Kierra

Waking, however, shows a whole different arrangement. I'm laying on my side, a boy practically stretched out over me and a wolf with his head over my neck. It's a wonder I can even breathe.

It's very comforting though, so much so I don't think I could sleep alone anymore. That in itself is a scary thought. Laying there for a few minutes longer, I ponder that. Asher stirs first, I can't see him without moving, but I feel him wake.

"I take it all the burrs are gone since you're laying right where they were, yes?"

Teasing him gets me a cold nose to the ear. Flicking it at him over and over, I resist the urge to shake my head. When he raises up, my neck feels almost cold now with the absence of his heat.

His rising rouses a sleepy-eyed Bastion, legs and lower body on the side of my belly, he lifts up easily. If I had tried sleeping like that, I'd have one hell of a headache. Glancing over to the digital clock I had brought down, it's almost noon. Shit.

Rolling onto my legs, I raise up, shaking free fur that had been squished down. Nosing the boy's cheek and thanking him for the brushing, I hightail it upstairs to my room. Getting dressed quickly in a pair of old jeans and a snarky t-shirt, this one is gray with a sign on the front. Large black, red, and white letters saying 'Notice: I Decided To Put Myself In Charge'.

Fitting right? I thought so when I bought it.

My scruff may have been brushed out, but that does not travel or shift to my hair. No longer tangled up in cockleburs, just sleep tangles. After pulling on some hated socks, I get it brushed out quickly.

Boots are out in the living room, so once piercings are all equipped, I head out. Asher and Bastion are already done up in their 'readiness', the wolf is in his spot on the couch while the boy is at the table chowing down some cereal.

The last time I ate was some bread yesterday afternoon, but this soon after waking, the thought of eating is sickening. Frosted Wheaties glare at me from his bowl, so I snag one. Good thing kids aren't like how some animals can be after abused; no food aggression.

Least I don't think they do. Can they? I dunno, but he doesn't have it. Not yet anyway. I keep snitching his food and that might change. Scooping up my cat, I hold him to me as my insides start coiling, readying for something. The same type of antsiness I had earlier this morning.

Don't see Xavier on the porch through the windows, so I put the cat down and call Ava. A feeling that I need to welling up. Don't know if Lily is still in school or not. After explaining to her that I'm not sure why I called, just that I needed to, she said she's on her way over. Lily hadn't gone in today due to her having trouble staying in human form for longer than five minutes, but I told her that's fine and she's of course more than welcome to come as well. Hanging up, I look over to Bastion then Asher.

"When I came back this morning and made it downstairs, did anything seem off? When I came back I thought all the jitteriness was gone, but now it's starting back up again."

They look at each other then back to me, giving me negatives. I pace from the front door to the back door and back again. Soft socks on a wooden floor are usually very slippery, still is actually, but balance is a little better than what it used to be. Coordination being a little better an all. Think about turning the computer on and checking my mail, but I wouldn't be able to sit still long enough to do so.

Thirty to thirty-five minutes later I hear Ava's truck pulling into the drive from the road, would've been able to hear it sooner if I'd been paying attention. Her truck isn't exactly quiet. Not because it's rattling enough to fall apart, but because it's diesel and just that loud. Both Imp and wolf look jittery now as well. I know the boy is because he likes them, not sure what the wolf's problem is.

Before he tells me he wants out, I ask him to stay, that it feels like he needs to be here. He's hesitant, but stays, keeping to his end of the couch. Going over to him, I rub his ear in thanks, I get grumbles in response, but they just make me smile.

"Oh, I'm sure you heard Asher, but Lily has been having issues staying in human form, so she'll more than likely be her kitten self. Where's Tigger?"

Lily likes him, but he's gone through enough lately with giant canines going in and out. Finding him in my room, I give him kisses and close him in. Chubby cat is getting too old to be having heart attacks every other day. Pretty sure he's feeling just as tired as I am lately of all the changes going on.

Heading to the front door, I just get it open when a yellow and tan streak runs past me, trying to backpedal when she finally sees the boy standing there. His eyes widen as she collides with him, big fluffy paws on my floors are worse than socks. I start laughing at the boy on his rump looking at the miniature snow leopard who's tangled with his legs and on his lap.

The expressions on both of them are priceless and adorable. Ava comes in looking cross, but when she sees them, she also gives a small laugh. While the kids untangle themselves, I give my best friend a hug, holding fiercely before letting go and thanking her for coming.

"Told you I'd always come if you need me. Where's Ash... Oh, hey Asher."

He cocks his head at her, ocean eyes bright as they go back to the large kitten on the floor. Oh yeah, that's right. Don't think he was around last time she shifted. Doesn't look hungry, just curious.

I get a warm feeling in my head, him having picked up on my thought of not being hungry. He actually is, but he insinuates that it's the wrong type of pussy. My face flares hot instantly as I look away from him and everyone else.

Oh look, kitchen cabinets.

Ava picks up that something's happened, looking between us.

"Dirty, dirty old man that one."

She grins at me while I get soft laughter in my head, my face refuses to stop burning. Getting the door closed, regretfully, I go instead to my freezer and look for a bag of peas. Think I need to get a few just for this specific reason. Males in my home are so awkward.

No peas. Of course. I stick my head in for a minute to Ava's laughing, she isn't fooled. When I pull out, Bastion is looking at me speculatively, but I reveal nothing.

My face is still hot but I can sort of function now without having an aneurysm, it's kept averted from the horn dog though. I offered to pimp him out yesterday, he never gave an answer, think I need to look into it.

Warmth and amusement fill my head before he pulls back. Taking a deep breath, I look at Lily who's stalking up behind the boy. Just as I open my mouth to say something, she pounces.

He goes down rather hard. Lily isn't light, even as a kitten. I go and swoop her up before her mother can, she weighs just about as much as the boy does, so it's no wonder he went down as hard as he did.

"Bastion? You alright?"

I would offer to help him up, but he's very independent, and pride is probably hurt right now. Lily mews at him, probably her way of saying she's sorry. He stands with no problem, rubbing at his knees with a crooked smile.

"I'm fine, just caught me by surprise."

With as small as he is, I'm not happy with how his knees sounded hitting the floor. Need to put the little dude in pads. Helmet, elbows, knees, and maybe even a cup. Who knows.

"Lily! What have you been told about doing that?"

The small cat in my arms hunkers low and close, her ears going down. Poor kid, she was just playing. Bastion even tells her so, saying he isn't hurt and he doesn't mind.

I take her over and set her on the opposite side of the couch that Asher has yet to move from. Tossing a light blanket over her, she starts playing with that while I go back into the kitchen. Eyeballing my Imp, he insists he's fine, a light blush covering his cheeks. I let it go for now as I hear scratching at the back door.

"That should be Xavier."

Catching Ava's raised brow, I hold up a finger before going down the hallway. Opening the door and stepping back, I have to catch myself from gawking. Keep forgetting just how tall he is.

Oh dear lord... Ava. Shit, I really don't want to see her drooling over him when he's in his skin. Groaning, I motion him in and close the door. He's panting so he's probably been running all night. Wish my pads were tough enough for that. He trots further in before stopping.

"Can you trust those who are here right now? Do they know about you?"

"They're Shifters, derp, and I trust Ava with my life."

He nods and goes further in. I hear spitting and groan again. Following after to calm Lily, I can just imagine what she's seeing.

"Lily, it's okay. Him, you are more than welcome to pounce on, but let him catch his breath first. Ava? This is Xavier, Xavier this is Ava."

Tada, introductions.

My house is full of animals. I snort at that as I get a glass of juice, offering one to Ava before I drink mine while leaning against the counter.

Ava keeps an eye on the maned wolf as he noses around the ball of fur that is Lily. I motion my head to Bastion, who picks up his cue and heads over. Putting an arm around the neck of the long-legged canine, he holds a hand out to the girl.

"Um, Kierra? Explain."

Knew that was coming. Chuckling as I think over just what to say, I just figure, screw it.

"That there, is the most recent attempt on my life. Pretty soft for a killer, don't you think?"

Her eyes harden as his head swings up and over. I can feel his wince in my head, so I send him warmth knowing I don't hold it against him. Also let him know that he's still seen as a 'big bad kick your ass if you look at me wrong' type.

He starts yapping at me, the sound loud in the quietness of everything. Grinning at him, I point to the basement. He sneezes but nods, sending the feeling he needs to talk to me anyway.

Inclining my head towards him, I take a drink. Ava nudges me when he goes down, having to move so he can get past. Giving her innocent face gets me a frown and a smack to my arm.

"I'm not sure how to explain him. He'd been sent to kill me, but I seem to have taken him in after getting the same feeling I did when I called you."

She looks over to Asher, who's watching the rambunctious cat go nuts with the blanket again, Bastion looks on with a smile as well, he being the one to get her attention back onto it. The wolf does glance over to her though, don't know if they're talking or not.

I can hear Xavier making his way back up, so I keep watching Ava to see her face when she sees him. She's only taller than me by two inches, so he's going to be way tall to her too. Sure enough, her eyes widen when he comes in.