Never Too Late

Take a Walk

"Wow, Briggan." Khrysta gasped. "I never knew your past was so full of... challenges. It must be hard to deal with it all on a daily basis."

"Some days are better than others," Briggan shrugged dismissively. "Today was one of those not-good-but-also-not-too-bad kind of days."

Mastace remained silent. He didn't trust himself to be able to say anything constructive or supportive in the proper manner with all the toiling emotions he now carried. Most of it was anger for the mistreatment Briggan faced as a kid from his family, and then there was also the rest of the town that did nothing to make anything any easier for the grieving child. It was an absolutely detestable thing to think about.

His cheeks became hot and he felt the tension in his body begin to take hold. Mastace knew his breathing had quickened lightly and his heart was now racing, pumping blood with just as much fury as the tales of suffering had given him. Mastace had to get out of here, out of this house, so that he could breathe.

"Hey guys, I'm going to go take a walk for a few minutes. I'll be back shortly." Mastace didn't wait for any sort of reply from either Khrysta of Briggan before walking out the door.

"What's wrong with him?" Khrysta asked.

"I think I know," Briggan said, "but let me go out to check." He followed the lion, running to catch up.

"Don't ask me what's wrong," Mastace said flatly.

"I was going to ask if you wanted to talk about it." Briggan said, not looking at Mastace but straight ahead. "I think I know what's going on, but if you don't want to talk about it, I understand."

"They really hurt you, didn't they? Your family?"

"Greatly," Briggan admitted. "The only one that I can believe if they said they had no intention to is my sister. That's only because what happened wasn't at all her fault. No one could've known that was going to befall us that night."

"It makes me angry to think about, someone hurting you."

"Believe me, I totally understand. I was angry for the longest time. I still am, if I'm being totally honest. I think about it constantly, and it makes me sick."

"That's me in a nutshell. Different reasons, but the idea and results are the same."

Briggan nodded. He knew the story, his father was a drunk and his mother died giving birth. It was sad to think Mastace, or anyone for that matter, might've had no real family for the longest time.

"I just want it all to end, right here, with us. The thought that you could be hurt again really scares me." Mastace went on. "I want us to not have to suffer ever again, and I'm willing to do anything to make this so."

"I know, Mastace. I know." Briggan leaned into the verklempt lion and nuzzled at whatever he could.

"Are you sure you want to do that right now? We're in public." Mastace glanced about to check for anyone that might be within visual range.

"Even if someone sees us, it doesn't change how I feel about you and it won't stop me from cheering you up when you're feeling down, sweetie." Briggan licked Mastace's chin and playfully nipped anywhere within reach. This seemed to do the trick, as Mastace was now giggling and starting to become a bit bashful, as he always did when he was the focus of so much affectionate attention.

"Thank you, you really are the best." Mastace said, hugging Briggan tightly.

Briggan returned the hug as a 'you're welcome' gesture. He was glad to see his boyfriend back in better spirits. "Now, how about we get back home before someone really does see us?" he chuckled. "Wouldn't want them telling us to get a room,"

"Why would that be undesirable?"

"Alright, you got me there."

The couple stepped back inside the living room to see Khrysta had passed out on the couch. "Well, that was quick," Mastace noted, and Briggan nodded in assent.

"How about we get that room now? I'm feeling a bit... needy at the moment." Briggan pulled Mastace's arms around himself so that his mate hugged him from behind.

"I can go for cuddles right about now," Mastace admitted, his tail swishing about lightly. "I think that's actually what I need."

Briggan smiled and made his way to their bedroom. Mastace, still very much attached, had no choice but to follow. Once the door was shut and locked, the pair laid in their bed and reveled in each other's affection. Nuzzles, pets, licks, rubs, pats, and boops were all abundant, and there was much giggling and cooing over the sweet aura of the other partner to compliment such a display of loving care.

One particular moment Briggan booped their muzzles together and held them like that for several moments, gazing in Mastace's milk-chocolate eyes. The maintained boop turned into a gentle kiss, shared between young lovers. Mastace returned the kiss with some passion of his own, poking Briggan's teeth with his tongue, begging softly for entrance. Briggan smiled and immediately granted Mastace his desire, cradling the lion's tongue with his own inside their warm maws. Briggan rolled on top of Mastace, and began to feel up the lion's shirt. He marveled at the softness the fur coat of gold held, and how pleasing it was to the touch. His built body gave Mastace contours that anyone would be proud of, but hardly anyone knew just how toned he really was. Briggan felt up every rippling muscle and every curve of the lion's upper-body, looking at his mate in shock. The two lovers separated, and Mastace gave Briggan a look of concern. "Something the matter, hon?"

"Darling, your body is absolutely amazing! I never knew you were so... conditioned."

Mastace chuckled. "Family genetics. I get it from my dad. Honestly, about the only good thing he gave me was an appealing body."

"Let's not focus on things like that for now, let's just enjoy our time together," Briggan gave Mastace another kiss, and began groping at his feline lover's chest.

Mastace let out a sigh of bliss at the touch of his loving partner, and grinned as a new, devilish idea got caught bouncing around his head. He rolled over on top of Briggan, just as he'd been rolled on top of before, earning him a yelp of welcomed surprise from Briggan. He grabbed one of Briggan's paws and led it further down his body, guiding it to his waistline in the back. "Babe, if you want to grope something, try something much more rewarding."

"Are you sure you want to go this far just yet?" Briggan asked, "I don't want you doing anything just to please me."

"You won't have to worry about me doing anything with you half-heartedly," Mastace took off his shirt then pulled his pants right off, leaving him in just his boxer-briefs.

Briggan couldn't help but laugh at just how eager Mastace was, blushing a bit at his boyfriend's near-nakedness. Briggan responded by stripping down to his underwear and throwing the covers over them.

They both knew thatit wouldn't stay this way with how things were unfolding between the two.