FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Author's Note: I realize it's been a while since I've written anything, and I'm sure few people remember my other stories. However, it does bear mentioning that this story has no connection to the series Wolves or any other work.

Suburban Cliché

By WhiteClaw

The hug was awkward, just as it was every year. But it had come to be expected and thus there was no real way to avoid it.

The two wolves held their arms and paws clumsily, each one unsure how tight or close the hug should be. Anyone watching would have been equally unsure as to why they were even hugging.

The taller wolf was dark gray, his body somewhat firm and fairly fit looking in his black slacks and blue dress shirt. The smaller wolf, however, was a lighter shade of gray, his baggy shirt and oversized pants making him look thin by comparison and giving no hints as to the type of body hidden beneath.

The sharp contrast was not lost on either wolf, an awkward silence quickly settling over them as they finally pulled apart.

Chad was the first to move, his paw tentatively reaching up to ruffle his younger brother's spiky hair. "You've grown," he said, attempting to sound casual.

Brian bit back a snarl as he felt Chad's paw mess up his hair. Anyone else, the young gray wolf would have snapped at for such an offense. But Chad's attempt at familiarity inspired discomfort more than anger.

Brian did step back, however, his annoyance at having his hair ruffled apparent in his expression. "Yeah," Brian mumbled, holding back the urge to ridicule Chad's rather pathetic attempt at conversation. Jeez, you sound like Grandpa, he thought to himself as he turned away and started walking.

The taller, darker wolf slipped his paws into his pockets and followed behind Brian. "How's Dad?" Chad asked as they walked from the bus station to Brian's car.

You'd know better than I would, Brian thought, but again kept the comment to himself. "Alright," he said slowly.

"And Mom?" Chad asked as he put his duffle bag into the trunk.

Yeah, like you care. "She's good," Brian said. The younger wolf started the engine and quickly reached over to turn the volume up on the radio.

Music blared out of the speakers as Chad climbed into the passenger seat. "A little loud, isn't it?" Chad said, trying to raise his voice over the music.

Brian pretended he couldn't hear him. Fortunately Chad didn't attempt to say anything else, and they rode the rest of the way home without another word between them.

***

The house stood two stories high and was made of red brick. Its lawn was neat and trim just like every other lawn in the cul-de-sac. The sounds of suburbia were prevalent here as children splashed in pools, basketballs were dribbled on concrete driveways, and from somewhere off in the distance music played.

Music which steadily got louder and was accompanied by the sound of an engine revving.

A car suddenly appeared in the distance, it's tires squealing as it made a sharp turn onto the road. The sound of music and revving engine blended into one as the car flew down the road, reached the crest of a hill, and briefly took flight before landing back on the road.

And while no one could say for sure, there was quite possibly the sound of someone screaming as they held onto the dashboard for dear life.

The car continued it's mad dash down the road until it reached the red brick house. The brakes screeched and the tires squealed again as the car came to a sudden halt.

The music continued to blare until Brian killed the engine. He quickly got out of the car, the blanket of music no longer there to protect him from a possible conversation with Chad.

Chad, however, wasn't much in the mood to talk. The frazzled, dark gray wolf stumbled out of the car, a paw on his forehead. There was a terrible ringing in his ears and his legs felt weak and wobbly from trying to brace himself against the floorboard.

The screen door on the front of the house squeaked open and a light gray, female wolf stepped onto the front porch. "Oh, you two are finally back," she said walking towards the car. "Chad, sweetie, how are you?" she said giving Chad a warm hug.

"Hi, Mom," Chad said, returning the hug. "And I'm...as well as can be expected after the car ride over," he said, giving her a goofy grin.

Brian rolled his eyes in disgust.

"Oh, I know. Ever since Brian got his license he's been the terror of the streets," their mom said with a laugh.

"Kids today," Chad said with smile.

Brian snarled and headed for the porch, making sure to swing the screen door open as wide as he could so that it slammed shut behind him. "Kids today," he said to himself in a mocking voice, as he stormed up the stairs. "Fucking prick," he muttered under his breath. "You're one fucking year older than I am," he said, punctuating the air with his index finger on the word "one."

Brian slammed the door to his room and locked it. Moments later, his stereo could be heard blasting through the house.

Outside, Chad pulled his duffle bag out of the car while he and his mom continued to talk. "He didn't really say much on the way over," Chad said with a small frown.

"Well, you know, he's at that age," his mom said airily. "He hardly even talks to me sometimes. But tell me, how have things been at school?"

Chad and his mom both began walking towards the front door. "Same old, same old, really. I was thinking about taking a business prep class next year. Y'know getting ready for college and stuff." He held the door open for his mom and set his bag next to the stairs.

"Oh," his mom said as they both walked into the kitchen. "Well your father will be happy to hear that."

Chad pulled a soda out of the refrigerator and sat down at the kitchen table. There was a loud click as he popped it open. "Speaking of Dad, when will he be home?" he asked.

"Not for another few hours," she said, as she shuffled about the kitchen. "Brian was supposed to help me make dinner, but I'm probably not going to get much out of him tonight, so I better start now."

Chad grimaced. "I could...help," he said, trying to hide the reluctance in his voice.

"Thank you sweetie, but I learned my lesson nine years ago with the exploding chicken incident," she said giving Chad a small smile. "You're exempt from kitchen duty."

Chad heaved a sigh of relief, causing his mother to chuckle.

"Why don't you go ahead and get settled in. I'll let you know when dinner starts."

"Alright," Chad said, getting up and giving his mom a kiss on the cheek before heading for the stairs.

"Chad," his mother's voice called after him.

"Yes, Mom," he said, poking his head back into the kitchen.

His mother seemed a bit hesitant. "I didn't want to bring it up, but...are you sure everything is alright at school?"

"Yeah, why?" Chad asked.

"It's just...I wish you would visit more. Come home for the holidays instead of just summer vacation. It seems like we never see you, anymore."

Chad shuffled his feet and looked down at the floor. "I know, its just I'm--"

"I know, you're busy with school and friends and everything else," his mom said, finishing for him. "Just think about visiting a little more often, okay?"

Chad nodded and headed back for the stairs, grabbing his bag as he went. The sound of music once again filled his ears as he reached the second floor. He grimaced slightly as he headed for his room, shutting the door behind him in an attempt to further muffle the noise.

Chad set his bag down on the floor and collapsed onto his bed. Nothing had really changed. The room was mostly empty. The few personal accessories he did have had remained boxed up from when his parents had moved from their old house to this one. His mother had pestered him to decorate the room more, but he didn't see the point. He only used it for a little over two months out of the year.

Chad prodded the bag with his foot. He'd only brought a few things with him from school. The rest he'd had put in storage. He leaned down and fished out a book. He thought he'd read for a few hours before his dad got home and dinner started, but his mind didn't seem to want to focus.

Home. What did that even mean? His mother wanted him to spend more time at home, but there was nothing here. At least at school he had classes and schoolwork to occupy his time. Projects due, books to read, assignments to finish, they had all but consumed him. What little spare time there was, had been devoted to sleep.

For the better part of a year, that had been his life. And now that he was home...His parents didn't understand. And Brian didn't seem to care.

But here in this house with his family, he had never felt more alone.

***

"Chad," their father said, giving him a hearty pawshake. The older wolf smiled at his eldest son benevolently.

Chad smiled and shook his father's paw. "It's good to see you, Dad," he said before he sat down. His father took his seat at the head of the table with Chad sitting to his right. Chad couldn't help but notice that there was more white than gray in his father's muzzle now. He looked older, yes, but more distinguished as well.

For the moment they sat in the dining room alone while Brian helped their mother in the kitchen.

"So how is school?" his father asked.

Chad forced a smile. "Well, they've been sending you a copy of my grades haven't they?"

"Yes, yes, of course," his father said. "Excellent scores all around. But I want to know how you're enjoying yourself there. Meeting people, making friends, yes?"

"Um," Chad stuttered. "Well I have been very focused on my studies..." Chad said trailing off.

His father frowned ever so slightly, but his tone remained jovial. "But of course you've made friends here and there. Other people just as focused as you are. You know it's not just what you know but who you know," his father said waving an admonishing finger.

"Yes, of course, Dad. I do...know a few people," Chad said smiling hopefully.

"That's what I like to hear," his dad said giving him a slap on the shoulder. Chad just grinned madly, and silently prayed for something, anything to derail this conversation.

Like an angel from the heavens, his mother suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Dinner is served," she said setting a large bowl of spaghetti in the middle of the table. Brian followed in her wake, a tray of dinner rolls in his paws.

"Evening darling," their father said. Their mother smiled and leaned down to gently kiss the side of her husband's muzzle. Off to the side, Brian rolled his eyes and set the tray of rolls down rather unceremoniously.

Their mother began setting the table, darting in and out of the kitchen a couple times before finally sitting to their father's left and across from Chad.

Brian took his seat to their mother's left and furthest from everyone. He glowered from his seat and stole a role while no one was looking. Well almost no one.

"Oh Chad it's so good to have you here--Brian put down that roll--now we can all have dinner as a family again," their mother said. "Now since everyone is here, I thought it would be nice if we said Grace just like we used to."

There was a clatter of silverware. "What?" Brian said, outraged. "You're not going to bring that crap back, are you?"

"Now you listen you little--" their father started.

But their mother's voice cut through. "Language, dear," she said directing her attention towards their father. Chad couldn't help but notice a muffled "Umph" from their father who seemed to be very preoccupied with rubbing his leg.

"We haven't been to church in years," Brain continued, still incensed.

"Correction dear, you haven't," their mother said. "Your father and I still attend regularly. Don't we dear?" she said sweetly.

Their father mumbled something under his breath that made it clear he wasn't a voluntary member in this attendance.

"Chad," their mother said suddenly turning her attention to him. "Would you like to say Grace?"

Chad blanched, looking quickly from his father to Brian. "I, um...it's been a really long time, Mom," he said in a panicky voice.

Their mother sighed but smiled reassuringly at Chad. "It's alright dear, I'll do it this time,"

Chad and his father both bowed their heads while their mother spoke, but Brian remained defiant. Chad couldn't help but open an eye and peek at Brian while the words flowed over him. What had happened to Brian? They had once been the best of friends, but now he seemed to be little more than just an angry teenager. Chad felt a sudden urge to reach out to him. To be there for him, and in turn confide in him. Maybe Brian felt just as lonely as Chad did and this was his way of dealing with it.

Their mother had stopped speaking and they all raised their heads automatically, breaking the spell. The thoughts Chad had had swirled away leaving him empty. His mother placed a plate of spaghetti in front of him, causing Chad's stomach to growl and reminding him to fill his stomach before trying to fill his head.

Early in, Chad's father once again tried to start up conversation. "Y'know with these grades, Chad really could go far. I really think we should start looking at colleges this summer."

"Oh yes," their mother said. "Perhaps someplace a bit closer to home?"

"Education first, my dear," their father said. "But there's no reason why it has to be far away," he conceded. "We do have some fine schools right around here. And I'm sure they'd love to have you Chad. Did you see his grades this last quarter?" he said to their mother.

"Yes, dear, you showed me five times," she said smiling demurely. To Chad she said, "You've done very well."

"Um, thank you," Chad said, a bit embarrassed.

"You know, Brian was ranked fifth in his class this year," their mother said.

The air in the dining room grew very tense, very fast.

"Um, wow," Chad said. "That's pretty impressive," he said, unsure of what had caused the sudden change in mood.

Their father continued eating his meal for a moment before speaking. "It would be," he said drawing out the words slowly, "if he hadn't cheated."

There was a warning tone to her voice as she spoke. "James..." their mother said.

"I'm sorry, dear, but that's the truth," he said defiantly.

"James, we've had this talk..." their mother began her voice already sounding tired.

"What do you mean, Dad?" Chad asked and then wished he hadn't.

"Brian took all the required classes for his grade," their father said, completely ignoring the fact that Brian was sitting only a few feet away. "But as for his...electives..." he said the word with distaste.

"What about them?" Brian said speaking for the first time and forcing their father to notice him. He leaned over the table calmly, his gaze holding level with their father. It was clear he was challenging him. Waiting for him to speak.

Their father didn't disappoint him. "Instead of taking decent classes that would have further enriched his mind and been some kind of credit to his education in the long run," their father said, "he's been taking...art and...drama." Their father mouthed the words as if they were from some unfamiliar language. "All easy A's. It's those classes that brought his overall grade point average up to what it is."

Brian laughed from his seat. "Aww, should I have taken business courses like your little lap dog, here," he said gesturing towards Chad.

"Hey," Chad said indignantly, but it was clear his pride was little more than a minor causality in a war that had been going on for quite some time.

"I didn't think you'd need another clone with him around," Brian said once again gesturing towards Chad. "Or were you hoping I'd be your backup plan."

"I was hoping you'd do something respectable with your life instead of waste it being a bum," their father snapped.

"All this because I took a couple art classes?"

"No because you took an easy way out to get an A. But for the record, yes it's a useless skill."

"Tell that to the poor bums in your advertising department."

"They took business classes as well, something you have refused to do."

"Maybe because I don't want to end up like you!"

"Everything in this house is here because of me!"

"Oh great, the martyr speech," Brian said waving his paws in the air dramatically.

"This house, this food, everything in it is because I work!" their father said pounding his fist on the table.

"And what a wonderful little worker bee you are," Brian sneered. "You're the perfect worker, the perfect businessman, the perfect father--Oops, except you're never home to actually act like one"

"I have to work! How do you think we afford any of this?"

"Why don't you just admit it!" Brian said. "You pay the bills and you keep things running, but you care more about your job than you do about anything or anyone in this house."

"I can't believe this!" their father raged. "I work myself half to death for this family--"

Brian cut him off. "Then why don't you do us all a favor and work twice as hard."

"Guh...." Their father visibly choked on the words that had been forming in his mouth. But the look of shock on his face said it all.

For a moment there was a look of hesitation on Brian's face as he realized he might have gone too far. But it was too late now. He'd said the words aloud and his pride wouldn't allow him to take them back. Brian's expression changed to stone as he leaned back in his seat and folded his arms over his chest.

The words continued to hang heavy over the room.

His father still rasping slightly, Chad handed him a glass. "Dad, have some water," Chad said concerned.

Their father took a slow unsteady sip from the glass. "Thank you, Chad," he said, his voice still a little unsteady. "I'm glad you're home again." He took another, longer drink from the glass before speaking again. "You're a good son."

Their father had made it a point to look at neither of them when he said it, but the words had been like daggers all the same.

Brian pushed his chair back from the table and stood up all in one motion. "I've lost my appetite," he said quietly.

He left the table and headed up the stairs without another word.

As the door upstairs slammed a silence settled over the room.

Several minutes later their mother sighed and picked up her fork. Her voice was almost a whisper. "We might as well finish before it's get cold."

They ate the rest of their meal in silence.

***

That night in his room, Chad heard voices. He cracked his door and peered out into the hallway. His mother stood in front of Brian's room with what he guessed was a bowl of reheated spaghetti in her paw. The door to Brian's room was open, but Brian stood just out of sight.

"Brian, honey, please--" their mother begged.

"I'm sick of him, Mom. This is the last time--"

Chad closed the door. Their voices continued on indistinctly for some time and then faded into silence.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. The words were halfway out his mouth before he even opened the door. "Hey, Mom," he said, stepping back and letting her into the room.

His mother sighed. She seemed tired and not just physically. She walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. It seemed to take her a moment to collect herself as she glanced around at the bare walls. "You really should do something with this room," she said finally.

Chad smiled. "You always say that."

His mother rolled her eyes. "So why don't you listen?"

Chad let out a small sigh. "You know it's silly. Half my stuff is back at school. I hardly even use this room."

His mother met his gaze and then looked away. "I guess you're right," she said after a moment.

Concerned, Chad shut the door to his room. They'd had this conversation a dozen times, but it usually lasted longer. The fact that his mother had given up so easily meant something else was on her mind. It wasn't hard to guess what. He grabbed a chair and sat down opposite his mother.

His mother sighed again. "I guess you should know that tonight wasn't the first time something like this has happened," she said.

"You mean Brian and Dad fighting?" he asked softly. She nodded. "Is it always about school?"

"Lately...yes. But in truth they've been fighting about anything and everything for a while now. Brian used to open up to me some, but now, he won't even talk to me. I suppose it happens to every mom eventually. You boys don't talk to me the way you used to."

Chad suddenly seemed very interested in his own paws.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to put you on the spot," their mother said, reaching out and putting a paw on Chad's shoulder. "But I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"

"I guess...what is it?" Chad asked.

"Spend some time with Brian. Hang out or whatever it is you do. Talk to each other."

Chad hesitated. "Mom, I don't think that's a good--"

"Look it's not for me. You don't have to tell me anything you two talk about. But...I worry about him. And you, too. I want you guys to get along. Y'know your father and I won't always be here..."

"Oh Mom, don't talk like that. You guys aren't even that old."

His mother smiled softly. "Maybe not. But it's important for you two to stick together. There could come a day when you'll be all there is for one another. I just want to know you'll be there for each other. Like right now. Chad...you seem sad."

"Mom...it's not like that," Chad said turning away.

"Maybe...but I don't think I'm wrong. And Brian...He's just so angry all the time. I don't pretend to know what it is you two are thinking about, but I'd feel a lot better if you would at least talk to each other. Spend some time together, okay?"

Chad shook his head. "I really don't think he wants to spend time with me," Chad said.

"Leave that to me, okay?"

"Mom...I still don't know."

"Please, Chad," his mother pleaded. "I'm just asking you to do this one thing."

Chad sighed. He could already see there was no way he'd win this argument. "Alright."

His mother reached out and gently squeezed his paw. "Thank you, dear."

***

"Shouldn't one of us be sitting up front with him?" Josh whispered.

Brian grunted, and glared at the seat in front of him. He had both arms crossed in front of him and had slid down in his seat. He was the perfect image of a sulking child with the exception that his gaze was much more murderous than the average five year old could muster.

"Also, why is he driving your car?" Josh whispered again.

Chad was driving because it had been part of the agreement between Brian and their mother. Although it was less of an agreement and more of a his mother guilt-tripping him into bringing Chad along.

Brian had tried to use the excuse that he and Josh had already made plans to go out but somehow his mother had turned that around on him and used it as an excuse for why Chad should come along.

He still wasn't sure how that had happened.

As for Josh, he was too surprised about the fact that he and Brian had apparently made plans to go out to question why Chad was coming along. Until now at least.

The red fox was still pretty bewildered as he sat next to his rather unresponsive friend in the backseat. The fact that Chad was too shy to start up a conversation, and that Brian had expressly forbidden Josh to talk to Chad, only added to the awkward silence that filled the car all the way to the mall.

Even the radio sounded muffled, although that might have been because they were all three suffering from hearing loss from when Chad had first started the car and the speakers had blasted them full volume.

The mall parking lot was packed and Chad drove in circles for several minutes before giving up and picking one of the empty spots on the far end.

The heavy silence followed them out of the car as Brian quickly stalked across the pavement, forcing Josh and Chad to switch between a brisk walk and a slow jog just to keep up.

"So where do you guys usually hang out?" Chad asked once they were inside the mall.

Brian closed his eyes and gritted his teeth in annoyance. For a brief moment, part of him had hoped he could lose Chad in the parking lot. He had considered telling him to wait in the car. "Video game store," Brian said reluctantly. He glanced at Josh to see if there was any argument, but the fox just shrugged.

Chad peered into the store for something he recognized, but he had honestly never been that into video games when he was younger. Three years isolated at school where they were mostly banned hadn't helped matters.

Brian and Josh stepped into the store but Chad lingered outside unsure. Brian glanced back at him and sighed. "Why don't you get us something from the food court," Brian said, too exasperated to be angry now.

Chad shuffled his feet. "Um, what do you guys want?"

"Just get me a Coke for now," Brian said.

Chad looked at Josh and tried to give him a friendly smile. "Um, Mountain Dew," Josh said.

Chad nodded. "Okay," he said and trudged off to the food court, leaving Josh and Brian to browse through the video games.

As soon as he was gone, Josh turned to Brian. "Okay, so why are we here again?" the fox asked.

"Because, I told my mom you and I had plans to hang out today," Brian said, heading towards the new releases section.

"Um...why?"

"Because for some reason she wants me to spend more time with Chad while he's home for summer vacation," Brian sighed. "So I told her you and I already had plans to go out, cause I was trying to get out of it, but she said I should bring him along." Brian picked up a game and skimmed the description on the back. "Besides, we were going to come here eventually anyway."

Josh thumbed through the used games bin a few feet away. "Yeah, but not until next month. Nothing good comes out till then." Josh pulled a case out of the used bin. "Hey what do you think of this?"

Brian looked it over and stuck out his tongue. "Bleh, too much strategy," he said.

"So what's the deal with your brother anyway?" Josh said still thumbing through the used games. "He's like in college or something?"

"Private school," Brian said. "He's only a year older than me so he'll be starting his senior year after summer vacation." Brian pulled one of the cases from the new releases shelf. "Hey what about an RPG?"

Josh glanced at the box. "Eh, that's like the third one in the series. The first two were alright, but not great. I'd wait till the price goes down."

Brian glanced at the game again, shrugged, and put it back on the shelf.

"Um...so why aren't you in private school?" Josh asked after a minute.

Brian didn't answer immediately. "I used to be," he said and then paused. After a few moments, it didn't seem there was going to be more so Josh went back to rummaging though the used video game bin. "Remember, when I transferred in?" Brian said suddenly.

Josh paused in his searching and tried to remember. "Um...eighth grade, after winter break, right?"

"Yeah," Brian said. "See when me and my brother were little, my dad wanted us to go to private school. Plus we lived in a pretty ritzy town and that was where pretty much everyone sent their kids. But then something happened with my dad's job and we had to move here. That's about when I transferred in."

"So no more private school for you then?" Josh asked.

"My mom didn't like it. The whole boarding school, private school thing that is. Plus the closest one is like seventy miles away from here. So I ended up starting public school."

"But not your brother?" Josh asked.

Brian went quiet again but only for a moment. "Y'know how Chad's...weird?" Brian asked.

"Um, not really," Josh said.

"Okay, well trust me, he is. Well...he wasn't always. Weird I mean. It started around Junior High though. He got real quiet. Stopped hanging out with his friends. Just stayed in his room all the time. Then freshman year when my dad said we were moving, he went crazy."

Josh's ear's perked up and his eyes widened a bit. "Like trying to kill people crazy or foaming at the mouth, rolling around on the carpet crazy."

Brian rolled his eyes. "Nah, he just got all depressed. He didn't talk. Like at all, to anyone. His grades crashed and he stopped eating. It was all really freaky stuff. My parents finally figured it had something to do with us moving so they told him he could stay there. And after that he was okay. At least for a little while anyway. But then that summer when he came to the new house he was all moody and quiet again."

Josh waited for more, but Brian obviously wasn't going to continue. "So, what happened?" Josh said, intrigued.

"Huh? Oh nothing," Brian shrugged.

Josh frowned. "What do you mean nothing?"

"I mean nothing," Brian said, shrugging again. "Nobody knows why he went all freaky. Except maybe him and he won't tell anybody. My dad loves it though. Chad is totally focused on schoolwork. That's all he does. He gets straight A's every semester."

Josh snorted. "So you're the bad son, huh?" he said with a grin.

"Yes, it's just so terrible that I have a life," Brian said mockingly. "C'mon let's get out of here. There's nothing good out, yet," he said walking towards the entrance.

"Isn't your brother supposed to meet us back here?" Josh asked as he turned to follow.

"Eh, we'll find him in the food court. That or let him wander around looking for us, I don't care."

"Man, that's cold," Josh said.

It was indeed cold as Brian took the corner and bumped into Chad, the drinks in Chad's paws smashing between them, tipping over, and their contents soaking the front of Brian's shirt all the way down to his feet.

Josh had had an extra moment to react and had been quick enough to step out of the way. He stared at the dripping wolf and the mess of soda and ice that had collected at Brian's feet, an ever-growing puddle spreading across the floor.

Chad had somehow managed to get only a little on his shirt during the initial crash, the cups having tipped towards Brian. His feet and the bottom of his pants legs had still gotten soaked but it was nothing compared to the younger wolf. "Brian...I-I-I'm so..." Chad stuttered.

The growl that escaped Brian's muzzle cut off anything Chad might have said. Wet, cold, and dripping, Brian turned and walked towards the bathroom, leaving a trail of soda behind him.

After a moment, Chad turned to follow him, while Josh grimaced, realizing too late that he should have made a move to stop the older wolf. Josh had only heard Brian growl like that a few times before and he knew it meant the wolf was really pissed.

And you stayed far away from Brian when he was pissed.

***

Chad stepped into the bathroom, unsure of where Brian had gone. As he glanced around, it took him almost a full minute to recognize Brian as the wolf standing at the sink.

His little brother had grown up.

The younger wolf's shirt was off, exposing his fairly well defined body. The muscles in Brian's arms stood out as he twisted his shirt into a tight ball over the sink, ringing out the mix of soft drinks. His pants and fur were still dripping wet and the denim drooped dangerously on Brian's hips, giving Chad an ample view of Brian's lower abs.

Was this really the same kid that Chad had wrestled with when they were younger? Granted Chad had grown too, his body developing and becoming more defined with age. But Brian had kept himself hidden under a collection of baggy and oversized clothes for years now. Never once had Chad suspected that underneath it all Brian had become...hot.

"Brian..." Chad started, unsure of what to say. There were too many things going on in his head at once.

Brian gritted his teeth as he gave his shirt another twist. "You fucking retard," he growled.

The shock at his brother's appearance was quickly pushed aside as Chad stepped forward. "I'm really sorry," Chad said.

"Get out!" Brian snapped, viciously gripping his claws into the shirt.

"Look, I'll help--"

"I said get out!" Brian shouted.

Chad reached for a couple of paper towels and tried to wipe at Brian's fur, but Brian rounded on him furious. "Get off me!" he snarled, swinging his arms dangerously and forcing Chad to step back.

"I-I'm just trying to help," Chad said desperately. He felt terrible and Brian's anger only made it worse.

"Then leave me the fuck alone," Brian said harshly.

Chad just stood there and stared down at his feet, both paws clasped together behind his back and clenching nervously.

Brian turned on the faucet and bent down to cup some water into his paws. He splashed it on his face and patted down the fur on his abdomen, which was already starting to turn sticky. For several minutes he tried unsuccessfully to wash the soda from his fur, but it quickly became obvious that nothing less than a shower was going to get rid of it all.

Frustrated, Brian put both paws on the side of the sink and leaned forward. He wanted to let out of string of swear words, rip out his fur, pound his paws against the wall, something!

Chad was such an idiot. God, he just wanted to take his fist and...

Brian sighed when he looked up and saw Chad was still standing there. Just like that, he felt the anger slip away. He was still frustrated and annoyed, and part of him really would have liked to hit something, but the rage had been too much to hold on to, especially with Chad standing there, looking like some lost little puppy.

Brian grabbed his wet and wrinkled shirt and turned to the older wolf. "Take Josh home," he said in something closely matching his normal voice.

"What about you?" Chad asked.

"I'm walking," Brian said simply.

"I can't let you--" Chad tried to protest.

"I said, I'll walk!" Brian snapped again, some of the anger returning. "Besides I'm not getting this crap all over my car."

Chad shook his head. "Look I've got it on me too, I'll go with you and--"

"Just. Go," Brian said slowly, his patience quickly running out.

"Brian, please..." Chad tried again.

"God damn it!" Brian swore as he pushed past Chad and walked out of the bathroom.

Stunned, Chad followed after a moment, but when he stepped out of the bathroom Brian was nowhere in site. Confused he went back to the front of the video game store where a janitor had already started to clean up the mess. Josh was leaning against a wall.

"Did Brian come this way?" Chad asked suddenly panicking

"No, why?" Josh asked.

"He said he was going to walk home and then just disappeared," Chad said, still desperately looking around.

Josh was quiet for moment. Then he nodded, his expression one of quiet acceptance. "Yeah, that sounds about right." The fox stood up straight and stretched. "Well c'mon we better get going," Josh said and started walking.

Confused, Chad followed the fox. "Where are we going?" Chad asked.

Josh looked up at him. "Well I assume you're going to drop me off at my house and then head home."

"But what about Brian?" Chad asked, that edge of panic in his voice again.

Josh stopped and turned to put a paw on one of Chad's shoulders. "Dude, calm down. Brian will be fine. It's not that far a walk and he's done it before. He just needs some time to blow off some steam and the walk will help him do that. I doubt you'll find him if you go out looking for him, and, on the off chance you do, it's just going to make him madder."

"But...what if something happens to him?" Chad asked, still unsure.

"He'll be fine, trust me," Josh said as he started walking again. Confused and unsure, Chad continued to follow him. They made it all the way to the car before Josh turned to Chad and said, "But your mom is probably going to be really pissed if she finds out."

***

Steam rose from the bowl as Brian's mother stepped into the room. "I brought you some soup, dear," she said carefully holding the bowl in her paws.

"Ughhh," Brian mumbled from under the covers. He shifted slightly, but made no move to sit up.

"Honey, you need to eat something," she said matter-of-factly.

Brian mumbled something under the covers, but remained firmly rooted beneath them.

"Brian, dear," she said, her voice and tone dry, "my sympathy for you is limited. I have the soup for you here, right now. Take it or leave it."

The form beneath the sheets wiggled and moved before Brian finally pulled back the covers and stuck his head out. "Hey I'm sick," he said indignantly. "Aren't you supposed to coddle me and answer to my every whim?"

"You're also sixteen. Aren't you supposed to know better than to walk home at night in dripping wet clothes?" she said with a toothy smile. A smile that hinted that had Brian not gotten sick from the experience she would have given him the verbal equivalent of ripping his throat out.

(Though strangely enough, it is a smile not reserved simply for mother wolves but one commonly used by mothers in general.)

Brian groaned and took the bowl of soup from his mother.

She waited until Brian started eating before she continued. "Also you know your father is taking a business trip next week and I'll be going with him. I've still got some errands to run before then that I really need to take care of today, so I asked Chad to look in on you."

Brian paused with the spoon half way to his muzzle. "Why," he said darkly, "so he can scald me by pouring hot soup on me?"

His mother sighed. "Brian, please," she said, her patience straining, "you know Chad feels really bad about what happened, but it was an accident. Please just let it go."

Brian wasn't quite ready to give up, however, and continued to glower. "Summer vacation just started, and now I'm sick because of him," he said in sullen tones.

His mother rolled her eyes. "Yes, dear, wallow in self-pity. That'll make it all better."

"Mom!" Brian said offended.

His mother sighed. "Look honey," she said frankly, "I'm sorry. I love you. But I love Chad too and I know it was an accident. I wish you'd stop holding this against him. And regardless of how you feel, I'm not going to blame him just because you do."

Brian frowned and shaded his eyes but seemed to concede at least some of his misplaced anger. "Fine," he said at last as he returned to eating his soup.

"I'll be back later this evening. At least attempt to be civil while I'm gone," she said, emphasizing the word "attempt" as she turned and walked out of the room. Brian just rolled his eyes.

A few minutes later he heard the car start outside and pull out of the driveway.

Brian sighed as he finished his soup. At least he probably had a while before Chad stuck his well-meaning nose into the room.

However, the clatter of the spoon must have caught his attention, because Chad suddenly appeared at the door causing Brian to groan. "Hey," he said quietly. "I can take that," he said reaching for the bowl.

"It's fine," Brian said evenly as he pulled back the covers, revealing himself to be wearing only a pair of boxers. "I can take it downstairs myself." As he stood up, the room suddenly began to spin, his eyes quickly became unfocused, and he began to feel lightheaded. A moment later he was sitting back on the bed, Chad next to him. He felt something warm around him and pressing against his unclothed fur and realized it was Chad's arms, holding him tight to keep him steady.

"I'm fine," Brian said. He had meant it to come out pointed and harsh but instead it has just sounded weak and feeble. He also wanted to shrug off Chad's touch but he suddenly felt so tired.

Chad took the bowl from Brian's unresisting paws and set it on the nightstand. "Hmm," Brian mumbled as Chad laid him back on the bed. For a moment, Brian felt cold as Chad let him go and he wished Chad would hold him again. The warmth of his brother's arms around him had felt good. Brian began to shiver a little until Chad pulled the covers over him.

Brian continued to shake a little, then shuffled a bit under the sheets before he laid still. Chad reached for the bowl on the nightstand and started to head for the kitchen.

"Hey, Chad," Brian croaked from beneath the sheets.

Chad came back over and knelt down next to the bed. "Yes?" he said, putting a paw on Brian's shoulder.

The warmth from Chad's paw felt good. "Um...thanks," the younger wolf mumbled.

Chad smiled. "No problem," he said and reached up to ruffle Brian's hair.

For once Brian ignored it and let himself drift off to sleep.

***

Hours later, Brian woke up with only one thing on his mind. Crawling out of bed the wolf literally stumbled to the bathroom where he relieved his bladder and splashed his face with cold water from the sink.

It was amazing how just waking up could make you could fee so much better and worse all at the same time.

As he stepped out of the bathroom he looked around. There was no sign of anyone. He turned to find the door to Chad's room shut, a faint light coming from beneath it.

Well that was just great. Wasn't Chad supposed to be watching over him? Well Brian was hardly going to let this slide.

Brian stepped up to the door and gently tested the knob. It wasn't locked. Gathering up his indignation, Brian pushed open the door. "So much for being responsible," he said loudly as he stepped into the room. "Guess you're..."

There was a flurry of activity as bed sheets and pillows were rearranged. Chad sat on his bed, very obviously naked behind his makeshift coverings. A magazine was lying on the floor, the cover featuring a nude model.

"Geez," Brian said pulling a paw up to his forehead to shade his eyes, though he couldn't help but peak beneath it a bit. "Couldn't you have waited till tonight to do this?"

Chad was too embarrassed to speak. His ears were bright red as he blushed furiously beneath his fur. He bowed his head trying to hide his face, and for a moment, seriously considered pulling the sheets over his head.

Brian suddenly started to laugh. He couldn't help it. He laughed so hard he had to lean back against the doorframe for support. The entire scene was just too funny. And the look on Chad's face only made it worse. It wasn't until Chad's ears pulled back to lay flat against his head in utter shame that Brian began to stifle himself. "Heh, I'm sorry, man, it's just...Geez, I really didn't expect this," he said still chuckling a little. "Seriously, you gotta lock your door when you do this shit."

"I-I thought you were still asleep," Chad said sheepishly.

Brian shook his head, a bemused expression still on his face. "Speaking of which, aren't you supposed to be watching over me?" he said, but there was only mock indignation left in his voice now.

Chad just continued to look down.

Brian shook his head, stood up straight, and took a few steps forward. "How long have you been hiding this in here anyway," Brian said as he leaned down to pick the magazine off the floor.

Chad's body suddenly went rigid as he looked around in panic. The magazine had been in his paws only a few minutes ago. He was sure he had flung it under the covers with himself. But his view of the floor had been obscured by the edge of the bed. It couldn't have made it down there. No...surely...

Chad's heart sank as he watched Brian straighten up, the magazine in his paws. Chad's breath came out short and sharp, his heart started beating so hard he could feel the blood pounding in his ears. How had it have made it to the floor? It couldn't be...

Brian stared at the magazine completely unaware of Chad's panic attack only a few feet away. From across the room he had only recognized the cover image as one of naked fur. But up close he saw it was a picture of a male, his muscles bulging as he posed.

Perplexed, Brian opened the magazine. Why did the cover have a guy on it? Weren't these magazines supposed to have naked women on the front? As he flipped through the pages he found more nude males. That was odd, he thought as he stared at the images blankly, his mind slowly catching up. Wait maybe it was divided into sections. Maybe it had both. He carefully turned the pages, sure that the next page would contain women. Instead he stared in disbelief. The next page had two guys on it, one with his mouth on the other's erection.

"Oh," Brian said. He held the magazine at an angle to make sure he was seeing it right. But no, there was no doubt about it. They were both males. He finally looked up at Chad.

Chad felt tears begin to run down the side of his muzzle. Over and over in his mind he tried to think of a way to deny the magazine. A round of excuses and explanations flew through his mind at light speed, but none of them would stick. It was too late now anyway. The tears on his face told the truth.

Brian looked down unable to meet Chad's tear streaked gaze any longer. The younger wolf put the magazine on the edge of the bed and walked out of the room.

Seconds later, a sob escaped Chad's muzzle before he buried his face in a pillow.

Brian paused in the hall as the sound reached him. For a moment he started to turn back, but hesitated. What would he say? What would he do? He had always wanted to be alone when he cried. He could only assume Chad would want the same.

So instead he went back to his room and sat on his bed. His first instinct was to lie back down and try to go back to sleep. Maybe this would all feel like a dream when he woke up. Maybe it was a dream. But instead he stared at the floor.

An hour passed. Maybe more, maybe less.

There was a soft knock at his door even though he had left it open. Brian looked up to see Chad standing there with a bowl of soup in one paw.

"Hey," Chad said. His voice sounded hoarse from crying. "I brought you some more soup."

"Oh...thanks," Brian said as Chad handed him the bowl. He stared down at the bowl unsure if he could eat it or not. His stomach felt non-existent. "You made this?" he asked dumbly.

"Um...yeah," Chad said looking down.

Brian nodded. Then the words came from his mouth without him meaning to speak them. "I hope you washed your paws first," he said. He had meant it to be funny but neither of them laughed. "I'm sorry," he said quickly.

"It's okay," Chad said, still looking down.

After a moment, Brian's stomach growled as the smell of the soup finally broke through. And just like that the fog in his brain lifted. "So...you're gay," Brian said, as he started to eat the soup.

Chad shuffled his feet. It wasn't a question but Chad felt the need to answer it anyway. "Yeah," he whispered. Chad cleared his throat and tried again. "Yes," he said more clearly. He seemed suddenly unsteady on his feet, the weight of the admission making it difficult to stand.

Brian continued to eat as he processed this. There was something almost magical and yet very simply about eating. The world made sense when balanced on this basic action. He paused between a couple spoonfuls to speak. "I guess...that explains some things," he said.

Chad didn't respond.

When Brian finally finished he set the bowl on the floor. His stomach, along with the rest of the world, felt more solid now. He looked up at Chad and opened his mouth, then paused as he tried to put the words together. "So...what happened?"

Chad looked up confused. "What do you mean?" he said, a worried look on his face.

"Well, first...I guess I should ask. Mom and Dad...no, they don't know, do they?" His words and thoughts were still coming out disjointed.

Chad shook his head. "No."

Brian nodded. "No, of course not," he said, more to himself than to Chad. "Okay, so I need to know...what happened? At school. Why did...Back when you started high school, why did you...freak out when we said we were going to move? This has to have had something to do with that."

Chad just looked away, his face burning with shame once again.

Brian tried to string the words together in his mind again, before abandoning the question. It was too much. It was too much to process and think about all at once. No, he needed to try a different approach. Instead he asked, "When did you first find out?" His voice was quiet as he spoke in what he hoped was a non-threatening tone.

Chad's jaw clenched tightly. He didn't want to cry again. He didn't want to admit that any of this was true. But he was having a hard time keeping himself under control. His entire body felt like it was shaking. Very slowly he began to speak, pausing when he felt his voice waver. "I guess...junior high," he said softly. "That was...that was when I really started to...feel...things." Chad's voice began to break a little.

Brian nodded to himself, his mind replaying those days in his head. Memories and thoughts slowly began to link up. Yes, it was starting to make sense now. He wanted to ask more but tried to give Chad a minute to recover. When it didn't seem he was going to break down and cry again, he tried for more. "And high school?" he ventured carefully. "What happened then?"

Chad sighed and sagged a little as he finally gave in. He didn't so much speak, as the words were squeezed out of him by the crushing weight of it all. "I met someone," he said. "My first boyfriend."

Brian nodded again, realization dawning in his eyes. "Of course...it all makes sense now," he said, as he began to ramble out his thoughts. "Heh, I can't believe it but...God, all this time...That's why you got so upset when we moved. Why you wanted to stay. And then...." Brian took a moment to absorb what he was saying. The thoughts were coming so quickly now, but there was something missing. "So then...who?

Chad sat down on the floor and leaned against the bed. "You remember Keith?"

Brian thought for a moment. Keith? Who... "The...heh, the geeky lion kid you used to hang out with?" Brian asked. Chad just nodded. "Damn I...I remember Mom and Dad used to wonder why you two hung out since you didn't have anything in common. Man he was over every day. So...So, wow, what happened with him?"

Chad leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling, the memories flooding through his head. "He decided we didn't have anything in common...including being gay."

Brian blinked. "Oh," he said quietly.

Now that he had started, Chad couldn't stop. It all came back to him in a rush and spilled from his mouth like a waterfall. "I was so upset when I found out we were moving. He was he only other guy I knew that felt like I did. I didn't think I'd ever find someone else. I guess that's why I loved him so much. Then he broke up with me a few months after you guys moved, just as school ended. After that he transferred schools. I think his family moved...somewhere or something. I don't know. Not that it matters. I never saw him again. I was so sad when he left me...there...there really hasn't been anybody else since him." Chad sighed as he leaned his head forward and turned to look at Brian. "So are you going to tell mom and dad any of this?"

Brian looked confused and then almost hurt. "What? Why? Of course not," Brian said. "I mean...unless you want me too...but no...I wouldn't. I just...I just don't get it. Why...I mean...Why didn't you ever say anything?"

Chad just shrugged. "I didn't know how to say it or what to say. I didn't think you'd understand. And mom and dad..."

Brian was quiet a moment as he thought silently to himself. "But...if you and Keith broke up, why did you stay there? You could have moved here with us."

Chad shrugged again. "I don't know. I guess...it seemed like the right thing to do. I'd made such a big deal about wanting to stay. I couldn't think of a good excuse for changing my mind. I couldn't tell them the truth. And...I was scared. I didn't know anything about public school or what it would be like here. I figured it couldn't be any better so it was probably worse."

Brian considered it for a moment as he tried to remember what life had been like before they had moved. "Actually, I guess it's pretty much the same," he said. "It's really not that different. But no uniforms. And a lot more diversity. And...Well nobody really talks about it, but there are some guys at school who are kind of...well they don't have girlfriends. And everybody pretty much figures...but it's not really a big deal. Like I said, nobody talks about it."

Chad gave a bitter laugh. "Maybe I should have transferred after all," Chad said. "Maybe it would have been better if I had."

Brian shrugged. There wasn't much he could offer in the face of such a bitter realization. Except.... "You still could," Brian said.

Chad sneered. "What would be the point? I've wasted the last three years already."

"Well...I don't know," Brian said. "Just...." He paused as he tried to put it all together. "Is this it? I mean, is this the whole reason why you acted like this all the time? The whole thing with me and mom and dad."

"I...I don't know," Chad said sounding suddenly frustrated. "I guess? I just...I wanted to do what I thought I was supposed to do."

Brian stared down at the empty bowl at this feet. "Okay," he said.

"Okay?"

"Yeah." Brian said. "It's okay."

Chad stared blankly at the wall for a minute. "So does this mean you aren't mad at me anymore?" he asked.

"No...I mean yeah, we're cool, I guess," Brian said.

"You guess?"

"You're still kind of weird," Brian said shrugging.

Chad just smirked.

They sat there in a comfortable silence for a while before Brian spoke again. "So, can I ask you about it?" he said.

Chad looked up at him confused. "About what?"

"Y'know," Brian said waving his paw airily, "about...being gay."

Chad blinked suddenly taken aback. "Um, there's not that much to tell," he said shifting uncomfortably.

"Well I mean..." Brian stumbled over the words in his head for a moment. "What have you done?"

Chad stared at Brian in confusion for a moment. "You mean like sex?"

"Yeah," Brian said.

Chad reached up and scratched behind his ear. It would have been weird enough talking to his little brother about sex without him being gay. But that added to it made it feel wrong somehow. "Um, well...I fooled around with a couple of guys in Junior High," he said at last.

"What do you mean fooled around?" Brian asked.

Now Chad was really getting uncomfortable. "You want details?" Chad asked, unsure what Brian was fishing for here.

Brian shifted on the bed. "I don't know...maybe? I...I don't exactly have a lot of experience...myself."

"Oh," Chad said. "Um okay. Well there...there was this one guy. He was an otter. And we used to...to..." Chad blushed and stuttered around the words unsure of what to say. He had never really talked about sex with anyone. "We used to give each other blowjobs," he said at last. "But that was about it. With him I mean."

Brian just nodded taking this in. He didn't seem to be uncomfortable hearing about it.

Emboldened a bit by the frankness of it all, Chad continued on a little stronger. "Then there was this cheetah I met. We started off kind of slow. Just kissing and fondling each other. He was...he was nice. We'd...suck each other off some, but then he wanted to try mounting...." Chad stopped, not sure if he should go into detail. "Um...I don't know how much of this you want to hear.

Brian looked down and felt himself blush a little. It was strange to hear Chad talk about sex. It was strange to even think about Chad having sex. But curiosity was getting the better of him and he wanted to know more. "Keep going," Brian said. "I-I'll say if it's too much."

"Okay," Chad said. He squirmed a bit knowing that Brian was listening to everything he said. "My first time...it was with him, the cheetah, I mean. He wanted to mount me. It was...weird at first...and it hurt. But it got better. I...I got off kind of early though," Chad said, blushing at the memory, "and it really didn't feel so good after that. But then later it was my turn. And it...It felt really nice. When I...I mean when I actually got inside him. But he wouldn't let me tie with him, so I had to..." Chad fumbled with the words. "I had to keep my knot outside...of him. And when I got off inside him it felt weird. It was good...but...kind of like something was missing. Like it could be better. I think it was cause he wouldn't let me tie with him. He let me be on top a few more times but he never...He would never take my knot. After a while I think he lost interest in the whole thing and we stopped doing anything together."

Brian nodded and absorbed this information slowly. "So you never...I mean have you ever...been with a girl?" he asked.

Chad shook his head. "No, never. I was just never interested."

Brian nodded again. "But...so did you ever get to tie with anyone?"

"Yeah, Keith," Chad said. "He let me tie with him. Not right off but eventually...It was a lot better too." Chad smiled slightly at the memory. "He was my...He was the first guy I ever tied with. It made me feel...so close to him. I guess it really affected the way I felt about him overall. But...I don't think he ever really felt the same way for me that I felt for him," Chad said, shaking his head.

"So...it feels better when you tie with someone?" Brian asked.

Chad looked up at Brian. "Well...have you ever had sex at all?" he asked.

Brian looked down. "I knew this one girl. She and I...well she let me...y'know mount her, but I never...got off. She didn't want me to tie with her. I thought maybe that was why I couldn't...."

Chad nodded. "Was that your first time?"

Brian sighed and ran a paw through his hair. "It was pretty much my only time as far as mounting."

Chad shrugged. "Well...I think it's different for everyone, but...I mean the knot can be a big thing for some guys if they have one. Or so I've read." Chad considered for a moment. "Have you ever..." Chad hesitated but then continued. "Have you ever had sex with a guy?"

Brian looked up surprised. "What? No."

"Oh," Chad said nodding. "Never done anything at all?" he ventured again.

Brian gave his older a brother a critical look and then rolled his eyes. "No. Never."

"Oh well," Chad said standing up. "If you ever decide to," he said casually, "your friend Josh is kind of cute."

Brian's eyes widened.

Chad chuckled a bit. "I'm just kidding. I mean he is cute, but don't worry, I'm not going to hit on him. I was just saying." Chad walked over and picked up the empty bowl at Brian's feet. "You should probably get some rest. You're still sick." Chad turned his face to the window and saw the sun hovering near the horizon. "Mom will be back soon."

"I am feeling a little tired again," Brian said yawning. He watched Chad as he started to leave. "Hey, Chad?" he said. The older wolf stopped. "There really hasn't been anybody else? Since Keith I mean."

Chad's shoulders slumped a little but he tried to keep his voice neutral. "No," he said, a hint of sadness still in his voice.

Brian frowned. "Why not?"

Chad looked upward as if searching. It was a question he had asked himself a time or two. "I don't know. I guess I just never found anyone. There weren't a lot of options at school. And, well, I guess I never really went looking either." Chad paused for a moment. "It...Keith really hurt me."

Brian suddenly felt something he couldn't describe. It was like a new emotion had suddenly bloomed within him. Without really understanding why, he said, "Maybe you should stay here. You could transfer to my school. Maybe...you might find someone then."

For a moment, there was a fleeting expression of hope that crossed Chad's face. But it was quickly crushed. "Maybe," Chad said, but his heart wasn't in it. "Anyway, get some rest." Chad smiled as he pulled the door halfway closed.

Brian slipped back under the covers and tried to get comfortable. As he drifted off to sleep, he realized that for the first time since they were kids, he felt fondly towards Chad.

***

Four days had passed since the incident in Chad's room. Brian had mostly recovered his health though he still claimed he was tired off and on. Chad suspected that Brian's "exhaustion" had more to do with the onset of summer laziness rather than recovering from being sick, but didn't comment on it.

Things had been a bit awkward the first day after they had talked, but gradually they had grown accustomed to one another.

Chad had finally ditched his slacks and dress shirt and opted for a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Brian on the other hand had pretty much given up on clothes altogether and was often seen without any type of shirt or wearing only a pair of boxers.

The morning of the fourth day found their mother smiling fondly at them both. Neither of them had gone out of their way to express their newfound camaraderie, but it was apparent enough in their relaxed attitudes towards one another that their mother had picked up on it.

Their mother waved as she and their father got into the back of the taxi that would take them to the airport. Brian and Chad both waved from the porch and watched the taxi disappear down the street.

As they stepped back into the house, Brian immediately pulled off his shirt and tossed it onto the couch. His back to Chad, Brian yawned and stretched, his muscles rippling beneath his fur.

Chad felt a slight twinge near his groin, but quickly chided himself. It was true that Brian had a nice body...okay scratch that, the boy was hot, plain and simple. But he was still Chad's brother. He could be a hulking wolven god, dripping with sexual charisma and it still wouldn't change the fact that he was his brother and therefore off limits.

Besides, Brian didn't like guys anyway.

"I think I'm going back to bed," Brian announced as he turned back to face Chad.

Chad stared at him in disbelief. "You just got up," he said.

Brian shrugged. "Yeah so?" Chad just shook his head. "So are we still doing movies and pizza tonight?" Brian asked.

Chad pretended to think about it. "I don't know, are you gonna be able to stay awake through the movies?" Chad asked mockingly.

Brian responded by sticking his tongue out and showing Chad his middle finger.

"I'll take that as a yes," Chad said with a smirk.

"Cool," Brian said as he spun around and bounded up the stairs.

"Hey," Chad called after him as he picked Brian's shirt up off the couch. "Don't just leave your clothes down here."

Brian's pants landed at the bottom the stairs with a thump. Chad just sighed, rolled his eyes, and tossed the shirt over his shoulder.

It was going to be a long week.

***

Brian leaned his head onto Chad's shoulder, startling the older wolf.

The pizza boxes and soda cans on the coffee table were empty and a stack of movies sat on the floor in front of the entertainment center. Brian's clothes still decorated the floor, despite Chad's continued requests that they at least be put away.

Both wolves had spent most of the evening on the couch. They'd rented quite a few movies and had managed to make it through the first two fine. But, now, halfway through the third, it was already dark outside and Brian was starting to tire out.

Chad had been lost in the movie when he felt Brian's muzzle rest against his shoulder. He was surprised, but it was due more to the intimacy of the act than anything else.

He shuffled uncomfortably for a moment before shifting his arm back to tentatively rest around Brian's shoulders.

Chad held his breath while he waited. Was this okay? It felt like they were too close. Closer than they should be. But surely Brian would object or pull away if it were wrong.

Brian moved slightly and Chad felt his heart sink, sure that he had made a mistake. Then he felt Brian's arm snake it's way around his waist and hold him close.

Chad had all but forgotten the movie now. His senses were completely focused on the feel of his brother against him. It had been a while since he had been so close to another male. The broad shoulders, the slightly rougher quality of the fur, and the faint hint of musk that clung to the male body turned him on in ways he couldn't describe. And now with Brian pressed against him, his sheath was beginning to swell as his length slipped out and filled his shorts.

A wave of heat rushed through Chad's body as he felt himself go flush with embarrassment and the fear that Brian would notice his arousal.

Chad clenched his teeth as he tried to dispel the feelings of lust. He tried in vain to focus on the movie instead, but it wasn't working. The closeness of another male was too much for his starved senses.

So instead he tried to think of Brian differently. There was no doubt that the younger wolf was hot, but Chad hadn't always seen him this way. Chad's mind began conjuring up images of Brian and him as kids, back when they had been so...well innocent would have been the wrong term. They had spent much of their time fighting with each other and getting into trouble. But they had been so carefree in those days. Back before they had ever even begun to feel the weight of the world pressing down on their shoulders. And now they were both nearing the end of high school. Where had all that time gone?

Chad looked at his brother and felt a rush of familial love for him. They had both grown up and it was sobering to think of what lay ahead. In a few years everything would begin changing and it struck Chad just how important there time together now really was.

But more important at the moment was that these thoughts had also caused Chad's erection to mostly retreat back into its sheath.

Chad heaved a sigh of contentment as he held Brian, his younger brother's body against him providing nothing more than comfort.

And so they watched on, the movie finally coming to a close as the credits began to roll. It wasn't until Chad started to move to switch movies that he realized Brian had fallen asleep against him.

Chad smiled and gently ran a finger along the back of one of Brian's ears. It twitched slightly, but Brian remained asleep. Chad smirked and pressed his muzzle close to Brian's other ear. His tongue flicked out and gently licked at one ear while his finger continued to stroke the back of the other.

Both of Brian's ears twitched madly for a good minute before he woke up, his paws instinctively reaching up to scratch at his ears. "Ahh, what did you do?" Brian said when his paw found his wet ear.

"Heh, you fell asleep," Chad said.

Brian glared at his older brother, stood up, and stretched. "I guess I missed the end, huh?"

Chad just nodded.

"Okay," Brian said, yawning. "Well let's put in another one."

Chad rolled his eyes. "Another one? You fell asleep during this one."

"So?" Brian said shrugging.

"So," Chad said, "you're still recovering and you need your rest. I don't think mom and dad would like it if you got sick again."

Brian snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure Dad would be so torn up about it," he said as he walked over to the TV and started to shuffle through the pile of movies they hadn't watched yet.

Chad stared down at his feet and very softly said, "He does care about you, y'know."

Brian paused in his search and looked up. "What?"

"Dad, " Chad said, slowly raising his head. "He does care about you."

Brian rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because he plays the role of caring father so well," Brian said, his voice full of malice. "The only thing he knows how to do is work in that damn office of his. He doesn't know anything about us, about being a family, and he certainly doesn't act like he cares, but that doesn't stop him from trying to act like he's in charge." Brian shook his head. "I honestly don't know what you see in him."

Chad look down again. "I don't know," Chad said quietly. "Maybe, I just see...myself."

Brian stared at him confused. "What?" he said again.

"You're right," Chad said slowly. "He doesn't know what he's doing. I mean, Dad, just sort of goes through the motions. But...I think it's because he doesn't know how to be a father. He just does what he thinks he's supposed to do." Chad looked up at Brian. "I guess that's why we get along. I mean, you and Mom, you always seem to know what you're doing. Even when you don't, you at least have an idea of how it's supposed to be done. Not just that, you know what you want. But I don't think Dad does. He says and does things he thinks he's supposed to do, but it doesn't have anything to do with what he wants. Just what he thinks he's supposed to want."

Brian looked at Chad in silence for several minutes, causing Chad to fidget uncomfortably. Finally Brian spoke. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," he said, and put in another movie.

Chad just looked up at Brian dumbfounded.

"Seriously, that was crap," Brian said, coming back over to sit next to Chad. Brian was shaking his head, but he was smiling slightly. "So does that mean you don't know what you want?"

Chad shifted a little on the couch. "Not really. I mean...I thought I did. And now...I'm just sort of drifting. At least that's how I feel sometimes."

"Then maybe you should make up your mind," Brian said matter-of-factly.

Now it was Chad's turn to roll his eyes. "Gee, that's simple. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Seriously, you can't just do whatever Dad thinks you should do, or you think you should do, or however it works. Just, y'know, do whatever makes you happy. Do what you want."

"It's a lot harder than it sounds," Chad said frowning.

"Why?" Brian asked. Chad didn't have an answer but fortunately Brian didn't wait for one. "C'mon let's watch the next one." Brian hit play on the remote.

But as the movie started, Chad couldn't help but wonder if Brian was right.

***

The room was mostly dark when Chad woke up. The movie had ended and the player had gone into sleep mode leaving the TV screen blank. The only source of light in the room was a lamp near the wall. Chad quickly realized he had fallen asleep on the couch during the movie.

Two other things came to his attention immediately after.

The first was that Brian had fallen asleep as well and was curled up on top of him, his head lying on Chad's chest and his arms wrapped around Chad's waist.

The second was that he was rock hard where Brian's abdomen was pressed against his crotch.

Chad felt his entire body tense up. There wouldn't be any denying his erection if Brian woke up. As it was, it felt like a steel pole between them, and Chad was surprised it's presence wasn't a great enough discomfort for Brian to notice, even in his sleep.

Moving him wasn't an option, either. With Brian's arms wrapped around him and their legs tangled together, getting Brian to move without waking him was well near impossible. And even groggy and half-asleep, it would still be pretty obvious what was going on between Chad's legs.

God if only it would go back down. But the warmth and weight of Brian's body pressing down on his crotch was too much.

Chad looked down at his brother's sleeping form. It wasn't a bad sight to wake up to, and the romantic in him had always liked the idea of waking up, still cuddled close to his lover.

Except Brian wasn't his lover, and any thoughts otherwise were crushed under the weight of guilt and social taboo.

Still...Chad leaned down and gently kissed Brian's forehead, and for a moment, just a small moment, let himself pretend that Brian was more than just his brother. He hugged Brian close and breathed a small sigh of contentment at how good it all felt.

Brian's weight shifted slightly and Chad was brought out of his own thoughts to realize that Brian was staring up at him, eyes open, and fully awake.

Chad would have stuttered if he'd had the breath to speak, but his lungs had stopped working, and his erection chose that moment to give a slight pulse, reminding him that it was still there and currently throbbing against Brian's stomach.

Like a waterfall, the excuses began to pour down into Chad's brain. There was a dull roaring in his ears as the thoughts collided and crashed against his mind, each one struggling to flow from his mouth.

But they were all silenced as Brian shifted again and moved his muzzle to press against Chad's.

It was a light kiss, barely more than the chance meeting of flesh and fur. But Brian had no sooner pulled back than he pushed forward again, tentatively seeking the right pressure as he pressed his muzzle to Chad's once again.

Bewildered and confused, Chad remained motionless, but Brian pushed further, the tip of his tongue slipping forward just barely enough to meet Chad's. And now Chad was becoming an active participant, his tongue responding as he began to return the kiss.

Chad's paws came up to gently rest behind Brian's head as he kissed his younger brother deeply, their bodies pressing against one another with an intense urgency. It was wrong. Every second of it. But it felt wonderful, and Chad quickly became lost in a haze of lust as his tongue ran across Brian's and the heat from their bodies filled the air.

The shift in power was subtle. It had, after all, been Brian that initiated things. But Chad was slowly taking charge as his paws ran down Brian's back, pulling the younger wolf's body closer. It seemed Brian was content to follow as he went along with Chad's lead and wrapped his arms around his brother, their bodies and muzzles both in a tight embrace.

It wasn't until Chad's muzzle began to tire, and he could feel Brian's movements become more sluggish, that Chad stopped to rest. The older wolf's shorts were wet from the steady flow of precum that had leaked from his still throbbing erection, and the temperature around them had risen several degrees from their combined body heat.

Chad pulled back further in an effort to cool off, and as he felt some of the heat leave his body, a startling clarity dispelled the cloud of lust. There was a jarring start as he landed back in reality. A reality where he had done something very wrong.

Only a breath away, Brian felt the change in mood and found himself faced with a wall of uncertainty. An uncomfortable silence began to settle on them both, and Chad rushed to lift it.

"I'm sorry," Chad said. It felt as though it was both the most appropriate and inappropriate thing to say.

Brian frowned. "Why?" he said, a touch of irritation creeping into his voice. "I kissed you." The tone in his voice challenged Chad to deny it.

At a loss, Chad fell back to a simpler argument. "I...Look, we shouldn't have done that." His voice trembled slightly with the onset of panic. "It was wrong and...we didn't...." Chad's mind was trying to deny it, to block it out. Desperately he tried to push it away. Make it so it didn't happen.

But Brian wasn't helping. The younger wolf pulled back now, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It's not like it was a big deal." The words weren't entirely convincing. Something in Brian's voice said he didn't fully believe it himself, but he continued on. "We just kissed...that's all."

Brian's statement was meant to be comforting. But it was so casual, so real, that it confirmed everything Chad's mind was trying to hide from. Chad leaned forward and covered his face with his paws. With a terrible certainty, the weight of his actions, his feelings, everything, fell down on to Chad, crushing him. His whole body began to tremble, and for a moment, he felt as though he might cry.

And then something shifted.

It was like the first few rocks of an impending avalanche. Little pebbles of resentment began slowly tumbling down. And in his mind Chad thought, Brian started it. Another trickle of pebbles, more this time. He had trusted Brian. Confided in him. And now this terrible act.... The thoughts were coming faster now, larger. It wasn't his fault. He would never.... He knew better. It wasn't his fault.... Great boulders of guilt laced anger rushed down towards him. It was Brian's.

Chad stood up, his body shaking now more than ever. Smoke would have risen from his nostrils were it possible. He turned on Brian with a snarl. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he barked, causing Brian to pull back, stunned at Chad's sudden change of attitude. "Is this your idea of a joke? Do you think this is funny?"

Brian shrank back further. "What? N-No of course not."

"You're not even gay!" Chad shouted. "Why would you even do this? And...and we're related..." A fresh wave of guilt suddenly weighed him down again.

Chad sat back down and put his head in his paws. The avalanche had passed taking with it the majority of the weight and guilt. But now Chad simply felt at a loss, unsure of what to feel. Brian had started it. And part of Chad was so very angry at him for that. But it didn't change the fact that Chad had wanted it. More than that he had gone along with it. He probably would have done it himself except Brian had beaten him to it.

And it suddenly dawned on him. Brian had started it.

Why had Brian kissed him? Chad had wanted it, but it was Brian that had done it. And hadn't Brian just finished telling him that you should do what you want. Did that mean...

Chad turned and looked at Brian, who had quietly drawn his knees up to his chest and was now on the opposite side of the couch.

Not that he had gone that far since it wasn't that big of a couch.

Chad sighed as he stared sadly at his younger brother. "I'm--" He had to stop and clear his throat, his voice a bit hoarse from yelling. "I'm sorry," he tried again. But Brian gave him a sharp look, and Chad quickly added, "For yelling at you. I'm sorry."

Brian just shrugged, offering nothing.

Chad spoke the next words slowly, careful to keep his voice and tone neutral. "Why did you do that? Why did you...kiss me?"

Brian shifted slightly. Very softly he said, "I thought you liked it. Or...would like it." Brian's eyes wandered unsure of where to look. "I mean...kissing guys. So I figured you'd like it with me." His eyes landed on Chad and then looked down. "I just thought...I don't know."

Chad gave a little chuckle, although there was a hint of bitterness in it. "I do like guys, Brian. And...and you're very attractive. It's not like I didn't notice. And I did like kissing you. And holding you. But..." Chad trailed off.

"But what?" Brian said, somewhat defiantly.

"But it's wrong," Chad insisted. "It just...it just is. We're not supposed to...I don't understand why you care." Chad's tone was suddenly suspicious. "I thought you liked girls, anyway."

"I didn't say I didn't like girls," Brian said a bit defensively. "And...I don't know if I like guys...Maybe I do." He paused. "I do know that I like you."

Chad gave a sad smile and shook his head. "Heh, and here I thought you hated me."

Brian looked down. "I never really...I didn't hate you. But...Well, I just didn't like you that much. And now...well, this past week, I guess I started to feel better about things between us. I actually liked spending time with you."

"Well yeah, we're family," Chad started. "We're supposed to..." But Brian was already shaking his head.

"No it's different. I love mom. And as for dad..." His tone suddenly went sour and Brian started to say more but trailed off instead. "Well anyway, I know how I feel about them. But with you...it's different. There was all this distance between us. And now...it feels like we just met. It just doesn't feel like you're my brother. Just someone really close to me." Brian saw the disappointment in Chad's face and scrambled to find the right words. "I like you more than I would if we were just family. I think...I like you better."

Chad looked down. "But you still don't think of me as your brother," he said sadly.

Brian sighed in frustration. "I do feel close to you. Maybe I do think of you that way. It's just...I feel more for you." Brian moved closer to Chad and put his paw on the older wolf's leg. "I think you're...sexy?"

Chad looked down at Brian's paw and then up at his face. "Are you asking me or telling me?" Chad said, giving him a curious look.

"I just don't know how to say it," Brian said frustrated. "I don't know...."

Chad put his paw on top of Brian's for a moment, and then reached out to draw his younger brother's body closer. He ran a paw over Brian's exposed chest, gently dragging his claws through the fur. "It's okay," he said softly. And then, almost as an afterthought he added, "You've got a really nice body, y'know. I didn't have the nerve to tell you at the mall when I first saw you without your shirt on, but I think you look hot."

Brian blushed a little under his fur and inched closer to Chad. "Y'know, I've never actually seen what you look like without your shirt on."

Chad took the hint and reached down to lift the t-shirt over his head, tossing it behind the couch. Seeing his brother's fully developed chest for the first time, Brian couldn't resist and reached out to run his paws over Chad's dark gray fur. The muscles in Chad's chest and abs were clearly outlined, and suddenly Brian knew there was no question as to whether or not he thought his older brother was sexy.

But even so, it was strange how similar their bodies were. It all seemed so familiar and yet different at the same time.

Brian's paws found their way down to a darker, almost black patch of fur that began just around Chad's navel and trailed down below his waistline. It was an odd contradiction to Brian's own treasure trail, which was lighter than the rest of his fur, to the point that it was almost white.

Brian found himself undoing the button to the darker wolf's shorts, when Chad's paws closed around his.

"Brian, wait," Chad said, a touch of concern in his voice. "What are planning on doing?"

Brian hadn't thought that far ahead yet. "I just want to see it. To see you."

"Is that all?" Chad asked.

"I don't know," Brian admitted.

Chad hesitated for a moment and then released his grip on Brian's paws. The button came undone and Brian pulled the shorts down, dragging the boxers down a bit with them. There was more of the darker fur visible now, as it spread out to form a darker patch just above the waistband of the boxers.

Chad's obviously hard cock now tented the fabric, and here and there were wet spots where precum had leaked out. Eagerness overcame him, and Brian gently hooked a paw on either side, all too aware that having the elastic band drag across his hard cock would be uncomfortable for Chad. He pulled the waistband out and down, sliding the boxers down Chad's thighs.

Chad's cock stood out long and proud. The pink rod extended from the sheath, and a small bulge at the base hinted at his knot. Just beneath the sheath two furry orbs hung down, the fur around them and the sheath a mix of dark gray and black.

The scent of Chad's musk flowed up into Brian's nose, the strange new smell causing him to breath deeply. Brian's own musk had never seemed that strong to himself, but Chad's, while similar, was still different. It was Chad's own personal scent and as Brian took another breath, he felt his cock began to throb.

Brian reached down and very gently cupped Chad's balls, feeling the soft fur on and around them. A sudden spurt of precum dribbled out from the tip of Chad's cock as Brian fondled his older brother. A surge of curiosity overtook Brian and before either of them could think better of it, Brian leaned down and lapped at the tip of Chad's cock, tasting the clear substance.

There had only been a few occasions when Brian had tasted his own fluids. His own precum had seemed both sweet and salty at the same time, but his cum had just tasted salty and warm. Again, Chad's was similar but different. His precum tasted sweet but with a slightly different flavor.

Chad let out a gasp as Brian ran his tongue over the pink length again, tasting first the precum and then the taste of Chad's flesh. The flavors and scents were intoxicating and Brian found himself licking up and down Chad's length, always swirling his tongue across the tip when a new spurt of precum leaked to the surface.

Chad squirmed at this attention, his length painfully hard now. He watched his brother work his tongue along his length and waited until he lapped up a fresh spurt of precum. Gentle paws cupped Brian's face and lifted his muzzle up to Chad's. Their tongues collided as the taste of Chad's precum passed back and forth from Brian's muzzle to Chad's until they could taste only each other.

They continued to kiss until Brian began to pull away, eager to resume his exploration of Chad's cock with his tongue. But Chad gently pushed him back and leaned forward, his paws slipping down to Brian's boxers. Chad stood, allowing his shorts and boxers to drop down to his feet where he kicked them off. And then in one careful motion he slipped Brian's boxers completely off.

Completely naked, they were both motionless for a moment as their eyes flickered back and forth between one another, comparing their bodies. Just like the trail of fur near Brian's navel, the fur around Brian's crotch was a very light gray to white color.

Size was more difficult to compare. Brian, while definitely aroused, was not fully unsheathed. The telltale bulge at the base of his cock that would swell to be his knot was still hidden inside him.

Chad lowered himself to his knees and buried his muzzle in Brian's crotch. He started slowly by licking the younger wolf's shaft until he was rewarded with a burst of precum. Chad allowed himself a quick taste before he engulfed Brian's length in his muzzle.

Brian gasped as he felt Chad begin to gently suck on his cock. The concept of a blowjob was not beyond him, but he had never actually received one, nor did he have any idea on how to give one beyond the mere basics.

Chad, while not fully intending to, was giving him quite a demonstration. The older wolf slid his tongue along the underside of Brian's shaft, and then pulled back, letting just the head remain inside his muzzle. Chad then pushed his muzzle back down on the length, letting the tip press against the back of his throat.

Brian shuddered in pleasure. The whole experience felt so good, but he felt a bit off just sitting there and letting Chad do all the work. Chad's erection peeked up over the edge of the couch and an idea suddenly struck Brian.

The younger wolf turned and half leaned, half fell to his side and gently grabbed at Chad's waist, tugging him towards the couch. Chad, getting the hint, slowly brought his knees to rest on the seat cushions, his muzzle never leaving Brian's length.

With Chad's erection in reach, Brian began lapping at with his tongue, the taste of his brother's precum and flesh becoming familiar. It took a few moments of awkward shifting before they both worked out how to position their bodies to give the other access to their crotch.

With Chad's erection now right in front of him, Brian gave it a few licks before attempting to mimic Chad's actions. Slowly he slid the length into his muzzle, his tongue working madly along Chad's shaft.

Careful of his teeth, Brian tried to slide Chad's entire cock into his mouth, but quickly stopped before he gagged. It was certainly more difficult than it looked.

Instead of taking the entire length, Brian began making short strokes, sliding half of Chad's shaft in and out of his muzzle. Chad moaned lightly around Brian's own cock as he jetted more precum into Brian's muzzle.

Brian began to speed up his pace, each time slipping more and more of his brother's erection into his muzzle. It was quickly becoming easier, although he couldn't quite figure out how to fit the entire length inside him without gagging.

They both continued sucking on one another's shafts for the next few minutes, before Chad slowed down and finally pulled his muzzle away from Brian's crotch. Brian, however, continued going and Chad felt himself go weak as he was now able to fully focus on the pleasure his brother was giving him.

Chad felt his cock become harder as his knot started to swell and he quickly reached down, his paw gently pushing on Brian's chest and signaling him to stop.

Brian pulled away and looked up at Chad perplexed.

"Sorry," Chad said. "It just felt a little too good and I didn't want to get off yet."

"Oh," Brian said. Part of him was disappointed as he was curious what Chad's actual cum tasted like. Still, he wasn't quite ready for things to be over either.

They both sat up and Chad leaned forward to kiss Brian, their tongues working over one another for a moment, as they each tasted a combination of their own precum.

When Chad pulled away from the kiss he had a serious look on his face. "Brian," he said slowly, "you said you've never tied with anyone right?"

Brian nodded, unsure of where this was going.

"Would...would you like to tie with me?" Chad asked.

Brian looked at Chad, confused for a moment before it dawned on him. "Are you serious...I mean...in your tailhole?" Brian asked a little disbelieving. Chad just nodded. "Won't that hurt? I mean, just with it being in there at all."

Chad smiled knowingly. "Heh, well it did my first time a little, yeah. And it has been a while, so you'd have to go slow. But it actually feels...well good."

Despite Chad's assurance, Brian still seemed unsure. "The whole thing and my knot?" Brian said, still having trouble with the concept.

Chad chuckled softly to himself. "Yes, I mean the whole thing," he said, reaching out to gently stroke Brian's chest. "I promise I'll let you know if it's hurting me or I want you to stop."

Brian seemed to think this over for a minute. "So it really does feel good?"

Chad smiled again. "Yes it really does."

Brian suddenly seemed nervous, and softly he asked, "Before we do...would you mount me?"

Now it was Chad's turn to look unsure. "I don't know Brian. That first time...maybe some other--."

"I don't mean your knot," Brian said quickly. "But...I'd like to know what it feels like."

Chad frowned as he became lost in his own memories. He remembered his first time being mounted and how he had been unsure if he could really go through with it. It had seemed too much to handle at first, but he had kept going. It had felt so much better afterwards, but still, he didn't like the idea of putting Brian through that.

"I just don't know, Brian," he said at last.

"Please?" Brian asked again, but his voice still sounded unsure. It was true he didn't fully understand what he was getting himself into, but part him had a burning desire to know what it felt like.

Chad smiled to himself ruefully. No one had ever begged him to mount them. And even though it was tempting, he didn't like the idea of hurting Brian. Still...Brian gave him a look somewhere between hopeful and scared. It was too hard to resist.

"Alright," Chad said. "But," he said emphasizing the word, "you tell me to stop as soon as you don't feel comfortable with it. And I'm definitely not tying with you. We'll just try it for a little bit so you can see how it feels, okay?"

Brian nodded solemnly.

Unsure, but a little excited, Chad stood up. "C'mon let's go up to my room."

"Why can't we just stay down here?" Brian said, reluctantly getting up.

"The bed will be more comfortable, trust me," Chad said. "Plus I've got some lube in my duffle bag, and believe me, we'll need it."

Chad headed up the stares with Brian not far behind. It wasn't a long walk, but it was still enough time for a few more doubts to start buzzing around Chad's head. But no, it was much too late for that now. He swatted them away like flies, turned to offer his paw to his younger brother, and led him up the rest of the stairs and into his bedroom.

The duffle bag sat in the middle of the floor in the same place it always had, the room, still mostly bare. For the first time it struck Chad just how cold the room looked. He quickly turned off the overhead light and turned on a small lamp. The shadows it cast across the room made it seem less empty.

Brian sat on the edge of the bed while Chad rummaged around in his bag, finally pulling out a small bottle.

Chad walked over to the bed and leaned down to kiss Brian's muzzle. The younger wolf wrapped his arms around Chad's neck and when Chad pulled away, Brian's expression was one of trust.

Chad smiled down at his brother. "Here," he said, "move a little more onto the bed and lie down." Chad's paws gently pushed and moved Brian until he was lying on his back with his legs bent and spread eagle.

Brian's tailhole now lay exposed near the edge of the bed and he suddenly felt confused and uncertain. "Um, what are we doing?" Brian asked. He couldn't see anything but the ceiling because of Chad's insistence that he lie down.

"Don't worry," Chad said, his voice sounding surprisingly near Brian's crotch. "We're not starting yet. I just wanted to give you...well a warm up of sorts."

Brian wasn't sure what that meant until he felt Chad's tongue lick his balls. Brian's cock immediately began to twitch as Chad's tongue trailed up to lap at the base of the younger wolf's shaft and then back down to his balls.

Then Chad's tongue went down lower to the spot just below the ballsack, sending a strange surge of new feeling through Brian. At first it was neither good nor bad, just different and odd. The sensation of Chad's tongue there seemed strange. But Chad continued to alternate between this new area and Brian's cock and balls, until Brian began to feel pleasure from all three.

And then again, Chad went lower as his warm tongue slid over Brian's tailhole causing the younger wolf to shiver. The feel of the wet slippery tongue against his hole tickled at first. And then again he felt that strange sensation as if the nerves there, having never been used, were just now waking up.

And through it all, Chad's tongue continued to move back and forth, up to Brian's cock and back down to his tailhole until his senses were overloaded and all he felt was pleasure.

But then...oh his tailhole. It felt so warm and moist. Brian had never dreamed it could feel this good. The feel of a warm, wet tongue sliding over it filled him with such pleasure.

More and more Brian's hole began to relax, exposing those precious nerve endings Chad's tongue stimulated so well. Brian's cock twitched and a spot of precum dripped from the tip and into his fur, followed soon by many more.

Brian moaned softly and found himself arching, thrusting, and begging for more until Chad finally slipped his tongue just inside the ring of Brian's hole.

It felt strange and foreign at first. But every instinct in Brian's body told him he wanted more. And now he finally understood what Chad had meant by warming him up because now, more than ever, he wanted to know what it would feel like to have his older brother's cock inside him.

But still Chad continued to slide his tongue just inside Brian's hole, the older wolf's tongue not stiff or strong enough to push very far inside.

Brian just groaned in ecstasy, too lost in his own pleasure to notice Chad had stopped until he felt something cold and wet against his hole. Brian propped himself up on his elbows to look down between his legs where he saw Chad standing, the open bottle of lube in one paw, while the other paw worked the fluid against Brian's hole.

Chad tilted the bottle and added another drop to his paw before returning it to Brian's hole. And then suddenly there was a soft push as Chad gently slipped a finger inside Brian.

Brian immediately felt a burning sensation as his hole contracted around the finger. Pain would have been the wrong way to describe it, but it was definitely uncomfortable. But Brian gritted his teeth and waited.

Chad removed his finger, applied more lube, and slipped it in again. But this time another finger pressed against the edge of Brian's entrance. Surprised, Brian felt the second finger enter him without too much resistance. But the burning sensation was back, removing all sense of pleasure, and Brian could feel his erection begin to shrink.

But Chad had warned him. So he held on and waited and trusted that Chad knew what he was doing because he truly didn't believe Chad would lie to him.

Chad continued to play with Brian's tailhole, stretching it slightly, moving the fingers in and out, but never slipping them in too deep. He could tell that much of Brian's discomfort had faded but that he wasn't currently getting any sense of pleasure from it either.

Chad applied lube to both his paws, one stroking his own cock, while the other began to stroke Brian's.

Brian grunted slightly as the felt Chad's paw on his cock. It didn't take too long for his erection to return, but this time it was accompanied by a new sensation. The tip of Chad's cock was now pressed against his tailhole.

It was just for a moment. Then Chad motioned for Brian to scoot further onto the bed and Chad moved onto the bed on his knees and slid between Brian's legs so that his crotch was lined up with Brian's exposed hole.

Chad resumed stroked Brian's cock, and the feel of his older brother's paw on his cock was wonderful. But there was an ache in Brian's tailhole. He could feel the muscles flex and move as they sought that pressure again.

It returned quickly enough as Chad placed his cock head once more at Brian's entrance. For Brian the sensation was completely different now that Chad was stroking his cock. The discomfort of his stretched tailhole was now a distant memory, and, unconsciously, Brian angled his hips to facilitate the entrance of Chad's length.

Chad slid forward slowly, the silken smooth grip of Brian's anal passage on his length causing him to leak even more precum and further lube his entrance.

There was a brief moment for Brian, as Chad's cock moved just past his entrance, that a twinge of discomfort returned. Something inside him was being stretched again and it protested harshly. But then it passed, and inch after inch of Chad's erection sank deep into him.

And suddenly Brian felt it. Chad's cock had touched something inside him he didn't even know he had, and it was pure pleasure. Chad's cock retreated from it for only a second before pressing against it again, and Brian moaned in ecstasy.

Chad smiled to himself as he slowly slid his length in and out of his younger brother's hole. The grip of the smooth passage on his cock made him want to pound his length into the smaller wolf, giving him everything he had until he erupted inside of him. But instead Chad remained focused on going slow and paying ample attention to Brian's cock, being sure to keep him aroused.

"You okay," Chad asked, although it sounded more like a grunt.

Brian just nodded and moaned. His felt his hole grip Chad's length until he was sure he could feel every line and contour of the older wolf's cock. The feel of it sliding inside his anal passage was wonderful. He tried to urge Chad to go faster, to ride him. Even more he wanted Chad's knot. He wanted to be tied by his older brother. And God did he want to come.

But Brian was in no state to communicate these things and even if he were, Chad wouldn't have complied. Instead he took it slow, letting his length slide almost completely out of Brian until the tip just kissed his entrance, and then pushing it back in, leaving his ever-growing and bulging knot outside.

Chad continued this slow thrusting for another full minute before knew he had to stop. Even if he resisted the urge to pop his knot past Brian's entrance and tie with him, he was still dangerously close to spilling his seed inside his brother's hole.

Moreover he wanted to. And if he continued, he wouldn't be able to hold back. Instead he pulled his length completely out of Brian, a few drops of precum leaking from the younger wolf's clenching hole.

Brian began to whine, his moans of pleasure turning to moans of longing. Even his cock was no longer being stroked. "No please don't stop," Brian begged, finally giving voice to his desires.

Chad leaned down and kissed Brian's muzzle, there tongues playing across one another for a moment before Chad pulled away. "It's your turn," Chad said softly, and moved off the bed.

Brian sat up, the realization that his orgasm has only been delayed soothing his libido. But now nervousness was starting to set in. Chad had reached under his own tail and was applying lube. He handed the bottle to Brian, who didn't need to be told what to do.

Brian stood up on shaky legs and applied the lube to his cock, being sure to coat every inch of it. He watched as Chad continued to play his own tailhole until he was satisfied he was ready. Then Chad got into the bed on all fours, lifted his tail high to expose his entrance, and looked over his shoulder at Brian with an inviting gleam in his eyes.

"You ready?" Chad asked.

Brian bit his lip, nodded, and carefully made his way onto the bed. He stood on his knees and lined his cock head up with Chad's entrance. A part of him suddenly found it very strange that he was about to mount and tie with his older brother, but the throb of his erection beckoned and his focus returned to the moist entrance his cock head was currently pressed against.

"Just go slow at first," Chad said, remaining perfectly still, ready, waiting.

"Okay," Brian said, his voice cracking. He blushed and cleared his throat, moving forward just enough for the head of his cock to slip inside of Chad's entrance.

Chad gave a little moan and Brian paused, but no signal to stop came so Brian continued. He watched as his cock disappeared inside Chad's hole, finding that the sight of it was suddenly a major turn on.

But even more was the feel. Chad's anal passage gripped his cock better than a paw ever could. It was even better than having Chad's muzzle on it. Every part of Brian's cock was surrounded by warmth and softness as he continued forward until his length was completely buried inside the older wolf.

Brian held there a moment enjoying the feel of being completely surrounded. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Chad hugging him and Chad let out a soft Mmm sound. It all felt so good, Brian would have liked the moment to last forever.

But the pleasure was less pronounced when he was holding still, so Brian straightened back up and looked down to watch his cock as it retreated from Chad's entrance.

Chad began letting out a soft moan and Brian thrust his length back inside, causing Chad's moan to go an octave higher midway through. A devilish smile came across Brian's lips and he began thrusting his length in and out of Chad, his enjoyment centered just as much on Chad's pleasure as his own.

And it felt wonderful. Brian began thrusting faster, letting more of his cock slip out of Chad with each thrust so that, when he slid his length back in, it was that much sweeter.

Chad had shifted slightly, keeping himself upright with only his left paw, his right stroking his own erection furiously. The feel of Brian's cock inside him was driving him towards the edge, and he could already feel the telltale snag of Brian's knot as it grew larger.

Brian, himself, didn't notice his own knot, until he heard a faint popping sound. He looked back down at his cock, and watch in fascination as the bulge at the base of his length began to slip inside Chad, disappear, and then reappear as he pulled out.

With each thrust, Chad's tail hole would snap back down behind the bulge and then in front of it. But the ever-increasing size of it was causing Brian to meet more resistance. Fearing that he would hurt the older wolf, Brian slowed his pace, but still the knot grew in size until with one final pop, Brian felt it lock firmly in place inside Chad's hole.

Brian's thrusts quickly became shallow as he humped Chad. The majority of his cock was now trapped inside his older brother, and the feel of Chad's hole clamped down tightly just behind his knot was bringing Brian quickly to orgasm.

Brian's entire length swelled larger, his knot inflating fully inside Chad and firmly holding them in place. Brian moaned as his seed erupted from his cock, his length buried deep within Chad's bowels. Long ropes of wolf cum shot from the tip of the younger wolf's cock, filling Chad's anal passage, but still it didn't stop. Pulse after pulse of Brian's length caused more and more of the sticky liquid to fill his older brother, but the size of Brian's inflated knot ensured that it remained inside.

Chad for his part had managed to lock his fingers just under his own swollen knot and with each pulse of Brian's cock, a stream of cum shot from the tip of Chad's erection as well and onto the bed sheets.

The two brothers both moaned and howled in pleasure until finally the last of their seed dribbled from their lengths.

Brian found himself gasping for air as he struggled to stay upright, his cock still firmly lodged inside of Chad.

Chad who was merely panting, reached back and carefully guided Brian to one side. There was a tense moment when they both fell together, but they landed on their sides safely, still tied together, and exhausted.

Too tired to care, and not in much of a position to do anything about it, Chad managed to move so that, for the most part, he was lying just next the puddle of cum he had made on the bed.

Spooned up behind him, Brian wrapped an arm around Chad's chest and hugged him. Chad smiled and reached up to squeeze Brian's paw with his own.

"How long will this last?" Brian panted softly.

"Depends," Chad said with a grunt. "Half an hour maybe," he said and then yawned. "Just rest and it'll go down on it's own."

"Mmm," Brian said sleepily. He hugged himself close to Chad and nuzzled the back of his older brother's neck. Then with his muzzle buried in Chad's fur he fell asleep.

Chad was not far behind.

***

This time, when Chad woke up, it was morning. They had left the lamp on from the night before, it's pale glow nothing compared to the sunlight that was streaming in from the windows.

At sometime during the night, Brian's knot had finally shrunk back down, along with the rest of his cock, and slipped from Chad's tailhole. (Chad could barely believe he'd managed to fall asleep with the enormous thing inside him. Younger brother, yes, little brother, no.) A small stream of the younger wolf's cum had dribbled out of Chad and dried in his fur. Chad's own puddle of cum from the night before had also dried.

First thing's first this morning he was going to toss these sheets into the washing machine and take a long hot shower. Possibly with Brian.

The thought made him smile and he reached up to squeeze Brian's paw. The younger wolf hadn't moved much in the night. He was still spooned up against Chad, one arm draped across his chest.

As gently as he could, Chad moved so that he was lying on his back, ignoring the fact that he was now lying in dried cum. Chad put his arm around Brian and pulled him closer. The younger wolf shifted slightly but complied, moving closer and resting his head on Chad's chest.

Chad closed his eyes and let himself drift slightly, enjoying the closeness of Brian's body.

But eventually Brian began to stir. He opened his eyes and looked up at Chad. "Hey", he said, lifting himself up and wiping the sleep out of his eyes. He looked around the room, taking a moment to recognize where he was, and then promptly laid back down, resting his head back on Chad's chest.

"Hey yourself," Chad said, smiling, and gently stroked the back of Brian's neck.

Brian let out a soft Mmm, and affectionately scratched at Chad's chest fur.

"How do you feel?" Chad said softly.

"Mmm, good. Really good, actually," Brian said. "I think that was the best night I've ever had."

Chad chuckled lightly. "I enjoyed it too."

There was a pause and then Brian said. "So what does this mean?"

"Hmm?" Chad said curious.

Brian moved so that he could look up at Chad. "What does this mean? What are we?" Still seeing Chad's confusion, Brian added. "To each other."

Chad scratched behind his ear. "Brothers?" Chad ventured. "I mean nothing we do is going to change that."

"Well, I know that," Brian said. "But I feel different about you. I think I lo--"

Chad put his paw to Brian's mouth. "Wait, Brian. Don't."

Confused Brian pulled back a little. "Why not?"

"Because," Chad said sadly, "I don't want you to make the same mistake I did. Don't put all your hope on one thing or person. I care about you. I love you as my brother. But everything is going to change soon. I'm going back to school at the end of the summer, and then there's college..."

"Stay here," Brian pleaded. "We could go to the same school, and then the same college."

But Chad shook his head. "Do you really think that will work out?"

"It won't if you don't try," Brian said, desperation in his voice. "You could stay with me and we could be--"

"Be what?" Chad asked. "Lovers? Brian everything is going to change in a few years. How do you know you'll even still want this?"

"I do. I will," Brian said indignantly. "I love you," he said, although there was more defiance in his voice than affection.

But that didn't change the nature of what he'd said. And the words were so tempting they hurt. Chad reached out and hugged Brian close, and, bewildered at this sudden change in attitude, Brian hugged him back.

"Brian," Chad whispered, his muzzle close to Brian's ear. "I do love you. But if I lost you it would kill me. And you're going to meet so many new people. We both are. You can't know you'll always want this. That you'll always want me."

Brian sighed and kissed Chad's cheek. Then he pulled back and looked Chad in the eye. "Chad," he said softly. "That's crap."

Chad's eyes widened, and then without warning he started to laugh. And after a moment Brian started to chuckle as well until they were both giggling and rolling around on the bed. And then slowly they stopped and took in deep breaths, panting for air, and for the first time noticed that the scent of cum and musk and sex still hung in the air around them.

Their eyes locked and they moved back together hugging each other close.

"I'm not saying it's going to be perfect," Brian said. "But at least try. For me?"

"I just...I don't' know where I'm going. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Then come with me. Stay with me." Brian said.

Chad smiled ruefully. "And if it doesn't work out? Then what?"

Brian smiled in return, but his was genuine. "We'll still be brothers."

Outside, someone started a lawnmower, a set of sprinklers kicked on, and cars made their way lazily down the street, filling the air with the sounds of suburbia.

The End

Many thanks to Josh, a.ka. LazyFox for being more than just a figment of my imagination, the use of his character, and his help in the editing process