FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Dear readers new and old,

I'm gonna keep this one short, esspecially since the story itself aint so long. GASP! that's right folks, quite possibly one of the shortest chapters to date. Admitidly that's becuase this chapter was originally supposed to be longer, but i chopped it in half and made that it's own section...but what's more work for me is better for you guys.

What's been going on with me is really rather simple. I got accpeted into the study abraod program will be in London this spring doing...academic things [Cough drinking cough]. I'm in an apartment with a kitchen, so i'm eating better...less, but better. and i've joined the legions od people with a webcam....but i don't know what to do with it. i've been using it as a mirror to watch myself watching myself watching myself watching....well, you get the idea.

Anyways, as always, characters are copywrited to me, etc. no one under age, blah blah.

I'm available by email at [email protected], on MSN at the same address. or you cna just comment/rank below and i'll definitly try to get back to you as soon as i can. Hope you like the new chapter,

Sincerly,

Cyan Spirt

---

Maxi awoke to the sounds of birds outside his window. His eyes remained closed for a few minutes longer, resting comfortably on the edge of his mattress. Breathing in the warm morning air, he tried to convince himself that he was still sleeping. But alas, he couldn't play along for very long and eventually opened his auburn eyes to the sight of the room around him. The lights were off, but the natural light that came through the window behind him was more then enough to illuminate his surroundings. Sitting up, he began to rub the sleep from his eyes as he swung his feet over the side of the bed and sat staring at the closed door. Only then did it dawn on him that this wasn't the guest room, and the memories of the previous night came rushing back to him.

He was about to turn around to see if the panther was still sleeping, but was caught by surprise when he heard the sheets ruffle and felt a paw gently brush against his own. Before he could react, two black arms had encircled his bare waist and something large, soft, and warm was pushed against his back. "Sleep well Maxi?" Locke asked, his head resting on the lion's left shoulder; the boy's moist breath cascading over the feline's bare upper torso, making him shiver slightly.

"Best night I've had in a while," the lion admitted truthfully. Reaching over his head, he gently ruffled the half-breed's messy black hair, hearing the boy's soft purr right next to him. "What about you..." Maxi asked, feeling Locke shift closer against him, the arms around his waist becoming just a tad tighter, "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a rock... a dreaming rock" the panther said wistfully, his words, like morning vapor off a lake, rising from his muzzle. Leaning in, his pressed his cold nose back against the small of the lion's neck, watching him jump at the sudden sensation. His paws still clutching around the cat's hips now began to tickle him, gently at first but increasing till he had the lion in fits of laughter.

Turning his head over his left shoulder, giggles still flowing from his mouth, he tried to speak. "L-Locke...st-st-stop it-" his words halted as another pair of lips quickly covered him. The tickling instantly stopped as the two boys found something much more interesting to occupy their time with. Simultaneously, they closed their eyes once their mouths met, not needing sight to see what they were doing.

The pair remained in relatively the same positions, front to back, with their paws intertwined around the lion's waist; but it was their muzzles that were pulling out all the stops. Locke was the first to open his lips once the kiss began, soft suckling on golden feline's lower lips while he continued to kiss him. Deciding not to be outdone, Maxi tilted his head to the side, freeing his lip while at the same time making a beeline to begin nibbling on Locke's upper one. They switched back and forth for a while, always returning back to a simple kiss between their 'turns'. But when the panther used his tongue to try and separate the lion's lips and descend into his maw that was when Maxi relented and ended the embrace with a gentle peck to the black nose. "Did you wake-up alright?" the ebony cat/dog teased, licking those tawny cheeks as though that had been his plan all along.

"It was alright," the lion mocked, getting a swift kiss on his cheek as punishment. The arms around his waist shifted, and Maxi soon found himself sitting next to Locke rather then in front of him. Not bothering to ask, he gave a content sigh and leaned over to rest his head on the panther's shoulder; those black paws releasing his body to reach up and gently run through his thick mane as he planted a soft kiss to the golden forehead. A soft purr escaped the lion's lips as he felt himself relax, sliding just a bit closer to his friend. They held this new position for a while, neither one saying a word, just enjoying each other's company. During that time, much to Maxi's displeasure, the familiar feeling in the pit of his stomach informed he that he should get to the bathroom soon. He had attempted to suppress the feelings till they had stopped cuddling, but the pressure eventually became too much. Excusing himself from the half-breed's arms, he planted a soft kiss on the back of his paw before getting up and walking towards the door, "Nature calls."

Locke nodded, "Alright," he said softly as he watch the lion close the door behind him when he left. Flopping down into the boy's pillow once he was gone, drinking in the sweet smell that still resided on the fabric.

* * *

Walking across the hall to the bathroom, the feline quickly took care of his needs and spent a minute or two just sitting on the porcelain throne just thinking about his life up to this point. He had to admit; even to himself, that last night was the happiest he'd been since the morning of his wedding. Just the feeling of someone's arms around him, the sound of another person's heartbeat in perfect sync with his, was something he hadn't experienced on such an intimate level before. Composing himself, he spent an extra few minutes in front of the mirror checking out his naked upper half and doing his best to tame his wild mane before he set back out for Locke's bedroom.

Not bothering to knock as he turned the knob and swung the door open, Maxi was greeted with the sight of the panther's naked backside. It took him a few seconds to realize what he was staring at, the long sinewy curves of the half-breed's sculpted back, thighs, and rump covered by nothing but his glossy black fur. He stood on the floor with one leg on the bed, caught in the middle of putting his socks on; the position giving the surprised visitor a perfect view of his ebony sac and rosebud framed by his upturned tail. The lion's small "Eep" was the only thing that alerted Locke that he was no longer alone, both boys freezing in place. "Oh god, I'm so sorry!" he blurted out, quickly backing out of the room and shutting the door behind him. Leaning against the wall adjacent to his room, Maxi felt his stomach rocket into his throat, his cheeks becoming red hot as the mental image of his friend's naked body quickly burned itself into his memory.

He gave the panther/wolf a couple of minutes, more time then he thought he could possibly need, before he tried again. This time he gently knocked on the door, waiting till he got a soft, "I'm decent now," through the wood. His face was burning as he opened the door for a second time, this time finding Locke sitting cross-legged on his bed, fully dressed in a pair of khaki clam-diggers, a lime green t-shirt that matched his eyes, green converse already laced up, and his red bandana secured around his head to hide his ears as usual; and avoiding direct eye contact.

"Guess I should knock...huh?" Maxi joked under his breath, trying to bypass some of the awkwardness with a bit of humor. Taking a seat next to the half-breed, he concentrated his focus on the other side of room rather then on his friend.

"Probably a good idea," Locke said, a hesitant chuckle leaving his lips till he heard the other boy join in on the laughter. Soon, they were both in a flood of giggles, their faces red and their eyes tearing as he had to hold on to each other just to keep up. Once the hilarity had subsided, the ebony furred cat leaned over to give the lion a quick peck on the cheek before he stood up, offering a paw, "Hungry for breakfast?"

"You bet!" Maxi replied, eagerly taking the helping hand. Once he was up, he flashed the panther a wide grin as they set off for the hallway, and by extension, the kitchen. "So, where's your father?" he asked once they had stepped outside and began walking paw-in-paw towards the stairs.

"Didn't he tell you?" Locke asked, getting a headshake in return, "Oh, you must have gone to bed already. He said that he had an early morning meeting today and would be gone by the time we woke up, and not to wait up for dinner since things will probably run late as always."

By this time, the pair had reached the bottom step and entered the grand foyer, the morning light coming in through the bay windows to flood the room in gold and amber waves. "He's really dedicated to his job, huh?" the lion said, keeping pace with his host as they crossed the room and entered the kitchen.

"That's why he's been reelected so many times, cause of how much energy he puts into doing things for the people. Most time, even the guys who run against him want him to win, 'cause they know that if anyone can get something done, it's Alphonse Nailo." Opening the fridge first followed by the bread drawer, his eyes quickly scanning over their possible choices for breakfast. "So, what are you in the mood for this morning Maxi?" he asked bent over with his head in the fridge, his tail happily wagging behind him.

Shaking his head, "I don't know..." he said with a shrug just before a loud yawn interrupted his train of thought; "Geez, what time is it?" he mumbled, licking his lips while he wiped the sleeps from his eyes.

Locke picked his head out of the fridge to glance over at the stove's timer. "About ten thirty give our take," he answered, "Why?"

"Just curious I guess," the lion said, taking a seat at the small round kitchen table to await his options. "Hey, I just remembered..." the light bulb going off over his head, "Shouldn't you be at work right now?"

"Didn't I tell you?" the half-breed said as he came out of the refrigerator with his paws full of bags and bottles to see the lion shake his head no; "Oh, sorry...I don't have work on Friday. Hope you like bagels 'cause I think that's all we got right now."

"Bagels are fine with me!" the golden cat said enthusiastically as he helped place everything down on the table while his friend went off to collect plates, knives, and glasses. "Getting a three-day weekend though, you're one lucky bastard."

Chuckling, Locke returned to his seat and began to spread everything out, "Don't I know it."

The two sat across from each other and chatted like long time friends as they prepared and ate their breakfast. Maxi made himself a toasted onion bagel with butter while Locke had cinnamon bagel with veggie cream cheese; each boy having a tall glass of orange juice to top off their meal. Once they were done eating, the dishes placed in the sink, the table cleared, and the fridge restocked, they reclined in their chairs and purred contently. "Boy, did that hit the spot," the tawny cat muttered

"You said it," was the reply from the other end of the table.

"So, what do you want to do now?" the lion asked, rubbing his belly quite happily.

This gave the panther cause to ponder as he closed his eyes to let his ideas flow. "Up for a few rousing rounds of videogames?" he asked after a few moments of silence.

"Am I ever!" Maxi shouted as he jumped out of his seat, tail swaying excitably behind him. "Race you up to your room!" he called, having already taken a few steps head start before his friend could even get up.

"Cheater!" Locke called after him as he stumbled to his feet in order to give chase. As they rounded the corner to head up the stairs, the panther managed to grab the lion by the tuff of his tail and gently yank him backwards in order to take the lead. Fumbling their way up the flight of stairs, he managed to keep his lead and touched the doorknob to his room before the lion could. "Ha Ha! I win!" he taunted the loser playfully.

"That wasn't fair!" Maxi recanted, placing his paws on his hips and puffing out his chest.

"Tough, deal with it!" he sneered with a giggle as he propped himself against his door and crossed his arms over his chest. "So, what's my prize?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye as his bushy black tail swayed behind him till it curled around his left leg.

"You want a prize...huh?"

"Every winner gets a prize!"

"Fine!" with that, he took a step closer, reach up with his paws to cup the panther's face between his fingers, and pulled him into a deep kiss. Maxi could feel the shock run through the other boy's body as he pressed his half-naked body against Locke's fully clothed one. Their forms contouring to each other with Locke trapped between the lion and his bedroom door. It took a second, but he soon felt the black arms slip under his arms and wrap around the back of his shoulders and pulled him harder into the kiss. The lion could feel the heat rise between him as he opened his muzzle and used his tongue to gently lick over the top of the panther's black lips before he pulled his head back. "So, how's that for a prize?"

Still held in the golden paws, the half-breed appeared breathless yet ecstatic. "That was...amazing," he gasped out, a faint rosy blush overtaking his cheeks as he leaned in and rested his head against the bare fur of the other's sternum. Locke couldn't remember the last time he had been kissed like that, the last time someone had truly taken his breath away.

"So..." Maxi started, tilting his head to the side and smiling, "Ready to get your ass handed to you in video games?"

"You're on," Locke retorted. Releasing their arms from around each other, they slipped into the panther's room and began to shuffle things around so as to make room on the floor for them to sit unobstructed. The first game the turned on was one of those fighting types with the fake pixilated blood. Maxi picked the female fighter who had breasts so large he swore she was concealing several small children in her shirt, and was carrying a sword and shield; Locke on the other had chose the buff meathead who was wearing nothing but a few carefully placed scrapes of cloth and wielded a hammer bigger then he was. "Ha ha, you picked a girl!" the panther teased as they waited for the level to load.

"Maybe so, but she's about to give you the biggest ass-whooping of your life," the other male countered. A minute and a half, his words came true as Maxi took the first game in a blaze of flawless 3-0 glory. Doing a little victory dance as he sat cross-legged on the floor, he leaned over and decided to add insult to injury. "Do I get a prize for winning?" he teased.

Scrunching up his muzzle in playful disgust, he leaned over and planted a soft peck on the lion's cheek, "How was that?"

Maxi stuck out his tongue, "Purr-fect," he cooed.

"Good...'cause I want rematch!" At this the lion merely nodded as they selected the same characters and a different stage, this one atop a large building. This time, Locke managed to get the upper hand and claim victory at the last second with a 3-2 lead. "YES!" he said, lifting his paws above his head to cheer, "Now it's my time to get a prize."

Shrugging, the golden feline leaned over and licked the panther along the side of his face; when he sat back, he couldn't help but chuckle at the line of messy fur he left across his cheek. "Wanna try new characters this round?" he suggested.

"What was that?!?" Locke responded, completely ignoring his question, using his fingers to wipe the saliva from his face and smooth his ebony pelt back down.

"Something different is all," the other boy replied. "Now, are we gonna play or not?"

"Oh, we're gonna play alright..." he said with a devious smile as he turned his attention back to the battle already starting. This time he had picked the stereotype ninja character dressed all in black wielding a katana while his opponent was what looked to be an old, drunken hobo with a stick. In no time at all he was up against the ropes and had lost to Maxi once again 3-1. Not even waiting for his victory speech, the half-breed leaned over and took a nibble on the lion's closest shoulder, his teeth nipping the half-naked lion, who let out a loud squeal.

"You lost on purpose!" Maxi accused after he managed to get the panther to stop playfully gnawing on his arm.

"And what if I did?" he retorted, crossing his arms against his chest.

Putting the controller down, he began to run his fingers through his golden pelt, smoothing down the stubborn fur along his shoulders and belly. "That just...takes all the fun out of it."

Mesmerized by the lion's simple movements, it took Locke a few extra seconds to realize he was due for a response. "I guess..." he mumbled under his breath, still watching the other feline's claws slide up and down that sexy body of his.

"So, no more loosing on purpose, deal?" he asked, offering a paw to cement the agreement in a single handshake.

"Deal!" and with that, they shook on it.

Picking up their controllers again, the pair set about dueling each other for while longer, with each time a winner was called, a kiss on the cheek was proudly delivered. Their attention soon began to wane, whereupon Locke suggested that they try another game. Popping another CD once they had removed the first, they soon sat behind the wheels of their very own racecars, hurtling down a track of straight-aways and hairpin turns at over one hundred miles per hour. The pattern continued, the winner chosen at the end of each race and bequeathed with kiss on the nose. This too eventually lost its luster, and they once again changed games so that now they were playing a co-op first-person shooter going against an army of skeletons, zombies, and other undead.

It was then, at the end of the most recent level where they were ascending the zombie infested floors of a high-rise complex to retrieve important scientific files, that Locke spoke up. "I'm gonna head down stairs and get something to drink. Want me to bring you back anything?"

Maxi managed to blow the head off of the approaching enemy before he turned to watch his friend put his controller down and move towards the door. "I'll take a soda if you're going down. But don't you want to wait and see the cut-scene for the next level?"

"I've seen it already," the panther replied with a shrug, "Besides, the next level is single player only, so I won't be missing anything anyways. Be right back." And with that, the male closed the door behind him and could be heard tromping down the stairs.

Sure enough, the next level was exactly as Locke had predicted; a single player episode where one character had to try and save the other from being over run by zombies. Maxi played through that one, and was halfway though the next one before it dawned on him that his friend had still not returned from the kitchen. Just as he was about to mount a search-and-rescue operation, he heard a knock at the door. "Just let me pause," he explained before he pushed his controller out of the way and got up to open the door for his host's return. "You get lost or something?" he asked as he saw the panther walk past him with his arms full of treats.

"I went to the bathroom," he retorted, tossing a can of root beer at the lion before he took his seat. Spreading out the bags of snacks before him, both sugary and sweat, he debated with himself on what to open first. "Were you timing me or something?" he inquired as he opened a bag of BBQ potato chips.

"As a matter of fact, I was. And by my calculations...you're five minutes late." Popping the tab on the can, he quickly chugged about a forth of its contents before he set it down next to him and wiped his muzzle dry with his forearm.

"Geez, how terrible," he said sarcastically, spewing chip fragments all over himself while he picked up his controller; "Now, let's go blast some fucking zombies!"

And with that, the subject was swept under the rug as the pair restarted on their quest to rid the town of the undead. Two hours flew by like seconds, as did the several other games they switched between in that time. With the cans of soda empty and the taste of salty chips and sweet chocolate melding in their muzzles, Maxi felt his stomach rumble rather loudly. "Ellh..." he grumbled, dropping his controller to clasp his paws around his belly, doubling over in an attempt to sooth his stomach pains.

"You sound pretty bad there. Think it could've been something you ate?" Locke asked with a roll of the eyes, resting a paw on the lion's shoulder.

"Seems it wants some actual food," he surmised, "How about taking a break for lunch?"

"Thought you'd never ask. Now..." the panther said, standing up after he saved their progress and shut off the television, "Go get dressed and meet me downstairs for lunch. I've got a surprise for you." And with that, the chuckling half-breed released the lion to his own devises as he headed out of the room.

Left speechless with a head full of questions, Maxi had nothing left to do but follow orders and see what Locke had in store for him. Keeping on the same pair of jeans and underwear, the last thing he needed was the wolf/panther finding out about his thong; he set about finding a new outfit. It the end, it was a long-sleeve sky blue shirt and a brown faux-leather jacket, coupled with a black belt, white socks, and his white sneakers he retrieved from the guest room. Once he had himself assembled, he gave himself a once-over in the bathroom mirror, making sure to slick back his mane, before heading down to meet his host. "Where are you Locke?" he screamed as he descended into an empty family room and vacant kitchen.

"I'm in the garage. You do remember how to get there, right?" came the faint reply.

"Yes..." the lion muttered. Moving through the darkened rooms, he bypassed the formal dinning room and Alphonse's study to arrive at the wooden door which led into the car-port. Pushing it open, he found Locke tying a small cloth covered bundle to the back of his motorcycle with cord. "What are you doing?" he asked, leaning against the doorway watching his movements.

"Packing," he explained bluntly while he finished securing the last piece of rope with a bow. "I wanted to take you on a bit of a day trip...that's if you don't mind." Turning the face the larger cat, he held his arms loosely at his sides and bowed his head, tail curling about his waist, ears splaying against the side of his head under the crimson cloth, his cheeks taking on a rosy tint.

Maxi walked down the few steps till they stood on equal ground. "You mean...like a date?"

"I-...I guess," Locke replied, his face getting redder as he stood there under the watchful eyes of his biggest crush.

"Sounds great!" the said with a shrug as he walked on passed the panther to go lift the blanket and look inside the bundle to see what it was.

Just as his fingers touched the cloth, a black paw came down to slap them away, "No peaking!."

Scrunching up his muzzle playfully, Maxi backed off; still curious, he watched Locke finish packing. Taking a quick glance about the room, he noticed that Alphonse's car was missing, the tire tracks leading through the closed door. The lion was brought out of his trace as something was shoved into his chest, his fingers taking hold of it instinctually before he even took a moment to notice what it was. "What's this?" he mumbled, his pads running over the glossy black surface.

"Your helmet," the panther replied, "Now, get on so we can go."

"But your father's car is go-" he countered, looking back to face his friend to see what he meant. "Oh..." was all he could say as he saw Locke sitting atop a large motorcycle.

"You didn't think my dad was only one here with a cool set of wheels, did you? Now, hope on!" the boy instructed, patting the patch of leather behind the driver's body.

Maxi looked unsure as he hesitantly approached and tried his to climb aboard; his feet weren't coordinated and he fell off his first few times, but with a bit of bracing from Locke, he managed to hold his balance and stay perched atop the motorbike. Not needing further instruction, he set about trying to cram his bushy mane under the helmet, requiring another set of helping paws to accomplish the task. Once the hair was swept from in front of his golden eyes and he could see, he nudged the driver with the front of the helmet. "All set to go!"

"Geez, took you a while," rolling his emerald eyes, "Thought we'd never get out of here."

"Well SOR-ry, but it's my first time on a motorcycle. So forgive me if I'm a bit shaky."

"Is it really your first time?" Locke asked in shock while he slowly wheeled them towards the garage door, opening it by remote once they got closer.

Looking down, Maxi felt his face heat up beneath the heavy helmet, "Yeah...I'm a bit scared actually."

"Then I'll go real slow...promise." With that, he kicked the kickstand up and pulled back on the throttle to flood the engine with gas. The motor roared to life with a deafening sound as they began to pull away from the house: the garage doors closing once they left.

The lion let out a loud squeal of horror as he watched the pavement begin to move faster and faster under his feet. Clasping onto the panther's waist, he remained at arm's length from the driver, his limbs too stiff with fear to bend. "I'm gonna die...I'm gonna die...Oh god, I'm gonna die," he repeated again and again under his breath as they took their first turn. Not expecting the driver to lean into the turn, Maxi shrieked, fearing they were going to go over and leave a giant skid mark on the road.

Once they were right side up, Locke lowered his speed and released the handlebars with his right paw to reach back and reassuringly stroke his passenger's arm. "Shhh. It's alright, I know what I'm doing. You trust me, right?"

"Y-yeah..." the cat replied, still shaken from his first frightening experience.

"Then trust me not to kill you. Think you can do that Maxi?" he muttered under his helmet, his eyes still focused on the road in front of him.

"I'll t-try..." the passenger answered, showing a hesitant smile through his helmet's visor at the back of the driver's head.

"Good, cause here comes the next turn," the half-breed informed him. Remembering to take it much slower this time, he began to turn earlier and tilted only enough to get the front wheel in the direction he wanted to go. Despite his caution, he felt the lion's grip on his kidneys tense; relaxing only once he pulled out of it and continued the drive onwards to a destination only he knew.

The rest of the ride went without further incident. Maxi was slow to adjust to the new sensations, still apprehensive whenever he sensed a maneuver other then simple steering. Eventually they had pulled off the main road and began to drive through what looked to be a park of sorts; for there were benches, joggers, and children playing on rusted swing sets. From there, they took a side path through the woods, the bike's tire throwing up dirt and sticks behind them. After twenty-five minutes, a drive that the panther could have done in less then half the time, they came to a stop. "Where are we?" the lion asked as he hurriedly scooted off the back of the bike as Locke wheeled it to a tree and locked it up.

"My own private sanctuary," he said beaming with pride at the woods surrounding them. Removing his helmet, he set it atop the bike's seat before offering to take Maxi's as well.

Doing his best to counter the effects of terrible helmet-hair, Maxi brushed out his mane with his claws to get back the natural puffiness. "Is this place really yours?" he asked once he had finished grooming himself. Taking this time to stretch his legs, he wondered around in a small circle, taking a long look and the bountiful plant life.

"Well...not really," Locke chuckled, removing the basket from the back of his bike while he talked, "I've just never seen any signs that other furrs have been here, so I like to think of it as mine."

"It certainly is a beautiful spot," the lion admitted. Brushing the back of his fingers across the soft petals of the various wildflowers, he felt wrapped up in the pleasant scents of nature. Reds, yellows, oranges, blues, and violets colored the forest floor all around him, which itself was carpeted wall-to-wall with a thick layer of green grass. They were in a small clearing of trees, but the dense canopy above their heads shielded them from the direct rays of sunlight.

Walking over, the half-breed put his free paw on the feline's shoulder, directing him to face towards a particularly large pair of bushes. "But that's not all," he cooed. Setting the basket down, he walked over and bushed the foliage apart to reveal a large watering hole that was otherwise hidden from view. The water looked perfectly crystal clear, a slight green color reflecting off of the water's calm surface.

"Now that..." he began as he walked up next to his friend and kneeled down to dip his paw into the cool lake, "...is awesome."

"I'm glad you like it. I was hoping you would." Allowing the cat to continue glancing out over the open expanse of water, Locke sauntered back and began to unpack his bundle. Unfolding the large sky-blue sheet, he laid out on the ground before going down on all fours to smooth out the edges and corners to protect them from dirt and ants. "So, still hungry?" he asked with a knowing smile as he placed the large wicker basket in the center of the cloth.

"You bet!" Standing up, Maxi slowly turned around to be greeted with the sight of the panther/wolf sitting cross-legged on the blanket starting to slowly remove platters of food. "No...way!" he said, his cheeks turning a soft crimson, "A picnic?"

"A private picnic," Locke corrected, putting emphasis on the middle word.

"Is this all for us?" the lion asked; still in shock, he hesitantly approached the blanket to get a better look.

Chuckling, his emerald eyes catching the light of day to light up like beacons in the night sky; "Not unless you think I can eat everything by myself," he retorted as he gently patted the empty spot next to him.

"You probably could if you put your mind to it," Maxi countered with a soft giggle. Not to decline the generous offer, he took his seat to his host's right, the picnic basket positioned within easy reach of them both.

Locke ignored that comment and dug through the picnic basket at his feet. "So Maxi, feel like being nice?" he asked, taking out a can of soda, "Or Naughty?" he finished, showing off a bottle of beer.

"I've always been a bad boy..." Maxi countered with a wink as he reached out to take the cold bottle.

"My favorite type," the half-breed added, placing the soda back and taking a second beer.

The felines plucked the metal tops off with their claws before leaning over and tapping the top of their respective bottles together. "What should we toast to?" the lion asked.

"Why, to us of course," the black cat responded.

"To us," he repeated. They bumped their drinks together a second time before taking their first swigs. Setting his beer down, Maxi turned to peak into the basket with a hungry smile on his face. "So, what'd you bring to eat Locke?"

"Whatever was in the fridge." Clamping the bottle between his legs, he took out a few sealed Tupperware containers and passed them to the lion. The half-breed felt embarrassed, almost ashamed, of what little he had to offer the son of such prestige; how he ever hoped to compare with such options, such decadence, he didn't know. "Not much of a selection I know, but I hope you don't min-"

"It looks delicious!" Maxi said, interrupting him, having already opened the first container to smell the fragrant scent of lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and spices. He was about to ask what it was, but stifled his question as he was handed another plastic box. "You made salad?!" he said in surprise as he beheld the green lettuce, orange carrots, and red tomatoes; that, of course, answered his unsaid inquiry...dressing.

Chuckling, Locke took his own individually prepared salad between is legs and passed out the silverware, "What? Poor folks can't eat well too?" he joked.

Taking the offered fork, the lion's smile dimmed as he looked down to the side, feeling as though he had just horribly insulted his more then accommodating host. "I didn't mean it like tha-"

"Cheer up, will you?" the panther commented, leaning over to plant a gentle peck on the other feline's tawny cheek. "I know you didn't mean it like that. Trust me, if I got the sense you were mocking me, I'd leave you out here to fend for yourself."

Despite the threat, Maxi found the words a source of comfort. Passing the dressing over once he had drizzled it overtop his greens, he took his time in eating what he'd normally just wolf down. "It's very good," he mumbled, the sour taste of lemon making his lips pucker up, "Very fresh."

"Straight from the neighbor's garden basically," he explained after swallowing a rather large radish. Staring off into the distance, the pair watched the slow ripples pass along the glimmering surface of the bond. The gentle breeze rustled the tops of the long grass and wild flowers as it carried the scents of nature around them and through the campgrounds. Everything just seemed at peace, and after everything that had happened in the past few days, it was what both of them needed. "Ready for the next course?" Locke asked, setting his empty container behind him.

"Guess I shouldn't be surprised that there's more." Snapping the top back in place, he put it on the ground to his right and brushed off his lap. Unsure what to expect next, his muzzle watered in anticipation. "Oh wow..." he said finally once he saw what was placed in front of him.

A small platter of various cold-cuts and cheese was slid into his lap. Now, compared to his former standard of living, it was nothing; but given the sort of predicament his host family was in, this must be a very regal and expensive lunch. "Oh Locke..." he cooed softly, "You didn't have to do all of this for me. I'm sure this cost you a lot putting it all together."

"A few days without lunch, maybe a week at most," he responded. A large smile appeared on his face, his emerald eyes seemed to twinkle from under the rim of his red bandana. Hesitant to move further, "But for you...it's worth it," at that, he placed his right paw on the lion's left thigh, giving the muscle a gentle squeeze.

Feeling his cheeks redden, Maxi placed the plate on the blanket next to him. Over come by the passion with which Locke had prepared his lunch and the sincerity of his words, no longer did he feel like the previous night was just a fluke. "Thanks," he uttered breathlessly; leaning over, he placed his right paw on the half-breed's left check, keeping the ebony face still till he planted a kiss on his other cheek.

Both cats heard the panther gasp, his body stiffening at the unexpected gesture. But just as quickly as it came, the lion released him and sat straight up as though nothing had happened. It didn't bother him, now knowing that the churning feeling of butterflies in his stomach was a sensation that both boys felt. Not needing words to express it, it seemed as though they both knew what the other was feeling, and left it at that. "Trade you for the bread," he offered, handing over the loaf from the basket in exchange for the platter.

Almost thankful that the other cat didn't make a big deal out of it, Maxi had to admit that he was a bit new to all of this. Up until last night, he had never really felt comfortable sleeping next to someone...well there was that one time with Jason in the tent, but that was an eternity ago he reminded himself, another time and place. Despite that, his kiss just seemed natural; he didn't feel like he had forced himself to do it, or felt pressured to show his affection, he just...did it. "Got any condiments?" he asked, pulling himself out of his train of thought before he got too distracted to eat.

"Take your pick," said the panther, flipping up the basket's flap to reveal a wide array of spreads. From there, the pair made their sandwiches in silence, grunting a few reciprocal 'thank you'-s. As they ate, they'd tap the other's leg to point out passing butterflies, spiders, and other inhabitants of their private glade, but that was the extent of physical contact.

Brushing crumbs from his shirt and off his whiskers, the lion licked his lips as he reclined back on his paws to stare up at the leafy green roof above them, his tail sweeping back and forth under him, stirring up a small cloud of dust. "That was delicious, Locke."

"Glad you liked it," was the response. Figuring that they were done for the moment, the panther/wolf set about putting the containers back in his basket before he assumed the same position as his friend.

Turning to his left, cracking his neck in the process, Maxi flashed a smile of pearly whites. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"How about a dip in the pond?" he suggested, "I bet the cool water would feel great right about now."

"But...I didn't bring a bathing suit," the lion admitted, his face turning a soft shade of pink.

Turning to face the other cat, a knowing smirk appeared on his muzzle. "Guess we're going skinny-dipping then!"

Scrunching up his nose, Maxi leaned in and pressed his nose gently against the panther's. "You just want to see me naked again," he accused, his mind flashing back to those moments in his father's cabin when he was at the mercy of the panther's gentle black paws.

"Guilty as charged," he chuckled; licking the lion's lips as they stared into each other's eyes, green into gold.

"I figured as much," Maxi commented, rolling his eyes as he turned away slightly, still keeping the half-breed in his peripheral vision.

"It's only fair after you walked in on me this morning!" he retorted, the tip of his furry tail brushing against the lion's softly.

The image of the panther's silky, bare, black behind revisited his senses. He could see the perfectly sculpted body, as though it had been carved out of a single block of flawless black marble. "You're a real horn dog...you know that?" he asked rhetorically. Getting up, he brushed the seat of his pants of any residual dirt before walking over to get a closer examination of the flowers on the outskirts of their campgrounds.

Following suit, Locke rose to his feet and followed right behind his friend. "I've been told that. Now...come on!" and with that, he hooked his right arm around the lion's left, gently leading him back towards the pair of bushes at the far end of the clearing.

"But I don't want to go skinny dipping!" Maxi protested, slightly resisting the panther's pull, but reluctantly following him between the bushes towards the edge of the pristine lake.

"Doesn't mean we still can't enjoy the water," the half-breed countered. Having gotten them to the pool's shore, he released his grip on the furry arm so that he could sit down and start undoing the laces on his shoes. Moving from left to right, his shoes were placed in a pile on the back, soon joined by his socks. Once free, Locke gave a soft 'ahhh' as he stretched his toes, hearing them pop. "You should try it..." the half-breed enticed his companion as he rolled the hem of his clam-diggers up to mid-thigh; his claws digging into the wet dirt as he got up and walked around, "It feels great."

The lion had to admit, that cool water did look refreshing. Throwing caution to the wind, he began unlacing his own shoes and soon stood barefoot next to the panther. "I can't remember the last time I did this." The feel of sand between his pads made him giggle as he walked with the other boy, paw-in-paw, along the shore. The warm afternoon breeze caught his mane and blew it back behind him like a trailing ribbon, cooling him down in the process. "Think the water's cold?"

"Don't know," Locke answered, "Let me see." With that, he stepped off the beach into ankle deep water, sending small rippling circles out along the surface of the formally calm lake. "Not bad actually. The sun's probably heating up the surface, so the shallow areas are probably pretty warm. Wanna try?"

"Oh...I don't kno-" he began to protest before being cut off as the cat/dog yanked his wrist hard, causing him to trip over his own feet and stumble into the water.

"Wow there!" Locke joked, catching the lion before he fell face first into the water, "Eager aren't we?"

"Seems I just can't stay away from you," Maxi countered once he regained his balance. He did have to admit, the water was pretty damn refreshing; he berated himself for being scared to try it. "But really...thanks," he said, and at that, he felt the other boy's tail brush along his as they walked on.

Kicking up water as they moved, the pair splashed along the coast in unison. With their shoulders playfully bumping into each other, they continued on their peaceful walk without a destination in mind. Eventually, Locke spotted a large tree that had fallen over into the water; the top was buried underneath sediment, but there was still a large area of dry log to sit upon. He quickly hoisted himself up, offering a paw down to Maxi, who playfully ignored it and climbed up under his own power. The two cats faced towards the open interior of the lake, watching stray beams of light reflect off of the opposing shore. Scooting a bit closer, the panther deliberately placed his paw atop of the lion's, giving a gentle squeeze despite being unable to look at him directly. "I...I really like you Maximillion...like, a lot," he admitted, his voice trembling under its own weight.

"The shrine devoted to me on your wall kinda told me that," he said with a chuckle. Despite how he meant it, he heard the dejected whimper from the panther. He slowly started to lift his ebony paw off of the golden one; "Wait...please," the lion muttered, turning his paw over to take a gentle hold of the half-breed, "Just hear me out...Okay?"

"Okay..."

"I Admit, I was a bit put off with the display and everything. And, if that, combined with your lies, were all I based my feelings off of, I'd think much differently. But, after taking the last two days into consideration, well..." he stopped, letting his thoughts catch up to his muzzle, "You...you really showed your true colors Locke. Colors that I find very attractive."

The panther suddenly focused on the lion, those words drawing his attention like a moth to an open flame. "So-So...So, that means we're ma-"

"Now, now, I didn't say that." Maxi interjected quickly, wanting to catch him before he said what was on his mind. He watched Locke try to smile and put on an act of being unaffected; suffice to say, he wouldn't win an Oscar for his performance. "Hey, hey..." the lion said, trying to attract the attention of the sunken pair of emerald eyes, "You promised you'd hear me out, remember?"

Sighing softly, he reached up with a claw to scratch at his neck, a nervous tick of his, "Yeah...Sure..."

Using his right foot to nudge the half-breed's left in order to get his attention back on him. Taking a deep breath, he tried to force all the stress and tension from his system before beginning to talk. "Look, Locke, it's not that I don't like you, or that I don't want to, but...after everything that's happened over this past week, I-I'm scared for you." A bit of the pressure on his chest seemed to dissipate at his admission; but despite that, his head felt too heavy to hold up. He remedied this by staring down at the crisp, clean water under his feet. "It comes down to this...I've seen what my species is capable of. When I first saw Jason afte-"

"Jason...Jason," the panther said, rolling the words around on his tongue as though trying to determine just what flavor of memories they brought to him. "You mean the guy at your father's cabin, as well as the one who followed us at P.O.O.D.L.E. headquarters?" his brain making the connection, although tenuous at best.

"The one and the same..." Maxi acknowledged.

"Why do you care about him?" Locke demanded of him, "He betrayed you...remember?"

"This was before that...before I knew of his plan," he explained. The lion wracked his brain, trying to find a good jumping off point from where he could give him a decent, but not complete, picture of the story so far. The level of detail was going to be vague; but if he didn't want to dredge up his relationship with the dog, this was all he could do short of avoiding Locke's question altogether. "Well, ummm...I'm sure you've heard about my wedding disaster," deciding that that's indeed what it was, a disaster.

"Who hasn't?" the other cat said rhetorically, "They tried to keep it secret, but someone leaked the news. So, now they're just trying to downplay the whole thing."

Nodding slowly, the lion rubbed his eyes, keeping his focus on the ripples passing below him. "Well, suffice to say, I was the one behind it. It wasn't that I didn't love her, or that I didn't want a litter of cubs of my very own; it's just that, there was this...this thing giving me pause to consider."

"Jason?"

"Yeah, Jason. When I finally saw him fully illuminated at the hotel after we had managed to escape from my relatives, I didn't need a crystal ball to see who had hurt him. My father and brothers had tortured him that morning, and probably would've returned later that night to continue where they left off had he not escaped. They did it not just because of who he was, but because of what he was...a dog." Looking off into the distance for a moment, he finally turned to face the panther/wolf, his eyes shimmering and shaking as he tried not to picture what could befall his new friend. "And, I'm terrified of what they would do to you if they ever caught us together, especially with you being a Forsa-...I-I uhhh...I mean with you being you."

"It's alright..." the panther said with a heavy sigh, this wasn't the first time someone had a Freudian slip; and it wouldn't be the last he bet.

"But," Maxi began, pushing past the guilt for having insulted him, "It's not just that. You see, I spent the entire day yesterday with your father, and...and I've come to not only respect him as a leader, but as a fellow furr." He resisted the urge to say 'father', despite the fact that on some level, he wished his sire were more like the wolf. "He told me all about himself...about his life. And, it's just that he's already lost so much over the course of his life, I don't think I could ever face him, or myself, if something I did took you away too."

Locke's whiskers twitched at the mention of loss, "So...he told you about my mother, huh?"

"Yeah, he did." The lion felt scared, unsure of what to do. Should he comfort his friend? Wrap his arms around him? Or just continue on as though the reference was only made in passing? Looking up slowly, he saw that the half-breed's focus was on the opposite shore, and not in his direction. This gave him some time to consider his options. It was then that he noticed his bright red bandana; the crimson fabric illuminated by the day's afternoon light. Maxi suddenly recalled Alphonse's description and realized that it was more then just a way of hiding his heritage; it served as a reminder as well. "I'm really sorry about it..." he said softly, putting a paw on the other cat's shoulder, "About everything."

"It's not your fault," the panther said solemnly, reaching up to gently cradle the paw on his shoulder; the feeling of holding someone else's paw in his, the touch of his sensitive pads against the soft golden fur made him smile just a tad. "Look, that picture collage you mentioned earlier," he said, getting a small nod from the lion, "It didn't start out as that. It's just...I mean...everything you have, as a lion, should be mine."

"What do you mean?" Came the confused response.

"What I mean is this. For all intent and purpose, I'm the son of a panther. I am a panther. A cat...just like you. But, I don't get the same perks like you; the same lifestyle, the same treatment. My dad told me who my grandfather was, of what privileged blood runs through my veins. I know of what prestige is owed to me. So, when I first learned of you and where you came from, the youngest son of a prominent feline family headed by the same lion who had sent my life to the dung heap; I concluded that it was you who had stolen everything from me. And, that all that you have is rightfully mine. I became enraged, depressed, and jealous. I became obsessed," he admitted with a sigh. At the confession, he turned his entire body away from the other cat. He lifted his right leg, turned to straddle the log with his legs, feeling the lion's paw slide off his shoulder and away down his back. "I began collecting pictures...compulsively. Cutting them out of magazines, newspapers, printing them off of my computer, I couldn't help myself. From there, I began to read everything about you, whatever I could get my paws on. From the most sophisticated interviews and bios to the backs of tabloids. I started it so that I could find more reasons to hate you, to justify revenge for taking back what was seized from me. But...thing's began to change the deeper I delved into your life."

"Change?" Maxi asked, keeping his distance as he stared at the back of the panther's head, "Change how?"

Using his claws, Locke picked nervously at the dead tree bark, prying off small chunks of wood to then toss in the water below. "The more I read, the more I saw that you weren't as I had pictured you'd be. Unlike the rest of your species, who were materialistic, heartless, trust-fund babies who'd never work a day in their lives...no offence."

"None taken," the lion said with an encouraging smile.

"You were different." He said, finishing his words to turn his head, green eyes barely able to see the other cat over the crest of his shoulder. "You volunteered when not asked. You donated unused toys and clothes. You cared about your fellow furr. You kept low-key, never flaunting your riches despite being an heir to one of the largest fortunes ever amassed. And...the more I learned about you, the more my feelings began to shift from hatred and bitterness to compassion, admiration, and eventually...love."

Despite knowing where his host's speech would end up, it still took his breath away and left him without an idea of what to do. "L...L-Locke," Maxi said shakily as the warm afternoon wind blew through his mane, throwing the gold hair in front to obscure his face.

"I-I know Maximillion." Lifting his leg, the panther spun back around, still straddling the log, but now facing the lion. "I know you could find someone better then me; someone more cultured; someone of your class; someone who can give you all of the things that you deserve and that I can't." He felt the tears well up in the corner of his eyes as he scooted a bit closer, hesitantly reaching out to take the yellow paw between his two black ones. "But..." his voice cracking, "But...you'll never find someone who can love you more then I do."

"It isn't that..." the other cat replied, brushing the stray strands from before his eyes with his free paw. He struggled within his thoughts of what to do, weighing each of his options during the long silence. "To deny us of this time together would be cruel..." he said slowly, as though testing each word to make sure it tasted right. Taking a deep breath, the lion exhaled slowly and raised his paw to clasped the panther's ebony ones, talking as he did so. "It seems that I'll be staying here with you and your father, should you allow it, for a while. Given that, it's only fair to give this to you while there's still a chance. But, only until I can get on common ground with my father and negotiate my safe and secure return to the family...Sound good?"

"Sounds great..." Locke replied as though drunk on the lion's words. He felt light-headed, woozy, and hysteric as the same time. It felt like he was watching a movie staring himself as the main romantic lead. Moving closer, he let Maxi shift into his position, legs on either side of the trunk facing him. Releasing his paws, he took a gentle hold of the lion's sides as if he might float away.

Maxi chuckled softly, his laughter like a shot of morphine directly into the panther's heart. "Glad to hear it," he whispered. Using his fingers, he scratched the half-breed under his chin; he drew a single claw along the underside of his muzzle, forcing his head to follow his movements. A devilish smirk appeared on his face once he had him in the prime position. Leaning in, he made sure their eyes locked together as he gave a gentle lick across his black muzzle before planting a passionate kiss on the puckered lips.

Fireworks exploded with a deafening din inside the half-breed's head as he felt the softness of another's lips pressed up against his own. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation, no holding back of emotions. Both boys knew what was at stake and what was being risked, and they were both willing to place the bet. Reaching up, the panther cupped the lion's face between his fingers, gently brushing over the tawny cheeks as he tilted his head to push back against the other cat. A soft mutual purr passed between both sets of lips as a gentle afternoon breeze blew through the trees to send warm shivers up their spines. "You're a pretty good kisser for an uptight lion," Locke teased once their muzzles parted, his emerald eyes never leaving Maxi's face while he sat there, still stroking the lion's whiskers.

"You're not bad yourself, for a dirty half-breed..." he replied. Keeping their faces close together, he gave a quick peck against the ebony lips as his paws gently hooked around the other boy's hips. Maxi felt the softness of black furr that peaked out from under the boy's shirt and covered the toned body, keeping his powerful muscles hidden from view. "I didn't even feel nervous this time," the lion admitted sheepishly, a slight blush on his cheeks.

"Does that mean you want to do it again?" he hinted with a wink, getting a couple laughs out of the furr sitting across from him on the log. Not seeing any signs of being denied, he closed the gap between them once again and returned the favor with a passionate kiss of his own. With the surprise gone, he took the opportunity to really feel it, to experience the kiss as the first true step in their relationship. He could taste the tangy mustard on the lion's muzzle, smell the musky scent of feline and hops on his breath, and feel the raspy tongue against his lips. Not wanting to refuse such a request, he allowed his maw to part as the leonine muscle slipped inside to do sensual battle with his own.

Twisting their heads back and forth, slowly at first till they got a rhythm down, they slid ever closer during the course of the struggle. Soon they were able to get their arms fully around each other, embracing as they enjoyed their first kiss as partners...for however long they had. The two noses, black and smooth as river-washed stones, bumped together as they seemed to cycle the same few molecules of air. Once they were done, and the two crimson serpents slid out and back into their respective caves, the two boys just looked at each other for what felt like an eternity; one unable to believe that his dream had come true, and the other unable to believe that the truth wasn't just a dream after all. "Any ideas about what you want to do now?" Maxi asked, sliding his face over across the other's cheek to rest his weary head on the offered shoulder.

"None in the slightest," the panther said, resting his head against the lion's as he reached behind him and gently rubbed his back. Turning slightly, he inhaled the musty, all male, scent of a maturing lion into his nostrils as though to catalog it amongst his fondest memories. "What about you?"

"Oh, I have some ideas," Maxi said softly, not in any hurry leave this position and disclose his plans just yet.

"Do I get to hear them?" Locke responded with a chuckle, his long black tail gently sweeping at the brown bark behind him. Unable to take his eyes off of the cat in front of him, it just made him want to hold the boy closer to him, as though fearful to let go.

Sitting up straight, Maxi playfully sighed while rolling his eyes. "Oh I guess, if you insist," he taunted. "It's nothing special really," the lion said with modest intentions, "Just a nice walk through the forest. I can't remember the last time I was outside without my father's men acting as bodyguards." That wasn't entirely true, he thought; but if he wanted to start over with a clean slate, he was going to have to wipe it down himself.

"That sounds rather relaxing actually," Locke said with a sincere smile. Swinging his leg over the side, he easily slid back down into the water with a small splash. His bare claws dug into the wet sand underpaw as he got used to the feeling once again before he looked back up and extended a paw to help the lion down from his perch.

The lion thought about refusing his request again, but decided to just accept that being helped down didn't make him any less of a lion. Leaning down, he gingerly grasped at the black paw, talking hold of the soft fingers before he was gently pulled from the log. He landed softly in the panther's arms, the water below softening his landing. "There are just two stipulations, okay?" Maxi teased as he danced away from his friend's waiting arms back towards the shore.

"There always are," Locke joked, following the lion's path through the water, splashing as he went. The pair of cats laughed as they tromped through the shallow bank of the lake, kicking up waves of crystal blue water in their wake. Finally catching up to the yellow feline, he considered tackling him, but instead he grabbed a hold of his thin, wiry tail, and pulled him back against his chest. "So, what are they?" he whispered into the pivoting pair of ears while he wrapped his arms around the other male's waist once again.

"First..." the lion said, turning around to face the half-breed as he draped his arms over those black shoulders, "I want you to take your bandana off of your head."

"What?!?" the panther said with surprise. Eyeing the other male carefully, his fingers gently caressed the lion's back as they stood ankle deep in water. "Why?"

"Because..." Maxi started, leaning to gently press their noses together, "While I know it's to remember your mother by, it also serves as a reminder of having to keep your true heritage hidden. And, I don't want you to have to hide anything from me Locke...I want to see you for you." He could see a bit of sadness in the boy's eyes at having to remove his precious bandana. "I never said that I didn't want you wearing it," he added, trying to cheer him up, "I just want to see those cute ears of yours."

Locke blushed at that last statement, he couldn't remember the last time someone thought his ears were cute; nice, and even sexy, maybe...but definitely not cute. "O-Okay," he stuttered reluctantly. Truthfully, a part of him did want to take it off, but he'd never been outside without it, and that was enough to scare him. His paws shook as he released the lion and lifted his arms up to begin undoing the knot behind his head.

But a pair of paws had already beaten him too it. "Here, let me..." the lion said sweetly, offering to help as if Locke was handicapped. Nonetheless he didn't object, and lowered his arms back to his sides as he felt the golden claws gently pick at the knot. Closing his eyes as he felt it become undone, a sudden rush of chills traveled his spine as the damp air came in contact with the perspiration on his forehead. "There we go," Maxi said, handing the panther the patch of red cloth, "Now, isn't that better?"

"I-I guess," he said sheepishly, unused to the feeling of the elements against his closely hidden ears. The decent sized black wolf ears perked high on his head, tuffs of fur around the edges that lead into the purplish interior, which was bare of any covering. Instinctually he winced when Maxi reached out to touch them, but quickly relaxed as the soft pads gently caressed his most treasured secret. Hearing the lion purr with approval caused his face to flush and his ears to splay against the back of head. "So, what was that second stipulation?" he asked while he figured out how to secure his bandana to his person.

Maxi chuckled, watching the pair of obsidian triangles slide flat against the panther's head; hoping that one day he'll feel comfortable to show them to the world. They were back at the original beach now, their picnic basket only a few feet from the shore line behind him. "Well, I just figured that we've been talking quite a bit today..." he said softly as he reached over to help tie the bandana around the half-breed's right forearm, "So, a little silence might be nice."

"I don't follow..." Locke said, tilting his head to the side as he watched the lion fashion the cloth to his arm. The two cats then slowly emerged from the water to stand upon the meter wide sandy shore to let their paws dry before sitting down to put their socks and shoes back on.

"No talking," the lion replied bluntly while he lased up his left shoe, shooting the panther a warm smile before standing up and walking back towards the clearing between the bushes.

Getting up to follow the other boy, Locke chuckled once he had caught up. "Starting when?" he asked they both kneeled down to begin packing up the picnic spread except for some trail mix that they kept separate before tucking it into the back of the motorcycle.

"Now," Maxi said matter-of-factly. Flashing the panther a smile of pearly whites, he left the campsite and began heading towards the woods in hopes of finding a moderately cleared path.

Locke finished packing and then hurried to catch up with the lion. "Bu-" was all he could get out before the golden cat turned around and pushed two fingers against his lips. Once he stopped talking, the male leaned in and planted a soft kiss, fragrant with the smells of the forest, on the half-breed's muzzle as though rewarding him for a job well done. Chuckling once their lips parted, he quickly got the idea as he reached out to take the other boy's paw and began walking off together in unison.

Neither boy knew what awaited them in the forest lit by the afternoon sun, sending a tranquil green glow across the grassy carpet. But what they found was a practical playground of adventure; free of charge of course. They tromped through the dense underbrush in complete silence with only the sounds of nature to be heard for miles around. The pair played all sorts of games usually reserved for recess, such as tag, hide-and-seek, and a primitive version of basketball involving a smooth rock and an old, empty, hornet's nest. Between each contest, they would dissolve into a rousing game of follow the leader as one cat would take the lead and the other would dutifully follow.

When Locke was in front, they'd take an adventitious path up, over, and through whatever happened to be in their way; from climbing trees, which he tended to have to help the lion do, to scampering over boulders, and crossing streams using dead logs or stepping stones. Any time he fell, he'd just brush off his bottom, laugh as though that's what he had intended to do, and get right back to whatever he was doing; bumps and bruises were a medal of honor to him. Whenever it was the golden feline who tumbled, the panther would rush to his side and help him to his feet, clean him off, and see if he was hurt or needed to be carried the rest of the way. Scrunching up his face, the lion would just kiss his forehead for being so thoughtful and gently rub his ears before encouraging him to continue leading.

When it came around to Maxi's turn, he'd always take the scenic route, which tended to be the longer of the choices at his disposal; whether it was a peaceful stroll by the edge of the lake, a playful frolic crossing a field of wild flowers, or a relaxing gait through an ocean of ferns. The lion didn't so much lead as he did direct, paw-in-paw with the panther, they'd take their sweet time in crossing whatever came their way. A relaxed sigh would leave his muzzle often as he rested his head on the half-breed's shoulder. Their tails swayed back and forth, gently gliding into each other with a playful innocence. With every gust of wind, the lion's mane would blow directly into the pair of emerald eyes, causing him to nod apologetically while he tried to get his hair under control.

As time progressed in its steady flow onwards, the sky slowly began to change from a bright blue to a darker navy, and the air around the pair of cats began to blow harder. After one particularly forceful gale passed through them, the cats looked at each other before silently deciding to head back to their campsite. By the time they returned, their clothes and fur were covered in head to toe with leaves, mud, dust, and sweat. A deep rumbling sigh signaled the lion's fatigue as he leaned against one of the trees lining the perimeter of the open space, spreading his legs out before him with his tail lazily flopping off to the side. Closing his eyes, he let himself relax, sinking into the grassy carpet under him, the rough bark behind his head acting as a makeshift pillow. What he wasn't expecting was the feeling of someone coming up next to him, brushing over his legs to take a seat between them.

Cracking his eyes open just a sliver, he saw Locke's smiling face staring back at him. Opening his mouth to speak, he was silenced by two fingers gently pressing against his muzzle, which were soon replaced by the panther's lips. Stifling a small gasp, he purred lustfully into the kiss, draping his arms over the other boy's shoulders to, in turn; pull him deeper into the embrace. Seconds later, he felt something pushing at the door to his maw, and slid his lips apart to allow the half-breed's tongue entrance. The crimson intruder was soon coiled around his own love muscle; a duel of the senses was initiated. Once their lips separated, a small trail of saliva keeping them connected, they just stared at each other; emerald eyes into orbs of molten gold.

Turning around in the lion's lap, the panther slowly reclined till his back was resting comfortable against Maxi's chest. From there, the golden feline wrapped his arms around Locke's abdomen; pulling him back so that they were two perfectly contoured shapes. Nuzzling the ebony neck with his cold nose, the pair scooted back and forth till they were both comfortable; with the half-breed's tail compacted between them, and his arms locking the lion's in place around his waist. As the two boys looked skywards, they watched the ivory clouds drift lazily across the cerulean ocean above them in silence. They no longer needed to words to say what they were thinking, for both Maximillion and Locke were fluent in reading body language; but, eventually, clasped together with their own limbs, the two boys slowly began to nod off under the afternoon sky.

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Well, that's the edn pf this chapter. hoped you liked it.

As always, penny for your thoughts below....and the check will be in the mail.