FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

AN: Hey guys, this is my first story in quite a while. Any feedback is appreciated, especially on formatting. I've had this story brewing around in my head, for a couple years now, so I figure it's time to finally get it written down. Thanks for reading.

Our Place in the Woods

Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter

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They would never forget that night. How could they? A stupid New Years college party in some upscale cottage owned by some rich frat bro that neither of them even knew. But they owed their life together to him, to the friends who dragged them there, to the lack of homework and lack of social life that would have kept them home that one single night and lost them out on something so much more meaningful.

A cigarette. I need a cigarette. The kangaroo thought to himself indignantly as he pushed his way through the bustling party crowd. And a little peace. While not exactly an unpopular guy, he could only handle so much time amongst the personalities drawn to parties. He could settle for anywhere outside that wasn't busy, and after a minute of searching, he spied a door he could see the night sky through. He reached the glass sliding door leading out to the balcony. Thankfully there were no partygoers on the other side, so he quickly opened it and passed through, then closed it in just as much a hurry. The noise quartered, almost quiet enough to hear the sounds of nature around him. The balcony was really just a raised wooden deck over the cliff-side, supported by wooden beams underneath which could not be seen, and surrounded by an ornately carved wooden guardrail. Even more fancy, by his estimation.

"What a view." He muttered to himself in genuine awe, staring out at the gorgeous Maine wilderness. Hills, split by a rocky creek, topped with coniferous trees. And the stars. Oh, the stars. So many, so beautiful, so bright. He loved them, and he was grateful to be here in a place where he could see them, and away from Sydney where he grew up. He could just catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis in the cloud-free skies; thankfully the college town he lived in was small enough and far enough away from a big city that the light pollution wasn't too bad. He thought of home, and old friends, and family, and wished they could see this, wished they could feel what he felt, know what he knows. Most of all, he thought of Chester, the one man that he felt really understood him, and how he would have loved this.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" A voice not his own snatched his attention from his own thoughts. He looked off to his right to a portion of the deck he couldn't see through the sliding doors. Sitting in a cozy little outdoor chair in the corner, upholstered in a soft fabric - because the family who owned the place could afford to clean and replace it regularly - was a snow leopard. "The view back in my hometown was better though. You could see the aurora better, and the Milky Way." The kangaroo eyed him up and down appreciatively.

I almost prefer the view in front of me. That gorgeous fur, those beautiful orange eyes, that cute black nose and round ears. What do you look like under that jacket? "Sorry, I didn't realize anyone was out here. I was looking for a place to have a durry." He said with a soft smile, though after a second pulled out a cigarette, realizing the snow leopard probably didn't know what a durry was. "You don't mind, do you?" He asked, hoping not to disturb or shoo the cute man away.

"Not at all." The snow leopard replied, then declined an offer of a cigarette for him to smoke. He sat back in his upholstered chair and watched the kangaroo struggle with his lighter. "Need a light?" He asked, offering his own lighter, which worked like a charm after the kangaroo tried it.

"Thanks heaps." He took a long drag and felt his stress melt away. A cigarette, a cute boy, and the great outdoors (at least to a degree), what more could a man ask for? I wish I could just touch that fur of his, I bet it's soft. An idea for small talk hit him, and he leapt at the chance to speak more to the gentle snow leopard. "I can't quite place your accent. Where are you from?" He thought the man's voice was cute, higher in pitch than the average man, with a subtle accent, but enough there to appreciate. Certainly Americanized, but holding on to some of his heritage, and not sounding like the people on TV.

"I was born in a small village in Yakutia in the far eastern region of Russia. My family moved here when I was nine years old, but I remember my old home fondly." The snow leopard answered, curling his tail into his lap and smiling in reminiscence.

Quite far, I guess we have that in common. Maybe you can help me get my bearings in this new country, Mr. Snow Leopard. No... I can't hide the fact I've been here for two years already. Just play it straight. "I'm from Sydney, Australia. It's one of the biggest cities in the down under. Never could get a view quite like this." His voice softened as he spoke,and he consciously turned back to the stars towards the end of his sentence. "Forgive me. My name is Benjamin. Benjamin Holmes. You can call me Ben, and you are...?" cute as fuzz.

"Nicolai Morozov. And you can call me Ico, like the video game." He got up out of his chair and reached his paw out to shake, and Ben happily obliged, seeing his mission through to completion.

The softest I've ever felt. And he's a small fella too, can't be any taller than 170 centimeters, and no heavier than 65 kilos. What a perfect figure he probably has. What I wouldn't give to get my paws all over him. "I know the one. Never got a chance to play it, though." He started to notice the chill piercing through his fur and affecting his body slowly. Just a few more minutes out here, where I'm at peace. I can handle it. "Is it any good?"

"I adore that game. It's why I don't go by Nico." The snow leopard smiled warmly and genuinely. "Do you play video games?" He sat up and looked Ben right in the eyes, his excitement palpable and infectious.

"I'm afraid I don't have much opportunity to play games these days, what with classwork taking up almost every minute of my free time." He said with a playful smirk. He normally would have said it rather resentfully, but he was in a good mood. He looked the snow leopard in the eyes and took another drag of his cigarette. "But I might be able to make some time if you could lend me a copy."

"We might just have to arrange that." Ico said matter-of-factly. "I've got a PS3 back at the dorm. We could have a game night or something. Especially since my dorm-mate is out of town. I'm always worried about waking people up, and he goes to bed early because of when his classes are scheduled."

Ben's hormones certainly had an opinion on that revelation. _Just the two of us, all alone together? Don't tempt me beyond what I can handle. _"I definitely wouldn't mind more of your company. You have no idea how many one-sided conversations about American football and romantic gossip I've had to sit through at this party." Ico looked at Ben patiently and smiled. "Though I've gotta ask..." Ben continued, "You don't smoke, so what's the lighter for? You got a wild side?" He chuckled teasingly, though the cold was really starting to get to him. His body started to shiver, and he endeavored to hide it from Ico.

"Haha, no. I'm not into any drugs, and I don't go around burning stuff... anymore." He added that last part softly and looked away in embarrassment, but was still heard. "I keep it for candles. They help me relax, and I like having them lit when I read."

"Oh yeah? What scents are you into?" Ben's voice began to shake and his teeth chattered as he finally succumbed to the cold. He felt his face burn with discomposure. That was not suave in the slightest.

"You're shivering!" Ico bolted up and removed his jacket. "Here, you can use this..." He quickly realized the rather big size difference between them. "as a blanket." Ico's face scrunched up, trying not to laugh at the stupid suggestion. He assumed that Ben would rather just go back inside, but to his surprise, Ben gratefully grabbed the jacket and laid it over his body.

"Much better." Ben thanked him. "Are you sure you'll be okay yourself? You're only wearing one layer, it looks like, and it's -6 degrees out!" The extra jacket really did go a long way for him. He reckoned at this rate he could probably stay out another fifteen minutes until his face started to freeze off.

Ico made a disbelieving face and checked his phone, "It says here it's 20... oh, Celsius. Right. Didn't get much chance to use Celsius before moving here." He put his phone back in his front pocket. "I'll be fine, thank you. This fur isn't just for looking pretty, and we're called snow leopards for a reason." He chuckled and sat back down in the little dark blue rattan Bergère chair he had been enjoying. Under the jacket he no longer donned, he was wearing a simple blue and grey flannel shirt, which was more than enough for someone as built for the cold and acclimated to it as Ico. At this temperature, the cold couldn't manage to cut through his fur at all.

"I don't understand how anyone can like being cold." Ben said, rubbing the soft fleece lining of Ico's jacket with the pads of his thumbs and pointer fingers. His shivering had thankfully stopped at this point, so he could return to relishing in the stunning cosmos above and the charming snow leopard beside him.

Ico scratched his cheek and his chin with his bare paws. He would have brought gloves, but he hadn't expected to be outside for most of the party. "I can't imagine anyone likes being cold. I love being warm in a cold environment. I love being by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. I love the aesthetic of winter, the shimmering snow covering the world around me, seeing my breath escape from me into the cold air, getting to wear layers and scarves and warm gloves. And the best part..." Ico's eyes shined brighter than the stars as he spoke, "is the seasonal teas. Pecan praline, winter berry, caramel almond blossom, it's to die for." He smiled brightly, showing off his large predator canines.

Ben was not a fan of tea at all, but suddenly it felt like tea could be the most special thing in the world, instead of gross leaf water. He felt his heart flutter; he was enamored by the snow leopard who seemed to love life and the things he loved and the things he hated. I need to get his phone number. I need to hold him and cherish him and care for him in whatever capacity I can manage. "You've certainly got a positive outlook. Here's hoping that'll rub off on me. Why don't we..."

But Ben was interrupted by Ico's phone going off. Ico checked his phone and jumped out of his seat. "Oh, I've gotta go. My friend just told me some guy is making her uncomfortable and she needs me to get her out." He ran and opened the sliding door. "Thanks for talking to me, it's been a pleasure." And he believed it, too, they both did.

"W-Wait, your jacket!" Ben spoke at an elevated volume and hopped out of his chair to try and catch him, but it was too late. Ico was gone, and despite his efforts, he saw not hide nor hair of him. He asked around about the snow leopard, and a young wolf at the party eventually told Ben that Ico had left with some girl. Despite the setback, Ben felt encouraged and eager to search for him on campus, and looking down at the small fleece jacket in his paws, he had the perfect excuse.