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14. Mercury is rising

If there's one thing Jack was worried lately, it's receiving a call from his father. The most characteristic of their exchanges, was that they always turned around the same subjects, and this with more or less cold and distant lines on both sides. And this late afternoon won't be the odd one out...

"So, how's the job going?"

"It's always this annoying, but I hold up."

"And heart side?"

"The dead calm."

"Ah, but you didn't have someone in mind?"

"Well... here's someone, but I'm still not sure for now."

"Oh, you know, that's something at least."

"Yeah, meh."

Then suddenly Jack couldn't hear anything. Although he was used to his father being silent out of the blue, it really upset him.

"Hello?"

"Yes, yes, I'm here."

"Well, look, dad, if it was only for asking me questions, you should've just sent me a mail."

"I wanted to hear you say it, and not simply read it."

"If you really want to check up on me, you should at least make the effort to call me several times in a week!"

"Jack, you know I'm working a lot, and I don't necessarily have time to--"

"IF YOU REALLY CARED ABOUT ME, YOU WOULD BE LESS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WORK TO KNOW HOW I AM!!!"

Once again, the silence came back more quickly. However, this one lasted longer.

"HELLO?!"

"Yes, I'm always here."

"You're annoying to say nothing of the blue, I'll really end up thinking your line is crap. Even if I know it's not the case."

"Sorry, it's just I had nothing left to tell you."

"Pfff, the opposite would be surprising"

"Well, son, I have to leave you."

"Yeah, like usual."

"I promise you to call you very soon."

"It'd be impressive if you make it."

"See you soon, Jack."

"That's it, bye."

Then, he hung up bluntly. Although the conversation was over, Jack still cursed: "Sigh... at this point, he won't even know he has a son." However, their exchanges had often looked like this since-- DING! DONG!

Further to this sound, the feline suddenly sat up because he wasn't expecting anyone, and even less at such a late hour. He hastened to go to the door and then went to see in the peephole, to discover Cyrus waiting, anxious.

Facing this vision, Jack was surprised because he didn't expect to see the mouflon as early in the week. In any case, it meant it was time to put his plan into action. Thus, Jack took a deep breath and then exhaled, and opened the door, being careful to show only his face.

"Hi."

"Hi. But what are you doing here?"

"Well, you've been silent enough lately, so I just thought I'd give you a shout."

"Oh. Alright."

If Jack was still hiding behind his door, Cyrus was still standing in front of this one. Both could have maintained their position indefinitely, yet the sheep reacted again: "Errr, can I come in?"

"Ah yes, yes, of course."

As a result, the feline opened its door more, and the bovine immediately entered. When Jack closed the door behind him, he noticed that Cyrus entered straight ahead, without turning around. In this instance, the surprise effect would be guaranteed.

"And what do you want to know, by the way?"

"Oh nothing, just knowing the mood of-- WOW!" Cyrus turned and then jumped in sight of Jack.

"What, what's wrong?"

"Wait, what is that thing?"

"But what?"

"THIS!" Cyrus pointed Jack's underwear.

Indeed, the underwear in question was a piece of cloth held by an elastic, hiding the privates of the lion.

"This? It's a jockstrap. You look surprised, you've never seen one before?"

"No, it's not this. It's just that, err... I didn't think you'd wear one."

"Well, I admit it's not anyone wears it, but it's super comfortable, and quite discreet, so here is... I wear one."

"Al-right, if you say it."

Despite his explanations, Cyrus was puzzled. Having said that, Jack stood in front of him, only wearing a jockstrap. Formerly, he seemed he spotted it under his clothes, but he didn't think he would see his muscles as distinctly.

Jack, on the other hand, had completed his surprise. Although he didn't care about his outfit, he knew that it would make react anybody. And even though he pretended surprise, Jack noticed that the eyes of the cattle had difficulty finding a place to look. Without showing it, the feline exulted facing with this comical situation.

"Cyrus?"

"Yes?!" The bovid jumped.

"My eyes are here."

"Oh! Yes, yes, yes of course." Cyrus quickly agreed.

Cyrus tried to calm down, but faced with this alluring vision, that was impossible.

"Well, do you want a drink?"

"Yes, I err..."

Cyrus failed to be out his breath. Because now, he could see the buttocks of the feline through his underwear. The sheep, then covered his snout, which has taken on a beautiful scarlet hue.

"So?"

"A-glass-of-water-with-ice-please"

"Right here."

Once his request was made, Cyrus sat down in the living room sofa. Shortly after, Jack returned with the glass and lied down next to him. The bovine thanked him and emptied half the glass. By the time the mercury dropped, but it was only a matter of time before it rose. Thus, Cyrus created a diversion: "Aand... does that happen to you often, to not give news this way?"

"Yes, very often. It permits me to not say much bullshit, and besides, to keep the few acquaintances I have."

"Ah yeah, seen like that."

"Don't worry, you'll get used over time."

"Uh... if you say it."

With these words, Jack sprawled and put his paws behind his head. For his part, Cyrus mused, restless: "Oh crap! I must not watch him... But dude, how am I supposed to do?! He's so hot!" Even if he didn't look at him, the feline felt that his prey was disturbed. So, he decided to resume his unhealthy game.

"Cyrus, are you sure you're, okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fighting fit."

"So, why are you all flushed?"

"This? A little heatstroke, nothing serious."

While Cyrus was quenching his thirst again, Jack thought, amused: "Oh man, he's so tense! Should I tease him more? Nope, it wouldn't be fair. Rooh, well, shit, let's go!" Suddenly, the feline climbed on the cattle's lap, and put his paw on his forehead. Not having the time to react, Cyrus froze faced with this totally unexpected movement.

"Hmmm.... Your forehead is a bit hot, but it isn't scorching. Well, I'm not a doc, but it's clear you don't have a fever."

"Y-you see, nothing bad."

"Meh. You're still red." Jack underlined, unconvinced.

"Well, I errr..."

Cyrus was searching for words; in vain. He had enough to do with the feline, which was still on his lap. And this situation seemed to be amusing for this one.

"Cyrus, if you want to say something, you can tell me."

"Yes, I know." The mouflon assured, annoyed.

"So, what is wrong?"

"IIII..."

Taking advantage of his hesitation, Jack approached. In response, Cyrus paralyzed. Then again, a few meters separated their two faces. They were so close they could feel each other's breath. So close they could see gold and emerald in the pupils of the other. So close they could hear each other's beats. So close their snouts can be intertwined.

Cyrus retreated and gently pushed Jack away with his hand. "Listen, it's nice you care about me, but I assure you... I'm fine." The cattle affirmed, kindly.

From then on, Jack understood there was no need to insist. In any case, he got his answer. So, he got up and stretched out.

"Alright, I won't insist, but if there's something--"

"Don't worry, I wouldn't miss it."

Now that his fever had broken, Cyrus had to come to his senses, and this time, it would need a lot more than a glass of water.

"Well, you excuse me, but I've to go to the bathroom."

"Ah, of course, you know the way."

He then headed towards the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He panted for a short moment and rinsed his face. Refreshed, he wiped himself with a sigh of calm. Then suddenly he jumped when he heard Jack exclaiming far away: "Otherwise, Cyrus, I'm going to get dressed. At least this way, you'll look me in the eye."

After this sentence achieved, the sheep hid his face of unease. Not only Jack noticed his appearance was troubling him, but he pulled his strings along their exchange. As of this moment, he didn't know if he was angry at the lion or just embarrassed, but he was clearly disrupted.

As for Jack, he was fully satisfied because his test had been conclusive. For him, it was obvious that Cyrus would be destabilized by his outfit. However, observing him losing his composure was something he hadn't anticipated. Nevertheless, this was the icing on the cake. If Jack had to remember something from that experience, is that he made a splash with Cyrus, and that it didn't leave him indifferent.

However, there was one thing that bothered them: both had seen where the line was, and they almost crossed it. They still didn't know where or how it will happen, but they were certain of one thing: it would be coming soon.