(It's) Always There - Ch. 18

... They'd knocked too low, almost soundless; someone was at the bedroom door.

Navy unlaid from her blanket, unlatched the entrance to crack it a little, and... saw Case.

"Your light's on. I guessed you weren't asleep."

...

Uh... "Case, it's like... midnight right now."

"I know." The wolf didn't... How she ought to read him wasn't clear. But he went on to ask, "... Can we talk?"

If... "If" what? Didn't make sense to... Anyway... The tiger wasn't sleeping regardless of him doing this or not, so, um, sure. Navy let him in - or opened the door to - and... they kind of eyed each other a minute, then he entered.

Case requested, "Can I sit?" directing it at her mostly-made bed, Navy's vague indent still pressed there and to her folded comforter... Smoothing it for him, personal blanket set elsewhere, she motioned towards the head of it that he could. Suppose... And she placed herself by its other end, arm on her lap. Despite it having size enough to lay on she found their closeness awkward so... maybe her idea wasn't the best but he asked. Whatever. Not a big deal.

His expression, the way he held himself, was odd. Like usual but not.

Deliberately... Very deliberately, he breathed in, then out. "I've been in my room a lot - since you got back... It's not mine, just the one across that I was... You know what I mean." As though restarting, he explained to Navy, "... I don't know what I can say that you'll believe. I don't talk to many people; I haven't talked much to you. I'm bad at it... but that's not the issue. If I was different with you, if I was more honest and treated you better, then none of this would have happened, and last time would have gone better, and if I didn't lead you on then it could have at least hurt less. I should have done something about it. You don't have to believe me; I don't think you will, and there's no reason you should. All I've done is lie to your face, pretending I had a clue what I was doing... And there were times, multiple, that I knew my actions, the things I said, would be painful for you, and I did it anyway. I did it specifically because I understood how much it would affect you. I wanted you to feel bad. I was trying to make you go away. So you shouldn't..." He had to swallow. "You shouldn't trust me. Everything I've done says it would be wrong to. You deserve to think I'm a liar; I made it that way, and those are the consequences... But if Ballinger is real, if we're going to stay here... if I'm going to see you in town, and pass by until we stop even telling each other 'goodnight', and you move out to live with someone else... then I have to tell you..."

"... I'm sorry."

They were staring at one another directly. Navy wasn't sure when that happened. Picking at her clothes, all she had in response was, almost unsaid, "... Oh."

... Fucking do something, idiot. "... That's... Alright."

"... Yeah." He was going to get up. "... All I wanted to say. I'll go so you can, uh... use your bed."

"Nonono no... Um... You don't have to." Accept it. "You... Thank you. I think it's nice you'd say all of that. I... appreciate you being honest about your feelings." Cool, bro. Gonna charge him hourly?

Clasped in front of him, his hands seemed to relax. He did. Or maybe not. Either way he did look unsure. "... There wasn't anything else on my mind. I can stay, but... that was why I knocked."

"Well," Got a sentence to back that up? "Well I..." Evidently not.

...

Navy thought he was genuine - about this. Saying "Thanks" wasn't enough. There was a bad feeling in him, he wanted to make up for their relationship, and she could put a bit more effort into helping him, as kindness for everything he'd done for her even if he wasn't always... perfect. An apology was given, and that's what mattered as long as he didn't do the same thing again. As long as he was serious then Navy could be alright with it, and him. And... there were things she, morally, beyond what he did wrong, ought to put out there - for him.

"Case, I..." Navy had to be serious about her words, not stutter or come off insincere. "I'm glad you're here, and for what you said. But your not the only person who's done bad things. Because, I... should not have said a lot of what I did last time. They were mean, a-and hurtful, and... we both, apparently, had times we did that on purpose. If I'm honest, th-they were more than bad; I was cruel. With what happened..." Not the right time to bring it up. "I'm sorry, too. Very sorry, and I should have to be. So... we both did this wrong. It's not all... y-you."

He nodded along idly. It was clear how far in her speech dug. His face was intentionally kept from hers; no direct looks.

...

A catch in his throat kept words at bay. He tried to flex it, to cough it out, but eventually realized he simply had to speak through it.

"... If that's what you think... Christ, I barely know you - and the reverse, too. But, uh... could we maybe... try again?"

How was she supposed to...?

... That was a gut, immediate reaction. It was in Navy's, and his, best interest for her to think about this. Case had however long to himself, and he considered stuff he hadn't - about him, Navy, what they'd said and kept hidden - and because of whatever occurred, what was realized, Case was... better... So, Navy...

It... hurt. The tiger had a feeling all over. It was in her face, and her limbs, and the deepest parts of her chest, and the frontest lobes of her brain; wherever it could sting most, the feeling swarmed it. What Navy already concluded was correct, not by presumption or instinct but plain... reason, wasn't the response she wanted to give. Either reply felt wrong. She didn't know what to do. Except she did... and Navy couldn't instigate this. Accepting his offer didn't make sense on any level, in any way. It felt like betrayal. Accepting wasn't right because... how could she possibly justify it?

He uttered, low as she'd ever heard him, "I don't know how I would be if you said 'yes'. I don't know. I've never tried something like this before... and that's a reason, not an excuse. If you did, though, I'd try to make sure you don't regret it."

... She... can't. There's no good explanation she could come up with. It was a bad idea. And yes, it's good that he's open, and talking to her, and that they're saying things they should have well long ago, and... She can't. She shouldn't.

Gently, she wondered, "... Why now?"

... Posture unchanging, gaze unremoved from the carpet or wall, the wolf decided how to answer. Eventually, he got out, "Because I did things I shouldn't have, and one of those is not doing this earlier. Waiting just makes it worse... so talking now is better than never, I guess."

He... She could...

... But it...

Navy understood perfectly that she could tell him, "No," and he would leave, and that would be it. Him saying "sorry" would have been heard, and accepted, and that would be that. She could. She should. There was no good sense in saying otherwise. So that was what she'd do. It wasn't mean, or hurtful, it was merely sensible and correct; for both of them.

"So... Case..." This was good. "I think it's r-really nice that you cared enough to do this, and to ask to start over... and..."

But it hurt too bad. That was why.

Case was serious, and genuine in his apology. She couldn't spurn him, cruel her tone or nice as could be, and she didn't want to. She wanted very, very bad - an extent almost untamable - to agree and let them have a do-over.

She had to get a reply to one thing then they would be okay. "... I don't want us to talk like that again." Her voice hardly functioned under the compounding, unbearable weight.

...

And he settled, looking her in the eye, no sense of doubt or ill-purpose or lie on him, "I promise to never do that to you."

... The moments between the sounds of his pledge and her caving were so imperceivably short it's almost like they didn't happen; or it was the forming tears and blurry sight of him that made it all not matter but what he told her. Leaning in totally, body dragged, falling along with, Navy hid her quivering face behind Case's head, and hugged the boy that told her something he truly thought... and did that because he cared. Bad and good arms hooked and held tight around him wherever they could, her on him, the mere fact he didn't flinch or move away building and finally getting out a small whimper. And she looked like a fool, and she felt like one, and he didn't mind enough to say or do anything about it, and she could hold him as secure as she liked until it was okay not to. Until then, she'd stay pressed to Case, wishing he'd hold her in return but knowing he probably wouldn't - and that was fine. She just wanted to stay.

Emotions, the ones desired and those better forgotten, made their way out. Navy wiped her face, aware the brighter, sensitive color of her sclera wouldn't hide her feelings, and that Case knew anyway. She hopefully would get more times to be with him, and do other things, so she pulled mostly away, one hand still on his neck. It was plain as her presence itself that Navy was a wreck.

Her thoughts didn't make sense. His face wasn't cold, just stoic. The person she was with made her feel better. He made her feel warmer, and all the ideas and words and things in her head went fuzzy.

An exchange wasn't had, an intent not given. Leaning in once more, different than last time, she put her lips on his, and kissed him.

Everything was perfect. Navy's mouth was on Case's and she had not the littlest bit of experience on how to do this correctly but he was soft and she puckered her lips a little and it didn't work or didn't seem to and she... breathed out really hard, their heads tilted so it blew right on his cheek and to her hand, Navy unable to help herself from grabbing at the flesh and fur on his neck almost instinctually, encouraged to because it felt like if she didn't she'd lose all nerve and collapse. Her kiss was bad and she knew it. He didn't stop it, so she kept their touch, unable to move, enjoying the fleeting sensation of a peck on his mouth... that wasn't doing as she was.

She should stop. She did stop. She removed herself from him, reluctantly, and drew some distance, a thick intangible lump impossible to get down her throat seeming to grow at the very peak of it... He didn't look fazed... or like anything different at all.

... Unbel-

What the fuck was that? Why the fuck did she do that? What part of "start over" means forcing herself on someone who didn't even respond to a hug. Come o-on... Whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy WHY DID she do that?! Dumb empty-brained idiot imbecile FUCKING stupid stupid stupid... insufferable cunt. Something had to have possessed her into thinking that was the right choice to make. Because, if it didn't, then WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!! HUH? Got an answer? Got a word or two for that? Got an excuse? Does she? Does she? Does she? Hm? Is there? Got it Yet? Sit. Feel bad. Be fucking scared, pathetic piece of garbage. SIT THERE AND FEEL BAD, BITCH. HE'S STARING BECAUSE HE HATES HER. And she deserved it, only now there could be no more acting like she didn't.

Still, his demeanor did not falter. She was told, "You don't have to pretend you feel that way. I'm okay being friends."

...

Navy, using the maximum extent of her will, explained in a whisper no louder than a false sound which should be dismissed as a defect of the senses, "... But I meant it."

...

A sudden, urging thought made Navy feel like she ought to look for a knife - any sharp object would do. Her vital organs felt extremely willing to have a pointed edge rip them open. That would be a perfect response to making the same mistake.

So, they sat together... Navy waited, stone-stiff, cold like she was dead but warm like her soul hadn't realized yet. Her arm hurt. She hurt. Why she did it wasn't outside her reach - it was obvious, and largely simple-minded, and stupid. Consequences were sewn, so she would reap them. And the girl pleaded for mercy that shouldn't be given.

She pleaded to herself, and to the wolf in a way he couldn't possibly see.

...

They were close, and he finally moved. Case reached out, supported the between of her neck and shoulder, and kissed Navy back.

And... uhm...

... Nav... holding, his... or him... holding herr... iffffelt... nice am really good andhe'snice and his hhan on her neck went grab and grab... hegh... Ears go flicky up and down 'cause... what should she... fuh... wahke... no wake up, jus kissing... for a second...

... Huh...?

Her legss... um... rocked and hit the bed's frame. Fluttering eyelids went up high enough long enough for her to see him up close, having to keep her pupils from rolling too hard some other way also. Calm as she'd ever known, the face she really wanted to keep seeing was right on hers, muzzle to muzzle, stony blue irirsi... ir-is-es casually scanning their close, heated meeting point... and contacting her gaze when it was able to be - embarrassing as that was. And he was so much better at mouth-stuff than her: Case moved, for starters, in almost a rhythm that was a little different each time, caressing Navy's lips like it was the start of their kiss, then he held it, and grabbed her, and started it again, all slow and tender... It... Them doing that shouldn't make her feel a lot... it was just her mouth after all, so him pushing more... forcefully together with Navy, and keeping her stable so they could keep going...

He was so... cute and...

Present for much longer than realized, the heat of an overbearing sauna shy of turned her face, cheeks especially, into a puddle. Like if she touched there it would hurt... Then it thrummed up to the surface on all of her, hottest points found scalding wherever they made contact. He'd come closer, their thighs brushing on occasion.

Steady, in-out puffs of air traced her, whiskers twitching and flexing, far less even breaths doing the same to him minus the unkempt agitation... While it might be very... um... While it might be very pleasant to slouch, and let him hold her, and feel the push of his warm, gently moist lips and teeth through them... Navy should probably... do something too. Her kissing was even stiffer than earlier, she had no experience, hadn't ever considered how to do it good... Maybe she could just do what he was?

Adjusting from having been pushed against, so now the tiger was (closer to) sitting up straight, Navy got the chance to re-start their kiss and did... okay. She moved, and actually gave a little more instead of just taking - a proper, if terrible, and awkward, kiss back. Boys definitely liked it when girls... tried, at least. It felt better for her, so she hoped it went both ways like that... Their kiss might work better if... Well the act sounded gross but... also not. How about leading up to it first and then she'd try? If that was her plan then... how about...

Where would boys like being grabbed? Where would Case? Was he even into that? Based on what she knew (literally nothing) it felt like guys used their hands more and it wasn't clear if her doing that would hurt the mood, or even if she'd like it... But whatever! Enough! She'd grip him somewhere and just... see what happens.

Efforts up top were kept going while her fingertips slid on the sheets over to him, Navy soon over to him and with enough guts to cup his waist, and, like... rub it a little...? Eh...?

The wolf got closer so she didn't have to reach so far. Whether he was enjoying it or not, it seemed he at least appreciated her attempt. So if that was good, then... Yep. Why not. It was a very good idea and it aroused her so she'd do something weird back-to-back.

Navy felt out a viable time to do it and... poked her tongue into... him, cautious enough he wouldn't bite it. Too anxious to do any more, she let it sit there while they kissed... and Case's hand drifted up to the back of her noggin. Out of sight, Navy licked on his front dog-teeth, the saliva from them mixing and her taster getting, well, pretty much the same taste she had... but it was his. It was his mouth, and his flesh, and his chompers, and his pointy fangs, and they, for some reason, tasted better than hers - like not a lot, but still his.

Torso and posture sagging, neck pushing them together harder and hold on his waist tightening, only for a moment, and the girl made a dirty mouth-sound. Just a small, repressed groan. If it wasn't plain enough, Navy was enjoying a lot her time with him. Making the sound was okay - she doubted he'd mind. And she was right 'cause his... tongue went in her, and... went around her fangs, then pushed on the top and bottom of her mouth, movement in him gone almost shushed as Navy's whole inside ofher face got licked an tuched and kissded and... fuck... HUH. Controlled. Upright. Kissing back. Not folding like a cheap plastic table. Yes. Hehh... No moving or going anywhere, just kissing, him to her, and the other way; trying to make him feel good, and the other way...

Wet noses tickled each other when their heads changed tilt. Bottomless was the pit in her stomach, yet his poise slightly over Navy, as well as every other thing he did and they did together, forced it to sink deeper. God it was so fucking hot.

His shirt, by manners and urges unknown prior to them being acted on, was untucked so he could be held better - fur to fur. Light sweat carried from his torso to her... Unideal compared to them being fresh, clean, and scented with fancy soaps that made Case smell like... wood-chippings, and her wearing one that'd be pas... pastel flowers... or... lav...

DO not... break the kiss. Don't let th-

... Okay the lid could (did) burst off; an unyielding barrier which at some point kept her from doing things liked too much of a stupid idit flew righ off 'cause his handwas on Navy's tummy like bare not through the shirt so her feet could go upup all the way out, toes crammed and pushging on each other. The room was so still and all she could see was him and all she could hear was the sound of her messing up and stopping their kiss and starting it again - not before breathing, "Ffhhhuh... MMmmhh..."

Five tips and a palm glided up, raising her shirt with them, to the connecting strap of her bra. While she was stiff and shaky and unable to rub his side like she had been, he was smooth, playing at the material of her top underwear, skimming its edges, picking up its middle, trancing and waking her to his glances, dark pelt, caressing tongue... Navy did...

In one swipe her bra went up enough for the girl's chest to expose if not for her shirt, one of her breasts cupped and groped. She h-had to let their kiss go; her posture had to slip; her eyelids had to go almost shut; she had to moan scarcely muted; his bolstering had to be the only reason her neck didn't give and roll... It had to... Sometimes he'd squeeze it like from the outer curve pushing in, or he'd smush it, or just feel around, or guide it and press all her... sen-sitive... nerves around the areola and her nipples... where he was holding and touching~

... It was... more flattering to reorient so she did... again. A dreamy face made it easier to relax, put herself in order, and... deal with her situation. There was no "getting off", mind. Massages didn't get people off. But they did; for example, firm contact on her - that did great, almost so much she forgot about kissing and how every sense-able inch of her wanted more. Wellwell well... not literally all of her... some bits were off limits for the amorous stuff.

Sneaking an arm away from him... Navy wouldn't communicate with language for fear of throwing up so she did a sound at him while pulling his hand from where it should be so the tiger could pull her shirt off to show her white belly and chest and yeah she told a fib earlier. From the hips up she was totally naked... Boys wanted to see girls with their boobs out so he should like it... suggesting Navy had the faintest iota of knowledge what he wanted, sexually or otherwise. He was looking, though... and they were a fine shape, Navy thought... a bit smaller but guys could fancy those, too. She and he were both fit. Couldn't avoid admitting he was in better shape... and was a looker without his shirt on... not that he had to have it off to look good... or that she specifically remembered him partially in the nude... because that would be weird...

Oh that flew right by but he, uh, took his belt off and undid his shirt and yep he took that off too... Why the hell was he following her lead?!

...

Uhm...

Case wasn't sitting idle. Navy wasn't, either. That's because... the fib she told was really big, actually, resulting in both of them... knowing. Like... her thighs loosened, lower spine arched and upper straightened to make her chest appear curvier, to make her waist appealing and accentuate the navel, shoulders rounded back to look smoother, daintier, and more girlish. None of that was explicitly intended, or done all at once, or specifically noticed by him... but c'mon. Whatever he bent to do, Navy wouldn't know because she grabbed him by the wrist... and lifted them from the bed, and stole a long peck on his lips, foot tiptoed and fawning as the button she held finally managed to pop undone, zipper next, and her in his pants without a second spared to decide what the fuck she was doing. Case gave in return - a kiss and her pants coming loose.

One not long after the other, his dropped and were kicked somewhere, socks included, then hers. They were entirely off of anything to cover them, bodies shown to the room and their partner, cold sweats snapped over the girl while she tried to find a spot to hold him... or... No. They came apart, initiated by Navy, and now he was idle, her still not so much. Admiring him did build courage... "Desire plus abandon" was a more accurate way of putting it. Covering the line down her groin's middle didn't have a point, and would be unfair since he had no inclination like Navy's - wasn't averting her sight of him, either. They'd been like this before, so it wasn't a secret. Next, then, was how to... do what she was there for. Definitely no sense in modesty once... Yeah.

Behind him, beside Navy's bed, was a decent empty space of wall, a shallow dresser waist-ish-high. Rounding him to it, she put one cheek to the green paint in her room, where... she'd have to somehow... Normal hand on the dresser, other arm pinned up top... or both crossed on the wall... or, uh, both could go down- NOpe, that hurt a lot... They all sucked. None were comfortable... but the first was least sucky, maybe. So, that ordeal settled, she... tried to recover the sexy mood by maintaining a curve to her back despite mostly staying straight upright, then presented her butt.

Case was in view during all of her shuffling in place. It was hardly how she wanted... It was what came to mind, alright?? Why would she know sex positions? The more she held this stupid pose the worse it felt - 'specially the hard wall... Could be better that than having a ponder about Case seeing her prostrated, naked, looking back at him with a horrible expression of, "Does this work?" Fuck... at least her legs were closed, so she wasn't uncouth in the open, as it were - an unconfronting way to say she hadn't yet displayed to a str-...

... Two weights, separated to shoulder and waist, aligned Navy down somewhat and with her rear more out, the angle seeming a l-lot more reasonable to do things with and he would know, so... Her complaint about the wall dulled, Case propping her bad arm aloft partly, crescent of his thumb to index under it, unconscious crossing of her calves noticed and not undone. Case pushed up almost to her, teasing the fat of her thighs, asking her to open them.

"Wh-w-what... do..." Navy gulped dry. "What do I do?"

A note of surprise vanished as soon as it appeared. "Well," he started to guide, still playing with her skin and fur, "you should relax like last time. Then keep your knees from bending, and your hips up. If you want it deeper you'll have to bend over more; if you close these, it might hurt."

"Uh-huh..." What'd he say?

Plying again for her to spread, Case held and fondled her ass, exposing - by the feel of somehow cool air on it was how she knew suddenly - the pucker of her butthole. Should she have prepared for that? Yes. Did she appreciate it even a little? N... No. Did Case put their hips... His dick was rubbing between her butt cheeks, jumping and pulsing as it got bigger little by little, Navy's lower half soothed, gladly yet not purposefully, to allow him, a sticky, lewd, slick *sq* to join her discovery of a pulse down there, the peak of her genitals wanting for stimulation almost out of nowhere. Like direct stimulation; grabbing, rubbing, anything... But it was worst deepest.

Too fast and too slow, the top part of his hard member slid down, getting a flinch out of her on the hole she absolutely did not want it in, right after put where Case had to reach in and spread her labia. Where Navy liked most, he bowed over her, nearly mouth to neck, hand by hers, and pushed it in.

The tiger would not yip or coo... verbally. But if he liked that she would to get him to go faster, to make the tremble in her body from pleasure and not nerves, to get his penis to gape her tight vagina over and over, in out in out, and... an... and to have him push harder when their hips met; he should go in, all the way in, and grind it on the opening to her womb, and she'd get shoved on the wall with him over her, Navy under his heed and...

"Are you alright?" he uttered.

"... Mhe?"

Looks like she had zoned out, Case as far in as he could go at this angle, dresser rocked forward to the wall, a scratching motion at it somewhat matching the throbs in her groin. They really needed to kiss like this but turning around wouldn't be the same and he'd have to pull out probably and she... nodded - that she was okay.

"... Don't try to hold the sounds in, if you want to make them," Case murmured from behind, "The walls are thick enough and... it doesn't matter. Just don't force anything."

"Would you like them?" she struggled back.

His answer wasn't instant, and was reluctant. "... Yeah, I would."

The refocus to her sensitive parts cracked out a lusting, "Uhghhheh~" and who fucking cares if that was flattering she just wanted him. to. go. agaaaainnnnn... C'mon...

To entice and prepare Navy he pushed all the way for a flicker, eyes singing upward and butt smooshing on his hip bone, face pinched on the wall. Hips wagged once as he drew out, then more when all her fleshy pink ribs were parted and strained; it wasn't so tight as last time, though her constant, needy squeezing made it about the same, only much, much more intense. It should last longer and she desperately argued for it to... How fast she came before was emb... em... "Gh... Mmm-m~"

Slide down. Move with him... Point out, head so smashed her spine hurts - but keep its pretty curve. His hand goes on her waist, there's an almost gross sound she likes as his dick gets closer to her, and when its taken, a pleasant shove when he pushes in and down, her whole physical being made to feel their own special feelings while her cervix getting touched is all she fucking wanted just please go in, and more in, and bump it... Everything happened how she wished for, Navy sweating, elbows to the wood surface, constant, small vocalizations showing how happy she was, the dresser going *thk. thk. thk* with him... With her... With them. Closing her legs felt better, so she did, and whined at the build in her.

... Faster... and faster... and tender...

Case aligned with her posture, thrusts going and going, pulled out less and less, Nazy's deepest bit poked while she squirmed and tried to hump back, the grip her paws had on the carpet sliding away and needing great attention to stay in the right spot - where they could keep fucking. The grip on her waist loosened, caressing to her stomach then down to her groin, Case gently pressing her... c-clit wh... when he went i-in and she liked it a lot so made lots of dumb noises when he did that so h-h-he...

The peak in her groin got high over... and over... and over... and her arms went limp. Case had to hold her top up, the girl with only enough focus to stay standing. It felt so good; it felt too good. He kept holding and moving around her soft parts and they couldn't stop twitching. Her pussy couldn't stop vicing around his cock, testes gently plapping on his fingers which were right next to her pee-hole.

He was so nice, a-and he did it so carefully... for her, and she couldn't... Navy couldn't breathe, or say anything, or move by choice... There was only the constant, beating sting all over...

...

...

Air sucked in. "D-do it in m-mm-me please don' pu-ull out... Ininininininin meeee-e-e-ee...~" she pleaded.

Hit by a hammer, Navy came on him, into Case's hand. Everywhere stiffed, and where he touched tried in every way it could to keep him there, the girl ragged and panting, legs crossed. Planting her full weight on the furniture, Navy, amidst the throes, put her hand on the small of her back and grasped it out repeatedly, brushing his abdomen... until Case took her by the wrist. That was good enough and she kept fucking go-oing, and he never gave her clit a break, soft as he was. He'd shoved all the way in and twitched and made Navy groan without refrain... for what felt like minutes on end.

While the orgasm did fade... pulses in her body stayed and made her stay, and made them stay together; that was the only reason she had energy enough to not go to her knees, Navy's willpower popped like a balloon while she snatched impossibly at air. Thrum and thrum... so many times... and they should stay forever - Navy could stay touching him forever.

... Pulling out didn't hurt... or at least it wasn't right to call it "physically painful". He did it slow, halting when she made too agitated a plea, gradually working himself out and letting go, the final *plp* of him removed effectively shutting down her body, Navy dropping to her knees like expected, turned into a debilitated, exhausted thing that only felt capable of drooping onto whatever was in front.

Kneeling to stroke her shoulder blade, Case didn't speak... and the tiger contemplated herself.

Gathering enough strength to, Navy heaved the apology away from him, "... I'm s-sorry. I-I know you di'n't finish, and I want you to... *gulp* but I c-can't; too much..."

Case said in response, "That's okay."