FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

You're not the kind of person to make the first move on a dating app, yet his Suavo profile awakened something within you. You tap "Chat" and your fingers fly over your phone's keyboard. Within seconds, you hit send and wait.

And wait.

And wait.

The whir of your living room fan fills the silence. You feel dumb for expecting an immediate reply. Of course, he's not going to be online to respond immediately. You look at the message you sent.

"You're hot lol"

With the sobriety of hindsight, you wish you could delete the message. You put your phone on the couch and lean back with a groan. Why did you just do that? That's why you don't send the first message. You let someone else make the first move, and watch as the amateurs do all the blundering. The ones who pass the test get to date you. Ugh, you've ruined it. With this hottie of a snake, of all people. Why did you have to go--

Your phone buzzes and you look at the message. It's him.

"You're quite a fetching sight yourself. I'm Sephos. To whom do I owe the pleasure of this evening's company?"

Your heart is throbbing and your cheeks are red. He replied. You can't believe he replied, after a cringy pick-up line like that. You look through his profile, skimming for hints to carry on the conversation. He lives alone, loves baking, spends evenings with a glass of wine, plays tennis on the weekends.

Sounds daunting. You continue scrolling.

"Searching for the meaning of life. Passionate and hopeless romantic. Looking for love in a disconnected world."

Damn. You scroll back up to his profile and tap on his pictures. In the first one, he's in a fancy restaurant wearing a tuxedo. His polished scales are jet black, gleaming beneath the light of the chandelier. He's smiling at the camera with a crystal wineglass in his hand. You're blushing again, damn it.

You swipe to the next picture. This one is a portrait photo of him, mouth open in a half-grin with one brow raised. It's as if you've just told him a groan-worthy joke, and he's about to laugh. You meet his gaze. He has sapphire-blue eyes you could fall endlessly into.

You're getting distracted. You move on to the next picture. It's a side profile of him leaning on the railing of a yacht, staring wistfully into the distant sunset. You get the impression this was a candid shot, capturing him alone with his thoughts. It almost feels like you're intruding on a private moment, glimpsing a flash of his vulnerability.

Who is this snake? What's he like? How does he feel, with those broad shoulders and toned arms wrapping around you as he hugs you from behind, gently telling you that everything will be alright? The both of you sharing body heat under the covers of silk blankets, letting his steadfast embrace lull you to sleep.

You hastily reign in your risque fantasies. No point in frivolous daydreams if it doesn't work out with the snake. You've been there before. Dumped after a few dates, crying on the sidewalk because "he was definitely the one". It all feels so stupid now, but it hurt so much then. You take a deep breath. You're going to take it slow with this snake. No expectations. Seize opportunities as they come and see where they lead you.

You open the chat. His message has been hanging for 20 minutes now, nothing compared to the 3 minutes it took for him to respond to you. Biting your lip, you text him back.

"Omg, I didn't think you'd reply. Nice to meet you, Sephos!"

The snake's profile picture grins back at you with a slight head tilt. Your heart is wild. If you're going to do this, you might as well give it your all. Do your best, live with no regrets. You type a second message.

"Sorry about the previous message, haha. I'm not always this forward, but you caught my eye and I just couldn't resist."

You hit send and lean back against the couch. Hopefully, the second message clears things up. You're going to do things right. Seize opportunities as they come and see where they lead you.

---

"So, here's where the bizarre twist comes in. They weren't overcooked at all," you finish.

You're seated in The Garrett, a restaurant you've never dreamt of stepping into. Even if you could afford a single entrée there, the earliest reservation you can make is 6 months away. Yet here you are, finishing up the last of your strawberry buttermilk cake after an exquisite meal.

Sephos chuckles as he leans forward, keeping his gaze on you. He's completely captivated, and to be honest, so are you.

"Do you cook a lot?"

"Well, every now and then," you confess. "What do you like to eat? I can cook something for you if you come over."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Hmm, how about a 5-course meal? Garlic bread for the starter, followed by onion chowder with peppered croutons for the appetiser. First course, baked fish with lemon cream sauce. Second course, pan-seared steak with garlic butter. Then we finish with dessert, hmm..."

"That sounds like a lot of effort. Why don't I help with dessert then? What's your favourite?"

"Hmm, how about apple crumble?"

"Served with chilled yogurt?"

"Oh yea, that sounds good."

"A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top."

"Mmm..."

"Caramel sauce drizzled over everything."

Damn, you've just had dinner and you're hungry again. Sephos smiles.

"The warm pastry crumbs and sautéed apples melting on your tongue."

Your mouth water.

"The coolness of the yogurt and ice cream contrasting the heat."

Your tongue is itching to taste the treat that isn't there.

"The sticky caramel sauce bringing everything together."

"Oh god, that sounds amazing." You're holding your head in your hands, helpless to the gustatory journey Sephos is bringing you on. You're hungry again, and you just had dinner.

"I'll stop, I'll stop," He smiles.

"Damn, you're good. You bake a lot, right? I remember that from your profile."

"Only every weekend. You should come over."

"How about tonight?" you blurt.

The snake raises one brow. You want to kick yourself. Goodness, why did you say that?

"Sure, why not?"

"Whoa, wait, what?"

Sephos makes eye contact with the waiter and nods.

"May I have the bill, please?"

The waiter comes back with a leather bill holder. You dread the devastation it's going to do to your wallet. Maybe you shouldn't have agreed to meet at such a fine restaurant on the first date.

Sephos opens the holder and places his credit card in it.

"My treat."

---

"Whoa."

The limousine ride was impressive, but the snake's mansion leaves you totally in awe. Its interior design embodies the lifestyle of modern luxury. The white marble floor is cool against your bare feet. Alternating darkwood slabs and onyx stone panels form the walls of the room. Orange light radiates from behind the panels, bathing the living room in a cool glow. The ceiling is interspersed with circular mirrors of various sizes, making the large room seem even more spacious.

"You okay?" Sephos' voice breaks you out of your trance.

"Huh? I mean, yeah, haha. I'm good! It's just...wow."

The snake chuckles. "Do you drink?"

"Well..."

"It's Friday night."

You nod your head and he smiles.

"I'll mix something up. Make yourself at home."

You sit on one of the ash-grey couches and sink into its springy cushions. Okay, okay. Deep breaths. Keep it cool. Don't make it obvious that you're insanely impressed by his...everything. House, looks, charm, he's got it all. Thoughts of him cloud your mind. Private, intimate thoughts.

The sound of clinking ice and metal comes from the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of Sephos humming to himself.

You need to distract yourself from your thoughts. There are magazines on the coffee table in front of you, so you hastily grab one and flip it open. You riffle through the pages, glazing over the words and pictures without paying attention. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Sephos return from the kitchen with a cocktail shaker and 2 glasses. You pretend not to notice.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." He sets the glasses on the table.

"Oh, you're back," you feign surprise. "I didn't wait long, don't worry!" You smile warmly.

Sephos uncaps the shaker and pours a bright orange drink into each cocktail glass. "What are you reading?"

"I was just reading this magazine on..."

He peers at the cover. "Upside down?"

You look down. "5 Holiday Destinations for the Distinguished Tourist" is printed upside down on the glossy page. Mortified, you return the magazine to the table.

"I was uh, I mean, I..."

Sephos waves the incident aside and hands you a glass. "Orange martini."

You take a sip, grateful for the opportunity to stay silent. At least he seems amused.

"I'll get some music going," Sephos says. "Play romantic music."

Soft piano plays through unseen speakers. The stiffness in your shoulders eases up; you didn't notice how tense you are.

"Got everything in your house automated?" you poke fun at him.

"Well," he shrugs, "I live alone, so it's good to have some help."

"No army of butlers to cater to your every whim?"

You move aside as he sits down beside you.

"Nah. Even the limo is self-driving."

"Whoa. Don't you get lonely, being all by yourself?"

"Lonely?" His gaze falls away. "Sometimes."

The notes of the piano hang in the air, cloaking the room like a blanket until he speaks again.

"But I'm better now that you're here."

You look up and catch his intense stare. A slight smile spreads on his lips. Your heart skips a beat. His profile photos did his eyes no justice; his irises are in vibrant shades of deep blue, framing his pupil slits. You experience vertigo, as if you're standing at the precarious edge of a sheer cliff. One step away from falling.

His fingers stroke your chin. Tingly bursts of pleasure spread from where he touched you. The smooth scales of his fingers slide down your jawline, going down the side of your neck. You shiver.

You have to keep it cool, right? After all, this is your first date with him. But first dates don't go like this. First dates don't leave you in the company of a handsome man in his luxurious home. First dates don't throw you headfirst into stirring fantasies that nobody else can know. First dates don't seat you in front of a suave snake that's caressing every inch of your face with his intent stare.

His gaze falls on your lips. He leans in.

A kiss? On the first date?

This isn't just a first date. You want his lips too. His eyes are closed, so you close yours too.

For a brief moment, you're floating in the darkness, drifting in the cool air of the room. Then you feel his lips meet yours. It's warm and cool. It's smooth and rough. All sorts of sensations rush through your body like a torrential downpour. His arms embrace you, pulling you closer to him. His soft lips close around your lower lip and gently squeezes.

Oh god, this is amazing. He is amazing.

His lips meet yours and his tongue plunges into your mouth. You inhale, both from the surprise and pleasure of it all. His warmth presses against yours, twisting and turning in a winding dance of tongues. His hands are all over your back. Squeezing. Kneading. Upper back. Lumbar. Shoulders. Your hands do the same, wrapping around his sides as you clench his lower back. His muscles are firm beneath your grasp. His sculpted form endures your passionate grips.

All too soon, he pulls away. You open your eyes to see him smiling contentedly at you. He's madly in love with you. This is everything you could ask for.

"You're cute when you moan like that."

Were you moaning? You blush.

"You're cute too--"

He dives for your neck. His arms press against your chest and thrusts you back, leaving with you lying on the couch with him on top of you. His teeth find the base of your neck and he gives it a firm nibble. You moan, this time noticing the sound Sephos was referring to. A soft gasp. Gentle. Delicate. Vulnerable.

His dexterous tongue explores your skin, stroking the side of your neck. Then the centre. Up the underside of your neck. Then back down again. Firm and determined, yet warm and comforting. His arms are still on your pecs, massaging them with his steady grip. You're convinced he can hear your heartbeat. Feel your heartbeat. Your body is an orchestra and your heart is the percussion. Sephos' body, on the other hand, is a work of art. A figure that was sculpted by the gods into materialised perfection. His charm, a sweet perfume that permeates the mind, encircles the heart.

He goes for the kiss. You're ready for it. Your tongue finds his and you press against him with loving caresses. Then you push and delve into his maw. You feel the curves of his keen-edged teeth. His mouth, an alcove of intimacy for you to explore. His serpentine tongue coils around yours, guiding you in your search. His hands cup the back of your head, pulling you deeper into him. Your palms feel the cool scales at the back of his head. Your fingers trace the curve of his neck hood. His earthy moans tell you he's sensitive there.

You're out of breath by the time your lips depart from his. His warm breaths wash over you. There's an eagerness in his eyes. A hunger. For you. He wants to go all the way. You do too.

"Come."

He gets off the couch. You're dizzy as you stand up. The intoxicating haze in your mind wanes, and the concrete contours of reality rise to meet you. Sephos holds your hand and guides you down the corridor into a lobby. Its ceiling is easily 3 or 4 floors high. Through its glass-panelled wall, you see the flower garden outside. Above it, the night sky forms an azure tapestry of shimmering stars. You look up in wonder.

"Whoa."

A glass shaft is built into the wall, and an elevator waits at its base. The elevator doors open and you follow the snake in. You face gaze at the night sky as the ground falls away, when--

Sephos' warm hand grips your shoulder and he turns you around. His eyes reflect the glow of the moon. He kisses you again. You feel his fingers fumble the collar around your neck. He finds the knot of your tie and slides it off, letting the satin fall to the ground. He searches for your shirt buttons. His fingers are trembling with excitement. The top button comes undone. Then the second.

You're eager too. You want him to be quicker. You want to be naked, to expose every inch of your body. You want him unclothed, letting you bask in his glory. You want his bare body intimately intertwined with yours. Yet you want to stretch every moment of this. The air is ablaze with electrifying anticipation.

Your shirt comes undone. His hands are on your shoulders. Still locked in the kiss, he guides you out of the elevator. Eyes closed, you follow his steady direction, taking steps backwards as he pushes against you. Your hands are around his waist.

He shoves you and you gasp, opening your eyes in shock. You're falling, but only for a moment. Silky sheets catch you in your dive. You're surrounded by the comfort of pillows and blankets. This is Sephos' bedroom, and you're on his bed. The moon shines through a skylight above you, blending with the soft orange and blue lights in the room.

Sephos wastes no time. His tie and shirt fall to the floor, and he climbs onto the bed. You're pinned below him, looking up into his gentle gaze. His dark scales glow beneath the moonlight. Streaks of blue scales run across his body, matching the colour of his eyes. You're lost in them for just a moment, before he swoops in. His snout nuzzles against your neck. Down your shoulders. Across your collarbone. Your exposed chest is Sephos' treasure.

He leans in and rests his cheek against your pecs, rubbing his cool scales against your skin. His scales are smooth and soothing. His nuzzles are firm yet tender, as if the masculine strength of his form is softened by loving intimacy. You shiver as his cheekbone traces the curve of your collarbone.

The coolness of his dark scales subsides as he raises his head. Your eyes meet his as he gives you a smug grin. His forked tongue snakes out of his mouth and gives your chest a swift stroke.

Oh goodness.

It's stunningly warm and moist, contrasting the earlier sensations of his scales on your skin. His hands grip your sides, squeezing your Lats with his massaging grasp. Warmth spreads through your body. Sephos' warmth. His tongue explores your pecs, circling down to your sensitive abs. You gasp, squirming within his hold, the silky bed sheets rubbing against your skin.

The rise and fall of your abs get more flustered, pressing against Sephos' tongue. It's agile and dexterous, making its rounds across your body, completely vulnerable in its sensitivity. He makes his way up your body once more, this time focusing his tongue around your collarbone, your neck, your jaw.

You're feeling warm, not just from Sephos' touch, but also from the stirring heat within you. Excitement wells up within you as you try to quell its overly eager passion. You don't want to seem crass. Your hands grab his shoulders, giving them a squeeze.

"Mnnn..."

He's enjoying this. You squeeze more. He opens his mouth and wraps his jaw around your neck, and you feel the curves of his fangs press against your vulnerable skin. He's squeezing, just enough for you to feel a firm clasp without breaking your skin. You thrust against him and your body rubs against his. Your legs are wrapped around his hips.

Your heart is beating wildly and you're sure he can feel it against his scales. It's electrifying, feeling his maw wrapped around you as if he's getting the first taste of his prey. One of your hands clutches the bedsheets in your clenched fist. The other embraces the back of his head, pulling him closer, deeper into your flesh. It's your turn to let out a moan, and you blush in embarrassment. He doesn't seem to mind. Sephos releases your neck, giving it another lick before staring deep into your eyes.

"You're cute when you make sounds like that." He licks his lips.

Your blush is plastered all over your face.

He leans in and whispers, "I could just eat you up."

"Don't you want to take me out for dinner first?"

"Already did."

"R-right." You could kick yourself. "But we haven't had dessert yet."

"That's where you come in, you sweet snack."

Damn it, damn it, damn it. If you were blushing before, you're as crimson as can be now.

"Don't mind if I do."

You nod. His hands undo the buckle of his belt. You take his lead and undo your pants too. Articles of clothing fall to the ground until you're both in each other's unveiled embrace. His smooth scales are a cool blanket over you. With a strong heave, he turns over with you still locked in his hug and you find yourself on top of him. The initial shock fades with the balm of his gaze, and the calm is soon replaced by anticipation. Your gaze falls away from his eyes as you trace the smug curves of his smile. His pearl-white fangs.

Sephos opens his mouth.

His warm breath washes over you, tinted with the sweet scent of orange martini and mint. You close your eyes and feel his jaws close around your head. His grip is firm yet caring, making sure not to scrape his sharp teeth over your skin. The ridges of his palate glide over the back of your head and his moist tongue presses against the underside of your neck. His cheeks are stretched around you in an oral embrace.

Sephos grips you by the hips and gently lifts you up. With your head still in his maw, you feel a sense of vertigo as you're inverted. It feels like you're on a roller coaster, but without the unnerving sense of danger. You keep your hands by your sides as gravity takes over, pulling you deeper into Sephos' throat. His soft tongue gives way to the firm clench of his gullet. The wine red of his mouth gives way to the comforting dusk of his inner passage.

"Gnrk." He grunts as his throat opens up to accommodate you.

The strong muscles of his gullet massages your head, your shoulders, your hips, your thighs. Your shoulders relax; you're realising how tense your muscles are as the stiffness melts away. Something coils around your knees--his tail you think--supporting your legs as you glide deeper into Sephos' chest.

He knows what he's doing. His breathing is controlled as you feel his chest rise and fall against yours. It's steady. It's warm. It's comforting. His tongue slides along your chest, taking his time to savour every inch of you. You shift your body, pushing against his throat. He tenses his muscles, squeezing back.

You're blushing, thankful that Sephos can't see your flustered grin. You feel his finger trace the bulge in his throat--you. His caressing touch sends shivers down your spine. The constriction around your head eases up as you enter his stomach. Your legs and tail feel the warmth of his throat as he swallows the rest of you in a huge gulp. Gravity assists you as you guide you into the cradle of Sephos' belly. His muscles envelop you in a warm embrace.

He sighs contentedly.

"My compliments to the chef." You can almost see Sephos grinning at the silly joke he's made.

"Sounds like you enjoyed dessert then," you quip.

"Oh yes, it was very sweet." He licks his lips.

Your cheeks are warm as you blush again. He rubs his hand over his belly, gently stroking your curled up body. You shift your head so you can nuzzle against his hand. Your palms press against his stomach. He presses back.

"Do..." he starts, then hesitates.

He sounds nervous. "Yeah?"

"Do you want to stay here?"

Here in his stomach?

Or here with him?

You press your hand against his. He squeezes back.

"Don't you get lonely," you remember yourself asking, "being all by yourself?"

You remember the heavy pause, the sorrowful gaze. "Sometimes." Then a smile to hide it all.

He's lonely. Living alone with no one for company. Reaching out into the multitudes, looking for a close companion in a paradoxical society; connected by technology, yet emotionally disconnected.

"But it's better now that you're here."

You're lonely too. It's been a while since you've been intimate with someone. His hands are warm. His stomach squeezes around you. The heartbeat in his chest echoes around you with vigour and vitality.

You nod. You know he feels it.

He lets out a soft breath as he lowers himself onto the bed. You feel his comfy sheets press cushion your side. In the darkness, you hear his slow breaths. You feel the pulse of his heartbeats. You savour his loving embrace.

Love.

Yeah, this is love.

"I've forgotten how good it feels to be held like this."

His muscles give you a comforting squeeze.

"Me too."

His hands caress the curves of the bulge you're making in his belly. You close his eyes and let his touch stroke you. You bask in the afterglow that surrounds you both like a radiating warmth. Your rapid heartbeats subside like the receding tide. His breaths are firm and steady.

All is right with the universe. You're happy, satisfied, content.

You're home.

---

~ End ~