Part 29

Hunter stared at Randy blinking rapidly as he tried to process what the neko had just said. Opening his mouth a few times he closed it again before finally growling, "What?"

"It's all I've got," rumbled Randy, his head dropping to his chest, "I don't...I can't...I'm not like Evan!" he exclaimed, "I'm not like him at all! I can't cook and I can't help with business matters. I don't know anything except sex I…"

"Randy shhh," interrupted Hunter reaching over and caressing Randy's face. Letting his thumb trail over the agitated kat's face, he soothed, "Calm down, Beautiful, breathe, its okay, I promise its okay."

There were so many things he wanted to say but he didn't know how to say them without upsetting his kat further. Instead he simply leant over and brushing his lips over Randy's he growled, "I'm not saying no I'm just saying how about later?"

Randy pulled back, the grey blue eyes searching Hunter's face. Hunter held his gaze waiting for the neko to reply. When Randy didn't reply, Hunter prompted gently, "I mean it. How about you hold that offer and I take you up on it later?"

Randy stared at him for several moment before asked almost breathlessly, "You promise?"

"I promise," chuckled Hunter, "Believe me I like the sound of it but right now…" his voice faded and he blushed slightly before leaning in and whispering in Randy's ear, "You kinda wore me out earlier."

Randy gave a loud bark of laughter which faded into a series of quick coughs as he realised he had just laughed at Hunter. Shooting the big man several sideways glances Randy gave a nervous little purr and asked, "You promise you'll let me do it later?"

"I will but on one condition," replied Hunter leaning back on the swing seat.

"What that's?"

"That the only reason you're doing it is because you want to do it not because you feel you should," explained Hunter. He stretched his arm along the back of the cushion his fingers brushing against the centre of Randy's back, "Promise me Beautiful, promise me that the only reason you want to go down on me is because you want to."

Randy stared at him, with wave after wave of emotion flowing across his face. Then after a few minutes he nodded slowly murmuring, "I do want to but I..."

"No buts," interrupted Hunter firmly, "I mean it. The only reason I will agree to this is if it's because you want it. Do we have deal?" he held out his right hand waiting and staring expectantly at the silent kat.

Randy stared at the hand then flicked a look up at Hunter before staring at the outstretched fingers. Slowly he raised his own hand. Sliding his palm along turn he nodded agreeing, "It will be the only reason it happens."

"Good kat," praised Hunter absently caressing the base of Randy's neck, loving the purr that echoed off Randy as a result. Snuggling back against the cushion he let out a sigh of contentment an ordered fondly, "Now will you please sit still and let me enjoy my beer, chips and the sunset in peace."

Randy glowered at him for a millisecond then realising Hunter was playing with him he gave a little snort of amusement. Throwing Hunter an equally playful pout he finally obeyed and settled down, almost but no quite leaning into Hunter's side. Not that Hunter was complaining. It was closest they had ever been and as Randy's tail flickered over his thigh Hunter closed his eyes enjoying the moment just to the full.

x x x x x x x x x x x x

"But I don't want to be left behind!" exclaimed Evan trailing after John as the big man moved through the house.

"Baby, please," sighed John.

They had had this conversation umpteen times and it was starting to get annoying. Setting his glass down on the counter he glanced back and sighed again. Evan was standing in the doorway of the kitchen glowering at him.

Holding a hand out, he huffed, "Come here, Baby."

Evan hesitated then, petulantly, he obeyed. Closing the space between them he melted against John's large frame, snuggling happily into the loving embrace. He couldn't help purring softly as John brushed a kiss against his ear and stroked his hair.

Brushing a softer secondary kiss against the twitching ear, John murmured, "Baby you gotta understand I don't want to leave you behind but the championship is no place for you. It'll be loud and noisy and full of people and i…"

"But Hunter's taking Randy!" protested Evan pushing away from John. The hand that was resting on Johns' chest tensed slightly the sharp nails changing angle just enough to dig into John's skin.

"Ow!" yelped John grabbing Evan's wrist and pulling the hand off, he growled, "Behave you! Just because I submitted to you in the bedroom doesn't mean you get to misbehave out of it."

Evan glowered angrily at him but he did retract the claws. After a few moments he gave an angry huff and pulling away, he folded his arms over his chest and sulked.

"Baby please," sighed John, "Come on its only for three day and I'll ..."

"Three days is too long!" snapped Evan, "You won't be here. I won't be able to curl up with you. I won't be able to…" he only just managed to stop himself from saying the phrase burning his throat.

John closed his eyes and sighed again. He hated the thought of leaving his neko. He truly hated the idea of having to sleep in an unfamiliar bed without the small bundle of energy beside him to keep him company. For almost all of their time together Evan had shared John's bed. At first it was simply because the small neko was scared to be left on his own and John had woken up on the 2nd night of ownership to find a very scared little kat curled up beside his bed. He remembered just staring at the neko wrapped in the stolen comforter, the little kat curled up into a foetal position right beside his bed. But more than that he remembered the look that had been in Evan's eyes when he'd carefully woken him. The look of sheer fear in his eyes and the shiver that shot through the small body before Evan remembered he was no longer a captive. Ever since that night they had slept together.

"Hey wait," said John suddenly recalling something Evan had said, he asked, "How do you know Hunter's taking Randy?"

Evan blinked at him and mumbled sullenly, "Cause Hunter would never leave Randy behind."

John didn't rise to the bait, and he certainly chose to ignore the look Evan was giving, instead he reached over and, grabbing the phone, he dialled the all too familiar number. When there was no answer he tried a different number.

Again no answer.

He swore softly under his breath as he hung up. It wasn't like Hunter to ignore both phones. Maybe something had happened. Maybe things weren't okay or maybe…he thought back to his conversation with Hunter a few hours before. A conversation where Hunter had finally admitted to getting it on with Randy. Giving a little chuckle, he licked his lips loving the plan that was forming in his head. Shooting Evan a megawatt grin he gave another low chuckle before asking cheekily, "What say we go grab some treats and go see what the guys are up too?"

All he got in reply was a low rumbling purr and a very mischievous giggle.

X x x x x x x x x x

It was Randy who first realised they were no longer alone. He heard the crunch of gravel on the front path. Instantly he became alert, his ears flattening slightly and his tail starting to undulate more than normal. Barely opening his eyes from where he was resting, Hunter soothed, "Easy kitty-kat. It's probably just John."

Randy titled his head questioningly, frowning slightly when Hunter chuckled before sitting up and explaining, "I didn't answer either of my phones. That means the big lump probably figured he'd just come on over anyway."

Swinging his legs down off the lounger he'd been relaxing on, he added with a knowing smirk, "See, it's a good job I postponed your offer, isn't it?"

He shot Randy a fond wink and, risking a sharp claw to the hand, he ruffled what little hair Randy had, his fingers teasing the base of the nearest neko ear.

Before Randy had a chance to reply a small bundle careened up the steps of the porch, pushed past Hunter with barely a grunt of acknowledgement and launched itself at Randy. Landing with a loud grunt, Evan nuzzled his face against Randy's, calling happily, "Surprise!"

Randy chuckled and growled all at the same time. Wrapping his arms around Evan he manoeuvred the smaller neko off his lap and onto the swing seat without actually breaking the embrace. He nuzzled back, rubbing his face against the soft hair their tails automatically twining around round each other in greet.

"See," called John as he padded around the corner carrying several bags of grocery, "Told you we wouldn't be interrupting anything." He glanced up at Hunter who was leaning on the edge of the deck looking down at him, before adding, "We weren't interrupting anything, were we?"

"No John," sighed Hunter wearily although there was no heat in either his glare or his huff, "You're not interrupting anything."

"Great," replied John cheerfully, his smile growing into a full grin with dimples as he brandished the bags he was carrying and called merrily, "Because I bought goodies!"

X x x x x x x x x x

A few hours later once the goodies had been devoured and John had been made to do the dishes for arriving un-announced, they moved back out onto the deck. Without hesitation the nekos claimed the swing seat, while John and Hunter lounged in the wicker armchairs, both men smiling indulgently as the kats played on the swing.

As they all settled down, it was Evan who broke the comfortable silence.

"Hunter, can I ask you something?"

"Evan!" hissed John all too aware of what he was about to ask but Evan ignored him.

Wriggling against Randy for a moment, Evan took a moment to compose his thoughts before asking sharply, "Are you taking Randy to the championship with you?"

Hunter frowned then sipping his beer he shrugged murmuring, "I hadn't really thought about it. Probably I mean i..."

"You can't be serious!" snapped John sitting up the relaxed smile having vanished from his face. "You are seriously going to expose him to the bear pit that is a championship meeting?" he asked staring accusingly at Hunter.

"John come on, it's not that bad," chuckled Hunter brushing aside John's concerns, "Sure it's not the prettiest of places to be around but come on what's gonna happen there are loads of people..."

"Exactly!" argued John, "Loads of people. And we won't be able to keep the nekos' with us. Not 24, 7. Hunter they won't be allowed in the locker room which means they have to be outside, alone with the audience and you know the sort of scum that hang around those places. Do you..."

"John!" growled Hunter warningly, "You're over reacting. You're letting your imagination get the better of you. Yes they won't be with us but they'll have their collars, they'll be marked as being owned. No one is going to touch an owned cat and…"

"DiBiase would," hissed John, "He wouldn't, he doesn't," he corrected quickly, "Care about collars. Evan was wearing my collar in the gym the other day. It didn't stop that bastard trying it on and it sure as hell won't protect him at the championship."

Evan flinched at the name of his abuser. His whole body shivering as he recalled what that man had done to him. Feeling the sudden tension in his friend Randy hissed, "Don't say that name."

John glanced over, his face crumpling the moment he saw the distress just the name caused Evan. Without speaking he pushed himself out of his chair and crossed over to the kats. Stroking Evan's hair he bent down and pressed a kiss against Evan's cheek murmuring something in his ear that neither Randy or Hunter caught but the result was amazing. Evan looked up at him with a look of almost adulation and giving a faint smile the small neko breathed, "I believe you."

Smiling in return John sank back into his chair. For a moment the four of them were silent, all lost in their own thoughts. Hunter looked over and realising Randy was staring at him he mouthed "What?"

The kat stared at him unblinkingly then slowly replied, "I want to see you win. I…" he hesitated flicking John a look before finishing, "I want to celebrate with you."

Hunter couldn't stop the smile spreading over his ace. Hearing Randy say those words, hearing the fact Randy wanted to be with him to publicly celebrate with him...

"Hunter please," John's voice broke thought the moment. Running a hand over his face he looked at Hunter and murmured honestly, "Please, I'm scared they'll try something. Look we already know they want you out of the running. I mean what's to stop them trying to using every and any weapon against you." He flicked his gaze knowingly at the two nekos then back at Hunter. Arching an eyebrow he hissed, "Are you really willing to risk them on a notation that DiBiase will respect the mark of ownership?"

Hunter held his gaze. He knew John was right but equally the idea of not having Randy with him, of not seeing those grey blue eyes for over 3 days, of not feeling that tail he as so fond of slither and undulate against him was something he simply didn't want to think about. Sipping his beer he leant back in his chair and after a few minutes contemplation he growled, "They'll be fine. Beside they won't be alone. I'll ask Josh or even JR to sit with them."

He glanced over at the nekos smiling faintly when he realised Randy was doing his very best to take Evan's mind of his past trauma by playing tail catch with him. Letting his eyes linger on the pair he found himself smiling and then slowly laughing as Evan started to arched against Randy, the smaller neko giggling happily as Randy started to tickle him.

"Hunter?"

Tearing his gaze away from the happy nekos Hunter looked at his best friend and sighed. John really did look worried and while he understood his concerns he didn't share them. He didn't think for one moment anyone would stoop so low just to gain a championship belt.

Reaching over he pated John's knee growling fondly, "Quit worrying, Johnny. They'll be fine. You'll see the four of us are going to have a blast at the championship. You and I are going win our respective classes and our nekos," he turned his gaze back to the two kats and sighed happily, "Our nekos are going to be right there with us to enjoy it."

"So that means I get to go?" asked Evan excitedly, practically quivering with excitement.

"It seems that way," replied John stiffly glaring at Hunter, "I mean if Hunter is taking Randy I can't leave you here all by yourself."

Evan gave a loud squeal of delight and leaping off Randy's lap he threw himself at John, hugging him and peppering John's face with kisses with pure delight. For a moment john resisted but then he gave him hugging Evan tightly ordering, "But you stay safe, you hear me baby. I couldn't bare it if anything happened to you."

"I promise!" swore Evan. He paused then wrapping a hand around the back of John's thick neck he pulled him closer devouring his mouth with a soul destroying kiss that had John groaning like a madman.

Hunter burst out laughing and hearing a low rumble looked over to see Randy openly laughing as well. The sound made Hunter sigh with delight and catching Randy's eye he winked at his neko loving the nod he got in reply. Taking a sip of his beer he settled back suddenly feeling more confident and excited about the championship than he had for a very long time.

TBC