FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Julie lay on her back in the dark, staring at the ceiling while Midnight sat and groomed his tail at a distance, his rings lighting the walls off and on. They'd finished at the food court over an hour ago; it was the most fun Julie had in a while between laughing, chatting, and discussing her favorite subject.

Julie had thrown herself atop her blanket the instant she got inside and had yet to undress. She couldn't think about anything other than Anna's text. Usually, she'd already begun studying the region assigned to her next history class, but the party was tomorrow.

Midnight sat up after cleaning his tail and looked at Julie, who appeared as if she were asleep with her eyes open.

Julie grabbed her phone from beside her after it vibrated, opening her messaging app and seeing that Anna had sent a follow-up text:

'Hey, saw you in class today. I hope my offer didn't make you uncomfortable? 100%, there's no pressure. I know you're just starting out, so I wanted to show you some harmless fun.'

Julie sighed. Avoiding Anna wasn't the move, but she was no good at handling situations she felt pressure under. She read her original text before it:

'Texting you like I said to see if you've made up your mind about Sunday. It'll start at 10 p.m. No rush. Just let me know. It'd be cool to have you.'

Julie held her device with both hands and lifted her thumbs. "How to approach… mh." She still didn't have her mind set and likely never would. It was too difficult to decide, but this genuinely might be what she needed to loosen up a little. Who knew when this chance would arise again?

Midnight stretched and watched her text, her screen illuminating her face. He walked and sat next to her.

Julie was at the end of her message, typing the concluding sentence while mumbling her words. "Sorry… again… for avoiding… this." She had a rough draft of her response ready and noticed Midnight in the corner of her eye.

Julie lowered the phone. "Love, do you need something? Sorry, I was glued."

"Mbre." Midnight looked over her and her phone.

"What?" Julie stared at him. "I was replying to a text." It occurred to her that he'd likely seen her staring into space minutes ago as well. "I'm fine, though. Don't worry."

She looked back at her phone to proofread her message: 'Hi, I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner. I didn't know what I wanted and still don't, but I think I'll try it. Sorry again for avoiding this.' Julie held her breath and hit send, dropping her phone beside her and setting her eyes back on Midnight, who still sat there.

"Love." She giggled. "I'm okay, seriously." Julie beckoned him with her hand.

Midnight stood and sat closer, watching her reach and hold his foreleg while rubbing it with her thumb.

Her eyes shot to her phone upon hearing it vibrate. She grabbed it with her free hand and swallowed. Anna had replied:

'You're good. I know I threw it at you outta nowhere. I can come to your building tomorrow so we can walk to the place together if you'd like. You can bring your pokémon too.'

Julie would feel uncomfortable leaving campus alone at night. She wasn't taking Midnight, though. Julie going was enough.

She replied: 'That works. I'll be ready.' And left it at that. She wasn't sure if she'd tell Alyssa, but she'd have to either way since Alyssa would pester her to death.

Julie set her phone down again and grinned at Midnight, shifting so she was on her side and beneath him. "You tired? Not sleepy, but tired?"

"Umbre." He looked down at her and gave a beat before nodding.

Julie brought her hands and placed them on his sides, moving up to kiss his chest several times. She planted them up to his neck and jaw, nuzzling his fur with her nose, then pulled back and looked up into his orbs, breaking a momentary smile. "I'm both. I just have to double-check when some assignments are due since I'm always cutting it close."

She moved up some more, right under his face, and puckered up.

Midnight swayed his tail, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. He closed his eyes slightly, watching her face while they kissed and licking at her mouth.

She kissed him a couple more times before slightly pulling away, his tongue grazing her lips, and brought her hand up, caressing his cheek while smiling all over again that emerged her dimples. She couldn't stop. "I love you." Julie used her other to twirl his ear between her fingers. "I love you..."

"Umbreon," he returned, pressing his cheek to her palm and keeping a soft gaze.

---

Julie was up near afternoon the next morning while Midnight was asleep. It was a gloomy, cloudy day with no sunlight in sight, so she was able to open the window and curtains for fresh air without disturbing him. She sifted through her closet to find an outfit for tonight while in a tee and pajama shorts. She lifted folded clothes one by one and scanned them.

The last thing Julie wanted was to stand out while there. She didn't know what kind of people were attending, but she'd dress modestly with a touch of style.

She found that in the skinny white jeans and white and light blue jacket with matching pokéballs running down the sleeves she’d bought when touring Castelia with Midnight. “Cute enough.” Julie closed the door, tossed the outfit on the sheets because she hadn't made the bed, and then sat on the edge.

Julie looked over at Midnight, who was asleep with his cheek on her pillow and covers over him since she'd wanted him as close as possible earlier. "I won't do a thing to jeopardize us. Promise."

Julie's phone vibrated longer than usual under the pillow. She moved up on the bed, reaching over him to grab it and looking at the screen. Midnight shifted but didn't wake up. "Oh, Alyssa."

Julie answered and held it to her ear. "Hey," she said quietly.

"You must hate me."

"Huh?"

"No updates? Isn't the party tonight?"

"Uh... Look, I'm sorry, Ali. I couldn't decide."

"Well, have you?"

"Yeah…"

"...Are you going to tell me what you've decided?"

Julie glanced back at Midnight to ensure he was still asleep. "Okay, s-so I'm going, but I won't stay long. I'm just going to check it out."

Alyssa chuckled. "Go for it. It's kinda cute. Shy girl's first party. How are you getting there?"

Julie rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up; I'm walking with Anna, the girl who invited me. She said the place isn't far."

"But it won't be cute if you get too drunk to walk or something. Can you trust this Anna?"

"Ugh, you sound like my mom. What do you mean can I trust her?"

"Don't answer my question with a question."

She giggled a little. "Yeah, she's fine, and you know I'll be responsible. I'm not even going to drink."

"Speaking of mom, does she know about the party?" Alyssa asked.

"No." Julie grinned. "We haven't talked since a few days back."

"And that's why you have Alyssa."

"I appreciate it. I'll tell you how it went tomorrow morning. Love you."

"Back at you. Also, are you taking Midnight?"

Julie looked back at him. "No, I wouldn't feel comfortable."

"Alright, and you better actually call tomorrow."

She smiled. "I will. I swear."

"Got one more question for you."

Julie's finger was over the button to end the call, but she stopped. "Hm?"

"What is Sun-Soaked Darkness and why is it on my currently watching list?"

"It's something I started with Midnight. Just ignore it... orr you could start watching it with us. We've only finished episode one so far."

"Hard pass. That's the cheesiest romance I've ever laid eyes on, judging by the summary alone. You two have fun, though."

Julie rolled her eyes. "Bye, Alyssa." She hung up and set her phone aside, moving up on the bed. She kept her smile while looking at her umbreon fast asleep, peaceful as ever, curled up with his mouth slightly open and head resting on the pillow. Julie glanced at his tail as it twitched.

She grabbed her phone again and opened her camera, sitting on her knees and leaning back for a good angle while turning her phone sideways. It was blurry, so Julie centered Midnight in the frame and tapped her screen so the lens would focus him, then snapped the picture.

Julie sat and turned her phone back to hold it portrait, going to her gallery and opening the picture, which only grew her smile. "Definitely my new wallpaper." She took a moment to set it, swapping with the one of them on the cruise, then moved the photo to her Midnight album, which had around forty pictures so far.

She set her phone down and lay back, stretching her arms and resting them above her head while closing her eyes. Julie hadn't gotten much last night since she was anticipating tonight and had to touch up on some work. She also had to read what her history professor had assigned for tomorrow, so she'd stayed up with Midnight until passing out.

She dozed off around ten minutes later, but something woke her. Julie opened her eyes and flinched upon seeing who sat over her with wide red orbs. "M-Midnight, jeez." She took a deep breath to slow her rapid heart rate. "Do you enjoy almost giving me heart attacks?" He was so quiet sometimes.

He yawned while staring down at her. "Mbreon."

"Anyway, I'm going out with a friend tonight at around ten for an hour or two. I wanted to let you know. I'll go to the court sometime later so you can have a berry bowl while I'm gone."

"Umbreon?"

"I know. I usually stay boarded up in here all the time." Julie sat up and moved to her pillow, lying on it and pulling the blanket over her. "I'll try to sleep again, for now. It's cloudy today, so we can both go when I wake up if the sun isn't out by then."

He followed and nudged the blanket up beside her, crawling under it and lying by her side.

She giggled and lifted the blanket, looking at him. "Are you sleepy too, love?"

"Bre."

"Good nap, then." Julie let the blanket go and reached her arm under, draping it over his body. She shut her eyes and exhaled, holding him close.