One of a kind: chapter 4
#4 of One of a kind series
So here's the next episode from this series, and from here I guess the ending opens up to any probable new beginning for the two.
In this chapter, they faced the fears that long dwell within their messed up heads. The party sort of act like a reconnaissance for them , searching for what probably did justice for their undecided relationship.
He recalled the conversation that he had had with the canine. Axel had called him, knowing full well things might turn awkward for them. His fingers lingered above the green call button, unsure of the right course of action. With a sigh, Axel called Jasper Roberts. Immediately his call was answered. Jasper's was voice twitchy from the phone buzz. They were exchanging pleasantries when Jasper decided to tell the sabertooth about the party. Axel stopped in his tracks. He wanted to tell the Lab that he should't come with him to the party, using his breakup as lame excuse. Though he did not inform the canine of his previous relationship, he figured it was too early to start anew. With a noticeable sigh, Axel listened to Jasper's words, and from the sound of it, he knew he didn't stood a chance turning down Jasper's invitation.
"So, about tonight, I figure best if you can come to my place, and we could continue to the party." Said an excited Jasper.
"About that..." Replied Axel, with a hint of dismay.
"Here, you just come over to this address. I hope it's not far away from yours, fingers crossed huh?" Jasper said, oblivious to Axel's doubt.
Even if Jasper did notice, He tried his best ratting about the party, not giving any room for Axel to back out. Jasper had been lonely this entire time, the companionship offered by Axel during his bedridden days gave him solace. Ergo, he wasn't ready to gave that up just yet. Axel on the other hand, didn't want to rush things. He believed a certain... tempo for such an event. Layla was a disaster, and thus he retracted. The fear of rejection making him claustrophobic. Alas, Jasper's eager enthusiasm provoked a smile on Axel's maw, his glee infecting Axel. With a shrug, he listened, hoping things might take a turn for the better. And hopeful as he may be, his guard was still up, tense in case of any possible mishap.
...
Axel checked his phone message, the apartment number 95 glanced from the screen. The sun was beginning to set. He turned to the door and confirmed. Guess this is the right one.
Deep breaths, wide smile. As he was about to knock, a melodic sound of a Morrison acoustic echoed from inside. He recognised the song as any pianist would. Mozart's Sonata K.310. Why a guitar though? Stuped, he gathered himself and knocked on the bright blue door of Jasper's apartment. Quickly, footsteps were heard and the door swung open, revealing a half naked, orange furred labrador. His face excited.
"you're naked" Axel squeaked.
"Oh, right. Sorry about that. Come on in, I'll make you some tea" the Lab managed, nonchalant.
Axel couldn't help but blush at the sight. He was beautiful, his belly bulging a baby fat slightly above his boxer shorts. His slender frame strutting away in grace, like that of a model. He looked somewhat feminine-ish. The tail had brighter highlights which Axel had not realize earlier. He was by far, the most eye pleasing creature that Axel had ever laid eyes on. He cocked his head to the side, studying the shape of the canine's bottom underneath his boxer shorts.
"Well?" croaked Jasper. He knew the feline was staring. He took it as a compliment, smiling at the thought.
"Oh, my bad." He blushed harder and reluctantly walked inside, his member pulsing a tiny bit of desire.
They drank tea and chatted, again at peace with the quietness of the apartment. Axel understood what it felt like to be lonely, and the apartment's hollow spaces emphasized the horrible feeling. Axel asked of the music played earlier, obviously very fond and intrigued by the playing.
"That, I transcribed myself. A bit superficial, I think." Jasper answered, humble even with his repertoire of note picking capabilities.
"Wow, that really is impressive. Not many can do what you do, you know."
"Rubbish, It's not that hard, I guess" He blushed under his already-bright fur.
"I mean it."
"If you say so."
The time was nearly 9pm, and it was dark outside. The winter breeze swept the room with tender winds. Their tea was finished, and it was time for the party to get started. Whilst waiting for jasper to get ready, the sabertooth stole a quick nap on the sofa. No dreams accompanied. He woke up to the sweet scent of fur. The Labrador had joined in and rested his head snug into Axel's chest. Their fur was touching everywhere it could, ignoring the passing time. Surprised, Axel pulled away.
"what's wrong?" Whimpered the canine.
"Nothing, just surprised" Lied Axel.
Jasper pulled his head away and sighed. "I know something's wrong"
"The party, we're gonna be late."
"No, we're not, trust me... and please, I'm not a dolt, I know something's up."
He sighed. "Well, we just met, and I don't think this is a good idea" Finally he said it. Harsh, no doubt, but he had to say it.
"Oh..." manage Jasper, clearly disappointed.
"It's just, I kind of like you and I don't want to rush things"
"No, no, I get you. Um, let's go then?" His voice slightly quivering.
"yes, let's."
The winds now blew harder, as if on cue to their awkward situation. Axel drove them both to the party, and they only talked directions. Even though they were both talking to each other, the matter earlier hung in the air, occupying their minds and voiding them from further conversation. One fear the ending of a relationship, while the other felt guilty of possibly ending a budding relationship.
...
The 'gathering' was not like how Axel had expected. It was a big party, like frat- house big. There were techno music blasting through the bungalow windows. The fact that it was a three storey mansion did the party justice. There were teens everywhere, and he felt like an old person, unwanted, uncommon, foreign. He managed an ironic smile, being at a party uninvited yet nobody cared. They both stood idle outside while more party animals poured in. The awkwardness settled into his stomach, Axel felt a little queasy. He glanced over to Jasper, whom was bobbing his head to the loud music. With mustered inner strength, he held Jasper's paw.
"Well?" He said in a loud tone.
"Well, come on then. We're just in time"
"You sure?"
"Yes, absolutely" He too was smiling now. Again he was in spirits, his tail showing exactly what the smile indicates, wagging in excitement.
"Huh, come on then." Smiled Axel weakly.
Jasper guided Axel through the bustling of a crowd, weaving expertly. Obviously he had much of these events. All the while, Axel had looked down, not wanting to step onto others' feet. He felt Jasper's grip, firm and assuring. The image of the bus stop incident flashed in his head. Right then in there, he felt as though he was the one hypothermic, and the person he needed was there to comfort him. He grinned, a sense of empathy kicked in and he squeezed Jasper's paw in return. They had walked over to an empty corner in the kitchen, which apparently had turned into a makeshift bar an a chugging contest booth.
"Wait here, I'll get us some drinks" Jasper practically wailed into the feline's ear. Axel whimpered obediently. "I know just the thing you need" The orange Labrador winked.
Axel recalled of the last time he had been to a party this big. It had ended with a threesome, male and female. It was terrible, he thought, exchanging sexual desires void of any emotion. It felt dead, but he was too drunk to contradict his actions. It felt feral, though he knew better than to complain. Sex is a biological need, but any emotions present were managed under conscious terms. Ergo, him blaming mindless sex activities only struck numb ears. He looked up and sure enough, his aide was there, with a glass of whiskey, topped full to its rim. However, another canine took hold of his attention, probably because she had her arm around Jasper's.
"Thanks" He took an unhealthy swig. He rubbed his maw with his tongue and felt the burning sensation flow through. He loved that.
"Whoa there tiger! With that kind of drinking, I might just have to call a cab back home" He was laughing now, euphoric, and in some sense, tipsy under alcoholic influence. "here, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Catherine"
"S'up? Welcome to my party." She wailed, and continued moving her head to the trance of a music."Call me 'C'-" she squeaked.
"Slut alert." Jasper cut her off.
"No I'm not" she punched his shoulders playfully, with a sense of platonic affection.
"I'm sorry, girlfriend?" Axel returned, now confused.
"Sorry, ex. Tiny detail" Jasper replied.
Now he was really confused. He thought the canine was gay. And to top that, what kind of a relationship that involves weaving your ex's arms around yours? He kept his mouth shut instead, sure that the his unmentioned queries would be answered.
"You look flushed.. Come, let's take this out at the back." Jasper said, worried in drunken voice. "see you later hun?" He pecked her on the cheeks and took hold of Axel's glass, settling the now empty glass on the mahogany kitchen table. The canine trailed away and disappeared into an ocean of drunken party goers.
...
They walked a couple of blocks away from the noisy atmosphere and into a more quiet sidewalk. They held hands, though this time, Axel was the one who held it first. Puzzles were filling both their alcohol influenced minds. They approached a bus stop not far away and sat, staring blankly into the suburban homes in front.
"I guess I should tell you about her." Jasper broke off the silent ambient. The music was now but loud. He was beginning to sober up a bit, enough to give straight sentences. He looked the tiger in the eyes and sighed. "She's the reason I want you to come. You see, I once defied myself, delving further into a mean of heterosexuality just to fit in. I thought I could change myself, believing that the means would justify the ends. Catherine was my mean, see. I started asking her out during my junior years. It was nice no doubt, but something was amiss. I know better, but still I pushed onwards with our relationship. However, it was she who found out that I was gay, and confronted me." His voice trailed of, thus the silence went swooping back in, hacking away what ever concentration that Axel had had for the canine.
"Why are you telling me all this?" Axel's tail began to twitch and possibly noticed by the pup. He was helpless, drowned in a sea of questions. This wasn't what he had pondered their relationship to be. This is turmoil, he thought.
"What I meant was, she, of all people, understood me for who I really am. She told me it was wrong to change the very core of my being. And when I dreamt of you the other day... Well, it stirred something in me and I had to know why." He was pouring his heart's content for as much as he could. He no longer cared for the maternal advice that his parent had given him. Axel needed to hear this, he thought. Hurt is better than emotionally dead. Axel might be the one for him, and taking this chance was crucial for him.
Axel coughed, delaying reaction and giving him time to process the dog'd words. He clenched his paws and unclenched them. He sighed and spoke lightly, offering comfort in his words. "Well, first off, it means a lot that you are willing to tell me all this. I know things appear tough right now, but I'm sure you know better. We just met, albeit we had a past - sweet even - friendship together. Even I don't understand what we have right now. I think these things take time, and sure enough, I think we'll get through. Listen to me, I say it's best if we don't rush these things. If fate brought us together, I don't see a reason why fate would take us apart. Relax..." He was comforting in the dire circumstance they were in. Jasper was now in tears, sobbing lightly.
...
Even though they mutually agreed not to rush things, Axel felt he needed to reward the pup of his bravery. His expression left a profound love in Axel's heart, bound in a lovers relationship, exceeded by brotherly love. He put a paw upon Jasper cheeks and wiped away a tear with his thumb. He brought himself closer and kissed the canine. The kiss was bred of love, a symbol in which a lovers express their feelings. There were no tongue exploring, no overrated head moving of any kind nor any of those Hollywood-like kisses. It felt tender, Axel had planted his kiss with Jasper's upper lip slightly into the curve of Axel's maw, indicating a dominant role in their relationship. Eyes were closed and arms were wrapped around each other, savoring the moment and oblivious of any witness. The darkness ceased all movement, its usually eery silence turned tranquil.
Their lips parted and Jasper had stopped crying. He accepted the ideal given to him. He had endured, why not press on, he thought. The kiss was all the assurance he needed, and to that he smiled.
"Now that's better" said a satisfied Axel. Again his prowess of persuasion had done him good.
"Let's head back, my head is starting to spin" Jasper's finger hovered and circled at his temple, like a child indicating a crazy person. Axel laughed, mused by the figure.
"Thought you'd never ask."
Axel sent Jasper back to his apartment and decided to stay for the night. They lay in bed in their boxer shorts, cuddling in their wake. Both didn't want to fall asleep. Again no words were exchanged, only the physical interpretation of their messages. They didn't feel the slightest bit of any sexual lust, thinking that they can have sex when they are ready enough for it. As fatigue caught up to canine, appreciative murmurs escaped his muzzle, saying his thank you's as he fell asleep.
Axel remain awoke, petting the canine's head while he's fast asleep. He kissed the Labradors forehead, wished him sweet dreams and closed his eyes, not letting go of their warm embrace. They slept soundly that night, accompanied by the winter breeze. The nightlight shone bright, holding an unmentioned strength, dwelling deep within the skies. Their smiles was all but faded, experiencing each others' warmth underneath their blankets.
So there you go folks. Be sure to comment on what ever you feel :) I won't bite.
And I would like to apologize for any grammar mistakes or spellings because I had not much time to proof read this.
If you have suggestions, just PM me ^^