Page 56 of By Rude Strength

Cass fidgeted.

LA waited, thinking he was about to say something.

But nothing.

Cass fidgeted again.

LA looked up, noticing that Cass wasn’t looking at the television but at the crotch of LA’s sweatpants. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh! Nothing! I was wondering about something.” Cass grinned sheepishly. “Are your…?”

“What?”

“Are your parts always… out?”

LA laughed. “Yes. Sorry, we don’t have cool cock slits like you do. Although, I mean, I guess we technically do have, like, a ball cavity…”

“Oh?”

“Just look updrag queen tuckingvideos.”

“That sounds like fun! I love drag queens!” Cass practically trembled with excitement. “Do you likeRuPaul’s Drag Race?”

“Is water wet?”

“Yay!”

Chapter eight

LA woke up thenext morning with Cass snuggled all around him.

He smiled.

This was nice.

Last night had been pretty damn wonderful too.

They’d bingedFirefly, feasted on Chinese food, and when it was time for bed, Cass had carried LA upstairs to tuck him in. LA had protested that he wasn’t even that tired, but he’d fallen asleep within seconds of Cass draping his wings around him.

Waking up with said wings plus Cass’s arm and tail hugging him was even better.

Even though his back hurt and he could feel a familiar spike of pain stabbing down his leg, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d woken up in such a good mood. As much as he hated to pull away from the wonderful cuddling, he needed to head to the bathroom.

He lightly swatted at Cass’s various limbs. “Mmm, get off me.”

Cass growled softly and hugged LA tighter.

LA laughed. “Come on. I gotta fuckin’ piss.”

Cass whined, letting go reluctantly. “If you must.”

“Yeah, going to the bathroom is kind of a must.” LA yawned as he limped that way to use the toilet and clean up. He brushed his teeth, shaved, and took a long look in the mirror.

Nothing had changed, not really, but he thought something was different now.

Maybe it was the hint of a smile curling the corners of his mouth or the spark in his gaze he hadn’t seen there in quite a while.

Maybe…