FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Alex and I went on our first date, a week after making love. Admittedly I was nervous, and still a little . . . I don't know, unsure about the whole gay thing. I mean, where do gay guys take each other on dates?

_ We ended up going to a wing bar in town--something casual--and hit up a movie afterward. And the minute we made it back to Alex's place, our clothes hit the floor, groping each other until we made it to be the bedroom._

_ Most of our dates end like that, either at his place or am mine when my parents were away. I was over at his apartment so often that my scent was slowly becoming more prominently mixed with his, especially in his bed. I sort of would have liked to see Mr. Staler's reaction when and if he smelled me in his son's bed . . . ._

_ It still seemed strange and new to me, being in love with a man. It wasn't just a physical attraction we felt for each other, but deeper. There were times even though we were both naked and either under or above the covers that we didn't do anything sexual. Just held and kissed each other._

_ A month into our relationship, Alex and I had our first fight. Alex thought it was about time that my parent knew about us, and what was meant to each other. I on the other hand was still a little unsure about it. Every time he brought it up, I got increasingly flustered until I snapped at him one night. We had a nice dinner at his place, and I apologized for it, but he already stalked to his room and slammed the door._

_ He said he wasn't asking me to tell the whole world, just my parents, and that it hurt him to have to hide this from his parents. He was tired of hiding. His dad knew about us, so why shouldn't my parents?_

_ Why shouldn't my parents know? I just saw it going terribly, and I couldn't help but think about how his mom acted about it when she found out. But I didn't dare bring that up._

_ I hold him give me two weeks, that we'll have dinner at my place and talk it over with my parents, and that I was_ very sorry for snapping at him.

We talked about it that night, and I told him that I couldn't do this without him. He thought maybe his father could join, for either moral support or whatever. Later, afterword, we had amazing makeup sex . . . .

_ But still . . . it seems everyone was wondering what was taking up my time besides work and school. Mom and Dad knew that I was spending most of my time with Alex, but they didn't know half of it. My friend Jaxon was curious about it. He assumed it was some hot girl I met, thinking I was afraid of everyone meeting her because she was a different species._

_ After a while, the questions started becoming unnerving, and I was getting frustrated about hiding my relationship with Alex. I almost came close to telling a couple of times . . . but the fear of them rejecting me after finding out, stopped me every time._

_ I guess depending on how things go with my parents, I'll tell Jaxon since he's my closeted friend. I haven't spent much time with him since Alex and I started dating, but feel he's the only other person who has the right to know._

I paced back and forth inside my room while Alex at on my bed, watching me with each pass. Mom and Dad weren't going to be home for a while; they were getting groceries for my and Alex's family together.

Tonight was the night I was going to tell them, and I really didn't want to--petrified too.

"Hey," Alex said, pulling me down onto the bed next to him. "Everything'll be fine."

"Sure," I said, laughing nervously. "And hey, if my parents kick me, I can always come live with you." It was hard not to be flippant at this moment. A dry joke that I'm sure didn't pass over Alex when he squeezed my paw.

"Your parents love you, Chase, they wouldn't do that." He held my paw and clasped it tightly.

"Why? Your mom did," I said bitterly.

Alex's ears tipped back and then shot back up. Oh . . . shit . . . "Yes well, just because that happened to me, don't mean it's going to happen to you."

Sighing, I said, "Your right . . . and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." I reached over and kissed him, resting my head on his shoulder.

"It's going to be fine, I promise," he said.

I wasn't so sure, but trust Alex, and believe what he said was true. But still . . . that little bit of disbelief lingered in the back of my mind.

We laid together in bed, cuddled close as the day began to reside. The blue sky was slowly fading into the evening. We talked for a few minutes on how to go about outing myself to my parents, but each scenario we came up with just didn't sit right with me. I couldn't just blurt out, "Hey Mom and Dad, guess what? I'm gay and Alex is my boyfriend, and we love each other very much." Well . . . I could, but still . . . we still had to transition into this--somehow.

I pressed back into Alex as he ran his paw against my back, massaging me gently. I couldn't help but whine happily at the rubbing. It just felt so good and calming.

Alex reached under me and grasped my paw, resting his muzzle between my ears. His breath tickled my head fur.

It was times like this, that I couldn't help but lose myself in his closeness, and whenever our bodies touched, I didn't have any worry weigh me down. I'm sure he felt the same way sometimes.

Still . . . this was going to be a big step in our relationship. I had to tell the two most important people in my life about us . . .

Honestly, though, I wish we never had to get out of bed again, and I'd never had to tell my parents. Oh well . . . such is life, I suppose.

We stayed in bed until Mom called and said they were on their way home, and asked if Alex and I could set the table. We headed down and started pulling out the dishes and silverware. Mom and Dad arrived shortly after, and Mom was happy to see the table was set. All of us held out making dinner, with Dad grilling the stakes and potatoes, while Mom made a salad and baked some rolls.

Alex's Dad arrived a little before dinner was ready, holding a bottle of wine and apple pie. Dad entered the foyer, holding out his paw to Mr. Staler. "Loren, it's nice to see you again."

Mr. Staler clasped Dad's paw and shook it. "You too David. How've you been?"

"I've been good, anyway, why don't you head into the family room. Dinner is almost ready." Dad half-turned away until Mr. Staler stopped him and handed him the pie while, asking him to give this to my mother.

I joined Alex and Mr. Staler in the family room after helping Mom. Alex was sitting on the couch, and I sat next to him, and cross from us was Alex's dad in the armchair.

The corners of Mr. Staler's lips pulled into a lite smile when he saw me relax against Alex since we were out of view from Mom and Dad.

"Are you ready for this," he asked, leaving forward, eyes and ears focused on me.

It took me a few seconds to process what he said. "Yes . . . sort of . . ." I said, unable to keep the uneasiness from my voice. I just was so nervous, I'm he could tell by the nervous flick of my ears. I grasped Alex's paw and used that to help calm me. This was for him--for us, that's why I was doing.

"You're going to do great," Mr. Staler said. "Everything's going to be ok."

Alex's fingers squeezed mine, and that happened pushed back the ever-present knot inside my stomach, somewhat at least. This was new terrain for my parents and me, and I honestly don't know how they'll take it.

The sort footfalls of my father entering from the hallway, made my heart race, and instantly I let go of Alex's paw and scooted a safe distance away from him. Just act natural, I told myself. He's not gonna know. He doesn't know his son's a faggot, at least, not yet. I thought the last part, dismayed.

Dad walked him, a smile on his face. "Food's ready," he said. "Come join us in the dining room."

We all collected in the dining room, everyone drinking beer, except Mom, who was drinking the wine Mr. Staler had brought. Mom asked how school was going for Mr. Staler. He said work was good, and that everyone was looking forward to the upcoming football game against the rival school.

Mom took another sip of her wine, staining the white of her muzzle red. She picked up her napkin and dabbed across her stained muzzle.

"How's the wine, Caroline?" Mr. Staler asked.

Mom smiled and raised her glass to him. "It's lovely, thank you."

Mr. Staler turned toward me and asked how school and work were going. I told him, they've been good, and that Alex has been good at helping me study for my test. Mr. Staler already knew this, but felt it was something he needed to ask in front of my parents.

"You too seem to be spending a lot of time together," he said, giving me a subtle look, as if "Hey, if you were going to tell your parents, now would be your chance".

I know I should, but, didn't feel the moment would be right.

"I noticed that too," Dad said before taking a bite of his stake. "Swear he spends more time with your son than us."

I knew Dad was joking, but the undertone told me he was serious.

I took a swig of my beer to see if that would calm me somewhat; it did, but not by much.

"Honey, is everything ok?" Mom asked, staring down at my fork, which was moving the bits of my stake around. "You've hardly touched your food."

"Hmm?" I asked, looking up. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just not real hungry, I guess." And to prove to my Mom nothing was wrong started purposefully stabbing a piece of meat and shoving it into my muzzle. I chewed it slowly, wondering when this torment will end. When do I tell them? Now? After dinner? I knew I had to, as I promised, or Alex would be crushed.

Alex reached under and gently squeezed my paw, and that made my fur bristle. I knew my parents couldn't see it, just the contact made me feel better.

He turned his head slightly to the side and gave me a half-smile, and winked at me.

Mom faced Alex and smiled at him. "So, Alex," she asked. "Are you dating anyone?"

Both mine and Alex's eyes went wide. Quickly, I downed the rest of the beer in my paw, waiting for Alex's response. I don't think I'd be able to get through this conversion sober.

"Oh . . . um, yes . . ." Alex stuttered, hesitantly. He blushed, ears tipped back. Occasionally his eyes would flicker to mine when Mom and Dad weren't watching. He almost seemed calm about the question.

Me? It was hard to keep the tension from my ears, instead of relaxed as I wanted them. And what about my scent? I was trying to keep it muted, neutral, so it wouldn't betray how tense I was. But slowly, my ears relaxed, as well as my prickled fur.

My reverie is broken when I feel Alex's thumb brush mine, his eyes on me. I considered his eyes and saw the longing in them. Right . . . my parents must know about us before the night was over.

By the time the dessert was brought out, I was three beers in. I wouldn't say I was tipsy, but was feeling fairly buzzed, and used that--and the confidence my badger had in--to get the courage of what I was about to say.

I waited until we were halfway through the apple pie before I said, "Mom, Dad . . . I have something to tell you . . ."

They both stopped what they were doing, and look at me, concern shimmered across their features. God . . . why is this so hard? Telling my parents I got some girl pregnant seemed easier than this. I know that's not true . . . but it felt like it. Getting some girl pregnant was life-changing, but so is telling your parents your gay as well. Like I was signing away my parent's love somehow. They knew Alex is gay, and they were fine with it. How would they feel about their own son being one, though? I just couldn't help but think about how Alex's mom reacted.

Mom and Dad waited patiently for me to answer, but I was frozen.

"Chase, is everything alright?" Mom asked. She looked so worried; her ears were folded back. Something was bothering me, that much she knew.

"Um, no . . . I'm . . ." It was hard to choke up these words. I couldn't help the pounding in my chest or my splayed ears.

I sighed. It's now I suppose. "You asked who Alex if he was dating anyone, and I know who." Slowly I brought my paw still clasped in Alex's up and rested it on the table. They both looked at our paws together, and Dad's eyes shifted between Alex and me.

"I've been taking Alex for two months now . . . we love each other . . ." I said, squeezing Alex's fingers as reassurance.

Mom and Dad stared down at their plates, silent. They remained quiet for a couple of minutes, and each minute that ticked by was agonizing. I waited for some reaction--anything: anger, happiness, disappointment. '

Finally, Mom looked up and asked, "Are you sure?"

I couldn't help but think about the times Alex and I had made love, and if that didn't mean I was gay, I don't know what will. I know it wasn't just the sex, it was being with Alex, that I was the happiest. I'm in love with him.

I lowered my eyes, giving mom a curt nod, and said, "Yes"--and as an afterthought I said, "he makes me happy. I love him . . ."

After that Mom fell back into silence. "What about Emily? She was a nice girl." It might have been my imagination, but I could have sworn Mom emphasized girl.

A little growl crept into my voice, reinforcing my words. "She dumped me, remember? She didn't want to be with me. Alex does."

"Y-yes I know, but . . ." Mom said, pleading with her eyes. "Are you sure?"

I fought back the urge to roll my eyes; why couldn't she understand?

Before I could say anything, Dad spoke up. "Chase, you can't be serious. You've always been into girls, and then suddenly you say you into . . . men?" he said, his deep booming voice caused my ears to pull back.

"Chase. . . I'm sure this is just a . . . phase or something. You're just confused."

I stared at Mom, hurt. Did she realize how deep those words cut? But soon, that hurt was replaced with anger, and intuitively, my fingers tightened. Alex gave a small whine as I crushed his fingers between mine.

Shooting him a silent apology before saying, "You just don't want to admit that your son's faggot!"

_ _ "Chase!" Dad yelled, slamming his paw down on the table. His ears were flat, and I could see the disappointment in his brown eyes. Hardly did I ever yell at Mom, not without feeling guilty afterward. I know I should apologize, but don't want to. All I did was tell the truth. "Enough! I'm tired of hearing this."

"I'm sorry . . ." I whispered, looking both my parents in the eyes. Mom softened at that, and briefly, she looked at Alex, her eyes following down to our still clasped paws, before looking away. "You have no idea how hard this is for me, and I honestly had to intention of telling you, but Alex insisted you know about us."

This all seemed futile to me because I knew they won't acknowledge what Alex and I have is real, and I looked to Mr. Staler, pleading with him with my eyes.

Mr. Staler cleared his throat, spreading his paws. "David, Caroline," he said, speaking in a calm voice. "Look, I know what you're going through, I do. I know this is hard to understand, but you have a good son here"--he gave me a small smile--"and Alex has never been happier than when he's with Chase. I'm sure you've noticed it. What Chase is worried the most about is losing your love. He loves you both, and he loves Alex. I know it'll take you a while to accept this, but please try . . . he doesn't want to lose your love for him. Be happy for them, I am, and couldn't be prouder of them."

Mom smiled softly at me. "Honey, we still love you, we always will . . ." she said, and Dad nodded in agreement. "But this . . . I don't know . . . it might take some time for us to get used to this."

My ears and tail fell after hearing that. I felt my eyes begin to get teary, and I didn't want to cry in front of them.

Mom reached over and rested her paw on mine and Alex's. "Please, just give us some time to work this through, ok? We're happy for you, truly we are, but this is a little confusing for us. I don't know if accept that you're . . . well, you know, but we'll try."

Warmth swelled inside my chest, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I felt she was just saying this for my benefit. Guess we'll have to see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

Dad started collecting plates and brought them into the kitchen.

"We don't you guys chat; Alex and I can take care of the dishes," I said, taking Alex's plate, and putting it with mine.

"Sure," Dad said, smiling.

"Excellent plan," Mr. Staler said, ready to change the subject. "David, I'd like to talk to you about the football game last night. It was a great one, and I'd love to hear about your two's trip."

Alex and I finished bringing the dishes into the kitchen while our parents filed out of the dining hall into the family room. I washed the dishes while Alex dried them and put them away. He's been to my house more than enough times to know where they go.

I dried my paws off once I was finished and rested against the counter. I followed Alex with my eyes as he went about his task.

"So," Alex asked in a hushed whisper, putting the last glass away. "How do you think tonight went?" He walked over and wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled himself close to me.

I rested my paws on his waist and laid my muzzle between his ears. "Honestly, I don't know . . . I hope_they can see what we have, but still . . ." I pulled back and lowered my muzzle down to look into his steel grey eyes, our noses mere centimeters apart. "What I _do know is that I couldn't do this without you, my love."

Alex blushed and his ears flicked back. "My love? Please, that sounds like something out of some mushy love story . . . ."

"But it's true," I said, reaching down, and nuzzling one of his ears. I held him tightly against me and making sure no one was around, raised his short, slender muzzle and kissed him on the lips. The kiss was gentle and sweet, but also thrilling at the same time. It almost felt forbidden with my parents in the family room, as if they could come in anytime and catch us.

Would that be so bad? They'd have to realize how we mean to each other eventually, right? I've kissed my (then) girlfriend in front of my parent before, so why should I feel ashamed about kissing my boyfriend in front of them?

But, I think after just finding out their son is gay, this might be a little too much for them at first. I'll have to try and ease them into this at some point, I guess. I just don't know . . . .

The conversation drifted into the kitchen about how Camren, the quarterback for the Red Wolves, should have caught the interception from the opposing team's bobcat. Everything seemed to be going well in there.

Mr. Staler walked in, and out of instinct, I unhooked myself from Alex, standing a good foot away. Mr. Staler just smiled and turned toward Alex. "I'm almost ready to leave, how about you?" he asked.

Alex flicked his eyes to me before nodding.

Mom and Dad started speaking to each other in hushed whispers. I strained to hear what they were saying. Unfortunately, the sound of the TV was all I heard. I have no doubt they were talking about me with the other badger not there.

Alex's Dad grabbed the bottle of wine before heading back. "How, how are the cubs . . . Michael and Rachel . . .? he asked once he entered. "They enjoying their winter break?"

I haven't seen my cousins since the 4th of July last year, so I kept one ear to the conversation and the other on my badger. He crept back over to me and once again wrapped his arms around my chest.

I held him close, breathing in the scent I was so familiar with. I could be in a room filled with people, all varying from different species, and easily find his in the crowd. It was a scent that made my body quiver whenever it entered my nose.

We stayed like this for another minute or two before sitting down at the kitchen table and killing off the last two pieces of pie, which was fantastic, by the way. And ten minutes later, Alex's dad walked, saying he was ready to go.

I followed Alex and his dad to the foyer, a little surprised to see Mom and Dad there, and hugged my boyfriend, telling him I'd call him tomorrow. His ears flicked to my parents and then back to me, smiling.

Mom and Dad clasped Mr. Staler's paw. "It was nice seeing you again," Mom said.

"Yes, we'll have to have dinner again another time," Dad said, patting the other badger on the shoulder. Then he turned to Alex, surprisingly, and shook his paw. "It was nice seeing you again, Alex."

Mom sort of just smiled and, hesitantly, hugged Alex.

Alex visibly stiffened, shocked by the sudden affection, before relaxing into the hug. I'm sure this was the last thing he expected from Mom after the conversion about my . . . sexuality a couple of minutes ago.

I currently was.

I watched them leave and waved bye as they pulled away.

The rest of the night was calm after that. I was unsure how the night went, and uneasy how my parents took the news about their (then straight son) being a faggot now. I know this isn't an easy thing for them, but it wasn't exactly easy for me as well.

Mom came in late that night and wished me good night.

After that day, everything went back to normal, retentively, anyway. Alex still came over when could. Mom and Dad sometimes asked how Alex was doing, and I said well. But whenever I mentation when we were planning on going on date soon, they'd just go quiet after that, or instantly change the subject. I know Mom and Dad were still working through this, but still . . . it hurt whenever they did that.

_ But when I was with Alex and his dad, I felt like I could be myself around him. That I didn't have to worry about showing affection to my boyfriend in front of his father. At the same time, I'm sure it took a while for Mr. Staler to grasp his son's gayness and what happened between him and his wife._

_ There were times I was worried that Mom and Dad_ would_though me out. I'm sure that's far from their minds, but this was a big thing to find out. The fact that they found out about me and the guy I've been hanging out with turned out to be my boyfriend. I don't think they knew how to process that._

_ But like I said, things went back to normal, mainly because I think my parents want to forget about the conversion, and I've trying hard not to smack their noses with it. Like, "Hey. This is my boyfriend, and I like men now, deal with it." I just want Alex to be a part of their life as he is a part of mine._

_ There were times when Dad had some of his friends over, and they'd ask if I was dating any pretty girls at school, and I just kept my muzzle shut or simply said no. They were nice guys, and it wasn't their business who I dated, and I had no intention of telling them._

_ There was one time when Alex was over and one of Mom's friends said, I was such a handsome man, and that any girl would be lucky to have me. Alex was next to me, and I could see he was fighting not to snicker._

_ Still, though, I wondered how long was this going to last?_

One night, after dinner, Alex and I head upstairs to my room. We just finished dinner with my parents and started working on our homework. The door was ajar to reassure my parents Alex and I would be doing anything unsavory under their roof. I wouldn't dream of it, not with them still home, anyway.

Alex was mere centimeters away from me, our knees just barely touching. His muzzle was buried in his psychology book, and he looked up, smiling. "So . . ." he drew out. "How do your parent feel about us?"

I sort of just shrugged. "Still in denial," I said.

Alex's ears fell at that.

"It's ok," I assured him. "Trust me, it could've been worse. They didn't kick me out, so I'm kind of looking at that was a win."

A small smile creased his black muzzle, and his paw rested on my leg, gently rubbing. It was always nice to feel the badger's touch--even before I realized I fell for him.

I closed my book and nodded at him. "You finished reading?" I asked, and he nodded. I took his paw and let him to the bed, laying down, and pulled him on top of me.

Quickly, his eyes and ears flicked to the open door. "What about your parents?" he asked.

I gave him an incredible look. "It's not like we're going do to anything . . . inappropriate with them still here. Just unless kissing you is inappropriate." Before he could react, I reached up and gave him a fleeting kiss. Our lips just barely brushed before I dropped my head back.

I couldn't help but laugh at the wide-eyed muzzle ajar. "Was that what you were referring to? Or was it too much for you?" I teased.

His jaw set and his brows furrowed. "You really want to play this game?" he asked, raising one brow.

I considered it for a second before nodding. "I believe I do, and if Mom _happens_to see as well . . . guess she'll have to deal." I was joking, mostly, but fixed an ear for any sounds of someone coming up the stairs just in case.

Alex rested his paws on my chest before he leaned down and pressed our lips together.

I gasped softly against him, feeling the familiar spark that engulfed me whenever our muzzles were together. That in instances like these we were one.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into the kiss. A shiver shook Alex and I's bodies when our tongues touched. I gave a small moan, just above a whisper, when our tongues wrestled against each other, and Alex's paw slipped under my shirt, rubbing his fingers against my short stomach fur.

My arms unlatched from his neck and rested just above his hips, paws itching to go further. Already I could feel myself getting ensnared by the intensity of our kiss. How could I not? With our bodies clung tightly together and with our muzzles and tongues pressed together, it wasn't hard to take that one extra step. But since my parents were still here, we didn't, not that we would have gotten close to that part.

We parted, panting, and cuddled close to one another. Alex held me tightly against him, resting his muzzle between my ears.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed his embrace. I always found it funny whenever he held me like this as our roles should obviously be reversed. I'm the big jock, and he's the small faggot--not that I'm not as much as faggot as him, not at this point. How I feel toward him, what we've done with each other. Still, though, I should be the one holding his small frame against me.

Surprisingly, we ended up falling into the roles we're in now, being the small one for him. I just love the feeling of his arms around me, holding me, the hardness of his chest against my face, and the obsessive scent of him inside my nose. I could smell him every time I breathed in as if I would die if I did have a constant hit of it.

"Alex . . ." I started to say and then stopped when a small creak caused my ear to twitch. I listened instantly, ears perked, but heard no other sound, except the sound of our breathing and the tv downstairs.

I unburied my face from Alex's chest and looked him in the eye. "I'm so glad I found you," I said, smiling. "I love you so much." My paw found his cheek and my fingers brushed against his cheek ruff.

Something crossed Alex's features, something unreadable. He reached down and kissed me, gently, warmly, lovingly . . . "I love you too, Chase. You've given me such a constant stream of happiness. Thank you for being there for me, and loving me."

I rested my paw on his chest, rubbing. "I know this sounds very cheesy, and such I cliché, but I'm glad you entered my life," I said, ears flush.

We stared into each other's eyes: steel gray and brown mixed together. We held our gaze as long as we could before we parted, and pressed our lips together instead. His body fit perfectly with mine, and his scent seemed intertwined with mine.

It was times we these, that I wished I could just stop time and stay like this forever. Like if we could stay in the bubble around us, just the two of us, locked together.

I was about to say more something before someone knocked on the door, and Mom poked her head through. Panic shot through me, and Alex went rigid beside me. We both looked on at Mom, eyes wide--though maybe not as wide as hers----locked together.

Hastily, I pulled away from Alex and sat on the edge of the bed, eyes cast down. "I'm sorry . . ." I said, unsure what else to say. My face felt flush and my ears burned with embarrassment. I quickly spared a glance at Mom, and she looked as I felt.

"I just wanted . . ." she started to say. Her ears seemed to go down further with each word. "I just wanted to come up and see how things were going and to . . . say goodnight. Your father and I are heading to bed."

I quickly checked my clock and was surprised to see how late it was.

"Oh, ok . . ." I said.

Alex climbed off the bed and started shoving his stuff into his bag. "I should be heading home. Goodnight Mrs. Redd," he said, before stopping at the door and glanced back to me and smiled, one of those special smiles just for me. "Have a good night Chase." He hugged Mom and headed downstairs.

I wanted to head downstairs with him and see him out but thought I'd better stay. I had an inkling that Mom wanted to talk to me. My guessing is that he probably caught the last of our conversion.

Mom stood in my doorway for a few seconds before stepping inside and sitting down on my bed. She took my paw and squeezed it. She was silent for a minute or two before she spoke up. "You really . . . like him, don't you?"

I nodded, shocked. This is not what I expected us to talk about. Was she finally seeing what we have?

Mom sighed. "I'm not ok with, and I don't understand it, but if he makes you happy, then . . . I don't know" she said. "Your father and I like Alex, he is such a nice gentleman. But, I don't know how I feel about you two being together."

I sat there in silence, so desperately trying to not give my hopes up, because the small flick of hope started to glow brighter, if not slowly.

"Explain this to me, please, I want to understand."

I thought about it for a second. "I don't know how . . . what was it like when you met Dad?"

A small reminiscent smile lifted Mom's lips. "Good question. Hmm, let me think about it, it was such a long time ago . . . we were college sweethearts, you know, and the first time we met was at a party, one of my friends was trying to hook us up. Your father was trying to be all mister studly and fell short. When he saw I wasn't impressed, he just ended up being himself. He was so sweet, and I just knew he was the one." [needs to be rewritten]

I nodded, relating to that, somewhat. "That's what it was like with Alex. I met him at Mark's party a couple of months ago. After that, we started heading out, and I just found myself getting closer to him. Trust me, it took a long time to figure out what I was feeling." I took my mother's paw in mine. "Mom, believe me. I didn't plan on this, it just happened."

Mom's ears flicked back. "I just want you to be sure, you know? This is a big thing," she said, and I nodded. "And he makes you happy?"

"Yes," I said instantly. "I'm happy with him than I ever was with Emily." Wait . . . was that true? I was completely in love with my ex. I wanted to marry her and have a cub, but now . . . I guess after Alex and I started dating I had to rediscover what it was like to be in love with someone. Emily was my first. She was the only person I dated. She was my reason to love, and Alex was my reason to continue loving.

"I'm glad you have someone like Alex. Thank you for helping out understand." After that, she kissed me goodnight and started heading out.

"Wait!" I said, standing up halfway, paw extended. "What about Dad?"

Mom froze and then turned around. "Your father . . ." She curled a finger under her chin and rubbed. "He's . . . not happy about it, but . . . you know, he likes Alex, he really does, and him being gay doesn't really bother your father, it's just that he'll have to get used to the fact that you two are _dating_now. Honey, understand that you're . . . gay . . . it's the farthest thing your father thought would happen. I don't think a lot of fathers figured their children would turn out that way."

"So . . . he's ok with it?" I asked.

"It was your father who suggested that I come upstairs to talk to both of you. I was about to knock when I heard you two."

My ears tipped back, embarrassed. "I kinda figured that."

"Just give him a little more time. He'll come around, I promise." Mom smiled and closed the door behind her.

I sat there, very confused." I didn't know what to make of our conversation. As tired as I was, I decided to my thoughts to rest and headed to bed. I got under the covers, wishing Alex was here with me.

But sleep never came, much like the night, I kissed Alex the first time. Why now did she wait to have this talk?

I love him, and he's made the world so much brighter for me, my light at the end of the tunnel. I never imagined I'd be in love with a man. It's hard the imagine anyone else in my life--even if my parents never came around, he's the one I want to be with.

Thirty minutes later, my phone went off. Hey, I'm back home, the text read. I weighed the phone in my paw and debated whether I wanted to call Alex and tell him. His input was something I really needed.

The phone rang twice, and I was worried he wouldn't answer until he said, "Hey, what's up?"

"So, my mom came and talked to me after you left," I started.

I heard rustling, and then something got knocked over. "What did your mom talk to you about?"

I told him, briefly about the conversation we had, about the joke Mom made at the end before she left.

"Sounds like your mom's ok with us being together," Alex said, yawning into the phone.

"I don't know . . ." I said, unassured. Maybe our little talk did help her understand if just a little. Maybe somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought this was too good to be true--like it was just a dream I was about to wake up from. But it sure felt real: the gentle squeeze from Mom's paw, and her homely scent tickling my nose.

"Ok." I briefly put down the phone and stripped down to my boxers before getting into bed, holding the phone back to my ear. "I believe you."

"Good. How do you think she'd take it if I kissed you in front of her," he asked, teasing.

I scratched an ear, unsure what to say to that. "I don't think she'd take that well."

"Your probably right. Away, about heading to bed."

"Goodnight, Alex."

"Night, love you."

"Love you too," I said, and then the line went dead. I put the phone down, and climbed under the covers, before finally falling asleep.