Foster’s Porn Story: Massages and Novels Chapter 1

Massages and Novels

By: A’Phrionnsa Fala
and CG
Written: July August 2006
Fandom: Fosters Home
for Imaginary Friends
Genre: Fluff
Rating: K+ for the
novel
Pairings: None, tho its hinted Wilt and Eduardo have boy
crushes
Warnings: While Wilt and Eduardo arent a couple in this
story, it is skirting on the rims of the two having crushes on the
other. If this isnt to your liking, dont read it. Also included
are made up parts of raunchy romance novels.
Plot: After his
disastrous job as Master of Ceremonies in HiccyBurp, Wilt feels
awful. During this time a true friend helps him through the rough
patch.
Spoilers: Might give away what happened to Wilt in
HiccyBurp.
Disclaimers: Shout out to the wonderful Craig
McCracken for thinking these guys up. Seriously man, youre
great.
Story Notes: This Bitter Ecstasy is an actual romance
novel. But we didnt use exerts from it since neither of us owned
the book. Plus I think itd be illegal.

His neck
ached where his head had been snapped abruptly to the side when he’d
been tugged off the stage. Now behind the curtain, stage left, he
stared absently out from whence he came, wondering just what had
happened back there . . . Then, with startling clarity, it came back
to him in a single botched word. “Fwiend.” That was where
everything had spiralled overboard. Hours after the end of the
pageant found him still in his formal wear, sat up on some
scaffolding. He was dangling his long legs over the edge and nursing
his sore neck with an ice packet. The dejection was kept at bay by a
book that lay open in his lap, which he was reading closely and
mouthing many of the words to himself.

It
wasn’t long until he heard the heavy footfalls of Eduardo walking
through the now deserted theatre. Seeing how it was now empty, they
echoed even louder then normal. “Wiiiilt? Don de esqa?” He
called, lifting one of the seats to look underneath it. Not finding
Wilt, he put it back down in its place and continued walking until he
climbed up onto the stage. He’d been looking for Wilt since everyone
had left, and he had easily noticed that Wilt was missing.

The
footfalls and calls stirred Wilt from his dedicated concentration and
he lifted his one-eyed gaze from the page. The sight of the familiar,
fluffy imaginary friend below brought a slight smile to his face. Not
only had Eduardo not been there to see him make such a pig’s ear of a
very important event, he was generally a comforting presence. Perhaps
Guardian friends just gave off reassurance like creatures in season
gave off pheromones. The comparison made Wilt laugh a bit inside, “Up
here, Ed.” He waved from atop the scaffolding.

Hearing
Wilt’s voice Eduardo stopped and stepped back and stared up at where
it had come from. He gasped loudly, “Wilt! What is you loco? Get
down from there! You could fall and go splat!” Eduardo gasped
before he pointed with one hand to the floor like an aggravated
mother finding her child in a tree. “And no come crying to me
when you break your neck!” He added. It sounded like the right
thing to say, but afterwards it sounded weird.

Wilt
just a laughed a bit at that, but it was a sad sort of laugh. He was
already holding an ice packet to his neck after all. “That’s
okay, Ed. I’m just reading, after all. Not like I’m trapezing or
tightrope walking.” He offered Eduardo a reassuring smile, “Did
you find Bloo’s hiccups?”

The answer came quickly.
“Hi-URP!” the force sent Eduardo back a pace, before
nodding a bit with a small grin. But still stern about Wilt being in
such a dangerous place. “Si, I find them. But is you okay?”
He asked, tilting his head to the side. “No one is telling me
how pageant go and I so sad I miss seeing you on stage again. Did it
go better this year?” He added the last bit hopefully, knowing
just how bad last year went.

Wilt froze a bit inside.
He didn’t want to put Eduardo off, but he also didn’t want to lie. It
was a difficult psychological position to be in. He was a bit
thankful for his physical position, being high enough off the ground
that his reaction might not be too terribly visible. “Er, don’t
worry, you didn’t miss much.” He said guardedly, and then felt a
bit of a jerk for saying that. After all, he was not the only one who
had put effort in this programme, “Er, not to say that it wasn’t
a good show. It was a great show. My bit just wasn’t all that great.”
He amended all of this very quickly, though it made him want to go
back to his work on his reading all the more.

“.
. .was not all that -HIURK!- great?” Eduardo asked wearily,
raising one end of his massive unibrow. He had asked Coco how Wilt
had done, she had just grinned at him like the loon she was and told
him to ask him himself. Hence why he’d gone in search of Wilt in the
first place. “Nothing caught on -HIURK!- fire again, did it?”
Eduardo asked, glancing around for any scorch marks. Seeing none he
deducted it hadn’t gone as bad as last year.

Wilt gave
a sad little smile at that. It still pained him to think of last
year, but the humiliation of this year helped to dull it. “No,
nothing caught on fire. The fire chief was impressed. Cy even rigged
a hose round the back just case . . .” He trailed off a bit, but
shook his head and gave what he hoped was his most convincing smile,
“It wasn’t as bad as last year, don’t worry . . . ” He
didn’t want to be rude, but having to talk about what had gone on had
made him all the more aware of just how much he had to work on, so he
returned his attentions to the book in his lap, determinedly forming
the words with his mouth as he read them.

Now, Eduardo had
known Wilt many years now. He knew when his friend was lying through
his charming gamin grins. Eduardo didn’t say anything, but eyes
easily read ‘oh no’. Wilt had made a mistake, sure it hadn’t resulted
in the calamity of the year before but it was still a blow to his
friend’s self esteem. Wilt had moped for months last year, and it had
been painful to watch. Eduardo glanced around, but he knew he
couldn’t get any closer to Wilt without trying to climb the riggings.
Someone of his size couldn’t do such a thing so
he opted for just sitting down on the floor. Hiccoughing now and
again. “Well if you -HICURP!- say so.”

“Yer .
. .” Wilt murmured, running his finger along the line in the
book. . . . tRue . . . gReat . . . thRee . . . fRiend.’ . . . He
determinedly formed the R sound over and over again even though he
knew he had done it fine all along before this. He stopped long
enough to inform Eduardo, “Cy also moved the water cooler up
onstage here for the performers. In case you wanted to do something
about those hiccups.” He pointed, indicating the cooler, which
was against the wall across the way.

Eduardo glanced at the
water cooler. Bloo had spoken with his hiccups already so maybe it
was all right to let them go. He got to his feet and walked over to
the water cooler and soon enough had emptied the entire contents into
his mouth. After that he held his breath and waited. Luckily for Ed,
his hiccups went away easier then Bloo’s and finally his were gone.
“Wilt, will you come down? Por favor?”

Wilt looked
up from the book, stopping at the word ‘transatlantic.’ He faced a
bit of a dilemma. Up on the scaffolding, it was safe. He could
retreat into the shadow of the curtain, read through his book and
practise without being disturbed. However, Eduardo was his best
friend, and someone he would neither distrust with anything, nor
begrudge anything. So he nodded a bit reluctantly, “Sure, Ed. If
you want me to.” He marked his place in the book with a sticky
note and stood on the scaffolding. Tucking the book under what was
left of his left arm and curling his fingers round one of the higher
beams; he easily lowered himself to the stage, by lengthening his
arm. Finally, the soles of his trainers found the wood of the floor,
and he let go of the beam, letting his arm return to its default
length. Straightening his suit where it had become a bit creased
from the long time in which he’d been sat, he asked, “What’s
up?”

“Well not you anymore, thank goodness!”
Eduardo sighed, happy to see Wilt had come down from his perch. He
shook a hoof at him, “You no do that again Wilt.” He
scolded gently, but you could tell he only partially meant it. Wilt
was older then him, and highly capable of taking care of himself. But
it still didn’t mean Eduardo didn’t worry his brains out when he’d
find Wilt in some predicament. Like balancing himself dangerously in
order to clean something.

He had to smile a bit a t
that. It was a bit of a relief to be scolded about something so
frivolous instead. But he shrugged casually, “I dunno, I like
high places. They feel . . . kind of safe.” he said truthfully,
shifting the book to his hand. ” . . . Maybe it comes with being
tall. But yer, I won’t go up there anymore if you don’t want me to.”

“Well good.” Eduardo nodded,
glad to see that settled. He smiled warmly at Wilt before finally
spotting the book. “Ooh, what you reading?”

That
smile was indeed, very warm, for Wilt felt a tiny bit of that warmth
rising into his face, though he couldn’t for the life of him explain
it. It took him a few moments to remember that Eduardo had asked him
a question. Wilt gave an embarrassed laugh, “It’s . . . Er, it’s
a speech therapy book. For people who have trouble pronouncing
things.” He said truthfully, though he looked a little warily
from side to side and held the book a bit more tightly. He really,
really didn’t want to have to go into what had happened. There was no
sense in bringing Eduardo down.

Eduardo
could easily tell Wilt didn’t want to talk about what happened, so he
nodded a bit. “Speech therapy book?” he echoed. He made a
face, not of fun but of interest. “Oh, do you think you could
maybe teach me to pronounce things better?” He asked hopefully.
He knew his English was terrible, but he never knew books could
help.

Wilt did, in fact, wilt a bit at that. Poor
Eduardo . . . So trusting and innocent. Wilt knew full well that
Eduardo saw him as a sort of mentor and it really hurt to have to let
him down. He tried not sound as sad as felt when he replied, “I’m
. . . not sure I’d be the best one to help you with that.” He
couldn’t help sighing a bit and looked down at his trainers. “If
you wanna know the truth . . . I messed up really bad today.”

“You
did?” Eduardo sounded surprised. He thought Wilt had done good –
at least better then last year! Nothing caught on fire. He put a hand
to his friend’s leg, patting the only accessible appendage he could
reach. “Aw Wilt, I is sure it was not as bad as you think! You
is always over react when things no work out.” He said gently,
stopping the patting and just let his hand rest against Wilt’s leg.
“You is still better at speaking English then I am.”

That
touch boosted Wilt enough that he was able to give Eduardo a grateful
smile, though he felt most undeserving of such niceties, “Thanks
Ed. That’s very kind of you to say . . . But yer. I did mess up
pretty badly. They had to pull me off the stage with one of those
hook-y things. It was pretty awful.” They’d probably remembered
the incident last year and thought it best to get him out of there
before anything too flammable was put at risk . . . he found himself
involuntarily touching the cloven hoof which rested against his leg.
Eduardo was a very comforting presence, after all.

Eduardo’s
smile seemed to double in size, if that was even possible with
someone with fangs as big as his were. When Wilt’s hand also found
his hoofed one he felt a wave of warmth wash over himself. He blushed
only slightly and he slowly moved his hand away, “I am thinking
they over-reacted if they had to do that… so your neck hurts?”
Eduardo asked, looking sympathetic, and feeling it too.

“Just
a little.” Wilt admitted even though it was still quite sore. He
was loath to complain. He also remembered that he’d left his ice
packet up on the scaffolding. Ah well. He really couldn’t be bothered
right now. And he knew he really should be getting back. He’d rather
lost track of time, just how long he’d been sat up there, thinking he
could possibly make up for the mistakes of this year and a year past
by ensconcing himself in a book.

“If
you want I could be giving you neck massage!” Eduardo offered,
clapping his hooves together, eager to offer help to someone who
always gave help to him when he needed it. “Not here I mean,
when we is getting home. Si?” He asked, smiling eagerly
still.

“Oh you don’t have to do that! Very nice of you to
offer though.” Wilt said, genuinely grateful, though his neck
throbbed a bit, “But yer. Let’s get back. Who knows how many
chores I could’ve helped Frankie with whilst I was moping about up
here?” A thought that made him feel all the guiltier. But he was
determined not to let it show. Riding on . . . instinct, was it? Wilt
found himself actually taking Eduardo’s hoofed hand into his own
long, scarlet fingers as they made ready to depart the theatre.

“You
sure?” Eduardo asked, wrapping his hooves around Wilt’s long
fingers as the two began to walk off the stage. “Frankie says I
give ‘mean’ massages, but I no think they is mean…” He never
really understood some of the phrases Frankie would use. Or Bloo, now
that he thought about it. But he did mean what he said before, about
wanting Wilt to teach him proper pronunciation and grammar. He
couldn’t pick it up by himself, he needed proper teaching.

Wilt
just smiled, “That’d be very nice of you . . . We’ll see.”
And they went on their way. The evening was settling into nightfall
as they exited the theatre and the sunset was a hashing of cool
purple embracing brilliant scarlet. Wilt had to smile for a moment at
the colour combination. He thought about what Eduardo had asked of
him as they walked, the tails of his tuxedo jacket swishing behind .
. . Even if his mouth liked to roll up on itself on the stage,
English was his first language after all. If Eduardo could be so kind
as to offer him a massage, then he could certainly try to return the
favour. Helping was what he lived for after all. “When we get
back, you can pick your favourite book out of the library and I’ll
see if I can use it to help you in a little English lesson, if you
want.” He offered.

The grin on Eduardo’s face grew even
more, and he squinted his eyes since some of the fading light hit his
eyes. He was always told how his English was awful and he knew it be
true, all these years and still he couldn’t properly pronounce some
words. And he’d still lapse into Spanish when scared, or worried. Or
just when he wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying or doing.
“Si! I am liking that idea muy b-I mean… very much.” He
corrected himself, for one of the rare times stopping his
Spanish.

Wilt laughed, actually starting to feel a bit better,
for all that his failure still weighed heavily on his mind, “You
know though, you should still keep your Spanish up, too. It’s a
pretty cool thing, being bilingual and multicultural.” He then
added almost conspiratorially. “And you know, girls can’t resist
a guy with an accent.”

This got a
massive blush from the purple guardian, his free hand going to his
mouth and chewed on a hoof tip. Girls. Wilt had a point, though. A
few of the girls in Foster’s had indeed honestly asked him
out, and when he asked why they said his accent was just ‘sooo cute’
or ‘sooo sexy’. That made him feel very feverish and nervous. He
shook his head, “I am no wanting girls not being able to resist
me because of my accent.” he said, “I is not even wanting
girlfriend.” Eduardo paused. “…do you?”

On
second thought, Wilt could hardly blame Eduardo. He wasn’t sure he’d
want to have girls attracted to him just for one rather superficial
feature, either. It seemed rather unfair. “Sorry . . .” He
said automatically, and then remembered Eduardo had ended that
statement with a question. Wilt thought for a moment and shrugged, “I
dunno . . . I guess. I mean, if someone’s actually interested in me,
who’m I to say no?” He laughed a bit and soldiered on, “. .
. And why not? You’re pretty awesome. You’ve got that adorable
accent, but you’re also big and strong and really sweet and gentle.
I’m surprised you haven’t got girls lined up wanting you to take them
out.”

“Oh si? Well I is
surprised you is no having biiig long line of girls too. You is nice,
you clean, you is understanding of other people’s needs and things.
TotalGirl Magazine is saying that is what women is wanting now a
days.” Eduardo nodded, totally unafraid to admit he reads such a
feminine magazine. Normally all the ‘guy’ centric ones didn’t
interest him. Sports, cars, stuff like that… the girl mags went on
about hair care products. Which he needed, given the fur. But anyway,
back to Wilt. Eduardo honestly was surprised he wasn’t being
asked out by girls. Maybe he was, and just not telling him. Eduardo
grinned a bit, up at Wilt. “Besides, you is all I am needing
Wilt.” he paused and realised how odd that sounded and was quick
to add, “A-and senor Mac, and Bloo and Coco too. I mean.”

Wilt
was a little surprised by that comment, but rather flattered all the
same. He looked down at Eduardo, whose soft, purple fur (meticulously
shampooed, conditioned, blow-dried and brushed) was given a slightly
golden wash in the light of the setting sun. “. . . Thanks
Eduardo.” He said, still rather pleasantly bewildered at such a
compliment. Especially after the atrocities he had committed earlier.
He wanted to say something in return, but found his words failing him
and simply walked on in dumbfounded quiet, unsure of what else he
should do.

Eduardo seemed pleasantly
content to remain silent, walking hand in hand with his tall friend
as the two made their way down the streets. Normally he’d be scared,
the sun was setting after all and once the sunset that meant night
would take over and night equalled darkness, and shadows, and
monsters that hid under your bed and ate your eyebrows once you fell
asleep. But with Wilt here, even more so with him holding his hand,
Eduardo was feeling much braver the normal. He even hummed, just a
little bit, as the distance between themselves and Foster’s began to
shrink with each step. Which I might add Wilt had to take smaller
strides for Ed to keep up with him. A gesture Eduardo always
appreciated.

When they arrived back at Foster’s, Wilt
let go of Eduardo, though it was a trifle reluctantly, to open the
door. “So, er . . . I’ll just check in with Frankie, make sure
she doesn’t need any help. You go ahead and pick out a book you want
to start with and we’ll rendezvous in the library in about an hour,
like say? Would that be okay?” He then noticed that he was still
in his formal wear, and laughed, a little embarrassed. “Though I
should probably change first.”

“Aw if you say so. .
.” Eduardo smiled, walking in through the large doors only to
stop and turn to look up at Wilt with his usual warm smile. “You
look muy handsome in it, I am forgetting to tell you this before.”
he shut his eyes and grinned happily before opening them again to
clap happily, “And si! I will be in library with book, so you
can teach me how to be reading and speaking properly in English so no
one will no more make fun of me for accent! See you there!” He
jumped on the spot once (making the house shake in response) before
turning and hurrying off down one of the hallways like an over
excited three year old. Which wasn’t that far from the truth.

Wilt
winced a bit at the seismic force with which the house shook, but he
couldn’t help but a smile a bit to himself. Handsome? That was a word
he hadn’t often had occasion to associate with himself. If ever. Even
if Frankie had told him once with a wink that girls liked “rugged”
men. It made him a little warm in the face to think . . . And he
couldn’t help grinning a bit as he made his way upstairs to change,
then back down to find Frankie. A little over an hour found him
venturing down to the library, comfortably starkers with a new ice
packet pressed to his neck.

Eduardo was indeed in there, and
it looked like he had been in there for quite a while. Maybe a full
hour by the looks of how he’d settled himself into one of the corners
of the big library. He was sat in one of the large blue armchairs but
he had gathered up pillows (one looking amazingly similar to the ones
from their bedroom) on the floor around it. He was sat side ways, his
legs hanging over one of the armrests and he had besides him on the
floor (asides the pillows) were a few books. Some were thin, one was
thick and he was currently looking at one book that looked to have
caught every ounce of attention in the large Imaginary. But he soon
felt the long shadow of Wilt’s form fall over him and he looked up,
yelped a bit and the book went flying into the air and he quickly
caught it and shoved it behind his back. “Wilt! You scare me, no
sneak up on me like that! I almost wet my pants!” Okay, a little
too much information, but he’d been startled.

Wilt just smiled
charitably. He had to admit, there was something very charming about
Eduardo’s leisure, the way he was nestled into the chair without a
care in the world. Like a little kid, really. He hadn’t wanted to
disrupt it. “Really sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you! Really . .
.” He settled down on the floor, falling into a kneel by the arm
chair, “You picked a book out, then?” He tried to peer at
what Eduardo had hidden so hurriedly.

“Oh that one, no
no, not that one.” Eduardo blushed a bit. He may be happy to
admit he read girl magazines, but trying to work his head around one
of the romance novels Coco had been reading a few weeks ago and admit
it? Plus the longer words left him confused. Very confused. Eduardo
leant down and plucked one of the books from his pile, “And si,
I find many here…”

Wilt was still curious, but
obligingly turned his gaze to the pile. Shifting the ice packet so he
could hold it to his neck between his shoulder jaw, he looked through
the titles ” ‘War and Peace’? No offence, but most English
scholars can’t even get through Tolstoy. Sorry. And ‘See Spot Run’?”
He gave Eduardo a little smile and added, “Really, Eduardo,
English might not be your first language, but give yourself some
credit.”

Eduardo shrugged a bit, blushing deeply. “It
has pretty pictures.” He said about the ‘See Spot Run’ book. He
had just picked War and Peace since he felt it might make him look a
little bit smarter then he knew he was. But of course Wilt saw
through that, so he reached down and picked up the heavy book before
depositing it on the other side of the chair, away for now. “But
whatever you like I will like to read, so it no matter.”

Wilt
shrugged “Well, honestly, if you’re really serious about this
and want to learn, I think you ought to read something you like, if
that’s okay.” He said matter-of-factly, and then motioned to the
general area behind Eduardo’s back “What were you reading
before, anyway?”

Eduardo would have answered ‘nothing’ if
it were anyone else. The deep blush now probably plastered onto his
face for the rest of the afternoon, he turned and pulled the book out
from behind him and held it out to Wilt. It wasn’t extremely thick,
or thin either. A simple paper back novel that screamed what it was
well before Wilt read the title. The kind of romance novel lonely
married women bought for ten cents at a discount store. Once Wilt had
taken it Eduardo let his hands grip onto each other and he mumbled,
“I like to read them sometimes, but I no really understand some
of the words and… and… si.” He gave up trying to explain and
just opted for blushing like a beetroot.

Wilt took the book
and studied the cover, which was a very tawdry painting of a flowy
redhead being embraced by a swarthy lover. The title read “This
Bitter Ecstasy.” He thumbed through it, phrases such as “desire
flamed within her” and “her body writhed with the first
plunge” catching his eye. His throat sort of bunched up on
itself, torn between embarrassment and a strange . . . adoration? Why
did he find it oddly cute that Eduardo read such things? Funny . . .
But he gave the book back and said graciously, “To each his
own.”

“Gracias.” Eduardo said as he took the
book back and held it to his furry chest and petted it with one of
his hooves like it was a puppy or something. Why thanks? Thanks for
not making fun of me, probably. He lowered the book in his lap,
smiling still amidst the blush at Wilt. “But I is thinking,
maybe you could read for me while I am massaging your neck? Is why I
set up pillows down there.” He pointed to the floor, and from
here it did make sense. He’d set it up so Wilt wouldn’t be sat on the
floor, and the pillows did indeed stretch out enough so his long legs
would be on top of them.

“Oh! Er, all right, Ed. That’d
be great, if that’s okay with you.” Wilt said, a little
flustered. He’d honestly forgotten Eduardo’s previous offer, but now
it was looking more attractive than ever. For some reason. He gave
Eduardo a grateful smile and stretched out on the pillows, feeling a
strange, happy little swoop inside at the fact that Eduardo had gone
to all this trouble for him “So, what book would you like me to
read to you?”

“I no know, surprise me!” Eduardo
grinned, moving himself around so he was now properly sat on the
chair. If Mr. Herriman had spotted him before, his legs hanging over
the chair like they were, he would have gotten a strict talking to.
Hence why he’d set himself up so far back in the library. Once Wilt
sat down he decided to wait until he had a book until he’d begin
massaging his neck. Seemed only fair.

Wilt thought for a
moment. It seemed unfair for subject Eduardo to either ‘War And
Peace’ or ‘See Spot Run’. Tolstoy was a yawn and a half and the
latter would feel rather . . . condescending. So, he snaked his arm
round and found “This Bitter Ecstasy” with his hand. He
looked over his shoulder to give Eduardo an encouraging, if not
knowing smile before bringing the book back to himself. He then put
on his reading glasses (having had the foresight to fetch them from
his locker beforehand). Seeing as the book was too thick to read in
one session anyway, he selected a page at random, cleared his throat
and began.

Eduardo only grinned at Wilt, waiting for him to
settle back and once he had his glasses in place and began reading,
only then did Eduardo get to work. He put the tips of his hooves to
Wilt’s neck and began to massage his neck. Almost right away he felt
the tension from his injury before, so he kneaded the base of one of
his hooves against that spot; ever careful not to be too rough since
he was trying to relieve the pain and not cause more of it.

“Her
apartment door almost seemed to moan a little itself with the force
of his strong, lyrical knock, a prelude of what was to c- Oooo . . .”
Wilt couldn’t help but cut himself off with an appreciative noise as
Eduardo began working at his neck. It not only eased the strain
slowly away, but if he was honest, it just plain felt good. However,
Wilt realised he’d trailed off and jumped back to it “Sorry,
sorry . . . She answered the door, forgetting that all that shielded
her body from the eyes of her visitor was the silk of a kimono, pale
and painted with blossoming flowers. In her doorway, the figure
stood, leant up against the frame with a casual, manly grace. “Hola,
mi amor,” he said deeply, having a removed a rose that was
seconds before held in his teeth’ . . . He he, wouldn’t you know it,
he’s Spanish, too.” Wilt noted with a small laugh.

This
got a small, embarrassed laugh out of Eduardo. He’d realised that
himself, and had to laugh since sometimes they’d written the Spanish
incorrectly. But then again the purpose of these books weren’t to
teach you Spanish. No sir. He also felt a small swell of pride at the
fact his neck massage seemed to be working a treat for Wilt. To be
able to help Wilt out, even if it was with something as meagre as a
neck massage in return of practically everything the tall Imaginary
Friend had done for him – well, it made him feel very happy. Cup
spilleth over happy. “Si, as you said; the women, they cannot
resist someone with accent.” He giggled a bit as he continued to
knead against Wilt’s neck.

Wilt just grinned and picked up
where he left off, trying to focus on the words and not completely
lose himself in Eduardo’s touch, which was becoming strangely
intoxicating. “Yes, well . . . ‘He slid one strong, square palm
against her cheek, her jaw, her neck, the calloused skin against her
own soft flesh eliciting a shiver.'” He couldn’t help but smile
inwardly at the irony of it all before continuing “It was a
shiver which escalated into a full-scale tremble as his fingers slid
beneath the loose, cool fabric of her kimono and she let out a small,
timid gasp as that strong, calloused hand found her . . . er, her
breast.” Wilt flushed very warm indeed and gave a nervous little
laugh “Heh . . . Coco gave you this?”

“Si, she
did.” Eduardo nodded, leaning forward slightly to look over
Wilt’s head at the pages. He certainly hadn’t hit this part of the
book yet! “She is sometimes giving me books to read, though
sometimes I am not sure what is happening. Like that word.” He
removed one of his hands and pointed to one long word. “What is
that one meaning?” He asked. He’d asked Coco before when he ran
into the same word throughout his last book but all she had done was
laugh at him and shake her head, say something about birds and bees
and leave. Hopefully he got a better explanation out of Wilt then
her. If not he’ll have to go ask Frankie.

Following Eduardo’s
hoof tip to the word in question, Wilt read aloud. ”
‘Undulated’? I think it means to move sort of wavelike . . .” He
wasn’t sure himself, so he had a look at the rest of the sentence, ”
‘With every thrust and moan, her body undulated in time with his own
like an echo of his movements-‘ Yer. Move like a wave. I think that’s
right.” He stammered a bit, but felt strangely comfortable, most
likely due to what Eduardo was doing to his neck. If he wasn’t
careful, he’d probably melt right back into the other friend without
notice or care, “. . . Er, shall I keep going, then?”

“Oh
uh, if you want to?” Eduardo asked, tilting his head a bit. He
could hear the stammer in his voice and Wilt only did that when he
felt nervous about something. He didn’t want to ruin this by having
Wilt read something he wasn’t comfortable with. Better say that. “If
you want to read something else, it no matter to me. I am liking your
reading!” He smiled, before going back to massaging his neck. He
had also ask if this was working, “Is your neck hurting
anymore?”

Oh, how very tempting indeed it was to say that
yes, his neck still hurt. His neck hurt beyond light-years if he were
the dishonest type. But he wasn’t, so Wilt answered truthfully albeit
a little reluctantly, “It feels much better . . . Thank you,
Eduardo. That was really nice of you. And thanks also . . . I’m
really glad you think my reading is okay.” ‘Especially after
today’ dripped off the end of that sentence, but Wilt hoped it wasn’t
to obvious. He read on, ” ‘Within the next few seconds, he had
pressed closer into the room, kicked the door shut behind him and
seized her pliant, lightly-clothed body in his arms. Inclining his
head, he placed his mouth against her own, kissing her with ferocity
and longing that literally stole her breath away. Her heart was like
a caged bird behind her ribs, beneath that hand, which slid round to
push the kimono fully off her shoulders, baring her flesh to the
otherwise still air of her residence, and to his gaze.’ “

“Oooh,
they is gonna do the special hug!” Eduardo actually squealed,
leaning in and actually keeping his hands around Wilt’s shoulders to
look down at the pages. He had sounded very enthusiastic too, about
this ‘special hug, which was obviously going to happen given
Wilt’s small read-ahead from beforehand.

But it seemed they
weren’t the only ones in this end of the library, when suddenly they
heard; “Co! Cocococo cococo co Cococo?” The familiar bird
plant airplane Imaginary walked around a bookshelf, grinning fit to
die at the guys. She had only wandered in moments before looking for
new reading material and she had easily heard Wilt’s reading. She’d
laid an egg when she heard what he was reading too. It even slowly
rolled past behind her to go behind another shelf.

Eduardo
looked up at her and blinked a few times, before nodding. “Si!
He is reading to me, so I am learning how to be pronouncing things
better!” He answered honestly, but this just got a laugh from
Coco.

Wilt looked up abruptly when he realised they weren’t
alone. Spotting Coco, he froze up a bit, trying not to blush too
obviously (though he’d have to really try for that one, considering
his natural red complexion) and gave her a slightly manic grin and
said, “Hallo Coco. Yes, just giving Ed here a quick reading
sexing. Er, session! Session . . . ” He twitched visibly, but
kept his cool. “Er . . . yes.” Though, really, the weight
of Eduardo’s hooves on his shoulders offered some reassurance, though
he was slightly baffled why, “Nice to know you’re helping him
forward his English with some good reading material.” He said
with only a little bit of a verbal prod.

Coco giggled like a
schoolgirl who knew something she didn’t. “Co, cococo cocococo!
Cococococo.” (Hey, he asked to read some of my books! So I gave
him some) She replied indignantly, before walking up to the two and
looked at the pillows beneath Wilt. Then at how Eduardo was
practically hugging Wilt to him. Oh Lord if only she had a camera!
She just grinned at the two, “Co, coco coco!” (Well, you
two have fun!) She then turned and left the room, still giggling like
the maniac she was.

Eduardo blinked a few times, before
looking down at Wilt. “Quick reading sexing?” He asked,
having caught the mishap but totally not understanding what that
meant. At all.

Wilt felt he might have just died a little
inside. He had been about quite a lot and had learned far more than
he’d wanted to in his time. As such, was fully aware of just how
badly that one innocent phrase had been turned. He swallowed and
replied, “Never you mind, Eduardo. Just a Freudian slip.”
And before Eduardo could ask what a Freudian slip was, he looked over
his shoulder a bit and offered Eduardo a curious, if not rather
amused smile. ” ‘Special hug’?”

Eduardo didn’t even
catch onto the change of subject move, he never did. “Si! Is
when the man and woman, they hug each other but sometimes, they do it
when they is naked. The words I no really understand, but it seem to
be very special since they get all kissy and stuff.” He replied
matter-of-factly. That’s just what he called it, since he didn’t know
the actual name for the act at all. They never referred to it by name
in those books, always by other names that made no sense. So to
Eduardo, it was ‘special hug’.

Fair enough . . . It was
certainly quite a merciful portrait of what really went on in these
scenarios at any rate. Even if it did make Wilt think of something .
. . Namely the way in which Eduardo was rather cozied up to him right
now. After all, they were both, so certain degrees without clothing.
Even if they weren’t kissing . . . However, Wilt felt it was best not
to mention this and forged on ahead. “Yes, well it would seem
that’s what they’re well on their way toward. Anyhoo where were we?”
He scanned the page quickly and relocated the sentence in question,
picking up where he’d left off. “She positively burned beneath
his eyes. There was something appreciative in an almost predatorily
way that he looked upon her, his hands mapping over her upper body
just as surely as his eyes did. Soon enough, his sure, purposeful
hands were untying the sash about her waist, letting the kimono fall
away completely. Strong arms, brown with ethnicity swept her from the
floor to her bedroom, placing her with great care upon the duvet,
whereupon he then began caressing her skin with hands and mouth alike
. . .” Wilt was growing warmer by the minute as he read, but it
was not only from embarrassment. Truth be told, there was a small
thrill that came with partaking in such naughty revelry. Mr. Herriman
would never approve. And whilst Wilt did take full stock in rules, he
also could appreciate the thrill of bending them when no one was
getting hurt from it.

Wilt felt Eduardo mouth something,
since he was practically against the back of his head by now.
Something along the lines of ‘Oh yes, special hugging’ but in his
first language rather then English. Even if he didn’t mean to he
gently pulled Wilt closer to him as he continued to read, taking in
the story even more so then when he’d read it alone. He didn’t care
what Coco, or Wilt said. Wilt’s reading was great, his voice was
always so warm and rich to his Hispanic ears and it always sounded
great. Besides, maybe if Wilt got used to reading aloud it might help
him out for next year’s pageant! Who knew? If it would help Wilt,
Eduardo would happily sit with him like this every single evening and
have his tall red friend read to him. Be it romance novels or the
television’s instructions manual.

Eduardo’s proximity made
Wilt a trifle nervous. And not simply because of his usual qualms
with physical contact. Something about that whisper of movement from
the other friend’s lips coupled with the way he’d been pulled even
closer made Wilt’s heart beat a little faster . . . in a way that was
not altogether unpleasant. Also, strangely magnetic, it would seem,
for Wilt found himself actually leaning back against Eduardo, letting
his own warmth mingle with the other friend’s. By, but his fur really
was every bit as soft as it looked . . . “Er . . . ‘She murmured
a litany of pleasured assent as those fantastic hands found her chest
again, applying roughness and gentleness in equal and empathic
measure, his mouth lowering to add a new dimension of warm, wet
contact. She actually cried out, a soft, breathy sound into the
previous stagnance of the room as his lips brushed one rosy areola.
Mean whilst, one his palms smoothed itself down her side, slowly,
like the slide of the fabric that had fallen from her body just
previously.”

…wow those words totally went over
Eduardo’s head. Empathic? Dimension? Stagnance? He had no idea what
they were at all. But he wasn’t about to interrupt to ask ‘what’s
that mean?’ every few seconds. It would ruin the mood. Wait. Blink.
Mood? There was a mood? Eduardo bit at his bottom lip as he felt Wilt
leaning further against him and that action alone also made his heart
quicken. The warmth in his cheeks refused to die too, at both Wilt’s
movement and at the book. Some words may not make any sense but he
knew enough to know if Wilt was heard reading any more then this by
anyone else could get him in trouble. Eduardo moved a hand to the
book, placing it over Wilt’s hand. “Uhh. . . I am thinking maybe
reading special hug would be too naughty if someone hears. . .”

Wilt
couldn’t help but agree with him there . . . And that cloven hoof
resting gently against his single hand was enough to make his already
swiftly beating heart all but jump into his throat, which would
rather hinder any further reading anyway. But he did manage to say,
“All right . . .All right.” However, he made no move to
close the book. For some reason, he found he didn’t want to disturb
their hands as they were. “. . . Er, thanks, Ed. I do feel much
better now.” It was true in more than one sense, too. The neck
rub had left him feeling worlds better physically, but reading out
loud (however scandalacious the material) had rather boosted his
self-confidence back up a much-needed notch from its previous plunge.
For this, he was very grateful. “Really, thank you.”

“It
is a pleasure to be of assistance.” Eduardo replied, grinning
fit to die. “I am really meaning that. I am glad to know I has
helped in making you feel better.” Unknown to Wilt, Eduardo had
hunted down Mac earlier who had told him just what happened to Wilt
on stage. No wonder he was reading that speech therapy book so
vigilantly before. But he wouldn’t let one slip up like that ruin
Wilt’s self-confidence. If there was anything, anytime that Eduardo
could do for Wilt he’d do it. Even if it meant sleeping with his
nightlight off. Brr. That sent shivers down his spine. But slowly,
very reluctantly he moved his hoof back to his own leg and grinned
again. “I still say you read muy bueno, Wilt.”

Wilt
felt a pale wash of . . . withdrawal? overtake him when Eduardo
released his hand, but dismissed it as the mere contrast between
touch and not touching. He closed the book, pulling off his glasses
as he turned to offer Eduardo a smile, “Thanks Eduardo . . .
That means a lot.” And it did. Wilt had felt so comfortable
reading out loud to the other friend, where as he’d gone to pieces
onstage. And he felt certain that it wasn’t just because there was
only one of Eduardo, where that crowd had been ginormous. Perhaps it
was the other friend’s reassuring Guardian presence. Perhaps. Either
way, maybe if he could read aloud to a friend, maybe he could work up
to reading aloud for more than one person, too. “So, er . . .
What time is it?”

“Uhhh. . .” Eduardo turned
his head to stare at one of the many clocks of Foster’s. This one was
a cuckoo clock, and it was ticking away on the wall. It suddenly
chimed eight o’clock and a little bird suddenly leapt out of it.

“Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!
Cuckoo!” Before vanishing back into the clock muttering about
‘what a day’. Eduardo had flinched at each screech of the tiny bird
but had managed to restrain himself from all out yelling and jumping
away in fright, before looking back at Wilt.

“Is ocho
o’clock.”

“All right . . .” Wilt said with a
nod, having been spooked a bit by the sudden noise, himself. He then
got to his feet, stretching a bit. Imaginary friends might not age as
humans understood it, but he couldn’t help wondering if his long legs
were getting just a bit rickety nonetheless. “Right on time for
dinner. I’ll just go put my glasses away and meet you in the dining
room, shall I?”

“Si!” Eduardo chirped, as he
got off the seat and began collecting the pillows from the floor. “I
will go put these back before… uh, somebody is noticing they is
gone, and I will be down too.”

Wilt looked at the
pillows a little incredulously, seeming to notice for the first time
that they looked rather familiar. “Are those . . . the pillows
from our room?” He asked, “I can take them up, since I’m
headed back there anyway.”

“Oh no, no.” he
shook his head violently, getting to his feet now with his arms full.
“I is good boy, I bring them down so I am taking them back.”
Eduardo hadn’t answered the question. A few were from their room. The
rest were from somewhere else.

“Oh! Well, that’s very
good of you to be a man of such principle!” Wilt remarked
approvingly, and then stammered to correct himself, “Er,
imaginary friend of principle. Minotaur of principle? Eh . . .”
He was wasting time and dinner was due to start. “Well, I’ll see
you in a bit, then!” He called over his shoulder, striding away,
toward to the library’s exit.

“See you soon!”
Eduardo called back, since he realised since he was still in the
library it was probably best to put the books back first then the
pillows . . .

A few moments (and some rather interesting
contemplation of recent events) later found Wilt taking his usual
seat at the table. He tried to be as discreet as possible, but
couldn’t help wondering if everyone else, for all the friendly smiles
his received, was thinking; “Oh look, it’s the two-time screw
up!” He busied himself with unfolding his napkin whilst he
waited for Eduardo to join them. The look Coco was giving him was
very different indeed, though. Given what she’d stumbled upon in the
library it probably wouldn’t be a surprise a few of the grins Wilt
had received had been for different reasons. But she kept quiet and
went back to talking to the Cuckoo-Bird from the clock in the
library, her with ‘Coco’s and it replying in ‘Cuckoos’. It was a good
ten minutes until Eduardo came hurrying down the stairs, apologised
hastily in Spanish to Frankie and Mr. Herriman for being late and
parked his keester on his seat. Like Wilt, Eduardo received gamin’
grins from the two birds but unlike Wilt he failed to notice.

As
he munched his dinner and pointedly ignored whatever looks he thought
might be directed at him, Wilt pondered for a moment. Today had not
been completely horrible. Granted, it’d started off that way, but all
things considered, he wasn’t doing too badly now. Maybe he should
read aloud to Eduardo more often. He certainly wouldn’t mind doing
that again. However, he couldn’t help thinking . . . Ed had suggested
it as a means of improving his English, but there hadn’t really been
much of a lesson involved at all. There had just been him reading
some decidedly salacious story, Eduardo listening in and a lot more
physical contact than Wilt was used to. And yet, somehow, it had been
. . . Nice. He’d do it again. And he sort of wanted to.

It had
probably been just Wilt reading to Eduardo since Eduardo honestly
didn’t know what lessons were like. He’d never been taught anything
properly any time in his life – no teachers, no sitting in on classes
. . . Sure once his creator had tried taking him to Show ‘n Tell but
he’d left less then half awy through since a mean kid was throwing
spit wads at him and hadn’t taken in much of the lesson or how it was
structured. But despite ‘learning’ not happening at all, Eduardo had
honestly enjoyed himself. Combination of having a good book being
read to him by his oldest and bestest friend in the house (probably
world too) plus the fact he got to help Wilt out both with his self
esteem and his neck.

While touching was always a ‘touchy’
subject with Wilt, Eduardo certainly wasn’t one to hold back when it
came to touching someone. Of course it was always innocent. Today
though . . . he had felt very warm and tingly when he’d had Wilt
leant up against him and that was a nice feeling.

Once dinner
had been eaten and the table was being cleared Eduardo got to his
feet and began collecting his own plates. “Dinner was muy bueno,
no?”

“Oh yes. Very good. Frankie’s lasagne is
legendary!” Wilt enthused with a smile, collecting up his own
dishes. He headed to the kitchen with Eduardo in tow, making ready to
help Frankie with the dishes. Once this was done and they were
heading off to do whatever Wilts and Eduardos do when they’ve
finished their evening meal, Wilt suggested, “You know . . . if
you’re really serious about this English business, I could get
Bookworm to try and write up a few lessons for you. I’m sure he could
do it, lickety-split.” Although he honestly wanted to be the one
to help Eduardo with his lessons, Wilt knew he had to do the right
thing and let Eduardo have the best chance possible at achieving what
he wanted. Languages were tricky and Eduardo needed proper
instruction if he wanted to master English. And Wilt was no teacher,
that was for darned sure.

Eduardo furrowed his heavy brow over
his eyes in thought. “Maaaaybe.” he said, thinking of the
small bespectacled book-reading worm. He had a stuffy voice if he
remembered correctly. Glancing back up to Wilt Eduardo put his hand
to the banister as he began climbing the stairs. “But he is
having to make them easy, I is no smart like you.”

Wilt
had to laugh a bit. Him? Smart? He’d not been thought up in a very
respectable neighbourhood with very respectable schools and he’d
spent a lot of his time keeping his little boy from playing hooky.
Wilt was well learnt, having graduated with flying colours from the
school of hard knocks, but a formal education he most definitely
lacked. He shook his head. “Well, I’ll be sure to tell him. In
the meantime . . . I’d, er, be happy to keep reading to you. Just
like we were. It was kind of nice . . . If you’d like.” He
shrugged.

This got a big, gracious smile from Eduardo as he
smiled up at Wilt, eyes practically wide and sparkling with
admiration. Which was pretty much true. “Oh, I would like! Muy
mucho, very very much!” He clapped his hooves together. “I
is loving the idea! And, and,” Eduardo’s habit of repeating a
word when excited cropped up again, “And when you do, I can
still be giving you massages si? I like doing that!”

Wilt’s
smile broadened and he suddenly felt inexplicably . . . Shy. “I’d
. . . I’d like that. I really would. You’re . . . very good with your
hooves.” He laughed a bit, “I’ll be sure to play basketball
extra hard and get nice and sore so I’ll have a good excuse to need
it!” he added happily.

“No work yourself too hard.”
Eduardo scolded, sounding more like a mother hen then a large horned
imaginary friend. But he smiled around his scold either way and
giggled at Wilt’s compliment. He was good with his hooves? That would
have to be one of the sweetest things anyone had said about him.
Eduardo wasn’t that pleased with his hands, having big chunky hooves
he could do nothing with most days. But he’d learnt to deal with
them, just how Wilt had learnt to deal with one hand. Which was worse
then two hoofed hands now he thought about it. But he wouldn’t let
the thought deter him. “Aww you.” he waved a hoofed hand at
the compliment.

“I won’t.” Wilt promised with a
smile and gave Eduardo a small wave before heading off to the
athletics shed. Here, he retrieved a ball for himself and made his
way up to the court. It was pleasant to shoot hoops in the cool of
near-nightfall, with the light from the house falling gently over the
pitch. Wilt dribbled for a bit, then shot. Of course, it went right
in. And so did the next one and the one after that. There was
something relaxing about a routine and he felt content almost at
once. Not only because of the comfort that nightly ritual brought
about, but because of how the vestiges of a rather unpleasant day had
been smoothed away so beautifully. Lord love Eduardo and his sweet,
gentle innocence. The more he came to think on it, the more Wilt
began to realise what a real and true comfort the guardian friend
really was.

It was no real surprise, really. While Wilt was
known as a Helper friend; the type of friend who almost senses the
need of someone in need of comfort and assistance, Eduardo was a
Guardian friend. He could help protect someone from physical dangers,
true, but he also knew how to protect and guard someone from inner
demons too. It was far easier for Ed to offer that kind of protection
then getting all angry and physical – when he did that, he scared
himself. Hence why he was mostly reserved all the time.

And
right now he was in the bedroom he shared with Wilt, Coco and Bloo.
He’d put the pillows back, and was pulling the curtains closed for
the night but he stopped and looked down at the court below. Still
holding the curtains in his hooves he watches Wilt shoot hoop after
hoop after hoop. He made a slight whistle sound through his massive
teeth, very impressed was he. Course, he was always impressed
with whatever Wilt did. Grinning a bit he releases his hold on the
curtains and folds his arms on the windowpane and just continues to
watch.

After making his one-hundredth shot, Wilt scrubbed some
perspiration from his face with the back of his hand and called it a
night. After replacing the ball in the shed, he headed back in the
house for a quick rinse in the shower. While athleticism left him
feeling light, springy and revitalised, he also didn’t want to have
to subject his poor roomies to post-workout sweat. Gross. Even though
he had no hair or fur upon which to use it, Wilt had a particular
fancy for shampoo; it’s smell and cool consistency against his bare
skin. So, after a good scrub-up, he left the bathroom refreshed and
smelling a great deal better than he had been a few minutes ago. He
headed back up to his room.

When Wilt had left the court,
Eduardo too suddenly got struck with inspiration for something.
Grinning like an utter loon he got up and rushed from the room.
Making his way down the stairs quickly he ran into the arts and
crafts room and slammed the door behind him.

So by the time
Wilt finally came back to the room, he was probably surprised to find
nobody in there. Indeed he was. It was nearly bedtime, a time that
usually found the rooms at Foster’s full of their respective tenants
who were either reading, sleeping or changing into their jimjams. A
little confused but willing to brush it off, Wilt shrugged and had a
seat on Bloo’s bunk to remove his trainers . . . Even now, after all
this time, he still occasionally forgot that this was no longer his
bed. Shoes off and tucked neatly by his locker, Wilt stretched out
under the lower bunk, letting the floorboards cool his body, still
warm and damp from his shower.

But the silence didn’t last for
long. He heard the heavy footfalls once again of Eduardo approaching
from down the hall, and the turning of the doorknob. Eduardo’s large
horns entered the room first, and his face soon followed and once he
spot Wilt he grinned widely. “Oh good you is back!” He
declared before walking in and shutting the door behind him but
keeping one of his hands behind his back. “Coco and Bloo is
fighting again at video games,” Eduardo explained as he walked
across the room but stopped by the bunk beds, still grinning fit to
die.

“Oh. That’s too bad. Perhaps someone ought to have a
word with them about that.” ‘And it’ll probably end up being me,
anyway,’ Wilt added mentally, sliding out from under the bed.
However, the decidedly massive grin on Eduardo’s face as well as the
way he seemed to be determinedly be keeping one hoof concealed behind
his back struck up a flare of curiosity in Wilt and he asked with a
small laugh, “What’re you so happy about? Is Frankie making
those cookies again or something?”

“No!”
Eduardo shook his head quickly, before chewing at his bottom lip and
looking at the floor. “I was watching you before, playing the
hoop shooting and I was thinking about what happen today so I go and
. . . uh…” He chewed more and just blushed deeply as he pulled
out what he held behind his back. It was a paper plate that had been
painted orange (an attempt at gold) with pieces of yellow paper glued
to it. Eduardo’s childish scrawl was written over it in black marker
reading: ‘Wilt : 1st Place in Basketball and Reading to Ed’. “I
am thinking you deserve award, so I make you one.” Eduardo
added, eyes now directly looking at his shoes.

Wilt took the
‘award’ and a broad smile spread across his face. “Oh . . .
Thank you, Eduardo.” He felt a swell of . . . redemption? as he
looked down at his present. It was more than a little gratifying to
receive something so flattering after messing up so badly. Really and
truly, could Eduardo possibly do anything more to make his horrible
day not-so-horrible? Or even hardly-horrible-at-all if it came to
that. No small feat, really . . . Still a little stupid with
gratitude, Wilt, crossed the room to put his award up on his locker
door. Once this was done, he stood back and admired it with a smile
of pride, letting his hand fall to Eduardo’s shoulder in a wordless
gesture of thanks.

Eduardo grin didn’t falter at all as he
watched Wilt hang the award on the locker and he laughed gently as
Wilt’s hand found a place on his shoulder. He was well aware of
Wilt’s hang-ups on physical contact, and already today he’d pushed
the envelope with massaging him. So when the usual swell of wanting
to hug the bejesus out of Wilt rose it’s head Eduardo actually
managed to keep a hold on it for now. But he did move his hand and
placed it over Wilt’s either way.

He felt that heavy, but
gentle hoof touch his hand and it sent a slow charge up Wilt’s arm
that made his heart beat just a little bit faster. He was not certain
why it did . . . Perhaps it was subconscious recollection of how very
good that selfsame hoof had felt against his neck. The two friends
stood in this way, just watching his newly decorated locker door in
silence before Wilt slid his hand carefully from Eduardo’s shoulder,
letting his fingers trail a bit through the soft, soft fur. “Well,
it is a bit late . . .” He said with rather more reluctance than
he’d intended.

“Oh. . . si, I, I guess so.” Eduardo
mumbled. As Wilt’s hand had slid away he felt very. . . what, empty?
Lonely? That wasn’t the right word at all but he didn’t know which
one he felt. Or worse. He shook it off and turned around, smiling up
at Wilt. “Buenos nochas, Wilt.” he said, before walking
around him and climbed up to his bunk and pulled the green blanket
down and crawled beneath it. “Pleasant dreams!” He added
before he settled himself down.

” ‘Night, Ed.” Wilt
said back, unable to help feeling that the floor seemed even colder,
more vacant now that he returned to it. He reclined in silence for a
while, listening to Eduardo breathe and make the room thankfully less
still and empty until he heard Bloo and Coco finally come up. Glad to
be distracted from his somewhat lonely thoughts, Wilt closed his eye
and slept.

End