Resistance- What Matters

Resistance- What Matters

I’m not the kind of guy you’d normally find in an ice cream store. Well, I suppose I look like just any normal guy, but I’m really not the ice-cream-store type of person. Why am I here then? Tomorrow is Scuff’s birthday, and even though I haven’t done anything for the past two birthdays he’s had, I feel like I should this year. Just to make up for my lack of anything more than a half-hearted ‘Happy Birthday’ for every other April twentieth we shared. And because this year my finances just happen to be better than ever and I’m in a good enough mood to at least consider getting him something.

Knowing how much Scuff loves anything sweet and sugary, I’ve decided to buy him an ice-cream cake. As well as give him the day off, I think the house can go without his constant attempt to make everything perfect for one day. My only worry is that he might end up vacuuming out of boredom anyway, my house isn’t the most entertaining place. Maybe I’ll give him some money…

In the midst of thinking up more and more things to give him that are just too generous for me to actually go through with, I’m also trying to pick out an ice-cream flavor. I personally hate ice cream, it hurts my teeth and in my opinion has very little taste, so I have no clue what’s good. I’m trying to choose between the more popular flavors. There’s a vanilla one with orange flowers around the rim, orange is Scuff’s favorite color, but I don’t know if he likes vanilla. None of the chocolate or strawberry ones have any orange on them though, so getting a little sick of making the decision I head over to the counter to make my request.

“Hey, how can I help you?” There’s a cute redhead behind the counter, and he’s giving me a flirty smile, I take little interest though, he lacks soft orange fox ears.

“Hi, can I have the vanilla ice-cream cake with the orange flowering?” I pointed to it and he smiled brightly and nodded. I forced on my best return smile, and then let it slide away as soon as he turned his back to get the cake.

“All right,” He put said cake on the counter in front of me. “Want anything written on it?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Um… What colors do you have?”

“Blue, Pink, Red, Orange, Black… Grey even, just about anything,” He said. I crinkled my nose slightly, trying not to wonder what the grey tube frosting would taste like.

“Black is good,” I say. “And it should say Happy Birthday Scuff,” I told him. He smiled again and disappeared into the kitchen for a moment. I stared down at the cake through the plastic that covered it. Each cake cost twenty-dollars, in my opinion that’s a little expensive for a cake, but it’s the only place I know of where I can buy cakes. I let out a sigh, knowing I may regret this. Then again, if Scuff likes it, if he says thank you, smiles that genuine adorable smile, it might be worth it.

The redhead came back out of the kitchen with a frosting tube in his hand. He set it down on the counter and removed the plastic covering from the top of the cake, and then picked up the tube again.

“Scuff with two F’s?” He asked, hovering the tip of the tube over the top left corner.

“Yes,” I nodded. He nodded back and a look of concentration came over him. I watched his eyes as he started writing the words onto the cake with the frosting. I never thought about it, probably because I’ve never bought a cake before, but it must take a good amount of skill to write so neatly with a tube like that. A lot of hand eye coordination… steady fingers… concentration… hands that know what they’re doing.

He was finished before I’d hardly realized he’d started and then turned the cake so I could see what he’d written. It looked nice, and in addition to what I’d asked there was a little heart next to Scuff’s name. I smiled slightly and nodded.

“These things taste good, right?” I looked up at him and asked.

“Dunno,” He shrugged, and then I watched him scoop up a bit of frosting from the side of my cake onto his finger. “Why don’t you try it?” He held the finger out to me and I just stared. He wants me to lick the frosting off his finger, which is far from just an innocent sample the way I see it.

I give him a slight glare but take what he’s offering, half because I don’t want to turn down an obvious challenge, and half because maybe I wouldn’t mind sucking on his finger so much. I start by wrapping my entire mouth around the digit, and then flick my tongue against it, tasting some of the frosting. It tastes good, sweet, sugary and thick. I let my tongue slide against the bottom of his finger and my eyes fall shut. I hear him let out a satisfied sigh, and crack one eye open to see him smiling widely with his eyes lightly shut. Opening my eyes fuller I let his finger slide between lips and stepped back.

“I’m Dwight, by the way,” He grinned at me, neglecting to wipe off his saliva-coated finger. I kept my eyes narrow, but I nodded back at him. “That’ll be twenty dollars for the cake, and fifty cents extra for the customization,”

“Aerin,” I said shortly, pulling my credit card out of my wallet and setting it on the table. He took it, scanned it, and handed it back along with a receipt. And with that I placed the plastic covering back over the cake and picked it up off of the counter.

“Thanks Dwight,” I said and waved. He winked and waved back, and then I left, mentally making plans to perhaps go back for another visit.

--

When I got back to the house I heard the vacuum running, which was luck for me, so I could hide the cake somewhere in the freezer before my presence was noticed. I removed some bags of peas and corn, slipped it in their place, and then put them back so that they completely covered it. Just afterward I heard the vacuum shut down and quickly shut the freezer and stepped away from it.

Scuff peaked into the kitchen and I smiled slightly in greeting, he then smiled back, as if he were waiting for a positive acknowledgement from me to give his own.

“Hi,” He said. “I cleaned off the counter tops and the dish washer is running, so if you want to get something to eat it’s all ready,” He stepped further into the kitchen, looking around at his own job-well-done, perhaps to make sure it was all looking good.

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry,” I nodded my head back and forth.

“Oh, sorry, I just thought because you were by the fridge and…”

“It’s okay,” I cut him off.

“Okay, well I just finished vacuuming so, is there something else I need to do before I start mowing the lawn?” He asked, almost shyly.

“No, everything looks fine,” I said, smiling again and taking a drink out of the cup of coffee that had been left on the table by who other than Scuff? He smiled when I took a drink and then folded his hands in front of him nervously, as if he were waiting for something.

“What?” I asked, slightly confused by his expecting expression.

“Oh,” He looked disappointed all of the sudden. “Sorry. I’d better um… go… do the lawn,” He nodded to himself and then quickly went toward the door, I heard it fall shut behind me and shrugged to myself.

The lawn mower roared from outside, and I continued to sip at my coffee for a few minutes before I finally decided that I’d better get to work on my latest commission. It wasn’t anything special, average pay, but that can change to unusually low pay if I’m late with it.

It was about seven-thirty PM when I was able to finish up the commission for good. I’d gotten it online and everything, and the link had been sent to the commissioner. My next project wasn’t due for another two weeks, which is plenty of time, so I guess I get a break for at least tonight. I can hear the TV on in the living room, which means Scuff must have finished all the work for today, though, he likely did that a while ago.

I started considering my options when the thought of the incident at the ice cream shop came to mind. I wondered if Dwight would be working still, he looked old enough to be working full-time even during the school year, but of course young enough not to lose his youthful charm.

I glanced at the clock again and decided that it was worth a try, it’d been almost four months since I’d gotten any, and I don’t like to let chances like this pass me by.

“Are you leaving?” Scuff asked me when I picked up my keys from the table.

“Yeah, I won’t be back until late probably,” I said simply. Even if Dwight isn’t there, or if he’s not interested, I might as well drop by the local bar, I always score there.

“Okay, See you later then,” Scuff replied in a small voice and then turned his attention back to the television. I paid little attention to him and headed for the door, slamming it shut when I left.

--

When I came back into the ice cream shop, Dwight was no longer behind the counter. Instead there was some fat old lady with way too much bright blue eye shadow and lipstick on, chewing her gum like a cow. She just looked at me with a very bored expression.

“Let me guess,” She spat before I could say anything. “You’re looking for Dwight?” She sneered at me from under her powder-coated eyelids.

“Um, yeah I guess,” I shrugged. She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.

“Dwight!” She called. “There’s some drunk pedophile here to see you!”

Uh… what?

“Don’t take it personally,” She turned back to me. “I just know what to say to make him come running,” With that she turned her attention back to messing around with the cash register. I nod slowly but am still a little bemused. Apparently according to her Dwight likes drunken pedophiles? I can live with that.

Not long after Dwight appeared at the entrance to the kitchen, our eyes met and he smiled the same bright smile I’d seen earlier.

“Aerin,” He pointed a finger at me, as if he were making sure he’d gotten my name correct.

“Yeah,” I nodded in reply, smiling a bit myself.

“I didn’t expect to see you back here,” He walked up to the counter. “Not that it’s not a pleasant surprised,” He leaned over the counter, arms crossed in front of him.

“Well, I’m not drunk, and I’m not really a pedophile if that’s what you were hoping for,” I shrugged.

“Ah, well, can’t get ‘em all the easy way, can I?” He smirked. I think he was joking… I hope he was joking… “Anna, can I show our friend Aerin the kitchen?” He was talking to her but his eyes were on me.

“Whatever,” Anna waved him off. “But if you two try anything funny, I’ll use a crowbar this time instead of a rake,” She wagged her finger at Dwight. He came around to the front of the counter and took me by the arm, I followed him, or more, let him drag me, but I had to glance back at Anna. What about a crowbar?

“So… Aerin,” Dwight began, releasing my arm once we were in the kitchen. I followed him toward the back, watching him run his finger along metal countertops as he spoke. “These…” He pointed to two large machines with four nozzles sticking out of the front of each. “…Are the ice cream dispensers,” He introduced. “This…” He put his hand on a large metal door. “Is the freezer that Anna once locked me in during her time of the month,” He patted the door and then turned away. I chuckled a bit and continued to follow. “This is the spot where the cakes are made,” He pointed to an empty spot on the counter. “And…”

“Dwight,” I stopped him. “I’m not that big on small talk, ya’know?” I said plainly. Dwight grinned widely and leaned against the counter behind him, almost as if he expected me to go down on him.

“All right then,” He shrugged. “Your place or mine?” The sexual smile was getting old, but at least he wasn’t giving off mixed signals like some guys I ran into. The expression on his face said ‘fuck me’ no matter what way I looked at it, and naturally I’d be happy to oblige.

“Yours,” I replied.

“Mmm, not an option,” He nodded. Then while the hell did he say it like it was an option? “I live in an apartment and my roommate’s got his step sister, who he fucks constantly, over for the week,” He explained.

“So?” I shrugged.

“Only one bed, unless you want to do a foursome, kind of kinky idea when you think of it. I’m not one for boobs but hers aren’t…”

“Okay,” I cut in, certain that I did not want to hear the rest of that sentence. “My place then,” I said. It’s not the first time I’ve brought anyone home, Scuff just closes himself in his room and stays out of it, and never mentions it later on.

“Sounds good,” He crossed his legs and smirked.

I didn’t hear the TV on when I walked into the couch, Dwight following close behind me. I peaked into the living room and saw that Scuff wasn’t there. His room door was shut and the light was off, so I guess that means he must’ve gone to bed. We’ll have to be quiet.

“Nice little place you got here,” Dwight complimented. “Really clean,”

“Yeah,” I nodded. I get that a lot believe it or not, and don’t think I haven’t noticed it. For a single guy living in a place like this, my house stays exceptionally clean, and I never lift a finger on the subject. It’s all thanks to Scuff.

“Well, you did say you’re not one for small talk,” Dwight said. “So I guess we should get to it,” He didn’t get to it though, he just stood there, back facing me, playing with some of the pens in the cup on my counter. I walked over slowly, making sure to be silent in my steps. Once close enough, I wrapped an arm slowly around his waist, he didn’t jump, or seem surprised, he just leaned back against me, pressing his ass against my groin.

My breath picked up and I leaned down, attaching my mouth to his neck, letting my hands wonder, around his thighs, hips, and up his shirt.

“Hmm,” Dwight rubbed my arms and started stepping backwards. Just to maintain my current position, I did the same, and eventually backed into a wall. I continued my biting and sucking of his neck, feeling his hands now on my thighs.

“Where’s the bedroom?” He pulled away slightly and turned so we were facing one another. I slipped my arms around his waist and pulled him into me, he giggled.

Before I could answer his question, I heard a small squeak to my right. I turned my head quickly and so did Dwight, and there stood Scuff, mouth agape, wearing nothing but his night pants.

“Scuff,” I said softly. “Just go back to bed,” I ordered. He snapped out of his dazed state not long after and nodded, stepping back into his room and shutting the door.

“Oh my god,” Dwight said. “You have a fox!” He broke away from me and started creeping toward Scuff’s bedroom.

“Yes,” I replied plainly. “He’s my house keeper,”

“House keeper? Bull shit. He’s a sexy piece of ass is what he is. Whores and Prostitutes, the whole species,” Dwight pressed his ear to the door, as if he expected to hear something.

“You’re one to talk, Dwight,” I snorted.

“You don’t even know me!” He snapped back defensively. I just rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

“What exactly are you listening for?” I whispered. Chances are Scuff was still awake, I’d rather he not hear any of this.

“Sounds,” Dwight replied. Well duh… “Moans, mewls, whines, you know, sex noises,” He explained.

“Why the hell? You’re not going to hear any, Dwight, trust me, just get away from the door,” I said. He shushed me and placed a hand on the doorknob.

“Dwight!” I barked and shoved him away from the door. He fell against the wall and looked at me in surprise.

“Wow,” He grinned. “Never figured you to be rough,” I just sneered at him. He pulled away from the wall and straightened himself out.

“So, at least tell me you’ve had the sense to tap that gorgeous thing?” He asked.

“No,” I lied, stepping back from him and avoiding his eyes. It was just as good as any truth, that day was a forgotten blur, two years ago, and Scuff and I are the only ones who ever knew about it, I plan to keep it that way.

“Yeah right,” Dwight snickered.

“No, Dwight, now leave it alone,” I scowled. He shrugged and walked back over to me, slipping his arms around my neck.

“I prefer dominance anyway,” He said into my ear and I felt his tongue trace the shell of it.

“I’m not in the mood anymore,” I ducked out of his hold and headed for my room, which was just about the worst place I could’ve went for.

“The we’ll have to get you in the mood, won’t we?” I could just hear Dwight smirk as he followed me. I stopped at my room door to protest but he pushed me inside and kicked the door shut behind him.

“Dwight…” I began, but I couldn’t finish, his mouth was suddenly locked with mine, and my tongue had somehow found it’s way between his lips. I groaned, deciding I was in the mood again, and fell back on the bed, taking Dwight with me.

For someone who’s personality I really don’t find appealing, he sure seems to know how to get what he wants. Wish I had that talent.

--

When I woke up the next morning, Dwight wasn’t there. As soon as I opened my eyes and realize that I was alone, I was a little worried. I mean, after the attraction he’d shown to Scuff the night before, who knew what he may have done while I was sleeping? A little nervous I threw the blankets off of me and got dressed quickly.

It was quiet as it should have been when I stepped out in the living room. Scuff was humming some unknown tune as he dusted the shelves across from the TV. His back faced me and I don’t think he noticed that I was there, that is until I stepped up and put a hand on his shoulder. He tensed and looked back at me in askance.

“Did Dwight leave?” I asked simply.

“I…” He paused. “I don’t know, I didn’t hear him leave after I woke up,” He replied, sounding a bit nervous, sad even. “Is he your boyfriend?” He asked.

“No,” I nodded, wrinkling my nose. “Just some guy,” I said shrugging. Scuff nodded back and then turned back away from me to continue dusting. “We didn’t keep you up at all, did we?” I asked. He nodded his head back and forth without turning back to me, just kept working like the good kid he was.

“Okay,” I said. “I need to go shopping for some food today, I’ll be back around noon,” I told him.

“Okay,” He replied. I sighed as I left the room. He seemed so sad today, normally he’d go over board with trying to explain things or tell me about everything he’d done to the house today. But not this time I guess, maybe it has something to do with last night. But why should he be upset or bothered about that? It’s none of his business after all.

I shrugged it off and snatched my keys from the rack next to the door, took one last glance back toward the living room, and shut the door behind me.

Food isn’t one of my favorite things in the world. I mean, eating just takes up time and I rarely find anything that actually tastes good. So naturally I eat because I have to in order to live and then have no need for any more food. Scuff is a different story, he doesn’t eat a lot but he likes to try all different kinds of food, especially sweet food, once when I said I was going to throw away the leftover bananas he took some of his free time and made banana bread with chocolate chips in it. Dare I say, it actually tasted pretty good, compared to a lot of food that is.

Normally I’d just get some bread, maybe some sort of spreading to put on it, milk, beer, and microwave pizza. But the fact that it’s Scuff’s birthday comes to mind again, and I decide to go a little further than that. Not too much further of course, just some Oatmeal Cream Pies and a Two-liter of Mountain Dew. They’re both full of sugar, so I think that Scuff will like that.

I looked at my watch while standing in the check-out line, it was almost eleven forty-five, fifteen minutes to get home I’d be back around noon as promised. Then I could surprise Scuff with his cake, I couldn’t help but smile a little at the thought of it.

“Good morning,” The clerk smiled cheerily at me and I frowned. She didn’t seem to notice my change of expression and just continued to slide the milk over the censor. Watched her in boredom, thinking she might be attractive if the cute freckle-faced bag boy wasn’t standing there to be seen from the corner of my eye. I have much more of an eye for guys, if it isn’t obvious.

The clerk gave me a quick ‘have a nice day’ and I smiled half-heartedly and nodded back, picking up my bags and walking toward the store exit.

“Hey!” I heard someone call. Out of habit I automatically assumed the person could not possibly be talking to me, so I just kept walking. “Hey!” The same voice repeated. “Hey you! I know you!” Becoming a little unsure of my original assumption I stopped and turned around. A vaguely familiar man who’s clothes looked as if they hadn’t been washed in days was jogging toward me.

“Hi,” He smiled. I knew I knew him, but I couldn’t remember where from, or his name for that matter.

“You’re Aerin Riker aren’t you?” He asked. I nodded slowly. “Brian,” He pointed to himself. “Remember, Brian Rich?” He was smiling widely, but I couldn’t remember the name at all, despite the fact that I new his face.

“Well, heh…” He laughed. “I guess I can’t expect you to remember, I’m not even sure I told you my name. But I met you at a bar, remember? We slept together!” He said happily. I was horrified, not by what he was saying, but by the way he was saying it, by the way everyone around us heard him and gave us a deranged look.

“Yeah… I don’t…” I began, but I was cut off.

“We’re not drunk now, I know, but maybe we could like…” He paused, seemingly examining my shirt. I raised an eyebrow at him and then looked around at those around us that were staring. He leaned down and sniffed it and I almost slapped him.

“Damn,” He said. I wiped the place he’d sniffed with my hand, just in case he’d left behind any of his grossness. “Where the hell do you find time to clean your clothes?” He looked up me grinning. You know, from a normal person, that would be a strange question, but coming from someone who looked like just a ball of dirt himself, it was understood. I feel weird knowing I’d slept with him… or at least, he said I had. I still don’t really remember.

“I have a maid,” I shrugged and then excused myself, hoping to keep him from finishing the statement he’d begun before.

“Ooh,” He sounded interested and started following me. Great. “How much does that cost?” He asked.

“Nothing, I found him in the woods and now he lives with me,” Maybe I’m giving out too much information, I usually don’t tell people about Scuff. Then again, I usually don’t really talk to people at all. With Dwight… and now Brian, I’m just acting a little too social for my particular taste.

“You don’t pay him?” Brian scoffed. “Isn’t that illegal? Like slavery or something?” His eyes are narrowed now.

“He could leave if he wanted to,” I shrugged. “But he doesn’t have anywhere to go, I feed him, and give him a place to sleep,” I tried to turn away again.

“Aren’t maids girls?” He asked randomly.

I paused. “…I don’t know,” I starting walking away from him, as expected, but not desired, he started following me again.

“In any hurry to get home?” He asked, practically hopping along beside me.

“Yes,” I said.

“Oh,” He said, sounding all sad like I’d crushed his hopes or something. “Cause I was hoping… now that we saw each other like… sober…” He stopped there. I looked at him, my expression lacking sympathy.

“What?” I snorted, maybe a little too rudely.

“I don’t know,” It was now that I suspected that his disappointment was fake. “Usually when I meet someone I had a good time with in the past… there’s a repeat of history,” He shrugged and smiled widely. I noticed one of his teeth were missing.

Okay, he’s not actually that bad looking when it comes down to it, he’s smelly, and dirty, but if he wasn’t he might have been even more attractive than Dwight. He wants me to fuck him, as far as I can tell. And you know what?

Why not?

--

It’s almost two when I leave Brian’s house. I told Scuff I’d be home at noon, but I’m sure he doesn’t really care. The only thing I’m worried about is the milk, two hours in the sun, I hadn’t even thought of it when I’d accepted Brian’s request. Oh well, If it’s no good I’ll just buy more, simple as that. I mean, minus the fact that I’d lose 1.79, but whatever.

It was strange. When I got home, the house didn’t look like it normally did. I mean, it wasn’t dirty or messed up, but the dishes were unwashed, still in the sink, the coffee stain I’d left on the table was still there. When I came into the living room, the couch was out crooked, the pillows were on the floor and some of the cushions were pulled out part way. This was the first of my suspicions, and then I heard moaning, I heard squealing, noises that sounded mostly like… pain.

Without much thought I tore open a drawer and snatched out a small six-shooter. I stomped over to the source of the noise, which was Scuff’s room, and threw the door open.

I was stunned by would I saw. A man… with bright red hair was kneeling on Scuffs bed, thrusting in and out, I could see smooth, thin legs wrapped around his waist, an orange tail flailing under his weight. Familiar squeals, gasps, noises of protest that I recognized all too well. Anger flared up inside me, and hardly noting the other man in the room that was staring at me in shock, I grabbed the man that was on Scuff and tore him off, throwing him hard against the wall. I watched his head smash against the leg of the dresser and he looked unconscious. It was Dwight, but of course I already knew that.

“Hey, man!” The other man came at me, I was unaware of his intentions. Without thinking, I turned around, and I shot him in the chest, and then I shot Dwight in the head.

With that I turned to Scuff, still blazing with madness, gripping the gun by my side, my hand sweating. I glanced at Dwight, and then the other man, who looked young enough to be in his teens, he had the same ears and tail as Scuff. Then I turned my attention to Scuff, who was horrified with tears rolling down his face. His body was limp, his hands were tied to the head of the bed, he looked so scared and helpless, so hurt. I dropped the gun and crawled on top of him, he jerked beneath me, seeming frightened by my sudden move. I ignored it, and just focused on untying his wrists. As as soon as they were free I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him against my chest. Not even thinking about the fact that he was naked, beautiful, under me… there were more important things to think about. Scuff returned the hug as soon as he seemed to realize that I wasn’t going to hurt him. He cried into my shoulder.

“He told me…” Scuff sobbed. “He told me that you said to do this, you said he could,” My eyes widened when I realized what he was saying. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I let him, I thought…”

“Don’t be sorry,” I barked squeezing him closer. “I didn’t say anyone could do anything,” I scowled at Dwight from the corner of my eye. “You let him…?” I pulled away a bit so I could see Scuff’s eyes.

“Yes, I… he…” He croaked. “He said you said I could,” He wiped his eyes.

“So, wait, you wanted to let him? And he said I gave permission…” I started getting angry again.

“No!” He said quickly. “No but, he said that it was okay with you, and so… I didn’t have a choice,” He explained. My mouth fell open… didn’t have a choice?

“It wasn’t okay with me,” I shook my head. “I… fuck, I shouldn’t have been gone so long,” I looked down and my eyes just happened to meet a pale, pretty cock, surrounded by dark hair. I licked my dry lips and adverted my eyes to the floor, not moving my head at all though.

“You should…” I swallowed. “You should put some clothes on, and then you can have the day off,” With that I moved off of him.

“But Aerin, I…”

“No,” I said firmly. “Just take it easy today, I have to… go…” and I left.

I sat at the foot of my bed, staring at the floor, thinking. I killed someone… I killed two people, holy fuck. What am I going to do, what’s going to happen to me if they catch me? What am I going to do with their bodies? Their bodies… they’re still in Scuff’s room, still lying there dead on his floor. I can’t go back in there now though. I just need to think.

Fifteen minutes later I was still sitting there. Thinking about what was going to happen, thinking about how much of my life has all of the sudden just gotten fucked up. Thinking about Scuff, if he’s still okay, and the fact that I don’t have the guts to go back in there and talk to him. I’m not even sure I ever want to see him again, he watched me kill two people. I saw him being raped.

What the fuck. I raped him. two years ago I raped him and I didn’t have any problem with that then. Why don’t I just shoot myself in the head? It’s the same Dwight got… the same his friend got for the same offense. I don’t think I have the guts to do that either though, so I just sit in my room, staring at the floor.

Scuff sure is having a happy fucking birthday.

--

I’m not sure when I’d fallen asleep, but I woke up at eight PM, lying across the end of the bed, my face crushed into the mattress and my feet hanging off the edge.

I groaned and forced myself to get up, staring at the light coming through the bottom of the door into my pitch-black room. After a bit I got up, walked over to the door and opened it. The living room was clean, the cushions and pillows were back in place and everything was straightened out. Glancing into the kitchen I saw that the dishes were clean as well and rolled my eyes. Scuff sometimes just doesn’t listen.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, deciding it was time to go see how he was doing.

“Scuff?” I whispered. I opened the door to find that the light was off. I’d almost flipped it on, but I heard small sounds coming from the bed, sniffling, crying. “Scuff,” I repeated. The small sobs stopped suddenly and his small form under the covers shifted until he was looking at me. I glanced at the spot on the floor where Dwight and his friend had been, they were no longer there.

“Where are they?” I asked softly.

“I…” he paused, wiping his eyes, obviously trying to act like he hadn’t been crying. “I cleaned them up, they’re still in the garage in bags, I wasn’t sure what you’d want to do with them,” He shrugged. I was half-stunned, thinking that innocent, sweet Scuff had the nerve to bag two dead bodies and seemingly not have much remorse.

“I got to it fast, so I was able to get the blood stain out of the carpet,” He nodded at me. “Looks good as new,” He forced a smile. I nodded, hardly caring about that at the moment.

“Why were you crying?” I asked. He paused, just looked at me for a time, and then shook his head.

“Nothing,” He shrugged and lay his head back down on the pillow. I came further into the room and shut the door behind me.

“Please don’t turn on the lights,” I heard a small voice from the bed and obliged to his request, walking over slowly in the dark.

“Scuff,” I sat down next to him on the bed. He was looking at me in question, his face lit up by the moonlight. I moved my hand over and pushed a few strands of hair from his pretty eyes. “Do you want to leave?” I asked thoughtfully.

“What?” Scuff’s eyes widened.

“I mean, do you want to leave here? You can’t just keep being my… my slave forever,” I swallowed.

“I’m not a slave, I like it here,” He sounded so sure. “No, I want to stay here now,” He nodded.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “Because, well, there’s a lot more out there than me… and this house,” I shrugged.

“Do you want me to leave?” He stared up at me in sadness. God no, I didn’t want him to leave, I can’t even really explain why, I mean yes he saves me a lot of physical labor, but there’s something else… I guess I’ve just grown attached.

“No,” I say quietly, followed by a sigh.

“Are you sure?” He sat up a little, looking at me hopefully. “I will if you want me to,” I could hear the doubt in his voice. It really did sound like he wanted to stay, but why? Because this is all he has.

“I could give you some money to start on,” I suggested. “You could probably get a job somewhere,”

“But I have a job!” He protested a little to quickly. “I mean… I like it here, I really do. I’ll go if you want me to but I don’t want to,” He shook his head.

“Why?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“What?”

“Why do you like it here?” I clarified. He sat there for a while, looking thoughtful. I was hoping he’d answer, hoping he’d have a positive answer, but it seemed to me like he was just having trouble thinking up a reason.

“I don’t know,” He admitted. My eyes dropped. “I just like everything. My…” He stopped himself. “This room,” He corrected. “This house, what I have to do, knowing I’ll have a warm place to sleep every night,” He shrugged. “You…” He said quietly.

My head snapped up to him. “What?” I asked.

“I like you… you’re… nice,” He shrugged, he was looking at me right in the eyes, which said to me that he wasn’t making it up. But he had to have been. Me? Nice? Yeah right. Especially not to Scuff.

“I mean… sometimes you… but…” He sighed. “You forgot,” His voice fell.

“What?” I tilted my head. “What did I forget?”

“You forgot…” He swallowed. “Today’s… my birthday,” He looked at me and shrugged and then looked down again.

I smiled a little. “No I didn’t,” I said. He looked up at me again in what seemed like disbelief. “I didn’t forget,” I repeated. “Stay here, okay?” I got up without taking time to wait for a reply and left the room. I shut the door against behind me and went into the kitchen to the freezer where the cake was. I moved the peas and corn that were surrounding it and pulled it out. It looked good as new, smiling I set it on the table. After that I got out the pop and Oatmeal Pies and put them on the table as well. Then I set out a plate… I made that two plates, deciding I just might try some. Once it was ready, I went back to Scuffs room where he was still lying on the bed but sitting up now.

“Come into the kitchen,” I couldn’t help smiling, something about this whole idea just made me grin, or maybe it was the curious look on his face. He pushed the covers off himself and climbed out of bed, watching me as he left the room. I followed him slowly into the kitchen, hands in my jean pockets.

He seemed to stop in his tracks a moment when the table with the cake was in sight. He said nothing though, and just walked up to it slowly, leaning over as if to read what was written on top.

“Aerin…” He turned back to me. “When did you get this?” He asked.

“Yesterday,” I shrugged, stepping further into the kitchen. “It’s vanilla, hope that’s okay,” I said. He nodded, looking at the food like it were some sort of miracle.

“I thought…” He shook his head. “I thought you forgot,” The side of his mouth curved into a smile and he turned around and hugged me around the my chest, his ear brushing against my chin. I stepped back slightly, a little startled, but hugged back as best I could. His face was buried in my shoulder, and from the corner of my eye I saw him still smiling. He pulled back suddenly and turned back to the cake.

“Where are the candles?” He asked suddenly.

“Huh?” I frowned.

“The candles,” He turned back to me, picking his thumbnail. “There’s just usually candles on a birthday cake,” He shrugged.

“Oh,” Honestly, I didn’t know that. “Well, I don’t have any, I…”

“It’s okay,” Scuff smiled and sat down in one of the chairs with a plate in front of it. I pulled a knife from the drawer and began to cut the cake, Scuff watched.

--

“Vanilla is actually my favorite,” Scuff said, licking the spoon he’d been eating the ice-cream cake with.

“Oh, well, lucky guess then,” I shrugged. “I got it because of the orange,”

“Thanks,” He said sincerely. I smiled and nodded. I had my arms crossed and was just sitting in the chair across from him, watching him eat. I had a barely touched piece of cake on my plate. Once I’d gotten through the frosting I didn’t like it, but I was having fun with the pop, on my second can that is.

We ate in silence for a while. Well actually, he ate, I just sat and watched him. He ate so anxiously I could tell he was enjoying it, but at the same time he was careful, like making sure he got every bit off his spoon before scooping up another bite. I don’t really remember the last time I got anything in the house that was really sweet, so I guess this is a treat for him. My breath hitched when his pink tongue slipped out of his pink lips and liked a bit of frosting from the corner of his mouth. He paused a moment and looked at me warily right afterward, taking another bite but pausing in the middle of it.

“Are you going to eat yours?” He asked me, nodding his head toward it.

“No,” I nodded. “I’m not really a cake person,” I shrugged. He nodded in reply and continued finishing up his. I continued to watch, but I’m not sure my stare was as innocently curious now as it had been before.

Once he finished the piece of cake Scuff took a sip of Mountain Dew, and then proceeded to unwrap the Oatmeal Pie. His hands were shaking, and I could tell he was uncomfortable with my intent stare, but I couldn’t stop. He’s so pretty, I just can’t stop telling myself that. I’ll admit I have gotten a little better with keeping my eyes to myself around him, but right now, I didn’t even try.

When finished Scuff gave me one last wary glance before nervously rising from his seat with the plate in his hand. I hate this, I hate how things were going well, and then my wondering eyes had to ruin it so that he was uncomfortable around me. I think it’d be fair to say I hate myself right now.

Scuff stood at the sink, washing his plate and spoon. I sighed at my own behavior and started tapping my fingers on the table. I took a drink of Mountain Dew and forced my attention on the tapping fingers. But in the corner of my eye he was there. He’s just so noticeable, his ears twitching, his tail swaying back and fourth, I doubt he even knows it is. I stopped tapping as soon as he turned off the water, and got up at the same time he went to dry his hands. I’d been doing a lot of things without thinking lately. But I’ve found that a lot of things are much easier to do when you don’t think about them, so once again, I didn’t think, I just acted.

His back faced me as I approached him, he didn’t know I was up, I could tell by the way he casually hung the hand towel back up on the rack, and almost turned around. But before he could I wrapped my arms around his waist and all at once pulled him against me. He gasped and his whole body tensed under my touch, his hands gripping the counter edges.

“A-Aerin,” he sounded not scared, but confused. I pressed myself against his ass and at the same time pulled him closer to me, I really just wanted him to know. To feel exactly what it was he did to me, what he could do to me. He felt it too, I knew he did, knew by the way he cringed even more when he felt my hard on pushing against him I squeezed him and I really just didn’t want to let go ever. I pushed harder against him and brushed my lips over the back of his neck. I’m sick, I’m a sicko, just like Dwight, but… I grinded slowly against him… it felt so good.

And just like that, just as quickly as I came, I broke away. I’m not sure what came over me all of the sudden, but I just let go. Before I even knew I was moving I was out of the kitchen and in my room, closing the door behind me.

Not again. Not ever again.

--

I sat in my room on my computer doing absolutely nothing constrictive for I don’t know how long. I found myself in mature rated chat rooms, ones I hadn’t been in for years. Sometimes they make me feel good, as I have my picture posted and a lot of guys and girls seem to flock to me. That’s how sick, perverted, and desperate I am. I guess that’s why I haven’t been there since I was about twenty-one, and I guess that’s why I’m back now.

I few moments later I heard the shower running and something came to mind. There are no towels in the bathroom right now, they’re all either in the hamper where I left them or in the washer or dryer. Deciding I might as well check, I got up from my computer and headed into the laundry room. Sure enough there was a fresh load of clean towels still there in the dryer.

I pulled one out, one of the big soft ones, and headed toward the bathroom where Scuff was. I certainly didn’t want to open the door now of all times, so I just hung the towel on the outside doorknob, assuming he’d find it there when he opened the door to get one himself.

I heard something just before I walked away from the door, a familiar moan, followed by gasping, grunts that sounded more like squeaks. I pressed my ear against the door, listening more closely before my suspicions were confirmed by the sound of a much louder groan. My prude, sweet, innocent Scuff was touching himself? Maybe it’s true what they say about him, his species, their main interests are sexual… then again what animal’s isn’t? Humans included. I just couldn’t believe it with Scuff, he was always such a child, even though he’d just turned twenty-two, I’d always seen him as more of a teenager. See no evil, hear no evil, that was Scuff to me.

“Whores and Prostitutes, the whole species.” Dwight had said to me. But just because he’s masturbating doesn’t mean he’s a whore, I shake the thought from my head and listen closer. Such sweet sounds he was making, the cries and gasps matched his voice and I was quickly able to match a voice to a face. As well as a position and an image of what he was doing. My hand brushed over the front of my pants. Slowly I began to fall to my knees by the door, keeping my head firmly pressed against it so I didn’t miss a single sound. My hand worked on it’s own, unbuttoning and unzipping my pants, I felt them loosen around my waist and eventually slip down to my knees. The hand slips under my boxers and I let out a muffled moan myself, taking my shaft in my palm and rubbing my thumb over the top. I think Scuff may have heard that moan, but it doesn’t matter, as long as he keeps making those noises.

He does, and it’s not long before I’ve pulled my boxers down as well and am just full-out jacking off there, right next to the door. I watch myself through thin slits between my eyelids, whining and speeding up when I see a bit of pre-cum drip from the head. I still hear him as well, he’s getting louder, and so am I, we can hear each other, I know it. I can’t think about what his impression of this could be right now, I just have to keep pumping, harder and faster because nothing is ever enough. Until I come that is, and when I do, I scream, and at the same time, he screams.

I slumped against the door, eyes shut, tongue running over my dry lips.

“I missed you,” I heard a small whisper from the bathroom. It didn’t sound like he was talking to me, or anyone, so naturally I said nothing. This would be forgotten, like everything else, we would never speak of it. That’s just how it works.

I got up, pulling my pants up along with me, and headed back to my room to shut myself inside until morning.

--

It turns out, the shutting myself in my room lasted a lot longer than until morning. In fact, after I woke up, I didn’t even want to leave my room, I didn’t want to see Scuff. I shouldn’t be intimidated, with all the natural power I have over him anyway, he’s just my small, insignificant housekeeper. I feel ashamed, guilty, more so than I had even when I…

There was a knock on the door and my breath hitched.

“Aerin?” The small familiar voice gave me a chill. I didn’t answer, I wanted to send him away, but I didn’t answer. “Aerin, please come out,” He was… begging? “Talk to me,” He pleaded. He sounded like a worried wife, or mother more like.

“I know,” He whispered. “I know you… want me,” His voice sounded so wicked, those last two words, not like him. “It doesn’t matter, we have to talk, we have to…” I heard a thump on the door, I think he banged his head on it. “I can’t go on like this,” He whispered.

“Neither can I,” I barely said it, the words barely made it past my lips, and for that reason, I don’t think he heard me. I got up slowly, still debating as I did as to whether I should, but by the time I had my hand on the door knob it was too late to stop. In one quick motion I pulled it open, and there he stood, looking at me, not avoiding my gaze like usual, not trying to pretend he didn’t see me looking.

“I miss you,” He sighed. I tilted my head, remembering when he said that same thing in the shower last night.

“Not you, really, just how you were, before…” His voice trailed off. He didn’t need to say anymore anyway, I knew what he was referring to.

“How was I?” I asked.

“You paid attention to me,” He said. “I mean, you were always looking my way, whenever I came into a room or something. Then… while it was happening, I thought it was a little… unnerving,” He swallowed. Creepy, he means. “But now you just…” He shrugged and sighed. “You don’t even get mad at me anymore,” He snorted, scratching the back of his neck.

“But you don’t like…”

“No,” He cut me off. “No I guess I don’t, but it was something. Something other than this… nothing,”

“I love you,” I whispered under my breath.

“You’re obsessed with me,” He corrected, and he was right. Love was just so much less abnormal, so much more tolerable than obsession. “At least you were,” He sighed. He says it as if he misses it. And he’s wrong, I’m still obsessed, I’m just better at keeping it to myself now, disregarding my recent behavior.

“You asked me if I want to leave…” He began. I looked down, knowing that this was it, that he’s going to change his mind about staying, it was only a matter of time after all. “I said I don’t want to, and not because I don’t have anywhere else to go.” With that, he turned around as if to leave me there.

Before I’d realized I’d even moved, my arm snapped out and I’d grabbed him by the wrist, yanking him back and pushing him up against the wall next to my door. My head was spinning, I couldn’t decide what I wanted or what I was going to do, now that he’d told me everything. Now that I knew he knew. I never wanted to do it again, because then he’d see me as disgusting, then he’d want to leave, and I wouldn’t be able to stop him. But now he knows, I know he knows, now he must want toleave, so what have I got to lose?

I stare at him, our mouths so close, our noses brushing. He kept his eyes on mine, though I paid little attention to his actions, no matter how abnormal they were for him. I really just want that mouth, so bad, and similar to last time, I couldn’t think up a reason not to take it. So I did.

My lips crushed against his, and unlike before, I put morals and guilt and being gentle behind me. I just want it, all of it, and if he’s going to leave me then I have to take it. I feel his legs wrap around my waist and it’s then that I realize that his tongue is actually moving against mine in his mouth. I don’t want that though, I want him to be completely limp, helpless, and unable to resist. I shove him harder against the wall, pressing my groin against him and rocking my hips. I hear him moan and thrust against him, not even aware of how much damage I might be causing. Humping him so hard into the wall, fingers digging into his sides, my tongue plunging down his throat. It wasn’t long before I decided I needed a bed, beds and lying horizontally allow more control, you see.

“Aerin,” He gasped as soon as my mouth left his for only a moment. I quickly reconnected our lips and pulled him off the wall, carrying him into the bedroom without bothering to shut the door. I fell face first onto the bed, with him under me of course, never letting our mouths disconnect.

“Love you,” I whispered as I removed his pants. “So much…” I could never really convince myself that that was true, because it wasn’t. But again, love felt so much less… crazy, than obsession. So love it was.

“I know,” Was all Scuff said this time. In a flash I’d unzipped my pants and pulled out a hard, pulsing member, moaning as soon as I took it into my hand. With little consideration and no preparation, I thrust into him, and he screamed so loud when I did. So loud, so high, so beautiful, so innocent, so… mine.

I fucked him. It wasn’t even what I’d call sex, I just fucked him. A cloud of heat had formed around us by the end, and he’d continued to whine, cry and scream with every thrust. I didn’t want to stop, didn’t ever want to stop, I even held off coming for as long as I could until… I exploded inside him, and then collapsed on top of him. Suddenly I was very tired, and all I could think about was sleep. I felt a soft, feather-light kiss on my lips and then fell asleep there.

--

I woke up with a start and threw the blankets off me, and then froze, looking down at my naked self. I thought it may have been a dream perhaps, part of the one that had followed it. A nightmare, more like, but more for him than me.

The stove was on when I came into the kitchen, and Scuff was there, stirring what looked like soup, or maybe rice, I couldn’t tell. I looked at him and he was smiling at me, a smile I didn’t understand, so I just looked away. Strangely, when I did, my eyes fell upon the trashcan, and what was in it.

“Gloves?” I whispered to myself and walked over. They were white rubber disposable gloves, and the fingertips were covered in blood.

“Didn’t want to get blood on my hands,” Scuff explained with a shrug, only it didn’t really sound like him.

“Where’s my gun?” I asked suddenly, remembering that I’d dropped it after shooting Dwight.

“In a bag,” Scuff said simply.

“A what?” My eyebrow furrowed.

“A bag,” He said. “back in the drawer where it always is,”

“Why?”

“Preservation,” Scuff shrugged. I stared at him for a while, and then looked down at the gloves in the trashcan, and then back up at him.

“Couldn’t you have just washed your hands?” I asked. I watched him turn down the flame and then twist around so he faced me.

“What, are you upset that I may have wasted a pair of your gloves?” He asked. I didn’t answer, just stared him down. “Hope you had fun last night,” He grinned and then his eyes moved to the window. I looked too, and to my surprise there was a police car parked on the side of the road in front of my house.

“Scuff!” I whipped around but he was no longer in the room. I started toward the living room, but froze in my tracks when there was a harsh knock on the door. I shouldn’t open it, but if I don’t they’ll just come in anyway. I could pretend I’m not home, but then… I turn on my heels and went back to the door. I took in a deep breath and then jerked it open. As soon as I did, a piece of paper was shoved against my chest.

“What’s this?” I demanded as two cops came into my home.

“A search warrant,” One of them spat at me. “For your home and your garage,” He said, and then the two of them went into the living room where the door that led out to the garage was. I followed them, trying to think of some way to protest, but they didn’t stop, and before I’d thought of anything to say, they’d went out into the garage.

Scuff was sitting on the couch casually, one foot up on the chair and the other resting on the coffee table. His arms were crossed over his stomach and there was a smirk playing on his lips as his eyes were focused on me. I glared and stomped over to the drawer where I’d always kept my gun, but when I opened it, it wasn’t there. I just stared hopelessly at the empty drawer.

“You said it was here,” I licked my lips nervously.

“I lied,” I could hear the oh-so-casual shrug in his voice.

“You planned this,” I scowled at him, making sure my expression was threatening. He just chuckled and rested on arm behind his head.

“Of course I did,” He said. He wasn’t himself, Scuff would never do this, he’d never be apart of anything like this. He helps me, he’s always helped me, he’s always been on my side. He’s innocent, and helpless, has no trace of independence, Scuff wouldn’t do this.

“Why,” I whispered pleadingly. I paused and just looked at me for a moment, the smirk growing, and a tad of humor sneaking into his expression.

“Because I hate you,” He said.

There was a gasp of surprise from inside the garage and I knew they’d found the bodies, and I knew that was it. Scuff had victory written all over his face, and there was a tad of false sympathy mixed in. He just shrugged.

I stared. When the cops came back in for me, one of them holding handcuffs, I just stared. When they told me I was under arrest for the murder of Dwight Michaels and Kevin Lynx, I just stared.

Lynx, that’s the mayor’s last name. I killed the mayor’s son.

“We’d like to have you in court to testify,” One of the men spoke to Scuff. “To be sure to get the sentence we’re looking for,” He said.

“Of course,” Scuff smiled. He was biting his lip in that adorable way. His tail flicked, his ears pointed straight up, and he winked at me.

I killed the mayor’s son.

Suddenly, a jolt of realization hit me, and I burst into laughter. I laughed as they pulled me out of the house and told me my rights, as they shoved me into the back seat of the blue and white, I laughed.

Murder it was, murder. It’s up to the court, but judging by the manner of the killing, and the victim, and with Scuff testifying against me, I’m expecting the death sentence. That is just utterly hilarious, so I laugh.

AN- AHA! I love this. I’m not sure I should because it’s like really shaky and rushed-ish at some part but… I DO. And it’s on the rare occasion that I actually love anything I write, so be happy with me! Or not… whatever.

Scuff is a conniving little son of a bitch, yuss he is. Aerin’s a rapist and I don’t like him, so I sent him to jail, yupyup. And you know I can’t even make a half-decent author’s note right now because I’m so giddy. Wheeee.

Aerin is named after my best friend. So whoopeeeee!

Oh, and I have a fetish for the name Dwight now… so this probably won’t be the last character who I call Dwight.