FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 59: Faelen's Long Shower

Faelen looked down at Nathanial as the Akita sat in the shower next to Geoff and Nicholas. The spray beat on their legs as they leaned against the back wall, the occasional drip landing on Nathanial's head making his ears twitch. Faelen's momentary relief that Geoff was pulled out of one of his emotional spirals suddenly turned into a lump of lead in his guts. "Uhhh..." Faelen's mind went completely blank.

Nathanial expression didn't change; he still had that small, insincere smile on his face, "Come, now, surely you remember that decision you three were talking about this morning. Something about not making up minds but still serving your master?"

Faelen could smell Geoff's emotions tangling up again, a dozen different emotions waging war in him. Liam seemed tense, concerned, but otherwise calm. His boyfriend's demeanour looked like he was more concerned about Nicholas and Nathanial than anything else. Nick was confused, but just happy to have helped Nathanial and that Nathanial was all right with what Nick told him. But Nathanial, calm, peaceful Nathanial was a blank. Perhaps Geoff's scent was covering Nathanial's, but Faelen couldn't smell any emotions from him. It was actually scaring Faelen. "Uh, Nathanial, how do you feel? Are you okay?"

Nathanial's eyes twinkled and it wasn't in amusement, "I'm good, don't change the subject. You. Geoff. Spill it." The small smile was still fixed on his face.

Geoff rubbed his eyes, "I'm dying to know, too, Faelen, but I don't want to pressure you. Uh, pup, can you get rid of the extra lights? It's uncomfortable and hurts my eyes." The light returned to normal, Nathanial didn't so much as glance at Geoff when he talked.

Faelen was getting concerned and confused. Micah piped up, trying to help, "It's about what you said last night, Faelen. You were upset at how badly you thought you did fighting Gordon. I thought you were pretty good, he was mean and scary, but you said you quit." Nathanial reacted to that, his eyes widened in surprise. Micah continued, "Um, it sounded like they tried to talk you out of it, but you haven't said if you'll still be his bodyguard. Well, not that I heard."

Nathanial raised an eyebrow, "What have you decided?" Faelen stepped closer and knelt down in front of Nathanial. He could smell the drying blood, the semen, both Geoff's and Nathanial's, and the normal scent of Nathanial, but no emotion based pheromones or other emotional cue scents. He leaned in to Nathanial's neck, still nothing. Everyone was staring at him, Nathanial asked, "What are you doing? If I stink you can answer the question so I can get back to showering."

Faelen leaned back on his hindpaws, "How do you feel? Emotionally, not physically. I can't smell any feelings from you."

Nathanial frowned, "So? I'm fine. Are you going to be my boyfriend's bodyguard or not? Ah, forget it, I don't care. Go away so I can shower. I have to get ready for my grandparents' visit."

It was Liam's turn to raise an eyebrow, "You do not care? Indeed, that is most unusual for you, Nathanial." Nicholas pulled slightly away from Nathanial to look at him in surprise, as did Geoff. Nathanial grimaced and went to stand, but Liam stepped in front of him and put a paw on his shoulder to hold him down. Snow walked into the room and up to Nathanial. Snow made those muttering noises he used to talk to Liam, Liam answered, "Indeed, Zhaohui was right. You are in a state of shock, Nathanial. You should not be working or worrying about preparing for a visit, you should be recovering."

Nathanial pushed Liam away and stood up, "I'm fine! Just leave me alone, guys!" Faelen caught Liam before he stumbled.

Geoff stood up and wrapped his arms around Nathanial, "Are you? You've never shoved us around like that before. Let's finish showering then go take a nap. Things can wait for an hour or two. Even if neither of us falls asleep, I'd enjoy just lying down with you for a bit. Just the two of us in peace and quiet."

Nathanial shook Geoff off, "I can't. Si Fu Jim is going to be here in a half hour, then once he's gone I have an hour to make supper, clean, and make sure everything is ready for my grandparents. As far as I know they haven't been here in ages, if ever; the funeral was the first time I can remember seeing them."

The intercom buzzed, "I'm on my way down, guys." Garret's voice carried through the basement.

Nathanial growled in annoyance; he was starting to feel things from what his scent showed, but it wasn't anything pleasant. Faelen was almost glad, the attention was completely deflected from him, though he wished Nathanial wasn't having such a rough go. Nathanial muttered quietly, "Great. More headaches." Faelen wasn't sure who else could hear that, probably Geoff and/or Liam.

Faelen sighed, "Sir, let's go get showered in the gym. I can talk to you there." He looked at Nick and Micah, "You two should be in your rooms, or something. I thought you were grounded."

Garret walked into the common area, "Hello?"

Micah scampered to the door, "We're in here, Dad!"

"All of you? You aren't...?"

Micah laughed, then pouted, "No. It's not fair. I want to get a dick in me."

Garret growled, Faelen could hear he was almost to the bathroom. Nick stifled a laugh at Micah's complaint, Nathanial rolled his eyes. Garret sounded annoyed, "Micah, please don't talk like that in front of me. The thought of a pup your age having sex is... upsetting. Especially the thought of you having anal sex, even, or more so because it's with your brother." Micah opened his mouth to protest but Garret passed by him, putting a paw on the black furred shoulder and moving him into the bathroom. Garret shook his head seeing all of them naked in or around the shower; he seemed relieved there was no sex or even erections. "So I build a big shower area just over there and everyone still crowds in here?"

Liam smiled wanly, "Faelen and I were taking advantage of it, but we were called over here to deal with a crisis. It is not entirely resolved."

Nathanial snarled, "Yes, it is. Well, no, but I don't care anymore. Let Geoff and Faelen sort it out." Snow muttered something, and Nathanial growled his answer, "Shut up, Snow! I'm fine!"

Faelen could almost see the hurt on Snow's face, it sparked something in him, "No! You shut up! Here we are trying to help you, even Snow, and you keep lashing out! What has Snow done? He was probably just giving you advice, telling you what you needed to hear, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear! Like a loyal friend and helper should, and you attack him for it? You hurt him for being there for you!"

Geoff froze, lowering his head, "Was that to me or Nathanial? Or both? I-I do that, I know, I'm sorry. You're better than I deserve, I can't blame you for wanting to leave."

Faelen rolled his eyes, "Geoff, I was talking to Nathanial, not you. I don't want to leave, I'm not leaving. I just don't think I'm good enough to protect you. You deserve to have someone who can actually fight."

Nathanial sighed, "So that's what it's about."

Micah's voice dripped with sarcasm, "That's what I said, dummy. He didn't think he fought well enough, not like how you beat him up and the other cat." Micah shivered, "That was scary. She was crying and screaming and begging not to be Turned. And..."

Geoff yelled as he clutched his stomach, "Stop!" He sagged to the floor, his stomach heaving beneath his paws. Liam slipped behind him and began rubbing his back; Geoff's stomach began to still, but he looked pretty ill.

Nathanial's eyes were wide, "I'm kind of glad I didn't get all of the details, then." His scent was back to normal, he smelt a little scared and very concerned, "It was that bad and you took Micah? I know you said you needed his help, but come on!"

Liam glared at Nathanial, "We did not know it would be like how it turned out, but give us a little credit, Nathanial. We tried to ensure he would remain out of harm's way and he is becoming quite skilled with Fey magic. When we set off to rescue you, Gordon Ahjee and Lara May were incarcerated, we had no way of knowing you were being brought to them. Regardless, this is far off topic. Mr. Marks, what has brought you down here?"

Garret looked really confused, "Um, to visit? I thought you'd be done showering and, uh, well, whatever. I wanted to spend some time with my boys and their friends. What's got all of you so worked up? I've never seen you guys fight like this. It's not just one of you being short, but all of you are really tense and emotional."

Nicholas smiled, "Meh. Not all of us." He sniffed, his eyes were still a little red and his nose dripped from crying.

Garret's eyes widened, "Gods, Nick. You look like you've been crying." Nicholas lowered his head in shame. "Hey, Son, there's no reason to be ashamed of crying. Everyone does when they get really upset. I was concerned about you, that's all." Nick's tail wagged at that. "Please, guys, calm down. Are you all right, Nathanial? You're feeling better, going to watch the game didn't tire you out or anything?"

Nathanial sighed, "No, Dad. I'm fine. I should take my medication, soon, though. I'm sorry for snapping at all of you. I don't really want you to stop talking, Snow. I like talking with you. I'm sorry, but really, I'm fine."

Liam shook his head, "You went into a state of shock, you are not fine. You will likely begin to experience the effects of it as you recover, like shivering and feeling very cold. You need to lie down. Dry off and I will massage you."

Nathanial's lips quirked up in a smile, "That's your answer for everything, isn't it? Massages and tea."

Liam smiled back, "Would you rather cod liver oil and mud plasters? Perhaps leeches or hot rocks on your hindpaws?"

Nathanial lifted his paws up to ward Liam off, "No! No, massages and tea is fine. I was wondering if you just like giving out tea and having an excuse to put your paws on people. I rather like getting massages."

Liam grinned, "I do enjoy putting my paws on people. I also love staring at your ass as I do so."

Garret sighed, "I thinks that's my cue to leave, but why were you in a state of shock, Nathanial?"

Nick answered as Nathanial hesitated, "He was having sex with Geoff when he had a flashback of that nightmare. He tensed up at the wrong time and got hurt. Things got more complicated from there."

It was Garret's turn to hesitate, "That... doesn't really explain it, but any more questions will probably give me graphic details in answer. I've already seen and heard too much of that sort of thing. Go lie down, Nathanial, or go get your..." He paused and smiled weakly, "Ass stared at while being pawed."

Faelen smiled. He noticed the atmosphere in the room lift and everyone laughed or smiled, too. Nathanial went to hug his father, but stopped. He cast a spell of some sort and his fur dried out, then he hugged Garret, "I love you, Dad." He rubbed Micah's ears and looked back at Nick, "I love you too, Nick. Mike." Faelen pretended to pout as he whimpered, hoping to lighten the mood a bit more. Nathanial laughed, "Fine! I love you and you and..." He continued as he walked around the room tapping everyone's nose as he said 'you'.

Faelen wrapped his arm around Liam and rubbed his muzzle against his lover's. Liam returned the gesture, saying, "I will be a half hour. Will you shower here or move to the gym? There will be more privacy here, perhaps." The massage table had been moved into the changing room section of the gym, just around the corner from the showers. You could see half of the massage table from the shower heads against the wall of the common area. "Though I believe Nathanial and I may wish to hear you, perhaps giving you more reason to talk and shower here."

Nathanial finished tapping noses and turned to his brothers, "Homework, clean your rooms, or practice magic. Then it's Kung Fu, an hour of grounding," He sighed, "Grandparents, then bed or more grounding. Gods, it's the weekend and I'm still running around non-stop."

Micah gasped, "But, but, I never got sex! Can I get a half hour, please? Before all this starts?"

Nathanial's eyes narrowed. Faelen whispered to Geoff, "Gym? They're involved, some, too." Geoff nodded.

Nathanial answered Micah, "Ten. Only because you mightn't get a chance before company comes and I don't need you being all worked up. You still have to ask Nick, don't assume he's in the mood." Geoff flinched. "Oh! I'm sorry, Geoff, I didn't mean it like that. You have ten minutes now or right before Si Fu Jim gets here." Garret looked a little disgusted but seemed to be trying to hide it.

Nicholas waved at Micah, "Can you wait until right before Kung Fu, please? I want to try to, um, keep things in check as much as possible when Grandfather and Grandmother are here." He looked at Garret, "Or do they like Granny and Granddad, or something else?"

Garret scowled, "I don't give a damn what they... sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you, Nick. I don't know. I think they'd be happy with whatever you call them, it's been a very long time since they've spent any time with you. I can try to help you with magic or homework, if you want to do those."

Nathanial smiled, as did Micah and Nick, "Micah needs a little help with his spelling, Nicholas is doing good in all his subjects but could review some material in French. He has a test Monday. They're both making me very proud." Micah and Nicholas' tails began wagging at top speed.

Garret put his paws on his son's backs and began to lead them out of the washroom, "So, I'll start with you, Micah, then help Nicholas review, okay? But first you need to dry off, Nick." Nicholas nodded and his fur dried out. Nathanial's eyebrows raised, that was a spell he still had to cast to use. He yawned, shivering violently as he did so.

Liam slid his arm around Nathanial's waist, "Oops, here we go. Let's get you comfortable, my friend."

Geoff turned off the shower and went to follow everyone out. Nick glanced back and Geoff stopped dripping on the floor. Geoff ran a paw through his fur, "Thanks, but not so much next time. You're damaging the fur a bit, not a lot, but it'll take a good amount of conditioner to make my fur shiny."

Nick blushed, "Sorry. I've been wondering why my fur has been a bit dull. I'll tone it down, even if the fur is a little damp it's better than being dull." The pups grabbed their homework and sat down with Garret, the rest went into the gym.

Nathanial had paused just inside the door, his legs were shaking but he still looked around. "This is so awesome!" They were standing by the cardio area, there were two recumbent bikes, two cross trainers, and a treadmill. On the other side of those were the weights; enough weights and space for four people to work out at once. There weren't any machines, just free weights, resistance bands, and the benches. Beside that, around the corner from the cardio area, was the aerobic/Kung Fu section. It had hooks in the ceiling for four things to be hung from it, heavy bags usually, and a large space for Kung Fu. They stopped admiring the new room and went around the corner into the change room. Nathanial and Liam stopped at the massage table, Geoff lifted Nathanial onto it since he was shaking so violently he couldn't get up by himself. Geoff and Faelen continued around the corner and took positions under the shower where they could see the bottom half of the table. Geoff sheath got a little thicker as he stared at Nathanial's rump, the highest point they could see on him. Faelen could hear the Akita's teeth chattering over the shower.

Faelen stretched, arms up and reaching for the ceiling. He stopped when he smelt Geoff's arousal starting to climb higher. He twisted around to loosen a tense muscle in his back, "Nathanial's got it rough, doesn't he, boss? He just can't get a break."

Geoff's arousal vanished like he got a bucket of cold water thrown in his face, "No, he can't. And I'm not helping."

Faelen squirted a large amount of shampoo into his palms and started working it into Geoff's fur, "I think he'd disagree, he'd probably say you were the biggest break in his life. I think you're good together. It isn't my place to tell you anything, sir, but I think you need to stop this nonsense about leaving him. He's really good for you, too. He's the first person you really spent time around who isn't part of the Spirit community, who doesn't care what type of Spirit you are, and loves you for who you are."

Geoff smiled and braced his paws against the wall so Faelen could really work his back. Faelen began applying more pressure to his scrubbing. "So. Oh, don't call me sir. So, you're here only because I'm a Dark Spirit?"

Faelen didn't smile, "I'm here because you're a McDougal and I'm an O'Conall. It doesn't matter that you're a Dark Spirit, that way. I'm you're bodyguard at this age because you're a Dark Spirit, I think that was a disservice to us both. I would've been able to get more training, like in martial arts or something, if I wasn't watching over you like this. If you were an Air Elemental, or another Elemental, I'd still be assigned to you because of our ages." He paused slightly, "It's annoying there isn't an O'Conall that close to Gwen's age, she needs someone with her. We have two of my cousins pegged, but they're a good bit older."

Geoff looked very hurt and he wasn't faking it, "Y-you're just here because you have to?"

"No, sir. I'm here because it's my duty. My duty as your family's vassal and my duty as your friend."

"You put your bloody duty to my family ahead of our friendship. And stop it with that 'sir' crap!"

"Yes, my lord."

Geoff spun around, tears in his eyes, "Are you trying to hurt me!? Because you're doing a damn good job!"

Faelen felt sorry, he was trying to hurt Geoff, but only because of how much he was hurting. It was cruel and childish but he couldn't help himself. He stepped in and put the top of his head against Geoff's chest, paws on Geoff's shoulders, "Sorry."

Geoff lowered his neck, trying to rest his head on Faelen's, but couldn't and settled for putting his nose on his friend, "What's eating you? This isn't like you."

Faelen growled, his throat was constricting around his words, "I don't know, okay! I-I feel like I have to be your bodyguard, it's what I've spent my whole life doing and trying to prepare for. It's all I know! But I look at Liam, like right now as he tends to someone, and I see a Healer. Not just someone trained to be a Healer, or who has the job because they were told to, but a Healer. It's him, it's what he's perfect for, what completes him. When I'm looking after you, do people look at me and see that? Like Da? He's like a perfect bodyguard, it suits him, like he belongs there. I have my duty to you, I'm loyal to you, I don't want to leave. I just don't know if being your bodyguard is actually a disservice to you. I just don't know!"

Geoff lifted Faelen's head and pulled him into a hug, his chin rested on Faelen's shoulder, "You told me that you are your duty; I think it was after I told you to fuck your duty. I still think that but I'm starting to understand what you meant, because of that I have to say that, yes, people will see you like you see Dirk. I'm not sure if the role you play, like bodyguard or just servant, will matter but I think it probably would. I think you think it would, so it'd have to. You see it as your duty to be my bodyguard, so if you quit you'll always look at whatever you do as a betrayal of your duty. No matter what excuses you make, no matter the reasons, or the justifications, you won't accept them. Not deep down. You can never be happy if you betray yourself. This isn't about me, I don't think, I'm just the, um, focus. It's about who you are, deep down, and you are your duty. Damn word, I really hate it." He lifted his chin up and leaned back to look Faelen in the eyes, "If duty is so important to you, can you just ignore it? Could you ever let me go off alone somewhere dangerous? Stand by and let me get hurt?"

"No! I couldn't do that! It wouldn't matter if I was your bodyguard or not, you're my friend!"

"Then does it matter if you call yourself my bodyguard or not? If you still plan on doing all that other stuff you do, then you'll always be around me so you'd be my bodyguard because you're my friend not because you have to."

Faelen stopped. Geoff was right. He actually was right. He'd never let Geoff go off like that; he had trouble just going into another room at times because he couldn't see Geoff, so did it matter what label he used? Not only that, but he was right about duty, too. It was a huge part of how Faelen saw himself and how he looked at the world around him. His perception of duty coloured everything he did and said. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to Geoff if he let his doubts make him forsake his duty. He'd never forgive himself if he forsook his duty and nothing happened, either. He noticed Geoff was still staring into his eyes and holding him close, it made him a little uncomfortable. "You're right, Geoff. Turn around and let me finish washing you. I ask that you ignore my previous request to quit, sir. I have my duty to uphold. And, more importantly, my best friend to protect."