FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Miles sighed as he stepped through the open doorway into the dimly lit pub. It was odd to find himself in this particular place, seeing as it was more of a hangout for the frat boys and their not much more reputable female counterparts. The wolf had often been approached by the different houses trying to convince him to rush for one or the other. Each time he declined without needing too much time to consider. That lifestyle was simply not for him. It was not that he was against the brotherhood these organizations supposedly offered, just that the reputation for the ones here at Southpaw University had not been something Miles felt that he would fit in with. The massive amounts of drinking combined with the late nights of partying and the hazing just to join held no appeal to the wolf. Not to mention the fact that the majority of the ones who had been involved in the incident this past spring were parts of this so-called brotherhood. In fact upon surveying the surrounding area the canine had spotted more than a few furs glancing nervously his way, some with evidence of their own injuries inflicted by one whose friendship Miles had thought lost. Thankfully Brent had turned out to be exactly what the canine had known him to be, a friend. The bull had really come through for him that night. Miles was ashamed to think that he had already given up on that friendship months before. The wolf had known what the real Brent was like, yet it took a power much more potent than friendship to crack the façade the bovine had built for himself. Thankfully the bull's new mate had seen to that rather quickly. There was no end to how grateful Miles was for that fact.

The wolf sat on an open stool and ordered something light. A frosty mug was placed before him complete with orange slice on the rim. The drink was comfortingly cold going down. He was not used to drinking on a weekday, but ever since Klaus had begun going to his night classes it had been the only thing he could do to help ease his worries some. Originally he had waited by the door until his mate came out to ensure that none would bother the bunny at any time. He knew it was overkill and had begun coming to the on-campus pub in order to numb his worries while his mate was safely in class. Besides, one beer never hurt anyone.

No Miles. That kind of thinking will only get you in trouble, he scolded.His mind needed to be clear at all times in case something were to happen. There had already been whispers that the twins held quite the grudge for how badly things went for them. One earned a broken jaw along with the broken arms they both received. Those two could be trouble. Luckily Brent was the target of the majority of their contempt, though there was no way in hell he would let them touch Brent without having to tangle with him at the same time.

Miles found himself shaken from his thoughts by a friendly paw on his shoulder. Beside him a strikingly handsome buck sat down and ordered a tall drink for the both of them. "You look like that one won't be enough to help sort out those troubles."

"Ummm..." Miles found himself slightly suspicious, "Thanks... but I have to drive in a bit so I think I may need to limit myself to just this one."

"Awe two can't hurt. At least it won't hurt a strapping canine such as yourself right? I bet you hold your own quiet well against the effects of alcohol. Plus it is a lighter beer you are drinking so I think one more couldn't hurt." The deer's smile was quite friendly, almost overly so. "The name's Garrett by the way. Sorry if I seemed a bit like a creeper. I see you in here every other day with that same worried look across your face. Me being the guy I am I had to try at least once to cheer you up."

Miles noticed a genuine look of concern in the buck's dark brown eyes. It warmed him a bit, reminding him that not everyone was the enemy. "Miles. A pleasure to meet you Garrett. I'm sorry that my expression concerned you. A lot has happened recently and I am just trying to get things straightened out in my head."

"Girl problems I assume?"

Miles chuckled, "Something like that. You're at least on the right track."

"Ah then guy problems. Seems we have something in common already." The deer seemed a bit more enthusiastic with that comment.

"Not necessarily guy problems. More along the lines of me having problems with everyone else around my guy."

"The jealous type? Nothing unusual there. Looks to me like you hold some pretty strong feelings for your mate."

"Jealousy isn't it either. It is difficult to explain..."

"No need to say anything else. I can tell that it is not something you want to speak of around someone you just met. In that case let's change the subject! "

The two furs continued to chat back and forth about one thing or another. Garrett had spent the majority of his life down south and had only transferred to Southpaw U to follow his best friend on some quest to find a long-lost friend. He seemed quite happy with the milder climate, which made perfect sense for any fur to say seeing as how unnecessarily hot it got during the summers down south. The two spoke of high school, sports, and even relationships leading to Miles sharing the story of how he met Klaus.

"Sounds like you two were made for each other." Garrett gave an almost longing smile as he stared at the bottles lining the walls behind the bar.

"I like to think so! He has been there for me through a lot and three years has seen us growing closer by the day. I'm not sure what I would do without him."

"Well I doubt you will ever have to find out. By the sound of it things could not be more perfect between you two."

"What about you? I mean you moved all the way up here to follow a friend. There has to be more there than you let on. I can see you have feelings for him just by the way you talk about him."

The buck shook his head slowly. "Nothing will ever come of us I'm afraid. Not that I don't want it to; he just already has his heart set on someone else..."

"Well I am sure he will come around. A good looking whitetail like yourself should have no trouble getting him to fall for you." Miles tried to give his most confident smile. The buck smiled back, seeming at least a little less down about his situation.

"I can't believe how turned around this got. I approached you to help with your troubles and here I am getting advice on my own. Hell of a guy you are Miles. Hell of a guy."

The wolf grinned at this. Here he was making a new friend at a pub he had never intended on coming to. It seemed that some good had come of this after all. A quick glance of the wall showed 15 minutes until Klaus was to be released from class. As enjoyable as the conversation had been it had to come to a close now if Miles was to make it to meet Klaus on time. The two said their goodbyes and Miles padded off, tail almost wagging at the prospect of seeing Klaus. The conversation with Garrett had been a great distraction. Hopefully they could continue their conversation in the future.

Garrett watched the wolf walk away, not hiding the fact that his eyes more watched Miles' rear than anything else. That wolf was a beautiful specimen. The buck wondered how much fun he would be in bed, though it did not take long for thoughts of Fellin to creep into his head. The fox seemed to constantly creep into his thoughts, forcing his way like water forced its way through cracks in a dam. The more he tried not to think of his friend, the more it seemed like he had no choice. It was no surprise that he was falling ever harder for the fennec. He had always been one to become attached to those he could never have. It seemed heartache was as much a piece of his life as happiness of late, though he knew it was vastly overdramatic to say so. He looked up at the clock with what could almost be described as apprehension. Time to report in.

The fennec was currently in class with his old friend; watching and planning for the perfect time for them to meet. Garrett had decided to help by talking to Miles in order to find a way to eventually distract the wolf long enough for Fellin to have the confrontation he sought so fervently. He had not intended on enjoying the canine's company so much. In fact he worried that he may have enjoyed it a bit too much. No good had ever come of him falling for one whose heart belonged to another and it was more than obvious the wolf had a deep connection with his mate. A connection which Garrett would have given anything to have, even if only for a moment.

He downed the last of his ale before exiting the pub, making his own way towards the classroom where Fellin would await the news of how Garrett's meeting with the wolf went. The fennec was biding his time as he planned for the opportune moment to approach the object of his affection. It was almost like a twisted joke that Miles seemed so perfect for the rabbit. Fellin would never stand a chance, yet Garrett would not be the one to tell him that. It would destroy their friendship, and to the deer that friendship was too important to ruin. That friendship was the closest he would ever come to having Fellin for himself. Supporting his friend was all he could do at this time. No matter how strong his feelings were for Fellin, this was all he could do.

As he approached the building where Fellin waited he spotted the wolf walking away with what must have been his mate and Fellin's goal. The rabbit was cute. His slender frame was feminine like the fennec's own. His fur a deep shade of black from what the deer could see and he walked with arms wrapped around the wolf's. This would be an arduous time for his friend. Garrett had better make sure he was prepared for the inevitable meltdown.

Fellin waved him over from under a nearby tree. "You seem to be taking your time. Scoping out the goal I noticed." His voice was so musical, beautiful enough that Garrett felt his heart begin to pound.

"Yeah. Your Klaus is quite the cute one. Though his mate is a treasure in his own right."

"So fill me in! What is this mate like? Rough around the edges? A volatile temper? Bad sense of humor? Does he smell funny? Come one out with it!" The fennec was all too eager to hear the horrible things the buck had to say about Miles.

"I hate to disappoint you but honestly Miles is perfect. From what I have gathered he is kind, considerate, a perfect gentleman, and he puts Klaus first in both heart and mind. I'm afraid our task is going to be a bit more difficult than you are anticipating."

"More fun then. It will be all the better when we set Miles up for the fall. Klaus will run straight into my arms and I will never have to worry about losing him again! Ah things are looking up my dear Garret." Fellin's confidence in his plan seemed to be growing at an overly rapid pace. How would Garrett handle the fennec once all of this fell through? "I need something from you though..."

"And that would be...?" Curiosity could certainly be a dangerous thing.

"I need you to try and get Miles' mind off of Klaus. Maybe onto someone a bit similar to himself? In build at least, you are much cuter than he is."

Garrett sighed. His friend never hesitated to ask the impossible of him. "I'll do what I can. Just don't hold it against me if I am unable to succeed. That wolf is a might more loyal than you seem to understand." Damn, his accent was poking through.

"Someone is getting antsy. I haven't heard that drawl in quite some time." The fox seemed to find that all too funny. The deer would have to pay more attention in the future, though that smile made it all too tempting to speak like he did back home. To be honest he felt almost dirty planning something like this. Separating the two lovers would be something that forever stain his soul, if he decided to go through with things that is.

"I'm just tired. It's been a long day and I have a feeling tomorrow is not going to be much better." He tried to exaggerate the fatigue in his voice.

A flash of concern crossed his friend's face, "Is it something I've done? Garrett you know you can always tell me if something is on your mind..."

That face... "No, it is nothing you have done. You're as perfect as a cornfield under the harvest moon."

Fellin giggled, "One of your grandfather's sayings I assume?"

"One of his favorites." The buck attempted to stifle a yawn as they walked.

"Awe... Hun go get some sleep. I need to get home to study anyway. There may be a pop quiz tomorrow night and I can't allow my grades to slip due to my own negligence."

Garrett nodded and after walking Fellin to his vehicle the buck began the short trek to his own. The night air was humid, yet the heat was not nearly what he remembered from back home. Those muggy nights laying bed sheets dampened by humidity. While he did not miss that particular portion of the south, he did miss the scenery. Sure it was nice up here, but there was nothing like a long moonlit walk down a dirt road listening to the sounds of crickets and frogs serenade you as your thoughts melt away. It was not something one could really describe to another. It must be experienced. Garrett hoped that one day he would be able to take a walk like that with Fellin, though if things kept progressing as they were he might end up giving up on the fox. If that time came, could he really let go? Could he put his feelings aside for his own sake?

"Damn this is making my head hurt..." No one was there to listen. No one was there to care. Garrett had never felt so alone.