Johnny obediently followed Ash back into the theatre. Then again, after the kiss they had just had, he would be ready to run into traffic at her request. Who knew kissing could feel so good? Black lips had been so smooth against his own, tasting like something that screamed Ash in his mind. It had only been the touch of her tongue that broke him out of his thoughts, feeling as if he was taking advantage of her offer to aid him.

Reaching the stage, Meena gazed at them from the group, curiosity welling in pale blue eyes.

'You two ok?' was the called question. Ash made is so Johnny didn't have to think of a reply.

'Yeah, just sharing some acting advice.' The teen nearly blushed at the porcupine's statement, but luckily no one seemed to notice his awkwardness. Buster was already calling them onto the stage.

'Right you two, start from a couple of lines before the kiss. And make sure you can feel the connection. We want to see sparks!' Johnny stared at the small bear with uncertainty. Did he really want them to do this whilst everyone was watching? Even Eddie was there! The expectant eyes focused on himself and Ash said everything. Christ. He stumbled a bit, eventually reaching the bench, and swinging to face the smaller. Scripts to hand, they began again.

'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.' Ash repeated as Toni. Her eyes were locked to his.

'You don't have to. I'm happier than I've ever been with you….' Johnny was attempting to be Dennis yet he couldn't help but know the words were true.

'Dennis… I don't know what to say….' Paw once again crept into his dark hair. He tried so hard not to drown in icy blue.

'Then don't say anything.' The line finished this time. The gorilla's hand crept up against his will, brushing back the quills in front of her ear. Ash/Toni sighed, resting her forehead upon his. His eyes slid shut as her face tilted, connecting their lips once more.

Despite the others watching, Johnny practically melted. It was more innocent that their earlier kiss, the smallest mouth movements still sending sparks down his spine. His free hand drifted down from her face to her tiny waist, spanning her side. Ash guided the kiss, keeping it gentle and slow. After what felt like an eternity – in reality, only a few seconds – the porcupine pulled back. He nearly followed her, before remembering the situation they were in.

The panted gently, gazing still into each other's eyes. Before simultaneously jumping at the round of applause that greeted them. The others were clapping, Buster practically beaming. Not even noticing the two's flushed appearance, the koala starting chattering.

'Perfect, perfect, perfect! The connection, it was brilliant! If you guys can recreate that in the performance, we will have a fantastic show! It was like you were really in love…' Moon continued rambling, leaving him and ash to exchange a look, before exiting the stage.

The rest of practice was normal as ever. Johnny struggled to look at Ash without feeling too warm, but eventually they were released for the day. He still felt slightly dazed from their kisses, and that sensation stayed put all evening, and into the next day. Which wasn't a problem, until he was sat before his father the next morning.

The larger male had been explaining about a recent fight that he and his brothers had broken up when Johnny got distracted. A porcupine on the other side of the room had caught his eye, and then all he could think about was Ash. How her sass could catch anyone off guard, that tinkling laugh that tugged at his heart strings, icy blue eyes that held a fire of determination. And the way she smiled at him… that smile could make him fall to his knees.

'Johnny, yer in there?' gruff voice and a large hand broke him from his thoughts. His father was staring at him, eyebrow raised. Johnny almost flushed.

'Sorry dad, what were you sayin'?' the elder frowned.

'Never mind tha'. What's got yer away with the fairies?' Johnny shuffled. He wasn't quite sure how to answer that.

'Nothing… just got distracted, I suppose.' The grunt that reached his ears told him how diversion that went. Oscar leant towards his son, brow furrowed in concentration.

'Bull. Yer look like sumthin's caught yer mind…. Or someone…' Johnny blushed. 'Ha, it is, ain't it? Yer thinkin' bout some gurl! Who is it, do I know them?' Gruff voice had turned teasing and light, making his son go even redder.

Christ, Johnny didn't know what to say. He couldn't admit it was Ash on his mind, the idea was frankly ridiculous. For one, she was his friend, and for second, no porcupine's going to want a gorilla, let alone one with as little experience as him. But he couldn't lie about the person to his dad, the man would see right through him. So he was stuck stuttering excuses instead.

'It-it ain't a girl! I j-just got distracted, is all. You know, the p-play and all, keeping me busy. Don't get chance to relax much.' His father leant back, arms crossing.

'Alright, alright, yer don't haf ta tell me. Just curious is all. Don't get yer knickers in a twist.' Johnny couldn't help but sigh in relief. The topic was diverted, and Oscar didn't bring it up again for the rest of the visit. Johnny knew the larger meant well, but it was just one of those thing he would have to get over on his own. He could never be with Ash, and that was ok. He would just enjoy their friendship.


Ash lay sprawled upon her sofa, feeling conflicted. She had just hung up the phone from her bi-yearly 'talk' with her mother. It was an agreement between the two that they would talk, if only just to make sure the other was still alive. The conversations were usually short, and full of arguments, and this one had been no different. The elder was happy that Ash had broken up with Lance, but was still trying to convince her to give up singing.

'You haven't gotten anywhere, and it's about time you gave up on that silly dream and got a real job. Get your head out of the clouds, Ashlynn, and be a part of society.' Were the exact words. Ash had hissed at her name, snapping back.

'That is not my name, and I do have a real job. We are currently waiting to put on a play.' The snort that came down the line make her spikes flare.

'Ashlynn is what I named you, so that is your name. And you, in a play? Because that will go so well. You are an awful actor, and you know it.' The pompousness in the voice was almost unbearable.

'Well I'm obviously half decent as I have one of the lead roles. And I take it I won't be inviting you then.' The sarcasm was almost palpable. Another laugh came.

'Ha, as if I want to watch you crash and fail. No, it is much easier for me to just sit back and wait for you to come home crying.' Ash grit her teeth, practically fuming.

'Over my dead body, I will,' was spat back before the younger hung up, tossing her phone away. The porcupine had screamed into a cushion before relaxing back into her current position. Conversations with her mother were always emotionally exhausting. She knew Judi Breen meant well for her daughter, but her methods left a lot to be desired. Every time Ash felt personally attacked, leaving their relationship cold.

Her mother never had approved of music as a career. She, herself, was a high end divorce lawyer, who had married a hard working accountant. It had been Ash's father, Arlo Breen, who had introduced the young girl to music. She had distinct memories of the man playing her lullabies on his guitar to help her sleep. He had encouraged her singing, teaching her to play the instrument he had mastered.

It had only been after his death that her mother decided the idea of Ash becoming a singer was ludacris. It hadn't be long after that the younger had met Lance, and decided running away to live her dream was the best option. Yet, Judi still tried to convince her daughter to return. And it had only been downhill from there. Ash couldn't help but feel jealous of how close Johnny and his dad now were.

Johnny…. The girl sighed, immediately getting lost in the memory of their kisses. Never had such an innocent act made her feel so alive before. Ok, at first it was tentative, and she was doing all the work, but the teen caught on quickly. And damn was he good. It wasn't only his mouth that made her tremble. Thick pelt had been soft on her paws, large hands cradling her like a glass doll. She had felt so safe in his arms, flush against that strong chest.

Ash only wished she hadn't scared him but pushing too far, or could have pulled him straight back to her. But she knew it was all just a fantasy. The kiss had been a lesson and the next an act. Day dreaming about Johnny was pointless. He was so sweet and kind, he didn't need her spikiness and emotional baggage. Poor guy had enough on his plate. She would just have to enjoy his friendship.

Ash moped a while longer about her crush, before familiar banging interrupted her. Lance was back, again. The male had disappeared for a few weeks, before returning with renewed vigour to get her to open the door. The scratches in the wood were worsening, and Ash was losing sleep again, as she feared the door might finally give. Sighing, she settled into the couch, phone back in hand, ready to wait until the male stumbled off.

The banging continued for hours. The door creaked, the noise of quills on wood making her toes curl unpleasantly. She could tell when Lance started to throw himself at the door, as the wood began to move. Ash panicked. She unlocked her phone, fully intent upon calling the police, only to find Johnny's contact below her hovering finger. She gazed at it, considering calling her friend. She wasn't sure how long she sat, debating hitting call. Yet in the end, her phone was locked again. Johnny didn't need her problems.

It was three in the morning when her neighbour finally chased Lance off. The ram had knocked on her door afterwards, calling out in concern. It was out of sheer gratefulness that Ash had opened the door to thank the man, and apologise for the noise. The elderly animal just seemed concerned, offering his assistance, before heading back to bed. The porcupine attempted to do the same, yet found herself wide awake. The morning was going to be rough.