FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

This story contains scenes of a homosexual nature. If you don't like MxM, furry, or are under 18 (21 in some states), or it's illegal to view this in your area, DON'T READ!!!! Otherwise, enjoy =3

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The door slammed shut, echoing over the lone, level, lonely sands and scrub grass nearby. Blue sky, unmarred by even a single cloud, stretched away into the eternal horizon. Wind stirred what it could catch in the barren and arid environment.

Race leaned against the side of the car, sighing and looking skyward. He put a shielding paw over his eyes, squinting even with his sunglasses. It had been two months since he'd gotten on the road, the summer coming to a close, striking out to wherever he could. His mom and dad had given him several thousand dollars in his bank account and a credit card to take with him. They had told him they wanted him to see everything he could before he couldn't any longer.

He spread his road map over the hood of the car. The nearest town was Bacher. Given his best estimate, he was still thirty miles away. Out here, the towns were few and far between, and if they had a working phone, he'd be impressed.

The collie tossed his cell phone into the car. No charge and signal, it would be of no help. He sighed again. He had been waiting for a break-down. His tire had gone flat, and he, of course, had forgotten his spare at home.

So now it was a case of walk or wait; and since the last time he'd seen another fur was twenty-five miles behind him, he was in no rush to wait.

Race leaned in and grabbed a water bottle that was wedged between the seats. He took off his red button-up sports shirt he was wearing and tossed it in, down to just a white undershirt and blue jeans. He made sure his wallet was still in his pocket and rolled up all the windows, jamming one of his extra socks in the window, letting any passer-bys know the car was broken down.

The mid-west had been a pleasant trip so far. Aside from this bit of bad luck, it had gone well so far.

But walking down the sun-parched tract of road was quickly souring his feeling of the area.

Race looked over the sand dunes, the horizon disappearing into serpentine heat waves rising from the ground like a swarm. The collie knew he well-hydrated, and was not worried about coming into the danger of dehydrating.

His thoughts were in other places.

Like Lance.

He wondered where the fox was, what he was doing, how he was doing. Was he moving on? Was he sitting at home wondering the same things about Race?

Race wanted to think so; but wasn't sure. He was sure, however, that his fox had been devastated.

THE fox, he corrected himself. Lance wasn't HIS fox anymore.

But the one thing he never wanted to lose was the memory of Lance's smile, his laugh. Even when everything else faded like a dream, he wanted to remember that. It was what he thought of the most.

His shoes crunched lightly on the dirt road, hiking along the side of the road, praying that maybe he would see someone that would give him a ride and wasn't a total psycho.

Sharp, stabbing pain ripped through the back of his head. He grunted and fell down on one knee, squeezing his eyes close tight, then opening them wide. The edge of his vision was growing black, and he could see stars. He waited for the pain to subside, reaching into his pocket for his painkillers when he was able to. He popped back two of the little white pills, swallowing them with water. The doctors had warned him about these 'episodes.' Technically, he wasn't even supposed to be driving.

Getting back on his feet, he took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder. He groaned when he realized he had only gone about a mile from the car.

But he continued on, not knowing what else to do.

He wished he was back with Lance. He missed the fox so badly.

Race was brought out of his thinking when he heard thunder in the distance; low, rumbling. But steady. Then he realized he was hearing a diesel engine, not thunder.

A badly-beaten, rusted tow truck edged over the horizon, chugging towards Race. Judging by the sounds of it, the muffler was shot, along with a few other things.

Race watched as the tow truck came to a stop next to him, the driver, a tiger, leaning out of the window. "Afternoon," he said, with a very slight drawl.

"Hello," replied Race, slightly nervously.

"Where ya headed off to?" asked the driver, tipping his hat up slightly.

"Bacher," answered Race, looking up the road.

The driver nodded. "On my way there right now. Can give ya a lift if ya like."

Race frowned, puzzled. "Isn't it the other direction?"

The driver laughed. "Must be from out of town. There's a short-cut a ways back; dirt road, easy to miss. Cuts about fifteen miles off the trip."

"Oh," said Race. "Um, my car is broken down, back there."

The driver looked back down the road. "The one down yonder?"

"That's the one," said Race.

"Won't be a problem; take it with us. Hop in."

Race walked around the cab and got in, closing the door behind him. The tiger got the truck going, heading back down to Race's car.

"I'm Rex, by the way," said the tiger. "Least, that's what all the folks 'round here call me."

"I'm Race," replied the collie.

"You look a little long way from home," observed Rex, stopping and reversing his truck so the winch was facing towards the front bumper of Race's car.

"Yeah, you could say that," mumbled Race.

Rex jumped from the cab. "Take me a jiffy to get this hooked up."

"Um, you need any help?" asked Race, feeling awkward suddenly.

Rex laughed and shook his head. "Been winching since I was up to my daddy's knees."

Race nodded and sat back in the seat, taking a deep breath and letting it out. He had no idea where he was going to stay, or how to pay this guy; he suspected he didn't take plastic, and there probably wasn't an ATM for a hundred miles in any direction.

There were a couple of grinding noises and metal clanking from the rear of the truck, then a steady thrumming as the winch was raised slightly. Rex came and got back in the car. "All set."

Race just nodded again as Rex started the truck and pulled them around in a U-turn, heading back down the road.

"Looks like all ya need is a new tire," remarked Rex. "Easy enough, and cheap."

Race smirked. "Good thing."

Rex smirked now, making a left turn onto a barely-cleared stretch of desert. Race could just make out tracks from previous trucks that had made their way over the sands. The cab bounced and jittered on pot holes and other divets. Race bit his lip, praying his car would survive the trip.

"Don't worry about it," assured Rex, obviously reading his face. "It'll be ok."

Race said nothing, just watching the road ahead of them. "Is there a place in town to stay?" asked Race at length.

"Sure enough," said Rex. "Margerie runs the local inn. Makes on hell of a cup of coffee and waffles."

The collie just settled back into the seat with his thought, drifting to a place where he'd been happy; and so was his fox.

The fox.

Rex pulled another right turn, passing a white-washed sign with red lettering; "Bacher." Race could see a few houses in the distance; farm houses, mostly. It was the sort of town where pretty much everything was centered around one main strip of town, the kind of place that only existed in movies and books.

Several of the residents were coming from their houses and businesses, wanting to see the new person.

"Don't get many visitors around here," explained Rex. "You'll have to pardon the curiosity."

Rex went to the very end of town, to the last house, pulling the truck up in the driveway. The garage and house were both painted the same shade of off-white, and both were peeling.

Race hopped from the cab, going around to the other side with Rex.

"Figure it'll take a few hours; I take it you'll want to stay the night," said the tiger.

"Just to change a tire?" asked Race.

"Well I got other things to attend to; I didn't have this on my hands when I woke up," replied the tiger, good-naturedly.

Race nodded. "I understand. No rush anyway. Let me get my things from the car."

The collie walked back to the car, opening the rear door and removing his suitcase. He closed the door and tossed Rex the keys.

"Just come on back in the morning," said Rex. "Not far down to the store and the inn. You should be able to find what you want there."

"Okay," said Race. "Um, thanks."

Rex shook his head. "Happy to help."

Race smiled a bit and started to walk back towards town.

Brick seemed to be the motif here. Brick general store. Brick inn. Lots of brick. The town had definitely seen it's better days already. Much of it was in disrepair. Peeling paint, rusted out doors and windows, missing glass, boarded over windows and doors. He wondered how anyone could live here.

He stood in front of the building, with a wooden sign over it, 'General Store.' He sighed, and opened the door, stepping inside.

He immediately wished he hadn't.

A bell over the door rang as he stepped inside, announcing his entrance. Every fur in the place turned to look at him. He stopped dead in his tracks, looking around, removing his sunglasses and hanging them from the collar of his shirt.

"Howdy," said the fur at the desk, a female jaguar. Her fur was faded, and she had thick bifocals on. With her pink dress, she had a very matronly, grandmotherly appearance.

"Hi," said Race, approaching the desk. "I just got my car towed in here."

"Oh, so you're the one!" she exclaimed, almost delightedly.

"Yeah...," replied Race. "Um, I need a room for the night."

"Well, you came to the right place," said the jaguar. "I'm Margerie. I run the store here and the inn down the street."

Race raised an eyebrow. "Quite an entrepreneur."

She laughed, her eyes almost forming quarter-moon shapes when she did so; it made Race feel good for some reason. "I guess so. Not that much of anyone comes this way, though."

Race looked over his shoulder, still feeling eyes on him. "I can imagine."

"Oh, don't mind them," said Margerie. "They're just not used to seeing new folks."

The bell over the door dinged again, and in stepped, to Race anyway, the second-most handsome male he'd ever seen.

"Hi, there, mom," said the black lab, coming over to the counter.

Race just watched him walk past, staring. The black lab was gorgeous. Shining fur, a toned body, deep brown eyes, and an ass that was impeccable.

"Hello, Nick," she said. "Nick, this is our new guest...oh, I didn't get your name," she said to Race.

"Race," he replied, absently.

Nick looked at him, then looked away; if he'd been able to show it, the lab would have been blushing.

Race snapped himself back, looking at Margerie. "Anyway, I do have stuff here I'd like to be able to put down."

"Of course, of course," she said, bending down under the counter to get him a room key. "Here you are."

"Um...mom, why doesn't Race come stay at my place tonight?" suggested the lab. Race was a bit surprised; they'd been in the same room together for less than five minutes.

Margerie looked at the lab. "You sure?"

"Yeah, it'll be okay," said the lab. "Is it okay with you?" he asked Race.

Race shrugged. "A bed is a bed. Haven't had company in awhile anyway."

Nick smiled. "Great!"

"Well why don't you come by for dinner later on?" asked Margerie. "Both of you."

Race nodded. "Works for me."

"Nick knows where I live," the elder jaguar said. "I'll see you around six. Don't be late; don't want it to get cold."

Nick grabbed Race's bag for him. "Come on. I'll take you and show you my place."

For some reason, Race felt comfortable with the Labrador leading him on now. "Okay. Lead the way."

The two of them stepped back outside, Nick walking across the dirt road and heading back the way they'd come from.

Race looked over his shoulder, half expecting all the faces from the general store to be pressed to the glass, watching him leave; but no one was watching him retreat.

"Haven't seen anyone that didn't live here come through in, oh, must be close to a year now," said Nick to Race.

Race turned his head around. "Uh-huh."

Nick smiled a little. "So what brought you way out here?"

"Looked like the most direct route on the map," replied Race casually. He felt the wind pick up a little bit.

"Storm's coming in," explained Nick.

Race looked to the horizon, squinting. "I don't see a single cloud."

Nick nodded. "Just trust me, it's coming."

They passed more and more sand and rocks, a few houses that were boarded up, faded 'For Sale' signs in the cracked windows.

"Realtor company that owns those isn't even in business anymore," remarked Nick as they passed.

"How would they sell them?" asked Race, looking at the dilapidated façade as they passed.

Nick shrugged and let a small laugh out. "I don't think it much matters."

Race followed him a bit farther, then Nick turned up a barely-discernably tread-down part of the earth. Race looked up the short path and saw a small, ranch-style house at the end, also in bad shape itself, but still had all it's glass and definitely was lived in.

"My place," said Nick. "Not much, but like you said, a bed is a bed."

They hiked up to the front door, Nick opening the screen outer door and stepping through the front door.

"You don't lock it?" asked Race, following him.

"Nah," answered Nick. "Nothing in here worth stealing."

Race looked around, Nick dropped his bags gently on the floor.

The front door opened right onto the living room, which had modest furniture; a couch and a chair, both pointed towards a TV that Race gambled had last seen use in the seventies. There was an end table next to the couch, littered with various magazines from years ago, and that was it. The faded-yellow walls had a few photographs on them, and there was a small bookshelf in the corner.

On his right he could see the kitchen, with peeling linoleum and stained walls. The gas range looked twenty years out of date. Race was mildly surprised to see a microwave on a cart opposite the range. In the very back was another door that lead, presumably, into the backyard.

"This way," said Nick, grabbing his bags again. He lead Race through the living room, Race now getting a good look at the photopgraphs; all yellowed and warn, fading with time. Most of them had a young black lab in them.

There was a short hallway in the back corner of the living room, that lead down to a bathroom on the left and a laundry nook on the right.

"If you've got any laundry, do it now so it can dry," said Nick as they passed. "Dryer's busted."

In the back was the bedroom. Unlike the rest of the house, it was all wood panels, surrounding a bed with surprisingly-white sheets. There was a bedstand table, with an old lamp on it, and an open closet, filled with hanging shirts.

Nick put Race's things on the bed. "Only one bedroom, if you don't mind crashing on the floor. I've got sleeping bags."

Race nodded. "Why did you ask me to come back here anyway?"

Nick looked away. "You're not the only one who hasn't had company in awhile. Mom's the only one that keeps me company around here; I go over to her place sometimes. Besides, you're cute."

Race looked away and opened his bag, taking out an amber bottle with white pills. "Could I have a glass of water?"

Nick stared at the bottle for a moment, then nodded. "Sure."

The two of them walked back into the kitchen, Nick pouring a glass of water. Race could hear the ancient pipes thump and hum as the water rushed.

"Surprised we have running water out here?" asked Nick.

Race took the water, popping two pills and swallowing it all down. "A little."

"It didn't always used to be this way," said Nick, looking out the window above the sink. "What are you taking?"

"Painkillers," replied Race, flatly.

Nick looked away, not asking anything else.

"What time is it?" asked Race, feeling suddenly awkward.

Nick pointed over his shoulder. "Clock in the living room."

Race looked and squinted. "Could you tell me?"

Nick was quiet for a second. "Three."

Race nodded. "When do you want to go to your mom's?"

Nick shrugged. "Maybe five. When she says food will be put down at six, she means AT six."

Race chuckled. "Sounds like my mom."

"I'll be right back," said Nick hastily, walking back towards the bedroom. Race just turned and watched him go until he turned into a blur.

He shook his head. The episodes were getting worse and lasting longer. He felt dizzy, but wondered if that was also from the vicodin.

He followed Nick back into the bedroom. "Nick?" he called.

Race wandered into the bedroom, Nick sitting on the bed with a frame in his paws, staring at it.

"Nick?"

"I'm okay. Just thinking of dad."

Race sighed, looking up, then at Nick. "Margerie isn't your real mom, is she?"

Nick put the frame down. "Your parents are defined as more than just who conceived you. It's more then the genes they give you. It's the total sum of who you are. Margerie and Charlie are the sum parts of me. Dad died last year, in an accident. It's been just us ever since."

Race nodded. "Did you ever get to meet your parents?"

Nick shook his head. "No. They left me here when I was a cub, not even a year old Margerie said. She found me on the doorstep in a storm, and they took me in. Didn't take me long to figure they weren't my birth parents." He motioned to his jet black fur.

"I see," said Race. "Still miss your dad?"

"Of course," replied Nick. "Isn't there someone you miss?"

Race said nothing. "What can we do until dinner-time?"

Nick smiled. "Ever been shooting?"

***

A loud crack, and another arm popped off of one of the cacti.

"Good shot," said Nick. "For someone who can't spot a clock on the wall, you sure can pop a cactus."

Race worked the bolt on Nick's .308 rifle. They were lying on their bellies on a flat rock overlooking a cactus field. "Lucky shot. It's been a long time since I shot a gun."

More like never, he thought to himself.

"Where'd you get the rifle?" asked Race. It was a beautiful rifle, obviously kept in fine shape, set in with gold scroll work.

"It was dad's," replied Nick, shielding his eyes from the sun. "Mom gave it to me after the accident."

Race fired again, another arm flying off. "What did happen?"

Nick looked over at Race as the collie chambered another round. Race looked back at him through his sunglasses.

"I don't....don't want to talk about it," said Nick, quietly.

"That's fair," said Race, firing.

"You're not curious?" asked Nick. "Usually when someone says 'I don't want to talk about it,' anyone talking to them will bug the hell out of them until they do."

Race looked back at him again. "I still haven't even told you why I'm half a continent from where I started two months ago."

Nick looked down over the cacti patch. "And I didn't press that either."

"Then neither will I." Race's hair on his neck stood up.

"Ozone changing," said Nick, feeling his owns hair standing up. "Storm's getting closer. I hope it holds until sunset; those are the only good part of being out here."

Race smiled. "Then I hope I can see one." He fired again, missing this time. "Damn."

"Everyone misses sometimes," said Nick.

Race sighed. "Isn't that the truth."

***

It was right around five o'clock when there was a soft knocking on the jaguar's door. She opened it quickly.

"Come in, boys," she said, stepping aside to let the canines in.

"Hi, mom," said Nick, kissing her on the cheek. "You remember Race."

"Of course. Hello, dear."

"Hello," said Race, nodding.

"I suspected you boys would show up early," said Margerie, disappearing towards the kitchen. Her house was set up identical to Nick's, except her kitchen look cleaner and she had a bit more furniture and things in her living room.

She came back with a tray of bread. "So I made a little snack. Chili-cheese bread."

Nick took a piece, munching on it contentedly.

"Getting crumbs all over; just like when he was a cub," said Margerie, smiling good-naturedly. Nick blushed and kept eating.

"Come on, dear," she said, holding the tray out to Race.

Race took a piece, noting it was still warm. He sniffed it. Chili, and cheese...in bread? he thought to himself. He took a little bite, and followed it up with a larger bite.

Margerie laughed. "Apparently it passes. Come. Have a seat."

The three of them sat down, Nick and Race on the couch, Margerie in an old arm chair. Race now noticed the living room lacked a television, but had many more books in it.

"What do you think of the town so far?" asked Margerie to Race.

"Nice and quiet," answered Race, taking another piece of bread from the table Margerie had placed it on.

"I take it you came from the city," she said.

Race nodded, clearing his maw. "Yes. I was going to college."

"What made you stop?" asked Margerie.

Race looked at the floor, silent for a moment. "Lots of things," he answered at length.

Margerie and Nick didn't say anything for a minute.

"Well, dinner smells good," Nick remarked, trying to think of anything to say to break the silence.

"Yes," agreed Race. "What is it?"

"Nick knows what it is," said Margerie, looking at the lab.

Nick sniffed the air. "You made....?"

She nodded.

Nick smiled.

"What?" asked Race.

"Mom made her lasagna!" exclaimed Nick. "She only makes it on special occasions."

Margerie nodded. "I thought company was special enough."

Race laughed self-consciously. "You didn't have to."

"Well I did anyway," retorted Margerie, grinning in that grandmotherly way that made Race feel warm all over. Maybe because he'd never met either of his grandmothers. Maybe because she was nice. Whatever the reason, he enjoyed the feeling.

"I told Race about the sunsets around here," said Nick.

"Oh, yes," agreed Margerie. "They really are a sight. And there's a perfect view to the west in the backyard. Should be around seven or so."

"Is everyone in this town a meteorologist?" asked Race, sarcastically.

Margerie laughed out loud. "No, but spend your entire life in one place and you know when things are going to happen." Just like she had known why her son asked Race to come over to his place when she had seen the way the Labrador was looking at the collie.

"How long have you lived here?" asked, Race curiously.

"Oh-ho-ho, you bad boy! You never ask a lady her age!" crowed Margerie, teasing Race. Race grinned despite himself, and Nick laughed as well. "I'm seventy-eight," she answered. "And all of those years have been spent right here in this town."

Race nodded. "Why didn't you ever move?"

"Why would I?"

Race thought, but couldn't think of an answer.

There was a ding from the kitchen, and Margerie got up. "Sounds like dinner is ready. Why don't you boys set the table, and I'll get the food?"

The two of them got to their feet, following the elder jaguar into the kitchen, grabbing plates, silverware, and napkins. For Race, it was a bit of normalcy put back into his life.

It felt like being home.

***

Race opened the backdoor, stepping onto the back porch. Nick was behind him, in the kitchen, doing the dishes. Race couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten such good food.

"Enjoy dinner?" asked Margerie.

Race whipped his head to the right. He hadn't even seen the jaguar there, sitting in a rocking chair and gently bobbing back and forth.

"I did," said Race. "It was delicious. Thank you."

"Come on, and have a seat."

Race sat on a bench next to the chair, looking out over low buttes at the western horizon. The sun was beginning it's descent into the far empires it touched after dark. Long shadows were cast over the land, stretching like fingers, reaching out.

"It is impressive," remarked Race. "It's been a long time since I stopped to watch a sunset."

"You should more often," said Margerie.

Race looked over at her. "I guess I should." His face was caught part in sunlight and part in shadow. "Just sometimes I think there's no place worse than where I am."

They watched the sun setting further, the ever-present sound of the water for the dishes in the background.

"He's had his heart broken before," said Margerie, quietly.

"Hmm?" asked Race.

"Nick," she said. "By another male last year. He was here for six months or so. Nick took quite a shine to him. He lived with Nick for a bit. Then one night just left, without a word. No letter, no good-bye. Just gone. It's hard for Nick out here."

Race understood what she was getting at; couldn't be easy to be gay when you're the only one. "Why doesn't he leave?"

"He won't leave me," said Margerie. "I've told him so many times to go, get an education, get a job, get out of here. I stayed here for Charlie, and though I don't regret it, I don't want him to spend his entire life here for me when I won't be in it much longer."

Race nodded. "How did Charlie die?"

Margerie looked at Race in the dying light. The pastel streaks contrasted to the growing shadows, the golden orb meeting the darkened horizon.

"It was an accident," she said.

"That's what Nick said, but didn't say what happened."

Margerie sighed. "Because he blames himself."

Race was silent. "What happened?"

"Charlie and Nick used to go over a town and harvest for farmers at the end of the season," started Margerie. "They used a large grain harvesting machine. Well, one day, of course, it broke down. Charlie got down underneath it, and it fell down on him. Nick tried to lift it, but just wasn't strong enough. He went for help, but by the time he came back, Charlie was long dead. Nick blamed himself; that he wasn't strong enough, that he didn't go for help sooner. It hit him hard."

Race said nothing.

"That was when he moved out on his own. He stops by all the time, but he's been more distant this past year." She looked at Race. "I think maybe it's a good thing you've come along."

The back door opened and Nick came outside, drying his paws on a dish rag. "I told you it was beautiful, didn't I?"

Race nodded. "And you were right."

Nick came and sat next to Race. "Chatting with mom?"

"Just a little," answered Race, looking at Margerie. "We should get going."

"There's no rush, dearie," said Margerie.

Race stood. "I don't want to impose. Besides, I could use a shower before I go to bed."

Nick stood as well. "Yeah, I've got some things to do around the house."

"Well, alright, then," said Margerie, walking to the door with them. She hugged Race good-bye, and kissed Nick.

Nick was out the door first, Race behind him, when Margerie grabbed his gently by the arm. Race looked over his shoulder, puzzled.

"Whoever it is you're trying to get away from, don't throw away what you may have," she said to Race. Race just furrowed his brow. She looked at him. "It's not easy to find love in this world, and even harder to ever fully let go of it."

Race was going to say something, but just nodded.

"I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for, dearie."

"Thank you," said Race, and went to catch up with Nick. Margerie just stood in the doorway, watching him until he was out of sight. And gazing at the thunderhead gathering to the east.

***

A small raindrop hit Race on the nose. He wrinkled his nose and looked up at the darkening sky.

"Let's get inside," suggested Nick, holding the door open. Race went in, Nick right behind him. He closed the door and went into the living room, sitting down.

"What time is it?" asked Race.

"Little after eight," replied Nick, not hesitating this time. "Did you leave a pair of glasses in the car or something?"

Race smirked mirthlessly. "I don't have glasses yet."

Nick yawned. "Usually I go to bed soon."

"Really?"

"Get up with the chickens around here, so to speak," said Nick, smiling.

"Ah," said Race. "I am sort of tired myself; been a long day."

Nick moved over on the couch, making room for Race. "We could watch a movie."

"Okay," agreed Race. He sat down while Nick got a VHS out and put it into his VCR.

"Been awhile since I saw one of those," remarked Race, teasingly.

"No DVD players out here, I'm afraid," replied Nick, pressing play. He came and sat back down next to Race. The opening credits played, Race hardly paying attention to them. His mind still elsewhere.

Until Nick leaned in and put his arms around Race's waist.

Race looked down, surprised. "What're you doing?"

Nick looked up at him. "I'm sorry...I thought..." He started to move away.

Race put his arm around the canine. "It's okay."

Nick smiled a bit and leaned back, cuddling closely to Race.

"I like you," said Nick.

Race wasn't quite sure how to respond. "Nick, I..."

"It's okay," said Nick, looking up at him again.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, rain starting to patter against the windows.

"Here comes the storm," observed Nick. He pressed his muzzle against Race.

Race gently stroked his arm. "Nick, I can't...can't get involved with anyone. That's why I left where I was in the first place."

Nick tightened his grip on Race.

"I'm sure it's hard on you out here," said Race, softly. "But I'm not going to be staying. And you wouldn't want me to anyway."

Nick squeezed his eyes shut "I dunno why I thought you would...maybe I was just hoping." He stood up. "I'm...going to go to bed. I'll leave the sleeping bag out, come on in whenever you're ready."

Race nodded, neither of them saying anything else as Nick left.

The collie breathed out heavily. He had been afraid the lab had been falling for him all day. But if he'd left Lance because of his problem, he couldn't make someone else deal with it. He could never be with anyone again.

Thunder persisted outside. Lightning danced in the sky, illuminating the outside for a few seconds. Race could see it was coming down hard now, rain droplets bouncing against the sand.

He got up and went to the kitchen, getting a glass of water to take his pain pills with. He was just fishing for his bottle when the lights went out, dropping him into blackness. He was panicked for a moment, until he realized the power had gone out. The inside of the house briefly flickered with light as another bolt ripped at the sky.

"Race?"

Race could see wavy light in the living room. Nick appeared in the doorway with a candle in a holder.

"Power went out," said Nick, quietly. "I'll guide you back to the bedroom."

Race nodded. He followed the lab, noticing the dog kept looking over his shoulder at Race.

"Guess a shower is out," remarked Race. Nick just silently nodded.

Race got his bag from the floor once they came into the bedroom, getting a shirt and sleep shorts out. Nick just sat on the edge of the bed, stripping down to his boxers.

Race finished dressing, looking at Nick from the corner of his eye. He looked miserable.

"Want some company for a minute?" asked Race.

"No," said Nick, flatly.

Race came and sat next to Nick. "I'm sorry I brushed you off. It's just--"

"You don't have to explain," said Nick, cutting him off.

"No, I do." He took Nick's paw. "I left my boyfriend I'd had since high school because I'm going to go blind. It's why I left college, it's why I'm all the way out here."

Nick looked at him. "There's no cure?"

Race shook his head. "Experimental. I may go blind even if I try it."

"I'm sorry," said Nick, putting his arms around Race.

"It's okay. I made peace with it," said Race, quietly. He looked at Nick. "So would you like someone to hold onto for a few minutes?"

"If a few minutes is all I can have," replied Nick.

They lay down on the bed together, facing one another, muzzle to muzzle. Nick licked the front of Race muzzle, Race smiling back.

"I'd love to have you, even only for a night," whispered Nick. He drifted his paw downward, to the front of Race's pant, massaging gently.

Race closed his eyes, the familiar feeling absolute joy to him. His sheath tightened up as it was tantalized and stroked through the fabric of his pants. He breathed deeply, his body shuddering as he touched. When he opened his eyes, he saw the same kind eyes of the fox staring back at him.

"Why would you want to be with me?" asked Race.

"Because...I just feel right with you," replied Nick, feeling awkward.

Race put his paw over Nick's, moving it away. Nick looked stricken as Race brought it back up, but held it still in his paw, kissing the back of it. Nick smiled and felt himself going all hot. "You're very cute," said Race.

Nick folded back his ears. "I'm not that cute."

Race nosed him. "Yes, you are."

He sat up, pulling at the elastic of Nick's boxers. The Labrador lifted his hips enough for Race to get them, and dropped them over the side of the bed. His ebony sheath had just the faintest trace of pink at the top. Race rubbed it with his fingertips, noticing the look on Nick's face that was obvious he was enjoying it.

"W-will you mount me when I'm done?" asked Nick suddenly.

The question took Race a bit by surprise as he was stroking Nick's sheath. He looked at the dog's eyes, and saw the same eyes he saw in the mirror when he was younger, and being unsure of everything.

"If it's what you want," replied Race, reaching down and playing with his furred sac. Nick whimpered in pleasure at the feeling. He sheath was swelling up as his cock was becoming erect. Race reached down and pushed a finger down into Nick's sheath, holding the dog's penis in there, rubbing it with a finger. Nick's eyes practically rolled back into his head at the feeling, his tongue lolling out and panting. Race worked a second finger in, rubbing his head and just under it gently. Nick was going rigid, then relaxing, breathing deeply.

"Been awhile?" asked Race quietly.

Nick whimpered and nodded. "Mmhmm."

Race removed his fingers, watching as the lab's cock popped free of his sheath, going to it's full length, glistening gently in the candle light.

The collie bent down and licked it. "Tasty."

Nick smiled shyly and murred. Race licked the full length of Nick's shaft, going to his slit, and back down. Nick murred and shivered, watching the collie work. All seven and a half inches of the lab's cock was in ecstasy.

Race remembered the last time he had someone's cock in his mouth. Laying next to Lance in their dorm room, taking the fox's member into his mouth. He looked up at the fox, and he said, "I love you."

Was it all a dream?

He looked up at Nick, who looked back at him. Those eyes. Those damned eyes.

Race suddenly let go of Nick's cock, looking stricken.

"What's wrong?" asked Nick, taking a deep breath.

Race looked at him. At how cute and handsome he was. "Nothing. Just....nothing."

He crawled up next to the confused Labrador, looking him in the eyes.

"You remind me of him," said Race, quietly.

"Of who?" asked Nick, putting a paw on Race's chest.

"Of Lance," replied Race. "My ex-boyfriend."

Nick looked away. "The one you left because of the blindness."

"Yes," said Race. "Soon, I won't be able to see anything." He tipped the lab's muzzle up. "But I would like to be with you right now. I can't stay, but for a little while, I can be here."

Nick kissed him on the muzzle. "I know."

Race repositioned himself to be straddling Nick, pushing his legs up over his shoulders, so Nick's tailhole was pointed upward.

The collie propped himself up with his paws on either side of Nick. He looked into his eyes... those eyes...the fox's eyes. Race kissed the lab fiercely, bringing his cock down into his tailhole, slipping it in to it's hilt in one fluid motion. Nick gripped his bedsheets in his curled paws as he was taken by the collie.

"Oh, God," murmured Nick as they broke their embrace.

Race smiled, getting all the way in. "Like that?"

Nick whimpered and nodded again.

"Good," said Race, leaning his torso backward, Nick's legs wrapped around his waist, Race putting his paws on Nick's belly and withdrawing a bit, then going back in. Nick looked down at race, his still-erect cock leaking pre-cum as he was mounted.

"Mmmmf....it's been awhile since a male filled me," whispered Nick. "Especially one as handsome as you."

Race blushed and kept humping in Nick's tailhole, taking the lab's paws in his, intertwining their fingers with each other and squeezing tightly.

Race tossed his head back, grunting as he pounded himself in and out. It had been a few months since he himself had had sex, and it was incredible now. But all he could see was his memories. He looked down at Nick, and rather than the lab's face he saw an orange and white visage, face twisted in ecstasy.

He looked down from his face, looking at his own pink cock slipping in and out. Nick tightened his vise-like grip around Race, keeping the collie's cock deep into himself. Race panted heavily, his body flushed and warm, his tail wagging vigorously and his strokings increasing in pace. He wanted to bury his knot inside of Nick and tie with this male.

He leaned down to Nick again, still humping, kissing him and slipping his tongue into the lab's muzzle. Nick closed his eyes and murred, mixing his tongue with Race's, putting his arms around the back of the collie's neck. They were lost in their own pleasure with one another.

"Race."

Race ignored the voice, whispering in his ear.

"I love you."

His ears twitched as he moved his muzzle down, biting Nick on the neck. Nick yipped, then just went limp. Race bit down hard, growling, feeling his knot coming out of his sheath.

"I love you, Race."

He pushed his knot to Nick's tail ring, trying to get his bulbousness into the lab. Nick panted and whined. "Tie me."

"We'll never be apart, Race."

He knew it was Lance's voice he was hearing. He bit down harder and tied himself to Nick, getting his knot inside. Nick grunted, and Race felt warmth spreading over his stomach as Nick orgasmed across his own and Race's chest and belly from the stimulation. Race rocked his hips now, careful not to hurt his lover even in his mating throes.

"I love you."

He bit down so hard that time he tasted blood in his mouth. He relaxed his muzzle clamping. "It's okay," assured Nick. "It's just a little, and doesn't hurt." He put his arms around Race, feeling all of the collie inside of him, pulsing and ready to release.

Race knew he was ready to orgasm. He felt it pushing and rushing inside of him, his testicles tingling, then the base of his shaft. He let go of Nick's neck and threw his head back and howled as he came inside of Nick, his cock spasming and painting the inside of the dog with his hot semen. Nick sighed contentedly as Race finished inside of him, feeling some dribbling down the inside of his leg, even with Race's knot there.

The collie collapsed on Nick's chest, spent, his own chest heaving.

Nick stroked his head fur. "Thank you."

Race looked up. "For what?"

"For that," said Nick, quietly. "I...I have no one to call my own."

Race took Nick's paw in his. "Someday you will. You'll find what you want. Just like I did."

Nick looked into Race's eyes. "You still love him."

Race looked away and nodded, saying nothing.

"You're going home to him."

"Yeah," replied Race, quietly. "He....he didn't want me to leave in the first place. He really is my fox."

"He's lucky," remarked Nick. "Remind him of that."

"I had to remind myself," replied Race.

Nick nuzzled him. "Stay with me? Just tonight?"

Race nosed him. "Of course I will."

The two of them fell asleep there, Nick with his arms around Race, feeling content, and Race felt he knew where he belonged. And it was somewhere he never had to leave to find it.

***

Race tossed his bag into the backseat, putting his sunglasses on.

"Runs good as new," said Rex, tossing him the keys.

"Thanks much," said Race. "Um...what do I owe you?"

Rex smiled. "Never you mind that."

Race smiled a bit. "Thank you."

Rex tipped his hat. "Sometimes it's just good to help."

Race agreed. Even though who he had wanted to help hadn't been in bed or in the house when he'd gotten up. For a bit, Race had thought he had just fed him a story and just used him for sex. But he hoped that wasn't what last night had been.

He got in the car, starting it up and backing out of the driveway, heading down the dirt road. He got back to the general store when the familiar figure approached the road. Race slowed down and put his window down.

"I couldn't not say good-bye," said Nick, leaning down, putting his paws on the window ledge. "No matter how much it hurts."

Race put his paw over Nick's. "You could come with me."

Nick shook his head. "My mom is here. My LIFE is here. I can't just leave."

Race looked through the windshield. "My life is out there."

"I know," replied Nick. "He's waiting for you."

Race looked back at him. "You think so?"

Nick gave him a crooked smile. "I would."

Race leaned up and kissed him once more. "So long, Nick." Race looked over Nick's shoulder, and saw Margerie standing in the window of the general store. She looked at Race, then merely waved.

"Good-bye, Race."

"Don't think of it as good-bye," said Race. "We may see each other again someday."

With that, Nick stepped away from the door and Race drove from town. Nick stood in the sun, watching the car go until not even the dust plumes were visible anymore. Only the lone, level sands.

"I know he's waiting for you," said Nick, quietly, to himself, "because I always will be."