Part 11

The locker room was surprisingly quiet when Hunter pushed the door open. They had fallen into an easy routine – breakfast relaxing then training before going home and relaxing some more. Hunter loved how well Randy had adapted to his life style. The neko seemed to be growing in confidence when they were out and while they both still hated the fact Randy had to wear the collar signifying the mark of ownership, Hunter had noticed on more than one occasion Randy stroking the thick leather band with something akin to pleasure.

Sighing happily at how well things were going Hunter wandered over to his locker, pulling it open and dropping his bag down onto the bench all in one move. He heard a little huff behind him and glancing back over his shoulder he fought not to grin. Randy was frowning intently at the plastic bag currently containing his new running shoes. The kat was obviously struggling to open the packaging and when it became too much Randy gave a low growl and just swiped at the bag with his claws. The plastic shredded in seconds and Randy gave a little crow of delight as he finally got his shoes free of all the annoying packaging.

Shaking his head Hunter turned back around and as he started to change he called, "You sure you're okay with just the running machine, Randy? I could ask Josh to show you a few of the weight machines as well? That way you'd get a fuller workout..."

"You think I need more of a workout?" asked Randy hesitantly.

The uncertainty in his voice made Hunter look round, and when he did, he nearly groaned at the sight. Randy had eased his t-shirt up and was currently stroking his abs looking seriously worried. Hunter watch mesmerised as Randy's hand travelled over the exposed abs. The neko's fingers caught on the ridges of his muscles, the tanned skin all but shimmering in the harsh lighting of the locker room.

Realising Hunter was looking at him, Randy scowled angrily, asking instantly, "Am I getting fat or something? Do I need to work out more?"

"Hell no!" exclaimed Hunter far too quickly to hide his actual appreciation of the sight in front of him. Blushing slightly he coughed adding in what he hoped was a slightly manlier tone, "No I just meant it would give you a little variety. You know give you a chance to work out all of your muscles and... and..." he blushed even more when he registered the self satisfied smirk that Randy was giving him. Flipping a finger at Randy, Hunter huffed, "Oh shut up and get changed!"

He heard Randy chuckle – a noise that Hunter was coming to love more and more – and then a soft "Hey."

Glancing back he saw John had entered the room, the big man making a beeline for them grinning like a goon.

"Where's your kitten?" asked Hunter as John thumped his shoulder earning a soft growl in response.

"At home," replied John tugging off his shirt without caring who saw him naked. Stripping down to his strap, he grabbed his training shorts adding, "He wanted to come - in fact I left him at home pouting about the fact I said no - but there is no way on earth I'd leave him alone in there."

"I'd be with him," rumbled Randy softly coming over to join the two men.

John looked up and flashed him a warm smile soothing, "I know Kittykat and I know you'd take really good care of him but even so, I don't want Evan near this place. He's too..." his voice caught in his throat and for a moment the smile faltered. He held Randy's gaze a moment before looking away as he confessed, "...he's too special to be left alone in a pit like this."

"And I'm not?" asked Randy softly. There was a strange note in his voice and he was staring directly at Hunter looking decidedly unhappy.

Suddenly realising what Randy was thinking, Hunter soothed, "You're special as well Randy but Evan is too trusting, he's too ready to see the good in people he just wouldn't be safe here. Where as you don't trust anyone which means you're less likely to be hurt. But even so," his voice dropped down to a firmer gruffer growl as he assured, "You won't be alone and god help anyone who so much as looks at you the wrong way." He stepped closer and brushing a hand over Randy's exposed arm he leant in and whispered, "No one upsets you without answering to me."

Randy blinked at him slowly then with a slight smile and with a swish of his tail he nodded at Hunter – understanding instantly what the big man was trying to say.

As John slipped his training vest on he clapped his hands together and asked, "So while you and I are working up a manly sweat with our weight training, what's kittykat gonna be up to?"

"He'll be training, John," sighed Hunter rolling his eyes are John's sense of humour, "What do you think he'll be doing?"

John grinned and winking at Randy he called back playfully, "Giving the gym an eyeful? Making them wish they were you? Maybe even giving us a glimpse of..." he gave a yelp as Randy play punched his shoulder, the neko grinning as he snapped, "Shut up!"

"I'm telling Evan about you!" mewed John sticking his tongue out at Randy as he play pouted, "You're being mean to me."

"Go ahead," rumbled Randy shooting john his best glare although it was softened by the smile curling his lips, "We both know he'll take my side."

"He might not!" protested John playfully, hurrying after Randy, "He's my kitten! He'll back me up!"

Randy's reply was cut off as the door to the locker room closed behind him. Hunter finally let his smile expand into a grin. He loved the easy friendship that had formed between the other two. They had slipped into the roles so easily Hunter could almost have been jealous if he didn't know that John was completely smitten with his own neko and viewed Randy only as a very good friend. He bit his lower lip and as he padded out after them he found himself wondering if he and Randy would ever share that intimate relationship that John obviously had with Evan. Bowing his head he murmured wistfully, "I hope so..I really do hope so."

x o x o x o x o x o x

Hunter groaned with the effort of the reps he was doing. He was sitting on the multi-trainer facing out into the public gym. He was watching Randy work out, his eyes to the way the neko was straining with the effort. Even from his distance Hunter could see Randy's body working hard, the muscles moving with each new lift that Josh taught him and if he was honest it was doing things to him. He shifted on the seat of his trainer, subconsciously easing the sudden pressure in a certain part of his anatomy. He gave a low chuckle as he watched Josh reprimand Randy at one point, the small trainer standing up to the large glowering neko, obviously reading him the riot act about something. Not that Hunter minded. He'd know Josh for a long time and he trusted the small man – both to take care of Randy and as a trainer. He was also pleased that Randy seemed to like Josh's company as well, the neko seemed to be responding to whatever it was Josh was telling him even despite the fact he was being told off.

He grunted as a fleck of water hit him in the face and turning to his left, he found John leaning on the edge of his machine a large grin plastered over his best friend's face.

"Looks like Kittykat has made a new friend," commented John taking a long gulp of water before offering the bottle to Hunter. Easing the weights back into the rest position, Hunter unhooked his legs and took the offered bottle. Gulping down half the contents he nodded and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he replied, "Yeah but then it's hard not to enjoy Josh's company."

"Really?" teased John, "Do tell more!"

"Grow up!" huffed Hunter mock punching John in the stomach. John folded over, laughing his head off.

Shaking his head at John's antics, Hunter realised Randy was watching him. Absently he winked back at him and gave him a nod of greeting. He was rewarded with a head bob and a soft smile.

"Man you got it bad," drawled John coming to stand beside Hunter. He glanced at his friend then added softly, "But I can't say I blame you - he is stunning." At Hunter's raised eyebrow, he added quickly, "But nowhere near as adorable as my kitten."

Hunter smirked and leaning back he whispered smugly, "Yeah but at least my kat is all man."

John shot Hunter a strange look and pulled away replying cryptically, "You have no idea what my kitten is like, Hunter – no idea at all."

Hunter frowned and reaching out he caught John's arm as the other man turned to go. Searching his best friend's face he asked quickly, "Hey...hey what d'you mean? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," sighed John. He paused then shooting Hunter a strange look he huffed, "Don't let Evan's size deceive you. You have no idea, Hunter..." he got a strange almost dreamy look in his eyes and absently licking his lips he murmured, "No idea at all about what that little kat is really capable of."

Hunter was about to reply but he was cut dead by a scream of surprise from the public gym. Tuning back he was just in time to see Josh stumbling backwards from the weight machine that Randy was sitting on. Hunter was up and off his machine in seconds, all but running to where Josh stood, clutching his forearm staring in wide eyed surprise at Randy. The neko in turn was breathing heavily. His eyes had narrowed into mere slits, but Hunter could tell it wasn't from anger but instead it seemed to be out of concern for Josh.

"What happened?" he demanded drawing level them.

When neither man answered him, he glared at Josh growling, "Answer me! What happened?" it was only then that he noticed the blood seeping from under Josh's hand that as clamped to his forearm. With a sharp intake of breath Hunter asked quickly, "Randy what happened?"

"He...he made me jump," rumbled Randy bowing his head and turning his head to the side, not daring to look at Hunter. Hunter frowned. He had never seen his neko look so submissive and if he as honest it was not a good look on the big kat.

"What do you mean he made you jump?" asked Hunter reaching over to touch Randy's shoulder wanting to sooth his obviously upset kat. He was horrified when Randy flinched away from him, his eyes screwing shut and his body tensing as if waiting for a strike. Letting his hand fall away, and with a growing sense of dread, Hunter asked hoarsely, "You think I'm going to hit you?"

Randy didn't reply but the way he bowed his head even more and snuck a look at him spoke volumes. Trying to calm himself down Hunter ran a hand over his face then looking at Josh he asked slowly, "Josh tell me exactly what the hell happened?"

"We...we were about to do leg curls," stammered Josh still staring wide eyed at Randy although Hunter noticed with relief there was no animosity in the smaller man's face just a seriously surprised expression, "He was about to lift and I realised his leg was out of place so I just reached down and touched his thigh. I was only going to reposition it and..."

"He caught me by surprise," murmured Randy glancing up quickly before looking away again.

Hunter nodded understating what had happened. Josh in his innocence had simply gone to move Randy's legs just as he would with any other trainee. But not knowing about Randy abusive past the smaller man had surprised the large neko resulting in the kat lashing out in pure albeit unwarranted self defence.

Giving a long sigh hunter felt the tension slip away from his body. Leaning over he carful caressed randy's head, his fingers gently massaging the base of the neko ears. As Randy looked up Hunter smiled fondly at him and murmured," Kittykat, Josh wasn't attacking you."

"I know," breathed Randy holding Hunter's gaze, "I just..." he looked away again and Hunter could see the anger and despair from before starting to creep back into Randy's face.

With a soft, "Randy," Hunter waited until the kat was looking at him before smiling and running his hand down to caress the side of Randy's face as he soothed, "Everything is fine. No one's angry with you Kittykat, no one and especially not me."

He glanced over his shoulder and saw Josh watching him the softest of smile lighting up the young man's face, " Are you oaky?" asked Hunter his voice full of warmth for the other man.

Josh nod then gave a stifled whimpered as he pulled his hand away to reveal the four deep gashes Randy had caused with his claws. Frowning Hunter was about to call for help when John appeared carry a 1st aid grab bag. Easing Josh onto the nearest bench the big man soothed, "Okay small fry move your hand, let Uncle Johnny see the damage." He gave a low whistle and glancing back at Randy he chuckled, "Damn it Kittykat you have sharp claws."

Randy glared at him but said nothing. Hunter reached over scratching Randy's ears again murmuring, "Ignore the big lump." he saw a ghost of a smile flash over Randy's lips and stepping closer he leant in, silently delight when Randy actually took the hint and leant back against him, the shorn head all but resting on his chest. Letting his hand settle on Randy's far shoulder Hunter closed his eyes enjoying the sheer peace of the moment.

John worked quickly cleaning then bandaging Josh's arm. After a few minutes Josh got up and offering Randy a warm smile he asked, "I'm guessing everyone could do with a post training drinks?"

John nodded as he repacked the med bag and Hunter was about to speak but Randy beat him to it rumbling softly," I'll do it." He actually flinched as he realised what he had said but when no one told him off he added, "It's only fair. I mean I...I hurt Josh and I..."

"You didn't hurt me," corrected josh smiling again, "Well not much but I wouldn't say no to having a coffee made for me."

Randy gave him a nervous smile and glanced up at Hunter as if silently asking permission. Hunter nooded as soom as he saw the look, he was almost glowing with pride at his neko and with a fond caress of the shorn head, he growled, "Sounds perfect kittykat, I'll have one of the isotonic drink. John?"

"Oohhh ummmm," John scratched his head then grinned, "I'll have an iso drink as well. Make mine a blue though none of that girly pink crap that Hunter has."

"My drink is not girly!" protested Hunter glaring at John.

"Oh it is so girly," teased John ducking the swinging hand as it aimed for him head.

"It is not!" yelled back hunter only just avoiding John's playful shove to the chest. Almost instantly they started play arguing, shoving each other back and forth, basically having a ball.

Realising the argument could go on for some time, Randy got to his feet and stretching gracefully he looked over at Josh and with a wry smile he asked, "Would you show me where everything is so I can make the drinks?"

"Sure," replied josh fondly absently rubbing his clawed arm. Leading the way out of the gym he glanced back and giggled, shaking his head at the two men who were still bickering in the middle of the gym about the manliness – or lack thereof - of pink isotonic drinks.

TBC