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Chapter Twenty Nine

Marcus

Marcus followed Frank from the pub with his tail wagging.

Late lunch/early dinner had gone pretty well, even if Frank had run outside to talk to someone driving a van, which still didn’t quite make sense to Marcus.

“So, why did you go and talk to that guy?” he asked as they began walking in the direction of home.

“Whoever was driving that van was connected to whatever Anthony is up to,” Frank explained. “And I still want to get to the bottom of it.”

“Understandable.”

“Also, I’d like to stop by mine to pick up more clothes and my bathroom stuff,” the wolf added.

Marcus wagged his tail again. He couldn’t put his paw on why, but the idea of Frank sleeping over at Honeysuckle Lodge again reassured him.

Perhaps it’s craving the company after Ralph has gone, but the fact it’s not just any old company. It’s Frank. Wait, does this mean I still have feelings for him?

“You all right?” Frank asked, interrupting his train of thought.

“Yeah, just pondering something,” Marcus replied innocently.

They walked through the centre of the village and Marcus followed as Frank diverted up the road to his house.

A blue Bentley drove past and Frank gave a start.

“Not again,” the wolf sighed.

“Was that Anthony?” Marcus asked.

“Yup.”

“Ugh, what a creep,” Marcus shivered. “He needs to find something better to do with his time rather than hang around your house. Doesn’t he have barrels of spare cider he could be getting drunk on?”

“I suspect whatever he’s doing at the Mansfield place is his time now,” Frank grumbled.

They reached Frank’s place and Marcus watched as Frank unlocked the door to the garage.

“C’mon,” he said, gesturing for Marcus to follow.

Marcus walked into the garage and noticed Frank had a whole work bench set out with tools. There was a car under a sheet and Marcus felt his curiosity get the better of him as he lifted a corner up.

“Woah,” he breathed, uncovering part of an old fashioned looking green sports car underneath. “I didn’t know you had a classic car?”

“Oh, it’s not actually a classic,” Frank chuckled as he opened a door that led into the kitchen. “It’s a Morgan roadster, they’re made to look old but I only got her three years ago.”

“A Morgan? Ah yeah, I remember you mentioning those cars when we were teenagers,” Marcus nodded. The name stirred a faint memory of a conversation they had once had about cars. “That’s cool you finally got one.”

“Indeed,” Frank replied as Marcus followed him into the kitchen. “I need to drive it more often though.”

Marcus took a seat at the kitchen table as Frank turned on the blue mood lighting. It reminded Marcus of Ralph’s apartment, but as soon as the thought entered his mind he felt his phone buzz. He slid it out to see a message from Ralph.

“Speak of the devil,” he muttered as he opened it.

“Sorry?” Frank replied.

“Just a message from Ralph,” Marcus said, although he noticed Frank was gazing out of the kitchen window and looking distracted by something.

“I’ll be right back,” the wolf said, walking towards the front door.

Marcus frowned and followed Frank.

He watched as the wolf opened the door and listened out.

“What is it?” Marcus asked, feeling his heart beat faster.

“Wait here,” Frank whispered.

Marcus watched as the wolf stepped outside.

Not bloody likely am I waiting here, he thought.

He edged his way through the door and noticed Frank was standing with his arms folded, watching something in the evening gloom.

“He was talking about matches. Do you think they’re gonna burn the place down?” Marcus heard a voice say.

“Who is going to burn it down?” Frank replied.

“Fuck!”

Marcus barely had time to register what was going on when two figures rushed by and sprinted down the road.

“Hey, Gareth come back! I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to talk!” Frank shouted, cupping his paws around his mouth.

“Gareth?” Marcus repeated before he felt his blood boil. “Hey, get back here you housebreaking, thieving little shit!” he yelled.

“Marcus!” Frank snapped, but Marcus ignored the wolf.

He hurried down to the road and saw Gareth was already cycling furiously away with a friend sprinting beside him.

“What a coward,” he huffed. “We should just call the police.”

“No, I want to know what’s going on over that wall,” Frank sighed, gesturing in the direction of the Mansfield house. “I know he knows something, but as he’s no doubt too scared of us to come up and share it.”

“Let’s get him arrested, and then go to visit him in jail to get him to talk?” Marcus suggested.

“We’re not the Gestapo,” Frank replied with a half-sigh, half-chuckle.

“I know, but he’s just going to keep running around doing silly shit unless we have him caught,” Marcus replied.

“I know, but if he’s arrested, I’ll never find out what’s going on next to my property,” Frank reasoned.

“You want to protect your property, but Honeysuckle Lodge is fair game?” Marcus said, raising an eye-brow.

“It isn’t fair game, and Gareth should be punished. I know this will sound selfish but I think whatever Anthony has planned is more sinister than a bored, horny teenager getting up to mischief – which isn’t to excuse what he did,” Frank said, holding his paws up. “But I know Gareth knows something, and I want to find out what it is without scaring him off.”

“Fine,” Marcus huffed. “But if he does try breaking into my house again I’m tasering the little bitch and calling the police.”

“Do you even have a taser?” Frank laughed.

“I did back in the US,” Marcus sighed.

They walked back up to Frank’s front door and Marcus sat himself in the kitchen as Frank went upstairs to get his spare clothes.

“You know, you should take me for a ride in your car when this whole thing is over,” Marcus called.

“That sounds like a nice idea,” Frank replied from upstairs. “Before you go back to the US?”

The thought of going back to America made Marcus feel a little sad inside. He wasn’t sure if it was because of Ralph leaving, the fact he didn’t have Conor to go back to or that he was going to miss Frank and Little Hartbrook.

Deep down, he knew it was a combination of all three.

Although seeing the wolf again had been a shock to the system at first, he couldn’t deny he had struck up something of a rapport with Frank again.

Wait, Ralph’s message!

Marcus pulled his phone out to read it.

Hi Marcus, been thinking. I’m coming back tomorrow but want to discuss this in person, not via messages, but I need to talk about my future when I return

“Is that it?” Marcus frowned as he read the message.

Your future? he texted back.

His phone vibrated a minute later.

Yes, I don’t want to do it via text, you deserve this conversation in person

Marcus had a horrible feeling what Ralph meant.

You still love Gunnar and want to be with him?

Yes, I do. I’m sorry, and he realised the same with me

Marcus wasn’t sure what to say, but then his phone began ringing and he saw Ralph was calling him on WhatsApp.

“Hello?” Marcus said nervously as he answered.

“Hey Marcus,” Ralph replied, and Marcus wondered if he could detect a hint of anxiety in the Doberman’s usually strong voice.

“What did you say?” Frank called, but Marcus ignored him.

“How’s Croatia?” he asked, trying to sound more casual.

“It’s been good, but I’m ready to come back now,” Ralph replied. “Gunnar is well enough to fly.”

“That’s good,” Marcus replied, aware of how flat his tone was. He knew he had to cut to the chase. “I don’t wish to make this awkward, but I think I can guess what you’re going to say; you’re back with Gunnar?”

“Yes,” Ralph breathed.

“I thought so,” Marcus replied.

There was a moment of silence.

“I’m really sorry,” Ralph sighed.

“No, don’t be,” Marcus said, mustering his strength. He suddenly felt an odd sensation of relief and understanding towards Ralph. “I’m not really surprised to be honest, the more I think about it. I could tell you still liked him by the way you reacted whenever we mentioned his name, and you were so concerned when you found out about the accident you completely forgot about being cross with me over what I did with Tim.”

“Marcus, if you don’t want to look after my stuff anymore or find someone to look after my car I totally understand,” Ralph said. “I want you to know though, that I do genuinely like you and you weren’t a shallow rebound.”

“Heh, I don’t mind if I was,” Marcus teased. “You were an epic fuck in the sack, that’s for sure.”

“Oh, haha,” Ralph laughed nervously.

“But seriously, I’m going to keep looking after your stuff and help find someone to take care of the car,” Marcus asserted. “After I’ve had that teenage husky breaking into my house the last thing I want to do is ruin someone’s stuff, even if I was in bitchy, vengeful ex-boyfriend mode.”

“You’re not mad at me?” Ralph asked.

“Well, I’m disappointed, I can’t deny,” Marcus sighed. “But in all honesty, I suppose the more I think about it, you were a rebound for me from my ex, no offense and I’m sorry. You’d make excellent boyfriend material if I wasn’t rebounding.”

“Heh, none taken,” Ralph replied. “Are you still okay with me coming back?”

“Of course,” Marcus said in a sincere tone. “Wow, becoming nice is a strange but good feeling.”

“Well, uh, that’s good to know,” Ralph said, sounding confused. “Gunnar sends his love too, he’d quite like to meet you.”

“For a threesome?” Marcus chuckled. “I’m joking by the way.”

“I figured,” Ralph replied, sounding more relaxed. “I’m hoping to be back tomorrow, I wanted to warn you about this conversation beforehand though, but I guess we’ve just had it.”

“We have,” Marcus said. “Well, see you tomorrow I guess.

“See you, take care Marcus.”

“You too.”

Marcus hung up and sighed.

He noticed Frank was standing in the kitchen door and fixing him a sympathetic expression

“Ralph decided to call it a day?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry,” the wolf sighed.

“Don’t be, I’m sad, but I also saw this coming,” Marcus admitted.

“If you want my humble opinion, he was still into Gunnar, and it seems Gunnar felt the same way,” Frank said. “I know I’m probably not helping.”

“It’s fine, you’re right and I knew the same deep down. I kinda used Ralph as a rebound from Conor anyway, and then I tried to railroad him into things he didn’t want,” Marcus shrugged. “Which is a shame as he’s a very handsome guy.”

“I know, I was impressed and jealous when I saw him,” Frank replied.

“He’s still coming back to grab his stuff and wants the car stored,” Marcus explained.

“You still want to do all that for him?”

“Yes,” Marcus said firmly. “I still like him and he said he still likes me, it isn’t either of our fault. We should have communicated our feelings better. I’m not going to be a bitchy ex, even though we never really asked each other out, so I want to do something decent.”

“My, you wouldn’t have said that a few years ago, let alone a week ago. I’m impressed at how well you’re taking this,” Frank marvelled. “Ralph isn’t a bad guy, so I’m with you there, although he probably should have been more honest from the start.”

“Speaking of which, is the painter done? We should get back so bloody Gareth doesn’t try breaking it,” Marcus sighed.

“He would be done, it’s dark outside,” Frank nodded.

The wolf picked up a duffle bag and Marcus followed him back out through the garage.

“You know, after all this I could do with some more wine when we get home,” Marcus sighed.

“There’s plenty in the kitchen,” Frank laughed. “We’re not in short supply at Honeysuckle Lodge. Maybe I should have had a beer in the pub just try something else.”

“You can never have too much wine,” Marcus grinned.

“Within reason,” Frank replied.

They walked to Honeysuckle Lodge and saw the painter’s van was gone. Marcus sniffed the air but he couldn’t detect Gareth’s scent.

Frank let them into the house using the spare key and Marcus made his way to the kitchen.

“Some wine and some music, to get my mind off things,” he announced. “There’s a bottle of white already open I think. You don’t mind pouring us some?”

“You going to behave?” Frank asked with a wry smile.

“I always behave,” Marcus shrugged as he made his way into the living room.

His parents’ television and record player were still sitting where they had been when Marcus had first returned from the US, no doubt Gareth was not interested in those.

Marcus crouched down and flicked through his father’s record collection, smiling to himself as he remembered how embarrassed he had felt when Frank had walked in and heard him playing one.

He picked out a rather dusty looking Van Morrison vinyl and put it on the turntable before returning to the kitchen.

Frank was sitting at the table with two glasses of wine set out.

“Thanks,” Marcus said as he picked one up.

Frank cocked an ear as he heard the music playing.

“I see you’re still exploring your dad’s collection?” he observed with a smile.

“Yup,” Marcus replied, taking a sip of his wine.

They sat in silence for a minute, drinking their wine and listening to the record playing. The sound of Tupelo Honey was drifting into the kitchen.

“I guess you should make the most of everything before you move away again,” Frank said with what sounded like a nervous laugh as he refilled their glasses.

The thought of moving away prompted another feeling of uncertainty in Marcus. He took another sip of wine and scratched his muzzle.

“Maybe I don’t want to move away?”

Marcus wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol speaking or if the statement had genuine thoughts behind it, but he wanted to put a paw over his muzzle as soon as the words came out.

“Don’t you?” Frank asked.

“I don’t know,” Marcus admitted as he slurped more of his wine. “I’d miss you to be honest.”

Frank looked surprised, but Marcus could also see a bashful smile on his muzzle.

“I guess I’m glad to hear that, especially as I thought you couldn’t stand the sight of me,” Frank chuckled.

“Well, I never hated you.”

“That’s good to know!”

“I mean, yeah, you brought up awkward memories for me at first, as I’m sure I did for you,” Marcus reasoned. “And I was a dick because of that, but I never hated you, in fact at times like this it makes me remember why we made a good couple at times.”

The bashful smile was still on Frank’s muzzle.

“You know, I’m thinking of the nice times we had too; going for picnics by the sea, looking at trading cards under the sheets, watching scary films and then cuddling, that time we went to the music festival in Fildown and we spent all our money so we couldn’t get a taxi or a bus home, so we hitchhiked with that weird Swedish couple in the VW combi van and we thought they were going to kidnap us.”

Marcus laughed and realised Frank was laughing along too.

He slurped more wine and could feel the alcohol rushing to his head. The music was also creating a nice ambience.

Marcus glanced over at Frank and couldn’t help but think the wolf looked very handsome; his shirt defined his muscular chest nicely and he could even make out the definition of Frank’s sheath through his shorts.

A part of his mind wanted to go and investigate closer.

Bad idea, no bad idea!

Frank had spread his hind-paws slightly and Marcus wondered if the wolf was eyeing him out of the corner of his eyes as he sipped his wine.

Could he be inviting this?

Marcus set his glass down, walked over to Frank and put his paw on the outline of the wolf’s sheath.

Frank gave a start and almost spilled his wine down his arm.

“What are you doing?” he asked, looking startled but also amused.

“Sorry, I thought you wanted,” Marcus trailed off. He noticed Frank was making no effort to resist his touch. Indeed, the wolf was remaining still. Marcus continued tracing his paw along Frank’s thigh and noticed that the outline of his sheath had turned into a bulge. “Something is telling me this is probably a bad idea.”

“Probably,” Frank said, although Marcus noticed the wolf still wasn’t resisting his advances.

He kept feeling Frank’s bulge, tracing a finger up the contour of the wolf’s cock.

Okay, this is going too far, but I can’t stop!

He reached up and undid the button on Frank’s shorts. The wolf sat up slightly, allowing Marcus to ease them down. There was a pronounced bulge in Frank’s briefs and his dick was very clearly visible through the fabric.

“Should I?” Marcus asked, reaching out to grip it.

“Wait,” Frank said, putting a paw over Marcus’ arm.

Marcus looked up to see Frank gazing at him with an expression of uncertainty, but there was also longing in his eyes too.

“I know what you want,” Marcus said. He gently brushed his muzzle against Frank’s and their lips met for a kiss. The kiss was different from the aggressive making out with Ralph, it was more friendly and tender. “Why is kissing someone harder than putting their cock in your paw?” Marcus asked as they broke off.

“Because kissing is sacred?” Frank reasoned. “To me it is anyway.”

“I guess that’s true,” Marcus replied as he leaned in to kiss Frank’s lips again.

He reached down, slid his paws down the front of Frank’s underwear and began gently fondling his cock.

Yes, he’s as big as I remembered, Marcus thought as he closed a paw around the wolf’s shaft.

“Am I a rebound?” Frank asked.

Marcus’ paws immediately darted back out.

“No,” Marcus said firmly. “But I am quite tipsy.”

“Tipsy is a better answer than yes, you’re a rebound,” Frank chuckled.

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea though,” Marcus said, giving Frank’s dick one last squeeze before letting go.

Frank hesitated and then nodded solemnly as he tucked his erect cock back into his briefs.

“I think you’re right,” he sighed.

“Not a good idea, for now that is,” Marcus said, allowing a slight hint of tease to enter his tone of voice.

Frank didn’t reply at first, but something close to a smile spread across his muzzle.

“Diiiiid I weird you out?” Marcus asked, aware that his speech was slightly slurred.

“I’m just amused we went from agreeing you didn’t hate me to that in less than five minutes. Why don’t we get ready to sleep?” he suggested.

“Sleep separately or together?” Marcus asked innocently.

“It’s your house, where do you want me?”

Marcus paused and then grinned.

“Together.”