#beyond reality

pages from Beyond Reality vol.1 no.3, march 1973

Atomic Aggressor - "Beyond Reality" from Bloody Ceremonial (1989)

With one last glance at them snuggled up under the blanket -and with a horde of meowths surrounding them- you tiptoed back to the living room where Nanu laid stretched out on his couch, TV remote in hand. He had one leg hanging over the edge of the couch, the rest of his body covered in a grey, lamb faux fur throw.

You brought it for him on the way to his home after he called for you. You bought yourself a blue one of the same fabric as the air was getting chilly and you would need that extra warmth. Cause why would he share his?

And to run your hand through the fur.

It surprised you that he would use it so quickly - his old throw on a chair in the kitchen area- but it made you happy to know it wasn't going to waste.

You grabbed your own throw that you placed on the coat rack and placed yourself on the ground in front of the TV, your back resting on the couch and Nanu's remote holding arm just to your right.

He grunted at your arrival, his arm moving up slowly to change the channel. He flipped through a few before leaving it on a Sinnoh channel, a Pokemon contest you found yourself watching here and there. How he knew you watched this, you would never know.

Ha. Let's be real. Him and the professor talk all the time about you.

His arm fell back to the ground as you turned towards him.

"So, grandpa." His eyes snapped to your face. "What did you call me here for?"

After a slow blink, his eyes traveled back to the screen. "Can I not just want your presence beside me?"

You shuffled around until you were on your knees, facing him. Cherry colored orbs looked through you, sending a shiver through your body.

Ignoring the obvious tension, you batted your eyelashes.

"Oh ho! So you missed me?"

Cue the world's slowest blink from the cat master. "Now, I never said that. We actually have some things to discuss. "

You fell back onto your butt, wrapping the throw around your tighter. "Like?" You drew out.

"Well, for starters... " He scratched his chin with his free hand. "You punching a civilian-"

"He had it coming!" You jumped up, yelling, while pointing his finger at Nanu. "He only had himself to blame. "

How many times will this man sigh in a span of a few minutes? With a grunt, he managed to get himself into a lounge position.

"And why did he?"

You opened your mouth, ready to go off, when you remembered that you actually couldn't. Yes, Guzma shows signs of abuse and all the theories about him connect perfectly.

But you -a stranger to everyone on the island- shouldn't even know this. Can't say that within the hour that you were with Guzma, he bared open his soul to you. Nanu would just go and try to confirm it.

Slumping back to the ground, with no clear alibi and an assault charge hanging over you, you threw the plush throw over your head.

"Nothing, huh?" Nanu asked, voice muffled because of your current position.

You pouted, creating a small hole to peek out. "Can I at least have a gold and purple jumpsuit? To still look fabulous?"

He blinked, slowly leaning his body forward -a hand outstreched- until it rested on top of the blanket where your head protruded. "Putting you in jail will more than likely make things worse. "

You mumbled under your breath. He rubbed his hand on top of your head before you felt it travel down to where your shoulder was. Nanu gripped your shoulder, whatever he said next completely muffled. Peeking again, you asked what he said.

He only shook his head, leaning back while letting his throw fall off his shoulder some. His legs were already spread apart but, with a pat right in between, Nanu let them open just a bit more.

"Come 'ere."

"Nah."

You shook your head, covering your face once more and falling over to the side. You rolled over onto your stomach and caterpillared your way across the floor.

Your face was beginning to burn. You knew he didn't mean any thing...sexual. At least.

You thought he didn't.

A yelp escaped from you when the feeling of a foot pressed on the middle of your back. Another yelp escaped when you felt yourself be lifted off the ground.

Well, ain't this some deja vu.

It was only a few seconds - and a few rearrangements of your body- before you were in an upright sitting position. In between Nanu's legs.

Swiftly, your uncovered your head, glaring at the older male over your shoulder. He didn't even have the nerve to look at you. Instead, he used his hand to turn your head back foreward. His arms wrapped around you - his blanket in tow- and you found yourself in an even warmer position.

You hummed, leaning back into the officer. "Alright. I can live with this."

Nanu laughed.

Which is just pushing air out of his nostrils and let his chin rest on her shoulder. "I figured as much," he mumbled. "It's freezing in here."

"You should get you an electric heater," you proclaimed, letting your hand up to point a finger in the air.

He raised a brow. "With all these crazy kittens? I don't think so kid."

You groaned, throwing your head back as best as you could. "Are you saying that they're that stupid to stick a paw in the thing?"

His immediate 'yes' made you giggle.

"Then maybe a fireplace!" You began to wriggle at the thought. "Sitting down in front of a warm fire, the glow of it giving the room a cozy feel. And a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings." Your hands cupped your cheeks, the thought of hot cocoa making you drool.

You continued to ramble on about him having a fireplace, pointing out places he could house it if he just moved a few things around.

And not once did you hear Nanu object.