Heart of Titanium

Chapter 11: Calm Before the Storm

July 13th, 2044

Bryson was sitting at his desk again, remembering past events and writing down what he thought about in his journal. He felt a little upbeat and happy today.

Even after this long, Cherise still doesn't seem to be bothered by only having me as company. She's been doing so good, and has had much confidence ever since we went to the range. Its strange, really. Seeing her smiling and so happy to be with me, despite the solitude feeling of the safehouse.

I don't blame her for sitting outside a lot, too. Despite getting cold easily, she loves the snow. Almost twice, maybe even three times a week she sits out on that old bench and just looks up to the sky. She closes her eyes and I can see her smiling when snow falls on her bare face. Once this is all over, I've got to thank Heather again for showing us how to free Cherise's visor, even if it was temporary and now she can do it at will.

Bryson looks out the window to see the snowfall, Cherise peacefully sleeping in bed as Bryce looks over, chuckles, and smiles at the sight of her.

I can't believe she made me like her so easily. Sometimes I wonder if she was programmed like that, but her neural link wouldn't do something so harsh, at least I believe it wouldn't. I still remember when she was a nervous wreck, and learning about new things. Its been a while now, more than a month? Almost two moreover, since how long uncle Charlie sacrificed himself for us. I'm so angry at my dad's corporation, but more at myself for allowing this to happen. I could've taken the company and maybe, just maybe, ended the experiments and set the proto species free. They don't deserve this.

He puts his pencil down and closes the journal, leaning back. "What can we even do?"

Bryce looks at Cherise, blushing a little. "I turned her down that night in the shower...she hasn't pushed me or tried to advance anything intimate. Well, at least intimate as in-" he shakes his head.

"No, it's not a good time. I don't want to mess anything up. She means so much to me and I've protected and been with her for all this time now. Plus...I want her to truly want it with me, not just as an urge."

He gets up and walks over to the bed, her snoring softly as he beautiful fur is soft to the touch, him carefully running his hand up her thigh and on her side, above her shirt, and to her head when she slowly opens her eyes, and they sparkle looking up at him.

"H-hey, whatcha doin?" She asked, her tail wagging happily and her smiling deeply at him.

He chuckled softly and brushed her fur out of her eyes, "Just lookin at ya." He said, leaning down and rubbing noses.

"Come back in beddd." She said, patting beside her, "Its cold without your warmth next to me, big guy..."

He smiles and rubs the side of her head, "I think we should go on a hike today." He said, "We both need the exercise, plus there's a spot I really wanna show you."

"Ooooohh you found a new spot?" She said, her ears perking up at something new.

"Mhm! Now you gonna stay in bed all day, silly? Or do you wanna go on...a date?" He asked, chuckling.

Her eyes went wide as her tail stopped wagging, then it furiously sped up as she tackled him out of bed, "Oh my god!! Yes!!! I'd love that!!" She said, happily nuzzling into his neck.

"Hahaha, well c'mon, let's get dressed and head out!" Bryce said, hugging her back.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bryce looks down at his boots as he sees the snow crunching under them, loving the satisfying sound they give. He looks back up to the sky, where he closes his eyes and feels the snow landing on his face, getting caught in his beard which is now growing.