FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The days passed as they kept talking to one another near constantly. Movies were a common interest between the new couple but it didn't stop there. His love of mechanics certainly piqued her interest along with him divulging that he had set up his own self-sustaining electrical network on his property. She wanted to see it when it got warmer outside so a summer plan was already made with many more in the works. Stay in movie dates have been talked about along with concert plans and even simple dinner dates in the near future as long as it was indoors and fairly warm.

The days slipped by as more snow blanketed Jackson, forcing Eli indoors and slowly becoming more stir crazy as Saturday creeped ever closer. Saturday morning was quite eventful for the new couple as Max rang her small apartment's doorbell. It flew open and a wave of warm air washed over him as the now familiar hognose struck her target. Her bare limbs wrapped around his form in a tight constricting hug with his legs being bound by her surprisingly dexterous tail. She was cool to the touch against his skin as he relaxed from the sudden surprise. “Mmm been wanting to do this for days."

“While I'm not complaining I would like to hug you back." Eli relaxed a hair letting Max freely move his arms for a moment before they rested across her back and hips. She smelled sweet as his face rested in her chest and soon became acutely aware of where he was currently residing along with the state of her clothing. She wore very little besides a simple tank top and from what he could recall was a belt pretending to be pants. “Uhm Eli?"

“Nope. Just a bit longer." Her voice was wistful in his ear as her softly spoken words danced across his mind. I was like heroin to him, intoxicating, addicting and always seemed to put him on cloud nine. He tried to keep his mind and heart rate steady as she clung to him by breathing steady and simply trying to enjoy her embrace. “You never told me you were so waaaarm." Her moaning that last word right in his ear is what made him break. His stance failed as he crumbled in her embrace with his weight falling into her form.

She held him as he melted. His arms wrapped around her waist tighter as if he was afraid that she'd turn into vapor. It'd been years since he'd felt affection on this level, years since someone desired him. This was when he realized how lonely he had been, how empty he felt and just ignored that dull pain. He wasn't sure what to do next. The cool air of the hallway was replaced by her warmer apartment as she dragged his form past the threshold and shut the door. Her grip loosened before he spoke softly up to her. “Just a little longer?"

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard his words. The mix of emotional joy and physical warmth pouring off of him and warming her to the core. Her wide maw split into a beaming smile as she gripped him tighter and placed the front of her upturned snout on the top of his head in a chaste kiss. “Take as long as you need."

Max sighed as he began to pull back from her chilling embrace feeling revitalized and a few degrees cooler. “I may need more of those in the future." Eli gave a warm smile as she worked on getting her outdoor clothes on. Her home was simple but more decorated than his, several heating elements were spread about while taking safety into account. Being over a storefront certainly helped her with heating during business hours but she certainly seemed to be more safe than sorry after hours. The light brown walls reminded him of sand with splashes of color in the desert. A small house plant sat in the corner with posters and painting thoughtfully lined up to tie the room together. He liked it and decided that he'd rework his living space to seem more livable instead of being a spartan bunkhouse. Max had noticed from the cafe date that her clothes were just passive insulation with no additional heating elements. Several thin layers were packed on before thick puffy layers filled with down feathers. “Question for you, why haven't you gotten active heating clothing?"

“Active what?" Eli stared at him half dressed. Confusion written clearly across her face as she looked at him. “They make those?"

Now Max was confused as he stared back at Eli before taking out his phone and dialing a number. “Hey Noah it's me. Yeah I'm at her place now…what?" The sound that came from his cell was a mix of unintelligible words and toddlers screaming and laughing as they put their parents through the ringer. “Actually that works out great since I need to take Eli to the store." A pause for his friend's reply was short as he continued to try and scoop up his kids with his wife on the other end of the line. “No, nothing serious, she just doesnt have heated clothes. Yeah I know right? I'll fill you in soon but we'll meet you and Chel at the range when the gremlins are fully wrangled. See ya soon bud."

Once the call ended Eli stepped into his field of view more confused than before. “You never answered my question."

“Oh right! Just think of a heated blanket that you can wear and that's waterproof. Being battery powered certainly helps with short stints into the snow so you'll stay pretty warm." Eli's face lit up with this new information was given to her before her brow furrowed and eyes leveled on him.

“You're going to pay for it aren't you?" Her stance would have been intimidating if she wasn't half dressed in a puffy jacket and long johns loosely hanging off her legs.

“Well..yeah?" Her eyes narrowed as he confirmed her suspicions and was about to give him an earful before he continued. “I want you to be comfy and warm. Besides, I thought I was supposed to buy gifts for my girlfriend."

Her eyes went wide as he continued to look around her home. Her heart hammered in her recessed ears with her tongue flicking out involuntarily giving away the level surprise. “G-girlfriend?"

Max turned back to the now surprised and flustered hognose woman with a raised eyebrow. “Too soon to say that?" Rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment he tried to reel it back from the awkward moment. “Ah fuck I'm sorry… I-I should've-"

She was fast. Faster than he'd ever seen her as she wrapped him in another hug. “No it's not too soon." He relaxed in her grip again as the immediate stress of fumbling so early in their relationship faded. “I was worried I'd be jumping the gun assuming we're a couple so soon."

Max leaned into her embrace once again. “I like these. They're nice." The moment continued before a thought passed into his mind. “I'm still getting you those clothes."

Her heavy sigh of defeat she relented, laying her jaw across the top of his head. “Ugh fiiiine but I'm getting you something in return."

“Good luck with that, I'm very hard to shop for." His smug smile painted across his face as he leaned back and gazed up to her wide pouting face.

“We'll see about that."

-

The chime of a bell ringing heralded the entry of a shuffling hognose snake and her human partner dragging him past the threshold with her mitten covered hand. The heat of the small clothing store in the center of town washed over her and brought a warm smile to her face. She dragged him by his hand deeper into the store as he laughed. “Alright alright! Hold on, I'm not going anywhere."

“Sorry! It's just this is the first gift someone has gotten me. Got a little excited." Her eyes were downcast for a moment before Max carefully removed her glove and held her cold hand in his warm one. Her eyes lit up before she quickly pulled off her other glove with her wide mouth and grabbed his other bare hand. “God…Is every part of you warm?"

His smile widened as he interlaced his fingers with her in the short and tender moment. “Perks of being warm blooded. But let's not waste too much time, kids can only put up so much of a fight against their parents." With a laugh he pulled her towards the back counter where a short doe dressed in seemingly summer clothes and thin framed glasses leaned against the counter looking disinterested and bored.

Her eyes raised as the two new arrivals approached, her puffy winter coat standing on end in surprise as they approached her station before giving the standard spiel she was hired to say. “Welcome to 'Jeffrey's Outdo- Eli? Oh my god it's been so long! How've you been!?"

The doe jumped over the counter and wrapped the snake woman into a tight hug. Through her clenched jaw she wheezed out her reply. “Hey Jess, been trying to stay warm. What about you?"

Max leaned back against the counter Jess just bounded over as he watched the two girls catch up and then begin to whisper gossip about him. He at least assumed so due to how Eli began covering her face in embarrassment. "So here's the question for you two new love birds, What brings you in?"

Rising from his relaxed position He held out his hand in greeting. “Maxwell Weniger, a pleasure." She took his hand and with a firm grip they shook. “Trying to find actively heated clothes for her, got anything like that?"

The shorter doe nodded and began to walk towards the back of a small segment of the store labeled 'Human'. Towing the snake woman along as they continued to whisper to each other. Once they reached that segment she threw her arms wide and announced to the other two. “Here we are! There aren't too many anthro options since cold blooded species dont really hang around during the winter months so the boots and pants might have to be tailored or even custom made. The jacket and a hat she has the pick of the floor though."

With a brief thumbs up Max begins digging through the racks As Eli replied. “Thanks for pointing us in the right direction, we should have it from here." Jess nodded and began walking back to the front counter to wait for more customers to come in.

“So what do you want for color? I was thinking something that really draws out your eyes." Digging through the limited options he soon found one he thought would look fantastic on her.

“You really like my eyes don't you?" Her tone wasn't accusing him but it stopped him in his tracks all the same.

He looked over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow. “They're like rubies." His matter of fact tone wasn't what she was expecting. “They're just like the rest of you. Captivating and stunning."

The light scales around her neck darkened slightly as she was silent. Stunned in place at his no nonsense words cut straight to how he saw her. He continued to thumb through the display rack of different heated jackets with her mind now being completely distracted as her mind played how words on repeat. She didn't notice when he turned to look at her and seemed to be waiting on a response. “I-sorry. What did you say?"

“What about this one?" He held up a green jacket with twin white stripes running down the front length. Velcro held the cuffs snugly against themselves along with the front seam hiding the heavy zipper. An integrated hood sat tied along the collar exposing the khaki fur insides with the heavy insulating layer. “Oh I love it!" She took a quick look at the label for the size and raised an eyebrow. “Wait, how do you know my size?"

“I grew up with two sisters that always dragged me out to carry bags for them and see if the sizes fit. So I just…guessed." Handing her the jacket she took a moment to look at the price tag and mentally reeling from the number on that small white tag.

“Christ Max I can't let you pay for this!" The three digit number shocked her that he'd be willing to pay for such an expensive gift so early in the relationship. “Please let me at least help!"

“Have I not told you what I do for work?" Eli shook her head as she continued to grip the tag. “I'm a pilot, I can afford to splurge every now and then."

“But aren't you on vacation?" Her question had him pause and look directly at her. She thumbed the tag while she shuffled nervously in place. “Are you sure it's alright for you to spend so much on me in one sitting?"

Max just rolled his eyes as a bright smile crossed his face. “The only things I spend my money on is my land and my dogs. Between those two I have plenty of money left over just…sitting around. That and this is paid vacation so this won't be putting a dent in the finances at all."

Her mind was thoroughly boggled as she tried to wrap her mind around someone being so simple in their needs but providing a service that paid so well. “I…Thank you. I don't really know what to say."

Tossing a pair of heavy black pants on top of the jacket she was already holding he looked past her hips. “Thank you is enough, it really is. I know about the pants so let's just check the overall fit for now and afterwards we'll find a tailor shop after the range and hopefully the jacket works well enough for the time being."

With a silent nod she moved back to the changing rooms just as another ring came from the door. Max continued to thumb through the small selection of clothing as footsteps approached behind him and his hand slowly moved to his waistband. “Don't see too many humans on this side of town."

Tossing a look over his shoulder gave Max a view of a brown stag. He appeared taller than he really was due to his set of antlers sitting at least a foot above the top of his head. “Yeah I don't come here that often but I had a good reason today, mister?"

“Ah where are my manners? The name's Jeffery!" Max raised an eyebrow as he turned to give the stag his full attention before he noticed his nametag. 'Boss' Was scrawled across its surface in messy handwriting pinned to a maroon polo. Jeffrey's eyes fell to Max's right hand causing his shoulders to slump. “Had a run in with Trevor haven't you?"

Dropping his hand from his waistband he just shakes his head. “Seriously I've lived here for three years. How have I not heard of this guy until this week?" Lifting his right hand he goes for a handshake that the larger man accepts whole heartedly. “Pleasure to meet you, name's Max."

“Likewise friend. As for not knowing about the resident problem child he tries to stick to this part of town. Safety in the number of his posse and all that but you should be fairly safe on the weekends. He travels out of town to god knows where." His eyes traveled to the clothing rack behind Max. “Looking for some active heating clothes?"

“In a way ye-" His voice was cut off by the sound of the dressing room door opening, heralding the return of Eli holding the jacket and pants in her arms.

“The jacket is too…small." Max's eyebrow raised as he looked at the clothing in question.

“Really? You're the thinnest person I know, how could it be too-." His eyes drifted higher to her chest before he squeezed them shut as he mentally kicked himself. “Can't believe I didn't remember that. Uhm..maybe this one?"

They swapped jackets as she gave him her trademark smile. Eyes still furrowed from her lower brow made her appear as if she was plotting something but Max knew better. She looked to the stag behind him. “Jeffrey! I didn't expect to see you today! I thought you were still on vacation!"

“I was until a few days ago, the snow called me back!" With a hearty laugh he pulled the smaller woman into a tight bear hug that Max heard pop her back. “Question is, why are you still here? Thought you'd be down in Florida with your family."

Eli pursed her lips as she looked up to Jeffrey allowing Max to step in. “She doesn't like to talk about it. All I know is that there was a disagreement and ultimately she elected to stay here."

The stag looked down his snout as he crossed his arms. “And what would your relationship be where you can speak for her?"

Max's hand was slowly pulled by Eli into an interlacing grip as she stood as close as possible. “It's alright Jeff, we're dating." The stag recoiled in surprise as his eyes widened. “It's a pretty recent development but he's good to me."

The stag relaxed as the new information sunk in. “My little Eli is finally growing up. How did you two meet?"

Eli squeezed Max's hand letting him know that he should be the one to tell him. “Do you know the outdoor range just north of town?" He gave a nod and Max continued. “Met there, helped her with the new pistol she got and after that we just…got to talking."

With a thoughtful nod Jeffrey tapped his chin. His brown eyes focused on the two before he called over his shoulder. “Hey kiddo! Could you take Eli in the back to look for a set of pants with a suitable tail size?" As the young girl called back in agreement Eli placed the pants and jackets back into Max's arms before planting a chaste kiss on his cheek with her wide snout.

“I'll be quick!" And with that he was alone with the taller stag still looking down on him. He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his snout before asking a straightforward question.

“Be straight with me since I know you're not telling me the whole truth. How did you two meet?" Max began placing the clothing back on the racks as he shrugged.

“We did meet at the range but Eli wants to keep the rest of the day's events between us." Finishing up he turns to look the taller man in the eye. “If that's what she wants then I'll respect it. Even if I don't agree with her."

With a nod he seemed to reluctantly agree. “She's safe and that's what matters to me. Not to mention she seems to have chosen a man with a decent head on his shoulders but she's like a daughter to me. So since hers isn't here I'll have to step into that role." His arms crossed his chest as he loomed over the human.

“I know that you're going to say you want nothing but the best for her." He nodded, moving what must have been at least ten pounds of antlers. “That if I ever hurt her, there will be hell to pay." Another nod followed as Max rubbed his eyes. “I can tell you this, I will do everything in my power to protect her like you would. I know that doesn't mean much from a stranger but I have sisters too and I'll protect her like I have them."

The long winded response seemed to sit well with the stag as he let his posture relax. “If you do that we won't have any problems. You seem pretty quick to go for the pistol though, is there a reason for that?"

Max simply exposed the scabbed over claw marks on his chest and shoulder. “God made us sentient. Daniel Colt made us equal." The stag's eyes widened as he saw those lines across Max's shoulder and chest. “Been a little on edge in public since this happened with Trevor."

“Yeah the kid's a piece of work." Jeff sighed as he took a quick glance out the window before looking back to the shorter human. “What did you have that made him back off?"

Max lifted his shirt just far enough to show the black grip of his pistol. “Canik TP9 sub compact. Small, reliable and one of the best triggers on the market. Plus it's fairly easy to get someone to set you down when it's point blank."

Jeffrey opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Eli bouncing back excitedly. “They have heated pants with a tail extension!" She spun around showing off the remarkably slimmer bottoms that hugged her form and tail. “They're on discount too!"

“They look fantastic! They just had those in the back?" Max raised an eyebrow up to the taller man that only shrugged in response.

“Had no one to sell them to so we've just held onto them. If you can take them off our hands, that's fine by me." Max smiled as he looked back to the coats picking up the second green jacket. “Want to make sure this fits?"

Eli nodded as she skipped over to the fitting rooms leaving Max with Jeffrey and Jess again. “Dad please tell me you're not harassing Eli's new boyfriend."

Jeffrey recoiled, placing a hand on his chest in mock shock. “I would never!" Jess rolled her eyes as her father chuckled and threw his hand over Man's Shoulder. “Really just having the man talk with him. You know the one."

Her arms crossed her chest as she pouted. “Yeah my fiance told me about the one you gave him. Nearly scared him away from me. You must be losing your touch if he's still here and not waiting in the car."

“I don't think so, this one's just made of sterner stuff then that silly little buck you're with." His lips pursed together as he leaned closer to the human. “I still don't like him, too nerdy for my taste."

Max's lips split into a wide grin as he silently laughed with the new small group that had formed. A father and daughter bickering back and forth in the family owned store. Bands of snow wisped across the streets outside as the winds picked up in the early morning sun. It was peaceful, warm even. It was all the man standing in the store could really ever ask for as the beautiful snake stepped back into their small group allowing the conversation to expand before the items selected were paid for and turned on for the first time.

Eli breathed the cold air outside as she wanted to test the new equipment in her arsenal. “So, does it work?" Max was holding her massive bundle of passive insulation as he looked up to his slightly taller partner.

Without a word she wrapped him in a hug, forcing her old clothes to the ground, he could feel the warmth radiating off of her. “It's the best gift I've ever gotten. Feels like I'm wrapped in a sunning rock." Pulling back she placed her hands on her head. “Sadly I think I might need a hat."

“Oh right!" Quickly moving over to his car he pulled out a simple black beanie and tossed it to her while she still stood on the sidewalk. “Think that'll fit for now?"

The black knit wool stretched over her head as she pulled it down over her scales. Holding in place she rubs her neck before bending down to dig out her old scarf and tie it in a simple knot around her longer neck. “Much better. Thank you for this, it feels liberating."

“Don't thank me just yet." Max checked his phone, noticing that the other couple was on the move towards the range. “You have to deal with my family now." With a smile he closed the back of his car with a sense of accomplishment lifting his spirits.

-

“You slimy fuck!" A quick jab was thrown into Max's shoulder as his best friend playfully punched him. While Max rubbed the affected area Noah threw his arms around his friend in a tight hug. “Ah it feels like forever since I've seen ya man!" Chelsea stood behind the two linked friends with her hand covering her eyes as she cringed at her husband's behavior.

Through clenched teeth and grunts he tries to hug his friend back. “Bud, it's been less than a week. We've gone longer without seeing each other."

“Yeah but I'm still upset it's taken you this long to introduce me to the girl you've been talking about non-stop!" Releasing his friend he sets his sights on the hognose woman standing just behind his best friend. “It is a pleasure to meet you! Noah Ware, local bartender and resident crazy man at your service!"

Taking his outstretched hand her usually upset looking features twist into one of confusion as she returns the introduction. “Elianora Vavulin, it's a…pleasure?"

Noah jumps as his wife prods him in his back with one of her nails before whispering through a toothy smile to him. “You promised you wouldn't embarrass him." Turning to the confused reptile she gave a full and genuine smile as she took her hand. “You can ignore him. He's not crazy, just a bit of an ass. My name is Chelsea and it really is a pleasure to meet you."

Eli's stance relaxed a bit as she let her normal smile across her face again. It almost seemed like she was plotting against the shorter husky with her wide smile and furrowed brow before the sincerity of her voice broke through. “He's told me a lot about you two. Don't worry, it's nothing but good things." Looking between the other couple she widened her smile to show off the rows of her needle like teeth. “You're a very cute couple."

Noah held Max close by his shoulder with a bright smile on his stubble covered face. “Yeah warm feelings all around but let's get inside! My trigger finger is itchy!"

Max rolled his eyes as Chel waved her to follow her pushy husband and embarrassed partner. “Once they start they get in a zone so we can run through some stuff until they wind down. Then you can get your one on one time with Max."

“Sounds like a plan, hopefully I won't faint this time!" With that they walked past the doors of and a healthy conversation brewing between the group of friends.