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Striped Candy

Chapter Two

By Roofles

Jeffrey was outside in a spring jacket, flipping through his phone out of the way from the main crowd pouring by when Bruce came up the steps to the stadium. The tiger got a wave when the human spotted him, the orange black striped cat standing out like a sore thumb. Bruce towered over most the others in the crowd and didn’t even need to push his way through as he made his way over. Everyone just seemed to naturally get out of his way as he lumbered over on heavy paw padded steps.

“Hey, Burt!” The human waved and the tiger cringed at the name he had given Jeff, saying the first thing that came to mind. “You actually came!” Jeffrey said jogging over to him and had half a mind to give the tiger a hug.

“Heh, that’s what she said?” Bruce just offered and awkwardly exchanged a sort of hug, hand shake greeting with the smaller male as Jeff decided it was best not too, for various reasons, to give the tiger a hug. They were already drawing more attention than he’d ever alone do so.

“Not used to it.” Jeffrey only replied with a flush and a shrug after pulling back from the awkwardly strange greeting. “This.” He added on, letting his breath out and feeling a little warm in the face.

“Cumming?” Bruce laughed at that, the feline’s tail drifting behind him back and forth lazily as he looked down at the smaller male; then over around for something good to snack on as his stomach grumbled. He had come straight from work and hadn’t been able to grab a snack beforehand.

“Hah, funny.” Jeff gave him a good push to his side, the tiger didn’t even budget. “Bruce never wants to hang out. It’s just nice…” And the human cleared his throat, showing the tiger the tickets. “Not the best seats in town, but…”

“As long as we’re not behind a pillar.” Bruce just chuckled heavily, pointing out a stand and heading over. “Going to grab something to eat first.”

“Corn dogs?” Jeffrey snickered a bit, standing in line with the tiger.

“These aren’t your ordinary corn dogs, boy. Handmade battered rolled Franks, deep fried… wrapped in bacon, rerolled; deep fried. And then!” Bruce just continued with a grin of his own, pausing long enough to build up dramatic suspense. “Beer battered again and then wrapped, once more, in bacon.” The tiger was practically drooling as they got to the front of the line. “Three and a beer.”

“I can get my own.” Jeffrey laughed.

“Uh… that was just for me, actually.” Bruce chuckled, flushing a bit under his powdery white cheeks. It was nearly impossible to tell, however.

“Hah, nice!” Jeffrey only said with a laugh, giving him another shove. “Big guy like you could probably eat the whole stand, clerk included.”

Bruce laughed in amusement at that. The rat behind the stand did not seem amused in the least as he passed them their food.

“I’ll settle for the corndogs, for now.” Bruce just teased a he took the tickets from Jeffrey and helped find the seats.

The place was packed front to back with people as everyone tried to find their seats in time, spilling drinks and food onto the ground as they went. There was a reason the tiger wore sandals everywhere he went. The feline not trying to touch anything as he had to turn to his side to slowly make his way down the seats. Jeff just followed in his wake as Bruce parted the sea of people.

The seats hadn’t been made for someone of the tiger’s size and he ended up moving both arms rest up as he got in. Jeff took the seat next to him, the tiger scooting over to try to give him some room. They still sat leg to leg as the game began to get underway. The tiger pulled his tail up from behind him, these seats not having tail holes for it.

“Of course, I sit behind someone tall.” Someone said from behind as one of Bruce’s ear batted at the words. No matter where he went it seemed, someone had to say something about it. About him. For one reason or another.

“These seats aren’t half-bad.” Jeffrey had to say loudly over the roar of people around them. He took a drink and tried to move over a little bit for the tiger. Trying to give Bruce the room.

“For you, maybe.” Bruce just tried to adjusted his position a bit more. The tiger ended up crossing one leg over the other, hugging it to himself as he rested back. The large sandal paw was hanging over the side and nearly in Jeff’s lap. “These seats are a bit small...” He ended up chuckling, that flush filling his cheeks once more.

He knew agreeing to this would only cause Jeff trouble.

“I’m not taking up much.” Jeff just offered, not staring at the tiger’s paw resting on his thigh now. “Feel free to use some of mine too. For your fat ass.” He added with a nudge. The human was still facing out towards the field, enraptured by it as the first touchdown was made.

Bruce tail tip began to move again but as the game started up he decided to take him up on Jeff’s offer. He wrapped one arm behind the human’s head and rested the large hand down over the human’s arm as the feline leaned towards him, shifting the bulk of his weight the other way as he took over most of Jeff’s seat.

“Could always sue someone. Seats aren’t big enough for fat ass tigers.” Jeffrey chuckled, blushing lightly as Bruce scooted a bit closer once more. He could actually feel those bristled whiskers tickle the side of his face.

“Funny.” Bruce rolled his eyes, adjusting his seat some more before watching the game.

The two talked about what plays the coaches should be using and each player statistic during the downtime. They looked them over on Jeff’s phone. It began a heated discussion of who they should put in during the next quarter.

“Your lock screen is a picture of the team?” Bruce just ended up teasing, looking down at him. The large male resting over his smaller friend now.

“Well, duh. I’ve been a huge fan for years. Home team, baby.” Jeff only laughed, trying not to blush anymore than he already was. The large tiger was warm and whenever Bruce talked he’d look down at him, allowing Jeff to feel that heavy breath wash over his face a bit. That tail brushed his side and with the arm around his back, one paw up on his leg it was hard to focus on the game over the tiger.

“How old does that make you?” Bruce just asked without much thought into it.

“Twenty-Seven.” Jeff was trying to focus on the game still. It was becoming more challenging as time passed by. Bruce had on a sleeveless tight shirt that clung to his muscular chest, stomach and sides. He hadn’t put on any deodorant or body spray as Jeff had. The heat of the day only making the tiger’s natural musk stronger with the passing hours.

“Hah, Twenty-Nine.” Bruce just grinned as if that was some accomplishment. “Almost thirty.”

“Big Three O, huh?” Jeff chuckled lightly reaching over to place one hand on Bruce’s ankle. The tiger didn’t even seem to notice as his fingers slid between that warm, thick fur to touch the flesh underneath. “Anything fun planned?”

“Not particularly. Nope.” Bruce gave a one shoulder shrug, finally looking down at the hand on his leg. “Is it bothering you?” He asked, planning to pull off the human he had been using to prop himself up with for the past half-hour.

It was a beautiful day out, not a cloud in the sky and the sun was bright overhead. The large feline had begun to pant, open maw with a curled rough tongue. Bruce was just hoping Jeff wouldn’t notice he was sweating a bit now.

“No, it’s fine. I understand.” Jeff only shrugged it off and rested one shoulder against the side of Bruce’s chest. The two continued watching the game, Jeff cheering as they scored with one last final hail mary pass.

“That was incredible!” Jeff bounced on his feet as they made their way out. “That last pass! I mean that came out of nowhere!”

“They were winning, anyways. Dude.” Bruce only chuckled, shaking his head. The large tiger had to stop to get a good stretch in before they continued.

“It was Reggie. Like R-e-double G Reggie!” Jeff just pointed out, then cracked a smile and laughed.

“Actually, he just tossed it at the end afraid to get sacked. Congo was the one to catch it.” Bruce felt the need to point out, popping the bubble of enthusiasm Jeff had.

“Still…” Jeff stopped, spying a large crowd off to the side. “Hey? Is that the team!” He pointed out, already making his way forward. The human couldn’t get past two rather large Oxen and ended up being pushed back. “I think they’re signing autographs!” Jeff turned around.

“Do we have too?” Bruce sighed heavily, looking off to the side. For a second, Jeff was sure the tiger had crouched down a bit to be hidden by the crowd around them.

“Well, duh! Autographs man. A U-to-Graph-ssss.” Jeff sounded out once more, turning away to see if there was any room. “Damnit, they seemed to have already gone into the locker room.” The human cursed. “Burt?” Jeff asked looking around.

The tiger wasn’t in sight and he ended up deciding to stick around, figuring Bruce had gone to the bathroom or something. It wasn’t every day you got such a chance, maybe they’d come out again and he’d manage to get something signed. Like his face.

Reggie was out front, waving at the crowd and posing for pictures and signing anything offered out to him. The black maned lion tossed it over one shoulder as he began talking to a local news crew as they made their way inside the locker room with the news crew. The door slamming shut behind them, silencing their fans.

“No, no.” The lion said humbly. “It was my team that really did the play, setting it up for me to do.” He went on, a smiling pulling at his face as he spoke. “Huh? Well, I did talk about the play with him before the game, sure. Didn’t think the stripes devil would actually listen!” He said talking about the tiger on the team, a nickname the other players had come up with for the large feline. “Glad I had though! So, yeah, I guess you could say it was all my idea.”

Congo was behind the lion and just shrugged when he was asked about it. The tiger looking away as the camera was shoved into his face and a string of questions were half-shouted at him. The tiger was larger than the lion was, even hunched over a bit as the questions were finally redirected to the other cat who would answer them.

“How did you feel forced to sit out of the last game due to injury?” The reporter brought up for reasons only known to them. Trying to get a reaction from the black-maned lion.

Reggie stopped at that, a deep frown falling over his face as his round ears splayed out. The tip of his tail began to flicker quickly.

“No comment.” Reggie ended up just saying.

“How about the fact most the team’s fans are in fact felines instead of,” the reporter just went on without even losing steam.

Reggie had to stop her there; it hadn’t been the first time. A team of cats have cat fans. A team of dogs have canine fans. It was just how it was and yet people still seemed to want to point this out. Feeling the need to bring it up. And twist it around as a negative thing.

“We’re just role models for other cats; that even guys like us can make it in the world.” Reggie voice was a bit monotone as he spoke, recalling exactly what his agent had drilled into him when asked the very question in preparation. After his last outburst it was best if he kept his cool for a change.

“Like us, huh?” Congo brought up as they finally managed to escape from the endless string of questions being shouted at them. “Aren’t you’re parents like super rich?”

Reggie snorted, stripping his jersey off and tossing it onto the bench. “They don’t need to know that.” The lion laughed. “Besides if you could manage to hack up two words, you might be the ‘role model’ for today’s youth.” The lion added giving him a punch to his side as the tiger undressed beside him. “Besides our fans come from all parts. Old, rich, young, fat, ugly, furless…” The lion laughed at the last one.

Congo knew where this was going.

“You see that human in the crowd?” Reggie just grinned. “Shouting my name, wanting a little of this.” And the lion flexed, showing off one arm. Then the other as he gave it a kiss after. “Just can’t get enough of good lion booty.” And he swayed his hips.

Congo rolled up his towel and ended up snapping it against the lion rear. Reggie jumped at that with a startled yelp and rubbed it, glaring as the large feline pushed past him towards the showers. The lion followed, still rubbing his rear.

The others of the team were already in and the two ended up taking the only spot left over next to each other as the hot spray of water cascaded down from above.

“You coming to the after party?” Congo asked not even looking over at the smaller feline who was washing his mane.

“Probably, yeah. I mean free booze, right?” Reggie shrugged, washing his shoulder. The thin brown fur didn’t take long to wash the sweat and grime of the game off. The lion brought his hands up through his mane once more before groaning and resting back. “Can’t get another mark on my record though… After last time.”

“Well, we’ll be heading out in a bit if you want to join us or not.” Congo just turned his shower off and headed back into the locker room soaking wet. Along one of the walls were large hand dryers that were used much like a mounted fur dryer was. The tiger pressed the button and warm air began blowing against his back as he dried off with a towel.

“Yo.” Another tiger waved at him, walking into the locker room and looking around. Bruce moved on over towards Congo. Standing next to the other tiger, it was hard to tell the two apart.

“Bruce, dude. Where’ve you been.” Congo greeted him with a hug, the tiger not even bothered being naked or soaking wet. Bruce just rolled his eyes as he patted Congo’s back with a hand and pulled back. “See the game?”

“Good catch.” Bruce just said in return as if to confirm it.

“You going to come to the after party?” Congo asked, smiling broadly at him.

Bruce shook his head. “Busy.” Congo wasn’t too surprised. “I just figured I’d drop in to ask a favor, if it’s not too much…” The other tiger gave a look around, trying to hurry this along before Reggie showed up. The two of them had never gotten along.

“Sure thing man, reason why I gave you that VIP pass to all our games.” Congo gave him a wink. “You’re the only one allowed in here after all. Even the news crew got kicked out.” He added with a booming laugh.

“Right. Right.” Bruce just frowned a bit at that. “A friend of mine wants an autograph, see.” The tiger just came back too. “Before, well…”

“Right, right.” Congo nodded knowing who Bruce was trying to keep a look out for. The other tiger seemed agitated being here. Both his rounded ears were up, whiskers bristled out and the tip of his tail wouldn’t stop moving as those large eyes kept scanning around the locker room. “Still in the shower; you know how Reggie is.”

“Right.” Bruce looked back at him now with a bit of a frown as if trying to tell him to hurry up.

“If you wanted my autograph this bad, bro. You could’ve just asked.” Congo snickered heavily, motioning for him to follow over to his locker. The tiger ended up pulling out a pen and paper from Reggie’s locker, the lion usually had such things on his person at all times. “At least stop by from time to time to say hello.”

“You’re the one going all over the country for the games.” Bruce pointed out. “Sorry about the one in Atlanta.” He brought up, talking about the last week game they had lost.

One of Congo’s ears batted at that, the only reaction he even heard that what Bruce had said. Congo just signed his autograph on a sheet. “So, you do watch the games still?” Congo large eyes looked up from the paper at his brother. “When we’re not in town, I mean.”

“You know me. Go sports.” Bruce waved a finger up in the air with little to no enthusiasm as he rolled his eyes once more. He snatched the paper from the tiger and turned to go.

“Bruce, is that you?” Reggie piped up. Bruce whole body cringed as the shudder ran down from his thick neck to the tip of his tail. The orange, black striped tail poofed out from the very sound of the lion’s voice.

“Reggie.” Bruce gave a low growl in greeting as the black maned lion headed over to give him a hug.

“Bruce! It’s been too long!” Reggie just said oblivious to the tiger’s disdain as he was shoved aside instead of getting a hug in return.

“It’s good you two are getting along, again.” Congo only chuckled as he turned back towards his locker and began to get dressed.

“You come to see little ol’ me?” Reggie blinked his eyes, Bruce wasn’t even looking at him. The lion only frowned at that, his fluffy tail tip began to flicker. “What are you doing here anyway?” Reggie crossed both arms over his muscular chest and looked up at the larger tiger.

“He came to get my autograph.” Congo just shrugged, a big smiling pulling at the corner of his face. “Ah, brotherly love.” He giggled and Bruce flipped him off.

“Oh, I can do that!” Reggie was already looking through his locker until he spied Bruce holding the pad and pen from it. “Eager, aren’t you?”

“Nope.” Bruce just said as the lion moved over to sign the pad. Reggie didn’t even seem to hear him.

“Too bad I can’t just sign your chest.” Reggie purred deeply, tracing a clawed finger through the tuff of white fur sticking up out of the top of Bruce’s shirt.

“Just the paper, thanks.” Bruce ripped the front sheet off and looked it over, having half the mind to just crumple it up and throw it over one shoulder.

“How about a jersey?” Congo asked pulling out the very one he had been wearing during the game. “For your ‘friend’,” the large tiger added with another deep chuckle in amusement.

Bruce frowned a bit at that before agreeing, giving a heavy sigh. Congo signed the jersey and passed it over to his brother. Bruce would at least get brownie points for this one.

“I wouldn’t judge if you put it on now.” The large striped feline added with a wink. Bruce just gave him a cold look before leaving without another word, pushing past the lion.

“Brotherly love, huh?” Reggie just asked with a laugh beginning to dress himself. “Doesn’t he hate you?”

“I think he hates you, more.” Congo just shrugged, his brow falling heavily over his eyes as he stared into his own locker. In the far back was a picture of the two tigers in their old football gear. Congo just shook his head, slamming his locker shut. He needed a drink.

Jeffrey was waiting outside, sticking around to wait for Bruce. The human was on his phone again, checking it time to time without getting much of a reply. He had messaged both Bruce and Burt about the game; one about how it went and the other about where he was at. The tiger showed up soon after with both the autograph and Jersey in hand.

“Here.” Bruce shoved both into Jeffrey’s arms. “No more complaints.” Jeffrey’s eyes widen tenfold as his brain registered what he was holding. “It’s Congo’s, though.” The tiger added as if in apology. One ear batting as he watched the human’s face closely. For a second he was afraid Jeff hated it.

He was about to say something. In response, Jeffrey was already putting it on. The large jersey hung down low and he laughed looking down at it from one side to side. “How the fuck did you get it?” Jeffrey finally asked looking up at him, his eyes shining like stars.

Bruce only quirked an eyebrow as Jeff took a sniff of it, laughing some more. “I have connections.” The tiger only shrugged as the two made their way out together finally. “You hungry?”

“Not really, but I know you are.” Jeffrey added with a tease. “What did you have in mind?”

“How about rat?” Bruce said loudly as they walked by the corndog stand making the whiskered rodent duck his head down low. The tiger gave a wicked, toothy grin at that as the two continued on.

The two decided after a good old “American” football game, they joked; the best thing in mind was a classic hamburger and fries.

“Sure you should be drinking?” Jeffrey was the one to ask, more teasing the large jungle cat than anything else.

“I’m nearly Five hundred pounds; I doubt a beer will affect my driving.” Bruce snorted. Jeffrey jaw half dropped off.

“Five hundred?” Jeffrey had to give the tiger a once over, half-choking on the drink he had taken. Coughing several times, Bruce just waited for him to calm down before answering.

“Yup. Hold it damn well, don’t I?” The tiger added with a smirk. “I’m a good foot and a half taller than you are.” The tiger teased, offering one of the parmesan, rosemary fries to the human. The two were sitting outside under the shade with their food. “It’s mostly muscle, I promise.” He added with a playful wink.

“Under all that fur, it’s hard to tell.” Jeffrey just chuckled reaching for the fry; Bruce just pulled it away at the last second and snapped his sharp teeth around it. “You’re a terrible tease.”

“I know.” Bruce just shrugged and the two continued their meal in relative silence. Every now and then bringing up the game they had just watched or how the food tasted. Or why Jeff was still wearing that jersey.

“Dry and mealy.” Bruce just stated after taking another bite of the hamburger. The tiger easily finished it in three large bites.

“It’s not that bad.” Jeffrey rolled his eyes. “Like to see you do better.” The human just said once more.

“I’ll take you up on that.” Bruce just grinned at the challenge and the two finished their meal relatively quickly after that.

The two wandered about for the rest of the day. Seeing the sights of the downtown and ended up coming back to Parker Street. Bruce just seemed more comfortable around those parts, the lack of humans made things easier for the tiger to be himself. Being out like this together, most ignored the fact he was a tiger as well. Having the human around seemed to have its own advantages.

And Bruce was finding his company to be rather enjoyable despite the fact Jeff was still wearing his brother’s jersey. At least the human was getting more looks than the tiger was for a change. Or roughly the same amount.

It was at the end of the day, as Jeff was dropped off at his place, the human finally asked. “Want to come in?” He offered light-hearted enough, the under lining meaning seeming to be missed by the large jungle cat.

“Well…” Bruce started.

“For coffee?” Jeff brought up the seemingly universal come in and fuck line. “My roomies out for the night…” He also added on.

“Uh, Jeff.” Bruce cleared his throat a bit, the tiger unsure how to tell the human. Jeff had been overtly friendly with him the past several hours, Bruce blamed the beer at first for it. “I’m not interested in you, that way…” The tiger laid out flatly.

His words came down like a hammer.

“Oh.” The human stopped at that, taking a moment. “I just thought…” Jeff flushed once more, unsure if it was the moment or the alcohol that was getting to him at this point.

Bruce shook his head. “Sorry.” The tiger paused himself. “I’ve just never been… that way. About others, before.” The large feline tail continued to move behind him as he looked to the side. “With anyone. I see you as a good friend.”

“Because I’m a human?” Jeff offered trying to make some sense of it for his own sake. That there was a reason for it and not because of “him.”

Bruce shook his head. “That’s not a problem to me.” Bruce gave him a soft smile at that as if to reassure him on it.

“A male?” Jeff just frowned a bit now still trying to figure it out.

Bruce snorted. “Well, I wish that was the case. Even as a female though, I doubt I’d hold any more… of that type of interest in you. For you.”

It finally seemed to click. “You’re asexual?”

“Better than pansexual?” Bruce just offered with a smirk, teasing him a bit for his own sake this time. The large feline laughed softly and shook his head. “Sorry, I just… never felt that way about anyone before. Ever.” And he gave another large shrug. “I hope you’re not offended.”

“No, no. Not at all. Just…” Jeffrey cheeks flushed even more as he laughed, unable to look at Bruce. “And here I was practically hitting on you for the past hour.”

“Yeah. That was rather funny.” Bruce chuckled himself.

“Well, my offer still stands for coffee.” Jeff just shrugged, feeling a bit better on it. That it wasn’t so much him than it was for Bruce. “And I mean actual coffee too. There’s even some coffee cake left over.”

Bruce smirked at that. “I doubt you can make a good cup of coffee that I would enjoy.”

“Right, right. Nothing seems good enough for you, huh?” Jeffrey teased moving a bit inside. He left the door open for the feline. “Not even me!” The human cried, covering his face. “After all I’ve done for you!” And he laughed after, shaking his head. “Man, I need another drink,” he flushed feeling like a fool.

Bruce took a moment before following him in, maybe he’d stick around for a cup of coffee at least. If only in apology.

“Hope it doesn’t, uh… bother you too much?” Bruce shut the door and remained standing, the tip of his tail flickering quickly. A part of the tiger had figured Jeff had only wanted his friendship in order to get into his pants. It hadn’t been the first time someone had tried.

“Well, frankly I was hoping to bang a big cat for a change.” Jeff laughed from the kitchen. “It’s sort of on my bucket list.”

“To nail a cat?” Bruce snorted at that. “Some list.” And the tiger took another step inside. “And what made you think I’d be a bottom?” The tiger found himself smiling despite himself.

“Well, what’s on yours?” Jeff asked resting against the counter as the coffee pot churned to life from behind him.

“Well, I want to travel for starts.” Bruce decided to share at least one of his dreams with the human at this point. “See the sights. Take a train all over Canada. There’s this real cool travel cruise that goes up to Alaska and then back down.” The tiger practically purred at the thought. If the tiger could purr, he just might’ve at the idea. “Alaskan crabs…”

“Sea food, huh?” Jeff rolled his eyes as he got a couple mugs down from the cupboard.

“Only milk and cream in mine.” Bruce said, looking over Jeff at what the human was doing.

“You sure you don’t want just milk and cream…?” Jeff looked over and up at him from the corner of his eye.

“Har, har.” Bruce wasn’t about to say he usually got such a thing before bed. Warm milk with a dollop of honey sweetened cream, with a dash of spiced nutmeg on top. “Not like I’ve heard that one before.” Bruce went on, clearing his throat and not making eye contact as he popped open the fridge.

“Looking for something?” Jeff only inquired. Bruce passed him the milk and creamer as if in answer.

“You promised coffee cake....” Bruce glared over at him as if warning that if there was none, he’d be on the menu instead. “I should’ve brought some…” The tiger pouted as he picked up the nearly empty tin. He popped the last piece of the cake into his muzzle and dumped the tin into the trash.

“You knew you would be coming over for actual coffee?” Jeff laughed and took his glass into the living room. He turned the tv on and began playing the recording he had set up in advance. Of an interview with the players and an overview of the game itself.

“Really into the Sabers, huh?” Bruce asked. It wasn’t the first guy he met who was obsessed with sports. It was the first guy who happened to enjoy a team that wasn’t of his own species however; for whatever reason, most tended to lean towards their “own kind.” As harsh as that may sound, it was just a factual thing.

Be it in sports, groups, or just whole office buildings. Wolves and sheep tended to be some of the worse cases in this regard as a pack animal.

“It’s my team. Of course I’m going to support them as much as I can.” Jeff just shrugged as he took a drink. “Needs whiskey.”

“I think you should ease off a bit from the booze.” Bruce only rolled his eyes taking a heavy seat next to the human on the sofa. The whole thing shifted at the weight, the cushions sinking in heavily.

“Sure thing, mom.” Jeff rolled his eyes and continued to watch the show. Bruce took a few licks of his coffee. “So like…. You hold no interest at all?”

One of the tiger’s rounded ears lifted up at that. “In you?”

“Well, I mean in general.” Jeff rolled his eyes as he kicked a leg up. The tiger tail began to sway at that. “Like, I get the concept of it… just you have no interest at all?”

“Not really, no.” The tiger shrugged his broad shoulders and rested back in the crook of the sofa, kicking one of his own legs up onto the table. He had taken his sandals off at the door. “I just don’t have that drive. Is all.” Bruce was comparing the size of his paw to Jeff’s foot and chuckled, wondering if everything would be smaller compared to the tiger.

“At all?” Jeff asked a bit stunned on it. Bruce just shrugged once more. “I suppose that’s better than having an issue with me, uh… hitting on you.” The human laughed, shaking his head. “Man. That really could’ve gone bad, fast.”

“Like I could have mauled you?” Bruce snorted at the idea.

“Well…” Jeff flushed a bit.

“Unless that’s what you were hoping for?” The tiger was the one to flush, his ears splaying out to the sides of his head. He scratched the back of his thick neck.

“I mean, I wouldn’t have said no… if it had come up.” Jeff cheeks were burning hot as he took another long drink of his coffee. Thankful it was at least decaf.

“This is decaf, right?” Bruce just asked instead.

“Nothing about me is decaf.” Jeff gave him a sly wink at that, teasing him about it.

“Dude, that was super lame.”

“Your face is super lame.” Jeff only joked back, getting haughty as he sat up a bit more as if he could challenge the tiger.

“Well your dick is lame.” Bruce just snorted, smirking a bit himself. At least Jeff had been cool with who he was; first as a sports junkie, then as a predatory feline, and now this. The human hadn’t even kicked him out, still inviting him in after it all.

“Welp, your tail is lame.” Jeff pointed out as the orange, black striped tail teased under his chin.

“Whoa, dude! Too far!” And Bruce was the one to crack a smile and gave a hearty laugh as the two continued to enjoy each other’s company late into the evening.

“You’re sure it’s fine?” Bruce asked as he stripped off his shirt. The tiger needed to take a shower. A long morning of work and then a full day out in the spring heat.

“I said its fine.” Jeffrey rolled his eyes finally taking off Congo’s Jersey and hanging it up on the wall. He took a step back to look it over. He repositioned it a couple of times before he was satisfying. “I do this all the time with my friends.”

“Whore.” Bruce rolled his eyes taking a moment before undoing his pants and letting them fall to the floor. The tiger’s tail tip continued to flicker as Jeff looked over. The human gave him the once over and Bruce was all too aware just how much the human was checking him out right then and there; even in the short expanse of time it was.

“More like needy as fuck, thanks.” The human gave him a wink before dropping his own pants and turning the lights out.

“I’m not even sure if your beds big enough…” Bruce tried to say once more.

“Shut up and get naked in my bed already.” Jeff laughed and the two spent a good ten minutes bickering about how they were going to do this.

“Flat on your back just makes sense.” Jeff argued.

“Yes, I get that. But why am I sleeping reverse on the mattress again?” The tiger just asked, folding both arms behind his head as he laid out on the bed. The human was the one who hadn’t gotten into it yet.

“Because science has proven that it is the most comfortable position possible.” Jeff continued to insist as he moved over to the side of the bed. “You, uh, sure you’re cool with this?” He ended up asking, putting it off again.

“I’m in the bed aren’t I?” Bruce said in amusement, his tail swaying back and forth off the side of the bed. His feet hung off the end and his head was up a bit against the wall.

“Well that was because my sofa was made for a human or two at max; your fat ass would’ve broken it.” Jeff just rolled his eyes as he moved the blanket over and took a seat on the bed. He sat on the tiger’s side a bit.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you could sleep on the couch.” Bruce chuckled lightly.

“It’s my apartment!” Jeff grumbled as he adjusted his position.

“Yes, and you were the one who insisted I stay over.”

“It’s like midnight out. It’s dangerous.” Jeff didn’t even convince himself as he laid down. The back of his head ended up resting against the tiger’s arm. Bruce lifted it up a bit for him so the human could rest in the crook comfortably as he laid it back down, resting his large hand on Jeff’s bare chest.

Those large pink paw pads squished down against the human’s fuzzy chest. They were warm to the touch and Jeff tried not to shiver as Bruce gave it a slight rub.

“Jeff.” Bruce looked down at him. “I’m five hundred pounds of pure tiger awesome. No one gonna fuck with me.” He chuckled lightly, it faded quickly as the human scooted a bit closer to him now, turning to rest one arm on top of his creamy white fur stomach.

“Yeah, well… you’re like a giant creamsicle.” The human voice was soft and only the keen hearing of the tiger could make out his words as Jeff rested next to him.

“A creamsicle, huh?” The tiger growled at that, resting one large paw padded hand against Jeff’s back. The human shivered lightly at that. Bruce fur stood up at that, neither addressing it or ignoring it as the human nuzzled his broad furry chest.

“Well, yeah.” Jeff rolled his eyes. The fur brushing against his cheek and the heat coming from the tiger was making it hard to focus. He wanted to just drift off there with fuzzy dreams of creamsicles. “An old school classic. Cheap and tasty.”

Bruce took a second on that, the gears in his head slowly turning. “Are you calling me old? Or cheap?”

“You were the one bragging about your age.” Jeff chuckled as he rubbed one hand over Bruce’s stomach, sliding his fingers through that thick, warm fur. It was far softer than he thought it would be. Almost like silk. There was a musky tinge to it but he didn’t mind much.

“You know… cats actually don’t like belly rubs.” Bruce looked down at the hand, it was nearly lost in his fur. He could feel it pushing against the flesh underneath and the tiger instinctively sucked in his gut.

“I know.” Jeff just chuckled. “Your fur is just a lot softer than I thought it would be.” He said bluntly, not evening tip toeing around the fact he was enjoying the feel of it. Bruce flushed a little at that.

“I-I just take good care of myself, is all…” Bruce just said lightly, an uncomfortable growl underneath as he looked to one side of the room.

“It… doesn’t bother you, does it?” Jeff had stopped, sitting up a bit. “I mean I can sleep on the sofa if you want.” The human gave a small shrug, unable to make out the tiger in the dark room. Bruce could see every feature on Jeff’s face and knew the human meant it, without offense.

“Just not used to it.” Bruce finally admitted, sitting up a little himself. “Most people look at me and well…” The tiger looked at one of his large hands, the razor-sharp nails were sticking out of the end of each of his fingers. He let out a heavy breath and they slowly withdrew into their own protective covers. “You on the other hand… it’s kind of the opposite, really.” Bruce’s tail continued to flicker at the end quickly.

“I guess, the real question is… does that bother you?” Jeff pulled back so he wasn’t fully touching the tigers body and was trying to look into that large face. The look Bruce got alone told him that the human couldn’t make him out in the dark windowless room.

“As I said before, I just sort of… I’m not used to it, is all.” Bruce sat up now, resting his back against the wall as he pulled his feet up onto the bed. “I sort of just accepted the fact that I’d die alone.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Frankly, it wasn’t that hard too. I didn’t mind really. It was just easier than having to deal with it all, people expecting or wanting more than I could offer. Wanting me to change for them… or be someone else altogether.”

Jeff sniffled. “That’s so sad!” The human nearly cried. “I mean sure,” he scooted a bit closer. “You may not want exactly what I, or someone else, would want… but you can still have friends, dude.”

Bruce quirked an eyebrow at that, then laughed. “I meant,” the tiger shook his head still laughing lightly. “Never mind.” He just decided to finish with shaking his head once more. “Friends keep the heart young or some such.” The tiger rested back down a little, with those thoughts buzzing around in his skull.

“Well, with friends like you who needs a boyfriend?” Jeff chuckled as he moved over to give him some room. “Well you know what I mean.” And he stuck his tongue out, giggling.

“Dork.” Bruce laced an arm around him and pulled him up into a big hug. Jeff ended up using the large feline as a bed as he laid out over him, using that heavy chest as a pillow. “Besides, it’s not like I don’t enjoy your company or something.” The tiger growled with a low murr, the closest sound a tiger could come to an actual purr. He nuzzled the top of Jeff’s head as he scooted closer. “Quite the opposite…” Bruce murmured low and deep.

Jeff’s whole face was red as he lay there, Bruce resting one heavy arm over his back. The tiger had pinned his legs down under one of his own and Jeffrey found himself as a rather large teddy bear for the feline to snuggle as they both began to drift off to sleep.

The last Jeff could recall was the sound of Bruce’s heart beating and the smell of the tiger as he drifted off into a land of creamsicles.