Forward
#15 of Writing Prompts
This is my very late take of last week's writing prompt for the Writing Corner. The prompt was: I found out who it was just a few seconds too late. This is a bit over 2k words. Any comments and critiques are welcomes
There was something to be said about how fast a day can go bad. I had been sleeping on my bed, sheets wound tightly around me, keeping me warmth while the AC kept the room cold. Then, my sister had barged inside my room way too early in the morning. She had stripped me of my sheets in one swipe and shook me until I had woken up.
"Raise and shine, and whatever rhymes," she said with a sing-song voice, her hands never stopping her motions. "Come on brother, open those big eyes."
"Wazzat? No mom, I don' wanna any muffins..." I murmured into my pillow, fighting to stay asleep.
"I said, rise and shine! Wake up already!" She screamed in my ear, her high pitch leaving me dizzy and nauseous.
"Darla? What flea bit you this time?" I said with anger in my voice, glaring at the red wolf with bared fangs.
"Not the gay one I'm sure, you got that covered for the family." She replied, puffing out her chest and giving me a mischievous grin.
"ouch, not pulling any punches are you?" I grimaced, lupine ears folding into my skull.
"I got no time for it. Drake's picking me up in a few minutes and I need you to do something for me."
"Why don't you get your boyfriend to do it for you then? It's my free day, I-"
"Ah, ah, ah. Remember who covered for you that one time you ate mom's valentine gift?" My ears lowered with each word, remembering mom's heartbroken face.
"Yeah, but-"
"And who distracted Dad so the tight end could leave your room?" My tail curled around my body, thankfully hiding the tent forming in my boxers.
"You, and I-"
"How about that time you died your fur gold because it was your astral color or whatever?" I could see the dangerous glint in her eyes that foretold problems for her target.
"It was you sis." I admitted, burying my head under my pillow in shame.
"That's right. And that's why you, my dearest brother, will do my a little favor and take my car to the mechanic. The AC is busted and I need it fixed. After all, a lady doesn't sweat." She said with a tone that broke no argument. Her ears standing high and a satisfied smirk on her face.
"Yes, sis." I mumbled from beneath my pillow. "Now, please, get out."
"I love you bro. And I love your boxers, they do a nice job hugging your perky ass." She said, slapping my ass to drive her point home.
"OUT! Just, get out!" I shouted, waiting until I heard her giggle go down the hall before I turned on my back and cursed my luck.
It hadn't taken long to get dressed in some shorts and a faded t-shirt. Taking just enough time to eat a quick breakfast before I was out on the street. The sun had been out by then, its rays warming up the air until I felt I would cook in my own brown fur. I cursed to high heavens that I had long fur. Driving was no better, the glare of the sun was so strong the sunglasses resting on my muzzle barely got their job done. My musk hung heavy in the air before long, sweat mating my fur in more places than I cared to count. The water bottle I had brought already half empty by the time I had made it 2/3 of the way to the workshop.
The silhouette of a building appeared in the horizon. The sight of the bright white letters on a red board read "Joe's Auto Repair", relief lifting my tired heart. Next to the letters stood a caricaturistic rhino, clad in a mechanic's overall. A smile on his muzzle while his hands gave you a pair of thumbs up. The whole picture was so silly, I couldn't help but laugh. A few seconds later, a long building could be seen. Gray walls tall enough to comfortably fit a truck and doors wide enough to park three trucks abreast. Several pieces of machinery could be glimpsed from inside the garage. But most importantly of all, there was only a small silver car on the front, one of those Japanese convertibles that was ill suited to this town's run down streets. Below its open hood, a person in a blue overall seemed to be tinkering with something.
It didn't take me long to park the car near the table, the rhino mechanic leaving his place under the hood to give me an earnest smile. Cropped black hair adorned his hair, a thick horn standing proud at the end of his muzzle. Dirty blue fabric strained to contain his huge arms and his broad shoulders. A sheepish smile was my only answer as I killed the motor, silently cursing myself for staring at the handsome rhino for too long. A quick discrete sniff told me I should have used more deodorant when I left home. A low growl proclaimed my distaste, but it was already too late to do anything about it. I got out of the car, a breeze of fresh air hitting me fully on my face, cleaning my nose of any smells. Resigning myself to the inevitable, I approached the mechanic. He had just finished cleaning his hands on blackened rag, an easy smile resting on his face.
"You must be the brother, Darla said you would come." He said with a baritone voice, thrusting his hand forward for a handshake.
"Yeah, I'm Roger. You must be Joe." I told him, his hands engulfing mine in a firm yet controlled handshake.
"Nah, that's my older brother. I'm David." He replied good-naturedly, lifting one of his thick arms to scratch the back of his neck. "Joe's out of town looking for some parts. People always say we look more like twins than brothers."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but between you and me." He leaned closer, his voice turning into a conspirational whisper. "I'm the handsome one."
The wink he gave me caught me completely off-guard, my brain coming to a complete stop for a few seconds. I must have looked like an idiot as I stood there with an open mouth for who knows how long. His boisterous laugh the only thing that registered in my mind. The rhino patted my shoulders a few times in a friendly manner, the force of the hits enough to bring me out of my reverie.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to break you." He said between laughs, his warm hand never leaving my shoulder. The contact making all the more aware of my sweat drenched fur. After a dozen more laughs, he composed himself, bringing back the easy smile that seemed to be his business face. "Alright then, your sister said something about a busted AC, mind if I take a look."
He got to work not soon after that, eyes narrowed in concentration as he checked every part of the AC system, his muscles shifting and bulging with every move. His ass giving me a full show of its rounded form whenever he had to reach something far, his tail taunting me as it traced seductive eights on the air. His stone like skin shining with sweat, giving him a holy glow to his body. I can't say I knew much of what he was doing, he could have made a bonfire on top of the motor and I wouldn't have batted an eye. His confidence and seriousness as he worked were enough for me. But I must admit that I was too caught up in the show he provided, the tent from the morning coming back in full force. My mind coming up with a stream of forbidden scenarios for the oblivious rhino.
Sometime after he had started, a series of polite coughs broke me out of my latest fantasy. He beckoned me with a quick gesture. His hand holding a thin black hose resting on one hand, while another was trying to maneuver the fan out of its tight spot. With a silly smile and an apology he had me grabbing the hose, my body pressed close to his. My sensitive nose picking on the salty smell of his sweat and his disarming masculine odor. I had to force my tail to stay still more than once, its wagging an embarrasing admision of my enjoyment. David didn't seem to notice fortunately, his whole attention focused on removing the small fan from its place.
A loud snap ran broke the silence. The hose in my hands splitting in two, a viscous liquid shot out of the newly created hole. My eyelids closing just in time to prevent the strange liquid from hitting me eyes. A muffled scream left my mouth, instinct overtaking my mind. I shook my head, but the viscous liquid wouldn't fall.
"Shit, Roger. It's okay, it's okay." I heard David say, strong arms guiding me away from the car. Something soft wiping away the viscous liquid on my face. "Keep your eyes closed, we need to wash that before it gets inside your eyes. Here, just keep rubbing that rag in your face, get the worst out of it."
The rag soon lost its effectiveness, most of the sticky substance transferred to the piece of cloth. There was a click and the grating sound of a rusted door opening. The smell of a strong cleaner surpassing the viscous liquid own odor. David's hands guided me to a cold metal surface, the sound of running water came mere moments after. A soft push brought me closer to the stream, rough fingers gently washing my eyelids. The water slowly taking away the substance.
"I'm really sorry about that. I didn't think the hose was that worn out. I'm sorry." He said in a sorrowful tone, one of his hands tracing calming circles on the back of my neck. "Can you keep this up while I look for something to dry your face?"
"yeah, don't worry." I told him, barely resisting the urge to lick the viscous liquid marring my face.
"Great, I'll be back soon, and once more, I'm really sorry." He said once more, heavy thuds getting farther and farther away until I couldn't hear his heavy steps anymore.
I threw water in my face several times, rubbing my fur until my skin felt raw. I repeated the process countless times before I was satisfied. My nose was still a bit numb with the artificial smell of the strange liquid and my eyes still felt too raw to open them. I perked up my ears, trying to listen for David, but there was a deep silence in the garage. I was perplexed about how long it was taking David to find a clean rag. impatient and more than a little upset, I felt around with my hand for something to at least dry my face. The feeling of soft cloth announced my victory, quickly bringing it to my face. I dried my face thoroughly, the improvised towel absorbing the dryness of my fur with surprising efficiency. I mentally patted myself at my small victory, my heart soaring when the numbness in my nose finally dissipated.
I took a deep breath. There was the strong odor of the cleaner they used in the bathroom, highly artificial and pungent. A new smell came next. Potent, musky and strangely familiar. I let my nose guide me closer to the source, bringing my head closer to my hand, to the cloth that it carried. Beneath the overbearing odor of the viscous liquid and my own musk, there was an earthy odor. It was familiar and definitely male. A second sniff gave me more information, the smell was recent, one day old at most. It was musky, thick and reminded me of-
"Hey, I'm back. I found this to-" David's voice suddenly went from a loud tone to a choked sound. Breaking me out of the trance I had been into. My eyes shot open, the piece of cloth I had been using until then becoming clear. Boxers. Used boxers with a thick musk and the telltale smell of semen. David's.
"This is totally not what it looks like. " My mouth said without consulting my breath. Regret pouring in waves out of my heart. David's face trapped in a mixture of shock and amusement. Then, his lips morphed into a lecherous smirk.