FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The world turned. A new day came. The house was as pristine as it was before the party. It was hard to believe that there was a party. Even harder to believe that Missy didn’t insist on wearing her Egyptian costume everywhere she went. Instead, she was right back to her lazy t-shirt and shorts combination.

Leo had just finished putting everything back in the fridge from breakfast. He looked back to the living room and pictured the people that had been there the night before. It was like a whole different reality. Poof, gone. And without so much as a fuss from anyone there.

Nobody noticed Missy was in fact a strange creature. Leo had to admit he felt some guilt over such a huge lie. Not to mention the weirdness that might erupt over people thinking he has a girlfriend.

“So what’s on the agenda today, Mr. Handyman?” Missy said. She lay on the couch, legs draped over the armrest. Television? Full blast.

“I was thinking of having another party. Pinata. Booze. The works.” He hung the dishrag up.

“No way.” She groaned. “I’m still working off the candy in my guts.”

“I’m surprised you’re not bouncing off the walls.” Leo moved to the couch and sat down, allowing Missy to look right up at him.

The woman stuck out her tongue. “It feels like my mouth is coated in sugar.”

“Yeah, how many of those Pixie stick things did you have? That’s raw sugar right there.”

“I guess it’s better than being hungover. The other parties I had were all just cheap beer. Ugh, and smoking too. That stuff gets into your fur, you know?”

“Being uptight has its benefits, huh?”

“Maybe sometimes.” She rubbed her stomach. “I kinda miss cheap booze from the gas station though. Mia would knock back like five of those.”

“Yeah, you think you do, but I’m sure you don’t.” Leo leaned on the armrest. “No need to vomit in my household.”

“I felt like I was gonna throw up after we exercised that one time though.” She poked his thigh.

“I told you the push-up was unnecessary.” He shrugged.

Leo turned his attention to the television. Some handyman was currently being tossed off a yacht. That name, Mia, that sounded vaguely familiar. Knocking back five beers didn’t sound like anything he wanted to involve himself with, so he didn’t prod Missy on the name.

“You think they’re gonna ask about me?” Missy said.

“When they can, sure.”

“Because you’re such a weirdo. Who wouldn’t want to know about a weirdo guy’s weirdo girlfriend?”

“Something like that. I’m just glad you didn’t go through with the marriage thing. I don’t need those old housewives begging to be there for the ceremony. Not that I need them asking about you in the first place.”

“How can they resist? Best costume of the century goes to me.” Missy raised both hands to point at herself.

“How do you know there aren’t any other monsters playing dress-up?”

“I think we’d have formed a secret society by now. Like the X-men, but real, and cooler.”

“Do I get a seat on the team?”

“Oh, yeah, you can be our token human pet!”

“I hope that comes with a health plan at least, and other benefits.” He’d hate to see what other monsters were out there, though. There was already a Missy in this world. What else could take up the limelight? “Promise me you’re not going to answer the door if they come around.”

“What, the monster X-men?”

“No, our neighbors.”

“Oh, psh, yeah. I’m not gonna do that. I like to remain mysterious, you know. How am I gonna infect their minds if I just open the door all casually?”

“Not the way I’d look at it, but good enough. I’m sure they’d be weirded out by you in costume regardless.”

“It wouldn’t be too weird.”

“Yes it would.”

“OK, fine, it would. Still, I think it’d kill some’a the mystique. Imagine if I only appear every Halloween night. Now that’s what gets people talking. Already planning for next Halloween!”

“Next Halloween, huh?”

Leo placed his head on his hand and stared at the screen in front of him. Next Halloween. The end of this year had already snuck up on him, and here she was planning for the next one. Another year of Missy. Perhaps more. She pushed up against his leg and shook her head.

“You’re not gonna say no to another Halloween, are ya?”

Leo looked down at her and paused for a moment. “Nah, just thinking about what I’m gonna go as. Not sure people really got Paul Bunyan, you know?”

“Oh, oh, oh, we should get complimenting costumes!” Missy flipped onto her stomach and pushed herself up by the elbows. “That’s what couples do, right?”

“And what would we go as? Bonnie and Clyde?”

Missy tilted her head. “You have a tommy gun, don’t you?”

“Are you kidding me? I don’t have the license for that.”

“Weird, I thought for sure you just wanted to dress up like that just to show off your gun collection.”

“Fine, fine. What do you have in mind?”

“Well, I already did Cleopatra, so I guess you going as Caesar would be out of the picture.” She propped her head up on her hands. “You know what, I’ll get back to you on that.”

“Something with pants, if you would. I’m not into the breeze.”

“Got it. I’ll just write up a list of famous couples who wore pants.”

As Leo watched television and allowed his brain to melt, thoughts of last night kept cropping up. In particular was that story the older gentleman gave about something awfully close to Missy. Did he know? It was just a story after all, but stories had a weird way of worming into reality. Coincidence, perhaps. Maybe Missy simply reminded him of the story.

Whatever it was, he could rest assured knowing that Missy wasn’t around during those days. Being some kind of ancient demon would have soured their relationship all the more. Nonetheless, that was his only potential thread on Missy and what she was. Leo wanted to simply accept that she was some cute animal poisoned by pop culture, but another part of him kept swirling around. What was a wolficus, truly?

“Foca means seal!” Missy said, and immediately burst into laughter.

Just that. A woman with pop culture embedded in her brain. Still, couldn’t hurt to quench his curiosity. Fortunately, the man with the mysterious story was one of the many he exchanged numbers with on the basis of actually keeping in touch with the community for once. He pulled out his phone.

“Kids these days on their phones,” she said.

“I just wanted to check something. It’s not like I’m browsing the web for terrible videos,” Leo replied.

There it was, Austin. Leo would have to remember to call that next time he was out and free. What would he say, though? “Hey, just wanted to ask about that story. Sounded an awful like my girlfriend’s getup.” He’d think of something better than that.

“Texting mom and dad?”

“What gave you that idea?”

“It’s November now. Turkey day? Then after that Christmas.”

“That’s true, but no, just making sure I got all the numbers I needed last night.”

“Oh, so now you’re a community guy, huh? Just took little Missy to give you that kick you needed.” She wormed her way closer to him, lying her head on his lap and looking directly up at him.

“Not the most unnecessary kick I’ve ever had.”

“So, you gonna go out on barbecues and go admire cars together? Like real old guys do. You’re still in your 20’s ya know. A little too early to get into the old man mindset.”

“A little too late to get into the teenager mindset, don’t you think?”

“Ouch,” Missy said. “I’m mature now. I was a queen at the party.”

Leo squinted. “Not as royal as you would hope. I can’t imagine a queen singing any of that stuff you did.” Though it would make royalty a lot more amusing. “Or eating a pile of candy.”

“Didn’t we go over this? I’m a space queen.”

“Right. Right. Speaking of eating a pile of candy, I’m going to have to head out and restock for today.”

“Oh! You should buy more root beer.”

“Just promise me you’re not going to drink the whole case in one day.”

“Sounds like a challenge to me.” Missy turned on her side to face the screen. “You can go after we finish this movie.”

Leo pocketed his phone and turned his attention back to the screen.

“What is this movie anyways?” he asked.

“Oh come on!”

_

Leo found himself, for once, sitting on a bench just outside the supermarket. Not the best view with the parking lot and all of its scurrying people staring him down. That didn’t prevent him from taking a moment to relax, and of course begin his little satiation of a mystery.

The phone rang for a moment, then clicked.

“Yello?” the other side said.

“Austin, how are you? It’s Leo.”

“Oh, the Halloween fellow. I’m doing fine on this sunny day. Can’t ask for more, right?”

“Certainly can’t.”

“Surprised you’re calling so soon. I figured you’d go back into hibernation with the little Missy after that party was said and done.”

“Well, trying to cut the hibernation early this year. Keeping one foot firmly planted in reality.”

“Amen. Keep the fire going.”

“I try. Just checking in, keeping the fire stoked.”

“I appreciate it. Not every day you have a friend ringing you up. Say, I should probably bother Henry now that I think about it.”

“If you do, tell him I said hi.”

“Will do. I think that’s just about the best time he had at the party. Probably because he got to rub off on a new fellow for once.”

“You made a great contribution too. That story was something else. You really hear that when you were out logging?” Leo asked.

“Oh, yeah, a few of my friends there were Shoshone. Eastern and Northern, I think. Not deep into the tribe, but they kept the spirit up. Might’ve played up the story to spook the white man. Can’t blame them, it’s a killer, right?” Austin laughed.

“Absolutely. Can’t name the last time I heard folklore like that. Probably way back home when I was a kid, actually.”

“Wish I had written it down, but I think I got the gist of it. That’s part of the story process anyways, right? Forgetting and tossing in your own details” Austin said.

“Definitely. Added a bit of yourself to the story. Speaking of which, my girl and I were wondering if your buddies had any more to that story? She’s the kind to pluck folklore like that and make her own things out of it.”

“Maybe. Haven’t spoken to those folks in a few years now. Actually, there might’ve been a museum not far from the little hamlet we’ve got. Native American stuff. Chock full of it. She might wanna head on over for more ideas, assuming she’s still doing the special effects stuff.”

“Yep, I think that’s going to be her thing for just about ever,” Leo replied.

“Then, hey, that’s my little contribution to the film industry! Glad my stolen story got someone’s noggin jogging.”

“C’mon, it’s not stolen. Stories are made to be shared. Your buddies wouldn’t have handed it over if they didn’t want you to spread it. Aside from scaring you to death, that is.”

“Ooh, you wouldn’t believe the half of what they pulled. Would’ve tried some of it myself at the party if it weren’t a family thing.”

“Might have to indulge my curiosity on some of those eventually,” Leo replied.

“I’d be happy to tell. Should probably look those guys up again, too, so thanks for that reminder. I’ll let you know if anything comes of that.”

“Hope that’s a fun reunion. I’ve got to get going now, but I just wanted to catch up real quick. See you soon, I hope.”

“No problem. See ya.”

The phone went silent and Leo was back to sitting at a supermarket bench. Native American museum? He wasn’t even aware there were any museums in a hundred miles. That actually seemed like a fun trip. But first, groceries.

_

“Welcome back!” Missy said. She tottered over to Leo as he hobbled through the front door with all the groceries he could muster. “You shoulda called me so I can help carry stuff in.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I managed.”

Missy set to picking up groceries and began carrying things to their proper locations. All without asking. Leo wasn’t far behind, doing much of the same.

“So I was thinking about it,” Missy said.

“Thinking about what?”

“You going to visit your parents for Thanksgiving. It’s fine. I can do A-OK all by myself here.”

“Just like that? I wanted to talk about it first.”

“Oh, sure.” She paused as she set a can down. “Do you… not think I can do it?”

“It’s not about if you can do it or not, it’s about how comfortable you are with it.”

Missy closed the fridge, then shrugged. “I’m fine with it. Not like I’m gonna lose my mind or anything. You think I never had times alone way back when?”

“I never said that. I just wanted to talk it out. Get some ideas of how things will go. It’s not a bad thing to just talk, you know? About serious things, that is. Make sure everything is crystal clear,” Leo replied.

Missy set something in the cabinets and froze. Her arm slacked a little, and her head dipped somewhat. Something was turning around in her head. After a moment of silence, she closed the cabinet quietly and turned to him with a gentle smile. Leo’s pace slowed as he watched her. A warmth in her expression he hadn’t expected settled inside him.

“Let’s put these up first and then we can talk, OK?” she said.

“Sure.” Leo handed a few more things over to her.

Missy peeked inside one of the bags. “More skittles!” She perked up then relaxed again. “You’re the best.” Missy pulled him in for a hug.

_

“So, what was it you wanted to go over?” Missy asked.

“Just some guidelines, reminders. Stuff so that this goes smoothly.”

Thankfully Missy left the TV off, no interruptions from random explosions here.

“It’s going to be about three days, depending on traffic, weather, and all that. Just a meet up, a stay over, then I’ll be driving right back. No detours.” He paused for the playful jab from Missy, but it didn’t come. “I’ll let you know when I’m leaving and when I arrive.”

“Shame I can’t be there. That sounds like a killer roadtrip.”

“Trust me, you're not missing out on much. Straight forward trip I don’t think there should be any delays, but if there is I’ll let you know, OK?”

“Sure thing.” Missy looked around. “So, three days, huh?”

“More like one. I’ll leave early on the first and get home late on the last.”

“That’s no problem. I’m gonna miss the grub, but it’ll be easy. I can protect the homefront.”

“We can cook up a few meals before I go. Reheat ‘em up easy. You know where the fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and the flashlights are, right?” Leo asked.

Missy held up her hand to count off the items. “Fire extinguisher under the sink, first-aid in the closet, flashlights all over the place, really. You got a lotta flashlights.”

Leo was ready to point out any flaws, but that was pretty much right. His brow crinkled, then he quickly regained his composure.

“Right, well, I just wanted to make sure you’re safe. So, uh, glad you remembered all of that. Oh, and there are books just about everywhere if the power goes out. Not sure you’d like the technical manuals, but just make sure stuff goes back in its proper spot.”

“That’s something. What if the power goes out when you leave and doesn’t come back?”

“You’ve got tin food, a can opener, and a portable cooker. Should still have a charge but I’ll make sure before I leave, alright?”

“You’re almost talking about this like you’re gonna leave tomorrow. Heh.”

“No, I just want to get this out of the way now. So we don’t forget and so we don’t put it off forever because we’re watching a movie or something.” That “or something” having put off their last discussion about it.

“Alright, I get it.” Missy leaned in a little more, adjusting herself on the couch. “This is gonna be a serious question. You’ve never had like, wilderness come walking in, right?” she asked in a quieter, yet still casual tone. “I’m not gonna have to deal with a bear knocking, right?”

Leo wasn’t entirely sure if that was humorous, but knowing Missy it definitely had its foot in seriousness.

“A bear is not going to get through the door.” Not entirely. “When’s the last time you saw a bear around here anyways?”

“Well, I kinda figured you scared off bears.”

“Do I look scarier than you?” Leo asked, raising his eyebrows.

“I mean, uh, not always. Some people might say so, I guess.”

“Well, that’s harsh.”

“Just forget I said anything.” Missy raised her hands dismissively. Good enough for him.

Leo looked over at the kitchen. “I might have some bear mace if that makes you feel better, just don’t use it unless you’re sure. Bears should leave you alone as long as the windows and doors are closed. Not that they’ll come around anyways, of course.”

“Of course.”

“I mean, not like you have any reason to open them anyways. Not like you’ll be entertaining guests while I’m out.”

Leo paused, realizing with his car gone and the proximity to a holiday, someone might take his trip as the perfect opportunity to try and break in. Then again, Missy would probably be listening to loud music and movies, so it’s possible they’d get scared off by that. Still, not something he’d want to Missy to go through at all, no matter how they might react to her.

“Something wrong?” Missy asked.

“No, not at all.”

“I know your look. The ‘planning everything in my head’ look. Part of an array of Leo expressions.” Missy’s expression hardened somewhat. “Not sure I even want to know what it is now.”

“Just some things I’m thinking about.” Leo noticed Missy’s fingers beginning to fiddle with one another. “I’m thinking about leaving the combination with you.”

“Combination?”

“The gun cabinet combination.”

Missy’s fingers seized and folded together. It took a moment for her to open her mouth again.

“You think I should? Not even sure I can fire one of those.” Her conjoined hands continued to fidget.

“You could. Just wondering if you’ve fired before. Any of the old roommates have a firearm?”

“Boyfriend of a girlfriend, maybe, but that’s about it. Definitely never saw it. I mean, I just…” Missy shrugged. “Never mind.”

“What’s wrong?” Leo asked. He shifted to face her more directly.

“I dunno, man. I can see why, like, people like you like 'em but…” Missy crossed her arms. “Seeing you hold that machine gun just weirded me out. I kept thinking, like, if anyone ever caught even a glimpse of of me outside, while the sun's going down, it's just over.” She tilted her head, and sighed. “I could even try to say something but all it really takes is one nervous guy and a gun to turn me into swiss cheese. Not to mention the idiots who LARP and probably think I should be killed. What do I do, then?”

“That’s not anything to be embarrassed about. Plenty of people feel the same way. You’ve just got to remember that in the right hands, a gun is a tool.” Leo nodded. “I mean, they’re pretty cool too.”

“Of course the gun nut thinks that.” Missy chuckled. “I dunno if I’ll ever get over it like you. Thanks for being nice about it, though. I almost expected a lecture.”

A natural Missy response, but Leo was more than happy just to soothe her nerves on the topic.

“Let’s try something real quick. Hold up your hand.”

Missy furrowed her brow, then complied, giving him a hand. Leo gently took it, placing his palm flat against hers and comparing the alien anatomy. It was as soft as it was before, but comparing it so closely like this, it almost felt fragile. Her slender fingers and longer palm didn’t help to change those feelings.

As Leo looked closely, he occasionally caught an eye of her own expression. She seemed entranced by the experience, awkwardly staring at their hands together. He might have to make it quick. The fragility of her hand, he noted, would probably lead to some annoyances when firing. He also noted how strangely soft her palms were. Leo’s own hand was battered from hobbying, but even still it was an impressive oddity.

“Alright, thread your fingers through,” Leo said, placing his palm flatly against hers.

Missy quietly did as she was told, still staring.

“Give a firm squeeze. Watch the nails.”

Again, Missy obliged, still staring holes into their hands. Not bad, but the anatomy would mean some problems. Her squeezing only exemplified how fragile her hand felt in his. As if he squeezed back even gently he might hurt her. He pulled away. Missy’s hand hung there for a second before pulling back to her lap.

“Yeah, you probably shouldn’t be firing a gun.”

“What? I’m just gonna break like that?” She rubbed her hand.

“Very likely your wrist won't like that kind of kickback. Might not cripple you forever but not something we want to risk at any important moment. Imagine if you actually used to do chores since you were a kid, very different story. Bet you feel real silly now, huh?”

“Oh, so you really think I can’t shoot, huh?” Humor crept back into her voice. “I’m a night terror made for tearing people apart but guns are just too much?”

“A night terror with some special anatomy. Wolves can’t fire guns either, you know.”

“Those guys are chumps without opposable thumbs.”

“Yeah, well, you get the idea. You’ve been making use of the length of your fingers and claws more than strength.”

“So you’re saying I’m pretty unique, huh?”

“Something like that. Might have to do battle with an aye-aye just to see who’s better.”

“I’ll take ‘em on, no problem. He won’t even know what hit ‘em.”

“I’m still reeling from it myself.”

“Yeah, I’m definitely a special gal, huh?” Missy nuzzled up to him, settling on his stretch out arm. “Not finding another one like me, no way, no how.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Leo replied with an amused sigh.

The man let that quiet settle on them for a little bit.

“Sorry for the scare. Everything is going to go fine. I’m not a Murphy’s law guy myself. Do what you always do, and try not to eat all of the candy. Simple as that,” Leo said.

“I’m pretty sure I can do that.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I mean, I’ll probably get a tummy ache before I can eat all the candy anyways.”

“Not the worst trouble you can get into, at least.”

The only sound Leo could make out was the gentle rise and fall of her breathing. Not plagued by fear. Calm, easy breaths. Leo found himself relaxing into that.

“You don’t wanna watch a movie or anything?” Leo asked.

Missy opened her mouth then shut it. “Nah, not right now.”

He didn’t have anything to do either. Rather, it could wait.

“Hope your parents are doing good,” Missy said.

“I’m sure they’re fine. Doing what they always do. Maybe a little too loudly.”

“I’m happy you got all the quiet hobbies.”

“Maybe you could get on doing a few of yours too.”

“Ooh, you better believe I am. Your head is gonna spin when you see what I’ve got cooking up.” The wording was devious, almost insidious, but that was just Missy.

“Speaking of cooking up, when we clear way for the pool, I can start a garden. Then we’ll get you started on that green claw.”

“We’re really getting a pool? Man, summer is gonna be great. Go for a swim, then grab a watermelon on the way out.”

“I’m not sure about watermelons, but sure. Maybe tomatoes?”

“A tomato after a swim? I dunno about that one. I only like those–“

“On burgers, I know. It’ll taste better when you grow it yourself, believe me,” Leo said.

“This is one of those psychology things, huh? Tastes better in my squishy brain?”

“The squishy brain is a powerful thing after all.”

“Oh, and you gotta bring me back one of those blueberry muffins. I’ll remind you when you leave!”

“I remember when you asked last time. I’m probably going to bring back a whole basket. You can have some, assuming you haven’t already gone through all the candy.”

“There’s always that little detail, huh?”

_

The rest of the day was a curious one, leading on into the night. Missy was there, but almost like she wasn’t. It was quieter, calmer. Leo was checking for possible leaks in the ceiling and curiously noticed that she was eating a snack in the kitchen rather than on the couch. He found himself looking over at her occasionally, wondering if there was some kind of issue.

“You’re gonna break your neck looking up like that all the time,” Missy said. She gathered her trash and threw it out.

“It strengthens your bones,” Leo replied.

Missy moved up to Leo’s side and looked up at the ceiling with him. “So, this is what you do for fun, huh? I feel like I’m having deja vu here.”

“Just making sure we don’t have any water damage for winter. You’re definitely going to complain if the outside creeps in here.”

“It’s a shame there’s no mold up there. It’d be like cloud watching. Could make all sortsa things out of those shapes.” Missy stared. “You heading to bed soon?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool. You mind if I join?”

“Not really.”

Leo knew what was going on. There was a morbid amusement to the casual yet obfuscated meaning behind Missy’s words. No damage on the ceiling, so he supposed he should’ve really gone to bed. Missy departed from his side, slinking into her room and peering through the doorway before shutting the door. Casual and yet still a hint of embarrassment to it all.

Hard to think what Missy would do during his little escape to his parents. At that point he was certain breeding instinct wasn't entirely to blame here. It had just become the routine. Naturally, he loved routine. Maybe she wasn’t wrong about him being boring, he thought jokingly. It seemed to keep her head on straight and that’s all he needed. Though out of the two, he wasn’t sure who needed it more.

Perhaps things would've been easier for him if he just let her buy some toys to pleasure herself with and leave him out of it. All he'd need were some ear plugs and his sleep would've been drastically better. Then again, why use those when you’ve got a guy at your beck and call to touch you in all the right spots? One free massage for every sweep of the house. It’d be only a matter of time before those toys lose their luster. He'd end right up back where he started. Hell, how long until these get-togethers lost their appeal? He shook his head. That was a bridge he'd have to cross later. Things were good now. Missy was satiated now. A deep breath and he cleared those thoughts.

Didn’t take long for Missy to saunter in, though she was curiously dressed this time around. Rather than being in the nude or fully clothed, she went for a bottomless approach. At least the t-shirt was sober.

Missy quietly walked over to him, sitting down on his lap. Only, it wasn’t the right way. Instead, she sat facing him, knees planted on the bed. She looked into his eyes.

“That’s new,” Leo said with a raised brow. “Don’t you think that’s going to be a little cumbersome, though?”

“No.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say so.”

“Alright.” Leo turned his head slightly in bemusement. Best not to prod her at a time like this.

Missy darted her head forward, narrowly missing his own and settling on his shoulder. That was her perch now. In seconds Leo’s body was invaded with that strange burning he felt any time she was in this mood. She sighed, sending a warmth breath across his back.

“I don’t say how much I love this often enough. I love it.” Her ears flicked. “I love it.” She giggled as her arms moved around him, large hands settling on his back. Those sharp claws almost threatened to slice him up, yet were gentle as they skated along his back.

Leo didn’t really have a response to that, so he moved his hands awkwardly into position.

“No, no, no, no. From behind. Down my back, from behind,” Missy said.

“OK, fine, I got it. Relax.”

Leo followed her odd instructions, splaying his hand out along her back and running downward. She arched her body along with his touch, sticking out her rear just far enough to make the strange request more feasible. The woman melted in his arms the further along he went, pulling out a delighted giggle from her.

It was a strange position to be in, and one Leo wasn’t quite sure that Missy had thought out properly. More likely than not she just wanted to spice up their little get together. With some wiggling on her part and stretching, he was able to press up against the proper entrance with a finger. Missy gave a little gasp, as if they had never done this before.

Missy seemed content with that prodding for quite some time. She wrapped her arms around him, securing him in place. He had to admit to himself that there was comfort there. Her nose prodded up against the back of his neck. Ticklish nudges and warm breaths set him a little on edge, compounding with the strange heat she brought with her.

“I’m gonna miss you when you go, you know?” Missy said.

“You’re just going to have to make do without me,” he replied. “You’ll get through it just fine.”

“Not like that.” Missy pulled back to stare into his eyes. “I’m gonna miss you.”

Leo’s hand stopped, a little put off by the sudden nature of the whole thing.

“Like I said, just a few days. Barely more than a day itself.”

Missy’s claw gently ran along his back. “Yeah, I know. But it’s gonna feel like forever.” She placed herself back on his shoulder.

“I could call you when I stop for gas, if you want. Check in. Know how you’re handling.”

“No, no, ‘cause then you’re just gonna ask me how the house is doing and allllll this other stuff. You’re gonna get super worried. I know you. Nah. Just have fun.” She tapped on his back. Was that his cue? Better than just waiting for him to get back to work, he supposed.

Leo returned to his touching, a little more than confused. Missy made an odd guttural sound, so that must’ve meant she was back to enjoying herself. She pressed her chest forward a little more. The thin fabric separating her breasts from him somehow made the experience more daunting than bare nudity. A flimsy thing hiding her bare body, leaving his mind to do the wandering. Was that her intention? It worked.

Just then, Missy pulled her hips up to his, her wet groin more than felt. Leo paused for a moment, feeling that wet spot settle on him. So close to that entrance. They could go deeper into their affair with just a slip of the pants. Leo’s jaw tightened. She would love it. He might…

“God, you are just so soft,” Missy said. Her grip on him tightened, and her hands wandered up and down his back. One of them slipped from his back, exploring his chest. “Hard too. Hard working handyman has its benefits.”

Missy was getting a little more worked up than usual. The touching was doled out by Leo, but she was tearing up that script. Her hand dipped into the band of his pants. Before Leo could respond, her wandering hand left. Not that he had much of a response, only a subtle excitement in his chest that grew with every passing second. She ground up against him, sparking that much more of a response inside of him.

An erection stirred. Leo swallowed and awkwardly moved his hand into position between them, slipping a finger into her folds before she could press further. Though the proximity between them meant that every moment of his hand gently stimulated him as well.

Why would you not want this? Those crude thoughts knocked on his mind. Just keep ignoring it. Keep your mind on track, away from this. There was a reason why you did this, even if you really didn’t know it. Right…

Leo took a deep breath, inadvertently causing Missy to shudder just a bit. He managed to pull his mind back on track, if only for the time being. His mind could wander when he was more sober, less focused on the small barrier that separated their bodies. Though Missy was making that harder with every passing second, physically and mentally.

While she was somewhat kneeling on the bed before, now she was settling more on Leo. Her body weighed on him comfortably. She was by no means heavy, yet had an obvious warming presence. The fur that covered her only added to that delightful factor. In a way, despite her wiry frame, Missy was made to be held like this. Cherished, almost.

Missy nudged his free hand onto her back, completing their illicit hug. Leo’s grip on her tightened, sinking into her supple body and thin fur. Strange to get hung up on the texture of a girl, he supposed. Missy was special like that, too. Just a bundle of enticing and curious features, wrapped up in an almost imposing package.

That only stirred more thoughts. He had been with other women, sure. Held them, comforted them, slept with them. Though he couldn’t quite grasp their touch, their feeling. In actuality he hadn’t taken even a moment to appreciate their form and truly feel them. Perhaps Missy brought more of an allure on that front, being a unique creature. And now he wanted to rid himself of this touch that he craved so much.

The woman’s breaths became labored. Her touch, shaky. It wasn’t long before she was moaning. Those soft noises carried through Leo.

“More,” she whispered. “More, Leo.”

It bothered Leo. Just saying his name was enough to drive his libido.

Its bothersome nature really only lie with Leo himself. Her voice and body were a delight that he refused to indulge in. Her form in particular egging him on. If only he had more of an excuse to touch her on equal terms. Instead he clashed with this unfeeling masquerade he built for himself. His palm pressed up against her as his fingers wandered. Stay yourself.

Missy’s face might have been just out of sight, but Leo knew what emotion would be written all over it. He could feel it too. There was nothing stopping him from pressing further, touching everywhere he wanted. Missy would have gladly indulged him. But that wouldn’t be the end of it. It would go much, much farther. He knew that much. He also knew she wouldn’t stop him.

He set that aside and pressed onward, adjusting her so that the gap between their groins was that much smaller, rubbing gently against her clitoris as he dipped his fingers inside. Missy gyrated her hips in unison, eventually meeting a uneasy end. Rather than a loud string of yells, she finished her pleasure with a gentle cry and a tightening of her body around Leo.

The woman huffed and sputtered, relaxing into a quiet rise and fall of the chest. Leo pulled his hand from her, trying to ignore his own arousal as he did. It was more than in vain. They sat there in silence, holding one another. Took some time for Leo to realize that his arm moved further across her back, holding her firmly.

“Thank you,” Missy said.

Leo didn’t respond. Maybe he was too embarrassed. Maybe he didn’t need to say anything. Maybe he was disappointed in himself for holding back, having to steer himself from breaking that last barrier. He wasn’t sure himself. Regardless, he wasn’t keen on moving. Just feeling.

_

Leo stared up at the dark ceiling. Funny how he seemed to be doing that a lot these days. Though rather than inspecting for spots, his mind wandered as he stared at that empty spackled space.

Missy lay beside him, quietly resting. Her disheveled shirt and blanket barely hiding her shame. Leo didn’t argue when she settled down on the bed, and he didn’t argue with himself when he allowed it. His eyes would flick over to her occasionally, being reminded of the weird struggle in his life.

The magical lady from the woods who drank soda and crashed on his couch. The one to shove him out of his comfort zone. The one that could cause so much harmless annoyances. Leo was being hard on her, he knew that much. As one-track as he could be at times, he was aware of the way he acted in front of her, with her, around her, regarding her.

Leo rubbed his eyes. His mind continued to compound on itself, replaying bits of their touching. He wanted that. More than ever, he assured himself. Sure, he had been out of the game, as it were, but in that moment of relief, he was never more sure.

Then what was it about her that made him snap into rigidity like that? So cold and firm. Not that it remained that way. Her personality warmly intruded on his mind. The reality of it all? Touching a beast? No, to get any sort of clarity he had to be honest. Missy’s bestial origin didn’t matter to him and hadn’t for a very long time. She was more than that. She exuded prettiness, and cuteness, and all those other things that made him so vulnerable. Not that he would admit it. She was on his level, in any case. She was a friend.

It wasn’t that Missy was a beast. But now it couldn’t have been a matter of her being a crude slob either. She had her moments, certainly, yet not as bad as it once was. Perhaps… that little line was all that held her back from relapsing into that mindset. Easing back into that nightmare who tapped on his window. On some level she was still that nightmare, but one that extorted him into happiness. Were she an actual beast, something to fight, he wouldn’t have felt this distress from shutting himself in. Wrangling with emotions complicated it far more.

Leo pulled the blanket over himself, carefully as to not disturb Missy. She had pulled him around more than he had cared for, and in turn? Leo closed his eyes. In turn he had acted so coldly, hoping he could wrangle another aspect of his life. And he did. Maybe not in the right way, but his mind went to work in order to fix her, just like everything else. Holding the problem by the throat. Without a gentle touch, until she touched back.

That line they hadn’t crossed was his sense of order wagging its finger. It was hard to tell if there was any true interest coming from Missy at first. Leo was more than aware of the fairer sex that used their fair bodies to get their way with extreme cunning. Didn’t help that it was her first offer for room and board as well. Not to say he didn’t have a few nights with the more hedonistic of his time. The kind that just wanted a dose of pleasure, and being an able body, expected him to lend some.

The woman had moved miles from who-knows-where just to see him. Even if it were in desperation, that was more than he could say for most. Rules weren’t in her vocabulary, yet she still made the effort and drastically improved. Perhaps he had subconsciously guided them both to treating sex as that final reward. We can affirm our connection once you become an outstanding lady, his thoughts would say. But she wasn’t one, or maybe he didn’t quite know. Both worried him. Missy could have been waiting out this entire thing, waiting for him to slip, pushing him on with the slightest of incentives. She could have been molding him more than he was with her. Perhaps his process had only partially worked. She went along with the improved life, yet the mindset would drop once she got that final release.

Damn the work. Damn his body. Damn his feelings. Leo’s eyes opened again. He wasn’t sure how much of that touching he could take himself. That curious allure she had over him wasn’t even a factor in his arousal anymore. That had fallen to the wayside as he thought about her. In some way that was even worse than to be strung along by some strange biology.

To be at his wits end was something that he had not wrestled with before. To be under the duress of his mind letting slip on his firm reins to his body. Were it not for the realization of his weakness earlier, how far would he have been from taking her? Nothing stopped either of them from realizing that end they both wanted. Anatomy worked in their favor, that’s all that mattered. That curious and enticing anatomy.

What would Leo do then? He couldn’t endlessly mull on it. He couldn’t leave the next encounter to his mind again either. Should they stop these little moments of lust? At this point he knew that was not an option for either of them. Perhaps he could just indulge in her body more. A creeping and slow burn of his own desires, running his hands over her and quelling the beast inside. Would Missy notice? Could he tell her? What would he even say about the situation? Would she even want him to? Thoughts upon thoughts clashed into one another.

Missy’s aroused presence around him already put him in various odd moods. Ones he hadn’t put much thought into, an error on his part. Embarrassment was the root he’d have to cut out and truly get a handle on how she affected him. Or how he affected her. How much of this was a one-way street? By all means he could have been giving off the same feelings she instilled in him, and that was a reciprocation on her body’s part.

Theories and ideas began tangling around one another. Who knew how much of this was all a strange concoction of reactions. Missy’s boasting about being a special creature had become so normal that he tossed aside most of it. There was no standard to guess from, no prime example he could link her body and mind to. While she was a flesh and blood beast with an animalistic appeal, she was still very much an enigma.

Leo rubbed his forehead and sat up. He reached for his phone and held it in his hand. To what end? Endlessly looking up search terms for some vague semblance of an answer, no doubt leading to insane theorists and dens of them no less. Austin certainly hadn’t gotten back to him with any morsels of information. Which could have been a dead end regardless.

With a press the screen beamed to life. Leo’s eyes squinted from the obscene light. Three in the morning? He had to get to bed. The man set his phone back down and trudged into the bathroom. He stared into the mirror briefly before splashing some cold water on his face, helping to clear his mind just that much.

There was a faint rustling. He stepped back into his room to find Missy sitting up.

“Everything OK?” she asked gently.

“Just having some trouble getting to sleep. Busy month, lots to think about,” Leo replied. He settled back into his side of the bed, unsure of which way to face.

“I could help. If you want.” She placed a hand near his head.

“I guess you could.”

Missy’s hand drifted over to his head and she began gently petting him. She said something, but he was already far too tired to make out.