Made for Each Other
Co-written with: A'Phrionnsa Fala

Warnings: The slash has officially struck home in this chapter. Kissing. But that's all. Just thought I oughta let you guys know.

Story Notes: I guess you could call this the conclusion of this chapter of the epic arc of Wilt and Eduardo's relationship. But it certainly isn't the end of these stories, there are many more things these two get up to, so keep an eye out for coming additional stories. Given we have near 500 pages of work between us sitting on my hard drive, you guys will be seeing more of these things for a while to come yet.

FYI these few chapters only touched on 36 full pages of the 500. But later chapters will be getting a heavier rating.

Mercifully, the time passed fairly swiftly. Eduardo waited on Wilt hoof and foot, taking every measure to ensure him a speedy recovery. And always with that same little smile, that same shy warmth. Wilt found himself growing even fonder of the other friend, his guardian, as the days flew by. Within two and a half weeks, he was nearly able to walk on his own again, though Eduardo ghosted behind him like a puppy, ready to catch him should he fall. It was the mid afternoon, and Eduardo had told Wilt to wait on the couch while he went to get him tea. It was almost four o'clock after all, and like clockwork for the past two weeks he had brought Wilt tea. At first he'd been a tad clumsy, but by now he was carrying the heavily laden tray like a professional. He side swiped from stepping on an Imaginary Friend the size of a mouse back into the lounge, setting it down on the small coffee table. "I bring you usual choice, Wilt!" Eduardo almost sang out as he opened the box, doing to Wilt what he did for him all those weeks back. "Pick and choose!"

"You really don't miss a thing, Ed," Wilt commented, peering into the box. "I'll have the decaf today," he selected a light blue packet from the box. "Herbal's good for aches and pains." as he watched Eduardo go about fixing the tea, he grinned, "It's so cool of you to just take care of everything like this. I swear, I'll make it up to you once this silly leg of mine heals up." he gestured toward the offending limb, still heavily bandaged, but in much better shape than before.

"Oh no be silly!" Eduardo waved a hand in a dismissing way, pouring the hot water into Wilt's cup first. He continued to talk as he added the right amount of sugar, as well as creamer. "No have to pay me back, I like to help you out! Wilt so nice when first I arrive, now has been my time to repay." that and he enjoyed every waking moment being in Wilt's presence, but he wasn't about to say that. He handed him the cup, and began work on his own tea now. "Now is fair." he nodded, tail wagging a bit.

"If you say so." Wilt shrugged accepting the cup and sipping, "But once I'm back on my feet again, we can do all sorts of stuff. I can teach you to play basketball."

They'd watched a lot of that on TV, Wilt cheering on any team he could, showing his love of the game rather then teams. The game had confused Eduardo at first, but soon enough he knew the rules, not by heart, but enough to know what was right and wrong. All the players were so tall - Wilt was definitely built for the game, with his long legs and long arm. Eduardo smiled a bit, "Sí, sí! I learn to play - but I not be as good as you are." he didn't have to guess Wilt would be great on the basketball court. Wilt grinned.

"Ah, I'm not that great. I'm just really tall, so it's kind of hard for me to miss. Actually, I'm probably pretty rusty. I mean, I practice by myself all the time, but I haven't actually played with anyone else since... well, since I came here." a look of nostalgia and sadness flickered behind Wilt's good eye before he shrugged it off. "And you'll be fine! If you can move as fast on the court as you can in front of an oncoming car, you've got nothing to worry. Plus, you've got another arm on me." Wilt winked and sipped his tea.

"I learn, I learn real good." Eduardo persuaded him, nodding. He had learned how to speak English pretty fast after all, and Wilt had helped him learn how to tell the time more properly. But physical sports... eh, he wasn't sure if that was his forte or not. He'd find out soon enough after all. But he had still seen that look on Wilt's face, and he scooted closer just a bit out of concern, but also using the opportunity to move closer too. "Wilt, is you okay?" he asked, concern lining his voice.

The couch seemed to shift beneath Wilt as Eduardo moved closer, stirring his heart to a clipped beat, though he couldn't for the life of him understand why... "Yeah, I'm fine, Ed. I guess I was just thinking about when my little boy taught me how to play basketball. If you don't feel up to it, that's totally okay! I just thought..." he trailed off, uncertain, then shifted gears. "It's so silly," Wilt managed a small little laugh, "When I played with my Teddy, he was so small, I used to lift him up to the basket so he could make a shot. I had two arms back then. I wasn't always like this." he gestured toward the remains of his arm and his face, still maintaining a smile. It was small, but genuine. "Doesn't really matter now. Even if I did have both arms now, I probably couldn't lift you up." Wilt just laughed it off with a short exhalation, "Don't worry about it. It's just silly. It's not your problem."

Eduardo looked at the stub of an arm sadly, his lower lip quivered for a moment. He always felt sorry for Wilt's missing arm, but he never wanted to make it seem like he was feeling too sorry for him. Wilt didn't seem to like that. "...I still think you good how you is now." he said, meaning every word more then Wilt knew. Wilt laughed a bit.

"Thanks, Ed. You know, I'm surprised you weren't scared of me when we first met. Usually people are all freaked out over all these scars. It's not their fault. I mean, it's not every day you see someone with a missing arm and a wonky eye." he shrugged, gesturing toward the mangled eyestalk, which bobbled as he moved his head.

"Yours is sweetest eyes I ever see." Eduardo replied, well before he even realised what his mouth was saying. He stopped, biting his lower lip. Think fast, think fast. "I mean, is.. is good! You.. yes... eye... nice... sí..." he flitted about like a butterfly caught in a crosswind. Plus he was definitely a deeper shade of red and his heart had increased it's speed.

Wilt blinked, amazed. "Um... thanks, Ed." he noticed that Ed was blushing and realized he could feel himself blushing inexplicably as well... he thanks the powers that be for his red colouring and its ability to camouflage a blush. An awkward little laugh tumbled off of his tongue, "Funny to hear that coming from someone with such big, sweet eyes like a puppy. And two of them to boot. You're... really sweet, Eduardo." his hand lifted to grip at his shoulder, a trademark Wilt-gesture of shyness brought on by compliments.

Eduardo actually giggled at his compliment, putting a hand to his mouth. He turned redder, now almost matching skin tone to Wilt's. "You is too kind. Too kind." he mumbled. "You is kind all the time, to everyone, that is meaning muchos to me most for.. for you bestest amigo I have. I have many amigo's before, but you, you is my favouritestest bestest one I am ever having." now he could hardly stop the words falling out of his mouth, so he firmly shut his teeth to stop himself before he said anymore. This had become very embarrassing yet so uplifting.

Wilt couldn't respond to that. It was all welling up inside him. Everything he'd ever though of himself, everything he'd ever thought that others thought of him, all of it, threatening to spill over. He chanced a glance over at Eduardo and was slightly alarmed at what he saw. Shocked out of any emotion that had threatened to overwhelm him, Wilt placed his hand on his friend's shoulder, he could almost feel the other friend's temperature rising beneath his very palm. "Ed... you're shaking..." he leaned in close, concerned, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he could feel it all pressing down on them "...are you okay?"

This innocent act just made Eduardo shake even worse, he leant slightly (like a fraction of an ich) away from Wilt; his breathing quickening now. It felt like his heart was quite ready to beat itself right out of his chest and all he could do was stare at Wilt like a deer caught in the oncoming headlights of an eighteen wheeler. His voice finally pushed itself up through his throat, but after a lot of struggling. "I... I is... is... I..." his voice, sure, but the words were another story. His voice was shaking as bad as his body was, but suddenly the small fraction of his spine suddenly snapped into position. Eduardo suddenly grabbed Wilt by the shoulders with his hooves. His eyes were wide, realising just what's about to spill out of his mouth and he knows he can't stop it. The words he's wanted to say for the past few weeks, that he had invisioned himself saying under much calmer situation, and probably a different place all together. Too bad he forgot to say them in English. "Usted no ve?" (don't you see?) he asked, almost breath taken already. "¡Te quiero!" he pulled Wilt down suddenly, kissing him. But not on the cheek this time, but fully on the mouth - and this was the first time he'd ever kissed anyone like this. The warmth was overwhelming, and feeling Wilt's lips (even unresponsive) against his own sent sparks up Eduardo's spine. It was amazing. It was better then anything he'd ever felt before. But the nerves slowly dissolved in the heat, and he let go of Wilt - looking shocked at himself. "I, I sorry, I so sorry I.. I... waaagh!" with that he leapt off the back of the couch and took off running. Causing a new hole to take residence in the wall.

As Wilt felt the hooves leave his shoulders, he nearly collapsed on the couch. What...? What had just happened? One minute, he had simply been inquiring as to whether or not his friend was all right, then all of a sudden, he was seized and there was a short chain of Spanish and... Wilt's hand rose of its own volition, fingertips finding his mouth, which still burned with the afters... and he remembered. It was then that realisation bloomed over him like a bloody sunrise, beautiful, blinding and fiery. "Eduardo..." he didn't speak the name... rather, he breathed it softly through his fingers, as if hesitant to let it escape.

Eduardo finally collapsed after running for... almost an entire ten minutes. He didn't even get very far, he had just ran around Foster's. Upstairs, downstairs, outside, inside - causing all kind of havoc since he ground kind of shook when he ran due to his massive size. Breathing heavily, he heaved and wiped his brow - he knew he hadn't escaped anything at all. He'd still done that - that... whoa, that thing that sent shivers up his spine. It was amazing, he couldn't deny himself that. He pushed the door open of his room, gulping audibly, for he knew Wilt would return soon. Eduardo stomped up to the bed, and slowly climbed up to his mattress and pulled the sheets over him despite him sweating up a storm already. Some kind of barrier to help shield himself from the realisation he just totally changed his relationship with Wilt forever. Will he be angry with him? Oh no, what if he asks if he'd get another room entirely? He shuddered under the sheet, terrified of a life knowing Wilt would hate him.

Wilt wasn't sure how long he sat on that couch, utterly lost and unsure what to feel. He eventually ghosted away when a few of the younger friends popped in (through the Eduardo hole, natch) to watch their afternoon kids' TV. Even as he stalked down the halls, he wasn't sure where he was going... he might not know Spanish, but Eduardo's eyes had spoken all he needed to know... his eyes and his mouth. Wilt found his hand rising to his lips again, disbelief and amazement still sparking hotly from them. Eduardo had... Eduardo was... Eduardo l-... Wilt was jolted out of his fugue when he realised where his feet had carried him. He was now standing in front of the door to their room. Knowing he couldn't hide from this, he lifted his shaking hand and rapped on the wood of the door very carefully, as if it might shatter.

"H… hola…" Eduardo heard himself answer, not moving an inch from under the bed sheet. He had heard the familiar squeaking of Wilt's sneaker's slowly approaching the door, plus the strides matched what he knew to be Wilt's injured footfalls. Taking a deep breath, Wilt turned the knob and slipped into the room. The only source of light was Eduardo's nightlight, burning in the far corner, and he could only just make out Eduardo's huge shape in the top bunk. Steadying himself in more ways than one, Wilt hobbled over to the bunks. Careful of his leg, he stepped onto the bottom bunk so that he could rest his elbow and arm stump on Eduardo's mattress.

"Um, Ed?" he ventured at last, hoping he didn't sound as shaky as he felt, "About what happened downstairs... is… is there something you wanted to say to me?" he edged closer, straining to see in the darkness, hoping he'd catch the glint of an eye, or... something. "You know you can tell me anything."

"S-sí.. I.. I know that..." Eduardo muffled back, feeling much hotter now. The combination of his running around, with the blanket, and knowing Wilt was mere inches away from him… it made it all the more stuffier under the sheet. Sighing, he slowly pulled it down inch by inch until he saw Wilt's face. He gripped the blanket, and froze up once more, unsure of what to say or do. His mind raced through the possibilities – all of them ridiculous. His eyes shut tightly. "I sorry Wilt, I no mean to... to be like... like..." oh great, his words were being lost again. "You... you just... I mean... you..." he swallowed dryly, opening his eyes to look into Wilt's one good eye sadly. "...señor Wilt, yoouu..." he dragged the words over his tongue. "...I-I... really really like you." the word 'love' had been used before, but now he realised that word was very strong. Too strong. Too quick. After all, Wilt had only told him mere weeks ago he really liked him, he hadn't jumped into it with the 'love' word like he had.

Wilt was silent for a moment and both of them could feel the proverbial wheels, turning. The darkness seeming to churn round them... finally, like a light bulb stuttering to life, Wilt spoke. "I... I don't know what to say. If you're saying what I think you're saying..." he swallowed, "I'm sorry. It's just... no one has ever said anything like that to me before." he took a moment to breath, then screwed up his courage. "If it's okay to ask... what brought this on? I mean... what made you feel this way... about me?"

Eduardo's eyes lowered a bit, and he forced himself to breath since he realised he'd been holding his breath throughout Wilt's words. "Is... is hard to point out... but... but after accident..." he pulled the blanket closer to himself a bit, eyes shutting. Why did he have to be so afraid to say what he wanted, he didn't know, he was just glad Wilt had learnt to deal with him like this. When no one else hadn't. "A.. after my wash, you... you grab my hand, say you like my fur." his eyes slowly opened, his gaze drifting to look at Wilt but he quickly looked away again, blushing madly. "...and that you really like me. But before that, I… I feel happy with you, more happy then before ever... I... I see that... that brought on this..." but it was a million other things as well as that. Wilt had been the one to find him, the one who stuck with him even when he made so many mistakes and got told off. When he was afraid of the dark it was Wilt who had gone to find a night light for him. It was always Wilt who had been there for him, and that meant the world to Eduardo. Wilt meant the world to him. He just couldn't say it. Not yet. One day, but right now he was tongue-tied.

Wilt blinked, confused. "I don't remember ever saying that..."

Eduardo almost felt his heart smash into pieces - he could have broken down in a torrent of tears nothing would have stopped. Did you just imagine that he said it? Maybe he didn't mean it and he just never told you so. The one you care about so much doesn't feel the same way. Feeling the hurt wafting off of his friend in waves, Wilt panicked. "Oh no, I didn't mean it like that! It must've been the pain medication messing with me or something. I really like your fur." to prove it, he slid his hand under the blanket and ran his fingers through the fur of Eduardo's shoulder, taking a moment to marvel at how soft it really was "I... I do like it." he took a deep breath, feeling truth boiling behind the raging self-consciousness. He spoke quietly, truthfully, his hand still moving over the soft fur. "And I do like you, Ed. I like you a lot."

Feeling Wilt's only hand moving through his fur sent shock waves up Eduardo's spine. He shivered against it, his eyes slowly shutting and a smile dragged itself across his face. Why bother hiding it now, how big a smile Wilt's touch and presence alone could bring wash itself on his features. He'd hidden it with a shy one for so long… so why hide it now? Wilt made him feel... happy. Overly happy. The kind of happy that made him feel like he could explode, then reform and do it all over again just for the thrill of it. And all for Wilt. Without knowing it one of his hoofed hands placed itself on Wilt's hand, holding it gently. "I is grateful..." he whispered deeply. "So... so much..."

Wilt felt his heart bounce as Eduardo covered his hand with his cloven hoof. It was all so much... days ago, he'd have happily vied to remain physically distant from everyone forever. However, now that all of this had been turned upside down and tossed out of the window, he found himself utterly breathless at it all. He knew there would still be issues that were bound to come up. Some scars never healed, after all. However, what he was feeling now was terrifying, overwhelming and ungodly beautiful. In what could only be described as a leap of faith, he used the remains of his other arm to brace himself a little higher up on the bed. He felt an aura of disappointment roll off of Eduardo when he slid his hand from underneath the other friend's hoof. However, before Eduardo could blink, that hand found the side of his face and Wilt was leaning in closer, closer, till he had touched Ed's lips gently with his own.

Eduardo's eyes, that were already the size of dinner plates, almost doubled in size. This was the last thing he suspected, but while his brain was now burning with a million thoughts at once, one of his arms worked itself around Wilt's thin body to hold onto him. Holding onto the moment for as long as he could, and he kissed him back. Not as harshly as he had downstairs, that one had been so abrupt. This one... this time, he could feel that warmth fill him from the feet up. Or was it from his head down? It was hard to tell, because this had to be one of the most beautiful moments in all his life. But far too quickly he realised he had to breath, but breathing meant he had to release one of his holds on Wilt - the one he especially didn't want to. Very slowly, very slightly he stopped but didn't pull back or move away. Was he panting? It was hard to hear, his heart was once again beating so loud it almost drowned every other sound out. Wilt felt Eduardo slowly break away, his breathing once again having grown short. Wilt realised he, himself was a bit short of breath and also, he was trembling slightly. Had he actually just done that? Where had that courage come from? Was it too fast? Too soon? Wilt swallowed carefully, willing the shivers not to find their way into his voice. "I-I'm sorry, Ed... was that okay?"

"El sorprender... maravilloso..." Eduardo mumbled, slightly amazed he could have found his voice so quickly. The hot sensation still lingered on his lips, and it was fuelling the fire demon that had apparently moved into his stomach. He almost felt drunk, even if he'd never gotten drunk before.

In spite of it all, Wilt felt a little laugh bubbling out him. He'd have to add a Spanish-to-English dictionary to Frankie's next grocery list. "If you say so, Ed." Wilt said, grinning uncontrollably. Eduardo suddenly reddened, almost matching Wilt's colour scheme with his face. The fire demon had let butterflies in, and was busy trying to catch them with a net but it wasn't working too well.

"Sorry... I... I forget..." he apologised, he knew Wilt didn't know that many Spanish words. He'd have to teach him some. "...oh!" he just now realised Wilt was still standing while he was still in bed, like a lazy bump on a log being sat on by a frog. "I sorry Wilt I... you want me to bring you up or.. or I sit down?"

Wilt felt his heart fluttering like a humming bird. He laughed a bit to himself again, the mirth rising with his unseen blush. "Whatever you want, Ed. It's up to you. Only... I don't know if I can get up to your bunk. This leg has a ways to go yet." he managed to add.

"I help you, I help you good!" Ed gushed, and sure enough he did. He sat up - pushing the blanket off of himself and actually pulled Wilt up into his arms. Very easily, given his strength combined with how light Wilt actually is. Soon enough Wilt found himself sat on the top bunk besides Eduardo. Wilt just sat there for a moment, happily stunned. Finally cracking into about his frillionth nervous chuckle that night, he stretched out his legs - biting back a yelp at the twinge of pain in his injured leg - and reclined. He was smiling, waiting. Eduardo joined him in the nervous chuckling, tapping his hoofed hands together. He wasn't sure what to say now, or what to do exactly.

"Uhmmm..." what to do what to do... He coughed, then nervously put one of his arms around Wilt - not sure his reaction would be, of course. They might have just kissed like something out of an old movie, but this... well, old movies rarely showed what happened after the kissing. They always faded out to black. Wilt sighed gently, though his heart was still pounding fit to burst. The more he thought on it, the more he came to realise that he didn't trust people touching him because trust had hurt him before... Eduardo, however, was a Guardian Friend. He would never hurt Wilt and he watched over him, ensuring that harm never came to him. Never again. The tall Imaginary Friend tentatively looped his long arm round the other friend, also unsure how to proceed... he only knew that he could not remember feeling safer, more secure, in years. The horned Guardian sighed, almost heavenly before he leant a bit against Wilt. "I is so happy, Wilt..." he said, his tail thumping away at the mattress like a dog. He could slightly sense Wilt's nerves, and he didn't like knowing he felt nervous around him for any reason. "You is okay, sí?" he asked, raising his unibrow a bit. Wilt shifted just a bit in the bigger friend's arms so he could speak to him face-to-face.

"You know Ed, I'm not sure how I am right now… sorry, this is really new for me. Whatever it is, though, it's definitely not bad." he smiled, shifting his hand so that he could pat Eduardo's back, loving the feeling of the soft fur between his fingers.

"Is not bad?" Eduardo asked, smiling brightly. At least he didn't say it was awful, he's grateful for that much. He tilted his head a bit though, looking at Wilt quietly for a while. "...this no fast, is it?" he asked, finding it hard to really ask the question. Wilt just laid his head against Eduardo's own and the other friend could feel his mouth curving into a smile against his cheek.

"I'm not worried about it." he spoke quietly, letting his arm tighten a bit round Eduardo's massive middle, "I do know that I'm very happy tonight happened. Sorry, sorry, I'm going to get a little sappy, but I'd go so far as to say that I'm really happy to have you. I hope that's okay with you?"

"Sí, sí." Eduardo nodded a bit, "I happy you so happy with me, is time I make you as happy as you make me all this time." he concluded, given it made perfect sense to him. He didn't care how sappy Wilt would sound - he didn't know the meaning of the word, literally - as long as he was with Wilt, everything would be great. That was the long and short of it.

"Thank you, Ed. Really, thank you." Wilt breathed contentedly against Eduardo, feeling somehow sure of it all, of himself despite all of the uncertainty hurling itself round them. He nuzzled against Eduardo. "Good night," the words left him on a sigh and within moments, he was fast asleep. Eduardo watched him fall asleep quietly, before he lay back down himself slowly. He wrapped his arms around Wilt protectively, pulling him slightly onto him since the mattress was somewhat small for the two to fit at once. But with some moves on Eduardo's behalf, they fit. He pulled the bedsheet over himself and Wilt and shut his eyes - eventually drifting off himself into quite possibly one of the most pleasant sleeps he'd ever had.

The end of Seeking Shelter