Starting Over

Ch 8

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Fera unlocked the carrier, and the bars slid away from the front, causing Jasper to flinch. He got up and slowly made his way out of the carrier. Felix took this opportunity to get a better look at him, he had gray fluffy hair, almost yellow eyes, and he was about a foot taller than Felix.

Felix moved back a little and his tail twitched, he hadn't even realized his tail and ears were out. Jasper inched towards Felix ever so slowly, watching his reaction with each step. Felix didn't know how to react, but he decided to just stay still as long as Jasper showed no signs of being a threat. When Jasper was just a couple of inches from Felix he slowly moved his head towards the spot between Felix's neck and shoulder. Felix tensed, but instinctually moved his head to the side to give Jasper better access.

The room suddenly smelled like the forest and rain again, but stronger this time, and Felix knew it was from him, and he noticed that Jasper's pupils were dilated. Jasper moved back a bit and leaned his head over a bit, seemingly inviting Felix to scent him as well, which he did, and the strong smell of campfire that hit him sent a shiver running down his spine.

Fera watched the boys' strange greeting from a few feet away, ready to jump in at any sign of trouble between them. The sound of loud purring was filling the room, and the boys stared at each other for a moment. They seemed to be waiting for the other to move, but it was Fera who moved first, startling them both. Fera stretched out his hand to Jasper and left it about a foot away from him. Jasper moved towards the outstretched hand slowly, and took in its scent. After there seemed to be no hostility coming from it Jasper bumped his head against Fera's hand, who happily patted the boy on the head.

Seeing that the events of the day had worn Jasper out, Fera told the boys to wait in the living room, and went to make dinner. He made a meat dish and portioned it into two bowls for the boys, then added a larger portion to a plate for himself. He knew he'd need to get more supplies now that he would be taking care of Jasper too, but he decided it could wait until morning.

After everyone had finished their food and made their way into the bedroom, Fera realized he needed to find a place for Jasper to sleep. He was going to pile up some pillows and blanket on the floor, but right as he moved to grab them he looked over to check on the boys and noticed yet another strange ritual seemed to be happening. Felix was in the middle of his many pillows and blanket, and Jasper was standing right at the edge purring.

Felix watched Jasper wait patiently at the edge of the bed, and started purring approvingly at the sight. After a about another minute he shuffled to the side and made a strange chirping noise towards Jasper, who seemed delighted by the almost avian like call. He quickly but carefully climbed into Felix's nest and curled right up against the smaller boy.

Fera observed all of this with cautious interest. He was still prepared to jump in at any point to separate the boys if needed, and he flinched ready to do so when Jasper suddenly growled and moved his mouth to hover right over Felix's throat, but to his utter surprise Felix's purring increased tenfold, and he even leaned his head away to make more room for Jasper to access his neck.

Whatever ritual had happened between the boys seemed to be ingrained into both boy's' instincts, because they seemed absolutely focused on only each other. Jasper closed the distance between his mouth and Felix's neck and began licking all around it. Fera was concerned by this action, but the more he watched the more he realized that he'd seen Earth felines do this in the videos he'd researched, it was called "grooming" and was a sign of bonding and comfort.

Witnessing this Fera was very pleased, and decided that the issue of where Jasper would sleep had been resolved. It was clear to him that neither boy would take kindly to being separated, and he had no plan to do so. Everyone had a long day, and they all needed sleep. Fera turned the lights off and made his way under his own covers. He was out as soon as his head hit the pillow.

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I'm sorry it's so short!! I just want to get this published because it's been sitting half written in my drafts for way too long!

I have no idea when I'll publish the next part but I am by no means planning on abandoning this story so I will update again eventually!!

Thank you to everyone who has read this story!!!!

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