Truly

Disclaimer: Courage the Cowardly Dog is not mine. Although I do own a dog, but she's a girl and not pink.

Warnings: Major character deaths, past physical abuses, and I may have made them into like, these human-like things... -cough- Look up Gijinka, it's really popular with Pokemon. Oh, and beware of OOC-ness because I'm pretty sure I was sleep deprived when coming up with this plot. Still, this story is an overall decent read.

...

"Her secret ingredient is – was vinegar," Courage murmured as he carefully tucked a box of cereal into the upper cabinet with some difficulty. He had to lean on his toes, one hand braced against an absurdly clean countertop for balance. His fingers precariously pushed the box (it was the old man's favorite: sugar covered bran) tentatively into the cabinet, hopefully without it falling on top of his head. "You can leave now that you know."

"No."

Courage froze, feeling the warmth of another against the length of his back, just barely touching but unnerving nonetheless for someone who had been denied touch since the…funeral.

"You make me sound like a bad person," Katz purred, his voice husky and warm like bourbon soaked razor blades, as he tucked the box of cereal into the cabinet with ease. Although that task was accomplished, he still insisted on the close proximity, his body like a heater against Courage's back. A few seconds of breathing, Courage realized Katz had essentially bodily entrapped Courage against him, his hands pressed on the countertop on either side of him.

"Because you are," Courage insisted with bated breath.

Katz saw the slight tremble along his thin shoulders as the young dog attempted to keep his fears at bay. His floppy dark ears, a contrast to his long, unruly pink hair, were pressed flat against his skull with fear. Usually he reveled in the fear of others, especially when directed toward him, but this case it was more agitating than anything else.

A slight inhalation of breath and Courage slowly turned around. His hands were in clenched in front of his chest, his fingers nervously playing with the large, frayed, pink sweater, a pitiful attempt to keep distance between himself and Katz. He had to look up, the top of his head barely passing Katz's chin which detracted from the intimidating gaze that Courage was going for, but one look in those slightly moist hazel eyes and the feline knew the other was serious.

"Go away," Courage choked. "There's nothing for you here." He paused before he added, "And I'm not selling you this land." He leaned upward, a moment of confidence flooding his system and spat out, "You'll only get it after removing my cold corpse from this house."

"Now, Courage," Katz smoothly murmured, raising one hand up to the dog's face. Courage openly flinched, causing the redhead to frown. "I'm not here to hurt you."

"Then leave," it was an attempt to sound forceful but sounded more like a weak plea.

Gently, Katz pressed his thumb against the corner of Courage's eye, wiping away the moisture that was threatening to spill onto ruddy, tanned cheeks. "I don't think I can, not knowing you're all alone here with their ghosts."

"They a-are – were," Courage blinked back more tears at the self-correction of tenses. It didn't work; they were already falling down and leaving Katz's hand wet. "My only family. I can't leave them alone."

No, no that was a lie.

Courage was weak; he did not think he could bear being alone again.

"I can't leave you alone," Katz murmured leaning forward. Courage's breath hitched as Katz's rough tongue carefully lapped at the trails of tears.

"What are you – mmpf – " Courage was cut off as his lips were sealed off.

He could taste the salty, bitter tang of his tears and something sweet and sultry, like dark chocolate and licorice in his mouth as Katz pressed his mouth to his in a kiss. Courage tried to fight it, he pushed against Katz's firm chest only to be pushed further against the countertop, the other's hands sliding underneath his pink sweater, his fingers so very carefully (because of his sharp claws) brushed against the soft skin of his back. Courage trembled, he could feel more tears spill from his closed eyes, fear and trepidation swirling in the pit of his stomach, spreading outward to the tips of his fingers as Katz kept pressing against his, cornered against the countertop and languidly tasting him.

Somewhere deep inside of him, Courage cringed at his baser instincts. He loved it, the feel of another body against his after so long b – but he knew Katz, knew that anything offered by this feline would end with loss. Courage only had this house, this plot of land, some greying chickens, and a rickety truck, they weren't much but they were Muriel and Eustace's; he was afraid of forgetting.

"Courage." Katz pulled away, licking his lips absently, savoring the taste of cotton candy and something so pure and clean, like fresh water after a delightfully grueling game of racket ball. Courage's face was flushed, not with delight at having a kiss from the legendary Katz, but something else – his eyes were clenched, tears streaming down his face, his body trembling and Katz idly wondered why that little area in his chest was clenching.

"If you're done making fun of me," Courage kept his eyes closed, his fingers digging into his sweater so hard that the tips of his fingers were white, "Leave."

"I'm not – "

"If you would get away from my twit of a dog," said a monotone voice – slightly tinged with an English accent and more noticeably, annoyance – stated from the doorway. "I would otherwise appreciate it."

Katz frowned, "Who are yo - ?"

In front of them stood a male, slightly shorter than Katz. His hair was a nearly unnatural shade of white, cropped short near his face but elsewhere long enough to touch his shoulder blades. His expression was deadpan, if a little bored, but his eyes – they were a sharp, piercing green –narrowed slightly and sparked with something shy of rage.

"Computer," Courage whispered, his body instantly recognizing his friend. His eyes were as wide as saucers.

"Obviously, you twit," Computer replied as he took several long strides forward and abruptly tugged Courage away from Katz's arms and behind him before the other realized what happened.

"Hey," dark eyes eyes narrowed.

Computer stuck out his tongue.

Courage blinked, mouth agape. His shock was momentary as Katz was rarely one to allow himself to be ignored.

The redhead took a step forward, "It's rude to force yourself into someone else's conversation." His hand reached for Courage, who was bracketed behind Computer's back, until it was slapped away by a quick slap of the hand from an annoyed Computer. Katz hissed, his pointed ears lying flat on his skull indicating his agitation.

"From a human's viewpoint," Computer said lowly, his grip on Courage tightening the slightest, "One would assume you were forcing yourself upon my housemate."

Katz remained silent, his fists balled up at his sides. After a moment, "It was hardly force. I am nothing but a gentleman." Katz skeptically eyed Computer as he stood protectively steadfast in front of Courage, "And housemate, hmm? I would be wary of your sudden appearance."

Courage peeked out from behind Computer, his fingers curled against Computer's bicep.

Computer did not budge, "My brief absence was due –" he eyed his body warily, "to extenuating circumstances."

The feline continued, "Your appearance here is just as worrisome than mine own."

"Hardly," was the instant reply. "I have been a longtime live-in housemate to Courage, and now that I have a squishy body, I can better watch over his health. " He pointed looked at Katz, "And keep away the weirdoes that seem to enjoy flocking to Nowhere."

"That was my initial plan," said Katz.

"You're one of the crazies," Computer answered.

"I am completely rational – " Katz began.

"For a sociopath who, once upon a time ago, harmed Courage," Computer ended for Katz – if possible, his voice was just on the edge of anger.

Katz froze – the computer hadn't even been there during that period of time.

Courage snapped his head up to look at the side of Computer's face, touched that he remembered.

"Courage uses me as his diary – "

"Journal," Courage interrupted with a slight glare.

"Diary," insisted Computer," and I had to see the aftermath." His gaze narrowed, his fingers wrapping themselves around Courage's wrist, pulling the sleeve up his arm as he spat, "And there's still scars, you nitwit."

"I – " Katz could see the faint outlines on that slim arm. They were little pale lines of white in contrast to Courage's tanned complexion. The marks against otherwise flawless skin had obviously faded with age but still vivid in the fluorescent light. He cringed. He hadn't meant to – well, he had at the time, but –

"I plan on rectifying my previous…lapses in judgment," Katz stated smoothly, hopefully masking his nervousness from the other two beings in the room.

"Negative," Computer stated, his fingers gently curling around Courage's.

Courage blushed.

Katz's ears twitched at the touch. An irrational surge of possessiveness threatened to overtake his body.

Katz paused; he would have to ponder about that emotion at a later date.

"Then you leave me no choice but to forcibly make my presence known," Katz settled against the countertop. "I have many clients in high places," he brought up a hand, delicately counting off his claws, "The police, politicians," he smirked, "The plumber, even." His smirk widened at the hitch of Computer's shoulders, "You do not want to make an enemy out of me."

"You're more of an annoyance than an enemy," Computer replied lowly. "Just as you have friends, I have my own unique…firewalls." The corners of his lips twitched, "I am still a computer after all. I can easily take down whatever power you or your 'friends' have."

"Why you – "

"That's enough," Courage interrupted. He attempted to pull away only to have Computer loop an arm around his slim shoulders, "If you two are going to fight, then do it outside." He glanced downward, his voice soft and hushed, "I don't need your concern if it's only going to bring this – this – " He paused, distress evident on his face and body language as he attempted to pull away from Computer and out of the kitchen.

"Look what you did," Computer growled, emotion flaring on his face as grasped Courage's hand. He snuck a glance at Katz, "You upset him."

"Me?" Katz exclaimed, hackles rising.

They both quieted after hearing a whimper from Courage.

"I didn't mean any harm, Courage." Katz took a step forward, his fingers grazing the tips of the fabric on Courage's shoulder before Computer tugged the dog away.

"Lying cretin," Computer spat.

"I'm not lying," Katz spat back.

"Then why are you here?" Courage asked, shifting away from Computer to look at him.

"I can't leave you here by yourself," Katz stated calmly. The brief touch a soothing agent for the bristling cat, "I wanted the recipes. I even stopped by one night for a…a visit, but seeing that you." He paused, his shoulders slumping in resignation. "You were by yourself that night. You were sitting in Muriel's rocking chair, your knees tucked under your chin and you looked like you were going to cry, but…" Katz ran a hand roughly through his hair, "You didn't."

Computer's brow furrowed, that must had been the time he was in stasis, preparing his CPU for a squishy human body.

Katz continued, "I came to the conclusion that I couldn't leave you here, all by yourself." He looked at Courage pointedly, "No matter how long you wait Courage, they're not coming back."

"I know that," Courage stated, hurt bubbling in the pit of stomach. "I'm the one who has to live with that knowledge!"

"And you're still moping!" Katz hissed, "They're gone, so move on!"

"How am I supposed to move on?" Courage questioned, "I've already lost my mom and dad. I basically lost them again in Muriel and Eustace. Why can't anyone understand that?"

"I do not understand your irrational behavior, being a computer and all," murmured Computer from behind Courage. He gently pressed the palm of his hand onto the curve of the shorter man's shoulder, "But I plan on staying here to try to figure it out."

Courage was startled but he heard the thump of a palm against the wall. Katz was staring at him, unnerving with his eyes like black slits against a yellow background, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. You're my annoyingly tenacious enemy," said the red feline, "I plan on keeping it that way."

Oh.

Courage blinked, his voice caught in his throat at that admission – it almost sounded like…genuine concern.

"You can stay," he heard himself whisper.

"Courage!" Computer exclaimed, eyes narrowed at Katz as if was his fault for Courage's irrational statement.

"I'll be good," Katz purred while attempting to quell the utter relief coursing through his system. "I'll be back later this evening after I settle my affairs and grab my belongs." He paused, "If you lock the door, I'll just pick it," he reminded Computer.

A graceful spin on his heel, Katz stalked out, closing the door with a soft click of the door.

Computer's shoulders slumped, "You nitwit of a dog." He turned around, a slightly annoyed expression on his face, "I get this ridiculously inconvenient human body for you and you repay me by inviting that lunatic to live with us?" He cocked his head to the side, "Seriously, a week? I can't take my eyes off of you for a week and you lose your mind already?"

"I'm sorry," Courage sniffled through a small smile. The reprimand with only the threat of future mild scoldings, was familiar, like a blanket during those cold Nowhere nights. A sudden choked cry burst from Courage as he wrapped his arms around Computer's middle. He buried his face against the soft dress shirt Computer worse, "I thought you left me too." He murmured into Computer's shoulder, "No matter how many times I asked you, I even went to the computer repair place, you wouldn't start back up."

"You twit," they were harsh words but had no fire to it as arms – warm and just shy of unfamiliar – wrapped themselves around Courage's trembling body. It had not even been a decision to find the proper plug-ins and data packages to turn himself human. No, the moment he heard that anguish crying from Courage the day Eustace had passed, and then the still, unworldly quietness from the dog the day Muriel passed away shortly thereafter her husband – he knew he would have to take care of Courage lest he be susceptible to the weirdoes of Nowhere, which he obviously was, Computer thought darkly, especially that Katz.

He remembered vaguely standing in front of the 'Execute' button and the wary confidence that Courage would be strong enough to be by himself for a week while he transformed himself into a squishy human before he succumbed to darkness of his reformatting. The pain and waiting, mostly the waiting, was excruciating but worth it when his crazy owner was left all alone in a house that held too many ghosts.

"Dog," Courage did not budge at the sound of his name, he kept his arms steadfast around Computer's middle. "I'm not going anywhere except – "

Courage looked up, hearing the growling noise rumbling from Computer's belly.

"I need nourishment." The delicate curve of Computer's pale cheeks were tinged with pink, "You will need to teach me how to live like a human." A sigh, "Remember, I was only in Muriel's body for a few hours. This body has yet to have eaten."

"I'll make you something," Courage moved away, this time, Computer allowed him to go free.

"I better like it," Computer sighed as he sat himself on a seat – the old man's seat to be exact.

"You will," murmured Courage confidently, "It a pancake recipe Muriel used to make all the time."

"Hmm…" Computer nodded, watching Courage as the pink-haired pup ran to get an apron. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the road.

Katz was stubborn, but then again, so was he.

Finally, it was Courage's turn to be protected.

A/N: So, this is a super weird fic. Btw, all love for Katz, he totally has the hots for Courage, I mean, who wouldn't? He's a puppy and pink? Boom! Dead.

Edit: I readily admit my superficiality and state that reviews encourage me to write.