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The beeping of my alarm clock woke me as it did every day. I rolled over and clicked the switch to the 'off' position and pried my eyes open. Aden was curled up asleep on the floor.

After John had interrupted us, we had both shared a look. For a moment he looked very mad at me, then he'd ducked his head. He'd curled up to go to sleep, as did I. For my part I didn't get much sleep last night.

I kept wondering what John would do. There was every possibility from 'nothing at all' to 'tell mom and dad right away.' I can tell you the last option did not happen because my door didn't burst open, and my dad didn't start yelling. I had no real answer to the question.

I reached out and shook Aden's shoulder. His equine form shifted under the bedroll a little, and I noticed his eyes flicker open. He had that look most people get when they awake in a strange place, slightly confused, then assured.

He blinked his eyes at me and stretched.

"Good morning." He yawned hugely.

"Well so far, yes." I had to concede the point there. He nodded.

"I'm going to go shower. I'll be back in a bit." He nodded as I opened the door and left the room.

**

Ok I seem very calm here, and I am for the most part. Inside I'm in pure panic but there isn't anything I can do. His older brother caught us, made a joke and left. I don't know anything about what could possibly happen, and that's ok. That's Dex's job. I'll let him handle the big stuff.

I'm skipping a shower this morning. I don't want to clog their drains with fur. Sure the school was retrofitted to accommodate us, but, not every house has been, so I'm going to be a polite guest, nod my head to his mom and walk with her son to school. Who happens to be my Stallion. Yes.

**

We came downstairs a little while later. John was wearing his "day off attire" since he had no classes on Monday. He also hadn't bothered to shave so he had a few days worth of stubble on his face and chin. I did catch a knowing smirk from him as he was eating his breakfast.

He knew. He fucking knew. If there was any doubt as to what was going on, he had my secret. He'd tried to blackmail me once when I was younger. It wasn't anything hugely bad or wrong, I just had to lie to Mom and Dad as to where he was. He went to a party, and was going to get very drunk. I told them his friend Mark had picked him up and he was staying with him. It was either that or he was going to show dad the browser history on my computer.

Aden kept giving me glances. He'd taken the bridle off this morning. My mom didn't mention it at all. I think she had realized a little belatedly that she may have crossed a line. Mom wished me and Adan well as we walked out the door.

**

"Dex?"

"I know. I don't think he's going to say anything though."

The morning was partly overcast, and you could smell fall on the air. We didn't have too far to walk, maybe only a mile or two.

"You don't think so?"

I shook my head.

"No....while he has dirt on me, I have dirt on him. I also know the last thing he wants is to make the home life difficult. He's lazy. That doesn't mean he may not ask me to lie or something soon when he wants to go do something, but well, he's known I'm gay for years...."

Aden was staring at me pretty intently.

"Really?"

"And....he knows I've had a thing for equines....."

Aden grinned at me and slapped me on the back. "Uh, word to the wise Dex...you still do...."

**

We stepped into the cafeteria before classes started. It was a place where a lot of students got a late breakfast, sat and did homework, or chatted before class. A lot of the students looked like they were still tired. I spotted Jake first.

I had to hide my smile. He had obviously gone shopping. The once retiring shy horse-linebacker had gotten a new wardrobe. His mane glistened this morning. He'd spent a lot of time on his appearance. He was sitting and chatting with Rodney. The other equines were nearby. I could see all three stealing glances. Especially Tracy. She had eyes for her fellow bay, and I could see that this was going to possibly spell trouble. I glanced quickly at Aden, he'd seen it too. He had a bit of a grimace on his face, but he looked determined enough.

We sat down together at a table near them and started small talk. It wasn't the leader who burst in and demanded attention if there was trouble, unless it was absolutely necessary. If there was one thing I was learning was that not everything was an emergency. They would work out their own pecking order. Aden would help those who came to him.

There was definitely a new dynamic to the herd this morning. Jake was getting a lot of glances. Andrew had almost an annoyed look on his face. I figured it was because Tracy obviously was eying up Jake. Melissa was also giving the new handsome and improved Jake a lot of glances. Her boyfriend, the bull I saw at the game, just smiled coyly. I wondered what he had on his mind.

I didn't have much time to think about it.

"Hey Horse Boy!" a voice called out to me. I turned. It was Cory. He didn't look to happy.

"What?"

He walked up and leaned in to whisper to me, giving Aden a dirty look. Aden looked furious for a second.

"Can I talk to you?" I shrugged and stood up. We headed a little ways away from the rest.

"What is up with you!?" He whispered harshly. I just gave him a blank stare.

"What do you man?"

He scowled his face. "This....you're having around the jocks and equines now? What gives? You spurned them, beat Aden at HORSE hah, yah that was funny, but now you come walking to school together, and you're being seen by everyone to be in the company of the equines!

I stared blankly at him for a minute. What should this all matter?

"So? Aden and I worked out our differences and are friends. He's also introduced me to his other friends....what's wrong?"

He shook his red head and had a pained look almost. "It's weird is all. People might talk?"

I shrugged. "So? Let them. They're good friends..."

"They - aren't - human." Each word was clipped and precise.

Oh this.....I've seen this before. I saw it on the news this morning briefly before heading out the door. Tensions were rising out in the "Real world." Furs were taking juicy jobs because they had special strength, skills, or knowledge. Some of the human unions were pissed. Some of the students here at Bowie resented the furs. They didn't outright shun them, but some did go out of their way to avoid them.

This was not something I was going to stand for.

"If you mean by human beings, yes they aren't human, but they are people."

Cory scowled and shook his head, turning and walking away.

I sat back down at the table next to Aden.

"What was that?"

I sighed. "Another complication."

**

The next complication came in English. Bruce was no where to be seen. No one had seen him at all this morning. The teacher marked him absent. Aden grimaced a little. Bruce had been at the game and hadn't given Aden any more or less grief than before.

**

Lunch came around and then the real fun began. Aden and I were sitting and chatting when it happened.

"Fuck off!" Was the angry shout. I looked over calmly and watched. Jake was mad. His muscles strained at his new A&F shirt, and pants. His ears were back and teeth were bared at Tracy in front of him, and Andrew stood at her back, a look of anger on his face. He had obviously shouted at both Andrew and Tracy.Tracy looked trapped . Melissa was staring wide eyes from her table with her bovine.

"What?"

Andrew looked about ready to deck the much bigger equine.

Oh crap. Here we go. I'd have to make this quick. No choosing sides though.

I quickly stood up and strode over to the two males squaring off with Tracy now stuck between them.

"What is it Jake?"

Jake's eyes were angry and focused on Tracy. "Oh sure, NOW she sees me. So does Andrew, for being a threat to him."

Andrew started forward a little as if he was going to take a swing. Aden caught his arm in time before I could react. Aden leaned forward and bit Andrew's ear hard. Andrew turned stunned for a second.

"Enough!" I hissed as loudly as I could stamping a foot. I snorted in disgust at them.

"Look at you. All of you. Jake, I know they ignored you, that's no reason to be mad. Leave them alone, and be the bigger stud. Andrew, Tracy, I don't care what is going on here, but leave him alone. He respected Andrew when Andrew said 'no.' Melissa, give it up, he's not interested."

All four equines turned at me as I spoke. "I leave you alone for two fucking days, and look what happens. This herd is almost a joke. You need to start paying attention to, and taking care of each other. I won't be able to forever!"

All of them nodded blankly at this. Tracy and Melissa both looked thoughtful and a little surprised as they nodded back.

"Listen. If you have problems, you know Aden and I are here. Talk for fuck's sake. This is annoying. It's destabilizing too. Shape up, got it?"

I was almost stunned at the reply. "yes...leader..." Aden and Jake used the word "Stallion" but it seemed to galvanize them a little more. I nodded once, and resumed eating my lunch, keeping an eye on what happened next.

**

Dex sat back down to finish his lunch. I frog marched Andrew outside, the wind rustling his mane and let got of his arm. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Tell me what happened!" I snapped at him.

Andrew looked uncomfortable for a second. "Who are you to ask..."

I bit him on the neck, hard. He let out a strong equine squeal. Thank goodness the School Administrators had been briefed on equine behavior or they may thought this was more of a fight than the heated discussion that it was.

"You know who I am, and you know who Dex is. You may not realize it, but he's organized you guys into a much better herd that I could. My God, Andy I want to bite and kick you around thie school thee times just because you're being annoying, but I'm not going to. Dex would be royally pissed. I know he's pissed at you, so if you want help you better start talking!"

That stopped him cold. "But....he's a human...."

This time I snapped in front of his face, my ears back...

"And more of a Stallion than you will ever hope to be, so what is it?"

He paused...."Uh....well....I had noticed Tracy was getting more than a little interested in Jake, and well, she had told me she wanted to go talk to him. I followed a little ways behind, and heard her ask him out on a date. I uh...."

I nodded. "You ran forward and were pissed someone was poaching on your filly right?" I crossed my arms.

He looked sheepish.

"Um, yes."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Andrew, you know he isn't into girls after that talk he had with you during the game. Dex told me about it. He also told me you were pissed that he might still be hanging around. I could tell you were mad this morning. Is that true?"

Andrew started looking uncomfortable again. "Well yes. I'm a stud, not a mare. I'm not going...."

"Not that, you thick skulled horse! Your mad that he looks better than you right?"

It took Andrew a second to realize this was true. His painted face flashed through several emotions.

"Yes."

"So?"

He looked confused. "So?"

I sighed. I nudged him in the side. "So what do you do? Get pissed and start a fight? Is that was a good herdmate does?"

"Um.....no?"

I nodded.

"If you want the fillies, and someone is a better looking stud than you, then try to be the better stud. Get some new clothes. Comb your mane until it shines. Fix that scraggly tail, or better yet, braid it smartly. Get those hooves polished and be more confident."

He was nodding now.

"Listen, Dex isn't letting anyone out of the herd. I know he's not equine, but he knows herds, he knows horses, and he knows us. He wants to help. No one stepped up, so the least you could do is go apologize."

Poor Andrew looked deflated. "I don't know if Jake..."

I rapped him on the forehead once with a knuckle and turned his face to look me in the eye.

I snarled at him "I didn't mean Jake..."

**

Once Andrew left, the second part of the drama started. Tracy took off. I didn't have time to deal with her. Melissa was now very much longingly looking at Jake, who was paying far more attention now to the feline. Time was running short though. Just as I was about to get up to go talk to Melissa Andrew came back in. He walked over to my table and sat across from me.

His head was lowered, and he looked sorely embarrassed. "I'm sorry Dex-leader. That was out of line. I know you're trying to help us now....I',...well....sorry."

I chuckled at him and patted his forearm where it lay. "It's ok Andrew. Herds change, and you weren't expecting this. I bet Aden gave you some grooming advice?" He nodded, his ears coming up.

"Well, looks like you have some extra-credit homework tonight then."

**

Gym was a totally different experience than it had been before. This time I noticed I was getting a few looks from Cory, none of them friendly as we all changed. Soon we were out doing warm ups under the gray sky.

While I was stretching Cory leaned down to whisper at me.

"I saw that little art-drama you produced this morning." Cory sounded smug.

I didn't get a chance to reply. "Aw....it's ok cutie, I'm certain Dex can find time for you too..." Aden was smiling sweetly, in human. In equine he was all menace. I was wondering if Cory could read the body language, and realized he couldn't he just smirked and walked off.

"Fucker." Aden snarled as Cory went to another area to do his sit-ups.

"What? He is!" Aden replied as I continued stretching. I tried not to smile too much.

**

Finally the day was over. Aden and I planned to walk over to my place, drop off my bags, then walk over to his dad's house to see how his father was doing and to see if he had kept up on his world.

"You know, it's been a strange day." I smirked to Aden. "First the herd, then Cory, and now you. You seem so much different now."

Aden nodded. "I feel different, I think, I think last night did something for me. I don't know what, but it did." I saw the equine grin and returned it.

"Race you to the door!!" I challenged taking off in a sprint. I could hear a quick cry from him, then his heavy hooves sounded as he scrambled to catch up. We rounded the corner and I made my dash for the front door. Mom's car was gone. Monday's she had charity work, and dad worked late.

"Hah! Beat you!"

Aden was breathing heavily as we made it to the front of the house laughing. "Well for now yes, but not forever." He whiskered panting. I pulled out my keys to open the front door only to have the door open as I grabbed the handle. It was Bruce. He looked surprised.

**

"Bruce!?" I opened my muzzle a few times and found no words. The bull was wearing his football jersey and board shots that strained at his thick thighs.

"Hey Aden." He rumbled once then snorted. From what little I knew of bovine herd behavior he was relaxed, his side to me a little, his head turned slightly.

Almost a very submissive stance???

"Um....Bruce...what are..." Aden's forehead wrinkled heavily as he tried to figure out what was going on.

"Is someone at the door...."

I stared. There stood Dex's brother in nothing but a towel obviously coming from the shower.

No...way.....no....

I just stared. John's eyes grew very frightened, but it was Dex. Dex was the one that took it to the next level. He fell on the ground laughing.

**

I had tears in my eyes. It all made sense. It all fucking made sense. He'd never really had a girlfriend, he never gave me more than a light ribbing about the porn I watched. Why?

John was gay too.

After finding my eyes dry after a good long laugh, which I leaned had scared the crud out of both Bruce and my brother we made our way into the house. We sat in John's room. It was a little larger and had an old recliner, the bed, and two desk chairs (for guests when he studied).

"Well, I didn't hear from Aden all weekend. He never picked up his phone, so I thought something could be wrong. I went over to his Dad's place, and he said he'd come over here. So I thought I'd check up before school..." Bruce looked as embarrassed a huge bull fur could.If Aden had to duck a little to get under the doors, Bruce had to crouch.

One hoof kept kicking the edge of the chair.

He had come over, intended to ask about Aden, and John had answered the door. "No, Aden isn't here, but do you need any water or anything?" He'd come in. They'd sat for a bit. Bruce was tired from all the walking. They decided to watch T.V. Together. As they chatted they learned they had a lot in common. Watching T.V. turn into watching porn together, which, well, led to other things.

I could barely keep a straight face. Hah! I meant that pun, sorry.

"You...you aren't going to say anything to Mom and Dad are you?" John looked at me meekly. He actually looked meek. For one second I was sorely temped to give him hell, but a glance at Bruce told me what I should do.

"No John, you've kept my secret, I'll keep yours." I sighed running my hand through my blond hair. I'd have to get it cut soon, it was getting very long.

Bruce looked confused. "Secret?"

"Sure, Dex is gay...." John shrugged. The look on his face was priceless that he had so casually outed me to the bull.

Bruce just smirked and snorted once. "I thought so...."

"Thanks, and I'm sorry if I ever gave you a lot of trouble." I chuckled a little to cover my inadvertent outing by my brother.. "Well I'll still give you hell, just not in front of Mom and Dad."

Just then I heard the car door slam. Mom was home. Bruce looked very scared, John looked mortified, and Aden just calmly turned to me.

Fuck why me? Right...accept on that request....right.....

"Bruce, stay in here, John lock your door. Aden, with me, we're going to your Dad's!"

We quickly left the room, I heard the door click behind me. We ducked into mine grabbing Aden's bags as I had left mine in here earlier. We calmly walked into the hallway, and as we headed down stairs I heard the front door open.

"Hi Mom!"

"Hi Dex, oh Hi Aden. Going somewhere?"

I nodded. "Going to go with Dex back to his Dad's to make certain everything is ok. He needed to pick up his stuff."

"Oh, do you want a ride?"

Aden shook his head. "No ma'am. I'd rather walk, and do some thinking."

She smiled at him warmly. "Well it's good for you. I see you don't have the bridle on. Is everything ok?"

He nodded. I opened the door. "Oh, Mom, John's in his room. Something about a migrane...he's sleeping."

"Poor dear, thanks I'll leave him alone until after dinner." She looked pained for a second at the thought of her son's headache.

Aden and I left.

**

The image we saw as we walked up to the O'Brien residence was a change from yesterday. Contractors flooded the house. Carpet was torn out, furniture was sitting in dumpsters brought in, and people were yelling and shouting at each other for measurements.

"Wow, looks like the lesson stuck!" I was shocked. Aden nodded at me. We made our way in slowly. Among all the debris of torn down walls, and stacks of boxes filled with mementos, we found Luc in his room upstairs, watching a small tablet. He was lounging in his uniform, the bridle with "DAD" still on his head.

"Hi son, Stallion."

I nodded to him. Aden just stared around him at the chaos.

Luc's room was empty. It had a very sturdy Equine-On-The-Go sleeping cot, a lamp, a few books, and that was it. Emily's closet was open, and very empty. I had to smile at that.

"So, Luc, how's it going?"

He gave me a hearty equine grin.

"Well, I'm very sore from my workout this morning thank you. Here son, here's your card, we go in to the gym at 6 sharp. Some of the guys at work gave me hell about the bridle until I told him I wore it because of my son. The contractors showed up, and things are progressing."

Aden stared at the gym membership card his dad had given him blankly.

For a second Ole Luc looked a little sad. "It was hard, with Emily, you're mother's things son, but it's time I let go...."

Aden nodded silently taking it all in.

"Well, I wont say my work here is done, but it's a great start ole stud. Keep it up ok? Aden will keep an eye on you."

He nodded taking a seat. "Thanks again Stallion."

We found Aden's room. All of his stuff was packed in boxes along one wall, a similar cot set up for him. His laptop sat on a large crate next to the bed.

The door closed with a faint click.

"Well Aden it...hurk!"

The hug was huge. Aden had never hugged me like this. It took a second for him to release his grip enough for me to be able to breathe, but I was still being fiercely hugged, and that's when I heard the sobs. Aden was crying.

I ushered him over to the cot, which easily took our weight....

"Colt....stud...Aden what's wrong?" I asked stroking his mane. His forehead was buried against my neck.

"Thank you Dex....just Thanks, you just don't know...can't understand what this means. I mean, when you helped me, it was one thing, but, you just.....gave me my father back, the one I remembered when I was a foal....thanks..."

I held him as he cried. It was such a human gesture. I sometimes forgot they weren't entirely horses. I had no other choice but to rock him back and forth a while until the crying stopped. I realized I'd been there for quite a while. It was well past 6. I'd have to hurry to get home before dark.

I slowly pulled away from him. Poor Aden was spent. He laid down on his cot. I could only just reach across and stroke his cheek. I gave him a kiss between his ears.. He sighed gustily out of his nostrils as I nodded once. "You're welcome Aden."

I opened the door to leave glancing back. Aden just whispered. "I'm so proud of you..."

**