Paulo and Sue did not speak much on the way back, but as happy as Sue was on the way to Burger-Tron, her mood had quadrupled in the aftermath. She went back to her little song and dance, looking forward to getting some shut eye once they got home. 'They' getting home, a thought that hinged on two things, that she now considered it a home for Paulo as well, and that he would be spending the night. She assumed he would, and maybe even hoped for it. But Paulo was a whole can of worms itself, even more than before.

Daisy's question was like a seed in the back of her mind, and it was growing fast. The night and all of the new positive memories that they had made together shone like the sun on it, growing it big and strong. Over the past few weeks, she had certainly grown more comfortable around Paulo, enjoying his presence. It's just that they never did anything more than have sex and talk. Paulo did occasionally stay the night if it was particularly late, which Sue was always okay with, but that was it. No movies, no dinners, not even breakfast the morning after. In fact, tonight was the first night they'd done anything new.

Sue gazed over at Paulo, who was lost in his own thoughts. The first time they'd done anything new, and it was because he cared. He WANTED to make her happy, to go above and beyond for her. He could have just gotten dinner for the both of them, but no. He gathered all of their friends, all for her. It was more than she could ever ask or hope for, and it was from PAULO. It would have been unconscionable for her to think he had it in him to do something so nice before they started their little secret rendezvous. Maybe before Paulo really was all the nasty things Sue had believed him to be back in highschool, but if he was then, he had clearly grown into a respectable guy. No, not a guy. A man.

An, if Sue was being honest, really handsome and strong man. She blushed and looked away. Years Paulo spent toiling away on the same construction jobs his father did had given him tone. More than once she had caught herself admiring his muscles in the dim light of her bedroom. She would run her hands up and down them when they laid together in the afterglow and their own mess as they talked. He never called her out on it, knowing enough restraint to not embarrass her like that. And when they were going at it, she could feel the strength in him, but he always treated her so gently, never putting her in a position where she would get hurt, or make her uncomfortable.

But of course Paulo was experienced. He had probably been with tons of girls, the way he looked and talked. She was not any more special than them. This thought gripped her soul, seeping a cold melancholy throughout her. Was she special to him? Did she even want to be? Now that it looked like she was going to have her old friends back, what did this mean for them? Would tonight be the last they spent together? What if she wanted more? Would he want more too? These questions were the buds that grew off the plant of the seed Daisy had placed in her mind.

No, she needed to stop worrying about all of that. Regardless of any of those questions, what mattered most was that night, and all the memories they had created. She was his passenger, his plus one to the friend meetup, and once they got back, presumably his lover. However, not in any romantical sense. And then they would cuddle and talk until they fell asleep in each other's arms. But… putting it all together… wasn't that what couples do? Just with more romantic feelings involved… feelings Sue was beginning to harbor.

Paulo was lost in his own thoughts, Abbey and Mike's confrontation rolling around in his mind, growing ever larger like a snowball. All of the memories he had made with Sue were sticking to it like they were magnetic. What did he want from this now? Were he and Sue going to drift apart again, no longer needing to continue their weekend escapades? Was his kindness ultimately going to be their undoing? Ironic, him giving into his feelings was what might bring their arrangement to an end.

But did their current arrangement coming to an end mean it had to be the end of the two of them? Perhaps the end of that could lead them to something better, something more fulfilling. Maybe every night could feel as wonderful as tonight had. What's more, the feeling of joy Paulo felt inside on the way to Burger-Tron, seeing Sue so happy… he WANTED to make every night just as special as this one. He wanted for every day to be one where Sue hummed her happy tune and danced her happy dance. Was this love? Or was he just high off of seeing everyone together again?

Even before tonight, he enjoyed his time with her, listening to her talk. When he was younger, he may have found her prattling on about her MMO and other nerd stuff insufferable, but now he couldn't get enough of it. The way she got so excited, her eyes shone and mouth curled upwards in such a sweet smile made the emotional walls he wanted to set with her crumble. It was times like that where things felt less like a simple exchange of sex for social interaction, and more like a couple enjoying their night together.

This wasn't to mention how cute she was. Paulo never paid her much mind in highschool, always chasing after whatever tail flicked his way. Now, she pulled so much of his attention, even if she wasn't there. While his coworkers catcalled and wolf whistled every woman that walked past wherever they were working, he held back. All he could think of was Sue, how soft and wonderful she looked all tangled up in her blankets, how his hands craved to feel her curvaceous body. Whatever fur conditioner she used, it made her silky smooth to the touch. Her body had blossomed in all the right places, making her irresistible to him.

But could a relationship built off of sex be solid? Would moving things in that direction be awkward, or would it feel right, like a warm blanket on a cold winter's night? At a red light, he looked at Sue, who was as lost as he was. Whatever she was thinking, he wanted to find his way with her as his guide, and he wanted to guide her as well if he could. Sue looked his way as well, and smiled. "Hi." She said sweetly.

"Hey, babe." He replied. "The guys were askin' 'bout ya in the bathroom."

"Oh, were they now?" Sue asked, leaning towards him on the center console. "And what did you tell them?"

The light turned green and Paulo proceeded forth through it. "I didn't say a thing!" He waved a hand for emphasis. "Our secret is safe. What about you? Did the girls say anything?"

Sue blushed and looked down at her lap. "Well… Lucy figured it out immediately, and… I didn't want to lie to them. Imagine if I did that after years of wanting to talk to them again?"

Paulo laughed. Anything to be a people pleaser. "Damn, Sue. Gave in to peer pressure already?"

Sue now felt bad on top of being a smidge anxious over the uncomfortable conversation over dinner. "I'm sorry, Paulo. I didn't know you wanted to keep it a secret. I understand."

"No! I don't care if anyone knows. I wanted to keep it a secret for your sake." He said as they rounded the corner to Sue's street.

Sue put a hand on his arm. He was so loyal, willing to lie to protect her secrets. Even to his best friends, and this was not something Sue took lightly. It was just more proof of the upstanding man he had grown the saying went, a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell. No doubt, younger Paulo would have bragged to anyone who'd listen about all the times he laid her. "You're such a gentleman, Paulo…"

Sue's touch sent waves throughout him, and Paulo's heart was beating out of his chest. If he was confused about his feelings before, things were becoming more clear. "Ayy, no problem, babe. Anything for you!"

Another question was knocking around Sue's mind. It was a completely normal question, one she'd had no problems asking tons of times, but now she had problems getting it out. Thinking about it made her heart flutter, as though the butterflies in her stomach were taking hold of it and trying to take it away. She wanted to know, had to know. "Are you staying the night?" Sue tried her best to make it sound as nonchalant as possible, but she couldn't help but feel some anxiety, and maybe even a little bit of longing, seeped into her voice when she asked. Maybe it was a stupid thing to ask. Afterall, he said before they left that he wanted to come back and have some fun.

Paulo tried to figure out how to interpret this question, as he too was having his own battle with butterflies. Was she asking because she wanted him to stay? Or for him to go home? His mind circled back to him wondering if their time together was numbered. But that was a ridiculous notion! The way she had been at Burger-Tron, how flirty and grateful she had been, of course she wanted him to stay. Or was she just being friendly, and nothing more? Better yet, why was he so worried now and overthinking it? He better answer, and pool as much charm and confidence as he could before it dried up with his mouth. "Course I am! Why wouldn't I?" He said. "Unless- do you not want me to stay?"

Now the ball was in Sue's court, and she was feeling more confident Paulo was still seemingly in the game. In her own fashion, she hit back, using his words to be playful. "Course I do! Why wouldn't I?"

Paulo smiled. Relief for him as well. "Great minds think alike then, huh?"

"Mm. They sure do." Sue smiled warmly at him, and then let out a big yawn. "I'm looking forward to a good night's rest now. I'm stuffed and tired." And it was more than just small talk - it was true. It was incredibly late, pushing 1 am even. Even on the weekends, Sue had a bedtime. She would occasionally make exceptions like with tonight, but even then she liked to keep the lateness to a minimum. The fast food didn't help with her fatigue either.

"Awww…" Paulo said in faux disappointment. He understood, though. He was beginning to feel it, too. In fact, at that moment there was nothing he wanted more than to lay down with Sue, pull her close, and get some shut eye. "I was really looking forward to keeping your neighbors up all night with our totally passionate love making."

"Does your libido ever stop?" Sue scolded, though still playfully as they pulled into her driveway. "You can take care of that yourself in the privacy of my bathroom. Then you can come to bed. I'm not sleeping with THAT thing poking me all night."

Paulo put his car in park behind hers. "You think I can't control myself?" He scoffed as they both got out of the car. "What happened to me being a gentleman?"

"I was only teasing." Sue said, walking around to the somali and taking his hand without even thinking about it. "I know you're a handsome gentleman."

Paulo curled his fingers around hers and smiled down at her, heart pounding again. She looked so beautiful, illuminated by the soft white light of the moon. Who was he kidding, for some time now he had admired her beauty, and not just when she was entirely bare. "And you are a beautiful woman."

Not a babe. Not a chick. A woman. Sue felt her heart thump hard too. She just hoped Paulo couldn't hear it. Paulo moved his free hand up to cup her soft cheek in it, holding her radiant beauty in his direction. Sue's face caught fire, feeling his warmth caressing her face oh so gently. His confident smile and boyish charms working their magic on her, though he did not intend on their display. It was a natural gift, and Sue could feel the wonder of love as though it were the first time all over again.

Paulo felt his face inching toward hers, the distance between their lips closing by the second. The burmese did not waver. She leaned forward, anticipating what he would say or do next, both putty in each other's hands. It was a delicate procedure happening at just the right time on just the right occasion. There were few moments in their lives that were landmarks, and the moment when their lips met instantly became one of them. In all their time together, for all their romps between the sheets, the two had never once kissed. It was the one thing keeping their casual encounters from crossing into something more personal. A simple gesture couples would do to express their deepest feelings for each other that those two dared not do. And now, bathed in the light of the full moon, they stepped off the precipice and into a whole new world.

Maybe they were tired of pretending. Perhaps in their tired state, their inhibitions lowered just enough to allow them this moment. Sue pulled herself close to Paulo, having the only free hand left between the two of them. A few moments later, sense found them, and the two split apart, yet still held each other close. They looked away from each other, both processing what had just overcome them. Paulo cleared his throat and let go of Sue's hand, backing away from her to give them both breathing room. Now he was coming down from his high, he was beginning to feel foolish, and the idea that he may have taken things a step too far seeped into his mind. His hands fell to his sides awkwardly. "Sorry… I shouldn't have."

Sue's eyes went wide. Her high was subsiding too, but she had a clearer mind. The kiss was sudden, but not out of nowhere. Importantly, now, she did not want Paulo to regret what they did. It was not all on him, she had been a willing and eager participant, regardless of how she might feel about it later. "No! It's okay!" She replied quickly, looking his way. "It was… really sweet."

"Yeah." The somali said, still beating himself up for giving into his own wants and desires. Was that how he felt about Sue now? He desired her? Looking at her understanding smile, he felt better about it, even if marginally. She wasn't uncomfortable, or upset, or even looked like she wanted to disappear. There was total ease in her pretty face.

Sue could still see his sorrowful look. She wanted to smooth things back over, to really assure him it was alright. It seemed such a silly thing to get hung up over after all of their raunchy behavior, a little kiss is what brought some form of awkwardness. "We should get inside now. It's seriously late."

Paulo's fuzzy mind agreed, which was losing its energy to make any decisions. The night had been, and continued to be, a whirlwind of emotions. They went inside and kicked off their shoes. Afterwards, they went to Sue's bedroom. She told him to get comfy as she went to her bathroom to get ready for bed, and Paulo did not need to be told twice. He peeled off his clothes and tossed them in the corner. He had to force himself to sit upright on her bed, the comfy mattress and blankets and pillows creating a concoction for an instant knockout if he dared lay down. It would be rude of him, he figured, if he fell asleep before she got back. In an effort to keep himself awake, he tried thinking about how he felt about Sue, and what he truly wanted going forward. Really, all he could think about as far as that was concerned was pulling her close and falling asleep with her snugly in his arms, as they'd done many nights before. That was motivation enough to stay awake. If he fell asleep now, he wouldn't be able to do that.

Sue was feeling a similar way. She hummed to herself as she brushed the fast food gunk from her teeth. Her mind, though just as tired, kept circling back to their kiss. It really felt like it meant something, a message they sent to each other that couldn't have been said aloud. Whether this was because the feelings ran too deep for words, or maybe they weren't able to articulate them yet. Perhaps it could be a little bit of both. All that Sue knew is that it made her smile, and her heart soar. He must like her more than just as someone to relieve stress with, or as a friend. The kiss felt like the logical conclusion to such a wonderful night, the cherry on top of everything. It was a warm feeling she wrapped around herself like a blanket.

Sue finished her teeth brushing and hit the bathroom lights. Coming back into the bedroom, she found a very tired and naked somali nodding off on her bed. If she didn't know any better, she'd think he was drunk. "Ah, Sue." He mumbled, eyes half open. "Ready for bed, babe?"

"Not as ready as you look to be." She grinned at his half conscious state. "I guess I should join you."

She stripped down to her bare fur, something Paulo very much enjoyed seeing. Walking in naked was one thing, but getting to see her take her clothes off one piece at a time was far more alluring than that. It was like a little show, an appetizer, just for him. "That never gets old." He grinned.

"I hope it doesn't." Sue said, sliding into the covers. "You better keep that thing under control now, I'm too wiped for anything tonight."

Paulo slid in behind her. She had such soft bedding, it was like sleeping on a cloud. "Don't you worry, babe. I'm way too tired for that."

"Mhm. Good." Sue said softly, scooching closer to him. Paulo took this as his cue to wrap his strong arms around her, pulling her even closer, and holding her there securely. Sue always felt so at ease like this. Life was full of stress and strife, sometimes peril, but here in Paulo's arms, she was protected from all of that. She felt like, as long as she was in them, nothing could ever hurt her. It was a very comforting feeling, and it wasn't unfounded. Many years ago, in a deep, dark alleyway in the big city, Paulo had protected her. Despite all the odds, and him facing his greatest phobia, he ran to her defense when she needed it most. And this was back when they were always at odds. Even then, he would always try to protect her. Even then, maybe he secretly loved her.

"Can I be open about something?" She asked Paulo (whose eyes were now shut), half hoping he was asleep so she didn't have to reveal this semi-embarrassing thing. Yet, on the other hand, she really wanted him to know. It was important he understood how much his actions, even small gestures like this sleeping position, meant to her.

"Wazzup babe?" He mumbled at what barely registered as a whisper. Paulo had felt his mind slipping into unconsciousness, but pulled himself back up as much as he could at the sound of her sweet voice. No matter what, he would always try to answer her call.

Sue blushed, feeling like a schoolgirl again. It was like she was admitting to an unaware crush about her feelings for them. It was too late to backout now, especially since Paulo's eyes were open again. "I… I always really liked it when you held me like this. It makes me feel safe."

Paulo smiled and fought back the urge to kiss her forehead. "Glad to hear it, but not surprising. All the ladies love it when I do this."

That wasn't the first time he'd mentioned other girls. It was common for him to talk about his romantic endeavors, and playfully brag about them, but now Sue was wondering… "Are there any other women in your life?" It wasn't something that occurred to her before. They weren't a couple, after all. He wasn't hers… nor was she his. This whole time, he could have been seeing other women too and she never would have known. The thought made her a little sad and… jealous. She hated to admit this to herself but while she had no right to this feeling, especially after what she did, she was making herself jealous.

Paulo grinned and closed his eyes. He had been around the block enough to know when someone was jealous. Hell, he knew it from being jealous himself. But thankfully, he didn't need to lie this time. Not that he'd ever DREAM of lying to Sue. "Naww, babe. Not for a while. Just you an' me."

Sue smiled to herself, and ran her fingers into his fur. It felt good to bury them in his thick chest fur like this. She could just make out his steady heartbeat under her palm. "That's good to know."

Paulo was too tired for anymore conversation. He had just enough brainpower to utter, "G'night, Sue. Love ya." before he fell off to sleep.

Sue stiffened a little. Love… her..? No, she must have misheard that. Or, he couldn't have meant it. He was delirious from being so tired. It must have slipped out by mistake. Yet, she also hoped it was for real. The thought of him saying he loved her… it made her heart flutter again. Should she reciprocate, even if to a sleeping somali? Did she love him too?

Yes. Yes she did. She'd not had this much fun, felt this happy, in a long time, as long as she could remember. Paulo had done so much for her that night, had forgiven her, reunited all of their friends, and paid for dinner. This was on top of all the weekend nights he spent staying up talking to her. And the kiss… it was so painfully obvious he had feelings for her, and she couldn't lie, either. She felt those feelings too. With a new light in her soul, Sue kissed his chest and whispered, "Goodnight Paulo. I love you too." before falling asleep herself.