Limpid Pool
LIMPID POOL by Foxy Boy
************************************************
Why did the water have to feel so cold.
Since it really wasn't. The white and red Zangoose fur that covered him, however, had gone weeks without a natural bath, so it would take some getting used to. Barely in over his stomach, he had quite a ways to go. Already, chunks of mud and soot peeled off of him like cheese paper; quick and smooth, though not entirely so. He just couldn't help visiting Lavaridge, with its vibrant volcanic landscape and hidden, steaming caves. To him, an hour's visit to one of the cooler, more tolerable caverns was well worth the cleaning he would always have to do. If only he had someone with which to share the experience.
Once up to his neck, he shut his eyes hard and braced for it. Three seconds under, and back up to reveal dripping fur, dripping ears and a clearly audible shiver. But no more freezing, for a while. Birds, of all shapes and sounds, sang to him as he slowly tread water. The pond supplied much life-giving water to the stand of oaks that circled it, so he could always count on a winged serenade. It helped him, to hear their practiced warbling; A natural cure for both boredom, and at least some fraction of loneliness. His last mate, lost to him by the hand of researchers, as their irresponsible trek brought them straight to where she would often lay sunning. Out in the distant woods, his foraging kept within earshot, so he knew immediately when they spotted her without him around. With no protection nor possessive warning, they saw no reason not to carry on with their motive, namely tagging her for migration purposes. But this time, it would go a lot further; an order handed straight from the institute, said they were to "induce migration." Which meant - of course - she would have to go with them.
The shouts for help had already pricked his ear in the distance, when hers was christened with their yellow ring-like microchip. But scampering through the woods to save her didn't go quite as fast as he'd hoped; once she'd been found, the interns were all but finished with their work, and in sequence he was forced to watch as they produced a burlap sack, practically stuffed her in and tied it loose only to the point of air supply. Halfway-hidden behind some brush, she wasn't forced to watch his tears while they carried her away. In his traumatized mind, the yellow tag in her ear, and a yellow armband from the Second Reich, would mean much the same thing. And chances were, it would never be completely behind him. Though only birds and certain other creatures mate for life, holding her memory mimicked that condition; though more or less depending on just how dark and cold it might feel at the moment. Cold, like the water that now cleansed him of all evidence, that betrayed his unusual - but purposeful - wanderlust.
At least the sun was out in force today. One of the few things that still brought a smile, and at its hand he now relished the surrounding peace in this tree-lined oasis. ...Until his ear fliched, at the sound of many leaves crunching together.
"I must be close by now..." Sounds of the forest nearly drowned out his own thoughts. Maybe it wasn't wise to count on finding something he'd only seen once, but at this juncture it could be life-or-death. Miles back, the gaudy glow of orange caught his eye, a surefire sign that hunters were back in business. His strength and stature meant next to nothing, as all it takes is one or two well-placed bullets. And unless he made it to sanctuary of some kind, there was no question; they would find him.
The odds were against him. Even the lightest, most quiet walk made all sorts of racket, with all the leaf matter and sticks in the understory. And being so much larger and bulkier than the average human, darting between tree trunks was no easy task. But fortune had not abandoned him. Gradually, light made itself known straight ahead, then strong reflections from gentle water. He would make it to another day, after all. Sunlight gave familiar, temporary blindness as he broke through the underbrush. Seconds later, he adjusted, and looked down into an emerging ripple - one with something beneath it, quickly shooting for the surface.
" HOLY SHIT!!!" He was mortified. Only moments before, he dove totally alone; now he stared straight in the face of a tall Arcanine, apparently just as startled as he. But with such an immense difference in size, a Zangoose could hardly fight instinctual fear. Instantly, he dove down again, deep into the kelp and algae forest below. With water muffling all sound, he could hear what sounded like "wait", but it wasn't certain. Then his eyes caught the blurry silhouette, flailing its orange hue left and right. This could not be mistaken; Either the beast had no interest in harming him, or there was something much more important just around the corner.
Still, he had natural fear. For as long as he could remain under, then summoning all his courage, swam up to take a deep breath. Surfacing, he stared it down again. Large, white eyes, that returned his look for only an instant; showing huge amounts of fear him_self_, panting like mad between two prominent fangs. The Zangoose might not have known outright, but he saw enough to know this would not be the danger to worry about. "Hey, b-big guy?" A slight quiver in his voice betrayed remaining fear. "Is something wrong?" His panting slowed, as his breath slowly returned. "Yes. I really need a place to hide, now." Of course, Zangoose was reluctant. "And h-how do I know I can trust you?" Arcanine's pupils seemed to flicker as a fire in a killing gust of wind. "I guess you don't. But I don't wanna die." Zangoose considered it - but only before he heard the gunshot, and it all came together. "Dive in. The pond is deep, and you can hide in the plants." Four ears perked at another shot, this time much closer. "Quickly!" Though water never felt good on a fire-type, he had no choice, and basically walked underwater to prevent a huge splash. Without even knowing it, they sat feet from each other, glued to the same patch of woods where the canine first appeared.
It took very little time. One by one, five hunters burst through the underbrush in succession, rifles up and heads swiveling. Twenty seconds seemed more like forever, as two frightened innocents watched them gradually give up and press on. Birds scattered as they both came up for air, the Arcanine swimming for a dry shore. "Oooohh-hoo-hoo, that's frigid. Thank God they left before it got to me." A small grin curled one side of his contemporary's lip. "Yeah, if you're lucky enough that they don't double back and retrace their steps." The fiery canine, steam rising as the pond water evaporates, twitched while his pupils shot wide. "That sounds like you've run into them before." A tiny shrug, as the snake-assassain made his way to the shore. "I've seen three years of this. They ALWAYS come back." Reaching the bank next to his new acquaintance, he held out one small paw. "Like it or not, you'll need me, at least for today. Clive." Not expecting any of this, he was hesitant but understood well the danger he'd managed to avoid. His own left paw came up, and they shared an awkward shake. "Brody. Nice to meet you, I guess." "Likewise. Always good to find someone who doesn't want to eat me... Too bad it's because of them." The very next moment, another muffled sound of gunfire, somewhat far away. Clive turned to face it, then swiveled to look over the entire pond. "You know, there's plenty of room on the shore for a bed, or a place to lay food, or whatever. So long as you're being tracked, I don't see why you can't stay here, by the only real cover around." Gratitude, mixed with disbelief, lit the back of Brody's eyes. "I think that's a smashing idea."
Four feet in the water, four hands behind two heads. Hiding out, it seemed, had quickly become relaxing, and Brody watched lazily as a butterfly flit over the pond. "You know, Clive?" "Yeah?" "I'd never get to do this in the woods. I don't even think I've ever done it at all." "What, stick your feet in a lake?" "No, no, just... Sit back and think about nothing at all." A short pause. "... Nice, isn't it?" "Absolutely." The idle conversation ended. Half an hour, and no guns or shouts had sounded over the treetops. Clive looked over at his new friend, and the calm, peaceful countenance he wore. He only wished he could feel the same. But at least for now, he had someone he could talk to again.
Glancing up, he squinted at the evening sun. "The Stantlers will be coming out soon. Whoever's chasing you will probably give up and bag a 10-point buck instead." "Yes, I know." Brody's fur whipped heat into the air as, without warning, he turned and began racing around the pond, fast as his legs would allow. Three laps, and he sat back down where he'd been. Clive imbibed a coy smile. "I guess that means you're happy?" "Heh, whadda you think?" Half-panting to catch his breath, he watched their reflection in the ripples. But as Clive focused on the same thing, he could easily see when his large friend started frowning, then cast eyes down to nothing but the cold ground. He really didn't need to ask. "I know that look. Someone very important to you is no longer there." Brody could never have masked the immediate surprise. "How did you ever guess that?" "Well..." He couldn't finish. To cover, he began idly examining his claws. "You're not alone." Still austere, the grand canine gave a gentle nod. "It gets harder every day. I could never explain how much he meant to me." Two ears perked immediately, and Clive's sympathy mixed with uncertainty. "... 'He'?" Their eyes met. His brow raised, while Brody realized what had just come out of his mouth. The reaction, was to shut his eyes, and slowly start walking away. "Wait!" The strength in Clive's request bade him stop. Slowly, he turned, and his small new buddy held two hands behind him in meek recognition. "I didn't mean anything by it. You just... Threw me for a loop I sure didn't expect." A deep, wizened sigh. "It's fine. No one ever expects that, anyway." He could see a sort of guilt cross Clive's features, something he wasn't quite used to. Something triggered within him, and he marched slowly back over to meet him. "Tell me about her." Immediate confusion. "... Pardon?" "I already know you're missing someone, like me. I don't think we're that different... It helps, I know. Tell me about her."
And thus began a reluctant but comfortable account. Clive went through anger, happiness, questions, tears, and more, recounting that spark taken from his life. And all the while, Brody sat beside him, watching and listening intently as he felt most everything the Zangoose appeared to. More than once, a sentence or snippet of the tale brought mist to his own eyes, though he was too spellbound to notice. Clive concluded in a wistful sigh. "I know she's not coming back. And I've done all I can to move on." A distant hawk gave its hunting call while he paused. "It's funny, the things that can trigger memories. Her ears would always perk, when we heard that sound." "Mmmm", Brody related. "My mate loved rolling in piles of leaves. Sometimes we'd sneak into a village at night, especially in autumn, and just ruin everything they'd done to clean up." This brought a sincere chuckle, which gradually faded as the smaller rodent looked on someone that was less unlike him than he'd ever have guessed. Brody could feel the eyes. "... Yeah, I know, it sounds kinda stupid." "No, no. I meant... Well..." He glanced down, as if thinking, then back to Brody's face. "... How is it? Loving a male, and all." For a moment, the Arcanine couldn't tell if he was serious or not. It was soon apparent he was, so the gentle giant complied. "I can't really say. I've never been with a female, or even wanted one... There's no way I could really compare them." "Ah. Understood." Clive idly stretched his legs, lying back to enjoy warmth from the setting sun... But also to steal attention from an unfamiliar feeling.
From then until twilight, they waited in silence. With no light to hunt by, Brody would be safe for tonight... But not permanently, as the killers would be back tomorrow, until they were finally convinced his trail had gone ice-cold. He was, after all, both food and clothing to most of them. Four paws, of two very different sizes, sat under the cool water; the same number of eyes darted over a sky of emerging stars. "Brody?" "Yeah?" "This might sound a little weird... Well, it will sound weird..." "What?" He couldn't help the smirk that came to one side of his mouth. "I've always wondered what it would be like. You know, with another man." Brody's head tilted slightly back. "... Oh?" "I mean, I guess every man wonders that at least once... How _ is _ it?" "Heh. Like I told you before, I have nothing to compare it against." "Oh. That's right, I forgot." Several moments of silence. And then Clive caught sight of the large grin. "You know, there's only one real way to know." Clive's eyes shot wide almost instantly, as he nervously scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah well I'm not really sure..." "Well it's just a suggestion. If it's too much, I understand fully." But it only took a few moments, for Clive to start weighing it in his mind.
My love is gone. How could I ever... But that also means you never get the chance to... But what if she's watching from above... She would want me to be happy... It just doesn't seem natural... It is to him, and so many others...
A low, pronounced sigh marked his decision... Pronounced, so Brody would have to notice. And ask. "Everything alright?" Clive took on the appearance of someone deep in deviant, joyful shenanigans. "I think it's about to be. If the offer's still good, I'd like to try it." Brody had to let out a short, surprised laugh. "Are you sure about this?" "... Yes. If there's one thing I know, opportunity really does knock only once. Besides, it's been a little too long, y'know?" "Yeah, for me too." His countenance now matched that of his curious friend. "Alright, how do we want to do this?" The Zangoose quickly shot to his feet, as one set of claws moved to part the fur between his legs. In mere seconds, it emerged from the half-discreet sheath, pulsing as it slowly grew. "Well I think that's pretty easy. The easiest bridge over for me, would be your mouth." He premiered a sharp, canine smile. "I think so." Leaning in, he made a few quick swipes of his tongue, ready for a taste he'd clearly been missing.
Clive's yellow eyes followed the approach, and pleased as he already felt - by the attention alone - they narrowed accordingly. Brody's large mouth came down gently, slurping around the base to make sure it was at critical mass. A single, short moan told him it was indeed ready, and he closed his lips just before the pleasing suction. "Ohhhhhyeh, that's it." A long white tail flicked about with happiness. "Take it all , and deep." That wouldn't be too hard for the large maw of an Arcanine, as he well proved. Bobbing up and down, his experience in this was more than evident, as well as how he enjoyed it. Clive's mouth stayed open, even when he wasn't making noise, while hot drool covered and lubed every side of his throbbing tool. The formidable fellater moved it about between sides, ensuring a slightly different feeling to Clive with every few seconds. Much more than he'd ever felt with a female, nor ever expected to. For close to six minutes, it was all clearly appreciated. Then, as Brody gave a few quick tongue-swipes at his partner's fuzzy sack, a small hand touched his chin, and lifted it. "Something the matter?" "No... I just want to mix it up a little. You know, variety." Spotting Clive's eager countenance, he was now in the mood to up the ante. "Alright, let's try something no man can hate. Turn around." "Oh, you think I'm already kneeling down for you? Impatient, aren't we?" "Heh, on the contrary." The large canine tongue swiped at his lips once more. "It's something totally different." Naturally, Clive trusted him, and obliged with an about-face. "Do I still have to get down on all fours?" "Only if you want." Leaves crunched under heavy paws with his slow, careful approach. "This might feel weird for a second or two." "Well, as long as it's with you, I'm sure I'll be fi_IIIiiiinnne_..." The natural, vocal reaction. He now felt the new, carnal sensation of that same tongue, commencing a good rimjob. The unfamiliar joy somehow worked through most of Clive's lower half. The moans Brody drew from him, beat those from his oral threefold, loud and low-pitched to Clive's very limit. Tracing a ring around his tender, virgin bottom, the fiery pup sent waves of pleasure shooting through the smaller body. "Oooohhhhahao oooo oooo..." The groans were a mix of straight satisfaction, and a few flat-out laughs, signs of immense success. Of course, this could only tantalize Brody even more, easily bettering his performance. By now, six toes were curling in succession, and Clive's mouth could only hang open with silent ecstacy. But as his pleasurer let up for a moment, he had the opportunity to say what he now - freshly - needed to. "Brody, I want it. It's time." "Want what?" "You. I'm ready to see just how it feels."
A naughty chuckle punctuated the first reaction - Brody leaning up, and practically lurching forward. Quick as he'd figured out Clive's meaning, he was on it; and the cream-tinted furry back, curved and braced for what would likely be a sizeable piece of meat. It entered slowly, from inch one to seven, and the spit-lubed sides of his hole stretched accordingly. As did the corners of his mouth, letting out a long, piercing moan while he slowly acclimated. "I'll be gentle," Brody asured. "I promise." "D_on't_-- worry about it, I_oooohhhhh... Trus_t you." It was already starting, with the big dog pushing slowly, no more than halfway in before drawing back. Eight paws anchored to the marshy ground, and Brody glanced down at the smooth, silky back with a smile. The hefty knot sat behind the action for a while. Only after Clive's motions settled down a bit, did Brody decide to bring it in the picture, barely touching the small button and quickly retreating. As time passed, Brody had finally broken him in, so with little more wait they both found their full rhythm. Clive's stiff, black Zangoose claws dug into the dirt, the letter "O" practically stuck to his lips. Every so often, a short, deep grunt would sound from behind him, just before a particularly strong push. And after several of these, the fur below his back passage felt matted with a sticky, unfamiliar lube... Which could only mean he served his purpose wonderfully, and would soon be rewarded. "I... kn- know you're almost there, buddy... Don't stop." " Oooooohhh , I wouldn't th iNK of it!!! " Clearly, it was well on the way. Brody'd begun leaning into it some more, while Clive's pupils flashed both ecstacy and reflected light into the hidden clearing. The sun was almost down, and with the last shred of day bidding farewell, along with it went Brody's ability to hold anything back. "_ Yeah!! Brace for it, man, it's comin' !!" Clive obeyed without so much as a word, holding fast to the ground between his talons. Brody's ending came rather forecfully, just enough to cause a slight wince, but only before the best part made its entrance. " AROOOOOOOO!!!! _ " A pair of yellow eyes shot wider than ever before, as the first jet blasted deep inside him. Two, three, four, five in a row in as many seconds, and what Clive couldn't contain quickly made its way out via dripping from the exitway. But this amount was very little, compared to what did make it inside, and Clive relished the somehow-fantastic sense of being filled completely up. Two tails whipped fanatically, and Brody's hot, panting breath ruffled the fur on his uke's stiffened back. In fact, if anything, Clive was breathing even harder than he. Like all things, it came to an eventual end, while Clive gradually relaxed into this wondrous new version of afterglow. Ropes of Arcanine seed dribbled from his nether-fur, as his front legs relaxed into the start of recuperation... But only once he'd spun around, with his pal still half-inside him, to see the magnificent face with the pleasure he'd easily put on it.
*****************************************
"Ever wonder why bats aren't afraid of humans?" A pair of warm, wind-swept bodies nestled within each other's arms, under the crescent moon. It was a warm south breeze, and a sure sign that storms would be on their way in a matter of hours. "For the same reason raccoons go right up to their house searching for food." Two of four canine paws wraped tight around their Zangoose friend. "If something is asleep when you're awake, you have no reason to fear it." "I guess so." "Heh... You were kinda fearful of me when I bounded up to you, scared out of my own mind." "Well, you know... The size difference..." "Awww, like I didn't already get that." One playful jab at his fuzzy cheek. "Amazing how the universe works out, isn't it?" "... I guess?" His deep yellow eyes rolled upwards to look on the gentle giant. "I'm not really sure I know what you're saying." "Well, us. We lose somebody, we find each other. And not a moment too soon." A look of puzzlement commanded Clive's face. "And what does that mean?" At first, Brody just smiled in a way somehow distant, then tilted his head to take in the night sky. "Means I wasn't all that far away from just letting the hunters catch up to me. I mean, at the time it looked so hopeless, and after losing Greg..." He trailed off into nothing. "... You were ready for the end." Clive, at once both sad and wistful, stared off into the forest's shadow. "Well I... Can't say I really blame you. I mean, there were times I considered diving down, and not resurfacing... But I never had the guts to see it through." A small, thoughtful chuckle. "Good thing for you, eh?" "Heh, looks that way."
For many minutes, there was nothing but silence. "......... So, his name was Greg?" "Uh-huh. You know, you remind me alot of him. Except for one important thing." "Yeah?" A presence of love twinkled through Brody's dark eyes. "You can still be here, with me. And I guess that's all we ever really have, is the here and now." In an impetuous whim, Clive took one of his new love's paws, rubbing one side of his face with it. "And the each other. What's really important." "... I'm here for you, Clive. For now and for always." "Ditto." The next moment, they knew nothing but the first kiss, of the rest of their lives.
Fin.