{"sf1_id":280139,"sf2_id":"ynZWG0R1","title":"Their Labors of Love | Chapter 1","author":"Alflor","words":2125,"posted_at":"2011-08-24T00:31:00.000Z","tags":["M/M","Rabbit","Raccoon"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/280139-their-labors-of-love-chapter-1","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/ynZWG0R1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/4f/63/4f63085b-3ade-4da0-8d1b-5a9116957801","description":"#1 of Their Labors of Love\n\nWhen the love he thought would last forever runs its course, Sirius learns the meaning of heartbreak. But in his languish, the young raccoon makes a friend in a fellow palace servant named Kaarper. The rabbit is eager to help in any way he can, and soon hatches a plan for getting Sirius back together with the love of his life. Sirius follows blindly for the sheer hope and possibility of having Alir in his arms again. As the plan slowly comes to fruition, however, the young raccoon may realize that not all the choices he will make are as clear as his love had made them seem.","content":" **T** he passionate, blissful rush of the orgasm never lasted long anymore. The haze cleared, reality reared its ugly head and then it was over.\n\nSirius sighed and pulled back his hips, removing his wilting member from the warmth that had come to feel so protective. He wiped it on the bed sheets and lay back down. \"When will I see you again?\" He put his arms around Alir, trailing his claws through the thick ruff of fur on the rabbit's chest.\n\nAlir nuzzled the raccoon's arm. \"I don't know. Work's been pretty busy.\" He let the last words hang in the air, waiting for a response.\n\nSirius had none to give. He drew the rabbit closer and prayed. His father had told him many times that someone is always listening. Back then, Sirius didn't believe a word of it. He still didn't. More than anything, he prayed because he didn't know what else to do. With each passing day he drifted further and further away from someone whose heart he swore to cherish and protect. He broke the embrace and stood up. \"I guess I'll just leave you to your work, then.\" He could almost taste the bitterness in his voice.\n\nAlir turned to face the raccoon. His bright-green eyes glistened with fresh tears. \"You can't make it easy, can you?\"\n\n\"Ali, I love you.\" Some unknown force kept him from embracing the rabbit. \"I just can't help but feel hurt when I think of you in the arms of some stranger.\"\n\nAlir turned back to face the wall. \"If it hurts so much, maybe-\" He sighed. \"Maybe we should just part and move on.\" His voice quivered slightly, but the rabbit remained stoic. \"One day, I'll make enough money to break my contract with Darcy.\"\n\n\"I can wait.\" It was too late.\n\n\"I know.\" Alir turned his head slightly, as if to glance back, but stopped. \"I also know how much this wait will hurt you. I can't let that happen.\" He let out a sob so quiet that Sirius almost missed it. \"Goodbye, Sirius.\"\n\nThe words reverberated around the young raccoon's head, cutting wherever they touched. He thought he was prepared for anything. He was wrong.\n\nSirius let his eyes travel down the rabbit's flowing back muscles, to the perky rump. Alir was perfect. Back when the rabbit first approached him all those years ago on a lonely night at the pub, the young raccoon thought himself the luckiest boy in the world. Even finding out about Alir's occupation did little do destroy his magnetic attraction to the gorgeous rabbit.\n\nThe last thing he wanted to feel after all these years was regret. And yet, there it was, hidden underneath layer upon layer of denial. Festering.\n\nSirius opened his muzzle, hoping to miraculously produce the right words. All that escaped was a long sigh. He pushed the lump in his throat back one last time. \"Goodbye, Ali.\" He didn't wait for a response.\n\nThe tears came just as he shut the bedroom door. Sirius walked down the corridor, praying for a reason, any reason, to turn around. Door after door passed him by, but the reason still eluded him. Oblivious to all around him, Sirius walked straight into another person, another raccoon, who was heading in the opposite direction.\n\n\"Whoa, there.\" Trey, one of the Silk Peony's other employees, caught Sirius gently by the shoulders. \"You alright?\" His amber eyes creased at the corners and he smiled. \"Visiting Alir again, huh?\"\n\n\"Yeah.\" Sirius backed away slightly from Trey's naked form. \"Probably the last time, though.\" The reality of what he said hit him just as the words left his muzzle. He broke down crying again.\n\nTrey was a complete stranger; Sirius hardly knew his name. That didn't stop Trey from embracing the young raccoon and giving him the warmth he so needed at a time like this. \"There, there.\" Trey stroked Sirius's gray ears gently. \"Come on; let's go to the break room. You can tell me all about it.\"\n\nSirius dried his eyes and nodded mutely, embarrassed at having to be held by someone he hardly knew.\n\nTrey took his paw and led him further down the corridor. He stopped at one of the doors and knocked twice.\n\n\"Who is it?\" Sirius instantly recognized Darcy's baritone.\n\n\"It's me.\" Trey put his paw on the doorknob. The lock clicked and he swung the door open. \"Would you mind if we talked in private?\"\n\n\"Oh, of course.\" Darcy looked Sirius over. \"Customer?\"\n\n\"No, he's a friend.\" Trey winked at Sirius. \"We just need a few minutes. Tell my next client I'll be right out.\"\n\n\"Alright, then.\" The mouse shot Sirius one more glance and stepped out into the hallway.\n\nTrey shut the door. \"So, what happened?\" He sat down on the divan and crossed his legs, hiding his plump sheath.\n\n\"We broke up.\" Sirius let out a quiet sob, but somehow kept from crying.\n\nTrey sighed. \"As much as I hate to say this, it was bound to happen. There's a reason us concubines don't settle down 'til late. Not many people want to be mated to someone who has sex for a living.\"\n\n\"I didn't mind.\" The lie made Sirius cringe. \"Alright, I did. Logically I didn't, but...I just... I just couldn't help feeling hurt by what he did. I know it's not his fault, but I just couldn't help it.\" The tears came back. \"He said that he didn't want to hurt me anymore.\"\n\nHeedless of the raccoon's state of undress, Sirius embraced his new friend and buried his muzzle in the soft fur. The scent of jasmine and the warmth soothed him in just the right way.\n\nTrey returned the embrace without a single word. He rested his muzzle on the young raccoon's head and held on.\n\nWhen Sirius finished crying, he wiped his eyes on his shirtsleeve and stood. \"Thanks for listening to me, Trey.\"\n\n\"Oh, don't mention it.\" Trey waved him off. \"So.\" He shifted over and patted the seat next to him. \"What are you gonna do now?\"\n\nSirius sat down, averting his eyes from Trey's muscular body. \"I don't know. Just go on with life, I guess. Not much left for me here.\"\n\n\"Tell you what.\" Trey met his gaze and winked. \"I'll keep an eye on Alir for ya. In case - you know - in case you change your mind.\"\n\n\"Thanks.\" Sirius stood up and shook paws with him. \"And thanks for being there for me.\"\n\n\"Again, it was my pleasure.\" Trey stood, drawing his ringed tail in front of his sheath for Sirius's benefit. \"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go start my shift.\"\n\n\"Of course. I'll let myself out, don't worry.\" Sirius walked across the room and opened the back door. \"Goodbye, Trey.\"\n\n\"I'll see you around.\" Trey waved to him and disappeared behind the other door.\n\nSirius stood and stared at the empty plush divan for a few moments before turning heel and walking out.\n\nThe alley behind the Silk Peony had become familiar ground over the past few years. It was perhaps the only dark alley in the entire city that Sirius looked forward to traveling. He waited for his eyes to adjust and began his trek through the sparsely lit twists and turns of this hidden part of the city.\n\nThe sun was setting by the time he emerged onto the cobblestone street. In the hour that he'd spent with Alir, the street had emptied out. A sense of ease hung in the air. Work was done for the day, and most were free to spend the night as they pleased.\n\nSirius followed a small group of rabbits to the local pub.\n\nHe sat behind one of the carved wooden tables and waited to be served.\n\nOne of the rabbits broke away from the crowd.\n\nSirius recognized him. \"Hey, Kaarper.\"\n\n\"Hiya, Sirius.\" Kaarper walked over and pulled up a chair. \"All alone tonight?\"\n\n\"Yeah, I-\" Sirius debated on just how much to tell the rabbit. \"It wasn't a very good night. I just want to have something to eat and head to bed.\"\n\n'If his fur wasn't white and his eyes were green, he'd look just like Alir.' Thoughts like this did nothing to help him forget.\n\n\"Alright.\" Kaarper placed his paw on top of Sirius's. \"But if you want to talk-\" He stroked the paw gently. \"-let me know, alright? It's terrible when you have nobody to talk to about your problems.\"\n\nWith one more smile, Kaarper stood up and joined his other friends several tables down.\n\nThe waitress, a plump skunk, wearing a flowery apron, came over. \"What would ya like, sir?\"\n\n\"Just some hen and mashed potatoes.\" Sirius kept his eyes on the rabbits. He had no trouble picturing any one of them as Alir - happy, exuberant and just out of reach. He sighed.\n\n\"Ye know, t'ain't a crime ta go sit wid them.\" The skunk winked. \"Metinks dat rabbit-fella likes ya.\"\n\nSirius looked at Kaarper. The rabbit met his eye and smiled, showing off his prominent front teeth.\n\n\"You know, I think I will join them.\" He stood up. \"Could you bring my food to that table, please?\"\n\n\"Well, a'corse.\" The waitress curtsied and shuffled off to the next table.\n\nSirius walked over to Kaarper's table. \"Room for one more?\"\n\nKaarper's eyes lit up. \"Of course!\" He stood up and offered his chair. \"Here, I'll be right back.\"\n\nHe ran off, leaving Sirius in the company of the other rabbits. They were all very friendly, smiling and shaking paws with the young raccoon.\n\nKaarper returned, dragging a chair behind him. \"Alright, now we can all sit.\"\n\nSirius shuffled over to make room for the rabbit.\n\nHe expected to feel alone and apathetic; he wanted to, in fact. But it was tough staying silent with Kaarper's friendly banter. Sirius soon found himself joining in the conversation. It only took one look at his interlocutors to remember his troubles, however.\n\nNight was in full bloom by the time they emerged from the pub. Everyone, including Sirius, had drunk their share of mead and spirits were high. Kaarper and Sirius walked to the Noble's District with the other rabbits before bidding them goodbye and heading to the palace.\n\nSirius walked side by side with Kaarper. \"Thanks for having dinner with me tonight.\"\n\n\"Don't mention it.\" Kaarper threw his arm around him. \"So, still don't wanna talk about what's bothering you?\"\n\n\"I-\" Sirius had no plans on confiding in Kaarper, but then he remembered how good it felt to do the same with Trey. \"My mate and I separated.\" In the past few hours, the words hadn't lost even a bit of their sting.\n\n\"Oh, I'm so sorry.\" Kaarper drew him closer. The rabbit's features showed genuine concern at his friend's misfortune.\n\nThe kind gesture only made Sirius cry harder.\n\nKaarper reminded him of Alir even more now... Maybe...if he closed his eyes...\n\nSirius brought his muzzle to Alir's and gave it a gentle lick.\n\nThe rabbit smiled. \"I was afraid to even ask, but since you offered...\" He opened his muzzle, letting Sirius's tongue inside.\n\nFor a few fleeting moments, Sirius forgot where he was. He held Alir in his arms, trailing his paws down the rabbit's perky rump. Nothing else mattered. His mate was by his side and even the night's cold wind lost its bite.\n\nAlir ended the kiss and pulled back gently. \"Let's go get a room.\"\n\n\"Let's.\" Sirius grabbed his companion's paw and pulled him down the darkened street.\n\nThey ran until a familiar pub came into view.\n\nSirius opened the door. \"In here.\" He pulled the rabbit inside without another word.\n\n\"Well, hello there, Sirius.\" The barkeep smiled when he saw the young raccoon.\n\n\"Hi, Uncle.\" Sirius rushed over to the counter, panting. \"Can we get a room for the night?\"\n\n\"Well, of course.\" The barkeep passed him a key. \"First one on the right.\"\n\nSirius grabbed the key, tightened his grip on Alir's paw and sprinted up the stairs. \"Thanks, Uncle Erg.\"\n\n\"Enjoy yourselves.\" Erg waved to them.\n\nSirius threw open the bedroom door and ran inside. He slammed the door shut, not bothering with the bolt, and hurried to shed his clothes.\n\n\"My, aren't we eager?\" Alir took off his pants and shirt, and lay down on the bed.\n\nSirius searched through his waistcoat and produced a thin flask of oil. He threw open the cap and spilled the slick liquid all over his quivering member. \"On your stomach.\"\n\n\"Yes, sir!\" Alir turned over and lifted his fluffy white tail.\n\nWithout another word, Sirius grasped the rabbit's supple thighs and pushed his member inside the tight, warm embrace.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Their Labors of Love","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/280998-their-labors-of-love-chapter-2.json"}}