A Fluffy Tale

by Ann Somerville

  “Hey, that’s not good nutrition. Paper’s not listed in the book!” Pyon chirped, walked over on top of the list and then lay down on his back, paws wagging. “I see—that’s a hint, is it?”

  Julian ruffled Pyon’s tummy fur and grinned at the inane look of pleasure on his kem’s face. He couldn’t remember the last time Pyon had felt like such good company. Was this all it took? Some attention, some decent food? All these years of complaining about his annoying kem, and the answer was this simple?

  He looked up more information about diet and food on line and then at ten took himself firmly to bed. Pyon curled up on his head but Julian didn’t complain this time. It felt kind of nice, actually.

  The walk to work in new shoes nearly killed him, especially as he’d foregone his breakfast coffee and had a vicious headache as a result. But Pyon loved it, popping out to run around and explore with little squeaks and chirps of pleasure, and Julian had to admit it made a pleasant change from staring down someone’s cleavage or at the spots on the back of their neck for twenty minutes. He’d overestimated the time it would take to make the trip so he arrived ten minutes early—the first time ever—and Carole looked about ready to faint with shock as Julian walked in.

  “Coming in early to fix up a mess?”

  “No, I just felt like walking,” Julian said airily, giving her a grin and sauntering casually down the hall. Pyon sat sedately on his shoulder the whole time, though he ran off as soon as Julian got to his desk.

  There Julian could take the new trainers off and massage his aching feet. He was supposed to walk home too—it’d kill him. But he felt good—sweaty, but good. The headache was pretty fierce, though. He reached for his desk drawer where he kept the aspirin, but then stopped. Ledbetter had said kems were sensitive to drugs. Was aspirin one of them? He wished he could just email the sod and ask him but he’d rather gnaw his arm off at the elbow than face that man again. He shut the drawer and squinted against the headache as best he could.

  Being healthy took a lot of work. He had to think about eating, instead of just grabbing stuff. He had to make time to do more shopping, and go to more places than the one store he’d been using. He had to spend more time cooking, and then cleaning up instead of just throwing containers away. And the walking was tough at first, though after ten days, he found it a lot easier. But the change in Pyon was nothing short of a miracle—people in the office started to notice after the third day. A week later, and Julian could see the change in Pyon’s fur as well as his behaviour. It made him so ashamed that he’d let his kem suffer all these years for the want of so little, but Pyon didn’t hold a grudge, or care. He was happy and healthy and that made Julian ridiculously happy too.

  He’d seen Ledbetter at a distance a couple of times, but always made himself scarce, memories of that icy flaying far too fresh for him to want to invite a repeat. He hadn’t seen him again in the canteen—perhaps Ledbetter was avoiding him too, or maybe it had just been a one off, since the senior staff didn’t eat there much. Whatever the reason, Julian was glad not to have had another bruising encounter with the man.

  Julian promised himself over this weekend, he would look into buying a set of weights, and maybe even a gym membership, though he didn’t like the idea much. The problem was, he’d never been particularly sporty, and neither were his friends, most of whom were computer nerds and gamers. Julian didn’t really have a competitive bone in his body. All he’d ever wanted was an easy life. He was saving to travel and that was his long-term goal, but right now, he just wanted to work and live without any hassle. His mother fretted about him getting married. Telling her he was gay would lead to hassle, so he hadn’t. Fortunately, he only saw them every couple of months, and his brother was getting married at the end of the year, so that took the attention off him. With any luck, he’d have saved enough to travel before he had to have another uncomfortable conversation about the girlfriends he didn’t have.

  The canteen was a bit of a challenge food-wise, but going out at lunchtime meant jostling with hundreds of other workers for the few takeaways around the office and the food wasn’t worth the effort. But by now he had it worked out, and his lunch was as healthy as he could reasonably make it. Pyon perched on his shoulder and peered over to supervise Julian selecting low fat milk, a salad without too much dressing, chicken breast, wholegrain bread, and a tangerine. Adding fruit was something he still had to think about, but he’d rediscovered his childhood love of oranges and bananas, and he’d already noticed how much Pyon seemed to appreciate the change in his diet.

  He knew when he’d got it right because Pyon would sit at his desk after lunch, trilling quietly for hours and hours, letting Julian pet him, and never running off or dematerialising. Every day it seemed, someone had to stop and do a double take at the sight of the former pest, behaving so politely. Edward had made a bitchy remark about drugs, but had walked off when Julian sweetly asked if that was his secret too. Bastard.

  He’d timed the meal to miss the first lunchtime rush, but it was still busy, and noisy with the crash of cutlery against china, and people raising the voices to be heard against the din. He paid and took his tray, looking around for a place…oh. Ledbetter was there in the corner again. Alone, again.

  Pyon meeped quietly in Julian’s ear, and that made him decide to face the music. If nothing else, he owed Ledbetter for Pyon’s improvement and if the guy told him to buzz off, then…well, he’d have done the honourable thing. Feeling morally superior and fit would be great.

  Ledbetter jerked up as Julian sat down—he hadn’t noticed him approach at all. “Excuse me,” he said coldly, going to stand.

  “Forty-three,” Julian said quickly.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Forty-three. Miles. That’s how many I’ve walked since I saw you last.”

  Ledbetter looked completely bewildered, his anger swamped by confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “Walking. You said, eat better, walk more, sleep more. Well, I did. And now look at him. Pyon? Come out, let him look at you.”

  Pyon, who’d ducked up behind Julian’s neck as soon as he’d spotted Linis, crept out onto his shoulder. “That’s it. Come down and let Zack look at you.”

  “My name is not ‘Zack’, thank you. Mr Ledbetter to the assistants, in any event.” But then his expression softened. “Oh, Pyon, you’re looking very fine. That’s it, come here.”

  He sat down and put his hand out, palm up, and Pyon walked down Julian’s arm and across the table. He meeped a little when he saw Linis staring, but Ledbetter crooned encouragement, and soon Pyon sat on his hand, trilling away as Ledbetter stroked his fur.

  “Hmmm, he does look somewhat better.”

  “And he’s much quieter.”

  “Well, of course. It’s not magic. So you just came over here to boast?”

  Pyon sat up at Ledbetter’s changed tone and looked back over his shoulder at Julian. Julian put out his hand and his kem came back to him, looking for a cuddle which Julian readily gave him. “Sort of. “ Ledbetter snorted. “No, wait. I…you were right and I was rude. I wanted to show you I was prepared to work. I bought shoes and a wok and everything. I'm going to look for a gym tomorrow.”

  “Waste of time and money—it’s boring, Pyon will loathe it, and all you’ll do is put on muscle and look like an idiot. Running is the best thing. Kems love it—getting out in the fresh air, seeing new things. I'm sure it’s more effort than you’re prepared to go to, though.”

  “It’s not! I just…have no idea about how to do it. I just remember school and hating it…and…” He fell quiet, aware he was whining again. “If you think it’s best, I’ll do it. I can find a book, I suppose.” Ledbetter said nothing. “Okay, well…I thought you’d be pleased to see how Pyon was doing.” He stood up and picked up his tray—Pyon scrambled up his jacket and up onto his shoulder again. “Thanks for your help.”

  He turned, cheeks hot with embarrassment. He shouldn’t have bothered.
Pyon licked his ear and squeaked softly. Julian balanced the tray on one hand and reached up with the other to pet his kem. “Don’t worry about it. How about we go for a really long walk somewhere tomorrow? I’ll catch a train out to the country park and we can get out in the sun. You’d like that.” Pyon squeaked again, more excitedly.

  “Julian?”

  He stopped, then turned. Zachary Ledbetter stood there, his hands clasped together. “If you’re serious, meet me in Twyford Park by the cattle statue at five am tomorrow.”

  “F-five?” Ledbetter’s expression turned stony. “Uh…it’s just—it’s still dark. Do I need a torch or anything?”

  “It’s not dark and no. Bring proper running shoes and a bottle of water and wear shorts. I won’t wait for you.”

  “Okay.”

  Ledbetter swept off, but Linis turned to watch the two of them with his unblinking golden eyes all the way until Ledbetter was lost from sight.

  Julian stood frozen until someone bumped him, then he hastily moved back to Ledbetter’s vacated table. Five in the morning? The man was crazy. And what were proper running shoes? Did his trainers count?

  Apparently not, as a trip to the shoe store proved. Julian walked out richer for a pair of hi-tech running shoes and lighter by a lot more money than he’d expected to spend on any item of clothing. He had to spend more money at the sports clothing store as well, since he didn’t own shorts or sport socks or the headband and wristbands the assistant assured him were essential, as was a strange water bottle with handle he was apparently supposed to carry in his hand.

  He tried everything on at home and felt like a complete prat. Pyon thought the wristbands were toys and played with them all evening, chasing them all over the floor. Julian didn’t have the heart to stop him. Tomorrow would be awful. And Ledbetter would laugh at him, no question about it.

  He really, really didn’t want to wake up, and Pyon didn’t appreciate it either, his plaintive high whine following Julian around as he stumbled about and got dressed in his new, ridiculous clothes. The park was only a quarter of a mile from his apartment—he walked as fast as he could, hoping to somehow miraculously become fit enough to keep up with the sleek Mr Ledbetter, and also to warm up because it was damn chilly. And it was dark, although by the time he reached the park, dawn was just starting. The air smelled moist and leafy, and traffic noises didn’t sully the park’s quietness. Lovely, he had to admit. But getting up at this hour just to see it? Not worth it.

  Ledbetter was there by the statue, making a torturous looking movement with his body Julian really hoped the man didn’t expect him to copy. The guy had the longest legs…and those high cut shorts left nothing to the imagination. Really nice arse too. Pity he was very obviously straight—but he was well out of Julian’s class anyway. Also—a bastard. An important consideration, that.

  Ledbetter stood up and seemed surprised to see Julian. “Oh. You came.”

  “Of course I did. Where’s Linis?”

  “Inside. He’s still resting. Pyon?”

  “Sulking. He didn’t like getting up so early.”

  Ledbetter smiled briefly, teeth flashing white in the dim light. “No, kems aren’t really morning creatures. But this is the best time for a run.”

  “I really haven’t done this for over ten years. I don’t want you pitching a fit at me for not keeping up.”

  “I’ve taken account of that in my plans for this morning, don’t worry. Let me look at your gear.”

  Julian blinked in shock, until he realised the man meant his shoes and things. Ledbetter wasn’t entirely happy with the shoes but said they’d do for now.

  “They were expensive!” Julian protested.

  “Yes,” Ledbetter said, packing quite a lot of derision into a single word and one suggestive sniff. “That doesn’t mean they’re any good. But you won’t be pushing them too hard today so I won’t ask you to change them.”

  Julian bristled. “I can’t afford to change my shoes to suit you.”

  “You won’t. You’ll change them to suit you. Now stop talking and listen. We start with a warm up.”

  Julian remembered now why he’d hated running at school. And sports. And physical exercise of any kind. It made him look like a dork with a capital ‘duh’. It didn’t help that all the stretches and deep bends and arm raises and lunges which perfectly emphasised his pudgy out-of-shapedness, only served to demonstrate the length and strength and…well, classical beauty of Ledbetter’s body. If the man had been the least bit aware of his own physical perfection, it would have been completely obnoxious. Instead, it was merely annoying. A lot, actually, but he’d survive. Julian wasn’t out here to compare himself to Mr Perfect. He was out here because it was good for him and thus good for Pyon.

  The exercise exhausted him—and they hadn’t even done any running. As he stood panting and wondering if it was too late to back out, Ledbetter took off his watch. “Put this on,” he ordered, holding it out.

  “I already have a watch.”

  “It’s not a watch, it’s a heart rate monitor. Put it on.”

  Perplexed, Julian obeyed and then Ledbetter asked, “How old are you?”

  Julian raised his eyebrows in frank disbelief. “I beg your pardon?”

  The man looked annoyed as he repeated, “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-six but what—“

  “Then if that,” he pointed to the monitor, “indicates your heart rate is above one-fifty-five at any point, slow down until it slows down. Your safe maximum heart rate is determined by your age.”

  “But won’t you need it?”

  Ledbetter flashed a quick smile. “We won’t be running hard enough to tax me this morning. Ready? You should call Pyon—he’ll enjoy this. Linis? Come on, you love this bit.”

  Linis appeared and jumped down to the ground a little ahead of them, looking expectant. When Julian summoned Pyon, his kem still seemed put out. Julian gave him a cuddle and set him on the ground. Pyon scurried around behind him to get away from Linis.

  “I don’t understand why he does that,” Julian said, confused by the strange reaction.

  “Sometimes it takes a while for them to make friends. Don’t worry. Now, let’s go. We’ll take it easy, and you watch your heart rate.”

  As exercise for his body, it wasn’t much of a success. As an exercise in humiliation, it was perfect. He managed to run for all of thirty seconds before he stopped, out of breath. He expected Ledbetter to yell at him, but the man just told him to walk until he felt able to run again. The next burst was even shorter. In the end, he managed a mere fifteen minutes before he called for mercy, and his face was hot from embarrassment as much as exertion.

  His heart pounded, his pulse throbbing in his forehead like he was about to burst something. He gulped down air into a dry throat, holding onto a tree to support himself, sipping water before he could speak. “Even I know…that’s pathetic,” he gasped out to forestall the sarcasm.

  “It’s pretty much what I expected,” Ledbetter said. “You’ll do better next time. You need to cool down with more exercises.”

  “Next time? Tomorrow?”

  “No. We’ll talk about this. Come on—you need to do this, and then you can wait while I do a proper run.”

  More bending and stretching and embarrassing postures, with Ledbetter simply demonstrating before Julian did as he asked.

  Finally, he was allowed to sit on a bench. Ledbetter hadn’t even broken into a sweat. By now it had warmed up slightly but Julian was dripping wet and the gentle breeze was cold. Ledbetter tsked at him not having a sweater to wear. “Sit there, drink some more water, play with Pyon. I’ll be twenty minutes. Can I have my monitor back?”

  Wearily Julian stripped the thing from his wrist and handed it over. Ledbetter put it on, pressed a button and then headed off. Julian was too tired to raise more than a flicker of admiration for the way the perfect arse moved as Ledbetter ran.

  Pyon appeared from wherever he’d been explori
ng—he’d run along with them, keeping pace easily, and really had seemed to enjoy it. Now he was looking for cuddles and that being all Julian was up for, he was glad to comply. Pyon’s fur felt good against his chilled skin. His kem was fascinated by his sweat and general condition, needing to sniff and lick just about everywhere before he’d settle down around Julian’s shoulders. That felt nice. And sitting here in the quiet, watching the brightening sky through the trees, was kind of pretty.

  Actually, now he’d got his breath back, he didn’t feel too bad. Almost like he could do a little more running, but he thought he better not push his luck. It was nice here, the clean morning air sweet and cool, the birds and bugs and flowers a nice change from his apartment. He’d come here a few times, but never this early. If Ledbetter said this was what he had to do to get fit, well…it wasn’t so bad.

  He saw Linis before he saw Ledbetter, the tawny kem bounding along with his big fluffy tail erect and cheerful above him. Pyon meeped anxiously when he saw him, but he didn’t run away, and actually came to sit in Julian’s lap to wait for Ledbetter to stop and then do the same set of exercises as Julian had. Now the man was sweaty, but grinning—he’d enjoyed himself.

  “Come on, I want to walk back before I get cold. Next time, bring something you can wrap around your waist.”

  Julian fell into step, their kems walking ahead of them, carefully apart with tails erect. “So when is next time?”

  “You’ll be sore tomorrow—you’ll need to take it easy. Go for a long, gentle walk—definitely no running. If you’re feeling better on Monday, then you can jog again.”

  “At five o'clock? Before work?”

  Ledbetter didn’t answer. Julian glanced at him. There was a distinctly guilty expression on those elegant features.

  “Well…on that point. You don’t actually have to get up at five.”

  Julian stopped so he could glare properly. “No? So what are we doing up at this ridiculous hour?” It wasn’t even six yet!