Apocalypsis 02 - Warpaint

worry about it.” I stood to go, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back down. I fell awkwardly into a sitting position.
    “No, dat’s not what I mean. Stop runningk away from me all da time.”
    I gave him a half smile. “I’m not running away.”
    “Yes, you are. You are a fraidykind. Always running from Bodo. I know. You findt me very hot stuff. I can see dat. But you don’t need to go. I’m not gonna hurt you.”
    I pulled my hand from his grip. “If your head gets any bigger, it’s gonna pop like that tick on Buster’s neck.”
    “No, it’s okay. My head is only a little bit bigk. Because I know dat you can have any of dese indian guys for your new boyfriend if you want. All you haff to do is say, Hey dare, indian boy. Come and be my lover man … and dey will come to you, very happy.”
    I laughed. “You’re nuts.”
    “No. I am totally serious right now. It doesn’t happen very offen, so you have to belief me. I am telling you dis becauss I want to be da one.”
    “The one what?”
    “Da one who is your boyfriend. I want to be Mr. Bryn.”
    I totally giggled. I could not help myself. But then I tried to get a straight face back on because this was too hilarious and awesome to let go. “You want to be Mr. Bryn?”
    “Yeah. Dat’s what I said. So what do you say about dat? You want me to be Mr. Bryn?”
    I stared him right in the eyes. “What’s in it for me?” I raised an eyebrow in challenge. I have no idea where my balls where coming from.
    He smiled devilishly. “Well, dare’s a big list, in fact, of da things dat come with Bodo’s affection. One, of course, you get Bodo.” He raised his eyebrows and then gave me a profile pose, putting his forefinger on his chin.
    “Keep going,” I said wryly.
    “Okay, dare’s more. You get all of my muscles.” With that he whipped his shirt off and gave me a double bicep flex that made my heart stop for a second.
    “And …?”
    “Well, hmmm …” he dropped his arms. “I thought dat was pretty good stuff dare. But, let me think …” He perked up and pointed his finger. “Oh, yes, of course. You also get all dose cuddle things dat Peter talks about.”
    I frowned. “Has Peter been trying to get you to cuddle with him?”
    “No, don’t be silly. I don’t like to cuddle boys. I hear him talkingk to da dog all da time. Peter needs a cuddle, and I don’t know how much longer he’ss gonna be happy with da doodle-machine’s luff alone.”
    I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Poor Peter. He really did need some affection. And I didn’t care that I wasn’t his type. He was going to get some cuddles from me anyway. Operation Cuddle Peter was now officially underway. I spied him over at the pantry, organizing our canned goods. Again. Sometimes I moved them slightly, just to give him something to do.
    “Hey, Peter … could you come here for a second?”
    “What are you gonna do?” whispered Bodo, putting his shirt back on. His hair stood on end when he was done, making my heart melt just a little. I reached out to push it back into place and he grabbed my hand. It was warm and solid. “I hope you’re gonna think about my offer,” he said, all seriousness now.
    “I’ll consider it,” I said, unwilling to give him any more of an answer than that just yet. I was thrilled with the prospect; but I decided that I needed to know him more. And I had to find out where exactly he’d been and what he’d been up to before meeting up with Peter and me.
    Plus, I had some cuddling to take care of.
    Peter came walking up, already looking tired. “What?” he asked, standing next to my seated form.
    “Come sit her for a sec.” I patted the mattress next to me.
    Peter sat down. “What do you want?” he said, sounding dejected.
    “I want … a cuddle!” I yelled, springing into action, tackling him down on the mattress, giving him a huge bear hug. I didn’t squeeze too hard because I was afraid I’d break him, but I did it firmly enough that he wouldn’t be able to escape.
    “What in the … Bryn! Get the heck off me, you lunatic!” he yelled.
    “No! Operation Cuddle Peter is in full effect!” I yelled back, laughing.
    Peter struggled, sounding more bemused than anything else. “What are you talking about? Bryn …? Get off me you spaz!”
    “No. Cuddle me.” I started snorting into his neck.
    He was giggling now, still struggling but losing some of his strength. “Stop! I’m ticklish! Not in my neck! Aaahh!”
    “Oh,