It's like Fate is laughing at my face, it's like I can get to experience how my life would have been without The Grim just when there's not much of it left."
"Bullshit!"
"..."
"What's going on in that small head of yours, Yzmar? You're still young, you have a lot ahead of you."
"No I don't... this illness was-"
"This illness is nothing, we can get through it, the doctor said it himself."
"Nothing can get through death, Turbo."
"STOP TALKING LIKE THAT! YOU ARE ALIVE NOW, ARE YOU NOT?!"
Some other furries were alarmed by all the shouting and the crowd forming at the rear of the ship, they were wondering about what was going on, and listening to everything they said so far it felt like a twist in some drama movie.
"Wow, this feels super real!"
"Some seriously awesome twists, huh?"
"Yeah! An illness that cannot be cured... nice blow!"
"Who are these actors? I've never seen them before."
"The tiger looks dashing..."
"Hey, if this was a movie, then where is the camera crew?"
"Hmm, maybe they are practicing their roles, or something."
All the while, the panther never moved an inch from his standing point; his heart was beating with effort as he stared at them both from the top deck. The two schoolgirls drew near him as they looked down in their turn.
"Will he succeed? He's so angry."
"..."
"I fear this anger would make things even worse."
"We don't know them well to judge, let's pray for them."
Yzmar shook his head at Turbo as he sulked down, reaching with one hand to wipe the trail of blood, only letting more blood to slide in its place. His body was barely hanging on from all the pressure this situation drawn him in.
"Turbo, will you answer my question honestly?"
"..."
"Why did you love me?"
"WHAT?!"
"One look at us both and anyone can guess we're far from being the same."
"The... fuck?!"
Turbo's anger began building up gradually... not the same... those words, those despicable, very same words... Turbo began walking slowly towards him, his paw rolled up in a tight fist and his glare was so sharp it would have made Yzmar swallow his words if he wasn't looking at his feet. Yzmar went on, his eyes hooked to his white sport shoes and his face almost froze from the cold wind.
"Turbo... you're wealthy, good-looking, kind and a loving person."
By now, only 11 feet separated the two...
"For me to fall for you, it's not a surprise at all... but..."
8 feet between the two...
"But I fail to understand why you loved me... I..."
5 feet...
"I'm... decrepit, pathetic, far from being rich... and... I'm..."
When Turbo was 3 feet away, the human finally noticed him getting close, Yzmar left his head to him, and his eyes were aimed at Turbo but were seeing something else...
"... Cursed..."
"Tch!"
That's when everyone got frozen, the wind whistled hard as the fence's iron bars almost echoed in their ears. Yzmar struggled a bit, finding himself back at the fence, the cold iron bar being under his right arm. He reached with his other hand and sensed the side of his mouth as it pulsed in pain, that iron-like taste lingered in his mouth, he looked at his hand and he suddenly realized what happened. He looked again at Turbo, and his eyes spoke of anger and sadness merged in one hateful look. His paw was red from the punch he delivered, shaking in anger... or was it pain... many furries standing in the crowd shouted in anger.
"You idiot! That's no way to make up with your lover!"
"Why the hell did you punch him like that?"
"You fail, sir!"
All the while, Turbo's anger prevented him from hearing all the stabbing comments sent at him. His glare became really furious, not believing that such words actually came out from him of all people.
"Freaking asshole... why are you still talking like that?"
"But... but I'm-"
"What? Cursed? You dare say that word one more time, and God only knows if I can contain my rage any further!"
Yzmar said nothing, Turbo's reaction was way harder than he thought it would be, his gaze turned to the ground again.
"Wealthy and rich? Good-looking and pathetic? What's with all this shit?! Would you just listen to how silly you sound right now?"
"..."
"So you loved me because of all that? If you're going to lie about it, you should do better than that!"
"Tur-"
"Shut it, you didn't love me for what I have, both you and I know that! You think I loved you for something you have?"
Turbo came closer, yanked him up again from his shirt's collar, bringing his face close to his angry fangs.
"You think you have 'anything' of value, Yzmar?"
"!!"
"Do you think I loved you for something as feeble as that?!"
The tiger drew his paw back and sent another punch at his cheek, making Yzmar turn back at the fence and bow his head down to the sea. Everyone gasped in horror at the sudden violence, and panicked that this might really not end well. The shouts came back again, more begging this time.
"Hey, that's enough... please, he's already bleeding!"
"Have you no mercy at all?"
"The poor thing... you're so cruel."
"YOU FUCKS BETTER SHUT YOUR TRAPS THIS INSTANT! YOU THINK I ENJOY HITTING HIM!?"
Turbo glared back at them threateningly, as their comments were close to pressing the red button and make him explode. Yzmar kept staring at the sea, as he noticed a line of his drool, mixed with blood, reaching helplessly at the water below it. Turbo's voice returned again, but this time it was low and quiet.
"Yzmar, you were not exactly correct about us not having anything in common. True, we might have many differences, but none of it is important... Love knows no boundaries, and your love for me is priceless..."
"... no... boundaries?"
Turbo sighed, thinking that maybe he overdid it when he punched him.
(The brain sometimes creates 'false' hope, that's why I must ask you to never open your mouth about this issue in front of him.)
Turbo looked at Yzmar's back, he didn't move from the second punch, his arms were on the fence as he gripped at it, his head still down and his body didn't move one inch... he gradually came back to his calm self again, and his eyes weren't so angry anymore, but the sadness was still there.
"Yzmar..."
"..."
"Yzmar, there's a cure."
(I must ask you to never open your mouth about this issue in front of him.)
"... no, there isn't."
"Oh, but you're wrong."
(Never open your mouth.)
"I'm not, I didn't leave anything or anywhere unchecked... there isn't."
Turbo removed his jacket, unbuttoned his white shirt and took off his tie.
"There is, I believe it exists."
"... Believe, eh..."
"In fact, there has always been a cure. It's so close to you that you only need to reach for it."
"Stop this nonsense, Turbo. You know there isn't one, there will never be."
"There is one... it's... right..."
Yzmar suddenly felt something looming over him, he sensed two paws gripping at the fence on both sides. He instantly turned and found Turbo getting rather too close, he raised both his hands at his bare chest to stop him, as he bent his upper body backward over the fence. Everyone gulped hard at the scene, quickly losing patience, Turbo's body closed the gap between them, as his paws only gripped at the iron bar behind Yzmar, cornering him between the cold metal and the warmth of his body.
"... here."
"W-What are you..."
Yzmar's hands on his chest slowly felt the tiger's heart beating underneath his toned torso, hiding under a blanket of soft orange fur as it swayed slightly in his hands. His body soon got calm again, loving the warmth it suddenly got surrounded by since it was feeling chilly.
"Feel that?"
"..."
"It's beating like mad, Yzmar, it got irritated by you leaving me inside like that. It demands you to snap out of it."
"Your... your heart..."
"That's right, Yzmar, your cure is Love in itself."
The crowd's hearts melted at those words, what deep meaning it had, looks like this brute of a tiger can say such lovely things after all. Yzmar blushed almost instantly, he looked up at his face, astonished... Turbo smiled, his eyes were narrow and reflected many glittering stars as he whispered him.
"When will you learn that you can't push this tiger away anymore?"
"... I... I'm..."
Turbo lowered his head slowly, which got Yzmar panicking and closing his eyes, feeling so nervous. He thought Turbo was going to kiss him, but he soon felt something soft and tender touching his forehead. He opened his eyes, and saw Turbo closing his, resting his forehead against the human's and breathing slowly.
"Yzmar... damit, don't scare me like that ever again... you hear?"
"... But I'm... I was..."
"Did you think you'd hurt me less by walking away?"
"!!"
"If you thought twice about it, you'd find that you'll only hurt me more."
"Uh!!"
"And if you think about it even more, you'd find that... you'd... hurt yourself as well."
"... *gasp~*"
"And - therefore - hurting me more and more..."
The panther's face lightened up a bit, a small smile found its way to his black muzzle as he nodded slowly, almost responding to Turbo's words. The schoolgirls near the panther were now hugging each others in glee.
"ohmygodohmygodohmygod! He wouldn't!"
"Oh, I think he would!!"
"Hey, your phone has video-shooting, right?"
"ohmygod, Bitty, good idea!"
"C'mon, let's hurry down and do it, he might kiss him anytime now!"
The two kittens rushed off to the stairs, as the panther stood there, still looking down and sighing, his black paw was on his heart, and a small sense of pain lingered on his other paw as he noticed he tightened too hard on the iron bars in front of him. He raised his face to the stars and uttered a thanking word for the blessing the Heavens sent for those two.
"... I'm glad... it all worked great..."
Yzmar shivered as his heart began scolding him, it wanted to open his eyes on those things ever since he walked out the hall. He closed his eyes in his turn, as he began to shake.
"I... I was... selfish?"
"... don't worry about it."
"I was, I only thought I'd protect you from-"
"Doctor Ix already said I cannot be infected."
"But... but I only... have..."
"Shhh, kick out all those thoughts from your head. We'll get it off of you, you'll see, don't leave any space in your heart for doubts."
"..."
Turbo opened his eyes slowly, looking at Yzmar as he vibrated in his hold. He tugged him tighter and rubbed his shoulders as he raised his head a bit, stroking the human's head with his chin, purring in protection.
"As long as you live, Yzmar..."
"..."
"As long as your lungs draw air to breathe, I'm going to keep loving you."
"... I... I'm sorry..."
"As long as you live your life, I... I will live mine with you."
"I'm so sorry, Turbo... f... forg..."
"It's alright now, calm down..."
Suddenly someone from the crowd shouted in excitement.
"Just kiss that son of a bitch already!"
Turbo smirked to himself in contained rage, he would have killed the guy if he wasn't in this kind of situation... but soon the whole crowd began cheering and insisting on a kiss. He turned his face a little at them, and one fierce look almost got them all quiet.
"Would you idiots just pipe down?!"
"C'mon, you guys MUST make up-"
"Oh? Would you like it if we did 'it' right here too?"
"... yes..."
Turbo turned at Yzmar in surprise, that 'yes' was actually the human in his hold. Everyone got shocked at Yzmar, he was hugging the tiger back, laying the side of his head on his lover's strong body, getting warm again by his love to him. Turbo coughed in embarrassment...
"... you... what?"
"Yes... my answer is yes..."
"... answer?"
"That question... at the hall..."
(Yzmar, do you... accept me as yours?)
"!!"
Yzmar raised his head, looking at the feral face over him, and swearing in his mind that those glitzy eyes were the most beautiful things his eyes have seen. Yzmar's eyes twitched at a tear drop landing on his cheek, as he managed to say clearly this time.
"My answer is... yes..."
Turbo took a deep breath, still not realizing the tears forming in his eyes and wondering why his vision got hazy all of a sudden. The schoolgirls made it to the lowest deck, as they took a spot to the side, near the musical otters' band and one of them instantly flipped her phone open, zooming at their faces.
"Oh wow, the tiger is crying!"
"Start recording, c'mon!"
"It's recording, shut u-oh, oh, he's... ohmygod, he's lowering his head!"
"The human is raising his, to-OH, OHMY!"
"OHMYGOD!!"
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~ <3
_ _
The crowd went on an uproar all together, they clapped, roared, danced, whistled, shouted, cried... the couples hugged themselves in satisfaction, as they too began kissing, even the otter band laughed in joy, now that the tension was finally over, they soon got their instruments in their hands again and began playing a romantic score. Turbo and Yzmar, however, didn't seem to be bothered by anything around them, the tiger tilted his head a bit and went on it, and the human didn't resist at all, letting him work his magic all over him. Both their eyes were shut, but that didn't stop the tears from falling.
"Oh... My... GOD, are they so HOT together! I feel so naughty!"
"I know, ohmygod, I know! I'm getting horny myself too!"
"Meeeeeeooooooow~ That human is some lucky jerk, isn't he!"
"He's so dreamy! And with a roughy-toughy tiger like that guy... ohmygod, where's his jacket?"
"Forget the jacket, his shirt is open! *Gasp~* ohmygod, such muscles!"
"Meeeeeeeeeooooooooooooowwwwwwww~<3"
"Look look! His paws are... ohmygod, is he going to..."
"I'm about to faint, this is just too much!"
"I'm soooooooo gunna put this on Furtube!"
"Hey, wait! Let's keep it only in our phones; we'll get famous at school."
"... I like that idea too... tehe, Bitty you're evil!"
Yzmar's tears were like a stream now, Turbo moved his paws and grabbed behind his back and butt, massaging him and kissing him so lovingly. At that moment, they never realized what was around them, the whole universe was blank. Only the sound of their tongues ringed in their minds, only their racing hearts vibrated in their chests. But soon, Yzmar's mind came back to him in objection.
'Yzmar, what the fuck are you doing?!'
"..."
'Yzmar, you need to tell him! Tell him now, or you'll never be able to do it, you'll just suffer alone knowing that your time is getting closer!'
"I... I can't..."
'Yzmar?!'
"I'm scared... I don't want to lose the only one that I've found..."
'... what a weakling... a failure!'
The deck got filled with chaos by now, people danced, laughed and sang. The otters kept their music rolling, as the two kittens kept checking the captured loving glare and kiss every now and then, all red in their faces. The panther smiled in satisfaction, as he left the top deck and returned to the dinning hall again to carry on his work. Yzmar never felt so thankful in his entire life, his mind's voice vanished again and only the feavered temperature of his heart can be noticed. The tiger that cornered him to the bars was just as loving, Turbo showered him with kisses, being glad that Yzmar finally spoke and said the words he so wanted to hear...
(Yzmar, do you... accept me as yours?)
"Yes... *sniff~* yes, I do..."