lionesscoby (lionesscoby) wrote in light_of_may, @ 2009-11-03 15:46:00 |
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Entry tags: | 2009-06-20 |
Pissed off + alcohol = First kiss
Who: Coby and Brian
Where:Outside McBeth Woodworks, random bar, and then Coby's townhouse
When: Late evening
Warning: Language
Coby was still seething about Gareth. What the hell was so wrong with her being a bitten were? Shit, it wasn't like it was her damn fault. She'd have been perfectly happy being a normal fucking human being for the rest of her life, but NOOO, Bo had to come around and fuck it all up. So she was stomping home, but thanks to her keen sense of direction, had gotten lost again. It was no surprise that she ran into some who was at the door to somewhere--Oh fucking GREAT. Brian. Locking up the store. That was all she fucking needed.
"Hi," she said bluntly, and started to walk around him. Coby should be able to find her way home from here, right? She'd done it before.
Ouch. Angry lioness was angry. Brin turned towards the source of the agitation and blinked, Pika poking her head out of his pocket and mewing in greeting. "Are you alright?" he asked, a bit concerned, but staying back. Human or not, the claws of a female stung like hell.
Coby sighed and ran her hand through her loose hair, smiling at the little kitten. Damn thing was too adorable. "Yeah, 'm fine." There was still a hint of her South Carolina accent lingering at the sides of her speech, which was a reminder of that asshole again. Ugh. "Just an asshole I met on the way to Club Out. Hates weres." Her hair seemed to rise at the mention of it, as if she had hackles to rise.
He blinked. 'You told a stranger you were a were?" he asked. That wasn't normally something he told anybody, except another were, and that was only because they usually were able to smell it. He wasn't one to bring it up first, anyway. "Are you alright?"
Coby shrugged. He had seemed nice enough at the time, she'd never been attacked for being a were. "Yea, it's not like he attacked me or nothin. Why are you so worried 'nyway?" She eyed him cautiously, ignoring the stirring in her loins she usually got from close inspection of the man. "I'm going home. Either to eat about three tubs of Ben and Jerry's or go downstairs and rip some shit up in my cage. Haven't decided yet."
"You're my-" he stopped himself suddenly. Right there. Baaad place to go, so he backed up. "You're a lioness. In my territory. Until you find a mate, your safety's my concern," he said, getting a little annoyed, but with himself. At her mention of post argument activities he nodded. "I would invest in boxing equipment. I had some as a boy, it was a good way to take out my frustration."
Coby raised an eyebrow at the "my." Oh hell no. He did not just go there. "I don't have any plans of finding a damn mate, since all the guys here are apparently assholes." She sighed heavily, then glanced up at him. "Frustration? You do not seem like the kind of guy who gets pissed about little shit." Coby thought about it for a moment, the grinned wickedly. "Oh. Ooooookay. Nevermind."
He was, if nothing else, slightly offended that he was considered an "asshole", but he shrugged. "Everybody goes through anger and sadness when they're young. I'm not young anymore, though, so I see little point in getting stuck on things like that." He would ignore her snickering. He would. He was supposed to be "over" that sort of agitation after all.
Coby didn't necessarily include him in the "assholes" category, but she was in a bad mood and that tended to lump all guys together. "I suppose. Well, anyway, 'ave a good night." She turned to walk away, surprised to find she had tears in her eyes again. Dammit. What was wrong with her tonight? She wasn't usually so freaking emotional.
He frowned, smelling the salty liquid, then went after her. "Wait. Let me walk you home," he said, voice gruff. "I don't want you to be caught alone if that guy tells his friends about a were they should go terrorize." He walked by her side, looking down at her for permission to accompany her to her house.
Coby refused to look up at him, then he'd see she was crying and feel bad for her and shit. She didn't want his pity. "Okay, fine. 's only about six blocks," she said softly, watching the pavement in front of her. Now her nice shirt was going to get tears all over it. Gross.
He frowned, not knowing how to help her. He was a male, and a loner, the two opposites of warm, fluffy, cheerful.... He blinked as it dawned on him he was the worst person to help a girl in tears, but that he also wasn't alone. Grabbing Pika gingerly and hauling her out of her pocket he put her on his hand, then reached over, holding the small bundle of orange fluff out to the younger woman as a silent gesture, his other hand reached for his handkerchief from his back pocket.
Coby didn't really want his help, but the offer of Piku was too much for her to refuse. She took the kitten gently, hiding a sob with a cough. The werelioness petted Piku quietly, she knew that trying to speak would be a waste right now, she'd end up crying for real. She suddenly wished her dad was here, so she could have a hug.
Pika mewed anyway, breaking the silence as she leaned up and nuzzled the other. Brian looked down the street. "My aunts, and my mother, were all bitten weres," he said finally. "My father turned them, purposefully, all except Aunt Maybelle. She was turned by another big cat, when she was twenty. My father found her and brought her into the pride. He wanted another lioness for his own, she just wanted protection, and didn't want to be rejected anymore." He paused, then considering. This was why he didn't talk much, he always managed to miss the point. "I guess... what I mean is, I won't reject you, and I'll look after you, but I don't need you t be my mate. Maybe just a friend. Yeah." He nodded. There, that was his intent, clearly stated. and it was, to him, supportive.
Coby didn't know how she felt about Brian protecting her, it felt sorta like the mafia extending an invitation of protection, but whatever. She wasn't going to turn him down in the state she was in right now. "T-thanks." She sniffled and rubbed her nose with one hand, petting Pika with the other. "I-I don't know how a w-woman could be a mate. Yanno? Just so..ugh. Nevermind." She was so tired of being rejected for being a were.
His eyes got a bit wide, but he only gave a small cough. That was certainly an unexpected twist, but at least he wouldn't have to worry about her liing him. Brian wasn't one to judge who other people liked and wanted to sleep with. "I don't know. I'm not... I mean, I've never considered how that would... take place. I suppose it's just the emotional bond, though, more than the...." he stopped and actually blushed. "Anyway."
"How what?" Coby eyed him, trying to figure out where his brain was going. "Oh, fuck, Brian, I'm not gay. Are you blushing? For fuck's sake, I like cock. I meant the whole 'you're my mate you can't do shit without my permission' sorta shit. Jesus." She sighed, petting Pika. At least the kitten didn't care who she wanted to fuck.
He sputtered wordlessly for a moment at her announcement and shook his head, running his hand through his hair before he stopped and looked at her, frowning. "That's not how it is," he said, wondering if she really believed that. "My father... well, yes, he was controlling, and he followed the primal traditions... gathering women, sending away my brother and myself when we got too old, But my aunts and mother... they weren't his slaves. They fought him on many things, and won. For s... instinct is there, and strong, but it can be overcome. Even if you are a female, you're also a woman, you deserve a man who will treat and respect you that way."
Coby eyed him, wondering if he was telling the truth. "I suppose," she finally said, wiping at her eyes. She scratched Pika's head between her ears, calming slightly. "You don't have a mate, do you? Did you ever?" She asked, not realizing how offensive that might be if he'd had a mate that had died.
He shook his head and looked up, sighing. He'd opened this door to make her feel better, so he had to go through. "I don't like what male lions do... towards their sons. And I didn't like how my father treated my mother or aunts. So no, no mates. I've kept myself from claiming any woman. It wouldn't be fair to her and I'm not sure I'd be inclined to expand my pride if I claimed somebody, but I don't really want to see."
"Claiming? And how exactly does that work?" Coby seemed shocked at the whole situation, it sounded worse than being someone's mate. "Just sex?" That made sense to Coby. As far as sharing her mind and soul with somebody, not so much.
He nodded, then sighed. "It's... yes. Basically sex. But it's more than that. For weres... it''s a connection that links people. Lions are pretty stongly connected. I don't think as strong as wolves, but, you know, the loyalty you feel towards the other... it's there. That's all."
Coby wondered for a panicky moment if the connection she felt with him was a part of this whole claiming thing. "So all lions have a connection?" She was trying to slyly ask him about her own connection to him without being so specific. Hopefully it worked. "Or is it just within a pride?"
"I.. don't know about females. I know they gravitate towards each other," he said, uncomfortable. "Males... don't like other males, but want to have a pride. I suppose for him it's more obvious that he's territorial, but I've never been involved with anybody, so I don't know. But it's not just territorial. My father was a pig, but he cared for all my aunts and mother dearly."
Coby could tell he was uncomfortable, but she was curious. "I've never met a girl I honestly liked, but maybe it was 'cause they weren't lions. But wait. Wait a second. You've never been "involved" with anyone?" She even put up the quotation marks with her fingers as she said it. "No way. You had to have had sex sometime. You're too sexy to have not had sex." That seemed oddly contradictory, but she was right, dammit. He needed to get some.
He chuckled softly. "I don't know how it is with women. Perhaps I can contact my Aunt, she'd be able to explain it to you... if you'd like. I wouldn't go there, if I were you, though. My father's still kicking last I heard." The he winced. He knew this would come up. "No. Nobody. I never wanted to risk it. I never wanted to get attached to a girl, and when I was younger, loose control and try to change her, like my father did."
Coby frowned, yeah, she didn't exactly want to belong to some guy that was even older than Brian. Shit, she was already pushing it having the hots for him. "Yeah, I know how that is. At least I already got an asshole to bite me, right?" She looked at him grinning, teasing of course, but there was an underlying tone that was hard for herself even to interpret. Shit, did she mean it? Like him? She'd see how he took this first.
He looked at her. "Aunt Laura's pretty nice. She'd be happy to help if if you have more... uh... female questions," he said, then blushed heavily. "I just don't know that much, unless you're trying to suppress the instinct. Then I know enough," he smiled.
"Yeah, I guess I wouldn't mind talking to her. If she's bitten, it might make me feel a little better." She eyed him, grinning at his blush, though there was a little bit of one on her own face. "And what if I am?" She replied teasingly, watching him for his reaction.
"I'll find the number and call her. if you'd like her to come visit she's welcome to stay with me," he said simply, nodding, then paused. The way she was looking at him... well, that was the opposite of what he was talking about. "Bury yourself in work. And boxing," he said, then nodded once and looked away, ears red.
Coby laughed outright, an honest, clear sound, happy now that she was entertained by Brian. That had gotten her out of her bad mood. "So you've never gone with your instincts, never let go? I mean, not that I do much, but I know people do." She laughed again, not necessarily at Brian, just at the whole concept of never having sex with anybody.
"Not on that aspect, no. I never felt right ding it," he said, glad she was happy, though he was hesitant about why. After all, he was a man, and being laughed at for being a virgin wasn't exactly something to be proud of.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I know that was awful to laugh at you for." Coby tried to sober up, but just ended up laughing again. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, and just sniggered a little. She took a deep breath. "No, really, I'm sorry." She then realized how much it warmed her body just to be touching his arm, and she blushed a little. Thank god they were close to her home. "I..I can get home from here. Thanks for accompanying me." They were outside of Camelot Place, Coby's place was just inside the complex, down the street and to the left.
He smiled. "Don't worry. You're the only one who's ever found out, so the only one who's ever given me a hard time," he said, honestly just glad to see her smiling. He nodded and paused, looking at her. "You won't hesitate to call if you ever need anything," he hoped.
"Well..." Coby glanced down, then up at him. "I don't have anything to do tonight, do you?" She asked, almost shyly. It was pretty late, but come on, it was a Saturday night. Damn, when did she start to get nervous around him? God, always. She handed Piku back after giving her a little kiss on the head, then realizing she probably looked like an idiot doing that. Oh well.
Brian paused, but then, what was he going to do? Go home and do paperwork, maybe watch some TV. He shook his head. "Not really. Did you have something in mind?" Aside from the obvious.
Coby paused, then decided fuck it, and asked him. "Want to go get a drink? I won't keep you long, you probably have shit to do. But I need a little something to calm me down after the day I had today." She glanced up at him hopefully, he could always turn her down and she'd just go home and drink that bottle of vodka she had stashed downstairs. Somewhere.
He looked at her, then nodded. "Alright," He said easily. It wasn't a glass of wine at her house, it was a beer at a bar. That was friendly enough. "Where do you like to drink?"
"There's one down the street that looked decent." Coby shrugged and started to lead the way. "I haven't been there yet, usually I don't have anyone to go out with. And I hate to get hit on by random guys." She rolled her eyes, they were so horrible at flirting. She eyed him, and said with a wide grin, "So then how long has it been since you've been seen with a woman in public?" She laced her arm into his, quite friendly like. Definitely not flirting. Nope.
He smiled at her. Now this would probably shock her. "Just last week," he said. "I had brunch with a police officer who arrested me. Not the same day, obviously, but the next day. We had brunch." Ha! He was sure this would take her by surprise and look at him in a different light. A more manly light. Not that he cared how manly he appeared to her.....
Coby laughed, then asked, "Who arrested you? You. Arrested. What did you do?" She was surprised at the arrest, and even more surprised at the having brunch with a woman. Even moreso surprised by the jealousy that uncurled in her abdomen and hissed. It's not like I'm dating him, she thought. I didn't even know him then. Shit, why's it matter anyway? You're not dating him, Coby, she reminded herself, but she didn't bother to pull away from having her arm wrapped around his, or walking closer to him.
"I laid out a teenager who was stealing money from a little kid. She was the cop closest to the scene," he shrugged and then chuckled. She was jealous, and that somehow pleased him. "It's nothing, though. i won't see her again." He sobered, then. "She was the officer killed a few days back."
"Oh." Coby glanced down. She felt kinda bad making fun of him if one of his friends had just been killed. "Sorry to hear about that." But she was pleased that the position of dating him was open. Not that she'd want to take it, but she wanted it to be open. "You actually hit someone? That's pretty badass," she said with a grin.
He shook his head. "I didn't know her that well. The town lost a good cop, though," he said, not going into the suspicion that she was killed because she was a were. He looked at her, though, and arched a brow. "Just some punk. Only took one hit, and then I sat on him."
Coby nodded, going over her thoughts, and realizing that she was a really terrible person. The woman probably was a good cop. Man, now she really needed a stiff drink. This crush on Brian was going way too far. "Here it is." She motioned at the bar, it was an older style bar, with boothes on one side and the bar on the other. She dug in her purse for her ID, they never thought she was old enough. After showing it to the bartender, she asked for a rum and coke, glancing at Brian.
She was upset again, and he frowned, hiding Pika in his pocket as they walked in but ordering a beer before he looked at her. "So... are you finding the town nice?"
"Yeah, it's not bad." She took her rum and coke and moved to a booth, motioning for him to sit. "I mean, you're pretty much the only nice person I've met so far, but I guess that makes Scarlet Oak kinda like Detroit. Lots of jerks." Coby shook her head, staring down into her drink.
He frowned deeper and turned towards her. "It just takes time. It's much easier to notice the loud and obnoxious people. Have you looked around for work?"
"Yeah, no luck though. Going to try the clubs in the area." She looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks for asking." She sipped her drink, a little quicker than usual.
He smiled and nodded ."That's great. A club's just the place for a trendy young woman," he said, deciding that was the right thing to say. "But be careful, a lot of shady men go to those places. You'll be careful if you get the job, won't you?"
Coby nodded. "It seems safe enough around here. I'm glad to see you're concerned," she said, without really realizing what she had said. Shit. She didn't care if he cared about her or not. Ugh. Her brain was so muddled right now. She downed her drink and went to get another one, downing a couple shots while she was up there. She sipping her next drink more cautiously.
He chuckled and nodded. "Of course I am," he said. He knew she was attracted to him, even if that fact completely bewildered him, but he still tried to be nice and proper. He sipped his beer, taking it casually, then snuck some peanuts into his pocket for his kitten. "She likes the salt," he explained.
That was one thing Coby was never going to be able to get over. How he had ever ended up with an adorable kitten like Pika. "Right," she said with a smile, taking another drink of her rum and coke. "So how is your work going?" She watched him over the rim of her glass, thankful that the alcohol was dulling her irritation and sadness from the day already.
Brian nodded. "Finished the headboard today and got the initial stain on it. Sold a set of shelves, so it was a pretty good. Enough to send away for the bedding for Pika's...." he stopped there. That... well, that was a bit embarassing, so he woudn't there.
"Wait wait wait wait. Pika has a..bed?" Coby leaned over the table, grinning wickedly. "You are the cutest guy on the planet right now. You're not even trying." She laughed and took another drink.
He shook his head. "It's just a bit of scrap wood," he said. Yeah, scrap wood that he whittled, sanded, stained, and glued before putting into the house he had made from an antique wood dollhouse. "She needed a place to sleep on her own."
"Cats sleep anywhere. Pillows, couches, the counter." Coby shook her head and took another sip of her drink. "Wait, what did you just say? To sleep on her own? Does she usually sleep with you?" This was delicious, utterly delicious. And she didn't mean her drink either.
He went red and finished his beer. "She's a kitten. She should still be with her mother, but since she's not... yes, I let her sleep on my bed," he said, shifting in his seat.
Coby really had to resist the urge to cackle mercilessly at him. Deep breath. Don't take the guy's self esteem down to nothing. "That is fucking adorable, and deserves another drink." She plucked the bottle out of his hand and went up to get him another, while getting one for herself as well. Beer, because she needed to slow down a little. She downed her drink at the bar and left it up there, returning with their beers.
He watched her go, then looked down as Pika poked her head out. "One little ball of fur, completely emasculating me," he sighed, then tapped her nose gently. "Get back in before you get us and the pretty lady thrown out." Pika mewed, but as he tossed another peanut into the big pocked she disappeared in after it. As Coby returned Brian attempted to act like nothing had happened. "So... thinking about getting any pets yourself?"
"If I could avoid accidentally killing them once a month, maybe." Coby frowned, and took a sip of her drink, handing Brian his. The alcohol was starting to hit her harder, and she realized that maaaybe she'd have to lean on Brian on the way home. "It seems like it would be safer for me not to have pets." She glanced up at him, feeling pretty damn good right now. "Besides, cat fur and computers? Not a good combination. That's why my workstation is on the other side of the basement from my cage."
"You can send them over to my place once a month, as long as they don't hurt Pika," he shrugged, then paused. Yeah, the hair was harder. "Maybe something that doesn't shed."
Coby paused, realized she had to pee really bad, and she stood, stumbling a bit as she did so. Okay, so maybe she had hit the bottle too hard too quickly. "I'll--woo. Um, maybe I should go home now." She giggled--a giggle seemed very strange coming from her mouth. "Can you walk me home?" She asked, glancing back at him.
He got up quickly and caught her, frowning deeply, nodding. "Of course," he said. Wow... she really obviously did not drink often. He put the money for the drinks on the table and then took her arm. "Nice and easy. Alright."
"I haven't drank in a while," she confessed, looking up at him with big brown eyes. Coby blinked, watching him for a long moment, the way his jawline curved, the curve of his neck down into his shirt. Mmm. Oh. Going home, right. "I'm usually too afraid of getting mad and freaking out," she whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear. Leaving. Right. She made for the door, only wobbling a bit.
He quickly moved as she almost tripped, putting one hand to her waist and the other at her arm, holding her steady and helping her go out. "Well, that's something to be proud of. Being responsible, I mean," he smiled and lead her out and down the street carefully. "What building is yours?"
"Um. Give me a second, I'll remember." She sighed happily at him holding her, even if it was just because she was drunk. Not even that drunk. "215. It's down the street and to the left. You know, I wish I had the balls to actually kiss you. That'd be nice I bet." Coby blinked, and then realized what the fuck she had just said. Oh, shit. Her big mouth was apparently bigger when she'd gotten a few drinks in her.
He blinked, staring at her for a moment, then looked up. Drunk speak, right. "Here," he said quickly as she stumbled sharpy. He knew he shouldn't, with what she just aid, but she was tipsy and in those heels... he didn't want her to break her ankle. He stopped, then scooped her up gently. "Hey, easy," he said carefully, then took out Pika and put her on Coby's lap. "Just focus on holding the kitten," he instructed.
"Kitten. Yes." Coby hardly even noticed she was picked up. She held Pika close to her chest and leaned her head on Brian's shoulder. The world had suddenly gotten a lot spinnier and the ground was a lot further away. She wrapped one arm around the back of his neck, eyeing his neck as she did so. The werelioness leaned in and kissed the side of his neck, nearly purring. She was quite content where she was, yes. She closed her eyes and held Pika close with the one arm, nuzzling her.
His eyes went huge, but he forced himself to keep going. He'd been kissed. He'd been kissed. Oh, god, after all these years he'd been kissed and suddenly he was the one feeling drunk. Or, at the least, more like his 15 year old self, staring longingly at the girls and then running away before he lost control. Still, he forced himself to go on, mind still racing and neck tingling like he'd been electrocuted. Pleasantly so. He'd been kissed.... kissed.
"Mmm..I don't know how I'm even going to get to my bed like this. Wait. Shit. Are you carrying me?" Coby looked at Brian, utterly confused. She was moving, and she wasn't the one making herself move. Oh whatever. As long as it was getting her home in one piece. She nuzzled against his neck, staring down at the kitten in her lap. "Pika, Pika," she said softly, poking the kitten in the nose teasingly.
He'd been kissed. Kissed, like it was nothing, and now she was rambling about something. He looked down. "Yes, I'm carrying you," he said, almost robotically, making sure Pike was happy. She seemed to be, purring and cuddling up against the woman. He made his way up her front step. Kissed. Him.
Can I keep her?" She said curiously, looking up at Brian. "Can I keep you?" Coby giggled, looking out wide eyed to realize that she was at home. "Oh! Oh, I'm home!" Coby smiled up at Brian absently. "Um, keys. They're uuuh in my purse." She motioned to the bag on her arm, which was impossibly pressed between them. There was no way she was getting to it with him carrying her.
"I don't think you can keep her, or me," he said slowly, holding her out and pulling out the purse, going into it and getting the keys, trying them till he found one that worked. Then he took her inside and sniffed, then shut and locked the door behind them. "Where's your room?" Kissed....
"Why not?" Coby asked with a pout. "I'd be good, promise." She blinked and took a long pause, realizing the noise she'd just heard was Brian locking the door. That was awfully silly of him, was he staying the night? He had to get out somehow. "Um, that way." She pointed in the general vicinity of the hallway. Her room was there somewhere, she hadn't put anything upstairs yet. She suddenly sobered, realizing he was going to leave and she'd be all alone. Tears rose in her eyes unbidden, and she buried her face against his neck.
"Whoa, hey," he whispered, not stopping until he located her sleeping place, though he sat on the bed and leaned back, looking at her. "What's wrong, Coby? Why are you crying?"
Coby kept her hand on his arm. "I don't want you and Pika to go." She held the kitten close, stroking her fur. "I don't wanna be by myself." She wanted to curl up in his arms, but even in her inebriated state, she knew that wasn't acceptable unless he said it was okay. "I'm scared," she whispered, brown eyes full of tears. Coby didn't even know what she was scared of, being alone maybe? She didn't want to think about it.
He froze, then looked down at her. Scared? Oh... god. He frowned, then rumbled as comfortingly as he could. "Shh, shh. It's ok, Coby. I'm here. I won't leave if you're scared." But she kissed him... how could he stay here if she kissed him? How could he not?
Coby sniffled and did her best to take off her boots, though it would probably take a good twenty minutes with how she was doing it. She hardly ever wore the damn things, usually just wearing sneakers she could slip in and out of easily. She frowned down at them, and then looked up at Brian with a sigh. "Help?" There was no way she was sleeping in her nice clothes, thank god her pajamas were on the bed already.
He nodded and, after setting Pika on the bed, shifted down, taking off her shoes and socks. he was a were, of course, and therefore used to nudity, but usually out in the woods. Now, just taking off her shoes seemed too intimate for his taste.
"Thank you," she murmured, too drunk to be snarky to him. And also too drunk to care whether he saw her naked or not. She stood with a wobble and slid her trousers off, revealing black cotton boy short underwear. Her jacket and shirt followed onto the floor, along with her black cotton bra. She reached for her pajamas and nearly fell over the bed. Coby clutched the articles of clothing to her chest and laughed. "Oh damn, I really haven't drank in a while."
"No, you haven't," he agreed, taking the pajamas and, doing his absolute best to keep his eyes in the proper places, reclothed her, helping her as carefully and piously as possible. Finally she was in the pjs and he picked her up again, pulling back the covers and sliding her under them. "Alright, here we go," he grunted, then tucked her in. "How are you feeling?"
As of right now, Coby probably would have rather he'd not been so pious, but she didn't care as long as she got into her pajamas okay. She snuggled up under the covers with a content sigh, and replied, "Dizzy. A little." She reached out and touched his arm again, just the physical touch seemed to calm her.
He nodded and smoothed her hair. "I can stay, if you want me to," he rumbled, looking around. He'd have to bring in a chair, but he didn't mind. He realized she was probably afraid of that man she'd told coming back to hurt or frighten her. Well, maybe in the future she'd be more careful, but for now he could stay and look out for her. Pika, meanwhile, crawled up on the covers and pillow until she was in the crook of Coby's neck, curling up and purring as she nuzzled her.
"Please?" Coby asked softly. She leaned into his hand, closing her eyes. When Pika moved up to her neck, Coby smiled, nuzzling the kitten back as gently as she could. "Um, Brian?" She looked up at him, the question she wanted to ask already ringing in her head. "What if...what if I don't want to surpress my instincts anymore?" Coby kept her brown eyes on him, reading him for his reaction.
He looked at her, then flushed slightly. "As long as nobody gets hurt, knock yourself out," he said, deflecting form what he knew she was asking. He'd take it in the innocent way to keep her from being embarrassed when she was sober. "Now you need to get some sleep and rest off that liquor."
Coby nodded, taking that as a yes, she could kiss him. "Will you lay with me, please? I promise I'll be good." Good as in she wouldn't rape him tonight. But she'd get another kiss in if she could, before the liquor wore off and she was pissed at herself again for liking him.
He stared blankly, not answering for a moment before he finally nodded and then bent, taking off his shoes and coat but absolutely nothing else, going over and slowly sitting on the empty side of the bed on top the covers. I'm just here for protection, I'm just here for protection, he repeated over and over in his head, then slowly leaned back and forced himself to lay on the bed, completely straightened out and stiff, staring at the ceiling and almost fearing to move the slightest.
It was a full size bed, which gave them each plenty of room, but Coby bridged the gap between them easily, pulling Pika with her to rest her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Brian," she whispered, looking up at him. Her body lay close to his, but with the blankets in the way, there was at least something between them. She watched him for a long moment, her eyes tracing his jawline again. Before she knew what was happening, she had slid her hand out from under the covers and to his jaw, with her touch asking him to turn his head so she could look at his eyes. Coby did love his eyes.
For a long time he just lay like a cadaver, glancing at her worriedly out of the corner of his eye, but with her hand touching him he couldn't refuse her and slowly turned his face towards her, face slightly scrunched in question.
Coby smiled at him and said, "You have the prettiest eyes," before she leaned in and brushed her lips against his, unless he pulled away. Her body seemed to thrum like a harp string, being so close to him. She kept looking into his eyes, her own carrying the smile she had shown him moments before.
As she kissed him he inhaled silently, but didn't pull away. He couldn't. Her taste was amazing, and he found himself slowly and awkwardly responding. Until Pika mewed and headbutted their connected mouths, intent on having some attention for herself, as well.
Coby felt her entire body warm at his response, a small part of her so entirely glad that he didn't pull away she could have cried. When Pika begged for attention, Coby giggled, using her free hand to pet Pika as she leaned in for another kiss, if he would allow her permission. Her head was spinning, and she knew it wasn't from the alcohol. The lioness inside her seemed to unfurl and relax, sprawl across her body, giving her courage.
Brian returned the kiss for a moment, then slowly pulled away, lifting a large and calloused hand to her cheek and looking at her for a long moment, mind completely numb. Still, she was drunk, so though he put his arm around her he nodded. "Time to rest," he murmured.
Coby closed her eyes, resting her head against his hand. She nodded as well, nuzzling his hand. She lay on her side next to him, one hand splayed over his chest, the other stroking Pika. "G'night, Brian," she said with a yawn, snuggling as close to him as she could with the blanket in the way.
"Good night, Coby," He murmured, though he was by no means going to sleep. First of all, he had to guard her. Second of all, he wanted to relish the feeling of his first kiss and contemplate if this meant anything.