Part 26

"You decided what you want?"

Randy glanced up from the menu and shook his head. Hunter smiled. He wasn't surprised, the choice was vast. Letting his own eyes roam over the sweet choices he gave a startled grunt as he felt something warm and furry caress his ankle. Looking at Randy he realised the neko was purposefully ignoring him. The only indicate that the neko had any notion of what was happening under the table was the playful smirk curling his lips. Bowing his own head Hunter tried not to groan in delight as the tip of Randy's tail pushed further up the inside of his jeans, the thick fur tickling his lower calf.

"You guys ready to order?" asked the waitress grinning at them both.

"Randy," growled Hunter fighting hard to keep the desire out of his voice.

"May I have the chocolate wave," asked Randy finally lowering the menu and looking directly at Hunter.

"Sure thing," agreed the waitress, "And you, sir?" she asked turning to Hunter.

Hunter gave a little huff as Randy's tail decided at that moment to see how far it could go. Fighting hard not to react he managed to gruff, "Umm the same please."

"Okay coming right up,"

"Behave!" snapped Hunter the moment the waitress was out of earshot.

Randy just leant back and gave him an innocent look that was completely ruined by the come to bed eyes accompanying it.

"You are such a bad cat sometimes," teased Hunter.

He froze as he remembered Randy's reaction last time he'd said that phrase. He was half way to apologising when he realised Randy had only tensed up rather than exploding at him. Reaching over he caught the hand currently gripping the edge of the table and soothed, "I'm sorry, you know I didn't mean it like that. Randy?"

Slowly Randy looked at him and nodded. But the relaxed ease from moments ago had vanished as had the tail teasing Hunters' leg. Mentally kicking himself, he slumped back sighing at his own stupidity. It seemed every time they made any headway he managed to mess things up. Taking time to look at Randy he could see the tension that had filled the neko and it killed him. It killed him that the past still had such a tight hold over his beautiful kat.

Without thinking he caught Randy's wrist again and tugged it closer. Randy obeyed leaning forward. Meeting him half way Hunter whispered, "I would never hurt you the way they did. You know that," he searched Randy's face not liking the way Randy refused to meet his gaze.

"Look at me," he ordered softly.

Randy didn't obey he kept his gaze averted and that hurt.

"Randy," growled Hunter," I said look at me."

That got a reaction but not the one Hunter had hoped for. Randy was glaring at him, the anger and nervousness from before blazed in Randy's eyes and Hunter would have given anything at that moment to erase that look from his neko's eyes. Holding Randy's gaze he snapped forcefully, "I mean it. I will never hurt you the way they did. You have to believe me."

"I do," rasped Randy a few seconds later, although the silence between Hunter speaking and Randy replying seemed to last for eternity, "But I..." he stumbled over his words a moment and it took him several attempt before he managed to spit, "I don't know what you expect from me."

Hunter frowned. Randy's answer didn't make any sense. Then as he was starting to think he had missed something he suddenly realised what the neko was trying say. Shaking his head he swore softly hissing, "Shit I don't expect or want anything from you, not like that. Jeez Randy I just want you to be happy that's all. I don't expect you to do anything I just..."

He didn't finish as at that moment the waitress returned with their dessert. Pulling back reluctantly Hunter smiled at her as she set the sweet treats down in front of them. As she retreated Hunter glanced at Randy and chuckled, "Damn I'm going to need extra hours in the gym to work this off."

Randy nodded then as Hunter took a mouthful of the chocolate concoction the neko rumbled playfully, "Or you could just fuck me for several hours, that would have the same affect."

Coughing in surprise and shock at what Randy had said Hunter only just managed not to spit his mouthful everywhere. Grabbing a napkin he wiped his mouth and after taking several gulps of water he glared at Randy, hissing, "What the...jeez..." it was then he saw the smirk gracing Randy's face and he too started to laughing. Shaking his head he ordered, "Eat up kittykat, if I'm gonna do that then you're going to need your strength just as much as me."

Randy laughed in response and Hunter found himself loving the sound. It didn't happen very often but each time he heard Randy laugh it did something to him melting just a little more of his frozen heart and letting the beautiful neko further into his normally tightly guarded soul.

X x x x x x x x x x

Randy was lounging by the van as Hunter paid. Straightening up as Hunter wandered closer Randy gave a cough and as Hunter drew level Randy snapped, "You didn't tell me how much the drinks were."

Hunter paused as he put his wallet away then smiling he lied, "Call it five dollars."

Randy started to protest but Hunter held his hand up adding teasingly, "Five dollars and a kiss."

Randy shut up his mouth clamping shut as he stared at the big man. A myriad of emotions flashed across the suddenly weary neko's' face – emotions Hunter didn't like the look of. Again there was a tension in Randy's body language, his tail was hanging limply at his side and his neko ears were simply twitching barely moving as if afraid to draw attention to themselves. Suddenly wondering if he'd gone too far Hunter started to apologise only for Randy interrupt snapping coldly, "I think that seems a fair amount." He reached into his pocket and drew out a five dollar bill. Pressing it into Hunter's hand, he closed the gap between them and looking into Hunter's eyes he asked almost sadly, "How do you want the kiss?"

Hunter gulped. He had only been joking about the kiss. He would never expect Randy to pay for something with his body, ever. He stepped back putting space between them and soothed, "I was only joking about kiss." He gave a half hearted smile confessing, "It was a stupid thing to say, I'm sorry I..."

"I don't mind," Hunter cocked an eyebrow gasping as Randy added sadly, "I mean it wouldn't be the first time I've had to settle a debt using my body."

"Randy don't," breathed Hunter horrified Randy would even think that he would expect that of him.

"But its true," murmured Randy dropping his eyes, his shoulders dropping as well, "I've spent my life paying for things with my body." He paused then flashing Hunter a look he spat, "Why should you be any different?"

Randy's question was like a knife to Hunter's heart. Physically recoiling Hunter stared at the neko the spat, "Because you should know by now I would never do that to you."

He stared incredulously at Randy his anger at Randy's accusation almost blinding him to the despair rolling of his sad neko. He balled his fist then running a hand through his hair he hissed, "That's a hell of thing for you to throw at me. After everything I've done or rather not done to you I...I...Christ ..." he gave a snarl of anger trying very hard to reign in his anger. Without thinking he lashed out and smacked the side of the van grunting in frustration as the blow did nothing to ease the anger inside him.

Randy flinched at the strike but didn't move out of the way and that upset Hunter just as much the idea that Randy almost expected him to strike him. Drawing breath after breath into his lungs Hunter tried to calm down. Glancing over at Randy he took a deep breath then asked, "You really think I would do that to you?"

Randy held his gaze then looked away shrugging. Hunter reached over his hand caressing the side of Randy's face forcing the neko to look at him. Staring into Randy's eyes he repeated the question. After a few seconds Randy shook his head murmuring," No I...I don't know. Everyone else I've ever met has, why should you be different?"

He sounded so broken, so resigned to his lot it broke Hunter heart and went some way to easing his anger. Moving his hand up he cupped the side of Randy's face. Without meaning to he closed the gap between them their bodies pressing together. He backed Randy up until the neko was caught between the side of the van and Hunter's own body. For a moment Hunter wondered if what he was doing was right but then he looked into the desperate grey blue eyes and he didn't care.

Closing the gap between them he brushed his lips over Randy's promising, "I will never hurt you that way."

For a moment Randy didn't respond then to Hunter's delight the neko melted under the kiss. He felt Randy's lips part and he took the silent invitation. For the first time he kissed his neko properly and as their tongues brushed against each other Hunter had to suppress a groan of delight.

It was Randy who broke the kiss. Pulling back he stared at Hunter in surprise. Blinking a few times he licked his lips as if pulling in every last lingering taste of Hunter. He gave a low purr his voice echoing with pleasure as he confessed, "That was some kiss."

Hunter blushed and pulling back slightly he suddenly remembered where they were. Glancing around he gave a private little prayer of thanks that no one had seen them. With his cheeks colouring even more he smirked and reaching over stroked Randy's head his fingers tickling the base of the neko ears. Randy gave another low happy purr his tail undulating happily behind him. Returning the smile Hunter growled, "You know a car park really isn't the place to be having this conversation," Randy ducked his head blushing as he realised what Hunter meant.

"Shall we go home, Kittykat? Go home and see where this conversation leads?"

Randy nodded quickly the life shining in his eyes once more. As Hunter leant past him to unlock the passenger door Randy caught him and pressing a soft kiss against Hunter's cheek he purred, "I like this sort of conversation with you."

"So do I," confessed Hunter stealing a last lingering caress of Randy's head, "But this really isn't the place for it. Wait until we get home then we can really see where this goes."

Randy nodded and as he hopped into the van Hunter noticed he had to rearrange himself and for some reason that made Hunter chuckle. Climbing into the driver's seat Hunter wondered how quickly he could get them home without breaking the law.

x x x x x x x x x

Opening the front door Randy glanced back over his shoulder and asked excitedly, "So how do you want me?"

"Want you?" asked Hunter, stumbling over his feet. Glancing up he stammered, "What do you mean - how do I want you?"

"What position?" asked Randy as if it was the most normal thing in the world. He was already starting to undo the buttons on his shirt, exposing his neck and collar bone, his fingers quickly exposing more and more of his torso, "I'm pretty flexible I can get into most known positions."

For several seconds Hunter stared at the neko then as his brain kicked into gear he exclaimed, "Christ Randy stop!" He lashed out his hand curing around Randy's pressing the neko's hand to his chest, "Just slow down a moment."

"Why?" asked Randy for once looking incredibly young, "I thought you wanted me."

"I do," breathed Hunter, "But I...I...not like this," he snapped letting his hand drop away from Randy's. He stared at the neko shaking his head murmuring, "I...Christ you make sound so impersonal."

Randy started at him a moment then with his face falling he rumbled, "I thought you wanted sex? In the restaurant you...you were undressing me with your eyes, over dessert then in the car park you...you kissed me and I...don't you want me?" asked Randy sounding heartbreakingly nervous.

Hunter closed his eyes and taking a deep breath he baled his fist. Forcing himself to look at Randy he growled, "You have no idea how much I want you but I don't want to fuck you, this isn't just about sex. This is..."

"Everything is about sex," snapped Randy his face hardening, "Hunter either you want me or you don't. Stop playing with me."

"I'm not playing with you!" yelled Hunter, "But I'm also not going to fuck you. Jeez Randy, you seriously think after all this time, after what I said in car park that I'm just going to fuck you in the hallway?"

"I can suck you off," offered Randy after a few moments stunned silence, he was starting to sound desperate, "I'm good with my mouth," he promised, stepping closer his hand running down Hunter's chest heading further south, "I'd make you feel good, I..."

"Randy stop!" ordered Hunter, capturing Randy's hand and pulling it away from his body. He took a deep breath then snarled, "Listen to me, when we do this, we do it because we both want it not because you think you need to..."

"I want you to fuck me!" hissed Randy, ripping his hand away from Hunter, "I need you to fuck me," he insisted, getting into Hunter's face, "So stop stalling and..."

"I'm not going to fuck you!" yelled Hunter, getting right back into Randy's face, their nose almost touching, "You hear me cat I am never going to fuck you. I want to make love to you!"

The silence that followed was deafening.

Screwing his eyes shut Hunter hated himself right there and then. He knew that once again he was messing things up, he knew he was making a bad situation worse but he couldn't stop himself. Looking at his stricken cat he murmured,"I mean it. I don't want to fuck you. I want to lay you down and spend time with you, I want to..." he gave a biter laugh chuckling, "Damn I sound like a girl."

Randy didn't react. He was staring at Hunter in something akin to horrified disbelief.

"Randy?" murmured Hunter a few moments later when there was still no response, "You okay?" he cupped Randy's face his thumb rubbing an absently circle over Randy's cheek

Randy started to respond, he started to lean into the caress but then he stopped himself. With his eyes locked on Hunter he pulled back, breaking the soft embrace and putting what seemed a massive gap between. He searched Hunter's face then in a hoarse whisper he asked desperately, "Why?"

Hunter frowned. He didn't know what Randy was asking him. Running a hand though his hair he gave a bitter sigh and growled, "Why what, Kittykat?"

"Why would you make love to me? I'm just a kat. Kats don't get loved, kats get fucked ..."

"Don't you ever say that again!" ordered Hunter grabbing Randy's arm and pulling him closer.

He was fighting to keep control of his anger. Anger direct towards the bastards who had made the beautiful neko think he wasn't worthy of being loved. Giving a low snarl Hunter stared into the grey blue eyes and said firmly, "Whoever told you that was wrong," Randy started to struggle trying to get free but Hunter wouldn't let him go.

He was determined to break the last hold the previous owners still had on Randy. Tightening his grip he carried on, his voice low and firm, rolling over the agitated neko in waves, "I mean it, they are so wrong. You deserved to be loved, to be worshiped. You deserve to be laid down and to have every inch of your body explored with soft touches and kisses. You should be surrounded by love and tenderness and all things good. You should..."

"Let go of me!" hissed Randy really struggling to break the hold. His tail was lashing around behind him and his ears were laying flat to his head his face a mask of anger and agitation.

Slowly Hunter relaxed his grip not willing to risk hurting the now angry cat.

"Those are words, nothing more than honey words meant to trap me," hissed Randy, racking his hand over his head, he started to pace, moving like a caged animal, his tail lashing around like mad as he snarled, "You don't mean them. No one says those words to a kat. No one wants us for anything other than as a body to fuck. No one cares what we want, no one cares about ..."

"I care."

Randy stopped dead in his tracks. He twisted his head and stared at Hunter.

Hunter held his gaze.

It surprised him how easily the confession came to his lips, how right the words felt and sounded. He gave a slight shrug as if that simple action could explain everything. It didn't. Randy continued to stare at him as if he had grown another head. Sighing Hunter broke the eye contact and catching a glimpse of a picture he gave a soft smile.

Wandering over to it he picked it up. It was of Stephanie – she was laughing holding a rose he'd given her. Running his finger over the image he wondered if maybe it really as time to let go of the past. Maybe now was the time to stop looking back and starting looking forward. Slowly looking up he glanced over towards the still froze Randy and he couldn't stop the knowing smile curling his lip.

Giving a soft chuckle he confessed, "You know when I lost her I thought my life was over. I didn't have anything to live for. But then John dragged me to that store and I met you. You're nothing that I was looking for. You're a pain in butt, you're an emotional mess not to mention you're male for god sake and I sure as hell wasn't looking for a companion let alone a male companion but despite all of that – I'm pleased I met you." He paused regarding Randy for several moments. Gently replacing the image, he let his hand linger on the frame as he murmured softly, "So believe it or not I do care about you and about what happens to you. Deeply. Maybe more than I should but there it is. I care, Kittykat, I care what happens to you and I want you to be happy."

He swore under his breath chuckling bitterly, "Christ I sound like a goddamn chick-flick Lifetime movie!" He gave another bitter sigh and letting his hand fall away from the frame he turned and padded towards the kitchen calling wearily, "I need a fucking drink. Do you want one?"

There wasn't an answer but then is he was honest, Hunter hadn't really expected one.

TBC