Page 57 of By Rude Strength

It was because he was happy.

Hopeful, even.

He left the bathroom to find the bed empty but made, and then he headed downstairs, certain that he’d run into Cass in the kitchen. He smelled something cooking and smirked as he saw Cass bent over, checking on a pan in the oven. “Good morning.”

“Oh! Good morning!” Cass slammed the oven shut.

“What are you making?”

“Making? Mmm? Nothing.”

LA crossed his arms, leaning against the doorway. “Right.”

“It’s a surprise,” Cass whispered loudly. He resumed a normal tone as he waved LA in. “I already have your coffee waiting for you! Today is a big day!”

“Oh?” LA paused as he walked by Cass, glancing up at him.

Should he kiss him?

Was that allowed?

LA knew they were supposed to be taking things slow, but whatever this thing was definitely made him want to kiss Cass right now.

Fuck it.

LA touched Cass’s cheek, bringing him down for a soft kiss.

Cass squeaked and purred, and he wrapped his arms around LA in a crushing hug.

“Ugh. Cass.” LA grunted. “Spine.”

“Oh! Sorry!” Cass grinned sheepishly. “I got excited.”

“I can tell.” LA chuckled a bit on his way to the kitchen table. “Thank you for the coffee.”

“Of course! You need your caffeine so you’ll be ready to face the day!” Cass said cheerfully. “Today is your date with Brandon!”

“It’s not a date.” LA laughed. “Dates are, you know, romantic.”

“Oh. A rendezvous then?”

“No. That just sounds dirty. We’re just gonna hang out for a little bit. That’s all.”

“And talk about your wonderful paintings!” Cass kissed the top of LA’s head.

“Yeah, yeah.” LA grumbled but he was still smiling. He slurped his coffee. “Just let me wake up a little more and I’ll start getting ready.”

“We still have plenty of time. You did say you would be meeting him for lunch, yes?”

“Yeah, but I know that’s also, like, the busiest time for the coffee shop too.” LA shrugged. “I figured I’d pop in a bit early. Just so I’m not bothering him or whatever.”

Cass nodded as he headed back to the oven to peek in. “I’m happy to leave whenever you are.”

“It’s not like I could leave you here if I wanted to.” LA snorted as he lined up his pill bottles to dose out his morning regimen. “Right? Stuck together until you, uh, you do whatever?”

“Oh, well, yes.” Cass’s tail twitched. “The bond is eternal until, uh, your strength is regained.”

“And… after that?”