Coming to terms Part 1
#15 of Background Stories
The first part of the seventh continuation of my background story. It's about how Pent deals with his own growing affections for Arthur and talking about them with his older brother, Samaliel.
Coming to terms: Part 1 by: Pent Ghelsburg
Disclaimer: This story series is the first part of the seventh continuation of my other series. While it is not directly related to the background story of my fursona, it is very early in his life. This story attempts to maintain the scientific realism of my other works. However the basic theme now shifts from something new but not all together different. Let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, or criticisms. I am open to everything so please feel free to leave me a message!
"To find love is to find pleasure in
the happiness of others"
Leibniz
Chapter 1: Discourse
The morning sun arose like any other. I had not been visited by any demeaning dreams, yet I still awoke with a pounding headache that pulsed and throbbed vehemently. Awaking I couldn't help but rub my head, eager to placate the pain with some asprin or something similar. Gathering myself out of my bed, I rubbed the encrusted sleep from my eyes. I woke shortly before the cry of the alarm so was able to silence the annoyance before it sounded. I had some extra time before I needed to get ready for school so I made my way downstairs
Samaliel was already in the kitchen readying both breakfast and lunch for us for the day. Busying himself with some eggs aside a waffle iron that hissed as batter seeped from the side of the heated plate. I looked over myself straightening my bed-shirt and adjusted myself before trying to make my way into the kitchen.
"Do you have any pain killers, my head is bothering me?" I asked shuffling my paws into the doorway.
Samaliel looked back towards me, giving me the once over. Shifting himself away from the dish the teen positioned himself closer to me, extending his left paw over my forehead.
"Well you don't have a fever. Are you feeling alright?" Samaliel inquired.
"I'm fine, just have a bit of a headache." I remarked to my brother.
The older boy shrugged motioning towards one of the cupboards. Managing to fish out a small container of ibuprofen. The teen deciding that the younger boy only needed a smaller dose to be on the safe side, handing the fox kit 2 white coated pills. I took them from his paw delivering them into my maw, swallowing them without delay. My head still pounded but I knew it would take some time before the medicine began to take effect.
"Thanks, bro." I reached over to hug my brother tightly stepping on his feet to better grasp around his larger body.
"No prob, kiddo." Samaliel hugged back softly before the embrace was broken.
I sat down at the table as Samaliel turned around to deliver the meals to the table. One for himself and one for me, though both had the same food items decorated with a light maple glaze. It smelt delightful and it was a welcome change to detract his attention from his minor migraine I was experiencing.
"Something bugging you, Pent?" Samaliel could tell I was deep in thought.
In truth the driving factor by my own headache was overthinking what had happened last night.
"I don't want to hang out with Arthur anymore." This comment made Samaliel drop his silverware.
"Come again?" Samaliel had to be sure what was said.
"I don't want to be friends with Arthur anymore." This time I gritted my paw with fork in hand.
"Wait, why what happened?"Samaliel was a loss for how to proceed.
"Don't worry about it. I don't want to talk about it." I continued to eat as if nothing had happened.
"Um...alright?" Samaliel may have been older but this was....totally unexpected.
Samaliel continued to brew over his own thoughts. Had to two had a fight? It didn't seem to be the case. Other than my odd behavior before bedtime, nothing seemed off about their night together. Samaliel thought maybe it had something to do with that behavior. But he would have to wait until I left to be sure. Not much else was said during breakfast. Samaliel still sat dumbfounded, picking through his food trying to figure it out.
A ring on my watch proved it was time to hit the bus. I gathered my lunch bag before kissing Samaliel on the head. The older teen was still focused on his meal, though he returned my affection with a light hug. As I headed towards the bus, Samaliel regained his composure. The fox needed certainty, he wasn't about to let the issue die. Leaving his meal on the table, the elder fox made his way upstairs to my room.
The door was always left ajar. I cared not for personal privacy and felt safe and secure at home around my brother. Samaliel began looking around for clues. Nothing seemed to be off about the setting. The bed was only half made and my desk was askew with random papers and notes. Shuffling through them before setting them back, proved nothing. Looking through my closet, showed nothing promising either.
The teen wasn't sure where to check next. Sitting down on my bed, Samaliel's paws were rubbed against something near the base. Bending himself over so that he could see what lay underneath. It seemed to be a pair of shoes. Pulling them out, they seemed to be a tad larger than I normally wore. Opening up the tongue, showed Arthur's name on them.
"Why did Pent have these?" Samaliel thought to himself.
Looking inside the right shoe, Samaliel found something shoved inside. Stuffing his fingers in, it proved to be a pair of Pent's boxers. A second examination showed the older fox what he was looking for, a dried cum stain.
"Oh, Pent...this is all your worried about?" Samaliel rolled his eyes before stashing the shoes back underneath the bed.
Samaliel knew the underwear needed to be washed. Deciding that he would confront me about the issue upon my return home.
Chapter 2: Fire and fury
Exiting outside of the house. I felt like I had betrayed myself. Angry because the obnoxious headache refused to go away. Furious because I had just lied to the person who trusted me most. I couldn't quite shake my animosity with myself. I was even slow to approach the bus stop. Even willfully watched the bus come and go. Since I wasn't at the usual location, the vehicle simply moved on.
"Another failure on my part..." I could just tell today was going to be one of those days.
Feeling even more defeated, I retracted my steps back towards the door. With each step I took, my annoyance seemingly only increased. Upon reaching the door, my knocks were rather violent. Forgetting all about the fact I had a key. Samaliel opened the door, surely expecting mischief, instead being greeted by his younger brother.
"Miss your bus?" Samaliel folded his arms looking down at me with disapproval.
"Yes....Can you take me to school?" I couldn't even bring myself to look him in the eyes.
"Maybe you should walk?" Truthfully Samaliel was more annoyed, despite his willingness to carpool me to school.
I was a little surprised by his response. Looking at my watch a second time, showed that I may have had enough time to go. Turning myself around I began walking slowly towards the direction of the school. Much slowly than I should have been going, lest I planned to arrive by night. Samaliel in the meanwhile had gathered his things. Rushing because he didn't want to be late himself. As he had already gotten ready, it was a only the minor task of grabbing his brief case.
Upon his reappearance to the door, Samaliel was ready to go. Yet there I was sulking about steadily treading off the property. This only further annoyed Samaliel who whisked over and grabbed me by the collar. Shoving me along before pushing me into the car.
"Your not missing school. I don't care what kind of mood your in." Samaliel even buckled my safety belt for me.
His blitz continued to the driver said of the car, starting the engine with a buzz. The car turning over without an issue. Samaliel showing his frustration with me, continuing to maintain silence while he pulled out of the parking spot.
The teen couldn't help but think he'd be late at my expense. This along with the sense of deception he'd been bottling up, did not put Samaliel in any better mood than I was. Neither of us was very good about hiding their emotions. Eventually the older brothers fatherly instincts began to kick in.
Pulling the car to the side of the road with a firm stop on the shoulder, making sure to put on the emergency lights.
"So why are you in such a foul mood? I thought you were over this already?" Samaliel asked firmly turning to me.
"Over what?" I continued to feign ignorance despite my mental state.
"You must think I'm stupid. You don't think I know?" Samaliel tried to remain calm but was truthfully hurt by my own insecurities.
"Know what?" I looked over him seeing the teen with tears welling up in his eyes.
"It's hurtful that you don't trust me enough to talk about your problems." The teen sniffled trying to ball up his own tears.
"Please don't cry it's just...I-I don't even know myself." I was truthfully very wrapped up in my own uncertainty.
"Alright...against my better judgment I think this is as good as reason as any to call both of us out. Your in no situation to go to school and I'm not about to simmer in your own thoughts." Samaliel pulled his smart-phone out of his pocket.
I was honestly a bit surprised by his actions, especially after he had just said I was going to school no matter what. But sure enough he went through calling both the school and his employer. The school was told I was sick and he decided a personal day would have to do with work. Once he finished, Samaliel started the engine again, it seemed he had a plan in mind. As for what it was, I'd have to wait and see.
Chapter 3: An afternoon at the park.
My curiosity was sated soon enough. Samaliel continued the modest travel to a nearby park. The area where cars were normally stowed was all but empty. It was a school day along with being a work day to boot for most. Finding a spot was simple enough, the older boy managed to get prime re-estate at the base of the camping ground.
"Come on, let's go." Samaliel
Once I had exited the car, my fur was met by a brisk wind. It wasn't too cool nor was it too warm, the weather was rather nice. Leaves flew about the environment flowing with different colors resonant of the change in seasons. Closing the door, I followed Samaliel who kept out in front, leading to a nearby pond. The water was placid and only showed a rippling surface that reflected the sun above.
Samaliel began to kick of his shoes, and slid off his socks leaving his footpaws bare.
After folding up some of his khaki slacks, the teen was able to rest his feet in the cool shallow water. They weren't small enough to be fully submerged but my brother didn't seem to mind.
"You know, there's nothing to be ashamed of for liking paws." Samaliel spoke boldly already having an idea of what bothered me.
"What?How did you...? I stammered on my words mid sentence not quite completing my thought.
"I found Arthur's shoe under your bed." Samaliel didn't seem to mind admitting snooping.
"Sama...how could you go through my stuff? Forgetting all about the fact that he was in charge of me.
"Well you forgot to make your bed and I had to clean up your room." The teen continued seeming rather relaxed.
"Oh...well I can explain..." In truth I rather lacked the ability as it stood currently.
"You don't need to. There's nothing to explain. You like paws, so what?" Samaliel lay flat against the floor, flinging his tail behind him rather relaxed.
"I guess...but don't you think Arthur will find it weird?" I was gritting my own hands together a bit nervous about my seemingly strange vice.
"Hehe your worried about what he will think? You must really him, huh?"The older brother already had an inkling this was the case.
"I dunno...I like to be around him but he makes me feel funny..." I was having a hard time admitting my feelings for my friend even to my brother.
"It just means you have feelings for him. That's okay there's nothing wrong with that. Have you talked to him about it yet?" Samaliel couldn't help but smile at his brothers budding emotional awakening.
"Nah...I guess I should?" I leaned over onto my brothers shoulder further seeking his support, his arm reaching around me with a tug.
"Whenever your ready, I think you should." Samaliel didn't want to rush me, he knew all to well what an awkward time it was for me.
"Thanks, bro." I relaxed myself against his larger form finally letting my mind waver.
"By the way Arthur might come over this weekend, if you want." The teen decided to spoil the surprise.
"Really? Maybe I should do something nice for him?" I was still overly concerned of what Arthur thought of me.
"Nah, just be yourself. I think he likes you plenty." The older boy tried to re-assure me.
"I hope so..." I nuzzled my snout into the soft fur of my brothers right arm.
"You gotta have more confidence in yourself, alright? Just remember I'll always be here for you." Samaliel turned his head over to kiss me on the forehead.
It was a rather sweet moment, one that I found all too soothing. For once that day I felt at ease and my mind was laid to rest. Despite not having done much, I was able to snooze softly into my brothers body. Samaliel didn't seem to mind either. Happy that amends had finally been made between the two. Eventually the older teen couldn't help himself joining in a light slumber under the morning sun.
We remained motionless in a daze for a few hours. I was the first to awake, looking into the lake at the position of the sun showed it was at least mid afternoon. A quick glance at my watch verified that it was just past lunch time. Samaliel was still conked out so I nudged him to wake him up. My brother eventually came around rousing from his light state of sleepiness.
"Oh...guess we fell asleep?" Samaliel said half mumbling, still waking up.
"Yeah, I think so. It's past noon so we've been out for a few hours." I said showing Samaliel my watch.
"Heh, I guess we should get lunch and call it a day then?" Samaliel pulled his feet out of the water and shook the water from the fur of his footpaws.
"Maybe we should go get lunch?" My stomach was already rumbling and most restaurants would be deserted.
"Sure, let me get my shoes on." The teen slid on his socks and footwear before making way to the car.
By this time, several younger couples had showed up in the park. But overall the population was rather thin. We rejoined together in the car.
"What do you want to get for lunch?" Samaliel asked before starting the car to resume our day.
"I'm up for whatever." My mood was still funky but I did feel better than I had earlier.
"Alright well we can just go wherever we pass then." Samaliel didn't really have a preference either.
Chapter 4: Salad and a Sidebar
The teen began travel back on the main road. The park wasn't far off the beaten track since the local was split between urbanization and wilderness. The roads weren't yet full of traffic but the city had been growing in population recently. Though it wasn't exactly a tourist destination by any stretch of the mind. Neither of us minded as it was a small city life with a closely knit community.
Samaliel decided to go to a local mom and pop diner. It was a place we had frequented in the past but it was not something we'd been to since everything changed. Pulling into the place proved it was as notably empty as the park was. Only five cars other than Samaliel had stowed in the lot and it was highly likely that a few of them were employees. Finding an equally close spot was simple enough, as the teen pulled in to the restaurant.
We made our way into the establishment together. Once inside the lighting seemed rather dim and their was no host or hostess to speak of to greet us.
"Feel free to sit whee you want, boys." A female voice directed us from the bar.
Not able to make them out, I could but see a shadowed figure guised in the distance behind the counter. So together we decided on a table that was near the middle of the establishment. Far enough to be removed from the door but closer to the bar.
Looking around the place it was easy enough to make out that there was a few patrons in the place. Most of them minding their own business, otherwise not worthy of being noticed. But one couple went out of their way to settle themselves in the back. Each set across from the other, from the looks of it, they were an item. The most strange quality about them, was their elongated ears. Much too long to be of the canine quality that I had grown so used to seeing.
"Hey Sama, look over there." I said in a hushed whisper.
"I saw...don't stare." The older teen tried to divert my attention.
The Lady soon revealed herself, wearing rather casual clothing for an employee. A jet black toned fur adorned her body, solid as a clear night sky without stars. Her frame resembled that of a wolf but she didn't come across as overly feminine except for her voice. Even her wardrobe would be what most would be considered similar to that of a tomboy. However her voice was like that of the sirens of myth, rather calming and soothing.
"How can I help you boys, My name is Sable and I'll be your server." The wolf said before handing us each a menu.
"I'll start with some tea. What do you want to drink, Pent?" Samaliel asked turning to look at me.
"Hmm, maybe some milk?" I asked since I didn't much care for sodas or other sweet drinks.
"Alright, I'll be back in a minute with your beverages. Feel free to browse the menus." The female wolf walked away back towards the bar.
Each of us glanced over the menu. I looked through the vegetarian options of the menu and there didn't seem to be many which wasn't very surprising for a small establishment. Occasionally my glance deviated from it's purpose back over to the pair in the corner, but I quickly snapped backwards once the furthest ones gaze turned towards mine. Regaining my composure, I decided a salad would have to do, I thought to myself. Shortly after the waiter returned with two glasses which she distributed between us.
"Ready to order?" The polite woman asked after handing the glasses over to us.
"Yeah, I'll have the stuffed pepper and sauteed vegetable soup, thanks" The teen ordered first ordering a rather robust lunch since he hadn't had time for breakfast.
"I'll just have a garden salad with French dressing, please." I requested before folding over the menu and handing it to the lady.
"Alright, shouldn't be long. Let me know if you boys need anything?" The woman walked away towards the kitchen to place the order.
Eventually the pair in the back made their exit. My gaze turned to them watching them with inherent interest. Once they past us, the male shot me a death stare. It made me quite uneasy but I had easily been able to discern their make. It seemed they were rabbits. It was almost alien as seeing a human again. It made me consider that perhaps my ordeal in the past had lead to mutations outside of my own area. I decided to confront it another time.
We were left alone again. The two of us sipping on our drinks here and there sitting in an awkward moment of silence.
"So feeling better?" Samaliel asked to break the silence and make sure my fit of anxiety had run it's course.
"Yeah, I guess. Thanks." I did feel better than I had earlier.
"That's good. Anything else you want to talk about?" The teen asked continuing well aware of my own self consciousness.
"So do you think I should ask Arthur to the movies or something?" I asked to gauge what Samaliel thought of the idea.
"You mean, like a date?" The teen wasn't all that surprised even if it was a shift in perspective.
"Yeah, Do you think he'd like to go with me?" I was becoming embarrassed just thinking about it.
"I don't see why he wouldn't. He seems to like you too." Samaliel didn't know for sure but it was a valid assumption based on how much time the two spent together.
By the time the conversation had stalled the waitress had returned. Both dishes were passed out as we thanked the kind woman for her service. She left us be again as we turned our attention to sating our hunger. In between bites we continued our chat.
"You really think so?" I still wasn't very sure of my own relationship with my friend.
"Don't worry so much about it alright? Just give it time." Samaliel tried his best to re-assure me while not making giving me an unrealistic sense of hope.
"Alright, I'm really excited about this weekend." I began to chow down more eagerly on my meal.
"Hehe, just be patient. The weekend will come soon enough. Samaliel had already nearly finished his lunch.
Our dialogue seemingly took another pause as I refocused my attention on my salad. It was cool and crisp, crunching as I consumed it down my mouth. I wasn't nearly as quick an eater as Samaliel and by the time I had finished, my brother had already requested the check. The older boy wasn't much on wasting time, as he had other things he needed to do especially since he had to take off work.
"Thanks for everything, the bill and tip are paid on the table." Samaliel eased himself up from the table.
"No problem stop and see us again sometime alright?" The wolf waved as the two brothers began to make their way to the door.
"Yeah, sure. The food and service was great." Samaliel said as we made our exit.
Returning to parking lot showed that it was still the slow part of the day for the business. No other cars had yet arrived. It was time to go home though, Samaliel had some chores to do and decided that the younger kits problem had been solved. We made our way to the car and began the travel back home. It had been a productive day there were other things that needed to be taken care of.
Chapter 5: Textual Talk
Once we had arrived home. Samaliel made his way into the door. Clearly he was rushed to do things to make up for the day he'd missed at work. I followed much more leisurely behind him making sure the door was locked. I made my way into my room to work on a side project I'd been beginning. Something that I have developed as a rather childish endeavor in order to improve the efficiency of my RC cars.
Inside my room the engine I had been working on was littered on my desk along with notes I'd been keeping to evaluate how it was doing. I wasn't working on this long before Samaliel walked into my room with his phone in his right paw.
"Someone wants to talk to you." The older boy neared over before handing over the phone.
"Hello?" I held the speaker to my ear but their was no response.
"By text silly, check the texts." Samaliel chucked before deciding to leave the room to give me some privacy.
"Can I talk to, Pent? It's Arthur." Was the first text and the reason Samaliel had passed it off.
"Hey Arthur, It's Pent." I typed into the smart-phone.
"Oh hey, Why weren't you at school today?" The other boy responded without delay.
"I didn't really feel well." I came up with the best white lie I could.
"That stinks, do you feel better?" Arthur asked a bit concerned about Pent missing school.
"Yeah I'm fine, thanks for asking." I tried to re-assure my friend.
"Did you ever find my shoes?" Arthur asked, causing me to hesitate my response for a moment.
"Yeah, I did. I'll bring them to school tomorrow." I sort of wanted to get rid of them anyways.
"Great, I'll bring yours and we can switch at gym class." Arthur said since he didn't really fit into mine anyways.
"Sounds good. Hey, Arthur?" My heart skipped a beat trying to come up with the words I really wanted to say.
"Yeah?What's up buddy?" Arthur responded back faster than he had previously.
"Do you like me?" I figured it was the best way to get around to what I wanted to ask.
"Of course I do. What kind of question is that?"Arthur wasn't quite sure what I was getting at.
"Cause I like you a lot." I swallowed hard trying to send those words, finally coming around to doing it.
"I like you a lot too buddy. We're gonna be the best boy friends ever." Arthur felt rather confident in his own feelings.
"Boy friends?Do you really mean it?" I had honestly all but forgotten the mention of that possibility.
"Yeah, don't you remember?" Arthur knew he had asked the night before and thought it strange I didn't recall.
"Oh I do...just making sure." I was a bundle of nerves just trying to get through this conversation.
"Your acting strange, Are you sure everything is alright?" Arthur asked clearly worried about me.
"Yeah, everything is perfect. I have you now." I continued seeming rather content with being validated.
"Oh good. See you tomorrow then bud?" Arthur still seemed a bit bothered but decided to let it be.
"Sure. Good night friend." I wasn't quite ready to admit my love just yet.
Once I saw that Arthur wasn't texting back I made sure to return the device to my brother. After thanking him, I returned to my room to continue working on the project. I found renewed interest, especially since I figured I could impress Arthur with it. By dinner I was able to finish the engine. It was fully up and running, showing much promise once I tested it on my makeshift track.
I wasn't too interested in dinner and Samaliel allowed me to eat by myself while obsessing over my work. It wasn't until I felt it was ready that I had begun to feel tired. It had been a long and productive day. I felt much better about myself and ready to take on the next day. I was excited to return to school and even more to see Arthur again. Deciding it was time to go to sleep, it was time to retire.
Samaliel tucked me in as per usual. Kissing me on the head before wishing me good night. I was finally fatigued, my mind at rest finding contempt only in completion. Eventually my body wavered and I began to fall asleep. My anticipation would have to wait for the next day.