Page 92 of By Rude Strength

What time was it?

LA grabbed his phone. “Shit, it’s already after five!”

“That’s impossible!” Cass gasped. “I set an alarm and—” His phone went off. “Oh. Hmm. I think I may have set it for the wrong time. Oh dear.”

“It’s fine!” LA stood up, cringing as he tried to walk too fast and nearly fell. “Fuck! Okay. I’m okay. I just gotta get a shower and change—”

“I need to run home to prepare! Meet back here in thirty?”

“Yup! Perfect!” LA gave Cass a quick kiss and then turned to hurry upstairs.

LA took the fastest shower of his life and threw on a black suit—he had several, having worked in the funeral business for so long. He decided to ditch the jacket, as this wasn’t exactly themost formal event since it was taking place at a coffee shop. He still wanted to look nice though.

Professional?

Something.

He put on a dark orange dress shirt, a black waistcoat, and a tie that was a brighter shade of orange with gray tombstones scattered all over it. He was pretty sure it had been a gift from Brandon or Kevin, though he was never allowed to wear anything so gaudy at the funeral home.

Well, ha, he could wear whatever the fuck he wanted to now.

Which also meant he didn’t have to put on the dress shoes that he loathed because they hurt his feet. He could wear his favorite pair of Doc Marten boots that were super broken in and comfortable, and he smiled as he finished getting dressed.

This felt good.

It felt right.

When he looked in the mirror to fix his hair, he didn’t see the broken angry embalmer who was simply dragging himself from day to day. The person there now was embracing their past but with a colorful splash that spoke of a bright future. He wasn’t exactly sure who he saw, but they were fucking happy.

He headed downstairs, grinning when he saw Cass was already waiting for him.

Cass had resumed his human form on a slightly smaller scale, now just a few inches shorter than LA. His long hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and he was also wearing a suit and tie. His was navy blue, the rich hue somehow making his eyes brighter.

“You clean up good,” LA said, approaching to kiss Cass’s lips. He wrinkled his nose.

“What’s wrong?” Cass frowned.

“Miss the fur.”

Cass chuckled. “Don’t worry. The fur will return as soon as possible.” He offered his arm to LA. “Ready, Elly?”

“Wait! One thing.” LA hurried over to grab the new painting. “This is coming with us.” He took Cass’s arm with a happy smile. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

Cass beamed and little bubbles appeared in the air around him as he held LA close. “Then let us be off!”

“Let’s.”

The coffee shop’s parking lot was already packed when LA and Cass arrived. LA was worried they were late, but checking the time reassured him that they were about fifteen minutes early. They got out of the car and Cass grabbed the painting to carry inside. It was still a little weird to see Cass as a human, though his bubbles continued to persist as he grinned, following LA inside like an excited puppy.

LA had tried to remind him that humans didn’t actually make bubbles, but Cass didn’t seem to be able to turn it off.

Hopefully no one would question it.

The shop was full of people, and they burst into applause as LA and Cass walked in.

LA froze, blinking dumbly.

What the fuck was going on?