FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

A mechanical hum permeated the air. That familiar television screen, glowing pure ethereal blue, reflected off the walls and washed over the tile floor. On a table sat a container of half-eaten instant ramen; and next to it, a phone with too many unchecked notifications. Noel was terrible about keeping up with it.

Tonight, the otter was performing his usual routine. Noel’s shift began with the unceremonious turning of knobs, the adjustment of seven or eight cameras, then a quick sweep of every floor… that is, except for the seventh.

The seventh floor. God, even the thought of it made Noel’s toes curl. Despite his job as a security guard, he’d only been there a handful of times. Like a sovereign nation, that floor somehow stood separate from the rest of the building. Only certain people knew of its affairs, and still less were welcomed.

The place was headed by a haughty goat named Zeke. A tattooed beast who towered over his flock, he paid fifty dollars weekly to Noel in order to buy his silence. It was a nice benefit; and yet, Noel still felt strange about the arrangement. Not only was it unorthodox, but also intriguing.

Noel swirled cold ramen in a styrofoam cup. He sighed listlessly, flickering his eyes to and fro from the monitors. And all the while, he imagined the shenanigans he’d scant heard about from Zeke: orgies, parties, and drugs. Did the seventh floor really host those kinds of parties? The experience seemed absolutely decadent.

_ _ The otter gritted his teeth. A small, outdated laptop sat before him, awkwardly hovering below the almighty CCTV monitors. Upon it were a number of salacious tabs. First, Noel had scoured Amazon for sturdy latex equipment; and upon reading an embarrassing number of Reddit posts, he’d found his way to specialty kink vendors.

I’m fired if anyone sees this, Noel thought. The idea made him squirm in his office chair. Hell, he’d be super duper omega fired if anyone caught wind of his shady dealings with Zeke. Then, he’d be back to being unemployed…

Noel shook his head, attempting to banish those scary thoughts. And once more, he delved into the world of online kink. Constantly checking over his shoulder, he gazed longingly at those wonderful rubber-clad models, glistening black from head-to-toe under harsh LED lights. To himself, he wondered which collar and leash would go best with a black body suit. Hell, he’d even ordered a stick of black lipstick… just to experiment a little, of course. Alone.

The otter scratched at his chubby belly, bit his lip. In another tab, he’d been reading an erotic story. He’d been dabbling in those a lot lately; the type where an all-knowing domme swoops in and coaxes the unwilling sub into embracing their true self. Truthfully, it was embarrassing just how badly Noel wanted to be in that position.

Noel was no stranger to sex, but it’d never been quite satisfying. As a man, he often felt pressured to perform a more dominant role in the bedroom; but in his heart, he never quite enjoyed it. Just for once, he thought, he’d have liked to be the one being told what to do. Outside of his job, of course.

Just then, the boy’s phone lit up. Its metallic exterior hummed against the desk, its harsh light jetting out and infiltrating the dark. As always, Noel was apprehensive to answer it; but, having seen the banner, his stomach fluttered. It was Aaliyah.

Noel’s mouth went dry. The poor boy was absolutely smitten with her; partially because she was the only queer person he knew, of course, but also because… well, she was everything Noel was not.

Aaliyah was confident, outgoing, and outwardly kinky. A beautiful coat of beige-brown scales lined every inch of her flesh. Her beautiful eyes always flitted about in a carefree, mischievous manner; hell, Noel had seldom seen her frown.

The two had met on Barq only a couple months prior; and, while Noel was hesitant to talk at first, the girl somehow managed to lure him out of his shell. Since that time, Aaliyah had insistently invited him out. Gay bars, dance clubs, all of it… Noel had first experienced queerness with her. It was liberating.

During all that time, though, the two had hardly touched. Noel was hesitant to make the first move, after all, lest he destroy the friendship he’d so carefully curated. Aaliyah didn’t seem to mind, though.

And so the phone continued to ring. A picture of her carefree grin adorned his screen, beckoning Noel’s paw forth; and slowly, hesitantly, he picked up the receiver. He greeted the call with a nervous sigh.

“Hey, Aaliyah,” he said. His voice was low, his eyes scanning across the CCTV. “What’s up?”

As per usual, the snake was engaged in some hedonistic activity; tonight, she was sitting on the couch, eating potato chips. Small crumbs fell into her bra and slid beneath the cushions. With a full mouth, she replied: “Noel. How goes work? Do you work tonight?”

Noel swallowed saliva. “Work is fine,” he answered. “There’s nothing going on, like usual. This building is pretty peaceful.”

The snake inhaled another chip, leaving her fingertips covered in grease. “Do you ever wish it was more exciting?” she asked. “Like, would you be happier if there were a break-in or something?”

“Why?” Noel quipped. “Are you planning to stage one to cheer me up?”

The girl chuckled across the line; through an ocean of interference, that noise still made Noel’s heart race. “Maybe I will,” she answered. “Maybe I’ll raid that kinky floor you’re always talking about… the one with the freaky goat man.”

Noel rolled his eyes, slurped a mass of cold ramen. “Oh, come on,” he said. “We still don’t super know if they’re doing sexy stuff. Maybe they’re just, like, a freaky cult. Doing animal sacrifices and shit.”

Aaliyah guffawed, spilling the bag of chips over herself. “You should hear yourself,” she laughed. “You saw a full latex bodysuit hanging up in that dude’s apartment. Of course they’re doing sexy stuff. Probably floor-wide orgies.”

Noel sputtered at Aaliyah’s words. Salty broth tumbled from his lip. “Don’t even joke!” he bellowed. “I don’t know what I’d do if there were a sex cult in my building. Who do you call for something like that? The police? The Ghostbusters?”

“Oh, come on,” Aaliyah cooed. “I doubt they’re killing people up there, dude. If anything, they’re just some kinky fucks who want their shenanigans kept secret. Where’s the harm in that?”

Still, the otter was dubious. He shifted his legs uncomfortably, knocking them against the underside of his desk. “I just don’t really know how that stuff works,” he argued. “Especially when people do it in a group. I mean, how do you even decide who has sex during an orgy? And what happens when you cum? Do you just… tap out?”

“Like a wrestling match?” Aaliyah guffawed. “God, you’re naive. You’re lucky you’re so cute about it.”

Noel, his thick skull bumping against that obvious flirt, retorted: “I’m serious! I have no clue how any of this works. I’ve pretty much only had, like, vanilla sex… and even then, it’s been a while.”

“Uh-huh,” Aaliyah hissed. Her voice was tinged with frustration; Noel never seemed to pick up on her attempts at teasing. So she said: “You do know I’ve been to an orgy before, right? I can just tell you what happens.”

Noel perked up. “Right,” he breathed. “I forgot. I guess I don’t… I dunno, I know you well enough that I don’t even think about that sort of thing.” He paused, and then: “How was it? Was it good?”

The snake shrugged, crunched down on another chip. “It was alright,” she admitted. “I went with my ex a couple years ago, and we had fun. We mainly paired up with another couple… we had a few drinks, got kinky for a while, and then left. It was all pretty casual.”

“But how did they decide the pairings?” Noel asked, his tone serious. “Did you pull names from a hat?”

Aaliyah was stunned by the question. “Noel,” she asked, “are you stupid?”

“I must be.”

“It’s casual,” Aaliyah explained. “There’s no special proceedings or anything. You just pick a couple people you like, and then you have a good time. Some people come dressed up, and some people just strip naked. Some people also get private rooms, since… you know, it’s not everyone’s thing to fuck in public.”

Noel nodded intently, as if taking mental notes. “Of course,” he said. “That all makes sense. Sorry, I just… god, I feel so awkward. I have no clue how all this works, and….”

“...And you want to join in?”

Noel felt his chest flutter. “N–no!” he snapped. “No, I don’t. I mean, maybe. I don’t know.” He sighed. “This shit is just insane, you know? I never thought I’d even be adjacent to these types of people. Ever.” He paused, then got closer to the receiver. “I didn’t ever think I’d be gay. I don’t know how to act. I feel like I’m stepping into a whole ‘nother world. And everyone is going to laugh at me.”

Aaliyah stood, dusted herself off. Crumbs fell onto her floor. Cradling the phone between her shoulder and her cheek, she then said: “You know, I could show you the ropes. I own a gimp suit.”

Noel shook his head. “I dunno. I kind of want my own gimp suit. You know? Something I can fully own. Something only I wear.”

“I’ll buy you one, then,” Aaliyah chirped. “It’s almost Christmas, anyway. You can consider it a gift. Just something from me to you.”

The poor otter nearly fell out of his chair. “N–no way!” he shrieked. “No way, I could never… I could never ask you for something like that…” His stomach churned. “Besides, isn’t it sort of lewd to, um… get that… from you?”

The snake pinched her nose, took a deep breath. Sometimes, it took great patience to deal with someone so dense. It was like that boy’s head was filled with rocks…

Aaliyah said: “Noel, I know what you look at during work. You’ve left your laptop open twice when I’ve gone to pick you up.” She scoffed. “And frankly, your porn taste is terrible… but I’d still gladly help introduce you to BDSM, if you’d like.”

“Y–you mean, sex?” Noel asked.

“Yes, you dimwit,” Aaliyah replied. “That means sex. I’d like to have sex with you. I’ve been flirting with you for months.”

“You’ve been flirting with me?” Noel echoed. His grip on the phone shook; and, suddenly remembering he was at work, he glanced outside his surveillance box. He really, really hoped no one was listening in…

And, having checked for eavesdroppers, the timid boy hunched himself over his laptop. Its display still showed a fetish shopping site. As if mocking him, the model on-screen flashed a knowing smile; Noel slammed the laptop shut.

“Look, I just… I don’t know how ready I am to do… kink stuff.” Noel gulped. “Like, it’s something I want. It’s something I really want, actually.” His breath caught; he shuddered. “And I want to do it with you. You’ve become, like, my best friend the past few months, but… god, I’m scared.”

Aaliyah laughed. “You’re adorable,” she said. “Look, why don’t we meet up sometime this week when you’re off? We can do something super light. It won’t even involve latex if you don’t want. Just something to dip your toe in.”

“R–really?” Noel asked. His voice was hushed. “Is that alright that I’m… into you… like that?”

Aaliyah rolled her eyes. “Yes,” she replied. “Honey, most gay people around here are fucking each other. It’s not a marriage proposal. It’s not that serious.” She paused. “And, if you need more information about kink, you could always ask your, um… client.”

“The goat dude?” Noel asked. “No way. He’s so creepy… I don’t like his eyes. It feels like he’s staring into my soul.”

The snake recoiled. She said, “What’s the worst he could do? Turn you away? Come on.”

“Whatever,” Noel breathed. Stress made his brows narrow, his mouth dry. “Maybe I’ll talk to him, then. I’m just tired.” A yawn passed his lips. Suddenly, he was aware of his downtrodden posture; he sighed. “Look, we’ll talk later. I need some time to think about this. Okay?”

“Of course,” Aaliyah replied. A mixture of excitement and impatience tinged her voice. “Let me know what you think later, alright?”

---

The seventh floor was nondescript. That was part of the charade, of course; most of the time, the place was empty. Eerie silence permeated the hall, echoed against the plain heavy-set doors on either side. Sixteen doors total, each closed, each adorned with only a bare welcome mat, or a plain holiday decoration.

To anyone else, this place wouldn’t be of interest. Noel, however, had other ideas. He calmly passed door after door after door, before arriving in front of an unmarked one on his right. And, with trembling hand, he knocked the surface three times. Knock, knock, knock.

No one answered for a while; but still, Noel waited. After fifteen seconds of excruciating anxiety, he heard footfalls approaching the door; a pause as the resident glanced through his peephole, and then a frustrated sigh. The door opened without so much as a squeal.

A voice beckoned from inside – Zeke, the goat man. “Noel… what’s up?” he asked, and looked the intruder up and down. “You’re not here to shake me down for more cash, are you?”

“N–no,” Noel replied. He donned an awkward smile, a nervous demeanor. He tried his best to appear friendly, but it only left him looking even more conspicuous. Looking around, he then whispered: “I have something personal I want to talk about. Can I come inside? Please?”

Zeke rolled his eyes, gripped his doorknob tighter. “Are you serious?” he asked. “Seems like a sorry excuse to come and scope out my apartment. Did administration send you?”

Noel’s eyes widened. Embarrassment made his cheeks redden. “N–no!” he sputtered. “I don’t… I don’t conduct apartment checks. I’m just a security guard. And I want to talk to you about something, because… well, I don’t really know anyone else like you.” He tapped his foot impatiently. “Please, please just let me in. I’m embarrassed to talk where everyone can hear.”

The goat narrowed his brow. A tight-lipped frown betrayed his suspicion. “What is this really about?” he asked. “Are you… gay? ”

The otter didn’t know how to respond. “Probably?” he squeaked. “I don’t know. It’s kind of what I wanted to ask about.” He paused. “Sorry, I know that’s weird. This is super weird. I just need advice, I guess.”

“Advice,” Zeke repeated. His voice was listless, confused. “And that’s all you’re here for? To seek advice on… being gay?”

Noel paused, then gave a light nod. “Y–yeah,” he finally replied. “I guess I don’t know how to be… gay. Or how to talk about what I want. Is that something I could…?” He then gulped, began again. “Look, I have no fucking clue what I’m doing. And my best friend wants to have sex with me. But I’m terrified I’m going to be gay wrong. Can I come in?”

Zeke’s jaw dropped at the sudden admission. Curling his fingers around the door, examining the poor otter’s face, he finally relented; and with an exhausted hum, he said: “Fine. You can come in for a minute. Just… don’t mind the mess. And make this quick. Okay?”

“S–sure.” Noel then tenderly gripped the door handle, then pushed it inward; what he saw in Zeke’s apartment, though, made him freeze in his tracks.

Three latex suits, masks and all, each freshly washed, were hung to dry in the living room. Looming ominously over the space, it looked like three people had been completely drained, their skin hung on meathooks.

Below them, too, was a tour de force of filth. Crumbs, empty beer cans, and dripping tubes of lubricant lined the dining room table. For no clear reason, a single slice of Kraft cheese had been flung onto the wall, hanging there like a demented Christmas ornament; and beside it, the muscular goat removed a lukewarm beer from his fridge. Noel didn’t dare look inside.

“I–it looks great in here,” Noel lied. He could hardly hide his discomfort. “It’s, uh… very… rustic.”

Zeke giggled at that. “Don’t lie to me,” he said. His tone was casual and light. “I know this place is a sty. I just had a little get-together here, so… it’s been a minute since I’ve organized.” He cleared his throat. “Today is my day off, so I was going to spend today cleaning up, but… now you’re here.”

Noel replied: “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to intrude. And I really don’t care what my bosses think, so… I won’t be telling them I came here.”

“I should hope not.” Zeke then popped open his can, took a tender sip. His biceps bulged from his tattered tank top; clearly defined, they rippled as he raised the can to his black-stained lips. Noel had homosexual feelings about them.

Zeke then glared at the security guard, said: “Okay, go on. You have the floor. What do you need?”

With that, Noel began his embarrassing exposition. He asked: “Is it really normal for gay people to, like… have sex… with each other?” He shuffled his feet uncomfortably. “I see a lot of my friends doing that sort of thing, but it just seems so… messy. I mean, how do you do that?”

Zeke gave a screwy smile. “Usually with our genitals? But sometimes with our teeth.”

Noel turned up his nose. “But, but… doesn’t it feel weird doing that with friends?”

The goat was dumbfounded by the assertion. He scoffed: “What, would you rather we have sex with strangers? That doesn’t seem very safe.”

That gave the otter some food for thought. He grinded his jaw, as if chewing cud; suddenly, his legs felt quite heavy. So he asked: “I’m sorry. Would you mind if I sat down? I’m really tired.”

Zeke nodded; and so the couple found themselves headed toward the couch. Zeke moved a mound of candy wrappers aside, allowing Noel the one clean spot; the otter was grateful.

And, having settled in, neon lights dancing across their faces, Noel said: “I’m sorry to ask so much of you. I know that my questions must seem offensive to you. But the truth is, I’m terrified of ruining everything.” He paused, considered his words carefully. “I have one real friend, and if I explore kink with her, I think I’m going to lose her.”

The goat hummed. “What’s her name?” he asked.

“Aaliyah.”

“Aaliyah… Hammond?”

The mention of her name set Noel on-edge. With great incredulity, he said: “Yeah. Wait… do you know her?”

There was silence. Zeke paused for a moment, obviously deliberating his next words. He didn’t want to drive the poor boy away, after all. So he admitted, as carefully as he could: “Yeah, Aaliyah and I hooked up briefly at a kink event here. We have a mutual friend… a cutie named Jordyn. They all came together.”

“C–came? Together?” Noel echoed. Somehow, he felt betrayed. “I didn’t even know Aaliyah was doing things like that. A–attending orgies? Here, on this floor? I could hardly even imagine…” He frowned. “She didn’t even mention knowing you, either. This is fucked!”

Zeke nodded. “Truthfully, I wish she’d told me you were coming,” he admitted. “I would’ve made sure to clean up. But, beggars can’t be choosers.”

The two then took a moment to collect themselves. Zeke laid back against his couch, casually cradling that can of beer in his calloused hand. His muscled legs crossed over one another, his chest obscured only by a thin layer of battered fabric. It was incredibly difficult for the otter not to ogle his godlike form.

Contrastingly, Noel was hunched over himself. Hugging his knees, his head downtrodden, his thoughts raced. He’d always received the impression that Aaliyah had lived a wild life, of course; but he’d never anticipated just how active she’d been. As it turned out, Noel was only privy to a tiny slice of her experience. It upset him.

“Why would she hide these things from me?” Noel asked. “I–I’ve tried to be a good friend. Always. So why doesn’t she trust me?”

With a tight-lipped frown, Zeke simply replied: “Maybe because she’s afraid you’d judge her.”

The otter let loose an exhausted chuckle. He twiddled his thumbs. “Me? Judge her? No, no. I wouldn’t…” He stopped himself. Clearly not helping his case, he began again. “I don’t mean to judge people. You know? Like, people can do whatever they want. And I don’t wanna restrict that. It’s just, when I put myself in their shoes… I can’t help but feel squeamish.”

“Right,” Zeke replied. “But… have you ever considered that, by judging yourself so harshly, you make others feel judged?” He paused. “You have to understand that the energy you give yourself is the same stuff you put out. Even if you don’t mean it.”

Noel was gobsmacked by the realization. His jaw hung open, as if he’d just been punched in the gut; and he sputtered: “N–no. No way.”

“Yes way.”

“But I don’t mean it that way,” Noel argued. “I don’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable. I just… I dunno. I just feel uncomfortable around kink, and it’s so hard to hide it.”

Zeke scoffed: “And yet, by constantly voicing your discomfort, you’re making other people uncomfortable.” He sipped his beer. “If you’re truly uncomfortable, then you should leave the room. Because truthfully, us kinky folk are having a lot of fun. We’re judged enough, after all… so when we’re hanging out with friends, we expect to be supported. And that doesn’t just go for Aaliyah. It applies to everyone.”

Noel sunk into his seat. Suddenly, regret churned his stomach. He had no clue he’d been conducting himself in such a way; it made him feel deeply embarrassed. He’d always fashioned himself a tolerant and open-minded person, after all. Hell, he’d been open enough to befriend Aaliyah in the first place. So the thought of him making her uncomfortable, or forcing her to hide herself… it made him feel terrible.

“Fuck,” the otter breathed. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be such a dick about things.”

Zeke tilted his head, pulled his lips taut. He said: “I appreciate it, but I’m not the one you need to apologize to.” He then cleared his throat and continued: “Besides, if Aaliyah is still hanging out with you, she must have seen something worth pursuing. I’m sure you two will be fine if you chill out a little.”

“Oh, but it’s so hard.” Noel chuckled. Ironically, admitting his shortcomings had put him at ease. “It’s so hard… I feel like I’m going to explode around latex, and I have no clue why. Like, this heavy feeling in my chest.”

That sentiment made the goat smirk. Up to this point, Zeke had attempted to appear professional; he was effectively counseling a baby kinkster, after all, and those types were quite sensitive. But the boy’s earnest confusion at his own sexuality proved too much; the goat nearly doubled over laughing. “Honey, you’re horny,” he chuckled. “It’s okay. You don’t need to be shy about it.”

The otter crossed his arms, hugged his chest. Hearing the older man’s laughter made him feel supremely embarrassed. “A–are you sure?” he asked. “Because it feels like more than horniness… it’s like, my heart is horny. Like I can’t live without it.” He shook his head. Before he knew it, his words came spilling out. “And the more I think about it, the more I want it. Even if I’ve never been inside a latex suit, I can’t stop thinking about it. Even at work, I’m constantly thinking about being humiliated in one. I’m, like, constantly browsing kink sites and reading smut.”

As patiently as he could, Zeke waited. And, once Noel had paused his rambling, he replied: “Well, the good news is… now you have someone who wants to try it with you.”

“Yeah, but is it okay to want this?” Noel asked. “Is it okay to feel like I… need it? Isn’t that weird?”

Zeke scoffed. “Oh, of course it’s weird,” he replied. “But who gives a fuck? If being desired like that makes you happy, then that’s really what matters.”

“But–”

“Are you really going to live the rest of your life looking from the outside-in?” Zeke asked. His gaze was fixed on Noel’s now, his body hunched. There were no more pleasantries between them. “Today, you have been given the opportunity to live the happiest years of your life. To fulfill something you’ve always wanted. Why not try it out?” He smiled. “Sex isn’t permanent, after all. You can just stop if you don’t like it.”

It took a moment for those words to sink in. Noel gazed deeply into those terrifying slitted eyes, his dirty gaze perusing Zeke’s sharp cheekbones, his chiseled chin. Frankly, Noel couldn’t believe Zeke existed; furthermore, he couldn’t believe that he’d dumped his guts out in his presence only moments prior. The entire experience made him feel naked.

“Thank you,” Noel said. And, patting his knees, he awkwardly stood from the dirty couch. The smell of stale cigarette smoke still lingered in the air. “Thank you for talking to me. I’m sorry for, uh… occupying you. But I really shouldn’t take up more of your time.”

Zeke stood, too. A sizable bulge pressed up against his jean shorts, and Noel pretended not to notice. The goat said: “Hey, it’s no problem. Us faggots gotta stick together, right? Through thick and thin. It’s the only way we’ll make it.”

Noel recoiled at that word. It sent a jolt through his chest. “A–am I a faggot now?” he asked. “I mean, am I even allowed to say that word…?”

For a moment, Zeke was quiet. He looked Noel up, then down, then up again. And, with a sense of consummate professionalism, as if inspecting an intricate piece of art, Zeke declared: “Yeah, you’re faggy enough. You can say it.”

“Cool,” Noel affirmed. “Good to know I’m gay enough, I guess.”

Zeke nonchalantly bellowed: “Noel, you were gay enough the moment you wanted a trans woman to dominate you in latex. Get real.”

Another brutal stab to Noel’s ego. As if removing a dagger from his heart, the poor otter clutched his chest; and, in a mousy voice, he replied: “Y–yeah. Of course. Well, thank you for the… candid talk.”

“Of course,” Zeke replied. And with a friendly smile, he added: “Now get out, hm? I need to clean some stubborn cum stains out my couch.”

---

Aaliyah’s apartment smelled of incense and patchouli. Thin smoke wafted from two thin candles upon her glass coffee table, then meandered aimlessly into the air. Aaliyah watched it with disinterest.

The poor snake had just spent the past two hours cleaning her apartment, from corner to cobweb-ridden corner. A thin glaze of sweat covered her curves, dripped from her armpits onto her buxom chest. And yet, her makeup remained pristine. Two flawless black wings extended from her eyelids, complemented by mascara and dark lipstick. She sipped from a small bottle of soda, wrapping her thin serpentine tongue around the rim. Her lips left a black stain.

A few minutes had passed since five p.m. Her friend, Noel, had promised to come over then; and yet, he still hadn’t arrived. It made Aaliyah anxious as hell. Frankly, she wondered whether this relationship was productive in the first place.

The girl was no stranger to closet cases, of course. She’d met her fair share in college, at work, wherever. But something was different about Noel… or so she thought. The boy was timid in just the right ways. His smile was adorable. His gait made Aaliyah want to pin him down. Frankly, everything about him made her go wild.

And yet, Noel had never quite gotten to know Aaliyah. Those parts of her which he didn’t like – which, frankly, were a lot of her – always made him shrink away. It left Aaliyah feeling alone and ashamed; as if she were simply too kinky for him. Too deviant, too gross, too off-putting. Normal people could never tolerate her.

The snake sighed, swirled cola around its plastic bottle. She watched as the bubbles rose to the surface, dipped, then rose again. And all the while, she chastised herself for befriending a man who clearly wasn’t interested in her. Hell, why was she even dressed up? It wasn’t like Noel was going to visit her anyway.

The thought made her lips curl into a frustrated grimace. And, heaving her ass from the couch, she took a deep breath amidst the smoke. Just as she was about to head to the bathroom, though, something unexpected happened. Someone knocked at her door.

Instantly, she stopped in her tracks. And like a deer in headlights, she stared. So Noel knocked again, and again, and again.

On the other side of the door, Noel shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He’d missed the first metro, and so he’d had to catch the second. He hoped that a pack of cold beers would smooth over his transgression; and yet, Aaliyah didn’t answer the door. He was nervous.

“A–Aaliyah?” he called. His voice was quiet, lest he bother the other folks in the hall. “I’m here. Sorry I’m late. My train was late, and–”

But just as he was about to finish, Aaliyah tugged the door open. Snaking herself around the edge, she looked the boy up and down; and then she said: “Hey, Noel.” Her gaze shifted downward. “I see you brought beer.”

“Y–yeah,” Noel choked. Fuck, Aaliyah looked stellar tonight. Her body made his little head spin. But nonetheless, he replied: “I thought I’d buy some from the bodega quickly… you know, to make up for…. being late.”

Luckily for him, the snake was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. With a deft hand, she snatched the case from his grasp; and, standing to the side, she beckoned: “Come on in. And take your shoes off.”

Noel followed her lead. He removed his sneakers, tossed them to the side, and proceeded to bask in the glow of Aaliyah’s apartment. Much unlike Zeke’s, everything had a place. A flat-screen stood upon a plain Ikea stand and projected smooth jazz. No trash, no stains, no weird smells. Frankly, it put Noel’s little hovel to shame.

“It’s so nice in here,” Noel commented. He slid his finger along the hard countertop. “And it smells amazing.”

Aaliyah replied: “Thank you.” A smile rose to her lips, which then faded into a forlorn frown. A few choice words obviously danced upon her tongue, and she wasn’t the type to prolong niceties; so she said: “Noel, I want to let you know… we don’t have to do anything kinky tonight. I don’t mean to pressure you into anything.”

Those words caught Noel’s attention. Suddenly perked, he approached Aaliyah, who idled by the fridge; and he said: “No. No, I don’t feel pressured at all.”

“Right,” Aaliyah said. “But… you always seem so apprehensive when I mention kink, or latex, or sex. I’m, uh…” She sighed. “Honestly, I’m worried I misread things. Maybe we shouldn’t do anything, just take the night slow. You know, order a pizza and just… chill.”

Now, it was Noel’s turn to frown. Clearly, his apprehension was sending mixed signals. Thoughts raced through his head as he struggled to rectify the situation; externally, however, he appeared frozen. An awkward apparition against the countertop.

Aaliyah awaited an answer, but received none. After a moment, she cast a downtrodden glance at the floor. “Right,” she said. “Well, maybe we can just–”

Noel, however, was not content to let the night die so early. Stiffly, like an automaton powering on, he lumbered forward. A tight-lipped, terrified expression adorned his face. Aaliyah eyed him with confusion, watching as he approached. In only a few seconds, the couple were face-to-face.

And, in one swift motion, Noel closed the distance. He gently placed his palm against Aaliyah’s cheek, stared into her eyes. Noel squinted, bent forward, and his lips drew nearer; and albeit surprised by his forwardness, the snake reciprocated. For the first time, they kissed.

Noel was surprised by how soft her lips were; he was even more surprised when Aaliyah leaned into him, wrapping her hand along the small of his back, pulling him close. Truthfully, he hadn’t even thought he’d get this far; but now that he was here, every touch of her flesh was electric.

Overwhelmed by a mere kiss, Noel then pulled black. Blush shone through his thin layer of fur; and with a resolute expression, looking Aaliyah in the eyes, he said: “I want to experiment with you. And I’m sorry for being so wishy-washy about it.”

Aaliyah was surprised by the boy’s sudden reversal. “Really?” she asked, her voice giddy. Her little feet danced against the tile. “I–I didn’t think you’d actually go through with this… gods, I’m so happy.” And, with incredulity, she added: “But what made you, um… change?”

Noel sucked in air through his teeth. And, with his tail between his legs. he admitted: “I actually followed your advice. I went to see Zeke, and we talked for a while.” He cleared his throat, then shot a glance to the side. “He mentioned he knew you. Why didn’t you tell me that?”

Aaliyah let out an exhausted chuckle. She admitted: “Because whenever I mentioned sleeping around, you’d scold me. It was really awkward. But I’m sorry for not telling you… I should’ve just been honest.”

Noel smiled. “It was a little bit of a shock,” he said, “but it’s not really a big deal.”

For a moment, the two of them stood in silence. Noel gingerly met Aaliyah’s gaze, chuckled under his breath. Anxiously, his fingertips wiggled and clawed against his pockets. His breathing was unsteady, suddenly caught in his throat. Just the sight of her face was enough to stop Noel in his tracks.

Batting her lashes, Aaliyah then confided: “You know… I did end up putting in an order for you. I bought you a gift.”

“A–a gift?” Noel sputtered. He waved his hands in deference. “You didn’t have to do that!”

Aaliyah ignored his attempts at humility. “Why don’t you follow me?” she asked. She jerked her thumb backward, toward her room. “It’s in there. I think you’re really gonna like it.”

Like a lost puppy, the otter then followed without hesitation. All the while, he wrung his hands together, smiling like an idiot, as his face filled with unabashed blush. “I–is this what I think it is?” he asked. “It can’t be, right? It’d be too good to be true. It’d be a dream…”

Alas, Noel’s dream came true. Unceremoniously, the chubby otter followed Aaliyah into her room, basking in that soft white light. The plush carpet sunk under his bare feet. Incense burned quietly in the corner, and its smoke rose into the air like a serpent. Predictably, Aaliyah’s bed was perfectly made.

And upon it was something Noel never thought he’d see – a full latex body suit, pure black. From hood to shining heel, the entire thing was new; that trademark silky shine nearly brought the pervert to tears. Frankly, he’d never received a more thoughtful gift.

“Oh my god,” Noel gasped. Hesitantly, as if approaching a rabid animal, he crept closer to the bed. There, he reached toward the suit, traced his fingertip along its rubbery contours. It was just as smooth as he’d imagined. The thought that he’d be covered in it made him gag in excitement.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t fucking believe it,” he echoed. His blood rushed with excitement, his hands shaking. “I–I thought I’d die never having tried this. But now…”

Noel turned to face Aaliyah; and once again, he was stunned by her beauty. Leaning up against the closet door, her arms crossed, a big smug grin on her face. Her boobs burgeoned above her biceps, her thick thighs choked by a thin pair of jeans. She looked like a goddess. Hell, she was a goddess.

Without thinking, Noel approached her. He then wrapped himself around her torso, pulling her into a hefty hug. The snake rubbed his back in slow, small circles, while Noel greedily sniffed her nape. The two stayed like that for a few seconds.

“Why don’t you try it on?” Aaliyah asked. “I bet you’d look great in it.”

And separating, Noel said: “Yeah. I’d love to, if that’s alright.”

Aaliyah replied with a simple smile; and, spinning Noel around, she pointed him toward the bed. “Go ahead and strip,” she ordered. “Getting into this suit clothed is a bitch and a half.”

Noel gulped, took a loose grip on his shirt. “Of course,” he agreed, his chest heaving with anxiety. “Just… try not to laugh, alright? I’m kind of sensitive about my body.”

The snake crossed her heart. And, with a knowing smile, she said: “Of course. I would never laugh at you, honey.”

Honey. As Noel lifted the shirt from his head, that word bounced around his skull. It made his movements light, his head spin. Honey, honey, honey. The most gorgeous girl he’d ever seen just called him a pet name. It gave him shivers.

And, throwing his shirt to the side, Noel turned to face Aaliyah. His chest was on full display now. Round breasts gave way to a pudgy stomach, hanging a little over his pants. Clumps of thick, soft fur emerged from under his arms, cradled the space between his pecs. Aaliyah was positively delighted to finally see him laid bare.

“Holy shit,” she said. “Noel, you never told me you were hot.”

Noel sputtered over his response. “Sh–shut up!” he blared. His hands fumbled with his pants. “You don’t mean it.”

“Of course I mean it,” Aaliyah insisted. She eagerly devoured his body with her eyes. “You look stunning, Noel. Just seeing you makes me feel… gods.”

Noel gave an awkward grin. Being pudgy and short, he’d never thought of his own body that way. For the first time, he felt himself being admired; it made him grin like an idiot. Furthermore, it aroused him. Aaliyah spied a clear bulge in his pants.

“Why don’t you take those off?” she teased, twirling her finger in the air. “I’m dying to know what you look like undressed.”

The otter, of course, didn’t require any convincing. He slowly tugged his pantline downward, revealing a thick happy path which delved centrally down his pelvis. Like water, it flowed outward into a pool of thick pubic fur, crowned atop his thick shaft. Like the pervert she was, Aaliyah practically chomped at the bit. He looked delectable.

“S–sorry for, um… yeah.” Noel didn’t know how to approach this situation at all. “I’m just gonna…”

And without further ado, the boy tugged his pants around his ankles, then swept them aside. His package hung free now; and frankly, it was larger than Aaliyah expected. His balls were huge, hanging tightly beneath a verifiable behemoth of a cock. The width of a coke can, the thought of its girth drove Aaliyah mad. But externally, she simply said: “Noel… don’t apologize. You look amazing.”

The otter gripped his arm, looked askance. “Really?” he asked. “You think so?”

“I do,” Aaliyah replied. Now, it was her turn to undress. “Now let me give you a show, hm? I know you’re eager to see.”

Noel sputtered at the assertion, watching helplessly as Aaliyah removed her top. “E–eager?” he said. “I dunno if I’m, uh – wow.”

Alas, before him stood a goddess. The snake’s plump breasts burgeoned free from her bra, hung snugly along her chest, sitting atop a fat tummy. She shot a sultry glance toward Noel, grabbed her boobs, and said: “This is what you’ve been waiting for, right? A chance to see me naked?”

“I–I can’t deny I’ve been curious,” Noel replied. His voice was awestruck. “But to see you in real life is… I could never have imagined.” He attempted to say more, but couldn’t. “I’m serious. You look like a fertility goddess.”

Those compliments made Aaliyah hide her face, wave her hand dismissively. “Oh, hush,” she cooed. “You’re making me blush. And I haven’t even taken off my pants yet.”

Noel didn’t have to wait for it. In one quick motion, as if having rehearsed this before, Aalliyah ripped off her denim shorts. Much to Noel’s pleasant surprise, she wasn’t wearing underwear. His eyes went wide.

Her cock was smaller than his, but still definitely above-average. A thick vein carved its way along the side, culminating in her leaking tip; even without stimulation, a little strand of precum flowed out. Aaliyah bit her lip, and said: “Sorry about the mess. I tend to get really leaky.”

“I–it’s okay,” Noel replied. A screwy, bashful smile adorned his face. “Um… should I… get on the suit now?” His eyes greedily devoured the latex by his side. “I’m kinda eager to get it on. And then we can do stuff.”

Aaliyah nodded; and so, Noel went about clothing himself in rubber. Awkwardly, like a child dressing himself for the first time, he inspected every orifice in the suit, then cautiously placed himself inside.

“I’m pretty sure it zips up in the back,” Noel announced. He struggled to get his arms through the sleeves, then pulled the pant legs up, exposing his crotch through a tiny window. “Would you mind zipping it up, Aaliyah? And getting the head on?”

Naturally, the snake was ecstatic to help. “Of course,” she cooed, and crept closer, claws outstretched. “You’re going to love how this feels. Trust me.”

And, with careful precision, Aaliyah then slipped the hood over Noel’s face. His breathing was only obstructed for a moment; and afterward, his stubby snout was aligned with its latex casing, air flowing through two holes in the mask’s front. His eyes, too, were mostly covered; he could only see through two glassy-looking opening. His ears were shrouded, his mouth stymied by a removable circular plug. Truthfully, Noel hadn’t expected to be so deprived of his senses; but he didn’t dislike it.

“You good?” Aaliyah asked. She hovered playfully before the boy, her boobs swinging in front of his face. “You can breathe and talk?”

Noel nodded. “Yeah,” he slurred. His jaw pressed snugly against the suit, making it hard to talk. “It feels so… nice and warm in here. Like I’m in a big, tight blanket.” Despite the mask, his dumb grin was obvious. Aaliyah delighted in his pleasure.

“I’m glad,” the snake cooed. And, lowering herself to his level, she then planted a firm kiss on the exterior of his mask. As she did so, she sneakily zipped up the remainder of the suit. The subtle vibration along Noel’s nape heralded his newfound submission. He shivered.

Then, the two locked eyes; Aaliyah gazed into those cloudy eyeholes, while Noel stared outward, delighted at Aaliyah’s fervor. The snake’s eyes were narrowed, her back hunched, her arms planted on the bed. A tiny forked tongue slithered from her lips, flitted, and returned inside. The sight of it was enough to make Noel feel like prey; no, he wasn’t just feeling like prey. He was prey.

Naturally, Noel could hardly contain his excitement. His cock stood erect, brushing against Aaliyah’s elbow, twitching against her every touch. Even the slightest shift of her weight upon the sheets made Noel spiral in anticipation. He was frozen; evidently, it was up to Aaliyah to make the first move.

So, snaking her hand between his legs, she tenderly began to rub his length. It made Noel gasp and writhe, enchanted by her subtle smile, her little breaths.

Aaliyah then raised her hand, other began to caress Noel’s chest. Even from outside the suit, he felt her fingertips gingerly trace across his nipples, glide along his pecs. Noel couldn’t help but moan. The breath fogged up his eyeholes, made his whole body hot. Before he knew it, he was on his back. Aaliyah crawled on top of him.

The otter had hardly anticipated Aaliyah’s strength; with one hand on each arm, she was easily able to hold him down. Down below, Noel felt himself becoming wetter and wetter. A quick glance betrayed the cause: Aaliyah’s cock hung over his, dripping lust over his exposed pelvis. Noel groaned.

And before long, Aaliyah had begun to frot. Humping his exposed package, her thick cock throbbed against his. All the while, she unrepentantly groped the otter’s body; from his chest to his round hips to his ass, her hands wandered. All the while, a dumb perverted grin spread across her face. She’d been wanting to molest Noel for months.

_ _ Contrastingly, Noel was absolutely enraptured by the sudden attention. Finally, his greatest dream was coming true. A woman had taken interest in him; and moreover, she was absolutely ravaging him. The warmth of her cock made him squirm and whine; the pressure of her weight left him breathless. A tingling sensation arose in his chest and burst outward, intermingling with the couple’s breathless moans.

Fuck, Aaliyah couldn’t take it anymore. Even though she’d just put the suit on him, she hastily unplugged the front of his mask, then descended upon it. Her lips then pressed against Noel’s muzzle. Her tongue, thin as it was, slithered beyond the latex casing, lapped at the otter’s maw. Instinctively, Noel opened his mouth to greet her. Aaliyah greedily took the opportunity.

Truthfully, Noel had never been orally penetrated. He was surprised at the force of Aaliyah’s tongue; like a crowbar, it seemed to leverage his jaw open, then slip inside. And ruthlessly, the snake licked along every inch of his insides; she traced herself along his tongue, his teeth, his lips. Noel had never felt so profoundly violated; he had never felt so admired, either. His thighs squirmed uselessly against the intruder, but he was too securely pinned to move. If anything, his movements only made him more delectable to Aaliyah. Good prey were taught to struggle, after all.

“A–Aaliyah…” Noel choked. His voice was pathetic, small, as he begged for more. His legs kicked in a futile display of pleasure. “Aaliyah, please…”

The serpent smiled. She could hardly see her prey’s eyes through those foggy eye ports, but she could tell just how desperate he was. It urged her forward; so badly, she wanted to sink her teeth into his neck. She wanted to lap at his blood, to fondle him, to leave him covered in hickeys and bites and slaps…

Luckily, she held herself back. Her eyes squinted, she licked along her incisors, then sheathed them within her mouth. Noel was overwhelmed at the most basic attention, after all. If she pushed things too far tonight, she might hurt him.

So instead, between haggard breaths, she asked: “You alright?”

Noel, too, had a hard time catching his breaths. All that kissing had left him hot and bothered. Above him loomed that giant snake, her head silhouetted against the ceiling lamp, light surrounding her like a halo. And through parched lips, he sputtered: “Yeah, I’m… I’m amazing.”

“I’m not going to quick, am I?” Aaliyah asked. “I don’t want to push you too far.”

Noel, of course, couldn’t wait for more. “You’re fine,” he laughed. “More than fine. I never imagined I could be so happy.”

And then, a moment of awkward silence. Noel had not intended for those words to be so romantic; and yet, they were. Aaliyah was caught off-guard by his candid feelings. She straightened her back, nursed a finger against her spit-stained chin, and looked askance. A troubled expression adorned her blushing face as her tail whipped to and fro; against her will, her cock throbbed.

“S–sorry,” Noel breathed. “I didn’t–”

“No,” Aaliyah interrupted. She gazed down at him once more, her eyes kind. “No, it’s fine. I’m happy, too.” She then laid herself across Noel once more, worming her hand between his legs. Her snout tentatively neared his. Whereas she was ravenous before, she felt differently now.

This boy wasn’t like the others, after all. He wasn’t meant to be senselessly consumed. In some way, he was different.

With that thought, she planted a gentle kiss upon his rubber-clad lips. Even though their flesh didn’t touch, the sensation sent lightning down the poor otter’s spine. Somehow, her tender handling flustered him more than a rough touch. A soft hand traced down along his chest in broad strokes, running right along his heart. It then came upward, across his neck, and cupped his cheek. Aaliyah gave a soft kiss. Noel could still taste soda on her breath.

As her lips began their soft assault on Noel, her hand gently curled around his cock. Her strokes were sweet and slow, stopping just short of his glans. The feeling drove Noel crazy. He’d never been touched so tenderly, and yet the gentleness of it made him yearn for more. Without even noticing, he began to hump into Aaliyah’s grasp. A slick trail of precum leaked from his cock and wetted her scaled flesh.

“You’re needy,” Aaliyah cooed. “Who knew you’d be such a cute sub, hm?”

Instinctively, Noel turned his head away, as if to hide his blushing cheeks. “I–I just feel so… um…” He struggled to form a coherent thought as Aaliyah molested his cock. Stray whimpers fell from his lips. “It just feels so good… I can’t help it.”

Aaliyah flashed a toothy grin. “Yeah?” she teased. “You can’t help humping against your mistress’s palm? Does it feel that good?”

Mistress. That word ricocheted around Noel’s skull, nearly made him short-circuit. His gums flapped, but no words came out; he’d always yearned to call someone his mistress, after all. But until now, he’d never had the opportunity.

“M–mistress?” he choked. “Can I… really call you that?”

The snake hissed in excitement. “Of course you can,” she said. “In fact, it would make me really happy if you did.”

The embarrassment and shame made Noel feel like he was about to explode. Vomiting the word from his throat felt so terribly unnatural, and yet he couldn’t stop. “Mistress. Mistress.” Each call intensified his pleasure, made his stomach tingle, his eyes squeezed shut. “Mistress. M–mistress, please!”

Aaliyah couldn’t resist. She closed the gap once more between their lips, inserted herself inside the mask. Their tongues danced an intricate tango between flesh and rubber. Noel could hardly breathe, but he didn’t care. Aaliyah’s sweet breath sustained him. He throbbed again and again against her skin, his arms curling themselves around her shoulders and pulling her close. Despite her weight, he had never felt quite so comfortable.

All the while, Noel continued to thrust like an animal. His cock was drenched with precum now, slipping easily between Aaliyah’s deft fingers. Whines escaped his lips in waves, just barely managing to escape as the snake reared back. He throbbed.

Fuck, Aaliyah couldn’t believe she was doing this. Ravishing such a cute boy was one thing, but doing so gently? It practically made her heart explode. Even as she traded tongue lashes with the otter, she couldn’t stop shivering in excitement.

She couldn’t hold herself back anymore. With a deep breath, she removed herself from Noel’s mouth, then began to slink downward. Her lips left kiss after kiss after kiss along the length of his front; from his neck down to his stomach. And finally, she faced his cock. Noel twitched in anticipation.

“Mistress.” Noel looked down on her in wide-eyed surprise. “M–mistress, are you…?”

But before he could finish, Aaliyah had answered his question. Taking his glans in one hand, she began to lick and kiss along his base, situating her snout against his scrotum. The scent was delectable; a mix of sweat, lust, and flowers wafted into Aaliyah’s nostrils, urging her onward. Her long tongue sloppily glided along his flesh, worshiping his balls and length in equal measure.

Noel felt like he was going to explode. He covered his face, whines bursting through his cupped palms, and called: “M–mistress! Mistress, I… oh, fuck!”

Without warning, Aaliyah then took Noel inside herself. Spreading her jaw wide – a specialty of snakes – she enveloped his glans, wrapping her long tongue around its width. Precum leaked into her throat, coating her insides in sticky, sour lust. With every pump of her jaw, with every throb of Noel’s cock, she savored his taste. She wanted more. But for now, she sated herself by focusing intently on his tip.

The otter was left speechless by her hunger. Staring down, he watched as her ass swayed eagerly in the air, her tail whipping to and fro. Her eyes were closed, those big black eyelashes batting slightly as she worshiped. She groaned in pleasure as she greedily seized every little bit of lust; below her, her thick cock dripped onto the sheets. The sight itself nearly sent Noel over the edge.

“Mistress… I’m getting close, mistress,” the otter called. He then hung his head back, gripped needily at Aaliyah’s hair. “Mistress, c–can I cum? Please, mistress…”

Aaliyah didn’t remove herself from his crotch, responding only with a simple thumbs-up. And then, on cue, she took Noel fully. Her lips met his crotch with a wet kiss and a soft hum. Noel’s back involuntarily arched as his cock pounded the back of her throat, his throat strained into a breathy moan. Aaliyah could feel him twitch.

Noel’s grip on Aaliyah’s hair tightened, his breaths erratic. He attempted to call out for her, but his words failed, instead replaced by useless whimpers. Butterflies flitted around his tummy, fled into his groin, and made his whole body tingle.

Noel couldn’t stop himself. Calling out for his mistress with a mighty roar, he gripped Aaliyah’s long hair, then shoved her mouth onto himself. The snake gagged on his cock as it pressed snugly against the back of her throat. Blush rose to her cheeks as she then swallowed spurt after spurt of hot cum. She had never seen someone make so much.

All the while, Noel whimpered. Like a pathetic animal, he throbbed against Aaliyah’s lips. Little humps betrayed his remaining lust. And, once the snake had her fill, she slowly removed him from her gullet; a string of cum stretched from Noel’s tip onto Aaliyah’s tongue, only severed by her snapping jaw. Noel groaned.

Without speaking, Aaliyah then planted a cum-stained kiss upon the exterior of Noel’s mask. The poor boy was overwhelmed with emotion. He could hardly do anything but whine. Residual cum still leaked from his length.

Luckily, the snake was well-versed in aftercare. She slowly lifted Noel’s torso, wrapped her fingers around his mask, and undid its bindings. It slipped off unwillingly, revealing Noel’s sweat-drenched fur. A dazed smile was plastered across his face, his eyes half-shut.

“You okay?” Aaliyah asked. She swallowed residual cum. “That was pretty intense for you.”

Noel nodded, hummed in satisfaction. “I’m more than okay,” he admitted. “I’m… I’m, like, totally awesome. That was the best sex I’ve ever had.”

Embarrassed, Aaliyah waved her hand dismissively. She said: “Oh, don’t say that. It’ll go right to my head. You don’t want to inflate my ego any more, do you?”

“But you deserve it.” Noel chuckled, taking deep cool breaths. “I’m… I’m really happy I got to experience this with you.” He smacked his dry lips, swallowed meager saliva. “But I’m so thirsty now. I think I sweated out everything I had.”

Aaliyah grinned. She said: “Then let’s get some water, hm?”

---

After only a few minutes, the pair had situated themselves on the couch. Each cradled a mug of iced tea, each dressed in comfortable pastel pajamas. Noel leaned against Aaliyah’s large frame, resting his head against her shoulder; in front of them, a TV played a silly horror flick. Neither were paying too much attention to it.

“I had no idea latex suits got so… wet,” Noel said. “I always imagined you’d stay kinda dry in there. But I kinda liked being sweaty?”

Aaliyah nodded, sipped from her cup. “It’s an acquired taste,” she agreed. “The first time I tried it, I got… like, total sensory overload. I had to get out ASAP. But once I tried it little by little, I got okay with it.”

The two were then silent for a minute. On the television, two psychopaths stabbed one another in a show of ridiculous machismo. Their prospective victim watched as they traded blows, just barely avoiding police intervention…

Then, Noel blurted: “I can’t believe I was so scared to try latex. That was really fun.”

Aaliyah gave a knowing nod. “Yeah. It wasn’t so bad, was it? Sometimes, it gets a little sticky, but…”

The otter cleared his throat. He snuggled closer to Aaliyah, then confided: “Honestly, that wasn’t what I was scared of. I knew it was gonna be sort of weird texture-wise, but I was more worried about… I dunno. It felt like someone was gonna punish me.”

A laugh escaped from Aaliyah’s throat. “Punish?” she echoed. “Don’t tell me you’re still beholden to your parents. No one’s gonna punish you.”

“Well, I know that,” Noel contended. “Like, logically, I know that no one is going to punish me for being kinky. But I still have a lot of shame about it. Like… I dunno, like God is gonna care. Like it’s gonna be hanging over my head for life.”

Aaliyah was taken aback by the assertion. She had never heard this sort of talk from Noel. So she asked: “What, are you religious?”

“N–no!” Noel asserted. He was hasty in his reply. “Not anymore. But I used to be when I was younger. Like, as a kid and teen. And, I dunno. I guess I still think about it.”

Aaliyah took a deep breath, wrapped her bicep around Noel, and hugged him tight. She then cooed: “Rest assured, I don’t think God cares about us having sex. I think he has bigger things to worry about.” She paused. “Like war. War seems more important than two faggots having sex a dingy apartment.”

Noel had a good laugh at that. “Thank you for helping me realize that,” he replied. He wore a big goofy smile. “Honestly, I think tonight was big for me. I dunno. I feel, like, super different after opening up to you.”

Emotions danced in the boy’s chest. Every time he stared into Aaliyah’s eyes, it made him want to vomit with excitement. Every little touch of her scales made him giddy and anxious. It was simultaneously the best and most terrifying experience of his life.

For tonight, though, he’d had enough hard conversations. He had feelings for Aaliyah, and those feelings were mutual, but he was far too tired to admit that. For once in his life, he experienced true contentment. Away from all the petty worries of the world, away from material hardships and spiritual self-flagellation, away from the petty humdrum of his work, he’d finally found an oasis. He decided to let himself experience it.

“I hope you don’t mind sleeping in my bed tonight,” Aaliyah interrupted. “After this movie, I was thinking about heading to bed. I’ve had a really long one.”

Noel nodded, sank deeper into Aaliyah’s armpit. Somehow, her body odor calmed him. He said: “I think I’ve had enough, too. I’ve had, like, way too many revelations about my sexuality today.”

Aaliyah, too, took comfort in Noel’s scent. Without him even noticing, she’d stuffed her snout into his hair and taken a long whiff. On the exhale, she said: “I appreciate you spending this time with me today. A lot. I really want to do this again.”

Noel smiled. And he said: “I do, too.