Scars
#3 of Trials
Here is the third and final story with Scott and Trey. It's also the longest of the series lol. I definitely enjoyed writing it, and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Brian looked over at the fidgeting badger sitting next to him on the plane. He couldn't help but think back to the night when that badger asked him to marry him the week prior. He didn't look half as nervous then as he did now, which made Brian chuckle.
"Grant, come on, it won't be bad. They'll love you."
He stopped fidgeting for a second, his ears flat in embarrassment. "Am I being that obvious?"
"Babe, everyone on this plane can probably tell." He smiled. "You never got this way when we talked about doing this earlier."
"Yeah, well... Back then you would have been introducing me as just your boyfriend. Now I have to make them believe I'm husband material right off."
"Ha! They'd have measured you up that way anyway. Every boyfriend I've ever had has been scrutinized as a potential husband."
"Gee, thanks for the reassurance." Grant replied with a sour look on his face.
"Hon, they're not gonna hate you. They're a lot like me, and I love you." Scott leaned over to kiss the badger on the cheek.
"I love you too, but I just really don't want to disappoint you. To be honest, since you've shown me that picture of them, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated by your bear dad." Grant looked down, the heat in his cheeks apparent even through the fur.
"Grant, look at me." The badger turned his head to look at Brian. "My dad won't do anything to you. He only acts tough around his team. Even when he gets pissed, he would never raise a paw against someone. Hell, he might think you're cute. He may be a big football jock, but if you recall, my other dad is decidedly the opposite. He's just a book-smart nerd, like you." He reached over and rested his paw on his partner's belly. "Though you are a bit pudgier." He snickered.
Grant rolled his eyes. "I'd be offended if I didn't know you loved it." He was right. Brian did love the badger's body. He wasn't big enough to be called fat, but he was definitely filled out. He liked that extra cuddliness and the contrast to his more heavily muscled frame.
It was almost funny to Brian that he and his dad, both football players, fell in love with intelligent non-jock types. They weren't even blood, but they still had very similar tendencies. The one glaring difference, however, is that Brian wasn't a naturally smart jock like his dad. He actually had to get some tutoring, which is where he met Grant. He almost laughed every time he remembered the face the badger made when Brian told him he was hot. The poor guy was so shocked he couldn't say a word and ran. Remembering how he was then was the reason that Brian was shocked himself when Grant popped the question. He was never that forward before. He didn't mind not being the one to ask. He really did love him, and he was just glad that it happened.
"It'll be fine, babe. Don't worry." Brian reached around Grant and pulled him close as the captain announced their descent.
Trey paced back and forth while Scott sat in one of the decidedly uncomfortable airport seats. The bear had always been protective of Brian when it came to boyfriends, much to the wolf's - and Scott's - chagrin. He was the one that heard the bitching and moaning about how Brian's boyfriends never measured up to the bear's standards. Usually, the only way to shut him up was to offer sex, but he couldn't do that there, so he had to sit here and hope that Brian's plane would land early.
"Scott, he's never even shown us a picture of the guy, or really even talked much about him." Trey said, not even looking up from his repetitive path in front of the fox.
"Well for one, you never asked to see a picture, and secondly, our phone conversations are usually quite brief. He's grown, now. He can make his own choices. Why are you so anxious? He's brought boyfriends home before." Scott replied, looking at the "Arrivals" screen. Brian's plane was at the gate. Thank God.
"Yeah, but he's never been over a year without visits and I'm worried about him. He says he met this guy almost a year ago, and we haven't even met him yet!"
Scott sighed. "You should listen to yourself. You make absolutely no sense. He's got a job and an apartment. He's on his own now, and we have to deal with it. Besides, if they've been together for that long, I'm pretty sure he's a good guy. Brian wouldn't deal with someone bad for him that long."
That made Trey stop in his tracks and stare at Scott. "You do remember that coyote, right? The one with the perpetual smell of weed?"
"Yes, I do. You don't seem to remember that lasted all of two weeks after the ass cheated on him." Scott chuckled. "God, I remember how livid you were after that. I honestly thought you were gonna kill that guy." Scott looked behind the bear and saw Brian riding down the escalator, smiling at them. He probably knew exactly what they were talking about. Next to him was a slightly chubby badger, who seemed about as nervous as Trey. "Let's quit talking about Brian before he hears us." He nodded toward the wolf.
Trey shifted his gaze to the escalators and smiled as Scott rose from the seat. Brian walked up to the bear, gave him a hug, and then turned to embrace Scott. He'd be lying if he said he didn't miss the wolf. After a year, it was great to see him again.
"Hey guys," Brian said as they parted, ushering forward the badger, "this is Grant."
"Pleased to meet you, sir." The badger said as he shook Scott's paw.
"Oh, please," Scott replied, "call me Scott. This is Trey." He noticed the badger shy back minutely before taking Trey's massive paw. Scott leaned in. "Don't worry," he whispered, "he's harmless."
Scott and Brian walked back a ways from the other two as they walked to the car. No doubt Trey was grilling the poor kid with questions. Scott sometimes thought he did that to scare Brian's boyfriends. It was the bear's way, he guessed.
"So," he said to Brian, "he's quite a bit different than your normal type." He really was. Brian had always previously gone for the muscle jocks or "bad boys" kind of like Scott had himself. Grant, however, was slightly out of shape, and didn't look like he had an ounce of rebel in him.
"Yeah," Brian replied, "but he's so much better than the others. I'd normally never go for his body type; but for some reason, on him, it's just hot to me. He kinda offsets me in a way. He's really smart - we actually met when he was tutoring me - and he's the kindest guy you'll ever meet."
"You're usually a nice guy, yourself, and you're not dumb." Scott chuckled.
"You know what I mean, dad." Brian glared at him. "He's, just... I don't know... Great."
"Hmm, yeah. I know exactly how you feel." He looked up at Trey, his partner for over twenty years now. He knew that feeling well. "Come on; let's catch up with them before your dad questions him to death."
Grant exhaled loudly as he and Brian finally got to Brian's old room. "What the hell have you gotten me into?" He asked the wolf. He thought that bear would never stop asking questions. He almost felt mentally violated, having spilled out his life in intimate detail to his fiancé's parents.
"Aww, hon, I'm sorry." Brian said, walking over for a kiss. "I didn't think he was gonna be that bad. He's probably getting a talking-to from dad right now, and he'll be better later."
"Well I don't see how he could be any worse." Grant leaned into the wolf's touch as they embraced.
"Oh, it could be. I think he likes you. Otherwise, he'd have been silently brooding the whole car ride. He's just worried about me. He frets way too much." Brian cut off what Grant was about to say with a deep kiss that sent sparks all the way down to his groin. Oh, how that wolf could kiss.
"Ah, well," Grant smiled after their muzzles parted, "it's worth it if I get to have you after."
"Mmm, you've already got me. This is just a formality." The wolf smiled as his paws drifted down to cup Grant's rear, pulling their hips together. Grant could feel the stiffness in Brian's pants that matched his own, and recognized that particular smile.
"Umm, Brian, I don't think this is the best time or place for that." He knew he wouldn't fight it if it went any further. He could never deny his wolf, especially since denying that wolf usually meant denying himself.
"Oh, I wasn't thinking right now. I'll have to borrow some lube from my dads. I still can't take you without it.
Grant's eyes went wide. He couldn't believe what he said. "What!?"
Brian laughed. "Don't worry about it. They've never been the kind to think their kids don't have sex. I've borrowed lube from them before. They don't really use it much."
"Well they do say sex wanes when you're together so long." Grant shrugged, not too sure he really wanted to know about his future fathers-in-law's sex life.
That got another burst of laughter from the wolf. "Oh, I didn't say they don't have sex. Believe me; they're loud enough that I know that for a fact. Dad Trey doesn't need lube to bottom, and that's usually how it goes."
"Wow. I don't know if I want to hear how you know that or not."
Brian shrugged it off. "Walked in on them a couple times, and dad Trey gets horny and very vocal about it when he drinks a bit much. Honestly, sex isn't a taboo subject around here. It's just sex. Anyway, later tonight, I want you to pound my ass like it owes you money." He punctuated that with another of his patented kisses that left Grant feeling like Jell-o.
It was a measure of how horny the wolf was. Grant wasn't nearly as long as the wolf, but he had about twice the girth. It was the main reason Grant was more of a bottom; most guys couldn't take him. Brian could only bottom for him every once in a while, and usually only did so when he was extremely horny. As much as Grant loved to have his wolf tie with him, he still loved the welcoming tightness of Brian's ass. He pushed the thoughts out of his head; his pants were starting to get uncomfortably tight. Brian must have noticed, because he broke the embrace.
"Let's go out to the den. I'm pretty sure dinner is almost ready anyway." Brian suggested. Grant just hoped his half erection wasn't too obvious as they walked out the door.
Brian was right. As soon as they walked out of the room, they were ushered to the table by Scott as Trey started to lay out the food. After everything was laid out - mostly meat, Grant noticed - they ate in relative silence, only light small talk interrupting the sounds of utensils. Grant was grateful of the break in the questioning, and glad that he was able to at least last through the dinner.
"So, um," Brian started after the four of them finished their meal, leaning back to let the dinner digest, "I actually have some important news." Trey and Scott both looked up to focus on the wolf. This was the part Grant was scared of. Brian reached over and grabbed his paw, giving it a light squeeze.
Brian cleared his throat. "Well, last week, Grant asked me to marry him. I said yes." The pair's eyes grew wide, and shifted their gaze to Grant. He suddenly wanted to be anywhere but here. Scott was the first to smile at him.
"Congratulations. I never thought anyone would make this boy want to settle down." The fox looked over to Trey, who still had a shocked expression on his face. He elbowed the bear, who finally blinked and mumbled something under his breath that Grant didn't catch.
The bear turned back to look at Brian with a stern look on his face. "Are you sure?"
Brian sighed. "Yes, dad. I'm completely sure. He's the best guy I could have ever asked for. Honestly if he hadn't beat me to it, I would have asked him."
"And he's treating you well?"
"As well as you treat dad." Brian's eyes were locked onto the bear's, as if challenging him to disapprove.
Instead, Trey looked at Grant. "And you, do you truly love my son? Will you continue to treat him well?"
Grant nodded, emboldened by Brian's paw on his. "Yes, sir. I know I may not look like much of a catch, and sometimes I wonder what your son sees in me, but I do love him with all my heart. He is the most important thing in my life, and I would never hurt him."
"Dad, stop." Brian interrupted. "You taught me better than to frivolously get engaged. You know I've never been one to say that I love someone without completely feeling it. I am honestly in love with this badger, and I know he's the one for me. No matter what, I will be with him."
The bear sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Well congratulations. I didn't expect something like to happen so soon, especially the first time meeting him."
"We've been together for about a year, now. I would have introduced you earlier, but I couldn't get the time off to come down here. I'm sorry about that, and about dropping it on you like this, but he really is a great guy." Brian finally sat back in his chair, but still held on to Grant's paw.
Hearing Brian talk about how much he loved him made Grant feel warm inside. He heard it from the wolf every day, but to hear him defending it to his parents just felt like validation. Grant still didn't really get what was so great about him. He was just an out of shape nerd who wouldn't have even dreamed of landing a guy like Brian. Whatever the wolf saw in him, he was glad of it. Everything he told Trey was true; Brian really was the most important thing in his life, and he didn't want to imagine life without him.
"You'll have to excuse Trey." Scott began. "He's very protective of Brian, and neither of us wants to see him get hurt. He just wasn't expecting news like this." The fox stood from the table, grabbing his plate. "Now, why don't we get this cleaned up and watch a movie."
Grant was happy to oblige him. Not only was he happy to end this conversation, but any excuse to cuddle up to his wolf was a good one to him. He just hoped this was the worst in store for this trip.
Brian walked back in the room after borrowing the lube from his dads to find Grant undressing. The badger had his shirt off and was working on his pants. Brian interrupted the badger by running his paws through the badger's chest fur and pulling him in for a kiss.
"So you don't know what I see in you, eh?" Brian teased.
"Ah, I didn't mean to say that." Grant said, abashed. "I just kinda got worked up, I guess."
"Hmm, but you do think it?"
Grant hesitated a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I do."
"Well let me tell you what I see." Brian pulled the badger close to him, almost whispering into his ear. "I see an extremely smart, overly nice guy that anyone would be lucky to know. I see someone who is true to himself even if some people think he's just a nerd. I see someone who I love, no matter what. Also," Brian chuckled softly in the badger's ear as he ran his paws down to finish undoing the badger's pants. Brian loved undressing his partner. It was like unwrapping a present; even after a year, he was still surprised at how thick it was. He ran his paws down the dark-colored shaft, and felt the rumble in Grants throat. "this definitely helps; and right now, I want it inside me."
Grant almost growled as Brian was pulled into a forceful kiss. It was amazing to Brian how quickly the badger would shift attitudes when he topped. As much as he was pretty submissive as a bottom - and, honestly, in daily life - he was downright intense as a top. Brian had to admit, it turned him on something fierce.
Brian barely got a chance to breathe after the kiss before Grant pulled his shirt off and pushed him down to his knees. Grant could be quite rough when topping - not that Brian complained much - and it was one of the reasons they didn't do this very often. It wasn't the biggest reason, though. That reason was bobbing in front of Brian's face.
Brian obediently gave his attentions to the badger's cock. He slowly licked up the shaft stopping right before the head, where he knew Grant was most sensitive. He loved teasing the badger, even though he knew he wouldn't be able to long. Each time he licked and stopped before the head, Grant made a soft sound almost like a whimper. After a few times, this whimper grew to almost a growl and Brian prepared himself for what he knew was coming.
Grant grabbed a pawful of Brian's hair and yanked his head back. Brian looked up at his lover who was looking back at him with a smirk that told Brian he knew exactly what he had been doing, and he was going to pay. Brian opened his mouth obediently, which was subsequently filled with the badger's hard cock. Brian loved the change of roles; he loved it when his normally shy badger took control. Grant fucked Brian's muzzle, but still only buried his shaft only half way in his mouth. Any further, and Brian's sharp canines would be a problem.
After a moment of using Brian's muzzle, Grant slowed and pulled his cock out. He placed a paw under Brian's jaw, and beckoned him to stand. Brian did so obediently, only to be pushed rather forcefully onto the bed. Grant walked up, and almost yanked off Brian's pants. He stood there, licking his chops, and drinking in Brian's muscular form. Brian just opened his legs to give the badger a better view. Suddenly, Grant's head was in Brian's crotch, nuzzling his hard member. Brian couldn't help but moan loudly as Grant slipped his mouth around his cock, suckling it with the skill and familiarity that came in a year of being together. Brian's knot was already almost full, and the best part was still yet to come. Grant must have realized this, because after a light squeeze on Brian's knot, the badger stood to grab the lube.
Brian whimpered in anticipation as he watched the badger spread the gel on his hard, thick cock. Grant just stared at him, breathing heavy in lust as he ran his paw up and down his shaft. Brian rolled over and rose onto his paws and knees, lifting his tail. Moments later, he felt the badger yank his tail even further up, and a finger cold with lube slipped into him. Brian gasped at the cold gel before he slowly relaxed and started to move his hips in time to the attentions the badger was giving him. Soon one finger became two, then three as Brian felt his anus start to stretch closer to its boundary.
Brian felt an emptiness as the fingers receded. He felt the badger's paws grasp on to his hips, holding them in place as he slowly pushed his cock into Brian's ass.
"Oh, fuck!" Brian yelled as his anus was stretched to its limits.
"Shush." Grant's voice replied behind him as a paw moved from his hips to clamp around his muzzle. "You're mine now." The badger leaned in and whispered in his ear.
All Brian could do was moan his acquiescence as Grant started to increase the speed of his thrusts. Brian worked to keep himself upright as the thrusts became so forceful they threatened to push him off the bed. At this point, he didn't care about how much pain the badger's cock was causing, he just relished in the pleasure as the thick intruder slammed into his prostate.
"Roll over." Grant demanded after a while. He pulled out of Brian as he obeyed, rolling onto his back and lifting his legs. Grant rubbed a paw through Brian's chest fur, rumbling his approval, before pushing his legs up even more and slipping his cock back into Brian's ass.
Grant leaned in to kiss Brian, locking their muzzles together as Grant continued to pound away. Brian knew this meant he was close, so he focused on squeezing his ass around the badger's cock, milking it for all its worth. Grant moaned into his mouth as he reached down and placed a paw on his knot. All Brian could do was make a muffled sound before Grant squeezed down on Brian's knot.
Breaking the kiss, Brian howled as his seed shot between them, matting his stomach fur. Grant was close behind, letting out short barks as he pumped his own seed deep into Brian's ass. As they slowly came down, Brian realized how loud they had been. He hoped his dads weren't trying to sleep.
"Fuck." Grant whispered as he rested his head on Brian's chest. "I love you, wolf."
"Mmm, love you too, hon." Brian kissed the top of Grant's head. He squeezed his ass around Grant's softening cock, which produced a soft yelp from the badger before he slowly pulled it out.
Grant climbed back up to give Brian a lingering kiss before slipping next to him on the bed, turning to the side. He pulled Brian's arm around him, pressing his rump into Brian's crotch as they spooned. They were still sticky, but they could clean up later. Brian didn't want to ruin this.
"Hon?" Grant said after settling in.
"Yeah?" Brian mumbled in response.
"How thick are these walls?"
"Goddamn, they're loud." Trey announced. They had been trying to sleep when the unmistakable sounds of rough sex came from the other room.
"Like you're any better." Scott yawned as he turned on the bedside lamp.
"At least I can muffle my roar when I choose."
"Ha! When was the last time you did that? Because it sure as hell wasn't with me." Scott snickered.
Trey shrugged. "I never chose to with you."
"You know," Scott turned to face him, "after twenty years, I know when you're lying."
Trey chuckled. "Fine, you caught me. I really used to be able to muffle it. Just not with you."
"Mmm I just drive you that crazy, huh?" Scott rolled over and claimed the bear's mouth with a kiss.
"Of course you do. Else I wouldn't have stayed for twenty years." He rumbled, pulling the fox on top of him. Trey couldn't help but notice that Scott was in the mood, the hardness pushing into his stomach. He had to chuckle. "What? You want to have a noise level competition?"
"No." The fox shook his head. "Face it; we haven't had the energy for that kind of play in years. I just want to make love to my bear."
"Mmm, that I can do." He kissed the fox briefly before grabbing his hips and moving him to sit on his chest, hard cock bobbing enticingly in front of Trey's face. He wasted no time teasing as he started to suck it. He loved the taste of his partner; loved the feel of the smooth cock against his tongue. Scott gasped and arched his back at the attention, and slipped his paw to rub against Trey's own hardness. Twenty years may have slowed them down, but it did nothing to their sex drive.
Trey paid attention to the fox's knot, keeping track of how swollen it got. After it grew to about half-full - Trey knew exactly how full it could get - he stopped sucking, and pulled the cock out of his mouth. He looked up at the smiling fox above him.
"I think you know where to put that." Trey smiled back as the fox slid down his body, lingering over Trey's groin as the fox rubbed his ass against the bear's cock. Trey responded with a sharp thrust. Trey had grown fond of topping over the years, but he still preferred bottoming, especially for his fox. Scott wasn't the biggest, but he was certainly at least average, and was the perfect size to hit Trey's prostate.
Trey lifted his legs as Scott finally stood off the bed. The bear's cock dripping pre on his stomach, already rock hard. Scott leaned in, resting Trey's legs on his hips, and kissed him as he slid easily into Trey's ass. Trey moaned into the fox's muzzle as he started to move his hips, milking his cock as the fox started to thrust inside him.
It was more than just sex anymore. All the years they spent together made this better and better. It was more than a cock in his ass; it was his fox inside him. Scott fucked him slowly and steadily as they kissed, both moaning in each other's mouths. Trey got lost in the motions, in his fox's touch.
It seemed like hours of bliss before he started to feel Scott's swollen knot press against his anus. Trey wrapped his legs around his partner, pushing the fox's hips forward as he pressed his ass against the knot. Scott broke the kiss and yipped as the knot finally breached Trey's anus with an almost audible pop. Scott continued to yip loudly as he emptied his balls into Trey's ass. Tying to his fox was enough to push Trey over the edge without even being touched. Arching back, he came into the air as he roared.
Breathing heavily, he pulled his fox to his chest. It would be several minutes before Scott could pull out of him, but Trey didn't care. He loved his fox, and would do anything for him.
Trey nursed his coffee as he sat at the kitchen bar. Scott was still sleeping when Trey woke up, but that was usually the case. He had long since learned that waking that fox up could be dangerous. He turned at the sound of a door opening to see Brian walk out of the room, rubbing his eyes. The wolf was wearing nothing but sweatpants - exactly what Trey was wearing himself - and he couldn't help but notice that he was definitely packing on a lot more muscle than before.
The wolf rubbed his eyes and yawned before gesturing toward Trey's coffee cup. "Any more of that?"
"Good morning to you, too." Trey smiled. "Yeah, help yourself."
"Mmph." The wolf walked over to the kitchen. Hobbled was more like it, as Trey noticed the wolf almost seeming to limp.
Trey chuckled at the sight. "Well I can see the reason for all that howling last night."
"Wha?" Brian looked at him while he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Oh, uh, yeah, we got a bit rough last night."
Trey nodded. "Hmm, I know how those nights get." He thought back at what Scott said the night before. He never felt like he was old, but he couldn't remember the last time they were rough. He just attributed it to being more comfortable with each other.
"Yeah, well... I doubt dad is as thick as your wrist."
Trey couldn't keep the shock from his face. "Are you sure you don't need to go to the ER? Damn."
Brian chuckled as he shook his head, obviously becoming more awake by the minute. "Nah, I'm fine. I don't bottom often, and I can take it every once in a while."
"Well... Now I know why you like him so much." Trey laughed as Brian punched him in the shoulder. "Seriously, though, I'm sorry for getting a bit crazy last night. You just shocked me, is all. I never thought you'd want to settle down this soon, and he did seem like he was way out of the type you usually like."
Brian shrugged. "Maybe what I thought was my type was actually wrong, I don't know. I just feel so at home with him, I guess. Kinda like I belong with him, you know?"
Trey nodded. "Yeah, I know. Still, you could have called or something."
"It didn't feel like something to tell you over the phone. If I wasn't visiting y'all for a while, I probably would have called, but since we were planning to visit..."
"Well I can't blame you there. So when are we going to have to meet his parents?" Trey chuckled.
Brian shook his head. "You won't. His dad died when he was young, and his mother died a couple years ago."
Trey was taken aback. "Oh my God. I can't imagine that so young."
"I don't really know how it was. He doesn't talk about them much. I don't know if they just weren't close or he's trying to avoid the subject, but I haven't really gotten much more about them than when they died."
Trey just shook his head slowly. Losing your parents is always hard, but to only be in your twenties when it happens must be horrible. He couldn't help but feel bad for the young badger. He really did seem like a nice guy, and Trey became irritated at himself for treating the kid the way he did. He always felt some need to protect Brian, and he didn't really know where that need came from. It was something that arose shortly after the adoption.
Luckily his train of thought was cut short as Scott walked out, smelling of slightly damp fur. He yawned and poured himself a cup of coffee, joining him and Brian at the bar.
"Morning, honey." Trey kissed the top of the fox's head after he sat.
"Mmph. Morning." Scott mumbled. He was never good in the mornings, unlike Trey. He had always found it cute.
Scott yawned once more, and the trio sat in silence for a few minutes, until Scott started to seem more awake.
"So, Trey, since we're celebrating something more than just Brian coming home, I was thinking of having a special dinner tonight."
"All your dinners are special, hon." Trey teased, getting a snicker behind him from Brian.
"Ha, ha." Scott said dryly, narrowing his eyes at them both. "Seriously, I want to do something big tonight. We need to go to the store to pick up some stuff."
Trey sighed. "Now?"
"It would be best." Scott nodded. "Then we can get back before everyone's awake and ready to do stuff."
"Alright, lemme go get my shoes on." Trey grumbled as he lumbered to the room.
Trey knew Scott took all the complaining as a joke - which it was. He loved messing around with his fox, and the fact that he could take it without flying off the handle when it got crazy was a great thing. Honestly he didn't know what he would do without that fox. He brought so much joy into Trey's life that he constantly wondered why he was chosen to deserve someone so special.
After saying their goodbyes to Brian and getting in the car, Scott redirected Trey to go to the local bakery. Trey instantly knew that Scott wanted to get the pair an engagement cake. When it came to celebrating special occasions with food, the fox was obsessed. Even with birthdays - which these days consisted of one gift exchanged between the pair and no party - there was cake. It was his style.
"So you expect the bakery to be able to get a cake done that soon?" Trey asked as he turned the car out of their subdivision.
Scott laughed. "You underestimate how much they love me there. They know I'm a good tipper."
"And how are you going to explain having to go out again to pick up the cake?"
"No problem." Scott waved his paw. "If I pay a little extra, they'll deliver it to the house."
"Wow." Trey chuckled. "That's a new one for me. A delivery bakery."
"Like I said," Scott smiled widely, "you underestimate how much they love me. So, moving on a less sugary subject. How are you handling this?"
Trey sighed. "Honestly, I still don't know if I think that Brian's ready to get married, but Grant seems nice enough. I am feeling better about it today."
"Well that's good." Trey could see Scott turn to look out the passenger window and sigh. "It seems like he's growing up so quickly."
"Yeah, well, we did only have him his last three years of being underage."
"I know, but still. It just seems - Trey!"
Trey was barely able to register the yell he turned his head to see an SUV slam into the passenger side of the small sedan, sending them flying. The last thing he remembered seeing was the fox's head breaking through the window.
Grant leaned against Brian as they watched TV. He had woken up shortly after Brian's dads left, which was about an hour prior. Brian told Grant that he figured they were out getting a cake to celebrate their engagement. The wolf said it was how they were. Grant couldn't help but think it cheesy.
"Oh, so they heard us last night." Trey chuckled as Grant tensed. He had said that they didn't care about sex, but Grant still felt awkward about it.
"Oh, God. I'm sorry." He felt the heat rise in his cheeks.
"Shush. It was hot. I love it when you get rough." Brian kissed him on the cheek.
"Mmm, well I always feel bad after. You're not good at hiding that limp." Grant sighed.
"Babe, I know what I'm getting into when I ask you to top. I'm fine with a little limp. Besides, I can get rough with you sometimes, so it's only fair."
"Yeah, but you're about half as thick as me, and I'm much more of a bottom anyway." Grant couldn't really help himself when it came to the sex. It was like something came over him when faced with the opportunity to top his lover.
"Well I just so happen to like thick badger meat inside me, and I require you to give it to me." He punctuated his words by groping Grant, who looked up with an incredulous expression. Brian just smiled back and kissed him deeply. "Lighten up. You don't have to be protective of me. I can handle it, and if I can't, I'll let you know."
Grant just sighed in acquiescence. He loved the wolf, but sometimes he could be so stubborn. He cared about him, and hated that he caused him so much pain when he lost control in the bed.
"My dad did offer to drive me to the hospital after I told him how thick you were, though." Brian chuckled. Grant just put his head in his paw, when Brian's phone rang from the room. The wolf groaned and got up from the couch, heading into the room. Grant straightened himself on the couch, no longer having the wolf to lean against and continued to watch the TV.
"Hello?" Grant could hear Brian say as the wolf walked back out into the great room. "Yeah, this is he... What!?"
That didn't sound good. Grant turned around just in time to see the wolf drop the phone and fall to his knees. Grant jumped up from the couch and ran to the wolf, kneeling in front of him.
"An accident." Brian's voice strained between breaths. The wolf's breathing was quickened, his voice sounded pained. "Dad Trey is in the hospital. Dad Scott is dead." The last word came in a fit of sobs as the wolf buried his face into Grant's chest. All he could do is hold his lover and try to comfort him.
Grant held on to the wolf as he sobbed. He could feel his eyes begin to tear up as well, but not for the fox. He liked Scott, sure, but he had only really known him for a day. The real reason for his tears was because he knew the pain Brian was going through, and he wept for what he knew was to come.
"Honey," Grant said after Brian's sobbing softened slightly. "We should get to the hospital and check on your dad, okay? I can drive."
Brian nodded as he lifted his head from Grant's chest. "The keys to the other car should be on the counter." He sniffled. It seemed that the sobbing had abated for now, but Grant knew it would be back. Often.
Brian steeled himself as the nurse walked up to him and Grant in the waiting room. They hadn't been able to see his dad, and were only told that he had a concussion and a broken leg and was sedated. Still, they waited in the waiting room for him to wake up so they could go see him.
The older cat walked up to them, her eyes surprisingly sympathetic. "Your father is coming out of sedation now. You can go see him if you'd like." She smiled at the pair.
Brian nodded as he stood to follow the feline, barely keeping his emotions in check. "Do you have any strong nurses?"
The nurse looked at him perplexed. "Um, some of the male nurses, I guess, but why?"
"He's not gonna like what we have to tell him." He looked down at the floor, willing the tears back. He wished he could just stop thinking about it and maybe it would go away. He knew it wouldn't, but maybe if he didn't think about it, it wouldn't hurt.
The nurse just nodded. On the way to his dad's room, she tapped a couple of the male nurses - a jackal and a panther, both quite built. He sighed and prepared himself as they finally walked through the door to his father's room. Brian couldn't help but gasp seeing his father like that. His leg was in a cast suspended from the bed, his head wrapped in gauze, and a brace around his neck. He had never seen the bear look so helpless. Bits of dried blood stained his fur in areas that the doctors must not have cleaned well, and parts of his face were noticeably swollen.
They stood by his bed - Brian, Grant, and the jackal on one side; the cat and panther on the other - waiting for the bear to come out of his sedation. Gradually, the bear started to move, groaning. He finally opened his eyes, looking around the room in obvious confusion. Finally, the bear's eyes found Brian's.
"Brian... Where?... What?..." The bear whispered. Brian leaned in, putting a paw on his father's arm.
"You're in the hospital, dad. There was an accident." Brian pushed harder and harder against the tears.
"I... I remember..." The bear's eyes suddenly shot open. "Scott!" He squirmed, as if trying to get up. The two male nurses quickly closed in and held him down.
"Dad, don't move." Brian couldn't hold back the tears anymore as he felt the burning sting in his eyes. "Dad... He's... He died." The last came out strained as the flow of tears burst out once more.
"No." His father's eyes widened in shock. "No, he can't..." His father stared at Brian, until it must have finally hit him. He let out a guttural scream, verging on a roar, as he thrashed against the nurses futilely trying to pin him down.
"Dad!" Brian and Grant joined the nurses in their effort. "Dad! Stop!"
After a few moments, the bear finally calmed down; his scream becoming a moan as he continued to sob. Brian held the bear's paw as he felt his own tears run down his cheek ruffs.
Grant put his paw on Brian's back as the wolf and his father both mourned together. He nodded his thanks to the nurses as they left them alone. He couldn't help but feel for his wolf and the bear. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things Grant had ever gone through, and he could imagine that losing your mate was even worse.
Grant thought about the stories that Brian had told him about his dads. He remembered how Brian found it so easy to grow to call them 'dad,' proving how close they were. Most people adopted at fifteen would be hard-pressed to grow into a new family like Brian had. It didn't matter that they'd only been a family for eight years. They were as close as any Grant knew.
Grant thought about his own parents, and thought about ways he could help his wolf. He wasn't really close to his father, but his mother's death destroyed him. He tried to think about what helped him through the experience. He wanted nothing but to help Brian get through it as well. The only problem was he couldn't think of anything. Until he met Brian, he really hadn't gotten over it. Even these days he avoided thinking about it to try to avoid the pain it caused. Just that realization created a knot in his throat, that realization that he had no idea what to do.
Later that night, Grant and Brian ate in the cafeteria as Trey slept. It was an emotional day for them all. Aside from the sound of crying, the day was mostly silent, but nothing really needed to be said. Similarly, their dinner was spent in silence, until Brian finally spoke.
"Grant?" The wolf said, looking up. The hurt in his eyes was still as apparent as earlier.
"Yeah, hon?" Grant put his fork down to give the wolf his full attention.
"Does it ever get better?" His lover seemed once more on the edge of tears.
Brian looked down, trying to think of something to say, anything but what he knew was the truth. Finally he gave up and shook his head, looking back at the wolf. "No, it doesn't." he said honestly. "It just gets easier to ignore. I'm sorry." He reached out his paw and grasped the wolf's. "I'm here for you though. If you need anything, I'll be here, okay? I love you, and I'm not leaving."
Brian started to cry, albeit more subdued this time. "I love you, too." He said, after a moment. "I don't know what I would have done without you, honestly. How did you do this alone?"
Grant sighed. "I almost didn't. I was miserable for a year until I met you." He shrugged. "I guess you were enough of a distraction to get me out of my depression." He laughed softly. "I guess I've never thanked you for that."
Brian smiled at him even through the tears. "Hon, you more than deserved anything I could have ever done for you, and you still deserve more."
Grant's eyes started to water as he thought about how lucky he was. He had this amazing wolf that truly loved him. No matter what he said, there was no way he could ever repay what Brian had done for him in his life. He looked into the wolf's eyes for a moment longer before finally letting go of his paw and going back to his dinner. He hoped he could help him through this.
Brian watched as his dad gave his eulogy at the funeral. Five days did nothing to ease the hurt he felt, but he could control his emotions better. Still, it was hard for him not to cry as he listened.
"I met Scott over twenty years ago in college." His father looked at the picture of the fox next to the urn containing his ashes. "Honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, it was love at first sight - for me anyway." The bear smiled fondly. "I don't think he knew what was happening until I finally asked him out. Since then, though, we've been pretty much inseparable. I don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for him. When I was injured and had to quit playing football professionally, I was devastated. He brought me through that, and led me into coaching. Maybe it was a logical move that I would have gotten eventually, but he helped me up and got me going much faster than I would have myself. That was his way, though. He tried to help everyone that he could. He had the biggest heart I've ever known. He's the reason I have a wonderful son." The bear gestured to Brian, who tried to smile as encouragingly as he could while still trying to be strong for his dad. "He was my husband, and I love him with all my heart."
Brian walked up to help his dad down the few steps, helping to balance the bear as he hobbled on his single crutch. After his dad sat, he realized that he was next to speak. He composed himself and walked up the steps to take his spot behind the pulpit. For the first time, he looked at the gathered crowd. It was a small funeral home, but it was full. He recognized most of the faces in the pews - neighbors, friends, other teachers - but what surprised him the most was the amount of students in attendance. He didn't recognize most of the younger ones that were probably current or at least recent students of his fathers, but he did recognize many faces that had gone to school with him. He recognized many of his old friends that he hadn't talked to in years, and even some of the guys on the football team were there. He scanned their faces, and each one seemed to look as somber as he felt himself.
His eyes finally settled to the front row, to his dad and Grant. His dad had his head in his paws, crying silently. He knew it had taken a lot out of the bear to be able to speak right now. Grant was looking directly at Brian, all the comfort of his presence seeming to wash over him. The badger smiled slightly and nodded at him encouragingly. Brian closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"As many of you know, or can tell, I wasn't always their son. When I was fifteen, I came out of the closet to my parents, and I was kicked out of my house. I was pretty much homeless. But then, one of my teachers intervened, knowing what I was going through, and taking pity on me. I never in my dreams expected them to adopt me. I know now that it was mostly dad Scott that made it happen. Honestly, I doubt I would do the same thing. Together, he and dad Trey were the best parents I could ask for. It didn't take long at all for me to start calling them 'dad.' They felt more like my parents than my biological parents who raised me for fifteen years. Sure, we had fights, and got angry at each other, but we were always family, even if not by blood. I love them both as much as any son could love his parents. I could never repay in a hundred lifetimes what dad Scott has given me. He literally gave me a life and a future. No matter what anyone says, he is my real dad, and I implore all of you to keep his memory and his passion for helping others alive. Thank you for coming."
Brian walked back down to his seat next to Grant, who put his arm around his waist. Brian almost melted into the contact. He thought about what his dad had said during his eulogy, that he helped him through all of the hard parts in his life. He couldn't help but think that that was exactly how he felt about Grant. He couldn't imagine the pain of losing Grant, and they had only been together a year. He reached his paw over to hold his father's as the pastor continued the funeral service.
Grant snuggled up to Brian on the couch as they relaxed after the funeral. The TV wasn't on, but it didn't matter to Grant. He kept his focus on the wolf holding him. Trey had already retired to the room, saying he was tired. Grant could tell that the day had just been too emotionally draining for him. Grant was glad that all the hospital and funeral business was over. Now the real healing could begin.
"What's on your mind, wolf?" He asked as he slowly stroked the wolf's arm.
"I don't know." Brian sighed. "So much to process. I'm sorry."
Grant turned in the wolf's arms so he could look into his eyes. "What are you sorry for?"
Brian shrugged. "For everything. Putting you through all this, not being strong enough."
"Hey, don't say that. I'm here for you by choice. I'm not the one that lost a parent, you are. If I didn't want to be with you through both the good and the bad, I wouldn't have asked you to marry me. I still want you to be my husband. I know what you're going through, hon. You are strong, but nobody goes through losing a loved one unscathed." He kissed the wolf lightly.
"Mmm, what would I do without you, Grant?"
"You'd get along fine." Grant replied, smiling. "You're as strong and capable as anyone I know."
"I don't know about that." Brian shook his head. "I love you so much." The wolf squeezed Grant to his body almost painfully. "I'm just glad it's over." The two snuggled in silence, comforting each other.
The silence was broken by a loud thud in the other room, as if something heavy had fallen. Brian and Grant rushed to the door, the wolf pushing it open.
"Dad, are you... Dad!" Brian ran in before Grant could even see what was going on. He looked in to see the bear lying on the ground bleeding profusely from cuts down his arms.
Grant rushed to the bear's side, putting his paws on each of the cuts and pressing down as hard as he could, causing the half-conscious bear to groan. Brian was beside him freaking out, calling to his dad.
"Brian, call 911! Now!" The wolf just nodded as he ran out of the room to make the call. Grant turned his attentions to the bear, who was starting to go into shock. He replaced one of his paws with his knee so he could reach up and grab the pillows off the bed. After propping up the bear's legs with the pillows, he replaced his paw on the gash in his arm. The bleeding was starting to slow, and Grant could only hope it was because of his efforts, and not because the bear was running out of blood.
Trey's eyes started to flutter open, looking at Brian for the first time. "No... I can't..."
"Shh. Don't talk." Grant would never have thought that the bear would attempt suicide. It was so far beyond the personality he emanated. He never showed any signs of it aside from a bit of depression, which was expected in this situation. It seemed to Grant that they stayed in that position for hours before the EMTs arrived.
Standing up to let them work, Grant looked at Brian, who stared back with a shocked expression. Just then, Grant became aware of how he looked. His paws were soaked in blood, as well as his knees. He looked away from Brian to watch the EMTs get Trey on the stretcher and start to carry him outside.
"Go with them." He said, turning back to Brian. "I'll take a shower and meet you at the hospital."
The wolf nodded, still looking shocked. He stopped at the door and turned to face Grant. "I love you."
"I love you, too. Go." He watched as Brian got into the ambulance, turning to face his father. After they closed the doors, he shut the front door with his hips, not wanting to cover it in blood. He started to undress as he walked to the bathroom.
Once he finally stood in the shower, hot water running over him, creating a pinkish runoff in the tub, the night's events finally caught up to him. He couldn't help himself as he started to cry. He was so scared, but he couldn't show that to his wolf. He had to be strong for Brian.
Brian waited with Grant outside of his father's hospital room. Last night had turned his world upside down. His dad had always said that suicide was never an answer to anything. To think that he could be pushed that far was devastating to Brian. Remembering all that had happened, he could never explain how much he owed the badger sitting next to him. Grant seemed to take it all as what had to be done, but without him, his father would be dead. Brian was so frozen in shock he had no idea what to do. If Grant wasn't there...
The door opened to reveal the psychologist that had taken the last hour speaking to his father. The old wolf looked at Brian and smiled.
"Your father will be fine. It was a just moment of weakness, which unfortunately happens a lot in these cases. I know you two need to go back to your classes soon, so I proposed a solution to your father, and he accepted. We'll continue our meetings, but he'll have a live-in nurse attend him at home so he won't be alone and we can avoid this happening again."
"Thank you." Brian nodded to the wolf, thankful of the news. "Can we see him now?"
The wolf nodded. "Yes, he should be fine now. He's still dealing with everything, but he should be composed enough to talk to family."
Brian smiled politely at the wolf before walking into the room, holding Grant's hand. The sight of the room was much less shocking than the time before, the only thing wrapped being his arms, but the anguish on his father's face spoke volumes of his real condition. When the pair walked in, his dad turned his head to face them. His eyes widened, and he jerked his head back in shame.
"Dad, it's alright." Brian put a paw on the bear's shoulder.
"I just..." Trey said weakly, still looking away. "I just couldn't take it. I'm sorry." The last word came out in a half-sob as he finally turned to look at Brian.
"I know, dad. I know. It's okay. You're still here."
"No, it's not okay. I was being stupid." The bear's face turned dark, angry at himself. "I don't want to leave you without a family. I wasn't thinking about that last night. I didn't think about how it would affect the other most important person in my life. I don't want to hurt you."
"I know you don't, dad. I can't even imagine how you felt, but please don't try it again." Brian started to cry.
"I won't." He looked up at Brian with that look in his eye that said he meant it with all his heart. The bear glanced at Grant, who was standing off to the side, not wanting to interfere. "Son, mind if I talk to Grant for a second? Alone?"
Brian nodded, smiling faintly at Grant as he left the room. He stood by the doorway outside, but he was still able to hear his father.
"I want to thank you for saving my life. I know it was you. No, let me finish. I know you've been through losing a parent before, and I know you've been helping my son through this. I know now how good you are for my son. I'd love for you to marry him. Just promise me you'll stay with him and take care of him."
Brian heard Grant say something in reply, but he couldn't make it out. Grant walked out of the room and smiled weakly at Brian. He could see the emotion in the badger's eyes. Brian grabbed his paw and squeezed lightly.
"Come on." He said to the badger. "Let's get out of here."
"...and I will always be here for you." Grant smiled at the wolf in front of him as he finished his vow. He couldn't help but admire how good Brian looked in a tux. The wolf squeezed his paws as the pastor - an aging cougar - turned to Brian.
"Grant," the wolf started, "six months ago, you helped me through the most difficult time in my life thus far. Honestly, I have no idea what I would have done if you weren't by my side the whole way. Then you literally saved my dad's life. Nobody could ever ask that much from a mate, but you've given it. You said I've given you more than you could repay, but I think it's the other way around. I will forever be in debt to you, for everything you've done. I love you with all my heart."
The pastor turned back to Grant, but he could barely make the cougar out due to the tears in his eyes. "Do you, Grant Kline, take Brian Evans to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." Grant said without a pause.
The cougar turned to Brian. "And do you, Brian Evans, take Grant Kline to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husbands. You may kiss each other."
Brian pulled Grant into a deep kiss, punctuated by the applause of the attendees. They turned to face the small crowd of family and friends who all smiled at the pair, happy for their new life together. As they started their walk down the aisle, Grant turned and smiled to Brian's dad, who stood clapping next to the chair that was empty save for a portrait of Scott. The bear smiled widely at the pair, but Grant couldn't help but notice the scars that the bear's sleeves didn't quite cover. It was a painful reminder of six months ago. Grant couldn't help but think that those scars were almost a physical representation of the emotional scars that would always be there for Brian and Trey - and Grant for that matter. It was a reminder of how fragile they really were.
Some scars never fade, but over time you learn to live with them.
In loving memory of Scott Bower.
Husband. Father. Friend.