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From Ice Cream to "Topping"

** Arc 2, Chapter 2**

"Say something to him Charlie... anything... you know he deserves it..."

My feelings battled with themselves again that morning as I readjusted the loose straps of my backpack for the fortieth time it seemed and quickly locked up our home behind us. I silently sighed there for a second still, sad at how I felt then yet completely unaware as to what would happen by the time sunset came later that day. For the time being though, like everything in life was normal between us, I did my best then before turning to smile at my boyfriend Daniel to choke back what I could the last remaining tears stemming from our silent argument earlier; no easy task to be sure neutralizing the feelings of guilt and anger I held in my heart, but for the sake of past happiness I felt he deserved as much.

Before starting my departure to college side by side with my lover, whose arm instantly wrapped around my waist tightly like he cared about me once again, I seized the moment afforded to me and glanced over my shoulder and back at the doorway entrance to where it really all began for us. I pondered to myself selfishly then as I fumbled around with the keys in my paw, wondering what this journey meant in the end for us as we marched forward in perfect sync; like would this new adventure change love back to normal between Daniel and myself, or just further break down whatever we... I... was holding on to?

In an attempt to get my thoughts flowing in a different direction, I took a minute to evaluate the contrasts in our choices of apparel for that first day back at college; differences between us being that of night and day. First there was him with sunglasses drawn, a black collared shirt and familiar leather jacket adorning his chiseled body with nicely trimmed dark blue jeans to match. Then you had me with just a popular black geeky videogame t-shirt and a simple pair of years old faded blue jeans with holes in the knees. If we didn't make up such a cute couple on paper, or in bed for that matter, people would never believe that we were a couple honestly.

With a few nervous laughs from me just thinking about of how dissimilar our styles were from one another, we shared a quick kiss and started our trek down the walkway to the parking lot. I struggled with my backpack and headphones as we trotted along, but the ease with which Daniel slung his single shoulder strap bag filled with heavy textbooks behind himself made me jealous of his suave, sophisticated nature.

When I thought about it though, I didn't need to be jealous of him because of the fact Daniel had chosen me for his partner. It was kind of a weird contemplation, but even if we're a little on the rocks lately, I didn't have to hide who I am anymore at school; all thanks to him. I have a boyfriend now.

I started to wonder to myself then how strange it was going to be to not only be going back to college again, but as a renewed individual; every reason behind my timid nature before now absent and replaced instead by a new confidence I could proudly share with the world. Even if of late Daniel seemed to be a contradiction to my growing courage, in reality he was the reason behind why the same routines of fear and shame pawing I followed last year will disappear now.

It felt good being in a relationship. Now if only it didn't feel so one-sided lately...

"Charlie are you okay? You seem a little quiet?" Daniel said with a whisper as he surprised me by snapping me out of my head and pulling me softly aside, stopping us short of reaching the car; the same automobile from stories past that fortunately came to life again thanks to the Shepherd's automotive handiwork. "You nervous or something?"

In classic Charlie response to his questions, I just looked at him quietly for a while and took deep breaths to regain my composure as he held my shoulder steadily in his grasp and smiled at me. "What's up wolf?"

"Nothing... why?" I responded back sharply, with I'm sure what was less than a loving tone in my voice.

Knowing he had a trump card of his own to assuage my thoughts and try to relax me, his hand instinctively began to knead away at the meaty space between my rotator cuff and collar bone, making me moan slightly and my tail wag rapidly as his paw pads pressed perfectly against my neck. In honor of a memory regarding this similar loving action of his, my eyes screamed one true answer at him I wanted to tell him I'd hoped he would notice, such as he had when they silently pleaded with him what seems so long ago on our doorstep, but my body instead betrayed those motives of heart of mine and quickly made me pull several feet away from him.

"Charlie..." Daniel said softly in response as a hurt look hung across his face. In truth, I hadn't realized what I had done until it was already over, and I really had no clue how to begin to defend my actions.

We both just stood there for a minute after, his arms half outstretched as my own stayed tucked tightly against my sides in silent retaliation for his behavior. I didn't know what to do or say to him as he looked at me lost; I just as confused he felt. Deep down, I didn't believe I could come up with a convincing enough lie then to persuade him otherwise which got me to wondering if it was even worth hiding the truth from him anymore that ate away at me so...

"Daniel... I..." I hesitated then, my muzzle finally wide open for something other than swallowing the length of my Shepherd's cock, but with little to no words escaping now.

"What is it Lee?" Daniel questioned as he leaned in closer and grabbed for my paws. He gazed strongly into my eyes then, looking for any bit of honesty I had to offer, as I tried to turn my head away from him in response. This endearing look of his though, it truly was a weakness of mine; a bad habit forged back when the Shepherd held me in his arms the first time months ago and we kissed in the rain.

"Dan... Why are we...?" I knew exactly what I needed to say to him, but for some reason just like when we officially became a couple, I couldn't bring myself to speak.

"Wolf?" He called me by his pet name for me with worry then as his grip tightened in concern. He wanted to share in my pain I could tell, a familiar protector of mine shining again from somewhere back deep in those amber eyes. I had his undivided attention it finally looked like, and the moment I did not want to squander.

However, as with any best laid plans of mine, nothing ever goes according to plan...

Whilst I tried my best to summon up the courage I needed to finally give the Shepherd a piece of my overloaded mind, we were stopped short by a familiar and lately omniscient force I grew to respect and learned to love over the past seasons time.

"Well looks like you two pups are up early huh? Heading off to school by the looks of it; Ardordon community college I'd assume?" I knew the voice distinctively by now, thanks largely in part to the many months I had spent hiding Daniel here at my home. I knew I had to put all of my bad feelings aside then, before happily turning away from my current situation, to meet with Daniel's best friend and former butler; the inimitable Guiles.

"Guiles!" We said happily in unison then as we both eagerly grabbed for the older Dalmatian, the strength he possessed always an admirable asset of his as he easily supported the weight of two fully grown animals latching onto him for a hug. If truth be told, it would have seemed out of character for me back when we first met to be so affectionate towards him, or anyone for that matter. Nevertheless, that perception of life changed for me when, with this aging butler's help, Daniel finally escaped from his drunkard homophobic father and his lonely home life. Following that fateful night, Guiles had since grown to be nothing short of a real dad for Dan to look up too, which in turn earned all of my trust and respect for him.

"Master's Fair and Adams, it is indeed a pleasure to be amongst your company today." He said as he stood there smiling in our embrace, reveling in the fact that even though he was no longer a servant in the service of the Adams Winery estate, the former home from which Daniel ran away following the death of his mother, that he was still a part of his young wards life.

Guile's was to say the least a stoic animal; a dog of so much character, none of which ever struck me as prejudicial. He always smelt and felt of a warm kind soul, someone you knew had your back no matter the consequence and in the end that's why I always saw him as more than a friend. I knew now as well as Daniel did that he was family.

On a side note, all my bolstering aside, and to which I admit I have not the faintest clue why I thought so; I did have some lingering suspicions though in regards to Guiles' true nature towards Daniel. Not that any of my reservations of him were anything bad, I just felt like he was hiding an honest if not earth shattering secret he refused to tell Daniel for some reason. It was all mere supposition on my part, but every time I saw them together I just couldn't ever shake the feeling.

"My god old man, what are you doing here? I didn't figure you'd be showing your face around me so soon, seeing as how you we're fired just last week?" Daniel said as he broke away from the Dalmatian's grip and looked at him softly, but also conservatively kept his gaze on his surroundings as well. You could tell from how Daniel would stare around with suspicious intentions that he was worried for his old friend.

I just stood there listening; wondering if it all this discussion and his presence today would mean anything bad later on today.

"My dear boy how could I not see you? Your father no longer has any control over you or me. We, young master, are free!" Guiles said in his regal docile tone as he laid one of his paws on Daniel's shoulder with a comforting conviction. Though Daniel feared for him for whatever the reason, the Dalmatian alternatively seemed at peace; smiling as he always would.

"But Guiles..." Daniel said as his voice started to break up, indicating a sadness which for me would be the first time in a while now I'd seen the Shepherd emote. "I'm the reason you were let go; all because you were helping me. God if I could just go back..." I could see some rage in my boyfriend building again as his hand curled into a fist, but to my surprise and jealous envy Guiles quickly calmed him.

"Daniel Augustus Adams you will hear me now..." Guiles said as his tone sharpened and a more serious animal came to fore. "I never want you to go back to that life my boy. I never want to see you hurt again. God bless her soul, what would your dear mother have thought of me if I hadn't done what I did?" His question seemed to strike a nerve in both of them as they mutually glanced away from each other; trying not to let the sadness of Daniel's moms' passing get to them.

"Listen. You must understand that even though I may have lost my job, that I'd do it again a thousand times over... for you Daniel; for your mother." Guiles said as he shook the Shepherd's shoulders a little in reassuring grace.

I felt guilty just standing there as these two held an emotional reunion out in the morning air, but regardless how late we were going to be running now, who was I to interrupt? In place of me being the bad guy and cutting short their conversation, I instead thought back to last week when I had just gotten the shocking news from Daniel that Guiles had been fired. Publicly, he seemed like the most upstanding worker in the Adam's employ so why would they let him go? In reality though, Daniel and I knew the truth...

Daniel's father, Emilio Adams, had been in search of his heir the very next day after shortly realizing that his son had run away from home. Using both the death of wife and the displacement of his kin, it grew increasingly difficult right away to keep Daniel hidden from his dad. With media wide frenzy only a rich zealot could induce, he had my boyfriend's face plastered across town on such outlets as billboards to news breaks on the TV. Had Mr. Adam's intentions been noble from the start, my lover was originally thinking about going back home, wondering if maybe his dad had turned over a new leaf following his spouse's passing.

That is, until Guiles had called Daniel to confirm otherwise...

Had it been no sooner than when he started the search for Dan and buried his mom, that one night Emilio had went up to his sons room and destroyed everything he had left behind when he ran away. From school textbooks to old figurines he had collected, nothing was left in the wake of this drunk who only in the end wanted revenge; to beat his son for being a fag and not acting like a man.

It was disconcerting to be sure, knowing that this powerfully rich well connected German Shepherd was out for blood, so we had all decided it be best for Daniel to hide out inside my apartment for awhile with no calls or public outings to speak of. Even barred from taking up employment, though the money we had siphoned from his parent's accounts held us for a time, initially he was confined to our home for at least a period of one to two months at Guile's own suggestion, until the Dalmatian had come up with a plan which seemed crazy and now we all knew lead to his eventual termination.

Using sources unknown to us and beyond our level of understanding, Guiles had pulled some strings and had gotten a friend of his to forge documents making it seem as though Daniel had fled the country. He then continuously fed these forgeries to Mr. Adams, who being that he trusted his loyal butler as he did, took them at face value and dropped the search eventually. It seemed a genius plan, and for all intents and purposes seemed to be holding. We could go out and be a couple officially, and it felt good not having to hide anymore.

Until a month ago that was, when Daniel realized that since he needed to go back to school, he'd have to be back on his father's radar again. It was a hard fact to dispute, and even harder trying not to convince him to not go for his own good, but at the behest of one of his late mother's last wishes he had to fulfill his promise and ignored Guile's and my advice.

In the end, backlash ensued of course as Mr. Adams learned of Daniel's return, and where he had filed his new home to be for his college startup paperwork; the Dalmatian's home address at his own suggestion of course.

Guiles understood the risks all along, knowing that he would eventually be caught siding with Daniel, but still went to extreme lengths to keep his young ward away from his father; even so far as to hide our apartment from Mr. Adams wandering gaze.

Guiles was without a doubt a good man. We owed him everything...

As I finished my thoughts finally and looked over at Dan and Guiles, I silently smirked to myself to think how great it was that we knew someone like Guiles who was willing to do everything and anything to keep a promise to a friend.

"Guiles..." Daniel whimpered then as he leaned forward and rested his head into the Dalmatian's chest, and in that moment there he was finally for me to see again; my Daniel, my Shepherd with the heart of gold. It felt good to see my boyfriend acting like a real person again with guilt and remorse; even if it wasn't with me.

Daniel broke down instantly then in the arms of his friend, whose noble gaze persisted as he then stared back at me. "Charles Fair, please continue to take care of him. I know this might hard, and at times he may seem confused, lost even, but with the life he's lead he knows no different..." Guiles said as he stroked my boyfriend's fur to settle him down in betweens in sobs. "He's a good boy, and he deserves someone like you; someone virtuous."

"Guiles how can you say that? We've only known each other a couple of months now. Even back then when we first met you trusted me so suddenly with Daniel's secret and well being. How do you know I'm good for him? How do you know I'm not going to end up hurting him as he's doing to me?" I thought then as I just stared at Guiles who awaited my response, myself not wanting to give him a deceivingly assuring shake of the head yes, but not seeing any other alternative at this point in the story.

"Of course Guiles. You can count on me." I said, knowing the instant that I did I'd somehow come to regret it later.

"Well said Master Fair. Just like when we met." He said as he slowly pushed Daniel off him and stared the Shepherd in the eyes. "Now pull yourself together my dear boy and get yourself off to school. Although before you leave, I of course came today before you with a warning." Guiles said then as we both adjusted our backpacks, hopped into the car then gave him empty confused stares. "Your father's going to be back on your trail Daniel. He will be looking for you. He'll be checking for anyone that you associate with for too long, your schedule and things of that nature undoubtedly. So to keep this place a secret," Guiles said as he looked around and smiled, "we must trick him by not letting you guys be seen together yet; not until I've had more time to figure out a more practical solution to keep him away from you."

"What? But Guiles... Me and Charlie..." Daniel stammered, making myself feel good again knowing that he had concern about this issue of not being able to be with each other as I did.

"I'm sorry my son but this is how it will have to be for now. I know it's a burden, but we really have to play this all by ear. He fired me for helping you and I was his best friend. Who knows what he'd be on the edge of doing to young Master Charles here?" Guiles said as he closed the passenger door on Daniel, as if he was escorting him into a town car again.

"I understand Guiles. Don't worry. We'll keep away from each other. Let's of course hope though that we can get this all resolved as soon as possible." I said to him as I started the ignition on the car, adjusted the mirrors, and started to back out of the driveway.

Before we departed forward, I lowered my head for a second then thinking about how unfair it was that Daniel and I had to hide the fact that we are together. Alternatively though, being that this will be our first real separation from each other since he had moved in, I'm sure I'll have time now to wrap my head around a solution for my partner regarding his mood swings and what our relationship holds for us in the future; if we'll have one of course.

"Thank you Guiles." I said to the Dalmatian as we drove off. I looked in the rear view mirror then back at my home as we pressed on, wondering if maybe today was a start to something... bad...

We're headed off to college finally, let's see how this all pans out...