Chapter 21: Tugging On Heartstrings

Leo saved his game and turned off his 3DS. Storing it away, Leo leaned against the wall his bed was against and stared off into space.

He had been seeing Kerissa for nearly over two weeks and yet he was still confused about somethings. It wasn't as if he was used to the concept of having a girlfriend, nor was he sure of what it really meant. Aeris was the only other girl he had ever gotten close to and she had just became a friend. Still though, he had known her for years. And while he used to have a crush on her in their younger years, it stewed for a long time before they finally realized they wouldn't go any further then what they already are.

But Kerissa seemed to come out of nowhere. She was sweet and Leo really enjoyed her company, then after seeing her for a while it seemed to abruptly turn into them being boyfriend and girlfriend. It had happened so fast. Did it normally work that way?

It was the first time he really thought on it. Since things were somewhat hectic with their first few dates, then things seemed to change when he told Aeris and Alex about Kerissa. Alex didn't seem to react too strangely to it, supporting him and treating her like any kind of friend. Aeris however... Leo didn't even know. She seemed to be stand-offish toward both of them. All Leo could assume was just that it was a new face and she was just getting used to her. Aeris did in fact act a little strange toward Alex the first few times he was over.

But Leo hoped the current day would bring on new results. Aeris was gone from the apartment, taken away by Kerissa as a 'girl's day out'. Of course, Aeris seemed reluctant to go, but never voiced any real opinion. But after much urging between the three of them, she relented and was dragged off to bond.

Having thought on it, Leo stood up and left his room. There in the living room, Alex was lounging on the couch. The hybrid had a large stack of papers in his hands and was flipping through them every few moments.

"What are you doing?" Leo asked, trying to see what the papers were, all he could see were lines of black lettering.

"Reading," he answered, not taking his gaze from the page he was on.

"Doesn't look like any book I've ever seen."

"It's more of a rough draft," Alex muttered, looking up to face Leo. "Aeris asked me to read a book she's writing. Well, she commanded me to. Even threatened me with a rusty icecream scoop..."

"Huh."

"Yeah... the thing is though, the main problem is that she's trying to make this out to be a novel. So far, every chapter has mostly been revolving around multiple male characters having sex out of nowhere with little to no plot involved. Really, she shows excellent potential, but she really needs to change her subject matter. Either that or she could go into writing erotica." Alex set the pile of papers down and looked back at Leo. "Anyway, do you want something?"

"Well," Leo muttered, looking at the floor uneasily, "I guess, I was wondering... if you had any advice about... girls... and uh, dating."

The hybrid's first response was merely him raising his eyebrow questioningly.

"What have I ever done to make you think I could offer any sort of insight into the subject?"

"I don't know," Leo shrugged, "you're the only guy I could ask."

Alex thought on the response. From what he had seen, Aeris was the only sensible person Leo knew. Other then Pantsman but he had his doubts a man that wears boxers over his face would be able to give solid dating advice. And apparently they were no longer in the twenty-first century as asking a girl about dating other girls is obviously out of the question.

"Ugh," Alex groaned lightly, not thinking of himself as an expert on such things, "I don't know... Isn't this something you should have learned years ago?"

"Well..." Leo's muttered, his ears drooping down, "Dad died before I was old enough..." It hadn't occurred to the hybrid that Leo had missed out on many discussions and talks that sons usually have with their fathers. Then again, his own father wasn't very equipped in that department either. The time he tried teaching him the 'birds and the bees' still had a small scar in his emotional psyche.

"Hmm," Alex thought aloud, dropping his annoyed uncertainty as he understood Leo's predicament. "All I could really say is the obvious. Just be yourself, at least if you're after a relationship anyway. No point in being with someone you have nothing in common with."

"I guess things are going fine then..."

"It doesn't mean you can't pick up new interests along the way. Kerissa likes photography, use that. See if you can't like it too, it'll bring you both together even more so."

"Well, it is kind of fun to take pictures. What about things like... kissing?"

"Don't you two already kiss? You seem all over each other whenever your around."

"You know what I mean," Leo mumbled with a huff.

"Ugh, god dammit... It's not really something you can force Leo, it is more of an emotional response. It requires the right moment that you either find, or it'll find you. When you know it's right for the both of you." The hybrid shot a smirk to Leo. "Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and Cupid himself will lend a hand."

While the boys chatted, Kerissa and Aeris were out and about in the city. Though one was having a much more enjoyable time then the other.

Aeris grumbled to herself as she followed the husky through the local mall. What was Kerissa's idea as a 'girl's day out' involved shopping, something Aeris detested. It wasn't as though she didn't enjoy buying games every now and then, but the usual girl things such as clothes and shoes weren't something she enjoyed. Quite frankly, it was a large reason she hated the mall in the first place.

It also didn't help that the company that was with her just so happened to be her current least favorite person. The constant question of 'Will Leo like it?' whenever the canine picked up some random article of clothing also chiseled into her deepening agitation.

The last store they had visited nearly turned into an incident as Aeris about snapped the neck of a poor, unsuspecting employee who was simply asking them if they needed anything.

"Oh cheer up Aeris," Kerissa said in an energetic mood. "You're supposed to be having fun."

"This isn't fun," the feline growled. Not even the sweet smells of the nearby food court could do a thing to make her day a little brighter. She thought of ditching the dog in a store at one point, but considering she would have to see her again eventually, she thought better then to create the awkward moment.

"You need to lighten up. Spend some money, hit on a guy or two, act like a girl for once."

"Excuse me?" Aeris didn't know whether to sound offended or surprised. 'Act like a girl'? The pink cat hadn't realized it was possible not to.

"I mean no insult to it," Kerissa immediately responded. "I'm just saying you're too tensed, you need to relax..." The husky's gaze slowly shifted toward a pair of boys their own age who quickly turned their heads away to hide the fact they were starring at them, or at least, starring at her. "Hmm, silly boys, Leo's the only man I need." Aeris made a gagging noise, unnoticed by the canine she was trailing.

"You're the one who dresses like that." She was indicating the outfit she wore, just as tight and curve showing as everything else she wore.

"Oh, but that's the fun, isn't it? Watching these hormone driven drool sacks think their stares and whispers will blow right past us. They're no better then their quadruped counterparts. They're certainly just as amusing."

"I wouldn't know." It wasn't as though she typically caught gazes of others as she passed by. Not that she cared for them.

"It's no wonder," Kerissa retorted, "the way you look and carry yourself." Aeris was about to say something, her brow already furrowed into a glare. "Okay okay, worded poorly I know. It's just that you give off the wrong message." Now the pink cat's brow was raised in a look of questioning. "Well, no offense, but you wear the least flattering clothes for a girl with your figure, you have a wallet instead of a purse and you look as though you're on a constant binge of PMS. Really, I'm sure guys would be all over you if you didn't make them think you would kill them, or make them think you're a lesbian."

"A what!"

"See, it's that fury that scares them away... And I'm not insinuating anything. It's as I said, you simply give off the signal, not that there's anything wrong with it or anything."

"Hmph," Aeris huffed, looking away from the husky.

"Maybe," Kerissa thought, a smirk reaching across her mouth, "it's because you already have a very specific someone in mind." The pink cat shot a glare at her.

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Oh nothing, nothing at all." Kerissa's expression didn't change. After some time of them walking through the mall, Kerissa gasped happily as she thought of something. "I know! I am going to find the perfect outfit for you, something that will turn any sensible guy into a drooling husk." The monochromatic dog clutched Aeris' arm and pulled her into a nearby store.

"Hey, let me go!"

Some time had passed after Leo played student to Alex in the field of romance. Despite being given information that could hardly be considered informative, the gray cat still took the advice well.

At the moment, Leo perched himself on the armrest of the couch, starring blankly at the TV while kicking his hanging feet back and forth. Alex had returned to the 'book' he had and was on the home stretch in page count.

"So..." Leo said, breaking the thick silence, "what about you?"

"What about what?" Alex asked, not bringing his eyes up.

"About you and girls, any important ones you remember?"

"You want to know about my love life?" Alex gave an odd look to the feline who was nodding his head. "Can't say there are any to talk about." The hybrid left the answer at that and returned to the paragraph he was on.

"Really?" Though Leo had never thought of comparing the hybrid and past romances until now, he found himself surprised to hear such an answer.

Before answering, Alex let out a sighing exhale and put the stack of papers down.

"Romantic entanglements aren't exactly a priority in my life Leo. It's not really due to a lack of chances or anything. I just don't feel like tethering myself for a singular emotional response that dictates I need a significant other."

"What's so bad about having someone close?" Alex took a deep breathe and made a scoffing sound.

"You should know Leo. Tell me, when you're father passed, how did it make you feel?"

"I..." Leo paused, thinking on the answer. "I was sad, depressed, like something inside of me had died... For the longest time, I thought it would never end."

"Exactly," Alex stated. "It's the tragedy of life, to find love in family, that one special person you're meant to spend the rest of your life with. The tragic part is the inevitability of life's end, then the pain that said end will bring. Why allow your heartstrings to be stretched and pulled by the hand of someone you care for only to have them eventually snap? When I lost my family, it tore my heart to pieces. Now... I try to avoid such pointless grief. It makes my life easier, painless."

It was somewhat depressing to hear that kind of an answer. Leo looked down at the ground with uncertainty, Alex took notice to it.

"Don't let my own ideals make you think any less of your own. You're entitled to whatever happiness you can find. And if Kerissa can help with that, then by all means indulge yourself."

The deafening silence returned for some time. Leo continued to watch TV while Alex was finishing up the reading assignment Aeris had given him.

Then, their attention was diverted toward the front door, the faint click of the front door's knob sounding off. Kerissa stepped through as it opened, shopping bags dangling from her arms and a smile plastered on her face.

"So how have the boys been faring?"

Neither of them answered the question, Alex gave a mild shrug and Leo got up and hugged his girlfriend.

"How was your day out?" he asked.

"Fantastic," she answered, her smile deepened as she looked between Leo and Alex. "It's fortunate you are both here as well. I've got a little surprise." Their curiosity picking up, Leo and Alex as they looked at Kerissa attentively. Still smiling, she turned to the doorway while the two boys gaped.

They saw the one person who was missing from the apartment walking in.

Aeris was different. The clothes she wore when she left were gone, replaced by brand new pieces that were a stark contrast to what her usual attire consisted of.

Rather then pants, she wore a red skirt that only went down past half of her thigh, the rest of her pink legs out in the open in all their glory. The shirt she wore was black with long sleeves, most notable was how it looked to be an intentional size too small, causing it to hug her torso snugly. Even a matching purse was at her side, though the pink feline held it awkwardly, clearly not used to such a concept. What was most surprising was not only what she wore in terms of clothing, but also the makeup. Both Leo and Alex were shocked to see it, red lipstick on her lips and mascara that brought more attention to her eyes.

"W-Wow..." Alex stammered, unable to form any other form of language. An almost silent giggle came from Kerissa as she eyed the hybrid.

"How does the floor taste?" she asked with a hushed whisper. Quickly catching her meaning, Alex cleared his throat loudly as if a bad esophagus was what caused his previous infantile attempt at speech.

"I feel stupid," Aeris said heatedly, crossing her arms.

"Uh... d-don't be absurd," Alex said, smiling uneasily. "A little surprising... but... heh, you look great. Er- not that you didn't look fine before or anything... heh-heh." Aeris' agitated demeanor softened slightly as she watched Alex eying her. "Uh... L-Leo, care to add your own opinions?"

"Eh," Leo replied with a shrug. "Seems a little skimpy." He then flinched back slightly as he caught the seething glare Aeris shot at him.

"I don't like it, doesn't feel like me," Aeris muttered, wiping away the lipstick from her mouth.

"You should have seen the looks she got on the way here," Kerissa said to the boys. "Might have caused a wreck or two if the streets weren't so empty at the time." The husky returned to Leo and hugged him tightly. "But she can have all the stares, since I'm already taken."

"That's good to know," Leo said with a chuckle.

"Okay then," Kerissa said, letting go of Leo and kissing him on the cheek, "I think I'll be heading off for now, there are a few things I need to take care of before the day is over with."

"Goodbye for now." Leo kissed her on the cheek just before she left, causing the dog to giggle girlishly. Aeris' glare was just as fiery as ever, but going unnoticed by the two lovebirds, but one hybrid noticed it with a look of concern.

The next day, there was a knock at the apartment door.

Alex answered it to see Kerissa on the other side, her usual cheery attitude greeting him.

"Oh, hello Kerissa," Alex greeted. "Leo's actually not here at the moment."

The hybrid had had the apartment to himself for a short while already, both Aeris and Leo were called off by Pantsman. It was apparently about their work they did with him, so he didn't question it. But he was told it wouldn't take too long, so he expected them back soon.

"I know," the husky replied, stepping into the apartment. "I figured I could just wait around here for him.

"Alright, make yourself at home. I was just watching some TV."

Alex sat back down onto the couch. The show he was currently on was a simple criminal investigation show. However his interest in it was low as he realized how inept Canadian investigators were, it reminded him of the ones back home.

Kerissa sat down next to him, the sound of her tail brushing against the back cushion was her only noise. It was something the hybrid found odd about dogs, always wanting to keep their tails in motion.

"So," Alex said, gaining the dog's attention, "what do you and Leo have planned for today?"

"Oh the usual," she replied, "we like taking long walks through the city and talk."

"Huh, what do you guys talk about?"

"Simple things, about the city, how our jobs are going, sometimes about you."

"You talk about me?" The hybrid was slightly surprised by the answer.

"Well, you and Aeris. I like to get to know the people I'm around more. And of course Leo likes to talk, and he certainly has many funny stories."

"Heh, yeah I bet."

"There is something I'm curious about. Leo mentioned you knew a hybrid, but he never went into details. Jake I think his name was?"

"Yeah, he's actually a close friend of mine. Leo and Aeris ended up meeting him not too long ago when we took a trip to America. He had a plan to come up here to visit, though I'm not sure when that would be."

"Really? How interesting," Kerissa said. "What's he like?"

"Uh... well... I really couldn't answer that question very well. Not without crossing some lines of vulgarity that shouldn't be mentioned in the presence of a lady."

"Oh, is he some kind of skirt-chaser or something?"

"I think whore would be the more appropriate vernacular," Alex replied with a chuckle.

Soon they were both laughing. Finding the answer funny.

"What's going on?" A voice asked. Kerissa and Alex looked to see Leo watching them.

"Oh, Leo," Kerissa said in mild surprise. "We didn't hear you come in." She got up and wrapped her arms around the cat.

"I said you didn't need to come here this early," Leo said.

"Oh it's alright," the canine replied, "Alex is wonderful company."

They continued to hug each other affectionately. But Leo's gaze wasn't focused on his girlfriend. Rather, his eyes were watching the hybrid before him intently.

A/N: Goodness, 21 chapters, with no sign of stopping just yet. 80000+ words too, and counting. By the rate this is going, it might actually beat the last large fic I did.

It does feel slightly weird to get to some of these chapters I thought I would never get to. Just simple ideas in my head for how the story would be going at this point, then you finally put it up and you realize how long you've been working on this thing.

Ah well, it'll be done when it's done. I'm always trying to improve my update speed and keep it without sacrificing quality.

Anyway, this chapter doesn't show a whole lot, but a little insight into a certain character's thought process. And Aeris... yeah, forced wardrobe changing isn't always fun... Then showing up at the precise moment to cause heads to spin and tongues to hit the floor, or at least the singular. You could even argue that maybe it was intentional...(wink wink, nudge nudge, knowing look)

Next few chapters are gonna be fun, I can tell.