{"sf1_id":273100,"sf2_id":"rn63Jy61","title":"Baseball in Winter 3","author":"The Maid Foxy","words":2342,"posted_at":"2011-07-31T22:41:00.000Z","tags":["Fox","Gay","Kissing","Love","Snow","Unsure","Wolf","Worried","realtionship"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/273100-baseball-in-winter-3","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/rn63Jy61","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/fb/fb/fbfb1a2b-3e76-4020-8ee7-90a6cdd0ded1","description":"#3 of Baseball in Winter","content":"The conclusion of my story Baseball in Winter. I hope you guys enjoy!\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nKet finds his lonely spot again in the lunchroom. He sets down his Styrofoam tray with a piece of pizza on it and pulls out some books to study. He didn't feel so confident about his history test today, so reading up on that he picks up his milk carton and takes a sip letting his eyes go forward. Ahead he sees Ciyter, his is laughing with his friends. Ket sets down his milk still looking at the table across the cafeteria. Are they talking about him? Laughing about him? Panic sets in, they saw him at the swim meet. Oh no, now they're going to tell the whole school that he has a crush on Ciyter. Rocketing him into even more humiliation. Ciyter looks his way and Ket looks away, back at his books.\n\nBut Ciyter looks back. Ket thinks fast, he has to get out of here. He stands up, throws his still new pizza away and makes his way down the hall to science class. Ciyter watches him leave, his tail perks up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Uh oh, looks like someone is keeping an eye out!\"\n\nHis friends laugh, Ciyter continues to stare down the hall.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Dude, Ciyter. You ok?\"\n\nNo response. \"Look, no hard feelings at the swim meet. So what if this queer likes you, we just don't want you to like him back. You know what I'm saying.\" He elbows the wolf in this side.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And we're all just joking right?\" His friends nod in agreement.\n\nCiyter still doesn't say anything. \u0026nbsp;\"Just a joke wolfie lighten up.\"\n\nHe puts a paw on Ciyters shoulder. But he just shrugs it off and leaves the table without saying a word, going down the same hallway as Ket.\n\nHis friends look at each other one by one, they all knew at once. It wasn't a joke to Ciyter anymore.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nCiyter still didn't feel comfortable standing beside Ket, but for a different reason now. He liked him. His eyes drew over Kets figure, what made him so attractive? Why did he fall for him? He had to tell him sooner or later, and he wanted sooner.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Look, Ket. Want another ride after school. I'd be happy to give you one.\"\n\nKet screamed inside, how could he go for another drive with the wolf he had a crush on. It would make things too awkward. So he made something up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Can't today. I'm saying after school.\"\n\nCiyter protested, \"For what? You probably have the best grades in the entire school.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry, I just can't.\" Ket was worried that this might drive him away so again he acted fast.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"But, I will need a ride tomorrow.\"\n\nCiyter smiled inside, perfect. That's when he'll tell him about his feelings, in Ket's mind he was thinking the same thing.\n\nCiyter read through the powerpoint and nodded in approval. \"Guaranteed A! Nice job Ket.\" The fox's eyes moved to the floor, and he blushed under his fur.\n\nHe was about to say something back but the bell rang, and they stood there for a second while the rest of the class emptied out. Ciyter moved first. \"Well, have fun after school.\" He waved and left Ket in the dust thinking about Ciyter.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe white fox collected his things and walked outside, snow began to fall covering up the dirty, ugly snow from three days ago. He saw Ciyter pull out of the parking lot. So much to think about. His mind raged with the thought of being rejected by Ciyter, of course he will be, it's obvious. But he just wonders if he'll rub it in his face. Or what if he's nice about it and lets him down gently, that'll be the day.\n\nKet sits on some dry steps in front of the school and watches the flakes gracefully drift down and touch the ground. That's how he wants to be let down, gracefully. But the sound of shoes crunching in the snow brought him back. He looked around and found himself surrounded by Ciyters friends.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey.\"\n\nKet lowered himself, \"What do you guys want?\"\n\nThey close in, \"we're here to tell you that Ciyter hates you. He told us that after he saw you at the meet that you were stupid and queer and he doesn't want to see you.\"\n\nKet quaked under their barrage, \"but he gave me a ride home after!\"\n\nThe friends didn't know about that so they made something up, \"yeah, now he knows where you live and mess with you. Get it?\"\n\nHe shook his head, not really understanding.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Have you ever heard of egging? What about TP? Because that's just the start of it.\"\n\nTears started to form in Kets eyes, how could this be true, but it had to be.\n\n\"Ciyter hates me?\"\n\nThe friends closed in, \"Yeah, look I hate telling you this. But Ciyter was going to tell you sometime, and probably make it a lot worse than this.\"\n\nThe fox stood up and broke the circle of so called friends and continued running.\n\nHis friends smiled, they'd done it.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nCiyter opens his door, to again find his awaiting dad, for the third time. He sighs.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What is it this time dad?\"\n\nThe large wolf crossed his arms, \"I heard some interesting things today.\"\n\nCiyter rolled his eyes, \"Yeah like what?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That you've been hanging around a gay fox. That one who's father died if I'm correct.\"\n\nA cold shiver shoots through Ciyters spine, how did he find out? Unless, his friends told his dad. Were they really that homophobic?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"he's my lab partner, so what.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, when the lab is done. I don't want you to be with him anymore.\"\n\nCiyter was confused and curious at the same time. \"Why?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He's gay of course!\" His dad said it in a tone like everybody should have known that.\n\nCiyter starts to bare his teeth at his dad, \"well, he's a nice guy. What's wrong about that, and he's a good listener, better I can say for you.\"\n\nGyld stomps his feet to gain the upperpaw, \"If you hang around him you'll turn gay!\"\n\nCiyters jaw trembled as he stared menacingly at his father.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What if I am already gay!\" The comment takes Gyld off guard. \"That's right, I am! And I love him! Now you shut up about him or I'll send you to your room!\"\n\nCiyter grabs his father's collar and brings him to his level.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Now, what did you tell my friends to do?\"\n\nGyld drops to his knees before his son.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nCiyter speeds to the school, he can't believe what his dad told his so called friends to do. It was pure predigest. His wipers on full blast to combat the falling snow. He slides into the fire-lane and gets out without turning it off, scanning the school for Ket, he is nowhere to be seen. But, he sees his old friends. Anger swells up inside of him and he runs after them tackling one of them. With him pinned on the ground Ciyter lays into him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Where is Ket!\"\n\nHis face is covered with fear as the wolf yells at him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"WHERE IS HE!\"\n\nHe began to shake under Ciyters powerful arms, \"I don't know?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What do you mean you don't fucking know! I know what my dad told you to do.\"\n\nHis head pulls back into the snow.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Before we got to him, he broke free running away. We didn't chase him.\"\n\nCiyter shook his collar like he had done so with his dad.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"When!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I don't know? A little after school got out?\"\n\nCiyter dropped him back in the snow, \"You guys are sick.\"\n\nThen runs back to his car.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You know, the entire school, no, the entire town will know your gay by the end of the week!\"\n\nCiyter doesn't answer, they don't deserve it. The wolf races down the way to Kets house hoping to see him walking home, but nobody was there. He parked in front of his house and frantically knocked at the door. A grey vixen answered the door.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yes?\"\n\nCiyter spoke between his deep breaths, \"Is....Ket.....here?\"\n\nKita cocked her head, \"No, can't say that he is. Why, you looking for him?\"\n\nHe nodded his head. She thinks for a second, \"I can't think of where he would go.\"\n\nCiyter shakes his head and digs through his pockets for a small piece of paper.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You got a pen? I'll give you my number, can you call me if he gets in?\"\n\nKita nods still unsure of who this wolf is, she hands him a pen and he returns it with his number.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Who are you anyway?\"\n\nCiyter was already halfway to his car but he call out, \"Someone who cares for him!\"\n\nHe gets in, pulls a u-turn and heads back to the center of town. He has to be around here somewhere!\n\nHis eyes scan the sidewalks for anything, he doesn't find anybody walking. But, he sees someone sitting at a bus bench.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"There you are!\"\n\nHe pulls up and rolls down the passenger side window.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ket, Thank God, you're ok!\"\n\nThe white fox doesn't say anything.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Why don't you get in and let's go someplace.\"\n\nKet continues to look at the ground trying to ignore Ciyter.\n\nBut he gets out and goes around the car to sit on the bench next to him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What's wrong, Ket?\"\n\nFinally, he spoke.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Just go away. I know what you're trying to do.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No no no no! I think you've misunderstood.\"\n\nKet scoots further down the bench trying to get away from him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Come on Ket, what's up?\"\n\nHe sat there for a while, the silence was eerie. The snow dampened everything making it like they were to only two living things.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You're friends made it very clear.\"\n\nCiyter shook his head, \"My friends huh? Well, they aren't anymore.\"\n\nThey sat there, in silence for another half-hour. Ciyter just wanted to make sure Ket was ok and he was ready to wait in the cold for the rest of the day not really realizing his car was still on. Ket felt the warmth of Ciyters body still next to him, like a warm blanket. Why was he still here? No trick would be worth sitting in the cold for a half-hour. Ciyter wasn't out to get him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ciyter?\"\n\nKet's voice was almost unheard.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah?\"\n\nHe paused, \"Could you do me a favor?\"\n\nThe wolf scooted next to Ket and this time he didn't move.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, anything.\"\n\nKet took a deep breath, \"I need you to take me outside of town someplace. Can you?\"\n\nCiyter got up and opened the passenger door in his car.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Where to?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Ket sat staring outside his window at the falling snow. Most of the ride had been in quiet, just what he wanted. Better than sitting on a bus. Ciyter had tried to talk once but he didn't respond, he needed time. He had told Ciyter to continue driving until he said stop and they've been at it for an hour. He could sense that Ciyter was beginning to wonder where they were going. Then, through the snow, Ket saw what he was looking for.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Take a right up here.\"\n\nCiyter did so, happy to hear Ket's voice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Then turn in here.\"\n\nHe did, and in front of the car was a large field, covered with new fallen snow. Ciyter didn't understand.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What is this place?\"\n\nBut Ket was already out of the car and making his way to the center. Ciyter quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and went after him. Once again the feeling of love filled him as he wanted to be next to Ket for whatever this was.\n\nKet stopped short of the middle and knelt down wiping something with his paw. Ciyter slowly walked up behind him and saw he was cleaning a small concrete slab of the snow.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What's that?\"\n\nKet didn't answer, he stood up and let Ciyter read it, it said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"This is where Envoi, beloved father and husband, died. In October of 2005, his experimental plane malfunctioned and went down. This is to commemorate his life.\"\n\nCiyter immediately shut up, he realized this is where Ket's dad had died, but why would he want to come out here?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I have had nightmares.\"\n\nCiyter looked at the fox, he was holding something in his paws.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I see his plane falling and I can't do anything about it.\"\n\nCiyter stood there for a second, this was the time. He slipped his paw into Ket's free one.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ket, I'll be there. Whenever you need me.\"\n\nThe fox was speechless.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'll be there when you have the nightmares, I'll be there to comfort you. To hold you. Because.\"\n\nCiyter stared into the foxes beautiful blue eyes. \"I love you.\"\n\nKet stared back into Ciyter's warming amber eyes, and a smile appeared in his muzzle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ciyter, I...I...I...\"\n\nThe wolf came in closer, \"It's ok.\"\n\nHe brought his muzzle in and kissed Ket, who was still in shock. Ciyter backed away, Ket was motionless.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry if that was too soon.\"\n\nBut, Ket pulled the wolf back, parting his muzzle and kissing him back. Wanting, needing, the love he offered.\n\nCiyter backed away, \"Come on, let's get out of here and get warm. Let's go someplace, my treat.\"\n\nKet nodded, Ciyter started back. But Ket knelt down at the memorial once more and raced after Ciyter slipping his paw in his.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What was that?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh, nothing.\"\n\nThe snow fell as the two left, covering the tracks the left behind. On the memorial lay two unused baseball tickets, six years old. \u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Baseball in Winter","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/273046-baseball-in-winter-2.json"}}