The Morning After (A Followup To Justice Is Served)

Leon groaned as he sat up in bed. His arm reached up in a stretch as he let out a loud yawn that ended with a soft whimper.

His eyes opened and he slowly blinked away the sleep as his paws absentmindedly rubbed against the insulated blanket. His vision was a bit blurry, but as it came more into focus, he froze.

He looked down at his paws at the blanket, to his mostly bare furry chest, then around the bedroom.

This wasn’t his room.

The husky let out a soft eep and pulled the blanket up to his neck, covering up his naked torso. As he did, a familiar feline scent lighted his nostrils.
Benji. He was with Benji. The husky’s shoulders fell in relief as he hugged the blanket close. He felt so warm and light, like he was floating on a cloud. Was this what sleeping next to someone else felt like?

The husky’s eyes widened as a sudden intrusive thought filled his mind.

Had he and Benji—

Leon tossed the blanket off of him abruptly, then let out a sigh. He was still wearing his boxers. He didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed about that… He’d spent all night pressed against that adorable cat… The thought had crossed his mind more than a few times. But all of that seemed so fast…

Leon looked to the other side of the bed, noticing that it was empty. Where was the cheetah now? He scooted to the edge of the bed and slid off.

Benji’s space was pretty minimal. The only things Leon could see around the room were a small dresser, a hamper, and a cute little bedside table. Leon’s clothes from the previous night were nowhere to be seen though. He looked to the open doorway to Benji’s bedroom, then reluctantly called out.

“Hello?”

“Leon?” Benji’s voice called back.

“Yeah. Hi… Um…” Leon walked to the doorway, looking out into the rest of the apartment. “Where did my clothes go?”

“Oh!” Benji was standing in the kitchen wearing boxers and a red tank top, standing over the stove with his back to Leon. His tail moved behind him in smooth fluid swishes. “I put them in the laundry… I hope that’s okay. I didn’t know if you wanted to like re-wear them or if you just wanted to use some of mine.”

“O-Oh! Thanks.” Leon padded out of the bedroom and into the kitchen area next to Benji, the smells and sounds of bacon and eggs strong.

Benji looked up at him as he approached, and he smiled. It was a small smile, but it brightened up the cute spotted fur.

Leon smiled, putting his paws behind his back. “Anything I can do to help you out?”

“Mm…” Benji furrows his brow. “How do you like your eggs?”

“O-Overeasy.” He smiles.

“Same.” Benji smiles. “Um, would you like to…” He bit his lip, pausing as if hesitant to ask.

Leon tilted his head, waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“I know we did it a lot yesterday… but would you want to kiss the chef?”

Leon choked back a laugh and brought his paws to his muzzle.

Benji’s ears slicked back and he looked away. “Sorry! I know! That was really corny.”

“You’re telling me. Wow.” Leon grinned, taking a step closer. “I mean, I am happy to oblige though.”

Benji’s muzzle twitched and his eyes seemed to tremble. “Really? It wasn’t too corny?”

“No. It was really cute.” He reached out to touch Benji’s cheek.

The cheetah leaned his head against Leon’s paw.

The husky smiled, moving close to press his muzzle against Benji’s.

The cheetah’s eyes drifted closed and Leon could hear a soft thud as Benji put down the spatula to wrap his paws around his hips.

It was a short, sweet kiss. But even as Leon pulled back, Benji still stayed wrapped around him.

Those soft paws rubbed in small circles just above the waistband of his underwear. The feline’s body rumbled with a deep purr.

Leon smiled as he watched the chee’s muzzle, his own paw stroking his cheek. “I’m so glad I didn’t stay away…”

Benji’s eyes opened, staring deep into his. “Me too.”

They both stood, bodies pressed together as they embraced each other’s warmth and company.

Leon wanted it to last forever… But he still had questions. Were they in love? Was this just a passing feeling? How would they even begin to navigate this? What would The Guild say?

“Leon?” Benji’s voice carried a tinge of worry. “What’s wrong?”

“What do we do from here?” Leon asked, his eyes searching for some answer, any answer.

“I don’t know…” Benji looked down at the pan, moving a paw to slide the eggs off the burner just in the nick of time. “We just kissed last night… But I want more.”

“Me too.” Leon bit his lip. “Does that mean that we’re… together now?”

Benji looked back up at Leon, tilting his head. “Would you like that?”

“Would you?”

The cheetah chuckled, “I don’t know. Maybe a few more kisses could sway me?” He winked.

Leon couldn’t help but grin and gently shoved the cat. “I’m being serious!”

“I’m serious too! About getting kisses!” Benji grinned, his tail curling around one of Leon’s legs.

DOOM. DOOM. DOOM.

Benji and Leon jumped, turning to look at Benji’s phone, as the tones of an alarm made it vibrate on the counter.
The cheetah curled his paws into fists. “Looks like breakfast will have to wait, Leon.” His gaze went back to Leon. “We’ve got a city to save!”
Leon nodded, holding up his paw. “You didn’t put my supersuit in the laundry, did you?”

Benji scoffed, taking his paw. “Please, Apollo.” He purred a little as he said the name. “I’m nothing if not professional.”

Merry Christmas, y’all! Thank y’all so much for the wonderful response to “Justice is Brewing” parts one and two! I hope you enjoyed this little followup! Thank you to the Voice of Dog team (especially Rob Macwolf and Sol Harries) for helping me get Justice is Brewing out there! If you haven’t listened to it yet, you should! Do it.

This is Part One! https://thevoice.dog/episode/justice-is-brewing-by-vincenzo-pasquarella-part-1-of-2
This is Part Two! https://thevoice.dog/episode/justice-is-brewing-by-vincenzo-pasquarella-part-2-of-2/