This choice: Kristofferson feels guilty, and wakes up Ash to share the fruit • Go Back... Kristofferson stared up at the bottom of Ash's bed, his mind racing as the night went on. Every so often, he would reach his paw down into his pocket, feeling the fruit, sometimes pulling it out slightly to check and see if it still glowed as before. If anything, Kristofferson realized, the glow seemed to be getting more pronounced as the night went on, but that just might be his eyes adjusting to the darkness and getting more sensitive to the light.
"I wonder what this fruit could do," he thought to himself. The ideas were endless. Perhaps it would increase his brainpower, making him even smarter than he already was. Maybe it would affect his muscles or fur, causing him to look more svelte and athletic. The thought that the fruit could have a detrimental effect also crossed his mind, but he shook it off, hoping for the best. "I don't read comic books," he thought, "but in Ash's, something like this would always give whoever had it superpowers."
Ash…
Kristofferson started to frown slightly. Ash would be the one who would really get a kick out of something like this, he realized. Sure, Ash had been a bit of a cuss when Kristofferson had first arrived, but over time his cousin had begrudgingly began to accept him, even sharing things like the comic books with him. In the past month or so, Ash had cleared out all of his old junk from the room, making space for Kristofferson's things and trying to make sure the room they shared became "their" room and not "Ash's" room. It was a heartfelt gesture, and one that Kristofferson appreciated and didn't take lightly.
Kristofferson had also gradually become aware in the past few days of some other feelings Ash seemed to be holding, even though the more intense, shorter fox obviously was trying to hide those feelings away. It was little things Kristofferson picked up on: Ash staring at him across the dinner table, then immediately averting his gaze as soon as Kristofferson made eye contact; Ash helping Kristofferson out even when he didn't ask for help; and, most noticeably of all, Ash scooting over and inviting Kristofferson to ditch the bedroll and sleep in the real bed with him, which Kristofferson politely declined, disappointing Ash slightly. The feelings were something that Kristofferson had been accustomed to from some of the girls (and a few guys) in his old school and in the one he attended now, but coming from his cousin, he wasn't sure what to think.
Regardless of Ash's behavior or leanings, though, Kristofferson quickly knew that he couldn't keep it from his cousin any longer. "He's my friend now," he said softly, "he deserves to know." He slowly stood up, climbing the ladder to Ash's bed, and gently poked the sleeping fox.
"Wha--?" Ash gradually awoke, his green eyes shining in the moonlight. "Kristofferson?"
"Ssshhh. Keep your voice down." Kristofferson smiled gently. "I have something to show you."
"What is it?" Ash sat up eagerly, his sleepiness from a moment ago having vanished completely. He scooted over and allowed Kristofferson to sit next to him. As the silver fox stretched out his legs on the bed, he reached into his pocket, and Ash's eyes lit up at the sight of the glowing fruit. "The fruit from the tree!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah. I…" Kristofferson started, hesitant to explain exactly his thoughts, "… I guess I couldn't just leave it there. It was too intriguing."
"I thought I saw glowing earlier when we went to bed," Ash said, grinning slightly.
Running his paw through his headfur, Kristofferson blushed. "Yeah… I'm sorry for hiding it from you earlier. I guess I wanted it all to myself, but I just now realized that you've been too good a friend to me in these past few weeks for me to be selfish like that."
Ash stared at Kristofferson for as second. Kristofferson could've sworn he saw his cousin's eyes beginning to mist up. Finally, Ash leaned forward, putting his muzzle directly in front of Kristofferson's, nose to nose, and said...   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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