It was a few weeks later they ran into problems. The morning started out fine, just like the others had. There was no warning of what was to come later that day, and Ash had a feeling Buster planned it like that. They had completed the first act, and she was smack bang in the middle of a scene in the second. It was a big fight between the three friends, and involved a lot of bitching.
'….so don't act like you two aren't going at it, Toni, we can all tell.' Meena's voice was sharp and hard, and it almost frightened the porcupine. She was so good at her character, it was ridiculous. Ash had her reply at the ready.
'I've told you a hundred times Harri, he is just a friend! And I ain't acting, unlike you, who has been holding up that bitchy front for years.' Rosita stood between them, looking nervous. She spoke up.
'Girls, come on now, no need to fight. Harri is just looking out for you Toni, neither of us want you to get hurt.' The voice was gentle, just like the pig who spoke. Toni snorted.
'Looking out for me? Bull. He is my friend, that is it. He isn't gunna hurt me in anyway, the dude is a giant softy!' pale blue eyes narrowed, arms crossing.
'And hell do you know that? You've known him for like a week! And I bet his tongue has been down your throat for half of it.' Ash shook at that. She almost broke character, feeling too much like she was back in high school. It was like getting together with Lance all over again. Giving herself a shake, the porcupine glanced back down at the script in her hand.
'I have told you, it ain't like that. And I know because he ain't trying to hide his actual personality like you two!' the others spluttered right on que, eyes going wide.
'And what the hell does that mean?' was Harriet's spat reply.
'Wh-what?' Innocent green eyes shone from Cathy's face.
'You know exactly what I mean. Cath, you act like your all bloody innocent and a good girl, keeping her friends out of trouble, but I know for a fact you went to that college party last week and got hammered.' Cathy looked terrified, yet Toni continued. 'And you, Harriet,' Meena attempted to her angry hiss. It wasn't half as intimidating as it should have been. 'You act like you're this cold heartless bitch, when we both know you are still that scared little girl who could dance and sing her heart out. Just because you went and got your heart broken doesn't mean that she is gone.'
Meena had perfected the glare. Ash felt chills run down her spine as the pale blue gaze locked onto her.
'Don't you ever say that again. That is not my name, and that is not who I am.' Was Harriet's growl. Ash perked her ears waiting for the shout from Buster, but it never came. That was the first sign they were carrying on. Ash glanced down again, line's filling her head.
'Fine, but when you decide to stop living in the clouds, don't come crying to me.' Toni stormed away, meaning Ash had to stomp to the other side of the stage. Rosita and Meena disappeared, and Johnny appeared. She almost smiled, but decided to keep up the fake scowl. A call floated over to her.
'You ok?' Dennis looked concerned. She turned.
'Fine.' Was the short reply.
'Wanna go somewhere?' Toni looked up, tilting her head.
'Sure.' They walked off the stage. Buster called from his seat up front.
'Continue on to the next scene, I want to see the dynamic!' Ash rolled her eyes as she and the gorilla plodded back to centre stage. The sat on the bench that was currently being a picnic table.
'So, what's up?' the scene continued.
'Nothing, just had a disagreement. My so called friends don't like us hanging out.'
'How come?' The look of innocence from her friend nearly made Ash squeal. It was so damn cute. The teen was doing fabulously, even if he did have to keep checking his lines. The again, so did she.
'Apparently we are shagging wildly, and it's all going to be disastrous, and I'll get a broken heart. They don't even know you! You're the sweetest person I know, no matter how easily you could break a guy's neck.' Dennis blushed. Ash still had no idea how Johnny managed to do that.
'You know though. That's the important bit.' The soft voice was as soothing as ever.
'I know Den, but it's not fair to you. You're so nice, and no one gives you a chance, and I wanna change that.' A small paw connected with grey cheek as directed. They were getting closer. Ash read a few line's ahead, eyes widening. Shit, she wondered if Johnny knew. Their kiss was coming.
'You don't have to. I'm happier than I've ever been with you….' It was still Dennis talking yet Ash wanted to take those words to heart. She gazed at him. Closer still they moved.
'Dennis… I don't know what to say….' Paw crept into his dark fluffy hair. Bright brown shined down upon her.
'Then d…..' Johnny froze, breaking character. He had just spotted their instruction. Eyes wide, he paled. Ash could feel his breath speed up, and he pulled back slightly. The look on his face was not good. So the porcupine decided to save him. Pulling away, she turned to look at moon.
The koala just gestured for them to continue, but Ash wasn't going to listen.
'Isn't it lunch time yet. We've been at this for hours, and I'm starving.' The smaller man made a face, then glanced at his watch.
'I suppose so… alright, but straight back to it afterwards.' He clapped and walked off. Ash heaved a sigh and turned to face Johnny. Only to find empty space. He had done a runner. Oh, hell no.
Ash spent quite a while hunting for her tall friend. For a guy so large, he hid well. Wandering through the foyer, she glanced around. The only place to hide here was the ticket booth…. He wouldn't, would he? Ash peered over the counter. She was a bit short, but could about see a black tuft sticking up. Gotcha. She padded quietly to the door, pushing it open silently.
Johnny was curled beneath the counter, staring into space. He hadn't seen her, so she took a moment to observe. Even cramped into a tiny space, the gorilla was handsome as hell. Grey skin and black fur merged seamlessly, cute round ears slicking out slightly. Soft chocolate eyes looked conflicted. So Ash decided to stop it.
'Johnny, talk to me.' It was as soft as her voice would go, as her paw landed softy on his leather covered shoulder. Johnny jolted slightly, before gazing at her.
'Bout… bout what?' Ash cocked a hip. The innocent route wasn't working on her.
'About the kiss we are about to be forced to do. You looked terrified. Am I that hideous?' it was a soft joke in attempt to make him smile, but the teen looked horrified.
'Ash, no! No, no, no. it's nuthin' like tha'. I'm just worried cause I don't wanna mess it up.' Accent was thick with panic, large hands flapping slightly. Ash could've blushed. But she still had a question.
'Mess it up? How?' the gorilla didn't answer. Ducking his head, canines digging into that soft lower lip (her stomach reeled), he seemed eager to look anywhere but her. But why?
Then it hit her, like a runaway freight train. He had never kissed anyone…. How? The teen should have girls lining up to kiss him. A wave of sympathy rolled her. Poor guy, no wonder he was worried. No one wants their first kiss to be seen, let alone be on a brightly lit stage. Her head tilted as she tried to catch his eye.
'Johnny…' but chocolate eyes stayed locked onto his shoes. Ash sighed, before walking in front of him. One paw met that grey cheek again, her head ducking so she could look at his face. Locking eyes, she began whispering.
'Johnny, don't worry. It's nothing bad. Hell, it's kinda sweet that you're so worried about it. Not that you should be. But I get not wanting your first kiss to be around people. It's embarrassing and awkward, and will take a couple tries, but with how quick you picked up the piano, you'll have it in no time.'
'But… what about now? We're due out after lunch, and Mister Moon wants us to try it.' he sounded so scared. The porcupine sat back, thinking.
'Well… I could go out and kick up a fuss, tell Moon that he could go shove it, but I'm not sure how that will go down. Either that or….' She flushed. Ah. She did have another plan, but it wasn't the best. And Johnny might not want to.
'Or what?' the gorilla was curious now. Ash huffed a sigh, not quite looking him in the eye.
'We could… try it now? I could give you some help, and that way, it won't be the first…' she trailed off, glancing away. Silence met her for a moment, before a quiet 'really?' reached her ears. She looked back up, finding bright eyes again.
'You'd do that for me?' Johnny looked as nervous as she felt. Yet she still smiled.
'Course big guy. I'm not gunna make you go through that hell.'
'Are you sure?' she rolled her eyes.
'I wouldn't of suggested it if I wasn't.' a small nod was her only reply. The large mammal rubbed his neck, glancing between her and the floor. After a beat, his mouth opened.
'Sooo, how do we go bout this?' Ash almost giggled. Poor guy, looked so lost. Fixing her stance, the porcupine moved closer.
'Shut your eyes.' She ordered. 'And trust your instincts. If you think too much, it won't be any good.' Her companion looked ready to argue, but she stared him down until he complied. Ash grabbed his hands, moving between long legs. One large hand she placed on her lower back, the other she held. Her paw was tiny within his and she could feel his trembles. 'Relax,' was whispered. They were level like this, so Ash didn't have to plan too much. She just leant forward, and connected their lips.
….God, his lips were like satin. Even stiff and unmoving, they were as soft as pillows. Smoothing a paw across his cheek, she attempted to communicate that he should relax. And slowly, but surely, it worked. Eventually, small unsure moves began, making her shiver. This had to be the gentlest kiss she had ever had. Her paw wandered back, through thick warm fur, curling round his ear. His hand tightened minutely on her back, other coming to cup her cheek. The touch was as soft as one would handle a porcelain doll with. She nuzzled against his mouth, opening her own slightly. Johnny followed slowly, allowing the kiss to deepen.
Ash lost track of how long they remained like that, mouths engaged in a slow dance. Eventually she had to pull back to breathe. The sight that greeted her eyes warmed her core. Grey lips were slick with saliva, cheeks flushed pink, and eyes wide. Her wandering paws had messed up his hair, making it look like he had just rolled out of bed. The whimper that escaped her would have been embarrassing if Johnny hadn't pulled her right back in.
Their lips met again, slightly more heated. Ash combed her fingers through his pelt, tickling the skin underneath, making Johnny's mouth falter. He quickly recovered, pulling her into his muscular chest, arm wrapping further around her to grab her hip. She retaliated by tugging on the hairs on the back of his neck. The shudder that followed reverberated through her. The gorilla tasted like mint and chocolate, practically making her drool. Feeling sneaky, she eased out her tongue to swipe across his bottom lip.
Johnny shot back at that, face aflame. Ash stood panting for a moment, gazing at her friend (could she still call him that after that intense kiss?) pinned under the counter. Shaking herself slightly, she began speaking.
'Sorry… sorry. I went a bit too far.' Johnny relaxed, rubbing his neck.
'No, it's ok. Just surprised me, I guess. Was-was that ok?' his voice had turned low and husky. Ash swallowed.
'That was… great, really great. You-you're a fast learner. We don't need quite that level in the scene, but I'll lead, yeah?' her voice was still a bit breathy, lungs feeling as if they weren't big enough. Her head was still reeling from that kiss. Johnny's mouth quirked into a smile.
'That's good… I think. Ok, probably for the best if you do, and all…' he trailed off, glancing at her. The air felt heavy, pent up frustration buzzing in their bodies. Ash sighed, forcing herself to turn away.
'Come on then, we'd better do this stupid scene.'
